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“Sometimes just a memory is all you have to call home.”
That profound lyric from Page’s beloved theme song “Virginia”, rings especially true after this unimaginable year of change and loss and too much time spent apart. So it’s in that spirit that we welcome you home, to share the music and the memories of our friend Page Wilson, who left us a full decade ago, but who leaves us with now indelible memories of the magic he made in his make-believe lair in the Chickahominy Swamp.
A very special documentary radio series debuts on Saturday, May 29th on VPM Music. The historic recordings that we’ll be revisiting soon, some more than three decades old, feature prominent artists who were playing Richmond venues back in the day … the likes of Delbert McClinton, Robert Earl Keen, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Indigo Girls, Marcia Ball, C.J. Chenier, and folks like Page who have joined the Angel Band … John Cephas, J. J. Cale and Tony Rice.
Page would ply them with brisket and gumbo and have them sing for their supper around his virtual kitchen table in the swamp, as the tape rolled. Some of what you’ll hear has never aired before, and it’s a singular snapshot of many of Americana’s most prominent artists in their prime.
This project has been years in the making and we’re grateful to Jude Schlotzhauer and Virginia Blue Wilson for entrusting us with these priceless recordings. Special thanks to Guy Spiller and Charlie Reilly for carefully digitizing these 30-year-old master tapes. And thanks to Digital Video Group, Fralin Pickups, Threshold Counsel PC, the Scott Street Family and the members of VPM Music … for their production support.
We are also honored and delighted to have had renowned illustrator Bill Nelson create the Page’s Kitchen caricature. After years in Richmond, Bill is now happily calling Staunton home and continues to make magic with his distinctive and instantly-recognizable work, now mostly focusing on sculpture. Take a fascinating look into his world here: billnelsonstudios.com
Page’s Kitchen will air twice each Saturday for eight weeks, at noon and at 8pm which was the time we’d faithfully tune in for the Out O’ The Blue Radio Revue. Listen terrestrially at either 93.1 or 107.3 FM, or stream the program live at VPM Music.