LISTEN: Drive-By Truckers Have The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

On this week’s premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, we welcome southern rock royalty, the Drive-By Truckers back to the show for their fifth appearance. Guest host Larry Groce also welcomes West Virginia country rocker and songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin, singer-songwriter Eilen Jewell, Afrofuturist folk artist Jake Blount with percussive dancer Nic Gareiss, and contemporary folk musician Tomberlin.

On this episode, Drive-By Truckers perform songs from their 14th studio album Welcome 2 Club XIII, which was released in 2022. The album looks back on their formative years both realistically and nostalgically, with songs like the title track “Welcome 2 Club XIII,” and others like “The Driver” with bittersweet memories of being on the road thinking about life.

Our Song of the Week is Drive-By Truckers’ performance of “The Ballad of Cecil McCobb.” Patterson Hood wrote this song in memory of their good friend Wes Freed, who created the band’s album and poster art for many years. After months of trying to write this song, Hood had an epiphany saying, “There’s no way to fit him into a song, but by God, I know what he liked.” So, he wrote this song, knowing that he would love it.

Join us starting Friday, Sept. 22 on these NPR stations to hear the Drive-By Truckers and live performances by Charles Wesley Godwin, Eilen Jewell, Jake Blount & Nic Gareiss, and Tomberlin.

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