Bristol May Become Annual Venue For Mountain Stage

On the Web:
http://www.mountainstage.org
http://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Discussions are under way to regularly bring the nationally distributed “Mountain Stage” radio program to the Twin City.

Both producers of “Mountain Stage” and representatives of the Bristol-based Birthplace of Country Music Alliance said on Thursday they’ve discussed formally extending and expanding their three-year relationship.

“Mountain Stage,” which is produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, recorded two radio shows and a TV show here in 2006 and a radio program last year.

The comments came during a news conference held to announce the Aug. 17 taping of Carlene Carter and others at the Paramount Center for the Arts.

“It’s up to the folks here,” said Andy Ridenour, “Mountain Stage” executive producer. “We have talked about making this an annual event – or even bringing two shows a year here – if the opportunity presents itself.”

Fred McClellan, president of the BCMA board of directors, said the organization is working in that direction.

“It all depends on securing the sponsorship,” McClellan said. “We really like this relationship and feel like it just further validates the significance of Bristol’s role in music.”

The 2006 “Mountain Stage” Bristol shows received grant funding from the Virginia Department of Tourism and The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Private firms paid for last year’s show.

Alpha Natural Resources and First Bank & Trust are underwriting the upcoming production.

Bristol, which sports the congressional designation as the birthplace of commercial country music for a series of 1927 recordings, offers a “rich culture and history” that fits well with the program, Ridenour said.

The Paramount provides an ideal venue for the program, host Larry Groce said.

“This is a great place for us to come. We love it here,” Groce said. “This room sounds great. They really got it right when they redid this building. It feels like a second home in many ways.”

The show, which is heard on more than 100 public radio stations and satellite radio, is produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. It is now distributed by National Public Radio and is switching from XM to Sirius Satellite Radio, Ridenour said.

“Mountain Stage” attracts an estimated 450,000 radio listeners to its weekly broadcasts. It is heard locally on 89.5 WETS-FM, the public radio station operated by East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.

“It’s wonderful that our listeners are able to see a production of a show they listen to every week,” said Wayne Winkler, director of WETS.

The two-hour show airs at 8 p.m. each Saturday, following “Prairie Home Companion.”

“The comments I’ve gotten from past ‘Mountain Stage’ shows is people are fascinated with the production and how it is so much like the finished product,” Winkler said. “It’s very, very close to what they saw in the theater that night.”

Carter, this year’s headliner, will make her second appearance on “Mountain Stage,” Groce said. In addition to a successful career in pop and country music, she is the daughter of June Carter Cash and the granddaughter of Carter Family founding member Maybelle Carter.

“When she was on, she told great stories about traveling with Mother Maybelle. Hopefully, she’ll do that again,” Groce said. “She’s had some rough roads in the last 15 years, but she has a new record out and is going full speed.”

Tickets, which range from $25 to $50, are now being sold. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit BCMA.

| (276) 645-2532