Fordham’s radio station WFUV has long been a vital platform for emerging artists finding their voices—and the listeners eager to discover them.
Through intimate sessions in Studio A, illuminating interviews, and live performances around the city, the station has uplifted fresh talent and helped listeners dive deeper into the music of established artists. It’s no surprise, then, that this Grammy season, several of the nominees are musicians who have passed through WFUV’s studios over the years.
Here’s a look at some of those artists and their connection with WFUV.
- Charley Crockett
Nominated for Best Traditional Country Album for Dollar a Day, Crockett is known for his old-school country persona and unmistakable voice. His 2022 WFUV solo performance stripped his sound down to the essentials, highlighting the melancholy storytelling at the core of his songs.
- Bon Iver
Bon Iver, the indie rock band led by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, received nominations for Best Alternative Music Album for SABLE, fABLE, and for Best Alternative Music Performance for “Everything Is Peaceful Love”. Vernon chatted with WFUV host Benham Jones about the album in March of 2025. Listen to the conversation here.
- Molly Tuttle
A perennial favorite in the bluegrass world, Molly Tuttle earned nominations for Best Americana Album for So Long Little Miss Sunshine and Best Americana Performance for “That’s Going to Leave a Mark.” She showcased her clear, expressive vocals and traditional guitar work with that song and several others live on WFUV last year.
- Brandi Carlile
Few artists have as deep a connection to WFUV as folk-rock singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, a longtime friend of the station and of the late Rita Houston, former program director and DJ who hosted the show “The Whole Wide World” before her death in 2020. Houston even appeared in the video for Carlile’s song “The Joke.” Carlile has been treating WFUV listeners to on-air performances since 2005, just after her major label debut. This year, she’s nominated with collaborator Elton John for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Who Believes in Angels? and Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Never Too Late.”
- I’m With Her
The powerhouse folk trio Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan earned nominations for Best Folk Album for “Wild and Blue,” as well as Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for “Ancient Light.” In 2018, WFUV listeners and members of the Fordham community enjoyed the group’s supple harmonies live at the Fordham University Church.
- Laufey
Nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for A Matter of Time, Laufey represents a new generation of artists bringing jazz and orchestral pop to younger audiences. Shortly after going viral on TikTok, Laufey gave a 2023 WFUV performance that showcased the warmth and intimacy that have helped the Icelandic musician connect with fans worldwide.
- Lukas Nelson
With a nomination for Best Traditional Country Album for American Romance, Lukas Nelson finds himself going head-to-head with his father and fellow nominee Willie Nelson—who has also chatted with WFUV in the past. Lukas performed with his band Promise of the Real at WFUV in 2017, offering an early glimpse of the songwriter he’s grown into.
- Mavis Staples
A living legend of gospel and soul, Mavis Staples earned two nominations for her 2025 album “Sad and Beautiful World”: Best American Roots Performance for “Beautiful Strangers” and Best Americana Performance for “Godspeed.” Her 2013 WFUV performance showcased powerful songs from her album “One True Vine.” Staples has also delighted audiences at WFUV’s Holiday Cheer concerts.
