J.J. CALE

By Liane Hansen

Published June 13, 2004 at 12:00 AM EDT

The southern guitar shuffle of J.J. Cale has been mimicked by some of the most successful acts in rock 'n' roll history - like Eric Clapton and Dire Straits - yet Cale himself has remained a recording artist on the fringe of the music industry. His latest CD is called "To Tulsa and Back," and it marks his return to the studio after eight years. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Cale about his songwriting accomplishments and why he returned to his hometown of Tusla, Oklahoma, to record his new release. (9:41)

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Liane Hansen

Liane Hansen has been the host of NPR's award-winning Weekend Edition Sunday for 20 years. She brings to her position an extensive background in broadcast journalism, including work as a radio producer, reporter, and on-air host at both the local and national level. The program has covered such breaking news stories as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the capture of Saddam Hussein, the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the Columbia shuttle tragedy. In 2004, Liane was granted an exclusive interview with former weapons inspector David Kay prior to his report on the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The show also won the James Beard award for best radio program on food for a report on SPAM.