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August CONTENTS 2016 • VOLUME 13 • NO. 8
features 48 Gone Country Mississippi’s Country Music Trail
60 Idolizing Mississippi American Idols Mississippi takeover
54 Recording History The Memphis studio scene
departments 14 Living Well If you can’t stand the heat…
43 A Day Away Tishomingo County, Miss.
18 Notables The music man, Peter Whitham
46 Greaters Goods 68 Homegrown The words of Lenny & Eva
22 Exploring Art Meet the banjo makers
70 Southern Harmony Songwriting with South Main Sounds
26 Exploring Books “Lulu’s Kitchen”
72 Table Talk Delta Meat Market
30 Into the Wild Mammoth Cave, inside and out
76 In Good Spirits Pass the Pimm’s, please
34 Exploring Cuisine Norway takes the cake
78 Exploring Events
38 Exploring Destinations The sounds of Muscle Shoals
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80 Reflections Finding the Beat
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editor’s note } august What Music Can Do Isn’t music amazing? I can’t imagine our world without it. Not only does it live by our side and in our psyches, it’s often a unifying force like food. Recently, an email exchange with a colleague resulted in our chatting about the Sugarhill Gang. Anyone remember them? Music lives in our memories, much like for Peter Whitham whom I had the pleasure of interviewing. There’s nothing this musical man hasn’t done! You can meet him on page 18--if you don’t already know him. Mississippi’s rich musical heritage includes the Mississippi Country Music Trail, another statewide initiative designed to highlight talents from Jerry Clower to Faith Hill. Back in Memphis, Chere takes us on a tour of the most well-known, and lesser known, studios where recording history has unfolded repeatedly. The only thing better than music is food, music and friends. Anyone who needs a little convincing should hang around Lucy Buffett, sister to the famed Jimmy Buffett. Owner of Lulu’s in Gulf Shores, Buffett has just released her new cookbook, ““Lulu’s Kitchen: A Taste of the Gulf Coast Good Life” following her wildly successful “Crazy Sista Cooking”. This month, many school doors will open and sports practices will be in full swing. In Robin’s piece on page 14, she helps everyone understand the dangers of heatstroke. Like seniors, the
AUGUST 2016 • Vol. 13 No.8
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Adam Mitchell
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Paula Mitchell
EDITOR-AT-LARGE Karen Ott Mayer ASSISTANT EDITOR Andrea Brown Ross young are particularly vulnerable. Read her tips to learn more about how to keep the kids, pets and family safe during our hottest time of year. And what if your child isn’t an athlete? An almost unconceivable fate in this sports-saturated South. But there’s always the arts. There’s always music. As Peter said during our interview he has young kids playing complicated violin pieces or transposing music for the orchestra. Knowing music defined so much of my younger years, it’s refreshing to know somewhere, a young mind is learning Mozart or how to play a duet. It’s the hopeful sound our world needs most now. Stay cool!
Karen
CONTRIBUTORS Chere Coen Devin Greaney Jim Beaugez Mark Parsell Robin Gallaher Branch Jeanni Brosius Debra Pamplin Clint Kimberling Charlene Oldham Judy Smith
PUBLISHED BY DeSoto Media Co.
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on the cover Sun Studio is a recording studio opened by rock’n’roll pioneer Sam Phillips at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 3, 1950. Read more about Sun and other Memphis recording studios on page 54.
Photo courtesy of:
Silvio Ribeiro
www.silvioribeiro.com
©2016 DeSoto Media Co. DeSoto Magazine must give permission for any material contained herein to be reproduced in any manner. Any advertisements published in DeSoto Magazine do not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s services or products. DeSoto Magazine is published monthly by DeSoto Media Co. Parties i n t e re s t e d i n a d v e r t i s i n g s h o u l d email paula@desotomag.com or call 901-262-9887. Visit us online at desotomagazine.com.
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living well }
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heat strokes
Be Cool By Robin Gallaher Branch. Photography courtesy of kathyskinner.com
Brought on by intense external heat and augmented by internal dehydration, heat stroke can strike human beings and pets suddenly. It requires immediate intervention because—in rare cases—it can be fatal. “We see a range of heat-related illnesses including heat stroke, particularly at this time of year when the temperature changes from the upper 80s to the upper 90s and even goes past 100 degrees,” said Dr. Alan E. Jones, professor and chair of the Emergency Department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “Those most vulnerable to heat stroke are the very young and very old,” Jones said. Extra precautions for caregivers of those age levels include the following: • Cool off by using a battery-operated, hand-held fan • Avoid long stays in the sun • Spray with a cooling mist • Give cool water “Drink six to eight ounces of water every 30 to 45 minutes if you’re outside in extreme heat,” Jones began. He then shared an old medical school rule: Hydration, shade, moderation. Actually the easiest way to avoid heat stroke is prevention. Cover up. Avoid clothes like tank tops and short-shorts that expose lots of skin. Wear a hat. Take shade breaks, lots of them. Work or walk at a slower pace. When body temperature reaches 104 degrees or higher, “blood vessels get big in order to get to the surface of the body to cool,” Jones said. “This can cause a dip in blood pressure and a person can pass out.” Jones stressed that each body reacts differently. While some people vomit, others experience nausea, rapid pulse, and headache. One person may have hot, dry skin, while another sweats excessively. Behavior changes like slurred speech, confusion, and agitation are possible. In such a condition—when someone is having a heat
stroke—that person needs a friend! And that friend needs to act fast. Here are things a friend should do for the person— immediately: • Spray with a garden hose or cool mist • Put ice on the armpits, groin, and head • Sponge with cool water • Cover with a cool, damp sheet • Give water • Do not give alcohol or caffeine • If the person loses consciousness and pulse rate, begin CPR Medical treatment may be required. “Heat stroke may affect the brain, liver, and kidneys,” Jones said. And what to do for man’s best friend? Jones and Dr. Tim Fleming, veterinarian and owner of Hernando Animal Clinic, agreed that obese people and obese dogs share this in common: They may take longer to cool down after being overheated. “Dogs with shorter noses are more prone physiologically to overheating,” Fleming said. He cited the Shih Tzu and English Bulldog breeds in particular. Prevention starts with keeping a dog well-groomed, Fleming continued. Surprisingly, because it seems to be counter intuitive, long-haired dogs are not more susceptible to heat stroke. Do not shave them; hair acts as insulation. “However, if a dog’s hair is matted,” Fleming added, “then shave it.” Here are some pointers for keeping your pet alive and thriving in the Mid South’s heat: • If you keep your pet outdoors, make sure it can come inside, too • Put the pet’s water in a shaded area DeSoto 17
• Do not let your pet drink hot water • Do not chain your pet. “Chaining is a bad idea,” Fleming explained. “The pet will wind itself around a pole and cannot escape.” With all animals under your supervision, make sure they have adequate circulation of air. That means that in this heat, do not leave your pet in the car. A car—even with its windows cracked open— becomes what Fleming called “a heat sink.” Air cannot move. The temperature inside becomes higher than the temperature outside. “A car is a dangerous place for a dog,” Fleming said. Likewise, a closed garage also can be a death trap. The reasons involve a dog’s physiology. They can’t sweat, Fleming said. They release heat by panting. Heat also escapes through the skin in their ears and their footpads. A human being’s basic body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A dog’s basic body temperature is 100 to 102.5 degrees. Both humans and dogs can experience hyperthermia at 106 degrees. “That means that dogs have a smaller window of safety,” Fleming said. Signs of heat stroke in dogs are the following: • Heavy panting • Elbows and head extended outward • Inability to stand What should an owner do? Well, do not put ice or very cold water on the dog. “It constricts the blood vessels,” Fleming explained. “Instead, gently hose down a dog with a garden hose. Put rubbing alcohol on the dog’s footpads.” Monitor the dog; he might need to be taken to the vet. “He might need IV fluids,” Fleming said, because, as with human beings, heat stroke in a dog may have ongoing, damaging effects on internal organs. Fleming described his own dog, Domino, a Miniature Goldendoodle, as “smart, alert, intelligent, and mischievous.” Fleming tries to play with Domino every day. But it seems that if it’s too hot when he comes home from work, the two will look at each other and Domino leads the way in deciding to go back inside. Chuckling, Fleming thinks that’s good advice.
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notables } peter whitham
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the music man Story and photography by Karen Ott Mayer
He learned the violin at age seven. He also studied piano, eventually becoming a concert pianist for 22 years. With his low-key nature, what musician Peter Whitham may not divulge is that he was a musical prodigy, who could listen to a piece of music, then play it. “I couldn’t read music at first,” he said. He did eventually learn to read music, but more importantly, the music that has lived central to his life for over 50 years now, has continually led him to grow in many directions. His Hernando-based recording studio, Infused Studios, located just minutes from Eudora off highway 304 and 301, serves to inspire countless students, musicians and even himself. Born in Malta of British parents, Whitham points to his grandmother as his earliest musical influence, noting she herself was a concert pianist for Pinewood Studios during the silent movie era. Eventually, he followed in her footsteps, traveling the world as a young pianist and playing everywhere. “After a while, you don’t know where you are. Nothing is familiar except the music,” he said with a laugh. Following the end of a full-time performing career, Whitham worked for manufacturers, largely of pianos and organs. “That’s when
they were popular and everyone had a piano or organ,” he said. Thirteen years ago, he and his late wife Beverly Whitham left Memphis and moved to north Mississippi where he built a custom studio, now filled with pianos, recording studios, and plenty of Peavey inventory as Whitham is also a Peavy dealer. And anything and everything musical happens here. Whitham’s musical influence extends far beyond his own door. As the founder of the Mississippi Music Foundation in 2009, Whitham formed the Mississippi Youth Chamber Orchestra which has affected the musical futures of more than one child. He points out that between teaching and consulting for many years, the foundation now serves as a more formal vehicle for all his pursuits. “I had been helping people for a long time but the foundation ties everything together under one umbrella.” The privately-funded foundation relies solely on private donations to operate. DeSoto 21
In its fourth year, the youth orchestra includes approximately 20 students, many of whom have been involved since the inception. Ranging in ages from 11 and older, the students come from all over and the orchestra practices three times each month. Others, have graduated and moved on, carrying their musical experience with them. In addition to working with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra during Christmas performances in Hernando, the Mississippi Youth Chamber Orchestra also attended the prestigous American Music Guild Heritage Awards in North Carolina last year. “We arrived a day early to practice. An hour and a half later, we were ready even though we had just received the music two weeks prior,” said Whitham. Every May, the Mississippi Music Foundation also hosts the Mississippi Music Awards, an evening filled with entertainment and an opportunity to recognize artists. Whitham keeps a schedule that would make someone half his age melt. “I usually only sleep a few hours. I study all the time,” he said. With over 40 violin and piano students, many of whom are in the orchestra, he devotes part of his day to teaching. He teaches seniors as well as youth. “Age doesn’t matter” as one student is in his 70s. What’s most important isn’t on the music stand. “I look for dedication, a willingness to work with others and commitment.” To join the orchestra, auditions are required. 22 DeSoto
Like his own multi-faceted lifestyle, the foundation reaches beyond the youth orchestra. The Mississippi Music Foundation helps provide scholarships, matches expenses for recording artists and brings a wider platform to new Missisisppi music. “We help promote Mississippi music through our online radio station, MSMF.” During the air time, Whitham says they discuss all things to help artists. “We talk about everything from problems with managers to how to handle a rejection to technical questions about equipment.” The foundation also supports intern programs. Infused Studios also has 50,000 pieces of sheet music and books, creating a vast research opportunity for musicians. The 3,000 square-foot space includes the free-floating floor in the studio to create ideal sound conditions. While Whitham is a veritable one-man force, he is backed by countless volunteers, including a full board. Although Whitham is no stranger to composing music, he’s steadily composing and learning more about conducting--and dreaming big. “Eventually, we hope to have our own academy and performing center,” he said. While music may be a part of many lives, for Whitham, music is his life. Thankfully, his dedication to growing other’s musical talents means Mississippi’s musical future remains strong.
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exploring art } george banjos
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By Devin Greaney. Photography courtesy of georgebanjos.com, sidestreetsteppers.com and Devin Greaney
Rancho Grande, a Mexican restaurant in Southaven, looked more fitting for a mariachi band than a folk quartet. But the Side Street Steppers fit right in with the Tuesday night dinner crowd, as they stroll from table to table with a sound like a Top-40 cover band from the Calvin Coolidge era. The diners seemed to enjoy them as much as the complimentary salsa roja. Christian Stanfield and his wife Vera Stanfield brought a collection of instruments, none of which were neglected on this night. Mandy Martin was wearing/playing a real vintage washboard- no plastic knock off here- with all the bells and whistles. And a horn, too. Ben Walsh played the upright bass, the most serious-looking instrument, but not the player. To be a Side Street Stepper, you need a fair amount of whimsy, and a good sense of humor along with a passion to march to the beat of a different washboarder. Stanfield, along with Tommy George, are responsible for the strumming through Rancho Grande. What sets them
apart, perhaps, is that the pair actually makes different types of banjos with their company, George Banjos. Their banjos have both a custom sound and custom look. “We sent one to a lady in Florida. She wanted a different inlay and design- a few things that make this banjo hers and no other like it,” George said. There are a variety of places that make banjos, but if you’re looking for a completely unique instrument, Tommy and Christian are the ones to call. Memphis musicians, Randall Morton and Valarie June, did. Husband and wife duo, Grace and Tony, of Loretto, Tenn., strum their strings from George Banjos instruments along with DeSoto 25
J.D. Wilkes, of the Legendary Shack Shakers. Stanfield became interested in the sound from the live bands playing at Idlewild Presbyterian Church’s contra dance sessions, which is a European folk dance similar to square dancing. “Heard an Irish jig and thought that was really neat but it’s safe to say I had no idea about the music before contra dancing,” he said. Not only did contra dancing lead him to the music, but a trip to a dance in Alabama led him to meet his future wife. As for George, he has held a long interest in the music and has been playing for almost 50 years. He was taking a woodshed class at Kingsbury High in the late 1960s when he saw a banjo taken apart. “It didn’t look too complicated even though there are about 100 parts. The banjo is about half wood and half metal. I guess that was it- playing and figuring out about what makes a banjo a banjo. I liked working with my hands doing whatever. I worked on lawnmowers, so I could mow lawns and afford more banjos,” said George. Stanfield started playing in the Pod Licker string band. “The banjo player really fascinated me. I borrowed a banjo he had, an introductory model. After a couple of months I was ready to buy my own. I asked him for a recommendation,” Stanfield said. That’s when he met George. During a repair, Stanfield marveled at the lineup of banjos and mandolins in different states of completion. “I said I’d love to learn how to do this. He invited me to start coming over once a week after work. His wife would make me dinner.” He began to pick up how to do it. He and a friend helped build a website and assist with the marketing. Three types of wood are used depending on the sound needed. “Mahogany sounds warm and mellow and maple is a 26 DeSoto
harder gain wood and has a brighter sound. Walnut is kind of a cross between the two woods. It’s going to have properties from both,” George said. Mahogany is tropical. The maple he uses comes out of New York. “I’ve got some walnut from Arkansas. I even cut a walnut from my property,” he said. George’s home and shop are in Somerville, Tennessee. First, he dries the wood, usually a year of drying for each inch of thickness. After its air dried it’s kiln dried. “I buy the metal parts. I buy the mother of pearl blanks and simple designs, but everything else I make by hand,” Stanfield said. Crafting the banjos takes time. “It takes two, to two and a half months for a banjo ukulele from start to finish--if I don’t have any distractions. I can build a regular banjo in four to four and a half months, best case scenario.” A banjo ukulele was a popular instrument in the 1920s, Stanfield said, and it looks like what the name impliesa miniature banjo with its own unique sound. Vera plays the Banjo ukulele, clawhammer Appalachian mountain banjo, and the bluegrass resonator banjo. Christian plays the guitar, mandolin, 5 string banjo, tenor banjo and the resonator guitar. And yes, all those banjos came from the hands of Stanfield. “Our band schedule has picked up, and my wife and I have full-time day jobs. I built six last year. I’ve built 50 instruments since mid-to-late 2007,” Stanfield said. Side Street Steppers finished up at Rancho Grande after playing close to three hours filled with laughs, music and photos. They were ready for dinner and a little spent from talking. It’s a regular gig for them, and although all bands make music, one senses a unique satisfaction from the musician who really made the music.
www.georgebanjos.com
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exploring books} lulu’s kitchen
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Crab Cakes
Key Lime Pie
Crazy Sista Cooking By Clint Kimberling. Photography courtesy of Sara Essex
There may have been a time when Lucy Anne Buffett was best-known for being Jimmy Buffet’s sister. But today, she has two thriving restaurants and a best-selling cookbook bearing her name, making her a celebrity in her own right on the Gulf Coast. Buffet’s journey to this place covered a meandering career path, but she’s always been driven by a love and passion for food and entertaining. After a series of adventures – or misadventures – she was called back to Fairhope, Alabama to care for her parents. She found herself with no clue or plan on what to do next. Soon, though, she got an offer to open a restaurant, what she described as a “little dive bar on the water.” Reluctantly, she said yes to the offer and opened Lulu’s Sunset Grill on Week’s Bay. It was here she cultivated her love for entertaining and taught herself the restaurant business. She did this for five years while developing a dedicated following. After an issue with her lease, she decided to move the whole operation to Gulf Shores. In true Lulu fashion, the entire operation was literally floated down the coast to a new location. Lulu’s in Gulf Shores allowed Buffett to truly embrace her zeal for life, food and entertainment.
In 2008, Buffett decided to write a cookbook and filled it with recipes that were popular at her restaurant. A natural marketer and saleswoman, her rationale was also businessminded. “We were selling a lot of t-shirts at the restaurant and I just knew if I had a book, I could sell those too. A cookbook just made sense to me and it was my dream to write and publish a cookbook, so I just decided to do it finally.” Her instinct was right on. Her self-published cookbook “Crazy Sista Cooking” has sold over 70,000 copies. This spring, Lucy re-released her cookbook in paperback with a new title, “Lulu’s Kitchen: A Taste of the Gulf Coast Good Life”. The book features over 120 of her favorite Southern Coastal recipes including Perfect Fried Shrimp, Blackened Grouper Sandwich, Garlic Cheese Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Heavenly Fried Crab Claws. Gumbo is the signature dish at Lulu’s and there are three recipes in the book. DeSoto 29
Lucy Buffett
Of course there’s a also a whole chapter on beach-ready cocktails, including “Bama Breeze” and “LuLu’s Painkiller.” Almost all of the recipes in the book can be ordered at Lulu’s. But the book is fleshed out with old family recipes passed down from her grandmothers, who Buffett refers to as her culinary inspirations. Some of these dishes include a tomato pie recipe, grits and grillades, and sautéed crab meat over cheese grits which she says is her go to dish when she has company over. “It was a difficult process to pare it down. If the book was just all my favorite foods, it would be twice as long,” she joked. Buffett’s Southern Coastal style of cuisine comes from being exposed, at the tender age of two, to totally different versions of southern cooking by her grandmothers. Bessie Petes, on her mother’s side, worked as a dietician at a finishing school in Long Beach. Buffett remembers visiting the school for luncheons on Sundays and being treated to the upscale Southern Coastal cuisine that featured a carving station and dishes like crab au gratin. On the other hand, her father’s mother, Hilda Buffett, grew up in a boarding house, and as a result, cooked like a boarding house cook. Her meals included multiple proteins and lots of sides that Lucy says were the most delicious home cooked vegetables. Lucy directly credits Hilda’s gumbo as the inspiration for her famous recipe. “Ultimately,” she said, “I’m all about taste. It’s got to taste good. Sometimes the payoff is greater when things are a little less complicated. I like to be able to whip something up that’s really good that everyone thinks is great. That’s what drives me.” If you’re wondering about Lucy’s musical talent, she says it doesn’t necessarily run in the Buffett family. She took piano lessons as child, but didn’t like practicing. She admits to being a music lover which is something their mother, who loved Broadway musicals, passed onto both her and Jimmy. “We grew up listening to musicals in the house which I think is the genesis 30 DeSoto
Rum Punch
of both mine and Jimmy’s love of music.” The food, entertainment, and music all go hand in hand at Lulu’s where they have live music every night of the year. Buffett thinks of her commitment to this as not only an homage to her love of music, but also a way to support musicians and music. “Jimmy is one of a few that made it. This is my part to support others. Plus, when music is in sync with the atmosphere, everything is better.” Buffett stays busy with her two restaurants and she just finished writing a second cookbook. “Gumbo Love”, due out in April 2017, will be a continuation of stories and classic Gulf Coast recipes that are in the first book. “It’s really a celebration of how we eat down here.”
www.lulubuffett.com for information on the restaurants, books, and appearances.
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into the wild } mammoth cave
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Caving into Fun By Andrea Brown Ross. Photography courtesy of The Decker/Royal Agency
Looking for a cool way to spend the hot weekends still left of the summer? Or, perhaps enjoy a unique way to experience an outdoor concert? Mammoth Cave in south central Kentucky stays a consistent 54 degrees year round, making it a cool place in the summer.
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Mammoth Cave Lantern Tour
But the reasons making it a cool place to visit are not limited to just the temperature. With concerts and other activities, it’s not your typical weekend trip outdoors. “It’s always a good day to go inside Mammoth Cave,” shared Vickie Carson, public information officer for Mammoth Cave National Park. “It’s a fascinating place. We are still discovering things, and learning more all the time.” Known as the longest cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles to explore, it earned the name Mammoth and was rediscovered a little more than 200 years ago. Volunteers continue to make discoveries each year, delving a little deeper in the cave. Artifacts such as cane reed torches and sandals have been found inside the cave. Park officials believe the cave system was being used as long as 5,000 years ago, with early Native American people coming and going regularly into the cave 2,000 years ago. Later generations of Native Americans believed the cave entrance was a connection to the underworld. As the legend goes, in the late 1790s a man was following a bear that he had shot. Wounded, the bear led the man to the entrance of the cave. Discovering the saltpeter inside, the cave was mined for crystals that were eventually used as an ingredient for gun powder during the War of 1812. When the war ended, the mining operation ended. In 1816, organized cave tours began. Through the 1800s the cave was privately owned and operated. Tourists came from around the world to visit. 34 DeSoto
In the 1920s, the people of Kentucky presented Mammoth as a gift to the federal government. Around the same time, Shenandoah and the Smoky Mountains were also acquired as a part of the National Park Service. Special events have been held throughout the year, such as concerts inside the cave and on the surface, as well as day camps for school aged children. Costumed walks and talks, art exhibits, and more events are yet to come. In late August, Mammoth Cave will be offering free cave tours, August 25- 28, along with Bat Night on the 27th and a concert the evening of the 28th. “Bat Night includes experts capturing bats with nets and demonstrating health check-ups. Night vision goggles and acoustic monitoring devices are some of the special equipment visitors will learn more about,” said Carson. Visitors can choose from a selection of guided tours inside the cave. Tours range from approximately one to two hours and up to two miles. For those looking for a little more adventure, the Wild Cave tour lasts six hours with visitors trekking five miles. The Mammoth Cave National Park is open year round. Christmas Day is the only day without cave tours. Carlson said the summer months offer the most cave tours. The park is typically busier on holiday weekends and during school breaks, such as fall or spring break. With fewer guests during the winter months, fewer tours are offered throughout the day, but
Mammoth Cave New Entrance Domes
visitors may have more of an opportunity to interact with their guide and ask questions. In addition, visitors may find its 54 degrees just right during colder temperatures. And what to do when not in the cave? The park offers plenty of outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, and kayaking. But if sleeping in the wild is a little too outdoorsy for your taste, local accommodations include hotels and bed and breakfast “Considering Mammoth Cave National Park’s nature, history, and exploration, we have a real appreciation for the unknown and discovery,” said Carson.
nps.gov/maca facebook.com/VisitBGKY
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exploring cuisine } norwegian cake
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From the Land of Fjords,
a Famous Cake The world’s best cake combines fancy and simple. Story and photography by Ann N. Yungmeyer
Clarksdale, Mississippi and Norway’s town of Notodden near Oslo are sister cities, and this month, we celebrate the cultural connections during the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival held August 12-14, 2016. For many years, Clarksdale has hosted Norwegian artists at the annual festival and Mississippi musicians have performed numerous times in Norway. As unlikely as it may seem, Mississippi and Norway not only share a love for blues music, but also for fancy cake. While Mississippians adore their Mud Cake, Norwegians boast a special cake called verdens beste (the world’s best) – a meringue-topped cake combining the simple flavors of whipped cream, pudding and almonds. It is served at celebrations such as weddings, baptisms, confirmations and patriotic occasions. My visit to the fjord region and the city of Alesund on Norway’s Constitution Day, May 17, was timely for discovering
this culinary icon and experiencing the country’s independence day celebration. We watched a lively parade along the streets of Alesund with proud participants marching in their national costume, the bunad. Later, overlooking the fjords from our hilltop retreat at the StorFjord Hotel, we were treated to a special Constitution Day dinner featuring the famous cake. Savoring each mouth-watering bite, I finally caught on that “world’s best cake” is actually a name the Norwegians give the acclaimed specialty. The cake is also known as Kvaefjordkake DeSoto 37
from its 1930s origins in a small town in northern Norway, where according to legend, a café owner bought and perfected a Danish recipe. The popularity of Kvaefjord cake spread throughout the country, and in 2002, it was named Norway’s national cake. I searched several Kvaefjord cake recipes to try in my own kitchen and brought home a bit of Norway tradition, adapted slightly to find the most practical steps for baking the cake. My family agrees that Kvaefjord cake is great for any occasion – and it’s the perfect fusion of fancy and simple.
Ingredients: Yellow cake
•1 stick butter softened at room temp •1/2 cup sugar •4 egg yolks •2/3 cup all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon baking powder •3 tablespoons milk •1 t vanilla extract
For the meringue
•3/4 cup sugar •4 egg whites •¼ teaspoon cream of tartar •1/2 cup sliced or chopped almonds
For the custard filling
•2 prepared Jello vanilla pudding cups •1 cup whipping cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 x 9 baking pan with parchment paper. Beat butter and 1/2 c sugar until light and fluffy; then slowly beat in egg yolks one at a time. Sift flour and baking powder, add to mixture alternately with 3 Tablespoons milk. Spread in pan. Add cream of tartar to egg whites and beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add ¾ c sugar, beating until mixture forms stiff peaks. Spread over cake batter and sprinkle with almonds. Bake about 25 minutes until meringue is firmed and slightly browned. Cool on cake rack. Remove cake on parchment paper to a flat service, cut cake in two halves, and place one half on serving platter. Whip the cream and fold in vanilla pudding. Spread pudding/cream mixture over one of the cake halves, then top with the other half to make a double layer cake. Refrigerate about an hour to set up before serving. Enjoy! 38 DeSoto
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exploring destinations } muscle shoals, alabama
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That Muscle Shoals Sound By Jim Beaugez. Photography courtesy of al.com and rocksoff.org
A collection of framed promotional glossy photos cover the wood-paneled hallway that separates studios A and B inside FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, greeting visitors to the unlikely pop-music hit factory that brought Aretha Franklin and other essential soul, R&B and country artists to prominence. The Shoals—a quad-city area of Muscle Shoals, Florence, Tuscumbia and Sheffield, situated along the Tennessee River—is equally two hours plus from both Memphis and Nashville, the widely regarded music centers of the South. But as seen in places from the Mississippi Delta to Appalachia, geographic isolation can lead to artistic innovation. Faces both familiar and obscure, many adorned by hairstyles and fashions now relegated to history, peer across to artists who more recently walked this corridor in search of the magic that spawned a decades-long hit parade. This studio, along with Muscle Shoals Sound, with its iconic “3614 Jackson Highway” sign and clients like The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, put the Shoals on the music-business map.
“What made the studios special were the people—the musicians, the producers and the songwriters, in a small-town setting that was a much more laid-back lifestyle than in larger music communities,” said co-owner Rodney Hall, who operates the facility as a recording studio and tourist attraction. “FAME has one of the greatest-sounding rooms, but it was the people who came into the room who really made it special.” Those people were the Swampers, a local group of musicians built around a core of David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Beckett and Roger Hawkins, who collaborated with artists like Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett and The Staple Singers to give the area its sound. Lynyrd Skynyrd famously namechecked the crew in “Sweet Home Alabama” after recording at DeSoto 41
Mick Jagger in the studio of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios during the Rolling Stones’ 1969 recording session.
Muscle Shoals Sound. When FAME opened in 1959, the towns that now make up the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area were more separated and less populated, with an economy largely based on farming. One of the reasons the area became such a musical force, according to Hall, is because there were few options for entertainment. The oral tradition of sitting on the front porch, telling stories and singing songs was a big part of life. Tours of Hall’s studio immerse visitors in the stories and sounds of American music history. A vintage Wurlitzer electric piano, which Spooner Oldham used on Franklin’s first crossover success, “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You,” rests along the wall. Another Franklin hit recorded here, a cover of The Band’s “The Weight,” featured guitar legend Duane Allman, who was a staff musician at FAME before founding The Allman Brothers Band with his sibling Gregg. “Duane was recording sessions in studio A, and between sessions, he would roll his guitar amp over and jam with Jaimoe and Berry Oakley [later of ABB],” said Hall. “Basically, the Allman Brothers were formed in studio B.” On certain tours, visitors can peek inside the office of Rodney’s father Rick Hall—the musician, producer, publisher and businessman who started it all here—and see where every artist and label executive who has worked at FAME has sat, listened to music and made deals. Across the river in Florence, visitors can tour the cabin where bluesman and entertainer W.C. Handy was born and view a large collection of his personal papers, memorabilia and artifacts. Handy traveled the U.S. and Cuba as a musician in the early 1900s, picking up the hypnotic blues sound in the Delta and carrying it to Memphis, where he wrote “Memphis Blues” and “Saint Louis Blues.” 42 DeSoto
Gregg Allman will record his new album ““All Compositions by Gregg Allman,” at Fame in Muscle Shoals
Another recording industry titan, Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records—the Memphis-based studio that launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison and recorded “Rocket 88” by Ike Turner, widely considered the first rock’n’roll record—grew up on a farm outside Florence, where he picked cotton with his family. Phillips drew inspiration from the “open format” of local radio station WLAY, which played music by white and black artists, and used the idea when he started Sun Records. The original equipment Phillips used to capture those early B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis recordings is on display at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in nearby Tuscumbia. The museum honors more than 1,200 “music achievers” from the state through exhibits and artifacts from artists such as Lionel Richie, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams and Tammy Wynette. The collection includes Nat King Cole’s piano and the group Alabama’s tour bus, giving visitors a fullscale view of life on the road. In Sheffield, the original Muscle Shoals Sound studio at 3614 Jackson Highway where The Rolling Stones recorded “Wild Horses” and “Brown Sugar” will soon reopen thanks to a grant from Beats By Dre, following a full renovation to its 19691971 period. Like FAME, the shotgun-style studio will split its time as a recording studio and tourist attraction. The hitmaking continues even as tourism grows in the Shoals, and visitors to the area could still run into rising stars or established artists. Jason Isbell, The Civil Wars and Alabama Shakes are among recent successful exports, while Matisyahu, The SteelDrivers, Third Day and The Black Keys have all recorded there in recent years. “We’ve had two or three Grammy winners come through here this year,” said Hall. “It’s still happening.”
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a day away } tishomingo county
Tishomingo County, Miss. 9:00 Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Waterway Grill in Burnsville. Traditional breakfast favorites include eggs, pancakes and french toast. Or order an omelet like the Grandslam with three eggs, sausage, ham, bacon, peppers, onion and cheese. Served with hash browns and biscuits and gravy. 10:00 Drive about 30 minutes south to Tishomingo State Park, one of Mississippi’s most beautiful parks. As you begin your hike cross the swinging bridge over Bear Creek, 13 miles of trails await the adventuresome. 11:30 As you drive north toward Iuka, take in all the natural beauty of the county including Woodall Mountain, which is the highest peak in the state as well as the location of the 1862 Battle of Iuka. Be on the lookout for the locally-owned quaint shops scattered throughout the area. And don’t miss a drive through Iuka’s covered bridge! 1:00 Lunch at Cafe Memories in Iuka. The charming atmosphere and friend ly service are just part of what makes this place special. Salads, soups, sandwiches and daily lunch specials are available and pair perfectly with sweet tea. 2:00 Visit the Old C ourthouse Museum. The courthouse, built in 1870, is on the National Register of Historic P laces. You can view a large collection of historical records and rotating exhibits including Civil War, Native American and Chickasaw Indian artifacts. 3:00 Tour thousands of vintage aprons at the charming Apron Museum, celebrating their 10-year anniversary. Learn more about the history, fashion and art of the apron. 4:00 Drive about 15 minutes north to Eastport Marina located on P ickwick Lake. No visit to the area would be complete without stopping at one of the county’s 50,000 acres of lakes. Rent a pontoon boat or WaveRunner or just sit and enjoy the gorgeous view. 6:00 C ountry Squire in Iuka is the perfect way to end the day. Order a juicy steak, fried or grilled catfish, crab cakes and hushpuppies. Save room for a homemade piece of Hostess or strawberry cake. (Open Thursday-Sunday) DeSoto 45
Iuka Heritage Day 2013
For more information: tishomingofunhere.org tishomingohistory.com apronmuseum.com epmarina.com
Upcoming Events: Dulcimer Festival August 12-14 J.P. Coleman State Park Iuka Heritage Festival September 2-3 Mineral Springs Park Belmont Bear Creek Festival & Antique Car Show September 10 C.C. Shook Park Trash & Treasures along the Tenn-Tom Waterway September 30 - October 1 Iuka , MS Harvest of Quilts Needle Chasers Quilt Show September 16 - 17 Mt. Glory Baptist Church Iuka, MS Halloween in the Park October J.P. Coleman State Park Annual Christmas Parades: Belmont, Burnsville, Iuka & Tishomingo December
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Rock Stairway on walking trail at Tishomingo State Park
Grand Harbor Resort Ariel view on Pickwick Lake
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greater goods } back to school
BACK TO SCHOOL
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1. Comfort Colors T-Shirts, $26 Paisley Pineapple, 6542 Goodman Road, Suite 115, Olive Branch, MS 2. Vera Bradley school supplies The Pink Zinnia, 134 West Commerce Street, Hernando, MS 3. Jadelynn Brook Backpacks, $58 The Bunker Boutiue, 2631 McIngvale Suite #106, Hernando, MS 4. Collegiate Tervises Mimi’s on Main, 432 W Main Street, Senatobia, MS 5. Lunch Boxes $20 (Monogramming Available) Mimi’s on Main, 432 W Main Street Senatobia, MS
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greater goods } back to school
BACK TO SCHOOL
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4 1. Collegiate hats, $30 Cynthia’s Boutique, 2529 Caffey Street, Hernando, MS 2.Fish Hippie shirts SoCo, 300 W Commerce St, Hernando, MS 3.Backpacks $19-27. Monograming available. The Merry Magnolia, 194 E Military Rd., Marion, AR 4.Snap Happy purses and bags Bon Von, 214 W Center Street, Hernando, MS
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5.Scout storage boxes, lunch boxes and bags Square Cupboard, 328 W Commerce St., Hernando, MS
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People gathered for the unveiling of the Mississippi Country Music Trail’s 30th marker, honoring Faith Hill, on Dec. 19, 2015, in Star.
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By Charlene Oldham. Photography courtesy of Visit Meridian, visitmississippi.org and mississippitoday.org
Mississippi might be better known as both the birthplace of the blues and of Elvis Presley, the King of rock‘n’roll, but the state also boasts deep connections to country music and its origins. Although the genre lacked an all-encompassing label in the 1920s and early 1930s when Jimmie Rodgers was recording and performing tunes like “In the Jailhouse Now” and “Waiting for a Train,” the Meridian native is now known as the Father of Country Music. The state was also home to superstars including Tammy Wynette and Conway Twitty, among others, as well as lesser known singers, songwriters and even comedians who collaborated to create some of the bestloved songs in the country music catalog. The Mississippi Country Music Trail chronicles those contributions with 30 historical markers that tell the story of
individual artists, bands, musical milestones, events and notable places through text, photos and images of other musical memorabilia. “The Mississippi Country Music Trail provides an infrastructure to explore Mississippi’s influence on country music,” said Glenn McCullough Jr., executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. “The Trail has helped us broaden the story of music in Mississippi. People automatically associate Mississippi with the blues, and rightfully so, but we have helped shape many American art forms outside of the blues. Blues and country go hand-in-hand. These genres are the DeSoto 51
From left, Malcolm White, Craig Wiseman, Mary Margaret and Miller White
Marty Stuart, left, and His Fabulous Superlatives perform at the 35th Annual Mississippi Picnic
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music of the working man, often touching on similar themes and telling similar stories. These are the sounds of Saturday night that can also be found in the church choir on Sunday morning.” Like the Mississippi Blues Trail that preceded it, the Country Music Trail is overseen by Visit Mississippi, the tourism division of the state development authority. Grammy-winning musician and Mississippian Marty Stuart, whose resume includes stints with Johnny Cash’s backup band and a prolific solo career, was instrumental in getting the project from concept to its current state, said Barry Mazor, who writes and researches markers for the trail. Stuart is also well known as a photographer and collector of country music memorabilia. “With his great interest in both the culture of his home state and in country music history, [Stuart] wanted to see the many who had contributed to country music, and come from there better recognized as Mississippians,” Mazor said. Mazor, a Nashville-based music journalist, critic and author whose works include a book on Jimmie Rodgers, said the process for researching the trail markers -- which recognize artists ranging from the Leake County Revelers, a 1920s string band, to contemporary country artist Faith Hill – varied widely. He collected material and memorabilia from surviving musicians, artists’ family members and the archives of entities including the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. There are markers devoted to the country music contributions from the likes of stars including Elvis Presley, Charlie Pride and Tammy Wynette, who with her hits like “Stand by Your Man,” is known as the First Lady of Country Music. “Along the way, it’s been great to be able to give talents such as the first substantially successful songwriting woman in country, Elsie McWilliams, her due, or a great record producer and songwriter most people may not know by name, like Bob Ferguson, or to take seriously a country comic like Rod Brasfield,” Mazor said of the markers. Visitors might come across a marker while attending an event like the annual Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival in Meridian, which is also home to a museum devoted to the pioneering musician’s life. McCullough, of the state’s development DeSoto 53
authority, said country music fans often find themselves making the pilgrimage to other markers and visiting attractions, restaurants and local businesses along the way. “We know that visitors come away with a deeper understanding of Mississippi’s role in the development of the country music genre, one that is entirely drawn from the American South,” he said. “The Trail often whets the appetite for the traveler, and while you may have come to explore the origins of Jimmie Rodgers in the Pines region, you’ll likely find yourself in a state of the art museum like GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in the Delta region learning about how Mississippians have influenced a wide range of musical styles.” Soon, tourists will also be able to visit the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, a nearly $50 million museum slated to open its doors in late 2017 and draw between 125,000 to 150,000 visitors to downtown Meridian each year. Such projects reinforce the idea behind the Country Music 54 DeSoto
Trail, the Blues Music Trail and a third set of historical markers, the Freedom Trail, which is still under construction. Malcolm White, former director at Visit Mississippi, said the goal of the trail is to serve as just one component of itineraries that help locals and visitors alike explore historical sites, culinary offerings and cultural attractions around the state. The sites provide a boost to the tourism economy and civic pride. “These are not just markers, they are story boards of our greatest resource -- our rich cultural and heritage legacy,” said White, now executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. And, while the culture of country music has evolved dramatically in the decades between Jimmie Rodgers’s downhome hits and Faith Hill’s mega tours co-headlined by her husband, country star Tim McGraw, researcher and writer Mazor says Mississippi songs share a common chord. “When you look at the country music these
Faith Hill
Jimmie Rodgers
Mississippians have made as a whole, and listen to it that way, you can’t help but hear a common thread,” he said. “The blues and the Deep South soul that registers in gospel and R&B from the state as well, finds a voice in Mississippi country, too. And it would be our hope that presenting the country music of the state this way, linked together, will make it better understood as a product of the place, with a relation to all the other sounds and rhythms of life in Mississippi.”
For more information on the Mississippi Country Music Trail, visit mscountrymusictrail.org DeSoto 55
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By Cheré Coen. Photography courtesy of Sun Studio, Royal Studios and Ardent Studios
It’s argued that much of America’s music today can be traced to musical styles emanating from the Deep South, mainly the Mississippi Delta, New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville. And although Nashville has been labeled “Music City,” it was Memphis where many of the blues artists found their audiences, performing on Beale Street and recording tunes at Memphis studios and having their records played on radio stations such as WDIA, the first white-owned station to play “race music.” B.B. King, for instance, performed in Beale Street juke joints and on a daily radio show at WDIA and from there his fame skyrocketed.
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Bruno Mars and Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell Bruno Mars records 3 days at Royal Studios.
Sam Phillips heard the Beale Street blues and decided to record its performers at Memphis Recording Service, housed at 706 Union with Sun Records. Phillips later heard a new sound with Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats in 1951, and recorded their tune “Rocket 88.” The band included Ike Turner and is reportedly the first rock ’n’ roll song ever recorded. As Memphis tunes hit the airways back in the 1950s, a teenager from Tupelo, Miss., arrived, paying Phillips $4 to record a song. Phillips asked the young Elvis Presley who he sounded like and Presley replied, “I don’t sound like nobody.” It took a year before Presley returned to Memphis, and his new song didn’t impress the studio executive. When he fooled around with “That’s All Right,” Phillips recorded that tune, the song went out on the radio and became an instant hit. The rest, of course, is history. But even though rock ’n’ roll began on the streets of Memphis, the great music pouring from the River City through the local studio scene began before Elvis came to town. “It is a common misconception that Memphis recording studios got off with Elvis and that’s not true,” said Caroline Stanfield, public relations specialist with the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. And after Phillips recorded a slew of hits, such as Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” and Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line,” plus the long success of Stax Records with stars such as Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, the Memphis music scene continued to evolve with the times. Today, Memphis studios are still cranking out the hits. Here are a few of the oldies but goodies.
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Royal Studios
Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell grew up watching some of the best names in music history perform in the studio owned by his father, Willie Mitchell. Royal Studios began in 1957 when Joe Coughi, Quinton Claunch and John Novarese turned an old theater into a recording studio, producing hits with Bill Black Combo and making a name as the “House of Instrumentals.” “It was the second commercial studio in Memphis after Sam (Phillips),” Mitchell explained. “They opened in 1957 and it immediately started putting out hit songs.” But when Willie Mitchell, a session trumpeter, joined up he changed the studio’s direction toward R&B. Then Mitchell moved into producer mode after Coughi’s death in 1969, eventually writing and producing numerous hits with Al Green that would sell millions. “It marked the first full realization of Willie Mitchell’s vision of soul music on a higher plane, employing a muted string section, soft sophisticated melody with a gospel twist,” writes Peter Guralnik in “Sweet Soul of Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom.” Some of the stars who walked through Royal’s doors included Rod Stewart, Bobby Blue Bland, Robert Cray, Ann Peebles, Tom Jones, Boz Scaggs and Buddy Guy. “It was magical, awesome,” Lawrence Mitchell remembered. “Pretty cool childhood. I always knew it was cool but I’m not sure I knew exactly how cool it was.” Mitchell carries on the torch, Royal still producing hits. Bruno Mars recorded his “Uptown Funk” album there, which won the 2015 “Record of the Year” Grammy. Mitchel names other visiting top musicians like a grocery list: John Mayer, My
Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell
Morning Jacket, Keith Richards, Elton John, Beverly Knight, Trombone Shorty. “A lot of that was in the past five to six years,” he said. “We’ve really been blessed by having people beating down our doors.” In addition, the studio records numerous soundtracks for Hollywood. “Music recording at Royal has seen a crazy amount of films from ‘Pulp Fiction’ to ‘Hellboy,’” Mitchell said.
Ardent Studios
Ardent opened its doors in 1966 and has amassed its share of hits and Grammy Award-winning records. But how it all began is the great American success story. Jo h n Fr y h a d a p a s s i o n f o r electronics and music, so the high school sophomore, along with friends John King and Fred Smith, recorded his first single one month past his 15th birthday. Since the hired studio didn’t meet the boys’ standards, they built their own in Fry’s parents’ garage. “That’s when John started the clock on his 50th anniversary,” said Joey Stephens, Ardent’s public relations manager. King remained in the music business but Smith went on to begin an overnight service called Federal Express. “It’s an amazing story,” Stephens said. “They both started things felt around DeSoto 59
One of six microphones used by Elvis at Sun Studio
JimDickinson and JoeHardy at ArdentStudios
Ardent Studios
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the world. And we now have this amazing foundation that John Fry began.” Musicians who have recorded at Ardent include James Taylor, Leon Russell, Big Star and Led Zeppelin, plus several Stax artists such as Don Nix, Sam and Dave, the Staple Singers and Booker T. and the MGs. In the 1980s, Ardent began recording Christian artists such as Big Tent Revival and Smalltown Poets. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the studio offered a panel at South by Southwest and will present another this month at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the studio works continue. “The cool thing about Ardent is we have three studios so at any given time we could have a community of people working here,” Stephens said. “They’re all on the same mission of fulfilling their dream — that’s what music is all about.”
Sam Phillips
One of the earliest studios to emerge in Memphis began with Sam Phillips and his Memphis Recording Service. In addition to blues artists such as B.B. King, Phillips recorded the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Warren Smith, Charlie Rich and, of course, Elvis. When he outgrew his space, Phillips opened the Sam C. Phillips Recording Service in 1960. Later, sons Knox and Jerry Phillips would operate the studio, then Jerry Philips’ daughter, Halley. “Halley pushed us to continue the studio with the third generation of the Phillips family,” Jerry Phillips told The Commercial Appeal in a 2015 article. “She’s been the driving force behind a lot of this.” Multi-stage renovations were done in 2014 and because of the new interest in vinyl, musicians use the studio for its analog recording.
Still rocking and rolling
A lot has happened to the Memphis studio scene in 50 years, and styles have shifted from the early days of rock, R&B and blues. But one thing’s for certain, musicians still flock to the River City to record. “Memphis — we have all different genres of music now,” Mitchell said. “We have a punk thing. We still have hip hop. People are still coming here to record.” Stephens agreed. “The climate’s changed in the music industry and we’re changing with it. I think there’s some pretty exciting changes, certainly here at Ardent.” DeSoto 61
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mississippi’s idols By Judy Smith. Photography courtesy of americanidol.com and fox.com
Against the national backdrop and conversations about race and color, Mississippi stands apart in the music world with two American Idol winners, Trent Harmon and La’porsha Renea. Only their unique talents propelled them to stardom. In the 15th and final season of the iconic television talent show American Idol, Mississippi’s own runner up La’porsha Renea joined the winner (and fellow Mississippian) Trent Harmon as both accepted awards destined to carry them down new career paths.
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Trent Harmon
“My life has changed drastically,” Harmon said. “I’ve gotten to make my own music video in the country genre. I had my first single released and go to radio. It was broadcast on iHeart Radio, and my parents are getting to experience a lot of stuff that none of us ever thought we’d get to do.” The Harmons were able to see and visit with their son at the CMA music festival held in Nashville which was a surreal experience for the entire family after they had observed many events from afar so that their son could focus on his career, dreaming that those hopes would become a reality. After winning, Harmon signed a recording contract with 19/Big Machine Records. To say that the lives of the Harmon family have taken quite a different turn is putting it mildly. “It’s just really been crazy…but in a good way,” Harmon said. “It’s hard to believe that so many wonderful things have happened for me and my family so quickly.” 64 DeSoto
It has definitely been memorable for the Magnolia State as well. Through their heartfelt, powerful music, Harmon and Renea have been able to uplift the country and the world during an unbelievably turbulent time when more violence against police officers, citizens, and many other innocent lives keeps unfolding. For a few minutes, we can lose troubled thoughts in their encouraging music. Harmon will be mixing up the next few months, spending time in the studio as well as touring to music festivals, concerts, and other musical events that will give fans a taste of the very humble Harmon and his strong, bluesy smooth styling behind the microphone and on the radio. Saying this is an exhilarating time is a huge understatement. “This is a very exciting time for us,” Harmon said. “Every week, it seems that we’re somewhere else. Right now, we are on the West Coast, and it seems like each week I’m
in another region of the country like the East Coast, Midwest, the Northeast, or the Southwest, doing radio promotions. Right now, we’re in Portland, Seattle; Spokane, Washington; Sacramento, California; and just about everywhere doing promotion for the new music.” “Probably, the biggest lesson I learned from American Idol was that I thought I was tough, mentally, and I realized pretty quickly that I wasn’t. I knew that I had to get tougher to hang in the competition,” Harmon said. “That was a big, wake-up call for me.” Throughout the season’s run, the two Mississippians were blessed with many DeSoto 65
La’porsha Renea
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amazing experiences, but one particular moment stands out most for Harmon. “My favorite memory was one day that we got to work with Mr. Ray Romano at FOX Studios, and we got to do voice overs for the new Ice Age movie,” Harmon said. “And we find out that the winner would get to have a song in the movie “Ice Age: Collision Course” which came out in the end of July. So I will have a song in the movie. That was pretty cool because I’ve always been a fan of Mr. Romano.” The horizon is very busy but very bright for Harmon and Renea, and Harmon can’t wait to hit the road. “We’re going to be performing in a lot of different places and hopefully meeting a lot of fans,” Harmon said. “In our tour this fall, we’re going to be performing at a lot of bigger venues. Right now, we’re doing smaller shows and radio venues and promotions for about 40 or 60 fans.” Being a part of American Idol and winning the title, Harmon has done amazing things, such as performing in Washington for Memorial Day. “Probably the coolest thing that I’ve gotten to do is complete a music video with a professional director and professional producer. We’ve put out a single. I’m really excited that I’m getting to write with some very talented Nashville writers that I thought I’d never get to be in the same room with.” During this final season of American Idol there was great excitement and quite a few changes for the conclusion of this legendary show. Instead of America and the radio waves around the world being introduced and entertained by the winner, producers decided that the talent of the final two contestants was just too amazing to keep from the world. For the first time, the runner up, Renea, was also rewarded with a recording contract of her own. She will be joining Harmon in the Universal Music Group organization as she signed with 19/Big Machine Motown Records, in partnership with Big Machine. Renea’s powerful, beautiful voice and her inspirational story were too amazing and incredible to keep from the world. Although it seems Renea is living out her very own Cinderella moment, life was not always so rosy and pleasant for her. The McComb native thought she had her life and future planned perfectly with a man she cared for deeply and a precious daughter that she loved and adored. But life DeSoto 67
can often throw a few curveballs at a moment’s notice. Renea found herself in an abusive relationship. Fearing for her and her daughter’s life, Renea found the courage to leave the relationship, taking herself and her daughter to a shelter where they would be safe. Although some people might have given up on their dreams, Renea was graced with that fighting Mississippi spirit that pushed her own to make a better life for herself and her daughter. Even though Renea came in second place in the competition, the opportunities are plentiful as well. She has performed in concert, worked in the studio with some of the greatest in the musical business, and toured the country promoting her upcoming fall tour. One of her most exciting moments was singing at the United States Olympic Team Trials in San Jose. “I live 15 minutes from her hometown,” Kim McClelland Edwards said. “She’s a big name here, and we are so very proud of her getting that Motown contract right away. She is inspiring to so many people.” Through her music, Renae has empowered women and girls worldwide to take pride in themselves, continuing to pursue whatever passion is in their hearts. Renea is fortunate that her album will be overseen by Ethiopia Habtemariam, the president of urban music/co-head of creative at Universal Music Publishing Group U.S. Although Scott Borchetta, founder and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group is anxious to release music from these talents, he will not rush perfection. When the music comes together and is worthy of these talented performers and their label, the radio waves will be graced by two humble young performers from Mississippi. According to Borchetta, no music will be released before its time—until it’s as perfect as possible. And with these two talents in the studio, you know the music will be stellar, filling our world with hope and light. 68 DeSoto
“Probably, the biggest lesson I learned from American Idol was that I thought I was tough, mentally, and I realized pretty quickly that I wasn’t. I knew that I had to get tougher to hang in the competition.” Trent Harmon DeSoto 69
homegrown } lenny and eva jewelry
Heavy Metal By Robin Gallaher Branch. Photography courtesy of Lenny and Eva
Caroline Tuckett, 9, has two Lenny & Eva bracelets. One says, ‘Never give up’. “I wear it because it encourages me. It tells me not to let myself down. It’s for everything I thought I couldn’t do but ended up doing,” she explained. She helps her mother, Jenna Tuckett, the manager and buyer at The Addition at F. Rees in Mount Airy, North Carolina. “We sell more Lenny & Eva jewelry than any other item,” Tuckett said, “and that’s saying a lot.” The Addition at F. Rees specializes in women’s apparel and accessories. Tuckett described Mount Airy, the hometown of Andy Griffith, creator of the famous 1960s television show, as very much like the fictionalized Mayberry; it’s a place where the Lenny & Eva line of personalized jewelry is “very, very popular.” She wears Lenny & Eva’s bangles and beads that stretch about six inches up her arm. 70 DeSoto
Founded in 2009 by Kellie Fitzpatrick, the company is named for two outstanding women, Fitzpatrick’s great grandmothers.The jewelry is designed at the firm’s home office in Baxter, Tennessee; the designs are then sent to craftsmen in Rhode Island “who bring them to life,” said Lindsey Bruce, a company spokesperson. The jewelry personalizes events and emotions. Made entirely in the USA, the Lenny & Eva signature brand is a bracelet cuff with a metal saying. Tuckett said a starter cuff and sentiment, as the metal engravings are called, is $49. The sentiment could be something as detailed as ‘I love the person I’ve become, because I sought to become her,’ or a single word like ‘Blessed.’ Like her daughter, Tuckett wears a couple of sentiments. “One is ‘Fearless’ because I need to learn to live
fearlessly,” she said. The second is ‘Wild and Free’. “I’m not wild,” she laughed, “but I wear it because I need to learn to worry less about the little things.” What makes the Lenny & Eva jewelry resonate in today’s market? “It’s because people make very strong emotional connections to the pieces,” Tuckett answered. The Lenny & Eva website poetically describes its clients and their sentiments such as: The one who has found her way, and the one who is still searching or The one who counts her blessings, and who is a blessing to others. Sayings like these capture milestones in a woman’s life. “We get to know our customers very well,” Bruce said. “We are inspired by their stories.” The company does not have a men’s line, “although we do see men wearing our products from time to time,” Bruce said. “Our brand is about inspiring women.” Like a tattoo, the Lenny & Eva jewelry makes a statement. But unlike that permanent decoration, “the jewelry can be changed,” said Tuckett. It appeals because it succinctly triggers a memory or tells a story. Because the bracelets are interchangeable, a woman can express her mood in different ways on different days. The jewelry’s messages encourage repeat customers. They want to record a new memory. “People come back,” Tuckett said. “The jewelry draws them.” She shared two stories. A customer bought identical bracelets for his wife and daughter. He chose the sentiment, ‘He loves me.’ The man said he had a terminal illness and didn’t think he would make it to Christmas. Well, that was several years ago, and he is still alive.
“We have Kleenex boxes all over the store,” Tuckett said. “We cry with someone every day.” Another poignant story united the Mount Airy area. A young man in a neighboring town was in a car accident. Several communities bonded together. Many people bought the sentiment ‘Pray’ and put it on a red cuff; red was the young man’s school color. “He was on life support for 20 days, and didn’t make it,” Tuckett said. The Lenny & Eva line also sells well at The Market on the Square in Cookeville, Tennessee, a retail gift shop. “We started carrying Lenny & Eva in 2010, and were the first store in the nation to do so,” said manager Mara Grimes. The line has what she calls “an extra happy”— pendants like a key or a cross or a musical note. “They contain a message about a woman’s life,” she said. Like the Tucketts, Grimes also wears a Lenny & Eva bracelet. Her sentiment-of-choice is ‘Good Mama,’ and she looks at it many times a day. “I’m a good mama, no matter what,” said this parent of a son, age four, and a daughter, age 13. The sentiments are designed to encourage women “to be brave, live compassionately, and be the best version of themselves,” Bruce said. That ties in with Caroline Tuckett’s second bracelet. “It says, ‘Fierce,’”she said. with a smile in her voice. “I wanted to be fierce so that nobody could put me down and make me feel like I didn’t matter.”
www.lennyandeva.com
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southern harmony } mid-south songwriting movement Inside South Main Sounds
“A songwriter is like craft beer or farm-to-table food. Their music is organic and original, not following some formula on the bumpy road to elusive stardom. Long before he built an empire of tequila, blenders and restaurants, Jimmy Buffett was a songwriter and collaborated with some of the best in the business like Keith Sykes and Jessie Winchester. While a cover band lends itself to a raucious party, a songwriter plays to an introspective, toe-tapping crowd of family, friends and peers. This creates a comfort zone where the artist can try out new material and get feedback. Our singer/songwriters are and always have been a treasure. We get a deep look into their souls and often find them touching our own.� Mark Parsell 72 DeSoto
South Main
Sounds
By Mark Parsell. Photography courtesy of Danny Day
How it all Began
On a cold Trolley Night in January 2015, the first South Main Sounds Songwriter Night came together and we didn’t really know what to expect. What happened was nothing short of amazing. In a cramped, abandoned art gallery on the south end of the street they came…eight musicians and about 100 people packed the space, eager to hear their friends, family members and peers pour their heart out. Up against the north wall at 550 South Main, four accomplished singer/songwriters traded off four original songs each and those in attendance hung on every note. I still can’t remember if the heat was working, but it made no difference as the applause continued and smiles emanated from the performers and the spirit of the late-great Billy Block resided over the room.
parents or grandparents compliment us on what “we” are doing down here. The reality is that “they” are doing it, we just supply a venue and of course a “vintage” sound supplied by Brad Matherne. We listen and watch a lot of musicians before we fill out our shows, but believe anyone with the guts to get up on that stage will get a shot one day. Our events are also well photographed and documented in video with a TV Show that debuted on July 16 (WREG Channel 3, Saturday Nights, 12:30AM). The songwriter movement in Memphis is helping foster young talent such as Bailey Bigger, Brenna Clark and Lydia Waldrop. If the perception of the music industry is that female performers aren’t getting a fair shot, we’d like to do our part to change that.
A Unique Experience
What We See In The Future
Believe it or not, being in a songwriter round can be a nerve-wracking experience. Case in point: Paul Taylor who plays in a multitude of bands said “songwriter in the rounds are really hard, it’s impossible to build momentum”. Others say it’s so unique to have people so quiet, paying attention to every verse, followed by a round of applause after the song is complete. We have had performers from 15 states, the United Kingdom and Memphis musicians. A doctor who has played six times in Rice Drewry and a hit-maker like Joe Leathers are a couple of examples of talent available in our area. Angie Keilhauer came off The Voice to play our room as well. We’ve had a number of Mississippi folks play and one to watch is Horn Lake’s Jordan Allena who doubles her time in Nashville dancing for the Predators hockey team, playing gigs over there and working fulltime at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. She’s also shared the stage with some of country music’s biggest acts.
Friends, Family and Fostering New Talent
One of the coolest things about South Main Sounds and songwriter rounds in general are that the crowd is so loyal to the musicians playing. It’s a thrill to have a performer’s
Venues like Otherlands Coffee Bar and Center For Southern Folklore have hosted these events for years and it’s encouraging to see other spots believing in the power and camaraderie of the grassroots songwriter movement. Open mics around town such as Tiffany Harmon’s at P&H Cafe Monday nights and Amber Dunn’s at Ernestine and Hazel’s on Wednesday Nights also offer a stage to try out new material. It’s also key that we mix our talent with those from other areas of the country as we begin to level the playing field of respect for our musicians. I’ve had several folks from Nashville, who shared the stage with locals, remark on the talent. These positive impressions result in more out-of-town gigs for Memphians. Driven by the songwriting community, the musical landscape is quite vibrant in the Memphis area. If playing in a band pays the bills, performing solo saves your soul. This is so true as many of our acts also front successful groups.
Learn more about songwriting rounds, venues and events at www.meetmeinmemphis.com www.facebook.com/meetmeinmemphis1 DeSoto 73
table talk} delta meat market
Cheff Cole Grant Ellis
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A Culinary Homecoming By Jeanni Brosius. Photography courtesy of atlfoodandwinefestival.com and deltameatmarket.com
Few places exist in Mississippi small towns where a foodie can pick up a bottle of whiskey-laced Worchestershire sauce, culinary spices, interesting pickles or sauces. But under the bright blue awning in the vintage, bustling space of downtown Cleveland, Mississippi, Delta Meat Market stocks its shelves with items that makes a kitchen dweller’s heart beat faster. If eating, however, takes precedence over cooking, then lunch or dinner at Delta Meat Market still fits the bill. A casual space with an urban industrial atmosphere, it’s the kind of place where everyone just feels comfortable mixing and rubbing elbows. DeSoto 75
As the seasons change, so does the menu at Delta Meat Market. But the menu is just one piece of what this restaurant has to offer. Along with serving dishes made from fresh seasonal, locally-sourced foods, Delta Meat Market also has cured inhouse bacon and sausages. Cole Ellis, chef and owner, said the restaurant also serves its draft beer in simple Kerr canning jars and plates a lot of its dishes on McCarty’s Pottery, which he said is a huge part of Delta tradition. And he likes supporting and highlighting another Bolivar County business. “It’s all about the time of year,” Ellis said. “When tomatoes are coming into season, we make a delicious BLT with our own cured in-house bacon, local heirloom tomatoes, lettuce from Salad Days in Flora, Mississippi, and our homemade mayo and baked bread. In the winter, we love frying up our made-from-scratch crab wontons. In the fall, we love serving up our delicious marinated tri-tip steak.” After eating the stick-to-your-ribs style lunch, Ellis wants his customers to be thinking about what steaks, chops or fish they’d like to take home for dinner. “We are a full-service butcher shop specializing in premium cuts of beef sourced from local and regional farms. Fresh fish is shipped in twice a week,” Ellis said. “We buy and sell local produce, make our own pimento cheese, tamales, chicken salad, barbeque sauce and rubs.” The Delta Meat Market serves lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner at a weekly Happy Hour gathering on
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Fridays. Ellis said he and his crew are always cooking different things depending on what local ingredients they can get their hands on each week. Ellis has always been comfortable in the kitchen and recalled memories of his first experiences cooking with his grandmother Ellis. “It’s special to me that something I loved spending time doing with my grandmother has become my passion and my life’s work,” he said. “I can’t sit still, so I knew I was never meant for sitting behind a desk. I’ve always enjoyed cooking… so it felt like it would be a good fit.” Ellis can often be seen visiting with locals or busy behind the counter making sure the next order hits the counter. “Family,” the Cleveland native said when asked why he moved back to hometown. “I loved my time in Charleston and Nashville, but my wife Mary Tatum and I had our first child, and I was eager to strike out on my own – start something new and be my own boss.” Because Cleveland had so much going on, Ellis believed Delta Meat Market would fit right in and play a part in the downtown’s continued revitalization. “There is a lot of exciting stuff going on in Cleveland. … It’s also wonderful to be so close to my parents and lots of friends I’ve known my entire life.” The restaurant is located at 118 N. Sharpe Ave. in Cleveland. For more information, visit the website at www.deltameatmarket.com.
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in good spirits} pimm’s cup
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Liquid AC By Cheré Coen. Photography by Julia Frey
Summer in New Orleans and steam rises from the sidewalks, thunder rolls in black clouds scaling upwards from Gulf waters and perspiration trickles down the backs of knees. It’s hot and humid in the Crescent City this time of year, which may be one reason why cocktails reign supreme. Travel around the French Quarter and you’ll find a host of cocktails, many of which originated in New Orleans and are celebrated every July at the Tales of the Cocktail. One drink that’s popular in August and found in numerous Quarter establishments is the refreshing Pimm’s Cup, comprised of a liqueur and other summer-style ingredients. The drink’s so popular in New Orleans when the heat index takes off that many people erroneously believe the cocktail was invented here. London’s James Pimm dreamed up the gin-based Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur as a health tonic in the 1840s. The drink’s popularity spread throughout the British Empire, eventually arriving in New Orleans and reaching its own fame at the French Quarter’s Napoleon House in the late 1940s. The cocktail lacks heavy alcohol content and contains mixers found refreshing in summer months, allowing patrons to beat the heat with a cool drink without falling asleep before dinner. What goes into the rest of the glass — outside of Pimm’s No. 1 — is up to the discretion of the bartender. Ingredients may include lime, cucumbers, mint, fresh fruit, lemonade, tonic water and soft drinks such as Sprite or 7 Up. Paul Gustings, bartender at Broussard’s restaurant of New Orleans, makes his own lemonade and a secret “twist” for his “Imperial Pimm’s,” which he dubs “liquid air conditioning.” “It’s about as sweet as I am,” Gustings said, then countered with a grin, “That’s not true. Not even close.” The Carousel Bar in the Monteleone Hotel, which Vogue Living named one of the “Top 20 Bars in the World,” serves up its own version of the Pimm’s, arriving with Pimm’s No. 1, strawberries, cucumbers, lemon juice and simple syrup.
Here’s the Pimm’s Cup recipe from the Napoleon House.
Pimm’s Cup 1 1/4 ounces Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur 3 ounces lemonade 1 ounce 7 Up Garnish with cucumber slice Directions: Pour the liqueur, lemonade, and 7 Up into a highball glass filled with ice; stir well. Add the garnish.
Pimm’s Original No. 1 From www.anyoneforpimms.com Note: The following are in British measurements. Highball glass 50ml PIMM’S No.1 150ml of Lemonade Mint, orange, strawberries Cucumber to garnish and ice Directions: Pile all the ingredients in a tall glass, mix and sip.
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exploring events } august When Modern Was Contemporary: Selections from the Roy R. Neuberger Collection Through October 30 Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS For more information visit www.msmuseumart.org or call 601-960-1515. Stevie Ray Vaughan Exhibit June 30 - October 16 GRAMMY Museum Cleveland, MS Pride & Joy: The Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan, a traveling exhibit curated by the GRAMMY MUSEUM at L.A. LIVE, offers visitors an indepth look at the iconic career of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Jimmie Vaughan, Stevie’s brother, serves as a guest curator. For more information contact: Vickie Jackson @ vjackson@grammymuseumms.org or call her at 662-441-0100 or 662-558-1486.
Wynonna & the Big Noise August 13 Fitz Casino Robinsonville, MS Country music superstar, Wynonna, brings the Big Noise and her countless singles to Fitz including, “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me,” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” Purchase tickets at the Fitz Gift Shop, at ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Orpheum Summer Movie Series Orpheum Theatre Memphis, TN August 19 - Grease August 26 - Gone with the Wind Tickets can be purchased by calling 901-525-3000 or visiting the Box Office. Call for group rates for parties of ten or more.
47th Annual Water Valley Watermelon Carnival August 5 - 6 City Park Water Valley, MS Fireworks, BBQ contest, music, arts & crafts and children’s activities. Visit the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for more information.
14th Annual TriState Blues Festival August 20 Landers Center Southaven, MS Tickets are $67, $57, $47 and $35 and can be purchased at the Landers Center, Box Office 662-470-2131, www.Ticketmaster.com, or call Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000.
Bikes, Blues & Bayous August 6 Greenwood, MS The Money Road Cycling Club and the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce will host the 9th annual Bikes, Blues & Bayous bicycle tour on Saturday, August 6, 2016. There will be a 62 mile “Metric Century”, 46, 20 and 11 mile route. The rides will begin at 7am on Front Street in historic downtown Greenwood. For more information visit www.bikesbluesbayous.com.
Home Place Pastures Farm-to-Table Weekend Events Como, MS August 20 – 6 – 10 p.m. Casual dining on the farm. Enjoy local music and foods. Indulge in Home Place meats and BBQ featured by the Oxford Smoke Shop. Sharde, Como Mamas, Rev. Wilkins, The Comotions, Kenny Brown and RL Boyce. $5 entry fee. August 21 – 7 p.m. Chef’s Dinner featuring whole animal utilization/roast. Cocktails. Mingle with chefs from Parlor Market, Toups Meatery and Brennan’ (New Olreans) and Porcellino’s (Memphis) among others. Limited seating. $75 tickets available online at www.homeplacepastures.com
Levitt AMP Concert Series Holy Ghost Electric Show August 6 Riverview Stage at Park Along the River New Albany, MS Bring your lawn chairs! Bring your coolers, but remember no public consumption of alcohol. Food and drink will be available on site. All showtimes at 8:30pm Visit www.visitnewalbany.com/summerofmusic for more information. Elvis Week August 10 - 16 Memphis, TN From August 10-16, thousands of Elvis fans will make their annual pilgrimage to Graceland to honor the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Elvis Week has become a pop-culture phenomenon for music lovers from around the world. For more information visit www.graceland.com. Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival August 12 - 14 Downtown Clarksdale, MS This festival, celebrated for its authenticity, focuses on Mississippi’s musical heritage, features entertainment by local and nationally known blues and gospel artists. Totally Free! For more information visit www.sunflowerfest.org Blues Traveler August 12 BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove Southaven, MS 7:00pm Blues Traveler is part of the C Spire Series at BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove. Special guests are Blind Melon and G. Love & Special Sauce. For tickes call the BankPlus Amphitheater box office 662-892-2660, Ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster 800-745-3000. For more information, visit www.bankplusamphitheater.com.
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Mid-South Renaissance Faire August 20, 21, 27 & 28 Shelby Farms Park Memphis, TN 10:00am - 6:00pm Learn Elizabethan dances, be knighted by the Queen herself, eat a giant turkey leg, browse the merchant rows, enjoy the performers, sail the seas with the Mid-South Buccaneers, and of course, cheer on your favorite jouster on horseback.Adults- $15. Kids 6-12- $8. 5 and under- FREE. Parking- FREE For more information visit midsouthrenfaire.com. Live at the Garden - REO Speedwagon August 25 Memphis Botanic Gardens Memphis, TN Gates open at 6:30pm. Show starts at 8:30pm. For more information visit liveatthegarden.com or call 901-636-4107. Brett Michaels August 26 Horseshoe Casino Tunica Resorts, MS For more information visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-303-7463. 7th Annual Hernando Scavenger Hunt August 27 Gale Community Center Hernando, MS 8:30am - 2:00pm Test your knowledge by participating in our scavenger hunt! Teams of 2-5 will compete to win $1,000 cash prize. All ages welcome; each team must have at least one adult. Cost is $35 per team by August 15 and $50 per team after August 15. The hunt is from 9am-2pm. For more information, call 662-429-2688 or visit www.hernandorec.com.
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reflections} finding the beat
the
finding
beat
By Karen Ott Mayer
Humility comes from many directions or can carry most any sound. Early in life, mine sat squarely on the baby grand piano in the small space between the raised lid and the keyboard, and every time my piano teacher pulled it out, my heart sank. It was the never-fail metronome, a black pyramid shaped object with a slender piece of metal that moved back and forth in front of me like the irritating wave of a sarcastic child. Sounding off an endless tick-tick-tick, this unrelenting device simply enervated me to the point I couldn’t concentrate, let alone count the notes. From age 6 until about 20, I played the piano, learning increasingly difficult pieces that any classically-trained pianist would know. While I adored those quarter notes given one beat in 4/4 time, all those eighth and sixteenth notes really interfered with my ability to count and keep time. It’s not that I couldn’t count, it’s just that my gene pool lacked that one specific characteristic given to people like my mother. She could play ragtime, she could nail syncopation, she could make you feel like dancing on the piano. Me? I could play the music, I just couldn’t feel it. Picture Beethoven meets Beyonce. And so often I would hear “You’re not counting!” hollered from the other room or my frustrated piano teacher would smile as I left a lesson as she said, “Use the metronome!” I tried….really. I’d turn the thing on, find the beat and let it rip. Tick, tick, tick… Then I tried to start the piece of music, and just starting felt like trying to jump into a pair of dualing jump 82 DeSoto
ropes. When do I go? If I go too fast, I trip. If I go to slow, I trip… I’ve had endless discussions with people over the years about the creative mind. For me, fluidity, texture and individuality totally motivates me. I love one-offs, originality and spontaneity. Patterns, straight lines, and too much organization just makes my brain hurt. Mowing the lawn is another good example. Give me a push mower all day long and I can walk and think while I mow straight lines. Put me on a riding mower or bush hog and I am immediately bored. In fact, I like to make patterns in the lawn much to the horror of my procedurallygeared better half. “Go up and back in lines, got it?” he says with faint hope in his voice. Poor guy, he knows better than that. I may do two lines, but then veer off to another section because I’m bored. Somehow, I do believe this translates back to the metronome and it’s silly, restrictive personality. The darn thing should loosen up and get a little irregular rhythm in life. In the end, I did my metronome penance then stuck the thing back in the closet where it belonged. I usually returned to the music, playing it from the heart even if it meant I sketched through the difficult passages to my own beat. I return to the piano often these days as I sort out the world around me or to find another unseen plateau where only I can go. And the best thing? I haven’t seen that metronome in years but have found my own rhythm.
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