Music

When Sinkane wrote the song "Ya Sudan" the Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir was still in power. He had ruled Sudan since a coup in 1989. That coup was a key moment in the life of Sinkane's lead singer and songwriter, Ahmed Gallab.

Note: NPR's First Listen audio comes down after the album is released. However, you can still listen with the Spotify and Apple playlists at the bottom of the page.

Though it lasted only a few months in 1975 and 1976 and played mostly in tertiary-market venues, Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue occupies a mythic place in the history of rock tours.

Roky Erickson, the psychedelic lodestar who helmed The 13th Floor Elevators and wrote one of garage rock's original anthems, "You're Gonna Miss Me," died on Friday at the age of 71.

His death was announced by his brother, Mikel Erickson, on Facebook. No cause of death was provided.

Forever Unknown is a 5-piece alternative rock band made up of students from Columbus and Pickerington and are the 2019 grand prize winners of the annual Instaband High School Battle Of The Bands Competition in conjunction with GROOVE U's music career program.  

Leon Redbone, the perpetually anachronistic, famously mysterious artist who rose to prominence as a performer on Toronto's folk circuit in the early '70s, died Thursday while in hospice care in Bucks County, Pa.

Redbone's family confirmed his death through a publicist. No cause was given, and Redbone's age was a subject of speculation for decades.

WCBE is looking forward to having the Hackensaw Boys back for a Live From Studio A session in advance of their show at Woodland's Tavern!  

J.S. Ondara will join us Live From Studio A in advance of his show that night with Adam Melchor at The Basement presented by WCBE!  

Tune in for a Live From Studio A session with Amanda Fish Band in adavance of the show that night at Natalie's in Worthington presented by Crazy Mama's Concerts and WCBE!

Listen in for live music, conversation and a chance to win tickets to the show!

It's all waiting for you on 90.5FM Columbus, 106.3FM Newark and on line at www.wcbe.org!

Northern Ireland's Beoga will join us Live From Studio A in advance of their show that night at The Newport with JOHNNYSWIM!  

WCBE is looking forward to hosting Adia Victoria Live From Studio A in advance of her show that night at A&R Music Bar with Carriers!  

Note: NPR's First Listen audio comes down after the album is released. However, you can still listen with the Bandcamp playlist at the bottom of the page.

This year, I was blown away by the Tiny Desk Contest entries I saw. We received over 6,000 entries from all across the country. We saw tiny desks up on rooftops and down on a subway platform; tucked into treetops, pickup trucks and laundromats. We heard songs about the situations that make life difficult and the people that make life worth living.

WCBE is looking forward to the return of The Devil Makes Three to perform Live From Studio A in advance of their show that night at The Newport with DiTrani Brothers!  

Katie Toupin, formerly of the band Houndmouth, will perform Live From Studio A in advance of the show that night at The Basement.  

Tune in for live music, conversation and a chance to win tickets to the show!

It's all waiting for you on 90.5FM Columbus, 106.3FM Newark and on line at www.wcbe.org!

LISTEN HERE!

Actress and singer Doris Day made nearly three dozen films and more than 600 recordings. At the height of her career, she topped both the billboard and the box office charts. Day died of pneumonia on Monday at the age of 97.

This story is part of American Anthem, a yearlong series on songs that rouse, unite, celebrate and call to action. Find more at NPR.org/Anthem.

Editor's note: This story includes discussions of depression, addiction and suicide.

At this point, Lila Downs now has the kind of artistic stature among her fans that she has for the women she has celebrated throughout her career. She has always paid tribute to great voices and artist such as Chavela Vargas, Mercedes Sosa and even Joan Baez.

The Cerny Brothers will be returning to WCBE for another Live From Studio A visit during the Global Village!

Their brand new release Looking For The Good Land is available now.

That's The Cerny Brothers live from studio a, on 90.5 WCBE FM and HD WCBE Columbus, 106.3 FM Newark, online at wcbe.org, and now on Apple Music.

LISTEN HERE!

Diane Coffee the alter ego of Shaun Fleming and many other artistic outlets over the years...will perform Live From Studio A in advance of the show that night at the Rumba Cafe with Active Bird Community!  

WCBE is thrilled to host a Live From Studio A session with the legendary Martin Barre!  

What could be better than a new project built on the mutual fandom and friendship of two of our World Cafe favorites?

Will Johnson has seen some things.

"A couple years ago I got approached by these, like, Silicon Valley dudes," the musician says,"and they basically were like, 'Yo. We have created a formula to make a for-sure No. 1 hit.' Literally."

Emily King, the pop-soul singer from New York City will perform Live From Studio A in advance of her show that night at A&R Music Bar with Jennah Bell!

She's out on the road with her third full length studio release Scenery and you'll get to hear all about it on WCBE!

Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman of Pure Bathing Culture will join us Live From Studio A in advance of the show that night with Lucius at Columbus Athenaeum Theatre!

They're out on the road with the brand new release Night Pass and you'll get to hear all about it on WCBE!

Hailey Knox will perform Live From Studio A during the Global Village on WCBE!