- Fifty-six years ago nine black children attempted to start classes at the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. They were blocked by the national guard, on orders from the state's governor, until President Eisenhower placed the guard under federal command, and ensured those children would be escorted into the school. That was just the beginning of a long and arduous ordeal for the Little Rock Nine. Correspondent Tom Wilmer recently visited Little Rock, and shares the story of those children and how their legacy still affects that community today.
- Also, internationally-regarded composer Daniel Lentz lives in Santa Barbara, and travels all over the world to find inspiration for his work. Correspondent Leslie Westbrook chats with Lentz about his current work, and samples some of his well-known compositions.
- And Cuesta College is a breeding ground for fine musicians who go on to successful careers. Marisa Waddell talks with music teacher and choir director John Knutson about the college's music program, and some concerts coming up this season.
As director of programming and content, Marisa Waddell coordinates the radio programming on KCBX and KCBX HD2 and leads efforts to develop content on the KCBX website and other digital platforms. She manages the KCBX on-air and newsroom staff, volunteer program hosts, and contributors. Marisa also hosts the Americana music program The Road Home, (Thurs. 6:30-8:00 p.m.) and contributes interviews and stories to the weekly KCBX radio magazine Issues and Ideas and to KCBX News.
Tom Wilmer produces on-air content for Issues & Ideas airing over KCBX and is producer and host of the six-time Lowell Thomas award-winning NPR podcast Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer.
Recorded live on-location across America and around the world, the podcasts feature the arts, culture, music, nature, history, science, wine & spirits, brewpubs, and the culinary arts--everything from baseball to exploring South Pacific atolls to interviewing the real Santa Claus in the Arctic.