For more sardonic and not too creepy Billy Bob Thornton, check out the excellent “Goliath,” especially season 1 (streaming … somewhere ?). And very nice that you’re broadening your musical horizons to country. If you haven’t “discovered” the amazing Billy Strings yet, you should. He’s as much bluegrass and “Old Timey” as he is country. But for a young guy he has an old soul’s voice, and of course he is an absolute phenom on the guitar (befitting his nom de music).
At their heart and at their best, country artists are storytellers. It’s not a far walk from The Ballad of Barbara Allan to Cocaine Blues by Johnny Cash. Johnny even recorded and played Barbara Allan many times. It’s not surprising that Taylor Sheridan leans heavily on what I like to call “sad cowboy” songs. His heroes are all grasping with archetypal masculinity in archetypal settings. This even includes Beth Dutton from Yellowstone, a woman trying to make her in a man’s world. Obviously Cash’s Live at Folsom Prison is an excellent starting place, but Johnny and Willie Nelson also did a great VH1 Storytellers album and TV special in the late-90’s. As for something a little more current, I definitely recommend Ryan Bingham, who wrote many of the songs for the film Crazy Heart, specifically the Oscar’s winning song The Weary Kind. The movie itself is excellent, the story of an aging country star, and is a rumination on growing older and what it means to take responsibility. Bingham also starred in Yellowstone, he played Walker, and will be moving to the Yellowstone spin-off Four Sixes.
Thanks for the reference Uncle Scott, but a little clarification. I adored Madison in Better Things, so I investigated other roles. Didn’t remember her in Once Upon a Time…so I investigated and found a loop of every appearance she made in the film, ending with her immolation.
I’m not a cinema scholar/critic by any means, but I had many problems with Anora. Too long. Several sections (fight at Dad’s house, sex scenes, Toros’ laments, etc) to make me were excessive and didn’t add “value.” By the time they start chasing Vanya, I felt I’d seen this movie before: late night chase and hijinks in Brighton Beach(?) and Brooklyn. Like After Hours, I think the film was called, and others.
But excellent acting by the star. BUT, wrote the grumpy old man, did anyone notice Madison had a very inconsistent stereotypical NYC-accent which disappeared for long stretches.
Maybe a talented younger director gets a pass sometimes?
All fair points, but somehow, it all just worked for me. Yes, After Hours, with Griffin Dunne. Coincidentally, I just re-watched it recently! I’d love to see the link to the OUATIH/Madison loop. Thanks for writing and clarifying… I still credit you for tipping me.
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (75%), as well as English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Dutch, German, Welsh, and Scottish
Mikey Madison is an American actress. Her roles include the films Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey; Nostalgia (2018), Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, The Addams Family (2019), Scream (2022), and Anora; and television’s Better Things, Imposters, and Lady in the Lake.
Her parents are psychologists.
Mikey’s paternal grandfather was Jack Rosberg (the son of Abraham “Ella” Rosberg/Wroncberg and Rachel/Rachela Ruff). Jack was born in Michigan, to Polish Jewish parents. Abraham was born in Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the son of Moszak Szmul Wroncberg/Rosberg and Dina Pearl Graff, who were from Opatow. Rachel was born in Lador, the daughter of Daniel Ruff and Adele.
Mikey’s paternal grandmother is named Nechama Farber. Nechama likely was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. She was from a Jewish family.
Mikey’s maternal grandfather was Dan Felger (the son of Louie Felger and Sadie Dorothy Pincus). Dan was born in California. Louie was born in Ohio, to Russian Jewish parents, Soloman/Saloman Felger and Eva Bernstein. Sadie was born in Montana, to German Jewish parents, Adolph Pincus and Hattie Lewbrowitz/Lewkowitz.
Mikey’s maternal grandmother is Nellie Donivon Hailey (the daughter of John Richard Hailey II/Jr. and Jennye Elizabeth Burleson). Nellie was born in California, to parents from Texas. John was the son of John Richard Hailey and Ora Belle Jordan. Jennye was the daughter of Frances M. Burleson and Lottie Aldonia Hillhouse.
I appreciate the meandering Scott. I’ve always loved following tributaries where one finds the surprises & magic.
Thanks for subscribing — and for your encouragement. I very much like your tributaries metaphor.
Sharon also moving to Country music due to Landman
There you go. Is she using closed captions? Here’s the series playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWYoTu5gCZfCn?si=vCqQ4Bg3Sa2sfg92PrNjFg&pi=4i6365d8TPu59
The University of Portsmouth study—at Hopkins, we call that Duh Research.
Maybe we’ll start a regular column.
DUH will fill the substack
For more sardonic and not too creepy Billy Bob Thornton, check out the excellent “Goliath,” especially season 1 (streaming … somewhere ?). And very nice that you’re broadening your musical horizons to country. If you haven’t “discovered” the amazing Billy Strings yet, you should. He’s as much bluegrass and “Old Timey” as he is country. But for a young guy he has an old soul’s voice, and of course he is an absolute phenom on the guitar (befitting his nom de music).
At their heart and at their best, country artists are storytellers. It’s not a far walk from The Ballad of Barbara Allan to Cocaine Blues by Johnny Cash. Johnny even recorded and played Barbara Allan many times. It’s not surprising that Taylor Sheridan leans heavily on what I like to call “sad cowboy” songs. His heroes are all grasping with archetypal masculinity in archetypal settings. This even includes Beth Dutton from Yellowstone, a woman trying to make her in a man’s world. Obviously Cash’s Live at Folsom Prison is an excellent starting place, but Johnny and Willie Nelson also did a great VH1 Storytellers album and TV special in the late-90’s. As for something a little more current, I definitely recommend Ryan Bingham, who wrote many of the songs for the film Crazy Heart, specifically the Oscar’s winning song The Weary Kind. The movie itself is excellent, the story of an aging country star, and is a rumination on growing older and what it means to take responsibility. Bingham also starred in Yellowstone, he played Walker, and will be moving to the Yellowstone spin-off Four Sixes.
Bryan, Thanks for your excellent, thoughtful reply. Much appreciated. I’ll check out your suggestions. So, you’re saying I like “sad cowboy songs?” Is that what Josh Meloy signing here? https://open.spotify.com/track/7M5nhzGuEj5qJN0rlTApYG?si=3DDCi6ieQdOuWHsopfqoBg&context=spotify%3Asearch
That is absolutely a sad cowboy.
Thanks for the reference Uncle Scott, but a little clarification. I adored Madison in Better Things, so I investigated other roles. Didn’t remember her in Once Upon a Time…so I investigated and found a loop of every appearance she made in the film, ending with her immolation.
I’m not a cinema scholar/critic by any means, but I had many problems with Anora. Too long. Several sections (fight at Dad’s house, sex scenes, Toros’ laments, etc) to make me were excessive and didn’t add “value.” By the time they start chasing Vanya, I felt I’d seen this movie before: late night chase and hijinks in Brighton Beach(?) and Brooklyn. Like After Hours, I think the film was called, and others.
But excellent acting by the star. BUT, wrote the grumpy old man, did anyone notice Madison had a very inconsistent stereotypical NYC-accent which disappeared for long stretches.
Maybe a talented younger director gets a pass sometimes?
Signed, not Pauline Kael
All fair points, but somehow, it all just worked for me. Yes, After Hours, with Griffin Dunne. Coincidentally, I just re-watched it recently! I’d love to see the link to the OUATIH/Madison loop. Thanks for writing and clarifying… I still credit you for tipping me.
Birth Name: Mikaela Madison Rosberg
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Date of Birth: March 25, 1999
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (75%), as well as English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Dutch, German, Welsh, and Scottish
Mikey Madison is an American actress. Her roles include the films Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey; Nostalgia (2018), Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, The Addams Family (2019), Scream (2022), and Anora; and television’s Better Things, Imposters, and Lady in the Lake.
Her parents are psychologists.
Mikey’s paternal grandfather was Jack Rosberg (the son of Abraham “Ella” Rosberg/Wroncberg and Rachel/Rachela Ruff). Jack was born in Michigan, to Polish Jewish parents. Abraham was born in Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the son of Moszak Szmul Wroncberg/Rosberg and Dina Pearl Graff, who were from Opatow. Rachel was born in Lador, the daughter of Daniel Ruff and Adele.
Mikey’s paternal grandmother is named Nechama Farber. Nechama likely was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. She was from a Jewish family.
Mikey’s maternal grandfather was Dan Felger (the son of Louie Felger and Sadie Dorothy Pincus). Dan was born in California. Louie was born in Ohio, to Russian Jewish parents, Soloman/Saloman Felger and Eva Bernstein. Sadie was born in Montana, to German Jewish parents, Adolph Pincus and Hattie Lewbrowitz/Lewkowitz.
Mikey’s maternal grandmother is Nellie Donivon Hailey (the daughter of John Richard Hailey II/Jr. and Jennye Elizabeth Burleson). Nellie was born in California, to parents from Texas. John was the son of John Richard Hailey and Ora Belle Jordan. Jennye was the daughter of Frances M. Burleson and Lottie Aldonia Hillhouse.
Thanks, Glenn. I knew her birth name but not these other details., including the Montana diaspora! What’s the source?
I am honored