KZSM — Story and song with Paulette Jiles
In this new year as always, your KZSM program hosts present special guests and create programming you won’t hear elsewhere. At 4 p.m. this Tuesday, January 26, Paulette Jiles, author of “News of the World” and many other works, will be interviewed live on “Bookmarked,” our weekly broadcast for all readers. She will talk with hosts Priscilla Vance Leder and Garrie Borden about her latest novel, “Simon the Fiddler.”
The book chronicles the adventures of a group of itinerant musicians as they travel through Texas just after the Civil War. Despite the many dangers he faces, Simon holds fast his dream of a piece of land and a partner to share it. As readers might expect, music pervades Jiles’ novel, inspired in part by her own experiences playing traditional music with friends. At key moments in the novel, Simon expresses his longings with songs when it’s not possible for him to communicate with words.
From 4 to 5 p.m., hosts Leder and Borden will talk with author Jiles about her novel, especially her use of traditional songs like “Shenandoah” and “Red River Valley.” From 5-6 p.m., a special second hour of “Bookmarked” will be devoted to the music of “Simon the Fiddler,” featuring songs from the novel. Tony Wilson, host of “Roots and Branches” (Sundays 2-4 p.m.), will join the conversation to talk about the versions of the songs he has chosen to play and to provide background and context for the music. He will draw upon his years of experience as a music journalist both here and in his native England.
Wilson’s guest appearance marks his return to KZSM.org after an absence of over a year. Our radio family celebrates his return; we and his listeners look forward to hearing him live again on Sunday afternoons before too long.
Wilson, Leder, and all of our KZSM.org program hosts are volunteers who donate their time and expertise to share their passion with our listeners. You can join our family by creating your own show or helping out in any one of many other ways, or you can help sustain us by donating to our 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation. You or your business can underwrite one of our programs and be credited during the broadcast. Or you can make a regular or one-time donation on our website at KZSM.org. For more information about any of these opportunities, e-mail kzsmsanmarcos@gmail.com.
