Michael Perry's Blog, page 14

Brant Short Interviews Michael Perry for Atticus Review

Brant Short interviews author Michael Perry about the unexpected reach–and reactions to–Perry’s novella Forty Acres Deep. Topics covered include farming, publishing, isolation, and guilty husbands. You can read the interview here.

 

 

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Michael Perry and The Long Beds

Check out Mike (Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads) hosting Tent Show Radio. This week’s episode features our own Michael Perry and his band, The Long Beds.

During intermission Michael Perry shares a humorous or heartfelt (or both) story drawn from his beloved books and offbeat life experiences.

Michael Perry ‘s original songs are a direct reflection of his life experiences. Raised in rural Wisconsin by farmers, preachers, and tough country women, his songs reflect “certain wisdoms” available only from whistlers, frauds, and sinners. Ranging from straight-up twang to churchly harmonies and populated by characters drawn straight from rural and small-town America, they launch from places like the overpass outside Perry’s beloved hometown of New Auburn, Wisconsin (population currently 562), a gospel service in a granary, and the kitchen floor of a woman about to drop a world of hurt on her drunken husband.

Raised in a church so austere that hymns were sung with no choir, no accompaniment, and no church (the congregation met in a farmhouse and sat on straight-backed wooden chairs,) Perry and his brother learned to sit side-by-side and work out harmonies on the fly. Those Sunday mornings instilled in Perry a love of singing “clear and pure” that can be heard throughout all of his recordings.

Perry began writing music in the early 1990s as a way to break up all-night typing sessions when he was struggling to survive on prose. Eventually, a musician friend invited him to play a coffee shop gig. Since then, Michael has released 4 albums, several singles, and toured – backed by a collection of renowned musicians who have performed on numerous stages throughout the world (including The Tonight Show, Austin City Limits, and Eaux Claires festival) and worked with a host of artists, including Bon Iver, S. Carey, The Staves, Miley Cyrus, Lizzo, Field Report, The Tallest Man on Earth, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and many more.

Every Long Beds show is built on roughneck ballads and freight train rockers interspersed with hilarious off-the-cuff tales from Mike’s diverse experience as a Wisconsin farm kid turned cowboy turned nurse turned best-selling author.

Follow this link for all the available viewing options.

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/.

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If You Are at the WLIA Conference…

…here’s a link to the cannon video.

…and here’s a link to our mailing list signup so you know where Mike will be next (or when he releases new material).

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Empty Lot, Full Heart

By the time Tony and I are loading out, it’s often just us and the cleanup crew. Another one in the books for the mighty 2002 Sienna. Goddangit lost a hubcap. Down to one again. Night after night we share stories with so many nice people. Hammer down to the next thing.

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Check out Mike (Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads) hosting Tent Show Radio. This week’s episode features The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

During intermission Michael Perry shares a humorous or heartfelt (or both) story drawn from his beloved books and offbeat life experiences.

One of Southern rock’s more inventive exponents, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils have always been indefinable in terms of music genres, producing sounds of country-rock and electric bluegrass all on the same record, writing lyrics both whimsical and poetic, and singing harmonies that send shivers up your spine. The Daredevils were formed in 1971 by the songwriting team of John Dillon, Randle Chowning, Larry Lee, and Steve Cash; with Michael “Supe” Granda and Buddy Brayfield completing the line-up.

When the band emerged with their self-titled debut in 1973, they evoked not only the spirit of the age but the place from which they sprang: Springfield, Missouri, and the Ozarks—a place of pop, rock, country, mountain music, and much more. The critically acclaimed record, recorded in London under the direction of producer Glyn Johns, contained the US Top 30 single “If You Wanna Get To Heaven”, while a second success, “Jackie Blue’, which reached #3, came from the band’s follow-up collection, “It’ll Shine When It Shines.” Recorded at Randle Chowning’s ranch, these records achieved “gold” status and showcased the group’s strong harmonies and intuitive musicianship.

Following a hiatus, the Daredevils were reactivated in the late 1980’s by Dillon, Cash and Granda. The resulting album, “Modern History” found the band with a new lease on life as they carried on into the new millennium with a new line-up featuring Dillon, Cash, Granda, Ron Gremp (drums) and Bill Brown (guitar/vocals). In the years that followed, the Daredevils released a number of major label and independent record label recordings, traveled millions of miles performing throughout North America and Europe, and continued to grow and maintain a loyal and dedicated fan base throughout the world.

Now more than 50 years since their founding, their songs are still regularly played on Classic Radio stations. With two of the original co-founders still on board, John Dillon (guitar, mandolin, vocals) & Michael “Supe” Granda (bass, vocals), their current lineup of talented musicians includes Ron Gremp (drums), Ruell Chappell (vocals, percussion), Bill Jones (woodwinds, horns), Dave Painter (lead guitar), Nick Sibley (harmonica, guitar, vocals), Kelly Brown (keyboard), and Molly Healey (fiddle). With their signature sound and style remaining intact and vibrant, they continue to delight Dareheads with their live performances.

Follow this link for all the available viewing options.

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/.

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Visiting Tom in 2009

2009. Reporting from the field. Photos by ShimonLindemann. If you read the book you know the significance of the second photo.

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This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Glenn Miller Orchestra

Check out Mike (Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads) hosting Tent Show Radio. This week’s episode features the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

During intermission Michael Perry shares a humorous or heartfelt (or both) story drawn from his beloved books and offbeat life experiences.

Considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time, the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra continues to keep Miller’s legendary jazzy sound alive onstage for old-time fans and new generations alike. Known for timeless classics like “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” and “Tuxedo Junction” the iconic bandleader’s famous orchestra proves his unforgettable music is alive and well nearly 80 years after his passing.

While the first Glenn Miller Orchestra was a total and absolute economic failure, Miller was dedicated to his dreams and relentlessly worked until he succeeded. He launched his second band in March of 1938, and The Glenn Miller Orchestra became the most sought-after big band in the world. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at theaters, hotels and dance pavilion, built and sustained the momentum of popularity. After joining the army in 1942, the band was temporarily disbanded while Miller organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band which traveled through Europe to entertain servicemen. After disappearing on a flight mission in 1944, the army declared Miller dead in 1945. Following the release of the movie The Glenn Miller Story in 1954, there was growing and renewed interest in Miller’s music legacy. Miller’s estate authorized the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley, and since 1956, the band has been touring consistently, playing an average of 300 live shows around the world every year.

Revered for its own unique and distinctive big band sound, The Glenn Miller Orchestra has always been very musical, disciplined, and visually entertaining. That sound is created by the clarinet holding the melodic line, doubled or coupled with the tenor sax playing the same notes; and the harmonies produced by three other saxophones, while growling trombones and wailing trumpets add their oo-ahs. Led by tenor saxophonist Erik Stabnau, the 18-member ensemble continue to play many of Miller’s original arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. The band also plays more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is still the most sought-after big band in the world.

Follow this link for all the available viewing options.

Stream it here along with other Tent Show Radio episodes.

Tent show Radio is broadcast each week on many fine independent stations, which can be found here: https://sneezingcow.com/ten-show-radio-stations/.

The post This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Glenn Miller Orchestra appeared first on SneezingCow.com.

Variegated Loop

Toyota backed up just like any other world tour support vehicle. That’s Tony way back in there.

On the road again. The usual unusual. Loaded up the 2002 Sienna and ran a 400 mile loop in three days with merch guy Tony during which I stood on a dance floor and did ten minutes of humor improv (CliffsNotes version of the dead cow story) between rounds of Top 40 bingo with a raucous crowd of, um, RELAXED paramedics, EMTs, and first responders; delivered the closing keynote at the Wisconsin EMS Association conference; collaborated with an independent bookseller and a funky theater to do an hour of whatever that thing is I do that’s not quite an author reading and not quite standup comedy but seems to leave us all happier; and, on the final stop before home, shared stories in a fire hall before enjoying the company, fellowship, and potluck of a crew that’s done some heavy work of late. In between I retreated to the hotel room and hit deadlines. I’ve lost track of the number of posts I’ve written about this happily variegated life I’ve wandered into, and how grateful I am that I can share time with so many folks from so many different walks of life. How wonderful to step to the microphone in a giant conference hall, then take the stage in a quirky theater, then step into a small-town fire hall that transports me immediately back to my “Population 485” days…and then return to the little room above the garage and write some more so I can go some more. My only regret–and it’s not really a regret, just context–is that I have to keep moving, there’s only so much clock and calendar, and we can’t meet every request. But there’s not a handshake, or a signature, or a moment of communication that I take for granted. Thank you. And thank you to my wife and daughters, who get the unedited, un-EQ’d, non-marquee me. And thanks to Tony, for lugging all those books and other merch. That’s him way back there behind the van, emerging from the cavernous depths of the Resch Center in Green Bay. Yes, we genuflected as we passed Lambeau, the giant “G” glowing in the sky…

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Lamentations

While back I did an interview and mentioned the American Aquarium song “Me + Mine (Lamentations)” which I listened to a bunch while working on the Forty Acres Deep novella. You can listen to the song here.

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Posts from the Box: Two Books

Even at my non-famous level (9 out of 10 times no one recognizes me at the Farm & Fleet) (and then half the time it’s a relative, neighbor, or Moose Country 106.7 listener), my calendar is such that I meet many, many thoughtful people in passing and simply cannot do justice to their kindnesses or adequately recognize their hard work or support their latest project the way they might hope and deserve. In addition, my email and snail-mailbox overflows weekly with manuscripts, CDs (ok–not so many CDs anymore), advance copies, digital links and attachments, and requests for me to review or discuss more smart, powerful writing and heartfelt art than I could lay my eyes on if it was my full-time job. That said, I keep a box of books and notes and CDs and miscellaneous objects given to me on the road, and when I can I jot a note or make a mention. Thus, Posts from the Box.

Some time ago I promised Yolanda DeLoach I would mention her book “Squatter” when it came out (the Ice Age Trail runs right through my figurative back yard of Population 485) and here it is. The reviews for this one have been terrific.

Also longtime supporter, journalist, author, and kind fellow Greg Peck published Snakes, Squirrels, and Bears, Oh My! last year. Here’s where to find Greg and his books.

 

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