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Arts & Culture

Story Songs (MY MUSIC)

Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer B.J. Thomas is the host of "Story Songs" (MY MUSIC).
Courtesy of TJL Productions
Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer B.J. Thomas is the host of "Story Songs" (MY MUSIC).

Airs Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. on KPBS 2

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–From “American Pie” to “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Shared Experiences Reflected In Popular Music–

Throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, “Story Songs” weren’t just great music — they helped unite us through our shared culture, history and personal experiences. From country pop favorites to folk-rock epics, "Story Songs" relate to all of our lives.

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Iconic singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry performs her dramatic classic "Ode to Billie Joe" in STORY SONGS (MY MUSIC) on PBS.
Courtesy of TJL Productions
Iconic singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry performs her dramatic classic "Ode to Billie Joe" in STORY SONGS (MY MUSIC) on PBS.

Don McLean’s anthem “American Pie” (the number one hit for a full month in 1972), Bobbie Gentry’s iconic 1967 musical monologue “Ode to Billie Joe” (one of Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All Time) and Harry Chapin’s poignant “Cat’s In The Cradle” are musical tales we all know and love.

The show is hosted by five time Grammy Award-winning singer B.J. Thomas.

“Story Songs” includes vintage footage of these classic performances by the original artists:

  • “American Pie” – Don McLean
  • “Tom Dooley” – The Kingston Trio
  • “Big Bad John” – Jimmy Dean
  • “Sixteen Tons” – Tennessee Ernie Ford
  • “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” – Gordon Lightfoot
  • “Cat’s in the Cradle” – Harry Chapin
  • “Ode to Billie Joe” – Bobbie Gentry
  • “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” – Jim Croce
  • “Coal Miner's Daughter” – Loretta Lynn
  • “Wichita Lineman” – Glen Campbell
  • “Harper Valley PTA” – Jeannie C. Riley
  • “El Paso” – Marty Robbins
  • “Honey” – Bobby Goldsboro
  • “The Gambler” – Kenny Rogers
  • “Rock and Roll Lullaby” – B.J. Thomas
Beloved country singer Glen Campbell performs his hit "Wichita Lineman" on STORY SONGS (MY MUSIC) on PBS.
Courtesy of TJL Productions
Beloved country singer Glen Campbell performs his hit "Wichita Lineman" on STORY SONGS (MY MUSIC) on PBS.

Credits:

Producer: TJL Productions. Executive Producer: TJ Lubinsky