WNCW

And Bob Schumucker is a singer-songwriter, author, and creator of the uniquely named genre, bug songs.

That's the next hour of Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW.

My first guest is Catherine The Great.

Her sad songs have drawn numerous accolades, including first place at the MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.

This is my dream, and I'm just so grateful that you all are, are here to be with me for it, because I can't do it without you.

Um, Appalachian Vibes is listener-nominated.

You can nominate an artist by emailing me, Amanda Bakke, at appalachianvibes@gmail.com. Appalachian Vibes is proud to air on the following stations: WEHC, WISC FM Wise, WNCW, Channel Radio extension 4, KLZK FM, KKGX extension 1, Cayman Public Radio, and KXCR FM.

I'm Amanda Bakke, and I'll see y'all next time for another hour and a half of Appalachian Vibes from WNCW.

And usually by now they're on...

Like, I listen to WNCW in my car, and I would think I'd be hearing those by now, but maybe not.

Yeah.

I don't...

I'm folk musician Nicholas Edward Williams.

What you're about to hear is the very first live radio show from American Song Catcher called Roots Music Review, recorded and filmed at the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, North Carolina, and syndicated with our partner station, WNCW.

Our first guest was Leah Song, one half of Rising Appalachia, a songstress who has an extremely unique and cultured lens on traditional music, a humanitarian, a storyteller, and a multi-instrumentalist.

This program was made possible by Sound Archive Books, books for the future of music.

Discover their books and support ongoing publishing projects from leading musical artists across genres at soundarchivebooks.org.

[upbeat music] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to American Song Catcher's Roots Music Review.

[audience clapping] We're live at the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, North Carolina, and syndicating on listener supported 88.7 WNCW Radio.

This program is made possible by Sound Archive Books, publisher of books documenting the artists and traditions that have shaped American music and those shaping its future, online at soundarchivebooks.org. Support also comes from Explore Brevard, North Carolina, home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, live music, outdoor recreation, and 250 waterfalls, online at explorebrevard.com. Additional partners include Rare Bird Cultural Arts, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Toccoa Valley Cultural Arts Center, ReString Appalachia, and Ash Vegas.

Now, I don't know what they got in the water down there in Western North Carolina, but there's so many incredible musicians that come out of there and really rich musical heritage.

I just recently learned that WNCW, the local NPR affiliate, only sources announcers and musicians from the local area.

They don't even... syndicate shows and it has so much to draw from that's pretty

awesome

That's the million-dollar question.

Martin Anderson from WNCW pointed out the balance of championing artists while risking listener alienation.

True, but if they don't lean in on tough subjects, will they miss out on valuable conversations? It's a tough call.

I guess it's about finding that sweet spot between authenticity and audience engagement, but it's not easy.