Holly Cole - Canadian chanteuse Holly Cole’s international career includes seven gold and three platinum recordings in Canada, hundreds of thousands of recordings sold in the US, Japan and Europe, and numerous awards. Cole recasts standards and pop songs - from the Beatles and Joni Mitchell to Tom Waits - with a voice often described as "breathtaking" and "sensual." The daughter of classical musicians, Cole was introduced to the post-war jazz of Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holliday and Betty Carter by her older brother. Moving from Halifax to Toronto at age 20, she sang with a big band before forming her own jazz trio. Having released two collections of holiday tunes, it’s fitting that she returns to "Mountain Stage" for a show featuring Christmas and holiday songs.  

John Cowan’s Christmas Show - As the lead vocalist for New Grass Revival, an innovative group that also included Sam Bush, Bela Fleck and Patt Flynn, John Cowan is no stranger to blending and bending musical genres. Cowan’s unique and powerful singing style comes from a variety of influences including gospel, rock and R&B. Cowan joined New Grass Revival in 1974 and stayed with the group until it disbanded in 1990. In the early ‘90s, he joined the Doobie Brothers as both a singer and bassist. Cowan will tap his upcoming Christmas collection “Comfort & Joy” as well as his latest live recording, “Live at Telluride.”

Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons - The son of a Baptist minister, Cory Chisel hails from Appleton, WI, where his shows have drawn crowds of more than 2,500 fans. Since releasing his 2008 EP "Cabin Ghosts," Chisel has toured with Rachel Yamagata, The Low Anthem, and Josh Ritter. Chisel’s full-length debut, "Death Won’t Send a Letter," features collaborations with members of Raconteurs, the Dead Weather and My Morning Jacket and was produced by Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, The White Stripes). Chisel makes his "Mountain Stage" debut with his seven-piece band The Wandering Sons.  

Winterbloom - After a one-off show in 2008 at Boston’s Club Passim that featured celebrated singer/songwriters Antje Duvekot, Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson and Natalia Zukerman, the foursome began booking more shows. In 2009, they got together to write and record a collection of tunes, and began performing together as Winterbloom. Together the group wrote and recorded “Winterbloom: Traditions Rearranged,” a new holiday EP tailored for the winter season with new material and a fresh approach. "Rolling Stone" editor Dave Marsh said Duvekot "ranks with the most intense and beautiful singer songwriters on the planet." Chicago based Heaton takes a spiritual approach to her music. Her current project, "Life Is Alchemy," tells the transformational stories of people of diverse cultures and experiences. Born and raised in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts, Hutchinson and her sisters were raised on nature and such traditional pastimes as reading stories, poems and prayers.Zukerman, a NYC native, puts a new spin on Jewish traditions and she also painted the “Winterbloom” cover art.

Pianafiddle - Mixing bluegrass, jazz, classical and old time, the Lewisburg, WV-based duo of violinist/fiddler Adam DeGraff and pianist Randy Morris blend blinding technique and fascinating improvisation. Morris, a multi-instrumentalist who plays everything from trumpet to accordion, worked for Disney for 30 years, writing, directing and performing in thousands of shows. He has also backed a list of artists that includes Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles and Marvin Hamlisch. DeGraff, a classically trained violinist, has performed with a number of professional orchestras, most recently serving as concertmaster and soloist with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

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For more information contact Adam Harris 304 556 4989                              

Scheduled for NPR distribution on DECEMBER 18, 2009