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Interview with James Willingham, June 25, 2017

Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia
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00:00:12 - Introduction to guitar

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Partial Transcript: All right, when did you start...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham describes his introduction to guitar through his friend. Willingham explains the start of his obsession with the guitar, and how rock and roll proved to be an outlet for his abusive upbringing. Willingham describes how he learned to play guitar through friends and a teacher.

Keywords: guitar; music

00:07:10 - Learning how to play

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Partial Transcript: I had a friend who was...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham continues describing the process of learning how to play the guitar with friends. Willingham talks about some of the shows he attended as a teenager and his performances with his band Backyard Noise.

Keywords: Backyard Noise; R.E.M.; The Flaming Lips; The Velvet Underground; gigs; guitar

00:14:31 - Backyard Noise (cont.) / Returning to Athens

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Partial Transcript: And then we liked...

Segment Synopsis: Wilingham lists some of the bands that the members of Backyard Noise listened to. Willingham recalls that he occasionally listened to bands from Athens. Willingham describes the Athens music scene after his work for Teach for America.

Keywords: Porn Orchard; The Wobbles; University of Virginia; classic rock

00:21:24 - Coming to Athens (cont.)

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Partial Transcript: I came here and there...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham describes the Athens music scene upon his arrival in the late 1990's. Willingham lists some of the other musicians and bands that were around then.

Keywords: 40-Watt Club; Drive-By Truckers; Hary Carey; Love Apple; Patterson Hood

00:28:21 - Athens's bands in the 90's.

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Partial Transcript: I remember there was always...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham describes the mid 1990's music scene as a more edgy and hard-rock focused community. Willingham continues to list the bands that were active upon his return to Athens.

Keywords: Drive-By Truckers; Lance Banks; Porn Orchard; Steven Thompson; Subsonics

00:35:07 - Late 1990's music culture

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Partial Transcript: I loved them, and my favorite...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham describes the dark authenticity of the 1990's era of Athens music. Willingham lists some of the songs and gigs played by his band, Harry Carey.

Keywords: 40-Watt Club; Flat Duo Jets; Harry Carey; Sparklehorse; Subsonics; Vic Chesnutt

00:42:18 - Harry Carey's performances

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Partial Transcript: There was this one guy...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham describes the humorous lack of talent of his band, Harry Carey and his decision to continue teaching after the band broke up. Willingham talks about Harry Carey's practice space which was in a building called Rock World.

Keywords: Dishwasher (song); Eric Harris; Harry Carey; Rock World

00:50:34 - Performances at Rock World / Gathering places

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Partial Transcript: I just remember being so happy...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham shares stories from performances at the building Rock World. Willingham and the interviewer discuss the increase of a police presence in Athens, and list places in Athens suited for band gatherings.

Keywords: Ed Livengood’s; Rock World; Space Voyage

00:57:39 - Returning to Athens / Prince Rondavel and Ham1

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Partial Transcript: I actually ended up...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham talks about the separation of Harry Carey and leaving Athens to take care of his father. He then discusses coming back to Athens and teaching in Oconee County. Willingham describes the changes to the Athens music scene and talks about playing for the bands Prince Rondavel and Ham1.

Keywords: Chris Sugiuchi; Eric Harris; Ham1; Prince Rondavel

01:04:46 - Touring with Ham1

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Partial Transcript: How were the songs written for...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham describes his writing style and work in Ham1. Willingham talks about the condition of the instruments he played in Ham1.

Keywords: Chris Sugiuchi; Eric Harris; Ham1; Harry Carey; Vic Chesnutt

01:14:00 - The end of Touring

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Partial Transcript: The last tour we went on...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham shares stories about touring with the band, and the eventual decision for the band to discontinue touring. Willingham describes how the emergence of self-promotion through social media discouraged him from touring. Willingham lists the other bands he played with during the early 2000's.

Keywords: Chris Ray; Ham1; Jacob Morris; John Smith; social media; touring

01:21:48 - Playing for Old Smokey

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Partial Transcript: That's I kind of got...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham shares how he eventually transitioned to the banjo, and played for the band Old Smokey. Wilingham describes the difficulty in his transition to the banjo.

Keywords: Ham1; John Hernandez; Old Smokey; banjo

01:28:02 - Playing with Old Smokey (cont.)

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Partial Transcript: It's really fun, cause'...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham describes recording with Old Smokey at the venue Shell Creek. Willingham shares the difficulties that came with recording in Ham1. Willingham talks about the importance of music in the Athens community and the difficulties that come with being a musician.

Keywords: Ham1; Harry Carey; John Crowe; Johnny Cash; Shell Creek; The Flagpole

01:35:41 - Returning to the guitar

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Partial Transcript: Before when I was playing...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham talks about transitioning back to guitar to play with Ham1 and shares his regrets from refusing to invest more in his work as a musician. Willingham describes the importance of music in his life and in the Athens community.

Keywords: Ham1; John Crowe; hard rock

01:42:43 - Harry Carey returns

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Partial Transcript: Some people, there's people in...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham talks about the tendency for musicians to return to playing after taking a break. Willingham describes the reformation of Harry Carey as a hard-rock band and the ways in which the Athens music scene changed.

Keywords: Harry Carey; hard-rock; video games

01:50:53 - Life as a Sideman

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Partial Transcript: Before you played with Vic..

Segment Synopsis: Willigham describes his experiences as a sideman for different bands and talks about playing with Vic Chesnutt. Willingham shares a story about playing with Vic Chesnutt.

Keywords: Crown Vic; Jim Wilson; Vic Chesnutt

01:57:29 - Performance in Spain

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Partial Transcript: I'm sure I was too loud...

Segment Synopsis: Willingham shares more stories about playing with Vic Chesnutt and talks about touring in Spain. Willingham talks about his parent's opinion of his musical career.

Keywords: Chris Sugiuchi; Jacob Morris