The Gospel program at Raleigh Wide Open brings the sounds, stories, and spirit of gospel music to life through five dynamic talks at the City of Raleigh Museum. On Friday, October 3, Appaloosa Redd joins Greensboro musician and storyteller Colin Cutler for a conversation on the Gospel of the Blues, followed by Kendall Kent’s exploration of the gospel quartet tradition and the resonant artistry of the bass voice. On Saturday, October 4, cultural producer Cardo Grant curates the Gospel Radio Lab, a three-part series tracing gospel radio from its Piedmont roots, through its role in the Civil Rights era, and into its digital-age future. Together, these sessions honor gospel’s enduring power to shape culture, strengthen community, and inspire across generations.
All panel discussions will feature live ASL interpretation.
Gospel Panel Discussions Full Schedule
All discussions will take place at the City of Raleigh Museum.
Friday, October 3
5:00-5:45 pm | Colin Cutler presents The Gospel of the Blues
Musician and storyteller Appaloosa Redd explores the powerful ties between spirituality and blues culture, drawing on his family’s deep gospel and community legacy rooted in North Carolina and beyond. Colin Cutler, Greensboro-based singer-songwriter and folk musician will host the session.
7:00-7:45 pm | Kendall Kent presents The Art of Gospel Quartet Bass Singing
Scholar and performer Kendall Kent explores the gospel quartet tradition through the powerful role of the bass voice, highlighting his inspirations and mentors Warren Baldwin of Raleigh’s Capital City Five and William Bobo of the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds.
Saturday, October 4
12:00-12:45 pm | Cardo Grant presents Gospel Radio Lab: Origins of Gospel Radio in the Piedmont
Trace the beginnings of gospel radio in North Carolina, from pioneering broadcasts at HBCUs to the partnerships between Black churches and local stations that gave rise to legendary DJs and voices.
1:00-1:45 pm | Cardo Grant presents Gospel Radio Lab: Gospel Radio’s Role in the Civil Rights & Post–Civil Rights Era
Discover how gospel radio became both soundtrack and lifeline, amplifying Black voices, spreading vital news, and preserving the living history of a community in motion.
2:00-2:45 pm | Cardo Grant presents Gospel Radio Lab: The Present & Future of Gospel Radio
Look ahead as innovators explore streaming, podcasts, and digital platforms, charting how gospel radio continues to inspire and connect new generations.
The gospel artists and panel discussions are presented by the North Carolina Folklife Institute in partnership with PineCone, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council.
