ALERT (03/07/2024): Due to a lightning strike, WVPB TV will be off the air in the Bethany/Wheeling area until new parts arrive. Thank you for your patience.
This week's broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA. On this episode, host Kathy Mattea welcomes GRAMMY-winning Australian rock star Colin Hay, Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn, legendary folk and country artist Ramblin' Jack Elliott, San Francisco rocker Chuck Prophet and his band The Make Out Quartet, and folk duo The Lucky Valentines.
Guy Clark was a big man and he cast a large shadow of influence over country folk music – what’s come to be called Americana. As a songwriter, he combined the two elements that are always present in a good song, real poetry and skilled craftsmanship. He took pride in his craft. Both his songs and the guitars he made attest to his great talent and attention to detail. He had solid commercial success over the years with many singers covering his songs, but he’ll always be most admired for his artistry.
I can immediately think of many phrases from his songs that struck me when I first heard them and stuck with me long afterwards: “Hands all full of watermelon” from “Sis Draper”, “I’m gonna get me some alligator shoes” from “Baton Rouge”, “she’s got a pistol in her purse” from “Dancin Days” – the list is long.
Guy first visited Mountain Stage in 1985 and was perhaps the first truly great songwriter to play the show. I vividly remember him singing “Desperados Waiting for a Train” during that first appearance. I still get a chill just thinking about when he got to the verse that goes:
One day I looked up, and he’s pushing 80 And there’s brown tobacco stains all down his chin To me he’s one of the heroes of this country So why is he all dressed up like them old men? Drinkin’ beer and playing Moon and 42
Maybe it’s because that was a perfect description of my grandfather who took his hard-won pleasures in beer joints and domino halls. Probably it’s because Guy had an uncanny songwriting ability. Many country songs are set in bars, but few have captured the poignancy of that scene like Guy could. His lyrics should be taught in schools.
Guy was a guest on Mountain Stage twelve times, twice touring with Townes Van Zandt. He and Townes and Billy Joe Shaver have set standards in songwriting that inspired and intimidated those who have followed. They’ve especially influenced those from the territory that lies between Austin and Nashville, but their marks have been made on the whole world of songwriters. Now two of them belong to the ages.
A whole lot of fine songwriters stand in the shadow of Guy Clark.
Winners of the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards were announced March 23 at the Awards Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. WVPB brought home five first place awards and seven second place awards in eight different categories.
Amy Ray returns to Mountain Stage on this week’s encore broadcast, along with her band, New York trio The Lone Bellow, progressive banjo player Alison Brown, slide guitar master and banjo champion Tony Furtado, and Nova Scotia folk group Villages. This episode was recorded at the People's Bank Theatre in Marietta, Ohio with guest host Larry Groce.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s News Department has secured 11 nominations in eight categories in the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters annual awards competition. This competition includes the best radio and television stations in both West Virginia and Virginia.
One West Virginia Morning we get an update on the two West Virginia State Troopers injured in a shooting last month and learn about the origins of the folklife books known as Foxfire.