WANT TO GO?

"Mountain Stage"

With Nellie McKay, Marshall Crenshaw, Elvis Perkins, Zee Avi and A.A. Bondy.

WHERE: Culture Center Theater

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday

TICKETS: Advance $12.50, at the door $18.

INFO: www.mountainstage.org or 800-594-TIXX

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Singer/songwriter Nellie McKay said, "There are the people who listen to my music and the people who listen to Doris Day. They're not necessarily the same people, but it's great to bring them together."

Earlier this month, McKay (pronounced Mc-Eye), whose own music touches on, among other things, jazz, funk and rock and whose lyrics have an unmistakable dark side, released "Normal as Blueberry Pie -- A Tribute To Doris Day." The 13-song collection has the 27-year-old singing 12 tunes previously recorded by Day, as well as one song that's a tribute to the singer and actress.

McKay, who appears Sunday on "Mountain Stage," will be showing off some of these songs with the hopes of maybe making a few more fans -- but not necessarily for herself.

"Doris Day is kind of an unsung musical pioneer," she said. "She covered such a diversity in a time when there wasn't a lot of diversity."

WANT TO GO?

"Mountain Stage"

With Nellie McKay, Marshall Crenshaw, Elvis Perkins, Zee Avi and A.A. Bondy.

WHERE: Culture Center Theater

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday

TICKETS: Advance $12.50, at the door $18.

INFO: www.mountainstage.org or 800-594-TIXX

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Singer/songwriter Nellie McKay said, "There are the people who listen to my music and the people who listen to Doris Day. They're not necessarily the same people, but it's great to bring them together."

Earlier this month, McKay (pronounced Mc-Eye), whose own music touches on, among other things, jazz, funk and rock and whose lyrics have an unmistakable dark side, released "Normal as Blueberry Pie -- A Tribute To Doris Day." The 13-song collection has the 27-year-old singing 12 tunes previously recorded by Day, as well as one song that's a tribute to the singer and actress.

McKay, who appears Sunday on "Mountain Stage," will be showing off some of these songs with the hopes of maybe making a few more fans -- but not necessarily for herself.

"Doris Day is kind of an unsung musical pioneer," she said. "She covered such a diversity in a time when there wasn't a lot of diversity."

McKay grew up listening to Day and claims to have listened to almost nothing but during high school.

Day, who was known for hits like "Sentimental Journey" and "Que Sera, Sera," is often remembered as being almost searingly sunny. Her voice and presence were always earnest and optimistic.

"That's the appeal of Doris Day," McKay said. "She always had that positive face, when in fact, her life was anything but positive."

For a time, Day was the box-office queen of her generation, but her private life was in turmoil. She was married four times, and while her many movies had made her rich, Day's husband and their attorney squandered and mismanaged her money and drove her deeply into debt.

"There was a lot of trauma and tragedy," McKay said. "Yet to smile in the face of it; that's something to aspire to."

McKay says her own optimism wavers from time to time, which comes as no surprise. Some of her songs have a harder edge and a cynicism that's jarring from someone with such a young, sweet voice.

In some respects, McKay sees something of a kindred spirit in Day. Both are passionate about the welfare of animals. Day founded the Doris Day Animal League, which eventually joined with the Humane Society. McKay supports PETA and other groups concerned with animal welfare.

Even with her admiration for Day, choosing the songs to put on the tribute album and recording them wasn't easy.

"I think I would show up looking like Doris and leave looking like me," she laughed, then said, "The songs themselves make you want to do your best effort. Certainly, living up to the recordings she made, you feel like you really have to try."

The pressure was very real and very personal. This was music she's loved since she was a kid.

"This has been a delight," she said. "Getting to do this is a dream come true."

Reach Bill Lynch at ly...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5195.