CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legendary West Virginia entertainer Larry Groce is adding another honor to his list of awards and accomplishments in the music industry.
Groce, the former artistic director and host of the live performance radio show Mountain Stage, recently learned he’ll be inducted into the Folk Radio Hall of Fame.
Groce said he owes a lot to Mountain Stage.
“I appreciate that they’re giving me the honor, but I know, in a great part, it goes to Mountain Stage which is not a single person’s doing,” he told MetroNews.
Groce was born in Dallas, Texas and made West Virginia his forever home in 1972. He said anytime he’s recognized for his work in West Virginia, it’s a big deal.
“I love this state so much that anytime I get an honor that has West Virginia on it, it’s unbelievable to me,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful ride for which I’m totally grateful. I’ve been here 51 years and I feel like this is my home.”
Groce previously served as host of Mountain State, produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and distributed by NPR Music, since its inception in 1983 until 2021.
The show has featured over 2,000 different artists from across the country and around the world and is heard by thousands of listeners each week on radio and podcasts.
Groce is a Grammy nominee who recorded 24 albums and the Top Ten single, “Junk Food Junkie””
Folk music holds a special place in his heart, Groce said.
“It’s like my voice to your ear. That’s what folk music really is. It’s people taking it and singing it to other people. It’s not so important who wrote the songs or if the songs get played a lot. What’s important is does it go heart-to-heart?” he said.
Groce has been inducted into the West Virginia Music and West Virginia Broadcasting Halls of Fame.