Episode 54 - Memphis Minnie

Dead Ladies Show Podcast

Episode 54 - Memphis Minnie In this episode, we drop in on our New York-based sister spinoff show, DLS NYC, which returned to the KGB Bar’s Red Room after a long hiatus. DLS co-founder Florian Duijsens happened to be visiting from Berlin, and took to the stage to introduce the fabulous Memphis Minnie. Tobacco-chewing blues singer MEMPHIS MINNIE (1897–1973) ran away from home at the age of 13 and made a living off music from then on, from street performances to hundreds of now classic recordings. It was said she never put her guitar down until she could no longer hold it in her hands, and she was known to use it as a weapon when required. Her songs were about the joys and hardships of everyday Black life; according to the poet Langston Hughes, she played “music with so much in it folks remember, that sometimes it makes them holler out loud.” Largely forgotten for many years while white men covered her songs, she is now celebrated for her huge contribution to blues music and what came after. DLS co-founder Katy Derbyshire joins producer/host Susan Stone for the introducing duties, and to flag up some of our upcoming shows, at Muenster’s Center for Literature’s Droste Festival on June 18: https://www.burg-huelshoff.de/en/programm/kalender/droste-festival-2022 And at Podfest Berlin July 16-17: https://www.podfestberlin.com Listen along to all of Florian’s favorites with our Memphis Minnie playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WSTvaocIKcJCGNGKtVDrh?si=d356b954c66245fd And see photos of the well-dressed Minnie and get more info on our episode notes page: https://deadladiesshow.com/2022/06/16/podcast-54-memphis-minnie/ DLS NYC is curated and hosted by Molly O’Laughlin Kemper, and was recorded by Jennifer Nulsen, all under the auspices of the KGB Bar’s Lori Schwarz. If you're in the NY area, why not sign up for their newsletter so you can find out when the next show will be? NYC newsletter Our theme music is “Little Lily Swing” by Tri-Tachyon. Thanks for listening! We’ll be back with a new episode next month. **** The Dead Ladies Show is a series of entertaining and inspiring talks about women who achieved amazing things against all odds, presented live in Berlin and beyond. This podcast is based on that series. Because women's history is everyone's history. The Dead Ladies Show was founded by Florian Duijsens and Katy Derbyshire. The podcast is created, produced, edited, and presented by Susan Stone. Don’t forget, we have a Patreon! Thanks to all of our current supporters! Please consider supporting our transcripts project and our ongoing work: www.patreon.com/deadladiesshowpodcast If you prefer to make a one-time donation, here’s the link: paypal.me/dlspodcast