Classical 95.9-FM WCRI

Theatre By The Sea's production of “Heartbreak Hotel” is the subject of this week's program with guest host Jamie Jones, Joe Hebel, playing the role of Elvis and Nikki Snelson, Director. We talk about the musical and listen to some of the very popular songs from the show. For more information you can call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with our featured author, New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe. About the Author: Mary Alice Monroe is based in Charleston, South Carolina, is the New York Times best-selling author of thirty books–and counting. Richly layered and rooted to place her Lowcountry-set novels defy literary labels. More than feel-good escapism or traditional beach reads, her engrossing stories deftly explore the intersections and parallels between Mother Nature and human nature, hooking readers emotionally and introducing them to characters and causes that live in their hearts and minds. Her robust library of work–from the popular Beach House series to her compelling fiction, to her newer middle grade series, The Islanders–engages readers across generational lines, inspiring them to take a harder look at the environment–and our impact on it. To ask the important questions. To seek answers. To create connections–both with nature and in our personal lives. About Where the Rivers Merge: The Rivers End, Monroe brings the compelling family saga to an emotional conclusion that will resonate with readers. The novels’ timely topics of friendship, feminism, parent/child relationships, and the environment make each book of the duology perfect for book clubs. 1908: The Lowcountry of South Carolina is at the cusp of change. Mayfield, the grand estate held for generations by the Rivers family, is the treasured home of young Eliza. Free spirited, she refuses to be confined by societal norms. Instead, Eliza revels in exploring the golden fields and sparkling ponds of Mayfield, observing wildlife, and riding horses. But her halcyon days are cut short by the Great War, coastal storms, and unexpected challenges to Mayfield. As Eliza battles personal pains and the ravages of family turmoil over the years, her love and devotion for the natural world puts her on a collision course with the patriarchal traditions of a bygone era. 1988: At 88, Eliza is the scion of the Rivers/DeLancey family. She’s fought a lifetime to save her beloved Mayfield and is too independent and committed to quietly retire and leave the fate of the estate to her greedy son. She must make decisions that will assure the future of the land and her family—or watch them both be split apart. Set against the evocative landscape of the twentieth-century American South, Where the Rivers Merge is a dramatic and sweeping multigenerational family story of unyielding love, lessons learned, profound sacrifices, and the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to persevere in the face of change to protect her family legacy and the land she loves. For more information about Mary Alice Monroe, visit maryalicemonroe.com. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

This week we talk to Core Memory Music founder Craig Maynard about his Fall concert series starting on Saturday August 23rd at 3 PM. All concerts are at his home in Peacedale. For further information on the fall series line up and to make reservations you can go to : corememorymusic .com

This week Joe is featuring Pianist John Hicks and Bassist Ray Drummond, from their 1992 Evidence Music Records recording, titled “Two Of A Kind.”

This week, Jane looks at how growing vegetation can change our perspective.

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour host Jamie plays music from the fun and talented musicians of Akropolis Reed Quintet. For more information on their upcoming performance at Newport Classical Community Concerts, visit https://newportclassical.org/event/childrens-concert-akropolis-reed-quintet/, and for more details on Akropolis Reed Quintet, visit akropolisquintet.org

This week Jane observes that it's hard to see nature when we feel provoked.

This week Joe is featuring Vibraphonist Gary Burton, from his 1998 Concord Records recording, titled “Like MInds.

In celebration of Little Compton’s 350th Anniversary this week we feature the Narragansett Bay Chorus which will be performing in Little Compton on August 22nd with the director of the Chorus, Bob O’Connell and Bill Nussbaum, VP of Membership. We’ll be listening to some songs by the chorus, a few quartets and an original piece by Bob O’Connell. For more information you can go to www.SingNBC.com or www.LC350.com

This week Jane notes that honesty and integrity are personal choices that everyone can make.

This week Joe is featuring, Trumpeter and Vocalist, Louis Armstrong, from a 1988 CBS Records recording titled “Louis Armstrong, The Hot Fives and Hot Sevens, Vol. II.”

Stellar Studios Theater is the subject of this week's program with Nathaniel Tarantino, Founder and Executive Director. We talk about the creation of this traveling theater company and it’s second upcoming production Seussical The Musical and listen to some of the music that will be presented. For more information you can go to https://www.stellarstudiostheater.com/

This week, Jane recalls how a single piece of fruit overrode a mountain of fear.

This week on Jazz After Dinner Joe features Pianist Bill Evans, from a 2016 Resonance Records recording, Recorded in 1968, titled “Some Other Time.”

Theatre By The Sea's third production of the 2025 season, “Hairspray” is the subject of this week's program with Niki Metcalf, playing the role of Tracy and Christopher Campbell, Director. We talk about the musical and listen to some of the very popular songs from the show. For more information you can call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with our featured author, Jim Pierce. About the Author: Jim Pierce is a retired insurance executive. His political roots include family ties to three American Presidents. “Treachery” is historical fiction about the first eighteen months of America’s “War between the States”. The Northern troops were hapless and results amazingly lopsided in the early days of the conflagration. The story develops a theory as to why that may have been the case. "The Beginning" places the reader next to Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he steers England through its darkest hours in 1940 and 1941. This is a story you will not want to miss! Historical fiction serves two purposes; the reader can learn about a past time, place, and people, while simultaneously enjoying the story being told. About The Beginning: "The Beginning" takes readers on a journey into Winston Churchill's world, set in the tumultuous years of 1940 and 1941. From the very first day he became prime minister, Churchill faced relentless challenges. Through historical fiction, the author skillfully transports readers back to these pivotal events, personalizing the experience and bringing history to life. For more information about Jim Pierce, visit www.amazon.com/Beginning-Jim-Pierce. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

This week, Jane shares a memorable childhood story that involved a hilariously chaotic encounter with one of nature's most misunderstood animals.

This week Joe features Bassist and Composer, Charles Mingus, from his, recorded in 1977 and released in 1988 on Who’s Who In Jazz/Jazz Workshop recording, titled “ Charles Mingus; His Final Work.”

Block Island’s Mary D Fund is the subject of this week's program with Marguerite Donnelly, Executive Director. We talk about her life on the Island, how the Fund got started, where it is today and two major events coming up on July 26th, The Mary D Ball and the 61st Annual A Cappella Festival. We listen to some of the music that will be presented at the Festival. For more information you can go to Mary D Fund on Facebook.

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour hosts Jamie and Spencer listen to music that allows us to make a story using our imagination.