Michael Parker: His New Novel, Lead Belly, The 1970s, And More

Michael and I talk about 

• the genius of Mick Taylor and Taylor’s short stint with the Rolling Stones
• North Carolina barbecue vs. Texas barbecue
• the image Michael saw one day while swimming that inspired his novel ‘I Am the Light of This World’
• why the early 1970s was such an interesting time culturally and why Michael chose it as the backdrop for a big part of the story
• the significance of the title of the novel
• the North Carolina Piedmont Blues scene of the 1930s, the Folk Music revival of the 1960s, and Rev. Gary Davis and the artists he influenced
• Michael’s relationship with music, on a personal level and as a writer
• how the songs Michael references in certain scenes complement those scenes perfectly, like “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones, “The Crystal Ship” by The Doors, “The Same Situation” by Joni Mitchell, “Walk Away” by The James Gang, ‘The Zombies’ Greatest Hits’, “No Quarter” by Led Zeppelin
• Michael's use of song lyrics in the novel
• the significance of Lead Belly—the mythological figure and music of—to the protagonist, Earl, and to the author, Michael
• the role Hank Williams’ music plays in the story
• the “happy accidents of making art”

Jeff and I talk about Lead Belly’s 

• history
• prison record
• music catalogue
• artists he influenced
• Lead Belly’s death and his legacy

MUSIC AND MEDIA IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

1. “Time Waits for No One” by the Rolling Stones
2. “Can’t Hardly Wait” by The Replacements
3. “I Am the Light of This World” by Rev. Gary Davis
4. “She Loves You” by The Beatles
5. “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones
6. “The Same Situation” by Joni Mitchell
7. “Walk Away” by The James Gang
8. “Good Mornin’ Blues” by Lead Belly
9. “Love in Vain” by Robert Johnson
10. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams
11. “The Gallows Pole” by Lead Belly
12. “Goodnight Irene” by Lead Belly
13. “Black Girl (In the Pines)” by Lead Belly
14. “Midnight Special” by Lead Belly

LINKS: 

Michael Parker’s website, https://www.michaelfparker.com/

Michael Parker, Instagram, @texheel22

Jeff Place/Smithsonian Folkways website, https://folkways.si.edu/

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/

Christy Alexander Hallberg Twitter, @ChristyHallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg Instagram, @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSnRmlL5moSQYi6EjSvqag

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