This week, one thing about Appalachians: we can get competitive. We’re proud of our local food. Love a good hunt. And enjoy competition with friends. We learn the rules and celebrate our victories. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
LISTEN: Robert Earl Keen Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week
Robert Earl Keen performs on this week's encore episode of Mountain Stage.Amos Perrine/Mountain Stage
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This week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage features a very special performance from Texas music legend Robert Earl Keen, who joined us on his final tour in July 2022.
After 41 years of touring, writing, and recording, Keen announced in late 2021 that his next tour would be his last. A Houston native, Keen is one of the Lone Star state’s legendary singer-songwriters. Keen has said he will continue to write music and create, host his popular podcast, support young artists, and follow his artistic muse wherever it takes him.
Keen has appeared on Mountain Stage 13 times since 1989, and brought the goods for his final set on the show, performing a career-spanning set of crowd favorites to a welcoming audience in Charleston, West Virginia.
Our Song of the Week is Keen’s fitting farewell number, “I’m Coming Home.”
We’re also treated to live performances from the Dedicated Men of Zion, a group born out of the churches in eastern North Carolina, who bring their gospel-rich quartet harmony to thrilling effect. Emerging traditional country artist Joshua Hedley, and Fargo-born, Austin-incubated, Nashville resident and Western swing devotee Brennen Leigh round out the episode.
Our Song of the Week comes from singer-songwriter and guitarist Joy Clark. “Tell It To The Wind” was written in a moment of gratitude while Clark was on tour in Waterford, Mississippi at Foxfire Ranch.
On this week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage, we revisit the first of two 41st anniversary shows, which were recorded at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia in December 2024. Guest host and CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Conor Knighton welcomes Stephen Kellogg, Jill Sobule, Mindy Smith, Caleb Caudle & The Sweet Critters, and The David Mayfield Parade.
Our Song of the Week comes from Catskills singer-songwriter Hannah Cohen. On this episode of Mountain Stage, Cohen performs "Summer Sweat," a single from her newest album, Earthstar Mountain, which Rolling Stone called “one of the best indie releases of the year.”
This week's premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded live at the Canady Creative Arts Center on the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Host Kathy Mattea welcomed SHADOWLANDS feat. S. Carey and John Raymond, Tae & The Neighborly, Damn Tall Buildings, Erin McKeown, and Ken Yates.