Legends of Song
Johnny Mercer
The story of songwriter Johnny Mercer, one of the greatest lyricists of the American Songbook who penned such classics as “Moon River,” “That Old Black Magic,” and “Skylark.”
Harold Arlen
The story of Harold Arlen, the great American songwriter who gave the world such classics at “That Old Black Magic,” “One For My Baby,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and his crowning masterpiece “Over the Rainbow.”
Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
Behind the legendary songwriting duo of such classics as “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bye Bye Love,” “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Love Hurts” and “Rocky Top.”
Stephen Foster
The story of America’s first professional songwriter, Stephen Foster, who penned such classics as “Oh! Susanna,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” and “Beautiful Dreamer.”
Harlan Howard
A tribute to the legendary Harlan Howard, the songwriter behind such hits as “I Fall to Pieces,” “Busted,” “Tiger by the Tail,” and hundreds more.
The Sherman Brothers
Richard and Robert Sherman tell the stories behind working with Walt Disney and writing the classic songs for Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats and more.
Henry Mancini
For what would be his 89th birthday, a look at songwriter Henry Mancini and his compositions including “Moon River” and the theme from “The Pink Panther.”
Nat King Cole
On what would have been Nat King Cole’s 95th birthday, Performing Songwriter honors the man with one of the most influential pianists and memorable voices in American music.
Hal David
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love/It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” Those words from the 1960s standard “What the World Needs Now Is Love” came from the pen and imagination of lyricist Hal David. If that had been the only song he’d ever written, his place in contemporary […]
Donovan
Donovan talks about his experiences with the Beatles on their famous retreat to India in 1968, and shares the story behind his hit “Sunshine Superman.”