Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

'Musician's Spotlight' Celebrates 25th Anniversary: Part Two

John Floridis hosts Part Two of a 25th anniversary celebration of Musicians' Spotlight with musical highlights and interview segments from some of the most engaging guests in the program's history. Featured artists include Galactic, Cathie Ryan, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Vienna Teng, The Emerson String Quartet, Camila Meza, Leftover Salmon, Andre Floyd, John Gorka, Bill Payne, Azar Lawrence, Martha Scanlan, Jeni Fleming, Sonny Landreth, and sneak previews of upcoming shows with Ben Harper and Clinton Fearon.

In April 2017, The Missoula Independent's Ednor Therriault profiled John's two decades as host of Musicians' Spotlight. Here are a few excerpts: 

"I love to talk shop," he says, acknowledging the impassioned conversations that quickly spin off into geekery when one musician interviews another. "Over the years I've worked to try and find the story of the artist. The trick is to bring the artist in and let them get comfortable without geeking out too much."

Some of the best shows, he says, were the ones where he was pulled into unfamiliar territory and came away with a new understanding of a little slice of the musical universe. "When the (Sierra Leone) Refugee All Stars came through town, I'd never heard much about them, but the music held up. They were actual refugees! They'd formed this band in refugee camps in Sierra Leone." He wrangled an interview with a member of the group, and was unprepared for the horrors the man shared. "I'd sit across from this guy and he'd tell me about being tortured. That was something, to look someone right in the eye and tell them about that." He pauses, obviously still haunted by the episode. "To get somebody who can bring a cultural experience to the table, that's a great thing. It's like going to another place."

"I'd be hard pressed to think of a time when I wasn't having fun. I always shoot for the highest common denominator. I think you can say that about public radio listeners in general—they're always looking for something deeper."

(Broadcast: 10/16/17, as the Monday Music Special. Listen to "Musician's Spotlight"  on the radio Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., or via podcast.)

John Floridis, the host and producer of Musician's Spotlight, has been with Montana Public Radio since 1997. He has interviewed over 200 musicians during that time. He is also an independent recording and performing artist in his own right and a former registered music therapist.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information