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Rose continues on a rather autobiographical direction with these songs, and this one came at a pivotal time for her: she was exhausted and even considered leaving music before eventually getting to work on it. She quit drinking and sought therapy, as snippets of these songs started coming together. She considered different genres, ranging from electro-pop to a more subdued acoustic path, but as you’ll hear here, she decided on a rather eclectic range of an indie-rock sound.

He’s 92, and this is his 77th solo album… Celebrate another wonderful new one from The Red-Headed Stranger! Willie has been mighty prolific lately, with help from producer Buddy Cannon, a few family members, and a whole world of Willie fans. He’s released a few albums over the years that were entirely the works of other songwriters: Lefty Frisell, Kris Kristofferson, and Harlan Howard. He’s done so again now, with fellow Texan Rodney Crowell.

Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins are back with their first album since their breakout debut seven years ago. Produced by Josh Kaufman (of another trio, Bonny Light Horseman), the close-knit bond of these three musicians can be heard in their tight harmonies and exquisite acoustic performance. The new songs here address reaching into the past, navigating a chaotic present, and bravely moving forward into the unknown.

Justin Osborne has been performing as ‘Susto’ since 2013, when he formed a collective of fellow musicians and artists in coastal Charleston, South Carolina. Now he’s fused their alt rock with the Appalachian sounds of the Holler Choir with this latest venture, by joining with Americana vocalist Clint Roberts, clawhammer banjoist Helena Rose, and upright bassist Joey Brown (now Holler Choir) among others. Lightning struck as an immediate connection and artistic chemistry captured a new sound and visualization that unfolds on Susto Stringband’s debut release from New West Records, simply titled "Susto Stringband: Volume 1." We enjoyed hosting them in Studio B for a great live session at the end of March.

Get to know one of the latest great soul releases, fronted by Tomar Williams. Tomar grew up gigging around Austin while in high school in the 1980s, and this is his 3rd album. Supporting him here are James Rodman (Wurlitzer electric piano and Hammond organ), Chris Alexander (bass) and Paul Kresowik (drums), and Jorion Dawson (saxophone), plus Angela Miller and Lauren Cervantes provide shimmering harmonies.

Wonderful virtuosity on the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and saxophone – yes, saxophone! -- from this trio that straddles that ‘NCW-sweet-spot somewhere between old-time, Celtic, contradance, Americana and jazz. It’s Andrew Van Norstrand, Noah Van Norstrand, and Chris Miller. Check out WNCW Program Director Joe Kendrick’s recent podcast on them here: https://www.wncw.org/podcast/southern-songs-and-stories They have gigs in our area in May, including Knoxville on the 3rd, Asheville on the 7th, Shelby on the 8th, and the SkunkFarm on the 9th.

Bobby Rush’s career of singing and playing the blues goes back to the early years of the Chitlin’ Circuit -- longer than most of us have been alive. Kenny Wayne Shepherd is a powerful blues guitarist himself, and the two have teamed up for Young Fashioned Ways. Together they bridge the generational divide (Rush is 91, Shepherd 47) on this 10-song album.

Led by prolific Austin songwriter Kevin Dehan, Cactus Lee reflects a deep love for Texas country songwriters, interwoven with the bold spirit of outlaw and outsider influences. Fans of Tom T. Hall and John Prine will appreciate his/their sound and songwriting style. Bandmates here are Russell Hymowitz on bass, John Bush on percussion, and Adam Amram on drums. Then there’s accordion, saxophone, pedal steel, strings, and on one song, cowbell! As the Austin Chronicle describes it, “fuller production with some new instrumentation fills out Cactus Lee's hippie folk sound – more Gene Clark than Gene Autry, more Jackson C. Frank than Alan Jackson. Which is to say, the music is more inspired by the dirty realism of Seventies Americana-makers than country counterparts.”

Jesse Welles grew up in rural Arkansas, and picked up the guitar and songwriting at age 12. You can hear how his first loves were folk artists like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the folk revival artists of the ‘60s, like Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and of course Bob Dylan. Fearless, he reports from the frontlines of a divided country on the brink, addressing inequalities and injustices around us. As Rolling Stone says, “There’s nothing “middle” about Welles: he’s unflinchingly addressed hot-button topics like the war in Gaza, capitalism, and the U.S. healthcare system.” He’s been an internet sensation this past year with his solo videos on Instagram and TikTok, and we’re excited he’s now got this official, well-produced album. We also appreciate Jesse’s general desire to inspire: “If my music helps you believe you can make art, and that you should make art, there would be nothing better…Get those paints out…[and] fill up that journal."

Brevard singer/songwriter Sarah Siskind has this solo, acoustic-oriented album coming out April 18th, appropriately called Simplify. It highlights well the intimacy and honesty with which she writes and sings. The North Carolina native has had covers by Alison Krauss, Wynonna, Randy Travis, Bon Iver and many others. Over 20 of her songs were featured on the hit TV series Nashville including the unofficial theme song “A Life That’s Good.” Upcoming shows for her include the Flat Rock Bistro Cinema on April 16, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville opening for Bonnie Raitt on the 23rd, and the Purple Onion in Saluda on May 1st. And not to be overlooked: Live in Studio B on Tuesday April 29th!