Steve Lawrence (birth name: Sidney Liebowitz)
By Steven Brodsky
… was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 8, 1935.
Steve Lawrence was half of the immensely successful husband and wife recording and performing duo known as Steve and Eydie. (Yes, many of the readers of this column knew this.)
I’ll probably commemorate Steve Lawrence’s birthday by listening to his recordings of “Go Away Little Girl” and “Portrait of My Love.”
As I’m writing this post, I’m recalling Steve Lawrence’s kindness towards a very elderly fan after a Steve and Eydie concert. I’ve a photo of Steve Lawrence and that fan (a relative of mine). It’s nice to have this recollection on Steve Lawrence’s birthday.
Steve Lawrence passed away on March 7, 2024.
Posted 7-8-26
If Roy were to be koi
By Steven Brodsky
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… It would be fishy.
Just punning.
There are more than 50 ways to pun on any given day.
And there must be 50 ways for a song character to leave a lover, according to a song character in Paul Simon’s song “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”
Posted 6-27-26
On Judy Collins’ 87th birthday
By Steven Brodsky
… Happy birthday wishes go out to Judy Collins!
Judy Collins was born on May 1, 1939.
Posted 5-1-26
Wild geese
By Steven Brodsky
A Canada goose
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… have a special way of announcing our “place in the family of things,” as does Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese.”
Posted 4-30-26
The recipients of the 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellowships have been announced
By Steven Brodsky
… Congratulations to the 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellows!
From a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) news release that was issued today, April 21, 2026:
Washington, DC—The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellowships, the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. This lifetime honor recognizes artists whose work reflects excellence, deep knowledge, and a lasting commitment to sustaining our nation’s cultural traditions.
Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said, “The 2026 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellows reflect the richness of America, carrying forward cultural practices that have been passed down over generations, sharing them with others, and continuing to shape who we are as a nation.”
The 2026 NEA National Heritage Fellows are:
Juan Díes and Victor G. Pichardo, Mexican folk musicians (Chicago, Illinois)
Through performance, teaching, and community work, Juan Díes and Victor G. Pichardo have helped sustain Mexican son, a rich tradition of regional folk music from across Mexico. As co-founders of Sones de México Ensemble, they have brought this music to national stages while training new generations of musicians.
Belen Escobedo, Conjunto Tejano Fiddler (San Antonio, Texas)
Rooted in the musical traditions of the Texas–Mexico borderlands, Belen Escobedo performs early Mexican and Tejano fiddle tunes once common across South Texas. Through decades on stage and in the classroom, she has helped keep this rare style alive.
Giovanni Hidalgo, Latin Percussionist (Ocoee, Florida)
Known for his speed, precision, and expressive playing, Giovanni Hidalgo has reshaped Latin percussion on the global stage. A virtuosic performer and dedicated teacher, he continues to influence generations of musicians.
Gerry Milnes, Folklorist & Documentarian (Elkins, West Virginia)
During a career spanning more than 50 years, Gerry Milnes has documented and shared the traditions of Appalachia through recordings, films, and public programs. His work has brought lasting attention to the region’s artists and cultural practices.
Milnes is the 2026 recipient of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship, presented in recognition of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the preservation and awareness of cultural heritage.
Lloyd Kumulā‘au Sing, Jr. and May Haunani Balino-Sing, Hawaiian Twined Basketry Artists (Wahiawā, Hawai‘i)
Through decades of teaching and cultural stewardship, Native Hawaiians Lloyd Kumulā‘au Sing, Jr. and May Haunani Balino-Sing have led the revival of ulana ʻie, a traditional Hawaiian weaving practice once near extinction. Their work has helped restore and sustain this art form for future generations.
Patrick Olwell, Flutemaker (Athens, Georgia, and Nellysford, Virginia)
Central to Irish traditional music is the sound of the wooden flute—an instrument Patrick Olwell has helped revive and redefine. Drawing on historic designs and decades of study and craftsmanship, his flutes have set the standard for today’s makers and players.
Frank Rabon, CHamoru Dancer & Choreographer (Hagåtña, Guam)
For more than four decades, Native Pacific Islander Frank Rabon has led efforts to restore and sustain CHamoru dance, an Indigenous tradition of Guam and the greater Mariana Islands. His work continues to pass on the history, language, and cultural knowledge of the CHamoru people.
Cary Schwarz, Saddlemaker & Leather Artist (Salmon, Idaho)
Working at the intersection of function and design, Cary Schwarz creates custom saddles known for their strength, balance, and craftsmanship. His nearly five decades of work have helped sustain and advance the traditions of the American West.
Each Heritage Fellowship includes a $25,000 award and the recipients will be honored in Washington, DC in fall 2026. More details will be available later this summer.
Nominate a National Heritage Fellow
Each year, NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients are nominated by the public—often by members of their own communities—and then judged by a panel of experts in the folk and traditional arts. The panel’s recommendations are reviewed by the National Council on the Arts, which sends its recommendations to the NEA chairman. The deadline to submit a nomination for the 2027 class of NEA National Heritage Fellows is Monday, May 11, 2026. Visit the National Endowment for the Arts website for more information and to submit a nomination.
About the National Heritage Fellowships
The National Heritage Fellowships are the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Including the 2026 class, the NEA has awarded 502 National Heritage Fellowships since 1982, recognizing artists working in more than 200 distinct art forms, including bluegrass musicians, blacksmiths, tap dancers, quilters, folklorists, a birchbark canoe builder, children’s folk singer, and many others. More information about the National Heritage Fellows is available on the arts.gov/Heritage.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Posted 4-21-26
Romanticized notions about nature
By Steven Brodsky
… pass away for the speaker of Seamus Heaney’s poem “Death of a Naturalist.”
Many “naturalists” have had a similar experience.
And most would, with sufficient exposure to realities of the natural world.
May we all acquire and retain a sense of wonder in regard to the natural world.
This brief article appeared at: Conversations About Nature.
Posted 3-3-26, Revised and reposted 3-21-26
Everyone needs to be connected to a caring and supportive community
By Steven Brodsky
… as did Edgar Allan Poe, the author of this linked poem that’s saturated with extreme aloneness: “Alone” | The Poetry Foundation.
Poe wasn’t connected to such a community, unfortunately.
The link to Poe’s “Alone” appears here on the evening prior to Poe’s birthday.
Poe was born on January 19, 1809.
I like to think that a few people might have reached out to Poe on his birthday to communicate that the poem deeply resonated with their own experiences with aloneness in extremis.
If they had, perhaps they and Poe may have had their aloneness at least temporarily alleviated, and if that happened, Poe’s birthday would have been somewhat better.
Posted 1-18-26
Steven Brodsky hosted a radio show for 3 and a half years. The show focused on coverage of entertainment, the arts, and all manner of culture. He is widely known for his many live on air interviews with guests such as: Rodney Crowell, Charlie Louvin, Richie Havens, Eric Whitacre (composer, conductor), Solomon Burke, Janis Ian, Percy Sledge, Billy Joe Shaver, Jack LaLanne, Gene Shay, Bruce Morrow “Cousin Brucie,” Jerome “Little Anthony” Gourdine, Pat Cooper, Jett Williams (daughter of Hank Williams), Steve Forbert, Chris Smither, Lukas Nelson, Dr. Temple Grandin, Dan Fante, Harold Camping (Harold Camping was the radio broadcaster and Bible teacher who famously proclaimed that Judgment Day and the Rapture would take place on May 21, 2011. Harold Camping passed away on December 15, 2013.), Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, curators, historians, scientists, and newsmakers. He welcomes email.