The Martha Bassett Show welcomes Jill Andrews, Rod Abernethy, and Joe Thrift & Russell McCumber to their March show of 2020. This old-time inspired radio show is recorded live at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, NC and is broadcast on 88.5 WFDD, live streamed to social media, and presented as a podcast. It features the music of national and regional artists along with the music of Martha Bassett.

JILL ANDREWS – From her days fronting lauded Americana group, the everbodyfields, to her successful solo career as a writer and performer, Andrews’ music has taken her far from her East Tennessee home. She has collaborated and shared the stage with countless celebrated artists including the Avett Brothers, Langhorne Slim, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and the Secret Sisters, and her music has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife, Nashville, Wynonna Earp and American Idol. Featuring emotional melodies, intimate storytelling and vocals that soar even at a whisper, her latest album Thirties is a deviation, it resists contemplating the big, loud questions of the world, and rather, invites listeners to look inward, keeping us closer to home than ever before.

ROD ABERNETHY – Rod makes his home in the Triangle of North Carolina and is the 2019 Grand Prize Winner of American Songwriter’s Bob Dylan Song Contest. His double album “The Man I’m Supposed To Be” reached No.9 in June 2018 on Folk Alliance International’s Folk DJ Chart. He has also been a featured showcase artist at many Folk Alliance International Conferences around the country. He’s a unique blend of authentic southern folk troubadour, master acoustic guitarist and award-winning soundtrack composer for film, TV and video games.

Rod has returned to his early roots writing both songs and instrumentals that harken back to his early folk artist days with new songs that revolve around family, friends and places across his home state of North Carolina and the Deep South. His latest album, “Normal Isn’t Normal Anymore,” was released in 2021.

JOE THRIFT & RUSSELL MCCUMBER – Along with their dynamic and delightful music making, Joe Thrift and Russell McCumber are both master luthiers. Russell & Joe are regulars on the show and they brought some wonderful traditional fiddle music to this one.

Joe Thrift is a violin maker and fiddler who has steeped himself in all aspects of the instrument. Born in Winston-Salem, Joe grew up in a family that was sympathetic to his musical interests. His father was a pipe organ builder, and his mother an organist and choir director. In the early 1970s, Joe became interested in building instruments and playing music.

Russell grew up in Vermont and has played violin since early childhood, beginning his training in the classical style and later focusing on traditional fiddle styles. He is an accomplished luthier, and makes instruments in his home studio. He has also taught violin-making at Surry Community College.

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