06/19/2024
Tomorrow, a project that’s been in the works for years finally arrives. Music Citizens is a new series about music’s working class. The kinds of people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, watching and working with for 30 years. Their work is behind the scenes but their passion for music is just as deep as those in the spotlight. Our mission is to tell their stories by taking you inside their experiences through in-depth audio storytelling.
It started as an idea when I was still working for WPLN but sat on the shelf because the daily news kept grinding away. We discussed it again when launching WNXP in late 2020 but didn’t have the time or resources to pull off a fully produced podcast series. It was revived in a grant proposal in 2023 and, to our surprise, was awarded at every level - Metro Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission and even the National Endowment for the Arts, a first for Nashville Public Radio.
Now, through the months-long efforts of the team at WNXP and Nashville Public Radio and the in incredible vision and tenacity of Justin Barney and Emily Siner, episode one drops tomorrow.
I hope you’ll listen (…wherever you get your podcasts) and, if you’re free on Friday, come celebrate the 81st birthday of Bruce Fitzpatrick, our first Music Citizen, with a free show at the End featuring Jason Ringenberg, Pujol, and Brennan Wedl.
RSVP here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/928089379317?aff=oddtdtcreator