For 28 years, Mountain Stage has provided listeners with live music from a variety of genres, including alternative, rock and pop. On Sunday, the show will make its return to Athens.
“We’re always happy to come to Athens,” said Larry Groce, the show’s host and one of its creators. “It’s a great music community, a very knowledgeable music community, and we always look forward to coming.”
Mountain Stage last came to Athens in 2009, although Groce said the show has come multiple times during the past six to eight years because of its association with WOUB Public Media and past shows’ high turnout. Sunday’s show seems to be no exception: Andrew Holzaepfel, associate director of the Ohio University Campus Involvement Center, said ticket sales already have covered the $7,700 cost of bringing the show to Athens.
Recorded in front of a live audience and broadcast on NPR stations and affiliates, Mountain Stage is a two-hour public-radio show that brings musicians from all walks of life to play a short live set. Though fans might wish for longer sets from their favorite artists, Groce said he believes the show’s format is actually a good thing.
“You hear the best of these artists because they know they’ll only get a few songs to play,” Groce said. “You get the very best of what each of these artists have done — and you get it live.”
Sunday’s show will feature performances by The Jayhawks, Hot Tuna, Ha Ha Tonka, John Doyle and Karan Casey, and Athens’ own Southeast Engine, a lineup Groce said he’s excited about.
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