#4914, Michael Hedges Tribute

New Sounds | Oct 6, 2025

The guitarist Michael Hedges was only 43 when he died in a car accident in 1997. He left behind a remarkable body of music, featuring an all-too-rare combination of virtuosity, experimentation, and a strong lyrical and melodic gift. He often used the tapping technique, where both hands play on the neck of the guitar – an especially useful thing when he was playing his 1920s harp guitar, an instrument with a second neck and set of strings. For this New Sounds, hear exclusive live performances and an interview from the archives, recorded in 1986. Plus, hear work by musicians who inspired him and who have been influenced by Hedges.

There is a tribute concert organized by friends, fans and former touring staff of Michael Hedges at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in New Jersey on Aug. 17. All proceeds will support production of the upcoming documentary Oracle: the Life & Music of Michael Hedges.

Program #4914, Michael Hedges Tribute (First aired 8/16/2024)

ARTIST: Michael Hedges
WORK: Peg Leg Speed King [1:00]
RECORDING: Breakfast in the Field
SOURCE: Windham Hill Records
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Michael Hedges
WORK: Because It's There [3:13]
RECORDING: The Best of: Live On The Double Planet
SOURCE: Windham Hill Records
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Michael Hedges
WORK: Silent Anticipations [2:45]
RECORDING: Live, WNYC, 1986
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: The work appears on "Breakfast in the Field", Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Michael Hedges
WORK: Aerial Boundaries [4:03]
RECORDING: Live, WNYC, 1986
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: The work appears on "Aerial Boundaries", Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Michael Hedges
WORK: Spare Change [5:47]
RECORDING: Aerial Boundaries
SOURCE: Windham Hill Records #1032.
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Pierre Bensusan
WORK: Hekimoglu [2:15]
RECORDING: Musiques
SOURCE: Lost Lake Arts/ Windham Hill
INFO: pierrebensusan.com | Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Michael Hedges
WORK: Bensusan [2:31]
RECORDING: Aerial Boundaries
SOURCE: Windham Hill Records #1032.
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Michael Hedges
WORK: Come Together [5:09]
RECORDING: The Best of: Live On The Double Planet
SOURCE: Windham Hill Records
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Michael Manring
WORK: Selene [4:51]
RECORDING: Soliloquy
SOURCE: Manthing Music
INFO: https://manthing.com | Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

ARTIST: Preston Reed
WORK: Border Towns [3:33]
RECORDING: Border Towns
SOURCE: Liberty/Capitol Nashville
INFO: Try Discogs.com

ARTIST: Leo Kottke
WORK: Stealing [1:34]
RECORDING: My Feet Are Smiling
SOURCE: Capitol Records
INFO: Available at AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, and YouTube

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Jack Schlossberg, the Kennedy Running for Congress in New York. Plus, the Astronaut Reid Wiseman

The candidate on the role of social media in politics, and speaking out against his cousin R.F.K., Jr. Plus, the commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission on the dark side of the moon.

The New Yorker Radio Hour |

NJ Gov. Sherrill: If state police were too aggressive at Delaney Hall, we'll look into it

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill took call after call Wednesday night from people who told her state police had been overly aggressive in violent clashes with protesters outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center this weekend.

Ask Governor Sherrill |

I.C.E.'s "Wartime Recruitment" Campaign

Hiring at the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency.

On the Media |

Ask the Mayor Recap and More News From City Hall

Elizabeth Kim discusses the issues Mayor Mamdani talked about in his first "ask the mayor" segment.

The Brian Lehrer Show |