You might never have heard of the poet Annie Woodford. She’s singing the truths of mountain folks in a gorgeous voice that never flinches. It’s time you listen up.

On the other side of the world, James Seawel met a fellow American, Benjamin Adams, who told him stories of the Civil Rights Movement. Adams would never call himself a hero, but Seawel knows he was one.

The Word of South Festival, a unique jubilee of the best in Southern writing and music, returns to Tallahassee in April. Once again, Salvation South will host a stage that embodies our cultural mission.

Listening, truly and deeply, enriches your life. And we’ve got some voices worth hearing for you this week.

At two venerable Alabama barbecue institutions — Archibald’s in Northport and Lannie’s in Selma — the seasoning isn’t in the rub. It’s in the wood.

This week, Salvation South gets you ready to eat killer barbecue and celebrate Carnival Time.

*With a stanza on pronunciations. **And a recipe!

If you can’t be in New Orleans for Carnival, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra’s latest has enough mighty cootie fiyo to get your own parade jumping.

The pianist James Reese Europe, born in Alabama in 1881, played “jazz” before the world even knew the word. Texas pianist Jason Moran is resurrecting his story.

Native Americans own just a tiny portion of U.S. breweries. Jacob Keyes, whose Skydance Brewing teaches native culture through the beers it makes, is one of them.

In Wauchula, they closed down the old folks’ home. And now, the stray dog that hung around the front yard has lost her friends.

This week, you can meet the Alabaman who, although his name is largely forgotten, changed American music forever.