Kathy Mattea becomes the permanent host of Mountain Stage

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CHARLESTON, W. Va. – A West Virginia treasure is in transition. Mountain Stage, produced in West Virginia for distribution around the world for 38 years, will soon have a new name as a host. Longtime host and creator Larry Groce will step down and the new host will be a familiar figure, Kathy Mattea.

“She is a world famous singer and we were surprised that she wanted to do it. But just like it’s a time in my life to retire, I think it might be a time in his life to try something new, ”Groce told MetroNews.

Mattea is from Cross Lanes and is a Grammy Award-winning entertainer. She has been a performer on the show and has also hosted in recent years.

Longtime host Larry Groce will be stepping away from hosting duties but will remain as art director and other behind-the-scenes duties. He was the only host in the show’s 38-year history.

The program was created in 1981 by Groce and two co-creators Andy Ridenour and Francis Fisher. The pilot was made in 1981 and the first regular broadcast began in 1983. Groce has hosted almost all of the shows which are recorded live at the State Culture Center in Charleston on Sunday evenings and are distributed by National Public Radio a month later. .

Mountain Stage is broadcast on nearly 300 public radio stations across the country. Each two-hour episode of Mountain Stage is recorded in front of an audience and features a variety of musical styles, in genres ranging from traditional roots, folk, blues and country, to indie rock, alternative, synth pop, world music and more. of the. Some of their most iconic guests over the years have included John Prine, Odetta, Wilco, REM, Angélique Kidjo, Phish, Mavis Staples, Allen Toussaint, Alison Krauss, Townes Van Zandt, Patti Smith, Allen Ginsberg, Miriam Makeba, Dr John, Buddy Guy and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Groce said the idea was loosely based on musical institutions like the Grand Ole Opry or the Wheeling Jamboree, but there were also differences.

“Our musical palette was much broader than that, but it was the idea of ​​making music in front of a live audience with multiple artists at each show, but also giving everyone enough time to do more than one. or two songs, ”Groce said. .

The show started off as a West Virginia preoccupation, but Groce dreamed big from the start.

“We started small in West Virginia, early on I told the guys I’d like to try for a national show. They were happy with a statewide show, but I said let’s at least try. Plus, no one could predict that it would continue that long later, ”he said.

Groce will step down as the show’s host, but he won’t be leaving. He will remain on board as artistic director and will remain involved behind the scenes. He added that he could still host occasionally as well, but said he plans to have a lot more free time in the future.



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