They don't have to play live.
I know what you're thinking. Local musicians are always trying to "get the word out" about their work. It makes perfect sense they would haul gear into SDPB studios across the state for appearances on In the Moment's recurring music feature "Moment in Sound."
But here's the deal. "Moment in Sound" is a tightrope act of sorts. It's simultaneously intimate and far-reaching. Artists have to be ready to talk meaningfully about their work, answer questions they don't know in advance, and play live in an unfamiliar space. We've had musicians show up with laryngitis, broken instruments, and missing band members.
They play for us anyway. Because they love public radio and they love public radio listeners. They play for you.
Not everyone in South Dakota can travel to a live concert. One of our goals with "Moment in Sound" is to bring those concerts to you so you can fall in love with South Dakota musicians in the same way we have. And "Moment in Sound" is also our way of introducing the world to South Dakota music. We have our our stories, our own sound, and our own influence. Let's get out there and be heard.
In anticipation of the upcoming Ken Burns Country Music documentary, we assembled a few country music offerings for a special "Moment in Sound."
You can listen to the full radio segment here.
And, in case you haven't made it to one of our SDPB studios during a live broadcast (you're always welcome, of course) we've started capturing video so you can watch the musicians at work.
In honor of the men and women making country music by celebrating the old and embracing the new, here are a few clips from "Moment in Sound."
The Lark and the Loon, recorded live in the SDPB Rapid City studio on July 24, 2019.
Eric Holm, accompanied by his father, Dr. Rick Holm, joined us in the SDPB Sioux Falls studio on August 30, 2019.
Jami Lynn recorded live in the SDPB Sioux Falls studio on June 27, 2019.
Albert & Gage played in the SDPB Sioux Falls studios on August 1, 2019.
