Friday, August 20th, 2010

Mountain Stage, a two-hour music radio show produced by WV Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio (NPR) and the Voice of America‘s satellite radio service, is coming to West Virginia Wesleyan’s Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, October 31 at 7 p.m. Hosted by American singer, songwriter, and musician Larry Groce, the nationally-acclaimed program will include artists Carrie Rodriguez, the Chapin sisters, and Jimmy Webb.

Carrie Rodriguez, inspired by love and family, is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter/musician. Displayed prominently on her brand new release Love & Circumstance, is an album that includes songs written by her father, and once performed by her great aunt.

Known for pristine harmonies and haunting melodies, Abigail and Lily Chapin have been performing under the name The Chapin Sisters since 2004. They have gained comparisons to sister acts of old and Appalachian family groups, yet their songs and arrangements have a very contemporary aspect, with elements of pop, blues and psychedelic rock. Their first full-length record, Lake Bottom LP was collaboration with their other sister, Jessica Craven. The album was critically acclaimed and was named one of LA Weekly’s Top Ten Records of 2008.

During his forty years of success, the critically acclaimed composer Jimmy Webb is the only artist to ever receive Grammy awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration. He is a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and, according to BMI, his By The Time I Get To Phoenix, has been the third most performed song in the last fifty years, with Up, Up and Away on the same list in the top thirty.

“We are pleased that Mountain Stage is coming to Wesleyan,” said Larry Parsons, vice president of academics at Wesleyan “Mountain Stage is well known nationally for their outstanding acts.  We are very fortunate that they have selected Wesleyan as a venue and this show promises to bring outstanding talent for Wesleyan students and Buckhannon residents to thoroughly enjoy.”

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. August 23 and admission is $30. Please visit http://www.mountainstage.musictoday.com/MountainStageRadio/calendar.aspx or call 800.594.TIXX.