Mountain Stage is a two-hour music radio show, first aired in 1983, produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio (NPR). Hosted by Larry Groce from the show's inception until 2021 and currently hosted by singer-songwriter and West Virginia native Kathy Mattea, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern. It is recorded before a live audience, usually at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia, but occasionally travels to other venues elsewhere in the United States. Major private funding is provided by the West Virginia-based law firm of Bailey & Glasser LLP and the West Virginia Tourism Office.
History
Logo used under Larry Groce's tenure as host until circa 2017
Mountain Stage began its 28th season in Glasgow, Scotland as part of the 2011 Celtic Connections Festival. Its 750th show was recorded in September, 2011, at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Episode 800 was recorded in 2013 with Dawes, Ani DiFranco, Dave Mason and Red Baraat. The show recorded episode 900 in July 2017 with Steve Earle & The Dukes, The Mastersons, The Sherman Holmes Project, Steelism and West Virginia storyteller Bil Lepp.
The 35th Anniversary of Mountain Stage was celebrated in December 2018 with the Amy Ray Band, Crash Test Dummies, Anais Mitchell, Parker Millsap and William Matheny.
Mountain Stage has welcomed six Guest Hosts since 2014, beginning with Grammy-winning musician Tim O'Brien, former Assistant Producer Joni Deutsch, who guest-hosted twice, WV Singer-Songwriter Todd Burge, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Conor Knighton, and Tony Award winner and WV native Michael Cerveris.
Since March 2018, country music singer and West Virginia native Mattea has been a regular guest host. Mattea first appeared on Mountain Stage in November 1985 and has appeared on the show more times than any other female artist, and she is second to Tim O'Brien for total number of appearances. On September 9, 2021, it was announced that Mattea will be the permanent host of Mountain Stage, succeeding Groce.[2]
Format
The radio show begins with its theme, "Simple Song", written and performed by founding hostLarry Groce. Under the influence of Groce's tenure as artistic director, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to the brand new, including roots music to indie rock and jazz. Usually, five musical guests will appear on any given show.
Mountain Stage is heard on over 270 NPR stations nationwide, as of June 2024. The full-length show is available on demand as a podcast. Select guest artist segments, including songs not heard on the radio, are posted at the NPR Music website. Video performances of select shows can be found on the West Virginia channel at LiveSessions.NPR.org.
Thirty albums compiling live performances from the Mountain Stage series have also been released on Blue Plate Music, a division of Oh Boy Records, and are still available through Amazon.com.
In 2024 the vinyl club, Heady Wax Fiends, pressed a limited release blue/green swirl colored vinyl of the compilation album: Live From Mountain Stage - Outliers & Outlaws featuring live performances from artists such as Wilco, Molly Tuttle, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, John Prine, Steve Earle, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washington, Sierra Ferrell, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.
In 2008, NPR signed an exclusive on-line distribution deal with Mountain Stage.
References
^Lipton, Michael; LeRoy, Dan (2003). Lipton, Michael (ed.). 20 years of Mountain stage: live performance radio from the Mountain State, 1983-2003. Charleston, WV: Friends of West Virginia Public Radio : Distributed by PRI, Public Radio International. LCCN2003106365.
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