Julie Adams

For more than four decades, the Mountain Stage radio show has brought the most talented musicians from around the world right here to West Virginia. Now in its 43rd year on the air, the program has featured celebrated artists such as Sarah McLachlan, R.E.M., Tyler Childers, Ben Harper, They Might Be Giants, and countless others. But despite the numerous faces to come and go since the show first premiered all the way back in 1983, there is one performer who has been there through it all. 

Julie Adams has been a staple of Mountain Stage since the show’s very first season. A vocalist whom Mountain Stage host Kathy Mattea refers to as her “emotional support singer,” Julie has been instrumental in ensuring the show has maintained its consistently-attainable sound throughout the years. However, with the conclusion of the program’s 42nd year came the announcement that an era was ending. 

On December 7, Kathy Mattea took to Facebook to say that Julie had just performed on Mounain Stage for the final time.

“I have had a blast singing with her, and we’ve had some fun duets, as well as some great fun being the backup singers for various guests,” Kathy wrote. “Julie has sung with hundreds and hundreds of Mountain Stage guests over the years. She’s a pro, and has great musical taste.”

“It’s been a privilege to know her since those early days,” Kathy added. “She made the transition for me to ‘host’ so much easier. She just quietly has everyone’s back. I will miss her, and so will everyone here.”

The rest of the show’s listeners will certainly miss Julie, as well. And for all she has done to show the world what makes the Mountain State so very special, we are pleased to name Julie Adams as the certified Real West Virginian of the Week.

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Email us at news@therealwv.com.