1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:01,480 Speaker 1: Walk. 2 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,120 Speaker 2: There is always somebody in that room that needs to 3 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 2: hear what you're singing and what you're saying. And if 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 2: there was just one person in every one of these 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 2: spaces and I had to perform, it would be the 6 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 2: same performance because I would know that they were there 7 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 2: for a reason. 8 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 3: Welcome to the Taken a Walk Podcast, where your host 9 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 3: Buzz Night speaks with musicians about their inspirations and their 10 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:30,160 Speaker 3: journey in music. Today, Buzz is joined by actress, singer, 11 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 3: and producer Rita Wilson. Rita's work in film is well known, 12 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,920 Speaker 3: and today we'll get to learn more about her journey 13 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,879 Speaker 3: as a recording artist. Rita released her first album, AMFM, 14 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 3: in the spring of twenty twelve, an album of classics 15 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 3: from the sixties and seventies, and she began writing her 16 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 3: own music in twenty sixteen and she's been going NonStop since. 17 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 3: She has five studio albums to date, and Rolling Stone 18 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 3: hailed her music as inspiring. You may have heard her 19 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 3: or seen her on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, 20 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 3: Jamie Kimmel Live, or The Today Show. Rita's new single 21 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 3: is Look how Far I've Come, and she'll discuss that 22 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 3: and more about her new music and recent projects. Rita 23 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 3: Wilson joins our host Buzznight on Taking a Walk. 24 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 4: Rita Wilson, It's an honor to meet you and to 25 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 4: have you on the Taking a Walk podcast. 26 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 2: We're taking a walk. We're walking afternoon time, I think 27 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 2: it is. 28 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:27,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, we got to walk. The lunch off, right, or 29 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: the breakfast off? Yeah, all of it. Yeah, Well, thank 30 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: you so much. 31 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 4: Do you remember the first time in your life that 32 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 4: you were touched by music? 33 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 2: Well, yes, it would have to be the Beatles, and 34 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,839 Speaker 2: it would have to be anything off their first album 35 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 2: that was released in the US, because it just engaged you. 36 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 2: You felt that they were speaking to you. Now, granted 37 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 2: I was like eight years old or less when yeah, 38 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 2: probably less when they came to the dates, but or 39 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 2: that album came to these dates. But nevertheless, I want 40 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 2: to hold your hand. I mean, every eight year old 41 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 2: is already fully aware of romance and what may await 42 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 2: them in their older lives, and so that just the 43 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 2: exuberance with which they sang was pretty great. 44 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 4: Would it be fair to say that's the first album 45 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 4: purchase was a Beatles album or forty five? 46 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 2: It was the first album given because We grew up 47 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 2: in Hollywood and there was a woman in the neighborhood. 48 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 2: She worked at Capitol Records, and she would bring us 49 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 2: on the day of release an album and so me, 50 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 2: my brother and sister would you know, sort of fight 51 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:51,799 Speaker 2: over it. But that's how we got the Beatles music. 52 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 2: It was. It was incredible. I mean, she was so 53 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 2: sweet and so generous to think of us. 54 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: You will appreciate this. 55 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:01,919 Speaker 4: So I grew up in stamf Connecticut, not far from 56 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 4: New York City, and we thought we were so cool 57 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 4: because we found this place. It was called the Record Rack, 58 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 4: and it was this little dive record store in the 59 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 4: center of town. And we would go the day before 60 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 4: when we knew a Beatles release was coming out, and 61 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 4: the guy would charge us a dollar more because we 62 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 4: would get it a day before, and we thought we 63 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 4: were so cool. 64 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 2: You were, you were he was ahead of his game 65 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 2: with surge pricing, and you were like, it's worth it 66 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 2: to be that extra dollar album because you wouldn't be 67 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 2: the coolest if you got it early. Come on. 68 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. 69 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 4: And I don't know if you could see if you 70 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 4: squint behind me, but the wall behind there is it? 71 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: Yes? 72 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 2: Yes? And I can't see what the one on the left. 73 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 4: I get my big head out of the way, there's 74 00:03:55,760 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 4: a Ringo album cover, and then at the far our 75 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 4: side there is George Harrison's Cloud nine. 76 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, that's so great. By the way, just 77 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 2: a sidebar, I just saw that the fiftieth anniversary reissue 78 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 2: of All Things Must Pass is charting. I love it, 79 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:23,720 Speaker 2: like multiple charts. How great is that? 80 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 1: Oh? 81 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 4: And what an amazing piece of work that, you know, 82 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 4: just like everything around the Beatles holds up to this. 83 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:35,720 Speaker 2: Day, it does it does? I mean what they were 84 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 2: doing was so original and so fresh, and I know 85 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:46,720 Speaker 2: from you know, being lucky enough to have had a 86 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: couple of conversations with Paul McCartney and George Harrison that 87 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 2: when they were making music, they just wanted to keep 88 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 2: making music and trying new things. And you know, they 89 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:02,719 Speaker 2: didn't repeat themsel That's why we have such an amazing 90 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 2: variety of music from them. And they were just constantly 91 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 2: inspiring themselves and doing new material. They didn't stick to 92 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 2: the same stuff that went like, oh, I know this 93 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 2: works and I know this is selling, and they just 94 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 2: were like, great, where we can keep finding new things 95 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 2: to do? I thought that was pretty incredible. 96 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 4: Now, first concert performance by an established act that you 97 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:30,840 Speaker 4: ever attended. 98 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 2: Led Zeppelin at the Los Angeles Forum, and it was 99 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 2: everything you would hope it would be. You know, everybody 100 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 2: was in love with Robert. All the girls were in 101 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: love with Robert Plant for sure. 102 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 4: And I. 103 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 2: Went with my two girlfriends that were identical twins. They 104 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 2: were about six feet tall, gorgeous girls with red hair, 105 00:05:54,600 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 2: and we went together. We My mom made me my outfit, 106 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 2: which was a little Hawaiian print crop top and bell bottoms, 107 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 2: you know, the drawstring waist. I wore these big wedge 108 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 2: sandals called quirkis. We were so excited. We were running 109 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: to the Forum because we didn't want to miss anything, 110 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:16,919 Speaker 2: and I fell flat on my face in the parking 111 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 2: lot because those quirkys are not to be used for running. 112 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 2: It did not dampen my love of the concert. 113 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:30,839 Speaker 4: However, now I have to say, I think you'll agree 114 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 4: with this. When we talk about rock stars aging gracefully, 115 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 4: don't you think Robert Plant. 116 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: And Jimmy Page have aged so gracefully? 117 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 2: They really have? And I mean, let's talk about Paul 118 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:50,280 Speaker 2: McCartney and Ringo Starr and Mick Jagger, who's you know, 119 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 2: you see him on stage and you're like, Okay, that's 120 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 2: eighty one, I'm in sign me up. 121 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 4: I'll do that. 122 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:00,800 Speaker 2: And then the women, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, you know 123 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 2: who's made an extraordinary comeback, Carol King, Stevie Nicks. All 124 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 2: of these people have really just not only I don't 125 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 2: want to call it surviving because but they've lasted because 126 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 2: the music was so good and so powerful. 127 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 4: Without a doubt, we're going to come back to a 128 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 4: few of those, particularly Jonie. But congratulations on the single, 129 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 4: Look how Far We've Come? Can you tell me about 130 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 4: that project and how that collaboration came together? 131 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 2: Yes, Look how Far We Come? I wrote that with 132 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 2: Billy Steinberg and Josh Alexander, his new writing partner after 133 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 2: Tom Kelly retired. And for people listening who may not 134 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 2: know who he is, you might want to google him, 135 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 2: but he's responsible for songs like True Colors Eternal Flame. 136 00:07:55,520 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 2: I touched myself, I drove all night. I'll stand by you. 137 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 2: You know I could go on and on alone by 138 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 2: that heart did And I was a huge fan obviously 139 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 2: of Billy's and we had some mutual friends, and I 140 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: met him, and over the years we would see each 141 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 2: other and have this sort of like, you know, lovely interaction. 142 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 2: But I started doing the show called liner Notes, which 143 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 2: is songwriters telling the stories behind their hits and singing them. 144 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 2: And what is beautiful about that is when the songs 145 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 2: are written often on keys or guitar, you don't hear 146 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 2: that song played in that way and sung by the 147 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:44,679 Speaker 2: songwriter because producers get a hold of it and they 148 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:47,440 Speaker 2: make the song what they want to make. You know. 149 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:54,679 Speaker 2: Billy also wrote like a virgin. So so when you know, 150 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 2: I started doing these shows, I had the guts and 151 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,440 Speaker 2: temerity to ask Billy if he wanted to, you know, 152 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:03,360 Speaker 2: come to one and participate. And he said yes, and 153 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 2: he enjoyed it, so he came back many times, and 154 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 2: I'm so grateful for that. It established our friendship more 155 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:16,440 Speaker 2: deeply and which I'm so grateful for. But he also 156 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 2: one day said, if you ever want to write together, 157 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 2: let's write and I was like what what? I just 158 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:27,680 Speaker 2: you know, I would never think to ask somebody like 159 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 2: Billy if he would want to write with me, so 160 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:32,199 Speaker 2: I was immediately said yes, and. 161 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 1: Oh, I thought you were going to go. I'm sorry 162 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 1: to interrupt. 163 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 4: I thought you were going to go, well, Billy, let 164 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 4: me think about this and come right back to you. 165 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: I'm kidding, no, right. 166 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:47,839 Speaker 2: And so so we wrote together, and Billy is he 167 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 2: started out as a poet and is a poet to 168 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 2: this day, and so as a lyricist. He came to 169 00:09:55,000 --> 00:10:02,560 Speaker 2: the session already with stuff for that song and the title, 170 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 2: of course, look how Far We've Come? I think, you know, 171 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 2: is really about a relationship and you know, the ups 172 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 2: and downs of a relationship. But I also respond to 173 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 2: it in a way that was more about look how 174 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 2: far we've come if you're even having a conversation with yourself. 175 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 2: And so for me it resonated as, wow, look how 176 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:26,959 Speaker 2: far I've come as a songwriter. You know, I'm sitting 177 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 2: in a room with Billy Steinberg and somebody who would 178 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: you know, spend time doing that with me. Felt very 179 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 2: humbling and also a moment to reflect and be extremely 180 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 2: grateful for where I was at that moment in time. 181 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,719 Speaker 1: Oh that's so special. Thank you for sharing that. 182 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 2: Thank you. 183 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:52,240 Speaker 1: Yeah. So then now you're also up for a Grammy. 184 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:57,760 Speaker 4: Congratulations for Best Roots Gospel Album. 185 00:10:58,280 --> 00:10:59,719 Speaker 1: That is so exciting. 186 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 4: I want to hear about that, But I want to 187 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 4: ask you first, how difficult is it to be bending 188 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 4: genres here? 189 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,680 Speaker 2: Well, first, let me say that The Root's gospel album 190 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 2: called Through the Storm. I'm sorry, the song is called 191 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 2: through the Storm. The album is called the Gospel according 192 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 2: to Mark, and the artist who put that together and 193 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:25,960 Speaker 2: produced it is Mark d Conklin, and he's an extraordinary 194 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 2: songwriter and the very soulful singer. And we had met 195 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 2: because we had done an interview because he was doing 196 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 2: something called the Grammy Experience and he interviewed me for 197 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:40,280 Speaker 2: an album and I just thought he was wonderful and 198 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 2: we had a great conversation kind of like we're having now. 199 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 2: And when this project came up, he asked if I 200 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:50,960 Speaker 2: would want to sing with him on a track called 201 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,559 Speaker 2: Through the Storm. I said, of course I would. I mean, 202 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 2: that would be beautiful. And I loved the song when 203 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 2: he sent it to me. So it's not my album, 204 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: but it is. When you are on an album that 205 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 2: is nominated and it wins a Grammy, you also want 206 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 2: a Grammy because you're part of that project, which is 207 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 2: pretty great. 208 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:16,319 Speaker 4: That is so awesome, fingers crossed, fingers crossed for that, 209 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 4: So you were part of the amazing Joni Jam that 210 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:30,559 Speaker 4: happened that the Hollywood Bowl, led by Brandy Carlyle of course, 211 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 4: and Jooni and a array of people. How did all 212 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 4: that come together with your involvement? And can you give 213 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 4: us a glimpse behind the scenes what that special event 214 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 4: was like. Every time I watch clips of it, I 215 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,680 Speaker 4: have to tell you it's so beautiful, I'm in tears. 216 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:55,359 Speaker 2: Exactly how I came to be involved is Brandy Carlyle 217 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:59,959 Speaker 2: and her wife Katherine Shepherd. Are you know fully aware 218 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 2: my obsession with Joni? And they said we're going to 219 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 2: be doing a Joni Jam at the Hollywood Bowl, and 220 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 2: they invited me to participate, which was mind blowing. Now, 221 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 2: the Joni Jam started because when Jonie had her aneurysm, 222 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 2: it took a long time for her to come out 223 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 2: of that and get healthy again, and Brandy and Catherine 224 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 2: were really responsible for helping her do that because they 225 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 2: would go to her house and they would do these 226 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 2: Joni Jams and they would sing music to Joni, sing 227 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:34,319 Speaker 2: her own songs, invite other people to come and sing, 228 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:40,080 Speaker 2: and eventually Jonie started singing lawn and it was something 229 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 2: that reconnected her to I think, her own her own music, 230 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 2: her own recovery, her own health, and Brandy had the 231 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 2: great idea to do the Joni Jam and she of 232 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 2: course did it at Newport Folk Festival first and that 233 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 2: was huge, made an album on that, and that led 234 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 2: to the Hollywood Bowl thing. Brandy absolutely put together a 235 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 2: spectacular group of musicians and artists and sitting on the stage, 236 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,559 Speaker 2: I want you to know what this experience was like, 237 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 2: because you said you were in tears. We were all 238 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 2: in tears because the love coming from the audience in 239 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 2: the Hollywood Bowl and the love felt on stage was 240 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 2: an all encompassing surround sound of feeling. You know, it 241 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 2: just there was nothing better than that. It was palpable, 242 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 2: and there were moments, you know, the stage turned so 243 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 2: Act one of the show was Joni and Brandy, and 244 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 2: then Act too was the Joni Jam. So the stage 245 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 2: rotates on a turntable, and you know, they kind of 246 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 2: did a reenactment of her living room, so there were 247 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 2: couches and chairs and you know, all the artists sitting 248 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 2: My couch partner was John Batisse, and next to me 249 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 2: is Annie Lennox and Alison Russell, and next to them 250 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 2: was Elton John and Meryl Streep, Marcus Mumford was in 251 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 2: front of me. It was a Jacob call You're on 252 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:20,160 Speaker 2: keys and everyone was there celebrating and loving Jony and 253 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 2: Brandy and it was powerful. 254 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: Oh I love it. I have chills. Seriously, you talking 255 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: about it, right. 256 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's pretty. It was pretty. Goosebumpy man. 257 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 4: And then you've got another goosebump event that was captured, 258 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 4: the Patsy Kleine performance event that will be coming out 259 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 4: in the new year. 260 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 1: That was done at the Rhyman. I believe right. 261 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 2: It was at the Rhyman and it's a PBS special. 262 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 2: It's out now. It's called Great Performances, Walking after Midnight 263 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 2: Patsy Cline and that was my reference earlier, Walking Afternoon Time. 264 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 2: But that was intimidating and it was nerve wrecking to 265 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 2: do that. I had been asked I love Patsy Klein. 266 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 2: You know, I listened she was on the radio when 267 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 2: I was a kid, and I loved her music and 268 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 2: loved her song and then you know, did a deeper 269 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 2: dive you know later as I got older, and she 270 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:27,320 Speaker 2: is known as having one of the all time great voices. 271 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 2: So if you're doing if you're asked to sing a 272 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 2: Patsy Cline song, and this one I was asked to 273 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:39,400 Speaker 2: sing She's Got You. I was intimidated and I worked 274 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 2: hard on that because I didn't want to blow it. 275 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 2: You know, the rhymeen is one of the best places 276 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 2: to perform. It's a place that Patsy performed many times. 277 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 2: Her daughter was there, her grandchildren were there. And you 278 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 2: don't want to disappoint people, you know, you don't want 279 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 2: them to invite you to sing and then it doesn't 280 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 2: work or you blow it or something. So I was 281 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 2: I was very focused. 282 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 4: I should say, oh, well, you know, Patsy Kleine no 283 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:17,880 Speaker 4: small item to be part of. Have you ever toured 284 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 4: that Quantit Hut studio there in Nashville where Patsy recorded 285 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 4: and others like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan recorded. 286 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 2: Well, I would love to know what that is. I'd 287 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 2: go visit there in a second. 288 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 4: Yeah, you want to do that, because then there's some 289 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 4: inside stories about Patsy's time in that studio, some classics 290 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 4: how she was a you know, don't take any bull character. 291 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:48,000 Speaker 1: She was, as you could imagine, pretty tough. 292 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:53,359 Speaker 2: Well I didn't imagine that, but when I read about 293 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 2: her and have heard some you know, audio on her. 294 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 2: She was very funny apparently, and had very colorful language, 295 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 2: you'll always say, And I just didn't put that together 296 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 2: because you know, when she sings, she's so still and 297 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:17,959 Speaker 2: so still. I mean, it's like that, and so you 298 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 2: kind of think that somebody like that is very quiet 299 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 2: in real life. And that's what I love, that sort 300 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 2: of dichotomy of how somebody is in person and how 301 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 2: somebody is when they perform. Like I've met so many 302 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:35,200 Speaker 2: comedians that are so hilarious on stage and they're very 303 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:38,439 Speaker 2: quiet in person, so the reverse is also true. 304 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:40,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. I was surprised too. 305 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 4: I thought, like you that, you know, she would be 306 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 4: much different than that. But definitely, tour the quantst Hut 307 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:54,359 Speaker 4: Studio there it's you feel a presence there. I really 308 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:58,480 Speaker 4: mean that you feel something from all the performers that 309 00:18:58,520 --> 00:18:59,679 Speaker 4: have been there in the past. 310 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure. Oh my goodness. So true. 311 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 4: So you completed a residency at the Cafe Carlisle in 312 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,680 Speaker 4: New York City, and I want to hear about that experience. 313 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 4: But I'm going to make a comment and see how 314 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:16,520 Speaker 4: you feel about this. 315 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:16,919 Speaker 1: First. 316 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:20,960 Speaker 4: I believe with the Cafe Carlisle at the Carlisle Hotel, 317 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 4: but also. 318 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:26,000 Speaker 1: Their smaller little venue, the Bemelman's Bar. There. 319 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 4: If you are in a bad mood and you go 320 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:34,000 Speaker 4: into the Cafe Carlisle or to Bemmans to listen to music, 321 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 4: to listen to Rita Wilson, to listen to who's playing there, 322 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 4: I promise. 323 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 1: You you leave in a good mood. Do you agree 324 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: with that? 325 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 2: I agree wholeheartedly. And I also would have to say 326 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 2: that I think music in general puts you in a 327 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 2: fantastic mood. So if you're in a bad mood, just 328 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:56,919 Speaker 2: put on some music. It will transport you to a 329 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 2: better state of mind. But yeah, I love those places. 330 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,880 Speaker 2: Is there something to be said about these old venues 331 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 2: like the Rhyman, like the Kfe Carlisle or Bellmoman's or 332 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:09,680 Speaker 2: the Troubadour or you know, I went to the Blue 333 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 2: Note when I was in New York recently, and there's 334 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 2: something to be set. It's like the walls, the paint, 335 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:26,159 Speaker 2: the air, those molecules have been They're just the same 336 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 2: molecules that have always been there, and you feel them, 337 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:33,320 Speaker 2: and that's what it's like. You sense the people that 338 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 2: have come before, that have played, the people that have 339 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:39,640 Speaker 2: listened there. You know, I always think when I do 340 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:43,199 Speaker 2: a show there and the Carlisle is very intimate, But 341 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 2: I kind of feel this way generally. You just have 342 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:50,000 Speaker 2: to make every place feel intimate. Is that there is 343 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:52,639 Speaker 2: always somebody in that room that needs to hear what 344 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:57,879 Speaker 2: you're singing and what you're saying. And if there was 345 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 2: just one person in everyone one of these spaces and 346 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:03,679 Speaker 2: I had to perform, it would be the same performance 347 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 2: because I would know that they were there for a reason. 348 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 2: And there's something about the intimacy of those places where 349 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:14,199 Speaker 2: people can actually talk back to you. And sometimes or 350 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,359 Speaker 2: they shot at you with nutshot, but they talked to 351 00:21:16,359 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 2: you in the audience and I like that. I think 352 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:21,640 Speaker 2: it's great. It's not heckling. It's actually like they're part 353 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 2: of it. The audience is as much a part of 354 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 2: the show as the performer is. 355 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:29,840 Speaker 1: Those places are treasures. Oh about question, they are? 356 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 4: I are tell me about In March, You'll be performing 357 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:37,560 Speaker 4: in Nashville with the Symphony, right. 358 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm really looking forward to that. It's my first 359 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 2: symphony show at the Nashville Symphony and it'll be a 360 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:51,200 Speaker 2: combination of cover songs that I've done on my albums, 361 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:59,240 Speaker 2: original material, and some material that I have not sung before, 362 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:05,800 Speaker 2: and also maybe some I'm looking into adding, maybe some Broadway, 363 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 2: just a couple of Broadway things. 364 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:09,920 Speaker 1: That sounds exciting. 365 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:13,520 Speaker 4: And once again, there you are challenging yourself, pushing yourself 366 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 4: to do some different things. 367 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:21,520 Speaker 2: I feel like I'm very much of the mind that 368 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:29,399 Speaker 2: nobody should be boxed in because we're artists, we're creative people. 369 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 2: We are things are coming at us, we're processing, we're writing, 370 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:39,200 Speaker 2: we're sessing out what it is that we want to say, 371 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 2: and sometimes that doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to 372 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:47,200 Speaker 2: look the same every single time. And I think it's 373 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 2: liberating to have that kind of a mindset. And I 374 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,639 Speaker 2: don't believe necessarily in genres. I believe in good music, 375 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:58,200 Speaker 2: and good music is good music, no matter what period 376 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:01,480 Speaker 2: it is and no matter who the artist is. I mean, 377 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 2: I John Batiste has a new album out right now 378 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:10,199 Speaker 2: that's called Beethoven Blues, and he's it's his riff on Beethoven. 379 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:13,920 Speaker 2: I mean, how cool is that? It's so it's so fresh, 380 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 2: and it's still got everything that you want, but it's 381 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 2: not traditional and it's not in you know, any sort 382 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:23,959 Speaker 2: of genre. I guess it might be in a genre. 383 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,200 Speaker 2: There's a genre for everything, but it's a little bit 384 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:28,520 Speaker 2: outside the box, which. 385 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 1: I love well. 386 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:34,359 Speaker 4: And I just had Julian Lennon on the podcast taking 387 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:39,239 Speaker 4: It full Circle, right, Yeah, But we talked about and 388 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:42,320 Speaker 4: he brought this up because he's got a photography book 389 00:23:42,359 --> 00:23:47,919 Speaker 4: out called Life's Fragile Moments, and he said exactly the 390 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:51,600 Speaker 4: same thing. He said, why do people have to be pigeonholed? 391 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 4: I know that's not needed. Just let me do my 392 00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:57,600 Speaker 4: thing and create exactly. 393 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:01,760 Speaker 2: You know, every creative person does more than one creative 394 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:05,360 Speaker 2: thing anyways, because it's in need. It's like it's part 395 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:08,400 Speaker 2: of you. You have to do it. And so, first 396 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 2: of all, I love Julian's music and I love his photography. 397 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 2: He is so talented and such a lovely person. But 398 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 2: I know every person I know that's a creative person 399 00:24:21,720 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 2: does something else, whether it's painting, knitting, sculpting, pottery, cooking, sewing, photography. 400 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 2: There's something that you have to do because you know, 401 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 2: we have a very actors have a very collaborative art form, 402 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,000 Speaker 2: and it's not something like you just go around doing 403 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:47,800 Speaker 2: monologues by yourself all the time, although maybe some people do. 404 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 2: I don't know. But when you don't have that creative output, 405 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:54,160 Speaker 2: if you're working on something, you need to put it somewhere. 406 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 4: So, Rita, inclosing, I'm going to turn the tables on 407 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:04,320 Speaker 4: you a little and say, if you could interview somebody 408 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:13,160 Speaker 4: living or dead to understand as a musician their creative process, 409 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:15,000 Speaker 4: who would that be? 410 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 2: Wow, you can't pick one person like I guess I'd 411 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:26,440 Speaker 2: have to say Paul McCartney. You know, I probably would 412 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:26,920 Speaker 2: say Paul. 413 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 1: It's a good one. 414 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, he's he set the tone for all of us. 415 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:37,680 Speaker 2: You know they all did. The Beatles set the tone 416 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:41,440 Speaker 2: for all of us, really, and so I would probably 417 00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:42,600 Speaker 2: want to interview Paul. 418 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: Rita, I'm so grateful I got to interview you. 419 00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 4: This is one of the joys of my life being 420 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:54,439 Speaker 4: able to meet up with great folks like you and 421 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 4: learn about your creative process and celebrate your music. Congratulations 422 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:03,199 Speaker 4: on every thing. And it's an honor to have you 423 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:04,200 Speaker 4: on Taking a Walk. 424 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 2: Rider Wilson, thank you so much, See you soon, Stay 425 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 2: warm in Boston. 426 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:13,159 Speaker 3: Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a 427 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:17,080 Speaker 3: Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends 428 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:20,640 Speaker 3: and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking 429 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:24,600 Speaker 3: a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 430 00:26:24,800 --> 00:26:27,080 Speaker 3: and wherever you get your podcasts.