Alt-country and Americana trailblazer Joe Ely passed away on Monday of pneumonia, brought on by his struggle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's disease. He was 78.

Alt-country-folk troubadour Todd Snider died last month after a reported bout of pneumonia. The Oregon-born, East Nashville–based, often satirical singer-songwriter had been in the news not long before his death for allegedly being assaulted in Salt Lake City and for later making threats against medical staff after resisting discharge from a hospital there.Following his death, however, numerous musicians paid tribute to Snider for his kindness and mentorship, and fans recalled his hilarious and tender songs as well as his signature self-effacing, comical stage banter. In this edition of What Mike Olson’s Playing, learn why Todd Snider is a mainstay on Prairie Public’s Into the Music program.

Raul Malo, lead singer, songwriter and frontman of Latin-infused country rockers The Mavericks, is battling Stage 4 cancer, and recently had to leave in the midst of a tour for more treatment. His commanding pipes and larger-than-life presence has electrified crowds around the world, including here in North Dakota where Mike Olson was amazed by a show at the Chester Fritz in Grand Forks in the 1990's. At the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville December 5h and 6h, an all-star group of friends, including Marty Stuart, JD McPherson, Jimmy Vaughan and more, will back up The Mavericks for a tribute concert to Raul. You can hear The Mavericks catalogue on Into the Music with Mike Olson, weekdays 9-1am and and from noon-6pm.

Two Grammy Award-winning musicians team up for a sparse but richly rewarding listen on the new album Life and Time.Mike Reid, who once chased quarterbacks for a living and is known for writing a string of Nashville hits and Joe Henry, a gifted songwriter (he wrote Madonna's "Don't Tell Me") and producer who took home gold for helming a record by soul-blues great Solomon Burke, keep things on the downtempo.But as you'll hear in this artist spotlight, there's excitement in the little moments.

We give you a taste at some of the music Mike Olson is playing, whether it's a new song or album or a spotlight on a heritage artist. Get to know what Mike is into!