Bill Steber, a Mississippi Blues photographer and one of the Hoodoo Men musicians, speaks about the value in analog art forms and revisiting the past through historical and modern perspectives.
The backdoor of a well-loved white van swings open with a squeak, revealing a fully functional darkroom that transforms tin plates into photographs. Upon closer look a collection of instruments inhabits the corners, mirroring how the two devotions appear in the life of photojournalist and musician Bill Steber.
Steber describes his job title as a “chief cook and bottle washer at preserving the old weird America,” a culinary term meaning his responsibilities in his field rank from high to low and everywhere in between, illustrating the journey his professional career has taken.
Along with strumming to an array of instruments and joining friend Sam Baker in the HooDoo men, Steber also spent 15 years as a photojournalist for the Tennessean and embarked on a documentary journey through the Mississippi’s Blues Trail. Photography and music have been life-long passions of Steber’s, both of which were born out of a love for illustrating modern times through a historical lens.
Cindy Pinion introduces the New Dismembered Tennesseans at the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival. Photo by Mia Liu (Friday, October 4, 2024)
Street lights glow along the dark path of the St. Elmo Historic District when the twang of a banjo breaks the night’s silence; coming from The Woodshop Listening Room, bluegrass is in the air tonight.
Cindy Pinion and Laura Walker are the folks fighting to preserve, in their different ways, an art form that has been at the center of their lives for decades.
Pinion, the daughter of the iconic bassist Thomas “Boxcar” Pinion, has made it her mission to preserve traditional bluegrass through her organization Forever Bluegrass and its festivals. Walker is a singer and multipurpose musician who has been performing with the famous New Dismembered Tennesseans—as well as a few other bands she performs in—for the last 30 years.
Alex Newton spoke with Shateria Smith and Shane Morrow about Responsive Initiatives for Social Empowerment (RISE)—a black-led nonprofit organization that has been serving the community with free programming, concerts, and communal events since 2011. They hosted the Levitt BLOC Music Series during the month of September, which consists of free concerts for the public every Sunday.
For the most part, a drive down Taylor Street in East Chattanooga looks like any other street in the city’s poorer river-to-ridge region. The blur of closely packed industrial, commercial and residential lots aging into historic status is interrupted by a sprawling 14,000-square-foot complex adorned with stained glass windows and statues.
The over 100-year-old building, formerly the Solid Anchor Church, hosts Chattanooga non-profit Responsive Initiatives for Social Empowerment (RISE). The black-led non-profit was started in 2011 by current CEO Shane Morrow and his partner.
Known originally as Jazzanooga, the organization began with a single-day Jazz festival as a part of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga (CFGC). After the initial success of the festival, the organization spun off from CFGC into the independent non-profit it is today.
Telemonster performs during their band practice. Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (Photo by Noah Camacho)
The band, Telemonster, is made up of fathers who work in a variety of careers such as data engineering, health insurance, pottery and even running their own record store. From full-time fathers to full-time workers, these individuals are also extremely passionate musicians.
Upon winning a college talent show in 2009, four Covenant students decided to continue playing music after their college career was over.
Rising Rock is excited to showcase some of our best audio stories in a continued partnership with Scenic Roots. To listen to Scenic Roots, visit https://www.wutc.org/scenic-roots.
Tiny Bailarinas
Ava Nessell spoke with Wendy Reynoso, the student success and services coordinator at La Paz Chattanooga, about her experience finding a community in Chattanooga after immigrating from Guatemala.
Dan Pinson performs as a headliner at Snap Fest 420 on April, 20, 2024 with a group of local Chattanooga musicians. (Photo by Maleah Holder).
The low hum of a bass guitar and drums echoes from behind the walls of the Comedy Catch in downtown Chattanooga. A small audience looks on at Dan Pinson—better known as Danimal—as he strums away, crafting a relaxing evening for his listeners.
Pinson’s music provides a one-of-a-kind experience for those downtown as he performs live, keeping local rather than seeking bigger opportunities. As a singer and bass guitarist for several local bands, he says he owes his experience and growth to the music scene in Chattanooga. When Pinson began developing his passion for music, he noted that the typical genre was rock, very different from his psychedelic tune.
Andrea Tankersley demonstrates how to perform an échappé sauté. Tuesday, February 6, 2024. (Photo by Abby White)
Little feet wrapped in socks and ballet slippers pitter-patter on concrete floors, metal chairs as makeshift barres, a mix between French ballet terms and the Spanish language are used to communicate the beauty of dance to little girls. This is non-profit La Paz Chattanooga ballet, taught by professional ballerina Andrea Tankersley.
Despite fighting through a language barrier within her childhood dance classes, Tankersley found a love for dance she passes down by teaching young Latina girls the art of ballet in their first language.
“It’s important for the classes to be taught in Spanish because it brings a sense of culture,” Tankersley said. “Knowing what your background is and where you come from, it allows you to be more confident and more unique.”
Andrea Tankersley evaluates her students’ form during practice. Tuesday, February 6, 2024. (Photo by Abby White)
Tankersley was immersed in vigorous dance classes in Mexico from a young age which continued when she moved to the United States at the age of nine through her senior year of high school. She continued her career in Nashville as a professional ballet dancer.
As a native Spanish-speaker, she encountered struggle after struggle when starting her dance journey in the United States. Luckily, ballet terms are universally in French so she was able to keep her head above water until she could understand English.
A language barrier is not the only personal struggle Tankersley overcame growing up in ballet classes. Tankersley was told throughout her dance career that she ‘had the heart of a dancer but not the body’. This is a viewpoint she strives to squash as a health and life coach; instead, she instills a more positive mindset into her students’ minds.
Tankersley received her health and life coach certification in order to improve her personal mindset and mental health, and in turn, is now able to help others with their mental health.
“I try to remind my students that each one of them is valuable. You are enough. You decide what you want to do. You have a voice,” Tankersley said.
To combat the strict and rigid composition of ballet she endured as a child, Tankersley always brings a fun and goofy twist to her classes. She believes that, especially at the age she is teaching, it is important to engage the kids with the fun aspects of dance rather than the cut-and-dry rules of the sport. Grande jetes across the floor turn into cartwheel contests, little laughs echo off the walls, and sweets are occasionally used as motivation.
“I’ve done a lot of class versus the teacher, and then we have cupcake parties if they win. You can have both things. You can have everything. It’s just your perspective and how you look at things,” Tankersley said.
Bryanna Fuquea from Flintstone, GA discusses her journey in music and her passion for singing and songwriting through local competitions and events.
From the strum of the guitar to the melody her voice carries, 28-year-old Rossville, Ga. local, Bryanna Fuquea writes and produces her own music.
“I just really love doing music,” Fuquea said. “Music speaks to me and to other people in so many ways; people dealing with depression, anxiety, everything.”
To Fuquea, music is a universal love language. No matter the circumstance, situation, or the feelings that come with someone’s day, music speaks to everyone in a thoughtful and vulnerable way.
Throughout her music career, Fuquea has opened up to playing her music on different platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. By using these platforms, she has created a fun-loving, fan base of nearly 18,000 followers.
According to Fuquea, a fan once told her that listening to her music was like being in their own safe space.
Fuquea is known to sing modernized country, but she also sings rock, R&B, contemporary, and a couple hymns. From there she rose to the challenge of writing her own music and learning how to play various instruments including the guitar.
Rising Rock is excited to partner with Scenic Roots at WUTC again this semester to showcase some of our top audio stories. To listen to Scenic Roots, visit https://www.wutc.org/scenic-roots.
Here, you can listen to all of the audio pieces written and recorded by UTC students in Rising Rock during the Fall 2023 semester.
Welcome Home
During Larry Taylor’s Welcome Home Parade recognizing his receiving of the Medal of Honor, Lillian Simcox performs street interviews with spectators including Veterans and active military members.
The Letter
David Harman reads the letter that Dave Hill sent to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to upgrade Larry Taylor’s Silver Star to the Medal of Honor. Narrated by Taylor McKinley.
Honored Heritage
Steven Thomas enjoys his position as Director of Operations at the Heritage Center, but the lively historian has deeper motivations. Thomas sat down with Eli Rushing to discuss why this specific opportunity called to him.
Uncle Doss’ Legacy
Katie Stephens spoke with Desmond Doss Jr. regarding his mother and her impact on the Rising Fawn community as well as on her husband, Desmond Doss.
Flying Behind a Hometown Hero
Madeline Charnes sat down with Donald Smith to explain the intricacies of the benefits program and how difficult it is for veterans to receive the assistance they may not even know they need.
Rocking the Rodeo Scene
Bethany Cothran spoke with Stetson Bierman, good friend of West Mitchell, over Zoom about Bierman’s bareback bronc riding experience.
Creativity Behind Bars
Caleb McCool spoke with Francis McDonald about the power of poetry for inmates in her program.
A Game of Miracles
Elizabeth Wynne sat down with Alex Tainch, the main announcer of the Miracle League to discuss the importance the league has on those involved beyond only the athletes.
Daniel Sneed poses in between different song solos he performed for his twelve minute set. Other artists attended the Chattanooga Brewing Company’s Open Microphone Night cheered each time he struck a pose. Thursday, 23 Nov. 2023. (Photo by Mason Edwards).
Goodbye Detroit! With a little help from a custom guitar, a lot of makeup and a costume, one man is moving Rock City to Chattanooga. Across Hamilton County, supposed sightings of Ace Frehley, the famous KISS guitarist, take center stage on social media.
Curious people soon learn the tall, costumed man is not the “Spaceman” of KISS. Rather, he’s actually local rockstar Daniel Sneed, 21: a KISS tribute guitarist with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism. Despite his challenging condition, Sneed loves sharing his passion with others, and leaves a mark on everyone.
“I watch what my son does, and I’m just so proud,” his mother, Beth Staten, said. “Everybody that meets my son… they just love him.”
After developing a special interest in KISS, Sneed taught himself how to dress, perform and play just like Ace Frehley. As he explains it, Sneed’s come a long way in understanding how his autism functions. Despite feeling uncomfortable around large, public crowds, Sneed always feels at home when he’s dressed up.
“What helps calm me down is dressing up like Ace Frehley, going to events like that and getting pictures taken with the rest of the crowd,” he said. “And, also, of course, whenever I start playing guitar… I’m self-taught and everything because, you know, I learned guitar by ear.”
