All fall we’ve been featuring look-backs at our Americanafest Day Stage, taped at East Side Bowl and presented by WMOT, World Café, and NPR Music. New this week is the Minneapolis brother duo The Cactus Blossoms, featuring their songs "Powder Blue" and "Something's Gotta Hold." Brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum were late bloomers in music, launching their band when in their 30s. A residency in St. Paul helped them hone their sound, and by 2016 they had a deal with the area’s famous folk label Red House Records.
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Long, tall Mickey Raphael strode into WMOT’s East Nashville studio last week looking fit and hip (particularly so for 73 years old) and ready for his closeup. I don’t mean the interview we were getting ready to tape, but ready for the show he’s getting ready to play on Dec. 3. Raphael has played thousands of shows as the ever-present harmonica man for country icon Willie Nelson. But next week, at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl, for the first time ever, he’ll be the name on the marquee.
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Residents of western North Carolina are still reeling and recovering two months after Hurricane Helene slammed the region in late September. Despite some normalcy (and the recent return of potable water), urgent questions remain about the prospects for the region’s famous and influential music scene. Craig Havighurst came back from the area a week ago after a trip to report, be of use, and catch up with colleagues in hard-hit areas. A network of aid has sprung up, some in repurposed music venues. Performances have gingerly returned to some stages. Artists are taking advantage of various relief grants while they prepare for the winter ahead. Please enjoy this special report and review the options for helping out at the end.
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Joe Boyd is one of the most accomplished and eclectic record producers in the story of popular music. As an American living in London, he helped break psychedelic folk rock pioneers The Incredible String Band and worked with Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, and Fairport Convention. He founded Hannibal Records, giving a home to the solo career of Richard Thompson. He’s also worked with Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Toumani Diabate, Geoff and Maria Muldauer, and many more. He was also part of the small cadre of music marketers and labels that created the market category of World Music in the 1980s. Here, Boyd talks about his journey and his epic new book And The Roots of Rhythm Remain.
LINER NOTES
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The gang from Fruition sat down with Jessie Scott for a special Words & Music set Monday, November 18th.
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A new original song for SAFPAW from Nashville songwriter, Tim Easton. See the video and find out more about SAFPAW and Tim's support of their mission for the past ten years.
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Check out these performances of songs from all eleven of our Mansion Sessions artists. These sessions were released on 9/3 and 9/10.
WMOT VIDEO: LIVE SESSIONS ON NPR MUSIC
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Fruition joins host Jessie Scott in the WMOT studio to discuss life on the road and touring behind their latest album 'How to Make Mistakes'. The band performs "Can You Tell Me," "Lonely Work," and "Whole World of Trouble".
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Shemekia Copeland performed songs from her Grammy-nominated album 'Blame It On Eve' at the 2024 AMERICANAFEST. Watch clips from her set here.
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Rosie Flores joins host Webb Wilder to discuss her recent NEA National Heritage Fellowship award, her decades-spanning career, and two upcoming records. Flores also performed acoustic versions of "Just Another Fool", "Dracula's Haunt", "Lines", and "Who's Looking For Me".
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Watch Elizabeth Cook perform "Razor Wire Wall" and "These Days" for WMOT's Mansion Sessions, recorded live from inside Two Rivers Mansion during this year's Roots on the Rivers festival.
NPR Top Stories
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Biden is now the third president to pardon a relative, after Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. Here's a look at the commonplace — yet often controversial — presidential power.
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Every year, we ask NPR staff and book critics to share their favorite titles in our annual Books We Love guide. Behind the scenes, it's fun to spot trends and see what gets nominated again and again.
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You can't always know that it's a great year for new music while it's happening, but there was a sense from the very start of 2024 that we were in for a ride.
Mickey Raphael & the Honchos host a benefit for "Outlaw State of Kind" Tue, Dec. 3rd at Brooklyn Bowl w/ Shelby Lynne, Margo Price, T. Bone Burnett and more
Win a pair of tickets to Brent Cobb at Ryman Auditorium on December 5, 2024
Win a pair of tickets to Kacey Musgraves at Bridgestone Arena on December 6th 2024
All good things don’t have to come to an end! Give your used vehicle new life when you donate it to WMOT. Donating is easy, the pick-up is free, and your gift is tax-deductible.
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