News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 9/23/03   “THE BLUES” PREMIERES ON SOUTHEASTERN'S 90.9 KSLU       HAMMOND -- Public radio station 90.9 KSLU will air “The Blues,” a landmark 13-part documentary series from Public Radio International, beginning Thursday, Oct. 2.        The show, which will air every Thursday at 6 p.m., chronicles the blues from its West African origins to its most contemporary sounds, styles, and venues, said KSLU General Manager Wayne Cain.       “‘The Blues’ is a fabulous series," said Cain. "The programs illuminate the genre that forms the bedrock of popular American music, the wellspring of every type of dance and party music our audience grew up with. Congress has declared 2003 ‘The Year of the Blues,’ and this is a grand way to participate in the festivities, enjoy great music, and experience a fascinating history.        "We’re very pleased to make ‘The Blues’ available in our area, and I know listeners will be delighted that it's part of our broadcast schedule," he said.       Hosted by two-time Grammy Award-winner Keb' Mo', “The Blues” is a comprehensive chronicle of America's most enduring music form. The series uses new and archival interviews, recordings, and remotes from where blues history occurred as well as where the music thrives today. It includes interviews with musical giants such as B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Bonnie Raitt, as well as performances by such notables as Cephas and Wiggins, Taj Mahal, Shemekia Copeland, the Mississippi Allstars, Rory Block, and many others.        The radio broadcasts are a key part of a larger multi-component Blues Project, which includes the 13-program radio series; a seven-program PBS series produced by filmmaker Martin Scorsese; a companion book published by Harper Collins; a comprehensive education program and website, www.yearoftheblues.org, created by the Seattle-based Experience Music Project (EMP); a traveling exhibit by EMP, scheduled to appear in cities all across the nation; DVDs and CD soundtracks for each PBS broadcast; and On the Road, a series of cross-country promotional events.        “The Blues” radio series is produced by Robert Santelli, Experience Music Project, and Ben Manilla, Ben Manilla Productions. WGBH Radio Boston is the presenting station, and the series is distributed nationally by Public Radio International. The television series, “The Blues,” with executive producer and filmmaker Martin Scorsese, premieres September 28 on PBS. It will anchor the multi-media project to help raise awareness of the blues and its contribution to American culture and music worldwide. Volkswagen is the exclusive sponsor of The Blues Project.        For additional information, contact Cain at 985-549-2330. Return to News Releases