Published: January 12, 2010 10:47 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight January 2010 Edition
Willie Mae
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Willie Mae
Andy Burke and Tamara Grigsby make up the two person band known as Willie Mae. This local group out of the Jacksonville, Florida area has created a wonderful style of music that fuses elements of Americana and Blues into one terrific sound. Tamara sings with wisdom, energy, and integrity that this Webzine finds most appealing. Recently, the two band members spoke to us about their music and what drove them to want to make music together. Check out what the two of them had to say.
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
Tamara: My mother and two older brothers played guitar. It is an instrument I've been around my whole life. My father was the writer. He wrote plays and songs. My brothers had a band, and they traveled the country playing music and making a living. I used to go to bars with my Mom when I was young to hear them play. Practice was always at our house, and they were a huge influence on me. At 15, I was singing in my first band.
Andy: My father played the sax and my mother played piano. Whenever she played a bluesy tune such as "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine" from the Broadway musical, Showboat, I would charge into the living room and listen carefully. The flatted thirds and fifths of the song greatly affected me. Thus began my love of blues music. Additionally, my grandmother played beautiful stride-style piano. Stride piano is very rhythmic. I have her old upright at home and love to bounce my left hand to make it sound like her music. I was very fortunate to have such great influences at home.
Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?
Tamara: When I started writing songs, it became necessary for me to play an instrument. The guitar was my first choice.
Andy: The Beatles! The girls!
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
Tamara: Absolutely. I had a wonderful music teacher named Mr. Johanson in high school. I was so involved in music during that time that he became a second father to me. His passion and professionalism left a huge impression on me. I knew music would always be a big part of my life.
Andy: Absolutely not. I did not really think of anything beyond the immediate time. If I had been much smarter and far seeing as a teenager, I would have picked up a couple of '59 gold top Les Pauls!
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
Tamara: Bonnie Bramlett...
Andy: Mark Knopfler.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
Tamara: John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith,
Jesse Mae Hemphill, Billie Holiday, and Ma Rainey.
Andy: Though I am drawn to blues music, any performer of any genre that offers a high level of emotion has my attention.
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
Tamara: To keep pushing ourselves to the next level. Travel, perform, educate, and continue to get paid to do what we love. Musical recognition such as having a well- known artist record our songs, get our songs into movies, etc. and continue to grow as writers.
Andy: Write songs with Tamara that tell a complete story and have an emotional impact. The emotion can come from the lyrics, a guitar or vocal lick or the chord pattern of a song. We refer to it as getting deep into the "pita pocket" and when it happens it is a magical time.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
Tamara: We have to look outside our community if we want to grow. Jacksonville has many talented musicians and songwriters, but the venues aren't always open to original music, so we like to venture out to more open musical scenes and festivals that support the music we do.
Andy: It is funny now, but when I first picked up the guitar, I did not know there was a standard tuning everyone used. I just tuned the guitar to itself and tried to play along with records. Guess what? That does not work. Also, at some point it is incredibly free-ing to find your own musical voice. It is good to emulate musicians you admire and learn how they do certain things but in order to grow you must let go and push yourself.
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
Tamara: Yes. If you wake up in the morning and feel you will die if you don't do this, then it's for you.
Andy: Playing music is such a joy. And if you get paid for it…All the better.
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
Tamara: To be successful songwriters you need to go to a larger market.
Andy: The old cliché-practice, practice, practice. No substitute.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
Tamara: Americana.
Andy: Blues.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
Tamara: Every song we write ends up being my favorite. So much care and thought goes into the music and the lyrics that I love them all. They tell stories or remind me of a time and place. Delta Storm is about a trip we took to Mississippi. We were driving from Memphis to Clarksdale in an incredible storm. When we arrived in Clarksdale and saw the city limit sign, a giant rainbow appeared. Every time we play that tune, I go back to that magical trip.
Andy: Tamara and I have really grown as songwriters. We compliment each other well. Each new song becomes a favorite until the next one. However, certain songs, such as "Trouble" and a more recent song, "Far Don't Matter" really stand out for me.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Tamara: I would like to thank Mary Hurt Wright who has been an inspiration to us through her friendship and her stories about her Grandfather, Mississippi John Hurt. Through visits with her, she has given us such a personal connection to the music. It is a gift that I treasure
every time we sing a John Hurt song. I also want to thank our friends and family who have been so supportive of our music both financially and emotionally.
Andy: My parents have been very supportive throughout my musical journeys. My wife, Julie, provides unending emotional support. Tamara is a great partner and we have developed a solid support system for each other. Willie Mae has lots of friends who come to see our live shows and purchase our CDs. We are very fortunate.
Isaac: Any last words?
Tamara: We are currently working on our second CD of original music.
You can look for us at the Hoopee Festival and Springing in the Blues Festival. We are excited about doing Blues in the Schools in conjunction with the Blues Fest.
Andy: Thank you Issac for providing us the opportunity to have this discussion.
