This week, before emancipation, Appalachia provided pathways to freedom for enslaved people trying to escape bondage. A new project identifies more than two dozen previously unknown underground railroad sites. Also, the Fly Around Music & Arts Festival in North Carolina was inspired by the hard work that followed Hurricane Helene. And, a ballad about floods recorded a generation ago still provides solace for people today.
LISTEN: Nellie McKay Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week
Nellie McKay performs live on Mountain Stage during the 40th anniversary show.Chris Morris/ Mountain Stage
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On this week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage, we hear the first of two episodes celebrating our 40th anniversary. This episode was recorded on Dec. 3, 2023 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia with host Kathy Mattea and performances by Joan Osborne, Nellie McKay, Jake Kohn, Todd Burge, David Mayfield, and a special appearance from West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.
To celebrate this landmark year, Mountain Stage recorded not one, but two anniversary shows commemorating four decades as the home of live music on public radio, making it the second longest running nationally distributed performance radio show.
Our Song of the Week comes from singer songwriter Nellie McKay, whose music incorporates many styles infused with her zany and profound interpretations of life.
The Mountain Stage Song of the Week is “Drinking Song” from Nellie’s first album of original material in 13 years, Hey Guys, Watch This. Joining her on the album, and in this special performance, are The Carpenter Ants, West Virginia’s favorite rhythm and blues group which features Mountain Stage Band guitarist Michael Lipton, bassist Ted Harrison, drummer/vocalist Jupie Little and keyboardist/vocalist Mark Bates.
Tune in to an affiliate station near you starting Friday, Nov. 15 for the entire set from Nellie McKay, plus live performances from eight-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne, emerging country singer Jake Kohn, West Virginia’s premier songwriter Todd Burge, bluegrass singer-songwriter David Mayfield, and West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.
Check out the playlist here, and take a look at our list of affiliates to find out when you can tune in.
David MayfieldJake KohnJoan OsborneMarc HarshmanNellie McKayTodd Burge
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On this week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Conor Knighton joins us as guest host to welcome The Baseball Project, The Minus 5, Bob Mould, Chris Stamey, and Loose Cattle.
On this West Virginia Morning a new musical, written right here in our region, takes a look at a small Ohio town, just across the river from West Virginia, that played a significant role in the development of the nation.
This week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded live at the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV. Guest host David Mayfield welcomed Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes, The SteelDrivers, Basia Bulat, The Wildwoods, and Taylor Rae.
Our Song of the Week is “Suitcase Song,” performed by stylistic chameleon Nellie McKay. Originally featured on Nellie’s 2004 debut album, Get Away from Me, “Suitcase Song” was rereleased on Gee Whiz: The Get Away from Me Demos, in 2025.
