Sea Shanties of the Pacific Northwest
The waterways of the Northwest are the pathway that brought us the early sea explorers, like James Cook and Robert Gray. They were also the highways that carried our commerce in the days before the automobile and the interstate. Hank Cramer shares two hundred years' worth of sea ballads and "shanties," and tells the stories behind the songs. Hank has sailed the Northwest as shantyman and helmsman aboard the brig Lady Washington, and performs sea music at most of the maritime museums across North America.

Songs of the Cowboy
This program examines the traditions of American cowboy music. The songs played important roles in cowboy life, besides simple entertainment. Loud, boisterous songs got cattle herds moving. Lullabies sung by a night-guard would calm the cattle and keep them from stampeding. Hard-learned lessons – and sometimes trail directions – were passed on in the lyrics of cowboy ballads. Cowboy songs also represent a rich blending of cultural traditions. Some are set to ancient Irish melodies, others have distinctly African-American or Latino tunes. Hank's cowboy singing is tied to first-hand experience. He lives on a horse ranch in eastern Washington, and wrangles part-time for one of the state's largest high-country outfitters.