Ric Chetter - From Radioland

Episode 381: Mark May

Texas guitarist Mark May sat down with LJ, Natalie and Ric some time ago to talk about Texas blues. In this, the second of a two part special on the genre Mark talks about his experiences with music and how his musical family shaped the styles he works in to this day. Along the way, you'll hear some of his music and some of the stories from the road. Plus, Mark talks about his connection to the midsouth music scene as well as what he has planned in a post-pandemic world.

NEXT WEEK: Doug MacLeod Part I

Episode 380: Hamilton Loomis

Released during the Memorial Day weekend, Ric wishes you a happy weekend even though he has an issue with a certain broadcasting corporation. Despite all of that, Ric sits down with Natalie and making his first appearance on this show, LJ from Radio Memphis in The Morning and the three of them have a conversation with Texas bluesman, Hamilton Loomis. You'll hear some great music and hear how Hamilton spent a lot of time with Bo Diddley. Also, Ric goes a little too far regarding a certain side effect from wearing headphones all the time.

NEXT WEEK: Mark May

Episode 379: Marcella Simien

If you were to put together a show like this, one of the things you have to consider is how to get the thing out there for the public to find. It's not terribly labor intensive but there are some things that have to be done. One such thing is the agreement to certain "terms of service" of the platform you are submitting your show to. That is perfectly reasonable and expected. Then, there is iHeart Radio. It used to be your show would have to be approved to be on their platform. Due to certain reasons (as Ric explains in this episode), this show was never submitted to them. However, they have decided to just pick it up and run the thing. Without asking. Plus, they can run an ad in front of it for their own profit. So a pirate got pirated, by the same people who killed FM radio. Also on this episode, a conversation with Marcella Simien along with some of her music.

NEXT WEEK: Ask not for whom the bell tolls.

Episode 378: 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.

Episode 377: The Devil and His Wife

While driving between the studios, Ric encounters a cool weather phenomenon. After thinking about it, he remembers the weird term for it and wondered how it even makes sense at all. Along the way he muses about how if it didn't happen in Frayser (Memphis suburb), it didn't happen anywhere else. Plus a conversation with Colorado blues artist A.J. Fullerton. Also, Apple's latest trick to stop Facebook from being so nosey. Zuckerberg is pissed and most of America doesn't care.

NEXT WEEK: Blind Mississippi Morris 

Episode 376: An Evening with Bobby Rush

As Bobby Rush will tell you, his name is not Bobby Slowdown. It took a pandemic to get Bobby Rush to stay in one place for more than a day. One of the hardest working guys in the blues, Bobby Rush will tell you what he's been up to with the pandemic and what plans he has after this thing is over. Along the way, he'll tell you about his iconic name and why everyone refers to him as Bobby Rush and not Bobby or Mr. Rush. Plus, you'll hear how he got his start and the education he got from Elmore James among many others.

NEXT WEEK: A.J. Fullerton

 

Episode 375: Cooking With Kenny Wilkerson

Nova Rex was once named as one of the top 50 metal bands of the 1980's and they are still rockin'. Although the pandemic has slowed things down, they are planning on being back out on the road this summer. Bassist Kenny Wilkerson sat down with Ric to talk about the rock and roll world, his influences and some stories from the road. Apparently, there were some really wild times when they came through Memphis. Also, Kenny has a new book out featuring recipes from other musicians. All the proceeds from the sale of this book goes to a worthy cause and you will hear all about it in this episode. Plus, Ric has vaccine news and an update from the Studio C food bank.

NEXT WEEK: Bobby Rush

 

Episode 374: When Oak Trees Attack & John Primer

It is that time of the year when the single most offensive thing happening in the back yard is an oak tree. Also, Ric & Natalie sit down with Chicago bluesman John Primer to have a chat about his long and storied career spanning at least 86 albums. Not to mention the fact he can remember everything that ever happened to him. Fascinating stories, great laughs and some music from one of the best in the business.

NEXT WEEK: Kenny Wilkerson of Nova Rex

 

Episode 373: Suburban Gangsters Author Michael Dineen

Organized crime has long been a fascinating genre in book form, even more so when the stories are true. Author Michael Dineen joins Ric in this episode to talk about his new book Suburban Gangsters. It's true because Michael lived every story told in this book. Treat this as a cautionary tale about what happens when one wrong decision sets up a series of bad decisions each one progressively worse than the last. It's a hair raising tale and Michael gives you a taste of what to expect within the pages of this riveting book.

NEXT WEEK: Brenda Taylor

Episode 372: Quality Time with William Bell

Truly one of the greatest Memphis musicians is up for a Blues Music Award celebrating his lifetime achievement in the field of blues and soul. He was there at the beginning of STAX and was there through the end. He is now re-united with STAX as Concord Music has acquired the label and all of it's holdings. He sat down with Ric & LJ to have a conversation about his storied career and a few great stories were told. The great William Bell called into the show and here it is as it aired. Also, Facebook sprung a leak and more than likely, your personal data got released to the public. 

NEXT WEEK: Who knows?