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CCFA VOICES MAGAZINE - Winter 2011 Edition
Music Notes and News:
The University of Memphis’ blues, jazz and gospel record label High Water Records and student-run Blue T.O.M. Records have collaborated for a rare blues album benefiting needy local musicians.
Blues in Black & White, which was released in December, features 10 cover songs managed by the University’s Music River Publishing company (BMI). It was recorded and produced by Music Industry Program students and local musicians. The CD, which benefits the Music Maker Relief Foundation (MMRF) is also intended to raise awareness for the High Water catalog and bring attention to the plight of elderly musicians throughout the region.
While the High Water recordings have been distributed for the past 20 years, they didn’t always get maximum exposure. Recently the songs have spiked in popularity, appearing in Craig Brewer’s Black Snake Moan as well as in international films and commercials.
“A few CDs in the catalog were being sold through a third party distributor, but nothing was being done with the rest of the songs,” says senior music business major Nick Black, who was president of Blue T.O.M. during the project. “Some of the songs are absolutely amazing, too.”
“About halfway through the recording of everything, which was done entirely by students, we all realized that this could be something big, and we all agreed to find a cause that our new album of covers could stand behind,” Black notes.
Visit ccfa.memphis.edu for even more news from the University of Memphis, College of Communication and Fine Arts.
December 1, 2010
U OF M RECORD LABEL RAISES MONEY FOR MUSIC CHARITY
Memphis, TN - The University of Memphis’ renowned blues, jazz and gospel record label High Water Records and student-run BlueT.O.M. (Tigers of Memphis) Records have collaborated for a rare and spectacular blues album entitled, “BLUES IN BLACK & WHITE.” The album, consisting of ten cover songs controlled by the University’s publishing company Music River Publishing (BMI), was recorded and produced by UofM Music Industry program students and local musicians.
In celebration of the December 1, 2010 release date, Blue T.O.M Records the RSO (Registered Student Organization) sponsored a “BLUES IN BLACK & WHITE” Album Release Party and Fundraiser at the Hard Rock Café, located at 315 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38103. The “BLUES IN BLACK &WHITE” event was promoted to help raise money to benefit Blue T.O.M.’S designated official charity, the MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION, Inc., a tax exempt, public charity which helps Southern musicians who are 55 years or older and have an annual income of less than $18,000 gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. Each donor received a Music Maker Postcard/Stocking Stuffer and free “BLUES IN BLACK & WHITE” CD.
The Music Maker Relief Foundation is a charity dedicated to the welfare of traditional, southern Blues. They make it possible for Blues artists such as, Chicago Bob, James Davis, and Larry Shores to tour, perform concerts, and continue sharing their dream. In honor of this tradition, all of the funds received from the new “BLUE T.O.M. FANS OF MUSIC MAKER” category of donors will go directly to the MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION.
The High Water Recording Company was founded by Dean Richard Ranta, Dr. David Evans and the late Harold Streibich in 1979, as part of The University of Memphis’ College of Communication and Fine Arts. High Water was modeled after Sun Records, producing records by a younger generation that was previously unknown. High Water recorded artists such as R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Jessie Mae Hemphill.
High Water Records will continue its tradition of producing quality blues music with the release of the album “BLUES IN BLACK &WHITE”.
www.musicmaker.org
www.highwaterrecords.com
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or email us at:
bluetomrecords@gmail.com
Jan. 2011
From the "Blues in Black & White" LP, High Water Records presents the world premiere of "What I've Lost" the student-produced music video featuring Blue TOM artist, the insanely funny and dynamic Ms. Estha. Live performances by Estha and other "Blues in Black & White" artists can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/HighwaterMemphis.
January 13, 2011
What was originally created as a supplement for an upper-division music business class at The University of Memphis has turned into a full-blown student-run record label, one focused on releasing music created by students and Southern musicians.
Blue TOM Records, which takes the latter part of its name from "Tigers of Memphis," started in 2005 when assistant music professor Tonya Butler devised it as a supplement for her record company operations class.
Nick Black, secretary of Blue TOM Records, said that the need for a mock record label was evident, but no one would make it happen.
"I think the professor in charge of the class before Professor Butler said it was impossible to start a student-run record label, so it sort of became her challenge," Black said. "I think the idea of starting the label was to give students as much real-world experience as possible."
Since its inception, the record label has released two full-length compilation records and recorded numerous student projects, including the former pre-game Tiger basketball theme "We Da Tigers" by Lil Smurf and Jus O.
Local groups like Snowglobe and So She Sang have also recorded with Blue TOM Records.
Last month, Blue TOM teamed up with High Water records and the Music Maker Relief Foundation to release a cover album comprised of songs from the blues archive owned by High Water Records and The University of Memphis.
David Evans, U of M music professor, and Richard Ranta, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, started High Water Recordings in 1979 to preserve the lesser-known music coming out of the South during the reigns of Sun Studio and Stax Records in the 1950s, ‘60s and early ‘70s.
That extensive catalog has remained shelved for the most part, as songs have been sparsely used for commercials and independent films.
The new cover album, "Blues in Black and White," promotes the extensive and often overlooked High Water blues catalog with the goal of giving something back to Southern musicians in need.
Trey Hamilton, president of Blue TOM Records, said that working with MMRF was perfect for the "Blues in Black and White" project.
"It's great to know our music musicians in need," Hamilton said.
The MMRF helps Southern musicians over age 55 with a yearly income under $18,000 meet day-to-day needs. Those who donate $10 to MMRF receive a copy of "Blues in Black and White" as a gift.
Black said he would like to see songs from the cover album make it onto movie soundtracks.
"We'd really like to see these songs end up in movies," Black said. "People like (local movie director) Craig Brewer have used songs from the High Water collection before."
Hamilton said during the spring semester, Blue TOM will continue to work with MMRF through fundraisers and other on-campus events.
"Our main focus this semester is to promote ‘Blues in Black and White,' but in the spring we are planning on bringing back the talent competition Idol Search," he said.
Senior recording technology major Wil Gatlin said that having a resource like Blue TOM Records available is invaluable to music majors.
"Blue TOM is an amazing program, and I'm always amazed at the quality of the productions they create," he said. "It's nice to see students involved in the scouting process as well as the production and recording process."
by Gabrielle Maxey, memphis.edu
Call it a bit of “playback.”
The University of Memphis’ blues, jazz and gospel record label High Water Records and student-run BlueT.O.M. Records have collaborated for a rare blues album that is benefiting needy local musicians – some of the same musicians who originally recorded the songs.
“Blues in Black & White,” which features 10 cover songs controlled by the University’s publishing company, Music River Publishing (BMI), was recorded and produced by Music Industry Program students and local musicians to raise awareness for the High Water catalog and to bring attention to the plight of elderly musicians throughout the region.
The album benefits the Music Maker Relief Foundation, a public charity that provides support for Southern musicians who are 55 or older and have an annual income of less than $18,000. Those who donate $10 or more to the Foundation will receive the CD as a gift.
The MMRF offers three programs: Musician Sustenance grants to meet basic life needs and emergency relief, Musical Development grants for artist professional development and career advancement, and a Cultural Access program which supports the preservation and growth of American musical traditions.
The project began last semester with Tonya Butler, assistant professor and Music Business area coordinator who also serves as faculty adviser for BlueT.O.M. She realized that the U of M controlled a large catalog of blues songs that weren’t being effectively promoted or sold and decided to market and revive them.
Dr. David Evans, professor of music, and Dr. Richard Ranta, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, had created High Water Records in 1979 to record the indigenous music of Memphis and the Mississippi Delta. “If you were a blues musician who played the jug or kazoo, you were not getting studio time at Sun Studio or Stax,” Butler said. “The music was in danger of becoming extinct.”
While the High Water recordings have been distributed for the past 20 years, they didn’t always get the highest exposure. Recently the songs have spiked in popularity, appearing in the Craig Brewer film Black Snake Moan and in international films and commercials.
“A few CDs in the catalog were being sold through a third party distributor, but nothing was being done with the rest of the songs,” said U of M senior music business major Nick Black, who was president of BlueT.O.M. during the project. “Some of the songs are absolutely amazing, too.”
Butler decided that students should redo and cover some of these songs. “About halfway through the recording of everything, which was done entirely by students, we all realized that this could be something big, and we all agreed to find a cause that our new album of covers could stand behind,” Black said. “After a while we stumbled, almost by fate, onto the Music Maker Relief Foundation. What a perfect match. We’re doing a bunch of old blues covers, and MMRF actually supports some of the musicians we were covering.”
The featured artists that were covered include Chicago Bob, Hammie Nixon, Jessie Mae Hemphill and The Pattersonaires. The music was written by songwriters such as Robert Lee Nelsen, Albert Wilson, George Walker and Ranie Burnette.
Black covered the Chicago Bob song “Call My Landlady” on the CD. “I have been incredibly impressed by the motivation of the students to get the job done,” he said. “I was privileged to be on the design team for the physical CD and digital booklet.”
In addition to its grants, the MMRF sponsors mini-tours for some of the musicians. “They don’t want to retire, they still want to perform,” said Butler. “This offers more than just professional support. It gives them an opportunity to continue their craft.”
In celebration of the album’s Dec. 1 release, BlueT.O.M Records hosted a party and fundraiser at Hard Rock Café on Beale Street to benefit the MMRF.
“To give back in this way is a gift from God,” Butler said. “To give someone the opportunity to support themselves and to perform in their later years, that means everything.”
For more information, go online to www.highwaterrecords.com.
