Across the nation, more than 390,000 children rely on foster care. However, a shortage of licensed foster homes is creating a national crisis. While official foster care cases are carefully tracked, many informal examples of kinship care aren’t part of the data. For this Us & Them episode, we hear the experiences of those who’ve been part of the foster care system.
Listen: John Ellison Has Our Mountain Stage Song of the Week
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Our Summer season of encore episodes continues this weekend as host Kathy Mattea welcomes Paul Thorn, Amythyst Kia, Jess Jocoy, Anna Lynch and John Ellison featuring the Carpenter Ants. Tune in starting June 10 on these NPR stations to listen.
Our Song of the Week features native West Virginian John Ellison. A veteran performer whose credits include writing the hit-song “Some Kind Of Wonderful,” originally recorded by his group the Soul Brothers Six. Ellison brings his distinct vocals to the stage accompanied by Charleston, W.Va based R&B/soul group The Carpenter Ants.
Together, Ellison and the Ants perform our Song of the Week, a love song to the state where Ellison was born- “West Virginia State Of Mind.”
John Ellison- West Virginia State Of Mind, live on Mountain Stage
Recorded June 13, 2021 in Charleston, WV for broadcast starting September 17, 2021.
The Carpenter Ants vocalist Charlie T., a beloved member of the West Virginia music community and a member of the Ants for 35 years, sadly passed away in December of 2021. The Carpenter Ants also include Michael Lipton on guitar, Ted Harrison on bass, Jupie Little on vocals, joined by Mountain Stage drummer Ammed Solomon.
1 of 5 — Paul Thorn live on Mountain Stage, 2021
Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
2 of 5 — Amythyst Kiah live on Mountain Stage, 2021
Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
3 of 5 — Jess Jocoy live on Mountain Stage, 2021
Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
4 of 5 — Anna Lynch -2.jpg
Anna Lynch performing on Mountain Stage in 2021.
Tina Fisher/Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
5 of 5 — John Ellison and The Carpenter Ants on Mountain Stage, 2021
Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
You can hear this and a lot of other great songs on this week’s encore episode of Mountain Stage. Check out the playlist here and find a station in your area where you can listen.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter for updates, including our live show announcements.
Across the nation, more than 390,000 children rely on foster care. However, a shortage of licensed foster homes is creating a national crisis. While official foster care cases are carefully tracked, many informal examples of kinship care aren’t part of the data. For this Us & Them episode, we hear the experiences of those who’ve been part of the foster care system.
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