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New project puts a spotlight on music created in American prisons
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New project puts a spotlight on music created in American prisons

NPR·Justin Kramon·about 1 month ago
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A new project highlights music recorded in american prisons - some of it surprisingly light and catchy. MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: A journalism organization that reports on American prisons has launched a different kind of series. The Marshall Project sends out one song each week performed by an incarcerated person. Reporter Justin Kramon has more. JUSTIN KRAMON: One day in 2014, Marshall Project staff writer Maurice Chammah was surfing eBay when he found a listing for a record. MAURICE CHAMMAH: And it said on the eBay page that this was music that was recorded by men who were incarcerated in Texas back in the '70s. KRAMON: The performance was part of an annual prison rodeo, where incarcerated people competed and provided comedy and music. When he got the record, he put on a track called "That Huntsville Rodeo." (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "THAT HUNTSVILLE RODEO") THE WYNNE UNIT BAND: (Singing) When the purple morning glories start to bloom in all around, I know it's time to head for Huntsville town.…

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