Discussing the book "The New Grove Dictionary of American Music". They talk about American music and musicians of all kinds and from different periods. Includes Charles Ive's song "At the River" sung by Cleo Laine in the middle of the program.

Studs Terkel and Billy Taylor discuss the book "Jazz Piano: History and Development". They discuss jazz musicians and the history of jazz music. Includes excerpts of drums, piano, and orchestra playing in the background.

Ralph Ellison, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction for his book "Invisible Man," discusses his early life and education and his life as a writer and lifetime scholar. He speaks on being a musician (trumpet), the joy of music and the Church and how they fit into the lives of African Americans.

Part 1 of this program begins with Studs Terkel reading an excerpt from the book "Giants of Jazz" , which describes Dizzy Gillespie's early life. Gillespie discusses the following: the state of jazz; his fellow musicians; jazz contributors; jazz fundamentals; and his tours abroad. Gillespie's "Groovin' High" is played towards the end of this part of the program.

Presenting "Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression" Chapter 1: A Fairy Tale. Montage of young voices that talk about their parents' stories of surviving the Depression. The March: Jimmy Sheridan explains the origins of the Bonus March and what life was like on the rails. The Song: Edgar Yipsel (Yip) Harburg talks about writing "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" while a version by the Weavers plays. Born Losers: Ed Paulsen discusses traveling the country to find work, march riots in San Francisco, and the relief felt as WPA projects and money began to lift burdens.

Presenting "Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression" Chapter 3: Big Business & A Portrait of Two Women. William Benton credits Pepsodent's survival of the Great Depression to Amos 'n Andy. Arthur Robertson talks about the initial aftermath of the 1929 crash as a Wall Street businessman. Sidney Weinberg discusses the confusion on Wall Street after the crash and praises FDR's programs. Jimmy McPartland talks about the importance of working and the success of WPA to boost morale.

Presenting "Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression" Chapter 1: A Fairy Tale. Montage of young voices that talk about their parents' stories of surviving the Depression. The March: Jimmy Sheridan explains the origins of the Bonus March and what life was like on the rails. The Song: Edgar Yipsel (Yip) Harburg talks about writing "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" while a version by the Weavers plays. Born Losers: Ed Paulsen discusses traveling the country to find work, march riots in San Francisco, and the relief felt as WPA projects and money began to lift burdens.

Studs interviews David Diamond who is in Chicago for a concert at Thorn Hall. Diamond reflects on his family background and his exposure to diverse theater and movies of a variety of cultures that influenced his music. He explains his training and how he uses emotion and then structure to create his work. Studs and David discuss McCarthyism and its affect on performers and the personal affect it had in Diamond's life. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Max Morath discusses his career, jazz music, and history.

Presenting "Hard Times: an oral history of the great depression": "A gathering of survivors" with Joe Morrison, Evelyn Finn, Jose Iglesias, Bob Stinson, Oscar Heline, Eml & Ruth Loriks, Buddy Blankenship, Mary Owsley, Sally Rand, Jerome Zerbe, John Beeche (promgram XIII)

Presenting "Hard Times: An oral history of the great depression": "Bonnie laboring boy" with Joe Morrison, Evelyn Finn and Jose Yglesias (program V).

Includes excerpts from 1925362-4-1 and music. Similar but not identical to 1925371-3-1.

Recorded live on Chicago's South Side. Robeson is ill at the time of recording. Speakers: Earl Dickerson, Etta Moten Barnett, Judge Sidney Jones, J. Mayo "Ink" Williams, Joan Brown (possibly Abena Joan Brown), Charles Hamilton, Margaret Burroughs, [John Gray's sister], [Stevens?]

Terkel comments and presents 1968 Democratic Convention documentary. He is introduced by William F. Malloch, a composer at the Convention.