In an edition with a definite Western Kentucky slant, we first meet coffin artisan Roy Davis, owner of Bert and Bud’s Vintage Coffins in Murray. Roy builds custom wooden coffins by hand for Civil War re-enactors, living history enthusiasts, artists, and anyone else who longs for a distinctive, personalized way to go to that final resting place.

Next up is Bowling Green artist Delaire Rowe Finley, whose paintings, drawings, and prints have been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. Delaire’s subject matter comes from direct observation, but the final pieces often end up in abstraction.

While out west, we also stop in Paducah to see its brand-new, state-of-the-art performing arts facility, the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center.

Throughout the program, singers from Music Theatre Louisville perform excerpts from the company’s upcoming summer season, which marks its return to the newly renovated Iroquois Amphitheater. New Executive Director Steven Jones talks with Mel about the season and about how he’s settling in to the job, which he took over in January 2004.