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From January 27, 2005...

Do you have a passion in life? What would you be willing to sacrifice to follow that passion? Van Gogh gave up a life of privilege to paint. By the end he was destitute, relying on his brother Theo for support. I'm Greg Bass and on this week's Tapestry, art at what cost?

Tonight, we hear from an artist who grew up dirt-poor in Birmingham and Anniston.. but went to incredible lengths to make art. She documents her story in a new book. Also, a woman who the New York Times describes as ?one of the finest conductors of her generation." A conversation with Joann Falletta.

More of that interview on tonight's show, but first a wrap-up of arts news. Here's Tanya Ott.

Tonight marks the re-birth of an awards ceremony honoring those who help make Birmingham?s performing arts shine. While The Mayor's Arts Awards may not carry the cachet or glitter of the Oscars, Emmys, or Tonys?they offer an opportunity for Birmingham?s performing community to say "thank you" to individuals and corporations that have helped assure a bright future for theatre, dance, and music in The Magic City. Reporter Frank Thompson has details.

The awards ceremony at the Harbert Center in Downtown Birmingham kicks off in about 20 minutes.

In 1996, Barbara Robinette Moss' personal essay "Near the Center of the Earth" won the gold medal in the William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition. The essay became the first chapter in her memoir, Change Me into Zeus's Daughter, which won the 2002 Alabama Author Award for nonfiction. But the award winning is all the more remarkable when you consider what Moss had to go through to become an author. She grew up poor and abused -- jumping from town to town in central Alabama. She writes about the experience in her new book, "Fierce". Barbara Robinette Moss tells WBHM's Tanya Ott that "Fierce" was a quest to reinvent her life.

Barbara Robinette Moss, talking with WBHM's Tanya Ott. Her new book Fierce is published by Scribner.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra's Masterworks series resumes this weekend with JoAnn Falletta at the baton. Falletta is the seventh guest conductor this season. She sat down with WBHM's Michael Krall for a chat.

The ASO's Masterworks series resume this weekend with concerts Friday and Saturday night at the Alys Stephens Center.

Birmingham musician Jason Bailey recently released his first solo recording. If you go the store to buy it you'd find it under Bluegrass, but Bailey says the category doesn't quite fit. It's an all original CD of acoustic music with influences from bluegrass, celtic, classical and jazz -- and the instruments are just as diverse. There's the traditional Greek instrument called the bouzouki. Also, the dobro, the guitar, and of course, the mandolin.

The CD is "Southwood" and this cut is "Hog Waller Holler". We've got more of Jason Bailey's music available for download on our website, wbhm.org.

Tapestry is produced by Tanya Ott and Michael Krall. Hunter Bell handles our music and Brian Creel, Brad Robinson, and Ali Boudhani collaborate on the community calendar. Additional reporting this week from Frank Thompson. I'm Greg Bass and this is Tapestry. Thanks for joining us!