Search results for

States across the country are starting to reopen. Some of them — like Florida, Maine and Colorado — have big tourism economies. But the coronavirus pandemic might affect summer vacations this year.

The Pop Up Studio in Scranton, Pa., is challenging residents to turn potholes into something more artsy. Such as oysters on ice, a bowl of spaghetti or a sudsy sink.

Dad, father, daughter, son and husband are all common words popping up in election ads this year.

The first full retrospective in fifteen years of California artist Wayne Thiebaud is opening at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., tomorrow. He's 80 years old. And his funny, terrific paintings of food, Pop Art, and San Francisco cityscapes still enchant today. NPR's Susan Stamberg has the story. (7:30) Visit Wayne Thiebaud for more information.

Meredith Ochs reviews Satellite Rides, the new release by the promising alternative country band, Old 97s. Ochs says the band and its leader Rhett Miller have been writing wonderful pop music with clever lyrics. (4:30) Satellite Rides by Old 97s is on the Elektra Records label. Their Web site is www.old97s.com.

Frank Stasio speaks with record producer Arif Mardin who this week will receive the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Trustees' Award for his career-long contributions in the recording studio. Mardin is sometimes referred to as "the diva producer" for his work with pop stars including Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisant, Whitney Houston and scores of others.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the second album from the indie-pop duo The Bird And The Bee.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Magic Hollow, a new four-CD retrospective of the band The Beau Brummels, a '60s British Invasion-era pop group from California. Their biggest -- and only top 10 -- hit was "Laugh, Laugh."

Record executive Simon Cowell is a judge on the talent show American Idol, which begins a new season this month. The hour-long show is a spin-off of one Cowell helped create in Britain, Pop Idol.

Malian guitarist Habib Koite issues a new live album, Foly!. The double-disc release is an attempt to capture the flavor of Koite's live performances, which bring out the many influences in his blend of Afro-pop, from jazz to classical and rock. Music critic Banning Eyre has a review.