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3Oct/120

Getting Knocked Out by Wanda Jackson (Part 2 of 2) – the Wanda Jackson interview [Listen 24:04] S03 Ep01

S03 Ep01 (Part2 of 2)- Getting knocked out by Wanda Jackson

Interview Date: August 23, 2012 @1pm EDT

Special Guest: Wanda Jackson -  has been called "The Queen of Rockabilly" and is by all accounts a Rock'n'Roll legend - she has a distinct style in both Rockabilly and Country (often bouncing between both styles on the same record). Credited as being the first women to record a Rock'n'Roll single; Wanda Jackson is a crucial figure in the Rock genre and the feminist movement.  In this podcast we talk about the songs “Mean Mean Man,” “Let’s have a party” “Fujiyama Mama”, Ken Nelson, Buddy Holly, Joe Maphis,and Roy Clark.

Wanda Jackson has some "Unfinished Business" coming out a week from today; her new album is out October 9 and is produced by Justin Towns Earle (Steve Earle's Son) from Suger Hill Records. Check out more at: http://www.wandajackson.com/

Tribute to Joe Maphis

Joe Maphis, born Otis W. Maphis, known as "the King of the Strings," and his playing lived up to the title. His custom built double necked Mosrite guitar had one shorter, and strung to an octave higher. He could play between the two seamlessly. He could play multiple stringed instruments equally well, as he displayed for audiences shifting through banjos, mandolins, and guitars. He played with some of the greats including Wanda Jackson, and his influence spread further to Merle Travis, Jimmy Bryant, and Chet Atkins.

To those in the know, he's a respected guitarist, and one who's skill earned him recognition in the Country Music Hall of Fame, where his double necked guitar can be seen on display; to those who don't know him, he deserves a moment of your attention, where, he'll easily capture and hold it for the duration. He was known for having a bit of flair and absolute ease of application. What is strange, in that I've never seen it mentioned, is that you can see it in his smile. It's often there captured in his pictures; it's not arrogant, it's not cocky, but it's a little sly and knowing.

You can see that he took a good deal of enjoyment from his craft. He's not always captured with a smile on his face, but when he's on-stage, it's there. It's as if he seems happiest with a stringed instrument in his hands. His visual appeal quickly led to earning him frequent appearances on television, including the Jimmy Dean Show, and with Jerry Lee Lewis on National television. So, if you're not familiar with him, give him a listen. He's bound to impress. Familiarize yourself with this country great; he's bound to give you a thrill. He's another one worth diving into the boxes of records of your local record store (the ones they keep under the stacks.) Good hunting.

Parting Thoughts:

I thought I might put a link to Joe Maphis knockin' everyone out!

19Sep/120

Wanda Jackson Interview (Part 1 of 2) – Playing records for Wanda Jackson [Listen 20:45] (S03 Ep01)

S03 Ep01 - Playing records for Wanda Jackson

Interview Date: August 23, 2012 @1pm EDT

Special Guest: Wanda Jackson -  has been called "The Queen of Rockabilly" and is by all accounts a Rock'n'Roll legend - she has a distinct style in both Rockabilly and Country (often bouncing between both styles on the same record). Credited as being the first women to record a Rock'n'Roll single; Wanda Jackson is a crucial figure in the Rock genre and the feminist movement.  In this podcast we talk about her first radio show, playing  Bob Neals 8th Anniversary Jamboree on August 5, 1955 in Overton Park Shell, Memphis, Tennessee, and the day Elvis and her talked about switching her style to Rockabilly to fit the new demographics coming of age (teenage kids with enough money to buy their own music).

Wanda Jackson has some "Unfinished Business" she needs to get off her chest; her new album is out October 9 and is produced by Justin Towns Earle (Steve Earle's Son) on Suger Hill Records. Check out more at: http://www.wandajackson.com/

The Royalty of Rockabilly

Bill Haley, of  course. Out of Detroit, and spearheaded the popularity of rock with Shake, Rattle and Roll, and Rock Around the Clock. He didn't look the part, but he had a wild history. More rock than rock. If you're not familiar with him, you should do that, and quickly, if you like music. He didn't just come out of nowhere, he had a successful thing with western swing.

Elvis Presley. Sam Phillips of Sun Records struck gold releasing "That's Alright Mama".  Elvis fit the mold of what Phillips was looking for in a white boy who could sing black. They changed everything again in music. Too good looking and talented to stay working as a truck driver, plus it's hard to shake your hips driving a truck.

Little Richard. Unbelievable energy, and the inspiration for several legends after him Including Bob Dylan, James Brown, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Michael Jackson. "Tutti Frutti" started it all off, and wasn't even intended to be recorded during the session. He did what he wanted and quit rock and roll to pursue his calling into the priesthood.  He came back into music to sing gospel, for a while . . .

Chuck Berry. Influenced by T-Bone Walker, Berry played blues and some ballads, but his country playing got him labeled as the black hillbilly.  His hybrid style launched him to one of the top acts of 1956.

Buddy Holly. Also the progenitor of the rock band standard with two guitars, bass, and drums. A real rock and roll rebel, who's career and life was cut short in the plane crash memorialized as the day the music died.

Fats Domino. Ambassador of New Orleans music in the 1950's, and great inspiration to John McNally of The Searchers. Do you get it yet? These are the great influences in music overlooked by time's passing. He admitted the lyrics weren't too deep, but he landed 40 songs on Billboard's  top 10 rhythm and blues between 1950 and 1961.

Jerry Lee Lewis. The Killer. The bad boy. He put everything he had into his performances. He became known nationwide in 1957 with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" then had successive hits with "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless."

Roy Orbison. With such talent and such a dynamic voice, he could do nearly anything and any style. Almost to his detriment; it took a time and a few different labels for Orbison to find his place and start churning out the hits. But once he did, he was off. And off again in the 1980's with his resurgence.