Serve It Cold: A Jonny C Mystery » Serve It Cold

Tea and Chat 13 with Dancing Cat Studios

pfischer — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:50:10 +0000

Ronnie Blackwell, Lin Harper, Martha Holloway, and Paul Fischer join Stephen Kilbride on a great episode of Tea and Chat.

We discuss writing, podcasting, producing audio books, and Ronnie’s newly released novel Spite.

An Excellent Review from Podcasting’s C.A. Sizemore

pfischer — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:30:14 +0000

Dear Paul and Martha,

Yes, Serve it Cold, excellent work. If any one wants an example of a PodioBook done right they should listen to it. Now I know the reason why Tee Morris is doing Morevi Remastered. You guys didn’t raise the bar you changed the game. Loved the use of small town gosip to give us a story so far. Ronnie’s discriptions took me there I could smell, coffee, spice and the river.

C.A. Sizemore

[Submitted via Twitter]

Serve It Cold – Episode 25

martha — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:58:44 +0000

Denouement. John Turner’s favorite literary term. Loose ends get tied up. But there is still a surprise or two left in this tale!

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Rodger Johnson as Eaton Barton
Helen bends Cherlee’s ear about an article in the Catherine Democrat. What’s the world comin’ to?

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Babylon Bombs rocks The Cradle bar with “Hometown Hero” and “Jaded Heart”.
The Turner Trust and Scholarship Fund board members dance the night away to “Love’s Way” by Michael Mucklow. You can find out more about Babylon Bombs and Michael Mucklow at their websites and you can find their music on the Podsafe Music Network.

And at last we play the entire theme song without any voice overs. Big, big thank you to Michelle Malone for lending us her incredible voice and talent.

It’s been a blast!

Serve It Cold – Episode 24

martha — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:27:03 +0000

Jonny wakes up to find some surprising visitors at the house helping themselves to his coffee!

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Christiana Ellis and Martha Holloway as Cindy Sparks Aultman and Lilly Banks Grantham
And with Rodger Johnson as Eaton Barton and Paul Fischer as Lurker
Jim Van Verth and P G Holyfield, as Dude and Rabbit, have a conversation about a hoax gone horribly wrong. Tee Morris as Officer Pete gives them a ride home.
Oh, and Command Line‘s dogs have another cameo!

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Promos: The Vintage Gamer, Murder at Avedon Hill, and Space Casey

Episode 24 needs extra attention

martha — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:12:42 +0000

Well, this time we can’t blame the delay on hardware failure. But, please, bear with us. Episode 24 is a really long one and we want to get it right. So, we are taking a little extra time to do just that. We expect to publish on Sunday, December 9th. We hope you will think this episode is worth the wait.

Thank you for staying subscribed!

UPDATE: I guess I spoke too soon! My system has gone back to its old, random-shutdown ways. We’re working with the slower, backup system but we are still doing our best to meet today’s publication schedule. Wish us luck!

Serve It Cold – Episode 23

martha — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:34:49 +0000

Back in Catherine, Jonny goes out to Burnt Bridge with Butch to have a look at the famous blue Stratus. They decide to look around the family farm in Covington County then head back home to Catherine. Will this day ever end?

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
The Whya Gallery gets a call about its latest art collection.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Michelle Malone’s “Beyond the Mountain” rocks Jonny off to sleep at the end.

Serve It Cold – Episode 22

martha — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:27:12 +0000

Jonny and Vera discuss shocking news from Catherine. Vera tells Jonny a story from her past–The House of Blue Lights.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
Another tour de force from Eric and Beth.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

With “Miss Miss’ippi” and “Beyond the Mountain” standing in as the playlist for WWOZ. We reprise “Miss Miss’ippi” at the end. Enjoy!

Promo: Jack Palms: Jack Wakes Up and This Is Life by Seth Harwood

Episode 22 delayed

pfischer — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:01:07 +0000

Due to a hardware failure in our main production computer, Serve It Cold episode 22 will be delayed. The iMac suffered a logic board failure early this week, and needs to go into the shop for a few days. The good news is Martha backed up all the data before the system failed. Once we get the machine back we will start cranking out the episodes again.

A Nice Blog Entry About Serve It Cold

pfischer — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:00:51 +0000

Darkstar has a nice blog entry about Serve It Cold. He should rest assured that we hope to bring you more work from Ronnie Blackwell as soon as we can.

Serve It Cold – Episode 21

martha — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:47:35 +0000

New Orleans can be a dangerous place: you can get your wallet stolen, your door kicked in, or your shoulder dislocated before most French Quarter residents even get out of bed. On the brighter side, you can get breakfast at Poppy’s around the clock.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Paul Fischer as Sonny Richard and Mike Nguyen as Kevin at Poppy’s and Jerry Joachim. Phil Rossi and Beth Wojiski give voices to Yellowhead and BlueHair.
Paul Fischer as Sonny calls Goat to check in and update him on the investigation.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

The thoroughly awesome Possum Holler checks us into “Heartbreak Hotel” at the end of the episode. Tori Anderson’s stunning vocals breathe new life into the King’s classic. “Heartbreak Hotel” is off their critically acclaimed album Substantially Blue. Check it out at CDBaby.com. Y’all stick around, now. Y’ hear?

Serve It Cold – Episode 20

martha — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:07:38 +0000

Jonny C and the crew head for New Orleans to try to find Ray. Meanwhile back in Catherine, Jonny’s carefully crafted reconstruction of the crime turns out to be dead wrong.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Mike Nguyen as Kenny “G” Mays, Paul Fischer as Sonny Richard and Martha Holloway as Tommy2.
Mike Nguyen gives us a Lamar Park runner’s view of the goings on in Catherine.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

And if you have the munchies at the end of this one, we hope you’ll find that Michelle’s recipe for “Soul Chicken” satisfies your cravings. Michelle’s Sugarfoot album just keeps getting better and better!

Serve It Cold – Episode 19

martha — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:42:06 +0000

The search for clues in the Grantham murder case continues. The crack Speed investigative team turn their attention to the old Arnold Line trail. Could they have found the much needed break in the case?

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Rodger Johnson as Eaton Barton and Paul Fischer as Sonny Richard.
Paul Fischer reprises his role as Tom Miller, slyly setting up Petey Saunders for a severe leg pulling from his daddy.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Serve It Cold – Episode 18

martha — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:58:15 +0000

Butch Ellis invites himself over to Jonny’s house for morning coffee amidst the herd of over-excited dogs. Go Joe and Lurker make plans to “fish up” more information on Lattimer Grantham. And Jonny, Narlene and Sonny look for a Louisiana needle in a Mississippi haystack.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Paul Fischer as Sonny Richard, Lurker76 and Tom Miller
Marc Bailey of Grailwolf’s Geek Life gives his “son” Butch Ellis some advice on the case

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Serve It Cold – Episode 17

martha — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:20:47 +0000

Circumstances look pretty bad for Jonny C and the gang: no client, no payment, and Jonny’s actions could be misconstrued as stalking Landis Grantham. Seems it’s always darkest before the cops show up….

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Rodger Johnson as Goat Johnson
Helen (Martha Holloway) calls in a tip to the Catherine Po-lice Tip Line.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Serve It Cold – Episode 16

martha — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:04:40 +0000

Jonny and Narlene return to Catherine. Jonny calls everyone together to brainstorm what their next move should be.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
Eric gives us a command performance as Jonny C, Go Joe Jackson, GG Castor, and Butch Ellis. Beth speaks up for Narlene Moore and Vera Hill.
With Rodger Johnson as Goat Johnson, Julia Holloway as Sister Cielee, and Paul Fischer as Sonny Richard and George.
The Command Line delivers an informal review of the events of the so-called “Battle of Lake Catherine” for some unknown bureaucrat.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

And tendered as a kind of apology for our rough publication schedule last month, we include “Winter Muscadine” by Michelle Malone from the Sugarfoot album.

Thank you for staying with us!

More from the author of Serve It Cold

martha — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:03:33 +0000

Here’s another rich handful of Ronnie’s Hattiesburg American articles. Please be sure to leave comments on the HA site if you enjoy them!

All aflutter: Count butterflies in Delta this weekend
Aging author splashes into new media wave
Hummingbird season arrives in South Mississippi backyards
They fly by night: Restless thrushes called to migrate

Sitting big: Counting birds in Hattiesburg circles
River: The Pascagoula runs free
Holidays include this annual tradition for local birders

Serve It Cold – Episode 15

martha — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 08:52:03 +0000

Jonny finishes telling Narlene the story of the “Battle of Catherine”. Mafioso, guns, drugs, DEA, explosions, and the last time Jonny saw Big John Turner.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
Marc Bailey of Grailwolf’s Geek Life gives us a brief history lesson on the Battle of New Orleans. Plus he reminds us just where we left our hero.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Again, our thanks to the FreeSound Project for making Lake Catherine and the Rigolets come to life.

The information concerning the Battle of New Orleans found at the beginning of this episode is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article “The Battle of New Orleans”.

Serve It Cold – Episode 14

martha — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:43:31 +0000

Jonny C and Narlene head back to Catherine. They stop to do a little bird watching to throw off anyone tailing them and Jonny C tells Narlene the story of the “Battle of Lake Catherine”.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
Paul Fischer is a sound effect. Heather Welliver interrupts with late breaking news.
We finally find out what went down at the “Battle of Lake Catherine” and what happened to Big John Turner.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Swamp, lake and forest ambient, flora and fauna sound effects courtesy of the FreeSound Project.

Serve It Cold – Episode 13

martha — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:59:06 +0000

Lunch at Mother’s with the Tommys and Narlene is interrupted by unsettling news from Catherine. What’s a hardworking private detective to do? Why, have desert and fine wine at the Napoleon House and rally the troops!

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Mike Nguyen and Martha Holloway as the Tommy’s and various wait staff.
A distraught Julia Holloway complains about her husband’s photographic subjects.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Serve It Cold – Episode 12

martha — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:13:48 +0000

Jonny drops by the Tommy’s to check in with Narlene and change his disguise before trailing the “happy couple” through the French Quarter. He still can’t shake the nagging feeling that Lily Banks and Lattimer Grantham are making getting evidence for the divorce case just too damn easy!

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Mike Nguyen as Tommy and Martha Holloway as Tommy, too!
The lovely and talented Heather Welliver tells us why she needs a new hotel after last night.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

In honor of Jonny C’s new look for this episode, we feature “Black Motorcycle Boots” off the Sugarfoot album by Michelle Malone. It’s gonna knock your socks off!

Serve It Cold – Episode 11

martha — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:40:57 +0000

Surveillance on “The Granthams” goes like clockwork. But something about it just doesn’t seem to be quite right. Jonny discovers another friend of Big John Turner.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Mike Nguyen as Kenny “G” Mays
And, yes, Helen is back spreading rumor and innuendo in Martha’s voice.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Serve It Cold – Episode 10

martha — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 22:39:04 +0000

Jonny checks in at The Guest House and finds a friend he’s never met before. The surveillance for Landis Grantham’s divorce case takes Jonny to an art show opening for Catherine’s finest artist, Cindy Aultman. Her subjects turn out to be rather unexpected.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Rodger Johnson as Goat Johnson and Paul Fischer as Sonny Richard
Beth Wojiski checks in with Narlene Moore’s half-brother, Goat, to get him up to speed

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Serve It Cold – Episode 9

martha — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 22:27:18 +0000

Jonny and Narlene have dinner with the Tommy’s. Jonny gets a little off the sides and a trim–ready for his surveillance later that night.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Mike Nguyen as Tommy and Martha Holloway as Tommy 2 (it was a hoot!)
Eric leaves a voice mail for Vera with a synopsis of his trip and the dogs go a little nuts.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Featured song: “Where is the Love? – Live Acoustic Version” – available nowhere else. Wow! Michelle can sing!

Serve It Cold – Episode 8

martha — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:51:58 +0000

Jonny checks in with his clients Goat Johnson and Landis Grantham. Jonny and Narlene’s hopes are raised when a team of plain clothes detectives arrive clearly on the hunt for someone, but they soon realize the cops are after a pickpocket team working the crowd around the street band instead of Jerry and Ray. So it goes.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Mike Nguyen as Tommy
Martha Holloway spreads the word about Jerry’s troubles

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Standing in for our street band again are The Hipnotics. You heard “Planning an Accident”, “Death Letter Blues”, “Blues Don’t Know”, and “Get Up!”. Don’t worry–we feature “Death Letter Blues” at the end of the episode. The Hipnotics music is available from both the Podsafe Music Network and their own site.

Serve It Cold – Episode 7

martha — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 02:37:09 +0000

On the way to the apartment, Jonny and Narlene find Jerry’s car parked illegally in the French Quarter and ask Tommy to keep an eye on it. They settle in to the third floor apartment and discreetly watch the goings on out on the street. Jerry shows up–dressed oddly–but can’t get in the car that has a hot date with a tow truck.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
Guest Voices: This week is the Eric and Beth show.
Julia Holloway tells Aunt Helen all about the odd couple at table 3.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

The awesome sample of National Guitars in this episode is courtesy of Lenny Gerthoffer, VintageNationals.com.

Standing in for our street band are The Hipnotics. The Hipnotics music is available from both the Podsafe Music Network and their own site. Street songs: “Big Mary’s”, “I Feel It Too”, and “Planning an Accident.” Featured after the credits “Big Mary’s”.

Serve It Cold – Episode 6

martha — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 02:50:03 +0000

Safe and sound at Margaritaville, Narlene tells Jonny C how she ended up in New Orleans with Jerry and Ray. And how she managed to get away to the French Market. Jonny C and Narlene gather supplies for the French Quarter apartment.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
Guest Voices: Ronnie Blackwell returns as Steve and Rodger Johnson as Don, the proprietor of Coffee, Tea or….Paul Fischer gets us caught up on the story as Sonny Richard.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

And there’s something special at the end of this episode: “Rooster 44,” also off the Sugarfoot album by Michelle Malone

Stop the presses! Serve It Cold Special Editions

martha — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 03:58:17 +0000

The original cover for the book was taken from one of Ronnie’s photos. But we had the great good fortune to have two other beautiful pieces of art contributed by Georgia Godwin and Laura Mann. Georgia Godwin’s cover plays with the image of the Altoids box that features in the novel and Laura Mann’s cover really sets the mood for a murder mystery in small town Mississippi.

To honor Georgia and Laura’s work, we asked Ronnie if he would create special editions of Serve It Cold to showcase their art, and he went us, not one, but two better. Available now from Lulu are two collector’s editions of the novel. Each with a little something extra to make it even sweeter. Choose your favorite or get them both!

Serve It Cold (Georgia Godwin cover art) includes the Jonny C short story, Crossing. $12.95

Serve It Cold (Laura Mann cover art) includes the Jonny C short story, Silver Hull. $12.95

Serve It Cold – Episode 5

martha — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:43:07 +0000

Jonny heads to New Orleans to start his divorce case and find Narlene. Jonny checks Sonny’s past with Steve at Margaritaville. He finds Narlene and takes her back to Margaritaville for lunch.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
Guest Voices: Ronnie Blackwell, the author his own self, as Steve, and Mike Nguyen as Tommy. Martha returns as the town gossip.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Ronnie on Lulu Radio

martha — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:21:42 +0000

Have a listen to Ronnie’s interview on Lulu Radio Episode 31 with Jason Adams. Ronnie and Jason discuss jumping into Creative Commons publishing with both feet, the process of publishing both through a conventional press and through Lulu, and how the podiobook came to be. Lulu Radio is funny and informative and we hope you give Mur Lafferty and Jason Adams a listen on other episodes as well. You can find Lulu Radio at the link in this post.

Serve It Cold – Episode 4

martha — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 19:49:34 +0000

Goat introduces Jonny to his club manager, Sonny Richard, who was beaten up the night before. Sonny tells Jonny how Narlene got the marijuana in the first place. Jonny gets evidence in the divorce case.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Martha Holloway as Helen, the town gossip, Rodger Johnson as Goat Johnson and Paul Fischer as Sonny Richard

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Some sound effects courtesy of the FreeSound Project
Blue drives past
Walking on gravel

Serve It Cold – Episode 3

martha — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:39:27 +0000

Jonny starts working his divorce case beginning with a little surveillance on all three of the Granthams: Landis, Latimer, and Lilian. Go Joe Jackson takes over the routine investigations for Speed Investigations.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Martha Holloway as Helen, the town gossip, Rodger Johnson as Eaton Barton

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Some sound effects courtesy of the FreeSound Project
Early at Landis Grantham’s house
Police car on gravel
Walking on gravel
Eurasian Collared Dove landing
Eurasian Collared Dove call

Serve It Cold – Episode 2

martha — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:59:40 +0000

Jonny finds evidence in the parking lot and heads into the woods. After an incident in the woods Jonny visits Goat at The Rocking the Cradle Bar which he has bought and is refurbishing. Jonny gets a divorce case in New Orleans.

Starring Eric Rowe and Beth Wojiski
With Martha Holloway as Helen, the town gossip, Rodger Johnson as Goat Johnson and Paul Fischer as Lurker76.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Some sound effects courtesy of the FreeSound Project
Pearl Trace
Blackberry Woods
HomerBlue gang screaming left and right
Cradle construction/hammering

Read Ronnie’s articles in The Hattiesburg American

martha — Thu, 31 May 2007 01:07:29 +0000

If you are enjoying Serve It Cold and can’t wait for more from the author, then check out Ronnie’s articles in The Hattiesburg American. The newspaper is not able to keep archives of the articles online for very long. So periodically we will refresh the links in this post. Please leave comments about the articles on The Hattiesburg American site instead of or in addition to here. Enjoy!

Watch Hummingbirds This Weekend — offline
Anticipate Jewels of Spring — offline
Waiting for the King on Dauphin Island — offline
Legend of Crow-baby — offline
Listen for Song of Wood Thrush — offline
Summer’s first harvest of wobbly baby birds arrives — offline
All aflutter: Count butterflies in Delta this weekend
Aging author splashes into new media wave
Hummingbird season arrives in South Mississippi backyards

They fly by night: Restless thrushes called to migrate
Sitting big: Counting birds in Hattiesburg circles

Serve It Cold – Episode 1

martha — Mon, 28 May 2007 01:55:03 +0000

Convenience store manager, Jonny C. Speed, is accused of stealing marijuana from Narlene Moore. Narlene calls her brother Goat Johnson and the cops to set them on Speed.

Starring Eric Rowe as Jonny C, Butch Ellis, Go Joe Jackson, and other voices, and Beth Wojiski as Narlene Moore and Vera Hill.
With Rodger Johnson as Goat Johnson & Eaton Barton and Julie Holloway as Sister Cielee.

Theme song: “Where is the Love?” by Michelle Malone

Serve It Cold Launch Party

pfischer — Tue, 15 May 2007 00:51:44 +0000

The Serve It Cold podcast launch party will be at Balticon in Hunt Valley, MD.

Join us 9pm on Sunday May 27, 2007 at the Hunt Valley Marriott for drinks, snacks, and a free CD with the first three episodes. You will also be able to meet the cast and crew, and if we’re all lucky, author Ronnie Blackwell will make it.

See you there!

-Paul F.