What It Is celebrates an American original as he enjoys a resurgence late in his career with a new tribute disc and live album. Carol Rifkin, Jeff Eason and Joe Kendrick talk up one of their favorite artists, John Prine.
Episode 83: Music Camps
Both kids and adults are flocking to summer music camps of all varieties and What It Is examines the phenomenon with host Joe Kendrick, new panelist Zak Sitter as well as Carol Rifkin and Jeff Eason.
Episode 82: Summertime Music
This is a What It Is from the vaults: a 2009 conversation with Carol Rifkin and Justin Farrar about musical themes and songs that fit with the season.
Episode 81: The State Of The Scene
Join Fred Mills, Chuck Beattie and host Joe Kendrick in a What It Is conversation that examines what is happening for musicians, writers and others in the music industry in 2010. This podcast is the full version of the conversation abridged for broadcast on air.
Episode 80: Lyrical Cliches
What It Is wonders aloud why so many bluegrass musicians sing about the need to ramble, why so many blues artists have "woke up this morning" and others "rocked all night long". Chuck Beattie, Fred Mills and Joe Kendrick also find the cultural touchstones in many of those phrases.
Episode 79: Out Of Print Albums and Reissues
This is a What It Is from the vaults: a 2008 conversation with Fred Mills and Jeff Eason about great out of print albums, dormant catalogs, and reissues. The podcast is the full version of what was abridged for broadcast on air.
Episode 78: How We Make the Sausage at WNCW
What It Is panelist Fred Mills gave us the idea for this roundtable about what goes on off the mic that makes public radio work. Joe Kendrick is joined by Carol Rifkin and Bob Hinkle
Episode 77: Lyrics Crossing Into the Vernacular
What a long, strange trip it's been! What It Is has fun with song lyrics that have made their way into new contexts. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by Fred Mills and Chuck Beattie
Episode 76: Cash In Now!
What It Is examines alternate revenue streams that artists dip into, from endorsements to merchandising and more. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by Chuck Beattie and Fred Mills.
Episode 75: Blues Awards Winners, Festivals and the State Of The Genre
Join new What It Is panelist, musician and writer Chuck Beattie and Fred Mills with host Joe Kendrick in a conversation about recent Blues Foundation honorees, the benefits of festivals for artists, the state of the blues in 2010 and more.
Episode 74: Club, Artist and Promoter Dynamics
Join us for a What It Is show about what it takes to make it as a live music venue, an artist and a little about how promoters work as well. Bob Hinkle (club owner) and Carol Rifkin (musician) give their perspectives with Joe Kendrick hosting this conversation.
Episode 73: The Velvet Underground Effect
Carol Rifkin, Bob Hinkle and Joe Kendrick spotlight some of the bands whose shadows have lengthened over time in this What It Is conversation about artists more influential than commercially successful.
Episode 72: Late Night Radio
Join What It Is panelists Carol Rifkin and Bob Hinkle as they extol the virtues of overnight radio DJs and recall some favorite late night radio broadcasts with host Joe Kendrick. While other stations may see overnight hosts as a thing of the past, WNCW's ARC Overnight continues into its 18th year!
Episode 71: Serendipity In Music History
What It Is takes a look back at some of the lucky breaks for musical artists that jump started their careers, as well as one notable twist of fate that preempted international fame. Serendipity has occured not only for artists, but for at least one instrument too.
Episode 70: 2010 Festival Season
What It Is takes a look back at some of the lucky breaks for musical artists that jump started their careers, as well as one notable twist of fate that preempted international fame. With Carol Rifkin, Bob Hinkle and host Joe Kendrick.
Episode 69: Great Question Songs
Yeah, "Where Does That Highway Go To?". Join host Joe Kendrick, Wendy Gillespie and Jeff Eason in a conversation about some favorite question songs and why they are enduring.
Episode 68: King Or Queen For A Day
What would you do if you were in charge of the music world for a day? What It Is welcomes Wendy Lou Gillespie and Jeff Eason to this conversation with host Joe Kendrick about how our musical kingdoms would sound.
Episode 67: Cities In Song
What It Is spotlights songs with cities in the title or lyrics, especially cities in the WNCW region. This conversation comes from a listener suggestion to whatitis@wncw.org and features Wendy Gillespie, Jeff Eason and host Joe Kendrick.
Episode 66: Hatchfest Asheville
What is Hatch? Join host Joe Kendrick and Hatchfest Asheville staffers Meredith Law, Steve Breckenridge and What It Is panelist Wendy Lou Gillespie for a conversation about the non-profit organization that mentors innovation across 7 disciplines. Broadcast 4-12-10 through 4-13-10
Episode 65: War
When whatitis@wncw.org got a listener email suggesting we talk about "the stealthy pervasiveness of War", we jumped at the chance to talk about one of our favorite band's history and legacy. With Fred Mills, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick. Broadcast 4-5-10 through 4-6-10