Fred Mills and Jeff Eason take the lead in this conversation about quintessential music for the holiday. Joe Kendrick hosts this What It Is from 2008: Songs of Patriotism and Protest. This is the full version of the show edited for rebroadcast 7-4-11
Episode 164: Appalachian Summer Music Festivals
Carol Rifkin and Marshall Ballew join host Joe Kendrick in spotlighting regional old time, bluegrass and country music gatherings like the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, Shindig On The Green, Galax and many more.
Episode 163: Don't Touch My Dial: The Personal Nature Of Radio
Recently, beloved Vanderbilt University student station WRVU was sold and East Tennessee State's WETS changed much of its format. Former WNCW morning host Marshall Ballew joins the panel with Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick in this conversation about these changes and how radio touches people on so many levels.
Episode 162: Album Art
Fred Mills and Jeff Eason join host Joe Kendrick in this conversation about some of the great art made for album covers, creative box set constructions, and how none of this can be replicated on CD packages, much less digital files. This show was originally broadcast in May 2008 and is the full version of WNCW's radio broadcast on 6-15 and 6-16-11
Episode 161: Expatriates and Touring Abroad
What It Is has a conversation with Kim Ruehl, Steve Metcalf and host Joe Kendrick about musicians who have either lived in other countries or have had success touring outside of the U.S.
Episode 160: Curated Festivals
What It Is gives an ear to the phenomenon of artist curated festivals as Pearl Jam, Wilco, Grace Potter and more are calling their own shots this summer. Kim Ruehl joins host Joe Kendrick in this conversation which is the full version of the show edited for radio broadcast.
Episode 159: Reviewing Bela Fleck and the Flecktones' Rocket Science
What It Is spotlights the latest from Bela Fleck with the original lineup of the Flecktones back for their new album, Rocket Science. Kim Ruehl joins Steve Metcalf in this conversation which also looks back to the Flecktones' performances at Green Acres Music Hall, and anticipates the new Gillian Welch album with baited breath.
Episode 158: Bonnaroo 2011
No Depression writer Kim Ruehl prepares for her first Bonnaroo on its 10th anniversary and host Joe Kendrick joins in the preview of the music and arts festival.
Episode 157: Reviewing Evergreen's 20 Acre Farm
Little King Records' Steve Metcalf joins host Joe Kendrick in this review of his label's own, Evergreen, a western NC band with a new album, 20 Acre Farm
Episode 156: Collaborations Past and Present
Jeff Eason and Fred Mills lead the way in this conversation on some of the newest musical collaborations, the artists who are on lots of other folks' albums these days, and some collaborations now and in the past that might not have worked so well. This podcast is the full version of the show edited for radio broadcast.
Episode 155: 2011 Summer Concert Season Preview
What It Is has live music on the brain as Jeff Eason and Fred Mills join host Joe Kendrick in this episode examining some of the new strategies for making the 2011 season a far better one for business than the historically bad summer we had last year. This podcast is the full version of what was abbreviated for radio broadcast.
Episode 154: American Idol
Jeff Eason leads this conversation with Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick in a What It Is focusing on the end of the current year's American Idol show as well as how winning the contest doesn't often equal huge success in the music world. This show is the full version of what was edited for radio broadcast.
Episode 153: Supreme Court Royalty Ruling
Eminem sued his record label for the difference between royalties from old fashioned record sales versus the licensing rate of 50% on all his digital music sales and won. What It Is examines what this means for artists with record contracts written before digital downloads became a big seller. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by panelists Jeff Eason and Fred Mills in this conversation that is the full version of the show edited for radio broadcast.
Episode 152: RIP John Walker and Cornell Dupree
Fred Mills and Jeff Eason pay homage to artists John Walker of Walker Brothers fame and Cornell Dupree, legendary guitarist on this show which is the full version of the conversation edited for radio broadcast.
Episode 151: The Upstate SC Music Scene
What It Is takes a tour of the piedmont of South Carolina in this conversation with Renee Denton, Shaun Williams and Steve Blanton. Host Joe Kendrick joins in the focus on the rich history and current state of music, especially in Greenville and Spartanburg. This podcast is the full version of the show edited for radio broadcast.
Episode 150: Recording Studios and the Art Of Engineering
Steve Blanton leads this conversation about recording technology yesterday and today with Shaun Williams and Renee Denton. From the proliferation of home studios to the rarity of analog tape, Joe Kendrick hosts this episode which is the full version of what was edited for radio broadcast.
Episode 149: Breaking Up The Band
With the Belleville Outfit bringing their run to a close this April, What It Is talks about their amicable split while analyzing why many such bands come to a close. Carol Rifkin and Kim Ruehl are joined by host Joe Kendrick
Episode 148: 2011 Blues Music Awards
What It Is welcomes new panelist and WNCW Saturday Night House Party host Steve Blanton to the show as well as new panelist Shaun Williams of the band Archer Vs Gunman along with Renee Denton on this show about the nominees for the upcoming Blues Music Awards. Joe Kendrick hosts this conversation which talks about who is nominated, who missed getting a nod, plus the state of blues music in general.
Episode 147: Live Albums
Are live albums in relative decline compared to their popularity of the 70s and 80s? What It Is gives an ear to modern concert recordings (and downloads and videos) with panelists Carol Rifkin and Kim Ruehl.
Episode 146: The Life and Music of Zilphia Horton
What It Is examines the life, music and legacy of Zilphia Horton with Kim Ruehl, Carol Rifkin and host Joe Kendrick. Ruehl is writing a book on Horton, who penned classics such as "We Shall Overcome", worked with husband Myles Horton at the Highlander Folk School and led a courageous and fascinating life.