Michael Shapiro
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Heavenly voices: How Ladysmith Black Mambazo went from dream to fame

Heavenly voices: How Ladysmith Black Mambazo went from dream to fame

by Michael Shapiro | Feb 27, 2012 | Blog, Interviews, Music, Stories

I recently interviewed a founding member of the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo who told me the band started as a dream – see excerpt below. The band plays March 2 at Napa’s Uptown Theater – here’s the excerpt: Mambazo’s...
Leo Kottke: How the guitar saved my life

Leo Kottke: How the guitar saved my life

by Michael Shapiro | Feb 27, 2012 | Blog, Interviews, Music, Stories

  Leo Kottke is a quirky and genuine as you’d guess from his music – here’s an excerpt from our interview which ends with him talking about music being a type of home for him: Renowned acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke says the guitar didn’t just...
Interview with Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson

Interview with Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson

by Michael Shapiro | Aug 22, 2011 | Blog, Interviews, Music, Stories

I spoke with the genius behind the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, in August 2011. The man who penned hits such as “California Girls” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” has suffered terribly from mental illness but is back on the road and performing...
Lucinda Williams’ latest a blessing for all, Press Democrat

Lucinda Williams’ latest a blessing for all, Press Democrat

by Michael Shapiro | Jun 17, 2011 | Interviews, Literature, Music

The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa June 17, 2011 Lucinda Williams’ music a blessing for all By Michael Shapiro Lucinda Williams has struck a nerve. The title track of her new album “Blessed,” has sparked a movement of people wanting to share why they feel blessed....
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Michael Shapiro

Recent Posts

  • Sound Full of Rainbows: How the Grateful Dead’s music evokes splendor of the natural world – Sierra magazine, January 2026
  • Yellowstone in Winter: Guided cross-country skiing from a cozy base camp offers rare wilderness immersion – Sierra magazine, December 2025
  • A conversation with Bridget Crocker, author of the new book, The River’s Daughter
  • A conversation with Stephanie Elizondo Griest, author of the new book, Art Above Everything
  • Why Time Flies: An inquiry into why time feels like it accelerates as we get older, Saturday Evening Post, Jan-Feb 2025
  • Climber with colon cancer seeks to summit Half Dome to raise awareness for screening, Press Democrat, Aug. 1, 2024
  • Journey Toward Everest: Trekking with the son of Tenzing Norgay to Everest Base Camp, Saturday Evening Post, Jan-Feb 2024

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