MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Legendary entertainer Larry Groce says he was surprised to learn West Virginia University wanted recognize him with an honorary doctoral degree.
“Anytime that I get recognized by something as big as WVU, it’s a big deal for me because I love this place,” Groce told MetroNews “Talkline” Host Hoppy Kercheval last week.
Groce, the co-founder and artistic director of Mountain Stage, received the degree on Dec. 17 during the WVU December commencement ceremonies.
WVU President Gordon Gee honored Groce and Carrie Lee Gillette, a special education teacher at Weir High School in Weirton.
Groce retired as host of Mountain Stage, but is still actively involved with the music radio show produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. He launched Mountain Stage in 1983. West Virginia native and Grammy winner Kathy Mattea has hosted the show since Sept. 2021.
Larry Groce, Singer-Songwriter and Radio Host, received an honorary degree from @WestVirginiaU. What was that experience like for him? What is next for Groce? He joins @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nm85Y pic.twitter.com/6dK3vukWaM
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 19, 2022
Groce is originally from Texas and previously lived in California and New York before moving to West Virginia after receiving a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. His original plan was to stay for 9 months to work as a musician in school in Barbour, Tucker and Randolph counties.
“I was living in Los Angeles at the time and before that I lived in New York City and I just didn’t want that life anymore. I thought maybe this would be a good idea to get away and go somewhere that I don’t know anything about because I liked the old folk music. I thought maybe I’ll hear some music and try to help some people,” he said.
The people of West Virginia are what kept him here, Groce said.
“It’s the willingness to help people without looking for something in return. People here are not big self-promoters. There’s just a lot of things that I admire,” he said.
Mountain Stage is recorded in front of a live audience primarily in Charleston. The show can be heard every week on nearly 300 public radio stations across the country.