'Michael Feinstein's American Songbook' To Premiere on PBS 10/6

"Michael Feinstein's American Songbook," a three-part series about the history of American song hosted by singer and pianist Michael Feinstein, will premiere on PBS on October 6, TV by the Numbers reports.  Parts Two and Three will air on October 13 and 20, respectively.  All three parts will air at 8pm on their respective dates.  Feinstein will perform standards and discuss his own experiences, including encounters with notable performers and composers and his efforts to preserve the history of the Great American Songbook. The series will also include archival footage.

Amber Edwards, who produced and directed the series, says, "Michael has been called the Indiana Jones of popular music - he's been collecting since he was five years old.  But for him it's not about amassing and hoarding objects; it's all part of his mission to keep this music alive for future generations."

The first episode, 'Putting on the Tailfins,' deals with the intersection of the Great American Songbook and new music genres in the 1950s and 1960s.  The second, 'Best Band in the Land,' deals with the role of popular music during World War II.  The third episode, 'A New Step Every Day,' deals with the music of the 1920s and 1930s. 

Each episode will run 57 minutes. Dave Davidson is the co-producer and director of photography; Ken Bloom is the executive producer.  HudsonWest Productions produced. The series is underwritten by Sara V. Carruthers, The Lizzie and Jonathan M. Tisch Foundation, Peter O. Hansen, Irwin Helford, The Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, and The Ted Snowdon Foundation.

For more information about PBS, visit www.pbs.org.

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi