The iconic Canadian singer-songwriter (pictured) has passed away at the age of 84. But Willie Nelson is going strong at 90, albeit "California Sober," and he celebrated with a star-studded birthday concert last weekend in L.A.. Doc Watson would have been 100 in March, so a new tribute album -- I Am a Pilgrim -- has appeared. And Brother Bill digs into traditional and not-so-traditional renditions of British ballads.

To get his Davis business Watermelon Music through the dislocations caused by the pandemic, Jeff Simons took on debt, delayed payments, tried new ideas — and three years in, the numbers weren’t working in his favor.

So in April he opened a GoFundMe account to ask his customers and friends for $104,000 to pay the debt. He didn’t think he’d get anywhere close to that amount. Instead, as word spread quickly that Watermelon needed help, the business experienced a moment like the end of It’s a Wonderful Life. About 900 donors chipped in sums from $6 to $10,000, testifying to Watermelon’s positive presence in Davis and the many people who appreciate the store.

Jeff is our guest on Davisville today to talk about the response, working through the pandemic, changes at Watermelon, music, operating in Davis, and what convinced him to actually send his request for help, not just think about it.

Today we talk about some favorite flowers, spider mites vs. spiders, earthworms, manzanita trees, stinky cole crops, and more.

A musician who popularized calypso in the 1950s, Harry Belafonte -- who died yesterday at 96 -- was so much more. He was a renowned activist for civil rights, as well as social and political justice. Above all, Harry Belafonte was a great American.