In a sensational folk and blues music line-up Radford University College of Visual and Performing Arts hosts John Gorka, The Weather Station, Scott Miller, Shawn Camp, and Dori Freeman at 7:30 p.m. Apr 8 at Radford University College of Visual and Performing Arts.
The event brings Mountain Stage with Larry Groce to campus to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Public Radio WVRU as well as the 35th anniversary of the Mountain Stage, a two-hour radio show that showcases world-renown performers and a philosophy that all music is related.
Tying the university and the radio show even more tightly together, The Mountain Stage radio show is now produced by RU alumnus Adam Harris, who graduated in 2005 with a music business concentration and minor in media studies.
“WVRU was one of the best learning experiences I had because, not only did I discover a ton of different music, I also discovered how many elements go into broadcasting besides the creative side,” Harris said.
“WVRU gave student DJs like me the freedom to experiment with things like having bands in the studio to perform, recording and producing interviews for air, and producing promo/spots,” he said.
Ashley Claud, general manager of the university’s public radio station, remembers Harris as passionate about public radio working as an intern at the station.
“Our radio station employs students and award scholarships. Adam Harris was a remarkable intern,” she said. “He loves music and is passionate about public radio and working at Radford University,” she said.
“We’re just so proud,” she said. He just really took to public radio. We’re glad, Mountain Stage sees the spark we saw in him” she said.
This is the first time Mountain Stage is coming to Radford University and the line-up of musicians is star studded.
The group includes iconic contemporary American folk musician John Gorka and Grammy-award winner song-writer Shawn Camp, Toronto-based folk rocker Tamara Lindeman’s The Weather Station who has been called the Canadian Joni Mitchell, Ladies Auxiliary that crafts songs from “everything from Greek mythology to Appalachian lore”, and local singer and songwriter Dori Freeman.
“Her music blurs the finer lines of Americana and shines new light on the legacy of traditional music” Harris said of the Galax musician.
Mountain Stage has been invited to Radford University with support from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Appalachian Events Committee, RU Broadcast Club, RU Music Business Student Association and Public Radio WVRU who airs Mountain Stage at 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Tickets available online at radfordactivities.universitytickets.com or by calling 540-831-5420 during business hours. Tickets will be available at the door in Preston Hall’s Bondurant Auditorium on Sunday evening Children’s tickets are $7.50
And free with an RU student ID.
