I learned the love stories from the public radio program, “This American Life”. It made me start reading, which got me writing and so on. For the time being, I am modeling Tale Spin after This American Life. The longer I do produce Tale Spin the more it will evolve into my own creation.
One of the struggles I have when producing episodes is what level of product is acceptable. I am accumulating a collection of stories, poems and music. Each of these recordings is different in content, delivery and recording quality. It is easy for me to be swallowed up in trying to make it sound professional.
The first story has some audio problems and I struggled trying to edited it to perfection. I debated on whether I wanted to use it due to the recording quality. “Pieces” was too lovely to scrap. Perhaps the tiny flaws become texture while Brenda Petrakos grabs the audience and shows them beauty in a seemingly hopeless Wyoming Bar.
https://www.amazon.com/Brenda-Petrakos/e/B00JHREE18/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1476672510&sr=8-1
Odie Hawkins is a blast to hang out with. He showed up to record with his wife Zola, and a bottle of Courvoisier so he could get into the character. Zola and I got into character too. When we recorded the Likka Sto’ Ruffus Chronicles I was still very new to the whole recording process, and brand new to cognac. You can hear me giggle in the back while Ruffus spins his yarns.
When I listened to the audio, the editor in me said “You never hear giggles on This American Life” Guess what, it’s not this American Life. It’s Melanie in Long Beach, letting people be people.
http://www.odiehawkins.com/
Neonderthal are the music contributors. This song is just a great rock song and I am excited to have found a place to put it. The video to the song “Ride” features Paul Raci performing the song in American Sign Language (ASL). Paul is riveting. I have watched this video again and again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-0k2A3jwHU
Paul Raci is a rock star in his own right. He is a member of the band Beethoven’s Nightmare the only Deaf Rock and Roll band.
beethovensnightmare.com
Donna Hilbert reads her poem “1942 Snapshot of my Father.” Donna is all pro and lovely to be around. She reminds me why poetry should be heard. When I first decided to include poetry in Tale Spin I wondered if it would fit in a story telling program. From Donna I have learned how autobiographical, brave and impactful poetry can be.
http://donnahilbert.com/
Donna has contributed to Tale Spin in the past she is also a regular contributor to Verse Vertual, an on-line community poetry journal.
http://www.verse-virtual.com/