On this West Virginia Morning, Sue and Stan Jennings for 30 years have run Allegheny Treenware, a company that makes wooden kitchen utensils. But they started off as a couple of coal miners. Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro has more.
Songwriter James McMurtry is highly admired by listeners and peers alike for his astute observations and ability to develop characters while painting scenery with just a few, well-chosen words. This week’s Song of the Week is McMurtry’s “State of the Union,” which depicts a family’s inner-conflicts, long-standing grudges and stubborn optimism.
"We're all in the family/The Cursed and the Blessed/It's the State of the Union I guess."
You’ll hear the rest of James McMurtry’s set, as well as performances from Inara George, The Low Anthem and John Moreland, on this week’s broadcast. Find out where you can listen on a station in your area here, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast below so you never miss a song.
UPDATE: You can hear McMurtry’s entire set, including songs not heard on the radio broadcast, at NPR Music. Scroll down to listen.
This week's premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded on the campus of West Virginia University at the Canady Creative Arts Center. On this episode, we hear live performances from Duke Robillard Band, Cedric Burnside, Sam Weber, Las Cafeteras, and The Black Feathers.
This week, our spring broadcast season continues with a new episode of Mountain Stage featuring guest host David Mayfield. Joining us is Virginia Bluegrass band Nothin’ Fancy, 10-time International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year Missy Raines & Allegheny, acoustic blues guitarist Rory Block, singer-songwriter and guitarist Ed Snodderly, and multi-instrumentalist folk artist Meredith Moon.
On this week's premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, host Kathy Mattea welcomes Sarah Jarosz, Tim O’Brien Band, Karan Casey Trio, Dirk & Amelia Powell, and The Tin Men. On this episode, we celebrate Tim O'Brien's 70th birthday and an impressive 50 years of making some of the best bluegrass music out there.
This week's broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA. On this episode, host Kathy Mattea welcomes GRAMMY-winning Australian rock star Colin Hay, Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn, legendary folk and country artist Ramblin' Jack Elliott, San Francisco rocker Chuck Prophet and his band The Make Out Quartet, and folk duo The Lucky Valentines.