Glenda Pierce Facemire has been a staple in the Austin entertainment industry for nearly three decades. She has created a name for herself amongst the local Austin celebrities, as well as the Hollywood elite, with her extraordinary ability to create makeup masterpieces that capture the true essence of the influential faces she has worked with over the years.
Her talents have afforded her the opportunity to work on all four burners with ABC, NBC, CBS, “60 Minutes,” “American Idol-Austin,” “Access Hollywood,” BBC, BET, CBS, CNN, Columbia Pictures, ESPN, FOX, “Good Morning America,” MTV, “Nightline,” the Food Network, 20th Century Fox and many others.
Since 1989, Facemire has been the staff head makeup artist for the prestigious and iconic Austin City Limits/PBS television show, which is now the longest-running popular music series in American history.
Presently, she has worked more than 700 tapings for the show, which has brought her face-to-face with a wide array of industry greats such as Alan Jackson, Arcade Fire, Elvis Costello, Flogging Molly, Florence and the Machine, Jason Mraz, Joan Baez, Joss Stone, Kings of Leon, Miranda Lambert, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Bingham, the Allman Brothers, Wide Spread Panic, Willie Nelson and countless others.
Facemire has worked with so many great artists who have given her great memories, great stories and food for thought, which, in many ways, became the inspiration for her cookbook, “Music in the Kitchen: Favorite Recipes from Austin City Limits Performers.”
The University of Texas Press released this timeless cookbook in 2009 to celebrate the Austin City Limits 35th anniversary.
Pull up your kitchen chair as Facemire dishes out some tasty conversation with me about her rockin’ career and her cutting-edge cookbook.
SG: Your career is fascinating. How did you get your start as a makeup artist?
GF: I majored in art in college, and years later when I was living in Atlanta, Ga., I was introduced to the entertainment industry by my cinematographer husband when he asked me to do some makeup for one of his film assignments. It was an easy transition from art to makeup, and the rest is history.
SG: As a makeup artist, what inspired you to create an Austin City Limits musicians cookbook?
GF: I always enjoy saying, “There [are] no limits with Austin City Limits,” so I thought to myself, why not a cookbook that represents both a television show and its performing artists? There were four main ingredients I used in decision making for an idea for a cookbook: First, I love cooking; second, I love to collect cookbooks; third, I love music; and of course, the final ingredient is my love for Austin City Limits.
SG: Tell me more about the cookbook.
GF: It’s dedicated to the fans because it offers a flavorful way to connect them to ACL. I thought it was a very unique way to present the artists and their recipes so they can be featured in a different light. It has such a tasty mix of food, family stories, photos and backstage insights – a perfect entertaining addition to any home and its kitchen.
SG: I’ve noticed you’ve spotlighted another ingredient inside the cookbook by having the artists submit the name of their favorite charitable organization along with their recipe. What inspired you to do this?
GF: Seriously speaking, charitable work is very dear to my heart, and there are so many charitable organizations out there that need awareness. I knew there was one extra-special ingredient needing to be included, not only from me, but also from the musicians. I had a feeling that this book had the potential for a powerful, influential message. I went with my gut feeling always knowing the musicians would embrace the idea. Their generosity is unbelievable, and the proof is in the pudding – all pun intended.
SG: What’s your favorite recipe from the cookbook?
GF: [laughing] Mine, and don’t forget it is one of the best key lime pie recipes – ever! But the other 130-plus recipes are awesome, too.
After my kitchen conversation with Glenda, who is now my favorite Good Witch (I came to find out, I was in really good company, as Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam also declared Glenda his Good Witch when he was onstage during his popular ACL taping in 2009), I have no question as to how, despite her brag-worthy career, Facemire and her cookbook, “Music in the Kitchen: Favorite Recipes from Austin City Limits Performers,” have remained two of Austin’s best-kept secrets.
Excuse the pun, but it’s all intended. Facemire is as sweet as apple pie, and so is her cookbook.
For more information, or to purchase “Music in the Kitchen: Favorite Recipes from Austin City Limits Performers,” please visit the University of Texas Press at http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/facmus.html. You may also order the cookbook at www.musicinthekitchencookbook.com.
