Around the Nation Roundup

_Here are some of this week's arts and culture headlines from public broadcasters around the nation:_ - Tonight, on American Masters, a look at the life of "Merle Haggard":http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/merle-haggard/learning-to-live-with-myself/1545/, who went from ne'er-do-well to country music star. Once a young inmate at San Quentin prison, Haggard says his life changed the day Johnny Cash made his famous performance. **Here's a preview:**

Watch the full episode. See more American Masters.

- Former Secretary of State (and accomplished classical pianist) Condoleezza Rice will back up reigning Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at a performance in Philadelphia next week, "according to":http://whyy.org/cms/news/arts-entertainment-sports/2010/07/20/%E2%80%98condi%E2%80%99-rice-and-aretha-franklin-will-be-an-unusual-duo-at-the-mann/42287 WHYY in Philadelphia. - Iowa Public Radio "looks at":http://iowapublicradio.org/single_story.php?storyid=1009 how a planned development of artists lofts in Council Bluffs is part of a larger city plan to stimulate the economy. - WCPN in Cleveland "honored Harvey Pekar":http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/an/31411/, who passed away last week, with remembrances and old Pekar interviews. - In case you missed the live web-stream on June 23, you can watch the full video from a special Art:21 discussion about contemporary performance arts called "'The Past Perfect'":http://www.art21.org/thepresentperfect/, featuring artists Laurie Simmons and Oliver Herring, and hosted by our very own Robert MacNeil:

Watch the full episode. See more ART:21.