What It Is examines new ways of funding music and the arts through grassroots patronage. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by Carol Rifkin and Fred Mills.
Broadcast week of 3-29-10
Episode 63: RIP Alex Chilton
What It Is pays respects to Alex Chilton, lead singer for the Box Tops and Big Star, who died of a heart attack March 17th.
Broadcast 3-18-10
Check out Fred Mills' obituary here: http://www.blurt-online.com/news/view/3499/
Episode 62: Irish Music For St. Patrick's Day
Fred Mills, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick talk about some favorite bands and musicians from the Emerald Isle on St. Patrick's Day. From traditional Celtic music to modern day rockers, What It Is spotlights some of the better and lesser known musical gems coming from Ireland.
Broadcast 3-17-10
Episode 61: Jimi Hendrix: Valleys Of Neptune Reviewed
The What It Is crew reviews the latest posthumous release from Jimi Hendrix, Valleys of Neptune. Carol Rifkin, Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick find that while it's not nearly as strong as, say, Axis: Bold As Love, it's still pretty darn good.
Broadcast 3-15-10 and 3-16-10
Episode 60: Posthumous Releases
Join Joe Kendrick, Fred Mills and Carol Rifkin for this debate on the merits and shortcomings of posthumous releases in music. From live concerts to all-but-complete studio albums to demos and sketches that were finished after death, the What It Is crew has plenty to talk about.
Broadcast 3-9-10 through 3-11-10
Episode 59: Johnny Cash: American VI Reviewed
What It Is gives an ear to the new Johnny Cash album American VI: Ain't No Grave. Carol Rifkin, Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick find it to be a solid addition to The Man In Black's catalog.
Broadcast 3-8-10
Episode 58: Missed Concert Regrets
Jeff Eason, Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick touch on a subject that everyone can relate to: concerts that got away. What It Is walks down memory lane to some of the shows that we wish we had been able to see.
Rebroadcast of October 2007 show
Episode 57: Favorite Drummers
Amy Jones, Carol Rifkin, Fred Mills and Joe Kendrick give the drummer some in this What It Is conversation about the man (or woman) behind the kit.
This podcast is longer than the broadcast on 3/3, which was rebroadcast from original 2009 show.
Episode 56: Ken Mansfield - Part Two
Former Apple Records U.S. manager, writer and producer Ken Mansfield talks with Joe Kendrick about how music of the 60s is often better than today's hits.
Episode 55: Ken Mansfield - Part One
What It Is host Joe Kendrick got to speak with Ken Mansfield about his upcoming appearance in the region and some of his history with The Beatles.
This podcast is longer than the version broadcast on air
Episode 54: Civil Rights History Put To Song
Joel Timmons of Sol Driven Train talks about their new song, "Orangeburg", about the 1968 SC State incident that ended in the tragic deaths of three students.
Episode 53: Albums Overshadowed By A Previous Hit
What It Is gives an ear to the many fine efforts of artists who released albums on the heels of a big seller, only to suffer because they strayed into new territory or were somehow lost in the shuffle. With Jeff Eason and Fred Mills. Originally aired 1/29/08
Episode 52: The State Of Live Music Venues
What It Is goes out on the town to visit live music venues and take their pulse as the economy and winter weather take their toll on business. Joe Kendrick, Fred Mills and Jeff Eason do find reason to hope, however, at least come springtime.
Episode 51: We Are The World 2010
In 1985, the song "We Are The World" was inescapable. Join What It Is as Jeff Eason, Fred Mills and Joe Kendrick give an ear to the remake of this cultural landmark made with some notable substitutions for original artists in the lineup.
Episode 50: Media Pirates
Episode 49: Music's Multitaskers
The What It Is crew celebrates musicians who have more than one hat and talk about some of the rare artists who are successful in music after having careers elsewhere. From Alison Brown to Jeff Bridges and a host of folks moonlighting to pay the bills, host Joe Kendrick and panelists Carol Rifkin and Bob Hinkle have plenty to spotlight in this conversation.
Episode 48: Backstage and On The Road
What It Is tackles some of the age-old myths about the "glamour" of touring as Bob Hinkle, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick reveal some of the best and worst aspects of life for touring musicians.
Episode 47: Regional Artists Nominated for Grammys
Carol Rifkin, Bob Hinkle and Joe Kendrick have a conversation about some of the region's artists who are on the list of nominees for a Grammy award in 2010, as well as more nominees you've heard on WNCW.
Episode 46: 2010 Grammy Awards
What It Is debates the relevance of the awards and explains how the voting process works with former NARAS member Bob Hinkle. Host Joe Kendrick and Carol Rifkin join in and talk about the nominees for the new Americana category as well.
Episode 45: Remembering Vic Chesnutt
We celebrate the music of the late, great singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt in this edition of What It Is. Joe Kendrick, Bob Hinkle and Carol Rifkin tip their hats to Vic in this edition of What It Is.