On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, we’ll hear music from albums and artists having “Big O” birthdays this year, including classic albums from Stevie and Joni (both turning 50), Corrine Bailey Rae’s debut at 20, and lots of artists with big birthdays, from Zach Bryan at 3-0 to Buddy Guy turning 9-0!

Also this week, in-studio performances from Lou Barlow and Ben Folds (both 60), Peter Wolf and Loudon Wainwright III (both 80) and more.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for January 25, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Shine” – Dolly Parton
• “I Need You” – Jon Batiste (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Snow” – Zach Bryan
• “Coyote” – Joni Mitchell
• “Stockings” – Suzanne Vega (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Hasten Down The Wind” – Warren Zevon
• “Weary” – Solange
• “Soul Meets Body” – Death Cab For Cutie (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Have A Talk With God” – Stevie Wonder
• “Not A Fan” – Ben Folds (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Holding Back The Year” – Lou Barlow (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “For No One” – The Beatles
• “Put Your Records On” – Corrine Bailey Rae
• “Give It To Me” – Peter Wolf (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “Sunny Came Home” – Shawn Colvin
• “Guitar Town” – Steve Earle
• “Dilate” – Ani Difranco
• “Shankill Butchers” – The Decemberists
• “Greetings To The New Brunette” – Billy Bragg (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “I Love The Life I Live” – Buddy Guy
• “Cuyahoga” – R.E.M.
• “Whenever” – Beth Orton
• “Tuesday (Unerthd Version)” – Toro y Moi
• “My Moon My Man” – Feist (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “I’m Still In Love With You” – Al Green
• “Tear Stained Eye” – Son Volt (Acoustic Cafe performance)
• “One Man Guy” – Loudon Wainwright III (Acoustic Cafe performance)

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

Looking back at 2025, Rob Reinhart from Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music and Acoustic Cafe reflects on the music that cut through the noise and brought moments of joy during a challenging year.

From the infectious energy of Jon Batiste’s “Big Money” — a delightful track from an album famously created in just 12 days — to “After I’m Dead” by Detroit rocker Ryan Allen, a sharp, compact song from one of three albums released by Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms in 2025, Rob’s picks celebrate humor, heart, and creativity at its most human.

Rob says, “Looking back at 2025, I wanted to see what captured my attention the most. The music that made me laugh held the biggest sway over me this year. It helped to brighten the mood in an otherwise very dark year. Smiles count, too! In that spirit, I offer the following samples of tracks that brightened my year.”

Check out Rob’s full Best of 2025 playlist below, and listen to In the Groove to hear the tracks that brought some much-needed light to the year.

• “BIG MONEY” – Jon Batiste
• “After I’m Dead” – Ryan Allen And His Extra Arms
• “Chicago” – Mavis Staples
• “Round and Round” – Alex Williams
• “No Champagne (6am)” – Cautious Clay
• “Divide and Conquer” – The Devil Makes Three
• “If Not For Love” – Durand Jones & The Indications, Durand Jones & Aaron Frazer
• “Killer Bee” – Jack Spivey
• “Yard Sale” – Priscilla Block
• “Uptown Downtown” – Jon Cleary
• “Sleeves Up” – Crys Matthews

Tune in Friday, Dec. 12 – Friday Dec. 19 on 101.9 WDET FM, stream anytime at wdet.org — and follow along online for daily Best Of playlists and reflections from our music hosts.

See the Best of 2025 playlists »