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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Rolling Stone had this to say about our Friday afternoon guests recently: “Many bands have tasted the chaos of the rock and roll lifestyle, but few have lived it as fully — or survived it — as Athens, Georgia–based punk legends Five Eight. Known for blistering live shows, brilliant songwriting, and a tumultuous history marked by addiction, mental illness, and near-total self-destruction, the band is finally beginning to receive the public recognition that had eluded them for three decades. -
For three decades now, Paul Thorn has entertained us with his soulful voice, brilliant songwriting, and incredible wit, straight out of Mississippi. This after his previous career as a professional boxer! American Blues Scene writer Don Wilcock calls Thorn “an everyman (who) addresses things we all think about, but few can articulate with the kind of candor, humor and folksy truth that immediately endear him to almost everyone lucky enough to hear his music.” He released “Life is Just a Vapor” earlier this year, and we are pleased to welcome him back to Studio B on Thursday. Paul plays in Charlotte on Friday at the Neighborhood Theatre, and Galax on Saturday at the Blue Ridge Music Center. -
Lake Street Dive singer Rachael Price and guitarist/songwriter Vilray Bolles have their 3rd collaboration out, and this time it’s an out-of-time vision of their beloved New York City, inspired by Vilray’s recent fascination with classic musicals. Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City, West of Broadway features saxophonist Steve Wilson (Chick Corea’s Origin sextet) and drummer John Riley (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie). Comedian and late-night TV host Stephen Colbert, a longtime fan, also appears on the album version of “Off Broadway.” “There’s so much imagery in the lyrics,” says Price. “I think a fun way to listen to the record would be to go for a walk and let the songs play out like a little movie in your mind.” -
Produced by Grammy Award-winner Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker), American Romance cements Nelson as a singular artist, as he showcases his songwriting dexterity in a way that feels both familiar and new. Reflecting on the project, Nelson shares, “This album is the first chapter in a whole new era of my life as an artist. It’s a love story to the country that raised me. Diners and highways that carried me through the joy and pain that led to the music you hear now.” He’s embarked on an extensive tour that includes the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (September 19-21.) -
The ever prolific Charley Crockett has already released his second album of the year. Once again joined by co-producer Shooter Jennings, the new one marks the second installment in The Sagebrush Trilogy, coming just five months after Lonesome Drifter, part one of the trilogy and his Island Records debut. -
Peak of the WeekProducer Adrian Quesada introduced us to the rich technicolor sounds of late ‘60s and early ‘70s Latin American psychedelia and baroque pop three years ago with Boleros Psicodelicos. He’s now got a 2nd volume of classic covers and new songs, with help from Hermanos Gutierrez, Angelica Garcia, co-producer Alex Goose, and others. -
Each member of this trio carries serious pedigree: Ian Moore’s psychedelic fire, Johnny Moeller’s deep-pocket sting, and Jesse Dayton’s outlaw storytelling have powered everything from The Fabulous Thunderbirds to Austin’s Antone’s legacy to Grammy-nominated collaborations and cult favorite solo records. With roots tracing back to Antone’s and the late Clifford Antone’s last wave of discoveries, the Headhunters are here to remind the world what Texas blues was, is, and still can be. This self-titled album will be officially released Friday the 22nd. -
Surprise! This Connecticut-based jamband – not to be confused with the New York-based indierock band Geese – just released this new album with no previous announcements, right before their debut performance of new song “Madalena” aired on The Tonight Show. It’s their second album of 2025, a rapid follow-up to April’s Everything Must Go. The e-drums, the heavy use of overdubs, and (some might say) overproduction that dominated much of that album are more absent on this one. -
The music collective from Los Angeles and New Jersey called Pigs on Corn met drummer Mike Kowalski and bassist Ed Carter while those two legendary backing musicians were touring with the Beach Boys reunion band. Kowalski and Carter played on the late Nick Drake’s Bryter Later album, and upon revealing their mutual love for Drake’s work, decided to record this new EP. -
Dar Williams has spent most of her life touring the world, and perhaps her love affair with Paris is reflected in this new single from her 13th album, Hummingbird Highway, out September 12 on Righteous Babe Records. September 12th also sees the release of Shawn Camp’s The Ghost of Sis Draper, which features 10 songs co-written by Camp and the late Guy Clark, as well as one solo Clark composition, all centered around their famous character immortalized in this beloved song. We’re looking forward to seeing Shawn at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival coming up Labor Day weekend, both with his Earls of Leicester and with another of Clark’s frequent collaborators, Verlon Thompson. The Ruen Brothers have a dramatic song shaped by Rupert Stansall’s haunting production and brother Henry Stansall’s yearning, multi-octave vocals, perhaps shaped by their love for film noir and Westerns. After working previously with Rick Rubin, their self-produced album Awooo comes out on October 17th, weeks after their return to the Albino Skunk Music Festival.
