Angela Carone

The Oxford American's 11th Annual Southern Music Issue is now available in stores and online. It comes with two CDs, one of Southern Masters and one featuring the music of Arkansas, the first in the magazine's new southern states series. For the last three years I've produced a show based on this issue and every year I'm stunned at how much good music is out there.

Sesame Street's lovable red monster Elmo was in the These Days studio today and we've got the proof!

Every year, the quarterly magazine The Oxford American produces a Southern Music Issue. The editors and writers do their best to find the most interesting music from history and contemporary southern culture. This includes the forgotten acts, the talented studio musicians who never made it big, the colorful street musicians, and the one-off gems in the genres that flourish in the south: country, blues, soul, gospel, funk and rockabilly. We'll talk with the editor of The Oxford American about this year's Southern Music Issue, which includes a CD devoted to the music of Arkansas, the first in their new southern state series.

This week, the five-piece, indie-classical band Build performed in our studios for a These Days show. They went on to play The Loft on Wednesday night. If you missed them, we have some performance footage you may want to check out.

Before you know it, you'll be up to your nose in wrapping paper and gift tags. To help you get a jump on the season's shopping, take a gander at our suggestions. We've kept your pocketbook in mind while hopefully leading you to the just-right, inspired gift.

The holidays always bring some yuletide warhorses to the stage along with some exciting new fare. We'll find out what San Diego theaters are offering in December and start off with some tips for this weekend's December Nights.