Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 – Encore: Stephen Sanchez

Stephen Sanchez became a sensation thanks to a song that sounded like it came straight from the 1950’s called “Until I Found You”. But Sanchez wasn’t chasing a trend; he was playing the style of music he fell in love with as a child. His debut album, Angel Face, tells the story of a fictitious saloon singer who falls for a mob boss’s girlfriend. In an encore edition of World Cafe, Stephen Sanchez talks about Angel Face, and how a questionable guitar purchase changed his life.

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 – Samm Henshaw

Samm Henshaw went through a breakup while he was making his latest album. The breakup happened, and pretty much immediately, he was in the studio dealing with and writing about it. Samm talks about how working through heartbreak shaped the music on his new album, It Could Be Worse, on the next World Cafe.

Thursday, May 7th, 2026 – Joshua Ray Walker

Joshua Ray Walker wrote the title track to his new album, Ain’t Dead Yet, after getting a devastating update: his cancer had been restaged to Stage 4 and had spread to his lungs. On the next World Cafe, Joshua shares how songwriting was one way of dealing with his seemingly imminent mortality. And he talks about how things ended up turning around in a very positive way. He also performs live.

Friday, May 8th, 2026 – Amy Grant

Early in her career, Amy Grant was a fixture on the Christian Pop Charts, scoring a #1 hit with “Baby, Baby”. On her latest album, The Me That Remains, she reflects on her younger self, and who she’s grown to be. Grant joins us to talk about her first album of original material in over a decade and reigniting her passion to record in studio in the wake of a serious bike accident. It’s Amy Grant on the next World Cafe.

Monday, May 11th, 2026 – MUNA

After MUNA’s sophomore album, they were dropped by their record label and briefly considered breaking up. After MUNA released their third album, they ended up opening for Taylor Swift. It led to the trio taking a very big swing on their new album, Dancing on the Wall. Coming up, Katie, Naomi, and Josette of MUNA talk about making the album of their dreams, on the next World Cafe.

Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 – Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars

Musician and songwriter Sal Geloso moved to New Orleans without a plan, just a desire to escape and figure things out. On the next World Cafe, Sal talks about finding a community of like-minded musicians and starting his band Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars. Sal also talks about falling in love with New Orleans, and about the band getting their big break after entering NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest.

Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 – Julianna Riolino Mini Concert

Originally from Southern Ontario, Julianna Riolino recently released her sophomore album, Echo in the Dust. It’s a confident step forward for Riolino. She says recording with her bandmates felt like painting a picture or solving a puzzle. It’s also the first release on her own label, MoonWhistle Records. Coming up, Julianna Riolino plays songs from Echo in the Dust in a mini concert, on the next World Cafe.

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 – KRVS Mini Concert with Corey Ledet

Two-time grammy nominee Corey Ledet continues to carry the Zydeco tradition of Southern Louisiana, one of the few musicians who still speaks and sings in Louisiana Creole. On our next Acadiana Music Showcase, Corey Ledet joins us for a mini-concert, and plays songs from his latest album, Live in Alaska.

Friday, May 15th, 2026 – Encore: Jobi Riccio

In 2023, Jobi Riccio was awarded the John Prine Songwriter’s Fellowship, a high honor that also came with a performance slot at Newport Folk Festival. Jobi talks about what it meant to her, the pressure that comes with being a buzzy new artist, and she performs songs from her new album, Face the Feeling, live, on the next World Cafe.