Songs, music and lyrics are among the topics of Win Stracke's interview. Stracke believed folk songs had a morality all their own. He also explained that songs have a way of recapturing the feeling(s) of an event that the printed work can not convey.

Known for their songs about the working class, both Florence Reece and Pete Seeger talk about how they come about writing the lyrics to songs. Seeger says unbeknownst to them, anyone can write a song. Included within this interview, Seeger plays the banjo and Reece sings a song.

Terkel comments and presents a live performance by David Holt

Terkel comments and presents a musical performance by Tom Paley

Terkel comments and presents maritime music with Lee Murdock

Musical performance of traditional folk hymns

Interviewing American blues singer and guitarist, Mance Lipscomb, about his life, musical inspirations, and interest in blues music.

Folk singer-songwriter and composer Jim Post and musician Randy Sabien discuss their upcoming performance at the Levy Center in Evanston, Illinois. The collaborators discuss their musical backgrounds and their opinions on global warming, religious views, and musical influences.

Jean Ritchie discusses her life, music, experiences, and career. She also discusses folk music. Includes songs performed by Jean Ritchie including "Shady Grove", "None But One", "Sweet Sound in the Wind", "Riddle Song" (sung with Oscar Brand), "See That Rainbow Shine", "Black Waters" (sung with Janis Ian), "Now is the Love of the Day", "Little Lonesome Dove", "Barbry Allen", "Brightest and Best", and "Now Is The Cool of the Day".

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.