This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, John Prine would have turned 80 today, so we’ll hear some Prine tunes, including a couple from the Acoustic Cafe archives.

Also, new tunes from Detroit’s Dames Brown, Kylee Phillips and Empty Houses… plus a single from Kevin Morby, a cool cover from Meshell Ndegeocello, another 1976 outtake from Stevie Wonder and more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for October 10, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Take Me As I Am” – Dames Brown
• “Never Can Tell” – Jake Bugg
• “PBJ” – Kevin Morby
• “Don’t You Want Me” – Meshell Ndegeocello
• “What Living’s Like” – Kylee Phillips
• “Bad Luck Hideaway” – The Rolling Stones
• “Who’s That” – Brother Wallace
• “Show You Love” – The Altons
• “Like A Ship” – Leon Bridges
• “Situation” – Johnny Blue Skies
• “That’s The Way That The World Goes ‘Round” – John Prine
• “Paradise” – John Prine (Acoustic Café in-studio performance, 1995)

HOUR TWO:

• “Summer Clothes” – Michael Kiwanuka
• “One And Only” – MT Jones
• “My Life Story Of Love” – Stevie Wonder
• “Tears Dry (demo)” – Amy Winehouse
• “Gravity” – Empty Houses
• “Used Copy of Monster” – Ryan Allen
• “What’s The Frequency Kenneth” – R.E.M.
• “Portland, Oregon” – Loretta Lynn & Jack White
• “Rated X ” – The White Stripes
• “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” – Freddie Jackson
• “I Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody” – John Prine (Acoustic Café in-studio performance, 1995)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

New music from Leon Bridges, who clearly wants to make you dance on new single “Watch You Dance,” produced by the folks behind Jungle. Plus, Matthew Dear’s “New Drug” is as addictive as ever. We also explore new releases from War on Drugs, Sierra Ferrell, S.G. Goodman, Twisted Teens and more.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for October 7, 2026

• “Watch You Dance” — Leon Bridges
• “Special” — Babe Rainbow
• “New Drug (Original)” — Matthew Dear
• “Queen” — Perfume Genius
• “New York” — Cat Power
• “Let Me Get There (feat. Kurt Vile)” — Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions
• “End of the World” — Sharon Van Etten
• “Jesus, Etc.” — Wilco
• “Stay High” — Brittany Howard
• “Ride Lonesome” — Beck & Sierra Ferrell
• “Highway Anxiety” — William Tyler
• “Don’t Let Go” — Johnny Blue Skies
• “Who’s That” — The War on Drugs
• “Mint Tea” — Johnny Blue Skies & Sturgill Simpson
• “Shine” — Dolly Parton
• “Trying to Love You” — Sierra Ferrell
• “I Dig Love (2014 Remaster)” — George Harrison
• “Out In the Woods (Remastered 95)” — Leon Russell
• “Pepper” — S.G. Goodman
• “When We First Met” — Twisted Teens
• “Stabilise” — Nilüfer Yanya
• “Mirror Test” — Pigeon
• “Nome de Deus” — Sessa
• “Lady Day & John Coltrane (feat. Rahsaan Patterson) [12″ Version]” — Brian Jackson & Masters At Work
• “Low Rider” — Quando Quango
• “Toco madera” — Jorge Drexler
• “Puaj” — Salin
• “22° Halo” — pôt-pot
• “West Side” — Studio
• “There Goes the Fear” — Doves
• “oh baby (lovefingers remix)” — LCD Soundsystem

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, fondly remembering Dolly Parton through her own music and interpretations, as well as covers by others.

We also say a fond farewell to the great Tim Curry, and introduce you to some new music from Wyclef Jean, The Womack Sisters, Detroit’s latest newcomer Ayla Ottenbreit and more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 29, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “French Quarter” – Wyclef Jean
• “Soul Bossa Nova” – Quincy Jones
• “Candy Apple” – Ayla Ottenbreit
• “I Wonder” – Prince
• “I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton
• “Two Doors Down” – Meshell Ndegeocello
• “Seven Bridges Road” – Dolly Parton
• “California Sober” – Iron & Wine
• “Talk It Over” – Leon Bridges
• “Love Me Not” – Grace Potter (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “I Do The Rock” – Tim Curry (RIP)

HOUR TWO:

• “Rocinha” – Wyclef Jean
• “Rocket Man” – Bob James
• “Human (Sad Gay Version)” – Brandi Carlile
• “Little Sparrow” – Dolly Parton
• “9 To 5” – Alison Krauss
• “World On Fire” – Dolly Parton
• “Don’t Look Any Further” – Meshell Ndegeocello & Liana La Havas
• “Laughter And Tears” – The Womack Sisters
• “How Love’s Supposed To Go” – Alabama Shakes
• “I Am Ready” – Dolly Parton

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, a couple tracks from Martha Reeves’ first album in 22 years. At age 85, she’s delivered a really cool album! Also a couple from the new Michigander (Jason Singer) album.

We also say a fond farewell to Frank Beard, founding member and drummer in the trio ZZ Top, who passed this week at age 77.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for August 22, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Taxix” – Michigander
• “Freedom Bus” – Sheryl Crow ft. Jesse Welles
• “All Around” – The Womack Sisters
• “Across 110th Street” – Bobby Womack
• “I Got It Bad” – Martha Reeves
• “Disappearing Act” – Beck
• “Watch You Dance” – Leon Bridges
• “Sunshine” – Jungle
• “How Many People” – Ziggy Marley ft. Nikka Costa
• “Punish My Mind” – @
• “Shake Shake Dance For Me” – Jon Muq
• “One Man’s Trash…” – Eli Paperboy Reed
• “Lonely USA” – MEELS
• “Ten Dollar Man” – ZZ Top (RIP Frank Beard, 8/17/26)

HOUR TWO:

• “Oh Good” – Michigander
• “One Of Us” – Brandon Flowers
• “Sage” – Joy Oladokun
• “Radio Up” – Ayla Ottenbreit
• “To Know You Is To Love You” – Martha Reeves
• “Lost Boys” – Phoebe Bridgers
• “Memories” – beabadoobee
• “You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore” – The War & Treaty
• “Move” – Mac Saturn
• “Oh No Now My” – This Is Lorelei
• “Ahead By A Century (live)” – The Tragically Hip
• “Human” – Brandi Carlile
• “Cheap Sunglasses” – ZZ Top (RIP Frank Beard, 8/17/26)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org