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Hosting ‘Not Necessarily Nashville’ on Little Rock Public Radio

A few times a year I’ll fill in for Flap Jones hosting her long-running country music program “Not Necessarily Nashville,” as I did last night on Little Rock Public Radio’s KUAR-FM 89.1. Flap has been a friend for 35 years since the first time she asked me to sit in doing the show in 1989, when we were both volunteer DJs at community radio station KABF-FM 88.3. 

“Not Necessarily Nashville,” Nov. 16, 2024, 7 p.m. on Little Rock Public Radio’s KUAR-FM 89.1.

It’s always a joy because playing music was what inspired me to get into broadcasting. Then I learned how little freedom commercial radio DJs have in selecting their music, so in 1993 I made the transition to news, which was a wise choice for me. I was always interested in reporting and anchoring, and that led to a more solid career path. There are a tiny fraction of jobs for DJs now compared to when I got into radio due to the corporatization of the industry, and the rise of computer automation.

On this weekend’s program, I played several songs from a new David Olney tribute album that was released last month. I was a big fan of Olney’s since the first time I saw him play live about a decade ago at Little Rock’s White Water Tavern. I wasn’t familiar with him that night, but the songs and his voice were amazing. I never missed another show whenever he would come through town. Below is a video I recorded of him playing “Dillinger” and “Vincent” at the White Water on Nov. 13, 2019.

Olney died about two months later of an apparent heart attack during a performance at a music festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida on Jan. 18, 2020. In the middle of his third song, he abruptly stopped, said “I’m sorry” to the audience, and put his chin to his chest, according to musician Scott Miller who was performing with Olney. “He never dropped his guitar or fell off his stool. It was as easy and gentle as he was. We got him down and tried our best to revive him until the EMT’s arrived,” Miller wrote on Facebook. Olney was 71.

The tribute album “Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney” was released on Oct. 18 and the range of performers covering his shows just how much respect he had from his peers. They include Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale and Willis Alan Ramsey.  

I played four songs from the new album, as well as a live version of Olney performing “Vincent” during a performance that was eventually released as the “Live in Holland” album in 1994. You can find the full playlist of songs I played this weekend below.

I also played a couple of Willie Nelson songs. From several decades ago, I pulled “To Make a Long Story Short, She’s Gone” from one of Willie’s albums, which was a duet with Kris Kristofferson. I’m still mourning Kristofferson’s death on Sept. 28 at the age of 88. The only time I got to see him play live was at the first Johnny Cash Heritage Festival in 2011, which was a fundraiser to support the restoration of Cash’s boyhood home in Dyess, Ark. I covered the event for a news story, which included Kristofferson speaking at a press conference before the show about his friendship with Cash.

“I’ve never met another human being who had the power just in the presence that John had. And to be working on a tribute for him and for his home is a real honor for me,” Kristofferson said.

I also aired a song off Willie Nelson’s new album “Last Leaf on the Tree,” which was released on Nov. 1. Many songs on his albums in recent years seem almost like he’s preparing us for his eventual death. I played “Keep Me In Your Heart,” which includes the lyrics: “Shadows are fallin’ and I’m runnin’ out of breath, Keep me in your heart for a while. If I leave you, it doesn’t mean I love you any less. Keep me in your heart for a while.”

I’m looking forward to being able to talk about him next month on Arkansas PBS when we air “Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration” on Wednesday, Dec. 11. I’m scheduled to be speaking during breaks in the program as part of our pledge drive. I saw the concert film in a theater in Little Rock when it had a one day screening nationwide. During our broadcast, I hope to be able to share details of my one experience with Willie, interviewing him in 2005, as well as what makes me such a fan of his work. 

My first exposure was as a kid when during any long drive, my mom would play the 8-tracks of “Red Headed Stranger” and “Stardust,” laying the foundation for an appreciation of his work. I’ve probably seen him play live a dozen times over the decades, most recently on May 31, 2022 at Little Rock’s First Security Amphitheater along the Arkansas River. At 91, he has definitely slowed down, with his voice more a whisper, not playing the guitar quite as heavily and sitting on a stool for much of the show, but it’s amazing he’s still performing and maintaining a busy schedule.

“Not Necessarily Nashville” playlist, Nov. 16, 2024, Little Rock Public Radio

Flaco Jimenez (with Stephen Stills) — “Change Partners” (from Flaco’s album Partners)
Graham Wilkinson — “Lucky”
Rosanne Cash — “Money Road” (The River and the Thread)
Jimmy Dale Gilmore — “If it Wasn’t for the Wind” (Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney)
David Olney — “Vincent” (Live in Holland)
Steve Earle — “Sister Angelina” (Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney)
Willis Alan Ramsey — “Women Across the River” (Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney)
The SteelDrivers — “If My Eyes Were Blind” (Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney)
Willie Nelson & Kris Kristofferson — “To Make a Long Story Short, She’s Gone” (Extras)
Willie Nelson — “Keep Me in Your Heart” (Last Leaf on the Tree)
Townes Van Zandt — “I’ll Be Here in the Morning”
James McMurtrey — “Vague Directions” (Candyland)
Joe Ely — “She Never Spoke Spanish to Me” (Joe Ely)
The Flying Burrito Brothers — Wheels (The Gilded Palace of Sin)

This Month at Arkansas PBS

We’ve got a lot happening on the air and being streamed on Arkansas PBS during the month of November. Prentice Dupins and I detail some of the highlights and events that are planned.

  • An Arkansan and a Canadian attempt a 2,200-mile trip through the Northwest Passage in homemade rowboats as captured in the new film “Passage,” premiering Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
  • Ken Burns’ new two-part documentary on the life, genius and enduring impact of Leonardo da Vinci premieres on Nov. 18 and 19. In advance of that, we’re hosting an event on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. to screen highlights, followed by a panel discussion at CALS Ron Robinson Theater,
  • And of course, we’ll preview the Nov. 5 election on the Nov. 1 episode of “Arkansas Week,” then have analysis on the following week’s program.

Throughout the month, Arkansas PBS is also collecting gently used winter clothing, which can be dropped off at libraries across the state during the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive.

Arkansas PBS hosts Debate Week 2024

I speak with the three journalists who would be asking questions of candidates in the 1st district congressional debate before the broadcast began on Oct. 8, 2024. Photo: Arkansas PBS

Each election cycle, Arkansas PBS hosts a series of debates with candidates running for Congress, and when applicable, state constitutional offices. This year we featured the races for the state’s four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. With a special election being held for treasurer, all three candidates also took part in a forum discussion on our program “Arkansas Week.” 

Now in my role as Director of Public Affairs at Arkansas PBS, this was the first time I helped organize the debates, learning the extensive steps that begin months ahead of time to ensure a fair format, participation by all candidates, and the that technical logistics of making the live broadcasts happen run smoothly. In previous election years, beginning in 2010 while working at Little Rock’s KUAR-FM 89.1, I served in the panels of journalists who would question candidates. Having that background proved to be beneficial for me. Even more important was seeing how my colleagues, who have been organizing decades for decades, did their jobs.

The debates, moderated by Steve Barnes, generated news stories around the state as these were the only matchups among the candidates. The debates took place over the span of a week one month before Election Day in one of our three studios. They were broadcast and streamed live at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. each day, and we reaired one each evening that week. All four were rebroadcast in a marathon the following weekend. The debates also aired on Little Rock Public Radio, while KASU-FM 91.9 in Jonesboro broadcast the 1st district debate. 

 

1ST DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE

Incumbent Republican Rep. Rick Crawford, Democrat Rodney Govens and Libertarian Steve Parsons were questioned during the Oct. 8 debate by KAIT-TV 8 news anchor Diana Davis, Talk Business & Politics reporter George Jared and KASU-FM 91.9 News Director Brandon Tabor.

 

2ND DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE

Incumbent Republican Rep. French Hill and Democrat Marcus Jones were questioned during the Oct. 7 debate by reporters Steve Brawner, Arkansas Business Editor Hunter Fields and KARK-TV 4’s Caitrin Assaf.

 

3RD DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE

Incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Womack, Democrat Caitlin Draper and Libertarian Bobby Wilson were questioned during the Oct. 8 debate by reporters Steve Brawner, Talk Business & Politics reporter George Jared and Yuna Lee, an anchor with 40/29 News in Fayetteville.

 

4TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE

Incumbent Republican Rep. Bruce Westerman and Democrat Risie Howard were questioned during the Oct. 10 debate by Brandon Evans with 40/29 News in Fayetteville, Little Rock Public Radio Politics and Government Reporter Josie Lenora and Pine Bluff Commercial Editor Byron Tate.

Following each debate was a press conference, which all candidates were invited to participate in. We included the press conferences in the live streams of each debate. Arkansas PBS is located on the edge of the University of Central Arkansas campus, and one instructor saw the learning opportunity for his students. Journalism professor David Keith, who was teaching a class on political reporting, had his students watch the debates, then attend the press conferences, with many asking questions of the candidates.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman speaks during the Oct. 10, 2024 press conference. Journalism professor David Keith and his students took up about half of the seats in the room where it was held after the 4th district debate. Photo: Michael Hibblen

 

FORUM FOR TREASURER CANDIDATES ON ‘ARKANSAS WEEK’

The appearance by the candidates for Arkansas treasurer on “Arkansas Week” was the only time the three sat down together for any kind of public forum. Democrat John Pagan, a former state legislator, Libertarian Michael Pakko and Republican John Thurston, who is currently Secretary of State, joined host Steve Barnes on Oct. 11. The special election was necessitated by the death of previously elected treasurer Mark Lowery.