This week, a poet and musician draws inspiration from a distant family connection to the Grand Ole Opry’s Little Jimmy Dickens. Also, for 15 years, a Virginia library has been hosting a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game for teens.
And, a taxidermist in Yadkin County, North Carolina found her calling before she could drive a car.
As our Song of the Week, we’ve chosen the poignant and heartfelt performance of “Face Your Life” by The David Mayfield Parade. This single was written by David Mayfield and his wife Jessie and was inspired by the poem If by Rudyard Kipling and the book 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson. In this live performance, you’ll hear David Mayfield on lead vocal and guitar, Keith Wallen on mandolin and harmony vocals, Ryan Wallen on resophonic guitar and harmony vocals, Steven Moore on banjo, and Graham Bell on bass.
This episode features the last of many appearances on the show by Jill Sobule, who we lost in May 2025. We dedicate this broadcast to her memory and to Jill’s many friends, family, and fans.
As always, Jill puts on a clinic in humor, wit, brains, and heart during this set.
Stephen KelloggThe David Mayfield ParadeJill SobuleMindy SmithCaleb Caudle & The Sweet Crittersguest host Conor Knighton
Our Song of the Week comes from The Critton Hollow String Band, a band that has been performing traditional American music to audiences around the world since 1975. The trio stopped by Mountain Stage during their 50th anniversary and performed a handful of songs, including "A Better Life to Find," which is our Song of the Week. The song features an old melody and a traditional refrain, with lyrics updated by the group's Joe Herrmann.
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.
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.