Listen to Chris Kasper perform on NPR’s Mountain Stage
Roots singer-songwriter Chris Kasper is often thought of as a leading light of the Philadelphia folk scene, but a little known fact about the guy: he spent his musical formative years in Morgantown, West Virginia, studying at WVU. That’s where he first made the acquaintance of Mountain Stage host Larry Groce — who recently welcomed Kasper for his first appearance on the nationally-syndicated NPR program (which airs on WXPN Sunday afternoons).
Recorded on October 16 at The Clay Center in Charleston, on a lineup also featuring Foy Vance, Amanda Shires, Oh Pep! and Carsie Blanton, Kasper’s four-song set was performed with with Kiley Ryan on fiddle and backup vocals, and showcases what Groce praises as Kasper’s versatility in folk, pop and blues.
“I thought he was a talented guy [when I met him at WVU],” says Groce. “And he’s certainly applied that talent and has been working hard on the road for the past couple years.”
You can listen to Kasper’s appearance on Mountain Stagehere; his set begins at the 49:55 mark, and the songs performed are “The Waterline,” “Belly,” “City By The Sea” and “Oh, Carolina.” Listen to the studio version of “City By the Sea” below.