On this West Virginia Morning, a company called Omnis Technologies has stepped forward as a potential buyer of the Pleasants Power Station, which is currently not producing any electricity. Curtis Tate speaks with Sean O’Leary, senior researcher on energy and petrochemicals at the Ohio River Valley Institute, about the proposal.
On this West Virginia Morning, a company called Omnis Technologies has stepped forward as a potential buyer of the Pleasants Power Station, which is currently not producing any electricity. The company proposes to fuel the plant with hydrogen. Curtis Tate speaks with Sean O’Leary, senior researcher on energy and petrochemicals at the Ohio River Valley Institute, about the proposal, which he said leaves more questions than answers.
Also, in this show, a longtime legislator and state Supreme Court Chief Justice has died. Randy Yohe reports on the democratic stalwart’s life and legacy.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Texas music legend Robert Earl Keen, who joined us on his final tour in July 2022. We listen to Keen’s performance of “I’m Coming Home.”
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 Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Eric Douglas, Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Liz McCormick, Emily Rice. Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
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
Winter is coming. Jack Frost is nigh. Santa Clause is coming to town. Whatever way you say it, it’s cold outside, so stay inside, curl up next to the fire and listen to some heart- and ear-warming tunes on “Mountain Stage After Midnight.” 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 for some good tunes and great times this Saturday November 15 and Sunday November 16 on “Mountain Stage After Midnight.”
First up is a January 2013 show at West Virginia University, and it features the musical talents of eclectic bluegrass-ers Black Prairie (who are returning to Mountain Stage next month), Old 97’s frontman and alt-country performer Rhett Miller, soulful country singer Shelby Lynne and legendary roots-rock artist Robert Earl Keen.
Credit Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
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Asleep at the Wheel during their 2013 Mountain Stage set.
Next is March 2013 show, recorded at the birthplace of country music (Bristol, Tennessee), featuring tunes from singer-songwriter Kate Campbell, old-time string band The Down Hill Strugglers, Irish acoustic group Lunasa, alt-bluegrass ensemble Larry Keel & Natural Bridge and Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.
Need more Mountain Stage in your life? There’s a website for that. You can also catch up with the show on its Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram. And if you’re in the mood for more great jams, make sure to subscribe to The Mountain Stage Podcast to hear why Mountain Stage remains the home of live music on public radio.
Mountain Stage’s 30th anniversary season was certainly one for the books. While some might think this year’s stellar roster of artists is extraordinary in some sense, the truth of the matter is that the impressive list of musicians that Larry Groce and the Mountain Stage crew put together sticks pretty closely to what the show has been targeting since its inception.
For their big 3-0, Mountain Stage stuck with their tried and true for formula of mixing world renowned talent with emerging artists for a year’s worth of music that spans the gamut–rock, country, indie, blues, and then some–virtually everything found its way on Mountain Stage.
Keen is one of those great songwriters in that, if it weren’t for the increasingly saturated nature of music in the 21st century, every one would own one (or all) of his records. His style undoubtedly pulls from his Texas roots and mixes While Keen’s was featured on the show as early as 1989, his music remains so relevant I can’t think of a better choice for a headliner to kick off the show’s 30 season.
Kathy Mattea – “Coal Tattoo”
Kathy Mattea is such an incredibly warm and friendly person that Mountain Stage web coordinator Josh Saul and I refer to her in casual conversation as “Aunt Kathy”. (Aunt Kathy–if you’re out there reading this and are bothered by it, please let us know and we will stop.)
Returning to Mountain Stage for their 30th season, Mattea performed a set highlighted by her latest record Calling Me Home. It was her captivating rendition of Billy Edd Wheeler’s “Coal Tattoo” that made the cut for the documentary.
KathyMattea_CoalTattoo.mp3
Kathy Mattea – "Coal Tattoo"
Jason Isbell – “Flying Over Water”
Alabaman Jason Isbell first made a name for himself as a guitarist and songwriter for Drive-By Truckers in the early 2000s. Since then, his solo career has skyrocketed, particularly with the release of his latest album, Southeastern.
As Isbell told me for the documentary, playing Mountain Stage affords him the opportunity to “preach to somebody besides the choir.”
JasonIsbell_FlyingOverWater.mp3
Jason Isbell – "Flying Over Water"
Ben Sollee – “Whole Lot to Give”
“There’s not a path through the woods of the music industry for a signing cellist. That’s very, very true,” Sollee told me when I interviewed him for the documentary.
“But, when I come on Mountain Stage I feel like there is an opportunity to connect with a community that is very accepting, that has an open mind as to what music can be.”
Simply put: he nailed it with those words. It’s almost as if artists like Sollee and Mountain Stage have figured out how to feed off of one another but keep a unique identity.
If you’ve never heard Mr. Sollee, do yourself a favor and start here. But I’ll warn you: his potential and musical ability cannot be limited to just this. Dig deeper. You can thank me later.
BenSollee_WholeLotToGive.mp3
Ben Sollee – "Whole Lot to Give"
Dawes – “Most People”
Ask Larry Groce what he thinks about the L.A.-based rock band Dawes and he’s likely to begin by mentioning the song “A Little Bit of Everything”. While that song comes from the group’s sophomore record Nothing is Wrong, they have maintained their ability to craft timeless rock-drive song like the song “Most People” from their latest release, Stories Don’t End.
Americana stalwart Robert Earl Keen kicked off the 30th season of Mountain Stage last year with his song “Who Do Man.” This also marked Keen’s tenth appearance on the show.
Americana stalwart Robert Earl Keen kicked off the 30th season of Mountain Stage last year with his song “Who Do Man.” This also marked Keen’s tenth appearance on the show.
