Day Two for Callie at TMM

I did sit in Michel's cozy office today.

Yesterday, as we were thinking ahead to today's show, we got word that the great jazz pioneer Max Roach had died. What are the chances that another jazz great would already be in the NPR studios? Yep, renowned trumpeter Terence Blanchard was here preparing for a performance chat on Talk of the Nation, but we were able to grab him for a few minutes so that he could help us remember Max Roach. We aired the tribute today.

If you were a fan of Mr. Roach's work, we want to hear from you. What have you enjoyed most about his music, his artistry? Is there a favorite piece, or collaboration, of the late percussionist that stands out among the rest? Did you know he was a self-taught musician?

Before ending my guest hosting duties for Michel, I want to point out to you that there is much woman power here at TMM. So, naturally, we had to reach out to Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell. She's now the first woman to helm the largest congregation in the historically Southern Baptist convention. Come Sunday, the reverend will deliver her first sermon as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Decatur in Georgia.

This has been quite a week in our industry, with lot's of stories to cover. But our political analysts Melissa Harris Lacewell, and Michael Fauntroy had a lot to say about the week in politics. Let's see. There was the resignation of Presidential advisor Karl Rove, and then the recent comments made by Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic White House hopeful Sen. John Edwards, about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Lacewell and Fauntroy also addressed Obama's upcoming appearance on the Tyra Banks show. What's their take?

You'll have to tune-in.

Plus, I got to eavesdrop on the Barbershop. Jimi Izrael and his buddies Ruben Navarette, Lester Spence, and Arsalan Iftakar chewed over Don Imus' big money settlement and offered a bit of "public relations" advice to NFL quarterback Michael Vick. Of course, they couldn't resist the temptation to crack on R&B singer R. Kelly's latest installment of his "Trapped in the Closet" music/video series.

OK, so R. Kelly. Pause. It's obvious that he's still an icon to many folks out there. We want to know...is he to you? What do you make of the fact that his "public approval rating" doesn't seem to have taken a beating at all since his...situation? Granted, he's not yet been tried, innocent until proven guilty...

You tell us.

By the way, in case you haven't noticed, everybody gets a 'nickname' in the Barbershop.
Jimi's name for me? Drumroll...C-Double.

Moving right along, I was thrilled to talk to Los Angeles bus driver Tanya Walters. Can you believe this woman dips into her own pocket to fund cross-country bus trips for some of L.A.'s urban youth? And she's recruited other folks to join her cause. She calls them Godparents. We also thought it added a nice touch to hear from Anthony, one of her former students. He's all grown up now and preparing to enroll in college.

All that, plus a touching listener expression in Backtalk.

Next week, Michel will reclaim her chair and her mic.

I've had fun! Thanks, Michel.

C-Double over and out...

Michel Martin

2:08 PM ET | 08-17-2007 | permalink

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2:08 PM ET | 08-17-2007 | permalink