Marideth Sisco
Marideth Ann Sisco (born June 15, 1943) is an American storyteller, folklorist, singer-songwriter, author and retired journalist. Her work largely focuses on folklore related to her native Ozark Mountains.[1] Her and her music have been featured in the Oscar-nominated film Winter’s Bone, she has written multiple books, and has released several albums, both solo and as part of the Blackberry Winter Band. In 2023 she was a featured artist at the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where she performed both in song and as a storyteller.[2]
Early life
Sisco was born in Butterfield, Missouri to Marguerite Elenor (Gentry) Sisco (1920-1966) and Paul Holtz Sisco (1923-1966).[3] Her interest in music started when she was three and a great uncle taught and encouraged her to sing.[4] Her family moved frequently when she was young, including time spent in Kansas, Washington state, Montana and California. But, as she got older, she grew tired of moving around and returned to live with her grandmother in Butterfield, graduating from high school in Cassville, Missouri in 1961.
Sisco attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri for one year before transferring to Missouri State University (then known as Southwest Missouri State College) in Springfield, Missouri. [5] At Missouri State, she studied classical music, but became discouraged when told as a woman she should not major in performance and orchestration, but should switch to [[music education[6]
In 1965, Sisco left the Ozarks and moved to California, where she hoped to break into the music business as a singer,[7] but lack of success and a hand injury that left her unable to play guitar derailed that goal. In 1976 she left California, helping her aunt and ailing uncle return to Missouri, but with the intention of moving back west, which she never did.[8]
Career
After returning to Missouri, Sisco received a BFA from Missouri State University and later an MA from Antioch University. She also began a 20-year career as a journalist at the West Plains Quill in West Plains, Missouri, where she worked as an investigative and environmental writer. She also authored the “Crosspatch” gardening column. [9]
Upon her retirement from journalism in 2005, she returned to songwriting.[10] Currently, Sisco hosts “These Ozark Hills,” a local culture and folklore radio program on Ozarks Public Radio at KSUM-FM, which is based out of Missouri State University. [9] As a singer, she performs both solo and with The Blackberry Winter Band.[11]
Winter’s Bone
Through a chance encounter at a singing party, Sisco was involved in the Oscar-nominated 2010 film Winter’s Bone, based on the book by Daniel Woodrell. In the film’s production she served as a musical consultant and singer, as well as appearing in the film as a singer.[12] Her scene in the film was written specifically to feature her singing.[13]
She also contributed to the movie by singing “The Missouri Waltz” for its opening scenes, though she reworked it to remove racist language from the song, which is Missouri’s official state song.[14] Following the release of the film she toured with the Blackberry Winter Band to promote the soundtrack, referring to it as Amazing Geriatric Hillbilly tour. They played in 27 cities in the United States and Canada.[15]
Recognition
In 2018, Sisco received the Quill Award for lifetime achievement from the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame[16] and the Missouri Folk Arts Program has also designated her a Missouri Master Storyteller. [10]
Personal life
Sisco identifies as lesbian and has been active in LGBTQ+ causes.[14]
Bibliography
2012: Close Enough to Home 2015: Crosspatch: Cranky Musing on Gardening in Rocky Ground
Discography
2019: In These Ozark Hills (with Blackberry Winter) 2013: Still Standing (with Blackberry Winter) 2017: Empty Doors
References
- ^ name="ReferenceA""Marideth Sisco - Host of "These Ozarks Hills"". KSMU-FM. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Marideth Sisco, Ozark Storyteller & Musician". Missouri Folk Arts Program. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Girap, Sneha. "Marideth Sisco". Alchetron. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Warner, Andrea. "Marideth Sisco and Blackberry Winter Bring the Music of the Ozarks to Canada on 'Winter's Bone' Tour". exclaim!*'#. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ReferenceCwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
ReferenceDwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Wappler, Margaret (June 6, 2011). "For 'Winter's Bone' music, an extended season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Coonrod, Michael. "The story of Ozarks storyteller Marideth Sisco". Ozarks Alive. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
ReferenceAwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
ReferenceFwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Dearmore, Kelly (June 9, 2011). "The Music of the film Winter's Bone (Featuring The Blackberry Winter Band)". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Odam, Matthew (June 8, 2011). "Marideth Sisco's band brings the music of 'Winter's Bone' to an Austin church". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Silverman, Jack (June 23, 2011). "The incredible saga of amazing geriatric hillbilly Marideth Sisco, the singer from Winter's Bone". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
ReferenceIwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Marideth Sisco". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Marideth Sisco". Missouri Arts Council. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
External links
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