At the Citizen Jane Film Festival. photo credit; D. Edwards
I began my singing career at age 3, standing on an ice cream freezer at an auction, when my great-uncle Tom Ferguson stood me up there during a break in the sale and told me to sing for the crowd. I sang “Far Away Places with Strange Sounding Names.” It was 1946, and thousands of American boys, my father among them, were returning from the war. I wasn’t paid for singing until 1963, when I got a job singing folk songs at a downtown dive named La Petite Lounge, informally known as “The Pit.” It didn’t pay much, but was enough to pay my way through a year at Missouri State University, then known as Southwest Missouri State College. I was also majoring in music.
Then I was told I would never make it in performance, composition or orchestration, because I was a woman and would never make a living at any of those jobs. So I left college and went west, landing in San Francisco, then Santa Cruz, then Los Angeles, playing plenty of music but always trying to maintain a day job, with limited success. While there, I played a lot of places, hung out with the would-be famous (and spent an evening at Esalen, Big Sur, chatting and singing with Judy Collins. We corresponded for a while, then lost track of each other. I also sang on a bill once with Eric Anderson and Joy of Cooking, and another time shared a bill with Rambling Jack Elliott. Those are my only previous claims to fame, other than having once won the talent show at the Palamino Club in San Jose with the song “Backing Down the Hill to Heaven.”
As nerve damage in my left hand from an auto accident left me increasingly unable to play, I decided I needed to decide on another career. I came to Missouri to help my Aunt Juanita and Uncle Leonard move home, and somehow just never went back. I returned to school instead; Southwest Mo. State University, and got a BFA in photography and minor in writing, and took a job as a journalist, finishing a 20-year career in that field in 2005. Unable to return to work after heart surgery, I went on disability and thought myself retired.
Then came Winter’s Bone. And nothing has been the same since.
- At the home of Pat Hight, in the back yard eating ice cream (with a fork … only in the Ozarks). photo credit; S. Denton
Read Marideth’s entire bio here.
Hey Marideth…do you remember me from Springfield in the 1980s? I used to live down the street from the shop you shared with Doug Sheridan and was a constant groupie of Od Bodkin (probably don’t have the spelling right after all these years). I’m living in St. Louis with my husband, Phil Croy, (who I’ll bet you do remember, ha-ha, but not as my husband) but we’re moving back to Stone Co. next Sept. when Phil’s son, Colin, (another fine guitarist in the making) goes off to college in Rolla. Anyway, it’s really fabulous to see you getting all this much deserved attention for your wonderful musical abilities. I hope we get to catch a performance of Blackberry Winter!
Jane
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Oh how wonderful to read this, Marideth. Judy Collins had/has such a lovely voice. I loved her “Send in the Clowns,” and “Both Sides Now.”
You have had a tough battle health wise and I am wishing you many more happy and healthy years.
When one eats ice cream with a fork, it has to be done quickly…right?
Margaret
Or one can lick the bowl, or even drink from the bowl.
Sarah
I had never heard of you before your singing in Winter’s Bone. I am new to “these parts”
having lived for the past 30 years in Las Vegas moving to the Ozarks last year. I play banjo also and would love to maybe someday sit in with you and the band. I love your voice. Keep up the good work.
Bob Stane says: I continue to get e mails from Tom & Melina Peters
about Marideth Sisco and the film Winter’s Bone.
I remain confused, although I suspect it is about booking
Marideth at The Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, CA.
I am waiting in the weeds.
Bob, The Coffee Gallery Backstage
I grew up with Marideth in the little town of Butterfield, MO. At the time population was 136 of good country folks. We played cowboys and indians, built tents in the yard, made from hand made quilts and Marideth sang for us. It was a good time to grow up and mature. Mardieth continues life with her quality roots and soothing voice. I am proud to be her first cousin. Granny Gentry and Shorty look down on her with pride. Go Girl!
My Husband & I greatly enjoyed the show last night at the Triple Door in Seattle. Have a safe tour. Can’t wait for the CD to be released
Thank you so much for being there!
Sarah
I love the song you did (Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Tues 2011 June 7) with Tedi about the bird flying. What was it called? If only I could have videotaped you two performing the song. It was perfect. Thank you.
Lucretia, It’s called Pretty Bird.
posted by Sarah
Our family has watched “Winter’s Bone” at least 4 times. I have the movie on my list of DVDs that I need to purchase. LOVE that movie. Just touches such a core in me. I was born in Sri Lanka, moved to LA (aunt that sponsored us lived), then St Louis & finally to Farmington, MO. I was raised there. That is home for my sister & I
I have downloaded Ms Sisco’s songs via iTunes. What a blessing – the voice & the very talented musicians that accompany her. Please tour – even if it’s within MO only.
Stay posted HERE Bindi! All the gigs will be listed as they are confirmed.
Sarah Denton
Blackberry Winter Band road manager
personal assistant to Marideth Sisco
moonmooring@yahoo.com
http://blackberrywinterband.com/
http://maridethsisco.com/
I rented Winters Bone from Nexflix on a hunch and it is the best filme I ve seen all year and the best part of the film was discovering Ms. Sisco – where have you been ? WHo is your agent ?
The world needs to hear your voice !
Thanks so much Jack! If you’d like to contact me directly I will share info with you. Marideth and Blackberry Winter are working on the 2012 schedule now.
Sarah Denton
Blackberry Winter Band road manager
personal assistant to Marideth Sisco
moonmooring@yahoo.com
http://blackberrywinterband.com/
http://maridethsisco.com/
Marideth, So looking forward to your concert at Licking on Oct 1. I work at the museum that is sponsoring the event. Love your CD. “These Ozark Hills” and “City Kicks” are my favorites. Hope to hear them that night. Excited Ellen
What a treat hearing your wonderful band! Sandy and I have heard nothing but raving comments on the whole concert last Sat at Licking. It went over VERY well. Thank you for enriching our lives. Hello to each member from the Texas County Museum of Art and History. You are a great bunch! Ellen Reynolds
Merideth, I love your music. Reminds me of the music my Granny use to listen to. She raised her family up in the Osarks Mountains. She was a Griffith and later married a York. Granny”s been gone for a long time now. Iam her legacy, she lives on through me. Your music brings back the warmth and embraces my very soul. Thank you for that…..Julie York Miller