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Justin Barney

Justin Barney

Hi, I’m Justin. I was born in Milwaukee, WI. I started as an intern at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and worked my way up to Music Director. There I started a segment called “From the Music Desk” where I interviewed over 500 artists including Thom York, Lizzo, Steve Martin, and Phoebe Bridgers. At 88nine I also got to speak passionately about the music I love on the radio, which is a true gift and I still get to do every day. There I also made a podcast called “Backspin: The Search for Milwaukee’s First Hip-Hop Song” which I enjoyed doing more than anything else I’ve ever done and was acclaimed in The New York Times. Highlight of my life. I love music, I love people and I love a good yarn. At the end of the day my goal is to tell stories that are as good as the ones my dad tells me. I’ll tell em on the radio, in print, or next to you at the corner bar.

Jarren Blair and the soul of new Nashville

Justin Barney

June 27, 2025

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Jarren Blair stands out as an artist on the brink of a breakout because of his talent as a writer and producer, skill as a multi-instrumentalist and his eagerness to collaborate with Nashville musicians.

Filed Under: WNXP Tagged With: Jarren Blair, Nashville Artist of the Month, Nashville music, WNXP, WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month

Listen: The Belcourt Theatre’s secret to success is good conversation

Justin Barney

June 13, 2025

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The Belcourt Theatre has staying power. But while the arthouse theater just celebrated its 100-year anniversary, it hasn’t been an easy road to get there.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music Tagged With: Belcourt, Belcourt 100, Belcourt Theatre, The Belcourt Theatre

Thousands of Tennesseans join in nationwide protests of President Donald Trump

Paige Pfleger, Justin BarneyandLaTonya Turner

April 5, 2025

Rain and flooding didn’t stop Tennesseans from attending the “Hands Off” protest of the Trump administration’s current policies at Centennial Park on Saturday.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: Aftyn Behn, Department of Veterans Affairs, Donald Trump, lgbtq, protest

The Indicator: Why the great vinyl shortage is over

Justin Barney

April 3, 2025

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There have now been a few major vinyl booms. And unbeknownst to many, a small village in the Czech Republic has been responsible for manufacturing a large number of these albums. On today’s show, how this dominant player became a problem for its competitors in the U.S.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, Business, WNXP, WPLN News Tagged With: Planet Money, podcasts, WNXP

AEG makes its mark on Music City with its first Nashville venue, The Pinnacle

Justin Barney

February 27, 2025

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While it can seem commonplace for another venue to open here, The Pinnacle is more than a venue; it is the physical manifestation of corporate synergy in the live music experience. And it’s a big play for AEG.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, Business, WNXP Tagged With: AEG, Live Nation, music venues, The Pinnacle, Ticketmaster

Flipping through the stacks of Nashville Public Library’s vinyl record lending program

Justin Barney

February 26, 2025

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Nashville Public Library’s vinyl lending pilot program is booming. More than 65% of the records in the collection have been checked out, according to Noelle Rutherford, materials services manager at the downtown branch of the library.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: music industry, Nashville Public Library, vinyl

The Vinyl Lab, an independent vinyl manufacturing plant in Nashville, is closing

Justin Barney

January 16, 2025

A fish-eye view of a vinyl manufacturing plant

The plant is closing after nearly 4 years of operation. During that time, the vinyl manufacturing industry was marked by growth and competition.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: music business, Music Citizens, vinyl

Listen: The inspiration for the song ‘Empty Trainload of Sky’ is an East Nashville landmark

Justin Barney

January 3, 2025

An adult and a kid on in golden hour light standing under a large train bridge
Listen

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings live and work in Nashville, and their knowledge of the city shines through in the new song, “Empty Trainload of Sky.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: David Rawlings, East Nashville, Gillian Welch, history, Shelby Bottoms

Music Citizens: Nashville propels the vinyl record boom. Now manufacturers face competition from abroad.

Justin Barney

November 29, 2024

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Vinyl records have made a big comeback in recent years, and the companies making them are in a fierce battle over market dominance.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: Music Citizens, music industry, vinyl

‘An exercise in futility’: Why some Tennesseans aren’t voting today

Justin Barney

November 5, 2024

For many in Tennessee, Election Day is just another regular day — and for various reasons, they’re not casting ballots.

Filed Under: Election in Depth 2024, Election Live Blog 2024, Politics Tagged With: Elections 2024, voting rights

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