I’m thrilled to announce our first Appalachian Vibes Radio Show LIVE episode! Recorded and filmed October 4, 2025 at 3rd Street Coffee in Roanoke, Virginia, this episode of Appalachian Vibes Radio Show features dark tales and murder ballads on MURDER in the MOUNTAINS! 

Amelia Empson opened the evening with her mellifluous voice, delivering traditional murder ballads and songs that reflected her kinship with nature. Adria Accomando, author of Violets Grey, followed with her story The Sighting—a personal account of UFO spacecrafts visiting her hometown as a child. Closing the night, Elsa Howell performed both traditional and original Appalachian murder ballads, blending haunting storytelling with powerful, original songwriting.

Learn more about Amelia Empson: https://www.ameliaempson.com/

Learn more about Adria Accomando: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CHPYGSBZ/allbooks?ccs_id=dbb2c36b-c821-4430-99e6-264ebb548c1b

Learn more about Elsa Howell: https://elsahowell.com/

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Elsa Howell Trio is a roots and Appalachian family band comprised of Elsa Howell (daughter, song-writer, vocalist and guitarist) Chris Howell (Mom and upright bass player) and Isak Howell (Dad who plays a myriad of instruments, but mainly banjo) from Roanoke, Virginia. Our interview and their performance was recorded in front of a live audience October 4 2025 at 3rd Street Coffee in Roanoke, Virginia. In this mini segment they perform the song "Dogs". 

Learn more about Elsa Howell: https://elsahowell.com/

To be part of the live audience you can visit 3rd Street Coffee the first Saturday of every month, doors open at 5:30, show at 6! We would love to see you there!

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Mysti Mayhem is a Durham, North Carolina blues singer-songwriter who was mentored by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bo Diddley. Through loss, chronic pain, and resilience, Mysti has forged a soulful, healing sound that transforms every stage into a sanctuary. 

Learn more about Mysti: https://mystimayhem.com/tour-dates?calendar_page=2

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Virginia Tech student and recovery advocate Meredith Lane joins me to share her project on incarceration and family connection in Appalachia, featuring conversations with Beckie Rose-Bowman (Calls From Home WMMT), artist/activist Dionte “Taye the Truth” Hall, writer/musician Chanell Burnette, and sociologist Dr. Heidi Williams. Together, their voices reveal resilience and healing across our region.

Learn more about the guests: 

Meredith Lane; https://instillmindfulness.org/team/lane-meredith/

Beckie Rose-Bowman, (Calls From Home WMMT) https://wmmt.org/projects/restorative-radio

Dionte "Taye the Truth" Hall; https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-dionte-hall-lyrical-artist-aka-taye-the-truth/

Chanell Burnette; https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/04/28/i-raised-my-kids-from-prison-im-coming-home-to-a-grandson

Dr. Heidi Williams; https://liberalarts.vt.edu/departments-and-schools/department-of-sociology/faculty/heidi-williams.html

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Misti Mayhem is a powerhouse singer-songwriter with a sound that’s a little bit country and a whole lotta blues and soul. Her voice carries grit and grace, telling stories that cut deep and heal at the same time. In this mini episode, we discuss the song “Maybe Tomorrow Will be Alright” 

Learn more at: https://mystimayhem.com/

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Misty Mayhem is a powerhouse singer-songwriter with a sound that’s a little bit country and a whole lotta blues and soul. Her voice carries grit and grace, telling stories that cut deep and heal at the same time. In this mini episode, we discuss the song “Maybe Tomorrow Will be Alright” 

Learn more at: https://mystimayhem.com/

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Addie Levy grew up bluegrass — picking mandolin and guitar alongside her musician dad in Radford, Virginia. Now based in Nashville, she’s a full-time touring artist, a powerhouse performer with The Brothers Comatose, and a rising voice in the next wave of Appalachian-rooted music. On this episode of the Appalachian Vibes Radio Show, Addie opens up about life on the road, being married to her high school sweetheart (also a musician), and the joy, grit, and determination it takes to chase your dream with a smile.
She’s fun, funny, and fiercely talented — and her journey is just getting started.

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Will Henson is a tangerine dream rock singer-songwriter and personal narrative non fiction author from Roanoke, VA. He shares his story, Night of the Comet and Dean Ween. If you have any stories about Dean Ween, please share with me at [email protected]

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Father-son comedy rap duo, Knucklehedz, takes parenting and childhood teasing to a new level with their diss track, na-na-na-na-boo-boo. Stephen Davies (father) is a well known comedy rap artist making people laugh for decades with his band, Illbotz. Knuckleheadz's inception came about when Jackson Davies (son) went to an Illbotz practice and decided he wanted to join the band. Because Jackson was a mere 3 year old lad, Dad decided to start a rap duo for the two of them. In 2023 they had the number one song on Dr. Demento's show. (Which is a super big deal seeing as how Dr. Demento discovered Weird Al.)

Follow their journey:

knuckleheadz.bandcamp.com
illbotz.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/knuckleheadzkidhop
www.twitter.com/knuckleheadzrap
www.youtube.com/stevied123
Knuckleheadz on Spotify
Illbotz on Spotify

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Corey Ward is an alternative pop singer-songwriter from the Durham-Raleigh area of North Carolina. A semi-finalist on Season 20 of The Voice, Corey is currently working on his debut full-length album in collaboration with Dan Pohl Studios in Walterboro, South Carolina. We discuss his single, "Wasn't Enough". 

Learn more at https://www.coreywardmusic.com/

Learn more about where "Wasn't Enough" was recorded: https://dpohl.webflow.io/

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show from WNCW is listener nominated, you can nominate an artist by emailing Amanda at [email protected].

Appalachian Vibes Radio Show is created and produced by Amanda Bocchi, a neo soul singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist and journalist hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.