help me remember this NPR segment

November 16, 2008 10:08 AM

Anyone remember this segment?: A few years ago I heard a radio essay (probably on NPR) about the process of getting a country song written and recorded. The reporter wasn't a songwriter by trade, but he had written a silly-ish song for the purposes of trying to get it published.

Part of the song was something about trying to reach someone and always getting her voicemail. Another joke in the essay was something like, "Daddy didn't raise no fool, you'd better get in to a magnet school." At the end of the essay, Willie Nelson sings the reporter's song. Anyone remember this? I want to play it for a songwriter friend.

posted by pipti to media & arts (6 comments total)

I don't know the specific one you're referring to, but there was something similar on "This American Life." It's the first act after the intro in this episode.
posted by mittenedsex at 10:14 AM on November 16, 2008

It also sounds to me like you're thinking of mittenedsex's link.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 11:15 AM on November 16, 2008

No, it was definitely a male reporter. but thank you.
posted by pipti at 11:22 AM on November 16, 2008

I googled for "willie nelson" npr "magnet school" and ended up with this transcript of an On The Media from 2004.
posted by knile at 1:28 PM on November 16, 2008

MP3 available under the link for Nov 26 2004 Segment begins at 31:57. WN version at 48:07, little earlier if you want the band intro.
posted by knile at 1:38 PM on November 16, 2008

thank you!
posted by pipti at 3:58 PM on November 16, 2008