Robben Ford, Vintage Trouble, Steve Forbert and Milo Greene will grace the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center March 17 as part of West Virginia Public Radio’s Mountain Stage with Larry Groce. Showtime is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling 304-293-SHOW or 800-745-3000.

Named one of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century by Musician magazine, five-time Grammy nominee Robben Ford has been immersed in the music world since he was 10. Before he even reached his 20s, Ford’s band The Charles Ford Band appeared with blues hitmakers Charlie Musselwhite and Jimmy Witherspoon. While playing with the jazz fusion band L.A. Express, Ford supported George Harrison on his 1974 American tour and was featured on Joni Mitchell’s hit album “Court and Spark.” Though his collaborations run the gambit between Miles Davis and KISS, Ford’s solo efforts shine through—his work today is still accessible, emotive, and bluesy as ever. His albums “Truth, “Handful of Blues,” “Blue Moon” and “Soul On Ten” have each reached the Top 5 in the Billboard Blues albums charts. In 2010, Robben collaborated with friends to form Renegade Creation, releasing their second album “Bullet” in June 2012.

Vintage Trouble is a young band with traditional style. Ty Taylor (vocals) and Nalle Colt (guitar) have teamed up with drummer Richard Danielson and bassist Rick Barrio Dill to deliver a sound that evokes the jukebox sounds of days gone by with a style that’s just as modern as it is retro. Since forming in 2010, the group has exploded onto the international scene, serving as support for Bon Jovi throughout his tour in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany. In 2012, the group took up residencies at both The Cosmopolitan and Hard Rock Hotels in Las Vegas, kicking off an impressive year which saw them perform in the Final Four basketball tournament and open for The Who’s North American tour. The group recently performed with Booker T. Jones on “Conan.”

Steve Forbert’s intelligent folk-infused rock has matured since his 1978 debut. His most recent release “Over With You” is being described by American Songwriter as “lovely, melancholy, lyrically moving and beautifully performed.” Forbert’s album “Jackrabbit Slim” met with comparisons to the legendary Bob Dylan, though Forbert humbly shakes these off. The song “Romeo’s Tune” from “Jackrabbit Slim” hit No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. In 2012, Forbert released “Sandy,” a music video designed to raise awareness about the hurricane.

Milo Greene isn’t one person – it’s a folk-pop collective that doesn’t settle on assigned roles for each of its members. Though lyrics are often provided by Marlana Sheetz, the five-member group also features a wide array of vocals and instruments from fellow members Robbie Arnett, Andrew Heringer, Graham Fink and Curtis Marrero. Their sound has been described as “velvety layered vocal harmonies” by London newspaper The Independent, coupled with “chiming electric guitars, strummed acoustics and tinkled ivories.” The group released its self-titled debut in 2012, featuring “1957,” “Don’t Give Up On Me” and “What’s The Matter?”

Showtime is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $23 on the day of show. Tickets can be purchased at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling 304-293-SHOW and 800-745-3000.

This event is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For additional event information, call 304-293-SHOW, or visit events.wvu.edu. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wvuevents and follow us on Twitter at @wvuevents for the most up-to-date show information.

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CONTACT: David Ryan, WVU Arts & Entertainment
304-293-8222, David.Ryan@mail.wvu.edu

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