tavis: good evening. from los angeles, i am tavis smiley. tonight a conversation with ken cook at the forefront of policy debate about how to protect our water and food supplies. in a conversation with the earlion -- musician klugh. we are glad you joined us. ♪

>> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. tavis: ken cook is one of those applauding the groundbreaking .tmo labeling when it comes to our food supply he has taken a strong stand against the extension of the farm bill, which continues to provide millions in farm

subsidies to big aqua cutting food to local families. you just saw me talk to governor mark -- vermont governor. what is your take on this is --t nation is check mark legislation? we have had victories in connecticut and maine. those are contingent on other surrounding states taking action. this is a freestanding bill. vermont wilbert wire food has to be -- will require food has be labeled if it is genetically on the ballots box in california and washington state. he built momentum, and weirs

eating it day off. -- and are watching it a off. it these are being made level?state or local theuch is being done at local level. so little is done in washington. what do you make of that? why are we not seeing world leadership on this issue in washington? >> in this issue because our political system has been bought and paid for by companies that have an interest in keeping us in the dark. companies who want to use array whatever they want on crops or plants.lly engineered politicians often are in the thrall of these companies and their in their debt. we don't

have any way to raise $40 million to fight this battle. that's what they sent to california to be the ballot measure. in washington it is hundreds of lobbyists, millions in campaign contributions. i think the breakthrough is because we have made this the kitchen table discussion about food. about time. we are now seeing people are saying what is up he is to most of us. we just want to know what is in our food. we want to take some of the power in our own hands because we no longer believe washington is looking out are us . we think washington is looking out for these corporations that hold such sway. these it's possible for companies -- the food manufacturing industry -- it is

possible they can win this fight in the court system. i don't take probable. billre going to find this tomorrow, and you are going to the next day. lacks even that afternoon. able tohey might be prevail in the court system, but they are going to lose this battle in the court of public opinion. let me ask you to do a 180. if you are the chief marketing office or, if you are in charge of public relations or one of and we're about to see they are on the wrong side of this issue and they are saying you don't need a label, a few years or months down the road, how does that make you look to your client when we see

how you played your cards? >> it's a loser. they are trying to turn back the the to find out how all food is produced, what is in it. that is the most endemic part of the food -- dynamic heart of the food industry. what art is growing by leaps and bounds? organic. tavis: wi-fi that if you can see where the tide is turning -- why thet if you can see where tide is turning? >> i think some of these companies are having second box. -- second. a begin to understand they are given bad advice. they are carrying water from pesticide companies which no company wants to do. they have in fighting to maintain control.

tellwant to be able to what they want consumers to know. this is a threatening situation to have consumers revolting at the ballot box and to say, we have a different idea about what our right are and we want to be able to exercise them. if you are on the other side, we will fight you. money why invest all that now and in a few years end up losing and bankrupt yourself? aren't of these experts good at marketing in my opinion. tavis: it seems like a no-brainer to me. >> we feel the same way. we see it every day from the people who sign up for this campaign, voting with their support for the companies fighting on their side, and you see it in the groceries are. if you talk to the retail grocery store they will tell you the hottest items are marked

non-in geo and organic -- non-ngo and organic. we lost in california. we got about 48% of the vote after industries sent $40 million to kill a right to know and initiative. if you are in business 48% market share losses not a good egg. you may have won the election, but you lost a lot of market share. theyalk about a topic don't want to be talking about. tavis: let me switch lightly. ctic whenke -- apople this past. one was because what was in it. and the damage it is doing to poor people, but i also lost it because with all due respect to

upset with, i was her. i was upset with her barack obama. i am upset with all these emma who signed off on this. i understand what their reasons lookfor doing it, if you at what it does in favor of a bill that gives subsidies to big agg, i don't get that. i was mad then. i am so mad now. view with that was all about? >> we were mad from the get-go, too. we are an environmental organization, and we worry about toxic chemicals and pesticides, but when it comes to the farm hill, we found it impossible to kids havee worried enough iie. that is what the food stamp debate was about. our priority was to protect the

food stamp because half the beneficiaries are kids. there are a huge number of seniors and other people who have been down on their luck, people with its abilities. -- with disabilities. to take money from them and shower it on the egg is farm operations in the country was just wrong. -- on the biggest farm operations in the country was just wrong. we never seem to have enough time to come up with the right solution. the right solution would have been to cut from the crop subsidies and invest in the environment and families that need help. that is a no-brainer. we were disappointed. the senator has and a champion of many things and even in that farm bill it would have been a mess without her. we are grateful for that and we also feel like we need to stand

up and say this is no time with 47 million americans and the program. this is no time to cut a penny from it. the benefits are so modest and means testing so brutal. if you are a family of three and you make more than $45,000 a year you are too rich to qualify. we are talking about very tough testing for people who often just because a factory closed down or job moved to another state they have no option but to in state. we ought not to take the budget allen sing act out on them. >> -- balancing act out on them. tavis: you made the point we always seem to lose when the farm bill goes up. .hey always win everyday people always lose even though we know it point to come

up for renewal five, evan years down the road. -- seven years down the road. toi think it is important change the politics. we saw a lot of democrats vote bill.t the farm they were supported by people who said, register your opposition. don't vote it over the finish line so overwhelmingly. it was a close vote. they fail to pass the bill last them are in the house of representatives for the first time in memory. i worked on nine farm hills. that was the first time it because i'm a crap said the cuts were 2-d. when it came to getting to the finish line there were so many problems built in that if you don't extend the farm bill and renew it you cause bigger problems. some democrats felt

that pressure. a lot of them voted against it. a number of republicans voted against it. they felt it was too generous. we have got to hope leaders in the house and then it will return to an understanding that we help people in this country when they need it and we are not going to continue to tip things forhe direction of big farm the sake of buying some vote. tavis: i think this train has left the station. the right to know what is in our food and a lot of things emma that train has left the station. a lot of people are getting slammed. thanks for coming on. he started recording at the age

of 15. and then he got 13 nominations. is going close, earl to demonstrate his exceptional musicianship with the ."rformance of "alfie i can't wait for that. i am honored to have you. >> it's a joy to be here. 15, did you have any other choice? was there anything else you wanted to do in detroit? started on piano. my mom wanted me and my brother to take up some warm of music. -- some form of music. it's that with me. -- stuck with me. tavis: why was it so important that music be integral to the lives of you and your brother?

dad died when i was 15. he had lung cancer. my mom was a registered nurse. i figured i have to find something to do. i started laying in the clubs in detroit. that was the musical time. i grew up with all the detroit s in almost all of us got lucky enough to have careers in together overk all the years. it was a special time. we treated it like a profession. we were good kids. tavis: the instrument you play

and the sound you get out of it one wouldn't immediately matched to motown. i say that with no disrespect. you think great artist but not motown. how did you end up perfect in -- kind of songs filing stylings? >> that's an interesting question. i have to create my own voice on -- my ownman. i gravitated to the nylon string guitar. guys -- ray and

a couple of my friends said, you have got to plug in. i am like, i think i think i'm going to keep going. this is going to be just right. tavis: they mean electric? >> yes. i met george benson. he would play at the club in detroit. he would come in and play for heht -- for night, and then would go to another city. in got all your instrument the back and are going from city to city. mentor anda great taught me a lot of things and really was a true mentor to me because there were things in my life. i called him like, what do you he was like the daddy i

didn't have a that time. i am forever told because he had kids, too. it worked out really great. next door just a great guy. that's great he spent so much time nurturing you as you did have a father who died. artistically as well, not just in terms -- tell me about this ew project. what is this one? >> this is almost all solo. but i have some interesting the album,h me on and it kind of goes out of genre . vince gill is on one. player.se ukulele

he is the one who did this thing in central park. s. had over 10 million hit it's very in. i called up whoever was available. was so happy because we were able to get everyone. you had good collaborations, but a good part of this was solo. what is the joy for you -- you are not 15. what is the joy for you in doing the solo thing? fax it is liberating. i enjoy making the music and plotting out improv is a should improvisation.

it takes me back to my beginning. i have done a couple of albums , and i figured, i am going to do something a little bit different, put a couple people on it. it worked out are a wealth. tavis: what do you make all these years later, what do you make of how good this guitar has been to you over the years? >> it has been like a friend. truly. instrument.with my when i go on vacation, whenever. it has carried me through. tavis: you still practice? play three or four hours a day anyway. like toth that, what i

do a lot of times with my instrument, i was a fair piano player, so i started getting the idea, maybe there is only six strings, but maybe i can emulate so i can of the piano, play club or's. i said, i can probably do this on guitar, t oo, in some way. tavis: easier for you to write on the guitar or the pierno? but they are both equal. for me they are both equal. earl klugh. i can do either one. he is a bad man. as new project is called "handpicked." i love this. the sound he gets is music after

all these years. and the moment he is going to perform "alfie," which is a great classic. you may have a renewed appreciation for it, so don't go away. let me now say good night. take you for watching, and keep the faith. klughgo away because earl is going to play in just a moment. ♪

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>> for more information on today's show, visit tavis smiley at pbs.org. tavis: hi, i'm tavis smiley. join me next time for a conversation with historian and tatiana maslany. that's next time. we will see you then. ♪ >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you.

>> be more. pbs. >> be more. pbs. ♪ pbs. ♪

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