Bluegrass queen Rhonda Vincent talks about all things holly jolly ahead of her annual Christmas concert coming Dec. 9 to the ArcBest Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith. 

Rhonda Vincent told us that she’s been singing Christmas songs since this summer to get ready for her latest holiday album. The longstanding “Queen of Bluegrass” brings Christmas cheer to Fort Smith at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center.

The eight-time Grammy nominee — who won best bluegrass album in 2017 — called into the What’s Up! podcast for a quick chat about the holidays, getting married on Christmas Eve, her plans for 2024 and her upcoming Christmas show. She also shares her latest Christmas single, “Mary, Did You Know?”

Arts & Entertainment Editor Becca Martin-Brown chats with two of the actors in Northwest Arkansas for the regional premiere of "The Band's Visit" at TheatreSquared. Usman Ali Mughal plays Haled, a member of an Egyptian traveling band, and Yaya — yes, just Yaya — is the Israeli who welcomes the travelers into town. The show has its final performances Nov. 3, 4 and 5.

This fall Jon Williams is celebrating a broadcasting career that's lasted 30 years and counting, most of which has been spent in Northwest Arkansas.

The well known founder of the Jon & Deek show on 94.9 radio, Williams is currently the on-field emcee for Arkansas Razorbacks football, the on-court announcer for Razorback men’s basketball and is also the PA announcer for Razorback baseball, Razorback women’s basketball and Razorback Gymnastics (Gymbacks).

In addition, Williams and Derek Kastner host Hog Town, the official Razorback Tailgate event before every Razorback football game. Now he and Deek additionally host the Razorback Recap an hour after each football game on 92.1 The Ticket, the flagship station for the Hogs.

Musician Aaron Smith stopped by the What’s Up podcast to talk about his book and album, “The Legend of Sam Davis and Other Stories of Newton County, Arkansas.

Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius will open the AACLive! Season at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in Fort Smith. O’Brien is a multi-Grammy award winner and longtime staple in old time and bluegrass music. His tunes have been covered by the likes of Kathey Mattea, Garth Brooks and the Chicks.

He’s well known as a solo artist and a member of Colorado’s Hot Rize. His wife Jan joins him on stage, a lifelong musician, she plays mandolin and clarinet and has been a singer since her youth. Tickets to their show are on sale now at aaclive.com

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Arkansas songstress Bonnie Montgomery has spent more than a decade making music and touring the world with her signature Southern twang and impressive range. The country singer with an operatic range, stops by the What's Up podcast to talk about her latest album and plans for the fall.