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A Big Band Comes To A Small Town: R.E.M. on Mountain Stage at 25

When R.E.M. appeared on NPR‘s Mountain Stage on April 28, 1991, they were one of the biggest bands in the world. Though when they released Out of Time, in March of that year, they decided against touring behind it, opting for media appearances instead. One of these appearances was Mountain Stage.

25 years later, that spring weekend has become legendary in Charleston, West Virginia, when a big band visited a small town.

Their Mountain Stage set is being commercially released for the first time as part of an expansive reissue of the band’s critically acclaimed album Out of Time. The Mountain Stage recording will make up the third disc of the four-disc Deluxe Edition.

To mark the occasion for ourselves, we’ve compiled stories of the weekend into “A Big Band Comes To A Small Town: R.E.M. on Mountain Stage at 25.” We’ll hear from Mountain Stage founders Larry Groce and Andy Ridenour, music journalist Annie Zaleski (who wrote the liner notes for the Out of Time reissue, who explains why the band didn’t tour), and of course, members of the Mountain Stage audience that night in 1991.

R.E.M. 25th Anniversary: We Want Your Stories!

For those who experienced it, Mountain Stage on April 28, 1991 was an unforgettable one to say the least. That day R.E.M., unquestionably one of the most…

For those who experienced it, Mountain Stage on April 28, 1991 was an unforgettable one to say the least. That day R.E.M., unquestionably one of the most popular bands at that time, emerged from a brief touring hiatus to perform on Mountain Stage in Charleston, WV.

It’s the stuff of legend. Nearly everyone we come across has some sort of memory from that night.

Of course our host Larry Groce and co-founders Andy Ridenour and Francis Fisher were there and most of our band and some of the crew still work for the show. But we want to hear from our audience- YOU folks who listened on radio or attended the show at the Capitol Plaza Theater.

Were ticket holders serenaded while waiting in line? What were the $20 tickets going for on the black market? Were members of R.E.M. spotted at Watt Powell Park?

In recognition of the 25th anniversary of that show, we’re asking for your perspective. Fill out the form, be as honest as your memory allows, and we may contact you to tell your story for use on air or online. Know someone that was there? Send them this survey.&amp;amp;amp;lt;a data-cke-saved-href=”https://wvpublic.wufoo.com/forms/w1mb4pnf113pb30/” href=”https://wvpublic.wufoo.com/forms/w1mb4pnf113pb30/”&amp;amp;amp;gt;Fill out my Wufoo form!&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Listen to Dr. John on Mountain Stage

UPDATED June 7, 2019 with a quote from Mountain Stage host Larry Groce.

"The words icon and legend are thrown around so carelessly today that they have become the subjects of jokes. This is sad because we really need them now. There are almost no musicians, singers or songwriters who have the singular talent and universal respect that Mac Rebennack had. He put together several traditions to make musical magic that is timeless and recognized as such by those in all genres. I’m just grateful we got to know Dr. John and hear him for a moment on the Mountain Stage. None of us will ever forget him." -Larry Groce, Mountain Stage host and artistic director.