Emily Higgins: The Mulberry Tree

This Sunday, October 2nd at 10 p.m. CST tune in to "The Mulberry Tree" on KSMU-NPR 91.1 in Springfield, MO, also coming to you from Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7, Joplin - 98.9, and Neosho - 103.7, and streaming live at www.ksmu.org.

You will hear my interview with one of the world's greatest acoustic guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel. It was an absolute joy to speak with him and hear about how his career is far-reaching and incredibly successful. The interview is airing just ahead of Tommy's October 5th appearance at the Gillioz Theater in Springfield. As of this posting, tickets are still available, so check it out at www.gillioz.org
JUST ADDED...
I have been asked to MC Tommy Emmanuel's concert, as a representative of KSMU-NPR and OPT (Ozarks Public Television). This is exciting and I very much look forward to introducing both Tommy and his opening acts, Anthony Snape and Pam Rose.

In addition to the interview and tracks from Tommy Emmanuel, on this Sunday's Mulberry Tree you will also hear tracks from these artists.

Jon Swift
Jimmy LaFave
Eric Andersen
Loggins & Messina
The Greencards
The Wailin Jennys
Tim & Mollie O’Brien
Jack Johnson
Eva Cassidy
Neil Young & Emmylou Harris duet

Hope to see you at the Gillioz and meet you on the airwaves!

Cheers,
Emily

Tune in to the Mulberry Tree tonight, Sunday, September 25th at 10 p.m. CST to KSMU 91.1 in Springfield, MO. also coming to you from Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7, Joplin - 98.9, and Neosho - 103.7. We're also streaming live at www.ksmu.org
On the show tonight, two songs from Ray LaMontagne's CD "Trouble." We'll also hear from Rosie Thomas, Laurie Lewis, Tim O'Brien, Buffalo Springfield, Eva Cassidy, Alison Krauss, Trio (Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton), Jesse Colin Young - both singly and with the Youngbloods, and Tommy Emmanuel who is coming to the Gillioz Wednesday, October 5th. This is your rare chance to see a guitar genius at work, up close and personal! I will feature my 10-minute interview with Tommy on next Sunday's show, October 2nd and air a few more of his tracks. In my interview you'll get the chance to hear and understand what a kind and humble person he is, and how gracefully and skillfully he has handled his world-wide fame.

Have a great day, and hope to meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Hi everyone,

This Sunday on September 18th I'll feature three sets of songs with the word "river" in the title. It was really tough narrowing it down to just eight or nine songs, so on my October 2nd show I'll showcase five more river songs in the first set that evening.

I'll see if you can guess the song titles for now when you see the artists listed below, but please do tune in this Sunday to KSMU 91.1 in Springfield, Mo at 10 p.m. CST if you can, to satisfy your curiosity. KSMU also streams live at www.ksmu.org, and our signal map includes stations in Branson, West Plains, Mountain Grove, Neosho and Joplin.

Below are the artists you'll hear performing river songs this Sunday:

Joni Mitchell
John Hartford
Eliza Gilkyson
Arnold McCuller
Dylan Charles
Rob Boyle
Flying Mules
Steve Canaday
Michael Martin Murphey w/Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Peter Rowan and the Rowan Brothers
Kane’s River
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

Peace and cheers to all,
Emily

Hello on this Sunday morning,

Hope you can tune in to tonight's Mulberry Tree. As always, I'll be on air at 10 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 in Springfield, MO. Don't forget, you can listen anytime from anywhere at www.ksmu.org and click on "listen live."

The first three sets of tonights show will feature new music from a couple of artists, but also some wonderful songs not to be forgotten. Also not to be forgotten are all the souls lost 10 years ago today on Septmber 11, 2001. The last set of tonight's Mulberry Tree I'll send out three songs in memoriam, but also in the spirit of looking forward.

Also, don't forget to tune in to "The Mulberry Tree" Sunday, October 2, 2011 to hear my interview with one of the world's greatest acoustic Grammy-nominated guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel. The interview will air just a few days ahead of Tommy's appearance at the Gillioz Theater in Springfield on October 5th at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available at www.gillioz.org
Tonight's musicians will be:

Heather McCready
Robert Bowlin with Wil Maring
Wil Maring with Robert Bowlin
Diana Jones
Cat Stevens
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
David Crosby
Graham Nash
Rita Coolidge, Priscilla “Coolidge, Laura Satterfield
Cindy Novello

The weather is beautiful, hope you can all get outside and breathe the fresh air and find something that brings you joy.

Best to you all,
Emily

Don't forget to tune in to "The Mulberry Tree" on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 10 p.m. CST to hear my interview with one of the world's greatest acoustic Grammy-nominated guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel. The interview will air just a few days ahead of Tommy's appearance at the Gillioz Theater in Springfield on October 5th.

On August 29th I caught up with Tommy on the phone and we visited about the experiences leading up to where he is today, and how his career continues to move forward and grow in many different directions. Tune in if you can, and don't forget to buy your tickets to see this amazing performance! You will never forget it.

Hello and happy Labor Day weekend!

Tonight's Mulberry Tree features a few classic Labor Day songs along with some newer singer-songwriter tracks in keeping with the theme. I hope you are all having a great weekend and will tune in to the show tonight. Below are the artists to be featured in the show tonight.

Take care,
Emily

Jon Fromer
Danny Carter
Pete Seeger
Peggy Seeger
Bob Dylan
Chris Smither
Tommy Emmanuel with Troy Cassar-Daley
Eddie Brown
Beyond Reach
Si Kahn
Doc Watson
John Lowell & Ben Winship
Wil Maring
Les and Gary Gallier with David Wilson

On Sunday, August 28th I'll feature lots of great singer-songwriters with a few local/regional musicians mixed in. Below is a list of the artists. Shelby Lynne will be performing a cover of a very recognizable tune, so check it out this coming Sunday. Hope you'll join me 'round The Mulberry Tree! -Emily

Shelby Lynne
Steve Earle
John Reischman & the Jaybirds
Alan Rhody
Big Smith
Cosy Sheridan
Anders Osborne
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Townes Van Zandt
Richard Shindell
John Higgins
Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins
Doug Smith

Hi folks!

Here's the lineup of singer/songwriters and musicians to be featured on tonight's Mulberry Tree on KSMU 91.1 FM in Springfield, MO...also streaming live at www.ksmu.org: Happy trails! -Emily

Kevin Welch
Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan
Kate Campbell
Greg Brown
Lyle Lovett
Judy Collins
Slaid Cleaves
Emmylou Harris with Jonathan Edwards
Eastmountainsouth
Dar Williams
The Indigo Girls
Eliza Gilkyson
Tommy Emmanuel (who will be at the Gillioz Theater October 4th!)

Hi everyone...tonight's Mulberry Tree will feature some season-appropriate songs, about things we see and think about this time of year. It is definitely summertime, here in SW Missouri 100+ temperatures are expected over the next few days.

Tune in tonight to hear some great tracks from these artists:

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Mumford and Sons
Buddy Miller w/ Duane Eddy
Tom T Hall
The Wailin’ Jennys
Guy Clark
Bill & Bonnie Hearne
Karla Bonoff
Greg Brown
Gillian Welch
Dave Alvin
Neil Young w/ Nicolette Larson
Rita Coolidge
Emmylou, Gillian, Alison
Leftover Salmon
Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel will be at the Gillioz on October 5th, and he has agreed to a phone interview with me, so stay tuned for mid-September when I will air that interview. Hurry and buy your tickets...they are going fast!

Stay cool!
Emily

This week on the Mulberry Tree I'll send out a few songs about summertime and mix in some other fine tunes.

Artists featured on Sunday's show will be Townes Van Zandt, Gordon Lightfoot, Show of Hands, The Wailin’ Jennys, Robin and Linda Williams, Chuck Prophet, Dorian Michael, John and Jamie Hartford, Bonnie Raitt, Mamas and Papas, Kate Wolf, John Prine, and the great Odetta.

Try to stay cool in this heat!

Emily

Hello MT fans!

Coming up on the show this Sunday, June 19th is a set to acknowledge Father's Day. I'll start out with a couple of my father's favorite songs, then round out that set with a few more tracks appropriate for Father's Day. You'll hear from singer/songwriter Michael Smith. Crosby, Stills and Nash, Mary Black and Linda Ronstadt.

Also on the June 19th show you'll hear the late Jim Croche, Alison Krauss, Kate Wolf, Louise Taylor, local musicians Les and Gary Gallier joined by David Wilson, and here's one I couldn't resist...a little goofy Roger Miller tune.

On June 26th, I'll feature some of Peter Rowan's incredible music as he is joined by Jerry Douglas and Tony Rice. Also on the show, tracks from Red Molly, Robert Earl Keen (the live version "Front Porch Song" complete with bleep-outs of a curse word or two...you get that sometimes with live performances!), Nanci Griffith, Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, Alison Krauss, Merle Haggard and Ben Winship and friends.

These will be great shows! Tune in...we stream live at www.ksmu.org and you can find the show broadcasting on the following NPR stations on your dial:

* Springfield 91.1
* Branson 90.5
* West Plains 90.3
* Mountain Grove 88.7
* Joplin 98.9
* Neosho 103.7

Peace and good cheer to all,
Emily

Hello everyone! I've sure been enjoying this great weather here in SW Missouri. Today we are expecting strong storms, so I hope there's no signal interruption when the Mulberry Tree airs at 10 p.m. CST. Fingers crossed!

This evening on the show, I've got the usual eclectic mix of songwriters, and threw in the usual one or two that stray from any theme whatsoever. :)

Here are the artists to be featured this evening:

James Taylor (a real fun one!)
Lucinda Williams
Neil Young
JJ Cale
The Duhks
Paul McCartney
John Prine
Eric Andersen
Nanci Griffith
....and a little Hawaiian steel guitar from Jack de Mello to round out the hour...why not???

Sure hope you'll tune in. Meet you on the airwaves!

Emily

Spring has sprung! Let's keep our fingers crossed that we're finished with snow...in spite of what the Farmer's Almanac says...

March 27th on The Mulberry Tree will feature the usual eclectic variety of artists. I'll play some tracks from singer/songwriters on the national and regional level, and include two more from the new Wailin' Jennys CD "Bright Morning Stars." It's a fabulous CD.

Here's who you'll hear from on the next show:
Emmylou Harris
Levon Helm
Alison Krauss
Neil Young
The Northwoods (regional)
Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band
Dan Fogelberg
Shawn Colvin
Van Morrison
John Higgins (regional)
The Wailin’ Jennys
Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler

It's great weather here in Springfield, I hope the same wherever you are.

Cheers!
Emily

Coming up on The Mulberry Tree this Sunday, March 6th:
Ryan Bingham
Mary Black
Dave Carter/Tracy Grammer
Heather McCready
Kenny White
Tim and Mollie O'Brien
Kim Richardson (Kerrville New Folk songwriter winner 2010)
Augusta Bottoms Consort
Will White

March 13th:
Marideth Sisco (performing music from the movie soundtrack "Winter's Bone")
Bob Dylan
Tom Waits
Greg Brown/Bill Morrissey
Eliza Gilkyson
Cheryl Wheeler
Simon & Garfunkel
Hot Rize
Big Smith
Jerry Douglas

Since we're 15 days away from spring, I'll fill you in on some artists I'll feature for my "first day of spring" show on March 20th:

Mary Chapin Carpenter
Court Yard Hounds
The Youngbloods
Bella Donna
Karla Bonoff
Michael Johnathon
James Taylor
Slaid Cleaves
The Wailin' Jennys
Ira Edelman
Kate MacLeod
John Hartford (with son Jamie)
Nickel Creek

Tune in On the Air:

* Springfield 91.1
* Branson 90.5
* West Plains 90.3
* Mountain Grove 88.7
* Joplin 98.9
* Neosho 103.7

Streaming live at: www.ksmu.org
Hope you can ride the airwaves to The Mulberry Tree.

Emily

Hello, and happy winter! Just remember, the days are getting longer now....

Coming up, here's some special tracks you'll hear:

JANUARY 9TH:
Claire Lynch
Eva Cassidy
Willis Alan Ramsey
John Lowell with Ben Winship and their band Kane’s River
Tish Hinojosa
Wil Maring accompanied by guitarist Robert Bowlin
Sloan Wainwright
Nickel Creek
a duet from Matraca Berg & Emmylou Harris
Wailin’ Jennys
Michael Smith
Local and regional musicians Les & Gary Gallier

JANUARY 16TH
Robin Lee Berry
Jimmy Webb with Billy Joel and Jerry Douglas on a great dobro solo!
Sara Watkins - from her great CD released last year
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Jefferson Airplane
Jimmie Spheeris
Eric Andersen
Carly Simon (with Ben & Sally Taylor)
Bob Dylan
Joni Mitchell
Arlo Guthrie
The Wailin’ Jennys
Mary Black
Tommy Emmanuel

Fear not! If you are out of the signal area when The Mulberry Tree airs on KSMU at 10 p.m. CST every Sunday here in Springfield, MO, you can still listen online at www.ksmu.org...just click on "listen live."

Until next time, peace my friends!
Emily

Sunday, January 23rd will bring several new tracks your way, from Jack Williams and Slaid Cleaves. I also discovered some song treasures released within the last few years, AND re-discovered some incredibly great songs that have been around for a while.

Featured artists will be:
Tom Rush
Robert Earl Keen
Guy Clark
Slaid Cleaves
Cheryl Wheeler
Rosie Thomas
Jack Williams
Eliza Gilkyson
Buffalo Springfield
Gordon Lightfoot
Three Fervent Travelers - with a fabulous instrumental!

Just remember, when The Mulberry Tree airs on KSMU at 10 p.m. CST every Sunday here in Springfield, MO, if you are out of the area you can still listen online at www.ksmu.org...just click on "listen live."

Thank you for the emails you send, I really appreciate it! Keep them coming, and keep listening. I know you're out there...

Peace,
Emily

Hello everyone!

I hope you can tune in the next couple of Sundays, December 26th and January 2nd, to hear Part I and Part II (respectively) of "The Best of the Mulberry Tree 2010." I went through all of my playlists and noted some highlights, some great new music, old music, local music, and included some listener's favorites based on feedback sent my way throughout the year.

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. CST. Go to www.ksmu.org to find the station nearest you, or you can stream live from the website as well. Hope you can "stop by!" It's a great way to wrap up each weekend.

Here's the artists you'll hear on the "Best of...":

Part I - Sunday, December 26th
Slaid Cleaves
The Rowans
Mary McCaslin
Emily Robison and Martie Maguire (former Dixie Chicks) w/Jakob Dylon
Sarah Harmer
Ryan Bingham
Eliza Gilkyson
Tom Kimmel
Don Conoscenti
Mark Erelli
Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton (from Trio II)
Jay Sewall - instrumental

Part II - Sunday, January 2nd
Judy Collins
Rob Thomas
Dar Williams
Kate Wolf
Glen Hansend/Marketa Irglova
Richard Shindell
George Harrison
Chuck Prophet
Joni Mitchell
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Red Molly
John Prine
Lyal Strickland (local)
Sandroids (regional)

See you 'round the tree...stay warm!

Emily

Hello Mulberry Tree fans!

My December 5th show will feature tunes from JJ Cale, who will turn 72 years old on Sunday! I will also feature tracks from regional singer/songwriter Rob Boyle, Ed Carey, k.d. lang, Lucy Kaplansky, Cheryl Wheeler, Christine Kane, Ellis Paul, Greg Brown, Tom Paxton and some very interesting klezmer music from an incredibly talented and versatile musician from St. Louis, Sandy Weltman, who will be joined by the Lonesome Pines to round out the hour.

This will be great fun...please join me! Tune in at 10 p.m. CST if you're in southwest or south-central Missouri:

* Springfield 91.1
* Branson 90.5
* West Plains 90.3
* Mountain Grove 88.7
* Joplin 98.9
* Neosho 103.7

....or listen live from anywhere! Go to www.ksmu.org and click on "listen live."

Warmth, peace and happiness to you this holiday season.

Emily

Hello everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving special last Sunday. I enjoy the "theme" shows, and there will be one or two more coming up for the holiday season, so stay tuned!

This Sunday's edition of The Mulberry Tree will feature a special treat, an interview with Lauryn Shapter and Dennis James who call themselves "Truckstop Souvenir" and I'll also plays some of their incredible music. Then I'll play for you some great tunes from Tim O’Brien, Alison Krauss, Grace Griffith, Louise Taylor, Cris Williamson and Tret Fure (amazing focals!) and instrumentals from Jake Shimabukuro and Tommy Emmanuel. Jake Shimabukuro will perform an out-of-this-world version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" ON THE UKELELE!

Remember if you are out of KSMU's signal area you can tune in live by logging on to ksmu.org and clicking on "listen live." The Mulberry Tree is featured every Sunday at 10 p.m. CST. I post playlists from each show in case you want more detail about something you heard.

Until next time....

Cheers!
Emily

The Thanksgiving Special is tonight on The Mulberry Tree. Spend the hour with me as I send out to all of you songs that reflect the theme of being thankful.

As usual, the list of songs is eclectic...you'll hear Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, Crosby and Nash, Fairport Convention, Emmylou Harris, regional singer/songwriter Jan Marra, Patty Griffin, Kevin Browne, the Youngbloods, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Peter Rowan, Glen Phillips, Shawn Colvin, Marc O'Connor, Jay Ungar and friends, and last but not least (drum roll) will be Jim Nollman with his creation of a song to eat Thanksgiving dinner by featuring his special guests: 3 flute players and 300 turkeys! Yes...you heard me right. 300 turkeys. For real.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Emily

Hello Mulberry Tree friends!

I'm very excited about tomorrow's Mulberry Tree. I'll feature the works of some awesome songwriters like Noah Earle, Rita Coolidge, Willis Alan Ramsey, Dylan Charles (who has relatives in Springfield, MO!), Nanci Griffith, Jim Croce and a little Hawaiian instrumental at the end of the show to help shake off the day's chill!

Just a reminder on how to listen to the Mulberry Tree. You can listen in on the Air:

* Springfield 91.1 FM
* Branson 90.5 FM
* West Plains 90.3 FM
* Mountain Grove 88.7 FM
* Joplin 98.9 FM
* Neosho 103.7 FM

...or you can listen live on your computer! Just go to www.ksmu.org and click on "listen live." My playlists are posted after every show and archived at:
http://www.ksmu.org/content/blogcategory/77/117
Thanks for tuning in!
Emily

Brrrrr.....hard freeze in SW Missouri last night. Time to light the wood stove! Also time to start raking leaves. My Catalpa tree lost all its leaves in one day, yesterday.

The Mulberry Tree will be full of great music tomorrow evening. Tune in at 10 p.m. CST at the usual time, as it's a great way to end the weekend. Put your jammy pants on and kick back. You'll hear tracks from:

Dave Carter w/Tracy Grammer
Continental Drifters
Neil Young
Townes Van Zandt
Nanci Griffith
Robert Earl Keen
Gillian Welch w/Alison Krauss
Nina Gerber - guitarist for the late Kate Wolf

Hope you'll come sit around the tree with me tomorrow evening and every Sunday evening if you can.

Be safe and happy 'til next time,
Emily

A Spooky Hello to all of you!

Halloween is here...so is my Halloween Special on The Mulberry Tree.

Tonight I'll start out with Buddy Mondlock singing "Skeleton", then on to Dylan singing the "Tombstone Blues." The theme continues and I promise it will be a lot of fun.

So glad Autumn is here. The weather has been lovely here in SW Missouri.

My best to all of you,
Emily

Hello everyone!

The leaves are beautiful here in southwest Missouri. We had a little rain yesterday so that knocked a few of them off the branches. My street is lined in sugar maples that look like they are on fire. Very cool!

Tonight's Mulberry Tree will feature songs from Louise Taylor, Peter Himmelman, Darden Smith, Glen Phillips, Amy Rigby, Jackie Greene, Dan Fogelberg, Claire Lynch, and instrumentals from Tommy Emmanuel and local musicians Les and Gary Gallier.

Dan Fogelberg's opening lines to "Old Tennessee" are fitting for what the trees are doing right now.

I hope you are all doing well. I wish the best to all of you and hope you'll tune in to the show tonight and every Sunday. It's good to know you're there with me.

Cheers!
Emily

Whoa! This Sunday's show is going to be a real blast! Larry Michael Lee will be co-hosting with me, talking about some of the many artists he produced while living in Nashville, along with playing tracks from their CD's.

Larry and I will also discuss the CD titled "Beyond Reach" which was produced in 2005 and contains music of both Larry and also Randle Chowning. Both Larry and Randle are founding members of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, but in the past year or so have been performing in their new band titled "Beyond Reach" which includes the talents of David Wilson (of Radio Flyer and Undergrass Boys) and Ned Wilkinson (of Nick, Ruell and Ned the Band). We'll also feature tracks from Larry's two new releases "Twigs" and "Buds on Branches."

Remember that the "Mulberry Tree" streams live, so even if you live outside the signal map of KSMU here in Springfield, MO, you can still listen:


http://www.ksmu.org
Click on "listen live"

Show airs this Sunday, Sept. 19

10 pm CST



Playlists are posted here:

http://www.ksmu.org/content/blogcategory/77/117
Don't miss it!

Cheers,
Emily