Turn to WHYY-TV 12 for amazing music specials!
WHYY-TV1 2 rocks this August! Catch exciting concert performances by Shakira, the Bee Gees, Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Celtic Thunder, Johnny Cash, Little Feat, Billy Strings, Kenny Rogers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. From rock to soul, folk to pop, we’ve got your ticket to great entertainment this summer.
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Andrea Bocelli: Believe
Saturday 8.12.23 | 9 PM
Sunday 8.13.23 | 4 PM
Sunday 8.20.23 | 7:30 PM
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The internationally beloved tenor returns for a moving and memorable performance recorded on location in Malta. Bocelli’s stirring vocals include “Gratia Plena,” a duet with Cecilia Bartoli and new interpretations of “Ave Maria” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Roy Orbison
Saturday 8.19.23 |11 AM
Catch Roy Orbison’s remarkable comeback concert at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles with guests whom he has influenced: Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, J.D. Souther, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Jennifer Warnes.
‘70s Soul Superstars
Saturday 8.12.23 | 10:30 PM
Sunday 8.13.23 | 10:30 AM
Saturday 8.19.23 | 8 PM
Join a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of legends — all original performers singing their greatest jammin’ hits. Soul diva Patti LaBelle hosts the historic reunion of classic recording artists of the decade, including the Commodores, the Stylistics, Yvonne Elliman, Heatwave, Earl Young’s Trammps, the Emotions and the Manhattans.
Bee Gees: One Night Only
Saturday 8.12.23 | 2:30 PM
Friday 8.18.23 | 9:00 PM
One of the very few Bee Gees performances ever filmed, the music special showcases many of their greatest disco and pop hits, including “How Deep Is Your Love,” “To Love Somebody,” “Massachusetts,” “You Should Be Dancing/Alone,” and many more. Filmed at the group’s 1997 concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Shakira: Live from Paris
Saturday 8.12.23 | 4 PM
Thursday 8.17.23 | 7 PM
Shakira, the highest-selling Colombian recording artist of all time with more than 70 million albums sold worldwide, was captured on film in June 2011 performing at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy. The tour set includes her biggest hits from “Whenever, Wherever” to “Inevitable” to “Hips Don’t Lie.” She also pays tribute to Frances Cabrel by singing “Je L’aime à Mourir.” From beginning to end, it is Shakira at her best.
John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John – Two Strong Hearts Live in Concert
Saturday 8.12.23 | 6 PM
Recorded in Melbourne with the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, this remarkable concert captures the magic of Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham performing together. Australia’s much-loved legends perform a variety of their hits in this once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. Together, their voices are bound up in the collective DNA of Australian music lovers.
This Land is Your Land
Saturday 8.12.23 | 7:30 PM
Saturday 8.19.23 | 4 PM
Sunday 8.20.23 | 6 PM
Take a rousing musical journey through the evolution of modern American folk music, from its roots in bluegrass to San Francisco coffee house hipsters to clubs in Greenwich Village. Hosted by Tom and Dick Smothers and Judy Collins, this landmark special – which influenced the film A Mighty Wind - features an emotional reunion of beloved folk performers of the 1960s in concert. Among the icons performing are The Kingston Trio, Barry McGuire, The Brothers Four, Glenn Yarbrough and The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn singing songs of hope, change and protest that remain relevant today.
The Everly Brothers: Harmonies From Heaven
Sunday 8.13.23 | 6 PM
Phil and Don Everly were two of the most important and influential early rock ’n’ roll stars of the 1950s and ’60s. Featuring interview footage with surviving brother Don and archival interviews with Phil, the film delves into their relationship with Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, the songwriting team who wrote many of their early hits, including their first million-seller “Bye Bye Love.” The program also features interviews with those inspired by the Everly Brothers, including Art Garfunkel, Keith Richards, Graham Nash, Dave Edmunds, Tim Rice, and Albert Lee, and highlights their influence on younger generations of artists.
Broadway’s Brightest Lights
Sunday 8.13.23 | 7:30 PM
This new special shines the spotlight on some of today’s best and brightest talents. Curated and conducted by Luke Frazier, the concert features Tony Award-winning Broadway star Megan Hilty alongside Michael Maliakel, Nikki Renée Daniels, and Tommy Sutter with The American Pops Orchestra. Highlighting some of the greatest show tunes, from Golden Age classics to modern musicals, each song features brand-new arrangements and timeless renditions to be enjoyed by Broadway fans of all ages.
I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston
Saturday 8.19.23 | 10:30 PM
Sunday 8.20.23 | 4 PM
The unmistakable voice of Whitney Houston is powerful and timeless. She became one of the most accomplished recording artists of all time, but her heart was always in Gospel music. From her first performance in front of an audience to the best-selling Gospel album of all time, The Preacher’s Wife, experience how profoundly Gospel music influenced her personal life and helped shape her career. Join host CeCe Winans and discover Whitney’s deep faith and love of Gospel music.
Sting: Live at the Olympia Paris
Sunday 8.13.23 | 10:30 PM
Sting’s 57th & 9th World Tour celebrated his first rock/pop album in over a decade. This concert, filmed at the Olympia Paris in April 2017, reflects the impulsive energy of the 57th & 9th album recording sessions. Blistering performances of new songs, including the infectious, guitar driven “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You” and the anthemic “50,000,” alongside classics from The Police as well as Sting’s illustrious solo career, showcase the full range of his musical styles and songwriting influences.
Celtic Thunder Ireland
Monday 8.14.23 | 9 PM
Sunday 8.20.23 | 9 PM
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Celtic Thunder Ireland is a revue show that combines 10 years of Celtic Thunder hits and focuses on their most popular songs of the last decade. Drawing from their most popular television specials, Celtic Thunder Ireland features the songs and performances that launched Celtic Thunder into the hearts of Public Television viewers. A magical performance, Celtic Thunder Ireland offers something for all the family and will enthrall their legions of fans.
Johnny Cash: Man in Black – Live in Denmark 1971
Monday 8.14.23 | 11 PM
This 1971 concert spotlights the great singer-songwriter and his road company before an audience delighting in the country, rockabilly, American roots music, and spirituals that comprised the evening’s repertoire, with the “Man in Black” backed by his airtight backup band, the Tennessee Three. The set features June Carter Cash in three duets with her husband. The legendary Maybelle Carter — June’s mother, Cash’s mother-in-law, and matriarch of the First Family of Country Music — is also on hand. Rounding out the star-studded lineup are rockabilly eminence Carl Perkins (of “Blue Suede Shoes” immortality) and the Statler Brothers, much loved for their off-the-wall humor and homespun four-part harmonies.
Little Feat – Celebrating Waiting for Columbus at The Ryman
Tuesday 8.15.23 | 7:30 PM
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In 2022, Little Feat celebrated the 45th anniversary of Waiting for Columbus, replicating the legendary live album at every stop. In August 1977, the band captured sonic gold when they brought along a recording team to shows in London and Washington, D.C. Backed by the Tower of Power horn section, they romped through extended versions of a stellar song selection that included “Fat Man in the Bathtub,” “Spanish Moon,” “Dixie Chicken,” “Sailin’ Shoes,” “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” and the iconic truck driver’s lament, “Willin.’” Hearing it again is something every Feat Fan looks forward to. It’s time to lace up your dancing shoes. Special guests include Eric Church, Tommy Emmanuel, Bettye LaVette, Jeff Hanna, Charlie Starr, Jamey Johnson, Marcus King, and John “JoJo” Hermann.
Billy Strings at the Ryman Auditorium
Tuesday 8.15.23 | 9:30 PM
One of the top emerging artists across all genres of music, Grammy Award winner Billy Strings is a singular talent — one who reveres the history of the acoustic music that inspired him while pushing it forward into new spaces and audiences through his incredible live shows. For his concert at the Ryman Auditorium, instead of diving deep into his own music catalog, Strings leans heavily on the copious number of songs he had learned to play since first picking up a guitar as a child. It is a one-of-a-kind performance honoring the birthplace of Bluegrass, the Ryman Auditorium.
Joanne Shaw Taylor Live
Tuesday 8.15.23 | 11 PM
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Join #1 Billboard Blues Artist Joanne Shaw Taylor for a historic concert at the Franklin Theatre in Tennessee. This incredible event welcomes Grammy-nominated recording artist and “The Blues Album” producer Joe Bonamassa as the night’s special guest, giving attendees a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience.
Kenny Rogers Live in Concert
Thursday 8.17.23 | 9 PM
Starring the Grammy Award winner, Country Music Hall of Fame member and worldwide music icon, this concert was filmed on March 20, 1983. The special includes exuberant, emotional, and timeless live performances of eleven Top 10 songs by Rogers at the top of his game and the peak of his popularity. The first county artist to consistently sell out arenas, Rogers also achieved pop superstardom, reaching a pinnacle of popularity and celebrity around the globe that few artists have ever attained, becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 120 million albums sold. The staying power, universal appeal, vocal prowess, showmanship, storytelling ability and “It factor” Rogers had as an artist is on full display in this unearthed gem of a concert special celebrating his extraordinary six-decade-plus career.
Lynyrd Skynyrd: Celebrating 50 Years, Recorded Live at the Ryman
Friday 8.18.23 | 10:30 PM
As part of their 50th anniversary celebration, Lynyrd Skynyrd played their greatest hits at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in November 2022. With guests that included JellyRoll and John Osborne, the concert was the final performance by the last original band member Gary Rossington, who passed away in March of 2023.
Decades of music led to Lynyrd Skynyrd becoming the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues rock with a rebellious, Southern image and a hard rock swagger. A hard-living, hard-driving rock and roll band, their music remained firmly entrenched in blues, rock, and country.
Luther Vandross — Always and Forever: An Evening of Songs at Royal Albert Hall
Sunday 8.20.23 | 12 PM
Recorded on his 1994-1995 world tour, this concert features the legendary Luther Vandross at his most smooth and sensuous, performing his greatest hits and favorite covers. Songs include “Never Too Much,” “Stop to Love,” “Here and Now,” “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” and “Give Me the Reason.”