Episode 6: Opera Memphis: Ned Canty and Michael Sakir

Memphis Machine gets classy and goes to the Opera, Opera Memphis. We speak with Michael Sakir (conductor) and Ned Canty (director). These gentlemen are titans of opera and a joy to talk to. We have a very enlightening discussion about opera and its relevance in Memphis. Enjoy.

8:00  Ned’s philosophy of opera and music in general…and he is “trained in fear?” And oh those jaded hipsters.

11:45  Jonathan calls Ned out! “What, if any, is the difference between musical theatre and opera?” Ned expertly breaks this down for us.

17:09  You cannot say you have not heard opera. Michael Sakir!

20:20  An opera testimony. Opera Memphis promotes an open door environment. Come see an open rehearsal!!! Napoleon and opera?

26:14  Memphis musicians’ and vocalists’ roll in Opera Memphis and the life of an opera singer.  

33:20  “Thirty Days of Opera”

38:45  “The Playground King”

43:25   The Summer Conservatory for Teens and other outreach

46:20  Omakase, staying relevant, and Memphis music and musicians in Opera Memphis.

55:10  Opera Memphis partners with…wait for it…the United States Department of Defense.

58:40  What are your hopes for Memphis

links

https://www.operamemphis.org/

Ned’s TED Talk:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1IzKcpPW3w

http://www.michaelsakir.com/

Episode 5: Chris Davis

In this episode we speak with Memphis’s own Chris Davis. Chris is a journalist for the Memphis Flyer and writes the blogs Intermission Impossible and Fly on the Wall. He is also a talented actor, song writer, and musician with Papa Top's West Coast Turnaround. We keep it light even when we don’t, and talk about everything under the Memphis sun.

10:50  Chris (the pro journalist) quickly coaches the two hacks pretending to be journalists to ask questions and so we asked him about Fly on the Wall.

13:30  John Daly saves Fly on the Wall…Fibonacci, 19th hole

15:00  Carl misses the “old money” joke, and other weirdness with nudes of George Wallace and black velvet paintings of Richard Nixon and tales of drinking and bidding.

18:57  Observing various aspects of Memphis culture, politics, media, etc. Graceland stories from back in the day.

23:37  existing in Memphis, hearing Memphis music, hanging on the lawn with Rufus Thomas, standing on line with Ernest Withers, or selling steamed veggies to Alex Chilton…MEMPHIS!!!

30:45  Speaking of Cybil Shepard (yeah she was mentioned earlier) check out the Jack Robinson Gallery

33:00  the perpetual “formation” of Memphis and easy questions like “What needs to change and do you see it happening?” The “urban pioneer” speaks. Greenlaw.

42:45  did you know that Carl is from southern California? He was wrong about the bible belt. Chris’s take on the spiritual “ness” or “vibe” (perhaps) in Memphis and other super light conversation on religion.

50:55  Audiophiles in Memphis.

55:00  come back after the break and get into Memphis Theatre scene. David Foster!

1:01:35  Intermission Impossible blog, Chris’s acting and director experiences, McCoy Theatre, Papa Top's West Coast Turnaround, Daddy Drinks Because You Cry. Dale Watson. Honky Tonk and a quick country music history lesson.

1:09:50  the Murder Ballad conversation. The Knoxville Girl

1:19:05  the 68 Comeback Special and the impossible question about Elvis and Memphis. So..Graceland opens and pulls people into Memphis from the world over and someone thinks it’s a good idea to tear down Stax…WHAT?

1:33:10  Hopes for Memphis question

Links

 https://www.memphisflyer.com/blogs/TheaterBlog/

https://www.memphisflyer.com/blogs/FlyontheWallBlog/

http://www.resourceentertainment.com/entertainers/papa-tops-west-coast-turnaround

https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherWadeDavis?fb_dtsg_ag=AdwvPC_FyGUCoZcHEI0tgWq-q-msW73LXGy28REjd3muPA%3AAdxHkdyz9zNIT2ylkP5WNWBp2_fIZAeW8voV3rFwjlZr1Q

Episode 4: Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor is synonymous with Memphis music. He is a drummer, bassist, guitarist, producer, and song writer. We talk about Memphis history, tons of music, and we also nerd out occasionally. This interview happened in the cozy confines of the Crosstown Concourse/Arts studio, an incredible creative space augmenting the arts residency program.

9:15  Paul’s parents and his upbringing around music. Transmaximus and Paul’s Stax songwriting aunt. Steve Cropper may be the reason for Paul’s existence.

13:40  John Hampton teaches Pat Taylor his craft. Crosstown Arts. Paul Learns to handle recording gear early on. Playing at Ardent at 3 years old.

18:10  “accidentally” becoming a bass player. Getting into other music. Discovering Jaco and Mike Watt

24:00  Roll of a bassist. Playing jazz. Sam Shoup gives Paul his Fender Jazz Bass

31:08  knowing how the instruments function in an ensemble. Paul on drums. “Sympathetic to what I want to hear from another instruments.” Song writing and listening more than playing. Givem’ chills

36:00  Eric Gales and other second generation Memphis musicians. Luther, Cody, and Jim Dickinson. Mudboy and the Neutrons. Studio etiquette. King’s Palace with Charlie Wood and Calvin Newborne

41:46  “can’t hang on to the concept that there was this ONE iconic time” (in Memphis music). Humans playing music…the gospel of live performance and Carl’s Wayne Krantz story.

46:33  What changes in the scene have you observed in Memphis.

50:00  The new stuff. The Old Forest Loop and New Memphis Colorways.

56:00  Rejection. These kids today…are pretty stinkin cool.

58:35  Speaking of rooms…lets talk about Crosstown Arts studio. What is it with working at home vs a work place.

1:07:49  Paul has a podcast/vlog as well

1:10:35  Ed Finney, brilliant jazz guitarist, Howard Grimes, Sam Shoup

1:13:30  Carl’s wrap up and Paul disagreeing with Carl’s 90’s assessment. Paul quits playing bass and digs into drums and we nerd out on gear…oh and the great Shawn Lane.

links

http://www.paulsnowflaketaylor.com/

http://crosstownarts.org/

Episode 3: Jennifer Hall-Burris (aka Crown Vox)

Jennifer is an extremely talented vocalist and song writer. She is the creator of Crown Vox, and in this conversation we get into what is takes to create such a multifaceted project. We get into music, fashion, making videos, and we drop some names. It was a hot Memphis summer day up in Nate’s bar at Ernestine and Hazel’s…with a broken air conditioner. Big thanks to Jennifer for hanging out with us.

5:45  Very first time on stage…Jennifer gets paid. Playing jazz off and running.

7:49  Making art and the beginning of Crown Vox. Carl walks where angels fear to tread.

11:20  Being a mom, making a career, chasing dreams, and setting an example

14:45  Robert Fortner

16:08  taking a deeper look at Crown Vox.

21:25  working with make-up artists Matt Goodlet and  Billy B

27:17  common misunderstandings about Crown Vox…”is she a witch?”

29:44  learning on the job. New skills video production, costumes, make up, audio, set design…and landing the plane.

33:43  how is Crown Vox going live?

36:00  fashion connection?

41:45  What are your hopes for Memphis?

links

 http://thecrownvox.com/

Herstory with Paulette link on Crown Vox page: https://www.facebook.com/thecrownvox/

http://robertfortnerart.com/the-paintings/

Matt Goodlett http://mattgoodlettmakeup.com/

Episode 2: James Dukes (aka IMAKEMADBEATS)

In this conversation we speak with James Dukes the founder of Unapologetic. Dukes is a producer/engineer headquartered in Memphis. Unapologetic is a juggernaut of creativity made up of musicians, journalists, and various artists working to spread the ethos of Unapologetic. We have "unapologetically" published the entire two hour interview for your enjoyment.

5:00    Dukes’ brother gets him in the direction of music.

8:30    The move to Manhattan (“Jon…you…uh got some notes there?”)

12:10  Quad Studios story

19:50. Mentors, memorable engineers, and the “Hey, ‘I’m not dumb’ moment”

27:50  Hierarchy of a studio (Quad Studios)

33:27. IMAKEMADBEATS is “born”

39:09. Carl ruminates on being a musician and learning how to be a “valuable assett”

40.38. Why didn’t you stay in New York? 

45:00. Low points and reemerging

53:52. A very…very driven person. The new scene in Memphis and first glimpses of Unapologetic.

1:00:00. First team/movement…the ups and downs. The trials of running a business.

1:04:55. The new beginning of Unapologetic, new confidence and in general learning to value and trust yourself…and other heavy shtuff.

1:13:49. Building the Unapologetic crew. “Bragging” on Memphis…and MacGyver!!!

1:17:15  It sounds like Jonathan makes disparaging about Louisiana…eek! Let it be known that this is not the case. I love Louisiana. I was merely pointing out that the rest of Louisiana will usually point out that New Orleans is not representative of all Louisiana and vice versa.

1:17:35  IMAKEMADBEATS  album Better Left Unsaid.

1:28:55. Next level people, artistry, technique isn’t everything…the balance between making a living and creating art and others realities of the industry (past and present)

1:36:15. Being fearless. Mono Neon. Focus

1:41:10. Carl’s story of the Welshman’s search for healing in Memphis.

1:46:50. Nerding out and more Memphis perceptions

1:50:50. The fantastic vocalist Cameron Bethany and “Mod-Fusion”…CAMERON BETHANY!!!

2:03:08. Where is Unapologetic today? The App, the Exposition, the expansion of the team, and the future.

links

https://www.weareunapologetic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/imakemadbeats/

Episode 1: Richard Cushing

In our inaugural episode we speak with Richard Cushing. Richard is the founder of the band FreeWorld, which is possibly the longest running band in Memphis. We get into Memphis history, the Beale Street revival, musicianship, work ethic, and band management. Richard is a wealth of knowledge and a joy to talk to. Enjoy.

4:42  University of Tennessee Martin, first pro gigs, beginning of a career in biology

6:20  Ernestine and Hazel’s story, first FreeWorld gig, Ms. Evelyn Young, the Brass Note

7:30  The legendary Herman Green, Jimmy Ellis, Blues Revue

9:30  Vet aspirations and jobs

9:45  EMT and being a “shard of white light” (1985)

11:33  Remembering Beale street’s reemergence, Alabama, and trying to hang with Uncle Ben (just listen)

12:15  Don McMinn and Rum Boogie…also Chris Lea, David Skypeck, Nokie Taylor, MORE Herman Green (because he’s the man) and Willie Waldman

14:49  Tuesday Night with FreeWorld at the South End

15:24  Ed Finney (fabulous Memphis jazz guitarist)

15:36  “Somebody’s gotta play bass…”, musicality, and more FreeWorld history

19:11  Mosaic, FreeWorld hiatus. Richard wants to write  more, first record (1994), and flyer wars.

21:00  Not yet a Tribute act to ourselves.

22:16  Blues City Café (every Sunday night!), George Paul Eldridge

24:30  Dr. Herman Green (yup…another mention)

27:50  “Sit Ins” list

29:50  “Cornering the Market”…No really?

33:15  Brass Note on Beale Street, book by Robert Gordon

36:45  Reality of playing clubs, work ethic, music business. We dig in here.

56:05  New album “What It Is” plus Jim, Luther, and Cody Dickinson

1:01:18  Recording at Ardent. More name droppin’ HA! Jody Stephens, John Fry, John Hampton, Kevin Houston, Adam Hill

1:06:08  Andy Tate and the origin of “What It Is” also current FreeWorld personnel.

1:11:45  Dave Aron

1:14:35  Brad Blackwood (Euphonic Masters) artist David Lynch (cover art)

1:17:00  Financing the/an album and more band business strategies.

1:22:00  Carl tells his favorite FreeWorld story.

1:24:35  Hopes for Memphis

1:27:50  Levon Helm story and other notable sit ins

Links

 http://freeworldmemphis.com/

"What It Is”

https://open.spotify.com/album/2SfgQBzjk8Z6h4AkM366CD?si=3Xb7MSUFQc6tvzNUpRgmuw

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