Interviewing Richard Frazier and Steve Gamble, members of the Chicago Chamber Brass.

Interviewing the Chicago Brass Quintet.

Interviewing members of Chicago String Ensemble.

Terkel comments and presents a musical performance by The Lira Singers

Interviewing members of the Chicago Chamber Musicians: Larry Combs & Deborah Sobol.

Interviewing members of the Chicago Opera Theater.

Studs Terkel and Dave Garroway intertwine jazz music with conversation. The voices of Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Charlie Ventura, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner, and Nellie Lutcher are heard between conversations ranging from Garroway's start in radio while in the United States Navy. Garroway discusses the changing technology and the thrill of it. Also includes the progress that has been made in race relations and the death of Duke Ellington.

Studs Terkel presents a “musical portrait” of Steve Goodman with the musician joining him in the studio to discuss, listen to, and play songs from his album “Words We Can Dance To.” Goodman begins by performing the blues song “Glory of Love,” and Terkel plays a clip from Big Bill Broonzy’s rendition of the song; Goodman cites Big Bill as one of his many influences. Goodman also plays an old jazz song called “When the Red, Red Robin,” with Terkel connecting that song to his first memories of jazz.

Fleming Brown, banjo player, discusses the influences Uncle Dave Macon, Pete Seeger, The Almanac Singers, and his teacher, Doc Hopkins had on him. He and Terkel also discuss the influence of WLS's Barn Dance radio show in Chicago and the Grand Ole Opry's WSM had on folk music. Fleming plays "Uncle Buddy" by Arthur Smith, to open and close the show. He also discusses the themes of Appalachian music such as lost love, mystery and murder, and plays examples for the audience.