This week, Scott, Karl, and Trent discuss George Gershwin, the celebrated American composer of Rhapsody in Blue, the opera Porgy and Bess, the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Of Thee I Sing, and hundreds more songs that continue to be radiant examples of the Great American Songbook. Gershwin's compositional career began as a song plugger in Tin Pan Alley, progressed through the theatres of Broadway and the concert halls throughout the U.S., ending far too early in the starry heights of Hollywood's glory years in 1937. Karl says, "There’s a myth about Gershwin that he’s this untutored, unschooled rube who comes on the scene and then attempts to make classical music," which couldn't be further from the truth.  With his Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin brings two competing genres of music together, creating something that lived in a world between jazz and classical. Trent believes this guy is the greatest melodist he has ever heard. Do you agree? Tune in for more music and ideas, brought to you by onlinegreatbooks.com.