0:00

Jay Ray: Hey, what's up? Good people. It's Jay Ray, the co host of Queue Points.

0:03

And I wanted to come to you because there are two really important

0:06

ways that you can support our show. One is by subscribing to it, wherever you listen to, or watch your podcast.

0:13

Queue Points is pretty much everywhere. The other thing that you can do is you can visit us on Apple podcasts.

0:19

Podcasts on Spotify and on pod chaser, and you can leave us a star rating.

0:24

Please rate us five stars because you know you love Queue Points and on Apple

0:30

podcasts and on pod chaser, you can actually leave us a written review.

0:35

It's not required, but it really does help to spread the word about the show and it

0:39

helps people to discover it as they're looking for new podcasts to listen to.

0:43

We're always appreciative of you supporting Queue Points.

0:46

We thank you so much for all that you've done for us so far and enjoy the show.

1:21

DJ Sir Daniel: Greetings and welcome back to another episode

1:23

of Queue Points podcast. I am DJ Sir Daniel.

1:26

Jay Ray: And my name is Jay Ray, sometimes known by my government as Johnnie Ray

1:30

Kornegay III what's happening people.

1:34

DJ Sir Daniel: Listen up here, y'all gather round to this here podcast because

1:39

we were about to have an amazing show. J.

1:42

Ray, first of all, I got to say it was a treat to see you in person, um, during

1:47

our live recording here in Atlanta.

1:50

We had an amazing time. Thank you so much for doing everything that you do for making it just an

1:56

amazing, amazing experience and podcast, especially for our guests and for the

2:00

people who came by and listened to and watched us live at JB's Record Lounge.

2:05

Jay Ray: Yeah, man. Um, I am grateful as well.

2:08

It was good to see you. It was good to see all of the folks.

2:12

I was telling our guests as we were, uh, back in the green room that every

2:18

show is really cool because we always introduce the show to new people.

2:22

And so the majority of the folks that came this time were new to Queue

2:26

Points and hadn't heard the show before and were really like tuned into the

2:31

conversation that we were having. So I want to say thank you to you too because not only Were we just like, I

2:39

love the, the, the way that we're able to work together to make it happen.

2:43

Cause we had a whole moment y'all where I could not figure

2:46

out how to make something work. I was stressed.

2:49

I couldn't get the camera going. It was a lot, but we made it happen.

2:53

In addition, you, sir, Daniel, listen, gave the kids life.

2:59

At super bad and erotic on Saturday over at JB's as well.

3:04

Um, so that was a good time and I want to take a second to thank JB

3:09

for just welcoming us in and allowing us to do Queue Points in that space

3:17

because that's a super special invite. DJ Sir Daniel: it absolutely is.

3:21

And we're literally treated like it's home when we go there.

3:25

We're treated like, um, family.

3:29

And I continue to wish JB all the success in the world.

3:34

And, um, again, thank you to everybody who came out and check this out

3:37

live here in Atlanta, but J Ray.

3:41

Before we get into this fantastic show and this particular episode, I

3:47

know the kids are going to be waiting to hear what we have to say about

3:49

this, but I'm also super excited because one of our cousins is back.

3:54

One of our family members is back in, in the house.

3:57

He's joining us after, it feels like a couple years now since We did our country

4:04

music series, but Big Mike is back.

4:07

I can't wait to talk to him. But Jerry, before we bring him on, please let the folks that are watching right now,

4:13

listening right now, let them know how they can keep up with Queue Points and

4:16

all the wonderful things that we're up to. Jay Ray: absolutely.

4:19

So of course, all of y'all heard at the top of the show, we definitely

4:23

encourage you to subscribe, leave reviews wherever you can.

4:27

So if you're listening to this show or you've listened to other shows and

4:29

you haven't left a review on Apple podcasts on pod chaser or on Spotify, you

4:35

should definitely go ahead and do that. Also, we have a new feature on our website at Queue Points.

4:40

com where you can leave a review as well.

4:43

So if you visit us at Queue Points. com, you could do all the stuff over there.

4:47

We have, uh, transcripts of the show.

4:50

Um, we have playlists, so we on, but we have our playlist coordinator.

4:56

Shout out to Sonny B who is, who has joined the Queue Points family

5:00

and is our playlist curator. So Sonny B is getting up to speed.

5:04

So if you go check out the Salt N Pepa show, you can also listen to the playlist.

5:08

So that's first and foremost, but if you're hearing our voice, subscribe.

5:12

Share it with your friends and family. If you like Queue Points, they will like Queue Points too.

5:17

Y'all can go a step further.

5:19

Visit us at magazine. Queue Points.

5:21

com. We cover a lot on Queue Points, but we don't cover nearly as much as

5:27

we actually talk about behind the scenes and getting ready for a show.

5:31

So if you want a little bit extra. If you want to join over on Queue Points Mag, that's where you can get

5:37

more opportunities as well to kind of stay connected to Queue Points.

5:41

And last but not least, you see these dope buttons that I have here, right?

5:47

So these are in our store. So if you visit us at store.

5:50

Queue Points. com, you can not only buy merch, uh, including our Slow Jams Can Heal

5:55

Us merch, which is out now, you can also pick up some buttons and a mug.

5:59

I normally have a mug somewhere, but I've drank all my coffee today.

6:03

A mug bags the whole nine.

6:05

So do all of that stuff. Support your boys.

6:08

We love you. We're happy you're here. DJ Sir Daniel: Absolutely.

6:11

And you know what? They would want to support us because J Ray, I'm going to say something

6:15

that might be controversial.

6:17

I don't hear Queue Points podcast.

6:20

Not only do we drop the needle on black music history, we are also visionaries.

6:26

Two years ago. No, seriously, two years ago, we set out on an adventure with

6:32

our guest to produce a podcast.

6:35

for listening. Um, was it, uh, how many, how many episodes was it a

6:39

Jay Ray: Four episodes. DJ Sir Daniel: four episode series on black artists in

6:45

country music two years ago?

6:48

Jay Ray: Yep. Yeah.

6:53

DJ Sir Daniel: after, um, Beyonce dropped Cowboy Carter act two, which is And I,

7:01

and I'm, I'm going to say what she said.

7:03

She said, it's not a country album. It's a Beyonce album, which I think is a very important point to make.

7:10

But, um, yeah, let's just talk about it.

7:14

Cowboy Carter is, um, is here.

7:18

And of course it's not without his controversy and it's not without

7:21

his praise, but what it doesn't have is it doesn't have yet the

7:25

Queue Points stamp of approval.

7:27

And so we're here to talk about it and we cannot do that without our good friend.

7:33

And Jerry, why don't you do the, um, the honors of introducing our

7:36

guests and friends to the show? Jay Ray: Yes.

7:39

Um, so I want to do this while our guest is on the show.

7:43

So I'm going to big, I'm going to bring our brother, big Mike.

7:47

Up what's happening

7:50

DJ Sir Daniel: What's up, Big Big Mike: What's happening, guys? Oh,

7:53

Jay Ray: Welcome back. I I wanted to bring you up because I am about to i'm about to big up big mike.

7:59

All right, so um

8:02

DJ Sir Daniel: Let's do it properly. Jay Ray: Right, you know what i'm saying?

8:04

So 2022 Um, I made my uh, I think it was my second trek to la My first trek to

8:13

LA, I think, and to the podcast movement.

8:16

So Queue Points, um, we had a session at podcast movement, um, called building

8:22

the world you want, um, which was about being independent podcasters

8:26

and, you know, building our platform.

8:28

So we have a home. Well, Went to BIPOC Podcast Creators event and Big Mike was there, right?

8:38

So we're at this bar. Big Mike is there and and Crystal Hill is there.

8:43

We're all chatting. We're in a group. We're chatting and I'm getting to know Big Mike and Big Mike is like,

8:47

well, I was like a DJ on country radio and I was like, oh, well, hey.

8:52

Hey, you know, cause Sir Daniel and I have been talking about doing

8:57

something country related, right?

9:00

And so I want to. Do two things.

9:03

Um, because since that time, Big Mike is an award winning podcast producer.

9:07

So let's just keep it, uh, keep it a whole bean.

9:10

Okay. Thank you for your expertise.

9:14

Thank you for sprinkling yo sauce on Queue Points because that series

9:19

that we did is what we submitted to get our Ambien nomination.

9:26

Big Mike: the nomination, guys. That was awesome.

9:29

I'm glad I could be a part of that. Jay Ray: yes, man.

9:31

So I wanted to do that properly and say, thank you.

9:35

Welcome back. Big Mike, what's going on?

9:39

How are you? Tell us what's up in your world,

9:43

Big Mike: It does feel like years since the last time we've all like had a

9:48

conversation and it's good to be back.

9:51

I appreciate you guys reaching out to me. Uh, about, about this album that's kind of set the whole world, not just the country

9:58

world, like the whole music world on fire.

10:02

So I, I had been, me and me and my wife had been talking about it, Lucy,

10:07

and, uh, and then J Ray texted and there, it was like divine intervention.

10:12

I was like, Oh, I'm gonna have an opportunity to talk about this to somebody else.

10:15

Other than Lucy, uh, so it's, it's good to be back.

10:19

Uh, definitely a little bit heavier with a couple of awards,

10:23

which is very surreal to me. When I set out to, uh, podcast like over 10 years ago, being in a, uh, an

10:33

award winning producer was definitely not something that I even fathomed.

10:37

So to be here and get it, it's humbling.

10:40

Um, because I, I feel like just like other podcasters, we all work hard, right?

10:47

Work hard for little payoff for the love of doing this and just

10:52

putting your thoughts and ideas and feelings out into the world.

10:55

So you can connect with other people. It's a beautiful thing.

10:58

And so, uh, podcasting has brought me a lot.

11:01

Um, Because I had such a love for radio.

11:03

I did. And then I realized podcasting brought, it brought me so much more.

11:07

So I am truly appreciative.

11:10

Uh, I I'm humbled and, uh, I truly appreciate you two gentlemen, because

11:15

that series, that country series that you guys, we, we collaborated on, uh,

11:21

was probably, it's probably one of those crown jewels to me, um, for, for multiple

11:28

reasons, just for that little black kid who grew up and, you know, felt like he

11:33

was an other in, in, in, in the world.

11:36

So, uh, I, I am truly, truly grateful for that opportunity and I'm glad

11:41

to be back talking with you fellas. DJ Sir Daniel: Absolutely.

11:44

Before we move on, Mike, please let the people know the, um, the name of

11:48

the podcast that you, that you worked on and that you received an award for.

11:53

Please let them know. Big Mike: So I, uh, I currently, uh, work on along with my, uh, producing

12:01

partner and she used to be my boss. Her name's Crystal Hill.

12:03

She's like a legend in the podcast game. Like

12:06

Jay Ray: is. Big Mike: she's, she's, she's like a superstar and, uh,

12:10

she's, she's a great mentor. And, uh, the podcast that we're working on, um, with Lisa

12:15

Woolfolk of Stitch, please. She just recently run and won an Ambi.

12:19

So, um, she's put in a whole heck of a lot of work to win that Ambi.

12:25

So shout out to Lisa. And, um, for allowing me and crystal to, uh, help propel her, um, forward.

12:33

So, uh, it's been, it's been awesome.

12:36

So DJ Sir Daniel: That's amazing.

12:38

We love to see the home team win. Anytime one of us wins, it's a win for all of us.

12:42

So definitely, um, congratulations on that, but you know, without further

12:47

ado, let's, let's get into it. Let's crack open this bad boy.

12:51

So cowboy Carter act two of the follow up to Renaissance, of course, which

12:57

was act one Renaissance, of course, um, delve deep into the, the dance.

13:04

music era, it tapped into different eras of that dance music, specifically

13:08

disco and house, definitely tapped into the ballroom culture.

13:13

So we had a lot of sub genres being celebrated in that album.

13:20

And then of course, in true Beyonce fashion, she, you know, she, she toured.

13:26

Uh, she, um, You know, blew everybody's minds with the tour and then went

13:31

away and was like, okay, guys, peace. I'll see y'all next time.

13:34

Tom, you know, and, but then in true Beyonce fashion.

13:38

Oh, well, I may as well tell y'all that here's act two,

13:42

just, just get yourselves ready. I gave y'all a little breathing time.

13:45

Here's act two. She announced it during the super bowl with a commercial.

13:50

And ever since then, people were like, Oh, this is.

13:53

You know, it's going to be country because we heard, we hear, uh, Rhiannon getting

13:58

Jay Ray: Mm hmm. DJ Sir Daniel: predominantly prominently, excuse me, on the, um,

14:03

the lead single Texas hold them. Jay Ray: Mm hmm.

14:06

DJ Sir Daniel: And then, you know, in, in true Beyonce

14:09

fashion, the controversy starts.

14:12

So let's get into it. So let, so let's start, start off with impressions.

14:18

Has everybody had a chance to listen to it?

14:20

And if you have, what are your first impressions of the album?

14:27

Jay Ray: you know, I'll jump in. Um, I'm dying to Mike.

14:31

I'm dying to hear your thoughts. So I'm just going to jump in now.

14:33

I have listened to Cowboy Carter and I will say a couple of things.

14:40

I was going to talk about this, but this is probably going to come up now.

14:43

Um, one.

14:47

I was surprised at, um, how intimate, how experimental and intimate

14:54

it sounded at the same time. Um, I will say upon first listened, I enjoyed the record.

15:00

So all of you should know this. You might know this by now, but when I listen to music,

15:04

it's about how it feels first. And then I try and go back and like analyze what's actually happening.

15:09

Like what do I like about it? So, um, upon my first listen, um, Um, I was like, Oh, I'm

15:15

really, this feels good to me. So like the record.

15:19

Um, when I dive in deeper, I love all of the, um, nuances in the album.

15:26

Um, the interludes crack me up.

15:29

You have Willie Nelson on interludes, which I think is the coolest

15:33

thing ever, as well as like Dolly Parton's sprinkled throughout.

15:37

Um, so there's all of these callbacks to like, country

15:43

traditionalism through a black lens.

15:47

Like this is like a black album.

15:50

And even from a country standpoint, when I think of like country artists, I'm like,

15:53

Oh, this is the blackest country album and the most, um, I hate the word urban,

16:00

but I can't think of another word to use,

16:04

Big Mike: I hate that word too. Jay Ray: I hate that word.

16:06

Oh my God. I really hate that word, but y'all get where I'm going.

16:10

Like, I felt like. It took all of the sensibilities of hip hop and R& B and put it into a

16:15

country album, um, that feels both country and all of these other things.

16:20

So saying all that to say, um, I enjoy Cowboy Carter.

16:26

Is it my favorite Beyonce record? No. Um, but it is an enjoyable record and I can see why she says it's a

16:34

Beyonce album and not a country album.

16:36

Cause it does feel like a Beyonce album. So that's, that's me.

16:41

DJ Sir Daniel: Okay, go ahead, Mike. Big Mike: Uh, upon first listen, I could definitely, I agree with

16:47

that statement or her saying that it's a Beyonce album because it

16:51

sounds like a Beyonce album to me.

16:54

Uh, but I do love the, um, The little nuances, like back in the original, our

17:01

original country series, I said that, uh, we have a way of innovating in a

17:07

space and the album feels like it's pushing a genre for like a genre forward.

17:15

Right. And, um, because I mean, we're going to talk about, we can talk about

17:21

that, but like, it, it also is, it kind of goes, well, if Beyonce's

17:25

doing it, Everybody else, it kind of just, it's kind of like what she did.

17:31

And I don't want to compare it to Charlie pride, but it kind of opens that door

17:36

that if someone of that caliber of Beyonce is going to step in and do country.

17:41

Right. And everyone thought it was a joke when she mentioned it.

17:43

I think she mentioned it in like an interview or something like that.

17:46

And everybody thought it was funny, Beyonce and country.

17:48

What is it going to sound like? Right. And, um, just upon listening to it, you can tell that.

17:55

She really went out of her way to make, she hits up these OG people

18:01

that have been in, been in the country game for a long time because

18:04

she understood, she understands that she's stepping into country.

18:07

She's been in R and B, she's been in pop, right?

18:10

This is another genre, genre that she's stepping in to and

18:15

country is, can be controversial,

18:20

Jay Ray: Yes! Y

18:22

Big Mike: you look like us. It becomes immediately controversial,

18:27

DJ Sir Daniel: Yes, indeed. Big Mike: is why the series, our series that we created two years ago is so

18:32

important because I ever, that series, I say it's found we're foundational

18:39

to country music and by her entering country music and putting out a

18:44

quote unquote country album, right?

18:46

She's saying, Hey, this is our music too.

18:50

And if I can do country there, others can do country too.

18:54

Not that there weren't people in that space already.

18:57

Right. But a, a caliber of Beyonce, someone who tours the world.

19:02

Over and over and over again loved by millions of people, right?

19:07

And so I think she kind of goes, Hey, look at this genre.

19:11

Look at these young black people in this genre.

19:14

I may be, may have put out this album, but don't just because I did it.

19:18

Don't leave the genre because I left the genre and went to go do another album.

19:22

Stay right here and enjoy these people that have been putting in the work.

19:27

And I hope that's what she thought about when she created this

19:30

album, but I feel that as well. Right.

19:33

There's a, there's a, there's a track with, uh, Tanner Adele

19:37

Jay Ray: Yup. Big Mike: on there. Right. And she's put out stuff like back road.

19:42

And I just listened to buckle bunny and I'm like, this is not, this sounds

19:46

country, but this does not sound. Like traditional country.

19:50

So I, I didn't mean to go long winded, but it, it surprised me to listen

19:56

to it and just listen to all these influences and it still be Beyonce.

20:01

I think that's the thing is that it's still Beyonce.

20:03

It doesn't feel like she's trying to, to perpetrate something else.

20:07

She's just like, Hey, I'm going to innovate in my space.

20:09

I'm going to keep it my, my vibe. And, um, I'm, and I'm going to sprinkle in these country, these country roots.

20:17

Cause she's from Houston. So she's, it's not right.

20:20

She's from Texas. So it's, I partly, I think it's funny that there's so much controversy around it.

20:28

DJ Sir Daniel: Right. And see, we're good. And we'll, we'll get into that.

20:32

So I'll quickly share my thoughts upon listening to the album.

20:35

So I, so like everybody else, I was intrigued, um, and it, it didn't

20:47

surprise me because I was like, Beyonce is going to do Beyonce.

20:52

And what, because she keeps.

20:56

Her, um, her immediate circle.

20:59

Like she keeps the dream on hand, serious, the dream.

21:02

She keeps him nearby, Jay Ray: Raphael Sadiq.

21:05

DJ Sir Daniel: Rafael Sadiq and, um, Swiss beats, people that she's

21:08

worked with before people that she's, she feels comfortable with.

21:12

So if they're there, she's going to feel comfortable.

21:15

She's going to be in her pocket no matter what she does.

21:18

Um, It's, it's clean.

21:22

It's, it's, uh, it, it sounds good.

21:27

When I say sounds good, I'm talking about from a technical aspect, like

21:31

you can hear, you hear things and it seems like you can hear something

21:35

new every time that you listen to it. Um, chock full of, it's, it's a lot more, um, interludes than what I'm used

21:42

to, but like you said, it was funny. I love her nod to radio.

21:47

Jay Ray: Yes. DJ Sir Daniel: Because there's a nod to radio as well.

21:50

So the other three of us in here can, um, appreciate that.

21:53

And like you said, she's setting up the, the girls, the people that are

21:59

in the black young people that are doing country music now, she kind of

22:02

said, Hey, Hey guys, I'm doing this.

22:05

I need you to hop on this platform because once I do this, I'm handing

22:08

the baton off to you, just like Mike said, and you all are going to run,

22:12

run when you get this opportunity. And, um, I love that.

22:17

I already have a favorite that I can't wait to talk about, but what I love most

22:21

about this album, it's, I think Danielle Smith said this on, um, Jonathan Capehart,

22:27

she said, this is an Americana album.

22:30

And it's so true because not only do you hear, um, do you hear Texas, but

22:37

this California soul all up and through there, there's Louisiana, of course.

22:42

Uh, Alabama, this, all the stuff that's east of the Mississippi, you

22:47

hear all of those different things.

22:49

So it is an, uh, a shining example of how you do country the

22:55

Beyonce way and make it modern.

22:58

And so. I, you know, I've never bought a Beyonce album like immediately, and this is

23:04

the first time that I've done it. I, somebody, when the digital dropped, when the self title

23:09

came out, somebody gave it to me. So that doesn't count, but I purchased this album because one, I knew we

23:16

were going to talk about it, but I was also very curious like everybody else.

23:20

And so here we are. As Mike alluded to the fact that we knew it was coming.

23:27

There are articles now, this is not, this is not country.

23:32

Um, what Beyonce is doing is bastardizing country music.

23:37

I read a review where somebody literally said, I, please keep country pure, pure.

23:45

Jay Ray: We, we see you, DJ Sir Daniel: We see, we know what pure, we know what that means.

23:50

Keep country pure because, and people are attaching country

23:55

music, not only to the people that.

23:58

are known to perform it, but they're also aligning it with values and

24:04

political viewpoints as well.

24:07

And so that's where we're getting a lot of the pushback from, but

24:11

you know, I just want to throw that out there for everybody.

24:14

What are, I know this is a dumb question, but are we surprised at the pushback?

24:19

Are we surprised that the dog whistling that has been, that we've been

24:23

hearing since this album has dropped? Big Mike: No, not at all.

24:29

Not at all. Jay Ray: know, Mike, I'm curious to, from coming from One being a lifelong

24:38

country fan and coming from country radio.

24:42

This has been throwing people into a tizzy, right?

24:47

Around, you know, traditional country stations.

24:50

Like, do we play the Beyonce? Do we not play the Beyonce?

24:54

Like, what do we do with it?

24:57

Worry about this. DJ Sir Daniel: the Cadillac records, tell them

25:00

Jay Ray: So, Sir Daniel, this is hilarious.

25:02

So Sir Daniel just sent me a tweet today.

25:05

Mike, I don't know if you've seen this. Where the one country station, uh, so a traditional country artist

25:14

decided to make Texas Hold'em again.

25:17

And they're playing that. They're not playing Beyonce's Texas Hold'em.

25:22

They're playing this other version, this non black version of Texas Hold'em that

25:28

Beyonce didn't do on this radio station.

25:30

We will pull that tweet y'all. This is not a joke.

25:33

This is real. DJ Sir Daniel: the quiet part out loud.

25:36

They are saying the quiet part out loud for real.

25:40

Big Mike: That's wild. Why? There's, I mean, you have the original, like, why not just play the original?

25:46

Like, I don't, DJ Sir Daniel: It's too black and it's too female.

25:50

Jay Ray: Ooh. So. Mike, that part, can we talk a bit about, from your perspective, right?

25:58

School us a bit about the politics of country radio from your vantage point.

26:05

Not of course, naming any names and why it's hard for black country

26:12

artists to end up on country radio.

26:15

Right.

26:21

Big Mike: it's hard because you're, you're, you're in a place that there's

26:26

nobody reflecting you back to you.

26:29

Right. One of the reasons I got into radio and specifically country music in

26:34

radio is one, I loved country music. There I thought about a guy named Jimmy Allen, right and I thought

26:42

about a guy named Darius Rucker who kind of crossed that line Right.

26:46

And really cemented his feet in the country genre.

26:49

And I, I can imagine them just walking into rooms and interviews with people

26:55

that don't look like them who don't understand their experience, who, who,

26:59

who doesn't understand what it is to move through this world as a black man,

27:04

as a black person, as a black woman.

27:06

And I wanted to be that I wanted to be that person and, and to not just be that

27:11

person because I'm going to be some token it's because I actually love the genre.

27:16

And I enjoy country music. And so I felt like they needed to be interviewed by people who had that

27:22

love, who want to be in the space.

27:25

And, um, but it's hard to be in that space, right?

27:30

Like I was at a radio station and, um, now that I have some, I have a little bit of,

27:36

uh, distance and, and have a little bit more of a vantage point of my experience,

27:40

I realized that I don't think they were ever going to let me off weekend.

27:44

I think that was never the plan, right?

27:47

Because how can you let this Black guy represent This country station, right?

27:56

And, and, and I believe that, uh, people like, um, uh, one of my, the people I

28:05

knew in DC, her name's Ty she's on air.

28:08

I think she saw past that, right?

28:10

She was the one that gave me my first opportunity to be an apprenticeship

28:14

on air, and I think she saw that.

28:16

And I saw another guy, his name's Brian Mo and he saw past that too.

28:22

Uh, but I think eventually.

28:25

Right? The program director can only do so much.

28:27

It's gotta be approved by other people above the program director.

28:31

And they're in, they're about project, projecting an image.

28:35

And country isn't black. Right?

28:39

By their standards, country isn't black.

28:41

Country is white. So, uh, it's why we continue to not to see a lot of black radio DJs in the space.

28:49

Because, uh, Um, you get outrage, like, you know, people being upset

28:54

about Beyonce being in the space, and so it's tough to, to navigate that and

29:02

to continue to go, well, how is, how can I not take this personal, right?

29:07

I think I'm as good or better than some of the people that are on air.

29:11

Why am I not getting those same opportunities to move

29:14

forward and all of those things? So it's a tough, it's a tough genre to be in because there's so much behind it.

29:22

You like, I like in, I like in country almost to NASCAR, right?

29:27

Jay Ray: Mm Big Mike: Bubble Wallace, I've gotten into NASCAR recently.

29:30

Me and my wife have gotten into NASCAR. We watched, uh, Bubble Wallace's documentary on Netflix, um, called Race.

29:37

And it's about him entering and changing the landscape of NASCAR.

29:43

And so people like, uh, Tanner Adele, Raina Roberts, um, these are the people

29:49

that are starting to change this, this landscape, entering it, understanding

29:54

that they are all automatically going to be under attack and going, Hey, I'm

29:58

going to do me, I'm going to put out the music, either you like it or you don't.

30:02

Right. And then it's up to the people that.

30:07

that, uh, for a black girl leverage that that kind of gatekeep to go, Hey,

30:13

these guys are a part of this too. It may not sound like a Willie Nelson or a, uh, Morgan Wallen,

30:21

but they sound their country too.

30:24

And so it really takes that. And so, um, what I got from that race documentary is that sometimes you

30:30

just kind of have to take a stand. And go, Hey, we're going to draw this line in the sand.

30:35

Either you're going to accept me or you don't. And then other people have to kind of take up that, that

30:40

idea and carry along with it.

30:43

And, um, I think the fact that people are debating Beyonce is, is like,

30:50

I think people are going, wait, maybe she does belong in this genre.

30:55

Like if she could pull off a record like this, we're like,

31:00

Oh, Maybe, maybe it's okay.

31:03

And then you then to put these, these lesser known people, like

31:07

a Tanner Adele on your album. Jay Ray: hm,

31:09

Big Mike: I guarantee you, I can get, you can name five people who

31:12

have never heard of Tanner Adele. And so Beyonce put her on our album.

31:15

Jay Ray: yeah. Big Mike: I can guarantee you people. A lot of people didn't know who Shaboosie was,

31:19

Jay Ray: hm. Big Mike: right? Those, those are, those are those names.

31:23

We've got these young black artists. There's a guy named Jack Ross.

31:27

Who is a fantastic R& B singer, right?

31:31

But even he is going, Hey, I'm going to enter this genre and I want to be

31:36

in the country because I think not that the door, the door was cracked.

31:41

I think Beyonce kind of is trying to blow that door open.

31:44

And so it's hard to navigate that space when there's nobody else

31:48

that looks like you in that space. And so it's hard to get in there, especially if the

31:52

gatekeepers don't look like you DJ Sir Daniel: I think, I think one, I think she's doing this on purpose

32:02

because exactly what you said.

32:04

Um, let's just say it.

32:06

This is a, this was like a grudge album for Beyonce.

32:11

Jay Ray: I do think she was like, Oh, they didn't want me on that stage at the CMT.

32:16

Yeah. The CMT.

32:18

Yeah, DJ Sir Daniel: And she Big Mike: because they thought it was a joke.

32:21

They thought it was a joke that she was going to do country.

32:23

And so what she did was like, Oh, it's not a joke.

32:26

I'm very serious. Here's the album to prove that I'm right.

32:29

DJ Sir Daniel: exactly. And it's almost like they're mad.

32:33

It's almost like they're, they feel like we're appropriating their culture.

32:38

Hmm. I wonder when, Jay Ray: huh. DJ Sir Daniel: did that come from?

32:41

It almost feels like appropriation.

32:44

And I wonder why they're feeling like that. No, but seriously.

32:48

Beyoncé, this album represents what this country has been going through as we

32:53

see books being taken out of libraries.

32:56

Um, the erasure of the discussion of even race and culture in our schools.

33:04

Um, a lot of the, they want to take away, you know, um, They just don't want to

33:10

feel, a lot of people don't want to feel bad or they feel like if you have these

33:15

discussions or you have this separation or this, um, highlighting of black

33:21

excellence in black culture, that that means this is inferior and if, and they

33:26

don't want to feel bad because it makes them feel bad, but what you are doing is

33:30

erasing history and what she is saying, somebody like a Beyonce is a big threat

33:35

to them because they know her reach

33:37

Jay Ray: Mm hmm. DJ Sir Daniel: and they know that it. If she says it, it's a rap, then everybody's going to want to do it.

33:43

Everybody's going to get into it. There is not going to be a space, a corner on this earth where that black

33:50

woman is not going to be heard or seen.

33:53

And they're very mad about it. Right.

33:56

Jay Ray: Sir, Daniel, you raised. Um, such an important point.

34:00

And I had not thought about that as it relates to kind of the, even

34:03

the title of Cowboy Carter, right? We're in this moment of, um, this division where you're right.

34:11

All of this history, this important history isn't able to be taught anymore.

34:15

Isn't able to be talked about, but if you have a record like Cowboy Carter that

34:19

exists, you're forced to reckon with.

34:22

Right. The, um, you're forced to reckon with black culture.

34:26

You're forced to answer questions about history.

34:29

You can't not do it because Mike going back to what you said here and

34:33

what you said as part of the special. We are foundational to country, right?

34:38

When you talked about the Fort Bailey being the Grand Ole Opry is the Grand

34:43

Ole Opry because the Fort Bailey was coming in there with that harmonica and

34:46

sounded like a train and you realize like, Oh, wait, there was nothing

34:51

before it didn't exist before that.

34:56

We, you have to reckon with all of it, you know, um, in a way art has a way of

35:04

speaking to people in ways that books.

35:09

All of these other things, the news and all of these things cannot do.

35:13

Beyonce's record though can for will force conversations that folks are definitely

35:19

going to be uncomfortable needing to have. Why don't you like the Beyonce Cowboy Carter record?

35:25

Sounds like a good record to me. Big Mike: People, I feel like people want to keep people in boxes, right?

35:34

Like, um, I think that's the, like the Zach Brown, Zach Brown band.

35:39

He, he basically announced that he was no longer going to be like, I'm just

35:44

going to stick in countries, genres.

35:47

And as an artist being put in a box is the very, is the opposite of what

35:52

you're trying to do as an artist. And so people are like, well, Beyonce, she just stick to her kind of music.

35:59

And I'm like, what does it matter if she's, if she's feeling country that

36:03

day, if I'm feeling country that day, I'm gonna play some country, right?

36:07

If I'm feeling some R& B and I'm wanting to hit some 112, I'm gonna play some 112.

36:11

If I'm feeling some seven dust and I want to hear to just the

36:13

rage, I'm going to play that too. And so I feel like we always trying to put these artists in boxes.

36:20

And we were like, stay right here in your lane.

36:23

Don't do anything else. Right. And then people go, why aren't they doing anything else?

36:28

This all sounds the same because you want to, you want to keep them there.

36:32

Right. And so like, I think I saw somebody in the chat say, uh, that they wish publications

36:41

would just highlight black artists. In every genre and not just one or two, right?

36:47

And I agree with that statement, right?

36:49

Like, as a Black man, I just don't like Black music.

36:53

I like all music. Whatever's gonna be a bop that I can rock my head to, that's what

36:58

I'm listening to that day, right?

37:00

And so, it doesn't matter if it's country, rock, neo soul, pop,

37:05

whatever the case may be, right?

37:08

I feel like, as an artist, Especially someone of Beyonce's caliber.

37:12

She's done, she's done all these, these other genres, right.

37:15

And she can do them. So why not do country?

37:18

Especially if you're someone who is from Houston, who has those, those

37:22

roots to be in that, in that genre.

37:25

I just don't think we should be gatekeeping other people in genre.

37:27

If a Morton Wallen wants to go do an R and B record.

37:31

Go for it. I don't know how good it'll be Morgan, but if that's what your

37:34

soul is telling you That's what your spirit is telling you go sing.

37:39

Go go sing your little R& B man.

37:41

Like do what you got to do I just don't feel like we should be putting people

37:43

in boxes And I think that's where the controversy comes from is what is Beyonce

37:48

doing over in this country stuff, right?

37:51

And so but Dolly Parton who is like Queen country, right?

37:57

She's done other genres Jay Ray: She's Big Mike: one has a problem with, that's

38:01

Jay Ray: none. Her new album is basically like a rock record.

38:04

Big Mike: I'm saying, right? Nobody's like, Dolly shouldn't be doing rock.

38:08

People are like, oh, good for her, right?

38:10

At her age, she's doing a rock record, DJ Sir Daniel: Yep.

38:13

Nobody questions. Big Mike: Parton's biggest hits, no, one of Dolly Parton's biggest

38:17

hits is, is not even a country hit.

38:22

She wrote it, right? And so I just think people just need to relax with this whole keeping people in

38:28

a box thing and just let people create.

38:31

If you don't want to hear it, Don't listen to it.

38:34

If that's not your vibe, don't listen to it.

38:37

Right. If you want to stay in a certain kind of country, cool.

38:40

There are subsections of country. There's bluegrass, all that stuff like that.

38:45

Listen to it. But if, uh, if a Steve Martin can go put out a bluegrass album, why can't

38:50

Beyonce put out a country album? DJ Sir Daniel: Mm.

38:53

Like, I'm glad you said that.

38:56

So Dolly Parton, nobody questioned, just nobody questions Justin Timberlake.

39:01

And when he did, when he wants to do R& B, or if he wants to go do his wild man,

39:07

um, canyon music, nobody questions it.

39:11

Radio BSOTS Ad: There are two types of people in the world, those

39:14

who complain about the state of today's music, and those who dig.

39:19

I'm Jason Randall Smith, and I invite you to check out Radio BSOTS, Both

39:23

Sides of the Surface, a music podcast championing the work of independent

39:28

artists from around the way. To around the world with a primary focus on creative commons, licensed music.

39:35

Think of this show as a never ending virtual crate date through a parallel

39:39

universe of online labels, seeking out the hip hop soul, jazz, funk, and electronic

39:47

music gems that are often hiding. In plain sight and hopefully demystifying the world of

39:52

creative commons along the way. One song at a time.

39:56

You can find radio BSOTS wherever you listen to podcasts.

40:00

For more information, visit the website at BSOTS.

40:04

com. That's B S O T S dot com.

40:11

DJ Sir Daniel: In the comment section, Trey Dixon again said, and I want us

40:14

to talk about this black targeted radio station, music and music publications

40:19

should have highlight all black artists from every genre instead of focusing on

40:24

one or two genres to beat us over the head with what is the responsibility or

40:30

what can black radio specifically and.

40:33

are black outlets who are in this moment in time, black outlets really need to

40:38

check themselves, but that's a whole nother different, um, show in this moment.

40:44

What can black radio do? Cause I know here in Atlanta, um, V one Oh three was doing, which is a heritage.

40:52

Um, it's a black heritage station here in Atlanta.

40:55

V one Oh three was playing the record.

40:58

The Cowboy Carter and they'll do do that.

41:01

Sometimes they'll play the whole record and, you know, let people

41:05

experience it and, you know, talk to the people about it and whatnot.

41:11

Let's talk programming, you know, Mike, your radio head.

41:16

Let's talk programming. What can, what does black radio needs to do, uh, in order to say, you know

41:21

what, we need to start supporting all of our artists, regardless

41:25

of the genre that they're in. Big Mike: I think they just need to, to be consistent.

41:32

Yes. Beyonce, Beyonce has got the hot album right now and you want to play it

41:36

because people want to listen to it. But what are you doing to help support this genre after Beyonce leaves the space?

41:42

Are you, are you playing Raina Roberts?

41:45

Are you playing Tanner Adele? Are you playing these other black artists that do country?

41:51

Are you playing them? Because then you're just here from when it's hot and not here for the long haul.

41:57

And so I think part of it is getting people who actually like the genre in the

42:02

building To talk to the people to explain these to explain it right to just go.

42:08

Hey, this is this new artist hannah adele She you know, she's trying to

42:12

you know She's in the country genre just be able to talk about it Like you

42:15

would talk these other talk about these other genres and this other music and

42:19

these other artists I think it's about support And I think that, um, there

42:24

is a reason why there is no black run radio, a country music radio station,

42:30

at least, at least to my knowledge. I haven't seen one yet.

42:33

DJ Sir Daniel: me throw this out to you real quick, Mike. Doesn't that take a certain type of bravery, right?

42:40

To do these sort of things when we all know radio, especially

42:44

in this day and age, radio is, it's all, it's very rigid, right?

42:50

And it's a, It's most radio stations are owned by a particular corporation,

42:54

and there is, there are certain things and guidelines that they have to do.

42:58

And so can we really expect commercial radio to exhibit that kind of bravery,

43:05

uh, when it comes to incorporating, you know, these up and coming artists,

43:09

these, especially these black artists that are reclaiming, um, country music

43:14

and putting their heart and soul into it. Big Mike: Yeah.

43:17

I, I really think that it does take a lot of bravery in my opinion.

43:22

Um, like I know when I worked at WMZQ on the East Coast,

43:28

Uh, shout out to Ty Bailey. Uh, she's one of the, one of the best out there program directors, uh, at WMZQ.

43:35

And she was one of the first people to actually play Jimmy

43:37

Allen on the air, right? He's got Jimmy Allen and all these other white, like just playing and

43:44

programming him heavily brought him in for the concert, had him in the station.

43:49

Like it's those type of things that, that I think other program directors

43:55

and other radio stations need to do right is support these smaller artists.

44:00

Cause now Jimmy, Jimmy last year was everywhere.

44:03

Right. You couldn't get rid of him. I got sick of seeing him.

44:06

Right. And then he, then he blew up his own ship, but that's, that's another story.

44:10

Right. Right. Right.

44:15

And then, right. But, but, but the fact that MZQ, um, can say that they were on the forefront

44:24

of really helping Jimmy's career by having him around and playing his

44:29

music and bringing him in the station and talking to the people, like to

44:33

me, that's support, especially when there weren't a lot in that space.

44:37

When he, when he showed up, right? And he broke records, right?

44:42

Best shot. One of the, one of the top singles of that year broke like a record that Michael

44:47

Jackson held previously, I believe, or something, or Charlie pride, excuse me.

44:51

I believe. And then, uh, so it's about support.

44:54

It's about being brave in those spaces and about going,

44:58

Hey, we're going to play this. We're going to play it until you get sick of it.

45:00

Or you like, right. You know what I'm saying? Like they do with these other artists.

45:04

And then eventually you're like, Oh, this is kind of catchy after

45:06

you've heard it 50 million times.

45:10

Jay Ray: Mike, I think going back of all the conversations that I

45:15

think are really important, I think it is this conversation around, I'm

45:22

less interested in, this is Johnny.

45:26

Speaking for me, I'm less interested in white stations playing the Beyonce

45:34

record, even though I know that's the thing I would really, where I think the

45:40

magic is for me is I do want our, Black radio stations to begin to break the mold

45:48

and embrace the fullness of all of the things that we do Really well country is

45:54

one of them like we talked about when we did the special when I heard the war in

45:58

treaty record I'm like, I have no idea why WDAS in Philly is not playing this

46:04

song like y'all like there are so many songs Right, and so it gets me thinking

46:10

You So, Sir Daniel, we're all familiar with this in the, you know, the 80s

46:16

and the 90s, there would be that block of time where you could hear hip hop.

46:19

That was all you was gonna get. You had your block.

46:22

This gonna be your block. It's probably gonna be real late, but you gonna get your hip hop in, right?

46:26

Why is there not a rock show? Um, black, most black radio stations in the country.

46:32

Why is there not a country show? There's typically a gospel show on Sundays, right?

46:37

Breaking this mold of, and this is where the racism, Mike, you talked

46:42

about this in, during the special where music got segmented, where.

46:47

The powers that be in the thirties and forties said, okay, y'all

46:52

folks do this over here, y'all do jazz, be over there and blues.

46:58

We going to be over here in country and bluegrass and Americana, even

47:02

though the songs that they were singing came from the folk from us

47:06

and they was gathering them up, right? You know what I'm saying?

47:09

These songs, right? The point is.

47:12

The magic that I'm hoping it didn't happen with Renaissance.

47:16

And I was actually disappointed where I was hoping that post Renaissance, we

47:22

would get a resurgence of house music on radio as like more of a regular rotation.

47:30

Like not this, I played on Saturday nights at, from 10 to two, so

47:35

that kind of situation, it kind of didn't happen that way, I am hoping.

47:41

Maybe with Cowboy Carter that To your earlier point, Mike, it breaks, it kicks

47:48

that door open enough to say, maybe we can do this because there are so many

47:54

great artists over here doing this work.

47:57

Yeah, we weren't able to accomplish it with the house stuff, but maybe this

48:00

country thing, we can play that a little more regularly and get folks who listen

48:05

to classic R& B can also listen to Raina Roberts and all these other folks.

48:11

You know what I'm saying? So that's my real hope out of all of the Cowboy Carter talk.

48:17

Yes, the record is great, but how are we going to take it and push this thing even

48:23

more forward, um, within the culture?

48:29

Big Mike: that's the, I mean, that's the key is being able to, to

48:32

carry, carry on after the moment,

48:36

Jay Ray: Mm Big Mike: right? After, after the moment has passed, what are we doing to continue to

48:40

carry that and make real change?

48:44

And not just country music, but in music period, right?

48:48

How are we doing that? Are we supporting these people?

48:51

Are we listening to them when, when they put out something?

48:54

Um, I'm not saying you're going to like everything that they put out, but

48:57

give it a try, you might, you might run into something at this point.

49:01

Um, but I think, I think slowly, um, we're starting to, we're starting to do that.

49:07

Like even to your point about war and treaty, war and treaty showed

49:10

up on wrestling the other day. They sang, they sang God bless them.

49:14

Yeah. They sang God bless America before, before a WWE match on a PLE.

49:18

And then they use their song is as one of their theme songs for

49:22

one of their, their pay per views. So like it, like, I'm like, Oh, Warren treaty,

49:28

DJ Sir Daniel: That's Big Mike: fascinating. Right? Like, and so they're, they're an active part, but I think it's just a slow burn.

49:34

And we just have to just keep the keep the pressure keep moving forward

49:40

and continue to Support these people and not go why is she in country?

49:45

Why are they in country? Why are they doing this?

49:47

It doesn't matter This is this is their album.

49:50

Listen to the try to listen to the album Right see what you can

49:54

like out of this Like and that and it also takes them to stay there.

49:59

Don't get pushed out Jay Ray: Mm hmm.

50:01

Big Mike: it's just about support support support support.

50:03

I can't say that enough about about about black artists in

50:08

country Especially country support.

50:10

That's what they need We need to show up for them like we show up

50:14

for these r& b country concerts and these rap hip hop concerts All right.

50:18

Let's let's support them the same way DJ Sir Daniel: Absolutely.

50:23

And exactly.

50:25

We needed, we needed to have you, Big Mike, on here to punctuate that for us.

50:31

And so of course, A1, glad to have you give that to us and

50:37

give that to our listeners. But before we go, you know, We are the, we're Queue Points Podcast.

50:44

Like it or not, JRay, we are tastemakers.

50:48

We are, you know, people listen to, people want to hear our

50:50

opinions on certain things. So I do want to hear, like, um, just rattling off the top of you guys

50:57

heads, like, what tracks stand out to you the most on the album, so

51:01

far, that you really, really like, Jay Ray: I have my, I have my two.

51:08

I think I have two. Mike, if you want to go, that's fine.

51:11

I have, I have mine. DJ Sir Daniel: okay?

51:14

Big Mike: Let's see i'm pulling up the tracks right now because

51:17

DJ Sir Daniel: right, all right, so i'll i'll You want me to go out?

51:20

Jay Ray: Go ahead, Sir Daniel. You go, you set it off. A

51:22

DJ Sir Daniel: if you've been following me on social media You already know my number

51:27

one song on this album Is body guard?

51:32

Body guard is oh My goodness.

51:35

I don't know what kind of What kind of hoodoo?

51:41

As the kids say, this got crack in it.

51:43

That song has had me in a chokehold from the very first time I hit play on it.

51:49

I'm, I'm getting the spirit of Marlena Shaw.

51:54

I'm getting the fifth dimension, the mamas and the papas.

51:59

And of course, Fleetwood Mac on that song.

52:02

And it is just the, It's just so groovy it that's what I was talking about

52:06

that California country soul that that song has that song is everything and

52:13

people are being are figuring out are being introduced to Fleetwood Mack now

52:16

because of that song because it's so heavy on the you know on the um the

52:22

rumors Tip that album, but, um, I love body guard and of course, you know, I

52:29

love Riverdance because well, you know, I'm slightly, I'm slightly, I'm a bird.

52:33

I'm a bit of a bird. I'm bitter. I'm a bit ratchet at times.

52:37

And as a DJ, I can't not, not listen with DJ airs.

52:41

Jay Ray: Mhm. DJ Sir Daniel: So Riverdance of course, hops out at me because it's, it's fun.

52:47

It's re it's, it's ridiculously And I think we need more of music like that.

52:54

We need more music to, to stretch us one, but still have fun.

52:59

We still have to have fun. So I'm going to, those are my, um, outstanding two tracks right now.

53:05

And so J Ray, let's, let's hear you.

53:07

Jay Ray: real quick. So I do, I just added one.

53:10

See, I'm now I'm adding stuff because, uh, because when you look at the

53:14

track list, I'm like, Oh, I like that. My number one is PR is protector though.

53:18

I've been very clear. Listen, I love me like an acoustic ballady thing.

53:24

That's going to tug at the heartstrings. And then it has the protector and then projector thing.

53:32

I love when people do like a lyric thing like that where it's like,

53:36

Oh, I see what you did there.

53:38

Um, so, uh, protector featuring roomie, you know what I'm saying?

53:43

Is pause.

53:46

I am. Very encouraged by how Beyonce includes her children

53:51

DJ Sir Daniel: absolutely. Jay Ray: like watching blue Her summer was on tour.

53:56

You know what I said when blue got back to school They was like,

53:59

so what'd you do this summer? I was on tour

54:01

Big Mike: to work. That's what I did. Jay Ray: I went to work

54:04

Big Mike: work Jay Ray: Um, so protector with roomie is my number one Um love bodyguard But um

54:14

since you picked that one, um two most wanted with molly cyrus I I, you can't

54:21

listen, me and Miley, we see each other.

54:23

I see her. I mean, we see each other. Like I get it.

54:27

So if Miley's on a joint, I'm probably going to lean.

54:30

Like I want to lean in and hear that joint. Cause I I'm in the Miley Cyrus.

54:34

So, uh, that one.

54:36

Yeah. Yeah. I think it's really fun. It has that beetle sample in it.

54:40

It kind of gives you the, um, rock.

54:43

Yeah. The Nancy Sinatra sample and the rockabilly.

54:45

It does all of the things I was actually surprised.

54:49

My one surprise was that Raphael Sadiq didn't produce that record.

54:54

I was like, Oh, this sounds like Raphael Sadiq definitely produced this.

54:58

And then he did not. So I was surprised by that.

55:02

And then my last, uh, Two Hands to Heaven.

55:04

I really like Two Hands to Heaven. Um, You know what I'm saying?

55:08

Gives me a little two step. I get to do a thing.

55:10

Um, so yeah, those are my, those are my favorites and I added, I added

55:16

two because I looked at the track list and was like, I love them.

55:19

Uh, what about you, Mike? What are you, what, what did you like that

55:22

Big Mike: Most wanted is definitely one that really caught my ear.

55:25

Like hearing Beyonce and Miley's voice together.

55:28

Like as they sing that, I'm like, man, that, that got me a little bit.

55:33

The, like, it gets to you a little bit.

55:35

I enjoyed that one. And then of course I got to just for fun with my boy, Willie Jones on it.

55:40

Like, I love that one too. I enjoy that one a lot.

55:44

So, but I just love that. She's just like.

55:48

Like, this Blackbird with Tana Adele, Britney Spencer, Tiara

55:52

Kennedy, and Raina Roberts. And I'm like, bro, that's a lineup right

55:56

Jay Ray: Right! Big Mike: Like, you could take these people on tour with you, Beyoncé.

56:01

I would, I would show up for that, for that concert, right?

56:04

DJ Sir Daniel: I think she is. She probably will.

56:08

Big Mike: I'm there for that one. I don't pay Beyoncé prices, but I, I might for, for that one.

56:12

Jay Ray: I mean, you're getting a hefty lineup, right? Big Mike: But the other thing is, Jolene is what stood out to me as well because

56:21

of the work, how, how Dolly allowed her to change the words of her song, right?

56:27

We've only know, and I'm sure that is probably one of the biggest people

56:30

are outraged by that one the most. How dare she change the words of Jolene?

56:34

This is what we've known for the last 50 years.

56:36

And I'm like, That just shows you the influence that Beyonce has, right?

56:41

And Dolly Parton understands that. So you're like, yeah, go ahead and change the words of this song.

56:46

Right. This well known song, people singing a karaoke at this point.

56:49

So I just think that this album was just done really, really well.

56:54

And I, I, I actually enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would.

56:57

So I I'm definitely here for it, but yeah.

57:01

DJ Sir Daniel: Hey, real quick. So, Mike, you did. You said something very, um, important about not paying Beyonce prices.

57:08

And that brings up to me the, um, so a lot of the hive is

57:13

concerned about the new fans.

57:17

that this album is attracting. What do you all, based on what we've seen with the renaissance, right?

57:24

The concert, the tour, what do you think a new, a Beyonce show is going to look

57:30

like as far as the audience is concerned now that this whole new audience Is

57:36

brought in because there's new people there is going to be new people in the

57:39

fold Y'all y'all are just gonna have to accept it that are coming that will be

57:44

buying up tickets, too What do you think about that and the intermingling between?

57:51

You know this new audience Jay Ray: You know Mike, I definitely want to get your thoughts on this and

57:57

sir, Daniel, I did not know you were going to ask this and I had not thought

58:00

about it, but you know, we are in a time where you can just turn off people who

58:14

don't think like you look like you do what you do in the way that you do it.

58:19

You can literally, we're literally in a time where you can cut them out, right?

58:26

This what art does.

58:29

Is it forces us baby music is universal like you don't know who come in to

58:34

get the music You know what i'm saying and the people who come and get the

58:37

music like well you came here to get the music So that must mean you

58:41

okay you came here to I came here to get it You came here to get it.

58:45

We here together getting it, right? so I, I have not been more encouraged about people getting into a room

58:54

together than I am about the idea of who heard Cowboy Carter.

59:04

And we'll show up at that show wanting to get what Beyonce is going to give

59:09

them and having to mingle with people who are OG Beyonce folks, or maybe new

59:15

folks, because there's a bunch of new people coming to this record because the

59:19

songwriting on this record, yes, it's got some Beyonce tropes that Beyonce

59:24

does certain things lyrically, but.

59:27

It's got a lot of beautifully written lyrics on this album that are

59:30

like, Oh my God, this is well done.

59:33

So new people from all walks of life.

59:36

So saying all that to say, I'm encouraged.

59:39

I want us to all get in that room and, and saying, and, and do the

59:43

things that we want to do together. And maybe we'll leave better.

59:47

Maybe we'll leave better. Big Mike: Yeah, I mean, I'm hoping that, I mean, that's the,

59:54

that's the, the wish, right?

59:56

The hoop dream that, that people just come to a concert to enjoy a concert,

1:00:00

especially, you know, Beyonce prices.

1:00:03

Like who's going to, why are you going to show up, pay all that money and just act stupid?

1:00:06

Like, it Jay Ray: ridiculous, right? Big Mike: Right.

1:00:10

But, but I hope that people knew people.

1:00:14

Who have been brought in by Beyonce that, that the old Beyonce

1:00:19

fans open them with go, welcome. We've been here.

1:00:22

We've been waiting for you. Come, come join us.

1:00:24

One of us, right? Like I want it to be that way.

1:00:27

And I really hope that people go, all right.

1:00:30

Okay. Beyonce. I see what you're doing out there.

1:00:33

And that last album one for me, but this one, this one's mine.

1:00:36

It's my time here. Right. And so I really hope that, uh, that people coming together,

1:00:43

just enjoying music, right.

1:00:46

Enjoying country music, whatever you want to call it, right.

1:00:49

Just enjoying music. And have a good time and I so I so I hope that Uh, this album just brings

1:00:56

people together and I hope I think that's her I think like I would like

1:01:00

to think that is her idea is that this is supposed to kind of help erase

1:01:04

those lines Between us and them and go.

1:01:08

Hey, I can do this too. If you enjoy me, maybe you'll enjoy this as well So that's just the hope

1:01:14

that's the hope that's what I pray for DJ Sir Daniel: i'm with y'all But my thing is look you all have months

1:01:21

to practice Please don't come in here messing up the electric slide.

1:01:25

Whatever you do, get that electric slide down pat, because when you come

1:01:30

to the show at some point or another, there is going to be a slide moment.

1:01:36

We don't need anybody messing up the continuity of the electric slide or any

1:01:42

slide dance that takes place at this show.

1:01:45

So get it together folks that you have time.

1:01:48

You have time. And I know, and slide, and slide dances go well with a lot of country

1:01:53

Jay Ray: Oh, yeah, DJ Sir Daniel: this should be a no brainer.

1:01:56

And you know how I feel about slide dances and, and my, my wanting to know about

1:02:01

their etiology and where they come from, but that's a whole nother show, but I

1:02:06

have thoroughly enjoyed this conversation. Y'all this has been fun.

1:02:10

Jay Ray: this has been so fun. Mike, thank you so much for being here.

1:02:14

So before we get out of here, where can folks find you?

1:02:17

Where can they connect with you online?

1:02:20

Let the folks know. What's up. Big Mike: Uh, my social is at thetruebigmike, without the e in true,

1:02:27

on Instagram, and, uh, not Twitter, X.

1:02:30

Um, you can, if you wanna, if you're interested in, in podcasts, check out,

1:02:36

uh, Stitch Please, with Lisa Wilford. That's a really good one.

1:02:39

I, so I hear, um, I also work on a couple of other award winning podcasts.

1:02:44

One is called the love the amazing Clarks and, um, soul affirmations.

1:02:49

You guys know that you're familiar with soul affirmations.

1:02:53

Yeah, we have Krieger and Felicia. Um, and then we have Reparenting for the Culture.

1:02:58

It's hosted by, uh, Sheree Sims. So, if you have some time, check them out.

1:03:02

Like, that's, that's usually what I'm working on.

1:03:05

Uh, uh, and then currently working on a, a new show with my wife called Chunky Love.

1:03:10

So, that's gonna be coming soon. Uh, so, I'm, I'm, I'm not hard to find, right?

1:03:15

If you're looking for me I usually show up so

1:03:20

Jay Ray: listen, man. We are so grateful for you, Mike.

1:03:23

And for those of you, shout out to all the folks that joined us.

1:03:26

I see, uh, James peoples is in the chat.

1:03:29

Um, no black stations did not play Jada's, uh, metal.

1:03:34

DJ Sir Daniel: Wicked Big Mike: and they should have Jay Ray: They should have.

1:03:37

Cause was it wicked wisdom was what they're called.

1:03:39

DJ Sir Daniel: wisdom. But oh, but have you seen what Willow has been working on?

1:03:44

Jay Ray: Willow is killing the game. DJ Sir Daniel: Crazy playing all these instruments and scatting.

1:03:49

Jay Ray: Listen, DJ Sir Daniel: amazing. That's Jay Ray: Beyonce does that rock record next, call Willow.

1:03:54

Um, but yo, shout out to Mark McPherson, shout out to Dr.

1:03:58

Ed Garns, Trey, uh, Payadu, um, Joshua Alston, shout out to, who has

1:04:04

a great new article in The Reckoning,

1:04:07

DJ Sir Daniel: Mm Jay Ray: about Gerard Carmichael's new reality show, so go on over and check

1:04:12

Big Mike: thing is wild. Jay Ray: Look, go check

1:04:15

Big Mike: thing is wild. Jay Ray: Please check out Joshua's article.

1:04:20

Um, yeah, man. Like this is Mike always great to have you.

1:04:24

So for those of you that are tuning in, um, thank you all so much for being here.

1:04:28

Subscribe wherever you are watching.

1:04:31

If you hear our voice, make sure that you hit. The subscribe button there, share the show with your friends and family.

1:04:37

That is the way more people can discover Queue Points.

1:04:41

Definitely sign up for our magazine at magazine.

1:04:43

Queue Points. com and, um, shop our store, store.

1:04:47

Queue Points. com where you can get all kinds of merch.

1:04:51

DJ Sir Daniel: Absolutely. Fellas, what do I always say in this life?

1:04:55

You have a choice. You can either pick up the needle or let the record play.

1:04:59

I am Cowboy Daniel, Jay Ray: I'm cowboy J Ray.

1:05:08

DJ Sir Daniel: and Big Mike: i'm cowboy big mike, DJ Sir Daniel: there you go.

1:05:12

This has been Queue Points Podcast, dropping the needle

1:05:15

on black music history. We will see you on the next go round.

1:05:19

Peace. Jay Ray: Peace.