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Mountain Stage returns to Morgantown in January

mountain stage

“Mountain Stage” will return to the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center Jan. 16, 2022, with its new host Grammy-Award winner and West Virginia native Kathy Mattea. Tickets will go on sale Monday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 304-293-SHOW (7469) and 800-745-3000.

For nearly 40 years, “Mountain Stage” has stood as one of the most beloved and enduring programs in public radio history, broadcasting thousands of raw, unforgettable performances by rising stars and veteran legends alike from the series’ humble home in Charleston, West Virginia.

“From the start, we wanted to make a show where the music could speak for itself,” says co-founder, artistic director and longtime host Larry Groce. “We didn’t want to chase trends or build a cult of personality; we just wanted to showcase the kind of art that deserved to be heard.”

Groce launched “Mountain Stage” as a regional production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting in 1983 alongside executive producer Andy Ridenour and chief engineer Francis Fisher. Bookings on the two-hour, Sunday afternoon program were eclectic, to say the least, with each episode showcasing a handful of artists across a broad range of styles and genres. Audiences responded favorably to the unique mix of down-home talent and household names and the show quickly gained National Public Radio distribution and a national audience.

Groce stepped away from hosting duties earlier this year, handing the microphone to Mattea.

“If someone was going to invent a job that combined all of my passions and all of my skills, this would be it,” Mattea reflects. “It’s just the perfect fit in every way. There’s something quintessentially West Virginia about ‘Mountain Stage.’ It’s a culture steeped in humility and generosity, which makes for a groundedness, for a sense of continuity and community that I think artists are really drawn to.”

“Mountain Stage” has been a staple in Morgantown since 2004. It became a regular event in the University Arts Series in 2015 and quickly became a favorite among season subscribers.

“Mountain Stage” is produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. The live radio show is taped for air and heard on nearly 200 radio stations nationwide and globally via NPR Music. 

Tickets start at $27 for the general public. WVU Students may purchase tickets for only $10. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 304-293-SHOW (7469) and 800-745-3000. WVU Student discounted tickets are limited to one per valid WVU Student ID or offer code. Discounted rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling 304-293-8221.

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