This is New Wisco Weekend. Now she's an instructor who believes you need to practice what you teach.
Shondelle Marks has a roster of students across the state.
The Barabou-based artist is also in a half a dozen bands.
But as we learn from her conversation with Terry Barr,
teaching others to put their thoughts and feelings into music is her greatest gift.
Stoolellepier literally made her music.
Big to perfect sweetness.
Was once the part I played.
Pleasein to the eye on to me.
Last time I wasn't up
I found, I couldn't breathe.
Now that I escaped, this paradise might be.
Chalking on in your sweet tea,
It's even into me.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
And I'll play the game your way.
Oh, are you going to say the final word?
Why should only your voice be heard?
Sitting in your pretty house with a fist full of stones.
Spinning wheels breaking through, kicking up the dirt.
You and your perfection, I'm glad to be known.
Choking on a sweet tea, it's even into me.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
And I'll play the game your way.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
All I have is nothing.
And I'll play the game your way.
We are listening to the song Sweet.
It's an original beauty from our friend, Shondelle Marks.
Shondelle is a multi-talented musician based in the Baraboo area.
And she is joining us today.
And she's going to tell us all about this starting with some shows.
But let's go backwards for Shondee.
What is the song Sweet about?
It's powerful.
Well, first of all, Terry, thanks for having me on.
This is such an honor.
And Sweet was written quite a while ago
towards the end of a relationship that I felt was best for me to leave.
I was in my early 40s at the time, and you get to a certain age,
and you realize that being sweet isn't always the way to go.
So this is just a bit of a sassy song about, hey, how there's more to me
than just being nice.
I need to stand up for myself and be bold sometimes.
So it's a bit of an ironic title.
It's a good message for everybody, though.
Yeah, yeah.
Life is quick.
So, you know, why mess around with stuff that isn't working for you anymore?
Exactly, yes.
Well, okay.
Do you have a goal for your music or your career at this point?
Or is it just a day-by-day adventure?
When I was younger, I wanted to be, you know, a rock star,
a famous sell-out arenas.
But that is okay, but that didn't happen.
I think that I have such a great life.
I'm very happy with the music and this world that I've created.
And I really want to be an inspiration for others.
One of my favorite things is teaching music.
And I never thought that I would love it so much.
I started teaching out of necessity because during the recession,
I can 2008, 2009, I needed to bring in some income.
And I have not stopped teaching since.
It's just so rewarding and wonderful to see folks of all ages
be able to express themselves through music.
We are going to end with this song, Genesis.
Again, this is one of her other projects.
And Nestor, Shawnee, thanks so much for your time.
Thank you for having me, Terry.
Thanks for talking to me.
Expecting it's a fashion life on its own.
I've simply stepped on that.
It has always been my habit drive in my car.
Don't go chase me around on me.
I want to feel this way.
Just wake me up on the inside.
Oh, the sheets are over, Genesis.
You know, it's been a while since we could rest.
The songs I've briefed and I need some answers.
Music
Thank you for being a part of New Wisco weekend,
your look at Labor Day and back to school.
New Wisco weekend is written by Terry Barron, Lisa Hale,
directed and produced by Lisa Hale.
Our lead correspondent is Terry Barron with features from Joanne Croulotte,
Brittany Merlot, Pete Schwabba, and commentator Amanda Nimmer.
If you have a story you'd like to hear covered,
please feel free to email me anytime.
Lisa.Hale at civicmedia.us.
I'm civic media's northeast Wisconsin bureau chief,
Lisa Hale for WGBW and WISS News.
Be unstoppable.
