If you're looking to take a trip down memory lane, through poetry, storytelling, and classic American music, you’ll want to be at Peter White Public Library’s Community Room on Thursday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m. for the latest installment of North Words and Music. The theme this time? "Golden Oldies," and the evening promises to be a heartwarming blend of nostalgia, artistry, and connection.
Returning to the stage are series regulars B.G. Bradley (storyteller and poet) and Linda Smith (musician with Big Lake Acoustic), who visited Public Radio 90 to preview the event.
“We didn’t overanalyze the theme,” said Bradley, 2022 Marquette Writer of the Year. “When you hear ‘Golden Oldies,’ you know exactly what it means—those moments, memories, or songs that bring you back somewhere meaningful. The show is like a time machine.”
Smith agrees. For this event, she’s drawing from the Great American Songbook, interpreting songs from the 1930s and beyond—music that still resonates today. “What really touches me is the way those words and melodies bring people to places in their hearts and minds,” she said. “That’s what makes a golden oldie golden.”
Revisit the latest edition of North Words and Music from their April "Wordplay" show:
The show blends music and spoken word seamlessly, sometimes even spontaneously. “We don’t finalize the show until the day of,” Bradley noted. “We go in with a structure, but a lot of it is improvisation, feeding off one another and the energy of the audience. It becomes a shared experience.”
Smith, who performs alongside her son Seamus Collins, described the variety they bring to each performance: “We’ve done everything from jazz to originals, and I love interpreting music people might not hear often anymore. You never know what someone will connect with.”
The emotional range of the show is wide—from laughter to tears to quiet reflection. Bradley’s reading of "Baseball and the Bard" drew thoughtful parallels between Shakespeare and America’s pastime, while Smith shared stories from her music therapy work with older adults. “Even those struggling with memory can light up when they hear a familiar song,” she said. “It’s all stored in a little pocket in their heart.”
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's interview with B.G. & Linda:
Joining the duo are U.P. Poet Laureate Marty Achatz, actress Jacque Love, and guest performer Jim Edwards, rounding out a troupe that blends performance with community connection.
“We’re not just performers,” Bradley added. “We’re neighbors. This is about creating something meaningful together—for the audience and ourselves.”
North Words and Music's "Golden Oldies" show takes place Thursday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the PWPL Community Room. The event is free, family-friendly, and will also be livestreamed. For more information, visit pwpl.info or contact Marty Achatz at machatz@pwpl.info.
Find out more about the event on Peter White Public Library's event calendar.
