Host Larry Groce and the Mountain Stage team culled together this episode of songs by some of music’s greatest songwriters, performed by various artists over the years on Mountain Stage.
We touch on the songs of Bob Dylan, with performances by The Band, Chris Smither, Jimmy LaFave, and The Derek Trucks Band. Songs of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter are done by Joan Osborne, Catherine Russell, and Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams. Brandi Carlile does Leonard Cohen and Mary Black covers Joni Mitchell.
You’ll hear a touching Bruce Springsteen deep-cut interpreted by David Lindley, who also does Warren Zevon’s ”Vast Indifference of Heaven.”And we couldn’t have an episode like this without some songs of the Beatles, done by the likes of John Pizzarelli, Judith Owen, Curtis Stigers, and The Mutual Admiration Society.
We’re reflecting on past Mountain Stage appearances from some of the gifted musicians who we lost in 2019.
We marked the passing of several influential musicians and some home-grown treasures in 2019, and hope you can enjoy the memories shared here.
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George Daugherty, a.k.a The Earl of Elkview
George Daugherty- The Earl of Elkview A beloved performer in West Virginia, Daugherty was The Earl of Elkview and served as guest host in the early period of Mountain Stage. He would play the musical saw and added humorous flavor with his witty, comedic skits and songs. Daugherty was an ambassador for West Virginia and beloved by so many, throughout our state and beyond.
Read the Charleston Gazette-Mail’s remembrance of Daugherty here.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Kofi Burbridge, left, along with Derek Trucks and Mike Mattison of The Derek Trucks Band, February 2009.
Kofi Burbridge visited Mountain Stage three times as a member of the Derek Trucks Band, most recently in February of 2009. You can revisit that set via NPR Music below.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Yonrico Scott, February 2009.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Kofi Burbridge on keyboards, Yonrico Scott on drums, February 2009.
Yonrico Scott (Drummer, Derek Trucks Band- 2009; Royal Southern Brotherhood- 2016) Another past member of the DTB, Yonrico Scott also appeared along with Trucks and company during his long tenure with that band. Scott’s most recent performance on Mountain Stage was alongside Cyril Neville and the Royal Southern Brotherhood in 2016. You can revisit that show in our archives.
The captivatingly mysterious tunesmith Leon Redbone made six appearances on Mountain Stage between 1990 and 2007. His mystique was matched by his expert song choice and comedic timing. Check out his 2007 appearance via NPR Music.
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Dr. John– The night tripper made three appearances on Mountain Stage dating back to 1989. We just revisited his set as part of our “Class of ‘89” Special, in which you can hear his legendary performance, accompanied by members of the Mountain Stage Band. Their version of “Such A Night” was also included in the “Best of Mountain Stage” CD series which you can hear on Spotify. You can hear his entire 1989 set in this post on WVPublic.org, which we updated with a quote from our host, Larry Groce.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Jeff Austin photographed in 2015 on Mountain Stage.
Jeff Austin- In June we joined many music lovers and music makers in mourning the loss of journeyman mandolinist and songwriter Jeff Austin. He was on Mountain Stage in 2006 alongside Yonder Mountain String Band, a group he helped co-found. In 2015 he brought the Jeff Austin Band to the show for the first time, which you can revisit via NPR Music.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Russell Smith on Mountain Stage, 1992.
A highly admired songwriter and guitarist, Russell Smith appeared on Mountain Stage four times in three configurations. Twice with the Amazing Rhythm Aces (1996 & 1999), once as a solo performer (1992) and once with the legendary Run C&W (1993). After Smith’s passing, our host Larry Groce compiled this set of highlights from his various appearances, remarking “If all he had written was “Third Rate Romance,” he would be in my personal Hall of Fame, but he did so much more.”
Art Neville (The Neville Brothers, 10/11/1994)- Art Neville, of quintessential New Orleans group The Neville Brothers, appeared with that band on Mountain Stage in October of 1994. Their performance of “Ayiti” was included in the compilation Louisiana Live on Mountain Stage. Click to listen on Spotify.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Neal Casal soloing on the finale song, March 2017.
Neal Casal – Revered guitarist, producer and songwriter Neal Casal appeared on Mountain Stage as a member of Ryan Adams’ Cardinals in 2007, and he joined us in March, 2017 as part of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood. His tone and fretwork were one of the most distinguishable characteristics of that set, which you can revisit below via NPR Music.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Old time musician Mark Payne, 2003.
Mark Payne -A stalwart member of the old-time music community in West Virginia and beyond, Mark Payne appeared on Mountain Stage as part of the popular string band Gandydancer in 2001 and again in 2003. In addition to countless concerts, festival appearances and recordings, the band also appeared at the Library of Congress in 2007, which you can watch here.
Credit Brian Blauser/ Mountain Stage
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Kelley Looney photographed on Mountain Stage in 2017.
Kelley Looney was a loyal member of Steve Earle’s band since the mid-1990s, and appeared several times alongside Steve on Mountain Stage. His last visit was just earlier this year in June, before his untimely passing later that Summer. Revisit Steve Earle & The Dukes set of songs from Guy via NPR Music below.
The 2016 Americana Music Awards nominations are in! We’re proud to see so many of Mountain Stage’s guests on the list. Click on the artist’s name to hear their recent performance on Mountain Stage.
Missed hearing these talented folks on Mountain Stage? Make sure to subscribe (and rate/review) the Mountain Stage podcast on iTunes and sign-up for our email newsletter for future show announcements! You might just hear/see the next big artist before they start grabbin’ Americana Awards.
Good luck to all the nominees! And if you haven’t already, go out and hear some live music wherever you are just as soon as you can.
A pinch of folk, a dash of soul and a good dollop of bluegrass. Mix it all together and what do you get? This week’s “Mountain Stage After Midnight!” Broadcast from 1am-5am Saturday and Sunday mornings here on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, “Mountain Stage After Midnight” takes the best episodes from the show’s 31 year history and shares their memories and songs with our late-night listeners. Each week we’ll hand-pick two of our favorite episodes that’ll alternate order each night.
Tune in this Saturday January 24 and Sunday January 25 for a good ol’ time on “Mountain Stage After Midnight.”
First up is a January 2006 that features performances from old-time Appalachian band The Biscuit Burners, country singer-songwriter Jon Randall, Americana crooner Alecia Nugent, bluegrass player Shawn Camp and “the new Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent & the Rage.
Credit Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
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The finale song for January 29, 2006 (pictured: Susie Suh, Derek Trucks Band, James Hunter and Bettye LaVette).
We’ll also hear another January 2006 from the Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, West Virginia, which includes such talents as acoustic rocker Good Brother Earl, English soul singer James Hunter, alt-folk crooner Susie Suh, American soul legend Bettye LaVette and jamm’n blues group Derek Trucks Band.
Next week is Listener’s Choice! Go to Mountain Stage’s Facebook to decide which performances will air overnight weekends during West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Chocolate Challenge. For more Mountain Stage news and music, make sure to follow the show on Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram and subscribe to The Mountain Stage Podcast on iTunes. Still haven’t seen Mountain Stage in person? Head to our new website to find out how when and where we’re playing next.
You know that ol’ Wendy’s slogan, “Eat Great, Even Late?” Well the same holds true for “Mountain Stage After Midnight,” a delicious public radio program that feeds music lovers into the wee hours of morning. Broadcast from 1am-5am Saturday and Sunday mornings here on West Virginia Public Radio, “Mountain Stage After Midnight” takes the best episodes from the show’s 31 year history and shares their memories and songs with our late-night listeners. Each week we’ll hand-pick two of our favorite episodes that’ll alternate order each night.
Tune in this Saturday January 17 and Sunday January 18 for rock, pop, folk and everything in-between on “Mountain Stage After Midnight.”
First up is an October 2008 show featuring psychedelic folk-popper Sonya Kitchell, Welsh crooner Judith Owen, Connecticut rock band The Alternate Routes, captivating singer-songwriter Joe Pug, folk singer Matthew Ryan and Nashville-based alt-pop songwriter Katie Herzig.
Credit Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
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Dr. Dog on Mountain Stage in 2009.
You’ll also a a February 2009 show that includes oddball rockers Dr. Dog, American jam band Derek Trucks Band, Australian pop singer Lenka, blues duo Scrapomatic and Huntington, West Virginia-based songwriter Jeff Ellis.
For more Mountain Stage news and music, make sure to follow the show on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram and subscribe to The Mountain Stage Podcast on iTunes. Still haven’t seen Mountain Stage in person? Whatcha waiting for! Head to our new website for our live show schedule.
