Media Relations Contacts
If you are a listener with questions, contact our Audience Services team at 800-228-7123, weekdays 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. C.T.
APM | MPR Media Relations
mediarelations@mpr.org (Journalist inquiries, only.)
Media Releases
American Public Media Names Desiree Cooper New Co-Host of Weekend America
American Public Media Names Desiree CooperNew Co-Host of Weekend America
Fresh Voice to Public Radio Brings New Perspective to Weekends in America
(St. Paul, Minn.) June 20, 2007—American Public Media,™ creator of distinctive, signature programs for public radio, announced today that award-winning journalist Desiree Cooper will join Bill Radke as co-host of Weekend America,® public radio's two-hour weekly program about the issues of the week, the arts and public affairs. Cooper's first broadcast as co-host of Weekend America is scheduled for August 18, 2007. She will work at American Public Media's Saint Paul headquarters, while Radke will continue in Los Angeles.
"We are delighted to name Desiree as co-host," said Peter Clowney, executive producer of Weekend America. "She's a magnetic personality, a terrific journalist. She loves talking to people and overflows with ideas for the program. And, she and Bill have genuine chemistry in the studio."
Cooper is a popular columnist at the Detroit Free Press, where she's been since 1999. The paper twice nominated her for a Pulitzer Prize and she's been named "best columnist" or "favorite writer" in Detroit several times, by both journalism organizations and reader polls. As a broadcaster, Cooper has contributed national commentaries to NPR's All Things Considered for the past seven years. She's also appeared frequently on Detroit area radio and television.
Cooper's interests range beyond print and radio journalism. She's a prize-winning poet whose short fiction will be anthologized this fall.
"It was poet Gwendolyn Brooks who said, 'One wants a teller in a time like this,'" said Cooper. "I'm so grateful to join a team committed to telling those stories that both bind and define us as Americans. I can't wait to co-host with Bill—his smarts, humor and spontaneity are what are best about public radio."
Bill Radke is equally enthusiastic. "When I first met Desiree, I forgot we were supposed to be doing a host audition. I wanted to listen to her stories. I wanted to bat back her opinions. This is what radio conversation should be!"
An attorney, Cooper also served as editor-in-chief at Metro Times, an alternative weekly newspaper in Detroit, for five years. Under her leadership, Metro Times doubled its readership to 600,000.
Cooper was born in Itazuke, Japan, and has lived in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland and Michigan. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland in 1981 with a double major in journalism and economics and received her law degree from the University of Virginia in 1984.
"Living around the world has taught me people everywhere want to feel empowered about their lives and their communities," said Cooper. "Instead, the news media offers a crush of bad news everyday. Weekend America is a place where listeners can find hope, illumination and maybe even a good laugh."
About Weekend America
Making its debut in October 2004 with generous support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Weekend America is a place where each week two curious, lively hosts spark conversations, share unexpected stories and connect listeners with the most compelling ideas and events of America this weekend. Weekend America features material from the producers and stations around the country.
Weekend America is today heard on 139 public radio stations across the county, including in 22 of the top 50 markets, and has built its audience to already reach 685,000 listeners each week (Audience estimates are copyright Arbitron Nationwide DMA P12+, Fall 2006). Weekend America is on the Web at www.weekendamerica.org.
Marketplace Awarded Grant from The Commonwealth Fund to Support Health Coverage
Contacts: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Barry Scholl
(212) 606-3841
bas@cmwf.org
www.commonwealthfund.org
Marketplace Awarded Grant from The Commonwealth Fund to Support Health Coverage
(Los Angeles, Calif.) May 9, 2007—The Commonwealth Fund has awarded American Public Media's™ Marketplace® a $50,000 grant to support expanded coverage of health issues at Marketplace's Health Desk.
American Public Media's award-winning portfolio of programs—Marketplace, Marketplace Morning Report® and Marketplace Money®— provides business, economic and personal finance news with a fresh sound that addresses listeners' financial needs from wallet to Wall Street. The Marketplace Health Desk, one of several specialized Marketplace news desks, covers the latest domestic and international health issues. The Health Desk is located at WGBH in Boston, Mass.
The Commonwealth Fund grant will support Marketplace reporting on the current health crisis with a special focus on health care costs and containment, and analyses of other national and global models of delivering health care. This coverage will provide the public and health policymakers practical information to help them make informed health care decisions.
The Marketplace Health Desk will also use American Public Media's innovative Public Insight Journalism® model to inform and deepen its coverage. Marketplace journalists use Public Insight Journalism to tap the knowledge of audiences and bring that knowledge into the reporting process to create coverage that is more relevant. The national network of Public Insight Journalism participants has more than 27,000 people from all 50 states and 22 countries.
"The Marketplace Health Desk has a history of making the complexities of the U.S. health care market comprehensible and meaningful for listeners," said Karen Davis, President of The Commonwealth Fund. "The Commonwealth Fund is pleased to be able to support this critical source of information."
"Marketplace has covered health care as a critical issue for almost 20 years," said JJ Yore, executive producer of Marketplace and vice president of programming at American Public Media. "But now that the recent and upcoming elections have put health care back on the political agenda again, this is an opportune time for us to rethink our coverage and redouble our efforts, focusing on coverage that looks at solutions around the country and the world. We are delighted that The Commonwealth Fund is helping make this possible."
The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation working toward a high performance health system. The Commonwealth Fund is on the Web at www.commonwealthfund.org.
American Public MediaTM is the nation's second-largest producer of public radio programs, reaching 14.7 million listeners nationwide each week. National programs include A Prairie Home Companion®, Saint Paul Sunday®, Marketplace®, Marketplace Money®, The Splendid Table®, Being™ and special reports produced by its national documentary unit, American RadioWorks®. American Public Media is the national production and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio®. Minnesota Public Radio, along with its sister company Southern California Public Radio, belongs to a larger family of companies within American Public Media Group, a national nonprofit organization whose purpose is to develop resources, services and systems to support public media for public service. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be obtained at www.americanpublicmedia.org.
Source: Data are copyright Arbitron, Inc. Arbitron data are estimates only.Fall 2006
New Host Named for Marketplace Morning Report
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
New Host Named for Marketplace Morning Report
(Los Angeles, Calif.) May 3, 2007—Doug Krizner has been named host of American Public Media's™ Marketplace Morning Report.® Krizner will join Scott Jagow as one of Marketplace Morning Report's two hosts on June 25.
Marketplace Morning Report is part of American Public Media's award-winning Marketplace® portfolio of programs that also includes Marketplace and Marketplace Money. Marketplace Morning Report is the popular business newscast that airs each weekday morning on more than 300 public radio stations nationwide reaching 5.1 million listeners. (Source: Arbitron, Inc., Nationwide data, P12+, Fall 2006). Marketplace Morning Report offers listeners a look at business news from a global perspective seven times each morning with eight-minute segments outlining the top stories in brief.
"Doug's impressive background in business journalism and his affinity for the Marketplace style and pace are a great combination," said Wendy Sykes, senior producer of Marketplace Morning Report and Marketplace Money.®
"I've admired the Marketplace style for years," said Krizner. "It's a wonderful tradition of storytelling and I'm thrilled by the opportunity to host."
Once a Wall Street stockbroker, Krizner entered business journalism in 1992 when Michael Bloomberg hired him to join a team charged with creating an all-news radio station in New York City. For the next seven years, Krizner reported stories of the financial markets for Bloomberg Radio and its affiliates, interviewing many major players in business and finance during the 1990s. He was also the Bloomberg reporter assigned to cover the stock market for NPR News.
In his last assignment for Bloomberg, Krizner led the radio department as news director.
Over the years, Krizner has worked as an actor, appearing in O Pioneers! on American Playhouse/PBS and in the DreamWorks feature Just Like Heaven.
American Public Media and Gather.com Announce Earth Day Writing Competition to "Go Green on Gather"
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
American Public Media and Gather.com Announce Earth Day Writing Competition to "Go Green on Gather"
Leaders in Global Sustainability News Reporting and Public Discussion Seek to Encourage People to Make Eco-Friendly Changes in Their Everyday Lives
(St. Paul, Minn.) April 9, 2007—American Public Media,™ the nation's second-largest producer of public radio programs, and Gather.com,™ the leader in social media for adults, today announced an Earth Day Writing Competition on Gather.com to foster greater awareness around Earth Day 2007, global warming and the critical issues facing our environment.
The Earth Day Writing Competition gives participants the opportunity to submit "Go Green" resolutions of making eco-friendly changes in their everyday lives. Entrants can post their "Go Green" resolution to American Public Media's Sustainability Gather Group at http://sustainability.gather.com/ from April 9-19. American Public Media's Sustainability Gather Group, called "Living a sustainable life," features content from American Public Media programs Being,® Marketplace® and its documentary unit, American RadioWorks.® American Public Media's global sustainability news reporting includes how lifestyle, technology, trends and the environment affect issues of sustainability.
During Earth Day week, April 23-27, a resolution will be selected by Gather's Editorial Team and featured on the Gather home page and in the Living a Sustainable Life group. If your green resolution becomes a finalist, it will be eligible for the Grand Prize.
Five semi-finalists will receive a "sustainability grove" of trees, which can be planted in your own backyard or at a designated reservation. One Grand Prize Winner will receive a sustainability grove and a $250 gift certificate to Gaiam.com.
About Gather.com
Gather.com (www.gather.com) is the leader in social media for adults. Today, more than 240,000 Gather.com members connect around shared interests ranging from politics to books and from cooking to travel, and theyíre compensated for their activity on the site. Members can engage in conversation with state and local politicians, health and financial experts, personal coaches, bestselling authors, and more. Over one million people visit Gather.com each month to read content created by Gather.com members. Gather.com has a highly educated, highly informed adult audience membership—a demographic elusive to most social networking sites. This demographic has made Gather.com an exceptional partner to media companies, advertising agencies, leading consumer brands, book publishers, and movie studios. Gather.com is a privately held, privately funded company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Investors include Allen & Company, The American Public Media Group, Hearst, The McGraw-Hill Companies, and Southern California Public Radio. For more information, visit www.gather.com or call (617) 720-4000, x1032.
Gather, Gather.com, and Gather Points are trademarks of Gather Inc.
American Public Media is the nation's second-largest producer of public radio programs, reaching 14.7 million listeners nationwide each week. National programs include A Prairie Home Companion,® Performance Today,® Weekend America,® Marketplace,® Marketplace Money,® The Splendid Table,® Being® and special reports produced by its national documentary unit, American RadioWorks.® American Public Media is the name under which Minnesota Public Radio® | American Public Media does national program production and distribution. Minnesota Public Radio, along with its sister company Southern California Public Radio, belongs to a larger family of companies within American Public Media Group, a national nonprofit organization whose purpose is to develop resources, services and systems to support public media for public service. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be obtained at www.americanpublicmedia.org.
###Source: Data are copyright Arbitron, Inc. Arbitron data are estimates only.
Fall 2006 average
American Public Media and Gather.com Announce Earth Day Writing Competition to "Go Green on Gather"
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
American Public Media and Gather.com AnnounceEarth Day Writing Competition to "Go Green on Gather"
Leaders in Global Sustainability News Reporting and Public Discussion Seek to Encourage People to Make Eco-Friendly Changes in Their Everyday Lives
(St. Paul, Minn.) April 9, 2007—American Public Media,™ the nation's second-largest producer of public radio programs, and Gather.com,™ the leader in social media for adults, today announced an Earth Day Writing Competition on Gather.com to foster greater awareness around Earth Day 2007, global warming and the critical issues facing our environment.
The Earth Day Writing Competition gives participants the opportunity to submit "Go Green" resolutions of making eco-friendly changes in their everyday lives. Entrants can post their "Go Green" resolution to American Public Media's Sustainability Gather Group at http://sustainability.gather.com/ from April 9-19. American Public Media's Sustainability Gather Group, called "Living a sustainable life," features content from American Public Media programs Being,® Marketplace® and its documentary unit, American RadioWorks.® American Public Media's global sustainability news reporting includes how lifestyle, technology, trends and the environment affect issues of sustainability.
During Earth Day week, April 23-27, a resolution will be selected by Gather's Editorial Team and featured on the Gather home page and in the Living a Sustainable Life group. If your green resolution becomes a finalist, it will be eligible for the Grand Prize.
Five semi-finalists will receive a "sustainability grove" of trees, which can be planted in your own backyard or at a designatedreservation. One Grand Prize Winner will receive a sustainability grove and a $250 gift certificate to Gaiam.com.
About Gather.com
Gather.com (www.gather.com) is the leader in social media for adults. Today, more than 240,000 Gather.com members connect around shared interests ranging from politics to books and from cooking to travel, and they're compensated for their activity on the site. Members can engage in conversation with state and local politicians, health and financial experts, personal coaches, bestselling authors, and more. Over one million people visit Gather.com each month to read content created by Gather.com members. Gather.com has a highly educated, highly informed adult audience membership—a demographic elusive to most social networking sites. This demographic has made Gather.com an exceptional partner to media companies, advertising agencies, leading consumer brands, book publishers, and movie studios. Gather.com is a privately held, privately funded company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Investors include Allen & Company, The American Public Media Group, Hearst, The McGraw-Hill Companies, and Southern California Public Radio. For more information, visit www.gather.com or call (617) 720-4000, x1032.
Gather, Gather.com, and Gather Points are trademarks of Gather Inc.American Public Media is the nation's second-largest producer of public radio programs, reaching 14.7 million listeners nationwide each week. National programs include A Prairie Home Companion,® Performance Today,® Weekend America,® Marketplace,® Marketplace Money,® The Splendid Table,® Being® and special reports produced by its national documentary unit, American RadioWorks.® American Public Media is the name under which Minnesota Public Radio® | American Public Media does national program production and distribution. Minnesota Public Radio, along with its sister company Southern California Public Radio, belongs to a larger family of companies within American Public Media Group, a national nonprofit organization whose purpose is to develop resources, services and systems to support public media for public service. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be obtained at www.americanpublicmedia.org.
###
Source: Data are copyright Arbitron, Inc. Arbitron data are estimates only.
Fall 2006 average
American Public Media Acquires National Distribution of American Routes, Public Radio's Weekly Exploration of American Music
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
American Public Media Acquires National Distribution of American Routes, Public Radio's Weekly Exploration of American Music
(St. Paul, Minn.) March 2, 2007—American Public Media,™ the nation's second-largest producer and distributor of public radio programs, today announced it will become the national distributor of American Routes,™ the popular weekly program on American musical styles and genres hosted by internationally recognized folklorist, author and storyteller Nick Spitzer. American Public Media will begin distribution and co-production of American Routes on July 1, 2007.
American Routes will join a portfolio of signature music programs that together make American Public Media the nation's single largest producer and distributor of public radio music programs across multiple genres. Spitzer's compelling weekly program will inject new richness and depth to the American Public Media portfolio, while his creative relationship with American Public Media will bring his knowledge and sensibility into the organization.
"It's great to see American Public Media's commitment to music and cultural programming on public radio," said Spitzer. "This comes at a very good time for American Routes and for our New Orleans situation. I muse that the still growing national audience for Routes emerges from a strong relationship between the Minnesota source and the Louisiana mouth of the Mississippi River!"
"Nick is one of America's most celebrated storytellers who each week takes listeners on a memorable journey to meet the people, places and sounds of American music," said Sarah Lutman, senior vice president of content, American Public Media and Minnesota Public Radio.® "American Public Media's classical music programming delivers the great performances of past and present from around the world. The new partnership with American Routes extends American Public Media's music offerings from Johann Sebastian Bach to Louis Armstrong and from Frederick Chopin to Johnny Cash to further delight public radio audiences everywhere."
Now in its ninth year on the air, American Routes is a weekly two-hour public radio program produced in New Orleans by Spitzer, with award-winning executive producer Mary Beth Kirchner.
American Routes presents a broad range of American music—blues and jazz, gospel and soul, old-time country and rockabilly, Cajun and zydeco, Tejano and Latin, roots rock and pop, avant-garde and classical. The program also presents documentary features and artist interviews. Through the songs and stories on American Routes, Spitzer describes both the community origins of music, musicians and cultures—the "roots" of music—and the many directions they take over time—the "routes."
American Routes is currently carried on 200 public radio stations and on XM Satellite Radio, and it reaches nearly 400,000 listeners each week. (Source: Arbitron, Inc., Nationwide data, P12+, Spring06/Fall05 average)
American Routes is made possible by the generous support from the National Endowment for Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. American Routes is on the Web at http://www.americanroutes.org/.
American Public Media Awarded Prestigious George Polk Award for Radio Reporting
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
American Public Media Awarded PrestigiousGeorge Polk Award for Radio Reporting
Award Honors American RadioWorks Documentary "Reports from a Warming Planet"
(St. Paul, Minn.) February 23, 2007—American Public Media™ announced today that it has won the George Polk Award for Radio Reporting for its American RadioWorks® documentary, "Reports from a Warming Planet."
"Reports from a Warming Planet" was distributed, produced and edited by American RadioWorks in collaboration with the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley and NPR's Living on Earth. The award will be presented at a ceremony in New York on April 12, 2007.
The George Polk Awards are a series of prestigious American journalism awards issued annually by Long Island University in New York. The awards were established in 1949 to memorialize George Polk, a CBS correspondent killed covering the Greek civil war.
About the documentary project
Producer Sandy Tolan's graduate students at UC Berkeley fanned out across the globe to document early signs of climate change. The student reporters found that signs are showing up around the world in vastly differing landscapes: from melting outposts near the Arctic Circle to disappearing glaciers high in the Andes; from the rising water in the deltas of Bangladesh to the "sinking" atolls of the Pacific.
"Reports from a Warming Planet" takes listeners to parts of the planet where global warming is already making changes to life and landscape. The stories demonstrate how climate change is no longer restricted to scientific modeling about the future—it's happening now.
The transcript and audio of the documentary, along with photos and links are available at http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/earlysigns/.
About American RadioWorks
Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, American RadioWorks is public radio's largest documentary production unit. It creates documentaries, series projects, and investigative reports for the public radio system and the Internet. American RadioWorks has staff journalists in Washington, D.C., Duluth, Minn., Los Angeles and San Francisco. The American RadioWorks team features some of the most accomplished names in public radio journalism, including executive editor/correspondent Stephen Smith, economics correspondent Chris Farrell and host Ray Suarez.
American RadioWorks is the documentary unit of American Public Media. Major funding for American RadioWorks is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
HEY, TALENTED TWENTYSOMETHINGS! A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION IS LOOKING FOR YOU!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: David O'Neill
Prairie Home Productions
Phone: 651-999-1095
E-mail: davido@prairiehome.us
February 19, 2007
HEY, TALENTED TWENTYSOMETHINGS! A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION IS LOOKING FOR YOU!
Performers 20 to 29 years old to join Garrison Keillor for contest on April 21st broadcast
(Saint Paul, Minn.)—Are you in your 20s and talented? A Prairie Home Companion is looking for you! In past seasons, Garrison Keillor's popular public radio show has featured contests including Talent From Towns Under Two Thousand and Talent from Twelve to Twenty. This year, performers in their 20s are invited to showcase their skills on APHC's April 21st live broadcast.
Here are the specifics:
- All entries must be submitted by performers between 20 and 29 years of age as of 4/21/07
- The contest is open to soloists and performing groups alike. Acts must be self-contained, no accompanists will be provided. All members of each act must be between 20ñ29 years of age as of the date of the contest (4/21/07)
- All contestants must be available to be in St Paul, Minnesota, from Thursday, April 19, 2007 through 7 p.m. CST on Saturday, April 21, 2007
- Submissions must be RECEIVED by 5 p.m. CST on March 24, 2007
- Submissions must be in audio format only, in either cassette or compact-disc format. No video submissions will be considered.
- Submissions will not be returned
- Cassette tapes or CDs can be mailed to:
PHC Talent Contest
611 Frontenac Place
St Paul, MN 55104 - Digital entries will be accepted via www.prairiehome.org
- From these submissions, finalists will be chosen to participate in the contest on Saturday, April 21
Currently in its 33rd season, A Prairie Home Companion has made Minnesota's way of life and the fictional small town of Lake Wobegon part of American popular culture. The show is heard on more than 500 public radio stations nationwide, with a weekly audience that tops 4.3 million listeners. The program can also be heard on XM Radio, the Armed Forces Network Europe, the Far East Network, and in dozens of European cities via the Astra satellite network. Garrison Keillor's signature monologue, The News From Lake Wobegon, is available via podcast/iTunes.
A Prairie Home Companion is produced by Prairie Home Productions and presented by American Public Media. The show is sponsored nationally by Toyota, the Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort, Watkins and by Pillsbury Oven Baked Biscuits and Dinner Rolls. Audio clips, scripts and more information on A Prairie Home Companion can be found online at www.prairiehome.org.
WHAT: A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor presents this season's talent contest—for performers in their 20s
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2007, 4:45 p.m.
WHERE: The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101. 651.290.1221
TICKETS: Go to www.prairiehome.org for details, or contact Ticketmaster
FOR MORE INFORMATION: go to www.prairiehome.org, or contact David OíNeill at davido@prairiehome.us
# # #
Krista Tippett, Creator and Host of American Public Media's Being, Publishes Challenging New Book
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Krista Tippett, Creator and Host of American Public Media's Being, Publishes Challenging New Book
Tippett describes "a new imagination for a new century" in which religious ideas, people and passions are front and center in U.S. and global culture
(St. Paul, Minn.) February 14, 2007—On March 7, Viking will publish Krista Tippett's first book, Being, about her formation and her perspective as a thinker, journalist and public radio conversationalist. Tippett is widely lauded for her vibrant, intelligent and non-polarizing mode of conversation about the most challenging issues of our day.
Being chronicles Tippett's path from a childhood in an evangelical culture to the corridors of power as a Cold War diplomat in Berlin, to the deep questions that compelled her to create and launch the nation's premiere public radio program on religion, meaning and ethics. Tippett describes how her understanding of religion and spirituality as a force in the modern world have been shaped by her conversation partners and intellectual heroes from Elie Wiesel and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to the Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh and Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai.
In an early review, Publishers Weekly wrote, "As Tippett takes on issues from the science-and-religion debates to the future of progressive Islam, she shows herself to possess the same 'imaginative intellectual approach' that she admires in some of her interview subjects."
"The book is more reflective and personal than I can be on the air," said Tippett. "I wrote Being, in part, to answer questions that listeners have persistently asked me over the years—how I came to care about large questions of meaning, and how I'm changed by my radio conversations with people across the world's traditions. This book is also my answer to battle cries like 'the end of faith' and 'the God delusion.' Terrible damage is being done in the name of religion in our time. But religious traditions themselves contain the strongest critique and corrective we have to religious excesses. And my conversations week after week teach me that sacred traditions are among our richest sources for deep thought, creative engagement, and hope in the 21st Century world."
Tippett begins her Being book tour at Minnesota Public Radio's® Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minn. on March 1. For information about when and where to hear her speak, visit http://speakingoffaith.org/events.shtml.
Biography of Krista Tippett
A journalist and former diplomat, Tippett came up with the idea for Being while consulting for the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minn. She has hosted and produced the program at American Public Media™ since it began as an occasional feature in 2000, before taking on its current form as a national weekly program in 2003. Tippett is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and a former Fulbright Scholar. She has reported and written for The New York Times, Newsweek, the BBC and other international news organizations, and served as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador to the former West Germany.
PHOTO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
About American Public Media's Being
Produced and distributed by American Public Media in St. Paul, Minn., Being is an hour-long program that explores how perspectives of faith can illuminate the important issues of American and global life—from how we raise our children to how we wage war. Tippett's interviews with theologians and scientists, activists and writers have been called a new paradigm for discussion about religion, ethics and meaning in modern life.
Krista Tippett, Creator and Host of American Public Media’s Being, Publishes Challenging New Book
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Krista Tippett, Creator and Host of American Public Media’s Being, Publishes Challenging New Book
Tippett describes “a new imagination for a new century” in which religious ideas, people and passions are front and center in U.S. and global culture.
(St. Paul, Minn.) February 14, 2007—On March 7, Viking will publish Krista Tippett’s first book, Being, about her formation and her perspective as a thinker, journalist and public radio conversationalist. Tippett is widely lauded for her vibrant, intelligent and non-polarizing mode of conversation about the most challenging issues of our day.
Being chronicles Tippett’s path from a childhood in an evangelical culture to the corridors of power as a Cold War diplomat in Berlin, to the deep questions that compelled her to create and launch the nation’s premiere public radio program on religion, meaning, and ethics. Tippett describes how her understanding of religion and spirituality as a force in the modern world have been shaped by her conversation partners and intellectual heroes from Elie Wiesel and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to the Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh and Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai.
In an early review, Publishers Weekly wrote, “As Tippett takes on issues from the science-and-religion debates to the future of progressive Islam, she shows herself to possess the same “imaginative intellectual approach” that she admires in some of her interview subjects.”
“The book is more reflective and personal than I can be on the air,” said Tippett. “I wrote Being, in part, to answer questions that listeners have persistently asked me over the years–how I came to care about large questions of meaning, and how I’m changed by my radio conversations with people across the world’s traditions. This book is also my answer to battle cries like “the end of faith” and “the God delusion.” Terrible damage is being done in the name of religion in our time. But religious traditions themselves contain the strongest critique and corrective we have to religious excesses. And my conversations week after week teach me that sacred traditions are among our richest sources for deep thought, creative engagement, and hope in the 21st Century world.”
Tippett begins her Speaking of Faith book tour at Minnesota Public Radio’s® Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minn. on March 1. For information about when and where to hear her speak, visit http://speakingoffaith.org/events.shtml.
Biography of Krista Tippett
A journalist and former diplomat, Tippett came up with the idea for Speaking of Faith while consulting for the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minn. She has hosted and produced the program at American Public Media™ since it began as an occasional feature in 2000, before taking on its current form as a national weekly program in 2003. Tippett is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and a former Fulbright Scholar. She has reported and written for The New York Times, Newsweek, the BBC and other international news organizations, and served as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador to the former West Germany.
About American Public Media’s Being
Produced and distributed by American Public Media in St. Paul, Minn., Being is an hour-long program that explores how perspectives of faith can illuminate the important issues of American and global life–from how we raise our children to how we wage war. Tippett‘s interviews with theologians and scientists, activists and writers have been called a new paradigm for discussion about religion, ethics and meaning in modern life.
Take "The News from Lake Wobegon" Wherever and Whenever You May Roam
Contact: David O'Neill
Prairie Home Productions
(651) 999-1095
davido@prairiehome.us
Take "The News from Lake Wobegon" Wherever and Whenever You May Roam
American Public Media Offers Podcast of Garrison Keillor's Popular Monologue from A Prairie Home Companion
(St. Paul, Minn.) February 12, 2007—American Public Media™ today announced its new podcast of the popular "The News from Lake Wobegon" segment from A Prairie Home Companion®—the two-hour, live, weekly variety program, hosted by bestselling author and National Humanities Medal winner Garrison Keillor.A Prairie Home Companion is produced by Prairie Home Productions and distributed nationwide by American Public Media.
"The News from Lake Wobegon" is Garrison Keillor's signature monologue from "the town that time forgot and the decades cannot improve." Each week, Keillor shares with listeners the latest news and views from the little town where, above all else, "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."
Audiences will be able to obtain information about accessing "The News from Lake Wobegon" podcast on www.prairiehome.org and in the A Prairie Home Companion e-mail newsletter. The podcast will also be listed on iTunes and other major podcast directories.
A Prairie Home Companion is currently carried coast-to-coast on more than 580 public radio stations, with a nationwide audience of over 4 million listeners each week. The program is also broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio. Overseas, it can be heard on American One and the Armed Forces Networks in Europe and the Far East. A Prairie Home Companion is underwritten by Toyota and Select Comfort.
Keillor has written more than a dozen books, including Lake Wobegon Days, The Book of Guys, Love Me and Homegrown Democrat. He has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to radio, television and literature, including the National Humanities Medal in 1999, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. 2006 marked the release of the movie version of A Prairie Home Companion. The film was written by Keillor and directed by the late Robert Altman. Later that year, Keillor opened Common Good Books, an independent bookstore located in the historic Cathedral Hill area of St. Paul.
American Public Media also makes the following full programs available as podcasts: The Writer's Almanac,® Marketplace,® Marketplace Money,® Marketplace Morning Report,® Being,® The Splendid Table,® Weekend America,® Marketplace Tech Report, The Story™ (co-produced with North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC) Sound Opinions SM (co-produced with Chicago Public Radio®), Word for Word®, and American RadioWorks® documentaries.
Pipedreams, American Public Media's Weekly Exploration of the Power and Wonder of the "King of Instruments," Celebrates 25 Years on the Air
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Pipedreams, American Public Media's
Weekly Exploration of the Power and Wonder of the "King of Instruments," Celebrates 25 Years on the Air
(St. Paul, Minn.) January 30, 2007—Pipedreams,® the only nationally distributed radio program that explores the full range of the pipe organ's art and potential, will celebrate 25 years on the air in 2007.
Produced and distributed by American Public Media,™ the nation's leading producer and broadcaster of classical music programming, Pipedreams features brand new instruments in churches and concert halls, plus historic pipe organs recorded in locations around the world. Listeners experience everything from ancient instruments in vast cathedrals to the "Mighty Wurlitzers" of movie house fame. Unlike former nationally distributed radio programs of organ music, Pipedreams draws upon a wide range of unique concert recordings and an international array of commercially produced discs.
Pipedreams creator and host Michael Barone is celebrated nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music. He began playing the organ when he was 14 years old and has devoted more than four decades of his life to studying this remarkable instrument.
"The sound of wind through pipes...essential to the age-old organ tradition...remains a potentially beguiling, stimulating, thrilling and soul-penetrating energy," says Barone.
Barone's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996; the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997; and the 2001 Deems Taylor Award for Broadcasting from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). In 2002, Barone was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.
Each week on Pipedreams, through carefully selected organ repertoire and performances, Barone encourages his audience to engage both their ears and imaginations. He challenges listeners to go beyond preconceptions and stereotypes to achieve a greater appreciation of this multifaceted instrument. He occasionally talks with composers, organists, organ builders and restorers, but most often he muses about the delights of the unique and varied voices of which a pipe organ is comprised.
When asked, why the organ? "Because it can please and persuade in so many ways," replies Barone. "You will never in your life experience its every nuance. Yet, to enjoy the organ and its music is to embrace the fullness of life."
The initial Pipedreams programs, the first of which aired on Minnesota Public Radio® on January 3, 1982, were distributed nationally to 64 public radio stations. Previously, Barone had been host and producer for The Organ Program, which aired regionally on Minnesota Public Radio. Pipedreams replaced The Organ Program for 14 weeks from January through April 1982, but The Organ Program resumed during the remainder of that year and continued into 1983.
Meanwhile, the notion of Pipedreams as an ongoing national offering was encouraged. Pipedreams was revived for national distribution in October 1983 and has "struck a chord" ever since then. As a consistent 90-minute weekly presence, Pipedreams offers more nationally syndicated hours of organ music to the public than any other syndicated radio program in the United States.
Pipedreams currently is carried by more than 170 public radio stations, on XM Satellite Radio and on Radio-Television Hong Kong 4, and is available globally 24/7 via the Internet at www.pipedreams.org.
The Pipedreams Web site also allows visitors to hear current programs and more than 200 archived shows online. The site also includes a "mailbag" for listener questions about pipe organs and performers, a huge photo gallery, plus links to many pipe organ resources.
Pipedreams distributes a weekly online newsletter, "Organ Notes from Pipedreams," with information about the current week's program, featured organs, listings of future programming and a bonus 30 minutes of extra musical selections.
National broadcasts of Pipedreams are made possible with funding from the National Endowment of the Arts, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley C. Dudley, the MAHADH Fund of the HRK Foundation, by the contributions of listeners to American Public Media stations, and by the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America.
Tess Vigeland Named New Host of American Public Media's Marketplace Money
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Tess Vigeland Named New Host of American Public Media's Marketplace Money
Kai Ryssdal Remains Weeknight Host of Marketplace
(Los Angeles, Calif.) January 18, 2007—Veteran public radio reporter and host Tess Vigeland is the new host of Marketplace Money,® the weekend personal finance program produced and distributed by American Public Media.™ Vigeland's first broadcast as host is scheduled for Saturday, March 3. Kai Ryssdal, who previously held the role, will remain as weeknight host of Marketplace,® public radio's award-winning daily magazine on business and economics news.
Marketplace Money extends the sound of Marketplace to the weekends as the "money show for the rest of us." The weekly, hour-long program reflects the smart, witty sound of Marketplace with a look at the myriad of ways money affects us, from the cultural connotations of currency to the cost of college. Marketplace Money is found on the Web at www.marketplace.org.
"Listeners loved Tess when she hosted the Marketplace Morning Report," said JJ Yore executive producer of Marketplace and vice president of programming at American Public Media. "Marketplace Money will give her an even greater opportunity to display her range, talent and knowledge of all things money."
Vigeland is a familiar voice to Marketplace and Marketplace Moneylisteners. She's a longtime public radio veteran, both as a reporter and host. For more than three years, she hosted the Marketplace Morning Report. Since then, sheís served as host, reporter, editor and producer for all Marketplace programs. Prior to joining the team at Marketplace, Vigeland reported and anchored for WBUR radio in Boston and Oregon Public Broadcasting radio and television in Portland. She's covered numerous national and international stories, including the Northern Ireland peace talks in Belfast, the New England mob trials and the separate but tandem scandals around former U.S. Senator Bob Packwood and figure skater Tonya Harding. She served as Bill Littlefield's backup host on NPR's weekly sports program Only A Game. Vigeland has earned numerous awards in her reporting career, including five Associated Press awards and three from the Society of Professional Journalists. For her coverage of the Packwood scandal, she received a Corporation for Public Broadcasting Silver Award.
"I've always been a big fan of Marketplace Money, and I'm thrilled to be warming the host seat," said Vigeland. "The show has grown like a well-managed retirement fund over the last couple of years and I look forward to continuing that trend. In five years with Marketplace, I've reported on all aspects of business and economic stories... now it gets personal."
"Tess is one of the signature voices here at Marketplace," said Ryssdal. "I couldnít be happier that she's the new host of Marketplace Money. She's a great fit for the program."
Tess Vigeland Named New Host of American Public Media's Marketplace Money
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Tess Vigeland Named New Host of American Public Media's Marketplace Money
Kai Ryssdal Remains Weeknight Host of Marketplace
(Los Angeles, Calif.) January 18, 2007—Veteran public radio reporter and host Tess Vigeland is the new host of Marketplace Money,® the weekend personal finance program produced and distributed by American Public Media.™ Vigeland's first broadcast as host is scheduled for Saturday, March 3. Kai Ryssdal, who previously held the role, will remain as weeknight host of Marketplace,® public radio's award-winning daily magazine on business and economics news.
Marketplace Money extends the sound of Marketplace to the weekends as the "money show for the rest of us." The weekly, hour-long program reflects the smart, witty sound of Marketplace with a look at the myriad of ways money affects us, from the cultural connotations of currency to the cost of college. Marketplace Money is found on the Web at www.marketplace.org.
"Listeners loved Tess when she hosted the Marketplace Morning Report," said JJ Yore executive producer of Marketplace and vice president of programming at American Public Media. "Marketplace Money will give her an even greater opportunity to display her range, talent and knowledge of all things money."
Vigeland is a familiar voice to Marketplace and Marketplace Moneylisteners. She's a longtime public radio veteran, both as a reporter and host. For more than three years, she hosted the Marketplace Morning Report. Since then, sheís served as host, reporter, editor and producer for all Marketplace programs. Prior to joining the team at Marketplace, Vigeland reported and anchored for WBUR radio in Boston and Oregon Public Broadcasting radio and television in Portland. She's covered numerous national and international stories, including the Northern Ireland peace talks in Belfast, the New England mob trials and the separate but tandem scandals around former U.S. Senator Bob Packwood and figure skater Tonya Harding. She served as Bill Littlefield's backup host on NPR's weekly sports program Only A Game. Vigeland has earned numerous awards in her reporting career, including five Associated Press awards and three from the Society of Professional Journalists. For her coverage of the Packwood scandal, she received a Corporation for Public Broadcasting Silver Award.
"I've always been a big fan of Marketplace Money, and I'm thrilled to be warming the host seat," said Vigeland. "The show has grown like a well-managed retirement fund over the last couple of years and I look forward to continuing that trend. In five years with Marketplace, I've reported on all aspects of business and economic stories... now it gets personal."
"Tess is one of the signature voices here at Marketplace," said Ryssdal. "I couldnít be happier that she's the new host of Marketplace Money. She's a great fit for the program."
Weekend America Adds Three New Staff Reporters
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Weekend America Adds Three New Staff Reporters
(St. Paul, Minn.) January 17, 2007— American Public Media™ today announced it had added three reporters to its Weekend America staff, a first for this young and growing program. The new reporters are award-winning and veteran public radio hosts, producers and journalists John Moe, Sean Cole and Krissy Clark. Weekend America is public radio's two-hour weekly program where two curious, lively hosts spark conversations, share unexpected stories and connect listeners with the most compelling ideas and events of America this weekend.
John Moe will serve as senior staff reporter and sometimes host, based in Seattle, Wash. Moe had been working with Weekend America for two and a half years as a feature reporter, occasional host and weekly contributor of whimsical weather and events segments.
Moe was previously the host and producer of The Works, a weekly interview program from Seattle public radio station KUOW focused on business and technology. Moe also hosted The Power of Voice, a weekly listener call-in show on local and national issues. Moe was originally hired at KUOW in 2001 as a staff writer for Rewind, a national news and satire show hosted by Weekend America's Bill Radke. Moe's commentaries and feature reporting have appeared on All Things Considered, Day to Day, and Only A Game.
Sean Cole is a senior staff reporter based at Weekend America station partner WBUR in Boston, Mass. Cole also produces reports for Marketplace,® American Public Media's award-winning daily program on business and economics news.
Previously, Cole was a freelance reporter contributing feature stories to many programs, including Weekend America, Studio 360, All Things Considered, Only A Game, and This American Life. Cole also spent several years at WBUR as a documentary and features reporter, field producer and newscast producer. While at WBUR, Cole reported and produced hour-long documentary specials for WBUR's award-winning documentary unit, Inside Out, and features for WBUR's Morning Edition and the station's afternoon magazine program, Here and Now. For one year, Cole was a film and arts critic at The Jakarta Post in Indonesia.
Krissy Clark serves as a staff reporter for Weekend America. Clark has been with Weekend America since 2004, most recently as an assistant editor/reporter.
Prior to joining Weekend America, Clark worked as a host and reporter at public radio station KUAR in Little Rock, Ark. Clark reported local news, in-depth features, and wrote and anchored regional broadcasts of Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Clark also spent several years covering the American West at the syndicated public radio show Radio High Country News. While there, she developed, produced, reported, and hosted the award-winning documentary "Atomic Tales," which examined nuclear development in the American West.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
About Weekend America
Making its debut in October 2004 with generous support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Weekend America features segments on news and newsmakers, issues of the week, the diversity of American culture and the arts. The program incorporates the best of public radio from content partner stations, independent and national producers and is designed to fit listeners' weekend schedules with a more intimate, engaging and conversational style.
Weekend America is today heard on 135 public radio stations across the county, including 22 of the top 50 markets, and has built its audience to 615,000 listeners each week.
Weekend America is on the Web at www.weekendamerica.org.
Ben Adair Named Managing Editor of Weekend America
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Ben Adair Named Managing Editor of Weekend America
(St. Paul, Minn.) January 9, 2007—American Public Media™ today announced that radio producer and writer Ben Adair has been named the new managing editor of Weekend America,® public radio's two-hour weekly program designed to provide new perspective on the week's events. Adair assumed his position with Weekend America in Los Angeles on January 8 and is responsible for developing the program's content.
"I can't imagine anybody better than Ben for the job," said Weekend America Executive Producer Peter Clowney. "He's got talent, drive and an inspiring devotion to storytelling."
Adair launched his career in public radio with The Savvy Traveler, where he moved from assistant producer to reporter, editor, and finally senior producer. Adair later moved to 89.3 KPCC-FM in Southern California where he created and hosted Pacific Drift, an award-winning public radio program covering arts, culture and life in Southern California.
Adair is the winner of several Los Angeles Press Club Awards and has won a Radio-Television News Directors Association Edward R. Murrow Award for feature reporting.
"Weekend America is a show particularly well positioned to foster the type of connection and community that we all dream is possible through public radio," said Adair. "Peter Clowney's creative leadership, backed by the impressive journalistic resources of American Public Media, gives us an incredible opportunity to reach millions with stories that open hearts, change minds and turn up the volume on the continuing conversation that is America."
About Weekend America
Making its debut in October 2004 with generous support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Weekend America features segments on news and newsmakers, issues of the week, the diversity of American culture and the arts. The program incorporates the best of public radio from content partner stations, independent and national producers and is designed to fit listenersíweekend schedules with a more intimate, engaging and conversational style.
Weekend America is today heard on 135 public radio stations across the county, including in 22 of the top 50 markets, and has built its audience to already reach 615,000 listeners each week.
Weekend America is on the Web at www.weekendamerica.org.
American RadioWorks Exposes Nationís Capital as "Imperial Washington"
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
American RadioWorks Exposes Nationís Capital as "Imperial Washington"
Documentary Reveals an Insular World of Privilege that Isolates Lawmakers from the People They Serve
(St. Paul, Minn.) January 4, 2007—American RadioWorks,® the award-winning documentary unit of American Public Media,™ today announced its current broadcast, "Imperial Washington."
The 110th Congress takes power this month, and in many ways, it will be a very different Congress than the one that preceded it. After years in the wilderness, Democrats will hold the balance of power in the House and the Senate. Yet no matter the party, when the new members of Congress reach Washington, the red carpet rolls out.
"Imperial Washington" from American RadioWorks looks at how power and money combine to make Washington an Imperial City, where the corridors of power are dominated by insiders intimate with palace rules. The documentary explores the last great frontier of congressional perks: travel that's funded by special interests. Listeners also get a first-hand account of what happens when a Washington rookie takes on veteran lobbyists.
TUNE IN: "Imperial Washington" will air on public radio stations nationwide in January. Check local listings for broadcast date and time.
WEB SITE: "Imperial Washington" has a companion Web site, http://www.americanradioworks.org/features/congress/, which includes the documentary's audio and transcript; a sample list of Congressional perks, observations about the Washington lobbying scene, reflections from a Congressional Quarterly reporter on the increasing sophistication of lobbying in the information age, and other links and resources.
American RadioWorks
Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, American RadioWorks is public radio's largest documentary production unit. It creates documentaries, series projects, and investigative reports for the public radio system and the Internet. American RadioWorks has staff journalists in Washington, D.C., Duluth, Minn., Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The American RadioWorks team features some of the most accomplished names in public radio journalism, including executive editor/correspondent Stephen Smith, economics correspondent Chris Farrell and host Ray Suarez.
Major funding for American RadioWorks is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
American Public Media Announces Thanksgiving Specials
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
American Public Media Announces Thanksgiving Specials
(St. Paul, Minn.) November 14, 2006-American Public Media,™ the nation's second largest producer and distributor of public radio programs, today announced its lineup of this year's Thanksgiving holiday specials. Check local public radio listings for broadcast dates and times.
Program Summaries:
The Splendid Table's Turkey Confidential 2006—Two hours of Thanksgiving morning triage for cooks across the nation. Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of American Public Media's The Splendid Table, will be taking calls in a live, two-hour broadcast when you need it most, on the biggest cooking day of the year. Phone lines will be open nationwide from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST and the program will be simulcast live on the Web at www.splendidtable.org.
We Gather Together with Garrison Keillor—Garrison Keillor weaves together familiar melodies and his own observations into this charming and unique celebration of Thanksgiving. Garrison Keillor is joined by Prudence Johnson, Rich Dworsky, the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers, Charles Kemper and Philip Brunelle in musical renditions of traditional hymns and humorous adaptations of songs for the season. Garrison Keillor guides us through the hour with his renowned story telling ability and reminds us of the treasures of Thanksgiving with his remarkable perceptions of American life.
Giving Thanks 2006 with John Birge—As Thanksgiving brings family together to share common blessings and a bountiful meal, host John Birge brings classical music and stories together in a thoughtful, contemporary reflection on the meaning of the holiday. John Birge's special guests this year include best-selling author and humorist Anne Lamott and Pulitzer Prize winning poet and environmentalist Gary Snyder.
Minnesota Public Radio's Brian Newhouse Named Host and Senior Producer of SymphonyCast
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Minnesota Public Radio's Brian Newhouse Named Host and Senior Producer of SymphonyCast
Newhouse to host SymphonyCast when American Public Media Assumes Production in January
(St. Paul, Minn.) November 13, 2006—American Public Media,™ the nation's second largest producer and distributor of public radio programs, is pleased to announce today that Brian Newhouse, Minnesota Public Radio's awarding-winning host and senior producer of Minnesota Orchestra, will serve as host and senior producer of SymphonyCast when American Public Media assumes production and distribution of the program from NPR in January.
SymphonyCast is a two-hour weekly radio program featuring a full-length concert by a national or international symphony orchestra. Concerts are drawn from Europe's leading ensembles, along with U.S. orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra. SymphonyCast is currently heard on more than 90 public radio stations across the country each week."We did not have to look far to find the perfect host of SymphonyCast," said Sarah Lutman, senior vice president of content, Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. "Brian Newhouse is an award-winning classical music host, producer and performer. Over the years, his wonderful presentation of classical music has resonated with listeners in Minnesota and around the world. We are thrilled Brian is bringing his creative presence to SymphonyCast."
"I've been touched and moved so often by the power of this music, and it's a joy to share that experience with as many listeners as possible," said Newhouse. "I'm especially looking forward to expanding the work we've done with Minnesota Orchestra, including strong station carriage and program director enthusiasm, with the other great orchestras of the U.S. and Europe."
Newhouse has used his creative experience as a professional musician and writer in public radio for 20 years. He is currently host, writer and producer of the national broadcasts of Minnesota Orchestra, a series of 26 two-hour music programs featuring one of America's top orchestras in concert. Previously, Newhouse was a writer for several well-known public radio series, including The Writer's Almanac and the globally broadcast European Journal, a daily half-hour news magazine for Deutsche Welle Radio, where he covered topics from the Balkan War to European summer music festivals.
Newhouse's memoir, A Crossing, was published in 1998 by Simon & Schuster. He won a Peabody Award, broadcasting's equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize, in 2000 for writing the seven-part music documentary, The Mississippi: River of Song. Newhouse was also presented with the 2002 Golden Reel Award by the National Federation of Community Broadcasters for his work with the Minnesota Orchestra.
Newhouse holds degrees in voice and English literature, has been a soloist with the Dale Warland Singers and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and an Artist-in-Residence at the Oregon Bach Festival.
PHOTO OF BRIAN NEWHOUSE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
About American Public Media's Classical Music ServiceAmerican Public Media, located in St. Paul, Minn., sets the standard for connecting listeners to the best classical music programming. Through partnerships with orchestras, vocal ensembles and others, American Public Media's classical music service delivers performances from around the world to its listeners. In September, American Public Media announced that it is assuming production and distribution of Performance Today and SymphonyCast from NPR, beginning in early 2007. Broadcast production of both programs is moving from NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., to American Public Media's in St. Paul. The addition of Performance Today and SymphonyCast gives American Public Media the largest broadcast audience reach of any classical music radio producer in the United States.
American Public Media's national classical music programs also include conversation and performance in Saint Paul Sunday®; Pipedreams®, the only nationally distributed radio program that explores the full range of the pipe organ's art and potential; and Composers Datebook®, a daily two-minute program designed to inform, engage, and entertain listeners with timely information about composers of the past and present. Saint Paul Sunday is currently celebrating 25 years on the air. Pipedreams will mark its 25th anniversary in 2007.
American Public Media also produces and distributes national broadcast performances of the Minnesota Orchestra and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as well as specials such as BBC Proms, World Choral Spectacular and Music@Menlo. In partnership with Public Radio International, American Public Media produces the nation's most listened-to 24/7 stream of live-hosted classical radio, Classical 24. Classical 24 is heard by nearly 2 million listeners each week on hundreds of public radio stations. American Public Media also owns and operates The Current,™ an alternative music radio station based at Minnesota Public Radio.
Veteran NPR Classical Music Host and Commentator Fred Child Joins American Public Media
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
Veteran NPR Classical Music Host and Commentator Fred Child Joins American Public Media
Child to continue as host of Performance Today when American Public Media Assumes Production in January
(St. Paul, Minn.) November 9, 2006—American Public Media™, American Public Media's™ the nation's second largest producer and distributor of public radio programs, is pleased to announce today that Fred Child, the highly-acclaimed host of NPR's Performance Today, will remain as host when American Public Media assumes production and distribution of the program from NPR in January.
Performance Today, a unique celebration of today's art of classical music, is America's most listened-to classical music program, reaching more than one million listeners on 230 public radio stations across the country each week. The two-hour weekday program features classical music in concert from studios, festivals and concert halls across the nation and around the world, as well as classical music news, interviews and features. On any given day, listeners to Performance Today may hear from performances in the great concert halls of New York, Prague, London, Berlin and Paris.
"American Public Media's mission is to share the finest classical music offerings from around the around with audiences on the radio and on-line," said Sarah Lutman, senior vice president of Content and Media, American Public Media. "We look forward to Performance Today extending and enriching our classical music programming. We are absolutely delighted Fred Child is staying with the program. His experience with leading artists and ensembles around the world, and lively on-air presence have informed and inspired millions of classical music listeners everywhere."
"This is a perfect partnership—the most ambitious daily classical music show teaming up with American Public Media," said Child. "No other media company in the country has comparable experience, expertise and creativity in broadcasting classical music. The team of producers, hosts and audio engineers at American Public Media is unmatched in their dedication to music. I'm proud and honored to be joining the team."
Child is also the commentator and announcer for Live from Lincoln Center, the only live performing arts series on television. He also hosted NPR's "Creators @ Carnegie," a program of wide-ranging performers in concert at Carnegie Hall. Child's 9/11 cultural reporting was part of coverage that earned NPR a 2001 George Foster Peabody Award. His 2002 reading of the audio book "Getting to Know William Shakespeare" won an Audie Award from the Audio Publishers Association.
Before his work with NPR, Child was music director and director of cultural programming at WNYC in New York, host of a live daily performance and interview program on WNYC, and for ten years, a host at Oregon Public Broadcasting.
PHOTO OF FRED CHILD AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
About American Public Media's Classical Music Service
American Public Media, located in St. Paul, Minn., sets the standard for connecting listeners to the best classical music programming. Through partnerships with orchestras, vocal ensembles and others, American Public Media's classical music service delivers performances from around the world to its listeners. In September, American Public Media announced that it is assuming production and distribution of Performance Today and SymphonyCast from NPR, beginning in early 2007. Broadcast production of both programs is moving from NPR headquarters in Washington, DC to American Public Media's in St. Paul. The addition of Performance Today and SymphonyCast gives American Public Media the largest broadcast audience reach of any classical music radio producer in the United States.
American Public Media's national classical music programs also include conversation and performance in Saint Paul Sunday®; Pipedreams®, the only nationally distributed radio program that explores the full range of the pipe organ's art and potential; and Composers Datebook®, a daily two-minute program designed to inform, engage, and entertain listeners with timely information about composers of the past and present. Saint Paul Sunday is currently celebrating 25 years on the air. Pipedreams will mark its 25th anniversary in 2007.
American Public Media also produces and distributes national broadcast performances of the Minnesota Orchestra and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as well as specials such as BBC Proms, World Choral Spectacular and Music@Menlo. In partnership with Public Radio International, American Public Media produces the nation's most listened-to 24/7 stream of live-hosted classical radio, Classical 24. Classical 24 is heard by nearly 2 million listeners each week on hundreds of public radio stations. American Public Media also owns and operates The Current™, an alternative music radio station based at Minnesota Public Radio.