American Idols The Street Version

On Thursday, May 24 from 9-10pm EST, we’re talking about the real American Idols—extraordinary people who make contributions to music and performance. We'll be joined by Michael Masely, an unusual street musician from Berkeley, CA, who has influenced everyone from the common man to famous musicians for the past 25 years with his world renowned "bowhammers" technique on his cymbalom. Michael is the subject of a new documentary, Art Officially Favored, written and directed by Martin Yernazian, who will also be our guest. In the second half-hour: Colin Huggins, who bills himself as "The Crazy Piano Guy". Colin actually wheels his piano all over the city, bringing music directly to the people of the Big Apple. And last (but not least) we have Mary Luehrsen of NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. NAMM strives to promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. Mary will discuss the benefits of music education on growing minds and how budgets cuts are devastating music programs in schools across the nation. She’ll also highlight those schools across the nation that have made valuable contributions to arts education as part of the Best Communities for Music Education annual survey.