Marian Anderson recalls singing on stage for the first time at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1957 and how it was the realization of a dream come true. Marion's nephew, James DePreist remembers being able to conduct a piece of music he had never conducted before because his aunt Marion had exposed him to it when he was a child. James said when his aunt Marion sung spirituals, he couldn't help but feel religious and he's an atheist.

Margie Adam, singer, songwriter, pianist and activist discusses her latest album (1980) Naked Keys which features her solo piano music.

Margie Adam, musician, activist, and composer, discusses how events such as the women's movement and the lesbian-feminist movement inspired her to create music for her new album, Another Place. The album reflects on Adams's life and on topics such as her sexuality.

Marge Guthrie, Woody Guthrie’s second wife and Arlo Guthrie’s mother, joins Studs Terkel to discuss her late husband’s music and the lasting impact it made. Marge calls Woody a “chronicler,” remarking on his great ability to write songs about and for the common man, and informs Terkel of honors that Woody received from the state and federal government to commemorate his contribution to conservation efforts.

Margaret Barry and Michael Gorman, discuss traditional Irish music and their careers as musicians.

Singer Margaret Barry and fiddler Michael Gorman reminisce about singing and playing at the Bedford Arms pub. Barry talks about how's she's travelled all over Ireland. She talks about how sad it is to not be doing as many live performances because times are changing to the jukebox.

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

Interviewing Malcolm Dalglish (dulcimer player and vocals), Grey Larsen (vocals, assorted instruments) and Pete Sutherland (fiddler and vocals) of the musical group Metamora.

Studs Terkel interviews gospel vocalist Mahalia Jackson. Jackson discusses the freedom rally that will be taking place at McCormick's Place in Chicago, IL.

Mahalia Jackson talks about her discovery of the blues and what drew her to become a gospel singer. She also discusses her tours around Europe and the U.S.

Now retired from singing opera, when Madame Lotte Lehmann is not traveling around Europe, she teaches, what she says, are the best students she has encountered, at Northwestern University. Lehmann explains her hope is to not only teach but to inspire singers to be larger than life and to bring out their own personalities in a song.

Studs interviews Lukas Foss about his career as a classical composer and conductor. Foss talks about his work with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He reflects on how teachers influenced his career and how he learns from each orchestra that he works with. He shares his love for poetry and explains how he makes music from poems and uses "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," a poem by Wallace Stevens, to illustrate. They discuss how Foss composes and how it is very similar to the way Jazz is composed with improvisation.

Being a Pisces, Pavarotti says he's always looking for perfection. He admits the biggest critic of his work is himself. Pavarotti said that he loves the charm of the French language and he likes to learn new languages. He talks of recording some music in Russian. Being able to reach those high C notes, Pavarotti says, is the most athletic part of his voice.