00:00 Introduction by Allison Miner 01:27 Koko Taylor talks about her beginnings: growing up in Tennessee, going to Church and singing gospel. She mentions listening to Rufus Thomas, a radio DJ, when she was growing up. She discusses the first blues song that made an impression on her, “Me and My Chauffeur Blues” by Memphis Minnie. 03:40 Taylor talks about leaving Memphis and moving to Chicago with her boyfriend when she was 18 years old to find work. She went to local blues clubs where she met many of the musicians she heard on the radio and sitting in with them. She tells the story of being discovered by Willie Dixon for a record contract. 07:15 Taylor continues to talk about working with Willie Dixon, singing songs that he wrote like “Wang Dang Doodle.” The recording for “Wang Dang Doodle” is then played over the speakers for the audience. She then speaks more about the song and recording it. 11:45 Taylor tooks about her collaborations with other musicians, such as her recent one with her longtime friend Buddy Guy on her new album “Force of Nature.” She then speaks more about that album, which features a tribute to Albert King and Big Mama Thornton. 14:05 After Susan Jenkin’s asks Taylor where she draws her style from, Taylor responds that she doesn’t really think of her style when she sings, but that she just sings. She discusses her accolades like receiving Grammy and W.C. Handy awards, as well as singing for President Bush. She also mentions how she is singing for charity events, too. 18:05 Taylor speaks about coming from a musical family and her influences, like Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. 21:22 Taylor talks about the resurgence in popularity of the blues, which she attributes to white rock artists recording blues songs. She sees this as a good thing because it created opportunity for blues singers, like herself, who would never have been listened to by a mainstream audience. 23:25 After an audience member asks Taylor if it was difficult to have a family as a musician, Taylor mentions that it’s difficult and talks about her children and grandchildren. She also talks about her new blues club in Chicago as a new opportunity for blues musicians. An audience member asks Taylor about new music of hers and Taylor says that she’s working on a new album that she hopes to be finished with by the end of the current year. 27:30 Taylor says that her first priority is making her fans happy with her music. She also talks about keeping the blues alive through young artists, although there aren’t many young new artists playing the blues, which is sad to her. 32:51 An audience member asks her if Koko is her given name, which she responds that it is a nickname given to her by her family because she loved chocolate and that her real name is Cora. 34:07 Interview ends.
