RJ Smith

Biographer RJ Smith joins us to discuss the life of Chuck Berry. 

Our final segment of Full Bio featuring Chuck Berry: An American Life

Day three of RJ Smith's Chuck Berry: An American Life

For this month's Full Bio, we are discussing the life of music legend Chuck Berry, who some consider to be one of the architects of Rock n' Roll.

Author RJ Smith joins to discuss biography of Chuck Berry

Somebody does something a little different — they briefly step off the curb — and plenty of folks are ready to dub them a "self-made man" or "self-made woman." But what Lonnie Holley does, and what he has made of himself, demands a whole new term. He truly is his ...

A new book provides evidence of racial mixing in country music as far back as the 1930s, but today is the red Solo cup (to quote a Toby Keith lyric) half full or half empty?

The story of Sylvester Stewart — we call him Sly Stone — is that of a great urban engineer who launched out of the Bay Area in 1967 with a series of bridge-making hits: fusing rock to rhythm and blues, bringing jazz and funk into the mainstream with a ...

"And I will be changed from this creature that I am." — Peace in the Valley

But first, let's talk about the famous lawn mower situation. He was living in Southeast Texas, married to second wife Shirley Corley. The man loved his liquor, and Shirley thought she was so smart ...

Biographer RJ Smith explores the complicated but fascinating life of James Brown in a new book called “The One.” He joins guest host Christian McBride and bassist Fred Thomas, who added oomph to Brown’s band, for a look back at the "Godfather of Soul."