Program Program consists of an interview with, and live studio performance by Odetta Gordon, a classically trained musician turned folk singer. Host Barbara Barrow-Murray speaks with Odetta backstage before the performance about her birthday, her religious perspectives (especially her interest in Eastern spiritual beliefs), the music tradition from which she draws, her good feelings about tonight's performance, and her change from classical to folk music. (An on-stage interview after her performance also introduces questions about her inspiration, her involvement in civil rights struggles, and the artists that have influenced her.) Program closes with an Odetta-led a cappella version of "Amazing Grace" with audience participation. Produced by Barbara Barrow-Murray. Directed by Brian Atwood.
Series Say Brother is WGBH's longest running public affairs television program by, for and about African Americans, and is now known as Basic Black. Since its inception in 1968, Say Brother has featured the voices of both locally and nationally known African American artists, athletes, performers, politicians, professionals, and writers including: Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Thomas Atkins, Amiri Baraka, Doris Bunte, Julian Bond, Stokely Carmichael, Louis Farrakhan, Nikki Giovanni, Odetta Gordon, Henry Hampton, Benjamin Hooks, Jesse Jackson, Hubie Jones, Mel King, Eartha Kitt, Elma Lewis, Haki Madhubuti, Wallace D. Muhammad, Charles Ogletree, Byron Rushing, Owusu Sadaukai, and Sonia Sanchez.