Chickens in the Road, now in living sound! Jean Snedegar from West Virginia Public Radio came out to the farm several weeks ago to interview me. The program aired yesterday morning, but if you missed it or don’t live in West Virginia or adjacent states with access to WVPR, you can listen to it online and the program will also be repeated this weekend on Inside Appalachia. (Links at the end of this post.) It was really cold that day and we were just out from under being iced in, so she should get hazard pay for braving our road to get here.
She interviewed Annabelle. (Hear Annabelle sucking her bottle!)
And she interviewed the chickens. (Hear Mean Rooster crowing!)
It’s different being interviewed for radio–it was interesting, fun, and a little nervewracking. There’s a whole production about the sound. First of all, the microphone is kinda intimidating if you’re not used to it. The kids had to be silent. No TVs. No slamming doors. The microphone will pick up everything! 52 was outside hammering something. Outside. I had to ask him to stop because the microphone was picking up the hammering from inside. Then sometimes I had to stop if there was a sound issue and repeat what I just said. (Like I remember what I just said!) I was nervous. I’m lucky I didn’t start talking about my underwear. I’m talking about my underwear now, aren’t I? SOMEBODY STOP ME.
Oh, and there was an attempt to interview Clover, but she declined to comment.
Later, she explained: “I will not appear on the same program with a chicken.”
You can listen to the interview here at the West Virginia Public Radio website. They did a really cute job with the sounds and the music–thank you to Jean Snedegar and West Virginia Public Radio!
The interview will also air on Inside Appalachia this weekend. (Saturday at 6 am and Sunday at 6 pm.)
If you’re new here after hearing about it on the radio, check out the Chickens in the Road Sampler and sign up for the newsletter! The Chickens in the Road Newsletter is packed with lots of fun extras. Go here to register and subscribe yourself to the mailing list at the same time by checking the “subscribe to mailing list” box when you register. Once you’re registered, you can also post on the Chickens in the Road Forum. Thanks for coming!
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on April 1, 2009
2:35
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totally wonderfull start of the day!!!
hugs
gwen
3:36
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3:47
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Great interview, I’m sorry Princess didn’t make the cut, though! :sad:
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Sheila
5:44
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I loved the radio interview with you and the banjo and the chickens and rooster. What an amazing life you have. I’ll bet it’s not what you expected when you moved to that crooked little house.
5:53
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6:26
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It was great! I hope that West Virginia Public Radio…and this site…get lots of traffic as a result!
(I honestly could not detect even a hint of “nerves” – you are a natural!)
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7:08
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Loved Earl Scruggs banjo music.
Sorry Clover declined to speak to her adoring public.
7:08
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7:11
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It was so fun to listen to the interview and actually hear your voice! You don’t sound at all like I imagined your voice to sound! You have a fabulous radio voice as well as a print voice! Thanks for sharing.
BethAnn
7:17
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7:44
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I wish I could hear the banjo, chickens and roosters – and maybe a little Coco chuckle – every time I read the blog.
Good job, Suzanne!!!
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8:14
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Blessings from Ohio…
8:19
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Thanks
8:23
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9:01
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I can’t tell you how wonderful enough it was to hear your voice and the “farm’s voice”.
Thank you so much for sharing you life with us!
9:02
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9:42
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I live in the Philly suburbs. This is where my people settle in the early 1700’s. However, as you can imagine, it looks nothing like it did then or even as it did when I was growing up. Then, there were still farms, and I had friends who lived on them. Sadly, my kids will never know that pleasure. I can still hear the creaking sound of the old rope swing in the hayloft of one of my friend’s farms. And i still laugh at the time their pigs got loose. They had just a few..it was more of a gentleman’s farm….anyway, the pigs got loose and ran over to our house. They have amazingly powerful snouts, and startied rooting for grubs. You could have used those pigs to plow up a garden!
I loved your father’s story the other day, by the way. Do you have any photos of those places he mentioned done at he time he was growing up? so sad that nothing remains of many of the places.
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huggs,
margiesbooboo
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While I can’t have chickens in the road–I can have them in a coop in the yard–It is going to be worth it!
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3:20
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I was just saying how much I enjoyed the interview and what beautiful speaking voices you and the interviewer had!!! I loved all the animal sounds and Annabelle sucking her bottle so sweetly! Yes, I am one of those adults that love the animals too! LOL
On the suburban life/country life question, I was mixed. Having experienced both, I love living closer to town, so I can get take out when I don’t want to cook, or dine out, or be closer to the Dr. or dentist/hospital…things like that. When I don’t feel well, or an tired, I would hate to think I had animals I was responsible for, chores, long drives to town, or had to make bread/homemade meals….all that would wear me out at 51. That’s just me. But, I would love the animals to ENJOY..the fresh eggs, the sounds, the peacefulness and quietness of no car boom boxes, ect. So, I guess it’s give and take, on what is more important to each person. I love the country, but want to be close to town.
Anyway, good interview. I enjoyed it!
4:41
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It was great to hear Anabelle sucking on her bottle and the rooster crowing. I bet the kids sleep right through it. lol
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Cama
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6:35
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You continue to be a great inspiration. You are a great mom, a great person and a woman we all envy and admire. You go girl!
7:21
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Love the interview! Now we have a voice to go with your writing. Loved the sounds of Annabelle and the chickens. Too bad Clover wouldn’t talk for the radio.
9:52
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Suzanne, you were a great representative of the modern, civilized, American farmer – real, down-to-earth, fun, smart, friendly, and on and on… No more Beverly Hillbillies or ignorant back-woods red-neck stereotypes! We are farmers and proud of it! Well, at least I’m a high-tech red-neck!
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12:27
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We of course know there is so much more to you than that time slot could allow.
Just curious,why was I surprised that you have a southern accent?Very Sweet.