Higher Ground Society Podcast: Recent Episodes
Higher Ground Society
The state of Alabama has a long history of producing creatives and thinkers of note who uplift their state and contribute wonderful things to greater society. Join Higher Ground Society Founder and Executive Director Jerald Crook in conversation with musicians, writers, community organizers, artists and more on the Higher Ground Society Podcast. Higher Ground Society is an Alabama nonprofit organization that forges community and understanding through engagement in arts and humanities programming.
Jerald wraps up his conversation with patchwork symphony alum Emily Fincher as she shares the poem that inspired her 'patchwork' contribution, "little bonsai tree."
Follow Emily at the following channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyfinchermusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EmilyFincher
Jerald chats with Emily Fincher, another patchwork symphony artist, about her musical background and training and how she got to professionally record her first song, "So Long."
Jerald wraps up his conversation with patchwork symphony artist Tim Higgins, talking about Tim's work on the patchwork album, fitting in to Southern society, and his hope for Alabama.
Jerald chats with the show's next patchwork symphony artist, Tim Higgins of Greensboro, Alabama, about his origins, his start in music, and what it's like to capture poignant ideas in song.
Jerald picks back up with the guys of The Mutineers of Alabama with them sharing their musical backgrounds, and the similarities and differences of living in Alabama and India.
Jerald embarks on a series of interviews with musical artists from Higher Ground Society's flagship project, patchwork symphony. First up, meet The Mutineers of Alabama, five strangers from India who arrived at Auburn University for school and built a community around their shared loved of music.
Jerald continues his conversation with Southern Music Research Center founder Burgin Mathews who shares about the little known, but extraordinary life and artistry of Alabama folk musician and fiddle maker, Earnest Mostella.
For this season's second episode Jerald chats with Birmingham writer, disc jockey, archivist, and educator, Burgin Mathews, about his research with Birmingham jazz legend and hometown hero, Frank "Doc" Adams, and his new music archiving project, the Southern Music Research Center.
Jerald and Dr. Trimble their conversation, discussing what it's like to be empowered as a Black woman in the face of adversity, and how Black and white folks can better navigate systems of inequity and injustice.
To kick off Season 3 of the Higher Ground Society Podcast, and in observance of National Poetry Month, Jerald chats with Alabama poet and Chair of Languages and Literature at Alabama State University, Dr. Jacqueline Allen Trimble. The pair discuss the importance of learning, awareness, and gratitude in our increasingly globalized society.
In this year's Women's History Month Jerald chats with Dr. Imani Perry, Hughes-Rogers Professor of African American studies at Princeton University, about how she stays connected to Alabama, the women who inspire her, and her latest book "South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation.
Jerald continues his conversation with Auburn University vocal professors Dr. William Powell and Dr. Rosephanye Powell in talking about Mrs. Doc's latest published piece "Then, Here and Now," a musical reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice, and the couple's hope for Alabama.
Jerald sits down for a chat with his mentors/former college professors, husband and wife super duo, Dr. William Powell, the Auburn University Charles W. Barkley Endowed Professor of Music/Director of Choral Studies, and Auburn University Professor of Voice and internationally acclaimed composer, respectively. In observance of Black History Month, the trio discusses the doctors' career paths and the origins and meaning of African African spiritual music.
Jerald chats with Fairhope singer-songwriter Jordy Searcy as he drives cross-country on I-40 West about his beginnings in a musical family, what it's been like to be a musician during the pandemic, and how Jordy's hope for Alabama comes from looking at the state's past.
Jerald continues his conversation with Tunisia as she talks about how her work has led her to meeting Michael B. Jordan, her debut at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and her favorite Christmas traditions.
In this episode Jerald chats with Tunisia Thomas, Alabama Department of Archives and History executive assistant by day, actor/dancer by night. Tunisia shares how she got involved with the performing arts and some of the film and theatre roles she's had so far.
Jerald connects with Tatiana Richards Hanebutte, a writer and native of Greenville who expatriated across the world to Germany.
To celebrate LGBT History Month, Jerald chats with Invisible Histories Project Director of Research and Development, Maigen Sullivan, about what it's like to champion and preserve queer history in the south.
Jerald kicks off Season 2 observing Hispanic Heritage Month with Dr. Carlos Alemán of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama. Together they discuss Latin American History, immigration in Alabama, and the success achieved by the Latinx community in Alabama.
In observation of Pride Month and Juneteenth Jerald sits down with Alabama native and 2018 Whiting Award-winning author Brontez Purnell to discuss what it means to be unapologetically Black and queer today and in times past. (Caution: Language, "adult themes")
In this episode Chaitra shares with Jerald observed similarities and differences between India and Alabama, more interpretation of carnatic music, and her hope for Alabama.
Jerald sits down with Auburn University Indian Music Ensemble director Chaitra Gururaj to discuss her growing up in south India and the intricacies of south Indian carnatic music.
For the second installment of the 2021 National Poetry Month series, Jerald sits down with poet and Courtland, Alabama native, Jacob de Noailles, to discuss Jacob's work, his poetic influences, and the dangers of smoking random joints you find in the forest.
Be sure to follow Jacob on Instagram @j.denoailles.
In the second part of her conversation, Birmingham-based poet Ashley M. Jones talks about why she does the literary work that she does, why she’s flourishing as a Black woman in the south, and why she ate dirt that one time.
In observation of National Poetry Month, Jerald chats with award winning, Birmingham-based poet, educator, and organizer, Ashley M. Jones about artistic inspiration, expression, and examining the United States through a literary lens.
Jerald sits at the feet of Sheyann Webb Christburg who in 1965 was deemed the Civil Rights Movement's "Smallest Freedom Fighter" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself after participating the Bloody Sunday Selma to Montgomery March. Mrs. Sheyann shares her about the first time she met Dr. King, her Bloody Sunday story, and her hope for Selma and Alabama today.
Jerald chats with Birmingham music businesswoman, Jasmine Garfield, about her music writing, producing, and the women who inspire her to continue pushing forward in the music industry.
In observance of Women's History Month 2021, Jerald begins a series of conversations with some of Alabama's prominent women, beginning with Dr. Minnie Bruce Pratt, poet, educator, and women's rights/LGBTQ activist.
Jerald continues his conversation with Birmingham singer/songwriter C.A. Jones on the topics of humanity and hope for Alabama through Jones' song "Aquarius Moon."
We kick off the new year with a candid interview with folk/indie artist C.A. (Chandler) Jones where he discusses his new album "The Velvet Hour," and the intricacies of life and being.
Music: Spark of Inspiration by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com)
As Jerald and Birmingham hip hop artist G.I. Magus discuss more of G.I.'s music, they also open up about love and G.I.'s hope for the state of Alabama.
In this episode featuring Birmingham rapper G.I. Magus we discuss everything from politics to transparency in music. Tune in as we learn about G.I.'s origins and musical inspirations.
Join Jerald and musical artist/Birmingham native Raza for the second half of their conversation where they focus on sweet home Alabama, racial and queer identities, and how this all inspires Raza's musical perspectives.
From Beyoncé to Pakistan, Birmingham native and musical artist Raza and host Jerald Crook cover it all as they talk about Raza's musical influences and how he has honed his craft and developed an appreciation for storytelling through music. Tune in and listen to the first ever episode of the Higher Ground Society Podcast. (Listener discretion advised as the featured song contains some language.)
Listen in as host Jerald Crook gives a brief rundown of what to expect from the Higher Ground Society Podcast.