Us & Them Encore: Daniel Johnston — The Troubled Life And Artistic Genius Of West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame Inductee

Daniel Johnston recorded songs in his parents' basement in rural West Virginia that would eventually inspire artists such as Kurt Cobain, Beck, Wilco, and Sonic Youth. In this award-winning episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores the life, art, and enduring legacy of the late singer-songwriter and visual artist whose creative genius and struggles with bipolar disorder made him one of America's most influential outsider artists.

Take Me to More News

Home » NPR Music

NPR Music

Arts & Culture Mallory Richards, About 8 hours ago

LISTEN: Rhonda Vincent Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

On this week’s encore broadcast of Mountain St...

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Arts & Culture Mallory Richards, Jun. 04, 2026

LISTEN: Ray Benson Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

Our Song of the Week comes from Ray Benson. During his tenth visit to the show, he performed "Faded Love," a Bob Wills tune often covered by Benson's longtime band, Asleep at the Wheel, who have been creating music together for over 50 years.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Arts & Culture Mallory Richards, May. 28, 2026

LISTEN: Joan Shelley Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

On this week's premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, guest host David Mayfield welcomes Chris Smither, Joan Shelley, Yarn, Calvin Arsenia, and HuDost.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Arts & Culture Mallory Richards, May. 21, 2026

LISTEN: John Doyle & Michael McGoldrick Have The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

Our Song of the Week is “The False Lady,” performed by Dublin-born singer-songwriter and guitarist John Doyle and Manchester-born flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes maestro Michael McGoldrick.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Recent Stories

Arts & Culture Mallory Richards, May. 14, 2026

LISTEN: Judith Owen Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

On this week's broadcast of Mountain Stage, host Kathy Mattea looks back on some of her favorite archival sets from 2006 featuring The Derek Trucks Band, Bettye LaVette, Soulive (featuring Reggie Watts), Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, and more.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Arts & Culture Mallory Richards, May. 07, 2026

LISTEN: Duane Betts & The Palmetto Motel Has The Song Of The Week

On this week's premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, guest host David Mayfield welcomes Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, John Pizzarelli, Peter Case, Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore, and Jedd Hughes.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Load More Articles