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Getting broadband access can be a major challenge in rural areas. In one community in West Virginia, volunteers have set up a wireless network that serves local residents and businesses who otherwise would struggle with much slower dialup service.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) made a musical splash Memorial Day weekend in a performance with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra; it was later posted in a video clip on YouTube. Alexander performed a few tunes at the piano in NPR's Studio 4A.

The great soul singer recorded his new album, Lay It Down, with some of today's biggest R&B artists and hip-hop producers. But he says the music is still about "love, love, love."

Brooks officially retired in 2001 to raise his three daughters. That retirement ends Friday night in Las Vegas, courtesy of a new business deal with Steve Wynn's Encore Hotel. Brooks' extended run is the first of any kind for a country musician in Las Vegas.

Drummer Mick Fleetwood explores the resurgence of blues in America, thanks to an ongoing interest in British blues-rock bands like The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac — which is touring again after a five-year hiatus. Fleetwood says he hopes to bring the group back to its blues roots.

Last spring on its MySpace page, the Brooklyn experimental rock band Parts & Labor asked fans to send sound samples to put on the group's new album. Parts & Labor used every single one, often blurring the line between instruments and samples.

With an exotic fiddle, a viola, a classical guitar and a drum kit, the quartet called QQQ creates something like Appalachian folk music — albeit filtered through Brooklyn experimentalism and rural Norwegian flavor. The band plays a special session in Studio 4A.

Faithfull's latest album, Easy Come, Easy Go, covers more ground than ever before. The veteran singer interprets songs by Randy Newman, The Decemberists, Dolly Parton and many others. To her, recording a cover is more about expressing the song than trying to emulate the original.

Do Swedish people feed their children's friends when they come over to play and stay until mealtime? We seek guidance on a social media rumor.

The band formed in 1997 and quickly gained attention in its adopted hometown of Austin, Texas. On a new album, its members honor their idol Bob Wills, "The King of Western Swing."