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

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Carla Thomas, Willie Hall & Vanese Thomas - Dropping Bombs

The musical influence of the Thomas family in Memphis is enormous. Rufus Thomas was a true showman. His children learned that craft from the best. Carla Thomas scored 2 major hits in the 1960s with Gee Whiz and B-A-B-Y (the latter showing up recently on the Baby Driver soundtrack) along the way, the time spent at STAX was important for Carla.

Also, our great friend Willie Hall joined the conversation to talk about his days with STAX and Isaac Hayes and Booker T. & The MGs. And then Carla's sister, Vanese got on the air and dropped a bomb.



NEXT WEEK: Kyle & Gabe are Brother Boulevard

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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

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Road Trippin' and an Evening with Booker Brown

I was recently in Texas (long story) and had a bit of time to myself on the way back. It's an 11 hour drive. During all this time, I started noticing a couple of interesting patterns out there. Apparently, billboard advertising space must be had on the cheap since most of the one's I saw were outdated or had "Advertise Here" on them.

There is something else rather interesting out there. A lot of porn shops in the middle of nowhere.

Plus, Jeff and I spent some time with one of the greats. Booker Brown. He had with him Albert Sutherland on guitar. Then, all of a sudden, Willie Hall showed up to play some drums.



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NEXT WEEK: Singer and songwriter Paul Crum.

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The Music of Bill Lusk

I have learned it is well worth it to take the long way around the barn to get to what is important. This episode is an example of that. During the last week of October, I sat down in studio C at Pirate Radio Studios with Bill Lusk, Rick Malchow, Willie Hall and Steve Davis.

This wasn't just a moment to capture these stories. There was something much deeper than all of that. There had been a sort of sense of urgency in play to get this interview done. You see, the plan at one point was to do thing live on the air at Radio Memphis. 

When you hear this episode, you will understand why that was simply not possible.

This episode was a first in a couple of ways in that after it was recorded and heavily edited, we aired it on the Booze & Blues Show at Radio Memphis. Now, we present it here for your consumption. If you were listening that night, you didn't hear why we did what we did to make this happen.

Now, you will know exactly why.

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NEXT WEEK: A little something-something plus music from Deering & Down.

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Another Conversation with Willie Hall

It is always a great time when Willie Hall comes around. He's been a guest on Radio Memphis a few times including a rather famous encounter with Jim Dandy from Black Oak Arkansas. This time around, we wanted to spend some extra time talking about his work with Isaac Hayes.

They made some tremendous music together over the years. The stories you will hear in this show came from some fantastic memories of his years at Stax.

Also in this episode, we'll get a track from Isaac Hayes. One of the many songs Willie played drums on. Enjoy!



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NEXT WEEK: Three great guests on one big show. We talk about what it was like to work with the great Willie Mitchell. Toni Green, Howard Grimes and John Gary Williams. Plus, music from The Mad Lads.

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Willie "Too Big" Hall - Part 2

Willie Hall

You aren't seeing things. Here is part 2 of our conversation with Willie Hall. In this episode, we talk about the movies, writing and performing one of Hollywood's biggest films and stories from the production of the Blues Brothers.

My thanks to Willie Hall, Mark Caldwell, Rickey Self, Steve Davis, Jeff Janovetz and everyone at Radio Memphis.

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After you listen to that, this video will make MUCH more sense.




NEXT WEEK: The power of suggestion compels you to listen.

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Willie "Too Big" Hall - Part 1

Willie "Too Big" Hall

I am a fortunate guy. In the course of working in this end of show business, I get to take part in some truly great moments. This time is one of those. One of my favorite movies (and is one of many of yours) is The Blues Brothers.

The thing about that band, it is truly one of the greatest bands ever to perform. Like any band of this nature, the rhythm section is the key to the whole thing. The backbone if you will, falls to the bassist and the drummer. In that band it was Donald "Duck" Dunn and Willie "Too Big" Hall.

Willie came to Radio Memphis one night and Jeff Janovetz and I had a great evening talking about music, movies, the road and all things Willie is doing. This is part one of that broadcast. It was only edited to remove our commercials and other Radio Memphis bits of business. We talk about where his nickname came from and how he got is start in the music business.

Included in this episode are a couple of songs played by permission from the Bar-Kays and The Bo-Keys. We also start a conversation about working with The Blues Brothers and how the movie was made.



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Our thanks to Mark Caldwell of The Memphis Blues Society  for making this happen.

NEXT WEEK: Part two of this conversation including how the theme from Shaft was made, the whole story about The Blues Brothers and what Willie is doing now.

Stay tuned...