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Melissa Gray Melissa Gray is a senior producer for Weekend Edition.
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Melissa Gray

Melissa Gray

Senior Producer, Weekend Edition

Melissa Gray is a senior producer for Weekend Edition.

She got her start in public radio at WUGA in Athens, Georgia. Since joining NPR in 1999, she's written, produced, reported and edited thousands of stories and interviews. She's also directed all of the news magazines at one time or another.

Gray is known for her enthusiasm, wit and curiosity. She's especially proud of the Weekend Edition series "Outbreak Voices," which featured everyday Americans sharing their experiences during the first 2 years of the pandemic.

An avid reader, she contributes unfailingly to "Books We Love," and is also the author of "All Cakes Considered," a cookbook documenting the various experiments she conducted on the non-complaining staff of NPR's flagship news magazine.

Story Archive

Sunday

Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well'
Illustrations © 2024 Jess Hannigan

Author Interviews

Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well'

There's trouble in the town of Bad Göodsburg! A wishing well has stopped working! NPR's Tamara Keith talks with Jess Hannigan about her new children's book, "Spider in the Well."

Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well'

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Saturday

Books

From 'Magnum, P.I.' to dancing with royalty, Tom Selleck shares his journey in new memoir

Tom Selleck became a TV star in the 1980s as the Hawaii-based detective of "Magnum, P.I." He talks with NPR's Scott Simon about what it took to get there and his new memoir, "You Never Know."

From 'Magnum, P.I.' to dancing with royalty, Tom Selleck shares his journey in new memoir

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Sunday

Books

GennaRose Nethercott on her short story collection 'Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart'

NPR's Elissa Nadworny talks with GennaRose Nethercott about the power of folklore and her collection of strange and fantastic short stories, "Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart."

GennaRose Nethercott on her short story collection 'Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart'

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Sunday

Books

NPR staffers share their favorite memoirs from the 2023 Books We Love list

We have five biography and memoir suggestions from NPR's Books We Love: "Spare," "Congratulations! The Best is Over," "Sunshine," "Thicker Than Water," and "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult."

NPR staffers share their favorite memoirs from the 2023 Books We Love list

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Saturday

'It's freedom': Cher on singing, her mother and her first holiday album, 'Christmas'

Cher's once again trying something new: a Christmas album. An Le/Warner Records hide caption

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An Le/Warner Records

Music Interviews

'It's freedom': Cher on singing, her mother and her first holiday album, 'Christmas'

A first in a career spanning six decades: Cher has a Christmas album. She talked with NPR about her mother, her experience working with Stevie Wonder, and the time she hopped a freight train at age 9.

'It's freedom': Cher on singing, her mother and her first holiday album, 'Christmas'

Listen · 11:41
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Sunday

Author Interviews

Rachel Harrison on her new horror novel 'Black Sheep'

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Rachel Harrison about her new horror novel, "Black Sheep," which asks what must be sacrificed in order to go home again.

Rachel Harrison on her new horror novel 'Black Sheep'

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Sunday

Books

Stephen Buoro on his comic novel 'The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa'

A Nigerian teen obsessed with the West comes of age in a dangerous country. NPR's Camila Domonoske talks with Stephen Buoro about his comic novel, "The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa."

Stephen Buoro on his comic novel 'The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa'

Listen · 7:50
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Sunday

Books

NPR staff recommend the fiction books we love

NPR staff recommend four novels from our Books We Love list: "A Merry Little Meet Cute," "The Complicated Calculus (and Cows) of Carl Paulsen," "The Devil Takes You Home," and "Lapvona."

NPR staff recommend the fiction books we love

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Sunday

Janelle Monáe's 'Dirty Computer' comes alive in a new collection of stories

In a new sci-fi book, musician Janelle Monáe expands on themes from her Grammy-nominated album Dirty Computer to tell stories about a community of individuals whose identities are being erased. Jheyda McGarrell hide caption

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Jheyda McGarrell

Music Interviews

Janelle Monáe's 'Dirty Computer' comes alive in a new collection of stories

The artist builds on the Afrofuturistic world from her 2018 album in a new short story collection titled The Memory Librarian. She tells NPR about her nightmare that inspired the project.

Janelle Monáe's 'Dirty Computer' comes alive in a new collection of stories

Listen · 8:00
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Saturday

18 can mean an abrupt exit from foster care. For some, it's no longer a solo journey

Taryn LaMaison (right) has worked with Brandon Waldrop, 21, for three years through the LifeSet program, which helps young people transition out of foster care and into adulthood. Debbie Elliott/NPR hide caption

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Debbie Elliott/NPR

National

18 can mean an abrupt exit from foster care. For some, it's no longer a solo journey

Every year, roughly 20,000 young people turn 18 in foster care and venture out on their own. It can be a critical moment of transition, where success is far from a guarantee.

18 can mean an abrupt exit from foster care. For some, it's no longer a solo journey

Listen · 10:14
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Tuesday

Famed author Jodi Picoult novelizes the pandemic in new book 'Wish You Were Here'

Wish You Were Here, by Jodi Picoult Ballantine Books hide caption

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Ballantine Books

Books

Famed author Jodi Picoult novelizes the pandemic in new book 'Wish You Were Here'

Picoult's pandemic-inspired story focusing on a character stranded in the Galápagos Islands highlights how events can change us — and offer perspective.

Famed author Jodi Picoult novelizes the pandemic in new book 'Wish You Were Here'

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Monday

As they elect a governor, Virginia voters show how all politics have become national

In Virginia's race for governor, Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin has rallied voters around national cultural divisions playing out in schools in his campaign against former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

Elections

As they elect a governor, Virginia voters show how all politics have become national

Arguments over race, the pandemic and the impact on schools have taken center stage. Democrats fight back voter disaffection as a Republican candidate gains traction in a state that's trended blue.

As they elect a governor, Virginia voters show how all politics have become national

Listen · 10:36
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Sunday

Billie Eilish Can't Wait To See The Future

Billie Eilish's second album, Happier than Ever, is out now. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Billie Eilish Can't Wait To See The Future

With lyrics poking at the ways young women are scrutinized and exploited, Happier than Ever finds Eilish in some dark corners — but the pop supernova tells NPR she's got lots to feel hopeful about.

Billie Eilish Can't Wait To See The Future

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Sunday

Making Super Bowl Guacamole? Be Careful To Avoid The Pits Of An Avocado Hand Injury

Doctors who regularly see knife-related avocado injuries to the hand say people are less likely to hurt themselves if they don't cut the fruit while holding it in their palm. Gaye Launder/Flickr hide caption

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Gaye Launder/Flickr

Food

Making Super Bowl Guacamole? Be Careful To Avoid The Pits Of An Avocado Hand Injury

The Super Bowl is a big day for guacamole, which could also mean more ER visits. A recent study links avocado consumption to hand injuries.

Making Super Bowl Guacamole? Be Careful To Avoid The Pits Of An Avocado Hand Injury

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Friday

Lin-Manuel Miranda On 'Mary Poppins Returns' And Writing His Way Onstage

Though he is best-known for his auteur work, composer, playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda says it was his dream to be offered a part in someone else's musical. Elias Williams for NPR hide caption

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Elias Williams for NPR

Music Interviews

Lin-Manuel Miranda On 'Mary Poppins Returns' And Writing His Way Onstage

Though best-known for his auteur work, the mastermind of Hamilton and In the Heights says it was his dream to be offered a part in someone else's musical.

Lin-Manuel Miranda On 'Mary Poppins Returns' And Writing His Way Onstage

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Thursday

How Slick Rick And Queen Latifah 'Breathed Life Into Hip-Hop' In 1988

Slick Rick released his debut album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick in 1988. Al Pereira/Getty Images hide caption

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Al Pereira/Getty Images

Music News

How Slick Rick And Queen Latifah 'Breathed Life Into Hip-Hop' In 1988

Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Garcia of NPR's podcast What's Good explain why they think 1988 was a banner year for hip-hop.

How Slick Rick And Queen Latifah 'Breathed Life Into Hip-Hop' In 1988

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Friday

Black Thought reflects on his 30-year career with his debut solo project, Streams of Thought Vol. 1.

Black Thought reflects on his 30-year career with his debut solo project, Streams of Thought Vol. 1. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images hide caption

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Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Black Thought Sets Out On His Own

Streams of Thought Vol. 1, the debut solo project from the voice of The Roots, shows off a side of the rapper fans rarely get to hear.

Black Thought Sets Out On His Own

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Monday

What Makes A Jazz Standard?

Saxophonist Coleman Hawkins and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in concert with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet in November 1960. Express/Getty Images hide caption

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Express/Getty Images

Jazz Night In America

What Makes A Jazz Standard?

Christian McBride of Jazz Night in America joins NPR's Audie Cornish with a few criteria for what turns a regular composition into a canonized classic.

What Makes A Jazz Standard?

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Tuesday

Questlove Aims To Save Your Brain: 'Creativity Might Be In Jeopardy'

Questlove's latest book, available now, is called Creative Quest. Michael Baca/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Michael Baca/Courtesy of the artist

Author Interviews

Questlove Aims To Save Your Brain: 'Creativity Might Be In Jeopardy'

The Roots bandleader and Renaissance man has a new book called Creative Quest, in which he advises readers on how to consider creativity, how to pursue it and how to channel it.

Questlove Aims To Save Your Brain: 'Creativity Might Be In Jeopardy'

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Monday

Lucibela Channels The Joy Of Cape Verde On 'Laço Umbilical'

Lucibela's debut album is a joyful celebration of her native Cape Verde, a country grappling with historical hardships. N'Krumah Lawson Daku/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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N'Krumah Lawson Daku/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Lucibela Channels The Joy Of Cape Verde On 'Laço Umbilical'

The 32-year-old singer shows off a liquid voice rich with the music and culture of her native country for her debut album.

Lucibela Channels The Joy Of Cape Verde On 'Laço Umbilical'

Listen · 3:03
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Thursday

Kelela On Taking Herself Apart

Kelela performing in Los Angeles, Calif. in October 2017. Rich Fury/Getty Images hide caption

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Rich Fury/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Kelela On Taking Herself Apart

The Washington, D.C.-born R&B singer, whose debut studio album landed on many critic's lists of the best music of 2017, says music taught her to be fearless.

Kelela On Taking Herself Apart

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Monday

New Year's Resolution Help: NPR Seeks Your Alternatives To Swearing
youngID/iStock

National

New Year's Resolution Help: NPR Seeks Your Alternatives To Swearing

It's a new year and time for a new you! Or not. NPR producer Melissa Gray, a self-described "potty mouth," has decided to try to cut her casual cursing, but she needs better euphemisms. Help her.

New Year's Resolution Help: NPR Seeks Your Alternatives To Swearing

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Friday

The Ultimate Cocktail To Send Off An NPR Host: 'Radio Silence'

Radio Silence, a cocktail developed by Damon Boelte of the Grand Army Bar in Brooklyn to honor Robert Siegel. Jenna Sterner/NPR hide caption

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Jenna Sterner/NPR

The Salt

The Ultimate Cocktail To Send Off An NPR Host: 'Radio Silence'

For the past few years, bar reviewer Emma Allen has introduced us to great drinks. This year, she surprises retiring host Robert Siegel with a cocktail designed just for him.

The Ultimate Cocktail To Send Off An NPR Host: 'Radio Silence'

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Monday

Stephen Wade Goes 'Across The Amerikee' With Historical Banjo And Guitar Music

Stephen Wade's new album, Across the Amerikee: Showpieces from Coal Camp to Cattle Trail, was released this June. Michael G. Stewart/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Michael G. Stewart/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Stephen Wade Goes 'Across The Amerikee' With Historical Banjo And Guitar Music

The musician and historian behind the long-running stage show Banjo Dancing has a new album of banjo and guitar showpieces that span the late 19th century and well into the 20th.

Stephen Wade Goes 'Across The Amerikee' With Historical Banjo And Guitar Music

Listen · 7:56
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