#646 Follow the Music: An All-American Road Trip - Bill Clevlen

Follow the Music: An All-American Road Trip - Bill Clevlen

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Art of Living Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates series on radio and podcast.  I’m Paul Vogelzang, and as part of our Art of Living interview series with Smithsonian Associates, our guest today is author, travel columnist and music lover Bill Clevlen.  Bill Clevlen will be appearing at the Smithsonian Associates and you can check out more details in our show notes today.

You love the songs that are the soundtrack of your life. Join me today with national travel journalist and broadcaster Bill Clevlen on a virtual road trip to the places where they were born and where iconic performers made history, a memorable cross-country journey into the heart of American music.

Our itinerary today takes us from instrument-themed museums to recording studios, famous stages to murals honoring musical greats. Along the way Bill Clevlen spotlights statues of artists including Dolly Parton and Ray Charles; Motown’s legendary Studio A; the Grand Ole Opry; the places where the blues and hip-hop were first heard; Little Richard’s childhood home; the room where Aretha Franklin recorded her first hit; and the last spot Hank Williams was seen alive. It’s a virtual trip that will bring back plenty of memories—and perhaps inspire your own real-life one to follow the music you love.

Clevlen’s new book, The Ultimate American Music Bucket List: A Guide for Music Lovers and Road Trippers is a wonderful companion to any drive, but the tour aspect is most impressive.

We’ll discuss Bill’s excellent book, along with other great stories:

From the red light blinks out the word "Hollywood" in Morse code every few seconds: what a cool story:  Reportedly, the message has been changed only once since the light began blinking the message in 1956.  The light has been sending out the same message, with a few exceptions. The year 1992 marked the 50th anniversary of Capitol Records, and to celebrate this, the message was changed to “Capitol 50” for the whole year. It was then changed back, and it would take another decade until it was changed again. Bill Clevlen’s book is filled with these kinds of stories and music history.  

Bill Clevlen currently shares road trip stories on radio and television stations across the U.S.  You can hear him nationally on SiriusXM satellite radio and several syndicated travel programs.  Please join me in welcoming to The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast, Smithsonian Associate Bill Clevlen.

My thanks to author, road tripper, and music lover Bill Clevlen for his generous time today.

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