Rooted Rhythm: Adeem the Artist

Ben Watkins Jr. was the Director of the Lancaster High School Band in Lancaster, SC from 1948-1981. During that time, he was also an active member of the Charlotte Symphony and regularly commuted weeknights for rehearsals with the symphony while also managing rehearsals for the Lancaster High School Band. Watkins left behind extensive archives of his life which his son, Ben Watkins III, now possesses. In February, 2026, Ben III started a blog called Ben's Boogie, named after a song his father composed for an early iteration of the LHS Band. 

Oliver Wakeman is the son of former Yes and Strawbs keyboardist, Rick Wakeman. He has forged his own path recording albums in multiple styles and has played in some of the same bands that made his Dad famous. In this podcast, we discuss the 20th anniversary re-release of Oliver's 2005 album, Mother's Ruin. 

Mark and Maggie O'Connor join us in the studio to discuss their new album A Christmas Duo and talk about their annual holiday tour An Appalachian Christmas. 

moe. celebrates 35 years as a band. Vinnie Amico has been the venerable jam band's drummer for nearly 30 of those years. 

Adeem the Artist opens the Rooted Rhythm concert series at the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, Sc 8/16/24. Ticket information at http://ascgreenway.org 

Popa Chubby joins Jack from a van in Florida just a few days ahead of his appearance at the Neighborhood Theater in Charlotte, NC, 11/21/23.

Loudon Wainwright III talks about his latest album "I'd Rather Lead a Band" and reflects on 50 years since the release of his first album.

When the Supernatural nations of the world meet up to negotiate an end to ongoing hostilities, Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, joins the White Council's security team to make sure the talks stay civil.

One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists. Now it's home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen's legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen's home and her legacy.

Elise Hooper explores the real life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany.