Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change

For this episode of Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change , we spoke to composer, pianist/vocalist, and interdisciplinary artist Samora Pinderhughes during the 2024 Big Ears Festival . Samora is a graduate of The Julliard School and is currently completing a PhD in Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry. He is the first-ever Art for Justice / Soros Justice Fellow and a recipient of Chamber Mus...

For this episode of Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change , we decided to highlight some of the sights, sounds, and experiences of the 2024 Big Ears Festival . We spoke with the festival's executive and artistic director, Ashley Capps, and Big Ears' development director, Casey Fox, about the philosophy behind the festival, some of the challenges, hopes for the future of the event, and intentio...

For this episode of Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change , we spoke to self-described "Southern Soul" artist Rissi Palmer . Rissi has released multiple solo records and music for children. Some career highlights include performances at the White House, the Grand Ole Opry, on Oprah & Friends , and numerous other national TV appearances. Her radio show Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer c...

Music for this episode was composed and performed by William Wright.

For this episode of Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage For Change , we interviewed Knoxville-based performer and entrepreneur Jonathan "Courageous" Clark . Courageous has been an important figure in the Knoxville theatre community since childhood, and served as Executive and Artistic Director of the Carpetbag Theatre (CBT), Inc. He has toured nationally as a spoken word poet, has worked in nonprofit a...

For this episode of Pass the Mic , we talked to Devan Jaquez who serves as Principal Flutist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra . Devan was selected as a finalist in the 2020 Young Concert Artists International Competition, was selected to play in the 2020 Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, was chosen as a 2020 instrumental fellow of the Music Academy of the West (MAW), and was chosen as a winner...

For this episode of Pass the Mic , we talked to Alison Brown at the 2023 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. Alison is an internationally recognized and GRAMMY winning banjoist known for her roots in bluegrass with elements of jazz. At a pivotal moment in her life, Alison left a career on Wall Street to tour with Alison Krauss and Union Station. She never looked back. Allison has released twelve cri...

For this episode of Pass the Mic , we had the pleasure of talking to Carlene Carter at the 2023 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. Carlene shared memories of learning music from her mother, June Carter, and her grandmother "Mother" Maybelle Carter. Her 2014 record Carter Girl celebrates this family history with unique contemporary interpretations of the Carter Family's original songs. Carlene made a...

For this episode of Pass the Mic , we're excited to celebrate the spirit of the 2023 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion by highlighting some of the diverse voices that make this event so special— some attending the festival for the first time, long-time returning festival goers, and some of the folks working within and on the periphery of the event to keep in running smoothly. We had the privilege of...

For this episode of Pass the Mic , we talked with members of the NYC based band The Scooches , named appropriately for the way it "scooches" a wide range of genres and cultures together to create beautiful and eclectic roots music. We talked to founding members and spouses, Betina Hershey and Nick Russo, percussionist Harvey Wirht, originally from Suriname, and vocalist Miles Griffith. In this con...

For this episode of "Pass the Mic" , we sat down with Nashville-based hip hop artist Brian Brown . Brian discussed his eclectic musical upbringing, and ways that his early musical influences have shaped his current sound. He also describes his realities of being a working musician in Nashville, and the ongoing pursuit of balance and self-care. Brian also points out the hypocrisy of Black hip-hop a...

For this episode of " Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change , " we sat down with Tiffany Provenzano and Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere , two music industry professionals involved with Nashville-based mTheory's Equal Access Development Program. This 12-month program is designed to provide access and training for underrepresented voices in the country music industry by extending funding, training, and...

For this episode of " Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change ," we sat down with Nashville-based blues musician Adia Victoria . Adia was born in South Carolina, lived for a period of time in Europe, and eventually landed in Nashville in 2010. Her full-length records include  Beyond the Bloodhounds  released in 2016,  Silences  in 2019, and more recently, her 2021 album entitled  A Southern Goth...

For this episode of Pass the Mic , we had the opportunity to talk with Knoxville-based percussionist and educator Obayana Ajanaku . Obayana has been studying West African drumming since the age of 6. He is a lifelong student of African percussion, and continues to pursue opportunities to develop his performing skills and expertise of African music. He has performed both internationally and across...

For this episode of Pass the Mic, we sat down with Nashville-based artist Robbie Lynn Hunsinger .   For many years,   Robbie Lynn   worked as a   top notch   classical oboist   in Atlanta, New York and Chicago.   Recently   she has become a sought after   media   and   concert artist,   a   composer, multi-instrumentalist,   creative technologist,   improviser   and educator.   Robbie Lynn   is a...

This episode of  Pass the Mic features Dom Flemons , also known as the "American Songster. "  Dom is Grammy winning recording artist, two-time Emmy nominee, and a 2020 U.S. Artists Fellow. His repertoire covers a century of American Roots music. In addition to being an accomplished songwriter and instrumentalist, Dom is a music scholar, record collector, actor, poet, and creator of the " American...

For this episode of Pass the Mic , we sat down with Nashville-based hip hop artist Daisha McBride, also known as The Rap Girl.   Daisha first gained attention for her music while recording and sharing videos of herself rapping while attending MTSU as a college student. At the age of 27, Daisha has already released three full-length albums and numerous singles. She is the subject of the recent docu...