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: 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 access to industry leaders and other resources for both artists and managers in the industry . In this conversation, Tiffany and Ahsaki provide perspectives from two different sides of the program, with Tiffany serving as the Director of the Equal Access Development Program and Ahsaki participating as a management professional in the 2023 cohort, made up of three artists and three management professionals. Tiffany and Ahsaki also discuss the program’s impact and the importance of addressing equity issues in the music industry. Tiffany describes the importance of using her privilege to be an effective ally to professionals in the arts who have historically experienced marginalization, and Ahsaki describes how her identity as a Black and Native American woman allows her to represent and uplift diverse voices in the world of country music.