Mountain Stage
Morning rain found us on the highway to Charleston, West Virginia, for the recording of Mountain Stage episode #1,073, which airs on radio stations beginning March 27. The staff welcomed us warmly, and we felt practically spoiled: “Here, let me carry that for you…I’ll show you around and introduce you to everybody…Sure, we’ll take care of that…Help yourselves to the fancy buffet…You can check in at the hotel later.”
Everyone on the team was a delight to work with, answering our questions patiently, and just being available and positive. What fun to meet the other performers (Solas, Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius, the Amanda Cook Band, Darrin Hacquard, McKenna Hope, the Mountain Stage Band, and guest host David Mayfield) and applaud their performances from back stage, receive their congratulations as we finished our set, and join them all under the lights for a final song.
“The entire lineup delivered an entertaining and memorable show,” audience member Rita Pauley posted. “One of my favorite moments was the heartfelt ballad ‘For a While’ by Clymer & Kurtz — tears were falling down my face. Such a powerful performance.” Later she commented to us, “Your songs resonate with the audience. Very impactful. No dry eyes.”
At the after-show jam in a bar just down the street, Mountain Stage founder Larry Groce came up to us and said he loves including new artists like us on the show: “I’m thinking, ‘Damn, that’s great! Now how did they write a song like that?’” He told us about his current project One Vote! The Musical, and then sang a couple songs with the Carpenter Ants.
This weekend will live long in our memories with gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such a fine music series.
