Music | 7 Questions With… Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear

Every Tuesday at 6pm on The Bridge, local music writer and Middle of the Map Fest organizer Chris Haghirian and The Bridge’s Sarah Bradshaw shine a light on the people, music, and events in the 816 area code during “Eight One Sixty“.
One regular feature, 7 Questions, gets to the heart of a guest’s passions, past, and… purchase history.

This week, 7 Questions goes deep with Madisen Ward and Ruth Ward, the son-and-mama folk duo known as Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear. The local favorites from Independence, Missouri have been out promoting their just-released debut album, “Skeleton Crew” on the national scene. Recently on NPR’s “Tiny Desk,” the two will perform also on the “Today Show” on Saturday. They come into the Bridge’s studio tonight at 6pm to expound on the list, but get an early peek at their answers below:

1. What’s the first album you remember receiving as a child/buying with your own money?

Madison Ward: “C-Murder: Life or Death”
Mama Bear: Peter Paul and Mary Little

2. What was your first concert/first local band you remember seeing?

MW: Ruth Ward
MB: Stevie Wonder

3. What’s your favorite film that has anything to do with music?

MW: “Fantasia”/”Fiddler on the Roof”
MB: “Lost Horizon”

4. If you could hop on a van/tour bus with any current touring band, who would it be?

MW: Band of Skulls
MB: Adele

5. What’s a KC band/musician that’s heavily impacted you?

MW: Roy Phillips
MB: Dave Agee

6. What song do you wish you would have written?

MW: “River Man” by Nick Drake
MB: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

7. Complete this sentence, “Without music I would be ______.”

MW: Lonely
MB: Anxious/empty inside

— Find the entire podcast, with full interview and song list, at Eight One Sixty.