Wednesday MidDay Medley
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Stephonne + Vi Tran + KKFI Board President Catina Taylor and the KKFI High School Interns: Yassi Armer–Shabazz, Zoey Harris, and Kotah Kauffman

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2. Emmaline Twist – “ASPERA”
   from: ASPERA” – Single / Black Site / July 1, 2022
   [The band is Meredith McGrade on vocals & guitar, Kristin Conkright on bass, Jonathan Knecht on drums, Krysztof Nemeth on baritone guitar, and Alex Alexander recently joined the band on synthesizers & guitar. Emmaline Twist, is a Kansas City based Darkwave / Post-Punk / Shoegaze project. This is the second single from the band’s upcoming album release and follow up to the single “Drugs” released July 1, 2021. Their critically acclaimed debut LP, DISSIMULATION was released August 24, 2018 from Black-Site Records. That album was recorded, mixed, and produced at Massive Sound by Paul Malinowski, and Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. In 2017 the band released “Dissimulation 1,” 4 songs in digital format. This is their first single since their 2016 single release of “Vega” b/w “Moon Eyes.”]

[Emmaline Twist play Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS, Friday, July 8, 2022 with Sona and Local Darlings. More inflo at: http://www.black-site.org]

3. Katy Guillen & The Drive – “Discoloration”
   from: “Discoloration” – Single / Katy Guillen / June 24, 2022
   [This is the second single from their upcoming album, ANOTHER ONE GAINED produced by Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Heartless Bastards, Ray LaMontagne) at Invisible Creature Studio in Los Angeles. This is a follow up to their single “Set In Stone” (released May 24. 2022) is brimming with vibrant textures, fuzzy electric guitars, and warm vocals. “Set In Stone” marked the beginning of a major life transition for Katy Guillen (pronounced Ghee-En). Written shortly after her longtime band announced their final show, she was struggling to find the next step in her career and personal life, while longing for a past sense of stability. “The song’s vigorous structure and deliberate rhythms convey that feeling of defeat and darkness, but with a sense of resolution and surrender through the guitar solo – a favorite moment on the record for me,” explains Katy. “While it started on shaky ground, coming out on the other side meant starting over and building something new.”It is a taste of what’s to come on their full-length debut album ANOTHER ONE GAINED (due August 19, 2022), a memoir of growth and reawakening by way of heart-wrenching transition and change – loss of her long-time band, end of a romantic relationship and finding herself amidst it all. “Set In Stone” premiered earlier this week on Guitar Girl Magazine. Katy Guillen & The Drive – Katy Gillen (drums) and Stephanie William (drums) – dropped their first EP, Dream Girl, right before the 2020 lockdown, leaving them without opportunities to perform live. In their basement rehearsal space, they spent the year learning home recording and pre-production techniques, gradually crafting a collection of songs from the ground up. The following April, they took the demos to producer/engineer Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Heartless Bastards, Ray LaMontagne) at Invisible Creature Studio in Los Angeles. From their work with Ratterman emerged a batch of 15 songs. At the end of 2021, the band released the four-track Battles EP, offering listeners a darker, more simmering edge to their impelling indie-rock sound. Ten more would comprise Another One Gained, the full-length debut due August 19, 2022. Previously Katy Guillen & The Drive released BATTLES EP on December 17, 2021, Recorded at Invisible Creature Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Engineered and mixed by Kevin Ratterman. Produced by Kevin Ratterman, Katy Guillen, and Stephanie Williams. Mastered by Shelley Anderson at Black Lab Mastering in Louisville, KY. All songs written by Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams. Katy Guillen on vocals, guitar, bass, & keyboarda. Stephanie Williams on drums & percussion. Additional keys and programming by Kevin Ratterman. Album design and photography by Morgan Jones. This is a follow up to Katy Guillen & The Drive’s 7-song EP DREAM GIRL, released March 20, 2020. Katy Guillen & The Drive, is a project dedicated to Guillen’s songwriting that is founded on the creative spark and chemistry between Katy Guillen & Stephanie Williams. With Guillen on guitar & vocals and Williams on drums, the two sculpt a sound that recalls bands like Led Zeppelin, The Bangles, and Band of Skulls. In 2012, Guillen & Williams formed Katy Guillen and The Girls, and began to build a foundation of touring and recording that carried them through six years and produced three full-length albums: Katy Guillen & the Girls, Heavy Days, and Remember What You Knew Before. Between 2012 and 2018, they traveled the United States extensively, performed at the International Montreal Jazz Festival, toured Sweden, and supported major acts like The Doobie Brothers, Robin Trower, and Heartless Bastards. In these 6 years playing together, Guillen & Williams created a dynamic, sound informed by Guillen’s mesmerizing, emotive guitar style and poignant arrangements, and an equally captivating live show that showcased Williams’ technical, melodic style, resulting in a powerful on-stage chemistry. In addition to the compelling synergy formed by years of playing together, the two developed a method of working together on Guillen’s songs that only deepened their artistic connection, propelling them to forge a path to a new plateau in their music. KG & The Drive push ahead with a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining the edge of the artist’s rock ‘n’ roll and blues roots. Katy Guillen joined us on WMM on March 18, 2020. More info at: http://www.katyguillenmusic.com]

Katy Guillen & The Drive U.S. TOUR DATES

JUL 7 / JACKSON, MS @ Duling Hall
JUL 8 / BATON ROUGE, LA @ Manship Theatre
JUL 15 / GRAND ISLAND, NE @ Hear Grand Island
JUL 16 / SIOUX CITY, IA @ Vanguard Arts
JUL 31 / COLORADO SPRINGS, CO @ Vultures
AUG 3 / VIRGINIA BEACH, VA @ Elevation 27
AUG 4 / RICHMOND, VA @ Richmond Music Hall
AUG 5 / WASHINGTON, DC @ City Winery
AUG 7 / ROCKY MOUNT, VA @ Harvester Performance Center
AUG 19 / DAVENPORT, IA @ Alternating Currents Festival
AUG 20 / LINCOLN, NE @ The Zoo Bar
AUG 26 / KANSAS CITY, MO @ Knuckleheads
AUG 27 / DES MOINES, IA @ xBk Live

4. The Grisly Hand – “Why Make Me Cry”
   from: “Why Make Me Cry” – Single / The Grisly Hand / August 20, 2021
   [One of three singles from The Grisly Hand’s upcoming Album, TRAITORS to be released July 8, 2022. Since April 2021 the band has been in the studio working on new music. On August 20 they released “Why Make Me Cry”. On May 14, 2021 they released the ingle “Now That You Know.” It has been four and a half years since The Grisly Hand has released new music. The band released Hearts & Stars on November 18, 2016, and Flesh & Gold on October 2, 2015. The band had spent a year with Joel Nanos at Element Recording and decided to split the songs between two CD/digital releases: and also release them both together as a double vinyl album release, called The Grisly Hand, released November 18, 2016 with a new reshuffling of songs for the vinyl LP format. Jimmy Fitzner on guitar & vocals, Lauren Krum on vocals & percussion, Kian Byrne on drums, Mike Stover on steel guitar, bass & vocals, Ben Summers on guitar, vocals & mandolin, Dan Loftus on bass, keyboards & vocals. More info at: http://www.thegrislyhand.com]

[The Grisly Hand play an Album Release Show on Saturday, July 9, at 7:00 PM at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, West Bottoms, KCMO, with Timbers.]

5. Krystle Warren & The Faculty – “Sadness is A Good Thing”
   from: Love Songs: A Time To Refrain From Embracing / Parlour Door Music / April 9, 2012 UK
   [Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections. // Krystle Warren & The Crew released THE CREW, on September 15, 2020. Through isolation came unity. The Crew is Lakecia Benjamin, Matthew Silberman, Jacob Snider, Joe Blaxx, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Cassorla, Krystle Warren, and Ben Kane. They have recorded unique versions of classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of The Moment: the movement of the people. // In the lockdown of their homes, they sewed together their interpretations of “Bein’ Green” (based upon Ray Charles’ rendition); “Gimme Some Truth” (a mighty John Lennon composition); “Dear Landlord” (a scathing indictment from the blistering pen of Bob Dylan); and “Rhythm of Life”, (a timeless statement originally performed by Oleta Adams). // A portion of the proceeds from The Crew. EP will be donated to the various causes and organizations. From Billboard.com: Singer-songwriter Krystle Warren has made a powerful statement about the struggle for Black equality with the help of Kermit the Frog’s iconic song “Bein’ Green” (written by Joe Raposo). // The moving five-minute clip, over which Warren sings her rendition of the 1970 song — since recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and others — sprang from a covers EP she recorded during the pandemic with a group of musicians known as The Crew. Warren embarked on the project after her forthcoming album with her regular group, The Faculty, was put on hold due to COVID-19. The EP, which tackles themes of racial injustice in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests this summer, also includes a cover of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth.” // The “Bein’ Green” video weaves in footage of this year’s Black Lives Matter protests, and also includes a heartbreaking montage of young Black children choosing white dolls over dark-skinned ones. It additionally features archival footage of such transformative Black figures as James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Malcom X, Nina Simone, Marsha P. Johnson and Al Sharpton, as well as victims of police brutality including Sandra Bland, George Floyd and Eric Garner. It ends with a clip from a speech by civil rights activist Ella Baker. // “‘Bein’ Green,’ it’s such a gorgeous song, and it says so, so much,” says Warren. “I began thinking about what I wanted it to express visually before we started [recording the song]. Essentially — it’s not easy being Black. That’s what Ray Charles was saying, and we felt it needed to be said again.” // Warren, who now resides in Paris, began performing in her native Kansas City at the age of 16 before moving to New York City, where she started busking on the streets and later formed her regular band, The Faculty. She and the group have recorded several full-length albums, including 2009’s Circles, 2012’s Love Songs and 2017’s Three the Hard Way. Her next album is slated for release thiswinter. // A large percentage of proceeds from sales of the EP — which is available for digital downloads via Warren’s website now and released on all streaming platforms next Friday — will be donated to the ACLU. Krystle Warren joined us live on WMM on September 23, 2020. July 28, 2021. She’s been a guest on 15 WMMs.]

[Krystle Warren plays a live concert at Prospero’s Books, 1800 West 39th St. KCMO, Friday July 8, 8:00 PM w/ Brad Cox on keys, Jeff Harshbarger on bass, Mike Stover on pedal steel. SOLD OUT!]

6. Danny McGaw – “Hollywood”
   from: “Hollywood” – Single / Santa Barbara Records / July 15, 2022
   [Manchester, England born Danny McGaw was a footballer, then a street musician, then a bar music, and then a husband and father living in Lawrence, Kansas, where he released one of our favorite recordings of 2012 – “Eccles Road.” After that he formed the band, Welles The Traveler with Jason Jones, Dan Hines, Chad Brothers, and Mike West, who produced the group’s debut recording. Eventually Danny and family relocated to California. He has made over 10 records in 14 years and records his songs in his home studio. Danny is back in KC this week for multiple gigs. Danny McGaw is releasing his 10-track album, SET ME FREE on July 22, 2022. More info at: http://www.dannymcgaw.bandcamp.com]

[Danny McGaw plays Mike Kelly’s Westsider, 1515 Westport Rd., KCMO on Thursday, July 7, at 8:00 PM with Supermassive Black Holes, and Mikal Shapiro;s The Musical.]

7. Chalis O’Neal – “La Tienda de Regalos (feat. Jessica Ayala)”
   from: Flirting / Chalis O’Neal / November 15, 2021
   [Chalis O’Neal debut album FLIRTING was #48 in WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2021. Chalis O’Neal picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven and began studying music at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City. O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story. O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau. Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul. O’Neal has performed with Bobby Watson, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Lisa Henry, and David Basse. // Chalis O’Neal is the youngest brother of Harold Mujahid O’Neal who was born March 27, 1981, and is an American pianist, composer, record producer, public speaker, dancer, and storyteller. He has recorded and performed with artists in a variety of musical genres (U2, Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, Damien Rice, Aloe Blacc, and Jay Z). O’Neal has been profiled and featured in numerous publications and programs including Forbes, NPR’s All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and the 92Y, with The New York Times comparing him to Duke Ellington, Kenny Kirkland, and Maurice Ravel. He is considered to be of this generation’s greatest pianists and composers. O’Neal has been awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts, with the Patron being Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and recently played a role as a creative expert for the Academy Award winning Pixar film, Soul. // Harold O’Neal was born in Arusha, Tanzania, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. His great-grandfather, Ollie Harold Pennington, was a jazz pianist and composer for silent film in Kansas City, where his grandmother walked to school with Charlie Parker. O’Neal began playing the piano by ear at age four on his father’s miniature keyboard. He found his earliest inspirations in the music of Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, and Disney. While growing up, he spent a considerable amount of time with his grandmother exploring various creative outlets, before eventually becoming a pianist. Having spent much of his youth living in the projects (Public Housing) and surviving near-death experiences, he credits music with saving his life. O’Neal attended the Paseo Academy Of Fine And Performing Arts, with classmates Logan Richardson, Lil’ Ronnie, and Brian Kennedy, where he began his jazz piano studies while being mentored by Ahmad Alaadeen. He studied classical piano and composition with Margie Cameron-Jarrett, whose musical lineage can be traced back to Franz Liszt. // O’Neal began working with musical luminaries from a young age – touring with Bobby Watson when he was 19 after studying composition at the Berklee College of Music. He then went on to the Manhattan School of Music, to study with Kenny Barron. It was there where he met the great American jazz pianist and composer, Andrew Hill, with whom he soon became the apprentice of. Mr. Hill was an apprentice of prolific composer Paul Hindemith. Following Andrew Hill’s advice, O’Neal left the Manhattan School of Music to replace pianist Jason Moran in the influential band, the Greg Osby 4, making his major-label debut recording for Blue Note Records at the age of 21. In 2004, O’Neal premiered a jazz quartet featuring Greg Osby, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Matt Brewer. // In the following years, O’Neal released a number of critically acclaimed albums including — “Charlie’s Suite” (2006), which was a compilation of his family’s legacy, “Whirling Mantis” (2010) with a jazz quartet, and a solo piano album “Marvelous Fantasy” (2011) on Smalls Records. He then partnered with Ski Beats and Damon Dash, after being signed to Universal Music Group as a songwriter and producer, to release the albums 24 Hour Karate School 2 (2011), Twilight (2012), and Cam’Ron And Vado’s Blu Tops (2012). In 2012, O’Neal formed a partnership with producers Lil Ronnie and Jerry Wonda working with many Pop and R&B artists (Miguel, Akon, Melissa Ethridge, Raphael Saadiq, French Montana). In 2013, he released the album “Man on the Street” featuring a jazz quartet as well as solo piano for BluRoc, an at the time incarnation of Rocafella Records distributed by Def Jam Records. // O’Neal worked as a composer for a featurette and the documentaries of the 2015 Disney film Tomorrowland produced by Academy Award winning filmmaker Anthony Giacchino, which starred George Clooney and Britt Robertson. The film was directed by Brad Bird with the film-score being composed by Michael Giacchino. His solo piano album “Piano Cinema” was released in May 2018, with “Sam and Sam” serving as the lead single. Following the album release, O’Neal completed a spring tour across the U.S. with The Blk Shp with Pixar as a partner. Recently, at the suggestion of Ed Catmull, O’Neal played a role with the filmmakers (Pete Docter, Dana Murray, Kemp Powers) as a creative expert in the development of Pixar’s Soul. // As a keynote speaker and storyteller, O’Neal has been featured at Google, The World Economic Forum, TEDX, Hatch Experience, C2 Montréal, Blk Shp Power Shift, and many other leading platforms.// In 2019, O’Neal was among the 100 international individuals selected to be a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper. Goalkeepers (Gates Foundation) is an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its aim is to bring together leaders from around the world to accelerate progress toward achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Invitations are issued to global leaders and aspiring personalities who have been personally selected by the board. Previous attendees include Barack Obama, Emmanuel Macron, Amina J. Mohammed, Erna Solberg, Malala Yousafzai, and Trevor Noah.// In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Festival, a week-long event held in Aspen, Colorado in the United States. The Aspen Ideas Festival program of events includes discussions, seminars, panels, and tutorials from journalists, designers, innovators, politicians, diplomats, presidents, judges, musicians, artists, and writers. Topics covered during the festival include global politics and economics, U.S. Policy, the environment, technology, science, health, education, the arts, and economic issues. // In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts. Founded in 1754 by William Shipley, it was granted a Royal Charter in 1847, and the right to use the term “Royal” in its name by King Edward VII in 1908. Notable past fellows include Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, Nelson Mandela, David Attenborough, William Hogarth, John Diefenbaker, and Tim Berners-Lee. Today, the RSA has fellows elected from 80 countries worldwide.// NPR All Things Considered: The Yule Log (TV program), Pianist Harold O’Neal and Bill Cosby’s Christmas story On 25 December 2011, O’Neal was featured along with Bill Cosby for the Christmas Day edition of NPR’s All Things Considered, with O’Neal being hosted and interviewed by Guy Raz. // Electric Burma On June 18, 2012, O’Neal performed with U2, Lupe Fiasco, Bob Geldof, Damien Rice, Angelique Kidjo and many other major artists for the presentation of Amnesty International’s prestigious ‘Ambassador of Conscience’ Award to Aung San Suu Kyi. The award was originally announced from the stage when U2 played Croke Park in July 2009 – while the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize recipient was still under house arrest in Burma. // Global Citizen: World on Stage On September 22, 2016, O’Neal performed with Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter for The Global Citizen Festival’s The World on Stage, a night curated by Tom Morello and Jon Batiste. The evening was dedicated to several prominent speakers who addressed various causes—such as education, the refugee crisis, gender equality, poverty, hunger, and much more—and the presentation of the inaugural George Harrison Global Citizen award, presented by Paul Simon to Olivia and Dhani Harrison (George’s widow and son). // In 2009, O’Neal appeared as an actor in Jay Z’s music video for the hit record Young Forever, from his multi-platinum album The Blueprint 3. In 2010, he was cast in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, portraying James P. Johnson. He was also featured in MTV’s Sucker Free. // Chalis O’Neal is the nephew of Felix Lindsey “Pete” O’Neal, Jr. (born 1940), was the chairman of the KC chapter of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. He led implementation of many free programs, such as providing free breakfast to children around the city. // O’Neal had trouble with authority figures in high school and dropped out. Soon afterwards, he joined the military, following the steps of his father. Once done with service, he moved to Stockton, California, where in 1959 he was sentenced to 9 months in jail for theft. He escaped from jail after 3 months, traveling back to Kansas City, MO. In 1961, law enforcement caught him and he was sent back to California to serve his remaining sentence. // After completing his sentence, the felony should have been cleared as indicated by Californian law, but it was not. This significantly hindered his chances for employment. // On October 30, 1969, he was arrested again for the transporting of a gun across state lines (under a law that went into effect just two weeks prior to his arrest). A year later a court convicted him and in October 1970, he was sentenced to four years in prison. O’Neal jumped his bail and fled to Algeria, where a number of other Black Panther Party members had also absconded to in the face of imprisonment in the United States. This group became known as the “International Section” of the Black Panther Party, and was centered around Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver. A year later O’Neal moved on to Tanzania, motivated to immigrate there as the then President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, was both a Pan-Africanist and Socialist. O’Neal has remained in Tanzania ever since. // Together with his wife, Charlotte Hill O’Neal, he is the co-founder of the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in the village of Imbaseni, near the northern city of Arusha, Tanzania. The UAACC is a center focusing on healing the community by providing a diverse array of free art, music, film and other classes to members of the community. The UAACC also serves as a hostel for people travelling through the area—offering several “huts” with bunk beds. The center has been frequented by several celebrities, American politicians, study abroad programs, students, documentary film makers, and artists. Pete & Charlotte provide numerous jobs to locals of the community and the center is entirely run by local Tanzanians. // O’Neal’s family still resides in the KC area. He is a third cousin to US Representative Emmanuel Cleaver. Since 1991, Cleaver and others have unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a pardon for O’Neal, and took the issue to both President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. Both declined to pardon O’Neal. // His life and exile in Tanzania is the subject of the PBS documentary ‘A Panther in Africa’, by Aaron Matthews, and a book ‘Black Panther in Exile: The Pete O’Neal Story’ by Pete’s attorney, Paul J. Magnarella. Chalis O’Neal joined us on WMM on Oct, 20, 2021.]

[Chalis O’Neal Trio plays Johnnie Jazz Bar & Grill, 1903 Victory Drive, Liberty MO.,Thursday, July 7, at 6:30 PM.]

[Chalis O’Neal plays Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, West Bottoms, KCMO, Friday, July 8, 7:00 PM, with Fullbloods, Mr. Golden Sun, and Fritz Hutchison]

10:30 – Underwriting

8. Vi Tran Band – “The Charmer”
   From: American Heroine / Independent / October 4, 2013
   [The Vi Tran Band is singer, songwriter, guitarist – Vi Tran, with Katie Gilchrist on vocals, percussion; Sean Hogge on guitar; Jerod Rivers on drums, vocals; and Ben Byard on bass, vocals. Recorded with Joel Nanos at Element Recording.]

10:36 – Interview with Vi Tran

Writer, actor, musician, artist, teacher, singer, songwriter – Vi Tran was born near Saigon, Vietnam and raised in southwestern Kansas. He began performing as a toddler in the refugee camps of southeast Asia. Other refugees took pity on the young (and literally starving) artist, giving him what food they could spare. Vi Tran considers his life an open-ended refugee story and All-American tale, full of landlocked sailors and broken lovers; loss and discovery; but most of all, hope. Vi has appeared in theatres all across Kansas City as an actor, and has also become a big part of the Kansas City Music community. In 2013 his debut full length recording “American Heroine” was part of our 113 Best Recordings of 2013. In 2014 Vi Tran wrote, produced and starred in his autobiographical theatre piece, THE BUTCHER’S SON – A Refugee Play & Performance Memoir, where Vi played himself and also played his father. Vi has worked with multiple Kansas City Theatre and arts groups including Artist Inc. The Coterie Theatre, Midwest Music Foundation, 90.1 FM KKFI, Folk Alliance International, to name a few.

Vi Tran joins us to share details about his “I AM…” exclusive residency at The ArtsKC Gallery Space, 106 Southwest Blvd, KCMO, created in collaboration with The National Association of Asian American Professionals-Kansas City in partnership with ArtsKC, from May to September 2022.

More info at: http://www.artskc.org

Vi Tran Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard a song from “American Heroine.”

On the recent FIRST FRIDAY July 1, 2022 – On the next First Friday, July 8, 5:30-8:30 PM at Artskc Gallery the exhibit features fashion designs by David Moore, National Association of Asian American Professionals: Kansas City Board member & founding member of NAAAP Pride, with DJ Kay-Fan who will spin beats, and breakdancers: Frank “Monk” Pham, Zen Nguyen, & Kevin Le. Cafe Cà Phê, Mooyueibaker, and Sugarfold will have delicious drinks & sweet treats.

I TRAN- I Am…” Asian American Visual & Performing Arts Residency Premieres at
First Friday in Kansas City. The National Association of Asian American Professionals-Kansas City in partnership with ArtsKC presents an exclusive residency at the ArtsKC Gallery Space from May -
September, 2022.

The National Association of Asian American Professionals – Kansas City (NAAAP-KC), in partnership with ArtsKC, is pleased to announce a five month interdisciplinary arts and professional development residency at the ArtsKC Gallery space in downtown Kansas City from May to September 2022.

“Over the course of the past several years, Asian Americans have had to defend
themselves against a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and prejudice,” said artsKC
Inspiration Grant award-winning generative performing artist and NAAAP-KC residency 
curator Vi Tran. “With social media campaigns exclaiming #ItsAnHonortoBeAsian and
#IAmNotAVirus, the community sought understanding, compassion, and support from
its fellow Americans.”

This residency is a reclamation of identity and strength by allowing AAPIDA (Asian
American Pacific Islander Desi American) artists and thought leaders to declare
themselves with the statement of “I Am..
“As the arts industry reawakens and galleries reopen, ArtsKC launched our new
organization residency program with NAAAP as our first collaborator in the space. In
partnership with NAAAP, we are able to celebrate and support local AAPIDA artists from
various backgrounds and different levels of their artistic careers. We look forward to
their presence for the next five months and the success of this residency model as time
goes on.” Zetta Hamersley, ArtsKC Gallery Residency Manager and NAAAP Board 
Member
Featuring a rolling group exhibit of visual artists, performing arts salon nights,
celebration of women and the LGBTQIA+ community, pop-up performances, 
professional development mixers, and community social events, the “I Am…” residency 
seeks to center the AAPIDA community as well as an invitation for dialogue and
conversation with other communities in Kansas City and beyond.

About NAAAP-KC
The National Association of Asian American Professionals is a non-profit, all-volunteer
organization that promotes the career advancement and leadership development of
Asian American professionals in all fields. NAAAP is the largest and fastest growing
Asian American professional organization in the U.S. and Canada. The Kansas City
chapter joins Asian Americans in professional development, networking and community
service activities.

Mission
Cultivate and empower leaders for professional excellence
Connect accomplished professionals for mutual success
Engage and participate with the community-at-large
Inspire leaders to make a meaningful difference in government, education,
business, and society 

Values
 The National Association of Asian American Professionals Values are what guides us
 every day and what we strive for, from our members to our leaders and sponsors. In all
 that we do, NAAAP is committed to: 
Leadership: Develop, Inspire, and Connect Leaders
Education: Excel at Life Learning
Accountability: Honor commitment to Deliver Value 
Diversity: Embrace a Culture of Inclusion and Innovation
 We host many activities throughout the year to give our members a chance to be
 engaged with NAAAP-KC and accomplish everything they hoped for in becoming a part
 of our organization.

Here are some of the kinds of events NAAAP-KC holds:

● Happy Hours

NAAAP Networking Nights

● Cultural events (i.e. Collaborations with community partners)

Professional development and leadership workshops
Keynote/Inspirational speakers
Community Outreach (i.e. Harvesters, fundraisers

Vi Tran Band recently played Starlight Theatre as pre-show before the Bon Iver Concert on June 15, 2022. More info at: http://www.vitranmusic.com

Vi Tran Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Vi Tran joins us to share details about his “I AM…” exclusive residency at The ArtsKC Gallery Space, 106 Southwest Blvd, KCMO, created in collaboration with The National Association of Asian American Professionals-Kansas City in partnership with ArtsKC, from May to September 2022. More info at: http://www.artskc.org

10:54

9. JNabe – “7 Days”
   from: “You Want Me (Feat. Sh3)” – Single / JNabe / June 24, 2022
   [One of 40 singles JNabe has released so far this year. JNabe is Kansas City’s premiere Indie Asian Rapper. He is 21years old. JNabe started rapping in 2020. He loves making music and strives to make songs that connect with people. // From jnabeofficial.com: “JNabe is a reputable Rapper who began their exciting musical voyage of artistic discovery in 2020. Since then, they’ve used constant collaboration and experimental sound exploration to shape the signature sound that echoes with their inspiration from the streets of Kansas City. In the music world, there’s no standing still. You must constantly learn about new techniques and continue honing your musical craft.” // JNabe released the single.”On a Mission (Feat. Brose Royce (The Real Tez)” on January 14, 2022. // JNabe released the single, “KC Throwdown (Feat. NuSince)” on February 11, 2022. // JNabe released the single.”Can’t Stop Me (Feat. Julia Reynolds)” on February 18, 2022. // JNabe released the single, “You Know Me” on February 25, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Quarantine Time” on March 4, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Defeated (feat. Sa!txero)” on March 11, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Night Life” on March 18, 2022. JNabe released the single, “You Want Me (Feat. Sh3)” on March 25, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Welcome To Life (Feat. Canibus)” on April 1, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Follow Your Dreams (Feat. I Am Justified)” on April 8, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Life,” on April 15, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Ballin and Blowing featuring Rick Ross” on April 19, 2022. JNabe released the single, “So Alone” on April 27, 2022. JNabe released the single, “So Alone” on April 27, 2022. JNabe released the single, “2035 (feat. Sh3)” on April 29, 2022. JNabe released the single, “More Than Friends” on May 4, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Bad Bitch (feat. Constantine)” on May 6, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Selfish” on May 9, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Separate Ways” on May 11, 2022. JNabe released the single, “The Paper (feat. Krizz Kaliko & Yung Punch)” on May 13, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Chop Chop (feat. Krizz Kaliko)” on May 20, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Too Hot (feat. Krizz Kaliko)” on May 27, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Hustlin (feat. Wiz Khalifa)” on May 28, 2022. JNabe released the single, “People Are Crazy (feat. Rittz)” on June 2, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Knife Fight (feat. Krizz Kaliko)” on June 3, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Rhythm of Life (feat. Krizz Kaliko)” on June 10, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Tell Me” on June 11, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Foodie” on June 12, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Game Over” on June 13, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Hooked on Dividends” on June 14, 2022. JNabe released the single, “The Rat Race” on June 15, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Can’t Touch Me” on June 16, 2022. JNabe released the single, “My Demons” on June 17, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Drop Out (feat. YNG Cheese)” on June 18, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Family Don’t Make You Real (feat. Stizzy Stacks)” on June 19, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Always On My Mind” on June 20, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Foreign Money” on June 21, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Future” on June 22, 2022. JNabe released the single, “7 Days” on June 24, 2022. JNabe released the single, “Welcome to the 816” on July 1, 2022. (This is JNabe’s 40th single of the year, so far.) More info at: http://www.jnabeofficial.com JNabe joined us LIVE on WMM on April 27, 2022.]

10. The Bard Owls – “Thru the Glass”
    from: “Thru The Glass” – Single / The Bard Owls / June 15, 2022
    [This single is from the Folk Musical “Prejudice and Pride,” tand was written by Sam Wright, featuring Matt Catalina on bass, Chris Hudson on guitar & voice, Marco Pascolina on pedal steel, and Sam Wright on banjo, & voice. One of 15 new songs from, Prejudice & Pride – The Modern, American, Gender-Swapped Folk Musical by Sam Wright & Nicholas Collett based Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. This new musical will make its World Premier at Music Theatre Heritage, 2450 Grand Blvd., KCMO, July 8 through July 28, 2022. The Bard Owls started in 2019 in Kansas City Missouri by Chris Hudson and Sam Wright of Gullywasher as a side project to record and develop new songs but now has turned into a legitimate ensemble with lots of local KC musicians and several albums. // Sam Wright & The Bard Owls release PREJUDICE & PRIDE (Official Folk Musical Soundtrack) on July 8, 2022. This world-premiere folk musical comedy updates Jane Austen’s classic novel with gender-swapped American characters. Can the Longborn boys find love or at least empathy with their New York millionaire neighbors before they lose the family farm? Featuring 15 brand new folk tunes, a cast of 9, and the musical stylings of folk band, Gullywasher Featuring Chris Hudson on Guitar, Mark Hamblin on Bass, Marco Pascolini on Pedal Steel and Buck Brandt on Mandolin and all of the cast singing. Prejudice & Pride is a hilarious, heartfelt romp through American culture that is bound for Edinburgh Fringe 2022! From SamWrites & Nicholas Collett Productions, the international collaboration that brought you 2016’s Best of KC award winner Crazy Horse: A Dream of Thunder. Book by Nicholas Collett & Sam Wright, music & lyrics by Sam Wright. Recorded at Weights and Measures Studio by Duane Trower. Moe info at: https://thebardowlskc.bandcamp.comMore info at: https://linktr.ee/samnwright

11:00 – Station ID

11. Stephonne Singleton – “Cross My Heart (Sext M.F.) (Radio Edit)”
    from: SIS: Side B [EP] / Stephonne / June 24, 2022
    [Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne released the single, “Cross My Heart (Sexy M.F.) on June 3, 2022. Stephonne released the single, “Deja Vu” with Shilow and Regina Del Carmen on May 9, 2022. Stephonne released the single “The King’s Gambit” on July 28, 2021. Stephonne was part of the single, “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” from Lee Walter Redding & Stephonne, released April 9, 2021. Stephonne released the single “Beautiful Life (Acoustic)” on January 15, 2021. Stephonne released SIS: Side A on August 7, 2020. The 4 song EP contained the song “Want Me” that was also made into a video featuring body painting on to Stephonne’s body from artist Ryan Wilks. Stephonne released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonne was born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Stephonne grew up in KCK. He has performed in multiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne told John Long of Camp Magazine “I was surrounded by records, and my parents always had music on.” ]

11:05 – Interview with Stephonne Singleton

Singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist – Stephonne Singleton who is everywhere these days, organizing a Tribute to Sade at Lemonade Park, playing shows for Lawrence Pride, Manor Records, Midwest Music Foundation, The AIDS Service Foundation of KC, InterUrban ArtHouse, The Black Box, The Folly Theatre, collaborating with The Black Creatures, Calvin Arsenia, Miki P, Jass, Eboni Fondren, putting out EPs, and singles. Stephonne describes himself as the lovechild of Prince & Billie Holiday. He grew up in KCK and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Benedictine College, and Masters in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. Stephonne releaseed his new EP SIS: Side B on June 24, 2022 through Glory Blue Music, co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. More info at: http://www.stephonne.com

Stephonne Thank You for being with us oin WMM!

Stephonne recently headlined Lawrence Gay Pride, June 25, presented by I Heart Local Music. Marching in the Lawrence Pride Parade in Downtown followed by the huge PRIDE Party at 4:00 PM, at Abe & Jakes, 8 East 6th Street.

Stephonne’s 4-track EP, SIS: Side B, was eleased Friday, June 24, through Glory Blue Music. Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios

Stephonne’s band is called: The Gay Rodeo

Miki P on drums
Benjamin Hart (Byard) on lead guitar
Ahafia Jurkiewicz-Miles on keyboards
Spencer Thut on bass

(on SIS: Side B Johnny Hamil is on bass, and Adam McKee is on drums)

Stephonne and The Gay Rodeo hold band practice every week at Charlotte Street Foundation where Stephonne is in his second year of a residency.

“Boyz (feat. Dustin Rapier & Zava)”

11:13

12. Stephonne – “Boyz (feat. Dustin Rapier & Zava) [Radio Edit]”
    from: SIS: Side B [EP] / Stephonne / June 24, 2022
    [Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne released the single, “Cross My Heart (Sexy M.F.) on June 3, 2022. Stephonne released the single, “Deja Vu” with Shilow and Regina Del Carmen on May 9, 2022. Stephonne released the single “The King’s Gambit” on July 28, 2021. Stephonne was part of the single, “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” from Lee Walter Redding & Stephonne, released April 9, 2021. Stephonne released the single “Beautiful Life (Acoustic)” on January 15, 2021. Stephonne released SIS: Side A on August 7, 2020. The 4 song EP contained the song “Want Me” that was also made into a video featuring body painting on to Stephonne’s body from artist Ryan Wilks. Stephonne released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonne was born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Stephonne grew up in KCK. He has performed in multiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne told John Long of Camp Magazine “I was surrounded by records, and my parents always had music on.”]

11:17 – Interview with Stephonne Singleton (Part 2)

We are talking with Singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist – Stephonne Singleton about his new EP release, SIS: Side B [EP] which came out on June 24, 2022

Stephonne Thanks for beig with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

[Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne released the single, “Cross My Heart (Sexy M.F.) on June 3, 2022.

The recent performances of Stephonne with The Gay Rodeo show a whole new sexier Stephonne wearing very little clothes wearing mostly women’s undergarments and erotic costuming.

Stephonne credits his work in therapy during the pandemic that has helped him take control of his own sexuality

Stephonne’s latest publicity photos are taken by photographer John Brant.

Stephonne believes he is doing a better job of “receiving” in this part of his journey.

Stephonne Discography

“Cross My Heart (Sexy M.F.) (Radio Edit)” – Single / Stephonne / June 3, 2022
[Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, and Adam McKee on drums.

EP SIS: Side B to be released Friday, June 24, 2022.

Stephonne released the single, “Deja Vu” with Shilow, Regina Del Carmen on May 9, 2022.

Stephonne released the single “The King’s Gambit” on July 28, 2021.

Stephonne was part of the single, “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” from Lee Walter Redding & Stephonne, released April 9, 2021.

Stephonne released the single “Beautiful Life (Acoustic)” on January 15, 2021.

Stephonne released SIS: Side A on August 7, 2020. The 4 song EP contained the song “Want Me” that was also made into a video featuring body painting on to Stephonne’s body from artist Ryan Wilks.

Stephonne released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.”

Stephonne loves to push boundaries with his music by blending the genres of Alt-Rock & R&B /Soul. His influences, like Prince, Billie Holiday, The Alabama Shakes, are apparent in the foundation of his music and his single “The King’s Gambit”. Stephonne wrote this track about having strong feelings for a man, but due to the fear of rejection, was afraid to share these sentiments aloud. In this track, Stephonne compares the skill of flirtation to a game of chess.

On August 18, 2021 Stephonne joined us to talk about hie single “The King’s Gambit.”\

On July 15, 2020 – Singer songwriter, & actor, Stephonne Singleton joined us on WMM to talk about his new EP, SIS: Side A, to released August 7, 2020, and the single “Deep,” released July 14, 2020. Stephonne co-produced his EP with Justin Mantooth who also engineered & mixed, at Westend Studios. Joining Stephonne was Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar, & Adam McKee on drums.

After 2018’s Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard and the release of two singles, ‘Want Me’ and ‘Dominate’, on 2020 Stephonne released SIS: Side A EP. “With ‘Want Me’, I finally found a full confidence and strength in myself again. There were a lot of years that passed, where I really felt that I couldn’t do this independently. I stopped listening to the music and instead listened to rejection, doubt and a lot of self-sabotage.” After a 2018 New York showcase, Singleton laid in A friend’s Philadelphia bed and thought about what was next. He had taken a step he hadn’t before and it was that precise step that woke up a sleeping giant. “It all hit me at once! I got so much closer to my dream than ever before and a dream with steps and goals that I’d written down and prayed aloud for since I was 7.” ‘Want Me’ would spawn a very successful Kickstarter for its major music video and an EP that Stephonne had no idea he’d end up writing.

“‘Want Me’ had been written before my debut was released but was just sitting and, honestly, after I decided I needed to go about this alone I remembered that I was broke,” laughs the singer-songwriter. From jobs in corporate America, local theatre and drag Stephonne put his money where his dreams were. After crowdfunding success, the songs just showed up and demanded attention. SIS, in the case of this EP, actually means Summoning Insatiable Spirits.

“That is what I do every time I write a song. The spirits are my emotions, thoughts, traumas, fears and joys.” On Side A and, an upcoming, B we find those spirits. “All of these songs came to me in an instant. They are really from some relationship that I have with the ether that I can’t explain. Whole songs in 10-15 minutes that I hear over and over until I get in with the band (Johnny Hamil, Ben Byard and Adam McKee) finish writing with everyone and then record them.”

Side A’s first single, ‘Deep’, came to Stephonne on a return to MCI from SEA. “There I was… crying on the plane like a big ass baby because of some dude I fell in love with and knew it wouldn’t work out with. The melody and lyrics hit me like a brick and after trying to hide my weeping face from the two passengers next to me, I went to that tiny bathroom and got everything on my phone.” Like ‘Want Me’, the pop gem would sit and scream at Stephonne until late 2019. The influence of 90’s and early 00’s radio rock reigns supreme on ‘Deep’ and we find Stephonne in his greatest melodic and lyrical territory yet. “I feel like you are always trying, unsuccessfully, to write a hit and with every single one of these songs there was no trying. I listened to life, wrote it down and got out of my own way.” Each song holds its ground without overproduction and a desperation for chart placement that holds back many industry hopefuls. What is delivered is sincere, raw but refined, pure and honest music that is accessible no matter your love of genre. With that being said, that this is a rock record is undeniable. “The frustrating thing for me about it, is that radio and audiences look at my skin color and automatically label everything as Hip-Hop and R&B. I’d say I did music as a kid and people would ask me if I was a rapper without even a second passing.. Every genre has BLACK origin and yet where are we on the radio? We continue to carry the industry on our backs and are still having to use the back door!”

The genre jumper doesn’t deny his R&B, Soul and Jazz influences on SIS. It’s quite the opposite. Rock and R&B collide with the sultry, silky and vocal grit of Stephonne. He is an artist who conjures up the spirits of Prince and Billie Holiday (his biggest influences) but that delivers something inimitable, visceral, strange and beautiful. Even on the sugary and hyper sexuality of ‘Sweet Tooth’ and the dark but hopeful beauty of ‘Middle Man’, there is a triumphant transcendence that was a staple of yesteryears Popular music. A time when saturation wasn’t heavy and when artist development was embraced over carbon copying. “I only have interest in being me. Sis, I’m Black, unapologetically Queer, and very sex positive. I’m at a point in my life where I embrace every single part and won’t spend energy on anything but self-love, my music and the things that I can help with to change this world for the better.” SIS: Side A reflects all of the above exclamations of Stephonne but it also puts him in position to step into the world’s radar and officially begins his legacy as one music’s greatest treasures. For more visit www.stephonne.com!

Stephonne slinks and slides into ears with ‘Want Me’. The dark and slickly polished track oozes of sex, confusion and tension. “Those things describe my coming of age as a black gay man. I’ve put my heart and mental health through a lot, trying to find love.” With Stephonne you find a painfully personal style of writing. Here, he delves into the point of view of an ex-lover. “I kept trying to make it work and the outcome was always the same. It was so confusing, that it haunted me. I was with a person who loved me but that didn’t want anything to do with love. I was just a body for sex and a cheerleader when he decided it was game on.” The song was his final straw and a way to make sense of what he’d been through. It also examines the hookup culture of apps like Grindr & Scruff. “The app culture feels like shopping at a butcher shop for meat. It’s a bunch of ghosts, most of the time, who appear and disappear as soon as they cum. Sex can be utility but I suddenly don’t exist after that?!” Being black, becoming fetishized and turned away from members of queer communities has been an often occurrence for the singer-songwriter.

The writing and production comes solely from the Kansas City native, with a huge helping hand from co-producer, Justin Mantooth. Recorded at Westend Recording Studios the track features Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar and Adam McKee on drums. Singleton continues to defy genre, but instead of dipping his toe into his alternative rock roots he takes a deep dive in. Still marked by breathy vocals, buttery falsetto, gospel rasp and innate jazz sensibilities, the track & new music video lift Stephonne to new heights. 

The video transports us into the center of a horror movie. Surrounded by candles and ancient sigil work, Stephonne is painted in a nod to Grace Jones and Kieth Haring. Artist, Ryan Wilks makes Stephonne and the set a canvas, where he resurrects someone he probably shouldn’t. From a mere snap, we travel through a film noire that is equal parts Nosferatu, The Craft and an inescapable heat and sexuality that emit from both the songwriter and featured dancer, Courtney Germany. “I needed black girl magic in this video and what was most important to me was to have someone who could express every bit of agony and yearning in the song with their body.” Courtney is breathtaking. Choreographed by Ashley Personett of Empire Dance Academy and That’s Entertainment KC, Germany turns into a lovelorn golem who will do anything for the attention of its maker. “There is a magic that BIPOC hold within us that comes from a 24/7, 365 day struggle just to survive. On top of that, we also have to live, love and try to find time to heal. We are worthy of so much more than this world gives us.” In this way, Stephonne becomes a symbol for what’s not given and for what doesn’t wish to be given in the video.

The multi-layered and cinematic masterpiece was helmed and directed by Method Media. You may know them from the critically acclaimed and TIME magazine reviewed/featured videos by Kansas City natives, SSION (Inherit, At least The Sky is Blue and Comeback). Every detail is given the utmost attention by director and editor, Jordon Rioux. Every tone, shot and transition contains an edge and sophistication that only heightens this supernatural affair. The video production is an affair of its own. A Kansas City love affair that showcases the talents, locations (filmed at Heidi Van’s Black Box) and savvy of a slept on city that has recently gained new notoriety due to shows like Queer Eye. “We are a city full of so much treasure and promise! Every part of this video was responsible because of KC businesses, costume/jewelry makers, artists and more. I will always rep my city.”

Lee Walter Redding told me that he learned about Stephonne Singleton from listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley and hearing Stephonne for the first time. WMM bringing musical collaborations together since 2004. Lyrics and music by Lee Redding. Vocals and raw emotion on Elephant Man by Stephonne. Mixing and mastering by Justin Skinner. Lee Walter Redding writes: “Elephant Man” is inspired by young, black men diagnosed with schizophrenia and the issues they face dealing with stigma and difficulty fitting into a society that makes little room for those with severe mental health challenges. This is something that Stephonne felt deeply connected to and was gracious enough to put his full heart on display for the world to hear.

Stephonne Singleton, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Stephonne just released his new EP SIS: Side B Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. More info at http://www.stephonne.com

11:24

13. Stephonne – “Home Alone (Radio Edit)”
    from: SIS: Side B [EP] / Stephonne / June 24, 2022
    [Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne released the single, “Cross My Heart (Sexy M.F.) on June 3, 2022. Stephonne released the single, “Deja Vu” with Shilow and Regina Del Carmen on May 9, 2022. Stephonne released the single “The King’s Gambit” on July 28, 2021. Stephonne was part of the single, “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” from Lee Walter Redding & Stephonne, released April 9, 2021. Stephonne released the single “Beautiful Life (Acoustic)” on January 15, 2021. Stephonne released SIS: Side A on August 7, 2020. The 4 song EP contained the song “Want Me” that was also made into a video featuring body painting on to Stephonne’s body from artist Ryan Wilks. Stephonne released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonne was born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Stephonne grew up in KCK. ]

11:28 – Underwriting

14. Lazer Beam – “Sink Or Swim”
    from: Lazer Beam / LCF / April 9, 2021
    [All instruments, Lucust French – Percussion, Chris Hughes Production, Chris Hughes @ 513 Studios Tempe, AZ Artwork by Dylan ZonGrowing up in the desert has shaped Lucust’s way of creating music, with influence from early QOTSA, Fatso Jetson, Brant Bjork, along with upbeat Boston low rock legends Morphine… Put that all in a pot and let it simmer, and you get a heavy desert dance party hidden in the hills, while your mom is calling you demanding you to come home. But you won’t go home. You’re going to party with LAZERBEAM Growing up in the desert has shaped Lucust’s way of creating music, with influence from early QOTSA, Fatso Jetson, Brant Bjork, along with upbeat Boston low rock legends Morphine… Put that all in a pot and let it simmer, and you get a heavy desert dance party hidden in the hills, while your mom is calling you demanding you to come home. But you won’t go home. You’re going to party with LAZERBEAM ]

11:34 – Interview w/ Catina K Taylor, Yassi Armer-Shabazz, Zoey Harris, Kotah Kauffman

Our 90.1 FM KKFI – MidCoast Radio Project Board President – Catina K. Taylor joins us with our KKFI High School Interns: Yassi Armer-Shabazz, Zoey Harris, and Kotah Kauffman. Prior to Catina being elected President in April 2022, Catina served as Vice President of the board. Catina is Founder and CEO at Dreams Consulting and Founder and Executive Director at Dreams KC, a rigorous educational environment which uses the project based learning strategy to reengage students & increase achievement. Catina Studied Paralegal Studies Political Science at Avila University. She is a former First Grade Teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School from 2005 – 2011. More info at http://www.kkfi.org

Catina K. Taylor Thanks for being with us on WMM

Also joining us are our KKFI High School Summer Interns: Yassi Armer-Shabazz, Zoey Harris, and Kotah Kauffman

Thanks for being with us on WMM

We just heard, Lazer Beam – “Sink Or Swim” by request from Yassi Armer-Shabazz. Lazer Beam is a cousin to Yassi’s father Jim Armer.

Yassi Armer-Shabazz will be Sophomiore in High School next year. He has been attending Academy Lafayette but might be switching to Lincoln Prep High School.

Zoey Harris will be a Junior at Piper High School, this year.

Kotah Kauffman will be a Senior at Olathe North next year.

Prior to Catina being elected President in April 2022, Catina served as Vice President of the board. It was her idea to institute this round of interns at KKFI.

Catina is Founder and CEO at Dreams Consulting and Founder and Executive Director at Dreams KC, a rigorous educational environment which uses the project based learning strategy to reengage students & increase achievement.

Catina Studied Paralegal Studies Political Science at Avila University.

She is a former First Grade Teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School from 2005 – 2011.

Catina K. Taylor, Yassi Armer-Shabazz, Zoey Harris, and Kotah Kauffman, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

More info at http://www.kkfi.org

For Wednesday MidDay Medley I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:54

15. Temp Tats – “Callosa”
    from: “Callosa” – Single / Temp Tats / June 17, 2022
    [Recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. Eric Schuman, Chris Paul, and Luke Waye as Temp Tats. Artwork by Joel Schuman.]

[TEMP TATS play recordBar, 1520 Grand KCMO, Friday July 8, at 7:00 PM with Via Luna, and FACE FACE.]

16. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
    from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

Thank you to everyone who called in last week during our Spring Fund Drive Show.
46 people donated through Wednesday MidDay Medley at total of $2689.00

Next week on Wednesday, July 1, we welcome Lee Walter Redding, Chalis O’Neal, and Tucker Slough.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Find our playlists for the past 10 years at: http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org

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Show #949