blog.eTown.org

Hi all,

I’m sure by now you have all heard of Walter Cronkite’s passing.

Wow, what an icon. As a kid growing up, then a teen, then a young adult, I counted on hearing his distinctive, soothing voice every night. Except for rare occasions, I never missed the CBS nightly news, first watching it with my parents and later, on my own, arranging my evening around it, hanging on every word. I learned SO much.

And he was so . . reassuring. He had this way of being so solid, so trustworthy. You knew he was the real deal, that he was speaking truth. He was a true journalist, a dying breed these days.

I remember seeing his announcement of Kennedy being shot, and then (fighting back tears), of the President’s passing; one of the most real and most moving things you’d ever imagine viewing on national TV of all things.

Since starting ETown, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some pretty amazing artists and celebrities: Jane Goodall, James Taylor, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Randy Newman, President Jimmy Carter, Ben Harper, Mavis Staples etc. But I told Nick, many times, the one person I hoped to meet some day was Walter Cronkite. Unfortunately I did not get the chance. I have heard, from friends who have met him and/or spent time with him, that he was a really nice guy, gracious, accepting, curious, interested as well as interesting. Does not surprise me.

I’m very sad to hear that Walter has left the planet. But I hope he’s up there somewhere, hanging with his beloved wife Betsy. I will be forever grateful that I got to witness such consistent, stellar journalism. Truly. He was a great man. A legend. An icon.

Speaking of icons: One legend I have gotten a chance to meet recently is Loretta Lynn, our featured guest this week on Etown, as we hit the road and travel to the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, for this week’s very special show. We welcome the legendary ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ herself, as she makes her first Etown visit, sharing songs from her many years of performing and recording, as well as rich stories of her life and work. What a thrill to meet her! She is so down-to-earth and sweet; funny too. Also joining us, alt-country BR549 front-man and all around nice guy Chuck Mead. Chuck comes ‘solo’ to share tunes from his recent solo CD with us. There’s also an inspiring, informative, up close and personal, live and in-person E-Chievement Award interview this week as well.

Be sure to tune in to this week’s broadcast for a rare chance to hear Loretta Lynn in an intimate setting (the conversation between her and Nick is worth it alone). And remember, if you miss it on the air, you can podcast it from our website, www.etown.org.

Best,
Helen