"Hoodoo Train," the 1990 release by Memphis-based all-female band The Hellcats, serves as a compelling snapshot of the city's vibrant roots-punk scene. The album, distributed by New Rose Records in France, embodies a fusion of alternative rock, garage rock, indie rock, and country rock, showcasing the band's versatility and distinctive sound within the broader roots music landscape. Led by a lineup featuring Diane Green, Giovanna Pizzorno, Lisa McGaughran, Lorette Velvette, Misty White, and Su Ondine, The Hellcats deliver a memorable collection of tracks on "Hoodoo Train." The album's eclectic mix includes noteworthy songs like "Where The Hell Is Memphis," "Hoodoo Train," and "Crazy About You Baby." The Hellcats' spirited and rocking approach, coupled with their skillful musicianship, contributes to the album's appeal. Despite the band's relatively short-lived existence, "Hoodoo Train" stands as a testament to The Hellcats' significant presence in the Memphis music scene and their ability to infuse energy and originality into the roots-punk genre.

Samuel and Davis, The Blues Paddlers, bring their fun and frisky blues-soul fusion to our morning show, The Drop.

"Dip In Ya Hip" host Chris Rohling kicks off The Days Between, a celebration of the life of Jerry Garcia, with a midnight vigil dedicated to the musical legend. Hang with Chris on Saturday, August 3, when he brings the party to Crosstown Brewing Co. for the first-ever "Jerry Day" festival.

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Eve Essex performs with voice, winds and electronics, harnessing elements of distorted pop, avant-jazz, chamber music and drone. She guests with Amy to play some of her music and some personal favorites.

Young Lulu swing by and takes over for Jerry on this week's Without a Net.

Special episode of THRUST! Our dynamic duo will finally reveal the secrets behind their mysterious techno-sorcery, guided by the fearless documentarian @fallsglen. Discover the real people behind the jumpsuits and uncover the truth—are they even human?

Talibah Safiya, joined our weekly wellness program "Healing Frequencies" with host Keri Lee.

Host of "Seams Likely," Will Randolph pays tribute to his recently departed friend, Jennifer Larrivee.

Crosstown Arts summer resident AC Bullard slid by “Talkin’ Memphis” to share some music from Santana, discuss her craft for creating memories through photographs, and reveals quick tips for work-life balance.

Shout out to Auggie for crushing his radio debut on this morning’s episode of the New New Soft Shoe Show on WYXR! Auggie brought some killer records!

Before we rage on into our next WYXR Stereo Session presented by MEMPHO, revisit our first session from earlier this season, hosted by Nancy Agee and featuring special guest David Beaver. Listen to the audio on-air TONITE during a special "Talkin' Memphis" from 7-8 p.m.

Join filmmaker and historian Willy Bearden as he explores the fascinating world of jingle music with Steve Pacheco, President and CEO of the American Advertising Federation. Discover the artistry behind these catchy tunes and gain insights from Pacheco's 30-year career in advertising. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that reveals the magic of marketing melodies!

Cooki B and Joy welcome Jay B. to dive deep into the world of Stax blues deep cuts, including the music of Mighty Joe Hicks, John Lee Hooker, Moloch, Albert King, and more.

Legendary soul songwriter David Porter and colorful funk bass impresario Mononeon stop through "Nervous Wreck Radio" for an impromptu party.

Baroque Down Palace w/ Pat Sansone

Memphis rap pioneer Al Kapone ("...Al Kapeezy, some might call him Ska-face Al...") returns to Nervous Wreck Radio to prime his longtime fans for his upcoming "Blues Rap" vinyl LP release party.

Experience the powerful story hour, "Tyre Nichols had a beautiful life." In partnership with MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, this special program features Memphis-born writer and Georgetown professor Zandria F. Robinson reading her evocative piece on Tyre Nichols. Listen and reflect on his spirit, tragic death, and the impact on his family and community.

Tonya Dyson hosts renowned DJ Rich Medina, who is in Memphis for a live performance. With a career spanning over two decades, Medina is celebrated for his eclectic mixes of hip-hop, house, soul, and afrobeat, as well as his work as a spoken word artist, journalist, and producer.

Neena Neen, DJ and multi-disciplinary artist within Memphis' MengCheng Collective closed out host SunAh Laybourn's monthlong celebration of Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month on her weekly "Let's Grab Coffee" program.

Singer-songwriter Cyrena Wages pops into "Straight From The Source," with host Elizabeth Cawein. The Memphis-bred showstopping performer appears hot on the heels of her new LP release.

The MEMPHO Music Festival staff stops through to share the ins and outs of the upcoming fall festival, which will be held at Radians Amphitheater in October 2024.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young joined The University of Memphis Hour in conversation with guest host and outgoing interim Dean of the U of M College of Communications and Fine Arts Dr. Ryan Fisher. The two discuss the musical influences behind Young's life and leadership in the episode which originally aired on The Roar, a student-led broadcast station.

In a special extra edition of Sunday roots music show "Puttin' On Airs" host Brandi Rinks welcomes singer-songwriters Margo Price and Jeremy Ivey. The star couple sat in for a guest set and interview following a recent performance alongside iconic band Widespread Panic.

Chris Rohling lets a new one rip from the guys at Widespread Panic. Listen to the debut of the iconic band's new single "Cosmic Confidante" during an exclusive release special on WYXR.

WYXR program manager Jared "Jay B." Boyd, also known as DJ Bizzle Bluebland, pays tribute to Stax Records' legacy with a mix show dedicated to the iconic soul label and its influence on music through sampling.

Author and director Robert Gordon reaches into the corners of Stax history that weren't featured in the "Stax: Soulsville, USA."

Host Zac Ives' "Box of Records" is exactly what it says – an opportunity for friends to pull up and play a box of vinyl. In celebration of HBO's "Stax: Soulsville, USA," Stax superfan Jared "Jay B." Boyd joined to spin some soul sides and rarities from the label's artists, songwriters, and producers.

Eco-friendly entrepreneur and WXNA DJ Candace Mills swaps tracks in a WYXR debut guest spot. Tune in and turn it up!

On Tuesday, May 21, we filled your morning with soulful vibes as we celebrated the premiere of "Soulsville U.S.A.," the HBO documentary delving into the iconic Stax Records saga. Joining forces with Stax Records, we primed you for the viewing party ahead.

In celebration of this week’s premiere of “Soulsville USA” on HBO and HBO Max, we showed a bunch of Stax Records love on WYXR Memphis. On “Talkin’ Memphis” with James Alexander of the Bar-Kays, we dove deep into the rich history and legacy of Stax Records. James shared behind-the-scenes stories and personal anecdotes from his time at Stax and beyond, giving listeners an insider’s view of one of the most influential record labels in music history.

Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and producer Paul Bryan talks with Ross about his new record Western Electric, skateboarding, his favorite bassists, and more.

Celebrate the life and musical legacy of the iconic Johnnie Taylor on what would have been his 90th birthday! Join us for a special radio program honoring this legendary soul artist, from his early gospel roots to his reign as the "Philosopher of Soul." Join host Jared "Jay B." Boyd and special interview guests to commemorate the singer's recent addition to the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame. Tune in to hear his timeless hits and explore the milestones of his remarkable career.

Let’s Grab Coffee is a weekly interview-style radio show hosted by Dr. SunAh M Laybourn. On this special AAPI Heritage Month episode, Dr. Laybourn sits on the other side of the microphone as she’s interviewed by multimedia journalist and WYXR Program Director, Jared “Jay B” Boyd. This show kicks off special AAPI Heritage Month programming on Let’s Grab Coffee.

The Big G welcomes back Strange Wave host Natalie Hoffman and Analog Delay's J. B. Horrell for volume two of Demo Love where they play collected demos from various artists.

John Buford sat in with Willy Bearden on "Songs That Move You" for a glowing tribute to late singer-songwriter and beloved community luminary John Kilzer.

Memphis rap pioneer and Binghampton representative Lil' Noid visits WYXR to celebrate his recent appearance on The Black Keys' album Ohio Players, with host Jay B. and special guest Cole Wheeler.

Louise Page performs live on Finders Keepers with Amanda as part of the WYXR Spring Pledge Drive

Zachary and Denny stop by the station and play a live set and talk with Robby and Liv during pledge drive.

Nervous Wreck Radio Pledge Drive Throwdown with Julien Baker, Yella P and friends!

Can You Feel It Radio host Brandon Eaves welcomes house music pioneer, Larry Heard, for a live guest DJ set for Spring Pledge Drive.

Liv chats with musician Lina Beach about her music. Lina performs a few songs live on the air.

Singer/songwriter Bryan Hartley performed and DJ'd with Brandi during the Spring Pledge Drive edition of Puttin' on Airs.

Tune in to hear Kurt Vile, the famous American singer, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, join Switchin' to Glide to chat.

Here on THRUST, I’m chatting with JJ Weihl, who makes future-shocked pop music as Discovery Zone. The next Discovery Zone record, Quantum Web, comes out on March 8th, and I highly recommend starting with 2020’s Remote Control. Join us on the air.

tune in to hear me chat with Nailah Hunter, a harpist/multi-instrumentalist whose music speaks to the mysterious, spiritual human experience. Her debut album, Lovegaze, came out in January. Her focus on nature-worship, solace, and wonder is familiar territory for the show. From the press release, Lovegaze is: “a willful reminder of the fortitude and beauty of Earth’s natural processes. As Hunter says: “Nature remains; we’re the passing thing.”

In this episode of “Talkin’ Memphis,” guest host Shelby McCall leads a captivating discussion with a group of talented MFA students from the University of Memphis: Gloria Mwaniga Odary, K.M. Hardwick, Joshua Carlucci, and Jacob Williams. The show highlights the rich diversity of literary voices emerging from Memphis as the students share their experiences and works with the audience. Each guest offers unique insights into their writing journey, from navigating the creative process to finding inspiration in the vibrant culture of Memphis. Listeners are treated to readings of engaging poetry and compelling fiction pieces, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent within the local literary scene. Through thought-provoking conversations and captivating performances, the episode celebrates the power of storytelling and the dynamic voices shaping the literary landscape of Memphis.

Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken is making a move toward our studio today for an exclusive sit-down and performance with Amy Schaftlein on "Sonosphere."

With sadness, the WYXR family mourns the loss of one of the most dedicated members among our ranks, Jared McStay. With his wife, Lori, Jared has served as the energetic host of Friday's most fun radio romp, "Switchin' To Glide," giving equal time to magnificent music, side-splitting skits, neighborhood news, and some of the absolute best atmosphere any one man could muster. While we remember the impression he's left on our volunteers, staff, and listening audience with sincere and solemn regard, we smile, as Jared often would, when we consider the great honor and dignity he lent to our operation as a volunteer, whether on-air or in our community as an avid ambassador for the beautiful aspects of diverse individuals coming together each week to do radio - because we love it, just as he did. Even in his absence, we strive to follow his lead as a cheerful, joyful, thoughtful, and dynamic participant in the world around us. We hope you'll join us in reflecting on Jared's inspiring life and by joining us to offer warmth and condolences to Jared's family and loved ones. Even in his final months with us, Jared saved a little energy to come by and leave the studio with one last smile and a round of hugs. And his cherished voice will resonate within our realm forever. We'll be partying it up big-time tomorrow for a special memorial edition of "Switchin' To Glide." So, call us at (901)460-3031 and leave a short message for us to play on the airwaves while we remember our dear friend.

The Deeper Groove panel discussion spotlights special guest musicians in discussions and demonstrations. Take a deep dive into the iconic styles, tricks, techniques, and quirks of some of Memphis’s most amazing artists. This special features Alicja Trout, Steve Selvidge, and MadameFraankie. This project was funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Isbell came to Memphis on Saturday, September 16th. Before he took the stage at Radians Amphitheater, he was live on-air at WYXR for an exclusive solo acoustic performance and interview in our studio.

During our trip to New York City, we made time for one more exclusive interview with a music industry giant. As perhaps one of the most prolific record executives in modern music, Clive Davis is a noted influence over the carers of countless artists and record industry professionals. If we started listing them now, we'd be here until the next newsletter. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that, with Memphis' decades-long musical prowess, Davis has crossed paths with quite a few folks from our fair city. We won't blame you if you are surprised that we convinced Mr. Davis to spend an afternoon talking to us during our recent trip to New York City. In fact, we're still a little confused that we pulled it off! Nevertheless, we made it happen, and we're excited for you to hear the conversation, which centers around the Memphis music stories that include Davis' impact. Hear his take on the likes of Aretha Franklin, Maurice White, and, of course, his well-publicized involvement in the final days of Stax Records.

Singer, songwriter, producer, label owner, and painter Dan Greer came by the WYXR studio to share stories of his life in music, from his songwriting exploits with collaborator George Jackson to his production alongside the likes of Linda Luchessi, Mike Curb, and Willie Mitchell. Also, hear how Greer, a recipient of WYXR's 2023 DOWD Award, became inspired by a 1980s hippopotamus to complete his latest project.

The second event of WYXR's Stereo Sessions' season, presented by MEMPHO, took place on April 12th at the Memphis Listening Lab in Crosstown Concourse. Hosted by Jared "Jay B." Boyd, the immersive music experience featured pioneering Memphis rapper The Legend Lady J and her 1994 album "Glock N' My Hand." Attendees were treated to the album on a state-of-the-art sound system and gained insights from The Legend Lady J herself. The event was sponsored by Crosstown Brewing Company, Memphis Listening Lab, Via Productions, and Goner Records, with more information available at wyxr.org/stereo-sessions.

We welcomed Wilco with open arms to perform live in our studio and interview with host Brandi Rinks. Listen to the music and relive the magic moment.