Philadelphia noncommercial music station WXPN(FM) has announced a partnership with NPR to launch a new satellite World Café, to be located in Nashville, Tenn.
World Cafe Nashville will officially kick off Oct. 27–28 at City Winery with two free performances. On Oct. 27, a VIP reception for members of the music industry and media will precede a performance by country singer-songwriter Eric Church. On Oct. 28, the “The Intoxicating Sounds of Steelism and Nashville’s Femmes Fatales,” featuring instrumental band Steelism and Lera Lynn, Caitlin Rose, and Ruby Amanfu will be presented. Tickets will be distributed via World Cafe and WMOT(FM).
According to a press release, “World Café” and “NPR Music will expand coverage of the depth and diversity of music emanating from Nashville and the southern U.S., through artist recording sessions, interviews and other activities.”
“‘World Café’’s commitment to musical eclecticism matches the spirit of the Nashville I’ve come to love, and of the South in general in this decade, where so many surprises emerge from the seedbed of tradition,” Nashville-based critic and correspondent for NPR Music and “World Café” contributor Ann Powers said in the announcement.
“World Café” has been on the air for nearly a quarter-century and is distributed by NPR and heard on more than 200 U.S. radio stations, including Nashville-area public radio station WMOT/Roots Radio 89.5.
“World Café” also produces two weekly podcasts: “World Cafe Words and Music,” featuring music and conversation from a variety of musicians, and “World Cafe Next,” which highlights up-and-coming artists who are making exciting, innovative music.
“This will be musical discovery with a southern accent,” “World Café” host David Dye said in the release.
