3 minute read
TT trivia
HARRY NILSSON HAD HIS BIGGEST SUCCESS IN THE TOP 40 THE SAME YEAR AS “COCONUT” with “Without You,” the cover of a tearjerker by what tragedy-plagued band?
Of the 120 children shot in unintentional shootings in 2022 in St. Louis, 26 died. That means a child is caught in the crossfire nearly every three days—more than two kids a week wounded by gunfire. The St. Louis Story Stitchers artists collective, based at The Center in the Grand Center Arts District, works to reduce that number. The collective’s youth leaders have written, produced, recorded and released another hip-hop single designed to raise awareness of gun violence in St. Louis. Story Stitchers’ collaborative studio created “3 Steps Back,” with music by BlueBeatz and vocals by KP Dennis and Bobby Norfolk. Its beats are definitely dope, its purpose purely positive: To teach children how to react safely if they come across a firearm—take three steps back and tell an adult. The song also hopes to encourage adults to safely store a firearm by unloading, locking and securing the gun. What’s more, it’s a fun jam.
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LAST ISSUE’S Q & A
When did Downton Abbey, the historical drama about British aristocrats and the men and women who served them, air on PBS?
All six seasons of Downton Abbey aired here on PBS from Jan. 9, 2011, to March 6, 2016. Unless you were swept up in this five-year cultural phenomenon, incessant cocktail-party jabber about the series was nothing but annoying. What’s that? Um, no, I didn’t watch any of it.
Chesterfield Valley
Michael ‘Supe’ Granda must really want to make it past St. Peter and through the Pearly Gates one day, because he’s been raising a little hell with his band for more than 50 years. Actually, somewhat longer if you consider Family Tree, the Springfield, Missouri, band that would become The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. And bassist Granda, a 1969 grad of Lindbergh High, had been gigging around the Lou in various bands since 1964. You may be familiar with the Daredevils’ “If You Wanna Get to Heaven,” from 1973, and the following year’s “Jackie Blue,” which means you’ve listened to KSHE-95 at least once. Real Rock Radio had Daredevils in the studio last week—Granda and his eight other country-bluegrass rockers return to the Lou for a 7 p.m. show on Sunday, Sept. 10, at The Factory in Chesterfield Valley. They still raise a little hell, and plenty of hysteria, with their new single, “More Cowbell,” released June 30. And it’s everything you could possibly hope for. Yes, it evokes the classic SNL sketch where producer Christopher Walken tells a band that he has a fever for the cowbell, which is played, more and more furiously, by Will Ferrell. Recently, Granda and his wife, Julie, trekked to Barcelona, which is referenced in Granda’s lyrics. He recalls, “I played guitar, and Julie played cowbell,” with both prone to fits of laughter throughout. “We took it to the band and worked it out.” The Daredevils’ sense of humor, a key to their popularity since the early 1970s, remains intact. The single’s cover art is a cowbell with a volume meter turned up to 11, which references the ‘mockumentary’ This Is Spinal Tap. Such levity started about 50 years ago, which is obvious from our vintage black and white band photo. (Granda, with the dark, bushy beard, is in the middle.) A popular cut from their debut LP, “Chicken Train Stomp,” features ‘fowl clucking.’ The Daredevils you’ll experience next month is a band larger than the one that recorded its major-label albums on A&M Records. “We’ll play the old songs— people would be perturbed if we didn’t,” Granda says. “But some of the ‘new’ songs are 20 years old.” Harmonica is essential to the vibe, although when ace Steve Cash passed away three years ago, Granda wasn’t sure they could continue. “But this is what Steve would’ve wanted,” he says. Nick Sibley has picked up where Cash left off, and Molly Healey plays fiddle and cello. And she sings, as do Granda, fellow original member John Dillon and most everyone else. “We reproduce the lush vocal harmonies you hear on record. Songs are the driving force, instead of how big our amps are!” Sorry you’ve been in suspense this long, but why ‘Supe?’ Granda would wear a Superman costume back in the day. It doesn’t fit anymore, but a Santa suit does. Not only does he play the Jolly Old Elf every year, he’s written a book about it, not to mention another about the Daredevils, It Shined. For more info about the 3,000-seat venue or for tickets, visit thefactorystl.com. &
The Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase has announced its 2023 winners. The Chellapa-Vedavalli Foundation Best of Fest Essy Awards and $500 cash prizes were awarded to the documentary Bring Dat Mono Back from filmmaker Edward Thornton and narrative short Captcha by director Andy Compto. Thirteen of the films presented at the showcase have been invited to the St. Louis International Film Festival later this fall.
