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etown at Rothbury 7-4-08: Michael Franti & Spearhead / Patterson Hood & John Neff of Drive-By Truckers

Air Dates: Sep 10-Sep 16

etown taped this week's show at the Rothbury Music Festival in Michigan, and features the return of Michael Franti & Spearhead, who get the overflowing etown crowd on their feet, AND hosts Nick & Helen Forster dancing and singing! Patterson Hood & John Neff of the Drive-by Truckers take the stage to share music and conversation. Nick also interviews noted climate expert Dr. Stephen Schneider and activist and environmentalist Winona LaDuke. Plus, a young e-chievement award winner joins us in person to tell us about a successful grassroots river clean up project he's created. Don't miss this week's music and information-packed etown radio show!

Michael Franti & Spearhead
Michael Franti is one of the most electrifying performers on the planet today. With his sensational band Spearhead, and influences that range from funk to rock to reggae to soul and hip hop, the group keeps audiences dancing for hour after exhilarating hour. With the charismatic Franti leading the proceedings, a righteous message always comes along with the uplifting music.

Several years ago Michael Franti decided to 'walk his talk' and traveled to the war zones of Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This wasn't a USO green zone sponsored visit - Franti and his team organized a trip that would take him to the core of the red-zoned, war torn neighborhoods of Baghdad, the West Bank and Gaza Strip with his guitar, video cameras and the intent to experience first hand the human cost of war. Out of this journey, Franti has created a compelling documentary film titled I Know I'm Not Alone and a searing, reflective new album of original songs titled Yell Fire! Ironically, Franti's journey to the war-ravaged Middle East inspired his most uplifting set of songs to date. He explains, "The thing that I found when I was in war zones was that nobody wants to hear songs about war. They want to hear songs about connection to people, and songs about love and life, songs that make them dance."

etown Interview: Stephen Schneider & Winona LaDuke

e-chievement award: Andrew Kersting, Rogue River Clean-up Project
Andrew is a 19-year old living in the small town of Rockford, Michigan, about 50 miles east of Rothbury. At the age of 14, Andrew initiated a local, grassroots effort to clean up a favorite place of his and his community's, the Rogue River. He recruits volunteers each year, and the team cleans a six mile stretch of water and bank, trails, and more. Over 100 volunteers, young and old, have removed more than 5 tons of garbage from the river in just a few short years.

Website: www.therogueriverproject.org
Email: andrew@therogueriverproject.org
Phone: 616-516-9093