Mountain Blog

We had a night for the ages this past Sunday as we celebrated our 25th Anniversary here at Mountain Stage. An enormous "Thank You" to everyone who came to the show and all those who were recognized for their role in supporting MountainStage over these last 25 years. So many people showed their appreciation including Charm City Cakes, home  of the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes" program. You can read about our special Mountain Stage cake here. A sincere thanks to our very own baking "ace" Katherine Hill, cake designer extraordinaire and daughter of bass playing specialist Steve Hill.

There's very little time for nostalgia when there are more radio shows to produce. So we are looking ahead to what is shaping up to be an exciting first couple of months for 2009.

We get things started January 18 in Morgantown at the Creative Arts Center as part of the WVU Arts & Entertainment series. Leo Kottke makes a long awaited return (his last visit was October 2004) as do the Duhks, who have a couple of new members in the band since their first appearance in February 2005.

Also on that line-up is Fiction Family, a new project by Nickelcreek's Sean Watkins and Switchfoot's Jon Foreman. 
You can get a "guilt-free download" of their first single "When She's Near" on their website. Look for their debut CD to arrive in January.

Guaranteed to turn some folks on their ears is 2008 NewSong co-winner Kelleigh McKenzie (pronounced "Kelly", LEFT) from Rosendale, NY. Her captivating banjo and stomp box combines with her whimsical voice for an enchanting elixir of modern folk-blues. She also shared "Best Song" accolades at the 2008 NewSong contest for her song "Gin." You can hear the song on her website HERE.

All that and more January 18 in Morgantown, Get your tickets ONLINE or by calling 304.293.SHOW. 

We will return to our home at the Cultural Center here in Charleston on February 8th to host two of our favorites. 
Louisiana's #1 Creole Export Buckwheat Zydeco will be squeezin' the "Stomach Steinway" while accomplished songwriter and composer for the Tony Award winning musical "Spring Awakening" Duncan Sheik makes his 6th appearance.

Another exciting addition is Irish roots-pop trio Guggenheim Grotto. Their latest CD is "Happy the Man," follows 
their majestic debut "...Waltzing Alone." They first appeared in October 2006 alongside Todd Snider, Chris Thile, 
Charlie Musselwhite and Guy Clark.

Also on tap for February 15 is indie-rock darlings Dr. Dog, who have rose to prominence over the last few months. 
Check out a nifty "desk concert" over at NPR Music.

Tickets will be on sale soon for the February shows and we'll announce the guests on the Live Show Schedule as soon 
as we know 'em, so keep checking back.

Speaking of NPR Music- We've got boat loads of good music, all cut live before an audience, at our home for online content, www.npr.org/mountainstage. Layers of guitar by pop-rocker Matthew Sweet, Scots-Irish tunes by Moya Brennan, great songs by Mary Gauthier as well as our video tribute to our good friend Odetta. Keep checking back for new music every day.