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World music DJ Betto Arcos grew up in the Mexican state of Veracruz, where he learned a homegrown brand of Christmas music. He introduces NPR's Arun Rath to a few of those songs by bringing a four-piece band into the studio.

Johnny Hiland grew up in rural Maine, where he quickly established himself as a guitar prodigy and toured with the family band. He has recorded with Ricky Scaggs, Toby Keith and Randy Travis... and now he has his own solo CD, showing off his mastery of the Fender Telecaster.

British musician Jarvis Cocker founded the band Pulp at age 15; he made international headlines in 1996, when he stormed the stage in protest at a Michael Jackson concert at the BRIT awards in London. Lately he's been reunited with his father, who left the family when he was a child, denounced American Idol-style TV talent shows, and released a solo album, called simply Jarvis.

Dick Dale is the man known as "the King of the Surf Guitar." He launched surf rock in 1960 with his band, the Deltones. Four of Dale's early albums are being re-released by Sundazed Music: King of the Surf Guitar, Checkered Flag, Mr. Eliminator and Summer Surf.

Neko Case grew up in Tacoma, Wash., attended art school in Vancouver and performs and records with the Canadian pop-rock band The New Pornographers. As a solo artist, her music has often tended to be more influenced by country and folk music. Her new CD, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, is her fourth studio album. Our music critic says it contains some of her most complex and beautiful music to date.

The Omaha rockers use an odd mix of instruments: flute, glockenspiel, cello, bells — and tap shoes for percussion. Band members Jamie Williams and Derek Pressnal discuss the CD Wild Like Children.

The music of the Asylum Street Spankers hails from the early 20th century, but many of their lyrics are modern enough to be too naughty for NPR. Key players Christina Marrs and Wammo tell Jacki Lyden about their "postmodern jug band."

Jay Farrar has been in two bands — Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt — popular for mixing rock and country music. Now Jay Farrar has a solo recording that continues to explore the alternative country sound. Reviewer Meredith Ochs says the new CD, Sebastopol, combines some rock music studio tricks with lyrics that take a microscope to the roadsides of America. (4:30) The CD is Sebastopol by Jay Farrar, on Artemis Records. See http://www.artemisrecords.com and http://www.jayfarrar.net.

Singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson may only have one CD to his name, but the Thompson name has been a major force in folk music since the 1960s. Teddy's father, Richard, formed the seminal folk rock band Fairport Convention, then later paired with Teddy's mother, Linda, to record six acclaimed albums. The pair divorced shortly after recording their last record, which eerily previewed the breakup. Teddy Thompson was just 7 at the time; he talks with Frank about his debut CD, the inspiration behind the music, and the effects of growing up in the English folk tradition.

Roger Miller is a musical legend. No, we're not talking about Mr. "King of the Road." This is the Roger Miller who fronted the early '80's Boston band, Mission of Burma. Today, this Roger Miller is best-known for his work with the silent film ensemble, Alloy Orchestra. But he's also a composer who creates challenging music for his current duo with drummer Larry Dersch. They call their group, Binary System. Sean Cole, of member station WBUR, reports.The new recording by Binary System is called, Invention Box.It's on Atavistic Records, catalog # ALP 127 CD.