Studs has a conversation with Easley Blackwood, and Ralph Shapey, composers and Paul Fromm philanthropist and patron of the music arts. They discuss contemporary music, composing music, composers and the passion of creating music.

Discussing the music of the Mothers of Invention and interviewing Frank Zappa. Songs include "Who are the Brain Police," "Brown Shoes Don't Make It," "Concentration Moon," "Mom and Dad," "Bow Tie Daddy," "Harry, You're a Beast," "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" "Trouble Every Day," "Very Distraughtening," "White Ugliness" and "There Will Come a Time."

Presenting music published by Chicago record label Cedille Records including the music of composer and pianist Easley Blackwood along with David Schrader and Ramon Salvatore

In this round table discussion the three gentlemen - all composers, musicians, and educators - discuss with Studs contemporary music and the standards for defining a composition in music. In the second hour they discuss what level of knowledge of music a critic should have in order to form a proper opinion of music. All animatedly offer their opinion to both the pro and the con. A movement of both Blackwood and Shapey compositions is played.

The program begins with an excerpt from BBC Radio about a hoax piece of music by Pietorzac (Hans Keller). Hans Keller and a friend went into studio and made noise and presented it as music. In this round table discussion the three gentlemen - all composers, musicians, and educators, discuss with Studs, contemporary music and the standards for defining a composition as music. In the second hour, they discuss what level of knowledge of music a critic should have in order to form a proper opinion of music. All animatedly offer their opinion to both the pro's and the cons.

Studs and Mr. Blackwood discuss his musical theory of tonal composition, and Mr. Blackwood plays several excerpts of his piece "Chamber Work for Fourteen Winds" on the piano.

Discussing the origins of three schools of contemporary American music, their influence upon each other, and the new directions composers are taking with their music with composer and trombonist Bill Russo.

Interviewing composer and pianist John Cage and pianist Peter Gena.

Terkel comments and presents a musical performance of the Kronos Quartet

Terkel interviews Corky Siegel and the West End String Quartet. Corky Siegel and the West End String Quartet also performs during the broadcast. They also discuss the musical genre of chamber blues.