Mississippi Arts Hour

Melody Moody Thortis speak to Hal Jeanes. Hal is a well-known Mississippi based musician, playing in bands such as the Vernon Brothers and the D’Lo Trio for more than twenty years. Melody and Hal spoke about Hal’s musical influences, his love of bluegrass as “fusion” music, and you’ll hear him playing live in the studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Forrest Galey, Eudora Welty curator for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, about the reissue of the book "Eudora Welty Photographs," published by the University Press of Mississippi. The book, originally published in 1989, features digitally restored photographs taken by Welty in the 1930s-1950s. Famous for her work as a novelist and short story writer, We...

Larry Morrisey talks with Oxford-based writer Mary Miller about her latest novel "Biloxi." A native of Jackson, Miller has received high praise for her previous novel and story collections. Her latest book follows the adventures of a gruff Gulf Coast retiree and his dog. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to Ward Emling, an actor, activist, and longtime director of the Mississippi Film Office. The two discuss film incentives, Emling's return to the stage as an actor, and the recent film festivals in which Emling has played a key role. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with Iretta and Johnie B. Sanders, a husband and wife blues duo who have recently settled in Mississippi. Johnie a native of Chicago, and Iretta, originally from Tunica, met in Chicago. They started performing together and later spent several years in St. Paul, Minnesota. They moved to Mississippi in 2016 and are becoming regular performers at clubs and festivals around the s...

Melody Moody Thortis talks to Calvin Phelps, the founder and director of Pike School of Art in McComb. They talk about the mission of the School and some of it's recent community outreach programs. They also talk about Phelps' role as President of the McComb Creative Economy Partnership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to Cole Furlow, a singer/songwriter, producer, composer and photographer based in Jackson.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey travels to Oxford to talk with singer songwriter Andrew Bryant. A native of Calhoun County, Bryant has been recording and touring for nearly 15 years. His latest record, 2018’s “Ain’t It Like the Cosmos,” received strong reviews in the music press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diane Williams talk with Jackson-area hip hop artist Michael Norris, a.k.a. Mr. Fluid, on this week’s Mississippi Arts Hour. Mr. Fluid is an emcee, poet, and producer. He has released three albums produced entirely by himself, the latest of which is titled, "When Conformity Is Not Comfortable." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks with Dr. Edgar E. Smith, chairman of the Mississippi Blues Commission’s Blues Musicians Benevolent Fund. Dr. Smith is a retired biochemist and educator who grew up in the Mississippi Delta and was exposed to the blues at an early age. Although Dr. Smith’s professional background involves science, education, university administration, and philanthropy, he has retained his longst...

Larry Morrisey talks with bluesman Robert Kimbrough, Sr. Kimbrough is the son of the late legendary bluesman Junior Kimbrough. He grew up playing the blues with his father and brothers and is now active as a touring and recording musician. He also presents the Kimbrough Cotton-Patch Blues Festival, an annual festival in Holly Springs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks to Oxford based painter, Glennray Tutor. They spoke about the inspiration and meaning behind his hyper-realism paintings. A true master, Glennray shares some of his unique methods, techniques and approach to creating his works of art. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White talks to Oxford-based artist Carlyle Wolfe. Carlyle creates works of art inspired by the nature around her. The silhouetted shapes of leaves and other flora are often the subjects of her paintings and sculptures, evoking themes of the passage of time and notions of beauty. She has a BFA in painting from the University of Mississippi and an MFA in painting and drawing from Louisiana S...

Larry Morrisey visits with Adam Estes, a professor of music at the University of Mississippi. They talk about his work with his group, The Assembly Quartet (current MAC Roster Artists) and the upcoming saxophone conference at the university. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Moody Thortis talks to Oxford based fiber artist, Andi Bedsworth. Andi is also the director of the Oxford Fiber Arts Festival. Melody spoke with Andi about her background in art, theatre, teaching, and her work in the community. This week’s episode was recorded at the Southern Documentary Project offices, part of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture on the campus of Ole Miss. Hosted...

Malcolm White travels to Oxford to talk with area sculptor and MAC Visual Arts Fellowship recipient Earl Dismuke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey visits with Stacy Howell, the executive director of the Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. Howell tells about the history of the building and gives details on the wide range of arts and cultural programming that the Center provides for residents on the Coast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An episode remembering the 2019 Governor’s Arts Award recipient for Excellence in Photography and Community Support, James Patterson. Melody Moody Thortis talks to friends and colleagues of the late photographer including guests Ron Blaylock and Laurin Stennis about their memories about his life, his art and his legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Morrisey talks with folklorist and 2017 Governor’s Arts Award recipient William Ferris about the Grammy nomination for his latest project, a box set of his recordings and films. They also talk about how he got started documenting local folk culture while growing up on a farm in Warren County. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malcolm White interviews Ruth Miller, textile artist and 2019 Governor’s Arts Award recipient for Excellence in Visual Arts, on Mississippi Arts Hour. Miller is known for her intricate portraits, landscapes and abstract works of art made entirely of yarn. She is a past recipient of Mississippi Arts Commission’s visual art fellowship, a 2014 Mississippi Invitational Artist at the Mississippi Museum...

Melody Moody Thortis interviews Francine Thomas Reynolds and Dawn Buck of New Stage Theatre. This February, New Stage Theatre will receive a Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Theatre. The trio discusses the history of the Theatre, the role the venue has played in enhancing theatrical productions in the Jackson area and state, as well as New Stage’s upcoming show, Hell in High Water, which is...

Larry Morrisey interviews Harvey Lee Watkins Jr., leader of the Canton Spirituals, a well known gospel group that will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 Governor’s Arts Awards. For more than four decades, the Canton Spirituals have mixed blues and R&B with traditional gospel, creating a sound that’s all their own. Demand for their live performances has taken them to venues acr...

Melody Moody Thortis talks to Gulf Coast artist Carmen Lugo. They discuss what it’s like being a full-time artist working in mixed media, acrylic and encaustic. Carmen describe her efforts to use visual art as imagery to explore human emotion as well as her love of nature and her experiences teaching art classes at The Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center of Arts and Education. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Larry Morrisey talks with dancer and choreographer Summer Baldwin. A native of northern Florida, Baldwin has been living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for several years. She is active as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and actor and is currently planning a contemporary dance festival for this coming March in Ocean Springs. She is also a member of MAC’s Artist Roster Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Malcolm White interviews John Anderson, a Bay St. Louis-area architect and musician. Along with his wife Allison, he helped revitalize Bay St. Louis in the years following Hurricane Katrina with artful vision and environmentally friendly design. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.