Posted on April 16, 2007
If Mountain Heart could be described in one word, it would be talent. As individual artists, the six men who make up the band have achieved some of the highest accolades in the music industry.
Two of the members, Adam Steffey and Jim Van Cleve, are Grammy-nominated artists. Steffey has won multiple Grammys, Country Music Association and IMBA awards. Jason Moore, the band’s bassist, is considered one of the premier bassists in the genre of bluegrass.
The members have worked with artists such as Ricky Skaggs and the Dixie Chicks. Their accomplishments are unparalleled in the genre of bluegrass, but another word to describe Mountain Heart would be personable. Despite their individual achievements, the members of Mountain Heart consider themselves a group first.
“I’m just tickled to death that all of these talented guys are here just to pick together and have a good time,” said mandolin player Steffey.
This has been a big year for Mountain Heart. They’ve taken on a new lead singer, Josh Shilling, who began touring with the group in January.
“Josh really personifies the aggressive nature of the music we play, and because of that our sound is much more focused and we all seem to be moving in the same direction,” said fiddle player Van Cleve.
Although a traditional bluegrass band, the group has other influences that makes it dynamic. Its sound can range from blues, to Cajun, to country and even to having a hint of rock ‘n’ roll. When asked to name some of the influences on Mountain Heart’s music, Van Cleve had just as hard of a time pinpointing where their sound comes from ,as anyone who listens to their music would.
“Our music comes from so many different places,” said Van Cleve. “We are influenced by everything from Aerosmith to Stevie Wonder, to Alison Krauss, to the jingle in a commercial.”
This year, along with recording a live album and a studio album, Mountain Heart has approximately 100 touring dates scheduled. One of those performances was at Court Square Theater April 12.
“This is our first time in Harrisonburg, although we have eaten at the Waffle House off of [Interstate] 81 several times,” said Steffey, which caused a hearty laugh from the audience.
Court Square Theater had a full house for Mountain Hearts Thursday night performance, and although the audience was made up mostly of Harrisonburg residents, there were individuals of all ages in attendance.
Mountain Heart played an hour and a half set that got the audience clapping and singing along. The bands enthusiasm and energy would not have been out of place at the Grand Ole Opry, a venue where they themselves have performed.
“We just have so much fun when we perform,” Van Cleve said. “The energy from the crowd gets us excited as well.”
The band played traditional blue grass hits such as “Little Maggie,” but also gospel and blues and gave the audience a taste of New Orleans with the song “No One Knows You When You’re Down and Out.”
Mountain Heart featured some original songs by lead singer Shilling as well as some instrumental pieces composed by Van Cleve.
One aspect of the group’s on-stage demeanor that sets them apart from other bands is their ability to joke around with the audience and each other. The group’s strong bond of friendship was easily noticeable by audience members, and their easygoing manner allowed for humor where other bands may not have found it.
“You’ve got to make fun of yourself before someone else does,” said banjo player Barry Abernathy after the band forgot what their next song was to going be. “I just beat y’all to the punch.”
After the concert the group joined audience members in the lobby to talk about the performance.
“I think we pulled together really well,” said Van Cleve.
Mountain Heart, despite their overwhelming accomplishments both as a group and as individuals, have stayed true to their music and fans, and they don’t take anything for granted. Despite each member’s own incredible talent, which was demonstrated through solos and riffs, they compliment each other and work best as a group. If only one word could be used to describe Mountain Heart, the group and their music, it would be heart.
