Crowd Around the Mic Volume 12
WNCW-FM releases stellar two-disc compilation of Studio B tracks

By Jeff Eason

You don’t have to be Alan Greenspan to realize that the average American is in an economic squeeze. Household budgets are under scrutiny as never before and belt-tightening has become a national pastime.

The new double disc album Crowd Around the Mic Volume 12 is at the centerpiece of WNCW-FM’s current pledge drive. The album features performances by the Belleville Outfit, Carrie Rodriguez, the Grascals, Wayne Henderson and many others.

One of the ways Americans are scraping by, unfortunately, is by not giving as much to the various non-profit organizations that live and die by such donations. That means that these organizations are forced to be more creative when it comes to getting your attention during their fundraising drives.

Public radio station WNCW-FM, Spindale (92.9 on the dial in the High Country), is currently in the midst of its autumn pledge drive and is offering its donating listeners a new two-disc album titled Crowd Around the Mic Volume 12. Featuring tracks recorded by musicians in the station’s renowned “Studio B,” the album is a one-of-a-kind look at criminally overlooked musicians touring and working today.

Many of the recordings are by national acts that made the side trip to Spindale before performing in Asheville, Charlotte or Spartanburg while others are by regional artists whose music is heard on WNCW. Whereas some radio stations offer artists a chance to record in cramped disc jockey booths, WNCW has established itself as a state-of-the-art recording facility with its spacious Studio B. Every week of the year, a handful of music acts take advantage of the facility and record live tracks which are simultaneously aired by the station. This year 36 of the best live recordings were picked for the new two-disc album.

Regional artists represented on the album include former Spartanburg residents (now living in Austin, Texas) The Belleville Outfit with “Caroline,” former Banner Elk singer-songwriter Barton Carroll with “Superman,” east Tennessee’s Malcolm Holcombe’s “Gamblin’ House,” Asheville’s Tyler Ramsey with “Ships” and Charlotte’s David Childers & the Modern Don Juans with “Strayaway Child.”

National and international acts represented on the album include Mali’s Vieux Farka Touré’s “Wosoubour,” Florida’s J.J. Grey and Mofro’s “Tragic,” Texas’ Carrie Rodriguez’ “Seven Angels on a Bicycle,” Nashville’s Abigal Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet’s (featuring Bela Fleck) “Great Big Wall in China” and Atlanta’s Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Quark’s “Poverty.”

The 36 tracks on Crowd Around the Mic Volume 12 are incredibly diverse, representing the best in the bluegrass, blues, folk, singer-songwriter, country, old time and swing genres. In that regard, the new album is reflective of WNCW’s all-encompassing radio format that focuses on acoustic and “traditional-plus” styles of music performed by artists performing today.

Other highlights of the album include Dave Olney’s “Sweet Poison,” Larry Keel & Natural Bridge’s “Diamond Break,” The Gourds’ “Steeple Full of Swallows,” the Claire Lynch Band’s “Up This Hill and Down” and Grasstowne’s “Grasstowne City Limits.”

CATM 12 closes with guitarist Jimmy Thackery’s instrumental tour de force “Solid Ice.” The cut recalls the best work of classic electric blues players such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robin Trower and David Gilmore. At a lengthy 9 ½ minutes, this sonic masterpiece makes the album an indispensable part of any guitar-lover’s collection.

“We hear from listeners each fund drive from all corners of our listening range and beyond, always coming through with their support for the eclectic programming we deliver over the airwaves,” said WNCW-FM program director and midday host Martin Anderson. “This month we’re of course keeping an eye on the financial crisis as well, but we know our listeners also realize the huge deficit we’d face if WNCW didn’t get the support it needs.”

WNCW-FM has become one of the most popular public radio stations in the country because of its eclectic mix of modern music. Monday through Friday, deejays Martin Anderson, Joe Kendrick and Roland Dierhauf play a daily mix of old and new favorite. Block programming on the station includes NPR’s “Morning Edition” weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m., The World Café with David Dye weekdays from 6 to 8 p.m., Jazz and Beyond on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m., Goin’ Across the Mountain (bluegrass) on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Celtic Winds on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Asheville musician Laura Blackley hosts Local Color, featuring the music from regional acts on Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Other weekly programs on the station include Gospel Truth with Dennis Jones, King Pup Radio Show, Acoustic Café, Frank on Friday (featuring the music of Frank Zappa), This Old Porch, E-Town and the Grateful Dead Radio Hour.

In addition to Crowd Around the Mic Vol. 12, WNCW is offering a number of other incentives during its pledge drive including new albums, concert tickets and other merchandise. For more information, visit www.wncw.org.