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Brian Blauser |
This weekend's edition of Mountain Stage is a re-broadcast of a show recorded in the beautiful TN/VA border city of Bristol. Historic home of the first successful recordings of the Carter Family, Jimmy Rodgers and many more.
To celebrate the 81st anniversary of those recordings, Mountain Stage welecomed Carlene Carter, the Del McCoury Band, Mike Farris, Eric Church and Ed Snodderly to the program.
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Brian Blauser |
Del is definately a favorite guest among our crew. Above you'll see our stage-hand extraordinaire Joey Ansel posing with our Del McCoury bobble-head in it's shiney new road case, autographed by the real McCoury. The bobble-head, and the spirit of Del, goes everywhere Mountain Stage goes.
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Brian Blauser |
Here's a perfect example of why we like being around Del.
Everyone lines up for some fantastic grub courtesey of Eats on Moore Street, just across from the Paramount. One of many sweet tea spickets stands by.
Mike Farris, along with the McCrary Sisters (kin of the legendary Fairfield Four).
Since his breakout CD "Salvation in Lights" Farris has done a live-record "Shout!Live" recorded at Nashville's Station Inn. It will be available April 14.
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Brian Blauser |
WV Native and founder of the BCMA Fred McClellan introduced Mountain Stage to the hometown crowd, who have always welcomed Mountain Stage as a member of their vast family.
Speaking of family, here is a rarity: Two heirs to the Carter Family name, cousins Dale Jett and Carlene Carter, together on stage, singing the finale song "Keep on the Sunny Side," made famous by A.P., Sara and Maybelle, the Carter Family.
Dale is the son of Janette Carter, grandson of Sara and A.P. Carlene is the daughter of June Carter Cash, grandaughter of Maybelle Carter.
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Brian Blauser |
Carlene performed the title track to her new record, "Stronger," by herself at the piano. Her performance was emotional, as you can hear in her version of "Me and the Wildwood Rose," featured last week as our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
It was and is an honor to be associated with such a historic city with a rich tradition in country music. We hope to return to Bristol very soon.
Individual sets from this episode of Mountain Stage go up starting today over at NPR Music. Let us know what you think!