You never know when the spotlight is going to shine on Cincinnati. And I have to admit, I did not see this one coming. But I sure am glad that it did. The Tillers, a local folk band who we were just talking about last week here on ENS, were featured this morning on the Today Show on NBC, being interviewed by Tom Brokaw. Yes, you read that right.

Brokaw and the USA Network are currently on the road in the good ole USA on a journey they are calling American Character Along Highway 50. Inspired by a series of photographs in USA Network’s book American Character: A Photographic Journey, for which he penned the foreword, Brokaw will be hitting the road for an extraordinary journey along Highway 50, a route that has been called the “backbone of America.”

Brokaw’s travels take him through the city of Cincinnati, and the feature on The Tillers. The Tillers brand of depression era folk takes center stage for a national audience and it’s pretty enjoyable to see them get the attention. Watch the episode right here and then check out some of The Tillers music below, as well as all of their August tour dates after the jump.

UPDATE – The full piece now can be viewed below as well.

The Tillers – There is a Road (Route 50) from Pete Ohs on Vimeo.

Aug 2 2009 5:00P
Music for the Mountains @ The Northside Tavern Cincinnati, OH
Aug 6 2009 7:00P
Everybody’s Backyard @ California Woods Cincinnati, OH
Aug 7 2009 9:00P
Arnold’s Cincinnati, OH
Aug 8 2009 10:00P
the Crows Nest -w- The Dust Busters (NYC) Cincinnati, OH
Aug 9 2009 1:00P
Goettafest Newport, KY
Aug 11 2009 11:45A
Accoustic Lunch @ Piatt Park Cincinnati, OH
Aug 13 2009 8:00P
The Southgate House -w- IRIS DEMENT Newport, KY
Aug 15 2009 1:00P
Historic Metamora Metamora, IN
Aug 28 2009 8:00P
Whispering Beard Folk Festival Morning View, KY
Aug 30 2009 10:00P
The Northside Tavern -w- Nathaniel Seer Cincinnati, OH