The Denver Broncos will take on the Carolina Panthers this Sunday for the 50th edition of the Super Bowl.
While it remains to be seen if the Mile High City will be celebrating or sad on Sunday evening, we've taken the opportunity to reach out to our friends at WNCW, the public radio affiliate in the Charlotte, N.C., area.
The WNCW staff gave us the rundown on nine of their favorite artists from the Old North State, all in the spirit of musical camaraderie. We recognized some from the OpenAir library, but made a few new discoveries too.
Check out the highlighted artists below, courtesy of WNCW's Joe Kendrick and Martin Anderson. (Updated: And check out the Colorado artists we shared with WNCW, including Tennis, The Yawpers and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.)
The Avett Brothers – “Murder In The City”
"One of the most compelling bands to come out of the Charlotte area ever. They have made it to the big time, adding a cellist and updating their sound with hits like 'Kickdrum Heart,' but this stripped-down tune remains one of our favorites."
River Whyless – “Miles of Skyline”
"Perhaps the most exciting new act out of Asheville, whose music scene is exploding as much as its microbrew scene. This song has become the unofficial anthem of the Asheville area of late."
Steep Canyon Rangers – “Radio”
"The band met while at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and now lives in Asheville and Brevard – which their frequent collaborator Steve Martin sometimes calls home."
Hiss Golden Messenger – “Mahogany Dread”
"Not a Carolina native, but he fits right in with songs like this one. And he’s on one of the crown jewel of indie record labels, Merge Records out of Durham."
Mount Moriah – “Cardinal Cross”
"The single from a forthcoming release, also on Merge. Singer Heather McEntire grew up near our hometown of Spindale."
David Childers – “All Out Of Diamonds”
"Troubadour and attorney David Childers has been featured on WNCW for more than 20 years, and his work ranges from electric and hard driving to acoustic and poignant, like this track from his album with the Overmountain Men."
Dustin Hofsess – “Kashmir”
"Dustin plays jazz and rock guitar equally well, often in the same song. The Charlotte native takes on a classic here and adds just the right touch of exotica."
Mike Strauss Band – “The Whole Skinny”
"A perennial contender for best band in Charlotte, this quintet offers up the perfect soundtrack for a lazy afternoon on the water here."
Temperance League - "The Night Waits"
"We’re often pegged as a bluegrass station, and we do love our banjos. However once in a while we also like to rock out. This six piece has been belting out two and three minute anthems and ballads for the better part of a decade, and puts out albums on eye-catching colored vinyl to boot."
