Dr. Music

1/12: Steve Waksman, Smith College Professor of Music and author of “Live Music in America: A History from Jenny Lind to Beyonce’” on the passing of Jeff Beck, Jenny Lind in Northampton, and the history of rock ‘n’roll (Steve will be presenting this Sunday at 2:00 at 33 Hawley Street, sponsored by Historic Northampton. Then Michael McSherry, pastor at the Edwards Church, on slavery and reparations –a debate ongoing in Amherst and about to be joined in Northampton.

We Remember

1/11: Twenty-one years ago on this date, the United States opened the Guantanamo Bay prison; we speak with Buz Eisenberg, defense attorney for Guantanamo Bay detainees, Nancy Talanian, Founder and Director of No More Guantanamos, and Bruce Miller, professor emeritus of constitutional law. Then, we commemorate and honor the lives of Sherry Morton, 23, and her son Cedric Seabrooks, age 18 months, who were murdered in Northampton on this date 30 years ago; we speak with Cedric’s godfather, Michael Quinlan, and hear about efforts to combat domestic violence with the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Kara McElhone. On our final segment Florence-based, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, Larry Hott, reviews one of the best documentaries he has ever seen, “Last Flight Home.”

Far Right

1/10: We begin by talking sports with Duke Goldman – the Red Sox’s and Yankees’ $300 million signings and consideration of Damar Hamlin and the endorsement and promotion of violence by the National Football League. Then, “Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism and What Comes Next” –we speak with the author, Bradley Onishi.

Mayors Monday

Mayors Monday with Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia on the Healey-Driscoll administration, schools and receivership, and East-West and North-South rail. Then, Black in the Valley with Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn Smith-Crooks, Professor Carlie Tartakov, and – coming to the Parlor Room in Northampton on January 14 with his band — the inspiring musician, blogger and advocate Mtali Banda.

Education and Artemis

1/6: “Your State U.” with Massachusetts Teachers Association President, Max Page on the new legislative session; “Salman Hameed’s Universe” with Hampshire College professor and astronomer Salman Hameed on China, the U.S., competition and dangers in space, the moon, and Artemis; “ArtBeat” with Donnabelle Casis and Cynthia Fisher.

Representing Us

1/5: In the legislature: we talk to State Senator Jo Comerford about the politics of the state and the nation and her priorities for this legislative session. In the courts: we speak to Attorney Alan Rubin about his just-completed 50 years as a public defender.

Professors Michael

Professor of Peace and World Security Studies Michael Klare, who also is the Defense Correspondent for the Nation Magazine, on the War in Ukraine; Law Professor Michael Meltsner, who also is a death penalty defense attorney, on yesterday’s execution of a trans woman in Missouri; then, Cool Films with Larry Hott on “American Justice on Trial,” the untold story behind the murder trial of Black Panther leader Huey Newton, and “38 at the Garden,” on NBA trailblazer, Jeremy Lin.

Mayors Monday Tuesday

1/3: Crime and Punishment with attorney John Pucci—sentencing for the Varsity Blues mastermind, Rich Singer, is tomorrow. We also speak with Northampton Mayor Gina Loise Sciarra about the Resilience Center, alternatives to policing, and the city’s plans to combat climate change.

HAPPY NEWS YEAR!

12/30: Teachers Ass’n President Max Page shares his top-ten of 2022 list. Then, LIVE in the studio, First Night performers — the indomitable icon of our local music scene, Ray Mason and local singer-songwriter Lisa Baston –what a magnificent and beautiful voice! Followed by Donnabelle Casis’s ArtBeat with museum curator Maggie North—playing cards with Salvador Dali –talk about surreal.

Wishing a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year to all our listeners with heartfelt thanks for your generous support, comments, suggestions and love. And abundant thanks, too, to everyone at WHMP who make this show possible five days a week from the Barbara Kuschka Studio.

The Bad Axe and the Good Ax

12/29: Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Larry Hott with two enthusiastic recommendations for you: “The Good Axe” and “All That Breathes.” Then, LIVE in our studio, archguitarist Peter Blanchette and Northampton Art Council Events Producer Steve Sanderson—we preview First Night.