Mountain Stage Song of the Week

Morgantown, West Virginia native Charles Wesley Godwin's  song "Coal Country" reminds us that the commodity's impact reaches far beyond Appalachia, broadening the definition of what many think of as "Coal Country."

Our Song of the Week is from pop-songsmith Matt Nathanson, who expertly combines the heartfelt and the humorous, in his song "Bill Murray."

This week's Song of the Week is by Americana trio The Lone Bellow.

On this West Virginia Morning, we’ll hear about the foster care system, and kinship parents – often grandparents – who are raising their children’s kids.

Award-winning bluegrass group Balsam Range made their first appearance on Mountain Stage last March with songs from their newly released album Aeonic.

On this West Virginia Morning, we talk with psychologist Carol Dweck on building resilience in ourselves and our neighbors. She compares the tradition of barn raising to emotional support we can offer each other, to not lose hope. We also take a look at the newly created West Virginia Narcotics Intelligence Unit and we bring you this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.

This week singer-songwriter Mark Cline Bates makes his second appearance on Mountain Stage with songs from 2019 release, King Of The Crows. In our Song of the Week, "Ginger," Bates weaves a heart-wrenching tale about aging, reflection, regret and loss.

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s Mountaineer heritage hunting season begins this week, two weeks after most hunting seasons have closed. It’s the second year since its conception. And, most notably, it’s limited to primitive weapons -- like recurve bows and flintlock muzzleloader rifles. 

It’s meant to memorialize the state’s settlers, using similar hunting techniques and weapons. 

Our folklife reporter, Caitlin Tan, spent time with hunters who still make the vintage rifles.

Fayetteville, West Virginia's Andrew Adkins is renowned for his honest and heartfelt songwriting. His  fourth solo album, "Who I Am," was produced by Mountain Stage band leader Ron Sowell.

On this West Virginia Morning, we explore the concept of the West Virginia mountaineer. We’ll learn why the term isn’t just a sports mascot. We also bring you this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.

North Carolina's Mandolin Orange have been guests on Mountain Stage four times since 2013. Their latest album, Tides of a Teardrop, was released shortly after their most recent appearance, and it landed at the top of four different Billboard Music Charts. 

We revisit our Anniversary show from 2018 this week with Amy Ray Band, Crash Test Dummies and more.

Asheville, N.C. based roots-pop group River Whyless make their second appearance on Mountain Stage during this week's broadcast.

On this West Virginia Morning, we’ll hear about one of the world’s earliest energy drinks that was manufactured right here in Appalachia. We also bring you this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.

Ohio based duo Cave Twins, featuring David Mayfield on mandolin and Abby Rose on guitar, sing beautiful harmony on a heart felt dose of encouragment for our Song of the Week, "Keep on Singing."

Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter Larry Campbell and singer-guitarist Teresa Williams are making their own music, together, after being a part of the band for Levon Helm- and frequently guesting with heavyweights like Phil Lesh, Little Feat, and Hot Tuna's Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady.

Our Song of the Week comes to us from two flat-picking champions, Tyler Grant and Robin Kessinger.

Iconic musician, songwriter and producer Nick Lowe returned to Mountain Stage flanked by surf-rock legends Los Straitjackets to perform a set of songs from their latest EP “Love Starvation/Trombone.”

On this West Virginia Morning, Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster, Civil War ghosts — for those who enjoy getting a bit spooked, West Virginia is one of the best places to find a Halloween-themed adventure. This weekend’s episode of Inside Appalachia features stories about spooky legends and ghost tales.

We sent one reporter -- a self-proclaimed scaredy cat -- to a Halloween-themed event “light” on the scares, but heavy on the spooky creatures. Brittany Patterson reports from the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in north-central West Virginia.

Renowned singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin is marking the 30th anniversary of her landmark album "Steady On" with acoustic treatments of the songs.

Songwriter's Hall of Fame member and twice-grammy nominated artist Beth Nielsen Chapman performs on this week's episode of Mountain Stage with guest-host Kathy Mattea.

With unmatched musicianship and a good dose of humor, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn are featured on this week's episode of Mountain Stage with Larry Groce.
 

Percussive dance blends with old-time instruments for a fresh take on traditional music by the trio called T-Mart Rounders, who have our Song of the Week.

Renowned singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli brings his trio to Mountain Stage this week.

Our Song of the Week comes from the Hardcore Troubadour himself, Steve Earle.

On this West Virginia Morning, more than 200 mines are idled or not producing coal across central Appalachia. About half of them have been that way for three or more years, avoiding regulatory requirements for mine cleanup.

The Ohio Valley ReSource partnered with the Center for Public Integrity to learn more about how mine operators capitalize on this regulatory loophole.

In the second of two reports, energy and environment reporter Brittany Patterson introduces us to a resident who lives below a coal mine that has been idled for years.

Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale are the singers, songwriters and guitarists that comprise the modern folk duo The Milk Carton Kids.

On this West Virginia Morning, a few counties throughout the state are implementing a new kind of court for families dealing with abuse and neglect cases. We also bring you a preview of this week’s episode of Inside Appalachia on waterways and this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.

Bit Logic is the latest album from road-tested, blue-collar rockers Bottle Rockets, who have been visiting Mountain Stage since 1995.