25th Anniversary

Decade of Difference: Trombone Shorty

Troy Andrews, who performs under the stage name Trombone Shorty, started performing before kindergarten on the streets of New Orleans as a 4 year old. Already experienced in music, at the age of 8 he formed his first band. By 13 he was on the road in Lenny Kravitz’s band.

One of seven children, Troy grew up in one of New Orleans’ oldest black neighborhoods, Treme. Music was always part of his life as his grandfather was a successful R&B artist and his older brother was a jazz trumpeter. Amazingly, Andrews appeared on stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for the first time when he was just 4, playing with Bo Diddley. As for his nickname? He was dubbed Trombone Shorty when, after choosing the trombone as his primary instrument, he was typically seen playing something bigger than he was.

When Andrews was nine, his brother, also a talented musician, was shot and killed. Overwhelmed by grief and fearful of the same outcome for Troy, his father placed him in the care of his manager and friend, the late Susan Lovejoy Scott. She has been credited with increasing Andrews’ exposure as well as keeping him away from the pitfalls that overwhelmed other musicians from his neighborhood.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue play a blend of funk, hip-hop and jazz  Troy calls ‘supafunkrock’. As a supporting musician, Trombone Shorty has played with everyone from U2 to Madonna to Usher. His first national exposure came from the pregame show for the reopening of the New Orleans Superdome, performing with U2 and Green Day.

2022-10-11T13:26:21-04:00June 13th, 2022|

Earth Day River Clean Up & Concert with Illiterate Light!

Since 2014 when we launched Hear Together, our award-winning series that spotlights organizations making a difference in our community, WNRN has highlighted hundreds of organizations and events over the airwaves. As part of our 25th anniversary celebration presented by Rockingham Insurance, we will bring the spirit of Hear Together from the airwaves into our community with a spectacular Earth Day River Clean Up & Concert featuring rock duo Illiterate Light unveiling their new bike-powered sound system. Thanks again to collaborators Rivanna River Company and the Rivanna Conservation Alliance for their efforts and to Potter’s Craft Cider, Blue Mountain Brewery, and 3 Roads Brewing for supporting our vision for this event! 

Photos by Tristan Williams

Learn More About Hear Together:

Hear Together: Circles Ashland

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Hear Together: The Innocence Project at UVA Law

August 28th, 2023|Comments Off on Hear Together: The Innocence Project at UVA Law

A team of three lawyers and dedicated law students form The Innocence Project at the University of Virginia's School of Law. They work on legislative reform and represent wrongfully convicted Virginians, with clients who have [...]

Hear Together: Innisfree Village

August 28th, 2023|Comments Off on Hear Together: Innisfree Village

Innisfree Village is home to vegetable gardens, farmhouses dating back to 1971, and vast expanses of land that allows for adults with developmental disabilities to find long-term housing in a safe community. Residents live in [...]

2022-10-18T14:37:20-04:00April 19th, 2022|

Watch our Commonwealth Holiday Showcase Performances!

Thanks again to this year’s Commonwealth Holiday Showcase performers Good Dog Nigel, Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno, Deau Eyes and Saw Black. If you weren’t lucky enough to win passes you can watch our full December 15th performance from In Your Ear studios in Richmond below and stream our December 8th performances from our Charlottesville studio.

Dec 15th (Richmond)

Dec 8th (Charlottesville)

2021-12-20T11:09:14-05:00December 14th, 2021|