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This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.
I cannot remember when I first heard Joseph, but immediately was struck by their harmonies; the way they could blend and yet retain their individual timbres. On top of that was their arrangments: solo voice gives way to two or is it all three in unison? These intricate harmonies, the robust then delicate dynamics followed by a solo voice were so unique.
Who was this? I was reminded of Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins when, watching Karen Carpenter on TV, he yells “What sorcery is this? Reveal yourself, tiny songstress!”
Turns out, it’s called genetics. Natalie, Allison and Meegan Closner (Claws-ner) are sisters from Portland, Oregon. In fact, the band name came from the town of Joseph – a place where they spent their childhoods surrounded by the natural beauty.
When asked about the band’s name, the answer used to be attributed to their grandfather. “The name Joseph is more after the town Joseph, Oregon – the town our grandpa Jo grew up in,” said Allison, “because he name is actually just Jo. Just J-O, which we didn’t find out about until recently when my mom actually looked at his birth certificate.” The two sisters laughed. (Sister Meegan was having internet issues and could only join our conversation via text.)
Music was always around the family. Their father, a natural talent who was in a college vocal jazz ensemble, encouraged and helped them learn the craft of singing. Mom too was in local theater and musicals, so a robust musical life was to be found.
On this week's premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, host Kathy Mattea welcomes The Jayhawks, Tift Merritt, Tanasi, and Candi Jenkins to the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV.
Appalachia, and the entire world, really, was shaken by the passing of Dolly Parton. Dolly — everyone called her Dolly — was a Tennessee native, country and pop music singer, and philanthropist who invested heavily in people – especially here in Appalachia. And in children’s literacy through her Imagination Library, which provides free books to young kids. To a lot of people, she was Appalachia. To mark her passing, Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams spoke with Ted Olson, a country music historian at East Tennessee State University’s Department for Appalachian Studies.
On this week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage, host Kathy Mattea welcomes Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Jack Blocker, Cole Quest & The City Pickers, Courtney Hartman, and The Critton Hollow String Band.
This week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded at the Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta, Ohio in 2025. Guest host David Mayfield welcomed Hannah Cohen, Boulevards, Amy Millan, Lera Lynn, and Oyo to record episode 1,069.
