FRESH AIR
Award-winning soul singer Isaac Hayes, who rose to the top of the charts in the 1970’s on the soul-record label Stax, died August 10. He was 65. He released his first solo album, Presenting Isaac Hayes, in 1968. His next album, Hot Buttered Soul, went gold in the 1970s, and is credited with helping pave the way for the rise of disco;
his 1972 soundtrack to the movie Shaft went platinum, and the single “Theme From Shaft” won both an Oscar and a Grammy Award. Hayes also worked as an actor, with roles in movies as diverse as the Mel Brooks comedy Robin Hood: Men in Tights and the acclaimed hip-hop drama Hustle & Flow. He found a cult following — and some controversy — playing Chef on the Comedy Central series South Park. Fresh Air remembers Hayes with an interview that originally aired July 28, 1994.
Comedian and actor Bernie Mac died on August 8 after struggling with pneumonia. He was 50 years old. Mac began his career doing stand-up routines, and achieved national fame with his appearance in the documentary film The Original Kings of Comedy. Mac went on to star in his own award-winning sitcom The Bernie Mac Show. He also had roles in Friday and Ocean’s Eleven. Most recently, Mac appeared in the upcoming comedy Soul Men. His co-star Isaac Hayes also died this weekend. This interview was originally broadcast Nov. 27, 2001
RADIO TIMES
Hour 1
Last month, 12 former and current Pennsylvania Democratic House staffers and legislators were indicted. They were charged with conspiring to use tax payer’s money for running political campaigns. That included giving bonuses to government employees for political work. JOHN BAER, of the Philadelphia Daily News takes us through the twists and turns of what is being called, “Bonusgate.” We will also hear from ERIC EPSTEIN, Coordinator of RockTheCapital.org. Listen to this show via Real Audio | mp3
Hour 2
We’ve heard it said that we only use 10% of our brains and that drinking kills brain cells. Guess what! Not true. Our guest, Princeton neuroscientist SAM WANG has written a user’s guide for the brain. It’s called “Welcome to Your Brain: Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life.” Listen to this show via Real Audio | mp3
THE WORLD CAFE
Having performed with her family band, One Way Rider, since the age of 8, 19-year-old singer-songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield has a mature sound that seems evolved beyond her years. Hear tracks from Mayfield’s debut release, With Blasphemy, So 
Heartfelt, on WXPN’s World Cafe with host David Dye. After asking Mayfield to appear as a featured vocalist on The Black Keys‘ Attack and Release, band member Dan Auerbach returned the favor by producing her first studio album, which was recorded over the course of two years in Auerbach’s home studio. Delving into country, folk and soul, With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt is a collaborative project on which Mayfield’s sultry voice adds flair to edgy lyrics and melodies. With the help of her brother, bassist David Mayfield, Jessica Lea Mayfield’s debut includes cameo appearances by Dr. Dog‘s Scott McMicken and Frank McElroy on backing vocals.
JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD & SCOTT AVETT: For Today