Sol Hurok discusses his work as an impresario, organizing events and bringing artists from around the world to the United States to perform. Studs Terkel plays songs by many of the artists and performers that Hurok has managed during the interview, including Feodor Chaliapin, Nellie Melba, Titta Ruffo, Luisa Tetrazzini, Sviatoslav Richter, Marian Anderson, and Arthur Rubinstein. Music has been removed from this version for copyright reasons.

Helen Humes discusses her career and touring with Count Basie and his orchestra. John McDonough is present for the interview and contributes. Songs sung by Helen are played throughout the interview: "He May Be Your Man", "Song of the Wanderer", "If I Could Be with You for One Hour Tonight" (2 recordings- one from 1940 and one from 1977), "Unlucky Woman", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Today I Sing the Blues", and "They Raided the Joint". Music has been removed for copyright reasons.

Janis Ian discusses her career, life, and her songs. The songs she talks about are "Society's Child", "Janey's Blues", "Honey D'Ya Think", "There Are Times", "Shady Acres", and "Lonely One". Janis Ian also discusses society, race relations, and responsibility. Includes Studs Terkel reading Janis Ian's poem "Poem One". Includes Janis Ian reading her poem.

Conductor Christopher Keene and composer Gian-Carlo Menotti discuss how they became aware of each other and meeting to discuss a collaboration. They talk about spending time in Spoleto, Italy for the Festival of Two Worlds, a summer music and opera festival created by Gian Carlo Menotti. The two also discuss creating art in all forms, including music. Music is played to start and to end: "To This We've Come" sung by Eileen Farrell from Menotti's opera "The Consul" and the allegro from Menotti's "Piano Concerto", with Earl Wild as the pianist.

Conductor Christopher Keene and composer Gian-Carlo Menotti dscuss the major themes of the opera"Tamu-Tamu", other opera performances, and the kind of work that goes into creating these works. Recordings are played during the interview: "Aria", sung by Eileen Farrell from the opera "The Consul", "Gloria" sung by an ensemble from the opera "The Saint of Bleecker Street", and "Have You Seen a Child" sung by an ensemble from the opera "Ahmal and the Night Visitors". Music has been removed for copyright reasons. This also includes part of an earlier recorded interview with both subjects.

Cole Porter biographer Robert Kimball talks with Studs about his book "Cole" and his subject's life and work as they listen to classic performances of some of his most beloved songs. They marvel at how Porter perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the times in his lyrics, his lyrical influences, his unique method of outside-in composing lyrics and music simultaneously, Bobby Short's masterful interpretations, controversies over some of his works, and how well his material holds up.

Six members of The Klezmorim discuss their musical upbringings, the history of klezmer music, and explain how song structures work and overlap. Songs played throughout are: "Moldovanke" by The Klezmorim, 2 songs by an unknown klemer band from the mid 1920s,"Papirosn" by The Klezmorim, "A Glezele Vayn (A Little Glass of Wine)" by The Klezmorim, and a live performance of "Papirosn" by The Klezmorim. All music performed by The Klezmorim were prerecorded off site. Music has been removed from this recording for copyright reasons.

The broadcast begins with an excerpt from interview with Pat Zimmerman where Mr. Zimmerman Plays "Sunday Morning" by Kris Kristofferson . Kris Kristofferson discusses his career as a songwriter and performer during the 1960's and 1970's. Mr. Kristofferson discusses working during that time with Janis Joplin, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash.

Lotte Lehmann, legendary opera soprano, discusses her book "Five Operas and Richard Strauss" about her portrayals of famous roles. Interviewing Lotte Lehmann, recorded at the Orrington Hotel, Evanston (including excerpt from master class at Northwestern and recording excerpts from Walkure with Melchior).