Ollabelle - Formed in Manhattan in 2001, Ollabelle quickly became one of the most popular and critically acclaimed groups on the Americana music and festival circuit. By 2004, the group had issued the first of two critically acclaimed albums on Columbia/ Sony Music (produced by T Bone Burnett). “The Washington Post” described Ollabelle as  "one of the hottest bands going in roots music" while Emmylou Harris said, "Every time I hear something on the radio I truly love, it's Ollabelle." After a five-year hiatus the band has a new release, “Neon Blue Bird,” which features Ollabelle’s original line up: Amy Helm, Australian singer Fiona McBain; Byron Isaacs, Tony Leone, Glenn Patscha and Jimi Zhivago. 

Foster & Lloyd - Reuniting after more than two decades, the country-pop duo of Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd distinguished itself with intelligent songwriiting, indelible pop hooks and the duo's Everly Brothers-styled harmonies. Radney Foster began his musical life as a songwriter, penning tunes for the likes of the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Tanya Tucker & T. Graham Brown, Guy Clark and Poco. With Bill Lloyd, the two scored hits that included “Crazy Over You,” "Sure Thing," "What Do You Want From Me This Time," "Texas in 1880" and "Fair Shake." In addition, they toured internationally, garnered a Grammy nomination and were a constant presence at the CMA awards. When the two decided to call it quits in 1991, they chose “Mountain Stage” as the venue for their final show. Since then, the two have appeared on the show as solo artists. The duo’s new release, “It’s Already Tomorrow,” features a number of guests including Cheap Trick bassist Tom Peterson and Sam Bush.

Chris Smither - With a career that’s now in its fourth decade, Smither has been a mainstay of the festival, coffeehouse, and club circuits around the U.S., Canada, and Europe since the 1960’s. Both gifted songwriter and a master of modern acoustic blues, Smither has proven his mettle in the near dozen albums of his own material he has cut for the Flying Fish, Hightone, and Signature Sounds labels, and his songs "Love You Like a Man" and "I Feel the Same" have been recorded by guitarist and singer Bonnie Raitt. Smither’s most recent album, Time Stands Still features songs by Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan, and he just released a third live CD, “Lost & Found,” exclusively for fans through his website.

The Henry Girls - Comprised of three sisters - Joleen, Lorna and Karen McLaughlin - from Inishowen in Co. Donegal, Ireland, the Henry Girls create an eclectic mix of folk, blues and traditional Irish, framed by their “spine-tingling” three-part harmonies. The band (whose name comes from the local family nickname, Henry) formed in 2001 and released its debut, “Between Us” in 2002. Released in 2010, “Dawn” features music from the award winning movie “A Shine of Rainbows” starring Aidan Quinn and Connie Neilsen. That same year, the band was nominated for an IFTA (Irish Film & Television Award) for Best Original Score for their work on the movie. Over the past decade, The Henry Girls have collaborated with artists including the Moroccan group Gawa Fusion, The Pyros, Finbarr Doherty, Appalachian singer Jerry Harmon, Mark Black, Natty Wailer and WV’s The Foxhunt.

The Fox Hunt - Led by singer/songwriter John R. Miller, this Martinsburg-based group assimilates influences that begin with early 20th Century string band music and includes indie rock, D.I.Y. punk and arena rock. Formed in 2006, the group’s rich harmonies are supported by an instrumentation of mandolin, banjo and fiddle. In 2010, the band released its third CD, “Long Way to Go.” Upon returning from a tour of Ireland this spring, the Fox Hunt became the first act to sell out the Shepherdtown, WV Opera House. On the road 150 days a year, the band has amassed a loyal following and was recently featured on CNN.com.

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This episode is scheduled for NPR distribution October 7, 2011. For more information, including hi-res jpeg photos, please contact Adam Harris at 304.556.4900.