Heirloom Rice And Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, you might not think of western North Carolina when you think of rice. But the region is home to several varieties of heirloom rice that made their way here from Laos nearly five decades ago. Folkways reporter Rachel Moore brings us the story.

Plus, this week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage is an archive special from 2014 featuring blues and soul guitar great Robert Cray, gospel titans Blind Boys of Alabama, bluesman John Hammond and New Orleans funk rockers Dumpstaphunk.

Our Song of the Week is “You Move Me” by Robert Cray, from his 2014 album In My Soul. Joining Cray is keyboardist Dover Wienberg, drummer Les Falconer and bassist Richard Cousins, whose original tenure with Cray included the landmark albums Strong Persuader and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. 

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning