Wednesday Trivia Question

Who hosted the special THIS TIME EACH YEAR?

PBS North Carolina has, in its decades of operation, produced hundreds of programs. Some were ongoing series and some were one-offs. Many became local classics and got encore presentations and repeats for years after the initial broadcast. Others came and went without much of a noise. One of the perennials was a special called THIS TIME EACH YEAR which first aired in 1986 and reran multiple times over the decades since (a 2016 airing seems to have been its last). Ultimately it was a celebration of the festivals, fairs and gatherings that occur annually in North Carolina.

Here’s part of a description with an important detail left out: Native Americans dancing the eagle dance, kilted Scots playing bagpipes, farmers hollering, children clogging–all North Carolina activities, all rich in history, and all part of THIS TIME EACH YEAR, an hour special. THIS TIME EACH YEAR is colorful. It’s fun. It’s as easy-going as host [name withheld], the popular North Carolina balladeer. But it’s something more. It’s an affectionate look at old, strong ties between North Carolina’s festivals and the sturdy heritage of her people.

Some of the festivals featured were the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain, the Hollerin’ Contest at Spivey’s Corners and the State Fair in Raleigh, all of which are shining examples of the type of annual traditions focused on in this special. As you can imagine if you’ve never seen it, the show appealed to North Carolinians of all ages and across all cultures and interests. That’s why it received repeat broadcasts for nearly 30 years!

Still, the question remains: who was the host? There’s an obvious hint in the description but I’ll tell you the host is a North Carolina singer-songwriter and musician whose music blends rock, folk, pop, country and bluegrass. He released records and toured for decades (unfortunately ill health has sidelined him in recent years) and I remember we even broadcast a concert performance of his in the early 1980s so you may have seen that if you’re a loooong-time viewer.

So who is it? Who hosted the 1986 special THIS TIME EACH YEAR?

Wednesday Trivia Question

What two pop stars hosted the MY MUSIC special 60s POP, ROCK & SOUL?

MY MUSIC is a brand of PBS pledge specials produced by radio host TJ Lubinsky. For over 20 years, Lubinsky has given us shows like DOO WOP 50; THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND; RED, WHITE & ROCK; 70s SOUL SUPERSTARS; THE BRITISH BEAT and MOTOWN: THE EARLY YEARS. He’s produced dozens of programs, many using the MY MUSIC title or subtitle, some featuring the songs of various artists like Aretha Franklin and Andy Williams, some showcasing various sounds or genres such as Big Band or Soul, some simply dedicated to a particular decade in music. These specials are primarily used during on-air fundraisers and have proven very popular, if not profitable.

One that always stands out to me is 60s POP, ROCK & SOUL. It debuted in 2011 and we have aired it across multiple services more times than I can count since then. Some of the recording acts featured are The Kingsmen, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Percy Sledge, Jefferson Starship, Smokey Robinson and ? and the Mysterians. The show was hosted by two English singers, both of whom gained fame during the Swinging Sixties. One was the front man for a British Invasion group, the other a member of a very popular music group in the mid to late 1960s. Both had multiple #1 hit songs on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. These two pop icons of course did double duty by hosting and performing, singing a song or two for the appreciative audience.

Wednesday Trivia Question

What musical acts from the original Woodstock have also performed on AUSTIN CITY LIMITS?

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS has been around since the mid-70s and has showcased an incredible array of talents. Over 46 seasons (46!!), performers from the worlds of country, rock, pop and even hip hop have taken the ACL stage. It’s PBS’ premier music showcase and the longest-running music program in television history – the only television show to have been awarded the National Medal of the Arts.

Of the hundreds of musical acts to appear on the celebrated series, two were featured at the original Woodstock in 1969. Two others appeared as members of groups that performed there on Max Yasgur’s Farm 52 years ago. Over 30 acts were showcased during the 3 Days of Peace & Music (in reality, it was four as the festival stretched from Friday into Monday, ending with an incendiary set by the late Jimi Hendrix). Less than a handful have the honor of being on ACL and at Woodstock.