Spotlight on Country

He has been making music for 50 years now. He played with bluegrass great Ralph Stanley when he was still in his teens, went on to have a streak of country hits and then went back to bluegrass. Now he's returned to the songs he learned from his father when he was a young boy in eastern Kentucky.

One of the most distinctive voices in modern bluegrass, Dan Tyminski visits Mountain Stage for the first time with his own band to perform songs from his second solo release, Wheels. The set closes with "Man of Constant Sorrow," the bluegrass standard prominently featured in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Loveless has built a 20-year career by choosing great songs to complement her charming twang. On her fourth visit to Mountain Stage, she performs music from her latest release, for which she dipped into the classic country songbook and recorded some of the genre's most enduring and endearing songs.

The Dobro master has appeared on countless recordings and collaborated with the upper echelon of country and bluegrass musicians. But his taste and talent don't exist only in the realm of those genres, as Douglas has played and recorded with the likes of Ray Charles, Paul Simon and Elvis Costello and Eric Clapton.

Brooks and Dunn's popularity is credited with helping to keep country music afloat at a time when the rest of the music industry was tanking. But now guitarist Kix Brooks and singer Ronnie Dunn will end an almost 20-year-long partnership — after a farewell tour.

Country singer George Strait is surpassed only by Elvis Presley and The Beatles in the number of platinum-selling albums he's had. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews his new album, Twang.

Tanya Tucker recorded her first hit single when she was 13. Now, after nearly four decades in the music business, a Grammy nomination and a tumultuous past few years, the country singer has released a new album, called My Turn.

Five-time Grammy winner Mary Chapin Carpenter performs an acoustic set during her sixth appearance on Mountain Stage since 1987. The country singer plays songs from her ninth album, The Calling.

Though he remains best known for his acting career, Costner has been active on the country-music stage since the late '80s. He recently started a band with friend and guitarist John Coinman called Modern West.

Following an overwhelming run of hardships, country-music singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson went into a period of isolation, supporting himself by penning hits for Trace Adkins and George Strait. In a session from WXPN, he performs songs from That Lonesome Song.

The North Carolina group takes a youthful approach to old-time mountain music, performing on stage and teaching it in classrooms. The band plays from its breakthrough album Mountains Apart in this set.

Nugent started singing with her father's band at a very early age. As a teenager, she was already leading the group. Based squarely in the country and bluegrass tradition, Nugent brings her high-energy show to Mountain Stage.

The Nashville songwriter, a regular at the famed Station Inn, has penned hits for country superstars Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Randy Travis and Garth Brooks, as well as bluegrass heavyweights like Ricky Skaggs and Del McCoury.

The five members of the all-woman outfit write and perform original songs in old-time Americana styles. The group plays live from its most recent album, Waterloo, Tennessee, complete with a clogging breakdown.

Gathered around a large, vintage diaphragm microphone, the native West Virginians in Hillbilly Gypsies perform a mix of traditional and original Appalachian music before a crowd at the International Mother's Day Shrine.

Though he sings the theme song and leads guests in the finale every week, more than 20 years have passed since the Mountain Stage host has appeared in his own segment. But after a late cancellation, Groce gave a rare extended performance on Mother's Day.

Growing up in New York, Diana Jones devoured the music of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris. She left home at the age of 15 in search of her roots, and discovered them in the music of the Eastern Tennessee hills. Jones' latest album is Better Times Will Come, a vivid 11-song collection that's biographical in nature.

Country singer Dierks Bentley once worked in the videotape library for The Nashville Network, soaking up tradition while singing his nights away for tips. But these days, his career as a musician takes center stage.

Mandolin player Johnny Staats and guitarist Robert Shafer are both award-winning pickers on their respective instruments, with a knack for reinventing old favorites and crafting an impressive collection of original bluegrass songs.

For every big Nashville star, there are several musicians like Darrell Scott, who makes a good living standing one step outside of the spotlight. Before his performance at the Kent State Folk Festival, one of country music's most successful songwriters stopped by Folk Alley for a few songs and a conversation.

Born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina, Holcombe has been recording his haunting country blues for nearly 25 years. Adorned with his rough-hewn delivery, he performs selections from his latest release Gamblin' House.

In her third appearance on Mountain Stage, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mindy Smith performs music from her 2006 album Long Island Shores. She also dips into her 2004 debut, One Moment More, and performs a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene."

This fall, bluegrass veteran Del McCoury celebrates 50 years in the music business. With his trademark high tenor sounding as distinct and sharp as ever, McCoury shows no signs of slowing down. His band recently performed in Bristol, Tenn./Va., for Mountain Stage.