SPRINGFIELD — Several hundred friends, musicians and community members gathered Friday evening at Hatch Auditorium at the Library Center of Greene County for a tribute celebrating the life and music of Marideth Sisco, a beloved Missouri musician, storyteller and songwriter.
Sisco, who was also a longtime Quill reporter, died May 18.
The tribute, organized and emceed by David Wilson, brought together local and regional performers who shared songs and memories in honor of Sisco.
Among those taking part were Auntie Em and the Tornadoes, led by Emily Higgins, who performed "Little Sheep." Linda Stoffel, Bo Brown and bassist George Horne, members of the band Blackberry Winter — of which Sisco was a founding member — recalled their time touring with her. Stoffel and Brown performed "Wood Thrush's Song."
As Stoffel sang the opening notes of "Wood Thrush's Song," a loud clap of thunder sounded outside — almost as if the late artist herself was in resounding agreement with the sentiment that it was one of her very favorite tunes.
Musicians also included Mike and Tenley Fraser of the Shortleaf Band, also associated with Snorty Horse. Additional performances included "Bright Angel" and "Music in My Mother’s House."
Ilace Mears, an award-winning hammered dulcimer and violin player based in Saddlebrooke, performed through the evening with various artists and spoke of the inspiration Sisco provided her through her career.
David and Brian Haenke of the Brixey Creek band, which also includes Stoffel, also performed during the tribute.
True to the tradition of old-time music, combinations of artists joined together all through the evening to share tunes that had been among Sisco’s favorites to sing or hear performed, while acknowledging the profound impact she had on their lives and careers.
The music was supported behind the scenes by several people who had been an integral part of Sisco’s artistic journey. Jeff and Julia Smith, owners of Studio 2100 in Springfield, recorded both audio and video of the tribute. The studio was also where Sisco and Wilson produced numerous recordings for Juneapple Records.
Jonathan Scheuer, owner of Juneapple Records, was also part of the evening. Scheuer first met Sisco through his wife, Debra Granik, director of the 2010 film “Winter’s Bone.” Sisco’s music was featured prominently in the film, bringing her voice and the traditional music of the Ozarks to an international audience.
The tribute was hosted at Hatch Auditorium through the efforts of one of Sisco's close friends Mary Alexander and her daughter, Jessie Alexander, branch manager of the Library Center. Sisco was particularly fond of Jessie, who arranged for the auditorium to host the evening’s gathering.
The program concluded with "Motherland," sung by Mary Alexander, who was joined by several of the other performers. Alexander remembered not only what a dynamic musician and talent Sisco was, but also her tender heart and her love of simply spending time in her garden.
As a final farewell to those gathered, Sisco’s own voice filled the auditorium through a recording of her singing "Missouri Waltz" a cappella — the iconic track featured in the opening of “Winter’s Bone.” With no instrumentation accompanying her, the sound of Sisco’s voice offered a quiet and powerful goodbye, bringing the evening back to the woman whose music brought the community together.
Her songs, stories and influence continue through the musicians who knew her, learned from her and gathered Friday night to perform the music she loved.
Editor's Note: This article was updated at 12:33 p.m. Aug. 12 to clarify the organizers of the tribute event.
