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WMRA's Acoustic Cafe

WMRA's Acoustic Cafe Contemporary and traditional acoustic music. Saturdays 12-3pm. www.wmra.org WMRA is listener-supported public radio for the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia (and beyond with our on-line stream at www.wmra.org).

Operating as usual

The full line-up! Who are you excited about?
02/10/2022

The full line-up! Who are you excited about?

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival has announced the first set of performers that will be at this Summer’s event. Who ar...
01/28/2022

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival has announced the first set of performers that will be at this Summer’s event. Who are you excited about? Who would you like to see added? 🎶

Robin & Linda Williams - Old Lovers Waltz
01/22/2022
Robin & Linda Williams - Old Lovers Waltz

Robin & Linda Williams - Old Lovers Waltz

“Old Lovers Waltz” is one of our favorite songs off the “A Better Day A-Coming” release. It has personal meaning to the two of us, and we think Deep Structur...

Kid Pan Alley writes songs with children to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster community among kids of all...
12/18/2021
Virginia's Kid Pan Alley writes songs with children during the pandemic

Kid Pan Alley writes songs with children to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster community among kids of all ages. They have a new album out, Maybe Next Year with songs written the pandemic.

Virginia’s Kid Pan Alley writes songs with children to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster community among kids of all ages.

https://www.kidpanalley.org/about-us/
12/11/2021
About Us - Kid Pan Alley

https://www.kidpanalley.org/about-us/

Kid Pan Alley’s mission is to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster community among children of all ages through the group songwriting process. We do this through our collaborative songwriting workshops in schools, at camps, online and at community centers nationwide.

Support WMRA & WEMC
12/06/2021
Support WMRA & WEMC

Support WMRA & WEMC

Give a Monthly Donation to WMRA Give a Single Donation to WMRA Donate your car to WMRA Which

It is #GivingTuesday2021 & WMRA’s goal is to raise $5K to support news with real facts & no hype. Make a difference by s...
11/30/2021

It is #GivingTuesday2021 & WMRA’s goal is to raise $5K to support news with real facts & no hype. Make a difference by supporting your favorite nonprofits tomorrow, & please include WMRA Public Radio with your #GivingTuesday contributions at wmra.org #wmra

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you’re enjoying the holiday weekend. FYI: Due to technical issues, the playlist on the website ...
11/27/2021

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you’re enjoying the holiday weekend.

FYI: Due to technical issues, the playlist on the website is not correct for the second two hours of today’s program.

This Saturday, WMRA will present a recording of Songstress Sojourn, featuring five local singer-songwriters - Molly Rose...
09/30/2021

This Saturday, WMRA will present a recording of Songstress Sojourn, featuring five local singer-songwriters - Molly Rose Murphy, Suz Slezak, Gina Furtado, Ebony Nicole and Erin Lunsford - from their concert on September 10 at The Forbes Center at James Madison University. The music begins at Noon.

Catch it on the radio, on-line or listen through the WMRA app. www.wmra.org

Thanks so much for your support during our Fall fundraiser! www.wmra.org
09/25/2021

Thanks so much for your support during our Fall fundraiser! www.wmra.org

09/13/2021

WMRA's Fall Fundraiser started today, and with your help, we'll end with over $10,000 raised. When you give on this first day, your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar, and we've got $2,900 left to match!

https://www.wmra.org/support-wmra-wemc#stream/0

An anonymous listener in Charlottesville is offering this dollar-for-dollar match right now, making sure your contribution today will count twice toward our $135,000 fall goal.

09/10/2021

This week, we’ve featured the songstresses of “Songstress Sojourn,” a partnership between the Forbes Center and WMRA Public Radio celebrating five local singer-songwriters! Join us TONIGHT @ 8 pm in the Forbes Center Concert Hall! Tickets: www.jmuforbescenter.com

Suz Slezak, who grew up playing the fiddle and singing rounds, is a pioneering folk musician who performs solo and as a duo with husband David Wax in the “Mexo-Americana” band David Wax Museum, based in Charlottesville, Virginia. The band’s release of "Line of Light" in August 2019 resulted in a national television debut on "CBS This Morning: Saturday" and three features on
NPR’s "World Cafe." Their ballad “Big Sur” debuted during the marriage scene on Netflix's "Firefly Lane" in 2021.

Slezak was recently featured in the Rolling Stone article “Portrait of the Artist as a Mother” and has a new solo album coming out soon! David Wax Museum self-released "Euphoric Ouroboric" in April 2021, one of four records the band made during quarantine. Visit www.davidwaxmuseum.com to check out the music of David Wax Museum!

09/09/2021

This week, we’re featuring the songstresses of “Songstress Sojourn,” a partnership between the Forbes Center and WMRA Public Radio celebrating five local singer-songwriters! Join us tomorrow, September 10 @ 8 pm in the Forbes Center Concert Hall! Tickets: www.jmuforbescenter.com

Ebony Nicole is a singer-songwriter who lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She plays keyboard and acoustic guitar. Her musical taste and sonic vibe have been influenced by the many places she has lived, including Tacoma and Seattle, Washington; New Jersey; New York City; and Australia, where she studied worship music for a summer.

Nicole’s single "High and Dry" was awarded a special mention in the Singer-Songwriter category of the UK Songwriting Content 2019. On Saturday, she hosted and played in the "Women's Artist Showcase" for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance's Best.Weekend.Ever event. Her two EP projects are available for listening and downloading at www.reverbnation.com/ebonynicole

09/08/2021

This week, we’re featuring the songstresses of “Songstress Sojourn,” a partnership between the Forbes Center and WMRA Public Radio celebrating five local singer-songwriters! Join us this Friday, September 10 @ 8 pm in the Forbes Center Concert Hall! Tickets: www.jmuforbescenter.com

Molly Rose Murphy, who studied music at James Madison University, plays guitar, sings, writes and arranges music. She began playing with the band The Bourbon Specials, based out of Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2005. A few years later, Murphy and her friends formed The Judy Chops, which is known for "blending elements of swing, blues, rock, and soul for a sonic experience HuffPost calls 'genre-defying!'"

Murphy also performs in the duo ensemble The Marvelous Murphy Sisters with her sister Sally, and owns Queen City Music Studios in Staunton, Virginia, a school of music for learning by ear.

Murphy is pictured in the middle with The Judy Chops, and her “solid musicianship and dedication have been the background for the band’s solid arrangements.” Visit www.thejudychops.com to check out the group’s new music video and single “Good Days,” a song released in July 2021 from the forthcoming EP “The Good Days.”

09/07/2021

This week, we’re featuring the songstresses of “Songstress Sojourn,” a partnership between the Forbes Center and WMRA Public Radio celebrating five local singer-songwriters! Join us this Friday, September 10 @ 8 pm in the Forbes Center Concert Hall! Tickets: www.jmuforbescenter.com

Erin Lunsford is an award-winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist originally from Fincastle, Virginia. She is the frontwoman of the funk/soul band Erin and the Wildfire, based out of of Richmond, Virginia. She has opened solo for Bruce Hornsby, Darrell Scott, and more!

Lunsford was selected as a top NPR Tiny Desk Concert in 2018 and 2019, and was included in “FloydFest 2019: 10 Best Things We Saw” by Rolling Stone Country. “Erin has a love for personal storytelling – rooted in a deep history of family folk music – that is highlighted by her poignant lyrics and unforgettable prowess.” Her latest solo album, “The Damsel,” was released in April 2020 and had her leaning in to her bluegrass and Americana roots. Have a listen at: www.erinlunsford.com

09/06/2021

This week, we’re featuring the songstresses of “Songstress Sojourn,” a partnership between the Forbes Center and WMRA Public Radio celebrating five local singer-songwriters! Join us this Friday, September 10 @ 8 pm in the Forbes Center Concert Hall! Tickets: www.jmuforbescenter.com

Born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia, Gina Furtado is known for her work as the banjo player for Chris Jones and the Night Drivers. Twice-nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Banjo Player of the Year, Furtado is “absurdly talented” (Bluegrass Today) as well as “a graceful singer and insightful songwriter.” (The Bluegrass Situation).

She currently tours with her band, The Gina Furtado Project, which performs bluegrass, swing, gypsy jazz music, and more! Her album “I Hope You Have a Good Life” with the Gina Furtado Project, released by Mountain Home Music Company in September 2019, debuted at No. 6 on the Bluegrass Music Charts.

Have a listen at:
www.mountainhomemusiccompany.com/album/i-hope-you-have-a-good-life

08/20/2021
08/18/2021

Thank you to all WMRA listeners, and many others, who helped the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank far surpass the 400,000 meal goal in the first Unity in Community Food Drive. The organization collected enough food and funds from across a 25-county service area to provide 637,892 meals for families in need of food assistance. At WMRA, we were able to fill about 4 full barrels of donated foods to assist in the effort. Thank you for your generosity!

Photos from WMRA Public Radio's post
08/13/2021

Photos from WMRA Public Radio's post

Remembering Martha Woodroof.
07/20/2021
Remembering Martha Woodroof

Remembering Martha Woodroof.

Former WMRA reporter, producer and host Martha Woodroof died at her home near Harrisonburg early Sunday morning, as stated on her page in a post

07/02/2021

WMRA Congratulates two winners from last weekends Red Wing Roots Music Festival tickets giveaway during Acoustic Café with Tina Owens. The winners chosen at random after liking our posts on Facebook or Instagram are Zoe Dellinger and James Carter. Thanks to everyone who entered.

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival 3-day pass giveaway is underway! Like this post by 3pm today (Saturday 6/26) and you w...
06/26/2021

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival 3-day pass giveaway is underway! Like this post by 3pm today (Saturday 6/26) and you will be entered to win a pair of 3-day passes to the 6th Annual Red Wing Roots Festival July 9-11.

Early in the week, we’ll be randomly picking two lucky winners from among those who like this post and anyone can enter.

Contest Rules available here (link: https://www.wmra.org/air-contest-rules

By entering and participating, entrant agrees to hold harmless, defend and indemnify Facebook from and against any and all claims, demands, liability, damages or causes of action (however named or described), losses, costs or expenses, with respect to or arising out of or related to entrant’s participation in any Prize related activities, acceptance of a Prize and/or use or misuse of a Prize (including, without limitation, any property loss, damage, personal injury or death caused to any person(s).

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival is just around the corner (July 9 -11) and if you don’t already have tickets, we might...
06/25/2021

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival is just around the corner (July 9 -11) and if you don’t already have tickets, we might be able to fix that!

This Saturday, during WMRA’s Acoustic Café, we’ll be giving away two pairs of 3-day passes. The drawing will be held through WMRA's Acoustic Café and WMRA Public Radio pages, and anyone can enter. Once we publish the giveaway on Saturday 6/26, all you have to do is hit like and you are entered to win. We’ll be picking two winners at random. Good luck!

Summer Music Festivals Are Back On Stage
06/18/2021
Summer Music Festivals Are Back On Stage

Summer Music Festivals Are Back On Stage

One of the hallmarks of summer is making a comeback in 2021: the music festival. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.

Bittersweet news from The Steel Wheels...
06/05/2021

Bittersweet news from The Steel Wheels...

05/15/2021

We are elated to share the 2021 Red Wing lineup with you! As we continue to follow guidelines from our state health officials, we aim to offer additional tickets and camping options for sale in early June. Stay tuned for updates! We hope to see you there!

The Mavericks - Sarah Jarosz - Hiss Golden Messenger - Son Little - Bettye LaVette - Asleep at the Wheel - Tim O'Brien - Peter Rowan - The Steel Wheels - Dustbowl Revival - Katie Pruitt - The Cactus Blossoms - Hawktail - Town Mountain - The Scott Miller - Sierra Ferrell - Yarn - Caroline Spence - Hogslop String Band - The Dead Tongues - Jon Stickley Trio - Ley Line - Jacob Jolliff Band - The Revelers - Fireside Collective - Anna Tivel - L.A. EDWARDS - The Tillers - Miss Tess - Bill and the Belles - Chatham Rabbits - Danny Knicely & Cheick Hamala Diabate - The Judy Chops - The Wildmans - The Currys - Erin Lunsford - Bryan Elijah Smith - Ragged Mountain String Band - Charlie and the 45's - #redwingroots #redwingroots2021

Address

983 Reservoir St
Harrisonburg, VA
22801

Opening Hours

12pm - 3pm

Telephone

(800) 677-9672

Website

http://www.wmra.org

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Tina Owens hosts "Acoustic Cafe" - Americana, folk, bluegrass and more - on Saturday from Noon to 3pm

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The concert lineup for the inaugural "Songstress Sojourn," a partnership between the Forbes Center and WMRA Public Radio, has just been announced! Gina Furtado, Erin Lunsford, Molly Rose Murphy, Ebony Nicole, and Suz Slezak will perform several original songs and share the personal stories behind their creation in a performance on Friday, September 10 @ 8 pm in the Forbes Center Concert Hall. Tina Owens from WMRA's Acoustic Cafe will host the event, which is sponsored by Cross Keys Studio in Port Republic, Virginia. For tickets and further information, visit: https://www.jmuforbescenter.com/events/2021/09/10-songstress-sojourn.shtml To view the press release, visit: https://www.jmu.edu/news/arts/2021/09-01-songstress-sojourn-press-release.shtml
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) is hosting an online concert and Zoom workshop with the great Karan Casey on Friday, January 29th 7 p.m. (concert) & Saturday, January 30th 2-3 p.m. (workshop). If you are interested in more information, concert "tickets" or workshop registration, please visit brimstunes.org Karan Casey has long been recognized as one of the most innovative, provocative and imitated voices in Irish traditional and folk music. Singing songs charged with a sense of social responsibility in a career spanning over 25 years, Karan has released 7 solo albums as well as an album for children, a duet album with John Doyle and numerous contributions to other artists’ projects. She has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Japan, performing with her own band as well as collaborating with a diverse roster of renowned musicians.
Free Virtual Concert https://fb.me/e/6atCLl81U
Great song selection today! You rock!
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) and The Prism Coffeehouse present: Karan Casey in Concert w/ Matt Heaton & Sheila Falls Saturday, March 14th 7:00 p.m. Cville Coffee, 1301 Harris St. Tickets at brimstunes.org Karan Casey has long been recognized as one of the most innovative, provocative and imitated voices in Irish traditional and folk music. Karan released her first album with the group Solas, which quickly became the most celebrated Irish band in the U.S., and her four years with the group were pivotal. Since embarking on her solo career Karan has released 6 solo albums, a duo album (with John Doyle), an album for children and numerous contributions to other artists’ projects – appearing on more than 50 albums in total. She has toured constantly throughout North America, Europe and Japan, performing solo, with her own band and with many other diverse artists.
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) presents a house concert featuring singers Eileen Estes, Kevin Elam and guitarist Jesse Langen on Sunday, January 12th, 7:00 p.m. in Earlysville. Irish music & songs! Address provided upon reservation! Visit brimstunes.org for more info and to reserve seats. ~Eileen Estes, Irish-American musician and singer, has thrilled audiences for years with her extraordinary voice, which effortlessly combines vocal power with subtle emotional expressiveness. She works as a vocal instructor and performer and is a former instructor at Blue Ridge Irish Music School. Daughter of Nita (Conley) Korn, Celtic Thunder’s original lead singer, Eileen grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland. ~Jesse Langen is an Irish guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who is acclaimed for his beautiful, dynamic and powerful accompaniment of traditional Irish music. Equally comfortable on classical and electric guitar, he seeks to push both the technical boundaries and the conceptual functions of the guitar. Langen is currently an instructor for Chicago’s Academy for the Arts as well as The Irish Music School of Chicago and performs regularly at the Lyric Opera House in Renée Fleming’s The Light at the Piazza. Kevin Elam is recipient of the All Ireland award for singing.
BRIMS presents an Irish Holiday Showcase on Sunday, December 22nd 2:00 p.m. at The Haven. BRIMS students ages 5-adult will perform Irish dance, music and song. This festive family event is Free and open to the public! Come see what BRIMS is all about. Donations to The Haven will be welcome.
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School presents an Irish Ceili Family Dance Party Saturday, November 16th 7:00 p.m. in Earlysville An Irish Ceili (KAY-lee) is a dance party for all ages and skill levels. Instruction is provided, no experience necessary. All dances are called to live Irish music! More info and directions at brimstunes.org
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) presents Steph Geremia & The Flyaways on Saturday, October 19th at 7:00 p.m. at Cville Coffee. Irish music and songs on flute, fiddle, bouzouki and guitar. For tickets and more info brimstunes.org
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School presents: Fiachra O'Regan, Sophie Lavoie & Andre Marchand Friday October 4th, 7:00 p.m. at Cville Coffee in Charlottesville. Music from Ireland & Quebec: Fiachra on Irish uilleann pipes, Sophie on fiddle & vocals and Andre Marchand on guitar. Tickets available at brimstunes.org
Was at Red Wing. Been there every year. Loved everything and especially having the group Birds of Chicago.
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) presents: Jarlath Henderson & Innes Watson in concert on Sunday, May 5th, 7:00 p.m. at The Haven. Tickets at brimsunes.org Jarlath Henderson, from County Armagh, has been playing the uilleann pipes since the age of 10 Innes Watson, from Glasgow, is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist with over ten years of contemporary and traditional Scottish music performance, Tickets at brimstunes.org