Mountain Blog

This week's special encore broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded live at the Paramount Theater in the border town of Bristol TN / VA, in partnership with our friends at the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance. You’ll hear from country music icon Marty Stuart and his band, The Fabulous Superlatives; newcomer John Fullbright, The McCrary Sisters, experimental alt-folk-pop from The Pines, and bluegrass heavyweights Blue Highway.

Click here to find a list of stations and times where you can listen.

As a part of the New Traditionalist movement, Marty Stuart was instrumental in changing the sound of New Country music. Dubbed the “Hillbilly Crusader,” after long stints with Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash, Stuart struck out on his own, adding a rockin’ twist to traditional country.

His 2010 release Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions) features his band The Fabulous Superlatives and realizes Stuart’s vision of making a record that “upholds traditional country music.” His latest release, Nashville Volume 1: Tear the Woodpile Down continues down the same heart worn path. Hear Marty discuss his new album, and share his take on the state of country music in our latest Backstage at Mountain Stage video. And you can preview Marty's performance via our Mountain Stage Song of the Week: "California Blues."

Since bursting on the scene in the late ‘90s, Blue Highway has all but dominated the bluegrass charts over its 17 year history. Comprised of five experienced musicians, the members of this progressive group have played with Alison Krauss & Union Station, Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks and Doyle Lawson. With ten highly-acclaimed albums to its credit, Blue Highway has garnered two Grammy nominations, a Dove Award, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited radio charts, and won numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Their current release is Sounds of Home.

After playing in fellow Oklahoma singer-songwriter Mike McClure’s band for a year, John Fullbright has become the most talked about young musician in Oklahoma. Prior to the 2009 Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, Fullbright, still in his early 20s, recorded a live CD at the Blue Door in Oklahoma City. Already he has received endorsements from many great musicians, including fellow Oklahomans Jimmy Webb, Kevin Welch, and Tom Skinner, and Mountain Stage favorite Jimmy LaFave.

Nashville’s McCrary Sisters have recorded with Stevie Wonder, Bobby Jones, Wynonna, Ray Stevens, Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Mike Farris, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary, founding member of Nashville’s legendary gospel quartet the Fairfield Four, the four sisters have been singing their entire lives. Ann began singing at age three while Regina toured with Bob Dylan for six years and recorded three albums with him. Their release, Our Journey, features cameos by Buddy Miller, Delbert McClinton, and Patty Griffin

Led by Benson Ramsey - son of noted guitarist/producer Bo Ramsey - and David Huckfelt, The Pines share a musical language rooted in the songs and songwriters of their native Iowa. The group’s brand of stark country is fleshed out with masterful guitar work, beautiful vocals and keyboards (provided by Benson’s brother Alex). The two front men began their musical partnership in Arizona, where they both lived in a Mexican barrio.

Now living in Minneapolis, the band has created a buzz around the Twin Cities and across the Upper Midwest. After signing with Red House Records in 2007, The Pines issued its debut, “Sparrows in the Bell” which was named one of the top roots releases of the year by “Q Magazine.” The Pines’ latest release is titled “Dark So Gold."

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Thanks again for listening to Mountain Stage!