We think this is the 23rd Pre-Jam, and WNCW is once again honored and thrilled to bring you the full live broadcast of it to help kick off your weekend and Holiday season! Station hosts, the incredible elves who work year-round behind the scenes, and some of our most generous supporters will be at the Orange Peel, along with friends and family of Warren, other Christmas Jam VIPs, and, of course, a great lineup of musicians, many of whom are on the lineup for Saturday’s big Christmas Jam. We won’t know who all will grace the stage until the evening gets underway: tune in to find out! And consider supporting the beneficiaries of this annual weekend of music: Asheville Area Habitat For Humanity, and Beloved Asheville. https://www.ashevillehabitat.org/ https://www.belovedasheville.com/

Eilen Jewell has become one of our favorite contemporary Americana singer-songwriters these past few years, and we know we’re not alone: “Jewell demonstrates her versatility, range, and depth, rebranding familiar sounds while again sharing her distinct voice and poetic bent.” (No Depression) We welcome her back to Studio B with Roland, this time for a solo session before meeting up with her band for an 8pm show at the Grey Eagle in Asheville Wednesday evening.

Now in its 24th year, the NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition is a showcase of emerging performers and songwriters from around the nation. The finalists will be in Asheville on Thursday to perform, compete, and connect with one another. A panel of music industry judges will select one grand prize winner who will receive a fully funded six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Citizen Studios, and a music vinyl package pressed at Citizen Vinyl. Co-founder Gar Ragland will join Martin in the 11am hour to play recordings from the finalists and talk about the process.

As soon as you hear Melissa Carper sing, you might notice two things: her Nebraska upbringing, which included plenty of good classic country music, and her seamless blend of old-time, bluegrass, western swing, jazz, and blues, which form the foundation of country music itself. She’s made great solo records and collaborations with Kelly Willis and Brennen Leigh in the Wonder Women of Country, and now she’s released a Christmas album!

Enjoy this episode on our page here and wherever you follow podcasts

Monday, April 14, 2026 | First Horizon Coliseum | Greensboro, NC

Alexa is back living in the Asheville area, and has a new album out, following 2019’s Medicine For Living and 2021’s Headwaters.

This Colorado band has made a name for itself with its fresh blend of funk, soul, rock, jazz, and hip-hop. Perhaps you’ve caught a live set of theirs in our area the past few years, including a live set from Sierra Nevada Brewing’s amphitheatre last year that added a fun finale to our latest Crowd Around the Mic compilation.

Sunday, February 1, 2026 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC

Friday, January 30, 2026 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC