Shepherd Express

The publication began in May 1982 under the name Crazy Shepherd, inspired by a line from Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Footnotes to Howl” (”Holy the crazy shepherds of rebellion”). It was launched by a group of students from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, including Jeff Hansen, Doug Hissom, and Joe Porubcan, who managed the paper from various rented apartments close to the university. After initially being published irregularly, Crazy Shepherd transitioned to a consistent monthly release. Many of its founders later pursued careers in journalism, such as Jim McCarter, who became the publisher of the Metro Times in Detroit; Bill Conroy, who took on the role of editor at the San Antonio Business Journal; and Bill Lueders, who serves as the news editor for Isthmus in Madison.

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What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow by Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson

6 days ago | shepherdexpress.com | Jon Gilbertson

Without background knowledge of the players, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow initially comes across as bucolically modest: 18 decidedly old-time songs played on banjo and fiddle and captured, along with chirping birds and outdoor breezes, with the simplicity of a field recording.
Dear Meadowlark by The Wildwoods

6 days ago | shepherdexpress.com | Michael Popke

Straight out of Lincoln, Neb., The Wildwoods—husband-wife duo Noah (guitar) and Chloe (violin) Gose, accompanied by Andrew Vaggalis on upright bass—make sweet-sounding Americana-folk music. The trio’s laid-back fourth full-length album, Dear Meadowlark, reflects such influences as Nickel Creek, Mumford & Sons and Wisconsin’s own Bon Iver. These 11 songs are wholly rooted in the group’s personal experiences navigating adulthood, marriage and homesickness.
Wisconsin Writer Explores ‘100 Heroes’ Who Changed the World

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | David Luhrssen

Dean Robbins wasn’t born in Wisconsin but has lived here for half his life by now and became familiar with Badger history through his long tenure at Madison’s alternative paper, Isthmus. Marveling at the number of well-known Wisconsinites, he assembled several dozen mini biographies into his new book, Wisconsin Idols: 100 Heroes Who Changed the State, the World, and Me. Robbins will speak about Wisconsin Idols at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 at Boswell Book Company.
A Genuine Hero

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Philip Chard

I had just settled into my hotel room when the phone jingled. It was the evening before I was to speak at a national conference and the organizer was calling. “Would you like to go to dinner with Scott Carpenter?” she asked. “Are you kidding?” I replied. I knew that Scott, one of the original Mercury astronauts, was to keynote at the conference, but I assumed he would merely rush in, give his remarks and depart. I never imagined I would break bread with him.
The Green Mile MKE & Milwaukee Messenger Invitational Returns

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Blaine Schultz

The Green Mile MKE & Milwaukee Messenger Invitational returns on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19. Open to riders 21-and-over, here is your chance to find out what a day in the life of a bike messenger is like. The 4/20 Day-centric event is a messenger-style “alleycat.” In non-bike nerd terms, it is a two-day bicycle-based scavenger hunt in Riverwest designed to simulate the rigors of a bike messenger’s workday.
Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra Turns … 125 This Year?

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | David Luhrssen

The Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra (MMO) traces its origins to 1900, and at 125 years old, it’s outlived every local jazz orchestra and rock band and even makes the Florentine Opera look like newcomers. Nowadays, the mandolin is associated with that hazily drawn genre called Americana. In 1900, it was Italian and other European immigrants who brought the instrument to the fore through mandolin orchestras that sprang up in many American cities.
Fastball Freddy Mixes It Up

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Kyle Lobner

As Freddy Peralta worked into the middle innings of another strong outing on Sunday, his fourth in a row with at least five innings pitched and two runs or fewer allowed, Tim Dillard made a significant observation, noting that Peralta was having significant success throwing his changeup and curveball early in counts. The point was correct but may have been understated: Against right-handed batters it’s significant that Peralta was throwing his curve and changeup at all.
Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots by Jade Scott

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | David Luhrssen

Mary Queen of Scots is legendary as the woman who lost the game of thrones. Imprisoned for 18 years by her cousin, England’s Queen Elizabeth I, she was the center of plots within and beyond the British Isles. Her correspondence was closely monitored. Sometimes servants smuggled letters to the outside world but most of her messages were opened and read by Elizabeth’s spies. Mary resorted to writing in code.
Sax Expat: Don Byas by Con Chapman

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | David Luhrssen

Saxophonist Don Byas played behind jazz greats Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Count Basie and subbed for many other prominent musicians. He began recording in 1938, logging studio time and earning respected from his peers. Nurtured by swing, Byas was on hand in New York for the birth of bebop and played on hit records yet was eclipsed by other musicians with bigger reputations.
On Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life by Agnes Callard

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | David Luhrssen

Socrates must have annoyed most of his fellow Athenians. Little wonder that he was condemned to death by a jury of his peers. He asked too many questions, and he probably asked the men who voted “death”: “What’s so great about the jury system?” With Open Socrates, University of Chicago philosophy professor Agnes Callard gets to the heart of the ancient philosopher’s mission. The “unexamined life isn’t worth living” is a maxim attributed to Socrates, and he meant it.