FRESH AIR
While his nicknames may be ever-changing, Sean Combs himself is immediately recognizable as one of the richest and most influential people in hip-hop. In the past few years, the rapper-turned-mogul has found two new projects to juggle in addition to producing records, designing clothing and managing restaurants: acting on Broadway and rocking the vote with his “Vote or Die” campaign. Combs starred in the stage revival of A Raisin in the Sun in 2004. A television adaptation was released on DVD in May.Combs talks to Terry Gross about his almost obsessive rehearsal process for that show, about losing his father — an associate of reputed druglord Frank Lucas — in a shooting when Combs was 3 years old, and about the influence his mother and grandmother have had on his life and career.
RADIO TIMES
Hour 1
The plight of 50 million Americans without health insurance has garnered much attention, but a report last week issued by the Commonwealth Fund focused on the 25 million underinsured Americans for whom out of pocket medical expenses can be financially devastating. We talk to UWE REINHARDT about rising health care costs for consumers, why we’ve not been able to adequately address the problem and what we might be able to do about it. Listen to this show via Real Audio | mp3
Hour 2
Are you confused about which plastics are safe to use? We answer your questions about baby bottles, water bottles, BPAs, PVCs and the numbers on the bottoms of plastic containers. Our guests are EMILY MAIN, Senior Editor of National Geographic Green Guide and RITA SCHENCK, Executive Director of the Institute for Environmental Research and Education. Listen to this show via Real Audio | mp3
Emmylou Harris & Yo La Tengo
Gifted singer Emmylou Harris takes a new trip down old country roads as the self-searching “Red Dirt Girl.” We speak with her about growing up between South and North, her days on the road with Gram Parsons, and her atmospheric music today. Also, the purposefully unrooted band Yo La Tengo of Hoboken, New Jersey tracks their 15 years of luminous music and improvisatory life.
GRAM PARSONS & EMMYLOU HARRIS: Love Hurts