Summary: This week, a special episode. Ozark Highlands Radio partners with Oxford American Magazine to bring Woodstock, New York based contemporary folk and Americana superstar Josh Ritter, recorded live at South on Main in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. Also, an interview with Oxford American Literary Project executive director Ryan Harris. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark original Karen Bell performing the classic tune “Grandfather’s Clock.” “The Oxford American is a nonprofit organization with a mission to explore the complexity and vitality of the American South through excellent writing, visual art, and events programming. Our quarterly print magazine was founded in 1992, and, in addition to winning four National Magazine Awards, has helped launch the writing careers of such noted authors as Jesmyn Ward and John Jeremiah Sullivan, while publishing beloved writers like Charles Portis, Nikky Finney, Peter Guralnick, and many others. “Our concert series at South on Main in Little Rock is an extension of the magazine, creating meaningful opportunities for the community to experience the most culturally significant artists in our region. “The OA has a longstanding history of curating great music. Our Winter 2018 issue is dedicated to the music of North Carolina. It is our twentieth installment of the series, which the Houston Chronicle calls "the single best music-related magazine of any given year." Each music issue comes with a sought-after CD, curated by the editors to showcase the region's hugely varied musical legacy.” More information about Oxford American programming, the magazine, and their mission can be found at https://www.oxfordamerican.org Moscow, Idaho born and currently Woodstock, New York based musician Josh Ritter is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and author who performs and records with the Royal City Band. Ritter is known for his distinctive Americana style and narrative lyrics. In 2006 he was named one of the "100 Greatest Living Songwriters" by Paste magazine. - https://www.joshritter.com In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1977 archival recording of Ozark original Karen Bell performing the classic tune “Grandfather’s Clock,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.
