Ben Rector talks with morning host Matt Pelsor about the origin of “Joy,” the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop character created for his current album “The Joy of Music.” They explore the collaborators on the record, including Snoop Dogg and saxophone phenoms Dave Koz, and Kenny G; and Ben talks about golfing with one of his musical heroes. 

Ben Rector plays TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park May 14th, 2022

Concert Connection: https://www.wttsfm.com/events/ben-rector/

Singer-songwriter Todd Snider talks with morning host Matt Pelsor about his unique philosophies on life and music, and what audiences wanted from the first shows after the worst of the pandemic. He also talked about the movie Hard Luck Love Song, inspired by his song Just Like Old Times; plus his poignant tribute to John Prine after his death, and how it inspired the way he performs now.

Nathaniel Rateliff joins us again to talk about making SNL history, the new Night Sweats album, his signature guitar from Gibson, and getting back out on the road with the band.

Graham Nash plays Brown County Music Center March 27th. Morning host Matt Pelsor spoke with him about reviving the same dates he had to cancel two years ago, his new music, his new book of photographs, his double live album coming out in April, and the controversy surrounding close friend Neil Young and his choice to be removed from Spotify.

Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus performed in Indy on February 12th. Morning host Matt Pelsor caught up to her a couple of weeks before the show BEFORE she suffered the herniated disc that made her do the Indy show and other dates lying on a couch. They talked about her new music, her songwriting process, and her newfound philosophy on fully appreciating the joys of life.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame producer and engineer Glyn Johns turns 80 this month. In this episode, he explains the difference between a producer and an engineer, and shares an infamous Rolling Stones story in this 2015 interview with Paul Mendenhall that coincided with his book: Sound Man: A Life Recording Hits with The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Faces…

This episode features two shorter interviews with bands visiting in 2022, starting with The Head and the Heart, who play WTTS Rock On The River at TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park on Friday, September 30th. They’re one of our more prolific Sun King Studio 92 performers, and this interview was from their 2013 visit. Second, it’s a 2014 interview with St. Paul and the Broken Bones, who will support Fitz and the Tantrums on June 18th at TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park.

The Avett Brothers come to Garfield Park on Saturday, August 20th. Seth Avett spoke with Paul Mendenhall in 2015 just before a show in West Lafayette about their North Carolina roots, and their enduring success in American roots music, as well as his professional and personal relationship with his brother Scott.

Don McLean brings the “50th Anniversary of American Pie World Tour” to Clowes Memorial Hall May 1st, 2022. The singer-songwriter sat down with morning host Matt Pelsor to talk about the song he’s best known for, as well as setting the record straight on an urban legend surrounding it, and whether or not he’s ever baked an apple pie himself.

Hoosier singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin performs two shows with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra on December 18th. Morning host Matt Pelsor caught up with him for a delightful chat to talk about his new music, his podcast Dadville with singer-songwriter Dave Barnes, and shooting the music video for his new song “Why it Hurts.”