Hotline Feature – Larry Groce: Mountain Stage Lineup, Appalachian Voices, and the Stories Behind the Songs

Larry Groce, longtime host of Mountain Stage, joins Dave Weekley on Hotline for a wide-ranging conversation that moves effortlessly from Winter Olympics curiosities to the heart of live music storytelling. Groce recaps a packed weekend celebrating The Amazing Dolores documentary and reflects on why Appalachian artists’ stories resonate so deeply. He then previews the upcoming February 15 Mountain Stage show in Charleston, featuring Tim O’Brien, Amanda Cook, Climber & Kurtz, Irish group Solas, and Darren Harkrader, including a behind-the-scenes look at how songs evolve — highlighted by a comparison between Harkrader’s original recording and John R. Miller’s reinterpretation. The segment closes with thoughtful discussion on music biographies, creative process over gossip, and why great songs often come from struggle.