Arlo Guthrie & Boys Night Out - Arlo Guthrie’s songs, stories and unswerving social conscience have made him both an icon and an American treasure. From an early age, he was influenced by musicians and friends that included Pete Seeger, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Leadbelly and his legendary father Woody Guthrie. In 1967, Arlo’s epic “Alice’s Restaurant” became synonymous with the anti-war generation and earned him a gold record. Coming full circle, Arlo is now performing his hits and many deep album cuts from a repertoire that spans more than 40 years. Son Abe Guthrie, grandson Krishna Guthrie, and long-time drummer Terry Hall form the Boys’ Night Out Band. Abe has accompanied his father on keyboards and backing vocals for more than 25 years while Hall has traveled and recorded with Arlo for three decades. Guitarist Krishna Guthrie was the baby in Arlo’s arms on the cover of 1996's “Mystic Journey” album and now represents the third generation on stage.

Paul Thorn - In the spirit of swampy songwriters like Joe South and Tony Joe White, Paul Thorn has toured and collaborated with Sting, Paul Carrack, Tanya Tucker, Ronnie Milsap and Carole King. From Tupelo, MS, Thorn was a skydiver and a successful prize fighter - one of the few who can claim to have knocked down Roberto Duran in the ring. The son of an evangelist preacher - which afforded him his first experience onstage - Thorn is a compelling songwriter and storyteller. His 2010 album “Pimps & Preachers” topped the Americana radio charts and gained praise from Robert Earl Keen, Kris Kristofferson and Mark Knophler. His music is infused with the soul of the Mississippi heartland: gospel, rhythm and blues, country, and rock n’ roll. Thorn’s current release compiles some of his favorite cover songs titled “What the Hell is Goin’ On?”

Michael Cerveris - While Huntington native Michael Cerveris is about to release his second solo recording, “ Piety,” he is an established, Tony-award winning actor (as John Wilkes Booth in Assassins.) Cerveris originated the title role in the Broadway hit “Tommy” and, in the late ‘90s, starred in the smash cult hit “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” on London's West End, off-Broadway in New York and in Los Angeles. As a rock musician, he fronted the British band Retriever and was guitarist/vocalist on Bob Mould's 1998 US/UK "Dog and Pony Show" tour. Some of his earliest experiences of professional theater were thanks to the Marshall Artist Series (in particular first national tours of Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell), so his appearance onstage at the Keith Albee for Mountain Stage celebrating MAS has a special personal meaning for him. Recent recurring TV roles include mysterious Observer on FOX’s Fringe series and as music manager Mervin Frey on HBO’s Tremé. His folk oriented second album, tentatively titled “ Piety,” was recorded at New Orleans’ Piety Studios with producer Mark Bingham (Marianne Faithful, REM) and is due to be released in the coming year.

Delta Rae - Hailing from Durham, NC, Delta Rae fuses alt-pop band with rich Carolina soul. Signed to Sire/Warner, the group has four lead singers and incorporates all aspects of Americana into a joyful, passionate performance.  Delta Rae has been headlining shows on both coasts, with a new LP due for release in Spring 2012.

-30- 

For more information, including hi-res photos, contact Adam Harris 304.556.4900
This episode is scheduled for NPR distribution September 7, 2012.