Showing posts with label Blues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blues. Show all posts

16 May 2021

A Conversation with Blind Mississippi Morris

 If you have ever spent any time around the genre of the blues, you'll know who Blind Mississippi Morris is and what he brings to the blues. In this episode, Ric sits down with Morris to talk about how he came to the blues, how he found music and what it was like growing up blind in a segregated Mississippi. For some in those days, what you were born into set the path you would likely follow for the rest of your days. There would be a lifetime of hard labor and a simple hand to mouth existence with little opportunity to improve your life or your situation. 

Morris found a way out through the gift of music and how that very first harmonica of his would be the ticket to a path that would take him around the world along while meeting and working with some of the best of the business. It's no wonder when you listen to Blind Mississippi Morris, you can easily call him one of the best in the business as well. 



NEXT WEEK: There are rabbits in the hats.

03 February 2019

Benny Turner & Cash McCall

This episode marks 5 complete years of production for the show From Radioland. As I had been talking about over the past couple of weeks, we'll making some changes. The content for this show has been from The Booze & Blues Show at Radio Memphis.

Well, the time has come to move that content over to the RMOD (Radio Memphis On Demand) collection. This is a good thing since that move will allow us to get those blues shows online much faster than trying to shoehorn it into this show.

So, what of this show? I'll explain in the show.

Also, a visit with 2 legendary blues musicians who had not worked together for over 40 years. They got together and made a CD. You'll hear some of those songs as well as some of the stories as to how this collection of songs was made.



NEXT WEEK: Technology sucking the fun out of everything with Dianna Fryer.

Stay tuned...


27 January 2019

The Lizzard Kings

It's not a typo. The word "lizzard" (with 2 Zs) has an amusing connotation. You'll learn about it here. These guys represented Memphis in the International Blues Challenge this past week in the band category. They are a real blast to hang out with as we did that night. You'll hear some studio performances and a few songs off their brand new CD.

Also, we are getting close to wrapping our 5th year of production with this show. An interesting milestone for sure. With that, there are some changes coming to Radioland. But you can think of it as more of an expansion than anything else. I'll explain in the show.



NEXT WEEK: Benny Turner & Cash McCall

Stay tuned...


20 January 2019

John Nemeth

John has been a long time friend of Radio Memphis. He stopped in with a guitarist named Aubrey and brought a drummer named Willie. It was fun night and there were quite a few stories told including the whole thing about John getting censored over a pickle.

Also, ever been to a grocery store after the snow has come and gone and they haven't restocked everything? I did and it tells an interesting story.



NEXT WEEK: The Lizzard Kings

Stay tuned...


13 January 2019

Back from Europe with Low Society

We have known these guys since 2011. We all met one fateful New Year's evening on Beale Street. They just arrived in Memphis and we just arrived on the air. Ever since, we have been a family of sorts. Now, Low Society, back from their 3rd European tour in 2018, sat down to catch us up.

Jeff and I also got to experience a brand new blues act of which you will hear as well.



NEXT WEEK: John Nemeth has a big van.

Stay tuned...


06 January 2019

The Post Holiday Blues

It's that time again when we come out of the holiday rush into what many would call the dark times before spring. Although as of this writing, it's like 70 degrees outside. Anyway, a couple of weeks back, we were in the throws of the impending Christmas holiday. On the air, the return of Tlaxica but this time she brought along her musical partner, Pope. Stories were told and music was played. It was big.

Then a little later on, a dear friend of Radio Memphis, Zeke Johnson came in to talk about the holiday and play a little music related to the day. He also tells one of the most remarkable Christmas stories you will ever hear with every word being true.



NEXT WEEK: Fresh from Europe, Low Society.

Stay tuned...


30 December 2018

Memphis Deep

This is the last episode for 2018. We sat down with Bob Kelsey, Leroy Clay and David Dunn who make up the band Memphis Deep. A fair amount of music is in this episode plus some good stories along the way.

Also, since this is the last show of 2018, I can't help what the next year holds for all of us. What I can tell you is that there will be a cool little thing extra coming From Radioland in 2019.



NEXT WEEK: The return of Tlaxica this time with Pope and Zeke Johnson celebrates the holidays.

Stay tuned...


23 December 2018

Tlaxica

I keep meeting new people in Memphis that moved here because of the music scene. That's pretty cool. Tlaxica, from Tlaxica & Pope did the same thing. She sat down with me in the studio to talk about why she came to Memphis and she managed to sneak onto the air some cuts from their forthcoming EP.

Plus, she is fairly well known in the gospel scene and we talked a little about that as well.

The government may be kind of shut down, but we aren't.



NEXT WEEK: Memphis Deep

Stay tuned...


16 December 2018

Danuel Gales, Eric Gales, Singa B & Robert Allen Parker

This was a fun night. Danuel Gales was celebrating his birthday and chose Radio Memphis to do the celebrating. Which was a good thing because his brother, Eric Gales called in and we had a chat with him about an upcoming show here in Memphis. We also learned he likes apple pie. It's pretty funny how that came about.

Later, Robert Allen Parker sat down and talked about his latest record and the project he is working on now. Plus, you'll hear some cuts off the new CD.



NEXT WEEK: Tlaxica & Pope - minus Pope.

Stay tuned...


09 December 2018

Brother Boulevard & Individual 1

I think it is only a matter of time before someone names their band Individual 1. That is, if it hasn't happened already. Nevertheless, I do talk a little about the latest revelations regarding said Individual 1.

Also, a great time with another brand new act, Brother Boulevard. You'll hear a conversation with Kyle Roberts and Gabriel Brown about their new act and you'll hear some songs from them.



NEXT WEEK: Danuel Gales, Eric Gales & Robert Allen Parker

Stay tuned...


25 November 2018

John D'Amato & The Delta Project

This is the 250th episode From Radioland. A milestone, perhaps. In essence, 250 consecutive weeks of this show have happened with only a couple missing their Sunday deadlines due to some technical issue. Not a bad run, so far.

After nearly 5 years of this show (and me not paying attention to the current episode number), we have come to a fitting show for this monument.

We have known John for a long time and he has been with us since the beginning. He called in from a recording session where he is working up his latest collection of songs. You'll get an update. After that, there is a great time with another friend of Radio Memphis. The Delta Project. Lot's of laughs and lots of music in this episode. Plus, tales from the road.



Note: Here's to another 250 (or so) episodes From Radioland. My personal thanks to Mark Caldwell who makes these things happen for us and to all the other people who have helped get this show where it is right this moment.

NEXT WEEK: Carla Thomas, Willie Hall & Vanese Thomas - Dropping Bombs

Stay tuned...

18 November 2018

Mark Anthony Lee & Willie Covington

I love talking to the veteran musicians out there. The ones who came up through the 60's and 70's and lived to tell about those days. These two guys are great. We talked about everything from working in the movie business to singing with The Platters and everything in between.

A fantastic conversation with Mark Anthony Lee and Willie Covington.

Also, I have a fairly strict "no nazi" policy and some of you out there seem to have taken issue with that.



NEXT WEEK: John D'Amato and The Delta Project

11 November 2018

Andrea Staten & The Goats of Yoga

No, that is not the name of a band. Although, not a bad one. Andrea is a musician from Oxford, Mississippi and she drove in to have some fun in the studio. She talks about her love of North Mississippi Hill Country Blues and how she learned to play that style.

You'll hear some of her songs in this episode. About the goats? You'll just have to listen.



NEXT WEEK: Mark Anthony Lee & Willie Covington

Stay tuned...


04 November 2018

Mick Kolassa & The Taylor Made Blues Band

"Free Range Blues" is a term you may not be familiar with but by the time this episode is over, you will understand exactly what it means. Mick has been on this show several times however, this time out, he brought the band. It's a large time.

Also, there is a local radio station that (for some stupid reason) thought it would be a great idea to switch their format to 24 Christmas music on Halloween. Seriously, WTF?



Our thanks to Mark Caldwell who made this and all our other shows possible.

NEXT WEEK: Andrea Staten

Stay tuned...

28 October 2018

Dr. Feelgood Potts & Sheba Potts-Wright

This particular show has been a couple of years in the making. Trying to get everyone's schedule together and the right time for everyone to sit down and have a conversation. Finally, it happened. This is a great story of two legendary entertainers as father and daughter on the stage together and separately.

You'll also hear some of their music and the stories behind those recordings.



NEXT WEEK: Mick Kolassa & The Taylor Made Blues Band

Stay tuned...



14 October 2018

The Italian Job & The Juke Joint Allstars

This is a fun episode where there are 2 solid acts. First up, our friend Massimo Bevilacqua has teamed up with Gloria Turrini to put together The Italian Job. They are currently on tour in the U.S. for several weeks and added a stop to the Radio Memphis studios for an appearance. They are a lot of fun.

Also, who would of thought The Juke Joint Allstars would be a band with 100 members? You'll hear that story and more plus a performance from this legendary act right here.



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NEXT WEEK: Minister Shakura Yahweh (Sweet Willie Wine)

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07 October 2018

Scott Bomar & Howard Grimes

I swear, everytime I sit down with Howard Grimes, I learn something new about him. This time, he told me about how he played drums on Carla Thomas' Gee Whiz record. Also, he brought along Scott Bomar of the Bo-Keys.

You'll also hear some of the music they collaborated on over the years including one of the tracks from Cyndi Lauper she did with B.B. King.



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NEXT WEEK: The Italian Job & The Juke Joint Allstars

Stay tuned...

30 September 2018

Tom Graves on Robert Johnson

Celebrated author Tom Graves came to the studio recently. Jeff & I had a great conversation about the legendary Robert Johnson. Tom wrote THE book about the blues legend. We learned about some of the myths and stories surrounding Johnson and found a lot of truths about him

You'll also hear why the Radio Memphis show Booze & Blues is called that. It was celebration of the life of Robert Johnson, for sure.



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NEXT WEEK: Scott Bomar and Howard Grimes

Stay tuned...


23 September 2018

Brenda Taylor Makes The Trip

The daughter of Eddie Taylor, Brenda, drove to Memphis from Chicago just to be on the Booze & Blues show at Radio Memphis. We could not have been more honored. Her childhood was fascinating considering she grew up with one of the greatest bluesmen of the day.

She tells her story and sings with the Radio Memphis Studio Orchestra. Plus, you'll get to sample some of her family's music in this fantastic episode.



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The Radio Memphis Studio Orchestra was Willie Hall (drums), Judge Booker (bass) and Brad Webb (guitars).

NEXT WEEK: Tom Graves sorts out Robert Johnson

Stay tuned...


16 September 2018

Keith Douglas & Duwayne Burnside

It's a first for this show. Two guests in one action packed episode. First up is Keith Douglas, guitarist for Tora Tora. Keith talks about the history of this great rock band plus he shares the news about the brand new album headed your way very soon.

Next up, Duwayne Burnside sits down with Jeff & I to talk about his new CD plus many other things including the definition of "Burnside Style". And if that wasn't enough, Duwayne and his band played a few tunes in this wild episode From Radioland.



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NEXT WEEK: Brenda Taylor, the daughter of Eddie Taylor.

Stay tuned...