Grace Potter On Preparing To Perform The National Anthem At The 151st Kentucky Derby

About Grace Potter

Grace Potter was raised in rural Vermont by parents who were seeking a different way of life, one with an emphasis on the arts and a connection to the land. Thanks to her parents’ extensive record collection, Grace grew up listening to a lot of soul and gospel by artists like the Staple Singers and Mahalia Jackson. You can still hear those influences in her music now, even as she’s created her own distinctive bluesy sound. Often compared to Bonnie Raitt or Janis Joplin, Grace has a powerful voice and the stage presence to match. And now she has a new album called Medicine that’s actually not new at all. It was produced with T Bone Burnett 17 years ago before her record label decided to shelve it in favor of a different direction. And even though it was recorded when she was just 24, it sounds as fresh and timely as if she cut it yesterday.

What Grace Potter Talks About On This Episode

• Growing up in Vermont
• Her family's influence on her music career
• Her new album, Medicine
• Impact of motherhood on songwriting
• Her love of cooking
• Singing the National Anthem for The Kentucky Derby
• On what she will be wearing to the Derby
  

Quotes From Grace Potter

"My mom's a gorgeous piano player. She taught lessons, like I mentioned, but I was a terrible music student, so I would listen to her. And I would be entranced by that. She would also sing opera in the morning to wake us up, like obnoxious opera to try to get everybody outta bed. So both my parents have really beautiful singing voices and both played in bands when they were kids. But the musician that I emulated the most in my family was my Uncle Spiegel. He was the only professional musician to come from any part of my ancestry." - Grace Potter

 "It's one of the most challenging vocal songs to sing. That's why so many people botch it pretty darn good. And when I hear it in its finest form, it's usually instrumental, you know, it's no one singing it because it is a gorgeous piece of music, but the vocalization of it is challenging. It's a little bit like playing the bagpipes, which I did do as a young person. There's just these points in the dynamics where your voice is being asked to do something that would be better performed by an instrument. But I love a good challenge. And, you know, this is as far outside of the box for me as a rock and roll singer as I could go. But, I don't know, life is too short not to try everything at least once, twice if I like it, you know?" - Grace Potter

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road.Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Grace Potter on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or everywhere podcasts are available.

Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.