The Big Ears Collection #5: Sunny War
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we spoke with singer songwriter prior to her performance at the in Knoxville. Sunny War’s early musical history was rooted in punk music, and she has successfully blended these punk influences with elements of roots music— a unique sound that is further highlighted by her distinct right-hand technique that mimics the clawhammer banjo. Sunny is candid about her early experiences with heavy alcohol use and addictions to heroin and meth that started as a teenager, which eventually led her to a medical crisis. During these years, she began busking on the streets,...
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The Big Ears Collection #4: Leyla McCalla
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we talked to songwriter, activist, and multi-instrumentalist during the in Knoxville, Tennessee. Previously, Leyla performed as part of the GRAMMY award winning Carolina Chocolate Drops. She is also a founding member of the Black, all-female American roots ensemble, Our Native Daughters. Her previous solo work includes her 2022 album Breaking the Thermometer, which explores the history of Radio Haiti and the journalists who risked their lives to report the news in Haitian Kreyol. The album was part of a multidisciplinary dance, theater, and music project commissioned...
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The Big Ears Collection #3: Samora Pinderhughes
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we spoke to composer, pianist/vocalist, and interdisciplinary artist during the . 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 Music America’s 2020 Visionary Award. Much of Samora’s long term work as an artist has been dedicated to documenting experiences of incarcerated individuals and critically examining structural violence and policing in the United States. Through his multimedia project, , Samora...
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The Big Ears Collection #2: Amythyst Kiah
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we spoke to during the in Knoxville, Tennessee. Amythyst earned a GRAMMY nomination for her song “Black Myself” in the category of Best American Roots Song. She is also a member of the “all women of color supergroup”, Our Native Daughters, which also featured , , and . Amythyst’s 2021 album, Wary+Strange, was described as “a must-listen about living in the land of white privilege” by Billboard and a “masterful blend of lonesome folk and neo-blues” by Rolling Stone. In this conversation, Amythyst describes her early experiences with music, her time...
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The Big Ears Collection #1: Ashley Capps & Casey Fox
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we decided to highlight some of the sights, sounds, and experiences of the . 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 intentions for its impact on the local Knoxville community. We also ventured out into the streets to talk to patrons and some of the artists as well, who shared some of their highlights and impressions of the festival. Special thanks to Jason Thompson, who allowed us...
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Episode 17: Rissi Palmer
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we spoke to self-described “Southern Soul” artist . 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 celebrates Black artists and those who have been historically marginalized in country music. In this conversation, Rissi describes the process of carving out a space for herself in the world of country music as a Black artist, making history along...
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Episode 16: Brandi Augustus
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we spoke with Knoxville-based comedian, activist, community leader, poet, and self-described “truth teller” . In her comedy career, Brandi has opened for Katherine Blanford, Holly Lena, and Sam Tallent. She was voted Knoxville’s Finest Comedian in 2023 and is a show producer with Tiny Stage Comedy. In this conversation, Brandi describes the struggles that led her to living in Knoxville, the personal growth that followed, her unexpected path toward comedy, and ways that she uses comedy to talk about the realities of parenthood. Brandi also describes her work with...
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Episode 15: Jonathan “Courageous” Clark
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we interviewed Knoxville-based performer and entrepreneur . 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 arts administration, and currently facilitates creative writing & performance workshops for groups of all ages that explore unconscious bias. He is the CEO and Founder of , a DEI Consulting company, which aims to foster empathy and understanding in the workplace. In...
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Episode 14: Devan Jaquez
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we talked to who serves as Principal Flutist with the . 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 of the Keston MAX Competition, resulting in a performance with the London Symphony Orchestra. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Devan served as producer and performer for his “” recording project, which featured contemporary flute pieces written by...
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Bristol Episode #7: Rebekah Todd
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change
For this episode of , we talked to North Carolina based musician at the 2023 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. Rebekah, who identifies her music as “Cosmic Soul Rock”, has won numerous awards and has performed with a wide variety of notable artists including Keller Williams, Big Something, and Vince Herman among others. She hosts the podcast “Rebekah Toddcast,” and also hosts the “” glamping retreat for women and non-binary people in North Carolina. In this episode, Rebekah discusses the North Carolina music scene, experiences with sexism in the music industry, and the importance...
info_outlineFor 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 the United States. Obayana serves as the West African drum instructor at Austin East High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In response to gun violence that resulted in the deaths of three Austin East High School students, Obayana founded the “Drums Up, Guns Down” program. “Drums Up, Guns Down” aims to stop the cycle of gun violence by providing students with an outlet for expressing emotions, and a meaningful space to heal from trauma. The program’s website states that “through the process of learning to drum, participants will not only experience emotional healing, but will be able to express themselves, develop effective communication and problem-solving skills, and learn to work with others in a positive environment.”
We are grateful to Obayana for sharing his time and thoughts about ways that music creates safety and healing, particularly for Black students who are disproportionately affected by gun violence.
For more information about some of the local organizations that Obayana collaborates with, visit:
https://turnupknox.org
https://www.seeedknox.org
https://www.pwywca.org
https://www.changecenterknoxville.com
Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change provides an opportunity for artists from marginalized and underserved communities to share their art with others. Through concerts/performances, visual art displays, discussions and panels focusing on important issues, and educational opportunities, artists have the chance to engage with the community. The Tennessee Theatre is proud to provide a space for audiences and artists to better understand one another.
This podcast is brought to you by the Historic Tennessee Theatre, produced by Becky Hancock and Cecilia Wright, and engineered and edited by Ben McLaughlin. Music composition, sound design, and additional production assistance is provided by William Wright. This project is being supported in part by The Tennessee Arts Commission. Graphics by Danica Thompkins.