If the last few months taught us one thing, it’s that we can’t take it for granted. We rely on independent and public radio to keep us connected — to the news, the music, and community that guides us forward. With federal support being cut from these essential stations, they need us more than ever.

Released twenty years to the day after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Crescent City, Second Line Sunday, the new collaboration from Trombone Shorty and New Breed Brass Band, is more than just a party; it’s a reflection on culture and tradition, on family and community, on survival and resilience. “This album is a celebration of everything we thought we lost,” says Trombone Shorty. “It’s a celebration of all that we’ve been through and all that we’ve learned along the way. It’s a celebration of New Orleans.”

Did you ever make it to one of the now-famous Lockn’ Festivals in Virginia, perhaps to see the TTB among others? This recording marks the first time the iconic tribute performance to this 1970 Joe Cocker album has been available anywhere since the original concert 10 years ago. It’s an audio companion to a documentary film the band released in 2021. “There was no better act to reproduce the Joe Cocker/Leon Russell-led infamous Mad Dogs & Englishmen ensemble than the Tedeschi Trucks Band…TTB’s musical tribute captures and exudes the exhilaration and significance of an archetypal if brief moment in rock and roll history.” – Rock & Blues Muse

Reunited with producer Matt Ross-Spang (Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, All American Made), and recorded in the historic RCA Studio A, Hard Headed Woman features duets with Tyler Childers and Jesse Welles, contributions from Kris Kristofferson and Rodney Crowell, and a Waylon Jennings song that his widow, Jessi Colter, urged her to sing.

"Who Is the Sky?" is Byrne’s first album since releasing the acclaimed 2018 American Utopia, which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and HBO film. It was produced by the Grammy-winning Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus), while its 12 songs were arranged by the members of New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. Guests include Paramore’s Hayley Williams, St. Vincent, and The Smile drummer Tom Skinner. "It’s subtle, self-critical, and unmistakably Byrne, merging thought-provoking storytelling with warm, artful instrumentation." – Consequence

Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste has his 9th album out, covering a wide variety of influences we dig here at WNCW. “This album is a statement regarding humanity, capitalism, Americana, the inner child, and the irony of faith,” says Batiste. “Written and recorded mostly live in single takes over two weeks, the album captures the raw immediacy of this moment for me. Collective creative expression draws on the roots of our earliest music in this country as a communal power.”

Sunday, November 2, 2025 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC

Born in the bluegrass of Kentucky and raised on Wyoming’s high plains, Shelby Means has established herself as a wonderfully versatile bassist in bluegrass, folk, rock, Americana, and country outfits. Now based in Charleston, SC, during her tenure in Nashville, she was a member of the incredibly impactful GRAMMY-nominated all-female bluegrass band, Della Mae. With Della Mae and others, she has traveled to more than 20 countries around the world, spreading musical diplomacy. From there, she won more GRAMMY nods with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, as well as some beautiful collaborations with her husband Joel Timmons in their Sally & George duo, and their quartet Lover’s Leap with Western NC couple Mary Lucey and Billy Cardine. Shelby’s latest project is her excellent new self-titled bluegrass album. Both Shelby and Joel will each front different bands at the Albino Skunk Music Festival in Greer, SC, this Thursday, and we’ll get a taste of her trio sound when she and Joel visit us, along with another friend of ours, Maya de Vitry!

You’ve heard Molly Tuttle on our airwaves the past few years fronting her bluegrass band Golden Highway. You’ve also heard her rather different sound before the formation of that group, and now you’re hearing her new album So Long Little Miss Sunshine. Recorded in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce (Orville Peck, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Cage the Elephant), the fifth full album from the California-born, Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and virtuoso guitarist is a hybrid of pop, country, rock, and flat-picking. “I like to be a bit of a chameleon with my music,” she says. “Keep people guessing and keep it full of surprises.” Most of these new songs she co-wrote with her partner Ketch Secor, frontman for Old Crow Medicine Show. Tune in for how they sound with the trio format Molly has these days! After shows in Asheville and Knoxville on Saturday and Sunday, they visit WNCW on their way to shows in Savannah and Florida. By the way, the bassist for Golden Highway, Shelby Means, will visit us with her trio on Friday!

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | Asheville Yards | Asheville, NC