We Begin the Week With ‘Ode To Morning’, Then Onto a John Hartford ‘Spotlight’, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Vic in Chicago On April 21, 2025

We kick off yet another work week with our ‘Ode To Morning’ EP, a brand new ‘Spotlight’ featuring the late, great John Hartford, and The Heartbreakers live at The Vic.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

Yesterday, we had songs about the night. Today it’s songs about the morning with Cat Stevens, Hoyt Axton, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Gram Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, Taj Mahal, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Badfinger, Townes Van Zandt, Pure Prairie League, Chris Hillman and more!

John Hartford’s biggest hit was Gentle On My Mind, for which he scored three Grammies. The song was also listed in “BMI’s Top 100 Songs of the Century.” Hartford was a folk, country and bluegrass composer and musician who mastered both the fiddle and banjo and frequently switched between those and the guitar during his live performances. Like John Prine, he was also known for his witty lyrics and unique vocal style, and he had an extensive knowledge of Mississippi River folklore. He also invented his very own tap dance and frequently clogged on a piece of plywood as he sang and played. He was truly a minstrel and entertainer.

8:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Victoria, Chicago, IL, April 19, 2003

In 2003, The Heartbreakers played five nights at The Vic. Tonight we bring you their final performance of that residency.

We’ve got some great music for you today, including a ‘Spotlight’ we’ve been meaning to add for quite some time. We finally give the late, great John Hartford his due. We hope you’ll tune us in. We’re on 247 and we’re totally free all the time. The button is below.