Vegetarian Nightmare

Whatever on Earth would motivate a man to make music about meat? The prime cuts on Scott Wakefield’s newest CD entitled, Vegetarian Nightmare should come as no surprise. But, there’s much more than meaty ballads on this disc. It’s apparent that the humorous tunes about carnivorous culinary obsessions are a lighthearted mask for Scott’s deeper emotions regarding the nurturing he derived as the solo grandson of a Texas ranching family. One of the most touching songs on the album is dedicated to the memory of his deceased mom…

“There’s a cold black wind blowin’ through my family tree. I’m the last one on this branch and I guess I own a cattle ranch,” he sings.

At first glance, this album beckons you to take it lightly, by delivering what Mad Magazine used to call, “humor in a jugular vein.” Upon closer introspection, Scott has worked hard to produce a theatrical autobiographical masterpiece, balancing on the edge between comedy and tragedy. His cast and crew include a remarkable assemblage of notable backup singers and a diversity of musicians from jazz horns and keyboards to country string-picking masters.

Wakefield’s latest is a deep and well-crafted studio production. His voice is his primary instrument, polished and refined through decades of steady performance. His theatrical background is apparent in the fact that he also wrote and arranged all thirteen songs – a storybook that provides a close and revealing look at what really makes Scott run.

For the past few weeks Scott Wakefield played at numerous venues throughout Door County – stopping on his way to a California acting engagement. Eventually he will return to his current home in New York, but we were lucky to catch him on camera at a Fishstock Concert on August 2, 2009. Here’s Scott Wakefield, accompanied by drummer Pat Judy, performing “My Bed,” a song from his latest CD, Vegetarian Nightmare.

Scott is even more engaging on stage, in person than he is on his newest CD… and his latest recording is a delight. Here’s Scott Wakefield, accompanied by drummer Pat Judy, performing a song he wrote to commemorate the birth of Sarah Kaplan and the passing of Fred Alley, which took place on the same day.

Chris Bishop and Emilie Rose Bishop

This week we talk with special guest Chris Bishop, and feature a recent track entitled “With Love” that he wrote and recorded with his band The Peacocks. The show aired live at 1 pm and is now available to listen to in streaming  format or as a downloadable podcast at the Door County Style Channel on Blog Talk Radio.

Each Thursday at 7 pm we usually broadcast live online, streaming from Fish Creek, Wisconsin – but sometimes we schedule around a guest’s availability. If you can’t make it live we always provide the latest archived shows for download or podcast listening anytime. On-air listener calls are taken during live broadcasts at 646.929.0910

Door County Style Magazine uses the BlogTalkRadio broadcasting platform. Here are a few tips to help you successfully manage the site:

You don’t need to register to listen to our shows, but registering gives you those social site perks such: as a profile with your own blog/website information, making Door County Style a “friend” (we like friends!), your own a unique user ID for the live chat sessions that accompany the shows, the ability to send messages to other registered users, rate shows etc. (Heck, you can even start your own radio show!)

Registered users also have the option to receive show reminders sent to them. To get show reminders, just go to the “Settings” page, then click “Notifications”.

Stephen Kastner, Door County BTR Host

Tune in to the Door County Style Channel on Blog Talk Radio to hear the latest on what’s upcoming in the arts, on stage, in live music from the club scene to classical, local festivals and special events, sports and the outdoors – a live, call-in, Door County fun roster. We feature special guest spots with the artists, musicians, actors and the organizers who make it all happen here in Northeast Wisconsin. Join in by calling 646.929.0910 during show time with your own special announcements to be sure we don’t miss anything going on in Northeast Wisconsin – always a hot spot in the arts and entertainment…

Door County Style Magazine cam crew was there to provide you with the following chance to experience a bit of what you missed or remember what you saw and heard if you were lucky enough to have been there. Willy is a master of the six and 9-string guitars and his songwriting skills are just as finely tuned. This lyrics of this Willy Porter song, “Paper Airplane.” touched my heart. Here’s an intro:

I wanna walk through all your open doorways.
I wanna drink down all your cheap wine.
I wanna answer the phone when your old man calls ya.
I wanna tell him that your doin alright.
I wanna erase all doubt.
I wanna stand naked before the sun.
I wanna lay down beside you when the working day is done.
Through your open window my paper airplane flies.
People say I lost my footing.
They should look into your eyes.

Here’s a link to hear the song that drew me to attend Willy’s recent Door County concert: “How To Rob A Bank” – another example of his Woody Guthrie-style, would-be bank robber’s directive:

You can’t walk in there brazen with an Uzi like Patty Hearst.
I’m gonna secure myself a seat on the board of directors first.
That’s how you rob a bank.

It’s also the title of his latest CD release, a rich blend of salt and sugar with tracks that move easily from rough-hewn electric edges into soulful irony with equal aplomb. Each song is a fresh cross-pollination of styles, genres and musical forms.

On How To Rob A Bank Porter fills out the production with a deep supporting cast of musicians he has known and toured with for years. The LA-based folk/rock quartet Raining Jane bring their vocal harmonies, cello, sitar and percussion to the disc in warm and subtle ways. LA über-session artist, Reggie Hamilton, lends his virtuosity on upright bass to the title track and Weasel Records label-mate Natalia Zukerman sews her lap-steel, dobro and vocal chops into several tunes. For the core heavy lifting on the album, Porter enlists his own seasoned backing band of Dave Adler (keys), Steve Kleiber (bass), and Dave Schoepke (drums and percussion).

“In his most recent offering on Weasel Records “Porter [is] at the top of his game, working off his creative debt to Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan,” (Dave Tianen – Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) while showing his listeners How To Rob A Bank.

The Peg Egan Performing Arts Center Sunset Concert Series of live music in Door Countyis presented free to the public and begin at 7 pm at the new open-air Egg Harbor Amphitheater on Church Street. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Meet and greet the artists after each show at the Door County Outpost Gallery & Cafe.

Sunday, July 26 • Patty Larkin
Patty is a rare combination of talents. Over her 10 CD history, she has honed a reputation as a “musician’s musician”, working with some of the brightest talents in American music. Long a favorite with critics, Patty is that unique level of artistic sophistication – one that her audiences have come to appreciate and her new fans will love.

Patty Larkin is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, recognized for her outstanding contributions to contemporary music, alongside synthesizer pioneer Dr. Robert Moog. Over the years, other recipients of this prestigious honor have been Duke Ellington, Sting, Natalie Cole, among others. Patty Larkin has won an unprecedented 11 Boston Music Awards and is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnae Award from Berklee College of Music and “Patty Larkin Appreciation Day”, a proclamation by Boston’s mayor Thomas Menino.

Sunday, August 2 • Steppin’ In It
This Lansing, Michigan quartet brilliantly updates a resurging American musical genre. These guys are real showmen of old-time country swing. Sponsored by: Edward & Terri Martin, H.J. Martin & Son, Inc. In memory of Patrick and Mary Ellen Martin.

Sunday, August 9 • Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble
The members of the Lawrence Jazz Trio improvise and interact upon an eclectic repertoire of jazz, classical, folk, and ethnic music. Each artist brings a broadly based conservatory education, an extensive jazz background, and unique world music experiences to this creative music collective.

Sunday, August 16 • Harmonious Wail
Smoldering vocals laced among the jazzy mandolin and guitar; an infectious blend of continental jazz, swing, gypsy music and melodic vocals. The band has toured throughout the United States and Europe over the past 17 years.

Sunday, August 23 • Karen Savoca & Pete Heitzman
Karen Savoca’s live performances are uplifting and hypnotic, and she and partner Pete Heitzman put some funk in the folk. At the Vancouver Folk Festival ‘99, as the Sunday sun was setting, for the first time in 22 years, 10 thousand people inexplicably removed their shoes and waved them over their heads.

Sunday, August 30 • Santa Cruz River Band
Arizona’s Santa Cruz River Band plays folk music in styles rooted in the Southwest and Mexico. Breathtaking stories and vocals!

In case of a rain out, events will be held indoors at The Orchards Golf Course, 8125 Heritage Lake Road in Egg Harbor… call 920-868-2483.

Delaney Davidson is joined here by Eric McFadden on guitar, Jeff Hammes on bass and Wally Ingram on drums.

“I am always amazed at where influence shows its head. Sometimes Dusty Springfield turns up and I never even listened to her, sometimes the Beach Boys, sometimes The Beatles, Hank Williams – its all the beautiful world of music,” says Delaney. “Tom Waits blew my teenage mind with his unabashed sentimentality, then later with his dark vision, and still later with his lifestyle. He seems to manage it well. But mostly the musicians I know personally have the biggest effect.”

Hear more of his music and keep track on the whereabouts of Delaney Davidson at www.myspace.com/delaneyfdavidson.