Folk singer Mary Travers - of the group Peter, Paul & Mary - talks about some of the artists that inspired her, like Pete Seeger and The Weavers.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The folk singer and dulcimer player describes her upbringing in Kentucky, how she came to learn about Appalachian folk traditions, and the links between American, English, and Irish songs and hymns.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The folk singer, storyteller, poet, and labor organizer talks with Studs about hobo music, labor songs, and protest songs.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The Austrian-American conductor and longtime director of the Winnetka School of Music shares with Studs some of the musical discoveries he made while on a recent trip to China as educator and arts advocate.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Studs Terkel 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.

A master at playing the sitar, Ravi Shankar, also composed the music for the soundtrack of "Gandi". According to Shankar, there are 72 scales in Indian music and when he plays music, 90% of it is improvisation. Younger people became interested in playing the instrument after Shankar announced he was teaching George Harrison of the Beatles how to play the sitar. There is an excerpt of an interview with Shankar from 22 years ago, to the date of this program.

The influence of the WPA on the music of the 1930's. The heroic sounds heard in song, movies, and theater. He provides Bing Crosby's version of Yip Harburg's "Brother Can You Spare a Dime". As well as the Almanac Singers performing "Roll the Union On". Both Moll's Song and the final scene of Blitzstein's, "The Cradle Will Rock" are performed. Terkel provides a host of other songs which highlight the music of the 1930's. Extensive discussion on "The Cradle Will Rock" with its producer John Houseman.

Big Bill Broonzy discusses the blues with Studs. Big Bill talks about getting ready for a European tour, his young life, and his life as a musician. The following performances have been removed for copyright reasons: "Ride Alberta, ride," "Going Down the road feeling bad," "House rent stomp," "The glory of love," "Plow hand," "I feel so good," and "Make my getaway."