Driving in the left lane.
Cutting edge alternative journalism, politics, and culture in the spirit of the 60's underground press.
Host and producer: Thorne Dreyer
Co-producer and engineer: Tracey Schulz
Rag Radio features hour-long in-depth interviews and discussion about issues of progressive politics, culture, and history. Our guests include newsmakers, artists, leading thinkers, and public figures – from Austin, Texas, and around the world.
Host Thorne Dreyer was a founding editor of Austin's historic 60s underground newspaper The Rag and edits The Rag Blog, a nonprofit progressive internet newsmagazine based in Austin. He was also a founding editor at Space City! in Houston and an editor at LNS in New York, and was general manager of KPFT, the Pacifica radio station in Houston. With roots in the 60's, Rag Radio often features content about the history of Austin's unique counterculture and its political and literary traditions.
Contact us at ragradio@koop.org.
Earlier Show Highlights
Listen to earlier shows on Rag Radio:
04-13-2013: Sixties Activists and Original Yippies Judy Gumbo Albert & Nancy Kurshan
04-05-2013: Anti-Gun Violence Activists John Woods & Claire Wilson James
03-29-2013: 'Bronx Butch' Memoirist & Performance Artist Annie Rachele Lanzillotto
03-22-2013: Progressive Sportswriter and Author Dave Zirin
03-15-2013: Arhoolie Records' Chris Strachwitz and Filmmakers Maureen Gosling & Chris Simon
03-09-2013: Novelist, Educator & Immigrant Rights Activist David S. McCabe
03-01-2013: Austin Chronicle Editor & SXSW Co-Founder Louis Black
02-22-2013: Documentary Filmmaker Anne Lewis
02-15-2013: Music Journalist & Musician Hector Saldaña of The Krayolas
02-08-2013: Civil Liberties Lawyer Marjorie Heins, Author of "Priests of Our Democracy"
02-01-2013: Writer and Musician Jesse Sublett, Author of "Grave Digger Blues"
01-25-2013: Economist Robert Pollin, Author of "Back to Full Employment"
01-18-2013: Mike McGuire & Lisa Fithian on Occupy & "We Are Many"
01-11-2013: Black Feminist Beth E Richie, Author of "Arrested Justice"
12-21-2012: Sixties Music Legends Powell St. John and Charlie Prichard
12-14-2012: Singer-Songwriter & Activist Barbara K & Poet Don Paul
12-07-2012: Dallas City Archivist John H. Slate, Author of "Lost Austin"
11-30-2012: Former Police Det. Howard Wooldridge, Drug Law Reform Advocate
11-16-2012: Blues/Roots Singer-Songwriter Guy Forsyth
11-09-2012: Berlin-Based Activist David MacBryde on Germany & the Eurozone
11-02-2012: Ann Richards Biographer Jan Reid & Radio Journalist Frieda Werden
10-26-2012: Martin Duberman, Author of "Howard Zinn: A Life on the Left"
10-19-2012: Singer-Songwriter, Author, Politician & Social Satirist Kinky Friedman
10-12-2012: Tom Hayden on the Drug War & the Peace Movement
10-05-2012: Tova Andrea Wang and Harvey Wasserman on Voter Suppression in America
09-28-2012: Composer, Conductor, Jazz Musician, Writer & Scholar David Amram
09-21-2012: Singer-Songwriters Bob Cheevers & Noëlle Hampton and André Moran
09-14-2012: Famed Texas Civil Rights & Labor Attorney David Richards
09-07-2012: Political Analysts Glenn W. Smith & Peck Young on 2012 Presidential Elections
08-31-2012: Ethical Society's Tim Hayles, Unitarian Bonny Gardner & Eco-Troubadour Bill Oliver
08-24-2012: The Seedling Foundation and Truth Be Told: Texas Prisoner Support
08-17-2012: Authors Mike Lapham & Lynn Stout on Economic Myths & Corporate Responsibility
08-10-2012: Bruce Melton & Roger Baker on Climate Change & the Global 'Tipping Point'
08-03-2012: Leftist Journalist Jack A. Smith, Former Editor, the Guardian (U.S.)
07-27-2012: Actor & Radical Atty Brady Coleman, Jim Simons, & The Melancholy Ramblers
07-13-2012: Peace Activist Jim Turpin on the "Myth of American Exceptionalism."
07-06-2012: Legacy of La Raza Unida w/Maria Elena Martinez & Luz Bazan Gutierrez.
06-29-2012: Peruvian Social Psychologist Cristina Herencia on Indigenous Peoples.
06-22-2012: Gail & Betsy Leondar-Wright on Gay Marriage & Social Justice.
06-15-2012: American Botanical Council's Mark Blumenthal on Herbal Medicine.
06-08-2012: Texas Observer Founding Editor Ronnie Dugger.
06-01-2012: Singer/Songwriter & Peace Activist David Rovics.
05-25-2012: Psychedelic Blues Pioneer Spencer Perskin of Shiva's Headband.
05-04-2012: Chris Mooney, Author of "The Republican Brain.
04-27-2012: Theologian and Social Ethicist Gary Dorrien.
04-20-2012: David P. Hamilton & Philip L. Russell on 2012 Elections in France & Mexico.
04-13-2012: Restoration Ecologist and Environmental Activist Bill Neiman.
04-06-2012: Progressive Populist Author and Commentator Jim Hightower.
03-30-2012: Filmmaker and Chicano Activist Carlos Calbillo.
03-23-2012: Jay D. Jurie on Trayvon Martin & Roger Baker on Impact of Gas Prices.
03-16-2012: David Bacon on U.S. Policies & the Great Mexican Migration.
03-09-2012: Bobby Bridger on the Impact of Native American Culture.
03-02-2012: Music Journalist Margaret Moser and Film Actor Sonny Carl Davis.
02-24-2012: Activism and the Occupy Austin Movement.
02-17-2012: Virtuoso "Commander Cody Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter Bill Kirchen.
02-10-2012: "Sustainability Through Salvage" w/Brad Kittel, Builder of "Tiny Texas Homes".
02-03-2012: Political Economist Gar Alperovitz, Author of America Beyond Capitalism.
01-27-2012: American Radio Revolution w/ Kim Simpson, Jan Reid, Bob Simmons.
01-20-2012: Progressive Activist Tom Hayden on Current Issues.
01-13-2012: UT Govt & International Relations Prof David Edwards.
01-06-2012: Progressive Activist and SDS Pioneer Tom Hayden.
12-30-2011: Bruce Melton on the Real World Effects of Climate Change.
12-16-2011: TX Music Hall of Fame Singer/Songwriter & Activist Eliza Gilkyson.
12-09-2011: Nonviolent Activist Val Liveoak of Peacekeeping en las Americas.
12-02-2011: NY Times Columnist Robert H. Frank, Author of The Darwin Economy.
11-18-2011: Singer/Songwriter, Author, Actor & Artist Bobby Bridger.
11-11-2011: Author and Sustainabilbity Advocate Ellen LaConte.
11-04-2011: Inuit Explorer & Actor Ole Jorgen Hammeken & Filmmaker Marc Buriot.
10-28-2011: Singer/Songwriter & Community Activist Charlie Faye.
10-21-2011: Academic/Activist Bernardine Dohrn, former leader, Weather Underground.
10-14-2011: Scholar, Activist & Urban Theorist Mike Davis.
10-07-2011: Activist/Journalist Jonah Raskin, Author of Marijuanaland.
09-30-2011: Progressive Texas State Legislator Elliott Naishtat.
09-23-2011: Suspense Novelist David Lindsey on the Private Intelligence Industry.
09-16-2011: Legendary Houston Folksinger Don Sanders.
09-09-2011: Political Activist Carl Davidson on Mondragon and Workers' Cooperatives.
09-02-2011: Film Historian Chale Nafus of the Austin Film Society.
08-26-2011: Political Analyst Glenn W. Smith on Rick Perry & the "Texas Miracle."
08-12-2011: TX Music Awards 2011 Singer/Songwriter of the Year Bob Cheevers.
08-05-2011: Anarchist, Community Organizer, and Writer scott crow.
07-29-2011: "Politics and Spirituality" with Author and Sixties Activist Sarito Carol Neiman.
07-22-2011: Sustainability Activist Scott Pittman, Founder of Permaculture Institute.
07-15-2011: Community Organizer Linda Stout, Author of Collective Visioning.
07-08-2011: Educator, Author, and Radical Activist Robert Jensen.
07-01-2011: Underground Radio Pioneer Bob Simmons.
06-24-2011: Environmental Activist Diane Wilson, Author of Eco-Outlaw.
06-17-2011: Vietnam Vet and Peace Activist Terry J. DuBose.
06-10-2011: Texas Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War.
06-03-2011: Psychologist and Populist Author Bruce E. Levine.
05-27-2011: Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Author of "Immigrants Raising Citizens".
05-20-2011: Cultural Historian Richard Pells.
05-13-2011: Artist, Musician, Actor & Comic Kerry Awn.
05-06-2011: Texas Civil Rights Pioneer Dr. Leon McNealy.
04-29-2011: Musicians Cleve and Sweet Mary Hattersley of Greezy Wheels.
04-08-2011: Musician, Author & Artist Jesse Sublett.
04-01-2011: April Fool's Special w/Satirist Paul Krassner & Filmmaker Turk Pipkin.
03-25-2011: Historian Martin Duberman & Pacifist David McReynolds.
03-18-2011: Journalist and Rock Historian Joe Nick Patoski (with musical guest Hector Saldaña).
03-11-2011: Historical Archivist Tim Hamblin on 25 Years of SXSW Music
03-04-2011: Historian John McMillian, Author of "Smoking Typewriters"
02-25-2011: Human Rights Activist Jim Rigby, Pastor, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Austin
02-18-2011: Austin Sculptor and Activist Barry George on his Trip to Palestine
02-11-2011: Media Critic & 'Free Press' Co-founder Robert W. McChesney
02-04-2011: Education Reform Activists Rick Ayers and William Ayers
01-28-2011: TX Observer Editor Bob Moser and Poet-Playwright Gregg Barrios
01-21-2011: Latina Rocker Patricia Vonne & Singer-Songwriter Gina Chavez
01-14-2011: Austin Chronicle News Editor Michael King
01-07-2011: Political Consultant and Progressive Blogger Glenn W. Smith
12-17-2010: Anti-Gentrification Activist Bo McCarver
12-10-2010: Journalist and Environmental Activist Harvey Wasserman
12-03-2010: Environmentalist Bruce Melton on Climate Science and Global Warming
11-26-2010: Mediterranean Music and Mysticism w/ Catherine Braslavsky & Joseph Rowe
11-19-2010: Author Philip Russell on The History of Mexico
11-12-2010: Screenwriter, Playwright, and Educator Sidney Brammer (Not in archives)
10-26-2010: Writer and Peace Activist Alice Embree
10-19-2010: Texas Jail Reform Activist Diana Claitor
10-12-2010: Author and Texas Music Historian Jan Reid
10-05-2010: Death Penalty & Mumia Abu-Jamal w/ Joe Dubovy & Akwasi Evans
09-28-2010: Journalist and filmmaker Danny Schechter
09-21-2010: Film actor Sonny Carl Davis
09-14-2010: New Left Leader and Underground Press Editor Jeffrey Nightbyrd
09-07-2010: Journalist, Documentary Photographer & Labor Activist David Bacon
08-31-2010: Underground Press Historian Sean Stewart
08-24-2010: Immigration Attorney Barbara Hines
08-17-2010: Filmmaker Gary Chason
08-10-2010: Satirist and Realist Editor Paul Krassner: Take Two
08-03-2010: Satirist and Realist Editor Paul Krassner: Part One
07-20-2010: Activist Carl Davidson on U.S. Social Forum
07-13-2010: Former Diplomat Col. Ann Wright on Gaza Flotilla & more
06-29-2010: Austin's Rock 'n Roll Art w/Leea Mechling and Henry Gonzalez
06-22-2010: Black Panther Robert King
06-15-2010: World Cup: Bringing the World Together
06-08-2010: Sixties Activist Bill Ayers
05-25-2010: Documentary Photographer Alan Pogue
05-18-2010: New Orleans journalist Jordan Flaherty
05-11-2010: Novelist Marc Estrin
05-04-2010: El Salvador and the Fair Trade Movement
04-27-2010: Music and Political Activism w/Barbara K & Richard Bowden
04-20-2010: Legendary armadillo artist Jim Franklin
04-13-2010: 60s Houston Counterculture w/Sherwood Bishop & Bobby Ray Eakin
03-30-2010: Author and former Yippie Jonah Raskin
03-23-2010: Community Organizer Lisa Fithian
03-16-2010: Anderson Fair: For the Sake of the Song
03-09-2010: Cartoonist and Underground Comix Artist Gilbert Shelton
02-23-2010: Underground Journalist Jim Retherford
02-16-2010: Author and 60s Activist Dick Reavis
02-09-2010: Environmental Landscaper David Mahler
02-02-2010: Talkin' Texas Observer
01-26-2010: Author and Adventurer Tom Miller
01-19-2010: Singer-Songwriter Vince Bell
01-12-2010: Trial Judge, Cherokee Indian and 60s activist Steve Russell
01-05-2010: Arts Advocate and Gay Activist Jeff Jones
12-29-2009: Progressive Organizer Carl Davidson
12-22-2009: Environmental and Peace Activist Alyssa Burgin
12-15-2009: The Politics of Water with Bill Bunch
12-08-2009: Remembering Molly Ivins w/Bill Minutaglio and Kaye Northcott
12-01-2009: Filmmaker Turk Pipkin
11-24-2009: Rock Journalist Margaret Moser
11-17-2009: Economics and the Global Economy
11-10-2009: Journalism Professor Mercedes Lynn de Uriarte
11-03-2009: The Poetry of Mariann Wizard and Larry Piltz
10-27-2009: Transportation, Growth & the Environment
10-20-2009: Criminal Justice, the Death Penalty, and Texas Politics
10-13-2009: Health Care Reform w/Rev. Jim Rigby & Jesse Romero
10-06-2009: Journalist Larry Ray
09-29-2009: The Rag & the Underground Press
Latest Rag Radio Posts [VIEW ALL]
Thorne Dreyer's guest on Rag Radio this Friday will be Dr. Leon McNealy. Dr. McNealy, a radiation oncologist now living in Wisconsin, was heavily involved in the early civil rights movement in Houston and Austin -- including the "stand-ins" and other direct action against segregation in Austin in the early 1960's. McNealy is highly entertaining and a fount of rich and little-known history. Friday, May 6, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Thorne Dreye’s guests on Rag Radio Friday will be musicians Cleve and Sweet Mary Hattersley of Austin’s historic Greezy Wheels. Greezy Wheels was a pioneer in the progressive country genre and served as the unofficial house band at the Armadillo World Headquarters in the '70s. They will discuss Austin music history, the controversy at KUT and the changing face of radio, and will perform live during the show. Friday, 4/29, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thorne Dreyer's guest on Rag Radio this Friday is Austin musician, author, and artist Jesse Sublett. Jesse's pioneering punk band, The Skunks, is in the Austin Music Hall of Fame. Jesse Sublett's 2004 memoir is Never the Same Again: A Rock and Roll Gothic, and his mystery novels feature a bass-playing sleuth named Martin Fender. Jesse will perform during the show. Friday, 4/8, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Legendary satirist, stand-up comic, and political activist Paul Krassner joins Thorne Dreyer Friday on Rag Radio for an April Fool's Special. Krassner, former editor of The Realist and a founder of the Yippies, makes his third appearance on Rag Radio. Also: writer, actor, and filmmaker Turk Pipkin will discuss his documentary Building Hope -- winner of the Lone Star Audience award at SXSW -- that premieres April 6 at the Paramount in Austin. Friday, 4/1, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Acclaimed journalist, author, and rock historian Joe Nick Patoski will be Thorne Dreyer’s guest on Rag Radio this Friday. Patoski has written about Willie Nelson, Selena, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and about Texas geography and nature. He is working on a cultural history of the Dallas Cowboys. The SXSW-related show will include live performance by Hector Saldaña of San Antonio's The Krayolas. Friday, 3/18, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Thorne Dreyer’s guests on Rag Radio Friday will be Martin Duberman and David McReynolds. Duberman, known as the father of gay studies, is a historian and author of the critically-acclaimed book, A Saving Remnant: The Radical Lives of Barbara Deming and David McReynolds. McReynolds, who is openly gay, has been a leader in the pacifist movement for five decades. The former chairman of War Resisters International, McReynolds was twice the Socialist Party’s candidate for president. Friday, 3/25, 2:00 - 3:00 PM.
Tim Hamblin will be Thorne Dreyer's guest on Rag Radio this Friday. Hamblin is the video archivist for the Austin History Center and is the curator of the center's newly opened exhibit, "5X5Y: 25 Years of SXSW Music." Hamblin has worked in the music business in Austin for more than 30 years and is an award-winning music video producer. Friday, 3/11, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thorne Dreyer's guest Friday on Rag Radio is historian John McMillian, author of Smoking Typewriters: The Sixties Underground Press and the Rise of Alternative Media in America. released last month by Oxford University Press. Smoking Typewriters may be the definitive work on the subject, and it highlights the seminal role of The Rag and of Austin's Sixties activist community. McMillian teaches at Georgia State University. Friday, March 4, 3/4, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Thorne Dreyer's guest on Rag Radio will be Rev. Jim Rigby, pastor at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin. Rev. Rigby has been active in the fight for peace and social justice, for human rights, women's reproductive rights, gay rights, and other progressive issues. We will discuss those issues, and the larger question of spirituality and social conscience. Friday, 2/25, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thorne Dreyer's guest Friday on Rag Radio will be Austin sculptor and social activist Barry George. George, who founded Bikes not Bombs, a project that collected bikes and sent them to Nicaragua, will discuss the role of the artist in society. Barry also recently visited Palestine, where he met with a number of people active in the struggle there, and he will share some of their stories. Friday, 2/18, 2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m.