Larry Groce Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

LISTEN: Larry Groce Has The Mountain Stage Song of The Week

This week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage is a special encore episode featuring songs that transport us through all four seasons of the year. You’ll hear live performances by Doc Watson, Bruce Hornsby, Indigo Girls, Molly Tuttle, Taj Mahal, Norah Jones and many more.

“There is a season… turn, turn, turn.”

This week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage is a special encore episode featuring songs that transport us through all four seasons of the year. You’ll hear live performances by Doc Watson, Bruce Hornsby, Indigo Girls, Molly Tuttle, Taj Mahal, Norah Jones and many more.

Our Song of the Week comes from co-founder, artistic director and former host of Mountain Stage, Larry Groce. Groce is joined by the Mountain Stage House Band in this 1991 performance of “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The song was composed by Pete Seeger and popularized by The Byrds, with lyrics borrowed from the Bible’s book of Ecclesiastes — “a time to every purpose under Heaven.” The song sums up the essence of this special episode, and it seems only fitting that our one and only Larry Groce be the voice to do it.

Tune in to this week’s special episode starting Friday, Nov. 29 on these public radio stations. Be sure you’re watching our podcast page for the newest episodes, and sign up for email updates to help plan your trip to be a part of a live show in Charleston, West Virginia and on the road!

LISTEN: Nellie McKay Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

On this week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage, we hear the first of two episodes celebrating our 40th anniversary. This episode was recorded on Dec. 3, 2023 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia with host Kathy Mattea and performances by Joan Osborne, Nellie McKay, Jake Kohn, Todd Burge, David Mayfield, and a special appearance from West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.

To celebrate this landmark year, Mountain Stage recorded not one, but two anniversary shows commemorating four decades as the home of live music on public radio, making it the second longest running nationally distributed performance radio show.

Our Song of the Week comes from singer songwriter Nellie McKay, whose music incorporates many styles infused with her zany and profound interpretations of life.

The Mountain Stage Song of the Week is “Drinking Song” from Nellie’s first album of original material in 13 years, Hey Guys, Watch This. Joining her on the album, and in this special performance, are The Carpenter Ants, West Virginia’s favorite rhythm and blues group which features Mountain Stage Band guitarist Michael Lipton, bassist Ted Harrison, drummer/vocalist Jupie Little and keyboardist/vocalist Mark Bates.

Tune in to an affiliate station near you starting Friday, Nov. 15 for the entire set from Nellie McKay, plus live performances from eight-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne, emerging country singer Jake Kohn, West Virginia’s premier songwriter Todd Burge, bluegrass singer-songwriter David Mayfield, and West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.

Check out the playlist here, and take a look at our list of affiliates to find out when you can tune in.

Record-Keeping And Democracy, Plus Billy Edd Wheeler’s Legacy, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, record-keeping might sound dull, but it’s an important part of maintaining a sense of culture and place. As Chris Schulz reports, a recent visit from a federal record-keeper to West Virginia emphasized the importance of records in maintaining our democracy.

On this West Virginia Morning, record-keeping might sound dull, but it’s an important part of maintaining a sense of culture and place. As Chris Schulz reports, a recent visit from a federal record-keeper to West Virginia emphasized the importance of records in maintaining our democracy.

Plus, West Virginia Music Hall of Famer Billy Edd Wheeler died last month at the age of 91. The Boone County native was a singer, author and a playwright, but was best known for writing songs like “Jackson,” which won a Grammy for Johnny and June Carter Cash, “Coward of the County,” a hit for Kenny Rogers, and “It’s Midnight,” which was recorded by Elvis Presley. There were many others.

Mountain Stage co-creator Larry Groce was a friend and fan of Wheeler’s. Bill Lynch talked to Groce about Wheeler’s legacy and getting to know him.

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 Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

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: Robert Cray Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

This week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage comes from a 2014 Archival Special featuring blues guitarist Robert Cray, gospel titans Blind Boys of Alabama, bluesman John Hammond, and New Orlean’s funk band Dumpstaphunk.

This week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage is an Archive Special from 2014 featuring blues-and soul guitar great Robert Cray, gospel titans Blind Boys of Alabama, bluesman John Hammond, and New Orleans’ funk rockers Dumpstaphunk. This encore broadcast is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Nick Daniels III of Dumpstaphunk, a stalwart musician of the New Orleans scene who passed away in April 2024.

Our Song of the Week is “You Move Me” by Robert Cray, from his 2014 album In My Soul. Joining Cray is keyboardist Dover Wienberg, drummer Les Falconer, and bassist Richard Cousins, whose original tenure with Cray included the landmark albums Strong Persuader and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.

On this episode you’ll also hear an inspiring set from the Blind Boys of Alabama, a career spanning set from acoustic-bluesman John Hammond, and the electrifying funk sounds of Dumpstaphunk, with keyboardist/vocalist Ivan Neville, guitarist Ian Neville, bass/guitar/vocalist Tony Hall, drummer and vocalist Nikki Glaspie, and bassist/vocalist Nick Daniels III.

Check out the playlist here and tune in to an affiliate station near you starting Aug. 30 to hear the full episode.

LISTEN: Drive-By Truckers Have The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

On this week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage, we welcome southern rock royalty, the Drive-By Truckers, back to the show for their fifth appearance. On this encore episode, guest host Larry Groce also welcomes West Virginia country rocker and songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin, singer-songwriter Eilen Jewell, Afrofuturist folk artist Jake Blount with percussive dancer Nic Gareiss, and contemporary folk musician Tomberlin.

On this week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage, we welcome southern rock royalty, the Drive-By Truckers, back to the show for their fifth appearance. On this encore episode, guest host Larry Groce also welcomes West Virginia country rocker and songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin, singer-songwriter Eilen Jewell, Afrofuturist folk artist Jake Blount with percussive dancer Nic Gareiss, and contemporary folk musician Tomberlin.

On this episode, Drive-By Truckers perform songs from their 14th studio album Welcome 2 Club XIII, which was released in 2022. The album looks back on their formative years both realistically and nostalgically, with songs like the title track “Welcome 2 Club XIII,” and others like “The Driver” with bittersweet memories of being on the road thinking about life.

Our Song of the Week is Drive-By Truckers’ performance of “The Ballad of Cecil McCobb.” Patterson Hood wrote this song in memory of their good friend Wes Freed, who created the band’s album and poster art for many years. After months of trying to write this song, Hood had an epiphany saying, “There’s no way to fit him into a song, but by God, I know what he liked.” So, he wrote this song, knowing that he would love it.

Join us starting Friday, June 21 on these NPR stations to hear the Drive-By Truckers and live performances by Charles Wesley Godwin, Eilen Jewell, Jake Blount & Nic Gareiss, and Tomberlin.

Be sure to check out our podcast for the newest episodes and sign up for email updates to help plan your trip to be a part of a live show in West Virginia and on the road.

LISTEN: Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets Have The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

Iconic musician, songwriter and producer Nick Lowe returned to Mountain Stage in 2019 flanked by surf-rock legends Los Straitjackets. Host Larry Groce also welcomed Patty Griffin, Craig Finn & Uptown Controllers and Shook Twins to the stage.

Iconic musician, songwriter and producer Nick Lowe returned to Mountain Stage in 2019 flanked by surf-rock legends Los Straitjackets. Host Larry Groce also welcomed Patty Griffin, Craig Finn & The Uptown Controllers and Shook Twins to the stage.

Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets performed a legendary set, including tunes from their EP Love Starvation/Trombone, and Lowe’s most timeless song, “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding,” which is our Song of the Week.

Lowe was producer on the early works of Elvis Costello, who popularized Lowe’s song “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Here the song is reprised by Lowe and Los Straitjackets as the set-closer of the group’s appearance on this week’s episode of Mountain Stage.

Starting May 31, listeners will also be treated to a set of beautiful songs from Patty Griffin, an amped up performance from alt-rock poet Craig Finn & The Uptown Controllers and the fresh sound of Shook Twins. Find a station that carries Mountain Stage here and be sure to tune in to this ‘can’t miss’ episode. You can also find this archived episode on the Mountain Stage podcast by searching for episode 954.

Be sure to follow along on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for periodic updates and more musical performances.