Martin Anderson
Music Director & HostEschewing his mother’s taste for easy listening music early on, Martin Anderson was raised on his dad’s love for jazz, his brother’s Beatles/classic rock LP’s, and the bluegrass and Top 40 radio of the D.C. area. He began volunteering for the University of Delaware’s WXDR/WVUD eclectic overnight and morning mixes in 1989. Upon graduating with an American History degree, he moved to Eugene, Oregon, he spent the 90’s working in natural foods, environmental causes, and above all, public radio. He hosted various folk, world, Triple-A, and other shows at KLCC, and started a “Miles of Bluegrass” show at KRVM.
After two years working underwriting sales and various music and public affairs programs at KHSU in Arcata, CA, Martin joined WNCW in 2001 as your weekday morning host. He loves interviewing the many talented musicians who come to Studio B, stretching out with the many styles ‘NCW embraces, and reflecting listener requests, events of the day, and our beautiful Southern Appalachian landscape. As Music Director, he books our live sessions, and keeps in touch with the record labels and promoters that send us new music. When not at the station, he enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling, history, and raising his daughter on good music and more.
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To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut album, The Universe Smiles On You, Khruangbin has re-recorded the tunes and given us this surprise release. The band (Laura Lee, Mark Speer, and DJ Johnson) re-recorded all 10 tracks from The Universe Smiles On You in the same Texas barn where they made it the first time. There were a few changes this time, though: they had to rip up the flooring first to catch some varmints who’d made homes underneath, and then a cold snap descended upon the drafty barn-turned-studio. Do you know the original album? What do you notice that’s different about these versions, other than an updated track order? -
On her new, 14th record, Mavis stands side by side with us in the face of dangers she knows all too well, at a time when more and more people have reason to wonder who and what could be lost. Produced by Brad Cook, it spans seven decades of the American songbook — a range nearly as vast as Mavis’ career — and includes reinventions of timeless songs as well as original music. -
It's the latest project from Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and her twin sister, Allison Crutchfield (Swearin'), and features MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook. Each of the four artists plays a number of instruments, but the spotlight remains squarely with the two sisters, with each writing and taking lead vocals for half the songs. When they sing in harmony, you’ll notice the kind of magic that close sibling singers can create. One of the major topics they cover in their songwriting here is that of addiction, which their family has wrestled with over the years. -
From John Darnielle himself: “In the night of May 29, 2023, I had a dream. Waking from it, I transcribed what I could remember of it into the note-taking app I keep on my phone. The note reads: 'through this fire across from Peter Balkan #dream'. It was the title of a work, not sure which form.” The next time I sat at the piano to see if I had ideas, I got the notion of writing a work that proceeded from its title, and that tried to make real the dreamlike grammar of that title. This album is that work. -
Peak of the WeekThere’s a lot of Tweedy around here these days, between our Southern Songs & Stories podcast on Jeff (here), his certain influence on the new Autumn Defense release from two of his Wilco bandmates, his son Spencer providing drums on the latest recording from Case Oats, and now this big new release from Jeff himself. Twilight Override is an intentional, sprawling three-disc album, a testament to creativity in the face of overwhelming darkness. Recorded and self-produced at his Chicago studio, The Loft, Twilight Override features Chicago-based friends and family. -
Joseph Terrell of Mipso, and Jordan Tice of Hawktail, are two terrific guitarists who’ve now got “some really fun guitarmonized duo guitar arrangements worked up!” They’re playing the Grey Eagle on Wednesday the 5th, as well as a Boone show at the Jones House on Sunday the 9th. They’ll do some pickin’ with Roland in our Air Studio on Thursday, while Studio B is still Ground-Zero for sending out thank-you gifts to all of you wonderful, generous station members who supported us in our successful Fall Fund Drive! -
This 5-piece band originally formed in Boone before moving to Asheville. Guitarists Killian Wright and Will Fentress, drummer Pauly Scott, keyboardist Isaac McMurry and bassist Ramon Garcia have just released this 7-song debut. Jam-band fans will appreciate their obvious love for acts like Widespread Panic, Phish, and the Allman Brothers Band, but they also weave in some nice pop hooks and jazz licks. -
Long hailed as one of Australia’s greatest songwriters, Paul Kelly has spent over four decades capturing the beauty, humor, and heartbreak of ordinary lives. On Seventy, he leans into that role with renewed purpose, drawing on classic storytelling traditions where shared tales offer comfort, meaning, and light in the dark. The album plays like a campfire circle or family gathering, each song its own tale: a ghost story, a love song, a joke, a lament. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate turning 70! -
For her first album in four years, Carlile had the intention of making a bit more of a stripped-down, intimate, and personal production here. See if you hear that on these new songs, with help from producer (and member of The National) Aaron Dessner, Andrew Watt (who produced the Elton John collaboration, Who Believes in Angels?), and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver). Then there’s Phil Hanseroth (bass, electric guitar), Tim Hanseroth (electric guitar, acoustic guitar), Josh Klinghoffer (pedal steel, synthesizers, electric guitar, piano, keyboards, organ), Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion), Chad Smith (drums, percussion), Dave Mackay (synthesizers, organ) Stewart Cole (French horn, trumpet), SistaStrings (strings) Rob Moose (strings), Blake Mills (fretless baritone guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar), Mark Isham (tenor saxophone) and Elton John (Rhodes piano) -
Peak of the WeekDid you ever make it to one of the now-famous Lockn’ Festivals in Virginia, perhaps to see the TTB among others? This recording marks the first time the iconic tribute performance to this 1970 Joe Cocker album has been available anywhere since the original concert 10 years ago. It’s an audio companion to a documentary film that the band released in 2021. “There was no better act to reproduce the Joe Cocker/Leon Russell-led infamous Mad Dogs & Englishmen ensemble than the Tedeschi Trucks Band…TTB’s musical tribute captures and exudes the exhilaration and significance of an archetypal if brief moment in rock and roll history.” – Rock & Blues Muse
