Mammsie Graham: Well yes sir, indeedy! We all have our influence and the world fills my spongy soul. (laughs) I love all things music so I certainly hope it shines through in my tunes .I played drums for quite a while before I ever picked up a guitar so there was plenty of jam sessions with the stereo and most times in my hickabilly mind the songs are rockin’ but they come out the way they do and they call it folk. And isn’t all music kinda folk anyway? We are all folks who love good music but according to status Quo traditional standards, no the music does all the work and I’m happy to have people classify it to what it makes the heart and spirit feel.

 

Daniel/LLM:  Well said. So, these styles that are influenced by life and some of your favorite, inspirational artists.  For those who have never read about you and find you interesting, spew off a few of your musical influences.

 

Mammsie Graham: I have to say right off, kids, don’t limit yourself. Take in all you can and broaden the spectrum from jazz, Nina Simone, to metal, Motorhead and Zep. My fave, reverb Lost Generation, Blind Reaction as well one my favorite influences in the area, David Kiser, a classic star and great gent. When I wanna get lyrical I throw on some Jim Croce or Hank Williams. When I wanna get rowdy world lyrical I go with some Fantase B from Stockholm. For spiritual, I listen to the blissful sounds of Lady Weaver & Bjork or my goood friend Judith Snow who I actually been listening to a lot. Also, a lot of Black Label Society latelyy & beats by KynKrunk gets my brain all flowin’. I am trying to support the local cats too. There’ss some phenomenal talent in the Bluegrass and tons of great unsigned artists, present company  included. You know, without you guys and your help, as well as the fans, there is no art to flow. You guys play a huge  part as we do, so thank ya!

 

Daniel/LLM:  It’s our pleasure. There is so much good music out there that it will really take more than one lifetime to listen to it all. And if you really like it that much, it takes more than one lifetime.

 

Amanda/LLM: Yep. And speaking of so much great music, what was the first concert you attended, how old were you and what year? (Personally, my first concert was Metallica at Louisville Gardens in 1992. I was 14, and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life!)

 

Mammsie Graham: Ah yeahhhhhhhhhh! I  remember when Metallica opened for Ozzy at Freedom Hall. They stole the show and my mom was a hippy so most my early years was spent at concerts but the first I attended was Elvis, 1976. I was 4 but the first I really remember was Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.

 

Daniel/LLM:  I guess from then on you’ve seen some pretty cool things at concerts. What’s the craziest live concert experience you ever had whether it was one you performed or one you attended?

 

Mammsie Graham: Oh my, that’s a tough one. One that always stuck out to me, no pun, intended was the Beastie Boys in 1987 (rip MCA). It was one of the first concerts I attended without my mom. Of course, they got arrested after the show for their antics. I won’t say what happened since this is a family magazine. (laughs) But there was a giant penis on stage and lots of beer and cussing. My kind of show.  And Fishbone opened for them so that was so bad ass!  But they forged the way for future acts in that pre MTV era kind of like the Elvis and Johnny Cashes of the time.

 

Amanda/LLM:  Speaking of crazy things, have you ever seen a UFO? Where? Did you lose any increments of time?  

 

Mammsie Graham: WHY HECK YEAH!  I 'm still waiting on the mothership to come back and pick me up again but I promise there was no probing. I sit down fine. (laughs) I even got pics!

 

Amanda/LLM:  (laughs) Do you have houseplants at home, or did you grow up in a house with plants? I ask because you seem to have the appreciation of nature that houseplants bring to a person (smiles). Just an observation.

 

Mammsie Graham: (laughs) Oh, yes ma’am! Horticulture and Botany, yummy! I’m a vegetarian  so yes, plants tell us the secrets of the universe. I’m a huge Terence Mckenna fan. We have a few palm trees, some Satori, a few ferns, passion flower, salvia, aloe and other various ruderalis and greenery.

 

Daniel/LLM:  I agree. I also think you enjoy either flip flops or walking around in bare feet.  Am I right? Am I an a-hole for judging you like that? (laughs)

 

Mammsie Graham: (laughs) Yes, big a-hole. (laughs) Yes, I think bare feet grounds us & connects us to mother earth so I def enjoy bare feet and flip flops as much as I can. I love playing my guitar in bare feet with no shirt under the stars.

 

Amanda/LLM. You’re not alone. I like to read your words. They seem full of thought. Any interest in spoken-word sessions?  

 

Mammsie Graham: Yes indeed but without a guitar I would feel naked up there. I must face that fear. Any suggestions?  Give it to me. Come on now, throw it on me!

 

Daniel/LLM:  All I can say is tattoo yourself with liquor brand names and go buck naked wild. You know, if we had a lot of time I’d like to hear your interpretation of spirituality.  But since we don’t let’s hear what you have going on right now, musically.

 

Mammsie Graham: Musically goes on every second of the day. I’m a single father and both of my sons play as well. I get to live out my second, third, fourth and fifth childhoods. I been spending some time out in California so I recently wrote a song for the small town where we are. It gets really nice reviews and it’s a beautiful place, the perfect setting of nature and peace for song writing. I got a few new collabs in the works with an amazingly talented & beautiful artist residing in Denmark,  'Lady Weaver" Adellana Graham, as well revamping some old tunes with her as well. (winks) A great friend in Sweeden, Myran Wahl, has done some kick ass house club-like remixes of some of my tunes that just blow me away. Imagine that old redneck sound  in the club. (laughs) I hope to be working on a Kyn Krunk track so Mams might be throwin’ his hat in the rap game as well!

 

Daniel/LLM:  Now that’s impressive. Mammsie all over the world. Also, you have a crap ton of songs.  Do you have any albums?  If so, fill us in on the number of albums, EPs, etc.  If not, well, tell us why I guess. (laughs)

 

Mammsie Graham: Not technically any CDs or albums. I just flow like the river and get them out. I did do an EP for the “Susanville Serenity” song. It’s just 4 tunes. I get so consumed in writing new songs that I just want to keep creating. In a world of single song downloads online that allows me the opportunity to keep pumping them out but I definitely am working on a CD with, hopefully, a 2014 release.

 

Daniel/LLM:  You seem to openly announce that you’re a novice who is still learning guitar, writing original music and it makes you feel good.  Do you plan on going after record deals, national or regional touring or finding professional representation? Or, do you feel like just maintaining a peaceful stride?

 

Mammsie Graham: Music is art and it’s hard to price things that are priceless’ I do feel I have years of dues still to pay, musically but on the lyrical end I lived enough hardships so those dues have been paid up some time now. There’s so many wonderful artist out here. I just wanna keep making what’s real from my essence and if bigger things come from it that would be nice. I do it on the daily, so I’d jump right in the water but just knowing we can share and touch another’s heart and soul, well, that’s a huge payment indeed. I don’t know so much about deals. I  wanna learn and  evolve as much as possible but I don’t want a deal or contract to stifle the creative process. As much as it may dishearten some artists today, not having a deal yet, having the means to record and use the same equipment (in fact, more tracks better than our heroes like the Beatles used) we can be as creative as we choose and still find many ways to reach the masses of people. Folks know “real” and in a world of fluff, they seek it out and “real” shines through every time. There is a lot to be said for rawness and soul that cuts right to the emotion and gives you those goose bumps so everything doesn’t have to be over produced or engineered. Just do your thing 

 

Daniel/LLM:  Do you have a paying career as a musician now? Meaning you make enough money to consider it a paid full time or part time job?  If this isn’t your full time paid job, what is?

 

Mammsie Graham: I can’t say I get paid to be a full time musician. Most would say that being a comedian is my full time job or just being dad. (laughs) I am seeking to make music my full time occupation and am devoting all my free time to it now. I was a truck driver for years and I think that’s how I came up with loads of songs, philosophising at the wheel with no radio on long trips. It was kinda like meditation.

 

Amanda/LLM:  We posted your links at the top of this page. Since time is running out, is there anything else you would like to add?

 

Mammsie Graham: H#ll yeah! Hi mom! (laughs) I would like to thank you guys again and say it’s an honor to be the first interview for the folk music genre. It’s been an amazing experience and folks like y’all are the backbone of the underground. You help us reach places we couldn’t so as much as I can say its’ my music, it’s really ours. Because you guys are listening, sharing, lovin’, rockin’, etc. All those emotions and being the Yous that you are is what makes it all worthwhile and connects us, no matter what types of beings there are on this planet. they love some form of music and it’s in our lives in every way. HARMONY! So thank you all for having me!

 

Daniel/LLM: It has been our pleasure! I usually like to end my interviews with a bizarre question. It’s what I’ve become known for. So, get that wonderful mind ready for the signature Last Question.  Let’s say you were rootin’ around your cabinet and found a canned good that you’ve been avoiding for a while. Not because you hate it, but just haven’t been in the mood for it.  When you located it you were suddenly in the mood for it.  The expiration date was still good so you open it.  When you opened it you were reminded of the first time you felt super confident in your song writing ability.  What is the canned good, what was this memory and which song of yours would best represent this situation?

 

Mammsie Graham: (laughs) Wow! Oh yeah, beets. They give ya that burst of energy like when I realized, “hey, I can do this, write a mean song!” And yet they have that earthy taste that makes ya feel grounded. Plus, it naturally cleanses the liver out, all the bad toxins in Mams system. (laughs) It’s just like letting the emotions flowing, pouring your heart out in a song and I would have to say “Standing at the Gates” would represent this. It’s one of my very first tunes that gave me that rush like the beets give ya. I just hyped up so damn happy, you just wanna cry, you know? Yet, it’s down to earth, letting you know who I am, where I have been and asking those age old questions, “am I on the right path” Of course, they do make ya pee a lot. So, like Mam’s beets, run right through ya. (laughs)

 

Daniel/LLM:  So, did we succeed in making this the most unique interview you’ve done yet?

 

Mammsie Graham: Like the big guy said, and I mean the Kool Aid man, "ooo yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh". (laughs) This was a freakin’ blast guys. Do we hug now or after it’s done? (laughs) It’s the best Q&A I have ever done. I wish it wasn't over.

 

Daniel/LLM:  This just gives us a pause until we follow up with more fun questions next year. It’s been an absolute pleasure, Mammsie. I look forward to being at a show in the future.

Amanda/LLM:  Yes, thank you. This is the first time I’ve been introduced to your music and I like it!

Mammsie Graham: Likewise! It’s been the utmost pleasure. I will def be seein’ you guys at a show and the after party as well . And chicken and waffles for breakfast. Gotta keep it ‘ville style except I will just eat the waffles. (laughs) Bluegrass forever! Go Cards and Cats!

 

Story and interview by

Amanda Taylor and Daniel C. Morrison – Louisville Limelight Magazine