STORY JAM // music + stories

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In this Story Jam episode, Carmenita Peoples takes us on a hilarious journey concerning her status as a woman.

After the story, we'll hear an improvisation song by talented singer songwriter Xoe Wise.

For more information about STORY JAM, please visit Story Jam's website. 

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Carmenita Peoples
"Pause the Menopause" music & lyrics by Xoe Wise

Xoe Wise, guitar and vocal

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Story Jam is a music and storytelling show which has been running live events since 2013.

In this episode, Binkey Tolefree steps in AT THE LAST MINUTE with a request to tell a story about longing for superheroes who look like him.

Binkey is a producer, storyteller, musician, rapper, and show host.

After the story, we'll hear a song by talented singer songwriter Devin Thompson.

For more information about STORY JAM, please visit Story Jam's website. 

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Binkey Tolefree
"Superhero" music & lyrics by Devin Thompson

Fred Simon, piano
Dave Hiltebrand, guitar
Rafe Bradford, bass
Chuck Lacy, drums
John Bowes, Sax
Devin Thompson, vocals

Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

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In this Story Jam episode, David Barish expertly shares a story about his heritage.

After the story, we'll hear an improvisation song by talented singer songwriter Xoe Wise.

For more information about STORY JAM, please visit Story Jam's website. 

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: David Barrish
"Duality" music & lyrics by Xoe Wise

Xoe Wise, guitar and vocal

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In this Story Jam episode, we're treated to a wonderful true narrative by Chicago story maven Margaret Burk, along with an original song played by The Story Jam Band and written by Story Jam producer Stephanie Rogers.

Margaret has been a leader in the Chicago storytelling community for decades. She is an activist, producer, and actor.

For more information about STORY JAM, please visit the Story Jam website. 

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Margaret Burk
"Let Our Love Rise" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers

Fred Simon, piano
Dave Hiltebrand, guitar
Lamar Jones, bass
Chuck Lacy, drums
John Bowes, Sax
Sarah Marie Young, vocals
Kari Nelson, vocals
Toni DiDonato, vocals

Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show.

In this episode, we're treated to a wonderful story by David Barish, a fabulously popular storyteller by night and, by day, he's a lawyer.

David has been telling stories since the day his mother came home, looked around  and asked, “What happened here?” Since then he has abandoned fiction and has been writing and telling personal narratives on stages around Chicago.

After the story, we'll hear a very clever impromptu song which was written by Story Jam's ingenious improvisational songwriter Xoe Wise.

Xoe Wise is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer originally from a small town in NC, now based in Chicago. She is one of Baby Luca's moms!

For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website. 

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: David Barrish
"Thank you Martin Luther King" music & lyrics by Xoe Wise
Vocals & guitar by Xoe Wise

Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

Send us Fan Mail

Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show.

In this episode, we're treated to a wonderful story by Chicago's own Tracy Baim. Tracy is a famous editor, author, journalist, film maker, former publisher of "The Chicago Reader."

Baim founded "Windy City Times" in 1985, and she has written several books and won numerous awards.

After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by Story Jam producer Stephanie Rogers and played at our live show.

For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME 

By Stephanie Rogers © 2020 Story Jam Songs

I’m alone in a world I cannot fight
Desperation rips me up inside 
Does anybody care if I’m alive

Do you believe I deserve to die?
My struggle lives beyond the words you deny
God put here and gave me life

I know my time is short and 
My name means nothing to you 
I don’t want to leave this world behind
Every breath I take lives on 
In the name of justice 
I’m running out…I’m running out of time

I can’t live with illness anymore
Our legacy is greater than all we endure
Brothers sisters keep hope in store 

I know my time is short and 
My name means nothing to you 
Don’t want to leave this world behind
Every breath I take lives on 
In the name of justice 
I’m running out…I’m running out of time

Don’t need forever
Just a little bit longer…

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Tracy Baim
"Running Out of Time" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers

Keys by Fred Simon
Guitar by Danny Shaffer
Bass by Rafe Bradford
Drums by Chuck Lacy
Vocals & piano by Stephanie Rogers

Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

Send us Fan Mail

Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show.

In this episode, we're treated to a duologue story by Richard Munchkin and Melissa Reaves.

After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by Story Jam producer Steph Rogers and played at our live show by The Story Jam Band.
 
For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website.

No Celebrity by  Stephanie Rogers

When I look around the room
Everybody else looks like me
And all I see

Is that I am still unique
Cause I don’t really give a shit About appearing 

But who am I if I'm not who I think I am...

Hey I am a normal human
Hey I read the news I’m common
Hey I get my neighbor’s wifi for free
I’m no celebrity

 Wouldn’t it be fun
To star with Denzel Washington
Or sail the sea with Pitt and Clooney
But I can have my fun
Being a librarian
Or serving tea at Jerry’s deli

But who am I if I’m not who I think I am…

Hey I am a normal human
I’ve got no fans in Saigon
I haven't lost my sanity
Hey I never drink Remy Martin
Hey there is no film I’ve starred in
I’ll never be thin like Twiggy
I’m no celebrity…

Hey I don’t Tic Toc or Instagram
Don't have a weekly cocaine man
I never carry a puppy
Hey I ride the bus and pay rent
Hey I squeeze a dollars from cents
Hey I’ve been to Niles and Kankakee

I’m no celebrity

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Richard Munchkin & Melissa Reaves
"No Celebrity" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers

Piano by Fred Simon
Guitars by Danny Shaffer
Bass by Rafe Bradford
Drums by Chuck Lacy
Vocals by Stephanie Rogers

Arrangement by Danny Shaffer

Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

Send us Fan Mail

Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show.

In this episode, we're treated to a riveting story by Anne Purky, storyteller extraordinaire! Anne is a writer, storyteller, and advocate for those with disabilities.

After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by and played at our live show by Stephanie Rogers, Story Jam producer and host.
 
For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website.

DEAD OR ALIVE by Stephanie Rogers

Are you dead or alive
Is your heart still yearning
I've stayed behind
To clean up the mess they found
All the sirens that blew
They came looking for you
As they ripped the babe out of your hands
Now you're there in the queue
After all you've all you've been through
I'm afraid to see how it all ends

Do you remember a time
Free of cracks and bruises
Do they let in the light
Or are they closing down
On your eyes as they cry
While they're fighting for life
Though they're hardened and sunken and blind
Take your place in the cue
Someone's waiting for you
They don't know that you still have to die

Strength will crumble
No one will tell you why
I've too been to battle
And I, too, have sunken eyes

Are you dead or alive
Does your heart still yearn

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Anne Purky
"Dead or Alive" music & lyrics by Stephanie Rogers

Piano by Fred Simon
Strings by Craig Snider
Bass by Rafe Bradford
Vocals by Stephanie Rogers
Arrangement by Danny Shaffer

Support this podcast by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

Send us Fan Mail

Story Jam is a premiere music and storytelling show.

In this episode, we're treated to a heartfelt story from our PRIDE series by Northwestern University's Communications, Advocacy and Public Engagement Exec and all-around fabulous teller Roderick Hawkins.

After the story, we'll hear a song which was written by and played at our live show by the ever-talented Story Jam favorite, Xoe Wise.
 
For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website.

LILLY'S LESSONS  by Xoe Wise

I have learned the lessons from Lilly
I have learned how to stay strong in my car
When I'm driving south on Lake Shore and I think about her
I hear her voice ringing in my heart

And if all of you start crying right now during this song
Don't do that...no pity parties, OK?
That's from Roderick's mom

This is Lilly's lessons...

She says turn that frown upside down right now
And go get your mama her gala gown 
You gotta stay strong against the harm
Make sure your dress shows little bit of arm
And show some titty...you gotta show some titty

You can always change from the food industry at 40
To healthcare? You bet!
And when life makes you mad
Just blow on something...a clarinet!

Lilly's lessons

Do say "Gay gay gay,"
Do what you want with your boday
And show a little cleave even on a Monday 
When they said three to five years
She said seven
Just give me my gumbo even if you have to USPS it!

Lilly's lessons...

Take me on a trip 
Just pack my wheelchair
Change your career
We need you back in healthcare

Pack your itinerlillies
Cause we got 8 o'clock Obama white house, congress, King
Before the photo hide my cane
I don't want it in the photo 
White house congress take my picture
Get the wheelchair out the frame
Now wheel me over there take my picture
Now please hide my cane
And show some titty, show some cleave
Nope. No crying. No tears. 
Doesn't mean you cant have fears
It just means fight with everything
And you might get a few more years 

With the FIVE Cs...
You got Christ, counseling, community, cannabis, c’dick
Christ, counseling, community, cannabis, c’dick
Christ, counseling, community, cannabis, c’dick
Christ, counseling, community, cannabis 
We all are full o' shit

CREDITS:

Podcast Produced by: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme Music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Roderick Hawkins
"Lilly's Lessons" music & lyrics & guitar by Xoe Wise

Support our podcast by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast

Send us Fan Mail

Story Jam is a music and storytelling show that features top storytellers and original songs written for each story.
 
In this episode, we hear a personal story by Erica Nicole Clark followed by a song written for the story, then a brief conversation with Margaret and producer Stephanie Rogers. 
 
For more information about STORY JAM, please visit our website.

MS. VALENTINE (by Liam Davis)

Dear Mrs. T
Welcome to Lake Forest, Illinois
It's such a joy (she said)
To have Erica in class with me
I really must say how much
I enjoy her company, but...

Dear Mrs. T
Even though I understand
Your husband's on TV
Call it intuition a condition
Is arousing my suspicion
As a trained arithmetician
Well it simply does not compute

She's guessing, she's probably guessing...
Maybe she's cheating, cheating...

F Ms. Valentine x4

Dear Mrs. T
I understand you didn't make it
All the way to college like me
But really it is simply public knowledge you see
A child from the South Side
The outside is automatically unqualified
She can't hang
It's the order of the universe
It's ying yang
And so although the way
She comes at every problem
Makes it easier to solve them
I simple have no choice

In remedial...math

She's guessing, she's probably guessing...
Maybe she's cheating, cheating...

F Ms. Valentine x4...

Credits:

Producer: Stephanie Rogers
Audio Mix/Music Production: Danny Shaffer
Theme music: Craig J Snider
Voiceover: Kenny Burroughs
Story: Erica Nicole Clark
"Ms. Valentine" music & lyrics by Liam Davis

Band:

Bass: Rafe Bradford
Drums: Gerald Dowd
Guitar: Danny Shaffer
Guitar/Vocals: Liam Davis
Vocals: Sarah Marie Young
Vocals: Stephanie Rogers
Vocals: Kari Nelson

Support our podcast  by becoming a Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/storyjampodcast.