Mountain Blog

Here at Mountain Stage we're all about collaboration- both on the stage and behind the scenes. In the case of our finale song where Larry Groce invites our guests back out to sing together for a closing number, it can mean legendary artists standing side-by-side for the first and perhaps last time. Sometimes one guest may invite a fellow guest to sing or play on a number. (You can hear Rosanne Cash singing "No Memories Hanging Around" with her former husband Rodney Crowell right now at NPR Music).

In the spirit of impromptu collaboration, here are a few unique shots of artistic paths that have crossed in our midst.

Two icons of American Music, Pops Staples and Ramblin' Jack Elliot backstage. Oh, to hear the song they were singing together- March 13, 1994.

 

Our Pianist Bob Thompson rehearses with Victoria Williams while Bruce Cockburn looks on- December 4, 1994.

The Holmes Brothers join in with Aaron Neville at a Special Mountain Stage Fundraiser- October 11, 1994.

 

Blue-eyed Soul Siblings- Delbert McClinton and Marcia Ball, May 13, 2001.

Lisa Loeb joins the Indigo Girls for a finale song rehearsal- March 24, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've been mining our archives here at Mountain Stage, pulling out old photos and dusting off some old relics from our 25 year history. We'll be sharing some photos here on the blog, so keep checking back. If you've got some old photos you'd like to share we'd love to hear from you.

Mountain Stage founder and Executive Producer Andy Ridenour and host/artistic director Larry Groce, circa. 1986.

 

Co-founder and Chief Engineer Francis Fisher sits in front of the show's earliest recording equipment- three eight channel mixers bussed together.

 

One of show's earliest and most frequent guests, Hot Rize, who appeared on Mountain Stage four times, along with their alter-ego Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers. Tim O'Brien, originally from Wheeling, holds the most appearances on Mountain Stage, with 28. (L to R- Pete Wernick, Tim O'Brien, Nick Forster and Charles Sawtelle)

We're approaching our historic 25th Anniversary show on December 7th and we're posting some classic shots here in celebration. Mountain Stage has maintained a 25 year history due in large part to the persistence and commitment of our staff, crew and band, but we couldn't have done it without YOU, the radio listener and those of you who have been in the audience over the course of these 685 shows.

Here are some classic photos for your enjoyment. Do these bring back any memories?

Click here to see our special edition "Setting the Stage" newsletter, with some more great photos. (Thanks to Shawn Patterson for putting it together).

REM, Capitol Plaza Theater, 1991

 

The Derailers, showing off some nice dance-moves, 2001.

 

Velvet Underground alum John Cale, 2004.

 

Want to do some listening while you look? Click on over to Mountain Stage on NPR Music for sets by Patty Loveless, Chris Knight, Solas and the Dan Tyminski Band (and that's just this week!).

Stay tuned to the blog as we'll be posting some more pictures very soon. Thanks for listening!

Across the board here at Mountain Stage you'll find some great things happening musically, and there's plenty more on the way.

LIVE- This Sunday we'll offer up an Americana sampler plate spanning sacred steel gospel and hill-country blues to shimmering pop and modern folk. James McMurtry, Shelby Lynne, Jim Bianco, the Lee Boys and Malcolm Holcolmbe will be our guests this Sunday, November 16, at the Cultural Center Theater. Read more in our press release and get your tickets online or at Taylor Books in downtown Charleston.

We'll celebrate our historic 25th Anniversary on December 7 in Charleston, with Joan Osborne, Kathy Mattea and Rachel Yamagata- a varied show stylically, which is what we love. Tickets are online and at Taylor's, so get 'em now.Keep an eye on this blog for the next batch of guests to be added.

ON-AIR- This weekend most stations will be airing the Mountain Stage episode featuring country superstar Patty Loveless, along with the finest singer in modern bluegrass, Dan Tyminski and his Band, Trad-Irish tunes from Solas, Kentucky bred singer-songwriter Chris Knight and NewSong Performing Songwriting duo Jacob & Lily. Click here to find a station in your area to listen to Mountain Stage on the air. The following week will be our show recorded at the world famous Town Hall in New York City with Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bruce Cockburn and Billy Bragg.

(Dan Tyminski, left,  flashing one of the brightest smiles in bluegrass. NewSong winners Jacob & Lily, a.k.a Kaleb Friesen and Karla Adolphe.)

ON NPR MUSIC-The past couple weeks have been as exciting and diverse as it gets. The forces of Africa and Appalachia unite for a set featuring Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko, while Jerry Douglas burns up the dobro along with his top-notch band, avant-garde songstress Brooke Waggoner is captivating at the piano like no one since Tori Amos, and the Alternate Routes are one of the freshest things happening to good old rock & roll. Just up is modern day humorist and depressive Judith Owen singing her heart-felt piano ballads. Go back even further and you'll find great sets from jam-fiend Mike Gordon, blue-eyed soul with Amos Lee and gypsy swing with John Jorgenson Quintet. Click on the logo below to navigate over to Mountain Stage's home on NPR Music.