The 2024 election was a lot. And now that we're past it, you might be avoiding political news

altogether, or you might want to understand the other side of the aisle, but without poisoning

your algorithm or treading into online territory that feels like an alien planet, you need left, right,

and center. It's your weekly political news check-in

with representatives from both parties,

so you can hear from the other guys

in a way that helps you actually make sense of it.

I'm David Green.

Join me on Left, Right, and Center from KCRW.

New episodes drop every Friday

wherever you listen to podcasts.

Since everything Beyonce touches turns to platinum, it's no surprise her new album,

Cowboy Carter, has been a sensation.

Some music fans have said they hope her success in the genre will open doors for other black artists in country.

But anybody serious about the history is well aware, country music, we know it would not exist without decades of contributions from black artists.

From KERA in Dallas, this is Think. I'm Chris Boyd.

Alice Randall is a novelist, educator, and an award-winning writer of country songs for artists including Marie Osmond, Holly Dunn, Glenn Campbell,

and Tricia Yearwood. She is the first black woman to write a number one hit on the country charts,

and she has always understood and revered the generations that blazed the trail for her without

necessarily winning the recognition they deserved. Randall's new book is called My Black Country,

a journey through country music's black past, present, and future. Alice, welcome to think.

It's wonderful to be with you. Texas is at the heart of this current Renaissance,

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