Author: Adam Harris

Virginia based modern string band The Steel Wheels returns to Mountain Stage on this week’s encore broadcast, joined by Oakland-based singer and songwriter Miko Marks, Canadian songwriting troubadour Scott Cook, the bluegrass and roots duo of fiddler Tammy Rogers and songwriter, guitarist and singer Thomm Jutz, and the first collective appearance by Eleanor and Bonnie, The Whitmore Sisters. Tune in on one of these NPR Music stations, and check out the playlist for a glimpse at what we’ll hear.

Our Song of the Week is from The Steel Wheels, who brought songs from their latest release, Everyone a Song, Vol. II. This special album is a continuation of the band’s initiative to build new, personal songs from fan-submitted stories. Our Song of the Week is the group’s performance of “Under,” which appeared on their 2019 album, Over The Trees.

The Steel Wheels – "Under," live on Mountain Stage

The Steel Wheels perform "Under" on Mountain Stage. The song appears on their 2019 album "Over The Trees."

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Join us this week for more exciting and engaging live performances and be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you can plan a visit to be a part of our live audience at an upcoming taping.

This week’s encore episode was recorded in Morgantown, West Virginia – without an audience — thanks to a gnarly snow and ice storm that took over the area. Our colleagues at WVU Arts & Entertainment helped us produce the show, even though it was cancelled for ticket holders, at the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center on the campus of West Virginia University.

We hear exciting sets from songwriter, producer and performer Matthew E. White, with songs from his latest, K Bay. Kentucky-based roots-rockers Bendigo Fletcher also join us, along with songwriter Andrea Von Kampen, the innovative banjo sounds of Tall Tall Trees, and a set from West Virginia’s own indie-rocker, William Matheny, who has our Song of the Week.

William Matheny – Bird of Youth, live on Mountain Stage

WV indie-rocker William Matheny performs a new song from his upcoming album due sometime in 2022.

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Accompanied by Bud Carroll on guitar, Craig Burletic on bass, Jeremy Batten on keyboards, and Clint Sutton on drums, Matheny performs “Bird of Youth,” a finely crafted piece of introspection, from his upcoming album, to be released later this year.

Be sure to join us starting this weekend on these NPR Music stations for the whole episode and take a look at our Live Show Schedule to plan your trip to be a part of our radio audience.

Browse the schedule and pick up tickets via Eventbrite to join us in person.

This weekend we look back to the beginning of 2022, our 39th year, as host Kathy Mattea welcomes Josh Ritter, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Dori Freeman, Oshima Brothers, and Jake Xerxes Fussell. Hear the show starting December 30 on these NPR Music stations.

In their debut appearance on Mountain Stage, Maine-based indie duo, Oshima Brothers brought songs from their recent album Dark Nights Golden Days. Sean and Jamie Oshima have been creating music together since childhood, and they build a substantial sound together using live-looping techniques and rich layered harmony. Our Song of the Week, “Colorblind,” appears on their Dark ep1, released in March 2021.

Oshima Brothers – Colorblind, live on Mountain Stage

Oshima Brothers perform "Colorblind," on Mountain Stage.

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This week we also hear live performances from modern folk wordsmith Josh Ritter, who sings new songs and also reads a passage from his latest novel. Nashville-based Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, who are hosting two night birthday bash for Drew at the Ryman Auditorium this summer, bring us their trademark melodic and thoughtful songs. Guitarist and song-interpreter Jake Xerxes Fussell, and Galax, Virginia’s Dori Freeman round out the show.

Join host Kathy Mattea this weekend for more live performance radio on these NPR Music stations and be sure sign-up for updates about our live-shows and other announcements.

This weekend on Mountain Stage, we revisit our 38^th anniversary show from 2021. Host Kathy Mattea welcomes Joshua Radin, Stephen Kellogg, Nefesh Mountain and Mink’s Miracle Medicine. Join the celebration on this week’s episode starting March 4 on Mountain Stage affiliate stations.

Since their arrival on the scene in 2015, Nefesh Mountain has been hailed as one of today’s formative boundary pushing Bluegrass/Americana bands. They’re among the first to truly give voice and openly represent Jewish American culture, tradition, values and spirituality in the world of American roots music.

On this week’s broadcast, Nefesh Mountain performed songs from their critically acclaimed latest, Songs of the Sparrow, and our Song of the Week, the band’s “A Mighty Roar,” which appears on their album Beneath The Open Sky.

Nefesh Mountain-A Mighty Roar, live on Mountain Stage

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Tune in this weekend to hear more from Nefesh Mountain, plus singer-songwriter Joshua Radin, accompanied by vocalist Allie Moss and guitarist Danny Black, a special solo set from Stephen Kellogg, and Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia-based rootsy alt-folk group Mink’s Miracle Medicine.

This show also features a special performance from our host Kathy Mattea, who performs her version of “Turn Off The News (Build A Garden).” The song was written by Lukas Nelson and Kathy released it as a single earlier this year.

Join us on these stations starting this Friday, Dec. 23, and thank you for making Mountain Stage a part of your holiday weekend.

This week’s premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded in Boston, Massachusetts at the invitation of the Celebrity Series of Boston in the Berklee Performance Center, with thanks to our affiliate WUMB.

The show features some of America’s preeminent and sought after writers; Rosanne Cash and her band perform a special extended set, and we hear from the legendary Loudon Wainwright III.

We also hear from a singer, songwriter and guitarist who made her name in the Boston area — Ali McGuirk, whose new album is called Til It’s Gone. The show opens with modern bluegrass greats Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, who have been nominated for two Grammy awards at next year’s ceremonies, including Best New Artist.

Loudon Wainwright-Suddenly It's Christmas, Live on Mountain Stage

Performed in Boston, MA Sunday Dec. 4, 2022.

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Our Song of the Week is a timely one as we are fully entrenched in the holiday season. “Suddenly It’s Christmas,” written and performed by Loudon Wainwright III, originally appeared on his 1993 live album, Career Moves. Though the song is approaching 30 years old, the sentiment could be seen as more relevant now than ever.

Be sure to join us on one of these public radio stations to hear the entire show, and be sure to let your station know you appreciate hearing Mountain Stage every week.