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Chris Thile on Receiving the MacArthur Genius Award and Future Plans

Marcelo Teson, Wikimedia Commons

Mandolinist, former Murray resident, and Murray State Student, Chris Thile, known for his work in Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, was among those awarded 2012 "genius" grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The 23 fellows will receive $500,000 over the next five years to continue their work or change fields. Tracy Ross spoke with Chris Thile about receiving the award and his plans for the future.

Tracy started working for WKMS in 1994 while attending Murray State University. After receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees from MSU he was hired as Operations/Web/Sports Director in 2000. Tracy hosted All Things Considered from 2004-2012 and has served as host/producer of several music shows including Cafe Jazz, and Jazz Horizons. In 2001, Tracy revived Beyond The Edge, a legacy alternative music program that had been on hiatus for several years. Tracy was named Program Director in 2011 and created the midday music and conversation program Sounds Good in 2012 which he hosts Monday-Thursday. Tracy lives in Murray with his wife, son and daughter.
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