Energy Costs And Janis Ian Has Our Song Of The Week On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, energy costs have gone up for West Virginians in the past couple of years. Local governments in the state have been some of the most vocal opponents of utility rate increases.

On this West Virginia Morning, energy costs have gone up for West Virginians in the past couple of years. Local governments in the state have been some of the most vocal opponents of utility rate increases.

On our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate spoke with Emmett Pepper, a member of the Charleston City Council, and Kent Carper, president of the Kanawha County Commission. Both men say they would like the West Virginia Legislature to get more involved in the effort.

Also, in this show, we listen to our Mountain Stage Song of the Week, which comes to us from folk-music icon Janis Ian, who joined us on her final tour. Ian’s performance of her landmark hit from 1975, “At Seventeen,” is one of many “evergreen” songs Ian has penned since she began songwriting at the age of 14. The song was awarded a Grammy in 1976 for Best Pop Vocal Performance-Female.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.

Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.

Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Listen: Janis Ian Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week, ‘At Seventeen’

This week’s encore broadcast features a special appearance from folk-icon Janis Ian, recorded on her last tour. We also hear from Italian guitarist and singer Beppe Gambetta, Canadian/Columbian artist Lido Pimienta, New England based alt-folk songwriter Philip B. Price, and Morgantown, West Virginia’s own Chris Haddox.

This week’s encore episode of Mountain Stage was recorded in Morgantown, West Virginia last April on the campus of West Virginia University with our friends at WVU Arts & Entertainment. Host Kathy Mattea welcomes a special performance from folk-music icon Janis Ian, who joined us on her final tour.

Our Song of the Week is Ian’s performance of her landmark hit from 1975, “At Seventeen.” It’s one of many “evergreen” songs Ian has penned since she began songwriting at the age of 14.

In promotional materials, Ian is quoted as saying, “It’s a piece of luck when you can hit on a universal theme like ‘At Seventeen.’ It’s what you strive for as a writer. I’m astonished that the song has lived this long, but I’m also horrified that it, and ‘Society’s Child,’ are both still so relevant. I would have hoped that by now so many things would be better.”

The song was awarded a Grammy in 1976 for Best Pop Vocal Performance-Female.

We’ll also hear from Italian singer/songwriter and guitarist Beppe Gambetta, who shows off some dazzling finger-style fretwork. Colombian-Canadian performing artist Lido Pimienta joins us with an innovative sound and songs from her critically acclaimed effort Miss Columbia. We’ll hear a solo performance from New England’s Philip B. Price, who fronts the alt-folk group Winterpills. We’re also treated to a set from Morgantown-based singer/songwriter and professor Chris Haddox, whose self-titled release was produced by Mountain Stage Band leader Ron Sowell.

Join us for the entire episode of Mountain Stage starting Friday, April 15 on these NPR Music stations.

Plan a trip to be a part of our live audience by visiting the Live Show Schedule and pick up tickets via Eventbrite.

Lido Pimienta performing on Mountain Stage. This episode hits airwaves starting Friday, April 15. Credit: Chris Morris/Mountain Stage
Italian guitarist, singer and songwriter Beppe Gambetta performs on Mountain Stage this week. Credit: Chris Morris/Mountain Stage
Morgantown-based singer and songwriter and professor Chris Haddox performs songs from his debut album on this week’s episode of Mountain Stage, starting April 15. Credit: Chris Morris/Mountain Stage
Songwriter Philip B. Price, who writes and sings for the alt-pop band Winterpills, returns to Mountain Stage on this week’s episode, starting April 15. Credit: Chris Morris/Mountain Stage
Janis Ian finishes her set while host Kathy Mattea applauds the folk icon. Credit: Chris Morris/Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage Acts Nominated for 2016 Grammy Awards

The 2016 Grammy 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 performances on Mountain Stage.

Congratulations to the performers who performed this past year on the show, including Chris Stapleton (for Album of the Year, Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Song and Best Country Album), Lee Ann Womack (Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Song), The Fairfield Four (Best Roots Gospel Album), The Milk Carton Kids (Best American Roots Performance), The Mavericks (Best American Roots Song, Best Americana Album), The Steeldrivers (Best Bluegrass Album) and Rhiannon Giddens (Best Folk Album).

Another shout-out to Mountain Stage alumni who have racked up 2016 Grammy nominations, including Little Big Town and Lori McKenna, Bill Frisell, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Keith Urban, Wilco, Dierks Bentley, Joey & RoryAshley Monroe, Hayes Carll, Joshua Redman, John Scorfield, Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Buddy Guy, Punch Brothers, Mavis Staples, Cory Chisel, Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Dale Ann Bradley, Rob IckesDoyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Ralph Stanley & Friends, Shemekia Copeland, Buddy Guy, Bettye LaVette, Norman Blake, Patty Griffin, Angelique Kidjo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Janis Ian, Michael CerverisAsleep at the Wheel and Blake Mills.

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’ Grammys.

Good luck to all the nominees! And if you haven’t already, go out and see some live music wherever you are just as soon as you can.

Exit mobile version