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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Unfortunately, Grayson has had to cancel. We hope to reschedule when he is back in our area.Born and raised in Muhlenberg County, KY (yes, the one from John Prine’s “Paradise”) on a small goat and horse farm in the heart of coal country, Grayson Jenkins is equal parts songwriter, storyteller, traveler, and country music artist. His songs have gained the admiration of a loyal following, and fellow songwriters like Pony Bradshaw, Vincent Neil Emerson, and Nicholas Jamerson - all of whom have brought Jenkins on the road with them in the past two years. After 10+ years spent in Lexington, KY, where he obtained agricultural degrees from and worked for the University of Kentucky, Jenkins now spends most of his time traveling from gig to gig; he’s not quite sure where he calls home. Grayson plays the Evening Muse in Charlotte on Wednesday evening, following our live session. -
If you’re looking for contemporary artists breathing new life into those classic country and western swing sounds that we love playing here at ‘NCW, look no further than the great Brennen Leigh. She’s been one of the go-to voices the past few years for countless acts (including Asleep at the Wheel, whose new album is our Peak of the Week on Thursday), and she’s been busy with her own albums, both solo and as part of the Wonder Women of Country with Kelly Willis and Melissa Carper. Enter her latest release, Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love, released just this month. -
We are excited to share our latest compilation of live session highlights of the past year with you, featuring recordings from artists ranging from Anya Hinkle to Yarn, BERTHA to the SUSTO String Band. Intimate acoustic numbers, full-blown rock and R&B jams, and all styles in between that you hear at WNCW. We’ll be sending the double-CD collection to members who request it as a thank-you gift during our Fall Fund Drive; reserve your copy at our special pre-drive rate of $100, beginning October 18th. Until then, enjoy the tracks we’ll preview for you on New Tunes at Two and throughout the weeks! -
We are excited to share our latest compilation of live session highlights of the past year with you, featuring recordings from artists ranging from Anya Hinkle to Yarn, BERTHA to the SUSTO String Band. Intimate acoustic numbers, full-blown rock and R&B jams, and all styles in between that you hear at WNCW. We’ll be sending the double-CD collection to members who request it as a thank-you gift during our Fall Fund Drive; reserve your copy at our special pre-drive rate of $100, beginning October 18th. Until then, enjoy the tracks we’ll preview for you on New Tunes at Two and throughout the weeks!
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As Glide Magazine writes, whenever an established group releases a self-titled album in the middle of their career, it acts as a symbol of rebirth, a new direction, course correction, or perhaps a last gasp. St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ self-titled release finds them centering their sound and style, as frontman Paul Janeway states, “I think the band in general feels reignited”. -
This is the third album for Cunningham, on Verve Forecast Records, following her wonderful collaboration with Andrew Bird when they reworked the classic ‘70s Buckingham Nicks Fleetwood Mac precursor (which has recently been reissued, by the way.) Ace is another example of Cunningham’s wonderful blend of pop, rock, folk, and jazz, with rich layering and texture thanks to production work from her and Robbie Lackritz. -
Peak of the WeekOver 50 years! That’s how long Ray Benson and his band Asleep at the Wheel have been together in Texas, continuously finding that balance between preserving the original magic of Western swing, while freshening it up with each new album and personnel change. As a result, they remain the most important force in keeping the sound of Western swing alive. They’re celebrating with an extra-big emphasis on their love for the Lone Star State here, with help from folks like Billy Strings and (fellow Texan) Lyle Lovett. -
There’s a lot of Tweedy around here these days, between our Southern Songs & Stories podcast on Jeff (found 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: James Elkington, Sima Cunningham, Macie Stewart, Liam Kazar, and Tweedy’s children Spencer and Sammy. The three chapters of Twilight Override stand alone, but together, they tell a story of the past, present, and future. -
A former co-lead singer-songwriter of the proto-Americana favorites the V-Roys, a former guitarist with beloved power pop icons Superdrag, as well as performing as a solo artist, Harrison combined talents with Knoxville band The High Score shortly after the beginning of the new millennium and has been delivering a potent cocktail of classic rock and honky-tonk ever since. This is their 7th album. They play Yee-Haw Brewing in Knoxville on Wednesday, October 8th. -
After last year’s Rick Rubin-produced release focusing more on the soul side, Greenville, SC native Marcus King is returning to his blues and country roots, reuniting with his longtime live band for their first album since 2018’s Carolina Confessions. Kaitlin Butts, Jamey Johnson, Billy Strings, and Jesse Welles are among the guests joining them, as well. Many of the songs are love songs to his wife, but perhaps also to his hometown of Greenville, too – as well as the clarity and gratitude that comes with a commitment to sobriety.
