country music

This weekend's concert by country music star Zach Bryan is expected to bring in record-high attendance to the Big House in Ann Arbor.

First, a conversation with parents on how Corewell Health's step backwards on gender-affirming care affects their families. Then, a residential artist at the University of Michigan walks us through her upcoming book on country/folk music, race and class in American history.

On this shamrock-filled episode of Stateside, we discuss the NCAA basketball bracketology as we prepare for March Madness. We also revisit a conversation with a Detroit-based poet and visual artist whose book explores the boldness of Black Detroit. Lastly, we engage in a conversation with a professor who seeks to expand our understanding of the individuals who influenced American country music.

The longstanding conventional wisdom is that what we call "hillbilly music" originated in Western Europe. But the truth, as many scholars and musicians have been preaching for years now, is that country music is intimately tied into the experience of African Americans. We talked to a music scholar about the often overlooked influence of Black musicians on the country genre.

Guest host Colin Jackson talks with a Gongwer News Service reporter about the new budget passed by the Michigan Legislature. Also, some summer gardening tips for home gardeners during hot spells. Plus, join us as we track influences to country music.