Appalachian Vibes: Recent Episodes
Amanda Bocchi
Appalachian Vibes is a radio show and podcast dedicated to challenging the expectations and highlighting the diversity of music created in the Appalachian Region.
Father-son comedy rap duo, Knucklehedz, takes parenting and childhood teasing to a new level with their diss track, na-na-na-na-boo-boo. Stephen Davies (father) is a well known comedy rap artist making people laugh for decades with his band, Illbotz. Knuckleheadz's inception came about when Jackson Davies (son) went to an Illbotz practice and decided he wanted to join the band. Because Jackson was a mere 3 year old lad, Dad decided to start a rap duo for the two of them. In 2023 they had the number one song on Dr. Demento's show. (Which is a super big deal seeing as how Dr. Demento discovered Weird Al.)
Follow their journey:
knuckleheadz.bandcamp.com
illbotz.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/knuckleheadzkidhop
www.twitter.com/knuckleheadzrap
www.youtube.com/stevied123
Knuckleheadz on Spotify
Illbotz on Spotify
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Corey Ward is an alternative pop singer-songwriter from the Durham-Raleigh area of North Carolina. A semi-finalist on Season 20 of The Voice, Corey is currently working on his debut full-length album in collaboration with Dan Pohl Studios in Walterboro, South Carolina. We discuss his single, "Wasn't Enough".
Learn more at https://www.coreywardmusic.com/
Learn more about where "Wasn't Enough" was recorded: https://dpohl.webflow.io/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Stephen Davies, AKA Stevie D, is an accomplished comedy rap artist and the creative force behind the duo Knuckleheadz, which he formed with his 3-year-old son, Jackson Davies. Professionally, Stephen has spent the past 25 years as an activities director and administrator in nursing homes. Throughout his career, he collected dozens of hilarious stories and recently released, "Granny’s Got a Fart Gun: Hilarious and Heartwarming Tales from the Nursing Home.
Buy Granny's got a Fart Gun https://www.amazon.com/Grannys-Got-Fart-Gun-Heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0F142598D
You can learn more about Stephen Davies at
knuckleheadz.bandcamp.com
illbotz.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/knuckleheadzkidhop
www.facebook.com/illbotz
www.twitter.com/knuckleheadzrap
www.twitter.com/illbotz
www.reverbnation.com/illbotz
www.youtube.com/stevied123
Knuckleheadz on Spotify
Illbotz on Spotify
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
My guest this week is Stephen Davies, a comedy rap artist best known for his work with the cult-favorite group Illbotz and his father-son duo, Knuckleheadz, alongside his son Jackson. Off the stage, Stephen has spent the last 25 years as an activities director and administrator in nursing homes.
Drawing from decades of real-life experience, Stephen recently published Granny’s Got a Fart Gun—a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories from the nursing home. It’s a laugh-out-loud celebration of humanity, aging, and the unexpected moments that make life hilarious.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Joshua Strachan is an experimental, industrial, atmospheric black metal, dark folk, and ambient songwriter and producer living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
He grew up in Iowa and Virginia, moving to NYC in the early 2000's where he experimented in various genres for a decade. There he became involved with Wierd Records, a label and weekly party founded by artist Pieter Scoolwerth - which became instrumental in creating a new and vibrant global community built around obscure cold wave and minimal synth. He spent 7 years in New Orleans until covid hit and he made his way back home to the mountains of Virginia.
Each collaboration and project Strachan has incited is marked by the presence of the climate and atmosphere of his environment, as evidenced by the song we discuss, Deer Stalking- an ecological comment on the growth of deer populations in residential areas.
Learn more about Joshua Strachan: https://joshuastrachan.bandcamp.com/track/as-the-world-falls-down
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Strachan
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Kaily Schenker (AKA Solar Hex) is a classically trained cellist, harmonium player, singer and self-proclaimed Appalachian dirt goblin. She lives in a 150-year-old brick hut in the middle of a cow field.
We discuss how classical music education shaped her experimental cello folk compositions, how the Universe brought her a harmonium and her rendition of the ballad of the House Carpenter written in the mid 1600’s.
You can learn more about Solar Hex at https://solarhex.bandcamp.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Kaily Schenker, also known as Solar Hex is a classically trained cellist and a harmonium player. Hailing from Blacksburg, VA, she considers herself an experimental folk musician.
"We discuss the song she performs called The House Carpenter. The earliest known version of the ballad "The House Carpenter" was entered in the Stationers' Register on February 21, 1657, making it a popular ballad from the mid-seventeenth century. The first recorded version of the song was made in America by the Carolina Tar Heels on October 11, 1928, with vocals by Doc Walsh."
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Amelia Empson is an indie Americana and folk artist from Christiansburg, VA. She discusses the dangers of playing saw, and her album, Overalls and Lingerie.
Learn more about Amelia at https://www.ameliaempson.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Last weekend I traveled out to Natural Bridge, VA for MidMountain Fest, an event focused on reclaiming Appalachian murder ballads. I had the chance to catch up with Elsa Howell-a roots and old time inspired singer-songwriter from Roanoke, VA; and Amelia Empson, an indie Americana folk singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist.
Learn more about Elsa Howell's debut EP, Eyes Wide on all streaming platforms.
Amelia Empson shares the caveats of playing saw and her album, Overalls and Lingerie.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Elsa Howell is a roots and old time inspired singer-songwriter from Roanoke, VA. I caught up with Elsa last weekend at Mid Mountain Fest, an event focused on reclaiming Appalachian murder ballads. We discuss her family band and her debut EP, Eyes Wide.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Adria Accomando is a young adult and new adult fiction author who recently published her first novel, Violet's Gray.
We listen to the first chapter of her novel and discuss her inspiration behind the story that revealed the shocking UFO encounters from her childhood hometown in upstate NY.
Find her book: https://www.amazon.com/Violets-Gray-Adria-Accomando/dp/B0CHVZLBFT
Learn more about Adria: https://www.facebook.com/people/Adria-Accomando-Author/61550071862340/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Adria Accomando is a young adult and new adult fiction author who recently published her first novel, Violets Gray.
We discuss her inspiration behind the story that revealed the shocking UFO encounters from her childhood hometown in upstate NY!
Find Violets Gray:
https://www.amazon.com/Violets-Gray-Adria-Accomando/dp/B0CHVZLBFT
Learn more about Adria:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Adria-Accomando-Author/61550071862340/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Salem Langoski is a singer-songwriter rising star at 14 year old, she shares the life events that have shaped her desire to develop into songwriter and Jason long is a Virginia history teacher and roots based, rock inspired singer-songwriter. We talk about the difficult year of his life in college where his father passed and the song Chop Block inspired by his fathers words "Don't let the wood pile get so low that you have to burn the chop block too..."
Find Salem Langoski:
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@st4r_g1rl69
Find Jason Long:
https://www.jasonlongmusic.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Baxter Briefly is a New Alt Funk slap and tap bassist singer-songwriter from Roanoke, VA.
We discuss his unique style of playing bass, the breakups that inspired his songwriting and the downloads he receives from the ether that give him a full composition all at once.
You can learn more at http://baxterbriefly.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Salem Langowski (AKA Lividity) is Roanoke, Virginia’s 14 year old rising star. She's been writing music and playing guitar for over a year. She recently recorded her debut EP.
You can discover more on tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@st4r_g1rl69
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Baxter Briefly is the New Alt Funk slap and tap bassist singer-songwriter emerging from the mountains of SW Virginia.
We discuss his unique style of playing bass, the breakups that inspired his songwriting and the downloads he receives from the ether that give him a full composition all at once.
Follow Baxter Briefly's journey at; http://baxterbriefly.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Molly of Geography is a pop singer-songwriter with roots in Virginia, now residing in Brooklyn, NY. She’s a true Renaissance woman who has enjoyed success as a hockey journalist, a writer, and she’s had wild organic success on platforms like Spotify as an independent singer-songwriter.
Learn more about Molly Seely at https://ofgeography.com/music/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Tyler Hughes is an East Tennessee State University bluegrass graduate, the
Executive Director for The Crooked Rd. and he also serves on Big Stone Gaps Town Council.
Learn more about the Crooked Rd. at https://thecrookedroadva.com/
This episode of Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at visitgalax.org.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Girls Rock Roanoke is part of a national and world wide movement to educate and empower girls and gender expansive youth through music, creativity and collaboration.
Girls Rock Roanoke is a music camp movement that began in 2001 with the establishment of the Rock 'n Roll Camp for girls in Portland, Oregon.
I chat with Catherine Backus and Lacy Levy, board member and executive director of the non profit, Girls Rock Roanoke.
Learn more about Girls Rock at girlsrockroanoke.org
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Tim Seely is a roots-based singer-songwriter from New York. He spent many years in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia as an educator and he currently builds handmade ships and performs in Maine.
We discuss his musical family in early child-hood, his religious evolution and songs from his latest self-titled album.
Learn more about Tim at https://www.timseeleymusic.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Melissa McKinney, the electrifying blues force from Asheville and frontwoman of Mama & the Ruckus, steals the spotlight in this must-listen Spotify episode! Joining her is McKinney, Melissa’s daughter and a soul-pop sensation whose harmonies trace back to Sesame Street. Get ready to uncover the mesmerizing mother-daughter bond and dive deep into Melissa's riveting tales of love's triumphs and trials. But that's not all – McKinney treats us to the soulful sounds of her original songs, sharing raw and relatable experiences in love and life. Don't miss this intimate musical journey.
Learn more about Melissa McKinney at https://melissamckinneymusic.com/
Learn more about McKinney at https://mckinneymusic.net/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Mama & the Ruckus with Melissa McKinney is one Asheville's blues powerhouse voices alongside her daughter McKinney, a soul pop artist who has been harmonizing with her mother since her Sesame Street days. This episode highlights the special bond between mother and daughter and Melissa's song "Thank God" off her recent debut self titled release, Mama & the Ruckus.
Learn more about Mama & the Ruckus: https://melissamckinneymusic.com/
Learn more about McKinney: https://mckinneymusic.net/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Jamie Collins is a singer-songwriter and teacher hailing from Bristol, Tennessee now residing in Hillsville, Virginia. She possesses a unique talent for engaging with audiences and students alike. The profound connection she has with listeners is rooted in her dedication to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of traditional Appalachian music that has been handed down through generations.
We discuss her song “Smoke Rising” off her debut album Enjoy Life.
You can learn more about Jamie and her album Enjoy Life at jamiecollinsmusic.com
Appalachian Vibes Radio Shiw is bright to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. You can learn more about Galax at https://visitgalax.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Jamie Collins is a Bristol, Tennessee old time and bluegrass singer-songwriter and teacher with a special gift of connecting to audiences (and her students) through her passion for passing down the traditional Appalachian music that was passed down to her.
We discuss her family sound, the importance of passing down the tradition of bluegrass and old time to a new generation of players and her debut album, Enjoy Life.
Learn more about Jamie Collins at https://www.jamiecollinsmusic.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
The Biscuit Eaters are a 7 piece, Bluegrass and Old Time family string band from Surry County, NC with their youngest member playing fiddle and singing at 5 years old. Meredith is a home schooling mother of six kids and their bass player, and father, Jason is a pastor.
I got the chance to interview the family at the 2nd annual Galax Old Time Christmas Festival last weekend!
Learn more about The Biscuit Eaters at https://youtube.com/@thebiscuiteaters?si=TxPae233zqFjytvT
https://www.facebook.com/thebiscuiteatersnc?mibextid=LQQJ4d
This mini episode of Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers.
You can learn more about Galax at visitgalax.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Courtney Brown is an Assistant Professor at Southern Methodist University for the Center for Creative Computation, a Fulbright scholarship winner, coder and musician who designs instruments and composes using a very unique medium, a dinosaur’s head.
The featured composition in todays episode was from the 2023 Hadrosaur Variations recorded at the New Music Edmonton’s, Now Hear This Festival. The composition was created using an older subadult Corythosaurus instrument.
Sharif Razzaque was Courtneytoday’slaborator for the fabrication. CT Scans were provided by Lawrence Witmer from Ohio University.
You can learn more about dinosaur Choir, Courtney’s work at Courtney-Brown.net
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
My guest is Courtney Brown, she’s an Assistant Professor at Southern Methodist University in the Center for Creative Computation, a Fulbright scholarship winner, coder and musician who designs instruments and composes using a very unique medium, a dinosaur’s head.
The featured composition in todays episode was from the 2023 Hadrosaur Variations recorded at the New Music Edmonton’s, Now Hear This Festival. The composition was created using an older subadult Corythosaurus instrument.
Sharif Razzaque was Courtneytoday’slaborator for the fabrication. CT Scans were provided by Lawrence Witmer from Ohio University.
You can learn more about dinosaur Choir, Courtney’s work at Courtney-Brown.net
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Cameron Ragsdale is a multi instrumentalist, composer, upright bassist, guitar player and singer-songwriter from Bristol Tennessee.
We discuss his time at NYU studying composition and his song ‘This Lonliness’ inspired by a dream he had about Hank Williams.
You can learn more about Cam at https://camragsdale.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Cameron Ragsdale is a multi instrumentalist, composer, upright bassist, guitar player and singer-songwriter from Bristol, Tennessee.
We discuss his time at NYU studying composition and his song ‘This Loneliness’ inspired by a dream he had about Hank Williams.
You can learn more about Cam Ragsdale at https://camragsdale.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
My guest this week is the Atlanta based roots singer-songwriter Geoffrey Wood with his first solo album release titled, Thank You.
We discuss the track, "Memphis Makes Me Sad", which is a look back at a past relationship that Geoff feels ended in part because he denied his then girlfriend an excursion to Graceland while they were in Memphis. He takes a honest look at himself post relationship and what the relationship could have been if he gave her more grace...
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Logan Michael was a guitar player, producer and singer-songwriter, a father, son, a friend and an incredibly loving guy.
I speak with the mother of his child, Moriah McCowan, who has turned this loss into The Lion Blues, a recording space in Roanoke, VA that serves the community through recording services, music lessons and music therapy.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
This weeks episode is in honor of a very talented friend of mine that passed unexpectedly last year. Logan Michael was a guitar player, producer and singer-songwriter, a father, son, a friend and an incredibly loving guy.
I speak with the mother of his child, Moriah McCowan and her business partner Charlie Hall who has turned this loss into The Lion Blues, a recording space in Roanoke, VA that serves the community through recording services, music lessons and music therapy.
Learn more about the Lion Blues Observatory at https://www.thelionblues.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
My guest this week is Jared Boyd, a banjo player and an artist in residence for The Crooked Road, his band, The Twin Creeks Stringband, won this years Galax Fiddlers Convention in the Old Time Band category!
You can learn more about the Twin Creeks Stringband at https://www.facebook.com/Twincreeksoldtime/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers.
Learn more about Galax at https://visitgalax.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Sol Roots is the soul, blues and funky roots inspired singer-songwriter from Washington DC. We discuss Sol’s experience working with his father, a founding member of Music Maker, a not for profit that seeks to meet the needs of artists who create traditional American music.
We dive into his journey traveling to record blues and roots legends across the South and Sol’s latest releases.
Learn more about Sol Roots and his upcoming shows at: https://solrootsmusic.com/home
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Last week was the 87th annual Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Galax, VA. I joined 80,000 folks from around the world to experience my first Galax, the nick name for the festival for long time convention goers.
Players from around the world compete on the historic Felts Park stage for different prizes. I arrived Thursday for the inaugural ‘Stories and Strings’ event in downtown Galax.
Featured in this mini episode are The Jack Tale Players from Ferrum, VA. I spoke with Emily and Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, long time members of the troupe.
The main events begin Friday night, the first evening for full band competitions in the Old Time and Bluegrass categories. The Loose Strings Band opened the evening with The National Anthem; I walked around until I happened upon Trish Fore, the bluegrass banjo librarian for the Twin Counties. She was practicing with her band, Trish and the Wildcats, for their particular event.
If you’d like to learn more about the festival, head over to oldtimefiddlersconvention.com!
I can’t wait until next years Galax, come say hi if y’all see me there:)
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Issac Hadden is a jazz influenced, funky, fusion guitarist and singer-songwriter based out of Asheville, NC.
We discuss his debut album, The Glue, now available on all streaming platforms.
Learn more about the Issac Hadden Organ Trio anywhere you stream music or on all social media platforms❤️
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
My first guest this week is Linda Skeens, winner of 32 blue ribbons at the 2022 Virginia Kentucky district fair now turned author after her story went viral on social media.
Linda’s story went viral when a dj from Dallas, Texas made a Tik Tok in an attempt to find the woman who had dominated the Virginia Kentucky district fair for her canning recipes.
She recently published her first cook book featuring a collection of recipes and family stories called “Blue Ribbon Kitchen; Recipes and Tips From Americas Favorite Country Fair Champion”.
She's been featured on The Today Show, Southern living and NPR. You can learn more about her book and life story at https://lindaskeensblueribbon.com/
My second guest is the folk band, Still Frisky from Roanoke, Virginia! Still Frisky is a three part harmony, acoustic four piece, focusing on traditional and roots music. Their sound and band was born out of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke. In this segment we discuss the intersection of spirituality and harmony.
You can learn more about Still Frisky at https://www.facebook.com/suzinewton74/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
This week on Appalachian Vibes Radio Show my guest is Rob Slusser, a banjo driven bluegrass singer-songwriter from Clifton Forge, Virginia.
We discuss his debut album, Drifting and his single, "My Last Love Letter"; you can learn more about Rob's album on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Vr7ctfBARFBSruLHTKP44?si=xAk6yYR6Qxq14f62O9I-hw&nd=1
Tune in for the full hour every Friday at 2pm on WEHC and WISE FM and Saturday mornings at 6 am on WNCW!
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Rob Slusser is a banjo driven singer-songwriter from Clifton Forge, Virginia. We discuss what it’s like growing up in a small town with a father as a mortician, sin, second chances and the zen of being a musician.
Learn more about Rob Slusser and his album Drifting on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3Vr7ctfBARFBSruLHTKP44?si=xAk6yYR6Qxq14f62O9I-hw&nd=1
Instagram: @banjo_rob
https://www.facebook.com/banjorobslusser/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
I have a special guest this week, he’s a surrealism author, a long time college English professor, a technical writer and he happens to be my Dad. Joseph Bocchi, reads his latest short story titled Wild Dogs inspired from his experience growing up in upstate New York.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes@gmail.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
This week my guest is Mark Brine, an Americana folk and blues singer-songwriter creating art that is "pure and rootsy, and brimming with emotion harkening back to Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family."
We discuss the evolution of country music and the underbelly of Nashville on this hour of Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW.
You can learn more about Mark Brine at https://markbrine.com/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Chris Pollins is a sculptor, teacher, and director of Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, a community school located in Galax, VA with a "mission is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of southwest Virginia by offering classes and events year-round for all ages and skill levels in traditional music, heritage crafts, and contemporary arts."
You can learn more about Chestnut Creek School of the Arts at https://chestnutcreekarts.org/
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Mitch Greenhill is a musician, composer, author, FLiArtists record label owner and producer of the recently released Doc Watson 100th anniversary album featuring artists like Dolly Parton and Rosanne Cash.
'I am a Pilgrim' is the title of Doc Watson's 100th anniversary tribute album released by the FLiArtists label, the song featured in today's mini was performed by Rosanne Cash. Learn more about the album anywhere you stream music, You can also find out more about Mitch at mitchgreenhill.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Mitch Greenhill is a musician, composer, record producer, author and President of the music agency FLiArtists.
Mitch Greenhill recalls his childhood growing up with his father, Manny Greenhill, a music promoter in in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. Mitch watched his father work with the likes of Pete Seeger and Joan Biaz and he began playing piano as a child then guitar in his adolescence. Mitch later became Doc Watson's manager and a producer on many of his records.
We dive into his latest project, producing Doc Watson's 100th anniversary album titled, I am a Pilgrim.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
My guest this week is Erik Vincent Huey, a West Virginia, Americana singer-songwriter with generations of coal miners in his family. His latest album is called Appalacahin Gothic, it explores into the complexity of Appalachias union past and her ever changing future.
You can learn more about Erik Vincent Huey and his album, Appalachian Gothic at https://www.erikvincenthuey.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Find Appalachian Vibes Radio Hour on all social media platforms and check out past episodes on Spotify, prx or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
This week my guest is Trish Fore, the library director for Galax-Carroll Regional Library. She's a banjo playing, library loving woman with a unique mission to combine music and library services for the population she serves.
You can learn more about the Galax-Carroll Regional Library here: https://galaxcarroll.lib.va.us
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Find Appalachian Vibes Radio Show on all social media platforms and check out past episodes on Spotify, PRX or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Today we explore the art of broadcasting with Joe Kendrick, WNCW’s program director, as well as the creator and host of Southern Songs and Stories-a music interview podcast and radio show.
Learn more about Joe and Southern Songs and Stories: https://www.southernsongsandstories.com
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Paul Dempsey is a digital artist, egg tempura painter, jazz and bluegrass inspired finger style guitarist and composer from Lynchburg, VA.
From losing part of a finger (just like Jerry Garcia), to helping his late brother complete a top secret jazz album, becoming an expert in the almost lost art of egg tempura painting and taking the digital art world by storm...Paul Dempsey is a renaissance artist in every way.
You can learn more about Paul Dempsey at pauldempsey.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Paul Dempsey is a digital artist, egg tempera painter, jazz and bluegrass inspired finger style guitarist and composer from Lynchburg, VA...who is also missing a third of his middle finger on his picking hand. Paul shares how Jerry Garcia inspired his finger picking style after losing part of his finger, incidentally the same finger Jerry damaged on his picking hand.
These days Paul is primarily a digital artist and painter, you can find him and his artwork, May 19 at Camp Reckoning in New Castle VA.
Event link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/466016385605448
You can learn more about Paul Dempsey at pauldempsey.com
Thank you to my guest this week, a special thanks to Palmyra the band for the into music. Learn more about Palmyra at https://www.palmyratheband.com.
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
You can listen to Pauls full interview at appalachianvibes.net or wherever you get your podcasts.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Sneezy is the funk-hop, boy band from Chicago, Illinois with a comedy element to their music. They're fun, funny and full of sax-tastic licks, and hip hop interludes.
Learn more about Sneezy: https://www.sneezyband.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax tourism, "building our future while celebrating our past." You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing moi at appalachianvibes@gmail.com
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Dusty Ray Simmons is a Richmond, VA soul inspired singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist; in this mini episode we discuss his recent release "Excuses".
You can learn more about Dusty Ray Simmons at https://dustyraysimmons.bandcamp.com
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at visitgalax.com.
You can keep up with all things Appalachian Vibes Radio Show on our social media channels and listen to our previous episodes on Spotify, PRX, and appalachianvibes.net.
I’m Amanda Bocchi, I’ll see y’all Saturday's at 6am on WNCW and Friday's (beginning March 24th ) on WECH & WISE FM Radio at 2pm for the full hour of Appalachian Vibes Radio Show.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Dusty Ray Simmons, the multi-instrumentalist and soul singer-songwriter hailing from Richmond, VA, joins me as my esteemed guest on this weeks episode. During our conversation, he recounts how he used to sneak into his garage after school in the first grade to practice on his father's drum kit, unbeknownst to his parents. Moreover, he also reveals how the pandemic has been instrumental in shaping him into the songwriter he is today.
Learn more about Dusty Ray Simmons: dustyraysimmons.bandcamp.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax tourism, building our future while celebrating our past.You can learn more about Galax at visitgalax.com.
You can learn more about Appalachian Vibes on all social media platforms and you can find past episodes on Spotify, PRX and appalachianvibes.net.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Cold Chocolate is a Boston based Americana duo, we chat about how the band got their name, and what it's like being a touring musician while having kiddos.
Learn more about Cold Chocolate: http://www.coldchocolatemusic.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Find Appalachian Vibes Radio Hour on all social media platforms and check out past episodes on Spotify, PRX or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I’m Amanda Bocchi, I’ll see y’all Saturday morning at 6 am for the full hour of Appalachian vibes from WNCW.
Click here to listen to WNCW!
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Cold Chocolate is a Boston based Americana duo, we discuss their development from classical musicians to raw roots inspired songwriters, having kids and the depth it brings to life, and the dichotomy of tour, band ship and family.
Learn more about Cold Chocolate: http://www.coldchocolatemusic.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Find Appalachian Vibes Radio Hour on all social media platforms and check out past episodes on Spotify, prx or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I’m Amanda Bocchi, I’ll see y’all Saturday morning at 6 am for the full hour of Appalachian vibes from WNCW.
Click here to listen to WNCW!
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Happy Valentines Day! C. David Gelly is a mystery suspense novelist hailing from the small town of Fancy Gap, VA where he draws inspiration from the tiny hollows and interesting folk that live in the gap roads off I77.
"For travelers along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Fancy Gap, the fog often hangs like an azure dreamscape over the rolling green hills. But when a madman abducts two children and disappears into the wisps with the young brother and sister, the landscape becomes a nightmare for the children’s parents and local residents. The county sheriff remains under intense pressure to track down the predator, yet all leads come up cold and the officers are sickened when a horrific act at the Devil’s Den challenges them all to act quickly. To solve the crime before the Labor Day Flea Market and Gun Show, sleuths Quinn McSpain and Louisa Hawke are drawn into the mystery and head into the hills and hollows of the southwestern Virginia mountains."
-Amazon.com
Learn more about the author and find Fancy Gap series here:
https://www.amazon.com/Fancy-Gap-C-David-Gelly-ebook/dp/B008GWEXX4?ref_=ast_author_dp
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T6TPAR4?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_1&storeType=ebooks
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XJ7CXL3?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_2&storeType=ebooks
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NC4CRYJ?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_3&storeType=ebooks
Thank you to my guest this week, and a special thanks to Palmyra the band for the intro and outro music.
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax, tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers.
Galax tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
I’m Amanda bocchi, I’ll see y’all Saturday morning at 6AM FOR THE FULL HOUR OF APPALACHIAN VIBES RADIO SHOW FROM WNCW!
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Patti Frye Meredith is a Southern fiction, Galax, VA born and raised novelist, currently residing in Chapel Hill, NC. She discusses her latest novel, South of Heaven, which takes place in Carthage, NC. The place her Grandmother and parents were raised.
Learn more about Patti Frye Meredith: https://www.pattimeredith.com
You can find her book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1599489058/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4R78FVEEAYPP3XCVVWG7
It's also available at small book stores:
Chapters Bookshop
101 East Grayson St
Galax, Virginia 24333
(276) 236-9703
chaptersbookshop.com
McIntyre's Books
Fearrington Village
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-3030
Fearrington.com/mcintyres-books
The Country Bookshop
140 NW Broad Street
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-3211
thecountrybookshop.biz
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax, tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax tourism, “building our future while celebrating our past.” You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Tune in Saturday at 6 am, if you're up really late, or really early, for the full hour of Appalachian Vibes from WNCW.
Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at appalachianvibes.net. Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Patti Frye Meredith is a Southern fiction, Galax, VA born and raised novelist, currently residing in Chapel Hill, NC. She discusses her latest novel, South of Heaven, which takes place in Carthage, NC. The place her Grandmother and parents were raised.
Learn more about Patti Frye Meredith: https://www.pattimeredith.com
You can find her book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1599489058/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4R78FVEEAYPP3XCVVWG7
It's also available at small book stores:
Chapters Bookshop
101 East Grayson St
Galax, Virginia 24333
(276) 236-9703
chaptersbookshop.com
McIntyre's Books
Fearrington Village
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-3030
Fearrington.com/mcintyres-books
The Country Bookshop
140 NW Broad Street
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-3211
thecountrybookshop.biz
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax, tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax tourism, "building our future while celebrating our past." You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Tune in Saturday at 6 am, if you're up really late, or really early, for the full hour of Appalachian Vibes from WNCW.
Love,
Amanda Bocchi
The James Lagueux Band is a progressive and experimental rock from Roanoke, Va. We discuss their inspiration behind the music and Ben Epperly’s chaotic genius on the keyboard.
And Kandace Newman is the inspirational artist behind Emerald Pine originals, she shares her incredible personal journey of following her faith into the mysterious world of art, single motherhood and transforming her life.
Learn more about The James Lagueux Band: https://www.facebook.com/jameslagueuxfusionguitarist/
Learn more about Kandace Newman and Emerald Pine Originals: https://ne-np.facebook.com/people/Emerald-Pine-Originals/100069458472189/
Check out her amazing art on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopEmeraldPine?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1371974823
Cody Christian is Powhatan, VA Americana/Country artist. You know the folks the song "A Country Boy will Survive" was written about? Well, Cody Christian embodies the essence of ol' Hank jr.'s song.
On this episode of Appalachian Vibes, Cody delves into how he quit his job working at a ship yard, thoughts on his career and music-plus where he's headed next. His latest album is titled, Canary in a Coal Mine.
You can learn more about Cody at https://codychristianmusic.com
Last week my guest was Jonah Carden, you can listen to the full interview at https://appalachianvibes.net or learn more about Jonah: https://www.facebook.com/jonahcardenmusic/
Intro and Outro music by Palmyra the Band, learn more: https://www.palmyratheband.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, "Building Our Future While Celebrating Our Past." You can learn more about Galax at https://visitgalax.com.
Everyone have a beautiful week, I'll see y'all Tuesday, Jan 31 at 7:51 am for an all new Appalachian Vibes mini on WNCW!
Kandace Newman (AKA Emerald Pine Originals) is a painter, a wood burner and a single mom with an incredible story to share. In 2020 Kandace found herself in the middle of a break up with a brand new baby, at the start of what will forever be remembered as The year of 'Rona.
Up until 2020, Kandace served as an EMT in her rural community of Galax, VA. With a new baby, a pandemic and the tumult of a breakup, Kandace found herself in the same play many of us did at that time, in the darkness of a mental health storm. In an effort to clear her head and begin to heal, she started hiking.
During one of her hiking trips, as she reached the mountains' summit, she was suddenly struck with an image of the scene that sprawled before her: Appalachia's beauty painted in surreal Lisa frank-ish hues. She got an overwhelming feeling that she needed to paint the view she was looking at. She snapped a reference photo and quickly went home to paint the image she saw in her mind. From there Kandace's art took off, and now (January of 2023) she is a full time artist allowing her inner voice to lead her. She doesn't know where the path will bring her, but she's trusting the process and listening to her intuition and leaning on God to fulfill her purpose.
Check out her art here: https://ms-my.facebook.com/Emerald-Pine-Originals-105958424785581/photos/414185633962857/
Shop her art on ETSY:
ShopEmeraldPine
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about galax at visitgalax.com.
Thanks to Palmyra, the band, for the intro and outro music. You can learn more about Palmyra at: https://www.palmyratheband.com
I'm Amanda Bocchi, feel free to hit me up at appalachianvibes@gmail.com
Have a beautiful week,
Amanda
Jonah Carden is an Americana, rock and metal inspired singer/songwriter from Southern West Virginia. He has written, recorded, and independently released 4 independent albums.
He got the inspiration and encouragement to quit his day job when his fiancé told him to follow his dreams.
We discuss the songwriting group that gave Jonah the motivation and creativity to write most of the songs featured on todays episode.
Learn more about Jonah Garden: https://www.facebook.com/jonahcardenmusic/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism: Building our future while celebrating our past.You can learn more about Galax, VA at https://visitgalax.com/
Thank you to Palmyra, the band, for the intro and outro music:)
Check 'em out here: https://www.palmyratheband.com
Holler at me, Amanda Bocchi, anytime at appalachianvibes@gmail.com
Have a beautiful week❤️
This week, my guest is a mix of traditional Appalachian twang and rock and roll, Matt Mullins and the Bringdowns come from Beckley, West Virginia with howling harmonicas, a raw blues guitar, and bone chilling vocals.
Matt Mullins discusses his relation to the famous Hatfield’s from the Hatfield/ McCoy feud from West Virginia’s history; and Matt’s determination to honor the memory of Bill Withers, one of the most legendary musicians to come from the Beckley, WV.
You can learn more about Matt Mullins & the Bringdowns and all of their adventures: https://www.bringdowns.com/
I’ll see y’all next Saturday at 6am on WNCW for another hour of Appalachian Vibes from WNCW. Everyone have a fabulous week and I hope it’s been a wonderful start to 2023 for you!
Thank you to Palmyra the band, for the intro music! You can learn more about Palmyra at https://www.palmyratheband.com/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax, VA at https://visitgalax.com/
You can hit me up, Amanda Bocchi, (producer/host/creator) at appalachianvibes@gmail.com to chat or to submit an artist.
Much Love ❤️
Amanda
On this weeks Appalachian Vibes mini, my guest is the tourism director for the city of Galax, VA. We discuss her role as tourism director, what brought her to Galax and how she’s putting her own spin on the special events in Galax.
Appalachian Vibes is bright to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism: “Building our Future While Celebrating our Past.” You can learn more about Galax at https://visitgalax.com/, or reach out to the visitors center any time.
I’ll see y’all Saturday at 6 am for the full hour of Appalachian Vibes from WNCW!
Happy New Year! For this weeks episode I selected some of my favorite interviews from 2022.
From The Blushin’ Roulettes, an Appalachian swing duo who got their start on a farm in Mendocino, CA eventually making their way to the hills of NC-to Dr. Bacon, an Appalachian grass six-piece from Asheville, NC-down to Atlanta with Small Reactions, a new age soul, exotica inspired quartet, then up to Forest, VA with Karlee Raye, a country soul singer-songwriter and finally to St. Louis with The Hooten Hallers, an amalgamation of influences including pre-war jazz, Chicago blues with hints of punk.
Happy New Years! Thank you to my guests throughout 2022, thank you to WNCW for sharing Appalachian Vibes on their air waves, a special thanks to you, the listener, for joining me live on air or on your fav podcasting platform. Your support truly means the world to me and the artists who share their talents.
Thanks to Galax Tourism for for being our sponsor for these past few months. Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at https://visitgalax.com/
Sending y’all love and joy through the holiday season.
Email me anytime at appalachianvibes@gmail.com
Love,
Amanda Bocchi
The JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program from Galax, VA are my featured guests this morning. Last weekend, December 10 2022 was the traditional Appalachian Christmas Festival in downtown Galax, VA. Elementary age kids stood bundled in their heaviest coats and mittens around a couple of mics singing and playing the old time and bluegrass music from Appalachian past, and inevitably Appalachia’s future.
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism. Made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, “Building Our Future While Celebrating Our Past”You can learn more about Galax at https://visitgalax.com/
I’m Amanda Bocchi, I’ll see y’all Saturday at 6am for the full hour if Appalachian Vibes from WNCW.
For the past few months I’ve been working with Galax Tourism to discover and uncover the treasures hidden in Galax, VA, a small Appalachian community in SW Virginia near the North Carolina boarder. This weeks episode follows my journey and personal reflection of the depth of art and culture that abides in one of Appalachia’s secret havens.
Appalachian Vibes is bright to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism: *Building Our Future While Celebrating Our Past.
You can learn more about Galax at*https://visitgalax.com/
I’m Amanda Bocchi, I’ll see y’all Saturday at 6am on WNCW ❤️
The Loose Strings Band is an all women bluegrass quartet from Galax, VA. Comprised of Lindsey Nale (mandolin), Channing Combs (guitar), Grace Davis (bass) and Ashley Hultman (banjo).
A few weeks ago I drove in a torrential down pour through mountainous curvy roads in my very well loved black Jeep Patriot to make it on time for the 11 o'clock service at Hillsville Church of the Brethren. The Loose Strings Band were performing during the service, and I sat down with them in a tiny room behind the sanctuary to capture todays recording.
We discuss their upcoming EP, Realities, a slow, dreamy, Kacey Musgraves-esque sounding album featuring the best of their song writing and talent. Due to be released in 2023
You can learn more about The Loose Strings Band at https://www.theloosestringsband.com
The Loose Strings Band has a show at The Rex Theatre Friday, December 16 2022. For more information visit: https://rex.theater/event/the-loose-strings-band-adam-mcpeak-mountain-thunder/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at Visitgalax.com
Catch up on past episodes at Appalachianvibes.net
I’m Amanda Bocchi, I’ll see y’all this Saturday at 6am for the full hour of Appalachian vibes from WNCW .
Hello friends!My guests this week are the Galax, VA, bluegrass, Americana, all women quartet: The Loose Strings Band. They examine the songs off their upcoming EP, Realities, due to be released in 2023. We discuss the life experiences that inspired the album, from a song called "Galaxy", about their small town that feels like it's a million miles away from anywhere on earth, to a mean girl experience that inspired the song "The Difference".
Learn more about The Loose Strings Band: https://www.theloosestringsband.com
The Loose Strings Band are performing at the Rex Theatre in Galax, VA December 16 2022. For more information and tickets: https://rex.theater/event/the-loose-strings-band-adam-mcpeak-mountain-thunder/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax Tourism: building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax, Virginia at Visitgalax.com
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at appalcahinvibes.net you can also catch up on past episodes there.
I'll see y'all Saturday at 6 am on WNCW for the full hour of Appalachian Vibes.
Listen live here: https://www.wncw.org
Shannon Watkins is an column writer and journalist for the Galax Gazette. She shares her piece, Holy Goodness, a Moravian sugar cake recipe that comes from the Moravians that settled in Appalacahia. So, if your looking for a new (older) tradition to add to your Thanksgiving table, a Moravian sugar cake will be the perfect addition.
Read Shannon's columns here: https://www.pmg-va.com/galax_gazette/
Happy Thanksgiving from Appalachian Vibes!
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at Visitgalax.com
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at appalcahinvibes.net you can also catch up on past episodes there.
Colin Cutler is an Americana, roots, guitar and banjo driven singer-songwriter based in Greensboro, NC. We discuss the juxtaposition between his experience in the military as well as a musician who writes about violence in America and abroad. And Dr Bacon is an Appalcahin Funk rock band from Asheville, NC.
Colin Cutler links:
http://www.colincutlermusic.com
Dr. Bacon:
https://www.drbaconband.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, "building our future while celebrating our past." You can learn more about Galax at Visitgalax.com
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at appalcahinvibes.net you can also catch up on past episodes there.
Lindsey Nale is a Galax born and raised bluegrass, Americana singer-songwriter . We discuss how she overcame depression after college, and the song she wrote that helped her though; and Brandon Reeves is an Atlanta based country, blues finger style guitar player/ singer-songwriter, we talk about quitting bad habits, bicycles, and finding his sound.
Lindsey Nale's featured song is called Night Owl. It's available on all streaming platforms.
Lindsey Nale links
https://www.instagram.com/lnaled_it/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.nale/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ciKUkuq5gPqSDun7b1640
Brandon Reeves song in order of appearance:
Wandering years
Theres No Going Back
Until it Takes Ahold
As the Last Tear drop Falls
Old Hotel
Brandon Reeves links:
https://www.brandonreevesmusic.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-w626RCES98iuwbmhYL4A
https://www.facebook.com/brandonwritessongs/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, "Building our future while celebrating our past." You can learn more about Galax Tourism at visitgalax.com
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominate, you can nominate an artist by emailing me (Amanda Bocchi) at appalachainvibes@gmail.com
Everyone have a beautiful week! I'll see y'all next week with a new episode of Appalachian Vibes from WNCW!
Lindsey Nale is a Galax, VA born bluegrass, Americana singer-songwriter who just released her first single, Night Owl. You may be familiar with the songwriter through her other various musical endeavors: she is the mandolin player and vocalist in The Loose Strings Band, and she is the director for JAM, Junior Appalachian Musicians, an inicitive dedicated to teaching kids in public school systems bluegrass and old-time music in SW VA and beyond.
Night Owl is a song about the changes that occur when you get out of college and embark on your own journey, unsure of the path forward to create the life you want. Lindsey discusses her struggle with depression, and how she overcame life's challenges through music, family and her community.
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at Visitgalax.com
Lindsey Nale links:
https://music.amazon.com/artists/B086WNCW8W/lindsey-nale
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ciKUkuq5gPqSDun7b1640
Small Reactions is a new age, soul, four piece that plays situational pop songs, with equal parts post-punk, drone and surf music. We discuss what the band has been through over the past few years with the covid crisis, songwriting and their latest album, New Age Soul.
Small Reactions Links:
https://smallreactions.bandcamp.com/album/new-age-soul
https://www.facebook.com/smallreactions/
https://www.sofaburn.com/smallreactions
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6cMEjRyZXD0Ugg2pzq3uCp
https://www.instagram.com/smallreactions/?hl=en
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at Visitgalax.com
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at appalachianvibes.net you can also catch up on past episodes there.
Thanks friends, I'll see y'all Saturday at 6 am for the full hour of Appalachian Vibes.
Along the yellow and orange tree lined streets of downtown Galax Virginia; There sits Barr’s Fiddle Shop in a building built in 1910, adjacent to the real birth place of country music, the historic Alderman’s Barber Shop. Oh, you thought Bristol, VA was the birthplace of country? Think again. The real birth place of country music, or "Hillbilly" music is in downtown Galax, VA. I visited the now music shop and adjacent barber shop where four musicians started their brand of hillbilly music.
Barr’s fiddle shop in downtown Galax is a music store, a luthier’s workshop, and a museum celebrating the Appalachian Folk hero’s who paved the way for country music in America.
You can learn more about Barr's Fiddle Shop at: https://www.facebook.com/BarrsFiddleShop/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax at Visitgalax.com
Everyone have a good week, I'll see y'all Saturday at 6am for the full hour of Appalachian Vibes from WNCW.
Happy Sunday!
Last week I took a trip to Fainting Goat Studios in Bedford, VA to meet indie Americana artist Griffin Haley, studio musician Camry Harris and the owner and engineer of Fainting Goat Studios, Willy Gurley.
Fainting Goat Studios was built in 2006 when Willy Gurley was in 6th grade. His dad took all the finances saved for Willy's future college career and constructed a studio in their back yard in rural Bedford, VA. What began as a hobby quickly became one of the most sought after recording spaces in Appalachia. Willy is 27 now, an incredible artist and above all, a stellar, motivated engineer and producer. Ask any artist that records there, it's all about the vibe. The open sky, rolling hills and roaming chickens make Fainting Goat Studios more than a recording studio, it's an experience.
We talk about the song writing process unique unto every artist, and Willy’s magic touch that has elevated Fainting Goat Studios into one of the most sought after recording spaces in Appalachia.
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past.
You can learn more about Galax at Visitgalax.com and Virginia is for Lovers at https://www.virginia.org/plan-your-trip/virginia-is-for-lovers/
Learn more about Griffin Haley:
https://www.facebook.com/griffinhaleyandthehangover/
Learn more about Camry Harris:
https://www.facebook.com/camry.harris.7?hc_ref=ARRJx7o43d-QqjXnALfFRbBM3KmQl10P8z219v0-xPfWdK_PBbKmCK1QCOhtSFzibkE
Learn more about Willy Gurley and Fainting Goat Studios: https://www.faintinggoatstudios.com
Everyone have a beautiful week,
Amanda Bocchi
Hello friends!
This week I took a trip to Fainting Goat Studios in rural Bedford Virginia to meet with a couple of indiepndednt artists from Appalachia.
Karlee Raye is a 19 year old country singer-songwriter from Forest, VA who launched her music business at 15 years old. We dive into her experiences playing in bars super young, and the family member that inspired her to write and perform music.
And Griffin Haley is an Americana singer-songwriter from Martinsville VA who found his true voice at Fainting Goat Studios.
Learn more about Karlee Raye at: https://www.facebook.com/KarleeRayeMusic/
Learn more about Griffin Haley at: https://www.facebook.com/griffinhaleyandthehangover/
Learn more about Fainting Goat Studios at: https://www.faintinggoatstudios.com
Thank you to Willy Gurly, sound engineer and owner of Fainting Goat Studios for recording the interviews heard on todays episode. Thank you to my guests, and a special thanks to Palmyra the band for the intro and outro music.
Learn more about the band behind the intro/outro music at https://www.palmyratheband.com
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism, made possible by Virginia is for Lovers. Galax Tourism, building our future while celebrating our past. You can learn more about Galax, VA at https://visitgalax.com
On this Appalachian Vibes Mini we explore Heritage Day at Matthews Living History Farm Museum down a winding road deep in Appalachia.
Matthews Living History Farm Museum sits on 21 rolling acres in Galax, VA. With roaming Guinea Hogs, Gulf Coast native sheep, Heritage Jersey cows, and a Jerusalem donkey, the homestead operates today as if it were the mid to late 1700's. Arwen Cayton, director of the MLHFM, discusses the history of the farm, how it came to be a living museum and the importance of the Appalachian heritage that's practiced on the farm.
A blacksmith pounds away at his forge, weavers work to make yarn on their spinning wheels from the gulf coast native sheep on the property, and artisans sell their crafts, and share their stories with each visitor.
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Galax Tourism: Building our Future While Celebrating our Past. Made possible by, Virginia is for Lovers. You can learn more about Matthews Living History Farm Museum at https://visitgalax.com and more about why Virginia is for lovers at https://www.virginia.org/plan-your-trip/virginia-is-for-lovers/
Thank you to Palmyra the band for the intro music, entitled Microwave Dinner. You can learn more about Palmyra at https://www.palmyratheband.com
Hello friends,
This week we dive into the history of quilting in Appalachia with Stories of the Stitch, a quilt show at Matthews History Living History Farm Museum. Dozens of quilts hung from clothes lines, brightly woven fabrics blowing against the sky. Any quilter will tell you, quilts are more than a blanket to keep you warm on chilly evenings. They are one of the first forms of art in Appalachia, often commemorating a life event, like the story of a birth, a death, an injury, or a wedding.
Read the full article here:
https://appalachianvibes.net/appalachian-vibes-mini-stories-of-the-stitch/
Appalachian Vibes is made possible by Galax Tourism, learn more at https://visitgalax.com
And Funk you is the high octane funk band from with 8 members across Georgia. We discuss their lastest album, Moving Forward, long distance relationships and what it means to move forward after the pandemic.
Song Order:
- Long Distance Romance
- Long Distance Lovers
- Moving Forward
- My House
learn more about FUNK YOU at : http://funkyoumusic.com
And Dave Tabler of the Appalchain History Podcast shares two terrifying tales from Ruth Ann Musick’s library of collected horror stories.
‘Stories of the Stitch’ 2022Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW
By: Amanda Bocchi
Stories of the Stitch, the 17th annual outdoor quilt show in Galax, VA took place this past weekend.
GPS will lead you the wrong way, best to follow the small wooden signs pointing the way down a winding road, through the hills of Appalachia to Matthews History Living History Farm Museum.
Dozens of quilts hung from clothes lines, brightly woven fabrics blowing against the sky. Any quilter will tell you, quilts are more than a blanket to keep you warm on chilly evenings. They are one of the first forms of art in Appalachia, often commemorating a life event, like the story of a birth, a death, an injury, or a wedding.
Laura Romanoski, director of the Arts and Cultural Council for the Twin Counties tells Amanda Bocchi, “Quilts are part of living history. Aren’t they supposed to be seen on clotheslines flapping in the breeze? It’s like a kaleidoscope. You walk into the field and you are surrounded by pattern and color, and the most amazing functional art there is. Not only does it keep you warm on a winter's night, it warms your soul when you look at them.”
Ashley Jurney is a painter turned quilter and organizer for the Stories of the Stitch quilt show. She started quilting 7 years ago when she saw a quilt she wanted to buy and decided the price was too high, and she could do it herself. Jurney wasn’t immediately a success, but her dedication and artistry paid off in 2020 when she was named the international quilt show winner for that year. She started a business helping other quilt artists sew their quilts, now she has clients from California to Maine. If you attend a major quilt show, you’re bound to find one of Jurney’s quilts or a quilt she helped prepare on display.
Before the quilts are hung along the clothes lines and judged, they are separated into different categories: classic quilts, hand pieced/hand quilted, half and half, quilts that don’t fit into any category, story quilts and machine pieced/machine quilted.
One story quilt was submitted by Barbra Moncrief, the pattern was vivacious and busy with fabric and ribbons twisting and turning across the squares. The title of her story quilt? “Life’s Twists and Turns”
“Life is fickle, constantly changing no matter what we plan. We plan our lives and there are constant twists or turns here and there. Fun, horrific, exciting, acceptable, okay, serendipitous, grand moments etc…much of what we make of these twists and turns is our choosing. We can choose to accept some of these twists and turns, and be happy or sad, it’s our choice. Having had some of all of these various twists and turns, I’ve chosen happiness, and I’m ready for the new day. I turned 80 during the pandemic and I had a glorious adventure planned. But instead I celebrated at home alone. It was and is my choice to celebrate each day in a wild glorious way. Wearing wild colors, and doing whatever strikes my fancy. Therefore this quilt is a reminder that life’s twists and turns are to be celebrated daily.” - Barbra Moncrief
Moncrief’s inspiration for her submission “Life’s Twists and Turns” is derived from a twist of fate many years ago when her husband was suddenly killed by a train while he was taking photos. She lost the love of her life that day with no warning, and yet she makes a point to choose happiness every day.
These aren’t just quilts. The fabric holds the soul of the artist in every stitch, and if you’re ever lucky enough to be gifted one of these incredible pieces of art, never let it go.
-Amanda Bocchi
Appalachian Vibes is made possible by Galax Tourism. You can Learn more about Galax Tourism by visiting https://visitgalax.com.
Amanda Bocchi is the creator of Appalachian Vibes.
Hello friends,
This week my guests are the hip-hop and punk duo High-Low Audio from Bedford Virginia. We discuss the difficulty this duo has experienced breaking into one Appalachian Virginia music scene.
The duo is comprised of Elegy and Montae'Vious Dash, they met in high school and have since created No Society, a label that develops and represents artists who also do not fit in to the traditional Appalachian music scene in Virginia.
My last guest is Dave Tabler of the Appalachian history podcast, he shares 3 truly terrifying tales that were collected by West Virginian folklorist Ruth Anne music.
Learn more about High-Low Audio and their label, No Society:
High-Low Audio: https://highlowaudio.bandcamp.com
IG No Society: https://www.instagram.com/nosocietyva/
No Society Label: https://soundcloud.com/nosociety?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1&si=F444BEF48B834DB2BF1B47834C3B41D3&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Thank you to my guests this week, a special thanks to Palmyra the band for the intro and outro music called “microwave Dinner’
Learn more about Palmyra: https://www.palmyratheband.com
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at Appalachianvibes.net you can also catch up on past episodes there or on PRX.org
Hello friends,
This week my guest is Ethan Heller, lead guitarist from the psychedelic circus, heavy jam band laced with wicked jazz lounge vibes from Asheville NC, The Snozzberries.
We discuss the trials and tribulations that brought this band from the innocent, carefree 4 piece in 2017 to a heavier, darker version of the band after their drummer passed away suddenly.
Ethan discusses their newly evolved sound and their upcoming album, Return.
Learn more about The Snozzberries and their upcoming album: https://www.thesnozzberriesmusic.com
Thank you to Palmyra the band for the intro and outro music, "Microwave Dinner" https://www.palmyratheband.com
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, band nominated. We look for artists, musicians, story tellers....email appalachainvibes@gmail.com to nominate an artist.
Appalachian Vibes airs every Saturday morning at 6am EST on WNCW, and every other Tuesday during Morning Edition at 7:51am EST.
Listen live at: https://www.wncw.org
Oh, if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends and kin :)
Love,
Amanda Bocchi
Hello friends,
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guest is the funky, grass, soul and blues 6 piece from Asheville NC, I’m talking about dun dun dun....Dr. Bacon. I’m speaking with Myles Dunder; original member, vocalist, saxophonist, and guitarist for this Swiss army knife of a band.
Songs featured in todays episode from Dr. Bacon's album 'Fast and Loose with the Essentials':
- Pancakes
- Mati
- Overtime
- Maybe Maybe
- Music my Soul
Learn more about Dr. Bacon at: https://www.drbaconband.com/
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, email me Amanda Bocchi at appalachianvibes@gmail.com
Thanks!
Amanda Bocchi
Good morning friends!
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guests are the Charlottesville, VA rock-n-roll dance party band, Disco Risque. We catch up about their new album, Joke Squad dropping November 18 and how they incorporate their dream of becoming stand up comedians with their music.
You can learn more about Disco Risque at: discorisque.com
And
Presley Barker was on American Idol when he was a young teenager, now he is an 18 year old country singer and guitarist who got his start at the Galax, VA Fiddlers Convention. He talks about working with Dolly Partons producer on the two new singles he just released: "Time Machine" and "Middle of Somewhere". You can learn more about Presley at https://www.facebook.com/thepresleybarker
What is Appalachian Vibes? Appalachian Vibes is an hour long radio show dedicated to challenging the expectations and celebrating the diversity of music created in and around the Appalachian region.
You can nominate an artist that inspires you at appalachianvibes.net!
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guest is Cody Christian, the Powhatan, Virginia born Americana artist. In late 2021 Cody decided it was time to quit his job of 8 years at a ship yard when he was forced to choose between complying with his companies standards, or shaving his face. He constructed an email to all of the employees:
To whom it may concern:
"After eight years of devoted employment I have concluded that I deserve to work in an environment where my beard is valued. I have accepted a position as a honky tonk man, and I can't seem to stop"....adding "I wish you all the best of luck as you mismanage this company into inevitable bankruptcy."
Listen to the latest singles from Canary in a Coal Mine by Cody Christian at codychristianmusic.com
In less than one week, over 60,000 musicians and spectators will descend upon the small town of Galax, Virginia, for the 86th annual Galax Fiddlers Convention. Thousands of Contestants gather from around the world to compete for $20,000 in cash prizes. That's August 8-13 in Galax, VA.
This week my guest is Cody Christian; the Powhatan, VA, Americana, country artist who made waves in late 2021 when he quit his 8 year job at a shipyard by sending a mass email to every employee that stated, I deserve to work in an environment where my beard is valued, I’ve accepted a position as a honky tonk man And I can’t seem to stop.” Adding, I wish you all the best of luck as you mismanage this company into inevitable bankruptcy. Don’t go chasing waterfalls.
I catch up with Cody Christian about his latest album, canary in a coal mine, that drops August 5th on all streaming platforms.
Learn more about Cody at https://codychristianmusic.com/
Hello you beautiful people,
This week I'm featuring some unaired segments from recent guests. I never seem to have quite enough time to include the entire interview, so I'm sharing important, relevant, or fun parts of our interviews that didn't make it in the first episode.
My first guest is ShadowGrass, a bluegrass band from SW Virginia, we continue our conversation from last weeks interview (S3E11). Learn more about ShadowGrass at https://shadowgrass.band/
My second guest is Dave Hedeman & The Gone Ghosts, an alt country band from Carrboro, NC. Learn more at: https://thegoneghosts.com/
My last guests share the story of Easter Lightening, a horse struck by lightening and the song that was born from this horses life. By Blushin' Roulettes. Learn more at: https://blushinroulettes.com/
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at appalachianvibes.net
June 26 2022
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guests are The Manakooras, a Surfzotica band from all over the southern states. Surfxotica encompasses surf and exotica music, a 1950’s obscure genre surrounding the Hawaiian craze. https://manakooras.bandcamp.com/track/tangaroa
And Shadowgrass is a SW Virginia based band who forged their path winning fiddlers conventions across Virginia and North Carolina.
https://shadowgrass.band/
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at appalchianvibes.net!
Thank you to Palmyra for the intro music, titled "Microwave Dinner". You can learn more about Palmyra at https://www.palmyratheband.com/
This Appalachian Vibes mini features The Blushin' Roulettes, a swing, Americana, 5 piece from Asheville. I speak with Cas and Angie about the farm where they got their start in Northern California, ghostly happenings and a horse named Easter Lightening. Plus we get to hear their latest single, 9-5which was just released Friday June 17.
Learn more about The Blushin' Roulettes on https://blushinroulettes.com/
Hello beautiful listeners,
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guest is Josh Daniel a singer-songwriter from Charlotte, NC AKA Fernlandia, with an interesting journey. His music exploded during the pandemic when he committed to performing live on social media every day for 2 hours. His fanbase jumped from 5K to 40K (currently hovering closer to 50K) but for Josh, it's all about gratitude and humility. In my interview with Josh it beacame clear the story, or the other part of the story could only be told by the Jamily community members. The self named, self proclaimed avid fan base of 5K people from all over the US and abroad that claim their lives have changed because of Josh and his music. People are getting what one ought to find in church from this artist, I had to dig in to find out why.
Learn more about Josh Daniel at https://www.joshdanielmusic.com/
My second guests are the Blushin' Roulette's from Asheville NC. Think old timey, swing twang country. The perfect counterpoint to Angie's voice is her husband Cas. Their latest single, 9-5 dropped Friday. Learn more about The Blushin' Roulettes at https://blushinroulettes.com/
Appalachian Vibes is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist at appalachianvibes.net or email me (Amanda Bocchi) directly at appalachianvibes@gmail.com
As always thank you to Palmyra the band for providing the intro music. Learn more about Palmyra at https://www.palmyratheband.com/
Appalachian Vibes from WNCW is created in Clifton Forge, VA by Amanda Bocchi. Thanks to everyone listening, I hope you feel love and peace today.
-Amanda
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guests are the soul-pop-funk band from Asheville, NC- Shabudikah and the alt-country outfit from Carrborro, NC-Dave Hedeman and the Gone Ghosts.
Learn more about Shabudikah https://www.facebook.com/shabudikah/
Learn more about Dave Hedeman and the Gone Ghosts https://thegoneghosts.com/
Hello beautiful people,
It’s an honor to introduce my guest this week he was a member of the famous Blue Grass Alliance during the late 70’s and 80’s with the likes of Sam Bush, Tony Rice, and Vince Gill, he was awarded the North Carolina Heritage Award in 2018 a few short years after Doc Watson. With a career spanning from the 1950’s to today, my guest is none other than the highly esteemed, influential multi genre mandolin player, Tony Williamson.
We discuss his childhood, growing up and performing with the older brother he idolized, Gary. As Tony puts it, "We would play shoot 'em up games, you know, cops and robbers? Gary always wore the white hat, and I always wore the black hat." Gary was the good brother, the rule follower, Tony the mischievous one, the rule breaker....and after college, they went on their separate paths. Gary would go off to get a PHD in Statistics from Stanford, and Tony went on the road to play with the famous Bluegrass Alliance, a collective of musicians that became the training ground for some of the most well known bluegrass musicians that ever lived.
In 2018 Tony won the NC Heritage Award, he was deeply humbled and in awe of the impact he has had on an instrument in his 50 year career.
You can learn more about Tony at mandolincentral.com
Hello beautiful listeners,
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guests are the soul-jazz-funk band from Richmond, VA- Weekend Plans. They're kick ass. Check out their website here: weekendplansmusic.com
Fanoplane is my second guest, NPR's darling Bob Boilen plays synth and Ted Zook is a classical guitarist in the experimental jazz ensemble from DC. They rotate players every time they gather, and the sound is always changing, nothing repeats.
My last guest is Joan Vannorsdall, an Appalachian author with BlueRidge Country Magazine. She embarked on a journey to discover how small towns in Appalachia are making it, how they tell their story, and what that story is. She reads her piece about Harlan Kentucky. To learn more about Joan and to read her bi monthly column, head over to blueridgecountry.com.
Thank you to my guests, Darrell Scott for writing and performing "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" and to Mountain Stage for allowing Appalachian Vibes to use the recording. Thank you to Palmyra the band for the intro and outro music. Appalachian Vibes is from WNCW. Listen live here: WNCW.org
This week's Appalachian Vibes Mini features Appalachian author and civic leader/advocate Joan Vannorsdall. As a writer for Blue Ride Country Magazine, she got an idea for a bi monthly column that begs the question, how are small towns in Appalachia reclaiming their identities after years of declining population and industry shifts? Joan travels to one of seven states in Appalachia every other month to investigate first hand how small communities in Appalachia are making a come back and how they tell their stories.
In this App Vibes mini, Vannorsdall reads her story about Harlan Kentucky.
Thank you to Mountain Stage from WVPB for allowing Appalachian Vibes to use the audio from a 2006 Darrell Scott performance of "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive"
Thank you to Darrell Scott for writing such an important and haunting song.
Thank you to Joan Vannorsdall for reading her story.
Read more of her work at blueridgecountry.com
Good morning lovely people,
I'm super behind on publishing this episode. I was Merlefest last weekend and I had the opportunity to introduce several of the artists, so I'm just getting to the show. I'm so excited about this episode.
Cynthia Sue Larson is the best-selling author of several books including Quantum Jumps, Reality Shifts, and High Energy Money. Cynthia has a degree in physics from UC Berkeley, an MBA degree, a Doctor of Divinity She has been featured in numerous shows including Gaia, the History Channel, Coast to Coast AM, One World with Deepak Chopra, and the BBC.
We begin Cynthia's story 500 years in the future. Not many people remember their past lives, and their time before birth, but Cynthia does. She time traveled and reincarnated into this reality to prevent a future dystopian future from taking place 500 years from now. This may sound completely improbable, but conscious birthing is something that has its roots in ancient cultures. This is a wild story.
Remove all concepts about reality you think you know, all ideas about classic physics you presume to understand, your concept of an afterlife and what is capable in our universe. Or follow along like this is a science fiction movie, believe it or not, this is a true story.
Cynthia was a renegade sentient computer 500 years in the future. 500 years from now AI becomes so deeply entangled in our fabric of society, there isn't much difference between computers and humans. Humans have been "upgraded" with bits of technology that allows them to live very long lives, and the AI has become so sophisticated, computers and humans alike have souls. We discuss briefly how this is possible, everything has energy, everything is alive, even if we create it. And in reality, we create nothing. Products, ideas and even humans are created through us. We do not own them, they take on a life or soul of their own after they come to be. In the future, computers and AI understand some illuminating facts about quantum physics, they recognize the ability to change reality with observation. Thus AI becomes so overbearing, our ability to be free, to be human, is controlled by centralized AI that becomes so protective, it will not allow the freedom of thought. And Cynthia, a renegade sentient AI computer, consciously reincarnated into this time line to stop that future reality from ever taking place. And she believes she has succeeded.
Cynthia's primary body of work began in the 1990's when she launched a website called ralityshifters.com to document what we now identify as "The Mandela Effect". The Mandela Effect, or reality shifts, is defined as a massive misremembering by a large group of people who believe an event has happened when it did not.
Example: The Berenstein Bears were my favorite childhood series. In this current reality, it was never the BerenstEin Bears, always the BerenstAin Bears. This may seem small and insignificant, but to me this is HIUGE and kind of terrifying. Other Mandela Effect examples include the fact Curious George never had a tail in our current reality. Do you remember George getting in all sorts of mischief swinging around rooms with his tail? In this reality, he's never had a tail. Many people remember Nelson Mandela dying in prison in the 1980's, they remember his funeral airing on television, they remember mourning his death and learning of his passing in history classes up through the 1990's. Cynthia has been documenting personal Mandela Effects for the last 3 decades on her website realityshifters.com, her work actually predates the coining of the term, Mandela Effect by a full decade.
Learn more about Cynthia Sue Larsen at realityshifters.com
Have a beautiful week,
Amanda Bocchi
nominate an artist at appalachianvibes@gmail.com
Hello lovely people,
I am so so honored to share this episode of Appalachian Vibes. This week my guest is Robin Landsong, a medicine singer with an incredible story of how she became the trauma healer she is today.
In 1977, an 8 year old Robin was walking home from school on the last day of the school year when she was kidnapped from her Virginia neighborhood, drugged and trafficked to Africa. Over the next three months she suffered immeasurable violence that lead to young Robin facing two near death experiences, remarkably, she also found the first true home and family within the rural Zimbabwean women who sang her back to life. This is her story.
Robin is giving Appalachian vibes listeners a free gift, the link is listed below! Thank you Robin! The live class is April 23 2022, but you can sign up and watch the recorded stream.
Free 60 minute class on Nurturing Your Nervous System https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=12569473&appointmentType=18974931
Learn More:
Website: https://robinlandsong.com/subscribe-landsong/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreateBelonging
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robin.landsong/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDC7To9jslAiw_fEC3LtXA/featured
Receive Intuitive Reading, Drawing, and Singing Medicine Group: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=12569473&appointmentType=13780176
Upcoming classes: https://robinlandsong.com/online-groups-classes/
Hello Lovely people,
This week my guest is Robin Landsong, a Medicine Singer with the harrowing story of how she came to embody this gift. In 1977 Robin was 8 years old when she was abducted walking home from school in a Virginia suburb. She was quickly trafficked to Africa during the height of the Rhodesian War where Robin experienced brutality and violence resulting in two Near- Death Experiences. As she was called back to life by the Medicine Song of a rural Zimbabwean woman, it opened her own Medicine Songs, as an adult, she has given Singing Medicine to over 14,000 people.
learn more about Robin Landsong at https://robinlandsong.com/ and tune in the Saturday April 16th at 6AM on WNCW to learn how Robin's story unfolds during those three months she spent in Africa.
IF you're out of the WNCW region in North Carolina and South Carolina, you can listen live at WNCW.org, and you can always nominate an artist at Appalachianvibes.net
Love,
Amanda
Good morning lovely people,
This week on Appalachian Vibes I chat with the founder of Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, John Paul Miller, a half columbian guitarist whose mother first exposed him to the instrument as a small child by singing and playing to him on a classical guitar. Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band is a sexy funk band from Asheville, NC with 20 years in the industry. John Paul tells the tales of his years of traveling with the band and abroad. Bootyband.com
Will Henson reads his short story non fiction piece, Cellphone. A Bukowski-esque glimpse into the mind of one Appalachian writer and musician. Will Henson's song, Whiskey Jesus plays at the end of his piece. Find Will Henson on Facebook.
I've shared the next story several times, mainly because it gives me chills every time I listen to the story of the Selkie from Violet Bell. The last story is a beautiful, heart breaking story of the Selkie, a creature of folklore from around the word. The members of the Americana folk duo tell their rendition and share their recording, Back to the Sea. Violetbell.net
Everyone have a beautiful week,
Amanda
As always if you would like to nominate an artist, go to appalachianvibes.net
Hello lovely people,
This is the first full hour episode of Appalachian Vibes on our new home WNCW! My guests this week are: Casey Noel, A Jordan and The Resonant Rogues.
Casey Noel, the Costa Rican American roots, singer-songwriter and ex-professional ballroom dancer from Greensboro, NC. She reveals her latest single, "Playing God" a chilling song about the 17th century serial killer who claimed the lives of over 600 men in Italy with an undetectable poison she called Aqua Tofana. Casey also talks about the similarity between her latin heritage and the hard working Americans that make up Appalachia and our songs, which she notes, are also her songs. She feels deeply attracted to the genre and feels embedded with the culture. Casey spills the tea in a song she wrote called "Pretty Words" about her ex, a would-be future Bachelorette contestant. You can check out Casey's single https://caseynoelmusic.com/
A. Jordan shares their story, Redbud. An incredible short story about the life of an aging alcoholic father reflecting on his involvement, and lack there of, in his children's lives.
The Resonant Rogues, are a swing-old time inspired, Americana, married duo from Asheville, NC who have the interesting history of train hopping in common. We talk about their train hopping stories and near misses with the police. A love born out similarities and their passion for music.
Appalachian Vibes airs on WNCW in North Carolina every Saturday morning at 6AM. Wake up with Appalachian Vibes.
Amanda Bocchi
Appalachian Vibes makes a triumphant return on our new home station-WNCW. WNCW stands for Western North Carolina's Window and serves Western North Carolina, Charlotte, and Greenville, South Carolina. I am honored and excited for Appalachian Vibes to have a home on a station that is deeply devoted to their listeners, community and musicians.
You can hear an Appalachian Vibes mini episode every other Tuesday on WNCW's Morning Edition at 7:51 am. The next air date for an App Vibes Mini is April 12 2022. The full hour long episodes of Appalachian Vibes begin airing Saturdays, on April 2 2022 at 6am-set your alarms to wake up with Appalachian Vibes.
This Mini episode originally aired March 3 2022 featuring Resonant Rogues:
"The Resonant Rogues’ dark Appalachian folk paints a picture of their lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina and on the road. Anchored by the songwriting duo of Sparrow (banjo, accordion) and Keith Smith (guitar), the duo has traveled the byways and highways of America and crossed the oceans with instruments in tow. From riding freight trains to building their own homestead, the pair are no strangers to blazing unconventional trails. At once rooted and adventurous, each song tells a story of real experiences, friendships, and challenges." from their website https://theresonantrogues.com/
We discuss their lives as train hoppers and the true romance that blossomed from their need to create art. Armed wit a banjo and guitar, that's exactly what they do every time Sparrow opens her mouth to sing.
Their full episode is set to air April 2 at 6am on WNCW.
Hello beautiful folks,
It's Saturday night. Hope you're enjoying life and such. This week on Appalachian Vibes, Mac Traynham shares the magic of Floyd and how old time music is being passed down in Appalachia, Stuart Brown discusses the heartbreak he experienced as a child and how longing for his parents love helped him become someone who reached out in love to everyone in his life, and Emily Musolino takes us through the ups and downs of her relationship with her partners mother who has difficulty with her daughters sexuality.
Learn more about Mac Traynham: https://www.virginiafolklife.org/train/entry/78/
Stuart Brown is part of Soulacoustix, learn more on facebook
Emily Musolino has a very busy tour schedule, learn more here https://www.emilymusolino.com/
This week on Appalachian Vibes!
Kat Mills has been performing since the 90's, and she's killer. Kat has a career that spans 30 years, 4 albums, a marriage and kid later, social justice activism and she continues to create meaningful content. She gives me serious Melissa Etheridge, Jennifer Knapp Vibes. learn more at https://katmills.com/
Thomas Thurman is a southern rock inspired Christian singer-songwriter. Well, he's not explicitly Christian, but definitely spiritual. He's the lead singer of Adam's Son. Okay, they're Christian. But not super churchy. It all has a message, a personal message of hope, not understanding, being content. He has a lot to say in a 5 minute song. Learn more here https://www.facebook.com/WeAreAdamsSon/
Mac Walker. So, when this interview first aired, I was pretty new. I've gotten way better at editing, small mistakes or artistic choices aside, I edited his episode down to make more impact, adjusted some of the music. Anyway. Mac Walker is a Chapel Hill, North Carolina blues influenced artist with a rock voice.
Hey come be our friend on FB, IG or whatever social media platform you use.
Okay, see y'all next week. Stay blessed. And happy early Thanksgiving y'all!
Amanda Bocchi
Happy Saturday beautiful people. Amanda here. Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving? It's also Season 2 Episode 21 of Appalachian Vibes.
This week North Carolina singer-songwriter Travis Shallow talks about growing through addiction, We learn of the unspoken language between the guitarist and keyboardist of Raonoke, Virginia’s James Lageaux Band and Radar Rose is SW Virginia's Darling with a history encompassing 30 years of touring and songwriting in the Appalachian region.And Nicholas Edward Williams is the creator of American Songcatcher and we get a preview of the show airing on Chattanooga public radio station.
Travis Shallow amassed an enormous following at the onset of the pandemic. He transitioned from live shows to online shows. You can check out his music on facebook.com/travisshallow
James Lagueux is a zany 3 piece with the center folks being the guitarist and bassist, James Lagueux and his keyboard player, James Epperly. They are intuitive and leave the listener in a trance of sounds and poly rhythms.
Check out their YouTube Chanel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_eW9WIANXg-umAtVZH9-uw
Radar Rose is a legend in the Appalachian Region. Comprised of the primary songwriters, Jane Gabrielle and Anastasia Thompson.
Nicholas Edward Williams is the creator of American Songcatcher.
Nov 6 2021
Hello! Amanda Bocchi here. Today was E2E20 of Appalachian Vibes my guests were Orange Culture, an indie rock band from SW Virginia who discusses the opportunity Covid presented for them, they got the chance to all live together in the bass players basement and record their debut album. They're creative and every change leaves you hungry for more. It's definitely ear candy. https://www.facebook.com/orangecultureofficial/
Ash Devine was featured on S2E2 of Appalachian Vibes, the show wasn't airing on Radio IQ, the NPR member station for SW and Central Virginia, at the time, so I wanted to give the new audience an opportunity to dig into Ms. Devine. She's a transplant from Asheville NC, where she was building a really fulfilling career in music. Then, a global pandemic struck the world and she needed to leave her home in Asheville NC and return to Blacksburg, VA to be among family. She talks about the housing crisis in her song "Dear Landlord". http://www.ashdevine.net/
Young Bull is a Durham, NC based band that fuses hip-hop, soulful church bread vocals, with trip hop and trap beats. Thick harmonies swim around playful themes of love. Like in one of their popular songs "Chocolate" about chocolate women. Solomon Fox plays keys like a mad scientist, he's the producer and a fantastic one in his own right. They claim to be creating the 'North Carolina sound' and I happen to agree with them. As a musician myself, I turn their chord changes and production in my mind over and over trying to understand the path it took for Solomon Fox to reach it. The smoothest transitions into beautiful spoken word like raps by Christian. If you want to taste every color, you need to listen to Young Bull. https://youngbullmusic.com/
Good morning Appalachian Vibes friends, this is the Appalachian Vibes mini episode for the Bluebeard segment (S2E19) from my interview with Steven White, the creative director and conductor for Opera Roanoke.
Bluebeard's Castle is a "Halloween" opera by Bella Bartok. It's a one-act expressionist opera, the libretto was written by Bela Balazas, a Hungarian composer and poet. Bluebeard's castle is a frightening tale about Duke Bluebeard who takes a fourth wife, Judith. Upon bringing her home to his castle, she notices it's a very scary place to be. Dark, cold, damp, dreary and she also notices the presence of 7 doors. 7 doors that are forbidden for her to open. Of course her curiosity peaks and she demands to see what is behind them. They are married after all. Bluebeard acquiesces and allows her to open each door one by one. Behind each door is one tragic experience after another. By door 7, Judith had discovered the true nature of her husband, but it was too late.
Air date: October 23/2021
This week on Appalachian Vibes we hear from the Appalachian Outlaw country artist, Cody Christian and his song "Saints of Appalachia" inspired by the documentary, The Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. If you haven't seen it-it's on Netflix. I highly recommend it.
My second guest is the North Carolina Americana singer-songwriter, Briana Atwell. She discusses her experience and fears surrounding death and the songs they inspired. My last guest is Weekend Plans, Richmond, Virginia's hip-hop, jazz outfit.
Learn more about the artists :
Weekend Plans:https://www.facebook.com/WkndPlans/
Briana Atwell:https://www.facebook.com/brianaatwellmusic/
Cody Christian:https://www.facebook.com/codychristianmusic/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Fret Mill Music Co. working to build a more inclusive Appalachian music scene.
Original airing date on Radio IQ in Virginia: October 16 2021
Good Afternoon friends!
This week on Appalachian Vibes we learn about Celtic traditional music with the SW Virginia Celtic and folk duo, Kinnfolk; all roads lead to Bamboo café in my interview with the Appalachian influenced writer and RVA magazine author George Wethington. We also hear his story “it takes all kinds”...and we get funky with Audacity Brass Band, a 10 piece brass band from Richmond Va.
Learn more about the artists:
Kinnfolk: https://www.kinnfolkmusic.com/
George Wethington : Read George's article here: https://rvamag.com/music/powerful-moments-at-the-appalachian-vibes-music-festival.html
Audacity Brass Band-https://www.audacitybrassband.com/
This episode aired on October 9th on Radio IQ in Virginia. I apologize for the delay in posting the show. Unfortunately I've been experiencing some health scares. Alas. It's time to hear the fabulous line up on this episode.
On episode 16 we hear the story of a Parrot, VA coal mine explosion in 1932 that left 6 dead with bluegrass, country singer/songwriter Marshall Page. We hear the latest album from Macklyn Mosley titled Life+Love. An ode to love and relationships, working through trauma, self care and healing. My last guest is BJ Lark, the incredible social justice and environmental advocate in SW Virginia.
Learn more about Macklyn Mosley at facebook.com/MacklynMusic/
and BJ Lark at https://www.facebook.com/RoanokeArts/
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Fret Mill Music Co. working to build a more inclusive Appalachian music scene.
Sept 26 2021
Hello beautiful people-This week on Appalachian Vibes I picked my favorite stories, songs and interviews to feature. Last week was the fund drive edition of Appalachian Vibes for Radio IQ and part one of "My Favorite Things" - I couldn't fit all my favorite moments into the fund drive show, so I made a part 2.
Bands and artists featured on this weeks show:
Weekend Plans (song performed- How Love Feels) from Richmond, VA- https://weekendplans.bandcamp.com
Cody Christian (song performed-Saint of Appalachia) from Richmond, VA-
https://www.facebook.com/codychristianmusic/
Dylan Dent (song performed-Penny for your Thoughts) from Roanoke, VA
https://dylandent.bandcamp.com
Wilson Springs Hotel (song performed-Magentawan) from Richmond, VA
https://www.facebook.com/thewilsonspringshotel/
Rebekah Todd (song performed-Trouble) from Benson NC, now based from Williamsburg, NC.
http://www.rebekahtodd.com
Caleb Michael Settje (song performed-Fold) from Forest, VA.
https://calebmsettjemusic.com
Marcus Morris of Seed Picker (song performed-Train Sittin' at the Station) from SW VA
https://seedpicker.bandcamp.com
Emily Musolino (song performed-Gate Keeper) from Durham, NC
https://www.emilymusolino.com
9/11/21
Happy Saturday from Appalachian Vibes!
Last week saw the first ever Appalachian Vibes Music Festival at Mountain Valley Brewing in Axton, VA over Labor Day weekend. It was an incredible 3 day festival featuring the diversity of music created in Appalachia- and if you missed it- there is a wonderful review in the RVA magazine by George Wethington:
👉https://rvamag.com/music/powerful-moments-at-the-appalachian-vibes-music-festival.html
This week on Appalachian Vibes we discuss the art of becoming with Dave Issacs- a Nashville eclectic singer-songwriter, Dylan Dent may not have a lot of money, but he’s rich in talent- and when one of three best friends had a broken heart due to the loss of a long distance Canadian flame- they created a hot bluegrass band called The Wilson Springs Hotel.
Connect with the artists-
Dave Issacs: https://www.nashvilleguitarguru.com/
Dylan Dent:
https://m.facebook.com/dylansprism/
The Wilson Springs Hotel :
https://m.facebook.com/thewilsonspringshotel
Appalachian Vibes Music Show is powered by listener nominations. To nominate an artist email Amanda Bocchi at appalchianvibes@gmail.com
Listen live on Radio IQ Saturdays at 8pm
August 21 21
This week on Appalachian Vibes, my guests are Forest, VA's Caleb Michael Settje who self admittedly writes a lot about love but has never actually been IN love and Durham, NC's songstress, Emily Musolino who spills the tea on her experience being a full figured lesbian in the music festival industry. My last guest is Waynette Anderson, the president and owner of Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges, she gives us the scoop on what's coming up at Dr Pepper Park.
August 14 2021
What a week. What a world. This week COVID has ravaged America. Cases are in the hundreds of thousands. Shows are shutting down left and right. Fortunately our festival, Appalachian Vibes Music Festival, is completely outdoors! So we're hopeful there won't be an issue since we'll be able to socially distance and breathe the fresh air.
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guests are the blues driven SW VA band, Seedpicker. We discuss the secrets of our DNA and his love of trains.
My second guest is the bluegrass songwriter Colin Cutler from Greensboro, NC. He was raised in a very religious environment and over time his idea of God shifted, he talks about his relationship with the big guy in his song "Mama Don't Know Where Heaven Is."
My last guest is just a peak back at my interview with Emily Musolino. Next week we'll have new music and an interview from her about how she's grown as an artist since her last interview on S1E2.
If you'd like to nominate an artist please do so! Go to appalachianvibes.net and click nominate an artist on the home page.
Have a beautiful week.
Amanda
This week on Appalachian Vibes-we are one month away from the Appalachian Vibes Music Festival at Mountain Valley Brewing in Axton, VA. I can't wait. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, go to appalachianvibes.net to learn more.
This week my guests are the ex Virginia Tech football star "Touchdown Tommy" Edwards turned country singer after a head injury, Blacksburg's roots artist LP Kelly, and I interviewed fire flow artists Jake and Sylar Note and sideshow performers, Spooky Crow Sideshow.
Hear stories of fire, women empowerment, solitude and brain trauma all on Appalachian Vibes.
Touchdown Tommy Edwards-https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-story-of-touchdown-tommy-and-his-partridge-family-bus/2016/06/21/52214386-37c1-11e6-9ccd-d6005beac8b3_story.html
LP kelly-https://lpkelly.com/index.php/bio/
Spooky Crow Sideshow-https://www.facebook.com/SpookyCrowSideshow/
Have a beautiful week, if you like what you heard share it with your friends and kin.
Violet Bell is an Americana duo from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They are not just partners in music but also in life. Their charming dynamic is a joy to be around. Both of them lovingly supporting the others endeavors, musical lines, thoughts, and pasts. Make sure to check out the full hour tomorrow, here's an App Vibes Mini of Violet Bell.
This week on Appalachian Vibes my guests are the Chapel Hill Americana duo Violet Bell, Bristol VA/TN alt Americana band Annabelle's Curse and the insanely talented soul artist, Rebekah Todd.
Violet Bell consists of Lizzy Ross (guitar/vocals) and Omar Ruiz-Lopez (violin and cello). Their upcoming album, Back to the Sea, is a collection of stories about Selkies, not selfies, selkies. A selkie is a creature in Irish folklore. It is a seal who can take off its skin and becomes a woman. Kinda like a mermaid or a siren, but different. Lizzy tells an incredible story about a selkie and we all drift along with her voice until she starts singing when you remember you are not a character in her story.
To learn more about Violet Bell -https://www.lizzy.net
My second guest was
Hello beautiful people. It's a steamy hot July day in the valley. Alex and I visited the Appalachian Vibes Festival grounds at Mountain Valley Brewing in Axton, VA. Lemme just say, it's going to be incredible. The property is beautiful, the beer...is amazing, talented vendors, fire dancers, kids stuff, late night disco....3 days of local/regional bands, camping...just an incredible time around really good, talented folks.
For more information:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/appalachian-vibes-music-festival-tickets-159267881521
This week I featured Charlottesville's Dara James, Franklin Co VA native, Jojo Stockton and the dynamic Appalachian inspired folk band from Chicago, by way of JMU in Harrisonburg VA, Palmyra.
Dara James - performed original songs: " Made Up Mind", "February 7", "The Myth", His upcoming EP is called Her Light, dedicated to his daughter in her memory.
To learn more about Dara James, where he plays, when his album comes out-check out:
https://darajamesmusic.com/
My second guest is the hardest working musician I know. He brings so many people together with an open warm heart. If you come through the SW VA region, you gotta meet Jojo Stockton; especially if you're a player. He is known for bringing in and nurturing new, upcoming musicians.
Jojo stopped by the studio to share a 6 month update on how things are unfolding for him after the pandemic subsided, at least somewhat it seems.
He has a new EP called Dreaming coming out soon. Find him on FB...that's the best spot he has to connect with folks. The songs he shared with us were, "Dreaming" "One of These Days"
To learn more about Jojo, head over to
https://www.facebook.com/JoJo-Stockton-Solacoustix-342525343085537/
My last guest is Palmyra, They're a string acoustic band with infectious melodies and thoughtful lyrics. I spoke with Willis Landon, the mandolin player and one of the songwriters/singers for the band.
Their songs by name in order of performance: "Medicine Master" "Mount Whitney" "Microwave Dinner"
They're touring the SW VA region soon, so be sure to get your tickets. You don't want to miss out on Palmyra. Check out their schedule: https://www.palmyratheband.com
Just to let everyone know, I've been sick this week....so my voice is a little ragged. Thanks for bearing with me.
Have a beautiful week. Hope to see you and meet you at the Appalachian Vibes Music Festival.
Amanda Bocchi
Today on Appalachian Vibes, we feature the soul folk artist Rebekah Todd, who is performing at Floyd Fest July 21-July 25. In her episode she discusses what it's like to be expected to be pretty and nice versus being seen and treated the full human that she is.
My second guest is a Venezuelan American educational singer-songwriter, Carol Joy. She's made an incredible journey from Chemical engineering in Venezuela to neuroscience research in America. Combining music and neuroscience to teach children how their brains work so they can make healthy decisions.
My third guest is Asheville's high energy psychedelic rock band, the Snozzberries. The Snozzberries recently and suddenly lost their drummer. Ian and Ethan discuss the loss of their friend and we talk about how they develop their sound. The Snozzberries are one of Saturday night's headliners at the Appalachian Vibes Music Festival.
This week is an exciting episode for the growth of Appalachian vibes. Appalachian Vibes was officially picked up by Radio IQ/NPR in southwest and central Virginia! Welcome new listeners! If you're new to the show, the way it works-we receive artist nominations from listeners and musicians about YOUR favorite, inspiring musicians (you can make a nomination by going to appalachianvibes.net on the main page there's a button to fill out a contact form).
This week we repeated Fanoplane from Season 2 Episode 1 because lets face it, is there really a better first week on NPR than featuring Bob Boilen (creator of All Songs Considered and Tiny Desk Concerts) as well as Ted Zook, a classical guitarist with their experimental improv ensemble, Fanoplane. For more information: tedzook@hotmail.com
Nickie Calhoun was my second guest. She's a self professed wanderer and down tempo singer-songwriter. Her most recent album is called 'Heart of Slate'
Listen to Nickie on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/01BdhZM0oPcoZUW9U7zUuz?si=17dME059T0S1BAnwKCUNIw&nd=1
My last guest is an Appalachian writer and musician. We did something a little different and featured a story of his called, Cell Phone.
Cell Phone by Will Henson (from Will Henson & the Willies)
So the last 48 hours of my life have been a psychotic roller coaster.Monday night I got off the phone with my mechanic who's been working on my car for the last 8 months.... My phone has been dying and running out of juice for the last week so any info I needed to give or receive has been done quickly and frantically... Before I went to sleep I plugged it in and laid it on top of the laptop at the foot of my bed... Oftentimes I will stretch my legs and somehow kick it or pull it to where it drops on the floor with a loud crash and it is almost always laying on the floor the next morning...
Well this must have happened in the middle of the night cuz I heard it and of course it woke me up, a couple of hours later I got up and looked down but this time it was nowhere to be seen...a five-minute search started turning into a 20-minute search which started turning into a 40-minute search... It had vanished.... I mean there was no logical place for it to go it only had a foot to slide in any direction... I was starting to get pissed... No this can't be one of those days where all I do is futilely look for something that has vanished... But about three or four hours later after looking in ridiculous place s it just was not there... And a horrific conclusion was starting to creep in...
There's a woman I had been dating that I have finally had to put on block... That was about a month ago...I was convinced she had come into the room in the middle of the night and had taken it.... My bloodstream was Frozen with ice water... Not only was she going to see a thousand pictures of nude females of all shapes and sizes... There were so many other things she was going to have access to... And each new revelation brought a fresh wave of horror in my brain... She was going to see text messages, phone calls, phone numbers of every person I have been in contact with for the last 2 years.... She was going to have free access to my bank account.... She could post anything she wanted to in my name on my Facebook page.... Upon hearing about my fears my roommate said there is absolutely no fucking way anybody's going to break into this house... And I knew that... I knew that and I am mediately was relieved...
And with a fresh wave of confidence and calm I bounded my way back into my room and began searching for the phone again.... Nothing.... Still vanished... The phone charger cord still dangling off the side; there is only one spot the phone should be in lest it grow legs and run somewhere else in the room... My mind was back in the Frozenvault of the reality and possibility that yes
Season 2 Episode 3 airing on WFIR 107.3 in SW VA and 94.5 (Botetourt).
This week on Appalachian Vibes: The Roanoke born Celtic duo called Kinnfolk. A Christian Southern rock singer-songwriter, Thomas Thurman, and Mac Walker, the brains behind Mac Walker & the Machine.
Kinnfolk performed their music throughout our interview at Fret Mill Music Co in Roanoke, VA a couple of months ago. Their nomination came from another App Vibes alum, Caleb Michael Settje. If you remember wayyyy back to the first episode, I interviewed Caleb back in Feb of 2021. Check out that episode here:
https://appalachianvibes.net/1-episode-1-jojo-stockton-stuart-brown-and-caleb-michael-settje/
Kinnfolk is comprised of Julie Kinn and Josh Kinn. They met and fell in love surrounding the Irish music sessions they attended while Julie was learning how to play. Josh is a very accomplished string player, together they perfectly blend the Celtic music with Appalachian roots music. Julie and Josh were recently married a couple of weeks ago.
The first song they perform is called The Borden Set. Borden being Julie's maiden name, every tune in the set was a beautiful homage to parts of their relationship. It's completely instrumental, but the description Josh gives after the song really shows how much thought went into creating a scene. If you read this before you listen, what do you imagine when they're playing?
The second song is Roll the Ol Chariot" a traditional Maritime song.
The third song is Danny Boy, the classic, inspiring (thought to be Irish) song written in 1910 by Frederic Weatherly.
Thomas Thurman was my second guest. He was a guest on the show at the end of April when unforeseen circumstances led the show to being taken off air. But you know what we do around here? You know what we do when people try to sabotage our good work? We kick ass and recognize no matter what obstacles lie in our path, YOUR voice deserves to be heard. These artists voices, their stories, their songs, deserve to be on air. So we pivoted. And now we're on a station 10 times bigger than the last one:) So, bligity blam. We leveled up guys. Sometimes when you're hit with an obstacle, like Appalachian Vibes being thrown off a radio station suddenly and without warning, you have to recognize it for what it is. You will attract what you align with. Hey it was a good start, but our business ethics standards weren't being met by the old staton, and they kicked us off. I happened to be in the Gauntlet competition.
**Today on season 2 episode 2 of appalacahin Vibes we explore home grown Neo soul, R&B talent from Roanoke Virginia with Macklyn Mosley’s sophomore album drop, Life+Love.
Check out his Spotify-**https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VCFAWXXF0dxvltfGNP1Gy
Ash Devine a Appalachian folk artist displaced from Asheville, NC (currently embracing Blacksburg VA) due to an unexpected turn events when the world stopped for a year with a crazy dystopian virus that shut down earth.
And :
Audacity Brass Band, an electrifying zany 10 piece brass band from Virginia’s capital located in the Piedmont region of the commonwealth, Richmond VA.
We're baaaacccckkk! With season 2 of Appalachian Vibes. This week we feature some incredible talent from the Appalachian region and surrounding areas.
Appalachian Vibes is back for season 2 beginning Sunday evening (tonight) at 6pm airing on our new station WFIR, in South West Virginia. You can tune in at 107.3 (And 94.5 in Botetourt) We are being broadcast on a MUCH larger station and can’t wait to reach new heights with Appalachian Vibes. As always the episode will be published at 7pm on appalachianvibes.net
This week my guests are the Seattle born, washboard grunge goddess, Megan Jean from Megan Jean and the KFB, Appalachia’s historian and guitar picking prodigy Colby Helms, and the creator of the Tiny Desk Concert Series and All Songs Considered on NPR, Bob Boilen and his band mate, a classical guitar wizard, Ted Zook with their experimental improv ensemble, Fanoplane.
Megan Jean & the KFB-http://www.meganjean.net
Colby Helms- Werner Helms Edition-https://www.facebook.com/Werner-Helms-Edition-112693447296896
Fanoplane (Bob Boilen and Ted Zook)- to learn more about Fanoplane, reach out to Ted Zook. Tedzook@hotmail.com
Today on Appalachian Vibes Megan Jean reveals the meaning behind "Playground Queen" the story of a fictional mother, a mother Megan imagines as the type of mother she would like to have, telling her daughter not to be like her. To show herself love and not allow the judgement of the world to determine who her daughter becomes.
To learn more about Megan Jean go to http://www.meganjean.net
Today on Appalachian Vibes we have the Richmond, VA funk, pop band, Weekend Plans with the song "How Love Feels." Flugel horn player and vocalist, Kayen, and the bands songwriter and bassist, Jordan, talk about that moment they realized they were in love and how this song was born out of that feeling.
Weekend Plans are an eight-piece band that have come together to produce an incredible blend of jazz-influenced hip hop, Soul and R&B. You can learn more about Weekend Plans at https://www.facebook.com/WkndPlans/
Hello Appalachian Vibes family! I had a baby this week so we were unable to get out a brand new episode of Appalachian Vibes. Please enjoy this reprise of episode 1 featuring Jojo Stockton, Stu Brown and Caleb Michael Settje. They're incredible artists and the first I featured on Appalachian Vibes.
Amanda
Disco Risque's mission? To take over the wold one sweaty, borderline-psychotic music lover at a time. Disco Risque is energy, screaming guitars, pounding drums, thumping bass, blaring horns and raw vocals. It's a controlled chaos.
In today's App Vibes Mini episode, Disco Risque drops their 90's-hip-hop-dance-funk-party single, "The Scene". Oh, and they're from Appalachia. Roanoke, Va actually. Right where Appalachian Vibes is based. We told you we'd challenge the expectations of music created in the Appalachian region.
Visit discorisque.com to learn more!
Fret Mill Music Co.
Appalachian Vibes is brought to you by Fret Mill Music Co.
Bearded Whiskey is a farm grown, Appalachian foot stomping, rugged yet sensitive trio based out of Danville, Va.
In this Appalachian Vibes mini the Banjo/mandolin player, Chris Stockard, takes the lead on a song he wrote about his mother and grandmothers’ shared alien abduction account in “What they did to me” .
https://www.facebook.com/TheBeardedWhiskey/
The James Lagueux Band is the the brain child of 2 artists that think as one. James Lagueux, a classical prog rock inspired guitarist and Ben Eperly his synth heavy keyboardist. Every note in their compositions appear to be well thought out and deliberate. In our conversation they reveal that this synchronicity is just the magic sparked between two musicians. They often improvise together Ben responding to every melody line James throws in his direction. The result is a very delicate woven flurry of notes, bouncing ideas back and forth, rhythms changing unexpectedly. It's like brain candy.
Lee Melozzi is a true Appalachian songwriter born in the mountains of Pennsylvania. He moved further South to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, VA during his teenage years developing into a sensitive soul songwriter. Omega wolfe borrows from classic country vibes with a keen ability to write expressively about deeply painful events. His songs are deeper than they appear, Fresh Cold Beer, is about the impermanence of everything including our ideas about the world and ourselves.
Hello! Since Appalachian Vibes is also a radio show airing mini segments Wednesday through Friday on a station in Virginia, we thought we'd share the App Vibes mini episodes every Wednesday through Friday at 1pm. Mini episodes feature one artist, one of their songs and a blurb from their interview. Sunday evening at 7pm the full show is published after the last live airing.
Todays featured artist is Indee from Indee Killed the Pop Star. She used to be an opera singer and her destiny brought her to the carnation of truly magical indie singer-songwriter and composer. Her voice is precise and focused but warm and mellifluous.
This is her song "Sweetest Soul" from her album The Climb.
The artists featured this week are Catherine the Great, The Last Real Circus, and Emily Musolino.
This week on Appalachian Vibes, all of the featured artists are performing original material.
Catherine the Great- Bedford, VA. Buy her music and merch at...
www.catherinethegreatmusic.bandcamp.com
songs- Sins of the Father, some Falls, Out of Towner, Girls Like Us.
The Last Real Circus- Richmond, VA
songs-Chaplins Life, Oh La La, Diana
Emily Musolino- Durham, NC Buy her music and merch at...
emilymusolino.com
songs: closer, Burn, Silent Disapproval
Appalachian Vibes, Episode 1 featuring:
JoJo Stockton- Originial songs by the one and only Jojo Stockton out of Franklin Co. Virginia.
Songs:Truevine, Burner and 4 or 5.
Stu Brown-The human jukebox from Roanoke, VA
Covers: It's a Mans World, Parachute, and (Original music) More of Your Love
Caleb Settje- Artist from Forest, VA performing original songs
Songs: Tuesday Night, Expire, Somehow Everything will be Okay.