celtic music

In the absence of live Studio B sessions, we thought we'd revisit some of our favorite ones from years' past. Tune in during "Celtic Winds" as we re-air this one from Irish favorites Solas!

Join us throughout the day Tuesday as Martin, Spencer, Roland & Haley weave various tunes from Ireland into our always eclectic music mix. From traditional jigs and reels, to modern Irish rock and folk, it's a celebration of the rich talent, culture and history of the Emerald Isle. Good craic, as they say!

This quartet is based out of Dublin, thanks to singer Joe Gibney and guitarist James Ryan, but fiddler J.C. Morel and flutist Julien Brunetau originally hail from Bordeaux, France. They've been crafting their own tunes (independently and in collaboration with others) since about 2013, and Gibney's lyrics in particular reflect a strong respect for Irish history, and compassion for humanity. They visited with Martin Anderson in Studio B this past Tuesday morning, and Richard Beard airs our session again during Celtic Winds.

Wow. It's hard to believe it's been almost three decades since WNCW first went LIVE - on the air, back in 1989. In just a few weeks, we'll open our Fall Funder on our "Big Three-Oh." The station actually went on the air for the first time on October 13, 1989 - Friday The 13th to be exact, and we haven't stopped yet thanks to our listeners and the thousands of supporters of great public radio. Speaking of...

We'll rewind Sunday evening with a session from Grain Thief, a string band from Boston, Massachusetts that sounds a whole lot like Appalachia, playing songs from their album “Stardust Lodge” live in Studio B back in early March 2019. We'll also share a session - a toast to this past MerleFest, with Elephant Sessions. Kim Clark says we'll celebrate a great interview and performance recorded at WNCW with this rockin' Celtic band the day after they departed the stage in Wilkesboro, NC. It's all on Studio B Rewind on Grassroots Radio, WNCW FM 88.7.

We're excited to welcome back one of 'NCW's favorites, this time with his bluegrass band! After first hitting the scene fronting Colorado bluegrass band Hot Rize in the '80's, Tim O'Brien has proven to be one of the most versatile, talented, and prolific of roots music leaders, be it Celtic, old-time, or his own singer/songwriter originals. He's back to his bluegrass roots these days, and Tim & co. play the Grey Eagle on Sunday the 26th.

WNCW Music Director Martin Anderson calls Elephant Sessions "fresh and exciting." They are described as "trad-meets-rock" and are from the Scottish Highlands. "They have an exciting new take on keeping traditional Celtic music modern and new," said Anderson, who considers them one of the "traditional-plus" acts Doc Watson talked about when describing the wide range of different styles of bands that have always performed at MerleFest. The all-instrumental band represented the Isles at MerleFest playing two gigs, one at the Hillside Stage and one at the late night Dance Stage.

This award-winning trad-meets-rock 5-piece from the Scottish Highlands has a fresh, exciting take on keeping traditional Celtic music modern and new. Consider them one of the "traditional-plus" acts Doc Watson talked about for MerleFest; the all-instrumental band represents the Isles there this week for some dance sets on Saturday, before returning home for a number of great European festivals.

Speak with a volunteer at 800-245-8870! Each CD available at the $60 membership level!

Imar – Avalanche (Big Mann)

Tannahill Weavers – Orach

Foghorn Stringband – Rock Island Grange

Mike Bryant and Paul Brown – Mike Bryant & Paul Brown (Tiki Parlour)

Our Fall Fundraiser starts this Sunday, October 21st, at 7am! We are super excited to meet up with old friends, fans, and WNCW Members, in Studio B this weekend. We have LOTS of new thank you gifts - cool stuff like our new Crowd Around The Mic Vol. 22. There's info on this homepage about the artists featured on the two-cd compilation. Just click on the slideshow to view liner notes! We are also offering a new handmade coffee mug, new tee-shirt designs, a new hoodie, a WNCW Nalgene Bottle, fishing trips, concert tickets, cds, gift certificates and much more!

Scottish clans, Celtic fans and festival lovers worldwide are gearing up for the 63rd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, a four day event celebrating Gaelic culture, heritage, music, athletics and dance. Some claim it’s one of the largest gathering of clans in the world and it begins in western North Carolina, Thursday, July 12 at 4:30pm.

Join long time Celtic Winds Host Richard Beard, this Sunday at 1pm, as he welcomes Piper EJ Jones and the bouzouki powered Frances Cunningham to Studio B. They'll talk about Celtic music, traditional tunes, instruments and the 63rd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games which will be held July 12th through July 15th in Linville, NC on Grandfather Mountain at MacRae Meadows. Photo by Dave Fimbres.