West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Stage with Larry Groce returns to the WVU Creative Arts Center on Sunday, March 6 at 7 p.m. Scheduled to appear are Todd Snider, Railroad Earth, Great American Taxi, Corey Smith and Sean Rowe. Tickets are on sale now at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 304-293-SHOW.

Todd Snider has been composing frank, accessible lyrics to his catchy Americana-folk tunes since debuting in 1994 with his album Songs for the Daily Planet. This first album featured his singles “Talkin’ Seattle Grunge Rock Blues” and “Alright Guy.” Time has seen Snider go “from a wisecracking country-ish journeyman to the sharpest and funniest protest singer working today,” according to Blender magazine. Snider’s 2006 release The Devil You Know landed him appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman, as well as attention from Spin, Blender and Rolling Stone magazines. Concerning his celebrated studio release The Excitement Plan, Snider says “I wanted every song to be ? personal and universal at the same time,” a goal that his wistful melodies accomplish well. Snider has also recently put out a 2-disc live album titled The Storyteller, a witty excursion through his energetic live performances.

Railroad Earth, originally intended to be no more than a jam session between the original members, the band took off in record speed. Within a month of rehearsal, this imaginative collection of acoustic rockers had landed themselves a manager and a spot at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Since its formation in 2001, Railroad Earth has taken the jam scene by storm, amassing fans and appreciation as they churn out roots-inspired progressive bluegrass. With tunes reminiscent of The Bridge and The Grateful Dead, it should come as no surprise that their jam breakdowns have been approved by Phil Lesh himself. Despite the band’s blending of genres, Railroad Earth has become a mainstay for any roots, Americana or folk festivals. In 2010, the band put out a self-titled album that has remained just as popular among fans as their previous releases.

Great American Taxi, revered as one of the most energetic country-, rock- and bluegrass-influenced Americana bands in the land, boasts a swinging concoction of swampy blues, funky New Orleans strut, Southern boogie and good ol’ fashioned rock and roll. Fronted by former WVU student Vince Herman, the band is one of the best-known headliners on the jam-band circuit, frequenting major festivals across the nation. A founding member and vocalist for Leftover Salmon, Herman formed Great American Taxi in 2005, which quickly drew comparisons to root rockers like Wilco and The Grateful Dead. The band’s new record, Reckless Habits, stretches the boundaries of American roots music with a nod to both tradition and the future.

Corey Smith, always a simple songwriter with no more than a desire to make his friends smile with some well-chosen lyrics and enchanting melodies, has come a long way from covering Lynyrd Skynrd in college bars. With his gift for attaching sentimental yet unpretentious lyricism to the hip-swaying rhythms of country/blues, Smith has dug his heels into the country scene and is standing fast as one of modern country’s hottest young artists. His most recent album Keeping Up With the Joneses, continues with his practice of combining cheeky lyrics with fetching tunes, an intermingling that springs to life during his animated live shows.

Expressed through deep, melancholy vocals reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison, Sean Rowe’s visceral lyrics delve deep into his own mind and cast a line out to the listener. His most recent album Magic has earned praise from critics who heralded him as “real and intimate” and “the kind of voice that stops you in your tracks.” Though he is a newcomer to the folk scene, Rowe’s alluring voice and purely poetic lyrics are sure to make him a mainstay.

General admission tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show and may be purchased at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 304-293-SHOW or 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Giant Eagle on Greenbag Road.

This event is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For more event information, please call 304-293-SHOW, or visit us online at events.wvu.edu

-WVU-

rg/02/14/11

CONTACT: Ali Daly, Arts & Entertainment
304-293-8222; Alison.Daly@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.