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Join us for these programs during Spring Festival
 
Blue Line
The 5 Browns: In Concert
Best of Daniel O'Donnell on Film
Celtic Thunder: It's Entertainment!
Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player 
Chris Botti in Boston, Part II 
Ed Sullivan's Rock and Roll Classics - The 60s
Great Performances-Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden
Legendary Bing Crosby 
Magic Moments: Best of 50's Pop  
Michael Bolton Live at Royal Albert Hall
National Geographic Magazine's Top 10 Photos of the Year
Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert
Roy Orbison: In Dreams
The T.A.M.I. show
When Irish Eyes are Smiling: An Irish Parade of Stars
The 5 Browns: In Concert
The 5 BrownsIf listening to one piano virtuoso is fun, try listening to five of them play simultaneously. Witness the energy and excitement the 5 Browns, Juilliard-trained sibling piano prodigies, bring to their international fan base.

This concert special goes backstage with the 5 Browns and showcases their sold-out performance at Tuacahn Amphitheatre, a beautiful outdoor venue nestled in the red rocks of southern Utah.

The program captures the excitement of this passionate young quintet as they take the stage and play Rhapsody in Blue, "Flight of the Bumblebee," "Clair de Lune" and other classics.

Exclusive interviews with the five siblings - Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae - reveal their commitment to bringing classical music to a new generation of listeners.
Best of Daniel O'Donnell on Film

Daniel O'DonnellIrish singing sensation Daniel O'Donnell returns to Blue Ridge PBS in his 10th special. This musical retrospective showcases two decades of career highlights, including many videos never before televised.

Through a personal introduction by the artist and song-by-song commentaries, THE BEST OF DANIEL O'DONNELL ON FILM takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through the evolution of this entertainer's professional life. They watch O'Donnell deliver his first "TV kiss" in the 1986 video "I Need You." They walk along the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland in the moving hymn "Footsteps." Fast forward 10 years to 1996 and viewers see O'Donnell perform the duet "Timeless" with the beautiful Mary Duff.

Spanning 20 years, the program captures the artistic growth and succession of musical genres that O'Donnell has mastered. From Irish medleys to romantic ballads like "Whatever Happened to Old Fashioned Love" to inspirational blockbusters like "You Raise Me Up," O'Donnell has performed in countless musical styles over the decades.

Celtic Thunder: It's Entertainment!

Celtic Thunder is coming to Roanoke and Blue Ridge PBS has exclusive tickets!
Read more about it.

Celtic ThunderThe five lead vocalists of Celtic Thunder are undertaking their most ambitious project to date with CELTIC THUNDER: IT'S ENTERTAINMENT!. Filmed before a studio audience in Toronto, Celtic Thunder delivers a show that will enchant and amaze their Blue Ridge PBS fans.

The program is a musical review that spans six decades and will delight audiences, whether with nostalgic reminiscence of old classics such as "Standing on the Corner" or with the band's unique take on contemporary numbers such as Michael Bublé's "Home" and U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

The five lead members of Celtic Thunder - Paul Byrom, George Donaldson, Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly and Damian McGinty - along with guitarist Neil Byrne, who also takes a turn singing lead, bring their talents to a whole new level with the support of their band and the introduction of nine sensational dancers featured throughout the show.

CELTIC THUNDER: IT'S ENTERTAINMENT! is pure entertainment that features something for all ages. The program celebrates the delightful personalities of each performer in a colorful, unique combination of big band swing with modern classic pop.

Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player
Chet AtkinsOn May 15, 1987, a group of A-list musicians gathered to celebrate the enormous influence that guitarist and producer Chet Atkins had on their lives and careers. Taped before a studio audience at Neeley Auditorium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, the star-packed CHET ATKINS: CERTIFIED GUITAR PLAYER includes performances by Atkins with Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald and a band of Music City's finest players.

The concert has been the talk of legend - the recording and video have long been sought-after by guitar aficionados and music collectors. By the first notes of "Deep Thumb Blues," it's easy to see why. Recorded just blocks from the famed Music Row that he's largely credited with creating, Atkins gives the audience a master class in playing and performing. A parade of country and pop greats follows the opening number, beginning with Knopfler, who performs "I'll See You in My Dreams" and the Dire Straits classic "Walk of Life." The Everly Brothers continue the classics with a medley of hits: "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Why Worry." Harris, McDonald (who also plays keyboard with the house band), Jennings, Nelson and David Pack join Atkins until the finale of "Corrina, Corrina."

Atkins, who passed away on June 30, 2001, referred to himself as "Chet Atkins, CGP." CGP stands for Certified Guitar Player, an honorary degree that Atkins bestowed upon only the most worthy pickers. Just five were ever given the honor: Jerry Reed, Steve Wariner, Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles - and Chet Atkins.
Chris Botti in Boston, Part II
This program features the acclaimed trumpeter performing with a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of some of today's most popular music artists, including Sting, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban and Yo-Yo Ma. These incredible artists join Botti and Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops to give masterful performances of material different from their usual repertoire.

Filmed in high-definition before an audience at the same concert at Symphony Hall in Boston as last year's acclaimed PBS special CHRIS BOTTI IN BOSTON, the new special features performances that weren't seen in last year's show.

From the opening moments of the program, the trumpeter and his special guests keep the audience riveted. Highlights include Sting's performance of "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You," Josh Groban's soaring "Broken Vow" and Botti's soulful take on the Leonard Cohen classic "Hallelujah."
Chris Botti
Ed Sullivan's Rock and Roll Classics - The 60s
Ed SullivanFrom the late 1940s 'til the early 1970s, millions of viewers of all ages saw great musical acts each Sunday night on "The Ed Sullivan Show." This installment in the MY MUSIC series presents classic song performances from 1963-1968. From the Beatles' American television debut to the Doors' infamous one-time-only appearance to the Rolling Stones, Sly and the Family Stone, the Mamas and the Papas and more, the special focuses exclusively on full-length music performances - no plate spinners or dancing elephants - that evoke the spirit of that decade's youth movement.

The Beatles on the "Ed Sullivan Show"The Beatles kick things off with their million-selling #1 chart debut "I Want to Hold Your Hand," followed by another John-Paul-George-Ringo smash, "She Loves You." Other featured British Invasion icons are the Rolling Stones ("[I Can't Get No] Satisfaction"), Gerry & the Pacemakers ("Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"), the Animals ("We Gotta Get Out of This Place"), Herman's Hermits ("Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter") and Petula Clark with her Grammy-winning evergreen "Downtown."

More vocal group greats who sing top hits of the decade include the Beach Boys with a pair of their gold records, "I Get Around" and "Good Vibrations," and Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons with their chart topper from 1962, "Big Girls Don't Cry." ED SULLIVAN'S ROCK AND ROLL CLASSICS - THE SIXTIES remembers the Mamas & the Papas, who bridged the generation gap with their soaring harmonies, with their unforgettable anthem "California Dreamin'" and its follow-up, "Monday, Monday."

The program includes a joyful batch of "groovy sounds," represented by such beloved ensembles as the Turtles ("Happy Together"), the Young Rascals ("Groovin'," "Good Lovin'") and the Supremes ("You Can't Hurry Love"), all #1 favorites still played on the radio today.

The 60s were also a time of psychedelic sounds, most famously immortalized by Jim Morrison and the Doors with their 1967 masterpiece "Light My Fire." "Crimson & Clover" by Tommy James is another era-defining hit. Sly & the Family Stone sing their ground-breaking hits "Everyday People" and "Dance to the Music," bringing racial equality to rock music.
Great Performances-Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden
Michael BubleMaking his GREAT PERFORMANCES debut in December 2005 with his first solo-TV special Caught in the Act, the multi-Grammy winning phenomenon Michael Bublé returns to Blue Ridge PBS with this new special capturing the star in trademark, high-octane performance.

Recorded at New York City's famed arena, concert highlights include a show-stopping collection of Buble's hits as well as selections from his newest album, Crazy Love. Supplementing the concert sequences are behind the scenes documentary segments, offering an intimate portrait of the Canadian singing sensation leading up to his landmark MSG concert.

Reviewing the concert for The New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote, "The thing at which Mr. Bublé excels is traditional pop singing, with an ear to the present. Whether swinging moderately hard or crooning, he effortlessly bridges the gaps among old-style big-band music, rhythm and blues, and mainstream pop. You never sense that he has a superior attitude toward one style or another. They all belong to a continuum - The cavernous Garden felt like an intimate nightclub."
Legendary Bing Crosby
Celebrated crooner Bing Crosby was an entertainment icon, capturing the hearts of fans around the world through his remarkable songs and memorable film and television appearances. THE LEGENDARY BING CROSBY presents many of the entertainer’s best performances from his network specials, which aired from 1954 to 1977, including recently discovered, digitally recovered footage and clips that have not been seen since their original broadcast.

The program seamlessly blends full-song performances with enlightening interviews from his wife Kathryn, film critic Leonard Maltin, television personality Regis Philbin, music legend Andy Williams, performer Michael Feinstein and more.
Bing Crosby
Magic Moments: Best of 50's Pop
By popular demand, the MY MUSIC series brings back the happiest hits from the days of poodle skirts and penny loafers with MAGIC MOMENTS: THE BEST OF 50s POP,an unforgettable concert featuring singing sensations from a kinder and gentler time. Pat Boone, Phyllis McGuire and Nick Clooney co-host.

The McGuire SistersFrom "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" performed by the Four Aces to Patti Page singing her immortal "Old Cape Cod," these are truly magical memories from the days when songs appealed to audiences of all ages. The beloved "Mr. C.," Perry Como, launches the parade of 50s favorites with vintage footage of the show's 1958 top 10 title track "Magic Moments." Another archival clip presents the always emotional Johnnie Ray with "Cry," a million-seller from 1951, while Pat Boone croons his romantic classic from 1957, "Love Letters in the Sand."

Among the new performances, taped on stage from Atlantic City, are balladeer Don Cherry with the 1955 smash "Band of Gold" and the Four Coins offering their ageless vocalizing on 1957's "Shangri-La." Dating from the same year, the gold record "Little Darlin'" is faithfully re-created by doo-wop group the Diamonds. The lovely ladies of song are represented with a trio of million-selling, chart-topping tunes of the 50s. Film star Debbie Reynolds sings a sweet serenade with "Tammy" from 1957; Gogi Grant reprises her dramatic 1956 hit "The Wayward Wind"; Rosemary Clooney, in a flashback film segment, is seen in a wistful rendition of her 1954 evergreen "Hey There."

More great group sounds are heard from the stunning McGuire Sisters, who offer a medley of sentimental standards such as "Sincerely," "Sugartime" and "Something's Gotta Give." Lynn Evans of the Chordettes returns to the stage to recall that trio's playful 1958 favorite "Lollipop," while the Four Preps reunite for "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" and "Big Man."

Hosted by veteran game show host and entertainer Peter Marshall, THE BIG BAND YEARS is a warm remembrance of the pre-Baby Boom decades when Americans danced and dreamed to unforgettable music. The program is part of MY MUSIC's goal to preserve American music legacies - exclusively on PBS.
Michael Bolton Live at Royal Albert Hall
Michael BoltonIf someone made a list of performers who have sold more than 53 million records, won multiple Grammys for Best Male Vocalist and countless other honors, earned a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and sold out arenas worldwide, Michael Bolton would be on that list. If someone tallied all the artists who've sung with Luciano Pavarotti and Ray Charles, written songs with Bob Dylan, Ne-Yo and Lady Gaga, penned hits for Barbra Streisand and KISS, played guitar with B.B. King and had his music recorded on a track by hip-hop superstar Kanye West (featuring megastar Jay-Z), Michael Bolton would be the only name on that list.

MICHAEL BOLTON LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL, provides a snapshot of a musical career in which no genre has been off-limits. As singer-songwriter Bolton admits, "I'm always trying to keep one or two steps ahead of myself. I need to take risks."

In the concert, Bolton performs the title track from his 12.5 million-selling album Soul Provider, along with two other favorites, "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" and "How Can We Be Lovers," as well as the Hoagy Carmichael classic "Georgia on My Mind." Off the Vintage album, from the great Bee Gees writing team of Robin and Barry Gibb, Bolton croons "To Love Somebody."
National Geographic Magazine's Top 10 Photos of the Year
National Gerographic National Geographic Magazine is known for its eye-opening and evocative images. With flair, action and behind-the-scenes footage, this special counts down the "best of the best" from the magazine that has won dozens of national magazine awards for photography.

Editor in chief Chris Johns takes a list of hundreds of exceptional photos and whittles it down to just 10. The program tells the stories behind those photographs and includes interviews with the dedicated, adventurous photographers who get the one-in-a-million shot that makes it into the magazine.
National Geographic - the bear
Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert
Bela FleckThis program is a celebration of Rounder's 40 years in the music industry. Filmed in October 2009 at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, it features Grammy(r) winning Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Béla Fleck and Irma Thomas, along with musical host Minnie Driver and special guests Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas and jazz/R&B pianist Henry Butler. The special also includes select performances from Steve Martin's show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, from Alison Krauss and Robert Plant's 2008 "Crossroads" special and from Madeleine Peyroux's 2009 concert in Los Angeles.

Rounder MarqueeHighlights of the concert, filmed in high definition, include Alison Krauss & Union Station's performance of the song "Restless" from their Grammy-winning, million-selling album Lonely Runs Both Ways; Mary Chapin Carpenter's performance of her smash radio hit "He Thinks He'll Keep Her"; Irma Thomas belting out her R&B chart topper "You Can Have My Husband But Don't Mess With My Man"; Steve Martin's performance of songs from his Grammy(r)-nominated album The Crow; Béla Fleck tearing it up with Jerry Douglas on a song from the early Rounder Fleck recording Double Time; and a rousing grand finale that blends blues, R&B, zydeco, country and bluegrass during a gospel medley of "Angels Watching Over Me," "I'll Fly Away" and "Down by the Riverside."

The artists featured in this PBS special have collectively garnered 53 Grammy(r) Awards and sold more than 25 million albums. The program's executive producer and longtime Rounder senior VP, Brad Paul, said, "It is a real thrill to have so many of our amazing artists represented in this show. The musical diversity and artistry is exceptional and rarely seen on TV anymore. Hats off to PBS for their strong commitment to quality television."
Roy Orbison: In Dreams
Roy OrbisonThe inspiring life and times - and music - of first-generation Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Roy Orbison are the heart of ROY ORBISON: IN DREAMS, on Blue Ridge PBS. The music documentary outlines the life story of one of pop's most enigmatic pioneers.

For Orbison, whose rock 'n' roll career spanned the 1950s through the 80s, ambition and stardom always took a back seat to the purity and essence of his art. Even without formal training, he was a brilliant songwriter whose simplest tunes, "Only the Lonely," "Crying," "Oh, Pretty Woman," "Blue Bayou" and "You Got It" - all heard in ROY ORBISON: IN DREAMS - defied conventional rules of songwriting and structure.

Orbison also was one of pop's most gifted and colorfully distinctive vocal stylists. His many fans include artists such as Willie Nelson, Chet Atkins, Jeff Lynne, Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, Bill Wyman and Bono, all of whom pay homage onscreen to their idol.
T.A.M.I. Show
The Beach BoysFilmed just eight months after the Beatles appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," THE T.A.M.I. SHOW, short for Teen Age Music International, introduced rock 'n' soul youth culture to America in the first concert movie of the rock era. One of the rarest and most sought-after performance films from its time, the 1964 concert event featured future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Rolling Stones, James Brown, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys (shown at right), Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Supremes and many other American and British Invasion hit-makers in their prime.

THE T.A.M.I. SHOW was filmed live at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1964 and introduced the swinging 60s to America. This legendary film hasn't been seen in its entirety since it originally appeared in theaters, including the world premiere at 33 Los Angeles-area theaters on November 14, 1964. This restored version features Beach Boys performances that were removed shortly after the film's initial theatrical run.

THE T.A.M.I. SHOW is the first concert movie of the rock era, capturing such superstars as the Rolling Stones (with the late Brian Jones), James Brown, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Miracles (featuring Smokey Robinson) and many other Motown and British Invasion acts in their early prime. Aside from the five rock groups, all the performers are backed by a band that's come to be known as the Wrecking Crew, famed for playing on all the Phil Spector-produced hits and including future stars Glen Campbell and Leon Russell, among others. Fanita James, Jean King and future solo star Darlene Love, billed as the Blossoms, provide backing vocals.
When Irish Eyes are Smiling: An Irish Parade of Stars
Patty DukeIn celebration of St. Patrick's Day and the green month of March, the MY MUSIC series offers a nostalgic journey back to the 1950s and 1960s with long-unseen footage of beloved performers singing some of the greatest songs from and inspired by Ireland. Patty Duke hosts the program, which is written by Malachy McCourt.

Music is proof of life to the Irish, and the songs of Ireland have entered the hearts of millions of Americans, often inspiring other kinds of music. The program appropriately opens on the streets of Dublin with the legendary crooner Bing Crosby offering a pair of Irish folk standards, "Molly Malone" and "McNamara's Band."

Tough-guy actor Robert Mitchum, generally not known for his singing, teams up with the Ames Brothers for a rare rendition of the tender "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra," also known as "An Irish Lullaby." Flame-haired film beauty Maureen O'Hara, a trained singer, delivers a touching version of "Look to the Rainbow" from the Broadway musical Finian's Rainbow. She and singer Rosemary Clooney unite for a rousing declaration called "It's a Great Day for the Irish"; they're joined by variety show host Ed Sullivan and Pat Rooney, who also dances to the spirited "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady."

The folk side of Irish music is represented by the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, a quartet that was instrumental in popularizing many of the traditional songs in America during the 1960s. They perform "Brennan on the Moor" and "The Whistling Gypsy." Folk songbird Judy Collins fittingly warbles a lovely favorite entitled "The Lark in the Morning," and one of Ireland's most long-lived ensembles, the Dubliners, harmonize on a song of immigration called "Muirsheen Durkin."

The program concludes with a pair of more recent performances by the late Frank Patterson, the ultimate Irish tenor and a star around the world. On location in scenic Ireland, he's heard singing a stirring tale of Irish history, "The Fields of Athenry," and the hauntingly beautiful evergreen, "Danny Boy."

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