Pig in a Pen on KPFA Radio

02/15/2024

I love the way the lighting on this mural emphasizes the lighting IN the mural 🎭

10/21/2023

Ray Edlund has shared that his faithful companion Shady Grove has crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈 He was a fine friendly dog who served as silent co host to Ray for many years. I’ll be playing a whole bunch of Shady Groves on Sunday in his honor ❤️

09/06/2023

Transcribing the blues is tricky!

08/26/2023

“One need know nothing about folk music to produce a folk music radio show. In fact, there is proof that knowledge of the field is a handicap. However, there are so few folk music programmers afflicted with the handicap that it is a point that need not concern us much.” Oscar Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . .wmot .mar1

05/07/2023

Pig in a Pen founder Ray Edlund shared this photo he took of two musical giants (both in stature and in influence): Byron Berline and Chris Strachwitz. In the interview that will air during tomorrow’s program, Jerry Wicentowski and I reminisced about what an extraordinary man Byron Berline was, and how it’s hard to believe he’s gone. I can say the same for Mr. Chris, whom I have been privileged to know all my life.

04/24/2023

and fun at Berkeley Bluegrass Festival!

03/21/2023

Happy birthday to my dad, Eric Thompson!!! I was just listening to the D-18 song from Tony Rice and Norman Blake, a song that could have been written about my dad and his 1943 Martin D-28. Instagram won’t let me attach a clip of the song here, but you can check it out on YouTube! Happy Birthday Dad!!!

03/14/2023

Took a walk today up near the tower, to watch the clouds roll in 🌬️🌥️🌁

12/28/2022

12/16/2022

I was honored to assist Alice in presenting some of her incredible photo collection at the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention in September. Let’s help Alice bring those photos and stories to the world!

You can help Alice Gerrard Music put out her next record and preserve her photo archive. Alice is recording a new album of original songs. The anti-establishment themes that arise in her new songs will be of no surprise to anyone who is familiar with Alice's music. In addition to the album, Alice is working to complete a memoir based around her photographs. The stories that Alice tells from these captured moments, including extensive documentation from her time on the road with legendary artists such as Elizabeth Cotten, Ola Belle Reed, Johnny Shines, Sparky Rucker, Dock Boggs, and creating a memoir around them becomes imperative. Find out more at https://gofund.me/43e42350
Eric & Suzy Thompson You Gave Me A Song Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

12/15/2022

This Sunday’s program is a real blast from the past…

11/24/2022

I could only tag 20 of the amazing Artists & Craftspeople at this year’s Annual KPFA Benefit Craft Fair! As you make your preparations for the Black Friday madness, remember to support small businesses and nonprofits like !!!!

10/30/2022

Did you miss last week’s 🎃Halloween 🎃 themed show? You can still listen for one week in the show archive on the website 📻

10/09/2022

Follow along with the music on today’s program on

10/09/2022

Follow along with the music in today's program!

09/28/2022

I had a wonderful time facilitating .gerrard ‘s presentation of her photos at the last weekend. If you want to view a recording of the presentation, sign up for the email newsletter!

09/09/2022

This Sunday Suzy Thompson is my guest on 🐽In🐽A🐽Pen for a special two-hour preview of the upcoming BERKELEY OLD TIME MUSIC CONVENTION 🎻🤠🪕

08/27/2022

Coming up Sunday 3-5 on

08/12/2022

Hopefully Sunday’s show won’t be a DISASTER… though that is the theme! Join me this Sunday 3-5 pm on ; I’m previewing the and letting you know ways to support flood relief in Eastern Kentucky (shout out )

07/29/2022

🪕🪕🪕🪕LISTEN FOR IT SUNDAY ON 🪕🪕🪕🪕

07/27/2022

🪕HOPE YOU LIKE BANJOS 🪕

07/01/2022

Happy Birthday Mr. Chris!!!

Join us in wishing a happy 91st birthday to Chris Strachwitz, Arhoolie Records founder, National Heritage Fellow, GRAMMY awardee, and member of the Tejano Conjunto Hall of Fame, among his many titles. You can help support Chris's vision to further the preservation and promotion of American roots music by supporting the Arhoolie Foundation. Donate $91 or more to the foundation and receive a special commemorative Chris Strachwitz t-shirt.

Visit https://donorbox.org/happybirthdaychris to give and send a note to Chris. Look for more all next week!

06/30/2022

In doing research for this Sunday's show, I was reminded of this wonderful podcast from Thank Goodness It's Folk covering Child Ballad 20, the Cruel Mother, featuring interviews with Peggy Seeger, Frankie Armstrong, Elizabeth LaPrelle and Fay Hield. Give it a listen!!!

We have reached Child Ballad 20, "The Cruel Mother", in our chronological presentation of the complete collection, and it's definitely one of the biggest of the big ballads. We interview Peggy Seeger, Frankie Armstrong, Elizabeth LaPrelle and Fay Hield about their versions of this sorrowful and impo...

06/27/2022

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06/26/2022