Season 3, Ep. 5: Tad Pierson and American Dream Safari

Tad Pierson is the owner of American Dream Safari tours. He is an artist, story teller and font of information. We are graciously invited into Pierson’s home for this episode which is also his studio. A playground for the senses, we are surrounded by his art, tools, and Airstream travel trailors that also double as rooms in this residence. Hopefully this episode will inspire you to take a trip or hear some live music in a new place. Enjoy.

1:30     In the “Indoor Trailer Park,” the lair of Tad Pierson. It really was a feast for the eyes…super grateful to have such a gracious host. Now on with the adventure! American Dream Safari. How Tad came to Memphis.

8:26     Carl’s big “softball” question…NOT! The American experience. Tad’s travels and tales of adventure.

16:30   No Jonathan, not Joseph Conrad, Joseph Campbell. The journeyman, the bluesman, the shaman, and atonement.

25:15   Tell us more about American Dream Safari tours. Tad’s abode.

35:00   New project in the works. Crusin’. Favorite dives, juke joints, and bars.

42:15   Thoughts on Beale Street.

47:00   Getting back to the subject of the “hero” and the maverick spirit of Memphis. Really glad we revisited this. Jimmy Denson.

55:00   Jesse Lee Denson guitar! Just sitting behind the couch. Fast paced world. Get in touch with Tad, take a ride.

Season 3, Ep. 4: Marcus Cox and Playhouse on the Square

Marcus Cox, in addition to being a talented thespian is also the Director of Community Relations at Playhouse on the Square here in Memphis. This conversation was a lot of fun and took some interesting turns. Marcus breaks down the history of POTS, his own life in theatre, and the delicacies of a Shoney’s buffet. Enjoy!

2:00     “No [we do not get that a lot].” The nomadic history of Playhouse (lots of fun info). Avant guarde material. We quickly find out that Marcus is a repository of Playhouse history. What a great bio segment!

10:00   So POTS is now in the old Shoney’s headquarters? Lovely memories of Shoney’s abound. We get into a little of Marcus’s own background in theatre. Being a parent/grown up

 21:10  “Theatre is service.” Own what you say, even (especially) if you’re wrong. Own it. Theatre provides perspective. Again, go see some humans make art. A screen does not suffice. Engage, don’t check out.

27:13   How does one balance making art and producing the shows that “matter” with the popular shows that make money but might not be as socially challenging. Carl and Marcus nerd out on “Ragtime.”

34:39   Collaborative efforts. Theatre education, afterschool programs, outreach programs, educational touring shows.

45:25   How is POTS looking to the future? 50th anniversary.

50:00   The pursuit of diversity in programming.

55:25   What does Marcus’s typical day look like at POTS? Fund raising, patrons, grants, etc. And if you have not gotten it yet…POTS is not scared. “…don’t change a word, just change who is saying the words!” WOW!

Season 3, Ep. 3: Steven McMahon and Ballet Memphis

This conversation takes us to the comfortable confines of the new Ballet Memphis facilities. Steven McMahon is the artistic director of the company. We discuss the history of Ballet Memphis as well as his own journey through the art. We also get into what it takes to be a dancer and choreographer and to keep ballet relevant. If you enjoy this episode I suggest you go back and listen to our conversation with Ned Canty and Michael Sakir (Opera Memphis) in season 1.

1:40     STEVEN…it’s Steven. How Steven and Ballet Memphis came together? Retired? What do dancers do when they hang up their shoes. How do choreographers “notate” routines?

10:20   What is the typical career length for a professional? The FEAR! Its real.

19:15   Collaboration with James Dukes (IMAKEMADBEATS) and ballet in Memphis

26:10   Jonathan struggles through his “multi-layer” question. How to you view someone else playing your work and in general do you farm out your choreography to other companies. Guest choreographers at ballet Memphis.

31:20   Promoting Memphis in Memphis art

36:00   Thinking about a foundations of ballet pedagogy.

40:46   Thoughts on how the world consumes dance.

50:15 I’m sorry…”Shoe Manager” ?

Season 3, Ep. 2: Hamilton Hardin

Hardin is an incredibly talented musician and producer. Currently he is head of A&R at Made in Memphis Entertainment, the brainchild of Memphis’s own David Porter. We talk about his early life in music, his role at Made in Memphis, and his current creative endeavors. You will walk away from this conversation ready to get to work.

2:00     Dirty hands, Quincy Jones vs Hamilton, church beginnings. Necessity of being a multi-instrumentalist.

8:30     “Music is much more than something to do.” and “Don’t you feel sorry for white churches…?”

12:30   First record, artistic endeavors, “fun” tracks, gospel music

22:14   Nashville, finishing a project, networking, and David Porter calls.

27:15   Made in Memphis Entertainment, A&R, producer head space, “in the box”, nuts and bolts of a company like MIME.

37:35   Future for artists’ compensation. Try it out! How to remain focused on what works.

44:00   With delegation comes liberation…and back to being an artist. Is David Porter still writing songs? Giving back. How

48:55   How does one make a hit song? No seriously.

Just Wanna Say, an album by Hamilton Hardin on Spotify

Season 3, Ep. 1: Marcella Simien

Welcome to our third season. A delightful way to begin a rainy winter morning is a chat with Marcella Simien. Marcella is a singer, songwriter, musician, and visual artist who is killing it here in Memphis and soon….the world! We talk about her artistic journey from Lafayette, LA to Memphis, TN, Creole culture, the hustle and fearlessness and “facing the abyss.” Enjoy.

2:00     Origins. Musical upbringing, discovering Memphis, art school, Terrance Simien (aka Dad), zydeco, learning the accordion,

7:40     Not New Orleans. Creole culture. Zydeco.

16:30   Playing to the room

20:30   Growing up and finding her art both musically and visually. Getting into the stride of songwriting. Europe.

30:50   Who are the “Lovers”? Wait! Carl steps all over my question…ok now…who are the Lovers? Great Memphis players…so pay attention

37:30   Quick reflection on ego.

43:00   The hustle, breaks, the work, and building a career

48:25   Final words of advice?

Marcella and Her Lovers (website): www.marcellaandherlovers.com

The Bronze Age, an album by Marcella and Her Lovers on Spotify

Season 2, Ep. 8: Gary Hardy (part 1?)

To wrap up season 2, we have Gary Hardy over for lunch. Hardy is a Memphis musician, producer, and story teller who says it like it is. Thanks to Gary we have Sun Studio again, having reopened it in 1987. We get into his story from the beginning, though maybe not in that order. We have been informed that there will likely be a part 2 so stay tuned.

Show Notes

1:45     We are NOT in Nate’s Bar…HA! Early recording studio at Graceland. Holy Karaoke?

13:23   1987 beginning of the new Sun.

22:30   Broke but not giving up…Ringo Starr. No Carl Perkins=No Beatles

25:25   Growing up in Shelby County (Oakville)

34:20   “We (America) presented our music in the age of communication.” Van Halen was what now?

40:00   Dewey Phillips

45:00   Beale shuttered. Carl and I get scolded.

49:00   yeah…we will need a part 2.

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Season 2, Ep. 7: WEVL

In episode 7 we speak to Brian Craig, program director at WEVL, Memphis’s own volunteer radio. WEVL is a completely listener supported gem of terrestrial radio station that has been on the air since 1976. We get into history of the station, what it take to run it, and the programming that makes it so special. It is the only radio to which I consistently listen and getting to visit was exciting. Enjoy the conversation and support your local public station.

1:40     Brian gets into WEVL’s low wattage origins.

5:45     Carl pluggin’ Collierville. I pretend to know something about radio history. How the volunteer system works…benefits and problems.

10:07   WEVL…reflecting (or paralleling) current listening trends? I stumble through another point…but there IS a MAGIC to radio.

14:00   Musicology. Differences between commercial and volunteer radio content. Applying to do a show.

20:45   1973…and beyond. Conversation about Memphis music scene(s). FREEDOM!!!

            How is radio, commercial or otherwise, dealing with the digital onslaught?

links

https://wevl.org/

Saison 2, Ep. 6 (pack): BEER!!!

Yes. We said beer…and spirits. This episode took a while to assemble, but let me assure you there were no complaints. A compilation of conversations, we went to one distillery, two breweries, speaking to five creators of lovely libations. Big thanks to Old Dominick’s, Meddlesome, High Cotton, Memphis Made, and Wiseacre for making this episode happen. Cheers!

Show Notes

2:30     We make the introductions after being served Old Dominick whiskey (Huling Station bourbon). Discuss all the sex appeal of being in the booze industry. Stuff has to be clean…really clean…all the time.

10:12   Difference and similarities between the spirit and beer business/process.

19:25   So what’s up with the self-distribution and the three tier system.

24:00   We get into the alchemy, so to speak, of making these wonderful brews.

29:50   We take a break but someone LEFT THE TAPE ON. We actually get into some science.

38:10   You have to know how to do everything in the brewery. Fix everything.

48:32   Wiseacre Brewery with Davin and Kellan Bartosch. Carl crashes with a joke lol. Hey don’t take microbiology for granted.

56:00   How did the branding come about (interesting). Previous experiences in brewing. Interesting that consistency is viewed differently in the wine world as opposed to the beer world.

1:03:39  What is the general feeling when you release a new beer? (wow 160 different beers?!)

1:09:55  So can you speak to the comradery in the industry here in Memphis. Yes, AB is kind of a badass operation.

1:15:30   Jonathan offers the “edit” option AGAIN. We get a geology lesson.

1:23:54   Artistic endeavors and collaborative efforts.

1:30:15   Joys and warnings to someone looking to get into the business.

1:35:38   Memphis Made Brewing. The back ground is busy…because making beer is hard work. How Drew and Andy met and the origins of Memphis Made of learning how to brew.

1:40:00   Cool thing about the business is the ability to pursue a degree OR apprenticeship. The first idea was for meadery. (We were served some mead and it was wonderful). Fix stuff…clean stuff…business.

1:49:55   How important is it to have a tap room?

2:00:00   Carl’s record label metaphor…hey it finds traction lol. Cooper-Young Fest and community partnership.

In case their name isn't a dead giveaway, Memphis Made Brewing is quite proud to be brewing in their hometown of Memphis. Drew Barton and Andy Ashby chose to open their small independent brewery right in their own neighborhood of Cooper Young which, if you hadn't heard, has been named one of the best neighborhoods in the nation.

links

https://olddominick.com/

https://wiseacrebrew.com/

https://cargocollective.com/rachelbriggs

https://www.memphismadebrewing.com/

http://highcottonbrewing.com/

https://www.meddlesomebrewing.com/