Mountain Blog

This week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage features alt-country pioneer Mark Olson, country music darlings The Civil Wars, acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, singer-songwriter Sonya Kitchell and the Brooklyn Strings, and energetic Virginia-based string band The Steel Wheels.

When country duo The Civil Wars appeared on Mountain Stage last February, their album Barton Hollow had recently debuted at number 12 on the Billboard charts, and was the top download on iTunes. Now the pair (comprised of singer-songwriters John Paul White and Joy Williams) are nominated for two Grammy awards, and have recently recorded a song with Taylor Swift (under the tutelage of roots music steward T-Bone Burnette) for the Hunger Games soundtrack. You can hear their Grammy-nominated track, the title cut from their album Barton Hollow, as our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.

Singer-songwriter Mark Olson was most recently heard on Mountain Stage with his band, alt-country trailblazers The Jayhawks. But Olson has also staked out a successful solo career of his own. Olson closes the show with songs from his lush, imaginative album Many Colored Kite.

You’ll also hear a set from one of Canada’s most respected singer-songwriters, Ron Sexsmith. He’s earned praises from many of the artists who initially inspired him, including Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and John Hiatt. For his third Mountain Stage appearance, Sexsmith is backed by the Mountain Stage band, with songs from his most recent album, the Bob Rock-produced Long Player Late Bloomer.

When singer-songwriter Sonya Kitchell first appeared on Mountain Stage she was barely old enough to drive. Her style has evolved considerably since then, with a gentle, refined sound that showcases her dark and breathy falsetto. Playing both guitar and piano, she is backed by her friends The Brooklyn Strings.

Finally, you hear from the Virginia-based string band The Steel Wheels. The quartet has built a following through the region's biggest festivals, including Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Floydfest, Folk Alliance, Appalachian Uprising, and at roots music venue The Purple Fiddle. For their closing tune "Surround Me," the group puts its instruments altogether to deliver a powerful a cappella performance.

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