WNKU's long-running live radio program showcasing established and emerging musicians from around the world performing in front of a studio audience, returns to the airwaves for the fall season on Monday, September 15th and will air weekly at 7:00 pm until the season finale on December 8th. Studio 89 has become a flagship program for WNKU and one of the many reasons the non-commercial public radio station has been voted “Best Radio Station” in Cincinnati by readers of CityBeat Magazine eight times.
Studio 89 takes place in the Digitorium of NKU's Griffin Hall. The Digitorium is a state of the art facility complete with opera box seating, professional lighting, and a 15' x 25' LED video wall. Seating is limited and reservations will be accepted online the Tuesday before each show until full. Active WNKU Members receive first priority in the order received. Listeners can become members by making a financial contribution to WNKU online at www.wnku.org or by calling 859-572-6500. Studio 89 is made possible by the support of its members and by donations at the door for each performance.
The fall 2014 Studio 89 lineup is as follows:
Sept. 15th – Pure Grain (Bright, IN)
Pure Grain’s roots infused sound defies genres or categorization and has earned them props with country, jamband, and classic rock fans alike. From southern fried rock to raw funk, country hooks, and bluesy soul, Pure Grain delivers high energy live performances straight from the farm fields and rolling hills of their hometown, Bright Indiana.
Sept. 22nd – Jarekus Singleton (Clinton, MS)
Jarekus played Division 1 basketball for the University of Southern Miss, a few times against UC when they were in Conference USA. He looked to a future in the NBA until a knee injury sidelined him. Recently signed to Alligator records, at 29, he is one of the youngest to ever sign with the almost 45 year-old label. Singleton’s cutting-edge sound—equally rooted in rap, rock and blues traditions—is all his own. He melds hip-hop wordplay, rock energy and R&B grooves with contemporary and traditional blues.
Sept. 29th – Kyle English (Cincinnati)
After spending time performing in and out of bands over the years, Kyle decided to place more focus on a solo career. Since setting out on his own, he has been able to hone his craft; finding a voice and style that, upon hearing, is easily identified as his own. He is constantly performing and writing in order to craft songs that are heartfelt and catchy.
Oct. 6th – Jason Owen (Northern Kentucky)
Over thirteen thousand Twitter followers and nearly fifteen thousand Facebook fans can’t be wrong. Northern Kentucky’s Jason Owen is making waves with his new single, “Damn Right.” He’s even garnered some social media attention from the likes of Brad Paisley and Justin Moore. Released on the 29th August, 2014, the single is rockin’ and fun - reflecting the spirit of the 20 year old who has now found his feet as a recording and touring artist and recently signed to Social Family Records (also home to Baby Animals, Damien Leith, David Campbell and Amber Lawrence).
Oct. 13th – NO SHOW / FALL BREAK
Oct. 20th – Nick D’ & The Believers (Columbus, OH)
Nick D’ & the Believers emerged onto the Ohio music scene with a single and video called Find A Little Love. Their “woozy, new soul” was quickly recognized by critics who called the band “brilliant,” “consistently mesmerizing,” and “one of the fiercest live acts.” We had them for an in-studio performance back in early summer and were equally impressed.
Check out our past interview with the Nick D' & The Believers HERE!
Oct. 27th – Charlie Mars (Oxford, MS)
Charlie Mars has been a journeyman artist with all the ups and downs that entails, from major label releases and high profile gigs opening for the likes of REM, KT Tunstall, Citizen Cope, and Steve Earle, among others, from uncertainty to redemption. He’s performed on Austin City Limits and came up with Esquire Magazine’s Songwriters Challenge. Apart from his notoriety as a musician, Charlie has been seen by millions walking the red carpet with ex-girlfriend and superstar actress, Mary Louise-Parker.
Nov. 3rd – Rattle Snakin’ Daddies (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky)
The Rattlesnakin’ Daddies take a bluegrass mentality to the many genres of music that they perform. Whether it be an old time fiddle tune, a country song, or a fast rockabilly tune, they feature virtuosic solos and maintain a machine like tightness with their music performance. Their original tunes are explosive and are directly inspired from the sounds that were produced from Cincinnati's King Records label from apx. 1940-1960. They have been described as “a band that features vocal excellence in their three part harmonies and exhibits incredible solos that weave an energizing dialogue of musical entertainment”.
Nov. 10th – Tracy Walker Combo (Cincinnati)
Just as palpable as her ringing alto and her estimable guitar skills, there is a blazing honesty that runs through Tracy’s work, from her 1998 debut album Naked to 2003’s All This Time, and Coetaneous Vibrations undeniably reinforces that streak. Tracy doesn’t merely write and play a song, she crafts and inhabits it.
While maintaining a consistent presence throughout the greater Cincinnati area, Tracy has also managed to make an impression on more distant stages, appearing locally, regionally and nationally sharing the stage with Joe Cocker, O.A.R., Mitch Ryder, Melissa Ferrick, Blessid Union of Souls, Sally Taylor, Antigone Rising, R&B icon Jerry Butler and many others.
Nov. 17th – Mulebone (New York City)
Mulebone is a partnership comprised of multi-instrumentalist, John Ragusa and roots music specialist, Hugh Pool. The launching pad for their musical expression is traditional blues.
Along with playing live and TV appearances, they won blues artist of the year at radio stations from Seattle, Washington to Red Bank, New Jersey. Any given week, you may find them playing clubs in NYC or entertaining at private parties thrown by David Rockefeller, Bruce Wasserstein and list of other East Coast residents who are enthusiastic about bringing these boys in for a party by road, sea or air.
Nov. 24th – Kentucky Struts (Northern Kentucky)
Unabashedly Kentuckian, the musical approach of The Kentucky Struts is not unlike the flavor you get from the state itself; rolling hills, bends of the roads and the blue-collar bloodlines exhaled into the center of your head.
Dec. 1st – Noah Wotherspoon (Dayton, OH)
Noah Wotherspoon is a multifaceted musician, writer and artist from Dayton, OH. A renowned blues guitarist, his accomplishments range from sharing the stage & studio with legendary first generation blues legends to making it to the finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Aside from his accolades in the blues world, he is a prolific song-writer & artistic visionary, drawing from a diverse array of influences to forge his own creative realms.
Dec. 9th – Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle (Cincinnati/Northern KY)
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle is a Cincinnati based, 4 piece Americana/Folk band that blends the tradition of heroes like Woody Guthrie and Mississippi John Hurt w/ contemporary flavor. In its short existence, the band has grown its fan base by getting out in front of folks. Whether it's the great variety of local shows or their regional touring, the always bring high energy onto every stage they perform on.
Buffalo Wabs (aka Matt Wabnitz) spearheads this group, playing guitar and taking most of the vocal duties. Casey Campbell, Ian Mathieu, and Scott Risner comprise The Price Hill Hustle side of the equation. The group is deeply rooted in the tradition of Old Time pioneers; however, the energy they bring to a live performance could burn down the rowdiest honky-tonk in town.
Check out an interview with Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle HERE and a video from Buckle Up Music Festival HERE!
Details and weekly updates to Studio 89 can be found at WNKU’s website, www.wnku.org or by liking WNKU on www.facebook.com/WNKUradio or following @WNKU on Twitter.
The CincyMusic.com Soundcheck is a weekly local music show on WNKU 105.9 / 89.7 / 104.1 that features a mix of the region's most talented musicians and a recap of local music news from CincyMusic.com. The show features prominent local music veteran Venomous Valdez. You can catch us on the air every Thursday night at 10 on WNKU 105.9 / 89.7 / 104.1, or you may subscribe to the podcast HERE.
