Malcolm White talks with Arden Barnett, owner and operator of Ardenland, a music management and promotion company responsible for bringing a wide variety of musical acts to the metro area. The longtime friends discuss the state of the music business during the pandemic and the future of small, independent entertainment venues such as Duling Hall in Jackson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Cary Hudson, a legendary Mississippi guitarist, singer and songwriter best known for playing in the alt-country band Blue Mountain as well as his solo career. On the remotely recorded show, the two spoke about Hudson’s lengthy career in music, his experiences in on the road and at home as well as current projects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks with Carol Roark, a landscape painter and director of the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort(C.A.R.E.) in Charleston, Mississippi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to photographer Ashleigh Coleman, who was recently named the 2020 State Fellow for Mississippi by South Arts. As a mother living in rural Mississippi, Ashleigh’s work often focuses on a sense of place and the requirements, complexities and messiness of motherhood. The two discuss the award, Ashleigh’s inherited Hasselblad camera and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis speaks with River Prince, owner of the Prince Sign Company in Ellisville. Prince works to merge the functions of traditional sign painting with branding, metal fabrication, design and craftsmanship. They talk about his work, his technique and some of his favorite community projects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with acoustic blues musician Libby Rae Watson from Pascagoula. Watson is a native of the Gulf Coast and got to know several legendary Mississippi bluesmen when she was first starting out. She is a member of the Arts Commission’s Artist Roster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White speaks with Kim Caron, owner of the The Caron Gallery in Tupelo. Located on the city’s Main Street, the gallery represents approximately 40 artists, from various cities, towns and communities across Mississippi. Since 2018, the gallery has been worked with the production team of HGTV’s Home Town show in Laurel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey talks with Tom Booth, Executive Director at Tupelo Community Theatre. They discuss the group’s long history in Tupelo, their work restoring the historic Lyric Theater and how TCT has become a gathering point for the theater community in Northeast Mississippi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Ke Francis, a Tupelo-based visual artist known for his prints and paintings. Francis, along with his wife Mary, owns Hoopsnake Press, a fine art press that publishes artist books and prints. Malcolm and Ke talk about the artistic process, teaching and what it was like growing up in Tupelo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey talks with Oxford-based writer Lee Durkee. They discuss The Last Taxi Driver, his new novel that follows the adventures of a small town Mississippi taxi driver who transports a wide range of locals, including elderly residents, hospital patient escapees and a wanted man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White speaks with Oxford-based author Michael Farris Smith about his newly released book, Blackwood. Known for his Southern fiction, Smith is an award-winning writer whose latest book centers on themes of justice and grace in a rural Mississippi town. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis speaks to Salam Rida and Travis Crabtree, urban designers and long-term planners for the City of Jackson and co-owners of Jackson’s The Ecoshed, about “The Fertile Ground Project,” a winner of 2018’s national “Public Art Challenge.” They discuss their efforts to use the Fertile Ground project to bring together both local and nationally recognized artists, designers and architects to work alongside farmers, chefs, nutritionists, policymakers and community members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey speaks with arts educator Amanda Koonlaba, a former art teacher in the Tupelo public schools and a member of MAC’s Teaching Artist Roster. Koonlaba runs Party in the Art Room, a space within the Link Centre where she offers visual arts classes to children in the community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of Jim Dollarhide, near the anniversary of his tragic death, this is a rebroadcast of Malcolm White’s 2012 interview with the legendary Mississippi filmmaker. Best known for his work in documentaries, Dollarhide also produced commercials for national brands and local organizations, owned and operated a successful production company based in Mississippi, earned many awards and accolades, and influenced a generation of the state’s artists.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey travels to Tupelo and visits with painter Charlie Buckley. They talk about Charlie’s early beginnings, starting painting when he was in elementary school and his studies in high school and at the University of Mississippi. They also discuss his current work, including his “Stacked Houses” series, which considers how changes in the climate may effect homes in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Randy Bell, a veteran journalist about his longtime career in radio. The two talk about Randy’s 40+ year career, which spanned nine governors, four major hurricanes, three floods, many tornadoes, and an array of state and national elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis speaks with the Director of the Chickasaw Development Foundation, Sean Johnson. Sean has worked throughout his career to use the arts as a catalyst for revitalizing small towns and mid-sized cities including New Albany and Houston, Mississippi. Sean shares his passion for community development, his love for the arts, and his advice for others looking for ways to transform their local communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Highlights of the Governor's Arts Awards ceremony for 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Sunday, Larry Morrisey visits with singer/songwriter Spencer Thomas from Jackson. Thomas was the drummer and co-founder of the roots band Young Valley. He’s recently released his first solo album, “Hangin’ Tough.” They talk about his process recording the record and his recent touring with a number of veteran musicians, including Jimbo Mathus and Justin Kinkel Schuster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Meridian native Patrick Sansone, a talented multi-instrumentalist who has toured, written, and produced for well-known rock band Wilco since joining the band in 2004. In 1999, prior to Wilco, Sansone formed The Autumn Defense with Wilco’s bassist. The group went on to release three full-length albums. In 2010, he published 100 Polaroids, a book of photography.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Longtime Mississippi Arts Hour host Turry Flucker guest hosts this episode to interview the president of Tougaloo College, Dr. Carmen J. Walters. Tougaloo College will receive a 2020 Governor’s Arts Award for Preservation of the Arts. The Tougaloo College Art Collection was started during the Civil Rights Movement and has grown to include more than 1,500 pieces of fine art. It represents the first collection of modern art in the state. In July 2019, Walters became president of Tougaloo College with a commitment to advance the College’s mission—to provide students with an affordable and high-quality transformative education—and its ongoing commitment to social justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks to musician Steve Forbert about his 40 year career as a singer and songwriter. Forbert will be awarded a Governor's Arts Award this year for "Excellence in Music." Photo credit: Jay Blakesberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with Maurice Surrell of the Jackson Southernaires. The group is celebrating their 80th anniversary this year and they continue to be a popular group on the gospel touring circuit. The group is a recipient of one of this year’s Governor’s Arts Awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey talks with ballet master and 2020 Governor's Arts Award recipient Henry Danton. Danton is a native of England and began dancing in London during World War II. Now 100 years-old, he has traveled throughout the world performing and teaching. He has lived and taught in the Hattiesburg area for the past 23 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Richard Kelso, a 2020 Governor’s Arts Award recipient. Kelso is a Cleveland, Miss., native and well-known Mississippi painter whose work focuses on capturing the beauty, time and place of Mississippi’s land.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with author and publisher Neil White. Best known for his book "In the Sanctuary of Outcasts," Neil White lives in Oxford where he operates a small publishing company, writes plays and essays, and teaches memoir writing. His newly released book is titled, "Stories from 125 Years of Ole Miss Football.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey travels to Greenwood to visit with visual artist Yolande Van Heerden. A native of South Africa, Van Heerden has been working and teaching in the mid-Delta for several years. Most recently, her sewing classes for middle and high school students have been very popular in Greenwood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Krista Pieper Bower, chair of the Dance Department at Belhaven University. Krista is also the director of Yazoo City School of Dance. The two talk about the art of dance, building a community of artist-scholars at Belhaven, and the role of the role of the college in the USA International Ballet Competition.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis speaks with author, Jimmy Cajoleas about growing up in Jackson, his writing process and his upcoming book, “Minor Prophets.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with Amy Allison, a New York-based singer and songwriter and the daughter of the late Mississippi musical legend Mose Allison. She has helped produce "If You’re Going to the City," a new tribute album to her father, featuring a wide range of musicians covering Allison’s songs. Larry talks with Amy about how the album came together as well as discussing Mose Allison’s unique approach to music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis speaks with Thabi Moyo; Thabi is a jewelry maker and works at the Mississippi Film Office. Melody and Thabi got a chance to sit down and talk about growing up in Mississippi, making art and what it’s like to work in the film industry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey travels to Greenwood and talks with rockabilly and country music pioneer Mack Allen Smith. Smith got started singing for bands in the Delta as a teenager during the 1950s. He recorded in many legendary studios in the region, including Sun Studios in Memphis and Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals. He also performed throughout the region from the late 50s into the 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with author and broadcaster Bob May. A Newton, Miss. native, May worked in radio broadcasting around the country for many years before returning home several years ago to care for his 90+ year-old father. He has recently published a book titled, "Have Fun Dammit!," a humorous collection of the true stories of his life in a small southern town with his 90-year-old father, an adult son with Down syndrome, and a bossy Yorkshire terrier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with photographer Will Jacks from Cleveland, Mississippi. His book “Po Monkey’s Portrait of a Juke Joint” has just been published by University Press of Mississippi. The book documents the late Willie Seaberry, the proprietor of Po Monkey’s, a rural juke joint that was located outside of Merigold, Miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks with artist, Amie Oliver, a Delta native currently living and working in Richmond, Virginia. The two spoke about her work in ink and water based paintings and her show called: “Delta Time: Maps, Planes and Watermarks” now open for viewing at the Delta Arts Alliance in Cleveland, Mississippi until November 1, 2019.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to watercolor artist and keynote speaker for the State Arts Conference Wyatt Waters. Best known for his paintings of Southern culture, Waters is a recipient of a 2010 Governor’s Arts Award. He is also well-known for his collaborations with Chef Robert St. John, which have included several books, international travel, and roles as co-hosts on MPB TV’s Palate to Palette series, which chronicles their travels and culinary and artistic experiences across Mississippi and Italy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks to Dr. Redell Hearn, Curator of Art and Civil Rights for the Mississippi Museum of Art and Tougaloo College, about Dr. Hearn’s work in the field of Museum studies and her experience incorporating the arts into telling the story of Civil Rights. Dr. Hearn is the Curator for “The Prize: Seven Decades of Lyrical Response to the Call for Civil Rights,” an immersive exhibition that highlights the use of lyrics and poetry and response to the call for Civil Rights. The Prize looks at the “call” represented in sketches of Tracy Sugarman during the summer of 1964 and the “response” represented in song lyrics ranging from “Eyes on the Prize” by Alice Wine to 2018’s “This is America” by Childish Gambino.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with Roger Stolle, the owner of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Arts in Clarksdale. He talks about his latest book, "Mississippi Juke Joint Confidential," which recounts his experiences working with some of the legendary juke joint owners, musicians, and characters, including Red Paden of Red’s Place in Clarksdale and Willie “Po Monkey” Seaberry of Po Monkey’s Lounge near Merigold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to Tricia Walker, singer/songwriter and former director of the Delta Music Institute at Delta State University. The two talk about Tricia’s storied career, which includes writing songs for Faith Hill, Patty Loveless, Kathy Troccoli and Allison Krauss, who won a GRAMMY® for “Looking In The Eyes Of Love,” co-written by Tricia. As part of the show, Tricia also talks about and plays a few songs from her latest album "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter Eye." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks with cellist and executive director of the Hattiesburg Arts Council, Rebekah Stark Johnson. Melody and Rebekah speak about learning and performing cello, engaging communities through the arts and some of the newest projects sponsored by the Hattiesburg Arts Council.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to Raphael Semmes, a musician, producer, bandleader, and event organizer. The two friends talk about Raphael’s musical journey and the events he organizes such as Township Jazz Fest', Jazz Brunch at Table 100, and the upcoming family favorite, WellsFest.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis speaks with artist and activist Talamieka Brice. Talamieka and her husband Charles are co-owners of Brice Media and consider themselves visual storytellers with their work in photography, web and graphic design. Brice's most recent passion project is Mississippi2, a magazine highlighting the achievements of Mississippians along with her work in arts, activism and as an entrepreneur Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to Bill Ellison. Bill is a longtime Jackson area musician and since 1992, he has hosted the popular MPB radio program “Grassroots,” which received a Governor’s Arts Award in 2010. He also works with the MPB Foundation.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with musician and songwriter Jerry Brooks. Brooks is a MAC Roster Artist and was awarded an Artist Fellowship Award last month. A native of Jackson, he got his start playing bluegrass and country music while still in junior high, later played in rock and soul bands during high school and his twenties, and then returned to acoustic music with the arrival of disco. He’s played with many legendary Mississippi bands, including the Vernon Brothers, Delta Breeze, and The Dog Band.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with blues legend Bobby Rush about his newly released album Sitting on Top of the Blues. Now in his eighties, the 2013 Governor’s Arts Award recipient and 2017 GRAMMY winner still headlines shows and tours internationally, showing no signs of slowing down.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks to MAC’s new Director of Arts-based Community Development, Leslie Ann Barker. Originally from Clinton, MS, Leslie recently moved back home to Mississippi after spending the past 13 years working with communities in Memphis, TN. They talk about Leslie’s background in and passion for theater and community engagement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remembering the late artist and sculptor Floyd Shaman of Cleveland this week. The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel recently sponsored a show of Shaman’s work. Larry Morrisey attended the exhibit opening and recorded memories of the artist from his family, friends and former students. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to MAC Roster Artist Antoinette Badenhorst. Known for her work in porcelain, Badenhorst has developed her ceramic mastery over the past 20 years in various countries. She has dedicated most of her career to promoting arts education after developing a passion for teaching. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.