Programme Information

Bob Harris is joined in session by Austin's Western swing trio, The Hot Club Of Cowtown. With Elana James on vocals and fiddle and Whit Smith on vocals, the group first formed in New York in 1996 after discovering a mutual love of pre-war swing and jazz.

They named themselves after the Quintette Du Hot Club De France, formed by Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. After relocating to Austin, Texas, and adding a bass player to their line-up, they released their first album, Swingin' Stampede, in 1998, which was made up of jazz and swing standards ranging from Bob Wills to George Gershwin.

After breaking for two years to concentrate on solo projects, the band has reformed and has just released a new album, Wishful Thinking.

Presenter/Bob Harris, Producer/Al Booth

BBC Radio 2 Publicity

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The Wilson Dixon Line – Words Of Wisdom Ep 1/4

Thursday 14 May

10.00-10.30pm BBC RADIO 2

BBC Radio 2 hosts legendary outlaw country singer Wilson Dixon, born and raised in Cripple Creek, Colorado, as he descends on London for a string of rare performances singing songs from his first album, Wilson Dixon's Greatest Hits, his acclaimed second album, Introducing Wilson Dixon, and his album of love songs, I Love You But I Also Want To Hurt You.

Wilson Dixon is the creation of Jesse Griffin, award-winning comedian, actor and founding member of comedy trio The 4 Noels. Since his creation, Wilson Dixon has performed extensively in Australia and New Zealand, as well as headlining on the UK comedy circuit.

In this four-part series, an affectionate tribute to the philosophy of traditional country music, which also includes four "live" sessions, Wilson expounds his views on life, love and relationships through dry, observational songs and anecdotes delivered with a deadpan, surreal edge. Wilson's sharp observations on everyday life are juxtaposed with his laid-back country delivery and draw the audience into his surreal redneck world full of larger-than-life characters and situations.

In tonight's opening episode, Wilson talks about the world and shares his observations of society and the differences between the UK and Cripple Creek. He recounts some of his experiences from his travels, his interactions with people and places and offers his unique advice on how to live life.

Producer/Lianne Coop

BBC Radio 2 Publicity

Donald Macleod continues this week's exploration of a single decade in Bach's life, looking at his work at the ducal court of Weimar between 1708 and 1717.

Risking all and working for both dukes, Bach produced mighty cantatas and organ works for the so-called "Heaven's Palace" of Duke Wilhelm, while teaching the page of the younger Duke Ernst.

Although he had no intention of taking it, a trip to nearby Halle gave Bach the chance to apply for another job. A lavish banquet followed with an audition process in which he had to compose a cantata on the spot. The job was Bach's and the wily composer kept the door open just long enough to make the dukes back in Weimar re-sign him on preferential terms.

There was a serious side to Bach's career in Weimar, and it was a time when he composed with a freedom that was not afforded him before or after. He perfected his skills as virtuoso performer and began the monthly series of cantatas, which form perhaps his greatest legacy.

It was a period in which Bach's musical view was broadened more than ever, thanks to encounters with the music of Vivaldi and the great Italians. Weimar indeed proved to be the making of a genius.

Presenter/Donald Macleod, Producer/Michael Surcombe

BBC Radio 3 Publicity

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Valery Gergiev conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in this concert recorded last week at London's Barbican Hall.

The programme includes three masterworks by European émigrés in the USA, written in the Thirties and Forties. Stravinsky's Symphony in 3 Movements has a bold American gloss to it, and uses material that Stravinsky originally intended for Hollywood movie soundtracks; Schoenberg's Violin Concerto, performed by Danish violinist Nikolaj Znaider, is a highly virtuosic piece that was branded unplayable at the time; while Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances were to be his last composition – a glittering summation of his whole career, they are full of memories of his Russian homeland.

Following this concert, Performance On 3 includes recordings by past winners of the Royal Philharmonic Society awards, which this year celebrate their 20th anniversary. Tonight, soprano Miah Persson sings Mozart arias.

Presenter/Martin Handley, Producer/Philip Tagney

BBC Radio 3 Publicity

Mark Saggers presents the day's sports news and, from 7.45pm, live commentary on the second leg of a Championship play-off semi-final.

Presenter/Mark Saggers, Producer/Danny Garlick

BBC Radio 5 Live Publicity

Test Match Special

Thursday 14 May

10.45am-6.30pm BBC 5 LIVE SPORTS EXTRA

The Test Match Special team presents uninterrupted, live commentary on the first day's play of the second Test between England and the West Indies, from Chester-le-Street.

Producer/Jen McAllister

BBC 5 Live Sports Extra Publicity

Gideon Coe brings listeners funky electro dance from The Rapture, in concert in 2006, along with a performance by veteran Leeds indie band Cud, who reformed in the same year.

Listeners can also hear session tracks from The Boredoms, Grizzly Bear and Elvis Presley's songwriter, Tony Joe White. Contemporary tales of small-town life from My Latest Novel complete the line up.

Presenter/Gideon Coe, Producer/Mark Sheldon

BBC 6 Music Publicity