
Latin Music on Main Street, U.S.A.
Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
While the U.S. Senate advances a sweeping immigration bill, Latin music continues to boom. Between 2004 and 2005, Latin music sales jumped by 14% while overall music sales declined by 3.9%. Los Angeles Times reporter Agustin Gurza and Putumayo records president Dan Storper examine why. Also on the show: a live performance from Elizabeth and the Catapult, a young band that meshes classical piano sounds, soulful vocals, and funky rhythmic grooves. Finally, the backlash from bad-mouthing the Bush administration ousted the Dixie Chicks from the country community, but it earned them lots of credibility and, according to some critics, a fresh sense of purpose. We look at their bluegrass-meets-lite-rock CD, "Taking the Long Way."


