Daniel Coston has worked for artists like Johnny Cash, Wilco, the Left Banke and many others. He joins host Joe Kendrick and panelist Aaron Berg in a conversation about his current and upcoming shows in Charlotte and Madison County, NC. We also talk about the role of photography in making a music icon, and the decline of the profession in the digital age.
Radio broadcast 4-16 and 4-17-12
Recently, Jack White released his new single on floppy disc via 1000 balloons from the rooftop of his label, Third Man, in Nashville. It got us thinking about some of our favorite over-the-top moments in music. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by Aaron Berg and Daniel Coston.
Radio broadcast 4-11 and 4-12-12
Earl Scruggs passed away on March 28, 2012. Host Joe Kendrick is joined by Daniel Coston and Aaron Berg in this tribute to a NC native and world wide music legend.
Radio broadcast 4-9 and 4-10-12
What It Is bids farewell to founding panelist and Blurt magazine editor Fred Mills as he prepares to move from Asheville to Raleigh, NC. Fred is joined by Carol Rifkin and Jeff Eason in this look back on his four and a half years of talk shows with What It Is and some favorite memories of Asheville.
This is the full version of the show that was edited for radio broadcast 4-2-12
With founding panelist Fred Mills leaving the region, we took him up on a request to look back on our 4+ years of music conversations on the show.
Carol Rifkin and Jeff Eason join host Joe Kendrick and our departing colleague and friend in this synopsis of the origins of What It Is, some favorite shows and our observations about what it has accomplished.
This is the full conversation that was edited for radio broadcast 3-20 to 3-22-12
Larry and Jenny Keel talk with host Joe Kendrick about their upcoming album, Classic, with original material and covers of artists Bob Marley and Doc Boggs to boot. This is the show that was edited for radio broadcast 3-19-12.
Larry and Jenny Keel drop in to WNCW studios to talk about their own kind of What It Is, where they pose questions to their fans on their Facebook page. Host Joe Kendrick finds out about these online conversations in this show which was edited for radio broadcast 3/15/12
The What It Is panel anticipates upcoming records from the likes of Shannon Whitworth, Red June, Norah Jones, Acoustic Syndicate, the Hunger Games soundtrack and more
What It Is warms up the RV and patches the tents for this preview of notable music and arts festivals in the region and around the country this year. Carol Rifkin, Jeff Eason and Fred Mills join host Joe Kendrick in this conversation focusing on some noteworthy regional festivals like Mountain Dance and Folk Festival Fiddler's Grove, Merlefest, national favorites like Bonnaroo and much more.
This is the full version of the show that was edited for radio broadcast 2-27 through 3-1-12
With the hyperbole surrounding the new Lana Del Rey album, What It Is examines the machinations of the music business hype machine today and yesterday (when Bruce Springsteen actually lived up to expectations).
Fred Mills and Bob Hinkle join host Joe Kendrick in this episode which was broadcast 2-20 through 2-22-12 .
Bob Hinkle and Fred Mills join host Joe Kendrick in this conversation about the late, great Don Cornelius and the lasting legacy of Soul Train.
Broadcast 2-15 and 2-16-12
Host Joe Kendrick welcomes panelists Fred Mills of Blurt Magazine and Bob Hinkle of the White Horse Black Mountain to the show in this conversation about some favorite (and not so favorite) love songs, what goes into making a classic, some tips on how to make romance using music, and much more.
Radio broadcast on WNCW 2-13 and 2-14-12
Joe Kendrick hosts this conversation with Blurt editor Fred Mills and White Horse Black Mountain owner (and former Grammy voter) Bob Hinkle about the 54th annual Grammy awards. We predict some of the winners and outline how the process of deciding who takes home the hardware both in years past and today.
This is the full version of the conversation that was edited for radio broadcast 2-9 and 2-10-12
Bob Hinkle was Etta James' co-manager and he leads this conversation with Fred Mills and host Joe Kendrick about her life and music as well as fellow pioneer Johnny Otis.
This is the full version of the conversation that was edited for radio broadcast 2-6 and 2-7-12
Ani Difranco talks with Joe Kendrick by phone ahead of her performance in Asheville, NC, about the state of consciousness and protest music, her work with Creative Allies and the music scene in her new home, New Orleans.
Broadcast 2-1 and 2-2-12
Charleston, SC six piece band The Explorers Club join host Joe Kendrick in a far-reaching conversation about their influences, making their new record The Grand Hotel, how technology plays a critical role in doing business, their love of vinyl records and much more.
This is the full version of the conversation that was edited for radio broadcast from 1/23 to 1/30/12
The Explorers Club is a band that prizes great hardware and is meticulous about the recording process, and in this conversation with host Joe Kendrick, they get to talk about some of their ideal music gear and how plug & play is the antithesis to their approach.
This is the full version of the show that was edited for radio broadcast 1-8 and 1-19-12
Host Joe Kendrick welcomes SC six-piece The Explorers Club in this conversation about their hometown music scene. We focus on Charleston's small but striving group of original artists, a key patriarch, the geographic hurdles the scene harbors, and much more.
This is the full version of the show that was edited for radio broadcast 1-16 and 1-17-12
Dana Janssen of Akron/Family talked with us by phone about their upcoming show in Asheville, a new solo record due out in the spring, what's good about being in music in 2012, his dream of building his own boat, spending the winter in Mexico and more.
Daniel Coston's new article and photo spread in Southern Cultures magazine about many prominent NC & SC artists' observations and recollections of backstage experiences is the catalyst for this What It Is conversation with Greg Lyon and host Joe Kendrick.
Broadcast 1-3 to 1-5-12