Johnny Cash at San Quentin State Prison, 1969

Far From Folsom Prison: More to Music Inside

Johnny Cash wasn't the only superstar to play in prisons. Music, initially allowed as worship, came to be seen as a rockin' tool of rehabilitation.
Eileen Southern

The Work of Pioneering Musicologist Eileen Southern

The scholarship of Black music was transformed by Southern's work, and is now being honored by a new initiative.
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Clockwise from left: Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White.

Music Education and the Birth of Motown

Music teachers in the Detroit public schools paved the way for the success of future Motown artists like Smokey Robinson and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
Parental Advisory label

Parental Advisory: The Story of a Warning Label

Songs weren't always labeled for explicit lyrics. The history of how it all came about includes some unlikely bedfellows.
Kanye West performs Sunday Service during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival in 2019

The Gospel According to Kanye West

On the making of gospel music, from Gospel Pearls to Jesus Is King.
A female violinist captured in blurred and time-lapsed movement

Playing It Safe: Injury Prevention for Musicians

In their 2010 article on injury prevention for musicians, Christine Guptill and Christine Zaza outline strategies to ward off injuries from muscle overuse.
Painting: Concert with Frederick the Great in Sanssouci by Adolph Menzel

Ain’t Misbehaving? When Audiences Distract The Performers

Should distracting live audience members be shamed for their behavior?
Joshua Bell

Joshua Bell, Busker Redux

Joshua Bell, a world-renowned violinist, tries busking in Washington's metro.