For hundreds of years, the Copper family have sung for their own pleasure, and for the pleasure of the people of Rottingdean, the East Sussex village where the family have been living since at least the 1500s. Singing together in pubs and houses, the BBC first recorded them in 1951, and they've gone on to become stars, particularly in the United States, where they toured extensively.  Andy went to East Sussex to sit down with Bob Copper, the paterfamilias of the family, in 2003 when Copper was 88 years old. In 32 years of presenting The Music Show, this might be his favourite ever conversation. Enjoy listening to this wide-ranging and philosophical conversation about an unbroken line of family singers and the music of the English chalk coast. Music heard in the program: Title: The Claudy Banks; Come Write me down, Ye Powers of love  Artist: The Copper Family (Bob & Jim) Composer: Trad. Album: Come Write Me Down: The Copper Family of Rottingdean Label: Topic  In the interview, Bob sings parts of The Birds in the Spring, and The Threshing Song, both trads. Title: My Favourite Things Artist: John Coltrane Composers: Rodgers, Richard; Hammerstein, Oscar Album: CMy Favourite Things Label: Atlantic This program was originally produced by Penny Lomax and Maureen Cooney. Ce Benedict did a tiny bit of work on this version. Technical production by Harvey O’Sullivan

Drawing references to Kerouac, Munch, and Hildegard of Bingen, Bryce Dessner's music builds on a rich tradition of art that extends far beyond music. The classical composer (and guitarist for The National) is presenting the Australian premiere of his cello concerto, Trembling Earth, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and talks to Andy about his influences, NY's music scene, and his new opera. In a new sound installation called The Enormous Radio, Bob Scott and Roslyn Oades are tuning a huge room of old radios in to the sounds of the natural world. Frogs, dingoes, flies, and goats take on a ghostly tone, as field recordings are reshaped into something almost unrecognisable. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra performance of Trembling Earth is on the 19th and 20th of September. And Bryce Dessner: A Portrait in Music is heading to Sydney and Melbourne. The Enormous Radio is on as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival from Sept 30. Music heard in this program: Title: Pond Life Artist: Bob Scott & Roslyn Oades Composer: Bob Scott & Roslyn Oades Album: Sound installation Title: St. Carolyn By The Sea Artist: Bryce Dessner, Aaron Dessner, Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra Composer: Bryce Dessner Album: St. Carolyn By The Sea Label: Deutsche Grammophon Title: Song for Ainola  Artist: Anastasia Kobekina Composer: Bryce Dessner Album: Bryce Dessner - Solos Label: Sony Title: Garcia Counterpoint Artist: Bryce Dessner Composer: Bryce Dessner Album: Day Of The Dead Label: 4AD Title: Dingoes Artist: Bob Scott & Roslyn Oades Composer: Bob Scott & Roslyn Oades Album: Sound installation Title: Jane Sheldon Artist: flowermuscle Composer: Jane Sheldon & Bob Scott Album: flowermuscle Label: Independent release The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Harvey O'Sullivan

To mark Andy’s departure from the show at the end of this year, we’re bringing you some of his favourite conversations from 32 years on air. This week, we’ll hear the American pianist, composer and teacher Seymour Bernstein in a conversation from 2015. Bernstein died earlier this year, just before his 100th birthday, and in that long life he passed on a huge amount of wisdom about music, from how to play Beethoven to helping Ethan Hawke overcome stage fright.  Benjamin Clementine, who is an amazing musician, says he’s not an amazing musician. He’s a British Ghanaian singer, pianist, songwriter, and creative sponge: one of those artists who soaks up so many influences it leads to a totally unique sound which defies categorisation. He’s about to tour Australia and he tells Andy how his songs start as poems, his influences, and his sanguine attitude towards categorisation.  Benjamin Clementine tour dates: Adelaide 15 October Melbourne International Jazz Festival 20 October Sydney 21 October Perth 24 October Music heard in the show: Title: Nemesis Artist: Benjamin Clementine Composer: Clementine, Benjamin Album: At Least For Now Label: Virgin EMI Title: Gottes zeit is Die Allerbeste Zeit, BMV 106: Prelude [Actus Tragicus] Artist: Seymour Bernstein Composer: Bach, Johann Sebastian Album: Seymour: An Introduction (Soundtrack) Label: Varese Sarabande  Title: Intermezzo in A major, Op.118 No.2: excerpt Artist: Seymour Bernstein Composer: Brahms, Johannes Album: Seymour: An Introduction (Soundtrack) Label: Varese Sarabande  Title: Gethuk Artist: The Jawa Pitu Band Composer: The Jawa Pitu Band Album: Kapindho Label: Independent Title: Pizza Mind Artist: Benjamin Clementine Composer: Clementine, Benjamin Album: Single Label: Preserve Artists Title: Cornerstone Artist: Benjamin Clementine Composer: Clementine, Benjamin Album: At Least For Now Label: Virgin EMI Title: Pizza Mind Artist: Benjamin Clementine Composer: Clementine, Benjamin Album: Single Label: Preserve Artists Title: You’re the Voice Artist: John Farnham Composer: Thompson, Chris; Ryder, Maggie; Qunta, Andy; Reid, Keith Album: Whispering Jack Label: Wheatley The Music Show is produced on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci

You’re The Voice remains a favourite for generations of Australians and the album it's on, Whispering Jack, has sold more than 1.5 million copies. But John Farnham was 37 by the time he recorded that album and the music industry wasn’t all that interested in a new direction from a 60s pop star - until word of mouth began spreading that this was something special. In some ways it’s that background that makes the result so remarkable. Andrew Ford charts the story behind Farnham's biggest hit and explores why Farnham's voice has earned him such admiration. Featuring interviews with David Hirschfelder, Gaynor Wheatley, Michael Paynter, and Poppy Stockell.  The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend, The Celebration Concert is on September 20. The Sydney Theatre Company’s musical, Whispering Jack, begins on November 15. Music heard in this program: Title: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head Artist: John Farnham Composer: Burt Bacharach & Hal David Album: Looking Through A Tear Label: Columbia Title: Sadie The Cleaning Lady Artist: John Farnham Composer: David White, John Madara, Ray Gilmore Album: Sadie Label: Columbia Title: Playing To Win Artist: Little River Band Composer: John Farnham, Graham Goble Album: Playing To Win Label: Capitol Records Title: The Temple Artist: John Farnham Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice Album: Jesus Christ Superstar - 1992 Australian Cast  Label: Polydor Title: Age of Reason Artist: John Farnham Composer: Johanna Pigott, Todd Hunter Album: Age of Reason Label: Wheatley Records  Title: That's Freedom Artist: John Farnham Composer: Jean Anne Chapman, Tom Kimmel Album: Chain Reaction Label: Wheatley Records  Title: You're The Voice Artist: John Farnham Composer: Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid, Maggie Ryder Album: Whispering Jack Label: Wheatley Records  Title: Blind Eyes Artist: Little River Band Composer: John Farnham, David Hirschfelder, Ray Chapman Album: Playing To Win Label: Capitol Records Title: It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) Artist: John Farnham Composer: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon Scott Album: Age of Reason Label: Wheatley Records  Title: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) Artist: John Farnham Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice Album: Jesus Christ Superstar - 1992 Australian Cast  Label: Polydor Title: Pressure Down Artist: John Farnham Composer: Harry Bogdanovs Album: Whispering Jack Label: Wheatley Records  The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci

Recorded (largely) as-live in Sweden, with a group of that country's indie luminaries, Robert Forster's latest album Strawberries shows the singer-songwriter in a playful mood and embracing the role of storyteller. Speaking to Andy for the first time in quite some time, Forster explains why he made the trip and why he refused to tour the album until he could bring the band over to play it with him. With up to thirteen singers and ten drummers, all clustered around a giant communal drum, the Red Spirit Singers produce a huge sound. The group, composed of members of the Ute Nation in Utah, have been performing their music for almost 40 years, with multiple generations involved over that time. Founder AJ Kanip talks about that history and about the importance of the songs, old and new. Music heard in this program: Title: Bear Dance Artist: Red Spirit Singers Composer: Red Spirit Singers Album: Land of the Sun Label: Independent release Title: Strawberries Artist: Robert Forster Composer: Robert Forster Album: Strawberries Label: Tapete Records Title: Diamonds Artist: Robert Forster Composer: Robert Forster Album: Strawberries Label: Tapete Records Title: All Of The Time Artist: Robert Forster Composer: Robert Forster Album: Strawberries Label: Tapete Records Title: Veteran's Song Artist: Red Spirit Singers Composer: Red Spirit Singers Album: Land of the Sun Label: Independent release Title: Meet Me At The Ute Petroleum Artist: Red Spirit Singers Composer: Red Spirit Singers Album: Land of the Sun Label: Independent release Title: You're The Voice Artist: John Farnham Composer: Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid, Maggie Ryder Album: Whispering Jack Label: Wheatley Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich, or 'Kelso', of the great all-woman Australian rock band Camp Cope, is also a phenomenal writer. Her new book It's Not For You is part memoir, part feminist journalist project, in which she traces her own musical beginnings alongside conversations with a cross section of women and gender diverse musicians. She joins Andy to talk about the book.  Noongar composer, violist, conductor and programmer Aaron Wyatt returns to the show to talk about Decolonising the Bells, a collaborative project with Speak Percussion that looks at the Federation Hand Bells and their complex history.  Plus new music from The Buoys from their upcoming album Concrete Cowboy. Decolonising The Bells is at Monash University's Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts on Saturday 5 September. Music heard in the show: Title: The Opener Artist: Camp Cope Composer: Maq, Georgia Album: How To Socialise and Make Friends Label: Poison City Records Title: Perfect Now Artist: Sarah Blasko Composer: Blasko, Sarah; Cranny, Roger F Album: The Overture and the Underscore Label: Dew Process Title: Soon Artist: Angie McMahon Composer: McMahon, Angie Album: Salt Label: Dualtone Records Title: Alone in Vegas Artist: The Buoys Composer: Catterall, Zoe; Geddes, Hilary; Cunningham, Courtney; Wilkin, Tessa; Matthews, Fletcher Album: Concrete Cowboy Label: Sony Music Title: Decolonising the Bells Artist: Aaron Wyatt, Speak Percussion Composer: Aaron Wyatt, Eugene Ughetti Courtesy of the composers and Speak Percussion Title: Under the Canopy Artist: Melbourne Chamber Orchestra Composer: Aaron Wyatt Courtesy of ABC Classic Title: Tell It Back To Me Artist: Robert Forster Composer: Forster, Robert Album: Strawberries Label: Tapete Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

Belinda Webster, the producer, engineer and singular force behind Australia's art music label Tall Poppies died this month at the age of 74. Across 278 releases, Webster recorded and released music by many of Australia's best classical and jazz musicians, often playing Australian music. In 2006, Andy visited Belinda at her home in Kangaroo Valley for a wide-ranging conversation about her passion and approach to music.  Music heard in this program: Title: Come, My Love Artist:  Ian Munro & Jane Edwards Composer: Katherine Parker Album: CD Sampler  Label: Tall Poppies Records Title: The Tryst Artist: David Stanhope Composer: Jean Sibelius (arranged by David Stanhope) Album: David Stanhope – A Virtuoso Recital Label: Tall Poppies  Title: Heritage Overture  Artist: Sydney Symphony Orchestra, David Piper Composer: Sandra France Album: Sandra France – Fluctuating States Of Calm Label: Tall Poppies

With a recent concerto for amplified accordion and orchestra and another for more than 60 recorders Holly Harrison clearly loves a challenge. She shares why she enjoys writing for new instruments, and how she composed a work that will be performed by everyone from virtuosos to second-grade students. Hamed Sadeghi has released two albums this year, each of which fuses his instrument, the Persian tar, with different Western traditions. The latest, Comfortable, features some of Sydney's best jazz musicians, and Hamed talks to Andy about collaboration, improvisation, and poetry. InsideOut, composed by Holly Harrison, will be featured in upcoming concerts by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, all featuring James Crabb. The world premiere of Harrison's Frog Hollow will be performed at the Sydney Opera House on September 23, as part of the Festival of Instrumental Music. Hamed Sadeghi will be performing Comfortable at the City Recital Hall in Sydney on September 5. Music heard in this program: Title: Slack Rope Artist: Hamed Sadeghi Composer: Hamed Sadeghi Album: Comfortable Label: Independent release Title: bend/boogie/break Artist: Offspring Ensemble  Composer: Holly Harrison Album: Offspring Bites 3: En Masse Label: Independent release Title: Balderdash for String Quartet Artist: Goldmund Quartet Composer: Holly Harrison Album: Live Recording Title: Los Ojos Del Condor Artist: Hermanos Gutiérrez Composer: Hermanos Gutiérrez Album: Los Ojos Del Condor Label: Easy Eye Sound Title: Inheritance Artist: Hamed Sadeghi Composer: Hamed Sadeghi Album: Comfortable Label: Independent release Title: Before the Storm Artist: Hamed Sadeghi Composer: Hamed Sadeghi Album: Comfortable Label: Independent release Title: Strawberries Artist: Robert Forster Composer: Robert Forster Album: Strawberries Label: Tapete Records  The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci

Dolly Parton said she wrote over three thousand songs, so we can barely begin to honour her extraordinary songwriting in just one hour. From her early country duets with Porter Wagoner, to the extraordinary purple patch that brought us Jolene and I Will Always Love You (allegedly written on the same day), to lending her voice and country music bona fides to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter record, her impact on the musical landscape is hard to overstate. Her image was genuinely iconic, modelled after sex workers in her Tennessee hometown, and her impact on literacy, public health, and human rights will be felt far beyond Appalachia for generations to come.  She inspired working class people, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community, and did it all by being herself, on purpose.  Singer songwriter Fanny Lumsden, and musician and broadcaster (and sometimes host of The Music Show) Alice Keath are Andy’s guests to unpack Dolly Parton’s musical and cultural impact.   Music heard in the show: Dumb Blonde from Hello, I’m Dolly (1969) Coat of Many Colours from Coat of Many Colours (1971)  Just Someone I Used to Know from Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca (with Porter Wagoner, 1970) Jolene from Jolene (1974) I Will Always Love You from Jolene (1974) 9 to 5 from 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980) Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) from 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980) The Seeker from Dolly (1975) After the Gold Rush from Trio II (1999) Little Sparrow from Little Sparrow (2001) Long As I Can See the Light (feat. John Fogerty) from Rockstar (2023) TYRANT, DOLLY P, JOLENE (Beyonce, featuring Dolly Parton) from COWBOY CARTER (2024) Light of a Clear Blue Morning from New Harvest… First Gathering (1977) The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci, Tim Jenkins, and Tim Traeger

"I think if we saw every conversation as music, we would drastically shift the course of history."  So says the poet and performer aja monet. For her latest record, the color of rain, monet worked with Meshell Ndegecello, Justin Brown, and a whole host of musical collaborators to create something that spans genre, but has seen her named as one of the early headliners of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. From the quietest footsteps to the loudest explosions, foley artists craft the sounds that shape a movie, but their work usually leaves them behind the scenes. In his latest composition, Hollywood Parsifals, Thomas Meadowcroft is putting 2 foley artists centre stage with the MSO, and exploring what happens when you combine their skill at sound generation with a full orchestra. Rubiks Collective is presenting Thomas Meadowcroft's Love Songs Without Subjects at the Melbourne Recital Centre on August 25. Music heard in this program: Title: Love Songs Without Subjects Artist:  asamisimasa, Ditte Marie Bræin, and Thomas Meadowcroft  Composer: Thomas Meadowcroft Album: Love Songs Without Subjects Label: Sofa Music Title: say it with your chest Artist: aja monet Composer: Aja Monet, Burniss Earl Travis II Album: the color of rain Label: Drink Sum Wtr Title: i know that i don't know Artist: aja monet Composer: aja monet, Justin Brown Album: the color of rain Label: Drink Sum Wtr Title: for the Congo Artist: aja monet Composer: aja monet, Justin Brown, Abe Rounds Album: the color of rain Label: Drink Sum Wtr Title: hollyweird Artist: aja monet Composer: aja monet, Burniss Earl Travis II, Daniel Mintseris, Josh Johnson, Justin Brown Album: the color of rain Label: Drink Sum Wtr Title: War Western Thriller Horror Romantic Comedy Crime Science Fiction, Hollywood Parsifals Artist:  MSO, John Simpson, and Eugene Ughetti Composer: Thomas Meadowcroft Album: Live recording The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Harvey O'Sullivan