I am from just outside of Charleston, WV and frequently get tickets for "West Virginia's best kept secret" (althought my girlfriend claims its her) at our capitol complex. Mountain Stage, as its called, has a vast array of award winning performers ranging from bluegrass, to blues, rock, jazz, and country. For 10-15$ you get a 3-hour show, in a very intimate setting, with these artists. I am fortunate enough to be the son of an employee at their biggest sponsor, so I end up with free tickets whenever I want. Lucky me!
I just went to a show this evening featuring; Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Biscuit Burners, Shawn Camp, Alecia Nugent, and Jon Randall.
This year I have watched (and talked to/mingled with) well known artists such as Buddy Guy, John Pizzarelli (amazing performance), Beausoleil, Bruce Hornsby, Travis Tritt & Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Cockburn, a last minute secretive and very special guest appearance by John Mayer Trio, Jerry Douglas, and many others. There are also other lesser-known appearances. I was very fortunate to meet a very talented young artist by the name of David Jacobs-Strain. He turned out to be one of the best resonator/slide players Ive ever heard live, not to mention that he has the singing/soulfull voice of a well versed blues singer.
This evening there were people in the audience as far away as Northern California, Northern Canada, and even New Zealand. So if you are in the area, stop by to discover West Virginia's biggest secret.
www.mountainstage.org