Jeff Eason, Bob Hinkle and Carol Rifkin join host Joe Kendrick in examining the new Beatles reissues and video game as well as recounting some favorite memories of the band, 40 years after Abbey Road.
Episode 23: Anecdotes & One-Liners
What It Is gazes inward to its collective decades of experiences interviewing and interacting with artists and music industry types of all description with this show featuring panelists Bob Hinkle, Jeff Eason and Carol Rifkin.
Episode 22: The State of Bluegrass
What's up with all the covers of pop hits in bluegrass music lately? What It Is begins this conversation with that question. WNCW's Jerry McNeely and Carol Rifkin, joined by Bob Hinkle and host Joe Kendrick go on to talk about the overall state of Bluegrass music as well.
Episode 21: Albums Not Aging Well
Do you have any records or CDs that have gathered some dust? What It Is picks out a few of our collections that we think should stay that way. Jeff Eason and Fred Mills join Joe Kendrick in a conversation about albums that don't stand the test of time.
Episode 20: Sci-Fi Meets Music, Redux
What It Is again explores the fertile ground of science fiction themes in music, from Paul Kantner to Orbital, from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Be Bop Deluxe and much more. Join panelists Fred Mills, Jeff Eason, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick in a conversation that garnered so much response from the first time we talked about it that we just had to jump into our spaceship once more.
Episode 19: Sci-Fi themes in Music History
Join Jeff Eason, Fred Mills and Joe Kendrick in a What It Is conversation about the many examples of science fiction themes in music, from early examples like "Telstar" to modern albums like UFO Tofu.
Episode 18: Remembering Koko Taylor, Hugh Hopper, Sam Butera
What It Is notes the passing of some icons in blues, fusion and jazz with a conversation about the musical legacies of Koko Taylor, Hugh Hopper and Sam Butera.
Episode 17: RIP Jay Bennett & Jeff Hanson
Fred Mills, Jeff Eason and Joe Kendrick tip their hats to recently departed musicians Jay Bennett and Jeff Hanson.
Episode 16: Love (At First, Hate!)
How many artists or albums have you come back to enjoying after first not understanding, maybe even hating? Carol Rifkin, Wendy Lou Gillespie, Justin Farrar and Joe Kendrick talk about music that is an acquired taste.
Episode 15: Kill The Music
Host Joe Kendrick sits down with Fred Mills and former club owner Michael Plumides to talk about his new book about his experiences as a club owner in Charlotte 20 years ago, and memories of censorship in that era. This podcast is an extended version of what was broadcast on-air.
Episode 14: Horns In Music
Fred Mills and Jeff Eason join host Joe Kendrick in a What It Is conversation about the many roles that horns have played in music, from the saxophone solo to entire horn sections.
Episode 13: Great Lyrics
What makes song lyrics great? Join What It Is panelists Carol Rifkin, Jeff Eason, Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick for a conversation on some of their favorite lyricists and examples of memorable songs, and where that muse may come from.
Episode 12: Concert-Goer Fashions
Join the What It Is panel in a conversation about what your clothing says about you when you're out seeing live music. WNCW's Roland Dierauf joins Parrish Ellis, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick in examining what sort of uniforms there are in audiences everywhere.
Episode 11: Distinctive Drummers
Joe Kendrick hosts a What It Is conversation with new panelist Wendy Lou Gillespie, Justin Farrar and Carol Rifkin about some modern-day examples of drummers who bring a unique touch to their kits.
Episode 10: Debating Tim O'Brien
What It Is has a healthy debate on the merits of the songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Tim O'Brien, with Carol Rifkin advocating his merits and Jeff Eason questioning his popularity. This aired 10-6-2008
Episode 9: Cult Film Soundtracks
Wendy Lou Gillespie, Carol Rifkin, Justin Farrar and Joe Kendrick talk about some touchstones in cult film soundtrack history. As Justin Farrar commented after the conversation, "We could have kept going", and he was right: we really just scratch the surface of this rich topic.
Episode 8: Country and Old-Time Music
Carol Rifkin leads the way in a conversation with Justin Farrar and host Joe Kendrick about the roots of country and old-time music in cities like Asheville, Bristol and Atlanta.
Episode 7: Child Prodigies Past & Present
Jeff Eason, Fred Mills, Carol Rifkin and Joe Kendrick take a turn at spotlighting some of the musical virtuosos who showed their prowess at very early age.
Episode 6: Ask The Icon
Carol Rifkin, Justin Farrar and Joe Kendrick take a whimsical turn at some questions they would like to ask the stars but wouldn't dare anywhere but on What It Is.
Episode 5: 1989 - The Death Of Hair Metal
What It Is looks back two decades to the year 1989, when bands like Poison, Warrant, Motley Crue and other "hair metal" acts were nearing the end of their popularity. Justin Farrar leads the panel in this conversation with Wendy Gillespie, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick.