Michael Perry's Blog, page 15
January 28, 2024
Michael Perry’s Voice Mail Episode #196: The Mike and Mary Situation …fret friends.
Welcome to Michael Perry’s Voice Mail, episode 196. This one’s available to free and paid subscribers alike. Click here to listen.
In today’s episode, I introduce a good friend of mine, Mary Cutrufello. I’ve mentioned Mary before, usually when talking about my band the Long Beds (named after the truck in Truck), but since we’re going to be doing some shows as a duo this year (The Mike and Mary Situation), I figured maybe it was time to share some background. Scroll down and you can see a video of Mary on The Tonight Show back in the day.
This week’s marginalia is…well, scroll down for that too.
This episode is from scratch, and not in any of my books. Until I write the one about the band…
If you’re in the Twin Cities area and want to catch Mary’s live shows, this is the place to start.
Mary and I have three shows coming up: February 9 in Minneapolis, February 24 in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and then in St. Paul, Minnesota in May. For best details, make sure you’re on the mailing list—we’ll let you know.
Today’s episode isn’t from any of my books, but if you’re looking for them, they’re here. Including this little number, which not everyone knows about:
We were all younger once…here’s Mary on The Tonight Show:
Here’s a Long Beds television appearance from 2018 that features Billy and Mary.
MARGINALIA:
In the spirit of my comments in this episode’s recording about freelance work and ideas that never see the light of day, I thought it fitting to share this checklist I came across in a journal (undated, but based on the entries, I think it’s about 5-6 years old) and update you on the progress (the check marks don’t mean completed, they mean I either completed them or moved them to the next day’s list) (a process that worked for a few months then dwindled):
Daughters Book: 70% done, currently on pause.
WHS backlist plans — indies: Don’t recall, but it has to do with my Wisconsin Historical Society Press books From the Top, Roughneck Grace, and Danger: Man Working. And independent bookstores.
Prince Piece: Finished that one, it’s here. And parts of it wound up in the Montaigne book.
Poetry Editor?: Don’t recall. Maybe thinking of writing poetry again? Would love to, but hard to pay the rent with it.
Cheese Chapter?: I wrote a sample chapter for a book about cheese. Put together a whole book proposal. Spent months on it. Put in a lot of time and travel. My agent shopped it around. Nobody bit.
Colonoscopy: This wasn’t a reminder to get a colonoscopy, this was a reminder to finish writing my article about getting a colonoscopy—without any anesthetic. It was published in Men’s Health magazine. I just had another colonoscopy. This time I took the juice.
Montaigne paperback: Musta been getting ready to tour this.
WSJ column: Wrote one of those a week for nine-and-a-half years. It was always on the to-do list.
Agri-View: We were in preliminary discussions to have them syndicate my “Roughneck Grace” column. It didn’t work out.
Film/TV (POP/JC): Was working out how to pitch Population 485 and The Jesus Cow as film projects. Nothing yet, but I did recently sell a script and sign a development deal for an unrelated project.
WHSP audiobooks: I own the audio rights to my Wisconsin Historical Society Press books, but so far have only recorded From the Top. I gotta get on that.
Scavengers: The sequel to this. I’m actually making a lot of progress on it lately.
Okey-doke. That’ll do’er. See y’down the road,
Mike
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January 26, 2024
This Week’s Tent Show Radio: The Wailin’ Jenny’s
Check out Mike (Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads) hosting Tent Show Radio. This week’s episode of Tent Show Radio, beloved singer/songwriter trio The Wailin’ Jennys perform a career spanning set, showcasing some of the most exciting and exquisite music on the folk-roots scene.
During intermission Michael Perry shares a humorous or heartfelt (or both) story drawn from his beloved books and offbeat life experiences.
The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse —three distinct voices that together make an achingly perfect vocal sound. Musical chemistry and a dedicated following turned this one-off grouping of three singer/songwriters into one of today’s most beloved international folk groups. Although known primarily as an acoustic outfit, The Wailin’ Jennys have a wide range of musical backgrounds that have formed their musical sensibilities.
After the 2004 release of their first-full length album, the critically acclaimed 40 Days , and due to their frequent appearances on Garrison’s Keillor’s public radio show A Prairie Home Companion, The Jennys exploded onto the roots music scene, performing at packed venues across the U.S. and throughout the world. Their next album, Firecracker, was a powerful follow-up to their debut album and found The Jennys stepping out of the folk realm and into the world of alt-country, pop and rock. Garnering much attention, it was nominated for a Juno Award and won a 2007 Folk Alliance Award for “Contemporary Release of the Year.” It charted for over 56 weeks on the Billboard charts and was followed up by their 2009 release Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, which spent over a year on the Billboard bluegrass charts.
Through numerous solo endeavors and more than twenty years since their formation, The Wailin’ Jennys continue to create some of the most exciting and exquisite music on the folk-roots scene, stepping up their musical game with each critically-lauded recording and thrilling audiences with their renowned 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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January 20, 2024
Forty Acres Deep Reader Discussion Questions
In the year since we released Forty Acres Deep (January 19, 2023) the story has precipitated many discussions in many settings: farming and agriculture mental health panels, book groups, podcasts and radio interviews, and at Mike’s live events. After receiving several requests, we’ve put together a discussion guide. We’ve reprinted them in the post below, but also feel free to download a Word or Pdf copy for your classroom, book club, or discussion group.
If you are interested in having Mike join your group via Zoom or other video chat platform, please click the “Book Mike” link to inquire about the possibility: https://sneezingcow.com/book-mike/.
Microsoft Word download link: Forty Acres Deep Discussion Questions – Word Version
Pdf download link: Forty Acres Deep Discussion Questions – Pdf Versions
And if you are reading Forty Acres Deep in your class, bookclub, etc., thank you.
Discussion Group Questions
For many small farmers, stoic stubbornness is a necessity for survival. When does it become a liability? And what is it that drives some of us to double down on that stoic stubbornness rather than reaching out for help?
In an interview about Forty Acres Deep, Perry said, “Harold’s a farmer, but he’s standing in for the low-key lonely dread so many of us [non-farmers] feel in this age where digital interconnection drives human disconnection.” In what ways does this align—or not align—with your personal experiences and observations? Or is Perry overreaching? Can a reader without a farm background still relate to Harold?
Harold struggles to cherish reminiscence and sentimentality while not wallowing in the past. Discuss your own feelings and experiences in this regard.
In several interviews, Perry notes that after farmers and partners of farmers, the most correspondence he receives related to Forty Acres Deep comes from husbands. How do you feel about Harold’s reflections on his marriage?
Perry has said he wanted to keep the story dense, concise, and almost claustrophobic—thus the novella form. Some readers and reviewers have indicated they would like a longer novel with an expanded backstory and a fuller representation of the other characters. Do you agree? Would this dilute the impact of the story?
Perry performs widely as a humorist, and most of his books reflect this. How do you feel about a writer known for humor writing something so unrelentingly dark? Or vice versa?
In a recent interview, Perry said, “My first love—the thing that drew a farm kid with a nursing degree into writing—was poetry…[in writing Forty Acres Deep] I wanted to spend ridiculous amounts of time revising descriptions of breeze-borne hoarfrost, or deer dispersing across a snowy lunarscape like beads of black mercury…” Does this poetic approach succeed in highlighting Harold’s story? Is it overindulgent? How do you think Perry chose when and where to dive into these flights of imagery?
– end –
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January 19, 2024
This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Corey Carlson & the Big City Band
Check out Mike (Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads) hosting Tent Show Radio. This week’s episode features an hour of electric performances from Corey Carlson & the Big City Band.
During intermission Michael Perry shares a humorous or heartfelt (or both) story drawn from his beloved books and offbeat life experiences.
Corey Carlson may be Bayfield, WI’s hometown boy, but he’s known and celebrated far and wide. He grew up on the very ski hill that Big Top Chautauqua calls home and was weaned on all of the legendary performers that have graced its stage. A talented songwriter and exceptional musician, Corey is known for his magnetic stage presence, versatile voice, and solid instrumentation. His live performances blend rock, blues, and soul into a captivating musical experience.
In August of 2023, Corey Carlson & the Big City Band, came together for a long-awaited reunion concert, dedicated to their long-time friend Andy Dee. Big City Band members Tony Axtell, Michael Pilhofer, Paul Mayasich, along with special guests Joe Savage and Al Oikary of The Big Wu, joined the two-time Bob Dylan Fest “Best Songwriter” winner for an epic, high-energy night of music under the Big Top.
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: Corey Carlson & the Big City Band appeared first on SneezingCow.com.
January 13, 2024
This Week’s Tent Show Radio: Steve Earle and Zandi Holup
Check out Mike (Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads) hosting Tent Show Radio. This week’s episode features Steve Earle and Zandi Holup.
During intermission Michael Perry shares a humorous or heartfelt (or both) story drawn from his beloved books and offbeat life experiences.
With a career spanning over four decades, Steve Earle has proven himself a master storyteller and one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. In 1986, his record Guitar Town, was released to wide-spread critical acclaim, shooting to number one on the country charts, and is today, regarded as a classic of the Americana genre. While he first won an audience as a country artist, it didn’t take long for him to demonstrate that designation was too narrow for him.
His rough neck poetics, outspoken and unapologetic lyrical stance, and literate yet down to earth musings, have captivated audiences across genres, with his music running the gamut from country, bluegrass, and folk to the blues, roots, and rock. With 22 studio albums under his belt, he has found room for both personal and the political, often writing about the stuff of everyday life and the forces that shape and define our existence. Some of his most notable releases include his commercial breakthrough Copperhead Road (1988), Grammy Award winning records The Revolution Starts…Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007), and TOWNES (2009).
The versatility in his discography, the strength of his work, and consistent critical acclaim has helped Earle attract a loyal following, who are more than happy to continue following his stylistic evolution.
Cut from the same cloth as legendary folk singer-songwriters like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell, Zandi Holup‘s raw brand of original folk country flourishes through raw unfiltered storytelling reminiscent of Dolly Parton and emphasized by her emotive vocals. Her edgy, deeply emotional lyrics and unique voice set her apart. She sings about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her music is a voice for the unheard.
A Grassroots following placed her on the map as snippets of demos and unreleased songs resonated across social media in increasing numbers. Her first release, “Wait for You,” sat at No. 1 on the all-genre Spotify Fresh Finds playlist, amassing over a million streams with no promotion outside of her TikTok following. Named a 2023 Artist to Watch by The Nashville Briefing, Holup signed a publishing deal with Arthouse Entertainment and TurnTable Music in partnership with Universal Music Publishing, and a record deal with Big Loud Records in 2023.
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: Steve Earle and Zandi Holup appeared first on SneezingCow.com.
January 11, 2024
Back in Stock: Population: 485 “Summer Here” Poster
[image error] Population: 485 “Summer Here” posters are back in stock.
The last batch sold out, so we just printed up a fresh batch of the “Summer Here” poster featuring the opening lines of Population 485 and a beautiful collage by the artist Lori Chilefone, who lives just down the road.
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January 8, 2024
Radio Goldfield
If Mike is out plowing snow, it’s a given he’s listening to Moose Country and Jay Moore in the Morning). But sometimes late at night he gets to spinning the internet dial, and one evening he discovered a radio station broadcasting out of a tiny town in Nevada. You won’t have to listen long to realize this isn’t a conglomerate situation, this is just some folks playing songs you don’t hear so often. Anyways, if you like a mix of homegrown sound, bluegrass, country, folk, and just a generally folksy approach, you might enjoy listening to a little radio station out of Goldfield, Nevada: Radio Goldfield-KGFN. If you are not within reception of their radio transmission, you can stream their signal: https://www.kgfn.org. And if you listen long enough, you might even catch a Sneezing Cow reference…
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January 5, 2024
This Week’s Tent Show Radio: A Salute to Glen Campbell
Check out Mike (Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Threads) hosting Tent Show Radio. This week’s episode features A Salute to Glen Campbell
During intermission Michael Perry shares a humorous or heartfelt (or both) story drawn from his beloved books and offbeat life experiences.
On this episode of Tent Show Radio, experience a heartwarming presentation of Glen Campbell’s biggest hits and the stories behind them, delivered by the music legend’s band leader and guitarist of 15 years, Jeff Dayton.
Nashville artist Jeff Dayton’s career is a success story built on hard work, faith and professionalism. The Minnesota native grew up heavily influenced by the music of guitar greats like Eric Clapton, Jerry Reed, Jimi Hendrix and, naturally, Glen Campbell. He formed the Jeff Dayton Band in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980. With a regional #1 hit under his belt, they opened shows for countless artists and major tours that passed through the city, eventually catching the eye of Glen Campbell who would quickly change his career forever.
Dayton became Glen Campbell’s right-hand man, spending 15 years as the legendary musician’s guitarist and band leader. From the 1980’s to the 2000’s, they toured around the world and across all 50 states, performed at the White House, and appeared together on The Today Show and Glen’s PBS special with the South Dakota Orchestra. In the years that followed, Dayton had the honor of backing artists including Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Buck Owens, Tracy Byrd, Bo Diddley, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Autry, Mac Davis and would tour with megastar Kenny Chesney, Lee Greenwood, Sarah Darling, Tammy Cochran and others. After Glen Campbell’s passing in 2017, Jeff got so many requests for a show of the icon’s music that he launched “Salute to Glen Campbell,” an intimate, upbeat presentation of his hits and the first-person stories of their years together.
Dayton has created a truly uplifting and sentimental first-person tribute to one of the greatest artists of all time; he shares the stories behind the songs, the records Glen played on as a member of the Wrecking Crew in his LA studio days, and of course, some of Campbell’s classic country humor. Jeff Dayton continues to lead the band, which includes original drummer Tom Benton, as they perform to sold-out crowds across the country, playing hits like “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and all the rest, just as they were performed with Glen Campbell.
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: A Salute to Glen Campbell appeared first on SneezingCow.com.
January 2, 2024
Michael Perry on THE CULTURE BUZZ – Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Michael Perry joins THE CULTURE BUZZ with John Busbee Wednesday, 01.03.24, at 11:00 AM. The show can be heard live on the radio in the Des Moines, IA area on KFMG 98.9 FM and streamed live online at www.kfmg.org.
11:00 AM – Michael Perry is a masterful storyteller, whether in performance, on one of his albums or in the wonderful essence of humanity he captures in his books. Peaceful Persistence is a gem of a read. Listen as Mike shares some insights into this career, and his path for this book.
“A collection of brief essays on memorials and mercy, storms and farewells, family and fowl, barnyard ballets, the Sunday night sads, the wisdom of roadies, cucumbers and kindness, quotidian asparagus, appropo malaprops, pickleball, sushi boats and weird TV, the poetics of garlic, contrails, Mobius mind-grooves, quietude, Christmas tree injuries, cats, waffle houses, puffy partridges, bonfire bonhomie, dating in a hearse, and a weird evening involving Neil Gaiman, the aforementioned sushi, and Suze Orman.”
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December 30, 2023
Michael Perry on the Rural Realities Podcast
NOTE FROM MIKE: Every time I do another interview for what I’ve taken to calling “this little book,” it takes on new dimensions and makes new connections. I hope it does its subject justice. Thank you to Karen Endres for this thoughtful discussion.
Real-Life Farming Struggles: Bestselling Author Michael Perry’s Latest Work Draws Upon Stories of Rural Life
40 Acres Deep is a tale of farmer Harold facing a long winter alone. In his small rural community, many farmers and small businesses have left, and the good old days are now just memories. On this episode of the Rural Realities podcast, Michael Perry talks with Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), sharing about his book, background as a writer and Wisconsinite, connection to farming, and the topic of mental health in rural Wisconsin. Michael, who has written “20-plus” books, calls himself an “accidental” New York Times bestselling author. He is a humorist, singer/songwriter, amateur snowplow driver, and a playwright from New Auburn, Wisconsin. You can stream the episode here.
Experiencing a challenge with a change on the farm? Contact DATCP’s Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than 100 years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential programs including financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at 800-942-2474 or farmcenter@wisconsin.gov. More information on programs and services is available at farmcenter.wi.gov.
If you are experiencing increased stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline at 888-901-2558 for immediate support. In-person and tele-counseling sessions are also available by request.
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