On this West Virginia Morning, the end of year episode of Us & Them explores one of the last bridges we have left in this splintered world - careful listening, and the staff at West Virginia Public Broadcasting reads the poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas"
Chestnuts are roasting, Jack Frost is nipping and Mountain Stage is jingling with a holly jolly holiday special! Broadcast from 1am-5am Saturday and Sunday mornings here on West Virginia Public Radio, “Mountain Stage After Midnight” takes the best performances from the show’s 31 year history and shares their memories and songs with our late-night listeners. Each week we’ll hand-pick two of our favorite episodes that’ll alternate order each night.
Tune in this Saturday December 20 and Sunday December 21 on “Mountain Stage After Midnight” for the best holiday playlist.
You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout, I’m tell’n you why: Santa Larry is coming to town! Mountain Stage’s Larry Groce joins Joni Deutsch for two hours of hand-picked Mountain Stage songs and stories that invoke the holiday season and its musical brightness. Hear Larry’s holiday stories from the Mountain Stage, not to mention holiday ditties from Tim & Mollie O’Brien, Kathy Mattea, The Roches, Michael Martin Murphey and more.
Next you’ll hear a 2009 holiday show featuring progressive bluegrass singer John Cowan, rock-icana outfit Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, West Virginia-based ragtime duo Pianafiddle, seasonal artist collective Winterbloom and Canadian jazz singer Holly Cole.
Need some more holiday music? Head to West Virginia PBS on December 21 at 8pm to watch Joy to the World 2014 with Bob Thompson and guest vocalist Mollie O’Brien. Starting next Tuesday at 8pm, you can hear marathon of Joy to the World 2013 with Bob Thompson and guest vocalist Heather Masse on West Virginia Public Radio.
As always, you can learn more about Mountain Stage on our new website, which features past show playlists and even a 24/7 Mountain Stage stream? Keep in touch with us on the show’s Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram, and subscribe to The Mountain Stage Podcast on iTunes to hear the best live performances around these public radio parts.
On Christmas Eve 1822, Clement Clarke Moore was hosting a holiday gathering, and at some point in the evening he cleared his throat and began reading a lighthearted poem titled “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” which he had jotted down as a Christmas gift for his six children.
In this year end episode of “Us & Them,” Host Trey Kay dives into the complex challenges that have defined 2024. He sets out to understand those who celebrate recent victories and those who fear what lies ahead. In a world divided, listening becomes a bridge to clarity and connection.
This week on Inside Appalachia, we go a-wassailing in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s kind of like Christmas caroling, with a kick. Also, family recipes bring generations together. But what happens when you’ve got grandma’s potato candy recipe, and it doesn’t have exact measurements? And a new book explores the magical dark side of nature.