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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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. -
In the making of his fourth full-length, the Atlanta-based singer-songwriter dreamed up a batch of songs exploring the longing and unease of being far from a true-to-life reflection, which he soon expanded into an elaborate concept album about a pilot lost in space. -
Daniel Donato has carved out a unique and individualized spot for himself, one that speaks to the deep American music heritage that inspires him - and that he's pushing towards the future with inspired, intentional vigor. He calls it Cosmic Country, a moniker that's both self-descriptive and a statement of purpose. It's an organic rock band aesthetic with plenty of roadhouse twang; a showcase for Donato's instrumental virtuosity and facility for melodically infectious songcraft. His upcoming album, Horizons, is the follow-up to 2023's Reflector, which received critical acclaim from a wide range of press. -
Luke Bell’s time in the music world lasted just a few years, but he became a leader and inspiration in the country-western genre. He grew up on a Wyoming cattle ranch before heading off to Austin and then Nashville to pursue his true passion. “He was a wild man from the West, and he made country music through that lens,” said Stephen Daly, who played guitar in Bell’s band. “If you told him what to do, he would do the opposite. If you tried to rein him in, he’d push away. He always did what he wanted to do.” -
Brevard’s Lillie Syracuse has just released her album. She’s been playing shows around the region lately, from solo performances to gigs with her band, to special appearances like the recent fundraiser for WNCW by Free Planet Radio. -
Produced by Wall and Pat Lyons, this new collection of drinking songs and blue-collar stories is inspired by the 1970s era of country music. The 10-song collection is an exploration of the ways humans are connecting to people, to the natural world, to time, or to God. -
Roark, who calls the long-time Red Dirt haven of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, home, wears his roots on his sleeve throughout this debut album. Roark was raised listening to country music and Southern rock. He was also a fan of Cross Canadian Ragweed’s Red Dirt sound — a genre which would eventually shape his music. -
Alexa is back living in the Asheville area, and has a new album out, following 2019’s Medicine For Living and 2021’s Headwaters. -
Happy Thanksgiving from your WNCW family!
