Following the American Civil War, a group of freed people fled violence and bought land in Western North Carolina. In the summer of 1873, these people formed a Black communal society they named “The Kingdom of the Happy Land.” A new novel tells a story set in the kingdom, both in the past and in the present day. It’s titled, “Happy Land.” Host Mason Adams spoke with its author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
LISTEN: Loudon Wainwright III Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week
Loudon Wainwright III performs on Mountain Stage in Rochester, NY.Chris Morris/Mountain Stage
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Host Kathy Mattea welcomes Loudon Wainwright III, Janiva Magness, John Ellison & Joe Beard, Dan Navarro, and Ali McGuirk on this week’s premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, recorded live at Kodak Hall at the beautiful Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY.
Our Song of the Week comes from the charming folk singer-songwriter, Loudon Wainwright III, who has made over 17 appearances on Mountain Stage in every decade since the show started in 1983. His performance of “Middle of the Night” is our Song of the Week.
Tune in to an affiliate station near you starting Friday, April 18 to hear Loudon’s full set, plus more live performances by GRAMMY-nominated blues and soul singer Janiva Magness, a pair of Rochester Music Hall of Famers; singer/writer John “Some Kind of Wonderful” Ellison and blues guitarist and vocalist Joe Beard, plus songwriter and former Lowen & Navvaro member Dan Navarro, and guitar-driven soulful folk from Ali McGuirk.
Thank you to our partners WRUR – The Route, and the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music for inviting us to town.
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