Tennessee Mowrey's guest appearances

Tennessee Mowrey

Storied: San Francisco

Matt Gonzalez

David Brooks

Stephanie Smith

Joe Aguirre

David Tracy

John Scott

Mike Lynch

Erin Lim

JoEllen Depakakibo

Sarah Davis

Gary Weinstein

Ray Williams

William Rhodes

Jim Murphy

Mike Evans

OwlTail

Steven Savage

Blue Bear Executive Director Steven Savage starts this one off telling us all about Tennessee Mowrey's step-mom. It's a story that involves three siblings (Bonnie Hayes and two of her brothers) who showed up at the fledgling music school in 1971 when it was located on Ocean Ave. Susie, Tennessee's step-mom, knew Bonnie from both of their touring gigs (possibly a Billy Idol tour), and Bonnie brought Susie to Blue Bear. Tennessee joins in to give a little more context to his step-mom's story. Then Steve rewinds a bit to share the story of Blue Bear's opening. Originally started as a way to make money while the band aimed for stardom, the school saw success in the first few years, with something like 60 students enrolled. But it started to founder a bit, and Steve had left. He got a phone call asking him to come back and save the operation, and he did. There was a sizable debt to pay off. But in 1977, they made the decision to move to Fort Mason. And with that, the school started to grow. We talk about how they went about recruiting students back then, a common practice in those days that might surprise some of you. These days, it's mostly word-of-mouth, and to a somewhat sobering effect: 40,000 students have enrolled at Blue Bear in its 50 years. We talk about how the school has evolved its teaching philosophy, especially with the advent of completely new genres of music. And then we hear about a few standout success stories coming out of Blue Bear. We end this podcast with Steven and Tennessee talking about what it means for Blue Bear School of Music to still be here after 50 years. If you missed Part 1, please go back and check that out. And for the Jack Black video that Steven mentions in the recording, watch here. We recorded this podcast at Blue Bear School of Music in Fort Mason Center for the Arts and Culture in June 2021. Photography by Michelle Kilfeather

Blue Bear Executive Director Steven Savage starts this one off telling us all about Tennessee Mowrey's step-mom. It's a story that involves three siblings (Bonnie Hayes and two of her brothers) who showed up at the fledgling music school in 1971 when it was located on Ocean Ave. Susie, Tennessee's step-mom, knew Bonnie from both of their touring gigs (possibly a Billy Idol tour), and Bonnie brought Susie to Blue Bear. Tennessee joins in to give a little more context to his step-mom's story. Then Steve rewinds a bit to share the story of Blue Bear's opening. Originally started as a way to make money while the band aimed for stardom, the school saw success in the first few years, with something like 60 students enrolled. But it started to founder a bit, and Steve had left. He got a phone call asking him to come back and save the operation, and he did. There was a sizable debt to pay off. But in 1977, they made the decision to move to Fort Mason. And with that, the school started to grow. We talk about how they went about recruiting students back then, a common practice in those days that might surprise some of you. These days, it's mostly word-of-mouth, and to a somewhat sobering effect: 40,000 students have enrolled at Blue Bear in its 50 years. We talk about how the school has evolved its teaching philosophy, especially with the advent of completely new genres of music. And then we hear about a few standout success stories coming out of Blue Bear. We end this podcast with Steven and Tennessee talking about what it means for Blue Bear School of Music to still be here after 50 years. If you missed Part 1, please go back and check that out. And for the Jack Black video that Steven mentions in the recording, watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vK7_iRzjiY" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. We recorded this podcast at <a href="https://bluebearmusic.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Blue Bear School of Music</a> in Fort Mason Center for the Arts and Culture in June 2021. Photography by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luckykilfeather" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Michelle Kilfeather</a>

Blue Bear School of Music's Steven Savage and Tennessee Mowrey (S4E17P2)

Steven Savage came of age in Southern California in the 1960s. In this podcast, the executive director of Blue Bear School of Music shares his life story with us. His first instrument to play was banjo, inspired by his love of folk music. But then he discovered rock 'n' roll, and soon after that, he picked up the drums. ​He went to college in Ohio, where he met people and starting playing in bands. He came back to California and made his way up to Santa Cruz, playing in various bands along the way. Next was Palo Alto, where Steven lived in a garage and continued playing music. And then a band here in The City needed a drummer and Steven got the call. Those folks he joined up here had already decided to start a music school while they played and worked toward stardom. That school ended up being Blue Bear School of Music. It was June 1971. Then we hear from Tennessee Mowrey, Blue Bear's current Little Bears director. Born and raised in San Francisco, Tennessee traces his story back to his parents' meeting. Raised in a musical family, he took to playing from a very young. But he didn't like lessons. His dad and step mom enrolled Tennessee in Blue Bear. Once in these rock band classes, he started playing several different instruments, and eventually began student teaching. Please join us Thursday for Part 2. We recorded this podcast at Blue Bear School of Music in Fort Mason Center in June 2021. Photography by Michelle Kilfeather

Steven Savage came of age in Southern California in the 1960s. In this podcast, the executive director of Blue Bear School of Music shares his life story with us. His first instrument to play was banjo, inspired by his love of folk music. But then he discovered rock 'n' roll, and soon after that, he picked up the drums. ​He went to college in Ohio, where he met people and starting playing in bands. He came back to California and made his way up to Santa Cruz, playing in various bands along the way. Next was Palo Alto, where Steven lived in a garage and continued playing music. And then a band here in The City needed a drummer and Steven got the call. Those folks he joined up here had already decided to start a music school while they played and worked toward stardom. That school ended up being Blue Bear School of Music. It was June 1971. Then we hear from Tennessee Mowrey, Blue Bear's current Little Bears director. Born and raised in San Francisco, Tennessee traces his story back to his parents' meeting. Raised in a musical family, he took to playing from a very young. But he didn't like lessons. His dad and step mom enrolled Tennessee in Blue Bear. Once in these rock band classes, he started playing several different instruments, and eventually began student teaching. Please join us Thursday for Part 2. We recorded this podcast at <a href="https://bluebearmusic.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Blue Bear School of Music</a> in Fort Mason Center in June 2021. Photography by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luckykilfeather" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Michelle Kilfeather</a>

Blue Bear School of Music's Steven Savage and Tennessee Mowrey (S4E17P1)