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.

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English

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Global

#617934

United States

#145023

News and Media

#5071

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Articles

Studio B Session in the noon hour during “Goin’ Across the Mountain”: Darin & Brooke Aldridge

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

The “Sweethearts of Bluegrass” return to Studio B, this time in advance of their appearance at the Helping Hands concert fundraiser in Banner Elk on June 6th, along with Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmy Fortune (proceeds go directly to those in the High Country in need of assistance due to devastating circumstances.) They’ll also perform at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival over Labor Day Weekend.
Live in Studio B, Thursday at 1pm: Melissa Carper

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

Not everyone sees old-time & bluegrass, classic country, and jazz & swing working well together, but Melissa Carper sure does (as do we!) She grew up in Nebraska listening to her dad’s Jimmie Rodgers and other country records, immersed herself in the recordings of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole in college, and honed her performing skills as a bassist and singer in Arkansas with Buffalo Gals and Sad Daddy. We love her own albums “Daddy’s Country Gold” and “Ramblin’ Soul”.
Live in Studio B, Wednesday at 1pm: Andrew Duhon

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

We’ve only played Andrew Duhon a tiny bit here at WNCW, but now we’re really enjoying getting to know him better. He just wowed the audience with his performance at the Spring Skunk Festival a couple weeks ago, the very day we received his new album .
Live in Studio B, Friday at 11am: David Lowery

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

The frontman for Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven returns to Studio B for a live session in advance of his Friday night show at the Grey Eagle in Asheville and Saturday show at The Evening Muse in Charlotte. It’ll be the same day as the official release of his 28-songs solo album, which plays like a most revealing autobiography of his life rich with fascinating characters and stories.
Thursday at 8 pm: Turnpike Troubadours – The Price of Admission

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

It’s the latest album from this Tahlequah, Oklahoma band, the 2nd of theirs produced by Shooter Jennings (and a bit of a stealth, surprise release!) After slowly building a loyal following around their home state’s towns, they broke up for a bit, but thankfully reformed and quickly began gaining a lot of fans beyond their Red Dirt turf.
Thursday: Connie Francis – “Pretty Little Baby”

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

We’re breaking from our usual album-oriented format to do something we haven’t done before: different versions of the same oldie! This 1962 song is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, captivating a new generation of listeners around the world with its infectious, lilting melody and wholesome lyrics of a bygone era, thanks to it now being streamed in multiple languages.
Wednesday: David Lowery – Fathers, Sons and Brothers

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

One of the more defining indie-rock/alt-country voices of the ‘90s and adjacent decades spent the better part of five years (including the Covid era) recording this 28-songs solo album, and it plays like a most revealing autobiography. As Big Takeover Exclusives has written, “He’s been writing songs about people on the fringe for damn near a lifetime.
Tuesday: Little Feat – Strike Up the Band

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

How can a band last for some 56 years and keep its legacy so strong? By maintaining its identifiable groove and sound, and by doing so while evolving with different members over the years. Such is the case with Little Feat, formed by Lowell George, Bill Payne, Richie Hayward, and Roy Estrada back in 1969.
Monday: Sweet Megg – Never Been Home

1 week ago | wncw.org | Martin Anderson

Get to know this artist’s wonderful hybrid of jazz, blues, and honky-tonk country, and signature mix of vintage influences and modern edge. After years touring with Postmodern Jukebox and leading a Cirque du Soleil country project, she’s now got her most personal work yet. Sweet Megg began her career performing in bars, coffee shops, and DIY loft venues of the East Village and Brooklyn.
PFAS Pollution In Water Is Hurting Small North Carolina Businesses

2 weeks ago | wncw.org | Paul Foster

WUNC Environment Reporter, Celeste Gracia, sat down with WNCW to talk about her story, "PFAS Pollution Is Hurting Some Small N.C. Businesses And A Lack Of Regulations Makes It Worse". P-FAS, Per and Polyfluoroalkyl-substances, are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. Celeste talked with businesses that have become victims of PFAS and what state legislators are doing about it. This conversation originally aired in May 2025. Link- wunc.org/people/celeste-gracia