During a recent visit to the gym, a supporter of Mississippi Public Broadcasting was effusive in his praise of the programming we carry and urged his fellow workout companions to become MPB donors.
He explained that for $60, members receive a monthly program guide listing the outstanding programs that MPB brings to your home each month. Imagine the smile on my face as this impromptu ambassador went on and on about the great things on MPB's airwaves.
I hear so many unsolicited comments about our programs, including the local shows we have created for MPB Think Radio, which offer a sense of place for Mississippians. In fact, during a recent homebuilders show, the staff working our booth said they were overwhelmed with fans of our Wednesday show, Fix It 101.
This month, the high quality programs just keep on coming. About two years ago, Andy Lack came to my office to talk about Mississippi. I came to learn that his grandfather was a former mayor of Greenville. At the time, Andy worked for Bloomberg News Service. Today, he is the head of NBC News and MSNBC. Andy, who is the man behind the digital news site Mississippi Today, will be featured on MPB Television’s Conversations hosted by Marshall Ramsey. Also featured this month will be Jackson's own Randall Pinkston, who started out in local television – people here know him as Willie – before going on to top assignments as a correspondent for CBS News.
We'll also bring you new episodes of our music show Amped & Wired, with on of the featured acts being Lisa Mills, who brings a soulful blues mix to her show. For music lovers of all genres, Amped & Wired is becoming a Friday night destination on MPB.
April will also feature a documentary by David Rae Morris, son of the late author Willie Morris. A few years ago, David pitched an idea to me about telling a story out of Yazoo City, Willie's home. David Rae's documentary will explore the topic Integration and Segregation in a Deep Southern Town. I happen to know that he's worked diligently to put together a thought-provoking documentary.
The difficult part about penning this column each month is that I can only mention the highlights which, in truth, only scratch the surface of all the incredible programming coming out of this agency. I never fail to mention, however, that we cannot do what we do without you, our members. So just like the supporter in the gym recruiting others to be members, I'm asking you to do the same.
