Mandolins On TV - Advance Notice

**journeybear** · Feb-21-2011, 8:36pm

Pickin's so slim I should take the week off. A couple of country artists and a few oddities is all I see.

2/22
DeGeneres: Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
Conan: Jason Aldean
2/23
Conan: G. Love (favors unusual instrumentation)
Letterman: Hank Aaron (rare appearance by the baseball great)
2/24
Fallon: Laurie Anderson (never know what to expect from this artist)
2/26
Early: Serene Branson (reporter whose odd post-Grammys report went viral)

**Cabbagehead** · Mar-13-2011, 11:09pm

The Chieftains on Jimmy Fallon tonight!

**journeybear** · Mar-14-2011, 12:08pm

Cool! I wonder if they will have any special guests? I don't think they feature mandolin regularly, maybe OM or bouzouki? Anyway, this is the most Irish band I see coming up on the telly this St. Paddy's Day week. Usually there's more, but this year it seems a bit light, and spread through the week rather than just on The Day Of The Wearing Of The Green (which I hear is a bigger deal in the States than in Ireland.) And then the day after it's back to business as usual, with the likes of Bette Midler, Michael Bublé, and Billy Ray Cyrus making the rounds. Oh well ...

The highest probability of MC is in the two appearances by Steve Martin, assuming he is still touring with Steep Canyon Rangers. I've included Alice Cooper because, well, just because,

and because he is one of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees. The others are Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Darlene Love, Leon Russell, and Tom Waits. I am thrilled Leon is going in - long overdue, as "Asylum Choir II" came out in 1969, so that 20 year waiting period was over a while ago - and I suspect his recent tour with Elton John helped remind the Hall about him. Thanks, EJ!

3/14
Fallon: The Chieftains
3/15
Letterman: Bob Geldof (he's Irish, right? Nice to see he's playing again)
3/16
View: Michael Flatley
Letterman: Steve Martin
Fallon: Tiger Woods (no music, of course, but noteworthy as he has been reticent of late)
3/17
Today: Celtic song performance (no idea by whom)
View: Steve Martin
Kimmel: Young Dubliners
3/18
Leno: Alice Cooper

**Ed Goist** · Mar-15-2011, 11:39pm

Originally Posted by journeybear

...snip...
3/15
Letterman: Bob Geldof (he's Irish, right? Nice to see he's playing again)
...snip...

Just watched this. Not bad!
Also, there was a fellow in Geldof's band with a very robust beard who was playing a mandolin (a Godin, I think) at the start of the song. He switched to fiddle mid-tune.
Again, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance.

**journeybear** · Mar-15-2011, 11:51pm

Likewise found it enjoyable, and surprised to see a mandolin. Thought it was an Ovation. Only got one brief closeup. Couldn't hear it, nor the fiddle. Letterman cracked wise about the guy's beard - "Be careful around open flames."

Sorry, gotta run. Avril Lavigne's coming up on Kimmel. She, like, totally rocks.

**Chinn** · Mar-20-2011, 10:31am

Saw Jakob Dillon on 'The Guitar Center Sessions' on DirectTV 101 yesterday. There was a gentleman playing a sharp little MandoCaster on the last song of the set (may have on earlier, I missed them). I could not identify the player though.

**journeybear** · Mar-28-2011, 9:26am

Well, some interesting stuff this week, some blast-from-the-past head scratchers, but very slim chances of a mandolin sighting. The good stuff is next week, so hang in there.

The most interesting MC offering this week may be not on TV at all, but radio. The long-awaited broadcast of member Plamen Ivanov's radio show - "The mandolin in the pop and rock music" - is today: 19:00h EET (UTC/GMT +2 hours), that will be 1 PM EDT (UTC -4:00). You can listen on line here: Radio Sofia online. I think it is just an hour long. Since the website and commentary are in Bulgarian, this might present some problems. The selections will be understandable, though, as music is the universal language.

3/28
ED: Keith Urban (He's country, right?)
C: Little Big Town (They're country, right?)
J: Los Lonely Boys (I just like them.)
JF: Vanilla Fudge (Really? Wow!)
3/29
ED: Heart (Nancy Wilson does play mandolin, but not that often.)
J: Dierks Bentley (He's country, right? I just hope he's still doing his bluegrass tour.)
L: Sergio Mendes (Really? Wow!)
3/30
D: Willie Nelson, Norah Jones and Wynton Marsalis (This is in the WHo Knows? category)
3/31
C: Thompson Square (They're country, right?)
4/1
E: Miranda Lambert (She's country, right?)
4/2
SNL: Elton John hosts and performs; Leon Russell (No MC, but should be good)

**journeybear** · Apr-05-2011, 10:52pm

Sorry this notice is so late, been kind of busy. But a rare TV appearance by Robbie Robertson, who has a new album out for the first time in years, is worth noting. That is on Letterman tonight.

**journeybear** · Apr-06-2011, 8:54am

The focus this week is on some great older talent despite no MC. Still, these people are giants, founders of the music so many of us love, and since they rarely appear on TV, well worth noting. Plus, in a break from tradition, I am including some upcoming appearances for next week because - well, you'll see why!

4/5
Letterman: Robbie Robertson
Leno: Taylor Swift (chat only; sorry)
4/6
View: Robbie Robertson
Fallon: Paul Simon
CD: Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion (yes, Arlo's kid, and folky)
4/7
Good Morning America: Wynonna and Naomi Judd
View: Wynonna and Naomi Judd
Leno: Jeff Beck and Imelda May
Fallon: Paul Simon
4/8
Ferguson: Zooey Deschanel (not sure about performance)

4/11
Leno: k.d. lang
4/12
Ferguson: Wynonna Judd
4/13
Letterman: Alison Krauss & Union Station
4/14
Today: Alison Krauss
4/15
View: k.d. lang

**journeybear** · Apr-06-2011, 6:47pm

In case any Jeff Beck fans have the patience and intestinal fortitude to put up with everything else they are likely to encounter, the brilliant guitarist is lending his talents to tonight's episode of American Idol.

**journeybear** · Apr-06-2011, 7:37pm

Huh! Well, that'll teach me. Keeping half an eye on AI, saw a mandolin. One of the contestants sang a CCR song while playing a bass, and someone backed him up with what looked like an Ovation.

**journeybear** · Apr-11-2011, 8:45am

All right - Finally! Not only MC, BGC - that's bluegrass content - a rare occurrence, and in such mass quantities, truly rare.

The Talk is CBS' answer to The View, and since I can hardly stand the latter, i have ignored the former. This week's offerings make it imperative to tune in.

4/11
Leno: k.d. lang And The Siss Boom Bang
The Talk: Heart
Colbert: Mythbusters' Jamie Hyneman & Adam Savage - no MC (unless they blow up a mandolin)

4/12
The Talk: The Grascals, Naomi & Wynonna Judd (chat only)
Ferguson: Wynonna Judd (probably just chat)
4/13
Letterman: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Lopez: Prince (oh, admit it, there are fans of TAFKATAFKAP here)
4/14
Today: Alison Krauss
Good Morning America: k.d. lang
4/15
View: k.d. lang
Leno: Eliza Doolittle - I know nothing about this act, but wouldn't it be loverly if there were MC?

**journeybear** · Apr-13-2011, 11:22pm

I'm sure this is unnecessary, as surely everyone put this on their calendars a week ago, but Alison Krauss & Union Station are on Letterman tonight, and also the Today Show tomorrow. So tune in - unless you can't tear yourself away from the Prince Fest on Lopez Tonight ...

**journeybear** · Apr-20-2011, 12:44pm

Finally some good stuff coming up the next couple of weeks. Note: Tavis Smiley is a PBS offering and broadcast availability and times vary widely. These are the broadcast dates for my area; check your local listings at http://www.zap2it.com or elsewise.

4/21
Tavis Smiley: Emmylou Harris
Letterman: Steve Martin (rerun from 3/16)
Fallon: Leon Russell (rerun from 3/7)
4/22
Tavis Smiley: Robbie Robertson

4/25
Today: Darius Rucker (usually has a mandolin in the band)
Leno: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Fallon: Darius Rucker
4/27
View: Tim McGraw
DeGeneres: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Letterman: Emmylou Harris
Leno: Buddy Guy (rare blues TV appearance)
4/28
View: Aretha Franklin (no MC, but she is still the Queen Of Soul)
Fallon: Tim McGraw
4/29
Letterman: Steve Earle
Fallon: Aretha Franklin

**journeybear** · Apr-22-2011, 7:55am

I believe I have not mentioned Live From The Artists Den yet. This is a great series, featuring a high quality roster of emerging and established artists in interesting settings, with one or two brief interview segments but mostly music. Sometimes the architecture is an interactive component of the event.

Check your local listings for broadcast times - PBS offerings and schedules vary widely - I use http://www.zap2it.com/ as it can be set for your local provider, is searchable, and goes two weeks into the future.

From the website, http://www.theartistsden.com/ here is the lineup for Season 3: Elvis Costello, Ray Lamontagne, Grace Potter, Robert Plant, Squeeze, Daniel Merriweather, A Fine Frenzy, Lisa Hannigan.

Elvis was the season opener, and he was indeed with The Sugarcanes, which includes Mike Compton and Jerry Douglas. Perhaps my perception is affected by my watching this on my old 15" Quasar and not a swanky HD flatscreen, but Elvis' voice and guitar were more prominent than the rest of the band put together and I could hardly hear Mike's mandolin at all, even when he finally got a feature late in the show. In fact, I heard mandolin better when Jerry (!) played it on the third song. Eh, whatever. Hopefully mandolin will get featured more prominently when the Robert Plant segment airs this weekend.

PS: That is the way the show titles itself, avoiding the discussion about correct punctuation. Should it be "Artist's Den" or "Artists' Den?" Apparently, neither.

**journeybear** · Apr-22-2011, 8:36am

Also, tonight on CBS, 9-11 PM EDT - "Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country." I believe this is an edited-for-TV version of an ACM-sponsored concert so what makes it to broadcast is anyone's guess. But with the inclusion of The Band Perry and Jane Dear Girls and all the rest of the country performers, there just has to be a mandolin or two in there!

From the ACM site: "Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country - The Concert of the Year" is a special tribute concert featuring an A-list lineup of performers paying respect to today's most incredible country music female artists, all of whom will be honored with unique accolades from the Academy for special achievements in their careers. The evening will honor The Judds, Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Reba and Carrie Underwood.

Throughout the concert, each presenter will perform a solo - and occasionally a duet - with their honoree. Rock legend John Fogerty will perform with The Judds, and 2011 ACM Award nominee Little Big Town will accompany Martina McBride. Newcomer Country Music singer-songwriters Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley will join Miranda Lambert onstage. The evening will also boast special performances by 2011 ACM Award winner for New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year The Band Perry, 2011 ACM Award nominee the JaneDear girls, and ACM Award-winning recording artist Sara Evans.

Previously announced duets include Ronnie Dunn with Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts with Reba, Vince Gill with Carrie Underwood, as well as special performances by Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton.

The Judds - Will be recognized for being the ACM's most award-winning female duo having won Vocal Duo of the Year seven years in a row, 1984 - 1990 and Song of the Year in 1984 for "Why Not Me."

Miranda Lambert - Will be recognized for being the only female artist in the Academy's history to ever win Album of the Year, twice, first for "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" in 2007 and again for "Revolution" in 2009.

Loretta Lynn - Will be recognized for her amazing 50-year career as a leading female artist in country music, which includes being the only female artist to win Artist of the Decade, Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Martina McBride - Will be recognized by ACM Lifting Lives for her dedication to raising social consciousness of domestic violence and encourage female empowerment through her music. She is a three-time Female Vocalist and was also awarded The Home Depot Humanitarian Award in 2004 for her charitable work.

Jennifer Nettles - Will be recognized for being one of only two female artists in the Academy's history to ever solo write and perform the winning Song of the Year, in 2007, with "Stay."

Reba - Will be recognized for winning Female Vocalist more times than any other artist in the Academy's history - a whopping seven times.

Carrie Underwood - Will be recognized for being the only female artist in the Academy's history to ever win Entertainer of the Year, twice, first in 2008 and again in 2009 (she is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, since Awards recognize the previous calendar year's work.) Underwood has won Female Vocalist three times and has won a total of ten ACM Awards.

**journeybear** · Apr-25-2011, 12:26pm

Just a quick reminder to look for this PBS offering - Tavis Smiley: Robbie Robertson. No MC, as it will probably just be an interview. It is coming up here in a half hour, so I'm rushing this out.

4/25
Today: Darius Rucker (usually has a mandolin in the band)
Leno: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Fallon: Darius Rucker
4/26
Kimmel: Robbie Robertson
4/27
View: Tim McGraw
DeGeneres: Alison Krauss & Union Station
Letterman: Emmylou Harris
Leno: Buddy Guy (rare blues TV appearance)
4/28
View: Aretha Franklin (no MC, but she is still the Queen Of Soul)
Fallon: Tim McGraw
4/29
Letterman: Steve Earle
Fallon: Aretha Franklin

5/3
DeGeneres: Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers

**journeybear** · May-02-2011, 11:24pm

Really slim pickin's this week, but a few gems. Also keep an eye on your local PBS stations for Robert Plant on Artists Den.

5/3
Today: Stevie Nicks
Degeneres: Steve Martin
O'Brien: Steve Martin
5/5
Lopez: Carlos Santana

**mandopete** · May-03-2011, 9:03am

FWIW - Caught a bit of Dierks Bentley at the Ryman with Ronnie McCoury and Chris Thile over on GAC.

**mandopete** · May-04-2011, 12:03pm

So I recorded the Dierks Bentley show and I can highly reccomend this for all mandolin pickers here. There's a great jam at the end on "Eastbound and Down" (yeah, the song from Smokey & The Bandit) where the Punch Brothers come out and jam on "Wheel Hoss" in the middle. Nice dual mandos with Chris Thile and Ronnie McCoury. Also a nice pedal steel break on that one too that elicits a "Punch Brothers need a pedal steel!" comment from Dierks.

5 Stars!

**Ed Goist** · May-04-2011, 1:12pm

JB; Thanks very much for keeping this updated.
I enjoy checking it every few days to see if there is anyone on I want to see.
One downside...Every time I glance at the listings and see "O'Brien", I am filled with anticipation that Tim O'Brien will be appearing on TV somewhere...Then I realize it's just Conan, and I am sad!

Thanks again.

**journeybear** · May-04-2011, 3:41pm

You're welcome! And so is everyone, natch.

I understand and apologize for any confusion. I had to devise notation system for this, and settled on hosts' last names. For myself, I just use initials, but I know what they mean without requiring a key. Even this is inconsistent, as C = Conan but F = Ferguson, not Fallon, which is JF and not J, which is Jay. See how easily things get wacky? But since I do this anyway for my own benefit, it's pretty easy to filter the data for the more specific thematic zeitgeist here.

Now, if Tim O should ever get his own talk show ...

**Steve-o** · May-04-2011, 6:39pm

Speaking of O'Brien (Conan that is), did you see him play his custom Collings guitar with Steve Martin on last night's show? Conan had his name inlaid on the fretboard, and the inlay was done by, of course, Tom Ellis.

**journeybear** · May-04-2011, 6:56pm

Sorry - I was too busy cracking up. Waiting for that bit to show up on youtube ...

**journeybear** · May-09-2011, 11:06pm

Probably zero MC, but some interesting stuff nevertheless ...

5/10
Degeneres: Stevie Nicks
5/11
Leno: Steve Earle (no mandolin last time)
5/13
Leno: Rodrigo y Gabriela (flamenco-esque duo)
5/14
SNL: Ed Helms / Paul Simon

5/16
Fallon: Randy Newman (always worth tuning in for him)

PS: Still waiting for the Steve Martin/Conan O'Brien "Duelling Banjos" bit to show up on youube. Meanwhile you can see it here - it starts at the 10:00 mark.