Photo credit: Amos Perrine/Mountain Stage, West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

For over 40 years, West Virginia’s Mountain Stage has showcased diverse musical talent, sharing the community spirit and authenticity of public radio nationwide.

Mountain Stage, produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and distributed by NPR Music, has become a landmark in the world of live music radio. Since it first aired in 1983, the show has become a symbol of public radio’s ability to bring together diverse musical genres and audiences, all from a small stage in Charleston, West Virginia. As the show prepares to celebrate its fifth decade, it continues to exemplify the values of public radio music — community, authenticity, and a dedication to artistic excellence.

Adam Harris, the current Executive Producer of Mountain Stage, speaks to the early days with a mix of awe and admiration. “It started as a statewide broadcast featuring mostly local artists for obvious reasons. They were trying to get it off the ground,” Harris says. The show’s journey from a local broadcast to a nationally syndicated program heard on over 270 stations nationwide wasn’t easy. It’s a telling example of this year’s Public Radio Music Day theme: “Bringing People Together: From Coast to Coast.”

Larry Groce, the co-founder and original host of Mountain Stage (Kathy Mattea took over in 2021), recalls those early days with a sense of wonder. “We had no experience, no budget, and no equipment,” Groce laughs. “But that made us the perfect subject to do a show because we had nothing.” Groce, an established musician when the show began (his “Simple Song” is the show’s theme), understood ways to leverage the team’s love of music into something really special. Despite the odds—and a two year gap between the pilot episode recording and airing — they pushed forward, driven by a shared passion for music and a belief in the power of public radio.

The show’s format featuring a live mix of established and emerging artists from various genres with multiple bands per show was a deliberate choice. From the beginning, Mountain Stage sought to showcase a broad spectrum of musical styles, reflecting the diversity of its audience. “We wanted to include a lot more kinds of music on one live show than anybody had ever done,” Groce explains. Notably, each show ends all with all the bands featured on that day’s show on stage performing a “finale” together, often with little time to practice. This eclectic approach set Mountain Stage apart from other live music programs, making it a unique fixture on public radio.

As the show grew in popularity, its guest artist list grew too, attracting bigger names. Artists like Doc Watson, Guy Clark, and Vassar Clements were among the early national acts to appear on Mountain Stage, helping to solidify its reputation, with major contemporary artists like Wilco, Indigo Girls, and Tyler Childers now playing on the show. But even as the show expanded its reach and drew from artists far and wide, it remained rooted in the values of its West Virginia home. “We’re definitely a national show based in West Virginia,” Harris says. “But the way we produce it is reflective of the West Virginia personality—the Appalachian mentality.”

This connection to its roots and commitment to seeing them grow in the community is part of what has made Mountain Stage so enduring. Another special part of the show is that it’s a performance in front of a live audience every time. Groce recalls how the live audience plays a crucial role in the show’s success. “[Their] reaction is what makes Mountain Stage unique,” he says. The wholly distinct energy of a live performance, combined with the warmth of the audience, creates an experience that can’t be replicated in a studio. “We wanted it to sound live and we wanted it to be spontaneous. You couldn’t lose your attention thinking, ‘Oh, we can take another take.’ No, you can’t take another take. This is it,” says Groce.

Over the years, Mountain Stage has built a loyal following, both among listeners and artists. Musicians have told Harris they see the show as a “bucket list” experience, a testament to its impact on the music world. Harris, who took over as Executive Producer in 2012, reflects on what keeps him motivated after all these years. “I love the diversity of what we get to do,” he says. “You’re always getting to see the audience find out what I already know — this is going to be great.” Both Harris and Groce are especially proud to find new ways to show off the performances, like the recent 40th anniversary compilation album Live on Mountain Stage: Outlaws and Outliers, which was released in partnership with Oh Boy Records.

The show’s longevity and support is a testament to the dedication of its team and the love from the community showing up at each performance. Mountain Stage is more than just a radio program; it’s a cultural institution that has brought people together through the power of music. For Groce, the show’s success is rooted in its authenticity. “We wanted the artists to be the stars,” he says. “We were here to set up a stage for them, and I think that’s what has made Mountain Stage special.” For him, there’s also the privilege and freedom to do it on noncommercial radio. “Without public broadcasting, we could never have a show like this because our main goal is not about making a profit. We’re here to create an audience that appreciates a wide range of music,” he shares. It’s a sentiment Harris sees as a core part of the show’s success. “Public media support has allowed us to take risks and bring in artists that might not have been viable in a purely commercial setting,” Harris says.

As Mountain Stage moves forward, it remains committed to its mission of showcasing diverse musical talent and fostering a sense of community. It’s the kind of passion that drives music across noncommercial stations. “Public radio gives us the opportunity to focus on the quality of the music and the experience we’re providing to listeners. It’s about more than just numbers; it’s about creating something meaningful,” Harris shares. It’s a reminder that, even in a rapidly changing media landscape, the values of public radio—passion, persistence, and a dedication to quality—are more important than ever.