On today's show:
A man of his word(s)
(Starts at :45)
Tracy Letts somehow balances his career as a much-in-demand actor, playwright and screenwriter. His latest play, "Linda Vista" (at the Mark Taper Forum through Feb. 17), revolves around a man (Ian Barford) going through a divorce and an epic mid-life crisis. Letts spoke with John Horn about tinkering with the script right up to opening night, and about the controlled chaos of performing on Broadway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4fLgkJ_ojA
A timely cover of a Woody Guthrie song
(Starts at 19:00)
Max Baca’s band Los Texmaniacs are up for their second Grammy (Best Regional Mexican Music Album) for "Cruzando Borders" (Crossing Borders). A collection of covers and original songs, the album explores the themes of immigration, migrant farmworkers and Mexican-American identity. One of the centerpieces of the album is a cover of Woody Guthrie’s "Deportee" (vocal by Lyle Lovett) – a song that tells the story of a little-known 1948 plane crash in Fresno Country in which 28 Mexican farmworkers were killed as they were being sent back to Mexico. Baca talks about the band's album and why he decided to include this song.