WNCW-FM (Spindale, NC)

WNCW (88.7 FM) is a public radio station that operates without commercial interests, and it is based in Spindale, North Carolina. It is owned by Isothermal Community College and offers a diverse range of programming that includes genres such as folk, blues, jazz, reggae, Celtic, world music, rock, bluegrass, indie, and news. The station broadcasts from a tower located at Clingman's Peak, which has an elevation of 6,634 feet (2,022 meters) above sea level, allowing it to reach a wide audience in western North Carolina. In addition to its main signal, WNCW can be heard on WSIF in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and through four translators. The station provides at least some coverage to areas in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia.

Local

English

Radio

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#617934

United States

#145023

News and Media

#5071

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

U.S. will walk away from Ukraine peace efforts if progress not made soon, Rubio says

6 days ago | wncw.org | Eleanor Beardsley

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the U.S. will walk away from efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine if progress isn't made within days.
Wednesday 4/16: Shinyribs – Leaving Time

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

This 9th studio album from Austin icon Shinyribs - is a fitting return to the roots. Reunited with the artist's original record label, Nine Mile Records, sets aside the Soul horns and backup singers that have been a staple of the big Shinyribs band, in favor of a more stripped-down approach to this collection of songs. Fans of Kev Russell’s first couple Shinyribs albums, and his previous band The Gourds, might hear a bit of a return to that era with these arrangements.
Thursday 4/17: Mason Via – Mason Via

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

Mason Via has had quite a productive time these past four years. He toured the world as a member of Old Crow Medicine Show, earned a Grammy nomination for his work on the band's chart-topping album Jubilee, contributed songs to Grammy-winning and nominated records by Molly Tuttle and the Del McCoury Band, and released his solo debut, New Horizons.
Thursday at 8pm: Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

“For an artist to get in the studio and record an entire set in just a few days on a single acoustic guitar, one might assume the music is calling with some urgency. But for Jason Isbell’s latest solo outing, Foxes in the Snow, there’s a slow and steady focus across its spare 11 tracks. It’s no salacious breakup album (though some might have been anticipating it following his 2024 divorce from longtime partner Amanda Shires), but it’s got heartbreak seeping from every pore.
Monday 4/14: Seth Walker – Why the Worry

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

Music resource The Vinyl District describes the Seth we know: "...an accomplished guitarist and an even better singer, distilling the soul of Ray Charles, the Southern boy roots charm of Delbert McClinton, and an uptown blues turn of phrase (à la Percy Mayfield) into his own distinct voice." Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers lent his talents to this one again, along with co-producer Brooks Sutton, co-songwriters Oliver Wood and Ed Jurdi, drummer Mark Raudabaugh, and Seth’s dad Scott Walker.
Christian immigrants backed Trump, now some are at risk of being deported

2 weeks ago | wncw.org | Jack Jenkins

A majority of Catholics and evangelicals backed Trump on Election Day. But some say his promise to enact a mass deportation of migrants threatens their churches. In a new report, they argue that 80% who would be at risk of deportation are Christians. Copyright 2025 NPR
The Weave Awards Recognizes Great Things That Are Happening In Wilkes County

3 weeks ago | wncw.org | Paul Foster

Find out about The Weave Project and The Weaver Awards, which recognize and celebrate the weavers — those who weave their communities together — in Wilkes County. Local Weave Staffer, Greg Brady, gives the history and meaning of Weave, while award winner, Teacher Heather Williams, shares why she was recognized. This conversation originally aired in March 2025.
Three Reasons Why Most N.C. School Districts Are Losing Students

3 weeks ago | wncw.org | Paul Foster

WUNC K-12 Education Reporter, Liz Schlemmer joined WNCW to discuss the main reasons parents choose to place their children in private schools or select homeschooling over traditional public schooling. Liz also breaks down the effects of COVID and Charter Schools. This conversation originally aired in March 2025.
Collaborating For The Arts - The Asheville Theatre Alliance

3 weeks ago | wncw.org | Paul Foster

Asheville Theatre Alliance (ATA) Co-Founder, Jeff Cantanese was Paul's guest on this feature interview to share what ATA is all about. The non-profit group came together as a way to strengthen the Asheville theatre community as a whole. Jeff also shared details about an ATA podcast that just got off the ground. This conversation originally aired in March 2025.
Musician Madeline Dierauf Receives The Prestigious Rhodes Scholarship From Oxford University

3 weeks ago | wncw.org | Paul Foster

Madeline Dierauf, a professional fiddler, can be described as a talented musician, an outstanding college student, and someone with a genuine soul. She's also a new and rare recipient of the Oxford University Rhodes Scholarship, that will enable her to continue her studies in England later this year. Madeline, a member of the all- female bluegrass band, The Wilder Flower, is also the daughter of WNCW Music Host, Roland Dierauf. This conversation originally aired in late February 2025.