music
A local hip-hop education group teaches kids life skills
Here in Birmingham, the education collective Knowledge Rhythm and Understanding, known as K.R.U., is using the music genre to teach life skills.
Elias Hendricks brings classical soul to Birmingham with Vox Fortura
Singer and Birmingham native Elias Hendricks has a career that has taken him all over the world. He'll perform with his classical soul group Vox Fortura Sunday at the Lyric Theatre.
R&B artist Anthony Hamilton brings his Southern flair back to Birmingham
Hamilton discussed touring after a pandemic break, Southern food, and his return to The Magic City.
Through The Intercom, Nursing Home Employee Sings To Residents
At a nursing home in Marion, Alabama, one employee uses her voice to help lift morale among residents and staff during the pandemic.
The Risky Business of Music Festivals
Later this month, Freedom Fest makes its debut in downtown Birmingham. But music festivals around here seem to come and go. We sent WBHM’s Janae Pierre to find out why it’s so hard to keep a music festival going here in the Magic City.
Brittany Howard Announces First Solo Album, Shares ‘History Repeats’
Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard will release her first-ever solo album later this summer.
John Paul White Makes His Peace With Being an Artist
It took years for singer-songwriter John Paul White to come to terms with the ego the music world demands. His latest album "The Hurting Kind" is a testament to how he's finally made his peace.
Jamie N Commons Makes Tour Stop in Birmingham
Singer-songwriter Jamie N Commons kicks off a tour of the South this weekend with headliner Jacob Banks. Commons is known for his creative blend of rock and soul. He talks about his influences and his upcoming performance in Birmingham.
Promoting Humanities in a Math and Science World
Listen to Alabama politicians talk about education and you’ll hear about workforce development. They say schools should focus on math and science to help industry grow. There’s less emphasis on music or literature. That concerns John Parrish Peede. The Mississippi native became chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities earlier this year.
All Together Now! Alabamians Try for World’s Largest Rock Band
The Auburn group tried last year to break this record. A total of 850 people participated in that effort. Unbeknownst to them, a group in China outdid them with a 953-member rock band.
Charlemagne Records Celebrates 40 Years
The Birmingham institution has endured several music format changes from cassette tapes to online streaming. WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli popped in to Charlemagne to see what this little shop has done to stay afloat during a time when record stores have almost disappeared.
Tank and the Bangas, NPR’s Tiny Desk Winners, Coming to Birmingham
Tank and the Bangas won NPR's Tiny Desk contest. The New Orleans-based group was chosen unanimously by judges from roughly 6,000 entries. The group is bringing their spirited, high-energy show to Birmingham Saturday and they spoke to WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli ahead of their gig.
The Heritage Band: Keeping Birmingham’s Big Band Spirit Alive
The Heritage Band was founded in 1976 by late saxophonist J.L. Lowe. The group is keeping the big band spirit alive in Birmingham, long after the days of the Duke Ellington-style big bands have disappeared.
House Concerts: An Intimate Way to Enjoy Live Music
Imagine attending a concert in the comfort of your home surrounded by dozens of friends both old and new. That’s what it’s like hosting a house concert. This tradition has been around for decades and is a popular way to enjoy music in an intimate setting.
Noise Music and Birmingham’s Growing Local Music Scene
When it comes to live, local music, Birmingham is still in it's infancy. From The Spring Street Firehouse, Saturn and WorkPlay have emerged as creative spaces where the city's many talented, local artists can perform and make a name for themselves.
Musician James Mullis: An Old Soul with a Millennial’s Heart
Birmingham musician James Mullis offers his unique blend of blues, folk and Americana.
The Junction: Sebastian Kole
Birmingham native Sebastian Kole spoke with producer Mary Quintas about his connection to Ensley, how it informs his music, and the positive changes he sees in the community.
Iron Giant Percussion Takes Drumming to New Heights
Four guys plus a table full of random stuff that makes noise equals Iron Giant Percussion. The Birmingham natives take drumming to new heights, pounding out rhythms on everything from bongos to porcelain floor tiles.
Food and Fellowship: A Holiday Special from WBHM
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM is pleased to announce “Food and Fellowship: A Holiday Special from WBHM” featuring Birmingham’s own Dolores Hydock and Bobby Horton. WBHM partnered with Hydock and Horton to create and produce this original holiday program recorded at UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in front of a live audience. Its mix […]
The Eclectic Sounds of Birmingham’s Holly Waxwing
Montevallo native Garrett Crosby produces music under the name Holly Waxwing. The currently Birmingham-based electronic artist creates playful menageries of sound from disparate places and samples everything from top 40 and Mariah Carey to Episcopalian psychedelic folk. His EP Peach Winks was released earlier this year. WBHM's Em Wiginton spoke to him about how he creates his music. Holly Waxwing performs this Saturday at the Desert Island Supply Co. in Birmingham.
Musician Chris Thile on Playing Birmingham, Replacing Garrison Keillor
Virtuoso mandolin player Chris Thile performs in Birmingham Monday at UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. He spoke with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about his varied musical career, why he loves performing in Birmingham and how he feels about his next job: replacing Garrison Keillor as the host of A Prairie Home Companion.
Timber: Music That’s Haunting, Low and Easy
Timber is a collaboration between Janet Simpson and Will Stewart. Stewart, an Alabama native, is currently based in Nashville. A few years ago, he was working on an EP when Birmingham musician Les Nuby, (Verbena, Vulture Whale) suggested he get together with Simpson. Blame is the first single from Timber’s self-titled EP. Simpson describes the group’s sound as haunting, low and easy. Timber is part of Secret Stages 2015 – they play Friday, July 31st at 10:15 p.m. at the 20 Midtown Stage located at Pale Eddie's Pour House.
The Old Paints: Pure Pop And Country From Birmingham
Birmingham band The Old Paints are known for their upbeat sound and a percussionist who plays the log. Yes, that's right, a log. The group draws musical inspiration from artists and bands like Woody Guthrie, Wilco, and The White Stripes. Their second album, This Machine, comes out this summer. For WBHM, Joseph Thornton talked with band members Andy Harris and Breely Flowers about their music and the forthcoming album.
Steel City Jug Slammers: Delta Blues and Old-Time Jug Music
Birmingham's own Steel City Jug Slammers perform Delta blues and old-time jug music.
Birmingham Gospel Singers Bring Old Spirituals to a New Generation
The Lee Family Singers have been singing gospel music in and around Birmingham for more than 40 years. Now six of their offspring have formed a new group, The Second Generation of the Lee Family Singers. Both groups are committed to introducing younger people to music that was created hundreds of years ago, music born out of suffering and hope -- the spirituals. For WBHM, Darlene Robinson Millender went to see the Lee Family Singers in action.
Act of Congress: Christmas Vol. 2
The Birmingham acoustic quartet features influences from jazz, rock and pop and just released an album of Christmas songs. WBHM's Michael Krall spoke with band members Adam Wright and Chris Griffin and produced this audio postcard. (Note: Click the title bar above for music downloads.)
