Radio Memphis On Demand

RMOD - Pepe Willie - Part 1 - Around the World

“Because of his role in the careers of the Time, Vanity 6 and others, one could be forgiven for thinking that Prince created the Minneapolis R&B/funk scene by himself. In fact, it was thriving locally before it began, and one of the biggest bands was 94 East, named after the interstate that splits Minneapolis in half. ~”How Prince Got his Start with ‘Just Another Sucker’”/DIFFUSER

 

The band, 94 East, was led by Pepe Willie, whose path to pursing his own fame and fortune took a detour to Minneapolis when he married Shauntel Manderville and relocated there. Not long after arriving, Willie worked with his wife's cousin, Prince and his then band, Grand Central, which included Andre Anderson (now known as Andre Cymone), Linda Anderson, Morris Day and William Doughty (also known as "Hollywood")-- as well as other local musicians during their formative teenage years on the rapidly-flourishing local music scene and who later found success in the music business.

 

As the nephew of Clarence Collins, founder for Rock and Roll Hall of Famers “Little Anthony & The Imperials”, and having grown up in New York City, Pepe Willie learned about the music business as a teenager. Watching his uncle’s gigs, serving as road manager and assisting the acts his uncle played with….. Pepe saw how record companies operated, the way tours were organized and how musicians made their money. He even ran errands for major stars of the day including Dusty Springfield, The Chiffons, The Four Tops, Ray Charles, Diana Ross & The Supremes and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and more. It was during this time he spent with rock-and-roll luminaries that Pepe decided to pursue a career in show business. Pepe had also been introduced and had interactions with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells, Dionne Warwick, Wayne Newton, Ike and Tina Turner. But, when he saw and met Elvis, Pepe will even tell you that he thought wow, “now that man's a star. It was a different kind of thing.”

 

This Brooklyn bred songwriter and producer, who also plays a variety of instruments, wound up dedicated his life not only to writing and creating music, but also helping young artists understand and teach them that the “music business hasn’t changed”. Pepe tells everyone that “the only thing that’s changed is the music. Artists still have to copyright, you have to have that (songwriting) formula, you still need to have publishing and you still have to be part of a performer's rights organization. You've got to be protected out there.”

 

Did you miss Dianna catching up with Pepe Willie during Radio Memphis Around The World to talk about his life in the business and how setting aside his personal plans for his own band to push for the success of another artist that became a legendary icon influenced and shaped his own career as the mentor his is today?  His story tells artists that they have to respect and learn from the past to move forward.

 

Listen to part 1 now.

 

RMOD - Brigitte Purdy & Robbin Kapsalis - ATW

California blues/ soul artist Brigitte Purdy and fellow artist from D.C./east coast Robbin Kapsalis of Vintage #18 crashes in on Dianna during Radio Memphis Around the World  after finishing up with the BMAs (Blues Music Awards) and before heading down to Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi.  All three ladies pull up a chair live on-air to discuss the experiences these artists had in Memphis and talk about the power of inspiration as women in the blues/rock/ soul scene.  D even plays a game with Brigitte and Robbin where the ladies have to sing notes using a random word thrown out on the table:  B-B-Q Ribs.

 

The west coast and east coast meet in the middle in Memphis and it only happens like this on Radio Memphis.

RMOD - Kazha - ATW (050419)

Lead vocalist/ bass player Kazuha Oda and guitarist Hideki Matsushige from the Japanese band Kazha surprises Dianna during Radio Memphis Around the World to catch up and formally introduce her to their newest member, drummer, Futa Sugano.  They discuss what the band has been doing this past year and talk about future plans, which include recording new music and planning a trip back to Japan to play a huge festival being held a historical temple.

 

 

RMOD - You Got Mail - Ken Barr - ATW

In this special version of You Got Mail, Dianna returns a message from her partner of the Road Crew series, Ken Barr.  They discuss what they both have been doing during the interim of the highly-anticipated return of this series to Radio Memphis.  After Ken and D talk a little about real life moments, they both formally agree that the time has come to bring back the stories and lessons to our emerging artists and entertainers by talking with some of the best industry professionals who work behind the scenes and are responsible for creating some of the magic you see, hear and feel behind that great event, awesome show or fantastic record.

 

Did you miss their conversation? Listen now.

 

RMOD - Whey Jennings - The Nooner

If the name Whey Jennings sounds familiar, it should. Whey is the grandson of Waylon Jennings. He stopped into Radio Memphis in The Morning with Ric Chetter to talk about an appearance in Memphis. But they also talked about songwriting, touring, influences and his famous grandfather. Currently, Whey is on the road with former members of David Allen Coe's band now known as Cold Moses. Before you think of Whey as nothing more than a country artist, you would be mistaken. Although they do play country, they also play some of Waylon Jennings music as well as blues and rock & roll. Listen now.

RMOD - Friendship Commanders - The Nooner

Nashville duo Friendship Commanders dropped into Radio Memphis in The Morning with Ric Chetter to hype up an appearance in midtown. They brought some music from their latest collection, Bill. This band is a socially conscious outfit who hit on heavy rock and punk with some very memorable lyrics and licks. So how does a band like this get a way with not having a bass player? They'll tell you how. Plus what is Friendship Commanders show like? You'll find out and you'll get to hear a few songs from their latest disc here. Listen now.

 

RMOD - B&B - Brenda Taylor

Brenda Taylor returns to the Radio Memphis studios for an appearance on The Booze & Blues. This time backed by the world famous Radio Memphis House Band made up of Brad Webb, David Dunn, Stephen Seligman and Willie Hall. Right before her trip back to her native Chicago, she wanted to bring by some of her new music and tell some more stories about life with her father, Eddie Taylor and all the other influential blues artists she grew up with. She also talks about the Eddie Taylor Foundation, what it is and what it does and how you can get involved. Listen now.

 

RMOD - Mama Honey - Special Programming

New Memphis based band Mama Honey came to Radio Memphis for a special show. With a new collection of songs, this band has been getting a lot of buzz around the area. Mama Honey draws from influences like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Hill Country blues. Putting this band in any box. They have been referred to as punk blues, roots doom rock and other unique comparisons. One thing is for sure, this is something you have never heard before. They sat down with Ric on a Saturday night for a performance and conversation about where their music comes from, how the band got together and what it is that makes them so different. Listen now.

RMOD - Brigitte Purdy - The Nooner

Los Angeles blues singer Brigitte Purdy stopped into the Radio Memphis studios for a repeat visit while she was in town for the Blues Music Awards. She talked with Ric about the BMA's, new music, the name of her new CD coming out this fall and to sing a bit for the audience. Also in this conversation, they talked about the possibility of Brigitte moving to Memphis to get closer to the scene as many other new additions to the city have done. With all of that, Brigitte talked about her songwriting style and what it takes to craft a good tune worthy of the stage and the recording studio. Listen now.

 

RMOD - B&B - Doug MacLeod

Recent new Memphian (from Los Angeles), Doug MacLeod made an appearance at Radio Memphis during the Booze & Blues show. David is a remarkable player whose talents come from a wide array of musicians he has encountered over the years. The turning point for Doug came with a stint in the U.S. Navy. He tells that story in this On Demand show taken straight from the air. Along the way, you will hear some of his music, his passion for the National guitar he plays and what it takes (for him) to be one of the most remarkable finger pickers playing today. Listen now.