What It Is puts its finger on the pulse of the music business in a conversation about all the things we (have to) do now to be relevant in the culture. New panelist Renee Denton is joined by Carol Rifkin, Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick.
Episode 123: Songs Of Cruelty and Death
Host Joe Kendrick and new panelist Renee Denton are joined by Carol Rifkin and Fred Mills in this conversation about themes of the afterlife, murder ballads and more as they brood and plot their way through the dark side of music.
Episode 122: George Harrison's All Things Must Pass 40th Anniversary
What It Is celebrates the landmark solo project of newly minted Beatle alum George Harrison on its 40th anniversary as Fred Mills leads the way in a conversation on the reissue of All Things Must Pass as well as its enduring legacy.
Episode 121: Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame's 2011 Inductees
Join us in a conversation celebrating and debating the latest additions to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Fred Mills leads the way in a conversation with Carol Rifkin and new panelist Renee Denton
Episode 120: Best of 2010 with NPR's Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton
Host Joe Kendrick joins National Public Radio's Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton in a conversation about favorite releases of 2010 and the types of lists that people make, and what personalities those lists can reflect.
Episode 119: Inner Demons and Mental Illness
What It Is wonders whether our fascination with artists who struggled with mental illness and other handicaps is mostly gawking or is more due to their genius. Join host Joe Kendrick and panelists Bob Hinkle, Kristin Isgett and Brian John Mitchell in this conversation focusing on notable musicians who went over the edge and didn't always come back.
Episode 118: Prohibition Themes In Music
What It Is takes a look back over the decades of music with references to banned substances. What do these songs say about our culture and society? New panelists Barbie Angell and Jay Sanders join Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick in this lively conversation.
Episode 117: When Promotions Get Dirty
New panelist Brian John Mitchell, artist and head of Silber Records, suggested this topic and panelists Kristin Isgett, Bob Hinkle and host Joe Kendrick ran with it. What It Is covers the gamut of promotions in music, from interns requesting airplay for their labels' bands to payola to Hollerado shamelessly self promoting themselves to the point of relevance.
Episode 116: Musicianship Vs Natural Ability
Marco Benevento and Dave Dreiwitz consider which might be worth more to musicians: formal education and training or instinct, natural ability and playing by ear. Joe Kendrick hosts this episode which is the full version of what was abbreviated for broadcast.
Episode 115: Radio's Future
After reading a new report highlighting radio's decline amongst younger demographics, What It Is took out its crystal ball to look into radio's future. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by Barbie Angell, Jay Sanders and Fred Mills.
Episode 114: Next Big Things That Fell Flat
What It Is welcomes new panelist Barbie Angell and Jay Sanders to the conversation with Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick about artists who didn't live up to their hype.
Broadcast 11-3 and 11-4-10
Episode 113: '60s Icons Still On The Charts
What It Is welcomes new panelist Brian John Mitchell, along with Kristin Isgett and Bob Hinkle for a conversation with host Joe Kendrick about artists with long careers still relevant today.
Broadcast 11-9 through 11-11-10
Episode 112: Albums Covered In Concert
Join guest panelists Marco Benevento and Dave Dreiwitz as they talk about the growing trend of concerts featuring album-length covers by the original artists or their disciples.
Broadcast 11-8-10
Episode 111: The Intersection of Politics and Music
What It Is explores the many examples of artists who've run for political office, and politicians who have strayed into music with host Joe Kendrick, panelists Barbie Angell, Jay Sanders and Fred Mills.
Broadcast 11-1 and 11-2-10
Episode 110: Moogfest 2010
The hottest festival to come to western NC in who-knows-when is landing in Asheville and What It Is spotlights some of the artists and happenings with new panelists Barbie Angell, Jay Sanders and veteran Fred Mills with host Joe Kendrick while remembering the achievements of the late great Bob Moog.
Broadcast 10-26 through 10-28-10
Episode 109: Artsists Who Were Ahead of Their Time
Join Carol Rifkin, Jeff Eason and Joe Kendrick in this What It Is conversation about artists who were pioneers and/or largely overshadowed by their more successful emulators later on.
Broadcast 10-18 and 10-19-10
Episode 108: Songwriting For Dummies
With the release of Songwriting For Dummies, 2nd edition, What It Is decided to examine songwriting in general. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by panelists Carol Rifkin and Jeff Eason in this conversation about the ways songwriters work, the ebb and flow of the importance of songwriting and how hard making a good song is.
Episode 107: Vocalists Who Are An Acquired Taste
Join Jeff Eason, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick for a What It Is about some of the more unusual singers that we have (usually) come to love.
Episode 106: Conspiracy Theories and Wild Rumors
What It Is speculates that Courtney did it after seeing Elvis at the corner store in this conversation with Carol Rifkin, Jeff Eason and host Joe Kendrick.
Episode 105: Career 180s
What It Is examines some notable artists who changed directions dramatically in their careers. From the music itself to transitions to other careers, from religious conversions to sabbaticals, host Joe Kendrick and panelists Carol Rifkin and Jeff Eason have plenty to talk about.