Live from Here Highlights

Tom Papa: Grandparents - May 23, 2020 May 30, 2020

Tom Papa reads an excerpt on grandparents from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake during our December 7, 2019 show. (originally from our December 7, 2019 episode)

Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

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Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

Out In America: San Diego - May 23, 2020 May 28, 2020

This week: our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa heads to San Diego, where he visits an oceanfront bar, ponders ways to live a stress-free life, and chats with a business traveler from Queens named Gladys. (originally from our December 7, 2019 show)

Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

—

Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

Song of the Week: How's the Weather Where You Are? - May 23, 2020 May 25, 2020

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for May 23, 2020: “How’s the Weather Where You Are?” (originally from our December 7, 2019 show) The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Marcus Gilmore, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams.

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

—

Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

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Lyrics:

1.

Morse: A nibble!

Lincoln: A bite!

A reason to be thankful—

M: —for another sleepless night

But how best to set the hook?

L: How best to reel him in?

M: Hmm...what to send?

L: Hmm...what to send?

M + L: Not my name

L: He’ll know it

M: Rendering this another unclean slate

L: Another couple hours answering for these Divided States

M: And being the amplifier of this rift between Americans

Won’t help me make a friend

L: What to send?

M + L: Hmm...what to send?

L: What are the chances of this meeting? I won’t let it get away

M: Who else will dance me through the dead of night unto the break of day?

L: If I believed in God I’d ask him

M: Father, tell me

M + L: what to say

To make a friend out of this stranger on the wire

L: How’s the weather where you are?

2.

M: It’s hot as stock in Western Union

The air’s as thick as the brow of a grim patent judge

L: Is that your field of law?

M: Nice try. How’s the weather where YOU are?

L: Hot as the barrel of a freshly fired cannon

Air as thick as the skull of McDowell at Bull Run

And the smoke rising up to the sky

Over sons that were loved as much as mine was

M: I’m sorry for your loss.

L: I’m grateful for your ear

I hope I haven’t scared you off

M: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

L + M: How’s the weather where you are?

M: Cold as the sweat I woke up in an hour ago

L: Cold as each toe in each boot marching south through the snow

M: Exactly further yet from their hearths and our peace

Were I Abe I would bid each brave toe retreat*

L: What of the war for freedom lost?

M: I don’t believe it’s ours

I hope that doesn’t scare you off

L: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

‘Cause you can learn a lot about someone from asking how they feel about the weather where they are

Song of the Week: You're Just Doing Your Job - May 9, 2020 May 14, 2020

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for May 9, 2020: “You’re Just Doing Your Job.” The band: Chris Thile, Anaïs Mitchell, Jon Cowherd, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Chris Morrissey. (Originally from our November 23, 2019 episode.)

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

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Listen to our May 9 rebroadcast with Paul Simon, Vagabon, Anaïs Mitchell, Ryan Hamilton, Ron Funches & Holly Laurent

—

Lyrics:

Here’s a song

For the good folks who

We pay to look for bombs

In each other’s boots

Sure this line is long

Longer than my fuse

But you’re just doing your job

And what a job you’re doing

For the put-upon

Bearers of bad news

Now and forever caught here

Between us and our due

As platinums golds and silvers

Singing the Delta blues

“I can’t believe it’s not in your

Power to move me

To the seat I want

And just forgot to choose

I know you’re doing your job

But what a job to do”

And for the mom

Running stoically through

Each kid-unfriendly gauntlet

Doing the work of two

‘Til the boarding process

Drops her off next to

A childless man of business

Whose cares are few

Enough to voice his problems with

Her toddler on fumes

I heard her tell him off like

“Who the hell are you

To assess this job

That you could never do

Just put your headphones on”

Then away we flew

Chris Thile talks with Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton - May 2, 2020 May 08, 2020

Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton joined Chris Thile on our May 2 show to introduce their new podcast, Julie’s Library; share some movie recommendations; and chat about what makes them hopeful for the future. Listen to this extended version of the interview and find Julie’s Library wherever you get your podcasts!

—

Listen to our May 2 show with Sylvan Esso, Watkins Family Hour, Gaby Moreno, Josh Gondelman & more

Song of the Week: It's a Long Way Across the Wire - April 25, 2020 Apr 27, 2020

Download "It's a Long Way Across the Wire," Chris Thile's Song of the Week from our November 16, 2019 broadcast. The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane.

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times livefromhere.org/give

—

Lyrics:

Boy you’re gonna tire

Yourself right out pretending

That you can write a happy ending

To this story by yourself

‘Cause it’s a long way

Across the wire

Ain’t no shame in falling

Just in being ashamed of calling

For a friend to come and help

Yeah it’s a long way

Across the wire

And it’s been a bad day

Boys you’re gonna tire

Yourselves right out pretending

That you can write a happy ending

To this story by yourselves

‘Cause it’s a long way

Across the wire

Ain’t no shame in falling

Just in being ashamed of calling

For a friend to come and help

Yeah it’s a long way

Across the wire

And it’s been a bad day

But I bet it’ll get a little better

Bet it’ll get a little better

Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better

Whoop

Let it get better

Let everybody in

‘Cause buddy with everybody in I bet it’ll get a little better

We ain’t gonna tire

Ourselves out pretending

That we can write a happy ending

To this story by ourselves

‘Cause it’s a long way

Across the wire

Ain’t no shame in falling

Just in being ashamed of calling

For a friend to come and help

Yeah it’s a long way

Across the wire

And it’s been a bad day

But I bet it’ll get a little better

Bet it’ll get a little better

Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better

But I bet it’ll get a little better

Bet it’ll get a little better

Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better

Whoop

Let it get better

Let everybody in

‘Cause buddy with everybody in I bet it’ll get a little better

Tom Papa: The Importance of Strangers - April 18, 2020 Apr 23, 2020

Tom Papa reads an excerpt from his book ‘Your Dad Stole My Rake’ on the importance of strangers in our lives and points out a few new groups of strangers (originally from our November 2, 2019 show). Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Out In America: Portland - April 18, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

Tom Papa heads to Portland, Oregon during Halloween week, tries to determine who’s wearing a costume and who’s just “Portland,” and sets off on a quest with a local wizard (originally from our November 2, 2019 show). Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Out In America: #livefromhome Edition - April 11, 2020 Apr 13, 2020

Comedian Tom Papa checks in from Out In ... his home with thoughts on how his daily routine has changed while he stays socially distanced due to Covid-19. Find more from Tom at tompapa.com.

Listen to our brand-new #livefromhome episode now, with remotely recorded music from Chris Thile and our amazing band of Live from Heroes (Madison Cunningham, music director Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Jeremy Kittel, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Brett Williams), along with #livefromhome Challenge performances from Rachael Price with Taylor Ashton, Theo Katzman, Louis Cato, Megan Burtt, Kayce Guthmiller, Laurens Joënsen, and Kaitlyn Kelly Faraghan. Plus: Mike Marshall joins Chris for a Bach birthday salute, Claire Coffee helps us celebrate Stephen Sondheim's birthday, and Bodine Boling encourages you to stay creative with an essay from Elizabeth Gilbert.

Head to our YouTube channel for a few behind-the-scenes videos of the recording process.

Tom Papa: Children - March 28, 2020 Apr 04, 2020

Tom Papa reads an essay on what life is like with children from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake (originally from October 12, 2019). Find info about Tom’s books, his Netflix special, and his new YouTube baking show at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa, Out In America: Milwaukee - March 28, 2020 Apr 02, 2020

Tom Papa visits Milwaukee for Oktoberfest, samples some spicy breakfast chili, chats with a waitress named Denise, and serves as a wingman in a bratwurst eating contest (originally from October 12, 2019). Find info about Tom’s books, his Netflix special, and his new YouTube baking show at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: CQ - March 28, 2020 Mar 30, 2020

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for March 28, 2020, “CQ” (originally from October 12, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Kush Abadey, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams.

—

Lyrics:

[BALLADEERS]

He believes (belies (belabors))

Himself into the wee hours of the morning

‘Til even he finds it boring

So he leaves it to long (and then look) for

Someone else with some midnight oil that wants burning

And seeing as he’s made up so much of this story

(We will too)

Behold dear listener some 50 years early

(The first CQ):

[MORSE]

Mark what goes on under the sun

Bonds are broken feuds are begun

Behind veils of pride that no pastor’s son

Can peek through

Peek through

But these treacherous partners with their envy and lies

Have drifted off and left me to my

Own beloved darkness where I

Seek you

CQ

[BALLADEERS]

And who should hear our hero

But a sleepless God of Wire in Waiting

Who jumps up from the cot where he ought to be sleeping

Having implored (empowered (imperiled))

The free world into the wee hours of the morning

And because that world keeps adding more to his story

(So will we)

Behold the rail-splitter of Illinois

(At the straight key:)

[LINCOLN]

Mark what goes on under the sun

Bonds are broken wars are begun

Behind veils of pride that no farmer’s son

Can peek through

Peek through

But these treacherous generals asking “how, sir, and why?”

Have drifted off and left me to my

Own beloved darkness where I

Seek you

[MORSE AND LINCOLN]

Mark what goes on under the sun

The dream is over the nightmare’s begun

Behind veils of pride no daughter or son

Can peek through

Peek through

Let these embattled children with children and wives

Drift off to sleep and leave me to my

Own beloved darkness where I

Seek you

CQ

CQ...

Song of the Week: Vail Monograph, Version 2 - March 21, 2020 Mar 23, 2020

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for March 21, 2020, “Vail Monograph, Version 2” (originally from October 19, 2019).

The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Noam Pikelny.

—

Lyrics:

“Canst thou send lightnings

So that they may go

And say unto thee here we are?”

A rhetorical question

From our Father In Heaven

To Job in his suffering

Here below

To Job in his suffering—

As we sent the first lightnings

All those years ago

I quoted that question by heart

Then delivered the answer

Full of magnets and wire

On behalf of a dreamer

Here below

On behalf of a dreamer—

“Sounds like you did this”

I did but—

It was the least that I could do

—than I would do to serve his genius

To serve his—

`“Sounds like it’s time to set the record straight

Nothing’s wrong with calling a good man great, but a bad man...”

No, he’s not a bad man

Though it’s true before we met

The God of Wire was struggling to connect

What he had with what he dreamt

Then I applied a method to the madness

And the thing began to click

We were like a couple little kids

‘Cause it was clear this was it

I’d take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he had seen

And pan whatever gold was in his stream

Of consciousness that flowed between his heart and anything like love for the doer of his dreams

“Sounds like he used you”

He did but—

Oh how I burned to be of use

—to be of use and not be slave to

A mind as—

As cold and dry and barren as this one is

At least when in comparison to one like his

“You have a great mind”

No, his is the great mind

And it will never be at rest

Will ever trade this moment for the next

And what it has for what it’s dreamt

So even if the present is exactly what he wanted it to be

He’ll miss his un-manifested destiny

And find a better man than me

To take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he’s been seeing

And pan whatever gold’s still in his stream

Of consciousness that flows between his heart and anything like love for me

I send him a lightning

Every now and then

Saying unto him “here we are

I don’t expect you to answer

But I miss you dear dreamer

And what we did together

Here below

O what we did together here”

Out In America: Los Angeles - March 14, 2020 Mar 19, 2020

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa spends a rare day off at home in Los Angeles stretching out his morning rituals as far as they’ll go, pondering the dawn of a new decade, and rejecting diet advice from his friends and family. (originally from our January 25, 2020 episode)

Find Tom’s tour dates and more information about his forthcoming Netflix special You’re Doing Great! at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa: That Cute Thing She Does - March 7, 2020 Mar 12, 2020

Tom Papa reads an essay from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake on the beginnings of relationships, and why it’s important to eat meals with someone as you get to know them. Find more information about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com. (originally from our September 28, 2019 episode)

Tom Papa, Out In America: Las Vegas - March 7, 2020 Mar 09, 2020

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa puts on his blue suede shoes and heads to Las Vegas, where he gets a ride from a soon-to-be fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, extols the virtues of the city’s buffets, and chats with an old married couple who aren’t married at a $10 blackjack table. (originally from our September 28, 2019 episode)

Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: The Sully - February 29, 2020 Mar 05, 2020

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week from our February 29, 2020 show, “The Sully” (originally from September 14, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane, Jeremy Kittel.

—

Lyrics:

This is the Sully—

—As fine a ship as you

can sail from Le Havre France to New

York of a mild October

in the year of our lord

1832

Blessed be the quiet mind—

—such as wielded by a Sully

passenger named Samuel F.B

Morse the nearly famous artist

coming up for air post

years of work and study

Quiet be the weary mind

That hovers o’er the water—

—grateful to be homeward borne by true and perfect boredom

Hallowed be its name

‘Cause—

—weary be the troubled mind

That hovers o’er the water

With its lonely sons and daughter

On the shore ahead

And on the shore behind

So much unfinished business

But there ain’t a cure for distance

Save a long long time

Tick tick ticking several decks

below in steerage next to less-

considered travelers nothing

but their fevers running

wild from bed to bed

To bed

Quiet be their weary minds

Between the old and new world

No more to seek approval

From the loved ones wedded to the shore behind

Calling “y’all are gonna miss us,

Unless you find the cure for distance”

—and in that instant

There it is

A ceaseless current

A boundless grid

A prayer a potion

With form and function

To deliver us

To each other

From each other

Racing be the blessed mind

To a future long imagined

Bright with glory, fame and fortune

It had left for dead

On the shore behind

Jedidiah are you listening

Your son has found a cure for distance

And blessed be his quiet mind

That hears the roaring of an instant

God hath wrought the cure for distance

And that cure is mine

Song of the Week: Escape from the Tuileries - February 22, 2020 Feb 24, 2020

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week for February 22, 2020, "Escape from the Tuileries." The band: Chris Thile, Mike Elizondo, Jon Cowherd, Armand Hirsch, Jeremy Kittel, Nate Smith.

Tom Papa: You Work Too Hard - February 8, 2020 Feb 15, 2020

Tom Papa explains why you should never let anyone tell you that you don’t work hard enough and offers a few more life lessons, in an excerpt from his forthcoming book, You’re Doing Great! Find Tom’s tour dates and more about his new Netflix special at tompapa.com.

Out In America: Cleveland - February 8, 2020 Feb 13, 2020

Our Out. In. America. correspondent Tom Papa stays warm in Cleveland by eating his way across the city — sampling the corned-beef-hash-centric menu at Slyman’s, accompanying a group of police officers to a pierogi restaurant, and celebrating a friend’s birthday with dim sum. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: Circular Mistake - February 8, 2020 Feb 10, 2020

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for February 8, 2020, “Circular Mistake.” The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Armand Hirsch, Jeremy Kittel, Abe Rounds, Brett Williams.

—

Lyrics:

Chris: Tell me beloved

Why is there a tear in your eye?

Tell me beloved

Why is there a tear in your eye?

Sarah: It’s a trick of the winter light

Love everything is fine

C: Then tell me beloved

Why are you now clenching your teeth?

S: I didn’t dress for the winter air

Should’ve worn another layer

Whereas you’ve got your coat and wool underneath

C: Then tell me beloved

Why won’t you let me give you that coat?

S: ‘Cause it’s good to be cold in the wintertime

Love everything is—

Fine it’s because you make me tell you

And I don’t wanna have to tell you

That I have nothing to tell you

‘Cause I’ve said it all said it all said it all before

And you can’t make it all ok

Make me say it all say it all again

And darling we’ll be further from the end

And closer to the forming of another circular mistake

C: Tell me beloved

Why are you angry with me?

S: Well well well look who’s taking on

The role of the hurting one

Who can’t keep his heart off his sleeve

C: Tell me beloved if I could where would we be now

S: Some sweet place where it’s understood

A girl doesn’t have to—

C: Look I thought you wanted me to ask you

And didn’t know what I should ask you

S: I don’t wanna have to tell you

That I have nothing to tell you

‘Cause I’ve said it all said it all said it all before

And you can’t make it all ok

Make me say it all say it all again

And darling we’ll be further from the end

C&S: Cause we’ve said it all said it all said it all before

And we can’t make it all ok

S: Make me say it all

C: If we

C&S: Say it all again

And darling we’ll be further from the end

And closer to the forming

of another circular mistake

C: Tell me beloved

Why is there a tear in your eye?

Song of the Week: First Kiss - February 1, 2020 Feb 03, 2020

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "First Kiss," from our February 1, 2020 rebroadcast (originally from April 13, 2019) featuring Holly Laurent reading Jessica Greenbaum’s poem “I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City.” The band: Chris Thile, Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Philip Krohnengold, and Ted Poor.

Find "I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City" in Jessica’s book Spilled and Gone.

—

Lyrics:

We float above the recycling

And the catcalls

A prelude to the hardest

We will ever fall

No bar is too loud

No sidewalk’s too crowded

No stoop too well-lit

No head is too cloudy

For an East Village first kiss

Text me

Don’t forget

Don’t forget me

I will take out the recycling

And pick up the take out

While you stir a pair of Manhattans

And a mocktail

No child is too loud

No dinner’s too hurried

No morning too big

No future’s too blurry

For a South Brooklyn next kiss

So text me

Text me

Don’t forget

Don’t forget me

Out In America: Los Angeles - January 25, 2020 Jan 27, 2020

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa spends a rare day off at home in Los Angeles stretching out his morning rituals as far as they’ll go, pondering the dawn of a new decade, and rejecting diet advice from his friends and family.

Find Tom’s tour dates and more information about his forthcoming Netflix special You’re Doing Great! at tompapa.com.

Out in America: Los Angeles - January 11, 2020 Jan 16, 2020

This week: Tom Papa celebrates the Los Angeles food scene with a stop at Tony’s Mexican Grill and meets a mechanic named Fernando and an Uber driver named Donna, along with a few mythical L.A. characters (originally from February 2, 2019). Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: Barkeeper - January 11, 2020 Jan 13, 2020

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Barkeeper," from our January 11, 2020 show (originally from February 2, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Sara Watkins, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Chris Eldridge, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Gabe Witcher.

—

Lyrics:

We’re here

For the vibe

For the grog

For the people

That brought us

We’re here

For the love

Of these Gods

That ain’t trying to stop us

And I’m here

‘Cause it calms me down

Why are you here, Barkeeper?

We’re here

For a glance

From a girl

Or a boy

That reminds us

There’s more

To our lives

Than the goals

Dead ahead

And behind us

And I’m here

‘Cause it calms me down

Whispers breathe in

Don’t just breathe out

And I’ll stay for as many rounds

As it takes you to answer

Why are you here, Barkeeper?

It ain’t the money ‘else

You would’ve made a killing

Selling out to those Scientologists

They would’ve had to clear all of us to raze this building...

Of the vibe

Of the grog

Of the people

That brought us

Of the love

And these Gods

That ain’t trying to stop us

And I’m here

‘Cause it calms me down

Whispers breathe in

Don’t just breathe out

And I’ll stay for as many rounds

As it takes you to answer

Why are you here, Barkeeper?

It ain’t the glory ‘else

You would’ve been out years ago

Before the movie stars soured on your Zombies

Now you’re laying ‘em on me like I’m Brando

And you’re the man in the photo on the back wall

And I wonder

If a fella’s ever shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow

Yeah, a fella’s never shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow

Well, I hope you all are having a good night

It’s Wednesday which is when I like to toast my dad, Ray

That’s his picture up there, you’ve probably seen it.

Anyway, he was the master ninja, he built the tiki, so

Here’s to you Dad

All right

Bottoms up, everyone

Have fun

Out in America: Kansas City - January 4, 2020 Jan 09, 2020

Tom Papa visits wintry Kansas City, where he learns about a bit of family drama from a stranger in the hotel lobby and meets a jovial man named Big Daddy at a BBQ joint (originally from January 12, 2019). Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee) - January 4, 2020 Jan 06, 2020

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee)," from our January 4, 2020 show (originally from January 12, 2019). The band: Gaby Moreno, Mike Elizondo, Tyler Chester, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Trevor Lawrence Jr.

—

Lyrics:

Three Advil and a coffee

Could cure whatever ailed me

In my twenties:

Sunlight loomed like a wall

(On a late morning after)

I woke up in a well

(They threw me a ladder)

I said “thank God for y’all

(I thought I was a goner”)

They said “we're happy to help

(At least ‘til you’re older)

Soon it won’t be last call

(That’s leaving you hammered)

It’ll be the plight of the world

(And the vanity of your efforts)

So keep your eye on the ball

(Your mind over matter)

And they’ll help find you a girl

(Sooner or later)

And when you fall down a well

(She’ll throw you a ladder)

And when the world goes to hell

(You can crawl out together)

Singing

‘Darling you’re my Advil

Darling you’re my coffee

In the bitter light of morning

Darling you’re my Advil

Darling you’re my coffee

In the bitter light of 2019

Everybody trying to do the right thing

If only for their own’”

So Darling be my Advil

Darling be my coffee

In the bitter light of morning

Darling be my Advil

Darling be my coffee

In the bitter light of 2019

Everybody’s trying to do the right thing

Who knows? It might get done

Out In America: New York City - December 28, 2019 Jan 02, 2020

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa heads to New York City, meets a couple from Dallas at the Broome Street Bar, visits the legendary Comedy Cellar, and chats with a security guard at his hotel after he finds himself locked out of his room. (Originally from our December 16, 2017 episode.) Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: Ornaments - December 28, 2019 Dec 30, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Ornaments," from our December 28, 2019 compilation broadcast. (Originally from December 9, 2017)

The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Mike Elizondo, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor.

—

Lyrics:

Don we now

Our winter coats

Cheery as a Christmas bonus

Deck the yard with icons

Our neighbors may not like 'em

Set up the lights

And the plastic sheep

Watch our seasonal belief

start to trickle down

May our seasonal belief forever trickle down

Damn we now

Our vague concerns

The sky could fall, Rome might start burning

Deck the hall with revelry

And no regard for history

It's all rum and dancing

Fun and games

'Til someone slips on the perspiration

that trickles down

Someone catch the perspiration as it trickles down

Ornaments

Hang from the branches

The year that was

Hangs from the branches

(Hangs in the balance)

Hangs from the branches

America

Hangs in the balance

Dim we now

Our screens in bed

Exhausted as a line of credit

Deck the room with worry

Dream of fire and fury

We smell the smoke

From the burning hills

We hear the senate swear their millions will trickle down

May the good lord let their joy and comfort trickle down

I know I'm on your list

Because I got my wish

But something's gotta give

'Cause someone always lifts you up

In America we trust

God's been good to us

Out in America: Austin, TX - December 21, 2019 Dec 23, 2019

Our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa experiences the music, beer, barbeque, colorful characters, and festive weirdness of Austin, Texas. Originally from our December 15, 2018 episode. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: Letters - December 14, 2019 Dec 18, 2019

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for December 14, 2019: “Letters”

The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Brett Williams

—

Lyrics:

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Chris)

Sleep my child and peace attend thee

All through the night

Guardian angels God will lend thee

All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping

Hill and vale in slumber steeping

I my loving vigil keeping

All through the night

Though I roam a minstrel lonely

All through the night

My true harp shall praise sing only

All through the night...

LINCOLN (Sarah)

My dear Sir and Madam

In the loss of your noble son

My affliction here

is scarcely less than your own

Our acquaintance began less than two years ago

Yet I can proudly say we knew each other well

And that the honors he labored for so laudably, and, in the sad end, so gallantly gave his life for, he meant for you, no less than for himself.

May God give you that consolation which is beyond all earthly power

Yours in our common affliction...

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Chris)

Love's young dream, alas, is over

Yet my strains of love shall hover

Near the presence of my lover

All through the night...

LINCOLN:

Dear Mrs. Ainesworth

I’ve been informed by an adjutant general

That your noble husband

Has died on the field of battle

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine

As sorrow threatens to blot out the sun

And blind you to what might yet be won

Let the memory of the brave man you loved remind you

Remind you

How much the prize of freedom is worth

How great the role is of death in rebirth

And such peace as there exists on this earth

Will find you find you find you

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Sarah)

Love to thee my thoughts are turning

All through the night

All for thee my heart is yearning

All through the night

LINCOLN (Chris)

Dear Fanny I am deeply saddened

To hear of the death your father

Sadder still to think of the pain

Your young heart is being made to suffer...

Dear George I too was a child when I lost my first parent

Dear Sir as you know I’m a parent whose buried his child

So I know what I say when I say that

As sorrow threatens to blot out the sun

And blinds you to what might yet be won

Let the memory of your father, husband, son remind you

Remind you

How much the prize of freedom is worth

How great the role is of death in rebirth

And such peace as there exists on this earth

Will find you find you find you

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Sarah, then Sarah and Chris):

Though sad fate our lives may sever

Parting will not last forever

There’s a hope that leaves me never

All through the night

Tom Papa: Grandparents - December 7, 2019 Dec 14, 2019

Tom Papa reads an excerpt on grandparents from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake during our December 7, 2019 show. Find more about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Out In America: San Diego - December 7, 2019 Dec 12, 2019

This week: our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa heads to San Diego, where he visits an oceanfront bar, ponders ways to live a stress-free life, and chats with a business traveler from Queens named Gladys. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: How's the Weather Where You Are? - December 7, 2019 Dec 09, 2019

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for December 7, 2019: “How’s the Weather Where You Are?”

The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Marcus Gilmore, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams

—

Lyrics:

1.

Morse: A nibble!

Lincoln: A bite!

A reason to be thankful—

M: —for another sleepless night

But how best to set the hook?

L: How best to reel him in?

M: Hmm...what to send?

L: Hmm...what to send?

M + L: Not my name

L: He’ll know it

M: Rendering this another unclean slate

L: Another couple hours answering for these Divided States

M: And being the amplifier of this rift between Americans

Won’t help me make a friend

L: What to send?

M + L: Hmm...what to send?

L: What are the chances of this meeting? I won’t let it get away

M: Who else will dance me through the dead of night unto the break of day?

L: If I believed in God I’d ask him

M: Father, tell me

M + L: what to say

To make a friend out of this stranger on the wire

L: How’s the weather where you are?

2.

M: It’s hot as stock in Western Union

The air’s as thick as the brow of a grim patent judge

L: Is that your field of law?

M: Nice try. How’s the weather where YOU are?

L: Hot as the barrel of a freshly fired cannon

Air as thick as the skull of McDowell at Bull Run

And the smoke rising up to the sky

Over sons that were loved as much as mine was

M: I’m sorry for your loss.

L: I’m grateful for your ear

I hope I haven’t scared you off

M: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

L + M: How’s the weather where you are?

M: Cold as the sweat I woke up in an hour ago

L: Cold as each toe in each boot marching south through the snow

M: Exactly further yet from their hearths and our peace

Were I Abe I would bid each brave toe retreat*

L: What of the war for freedom lost?

M: I don’t believe it’s ours

I hope that doesn’t scare you off

L: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

‘Cause you can learn a lot about someone from asking how they feel about the weather where they are

Out in America: O'Hare Airport - November 30, 2019 Dec 02, 2019

Tom Papa spends some time in Chicago’s depressingly festive O’Hare airport, talks with a pair of Green Bay Packers fans, and commiserates with a gate agent who’s beset by frustrated travelers. (Originally from our December 8, 2018 broadcast.) Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: You're Just Doing Your Job - November 23, 2019 Nov 25, 2019

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for November 23, 2019: “You’re Just Doing Your Job.” The band: Chris Thile, Anaïs Mitchell, Jon Cowherd, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Chris Morrissey.

—

Lyrics:

Here’s a song

For the good folks who

We pay to look for bombs

In each other’s boots

Sure this line is long

Longer than my fuse

But you’re just doing your job

And what a job you’re doing

For the put-upon

Bearers of bad news

Now and forever caught here

Between us and our due

As platinums golds and silvers

Singing the Delta blues

“I can’t believe it’s not in your

Power to move me

To the seat I want

And just forgot to choose

I know you’re doing your job

But what a job to do”

And for the mom

Running stoically through

Each kid-unfriendly gauntlet

Doing the work of two

‘Til the boarding process

Drops her off next to

A childless man of business

Whose cares are few

Enough to voice his problems with

Her toddler on fumes

I heard her tell him off like

“Who the hell are you

To assess this job

That you could never do

Just put your headphones on”

Then away we flew

Song of the Week: It's a Long Way Across the Wire - November 16, 2019 Nov 18, 2019

Download "It's a Long Way Across the Wire," Chris Thile's Song of the Week from our November 16, 2019 broadcast. The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane.

Tom Papa: The Importance of Strangers - November 2, 2019 Nov 07, 2019

Tom Papa reads an excerpt from his book ‘Your Dad Stole My Rake’ on the importance of strangers in our lives and points out a few new groups of strangers during our November 2, 2019 show. Find more about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Out In America: Portland - November 2, 2019 Nov 04, 2019

Tom Papa heads to Portland, Oregon during Halloween week, tries to determine who’s wearing a costume and who’s just “Portland,” and sets off on a quest with a local wizard. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: Mutton and Strawberries - October 26, 2019 Oct 28, 2019

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for October 26, 2019: “Mutton and Strawberries.” The band: Chris Thile, Rachael Price, Mike Elizondo, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane, Jeremy Kittel, Joey Waronker.

—

Lyrics:

What hath God wrought

Of strength unfelt

Gifts neglected

And love withheld

What hath God wrought (x3)

Lucretia left the world without a fight

Father left it clutching the handle of a knife

His memory never failing to give that knife a twist

All has led to this:

Mutton—

My children scattered like so many seeds

Separated from one another and from me

All my colleagues snickering at Samuel Morse the Scientist

All has led to this:

Mutton— (x2)

Dark magic or miracle

I don’t care

It’s wonderful

Listen, America’s about to bare her soul

And maybe her teeth as well

It’s a sound

To behold

Good or bad only someone else’s time will tell

—and strawberries

And a wire to connect the world

A wire to remind it

That nothing can become itself

‘Til something else defines it

One wire to connect the world

One wire to remind it

That nothing can become itself

‘Til something else defines it

Now a ghost of wire haunts this world

A ghost of wire drives it

Unto the need to know itself

And with that knowledge binds it

One ghost of wire haunts this world

One ghost of wire drives it

Unto the need to know itself

And with that knowledge binds it

‘Til we use it to connect the world

And let the world remind us

That none of us become ourselves

While someone else defines us

Song of the Week: Vail Monograph, Version 2 - October 19, 2019 Oct 21, 2019

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for October 19, 2019, “Vail Monograph, Version 2” The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Noam Pikelny.

—

Lyrics:

“Canst thou send lightnings

So that they may go

And say unto thee here we are?”

A rhetorical question

From our Father In Heaven

To Job in his suffering

Here below

To Job in his suffering—

As we sent the first lightnings

All those years ago

I quoted that question by heart

Then delivered the answer

Full of magnets and wire

On behalf of a dreamer

Here below

On behalf of a dreamer—

“Sounds like you did this”

I did but—

It was the least that I could do

—than I would do to serve his genius

To serve his—

`“Sounds like it’s time to set the record straight

Nothing’s wrong with calling a good man great, but a bad man...”

No, he’s not a bad man

Though it’s true before we met

The God of Wire was struggling to connect

What he had with what he dreamt

Then I applied a method to the madness

And the thing began to click

We were like a couple little kids

‘Cause it was clear this was it

I’d take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he had seen

And pan whatever gold was in his stream

Of consciousness that flowed between his heart and anything like love for the doer of his dreams

“Sounds like he used you”

He did but—

Oh how I burned to be of use

—to be of use and not be slave to

A mind as—

As cold and dry and barren as this one is

At least when in comparison to one like his

“You have a great mind”

No, his is the great mind

And it will never be at rest

Will ever trade this moment for the next

And what it has for what it’s dreamt

So even if the present is exactly what he wanted it to be

He’ll miss his un-manifested destiny

And find a better man than me

To take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he’s been seeing

And pan whatever gold’s still in his stream

Of consciousness that flows between his heart and anything like love for me

I send him a lightning

Every now and then

Saying unto him “here we are

I don’t expect you to answer

But I miss you dear dreamer

And what we did together

Here below

O what we did together here”

Tom Papa: Children - October 12, 2019 Oct 18, 2019

Tom Papa reads an essay on what life is like with children, originally from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake. Find more information about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa, Out In America: Milwaukee - October 12, 2019 Oct 17, 2019

Tom Papa visits Milwaukee for Oktoberfest, samples some spicy breakfast chili, chats with a waitress named Denise, and serves as a wingman in a bratwurst eating contest. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: CQ - October 12, 2019 Oct 14, 2019

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for October 12, 2019, “CQ.” The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Kush Abadey, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams.

Song of the Week: Lightning Man - October 5, 2019 Oct 07, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Lightning Man" (originally from our June 8, 2019 show). The band: Sara Watkins, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Brittany Haas, Shaun Martin, Noam Pikelny, and Bryan Sutton.

—

Lyrics:

Morse has chained the lightning

The rumors are true

All this dashing and dotting’s gonna bring the world home to you

And tell you what it is or what it might be

So drink today’s coffee with tomorrow’s news...

There’s no more elsewhere

Everywhere is here

With an o-perator, tap-tapping our hope and fear

Speculation and excitement

The clock hands froze the miles disappeared

When Morse chained the lightning

Morse has chained the lightning

Behold these tyrants

Assassins and thieves

Haters of light, law

And liberty

Then behold Morse’s lightning

Nipping at their heels

Fixing to strike them in the middle of the battlefield

Where they left America dying

Of the great divide in what she thinks and feels

Before Morse chained the lightning

Tom Papa: That Cute Thing She Does - September 28, 2018 Oct 03, 2019

Tom Papa reads an essay from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake on the beginnings of relationships, and why it’s important to eat meals with someone as you get to know them. Find more information about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa, Out In America: Las Vegas - September 28, 2019 Sep 30, 2019

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa puts on his blue suede shoes and heads to Las Vegas, where he gets a ride from a soon-to-be fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, extols the virtues of the city’s buffets, and chats with an old married couple who aren’t married at a $10 blackjack table.

Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa: The Importance of the Forced Romantic Getaway - September 21, 2019 Sep 27, 2019

Tom Papa reads an essay from his book ‘Your Dad Stole My Rake’ on one secret to a healthy marriage: the Romantic Getaway. Find more information about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa, Out In America: Sonoma County - September 21, 2019 Sep 26, 2019

Tom Papa visits Sonoma County, California, where he attempts to find some non-wine-related activities, gets some advice on marriage from an Atlanta couple, and discovers a heavenly taco truck near his hotel. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Song of the Week: Dionysus - September 21, 2019 Sep 23, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Dionysus," from our September 21, 2019 show. The band: Chris Thile, Gaby Moreno, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Trevor Lawrence Jr., Chris Morrissey, and Zac Rae.

The Sully - September 14, 2019 Sep 16, 2019

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week from our September 14, 2019 show, “The Sully.” The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane, Jeremy Kittel.

—

Lyrics:

This is the Sully—

—As fine a ship as you

can sail from Le Havre France to New

York of a mild October

in the year of our lord

1832

Blessed be the quiet mind—

—such as wielded by a Sully

passenger named Samuel F.B

Morse the nearly famous artist

coming up for air post

years of work and study

Quiet be the weary mind

That hovers o’er the water—

—grateful to be homeward borne by true and perfect boredom

Hallowed be its name

‘Cause—

—weary be the troubled mind

That hovers o’er the water

With its lonely sons and daughter

On the shore ahead

And on the shore behind

So much unfinished business

But there ain’t a cure for distance

Save a long long time

Tick tick ticking several decks

below in steerage next to less-

considered travelers nothing

but their fevers running

wild from bed to bed

To bed

Quiet be their weary minds

Between the old and new world

No more to seek approval

From the loved ones wedded to the shore behind

Calling “y’all are gonna miss us,

Unless you find the cure for distance”

—and in that instant

There it is

A ceaseless current

A boundless grid

A prayer a potion

With form and function

To deliver us

To each other

From each other

Racing be the blessed mind

To a future long imagined

Bright with glory, fame and fortune

It had left for dead

On the shore behind

Jedidiah are you listening

Your son has found a cure for distance

And blessed be his quiet mind

That hears the roaring of an instant

God hath wrought the cure for distance

And that cure is mine

Out In America: Washington D.C. - August 31, 2019 Sep 05, 2019

Originally from June 1, 2019: our comedian correspondent Tom Papa lands in Washington D.C. in the middle of a spring heat wave, cools off with a classic ice cream treat, joins a class trip that’s visiting the Jefferson Memorial, and encounters a potential spy near the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Tom’s book Your Dad Stole My Rake is available in paperback now. Find his tour dates and more at tompapa.com.

Failure Isn't Forever - August 31, 2019 Sep 02, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Failure Isn’t Forever," from our August 31, 2019 show (originally from June 1, 2019). The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Marcus Gilmore, Brittany Haas, Shaun Martin, and Ryan Scott.

—

Lyrics:

In a sunburnt park

Eating greenhouse tomatoes

I warm to my work

As worse comes to worst

Singing heave ho

‘Cause failure isn’t forever

Oh failures aren’t forever

Unless they never try to do better

We’ve left too big a mark

Casted too long a shadow

But failure won’t be forever

Oh failures aren’t forever

Unless they never try to do better

We’re gonna need some believers

To believe that failure isn’t forever

It’s just a point in time to get better

We welcome the dark

That pours through unlit windows

As worst recedes to worse

And we warm to the work

Singing heave ho

Failure isn’t forever

Oh failures aren’t forever

Unless they never try to do better

We’re gonna need some believers

To believe that failure isn’t forever

It’s just a point in time to get better

Out In America: Dallas - August 24, 2019 Aug 29, 2019

This week: Tom Papa heads to Dallas, where he visits Adair’s Saloon in Deep Ellum, shares a few beers with a large emotional cowboy, and talks donuts and marriage with the owner of a cupcake shop (originally from our April 6, 2019 show). Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Attention: The Universe - August 24, 2019 Aug 26, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Attention: The Universe," originally from our April 6, 2019 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Shaun Martin.

—

Lyrics:

Dit dah

As in

Alfred asks a bit of advice from his father

And anxiously for another few hundred dollars

(Dit dah) Dit dah (Dit dah)

“Well son I believe a patient waiter is no loser

And America believes in cash why disabuse her

AKA yes here son good luck

When you fall

Fall hard

Fall forward

When you fail

Fail out

On and up

Now go fill

That wire

With this message

Attention:

The Universe”

Thus the future hangs on Vail iron and copper

Thus the distance possible grows ever greater

From father’s heart to Morses code’s lip’s

"When you fall

Fall hard

Fall forward

When you fall

Fall hard

Fall forward

When you fail

Fail out

On and up

Now go fill

That wire

With this message

Attention:

The Universe"

Dit dah

As in

Attention:

The universe

Out In America: St. Paul - August 17, 2019 Aug 19, 2019

Originally from our March 16 show: Our traveling correspondent Tom Papa visits St. Paul — a city in the midst of a sudden transition from brutal winter to muddy spring — meets a woman who’s running away from home, and eats breakfast at Mickey’s Diner. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Plaguey Hill - August 10, 2019 Aug 12, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Plaguey Hill" (originally from our March 9, 2019 show), with lyrics from Paul Muldoon's new poem of the same title. The band: Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Shaun Martin, and Ted Poor.

Out In America: Minneapolis - August 3, 2019 Aug 08, 2019

Originally from March 2: Tom Papa explores Minneapolis, where he battles frigid temperatures, talks with an ersatz airline pilot, and samples a Jucy Lucy burger at Matt’s Bar. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com

Turn to the Water - August 3, 2019 Aug 05, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Turn to the Water," from our August 3, 2019 show (originally from our March 2 broadcast). The band: Joey Dosik, Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Trevor Lawrence Jr.

—

Lyrics:

Out the front door

The melting snow

Would turn our creek into a river

Now from the airplane

I catch a glimpse

Of the Mississippi

And my young self asks me

If we’re doing all right

When the pressure of living

Is too much for the wine

I turn to the water

‘Cause none of our failings

Can worry my mind

To the point where a river can’t soothe me

Out the front door

The melting snow

Would turn our creek into a river

And brave explorers

Could sail the globe

And still be home in time for dinner

Now from the hotel

I hear the song

Of the mighty frozen Mississippi

“Under ice and trouble

We will roll along

Bring me your burdens

For all that you’ve earned them

There are no shoulders broader than mine

When the pressure of living

Is too much for your wine

Turn to my water

‘Cause none of y’all’s failings

Should worry your mind

To the point where this river can’t soothe you”

When the pressure of living

Is too much for the wine

I turn to the water and choose

To believe that no failing

Can worry my mind

To the point where this river can’t soothe me

Out In America: Behind the Scenes - July 20, 2019 Jul 25, 2019

Tom Papa talks about the process behind the Out In America segment and reads a few of his favorite “I have” moments sent in by listeners. Hear more from our July 20 Behind the Scenes episode at livefromhere.org.

Out In America: Jersey Shore - June 29, 2019 Jul 01, 2019

This week: our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa sent us a summer report from the Jersey Shore, where he pondered the mysterious appeal of fudge and taffy, chatted with a retired NYC policeman named Pat, and fought for beach space with a large Italian family. Head to livefromhere.org to check out our special June 29 compilation featuring highlights from our warmups and encores!

Out In America: Portland, Oregon - June 22, 2019 Jun 27, 2019

Our comedian correspondent Tom Papa visits Portland, Oregon, where he encounters some yogurt-granola issues, meets a talkative gnome named Gus, gets a haircut at an old-fashioned barber shop, and experiences a little Pacific Northwest magic. (Originally from our January 13, 2018 broadcast.)

And Just Like That - June 22, 2019 Jun 24, 2019

Download the Song of the Week, "And Just Like That” (originally from our June 23, 2018 broadcast) from Chris Thile and his fellow Punch Brothers.

Out in America: NYC City Hall - June 15, 2019 Jun 17, 2019

This week: Tom Papa drives from New York City to Lenox, Massachusetts. But first, it’s off to NYC’s City Hall where he encounters a joyous cavalcade of soon-to-be-married couples.

Breathe In - June 15, 2019 Jun 17, 2019

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week from our June 15, 2019 season finale, “Breathe In.” The band: Chris Thile, I’m With Her (Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins), Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Ted Poor.

—

Lyrics:

Sing we now our mid-year hymn

Breathe in love

Breathe in

Shush your mind with oxygen

Breathe in love

Breathe in

You need this

Amen

Rest thy voice click-off thy pen

Breathe in love

Pluck not thy weary mandolin

Breathe in love

Breathe in

You need this

Amen

Take thy summer medicine

Breathe in love

With one foot in the looney bin

Breathe in love

And when Fall asks you where you’ve been

You can breathe out

Again

So breathe in love

Breathe in

You need this

Amen

Lightning Man - June 8, 2019 Jun 10, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Lightning Man," from our June 8, 2019 show. The band: Sara Watkins, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Brittany Haas, Shaun Martin, Noam Pikelny, and Bryan Sutton.

—

Lyrics:

Morse has chained the lightning
The rumors are true
All this dashing and dotting’s gonna bring the world home to you
And tell you what it is or what it might be
So drink today’s coffee with tomorrow’s news...
There’s no more elsewhere
Everywhere is here
With an o-perator, tap-tapping our hope and fear
Speculation and excitement
The clock hands froze the miles disappeared
When Morse chained the lightning
Morse has chained the lightning
Behold these tyrants
Assassins and thieves
Haters of light, law
And liberty
Then behold Morse’s lightning
Nipping at their heels
Fixing to strike them in the middle of the battlefield
Where they left America dying
Of the great divide in what she thinks and feels
Before Morse chained the lightning

Out In America: Washington D.C. - June 1, 2019 Jun 03, 2019

This week: our comedian correspondent Tom Papa lands in Washington D.C. in the middle of a spring heat wave, cools off with a classic ice cream treat, joins a class trip that’s visiting the Jefferson Memorial, and encounters a potential spy near the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Tom’s book Your Dad Stole My Rake is available in paperback now. Find his tour dates and more at tompapa.com.

Failure Isn't Forever - June 1, 2019 Jun 03, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Failure Isn’t Forever," from our June 1, 2019 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Marcus Gilmore, Brittany Haas, Shaun Martin, and Ryan Scott.

—

Lyrics:

In a sunburnt park
Eating greenhouse tomatoes
I warm to my work
As worse comes to worst
Singing heave ho
‘Cause failure isn’t forever
Oh failures aren’t forever
Unless they never try to do better
We’ve left too big a mark
Casted too long a shadow
But failure won’t be forever
Oh failures aren’t forever
Unless they never try to do better
We’re gonna need some believers
To believe that failure isn’t forever
It’s just a point in time to get better
We welcome the dark
That pours through unlit windows
As worst recedes to worse
And we warm to the work
Singing heave ho
Failure isn’t forever
Oh failures aren’t forever
Unless they never try to do better
We’re gonna need some believers
To believe that failure isn’t forever
It’s just a point in time to get better

Out In America: St. Louis - May 25, 2019 May 27, 2019

Tom Papa heads to St. Louis, fights off a spring allergy attack, laments the addictive nature of phones and social media, and attends a Cardinals game with an amorous fan named Val. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Monette and the Milkman - May 25, 2019 May 27, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Monette and the Milkman," from our May 25, 2019 show. The band: Rachael Price, Josh Dion, Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton, Alex Hargreaves, and Gabriel Kahane.

—

Lyrics:

“Monette”
He whispers at the backdoor
“This is just a trap your
Loving folks have set
But you don’t have to spring it
Gather up your things it’s
Time you placed your
Own bet”
Monette
Replies “boy don’t I know it
But I’d be disowned if
I just up and left
In the middle of the plan to
Raise our family’s standing
By what man I wed
My mom and his are in the parlor
Talking guest list dresses drinks and rings
My father asked his then he asked my father no one’s bothered asking me
So Milkman
Lover boy
Adam whatcha after
A partner
Or a pretty toy
Adam whatcha after
I’m almost scared ask ‘cause
What if you’re too scared to ask me too and—
“Monette
I’m after marrying a goddess
Giving her just cause to
Bless the day we met
Yeah we’ll be in San Diego
Spreading avocado
On our morning
Toast yet”
Monette
Replies “well ain’t that nice
But dear a high society
Girl daren’t accept
Why don’t you run along and party
With those movie stars and
Give them my regrets
My mom and his are in the parlor
On to what our children’s names should be
My father asked his then he asked my father
And that’s quite enough for me”
Milkman
Loverboy
“Monette”
His heart sinks as he whispers
“Well I guess that’s it for
This huh please forget
That I so misunderstood us
As my train rolls good-guy-
-Like into the
Sunset”
Monette
Replies “Christ on a cracker
Hon, I’m kidding, packed, and
Not a bit upset
But since you couldn’t tell I’d
Chase your love to hell if
That were where it led
So Milkman
Lover boy
It’s off to California
I’m your partner
Your my pretty toy
And we’re off to California”

Out in America: Kansas City - May 18, 2019 May 22, 2019

In a look back to our January 12 show, Tom Papa starts 2019 with a visit to wintry Kansas City, where he learns about a bit of family drama from a stranger in the hotel lobby and meets a jovial man named Big Daddy at a BBQ joint. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee) - May 18, 2019 May 22, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee)" — originally from our January 12, 2019 show. The band: Gaby Moreno, Mike Elizondo, Tyler Chester, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Trevor Lawrence Jr.

—

Lyrics:

Three Advil and a coffee
Could cure whatever ailed me
In my twenties:
Sunlight loomed like a wall
(On a late morning after)
I woke up in a well
(They threw me a ladder)
I said “thank God for y’all
(I thought I was a goner”)
They said “we're happy to help
(At least ‘til you’re older)
Soon it won’t be last call
(That’s leaving you hammered)
It’ll be the plight of the world
(And the vanity of your efforts)
So keep your eye on the ball
(Your mind over matter)
And they’ll help find you a girl
(Sooner or later)
And when you fall down a well
(She’ll throw you a ladder)
And when the world goes to hell
(You can crawl out together)
Singing
‘Darling you’re my Advil
Darling you’re my coffee
In the bitter light of morning
Darling you’re my Advil
Darling you’re my coffee
In the bitter light of 2019
Everybody trying to do the right thing
If only for their own’”
So Darling be my Advil
Darling be my coffee
In the bitter light of morning
Darling be my Advil
Darling be my coffee
In the bitter light of 2019
Everybody’s trying to do the right thing
Who knows? It might get done

Out in America - May 11, 2019 May 13, 2019

Our comedian correspondent Tom Papa heads to New York City for some glorious fall weather, visits a Manhattan dog park, meets some colorful NYC characters, and gets a taste of Halloween in the Big Apple (originally from our October 27, 2018 episode). Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

There's More to Death - May 11, 2019 May 13, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "There’s More to Death" — originally from our October 27, 2018 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Dave Palmer, and Abe Rounds.

Out in America - May 4, 2019 May 06, 2019

In a report originally from October 20, 2018, comedian Tom Papa visits Buffalo, New York to experience the city’s famous wings and talks bowling with an imposing but amiable bartender. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Laysong - May 4, 2019 May 06, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Laysong," originally from our October 20, 2018 show. The band: Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Dave Palmer.

Out In America - April 27, 2019 Apr 29, 2019

Our Out. In. America. correspondent Tom Papa visits Nashville, where he encounters the massive crowds in town for the NFL Draft, samples the “meat-and-three” lunch at Arnold’s Country Kitchen, and creates a temporary alter ego who hops aboard a tourist-laden pedal pub. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Sweet Chimera - April 27, 2019 Apr 29, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Sweet Chimera," from our April 27, 2019 show. The band: Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Stuart Duncan, Chris Eldridge, and Trevor Lawrence Jr.

Given Time - April 20, 2019 Apr 22, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Given Time," from our April 20, 2019 show, with lyrics by Josh Ritter. The band: Gaby Moreno, Jon Cowherd, Stuart Duncan, Chris Eldridge, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Chris Morrissey.

First Kiss - April 13, 2019 Apr 15, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "First Kiss," from our April 13, 2019 show, featuring Holly Laurent reading Jessica Greenbaum’s poem “I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City.” The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Philip Krohnengold, and Ted Poor.

Find "I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City" in Jessica’s new book 'Spilled and Gone': https://www.upress.pitt.edu/books/9780822965725/

Out In America - April 6, 2019 Apr 08, 2019

This week: Tom Papa heads to Dallas, where he visits Adair’s Saloon in Deep Ellum, shares a few beers with a large emotional cowboy, and talks donuts and marriage with the owner of a cupcake shop.

Attention: The Universe - April 6, 2019 Apr 08, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Attention: The Universe," from our April 6, 2019 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Shaun Martin.

Out in America - March 30, 2019 Apr 01, 2019

Tom Papa heads to Denver, where he chats with a New Jersey expat who’s having dating troubles, attends a “Punkin Chunkin” festival, samples some local baked goods, and gets lost in a corn maze (originally from October 13, 2018).

The First Degree - March 30, 2019 Apr 01, 2019

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The First Degree," originally from our October 13, 2018 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, and Dave Palmer.

Out in America - March 23, 2019 Mar 25, 2019

Tom Papa takes a road trip from Portland, Maine to the Long Island Sound, talks with a couple who met at a Kiss tribute band concert, meets a cab driver who’s not prepared for winter, and stumbles upon a bar full of karaoke ringers (originally from our October 6, 2018 show).

I Believe You - March 23, 2019 Mar 25, 2019

Download the Song of the Week, "I Believe You," from our March 23, 2019 show (originally from October 6, 2018). The band: Chris Thile, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Dave Palmer, and Ted Poor.

Out In America - March 16, 2019 Mar 18, 2019

Our traveling correspondent Tom Papa visits St. Paul — a city in the midst of a sudden transition from brutal winter to muddy spring — meets a woman who’s running away from home, and eats breakfast at Mickey’s Diner.

Plaguey Hill - March 9, 2019 Mar 11, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Plaguey Hill," from our March 9, 2019 show, with lyrics from Paul Muldoon's new poem of the same title. The band: Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Shaun Martin, and Ted Poor.

Out In America - March 2, 2019 Mar 04, 2019

This week: Tom Papa explores Minneapolis, where he battles frigid temperatures, talks with an ersatz airline pilot, and samples a Jucy Lucy burger at Matt’s Bar.

Turn to the Water - March 2, 2019 Mar 04, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Turn to the Water," from our March 2, 2019 show. The band: Joey Dosik, Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Trevor Lawrence Jr.

Spring Training, Then and Now - February 23, 2019 Feb 24, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Spring Training, Then and Now," from our February 23, 2019 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Alex Hargreaves, Abe Rounds, and Joel Shearer.

Out in America - February 16, 2019 Feb 20, 2019

This week: in a report originally from February 24, 2018, Tom Papa travels to Chicago during a rough stretch of winter, meets a hardy Cubs fan who’s enjoying some cold-weather Lake Michigan fishing, and chats with the staff at a Lakeshore Avenue diner.

Out in America - February 9, 2019 Feb 11, 2019

In a look back to our January 20, 2018 broadcast, Tom Papa visits New Orleans, gets a little life advice over a bowl of casino jambalaya, and tours the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

Barkeeper - February 2, 2019 Feb 04, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Barkeeper," from our February 2, 2019 show. The band: Sara Watkins, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Chris Eldridge, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Gabe Witcher.

Out in America - February 2, 2019 Feb 03, 2019

This week: Tom Papa celebrates the Los Angeles food scene with a stop at Tony’s Mexican Grill and meets a mechanic named Fernando and an Uber driver named Donna, along with a few mythical L.A. characters.

Yes, And - January 26, 2019 Jan 28, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Yes, And," from our January 26, 2019 show. The band: Gaby Moreno, Mike Elizondo, Jebin Bruni, Chris Eldridge, Jeremy Kittel, and Trevor Lawrence Jr.

New Good Old Mountain Dew - January 19, 2019 Jan 21, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "New Good Old Mountain Dew," from our January 19, 2019 show. The band: Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Dave Palmer.

Out in America - January 12, 2019 Jan 14, 2019

This week: Tom Papa starts 2019 with a visit to wintry Kansas City, where he learns about a bit of family drama from a stranger in the hotel lobby and meets a jovial man named Big Daddy at a BBQ joint.

Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee) - January 12, 2019 Jan 14, 2019

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee)," from our January 12, 2019 show. The band: Gaby Moreno, Mike Elizondo, Tyler Chester, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Trevor Lawrence Jr.

Out in America - January 5, 2019 Jan 07, 2019

Tom Papa makes a realistic New Year’s resolution, stops in Modesto on his way to San Francisco, and visits an iconic California restaurant known for its pea soup. (Originally from January 6, 2018.)

Out in America - December 22, 2018 Dec 24, 2018

Tom Papa plays tourist in his hometown of New York City, where he visits Rockefeller Center, eats at an unidentified chain restaurant named after a day of the week, and encounters an unruly off-brand Times Square costumed character.

Merry Christmas from Laramie - December 22, 2018 Dec 24, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Merry Christmas from Laramie," from our December 22, 2018 show. The band: Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Ted Poor.

Out in America - December 15, 2018 Dec 17, 2018

Our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa experiences the music, beer, barbeque, colorful characters, and festive weirdness of Austin, Texas.

The Salt (In the Wounds) of the Earth, Part 3 - December 15, 2018 Dec 17, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The Salt (In the Wounds) of the Earth, Part 3," from our December 15, 2018 show.

Out in America - December 8, 2018 Dec 10, 2018

Tom Papa spends some time in Chicago’s depressingly festive O’Hare airport, talks with a pair of Green Bay Packers fans, and commiserates with a gate agent who’s beset by frustrated travelers.

The Salt (In the Wounds) of the Earth, Part 2 - December 8, 2018 Dec 10, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The Salt (In the Wounds) of the Earth, Part 2," from our December 8, 2018 show.

Out in America - December 1, 2018 Dec 03, 2018

Tom Papa visits his native New Jersey in search of a hat, pauses to yearn for the bygone days of hat etiquette, and grabs a bite at Rutt’s Hut in Clifton, NJ, where he chats with a jovial plumber named Tony.

The Salt (In the Wounds) of the Earth, Part 1 - December 1, 2018 Dec 03, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The Salt (In the Wounds) of the Earth, Part 1," from our December 1, 2018 show.

Out in America - October 27, 2018 Oct 29, 2018

Tom Papa heads to New York City for some glorious fall weather, visits a Manhattan dog park, meets some colorful NYC characters, and gets a taste of Halloween in the Big Apple.

There's More to Death - October 27, 2018 Oct 29, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "There’s More to Death," from our October 27, 2018 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Dave Palmer, and Abe Rounds.

Out in America - October 20, 2018 Oct 22, 2018

Our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa, visits Buffalo, New York to experience the city’s famous wings and talks bowling with an imposing but amiable bartender.

Laysong - October 20, 2018 Oct 22, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Laysong," from our October 20, 2018 show. The band: Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Dave Palmer.

Out in America - October 13, 2018 Oct 15, 2018

This week: Tom Papa heads to Denver, where he chats with a New Jersey expat who’s having dating troubles, attends a “Punkin Chunkin” festival, samples some local baked goods, and gets lost in a corn maze.

The First Degree - October 13, 2018 Oct 15, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The First Degree," from our October 13, 2018 show. The band: Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, and Dave Palmer.

Out in America - October 6, 2018 Oct 08, 2018

Tom Papa takes a road trip from Portland, Maine to the Long Island Sound, talks with a couple who met at a Kiss tribute band concert, meets a cab driver who’s not prepared for winter, and stumbles upon a bar full of karaoke ringers.

We’re back with new shows! Check out our season schedule at livefromhere.org/tour.

I Believe You - October 6, 2018 Oct 08, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "I Believe You," from our October 6, 2018 season premiere, with Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Dave Palmer, and Ted Poor.

We’re back with new shows! Check out our season schedule at livefromhere.org/tour.

Out in America - July 28, 2018 Jul 30, 2018

Tom Papa flies to Orlando to escape winter, mingles with tourists and employees at Walt Disney World, and takes a relaxing and confidence-boosting detour to Siesta Key. Originally from March 3, 2018.

Out in America - July 21, 2018 Jul 23, 2018

This week: in a report originally from February 24, 2018, Tom Papa travels to Chicago during a rough stretch of winter, meets a hardy Cubs fan who’s enjoying some cold-weather Lake Michigan fishing, and chats with the staff at a Lakeshore Avenue diner.

Out in America - July 14, 2018 Jul 16, 2018

Our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa, heads to Raleigh, North Carolina; samples some enticing coffee and waffles; talks with a Duke student and a 70-year-old yoga enthusiast; and makes an unfortunate snack error at a bookstore.

Originally from January 27, 2018.

Out in America - July 7, 2018 Jul 12, 2018

In a look back to our January 20, 2018 broadcast, Tom Papa visits New Orleans, gets a little life advice over a bowl of casino jambalaya, and tours the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

Out in America - June 30, 2018 Jul 02, 2018

Tom Papa spends four days in Washington D.C., where he visits Ford’s Theatre, gets caught in the rain near the Washington Monument, peruses an exhibit featuring art from the Burning Man festival, runs up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and gets a little inspiration from Americans visiting the capital.

See You at the Wedding - June 30, 2018 Jul 02, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "See You at the Wedding," from our June 30, 2018 broadcast, with Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Alan Hampton, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor.

Out in America - June 23, 2018 Jun 25, 2018

Our comedian correspondent Tom Papa visits Portland, Oregon, where he encounters some yogurt-granola issues, meets a talkative gnome named Gus, gets a haircut at an old-fashioned barber shop, and experiences a little Pacific Northwest magic.

And Just Like That - June 23, 2018 Jun 25, 2018

The June 23, 2018 Song of the Week from Chris Thile and his fellow Punch Brothers, live from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival: "And Just Like That."

Out in America - June 16, 2018 Jun 18, 2018

This week: Tom Papa returns to Cleveland during a heatwave, learns a new word from his chihuahua-owning driver Julia, and sips rosé after getting lost near the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Be sure to check out Tom’s new book, ‘Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas!'

A Little Skinny But in Good Shape - June 16, 2018 Jun 18, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "A Little Skinny But in Good Shape," from our June 16, 2018 broadcast, with Rich Dworsky, Alan Hampton, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor.

Tom Papa on Mealtime with Children - June 9, 2018 Jun 13, 2018

Tom Papa discusses the finicky eating habits of children and proposes some new restaurants sure to please both kids and parents on our June 9, 2018 show. Find this excerpt and more in his new book, 'Your Dad Stole My Rake!"

Tom Papa on Family Vacations - June 9, 2018 Jun 13, 2018

Tom Papa reads an excerpt from his new book, 'Your Dad Stole My Rake,' about sharing a hotel room with your parents, the joys of hotel amenities, and the miseries of traveling with children on our June 9, 2018 show.

Best Life - June 9, 2018 Jun 11, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Best Life," from our June 9, 2018 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky, Brittany Haas, Matt Johnson, Paul Kowert, and Julian Lage.

Out in America - June 2, 2018 Jun 04, 2018

In a look back to our January 13, 2018 broadcast, Tom Papa attempts to visit San Diego but winds up in chilly Boston, where he chats with an Irish bartender and warms up in a bowling alley with a couple of helpful Patriots fans.

Out in America - May 26, 2018 May 28, 2018

This week: Tom Papa visits San Francisco, stays at a dog-friendly hotel, and samples the Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe.

Power Off and Carry On - May 26, 2018 May 28, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Power Off and Carry On," from our May 26, 2018 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Josh Dion, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, and Alan Hampton.

Out in America - May 19, 2018 May 21, 2018

Our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa, heads to Detroit, Michigan, where he makes friends at a Greek restaurant, visits the Motown Museum, and experiences the city’s newfound optimism.

The New Delta Blues - May 19, 2018 May 21, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The New Delta Blues," from our May 19, 2018 broadcast, with Madison Cunningham, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Alan Hampton, and James McAlister.

Out in America - May 12, 2018 May 14, 2018

In a look back to our January 6, 2018 broadcast, Tom Papa makes a realistic New Year’s resolution, stops in Modesto on his way to San Francisco, and visits an iconic California restaurant known for its pea soup.

Out in America - May 5, 2018 May 05, 2018

Tom Papa travels to Springfield, Massachusetts, starts his day with a disappointing breakfast but enjoys a redeeming lunch at a German restaurant, and ponders life lessons from author Jim Harrison.

Tic Tac - May 5, 2018 May 05, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Tic Tac," from our May 5, 2018 broadcast, with Madison Cunningham, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor.

Madison Square Park - April 28, 2018 Apr 30, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Madison Square Park," from our April 28, 2018 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Mike Elizondo, Brittany Haas, and Ted Poor.

Out in America - April 28, 2018 Apr 30, 2018

This week: our traveling correspondent Tom Papa heads to Colorado where he keeps an eye out for paranormal incidents at the spooky Stanley Hotel, treats himself for altitude sickness, and does a little hiking.

Out in America - April 21, 2018 Apr 23, 2018

This week: Tom Papa visits Atlantic City, meets a delightfully surly pizzamaker, succumbs to Twinkie-related emotion, and chats with a cheerful couple from Bayonne, New Jersey.

Au Revoir, Rue St. Denis! - April 21, 2018 Apr 23, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Au Revoir, Rue St. Denis!," from our April 21, 2018 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky, Billy Contreras, Josh Dion, Chris Eldridge, and Mike Elizondo.

Out in America - April 14, 2018 Apr 16, 2018

This week: Tom Papa finds spring weather in New York and meets a cast of colorful characters on the way to his first Yankees game of the season.

St. Mike - April 14, 2018 Apr 16, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "St. Mike," from our April 14, 2018 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton, Alex Hargreaves, and Ted Poor.

Out in America - April 7, 2018 Apr 09, 2018

This week: Tom Papa travels to Phoenix where he overestimates his tolerance for spicy tacos, meets a taxi driver with an enviably sunny outlook, and chats with an aspiring screenwriter.

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor - April 7, 2018 Apr 09, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "And Now a Word from Our Sponsor," from our April 7, 2018 broadcast, with Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton, Alex Hargreaves, and Ted Poor.

Out in America - March 31, 2018 Apr 02, 2018

This week: Tom Papa visits Philadelphia, where he talks with Eagles fans at a bakery, tries his hand at the ‘Rocky’ steps, and braves an airport shuttle bus ride (originally from December 2, 2017).

Out in America - March 24, 2018 Mar 26, 2018

This week: Tom Papa visits St. Louis, where he’s surprised by winter, meets a biker named Bruce, and gets a nurse’s take on dangerous recreational activities (originally from November 4, 2017).

Out in America - March 17, 2018 Mar 19, 2018

This week: Tom Papa heads to Eugene, Oregon, where he deals with damp weather, transportation difficulties, and thin hotel walls (originally from October 28, 2017).

Out in America - March 10, 2018 Mar 11, 2018

This week: our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa, heads to Indianapolis where he searches for a hearty breakfast and samples an experimental ice cream flavor.

Dancing About Architecture - March 10, 2018 Mar 11, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Dancing About Architecture," from our March 10, 2018 broadcast, with Rich Dworsky, Alan Hampton, Ted Poor, Bryan Sutton, and Gabe Witcher.

Cure-All - March 3, 2018 Mar 04, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Cure-All," from our March 3, 2018 broadcast, with Madison Cunningham, Rich Dworsky, Stuart Duncan, Chris Eldridge, Matt Johnson, and Chris Morrissey.

The Olympic Athletes from Russia - February 24, 2018 Feb 25, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The Olympic Athletes from Russia," from our February 24, 2018 broadcast, with Madison Cunningham, Rich Dworsky, Josh Dion, Chris Eldridge, Mike Elizondo, and Brittany Haas.

January 2018, Part 4 - January 27, 2018 Jan 27, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "January 2018, Part 4," from our January 27, 2018 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky, Bill Campbell, Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton, and Gabe Witcher.

January 2018, Part 3 - January 20, 2018 Jan 20, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "January 2018, Part 3," from our January 20, 2018 broadcast, with Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton, Ted Poor, and Gabe Witcher.

January 2018, Part 2 - January 13, 2018 Jan 13, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "January 2018, Part 2," from our January 13, 2018 broadcast, with Madison Cunningham, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Mike Elizondo, Brittany Haas, and Ted Poor.

January 2018, Part 1 - January 6, 2018 Jan 06, 2018

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "January 2018, Part 1," from our January 6, 2018 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky, Brittany Haas, Alan Hampton, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor.

Douglas Fir - December 23, 2017 Dec 23, 2017

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Douglas Fir," from our December 23, 2017 rebroadcast (originally from December 10, 2016). The band: Aoife O'Donovan, Richard Dworsky, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Tim Lefebvre.

Locked In - December 16, 2017 Dec 16, 2017

The December 16, 2017 Song of the Week from Chris Thile and his fellow Punch Brothers, and Sarah Jarosz: "Locked In."

Ornaments - December 9, 2017 Dec 09, 2017

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Ornaments," from our December 9, 2017 broadcast, with Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Mike Elizondo, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor.

The Dreamchasers - December 2, 2017 Dec 02, 2017

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "The Dreamchasers," from our December 2, 2017 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Mike Elizondo, Julian Lage, Ted Poor, and Gabe Witcher.

No Place Like Home - November 4, 2017 Nov 04, 2017

The Song of the Week, Nickel Creek's "No Place Like Home," from our November 4, 2017 broadcast.

Put Your Mask On - October 28, 2017 Oct 28, 2017

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Put Your Mask On," from our October 28, 2017 broadcast, with Madison Cunningham, Rich Dworsky, Paul Kowert, Ted Poor, Sean Watkins, and Gabe Witcher.

Music For Leaves That Are Changing Colors and Not Making Me Think About My Own Mortality - October 21, 2017 Oct 21, 2017

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Music For Leaves That Are Changing Colors and Not Making Me Think About My Own Mortality," from our October 21, 2017 broadcast, with Rich Dworsky, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, and Paul Kowert.

Calvin and the Ghosties - October 14, 2017 Oct 14, 2017

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Calvin and the Ghosties," from our October 14, 2017 broadcast, with Rachael Price, Rich Dworsky, Matt Chamberlain, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Sean Watkins.

Prescription - October 7, 2017 Oct 07, 2017

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Prescription," from our October 7, 2017 season premiere broadcast, with Emily King, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor.

Feedback Loop - May 20, 2017 May 20, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Feedback Loop," from our May 20, 2017 broadcast, with Sara Watkins, Jerry Douglas, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton, and Ted Poor

Comey's Waltz - May 13, 2017 May 13, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Comey's Waltz," from our May 13, 2017 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton, James McAlister, and Gabe Witcher

Thanks for Listening - February 18, 2017 Feb 18, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Thanks for Listening," from our February 18, 2017 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Stuart Duncan, Alan Hampton, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor

Valentine's Day for Parents of Small Children - February 11, 2017 Feb 11, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Valentine's Day for Parents of Small Children," from our February 11, 2017 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor

Falsetto - February 4, 2017 Feb 04, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Falsetto," from our February 4, 2017 broadcast, with Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, Noam Pikelny, and Ted Poor

Stanley Ann Dunham - January 21, 2017 Jan 21, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Stanley Ann Dunham," from our January 21, 2017 broadcast, with Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Mike Elizondo, Julian Lage, Ted Poor, and Gabe Witcher

We, Joe Maddon - January 14, 2017 Jan 14, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "We, Joe Maddon," from our January 14, 2017 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor

'17 (Modern Friendship) - January 7, 2017 Jan 07, 2017

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "'17 (Modern Friendship)," from our January 7, 2017 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor

Douglas Fir - December 10, 2016 Dec 10, 2016

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Douglas Fir," from our December 10, 2016 broadcast, with Aoife O'Donovan, Richard Dworsky, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Tim Lefebvre

Thank You, New York - December 3, 2016 Dec 03, 2016

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Thank You, New York," from our December 3, 2016 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Richard Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor

I Made This for You - November 12, 2016 Nov 12, 2016

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "I Made This for You," from our November 12, 2016 broadcast, with Lydia Rogers of The Secret Sisters, Richard Dworsky, Stuart Duncan, Chris Eldridge, Greg Garrison, and Roy Wooten

The Dark Half of the Year - October 29, 2016 Oct 29, 2016

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "The Dark Half of the Year," from our October 29, 2016 broadcast, with Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky, Alan Hampton, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor

Dates - October 22, 2016 Oct 22, 2016

Chris Thile's Song Of The Week, "Dates," from our October 22, 2016 broadcast, with Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor

Get It Out On The Radio - October 15, 2016 Oct 15, 2016

Chris Thile's first Song Of The Week, "Get It Out On The Radio," from our October 15, 2016 broadcast, with Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Sarah Jarosz, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor

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