CBH Talk | Frank Barry and Morgan Pehme Discuss “Back Roads and Better Angels.” Special Musical Guest Xavier Cardriche.
In his new book, Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy, Frank Barry gives a captivating, unvarnished, and deeply thoughtful account of his road trip across America, sharing his on the ground, first hand observations about the tensions that pull us apart and the bands that hold us together. Setting out in a Winnebago in 2020, Barry travels the Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first transcontinental route, stopping at towns and cities along the way; talking, observing, and as he puts it, “listening more, judging less, and recognizing more of ourselves in one another.” Join him in conversation with journalist and documentary filmmaker Morgan Pehme for this view into the heart of our history and the soul of our country, with special musical guest Xavier Cardriche.
Participants
Frank Barry is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and member of the editorial board covering national affairs. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy. He served as chief speechwriter on the Bloomberg 2020 presidential campaign after having been director of speechwriting for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in City Hall, where he also helped create a variety of government and election reform initiatives. He is also the author of The Scandal of Reform: The Grand Failures of New York's Political Crusaders and the Death of Nonpartisanship. He received degrees from the University of Notre Dame and New York University.
Morgan Pehme is an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker. He directed and produced Netflix's Get Me Roger Stone and the Slumlord Millionaire episode of Dirty Money; HBO's The Swamp; and the two-part Discovery+ series The Men Who Sold The World Cup. An expert in American and New York politics, he has been a political analyst for PIX11 for the past decade and previously served as editor-in-chief of City & State magazine, where he won several New York Press Association Awards. He has written for publications including The New York Times, New York Daily News, Daily Beast, and The Washington Post, and appeared as a guest on programs such as NBC's Today, The View, Anderson Cooper 360, and NPR’s Fresh Air.
Special Musical Guest
Xavier Cardriche is a multifaceted performer - spanning film, theater and music. Born and raised in New York to a schoolteacher and truck-driver, Xavier began exploring music through his family, friends, and the all-pervading sounds of the radio. Accompanying his father on lengthy U.S. road trips, Xavier was captivated by the music that emerged from the different lifestyles and subcultures of the communities they visited.
As a young adult, Xavier began playing acoustic guitar at social-gatherings and would often adapt short stories into songs. These songs evolved into the tracks which later became the vital material for his albums. He recently released BE MY VOICE, his fourth album and first live recording of original material.
The coupling of his Alt-Country/Folk sound with visually detailed stories is accomplished in the spirit of early folk artists such as Richie Havens, Bill Withers, and Donovan. With an attentive affection for lyrics, Xavier often uses narrative detail to establish a foundation for a song, as well as to root the energy of his live performances.
Xavier performs locally and internationally, both solo and with his band. He is honored to celebrate Frank Barry’s Back Roads and Better Angels.
In his new book, Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy, Frank Barry gives a captivating, unvarnished, and deeply thoughtful account of his road trip across America, sharing his on the ground, first hand observations about the tensions that pull us apart and the bands that hold us together. Setting out in a Winnebago in 2020, Barry travels the Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first transcontinental route, stopping at towns and cities along the way; talking, observing, and as he puts it, “listening more, judging less, and recognizing more of ourselves in one another.” Join him in conversation with journalist and documentary filmmaker Morgan Pehme for this view into the heart of our history and the soul of our country, with special musical guest Xavier Cardriche.
Participants
Frank Barry is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and member of the editorial board covering national affairs. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy. He served as chief speechwriter on the Bloomberg 2020 presidential campaign after having been director of speechwriting for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in City Hall, where he also helped create a variety of government and election reform initiatives. He is also the author of The Scandal of Reform: The Grand Failures of New York's Political Crusaders and the Death of Nonpartisanship. He received degrees from the University of Notre Dame and New York University.
Morgan Pehme is an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker. He directed and produced Netflix's Get Me Roger Stone and the Slumlord Millionaire episode of Dirty Money; HBO's The Swamp; and the two-part Discovery+ series The Men Who Sold The World Cup. An expert in American and New York politics, he has been a political analyst for PIX11 for the past decade and previously served as editor-in-chief of City & State magazine, where he won several New York Press Association Awards. He has written for publications including The New York Times, New York Daily News, Daily Beast, and The Washington Post, and appeared as a guest on programs such as NBC's Today, The View, Anderson Cooper 360, and NPR’s Fresh Air.
Special Musical Guest
Xavier Cardriche is a multifaceted performer - spanning film, theater and music. Born and raised in New York to a schoolteacher and truck-driver, Xavier began exploring music through his family, friends, and the all-pervading sounds of the radio. Accompanying his father on lengthy U.S. road trips, Xavier was captivated by the music that emerged from the different lifestyles and subcultures of the communities they visited.
As a young adult, Xavier began playing acoustic guitar at social-gatherings and would often adapt short stories into songs. These songs evolved into the tracks which later became the vital material for his albums. He recently released BE MY VOICE, his fourth album and first live recording of original material.
The coupling of his Alt-Country/Folk sound with visually detailed stories is accomplished in the spirit of early folk artists such as Richie Havens, Bill Withers, and Donovan. With an attentive affection for lyrics, Xavier often uses narrative detail to establish a foundation for a song, as well as to root the energy of his live performances.
Xavier performs locally and internationally, both solo and with his band. He is honored to celebrate Frank Barry’s Back Roads and Better Angels.
Brooklyn Public Library - Center for Brooklyn History MM/DD/YYYY 60