Classical 95.9-FM WCRI

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with our featured author, Jim Pierce. About the Author: Jim Pierce is a retired insurance executive. His political roots include family ties to three American Presidents. “Treachery” is historical fiction about the first eighteen months of America’s “War between the States”. The Northern troops were hapless and results amazingly lopsided in the early days of the conflagration. The story develops a theory as to why that may have been the case. "The Beginning" places the reader next to Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he steers England through its darkest hours in 1940 and 1941. This is a story you will not want to miss! Historical fiction serves two purposes; the reader can learn about a past time, place, and people, while simultaneously enjoying the story being told. About The Beginning: "The Beginning" takes readers on a journey into Winston Churchill's world, set in the tumultuous years of 1940 and 1941. From the very first day he became prime minister, Churchill faced relentless challenges. Through historical fiction, the author skillfully transports readers back to these pivotal events, personalizing the experience and bringing history to life. For more information about Jim Pierce, visit www.amazon.com/Beginning-Jim-Pierce. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

This week, Jane shares a memorable childhood story that involved a hilariously chaotic encounter with one of nature's most misunderstood animals.

This week Joe features Bassist and Composer, Charles Mingus, from his, recorded in 1977 and released in 1988 on Who’s Who In Jazz/Jazz Workshop recording, titled “ Charles Mingus; His Final Work.”

Block Island’s Mary D Fund is the subject of this week's program with Marguerite Donnelly, Executive Director. We talk about her life on the Island, how the Fund got started, where it is today and two major events coming up on July 26th, The Mary D Ball and the 61st Annual A Cappella Festival. We listen to some of the music that will be presented at the Festival. For more information you can go to Mary D Fund on Facebook.

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour hosts Jamie and Spencer listen to music that allows us to make a story using our imagination.

In this week's 95.9 Company Break program, Mike talks to Dan Lathrop, President of Lathrop Insurance. Francis Lathrop Sr. started the Lathrop Insurance Agency in 1939 in Westerly, RI. His mission was simple: to safeguard his community against future disaster. Over time, the community recovered, reclaiming its identity as a premier tourist destination and thriving business hub. And the Lathrop Insurance Agency grew with it. Today, eighty-plus years and four generations later, Lathrop Insurance remains an independent family-owned agency known for its expert, customized service throughout southern New England. For more information, please call (401) 596-2525 or visit www.lathropinsurance.com

This week, Jane explores one of the benefits of waiting our turn

This week on Jazz After Dinner Joe features Pianist and Vocalist Eliane Elias, from her 2024 Candid Records recording, titled “ Time And Again.”

The LaGrua Center in Stonington is the subject of this week's program with Dan Brandl, Executive Director and special guest Sean Nelson, Band Leader of the New London Big Band. We talk about what has been happening at the Center, as well as the Big Band Concert on July 18th, and listen to Sean’s music. For more information you can go to www.lagruacenter.org or newlondonbigband.com

In this episode of This Old Tree, Doug introduces us to Kabirvad, a 500-year-old, 4-acre banyan tree in the heart of Gujarat, India. The spectacular tree is a national treasure associated with Saint Kabir, a 15th-century mystic poet known for his timeless poetry. He challenged institutions, religions, and social conventions. Who was he, and how is his legend tied to a banyan tree? Journey to India to learn about Kabirvad. In understanding the tree, you may find the essence of Kabir himself.

This week, Jane discusses the benefits of letting go of all the answers.

This week, Joe features Saxophonist Lucky Thompson, from his 1954 recording, released on Fresh Sound Records in 1991, titled “Accent On Tenor.”

The Chorus of Westerly is the subject of this week's program, with Ryan Saunders, Executive Director. This show is a special tribute to the life and music of George Kent, founder of the Chorus, who passed away on June 17. We’ll listen to music that George performed in some of the many concerts he conducted. For more information, call (401) 596-8663 or go to www.chorusofwesterly.org

Theatre By The Sea's second production of the 2025 season, Waitress, is the subject of this week's program. We talked about the musical and listened to some of the very popular songs from the show. For more information, call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com

This week on Jazz After Dinner Joe features pianist, McCoy Tyner, from his 1987, Who’s Who in Jazz recording, titled “ Live At The Musicians Exchange Cafe.”

This week Jane talks about how sometimes nature has the power to sweep us off our feet

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with our featured author, New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis. About the Author: Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of eight historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Stolen Queen, The Magnolia Palace, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her articles have appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Oprah magazine. She first came to New York as an actress, but fell in love with writing after getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and she's based in New York City. About The Stolen Queen: Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. But after an unbearable tragedy strikes, Charlotte knows her future will never be the same. New York City, 1978: Nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for iconic former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.” Though Annie soon realizes she’ll have her work cut out for her, scrambling to meet Diana’s capricious demands and exacting standards. Meanwhile, Charlotte, now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art, wants little to do with the upcoming gala. She’s consumed with her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant. That is, until the night of the gala. When one of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing . . . and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening. As Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they’re to have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger. For more information about Fiona Davis, visit fionadavisbooks.com. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

This week, Jane examines how in nature there is always a pull toward balance.

This week Joe is featuring Pianist, Paul Schemling from his 1995 North Star Records recording, titled “One For The Road.”

This week Newport Classical is the subject of the program with Trevor Neal, Artistic Director. We talk about their upcoming Annual Music Festival that will run at many locations in the Newport area and listen to music that relates to those performances. For more information you can go to https://www.newportclassical.org/