Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'billy'

Billy Bragg On Mountain Stage

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:46:00 EST

Making his third appearance on Mountain Stage, Billy Bragg is best known in America for teaming up with Wilco to set some newly unearthed Woody Guthrie lyrics to music on 2000's Mermaid Avenue. But in his native England, Billy Bragg is highly regarded as an egalitarian songsmith who sings for the working class.

'Billy Elliot' Makes The Leap To Broadway

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST

The big-ticket Broadway musical, based on the surprise-hit British film, has its opening night tonight. Jeff Lunden explains what's new and what's different — and how the story's focus expanded for the stage.

'Billy Graham And The Lives God Touched'

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

The Rev. Billy Graham has not preached in front of an audience since 2005, but there are countless people around the world with stories of how they have come to find God through his words. Now, some of those stories have been collected by grandsons Basyle and Aram Tchividjian.

Billy Childs And John Blake At Mt. Hood

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:48:00 EDT

In the late 1990s, JazzSet made two visits to the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival in Gresham, Ore. Music started before noon, and as the sun burned the haze away, the snow-capped peak shimmered on the skyline, helping to inspire memorable performances by the Billy Childs Trio and the John Blake Quintet.

Tapes Shed Light on Imprisoned Artist Billy McCune

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:44:00 EDT

Billy McCune, a convicted rapist who sang his way off death row in Texas, died this week. McCune was the principal subject of Danny Lyon's seminal photography book, Conversations with the Dead. Lyon recorded his visits with Billy McCune almost 40 years ago and then met up with McCune decades later. He tells the story of this man who became a renowned prison artist.

Billy Bob Thornton Opens Another 'Door'

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:27:00 EDT

Thornton is about to release his fourth album as a singer-songwriter, Beautiful Door. The disc reasserts the actor and screenwriter's status as a serious roots-rock musician -- one who's unafraid to address his own specific foibles and missteps.

Former Presidents Attend Opening of Billy Graham Library

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:47:00 EDT

Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Carter are on hand for the dedication of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C. The facility serves as a memorial and historical center for the longtime evangelist.

Billy Strayhorn: Jazz Composer Gets His Due

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:31:00 EST

"Take the A Train" was the Ellington Orchestra's signature tune. But the composer was Billy Strayhorn. Forty years after his death, a new documentary examines the life of the unassuming pianist and composer.

Eric O'Neill and Billy Ray Discuss 'Breach'

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:25:00 EST

Former FBI Agent Eric O'Neill and Director/Screenwriter Billy Ray have collaborated on the new film Breach. It is based on the true story about FBI operative Robert Hanssen who was found guilty of treason and the FBI agent (O'Neill) who was assigned to Hanssen to draw him out of deep cover.

Billy Bragg, In a Retrospective Mood

Sat, 14 Oct 2006 19:48:00 EDT

The rocker has released a two-volume set of recordings. Volume one was out in February, with material from the 1980s. Volume two includes four albums he turned out between 1988 and 2002 and four bonus CDs of new material.

Jeremy Sisto, 'Kidnapped'

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EDT

Actor Jeremy Sisto, best known for his role as Billy on HBO's Six Feet Under, is now starring in the new series Kidnapped on NBC. It premieres next Wednesday.

Biker Billy: A Man with a Burning Desire to Cook

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 11:42:00 EDT

His momma named him Bill Hufnagle, but to fans of his books and his syndicated public access TV show, he's simply Biker Billy... a man who cooks with fire. His following includes people who love the open road and who share his outlook on life and spicy foods.

Billy Wilder's Rules of Good Filmmaking

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:10:00 EDT

Many filmmakers still look to Billy Wilder as an example of how to make movies that matter. Wilder could helm hard-boiled thrillers or romantic comedies with equal dexterity because he followed a basic set of rules. We honor Wilder on what would have been his 100th birthday.

'Fifth Beatle' Billy Preston Dies at Age 59

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 13:29:00 EDT

Ed Gordon pays tribute to late keyboardist Billy Preston, who died Tuesday at age 59 after a long battle with kidney failure. The Grammy-winning songwriter was once dubbed the "fifth Beatle" and played on many of the group's biggest hit songs. He also penned his own hits including "Will It Go 'Round In Circles," and "Nothing From Nothing."

Musician Billy Preston Dies of Kidney Failure

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:00:00 EDT

Singer-songwriter Billy Preston has died in an Arizona hospital, ending a long fight against chronic kidney failure. The Grammy-winning performer gained fame working with artists such as The Beatles, which earned him an album credit for the Fab Four's "Get Back." He also played with the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.

Billy Connolly: Onstage Solo, But Not Lonely

Sat, 06 May 2006 19:31:00 EDT

The Scottish actor and comedian Billy Connolly, seen most recently as Uncle Monty in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, hits New York City this month with a stage show.

Billy Bragg, Boxed for Posterity

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:35:00 EDT

Billy Bragg has been one of England's most politically active singer songwriters since the early 1980s. He now celebrates his long career with a comprehensive box set, Billy Bragg Volume 1.

Box Set Features Political Stockpile of Billy Bragg

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 18:41:49 EST

British songwriter Billy Bragg is best known in the United States for setting Woody Guthrie lyrics to music on the Mermaid Avenue CDs. Like Guthrie, Bragg is a populist, and often political, songwriter. His music from the 1980s is featured in a new boxed set.

Billy Childs and the Lush Jazz of 'Lyric'

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

Pianist Billy Childs' new CD is nominated for a Grammy as Best Jazz Instrumental Album. He visits NPR's Studio 4A, where he tells Liane Hansen about his "jazz-chamber music" and performs selections from Lyric.

Country Music's Billy Joe Shaver: A 'Honky Tonk Hero'

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 00:00:00 EST

Billy Joe Shaver became famous in the 1970s as the songwriter for country music "outlaws" like Waylon Jennings. Many of his recent songs are heartbreaking, reflecting the loss of his mother, wife and son within a year.

Billy Collins on 'The Trouble with Poetry'

Sun, 06 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EST

Poet Billy Collins says the central theme of poetry is death. He manages to ruminate on this in a manner both whimsical and poignant in his latest collection, The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems.

Paper Finds 'What's Right' with Kansas

Sat, 23 Jul 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Jan Biles, special projects editor of The Topeka Capital-Journal, tells Scott Simon about the newspaper's 15-part series called "What's Right with Kansas." The paper began profiling Kansans each Sunday in response to Thomas Frank's book What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America.

Jazz Violinist and Vietnam Vet Billy Bang

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Roy Hurst reports on jazz violinist Billy Bang, a Vietnam War veteran releasing a new album called Vietnam Reflections, dedicated to his war experience.

Billy Crystal: My Uncle Milt

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Milt Gabler influenced Billy Crystal's entry into show business. The comedian's uncle also brought America a generation of legendary jazz music. A new CD compiled by Crystal celebrates Gabler's musical legacy.

Dr. Billy Taylor and All That Jazz

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EST

Jazz pianist Dr. Billy Taylor is retiring from public performance this week, but will continue his educational endeavors. Taylor, who suffered a stroke three years ago, reflects on his deep friendships with many giants of the genre and the jazz scene of the 1940s.