Local band to perform on NPR, at DelFest
May 13—FROSTBURG — A Frostburg-based band will soon appear on National Public Radio's "Mountain Stage" and perform at DelFest.
Megan Jean's Secret Family will make their "Mountain Stage" debut on NPR beginning May 17 alongside Bettye Lavette, Keller Williams, Kim Richey, and The Langnan String Band.
The group features singer, songwriter and bassist Megan Jean and her multi-instrumentalist husband Byrne Klay. The two met in New York City in 2004 while they were studying music. Megan was majoring in theater at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and Byrne was studying jazz at New School University.
The couple made Frostburg their home in 2020. "We had been on the road for 15 years and we have always loved the Frostburg area," said Jean.
The couple said they're delighted for the recognition they are receiving with NPR.
"We're thrilled this is our national radio debut," said Megan.
The "Mountain Stage" NPR program is hosted by country music artist and bluegrass singer Kathy Mattea.
"It's been a real honor," Jean said. "It was very organic how we got on the show. Many hands came together to get us on the program and we're grateful and humbled."
The episode was taped April 21 in front of a live studio audience at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Ohio, and will begin airing May 17 on select NPR stations across the country.
"I play bass and play drums but my passion is songwriting," said Jean. "When songwriting is in you it's something you will always do."
She also teaches vocal lessons at the Western Maryland Music and the Frostburg Music Academy.
The four-piece group will follow their NPR performance with a show at DelFest held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds on Memorial Day weekend. The band will play on the indoor Musical Hall stage on May 24 from 11:15 a.m. to noon.
"DelFest is such a special and rare event so we are honored to be performing there," said Megan.
Megan Jean's Secret Family is described as a psychedelic Americana band. Rounding out the four-piece group is drummer/recording engineer Tommy Bailey and guitarist Eric Davis formerly of Optimus Riff.
The music blends the sounds of the 70s by way of the 90s soul, country, and jam with an emphasis on danceable vocal-driven songs that bring together generations of sound.
Greg Larry is a reporter at the Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 304-639-4951, email glarry@times-news.com and follow him on Twitter @GregLarryCTN.
