For as long as prisons have been a part of civil society, long sentences, separation from loved ones, and harsh conditions have caused intense feelings of isolation, despair and a profound loss of hope among the incarcerated.
Today, we explore the power music has to heal some of these wounds with the inspiring story of Johnny Bragg, who in the 1940s found his voice inside the Tennessee State Prison and went on to form the chart-topping group, The Prisonaires. We also hear from the founder and a musician with Higher Love, about what it’s like to go inside the prison walls with musical performances and messages of hope, love and worth.
This episode was produced by Mary Mancini and Liv Lombardi.
Guests:
- Michael Gray, Vice President Museum Services, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
- Bob Clement, Son of Gov. Frank Clement, Former U.S. Congressman
- Ron Miller, Founder and Executive Director, Higher Love
- Madeline Finn, Musician and Buddhist Facilitator
Further reading:
- Read more about Higher Love at higher-love.org.
- Just Walkin’ in the Rain: Reform, Redemption and the Story of the Prisonaires (WPLN)
- Visit the Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues Revisited exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
- “Presidents, Kings, and Convicts: My Journey from the Tennessee Governor’s Residence to the Halls of Congress” by Bob Clement
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM