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, June 14, 2023

WMM Serves Music of Boulevardia + Chris Haghirian + Marion Merritt & Nico Gray

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. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit– “Cast Iron Skillet”
   from: Weathervanes / Southeastern Records / June 9, 2023
   [9th solo album from Michael Jason Isbell was born February 1, 1979. He is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a member of Drive-By Truckers for six years, from 2001 to 2007. Isbell has won four Grammy Awards. // Isbell’s band, The 400 Unit, is primarily made up of musicians from the Muscle Shoals, Alabama, area. The lineup is: Sadler Vaden on guitar, backup vocals (also of Drivin’ N Cryin’); Jimbo Hart on bass, backup vocals; Derry DeBorja on keyboard, accordion, backup vocals (formerly of Son Volt); Chad Gamble on drums, backup vocals (brother of Al Gamble); Amanda Shires on fiddle, backup vocals. The band’s name comes from the 400 Unit, a colloquial name for the psychiatric ward of Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama. It was originally called the 400 Unit because it was in a separate building from the main three-story hospital. After renovation in the 1980s, the ward was renamed as the Behavioral Health Center, also known as 1st North, and is located on the hospital’s first floor. // Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit’s eponymous album was released on February 17, 2009, on Lightning Rod Records. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit was Isbell’s second solo release and his first release with The 400 Unit. Matt Pence of Centro-Matic co-produced and engineered the record, as well as playing drums on the record. // Isbell and the 400 Unit released their second album, Here We Rest, on April 12, 2011, on Lightning Rod Records. The album was produced and recorded by the band. The song “Alabama Pines” was named Song of the Year at the 2012 Americana Music Awards. // On March 13, 2017, Isbell announced a new album with the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound. The album was released on June 16, 2017. Isbell and the band won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album and Isbell won Grammy Award for Best American Roots Song at the 60th ceremony. // In October 2017, Isbell was announced to be the official artist-in-residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He made a guest appearance on John Prine’s 2018 album The Tree of Forgiveness. Isbell contributed the ballad “Maybe It’s Time” to the soundtrack of the 2018 film A Star Is Born, where it was performed by actor Bradley Cooper’s character, Jackson Maine. // On February 11, 2020, Isbell announced a new album, Reunions. It was released on May 15, 2020. Reunions sees Isbell once again working with producer Dave Cobb and features guest vocals by Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons and David Crosby. The album announcement was made alongside the release of the first song of the album, “Be Afraid”, which peaked at a career high number 5 on the Adult Alternative Songs chart. Also, second single, “Dreamsicle” peaked at number 20 on the same chart. // On November 5, 2020, Isbell announced on Twitter that if Joe Biden won the state of Georgia in the 2020 United States presidential election, he would record a charity album featuring covers of songs by Georgia artists, such as R.E.M. and Gladys Knight. After it was projected that Biden had won the state, he reaffirmed on Twitter that he was being serious and that he would begin work on the album shortly. The album, entitled Georgia Blue, was released October 15, 2021.]

[Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit play Boulevardia, Fri, June 16, at 9:30 PM on Visit Missouri Grand Stage]

10:06 – Intro / Pledge Break #1

Today WMM plays music of the bands and artists, from the lineup for the upcoming 8th annual Boulevardia Beer & Music Festival including: The Beths, The War and Treaty, Big Freedia, Katy Guillen & The Drive, Hembree, Kat King, Caley Rose, FlareThaRebel, The Salvation Choir, Steddy P, Zion Isaiah, Cimafunk, Surfaces, and grandson. We started with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

Chris Haghirian who joins us for the entire show to share details about Boulevardia 2023, Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with 45 bands, 15 DJs, on 5 stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Podcast Stage, a Legacy Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences. The two-day urban street festival is near the intersection of Pershing and Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center and Washington Square Park. More info at: http://www.boulevardia.com

But first, we take break to encourage YOU to support 90.1 FM KKFI. To help me, is…

Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to WMM, She grew up in Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She went to college in Columbia, Missouri. She studied art and musical engineering, and is a avid lover of classic films and punk rock music. She saw Talking Heads on their first U.S. tour when they played One Block West in 1978. For nearly 19 years she has been sharing her musical discoveries and information from her musically-encyclopedic brain on Wednesday MidDay Medley. With her partner Ann Stewart, Marion is the proprietor of Records With Merritt, a minority owned business at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, that features new vinyl releases, in-store performances,, and was once the location for a wedding. More information at: http://www.recordwithmerritt.com

Marion Merritt, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Nico Gray, has been an Associate Programmer on our WMM team for over 10 years, helping us with shows about Glam Rock, David Bowie, and multiple Fund Drive shows, and serving as Guest Producer for 12 different shows. Last year Nico became a full fledged Programmer at 90.1 FM completing months of training, and testing. Nico Gray is now the Host & Producer of “Radio Nicopisa” currently broadcast on Thursdays 12:00 Midnight to 2:00 AM on 90.1 FM KKFI, until it can find a home in the daytime line-up. Radio Nicopisa is the second spin-off show from WMM following in the footsteps of ARTSPEAK Radio with Maria Vasquez Boyd who also first started as a “Guest Producer” on WMM, and who we mentored over the years as she found her own show and time slot and is now celebrating 11 Years on the Airwaves of KKFI. Nico Gray is also a writer, performance artist, and has worked as an actor with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Gorilla Theatre, 8th St. Cafe Theatre, Actor’s Craft, and Big Bang Buffet. He appeared in HBO film “Truman” and in the Robert Altman film, “Kansas City.” Nico was also in an early short film of John McGrath that had a small role played by Emmy Award Winner Jason Sudeikis. Nico is currently a marketing & advertising consultant with Union Station and the several years worked as Marketing Director for Fringe Festival KC.

Nico Gray, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio is Non-Commercial, and that means that three times a year, we interrupt our regular programming, to ask our listeners, to help us continue our unique, 24-7 programming. For 33 years 90.1 FM KKFI has been on the air. While the spirit of this station is kept alive by hundreds of volunteers who passionately donate their time and abilities to keep the transmission of our 100,000-watt-signal alive. We are a operated by a not-for-profit organization, incorporated over 40 years ago, called The MidCoast Radio Project. We’re non-profit, but we still have to pay the electric bill, the rent on our fully accessible production studios and offices, insurance, staff, royalties, production expenses. Even though we have hundreds of committed volunteers, who donate thousands of hours every year, producing radio shows, answering phones, creating websites, producing benefits, rewiring the board, setting up our computer system, we still need YOU, our listener, to take a moment and call 888-931-0901 and donate to keep us alive! Our volunteers are waiting to hear from YOU right now.

90.1 FM KKFI is “Radio Powered By Diversity” For 35 Years our Kansas City Area Community Speaks Through our Airwaves and this Program.

In 2022 on WMM we conducted over 120 interviews with 120 special guests: Kianna Alarid White, Cale Parks, Nico Gray, Betse Ellis, Marion Merritt, Rose Brown, Ivory Blue, Klaartje Van Lue, Ernest James Zydeco, Julia Othmer, Julie Bennett Hume, Mikal Shapiro, Leslie Pories, Matt & Melissa Weinman of Dimension Bill Edwards, Oliver Hall, Jeremiah James Gonzales and Brody Lowe of Redder Moon, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Nick Robertson, Travis McKenzie, Andrew Woody of The Creepy Jingles, Jennifer Owen of Owen Cox Dance, Nate Holt of Asterales, Isaac Flynn of Hembree, D Rashaan Gilmore, Luke M. Harbur aka Music By Skippy, Fritz Hutchison, Jenna Rae, Kristie Stremel, Sondra Freeman of Midwest Music Foundation, Meighan Peifer & Patricia Doherty, Jade Green & Xavier Martin of The Black Creatures, Jesse Kates of The Sexy Accident, Chad Brothers, Kristopher Bruders and Mark Smeltzer of Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Jnabe, Jessica Salley, Brodie Rush of Be/Non, Shaun Crowley, Nilko Andreas, Amy Farrand, Sam Platt, Stacy Busch & Kalli Siringas of No Divide KC, Taylor Avazpour, Jessica Ayala and Les Izmore of Arquesta Del Sol Soul, Luke Petet, Chris Haghirian, Stephonne Singleton, Dedric Moore, Scott Hrabko, Just Angel, Vi Tran, KKFI Board President Catina Taylor, KKFI Interns: Yassi Armer-Shabazz, Zoey Harris, and Kotah Kauffman, Lee Walter Redding, Chalis O’Neal, Tucker Slough, Major Matt Mason USA, Brook Worlledge, Stephanie Bankston, Mia Morrow of Boxknife, Cooper Scott of Jean Claude and The Eclairs, Kadesh Flow, Dr. Sonia Hall, Necia Gamby, Kelly Hunt, Aaron Shinn and Tell Pryor of Lazy Projector, Lacey Gronniger of Dreamgirl, Bill Sundahl, Nick Carswell of Carswell & Hope, Tillie Alexandra Hall of MellowPhobia, Nathan Reusch of The Record Machine, Diane Patterson. Kiley Sutter, Steve Tulipana, Miki P, Rachel Lovelace, Ryan Wise, AJ Knudson, and Jimmy Girod of LYXE, Trent Michael Munsinger of You Monster You, Judith G. Levey, Mike McCoy, Heather Grehan, & Lisa McKenzie of Cher U.K., Brie Howard-Darling, Patti Quatro, Mia Huggins, of Fanny, Nita Norris, and Jackie Nugent, Brenton Cook of Outer Reaches Fest, Mark Ronning of Les Bons Bons Electriques, Lotta Williams, and Chris Hudson, Fally Afani of I Heart Local Music, Nick Spacek of The Pitch, Sondra Freeman, Tre’ Mutava, Howie Howard, Glenn North, and Eddie Moore.

10:12

3. The Beths – “Future Me Hates Me”
   from: Future Me Hates Me / Carpark Records / August 10, 2018
   [The Beths are from Auckland, New Zealand. Elizabeth Stokes on lead vocals & guitar, Jonathan Pearce on guitar & vocals, Benjamin Sinclair on bass & vocals, Ivan Luketina-Johnston on drums & vocals. Their debut album on Carpark Records. Elizabeth Stokes previously worked in a folk band. “Fronting this kind of band was a new experience for me,” says Stokes. “I never thought I had the right voice for it.” All four members of The Beths studied jazz at university, resulting in a toolkit of deft instrumental chops and tricked-out arrangements that operate on a level rarely found in guitar-pop. Beths guitarist and studio guru Jonathan Pearce (whose other acts as producer include recent Captured Tracks signing Wax Chattels) brings it all home with an approach that’s equal parts seasoned perfectionist and D.I.Y. Channeling their stew of personal-canon heroes while drawing inspiration from contemporaries like Alvvays and Courtney Barnett, The Beths serve up deeply emotional lyrics packaged within heavenly sounds that delight in probing the limits of the pop form.]

[The Beths plays Boulevardia, Friday, June 16, at 6:25 PM on Visit Missouri Grand Stage]

10:16 – Interview with Chris Haghirian

Chris Haghirian is host & Producer of Eight One Sixty, heard Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. Chris worked for The Kansas City Star for over 20 years. Chris studied Journalism / Advertising at The University of Kansas. Chris also studied Photography at Kansas City Art Institute. Chris works for Spray KC. Chris organizes multiple concert series throughout the metro, and music stages for The Plaza Art Fair, The Innovation Fest, and The Middle of The Map Fest.

Chris Haghirian joins us for the entire show to share details about Boulevardia 2023, Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with 45 bands, 15 DJs, on 5 stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Podcast Stage, a Legacy Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences. The two-day urban street festival is near the intersection of Pershing and Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center and Washington Square Park. The event features a craft beer and food sampling experience and music, as well as interactive activities, entertainment, and shopping, all in a unique urban setting. http://www.boulevardia.com

Chris Haghirian thanks for being with us on WMM

VISIT MISSOURI GRAND STAGE, FOUNTAIN STAGE, P3 PARK STAGE, QUIRK STAGE, SILENT DISCO

With Brewing Companies, Restaurants & Food Trucks, Merchants in the Makers Market, Plus a Podcast Stage, a Legacy Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and VIP Experiences.

Boulevardia 2023 – Friday, June 16

Trevor Turla – 4:25 PM – Propaganda 3 Stage

Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra – 5:00 PM – Fountain Stage

Kat King – 5:05 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Back Alley Brass Band – 5:45 PM – Propaganda Park Stage

Caley Rose – 5:45 – Quirk Terrace Stage

Glass Bandit – 6:15 PM – Fountain Stage

The Beths – 6:25 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Malek Azreal and The Vibez – 7:00 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Katy Gullen and The Drive – 7:10 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

Six Percent – 7:30 PM – Fountain Stage

The War and Treaty – 7:50 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Steddy P – 8:15 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Cimafunk – 8:45 PM – Fountain Stage

Post Sex Nachos – 8:50 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

Friendly Thieves – 9:30 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – 9:30pm – VISIT MISSOURI GRAND STAGE

The Freedom Affair – 10:00 PM – Fountain Stage

MONSTER ENERGY SILENT DISCO

Dirty Jackie / ANJ / DJ Joe / DJ Baby Boi / DJ Ice Kile – 5:00 PM
Dirty Jackie / ANJ / DJ Joe / DJ Baby Boi / DJ Ice Kile – 6:00 PM

Assjamz / DJ Diehard / DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole – 7:00 PM
Assjamz / DJ Diehard / DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole – 8:00 PM

MADDS – 9:00 PM
MADDS – 10:00 PM

Boulevardia 2023 – Saturday, June 17

Grand Marquis – 1:05 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Say That Again – 1:15 PM – Fountain Stage

Peter Schlamb and the Electric Tinks – 1:45 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

The Royal Chief – 2:00 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Jack Kays – 2:25 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Daisy Buckët Drag Show – 2:30 PM – Fountain Stage

Just Angel and The Waades – 3:03 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

Zion Isaiah – 3:15 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Hembree – 3:45 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

The Salvation Choir – 3:45 PM – Fountain Stage

Quite Frankly – 4:25PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

Tre Mutava – 4:30 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Julia Haile – 5:00 PM – Fountain Stage

Big Freedia – 5:05 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Sass-A-Brass – 5:45 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

FlareThaRebel – 5:45 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

The Grisly Hand – 6:15 PM – Fountain Stage

K.Flay – 6:25 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

PmBata – 7:00 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

SPLATT – 7:25 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

Cartez Vaughn & Worship Culture – 7:30 PM – Fountain Stage

grandson – 8:05 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Jass and The Boys – 8:15 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Me Like Bees – 8:45 PM – Fountain Stage

Found A Job – 9:05 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage

LYXE – 9:30 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage

Surfaces – 9:45 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage

Atlantic Express – 10:00 PM – Fountain Stage

MONSTER ENERGY SILENT DISCO

BLVDIA Skate Party – 1:00 PM
BLVDIA Skate Party – 2:00 PM

Boss Hooligan Soundsystem / DJ EJ / DJ Maple – 3:00 PM
Boss Hooligan Soundsystem / DJ EJ / DJ Maple – 4:00 PM

DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole / DJ Tee Leche / DJ Skittle / DJ On10 – 5:00 PM
DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole / DJ Tee Leche / DJ Skittle / DJ On10 – 6:00 PM

DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole / DJ Aimez / FK Menace / DJ On10 – 7:00 PM
DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole / DJ Aimez / FK Menace / DJ On10 – 8:00 PM

Sonic Love Collection / DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole / DJ NE$$ / DJ On10 – 9:00 PM
Sonic Love Collection / DJ Joe / DJ Ice Kole / DJ NE$$ / DJ On10 – 10:00 PM

10:20

4. Cimafunk – “Rompelo (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)”
   from: El Alimento / Terapia Productions – Thirty Tigers / October 8, 2021
   [Erik Alejandro Iglesias Rodríguez (born 1989), known professionally as Cimafunk, is a Grammy-nominated Cuban musician known for mixing funk and hip hop with Cuban and Afro-Caribbean music. His most recent album, El Alimento, was released in October 2021. // Rodriguez sang in church as a child, and originally planned to become a doctor like several members of his family. He attended medical school in his hometown of Pinar del Río for two years, but moved to Havana in 2010 to pursue music. He worked as a session arranger and producer for Cuban musicians like Raúl Paz and Liuba María Hevia, and was also in the band Interactivo from 2014 to 2016. After leaving that band, he adopted the name Cimafunk, referencing the cimarróns, who were escaped slaves who formed self-sustaining communities in Cuba during the colonial era. Cimafunk is also the name of his backing band, featuring a rotating cast of collaborators. Cimafunk endeavored to blend Afro-Cuban and African American music, with a focus on funk rhythms. The New Yorker has since compared him to James Brown. // Cimafunk self-released the album Terapia in 2017, followed by the single “Me Voy” in 2018. Billboard named him one of the “10 Latin Artists to Watch in 2019”. Cimafunk completed a successful tour of the United States and Europe in 2019, during which time he gained significant popularity in his native Cuba. While on lockdown in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cimafunk released several stand-alone singles and the EP Cun Cun Prá. In October 2021, Cimafunk released the album El Alimento, featuring guest appearances by George Clinton, Lupe Fiasco, and CeeLo Green. Both Rolling Stone and NPR named El Alimento as one of the best albums of the year. The album was nominated for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. // Studio albums: Terapia (2017) // Cun Cun Prá (EP, 2020) // El Alimento (2021)]

[Cimafunk plays Boulevardia, Friday, June 16, at 8:45 PM on Fountain Stage]

10:24 – Pledge Break #2

Our WMM Spring Fund Drive Team: Marion Merritt and Nico Gray

90.1 FM KKFI’s non-profit organization and governing body is the MidCoast Radio Project. MidCoastal is where we are, on the coasts of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers with a music community that spans the Kansas City Metro region and west to Lawrence and Topeka and south to Olathe and east to Columbia and North to St Joseph. Not necessarily the reach of our 100,000 watt signal but definitely the reach of our community.

WMM and KKFI are committed to featuring artists under-represented in other media, and that includes the music community that lives within Kansas City and Lawrence and the area radiance of our 100 watt signal. The story of Kansas City’s Arts and Music Community is our primary objective on WMM, where for over 19 years we have shined a light on this music and the artist who create it and that story also include the music labels who help get this music out into the community and beyond Kansas City. That story also includes the recording studios where this music is engineered and mastered.

Wednesday MidDay Medley 90.1 FM was the first radio show and first radio station to ever play many if these amazing musical artists. WMM was the first to play the recordings of: Calvin Arsenia, and Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, and Krystle Warren, and The Black Creatures and KD Kuro, The Shy Boys, The Salvation Choir. We were the first to interview these artists live on the radio and bring their music to a wider audience.

10:32 – Underwriting

5. Big Freedia – “$100 Bill (Feat. Ciara)”
   from: Central City / Queen Diva Music / June 23, 2023
   [Raised on Josephine Street in uptown New Orleans, Big Freedia, born Freddie Ross, was raised by his mother, a hairdresser, and stepfather, a truck driver for Coca-Cola. When Freddie was 15, the family moved to a more upscale neighborhood in New Orleans. Freddie—along with his brother Adam and sister Crystal Ross—were immersed in music at home by their mother, who often sang along to her Gladys Knight and Patty LaBelle records around the house. But it was the Baptist church choir where a young Freddie flourished. ”My mother made sure I never missed practice,” recalls Freedia. It’s no wonder that by the time he was 18, Freedia moved from member to director of the choir. Big Freedia is known as the Queen of Bounce, at the forefront of the Bounce rap movement (a subgenre of hip-hop born out of New Orleans and known for its call and response style and lightening speed booty-shaking dance). Though gay and proud, Big Freedia asserts that her (Freedia is a he but uses the feminine pronoun for her stage persona) sexuality has little to do with her music and rejects the term Sissy Bounce (the queer brand of Bounce). “All Bounce is Bounce,” he insists. “There’s no need to separate it out. All types of people—gay, straight, rich, poor, black, white come to my shows. People just wanna get out and shake their azzzz and have a good time!” And therein lies the beauty of Big Freedia: She can rock a pair of dangling gold earrings and light up a blunt and chop it up with the hardest rapper around. She’s not a gay artist, but rather an artist who happens to be gay. Big Freedia has gone from a local New Orleans phenomenon to a national one after appearing on the HBO series ‘Treme’ [as herself] and in 2010, she released her debut EP on Scion A/V Presents: Big Freedia, produced by NOLA producer BlaqNmilD. The EP featured notables “Excuse” and “Almost Famous; other fan-favorites include “Gin in my System” “Azz Everwhere” and “Y’all Get Back Now.” Shefollowed that up by releasing “Nah Who Mad” and “Booty Whop,” and she was featured on Spank Rock’s “Everything is Boring and Everyone is a Fucking Liar” LP, on the track “Nasty.” She was also featured on “Peanut Butter” with RuPaul. Freedia made her network television network debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! She appeared on “Last Call with Carson Daly,” FADERTV, PITCHFORK TV and has been lauded in press outlets such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Fader, RollingStone.com, SPIN, OffBeat, Chicago Tribune.]

[Big Freedia plays, Boulevardia, Saturday, June 17, at 5:05 PM on the Visit Missouri Grand Stage.]

10:36 – Interview with Chris Haghirian

Chris Haghirian is host & Producer of Eight One Sixty, heard Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. Chris worked for The Kansas City Star for over 20 years. Chris studied Journalism / Advertising at The University of Kansas. Chris also studied Photography at Kansas City Art Institute. Chris works for Spray KC. Chris organizes multiple concert series throughout the metro, and music stages for The Plaza Art Fair, The Innovation Fest, and The Middle of The Map Fest.

Chris Haghirian joins us for the entire show to share details about Boulevardia 2023, Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with 45 bands, 15 DJs, on 5 stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Podcast Stage, a Legacy Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences. The two-day urban street festival is near the intersection of Pershing and Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center and Washington Square Park. The event features a craft beer and food sampling experience and music, as well as interactive activities, entertainment, and shopping, all in a unique urban setting.

More information at: http://www.boulevardia.com

Chris Haghirian thanks for being with us on WMM

10:39

6. Surfaces – “Sunday Best”
   from: Where The Light Is / Surfaces Music – TenThousand Projects / January 6, 2019
   [Surfaces is an American music group based in College Station, Texas. It currently consists of vocalists/guitarists Forrest Frank and Colin Padalecki. Their music is a blend of surf music, jazz, soul, pop rock, hip hop, reggae, and calypso. They have released four studio albums. Their first independent studio album, Surf, was released in 2017. // Surfaces was formed in 2017. Colin Padalecki began creating music in high school with his cousin and singer Alexa Padalecki. Colin began to upload his music online while attending Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Forrest Frank, a recent Baylor University graduate from Texas, reached out to Colin after hearing his music and invited him to record music at his houseboat. They released their first album together under the moniker Surfaces in December 2017, entitled Surf. The album’s third track, 24 / 7 / 365, has over 70 million streams on Spotify. After the release of Surf, Forrest Frank released a project with producer Biskwiq under the alias Forrest in July 2018. Notable tracks from the project include “Your Soul” and “Why Not Me”, which have each amassed over 20 million combined streams on Spotify. // In January 2019, the band released their second album, Where the Light Is, under the labels Caroline Records and TenThousand Projects. The seventh track from the album, “Sunday Best”, became a top 40 hit in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the top 100 in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. The song has amassed over 730 million streams on Spotify as of December 2021 and is believed to have gained its popularity from video-sharing app TikTok. It was released to radio in March 2020. A music video for the track was released on YouTube on July 10, 2019. // Their third album, Horizons, was released on February 28, 2020. The music duo released numerous singles as well, which included “Keep It Gold”, “Good Day”, “Bloom”, and “Lazy”, all of which were included as tracks in Horizons. In 2019, they also released two independent singles: “Palm Trees”, and “Take Some Time”, which were not featured on any album. Other singles include “Be Alright” and “Falling”, which were both released in 2017. The single “Low” was released in 2018. Surfaces made their debut on late-night television on March 2, 2020, performing “Sunday Best” on Late Night with Seth Meyers. In June 2020, the band released “Learn to Fly”, a single in collaboration with singer Elton John, produced and recorded online, during the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 12, 2020, “Sunday Best” charted at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100; the single peaked at No. 19 a week later. // Their fourth album, Pacifico, was released on June 25, 2021. It features the single “Wave of You”. The Deluxe version also includes the single “Sheesh!” with Tai Verdes. Their fifth album, Hidden Youth, was released on August 26, 2022.]

[Surfaces play Boulvardia, Saturday, June 17, at 9:45 PM on the Visit Missouri Grand Stage.]

7. grandson – “Half My Heart”
   from: I Love you, I’m Trying / Elektra Music Group / May 6, 2023
   [Jordan Edward Benjamin (born October 25, 1993), known professionally as grandson,[4] is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and musician currently signed to Fueled by Ramen. He released his major label debut EP, A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1, on June 15, 2018, and released the follow-up A Modern Tragedy Vol. 2 on February 22, 2019. The initial EP featured the single “Blood // Water”, which appeared on several Billboard charts in the United States and Canada. Benjamin’s music focuses on modern-day issues that are less recognized by the media and public. On December 4, 2020, he released his debut studio album, Death of an Optimist, and his second album, I Love You, I’m Trying, was released on May 5, 2023. // Benjamin was born in New Jersey, United States, but when he was 3 years old his family moved to Toronto, Ontario, where his maternal relatives lived (he holds dual citizenship of both countries). He has two sisters. Benjamin grew up largely in the Eglinton West area of Toronto. He attended Northern Secondary School in Toronto and, after graduation, enrolled in McGill University in Montreal. There, he studied education with the initial goal of becoming a teacher. He also spent a great deal of time DJing and playing shows in Montreal while at McGill. After two years, he transferred to Concordia University, another Montreal institution. He studied communications there briefly before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a music career. // Benjamin began releasing music under the pseudonym Grandson, stylized as grandson, in late 2015. In 2016, he released several singles that accrued millions of streams, including “Bills”, “Things Change”, and “Bury Me Face Down”. In 2017, he was signed to RCA Records, and continued releasing singles, including “Best Friends” and “Ki He also performed at North by Northeast that year (among other festivals). // In April 2018, it was announced that grandson had signed to the Fueled By Ramen record label. He had also released two new singles, “Blood // Water” (a song about political corruption that would go on to appear on multiple Billboard charts) and “Thoughts & Prayers”, which offered a critique of American gun laws in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. He released his first EP on Fueled by Ramen, A Modern Tragedy Vol. 1, in June 2018. That EP also featured the song “6:00” which discussed police brutality. Also in June 2018, grandson was featured on Mike Shinoda’s song “Running from My Shadow”, taken from his debut album Post Traumatic; the track was released also with an accompanying music video in May 2018. // Throughout 2018, grandson toured with acts like Hobo Johnson, Joywave, Nothing But Thieves, Smashing Pumpkins, and Young the Giant. He also appeared on an episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers in August 2018, performing “Blood // Water”. // In February 2019, he released a new single, “Apologize”, and announced his second EP, A Modern Tragedy Vol. 2, which was released on February 22, 2019. In late May, grandson released a cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Maria”, a song featured on the 1999 album The Battle of Los Angeles. // In June 2019, he won the SOCAN Songwriting Prize for his song “Blood // Water”, while in September 2019 the singer released A Modern Tragedy Vol. 3, the final installment of the Modern Tragedy trilogy EPs; the record features the lead single “Rock Bottom”, which peaked at No. 38 on the Canadian Rock Chart. // On September 23, 2020, grandson announced on his Facebook page that his debut full-length album Death of an Optimist would be released on December 4, 2020. Death of an Optimist is grandson’s debut album, being his first record to have a heavier tone since the release of the last a modern tragedy EP, a modern tragedy vol. 3. The album gained a lot of publicity and recognition through his social media. He announced a new album in May 2022.] [grandson plays Boulevardia, Saturday Night, June 17, at 8:05 PM – Visit Missouri Grand Stage]

10:45 – Pledge Break #3

Our WMM Spring Fund Drive Team: Marion Merritt, and Nico Gray

Our most played artists in 2022 were The Black Creatures. Wednesday MidDay Medley was the first radio show to play their music. They have been frequent guests on our show. The Black Creatures released their debut single “Mouth 2 Mouth” June 5, 2016. The Black Creatures released their self-produced, debut album, See No Evil, on December 6, 2017. The Black Creatures released their single Elements on February 14, 2018. Our playlists show that we first played The Black Creatures on March 14, 2018. Since that date we have championed this band. We first saw them live at InterUrban ArtHouse on July 10, 2019 as part of a Celebration of Queer Identity where Mark was also a performer. Their breakthrough album, WILD ECHOES, was self released by the band on September 30, 2019. WILD ECHOES was #2 on WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. WILD ECHOES was re-released and re-mastered by Center Cut Records in 2020 and named Album Of The Year from The Pitch Magazine for 2020. // Charlotte Street Foundation announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott. // The Black Creatures released their new album By Thy Hand on Center Cut Records on August 12, 2022. // Jade and Xavier just completed performances in the world premiere of Christian A. Walker’s “What Came With Spring” for the Owen/Cox Dance Group October 7 thru 9 at City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 W Pershing Rd, KCMO. // Mark’s brief review: “Being named “Album of The Year” from The Pitch Kansas City was the recognition this young band deserved, because there is really no other band in Kansas City creating incredibly beautiful and painful protest songs in multi genre styles of beats, vocal styles, textures. The immediate personal and poetic lyrics of Jade Green and tribal, dance floor and soulful beats and melodies of Xavier bring the listener into a multicultural, mixed, gender fluid, soul celebration of life and an honest indictment of the racist, homophobic, and sexist world they are navigating through to survive. Listen carefully to these young music makers, they are wise beyond their years. They speak the truth to power. They are beautiful. They are The Black Creatures.”

KKFI’s Mission Statement: KKFI is the Kansas City area’s independent, noncommercial community radio station. We seek to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.

KKFI’s Philosophy Statement: KKFI is committed to diversity in programming and discourse and seeks to create a climate of mutual respect and collaboration among volunteers and staff.

10:53

8. Hembree – “ATM”
   from: ATM – Single / Oread Records / June 15, 2023
   [Hembree released their The 15-track album, IT’S A DREAM on February 4, 2022. It was part of WMM 120 Best Recordings of 2023. Hembree, is a KC born band was formed in November of 2015, with Isaac Flynn on guitar, & lead vocals, Garrett Childers on bass & vocals, Eric Davis on keys & synth, Alex Ward on guitar, and Austin Ward on drums. Hembree is signed to Thirty Tigers of Nashville, TN. The band was founded by original members Isaac Flynn, Garrett Childers, and Eric Davis. Brothers Alex and Austin Ward later joined in 2018. Hembree quickly garnered national attention after their single “Holy Water” was placed in an Apple commercial that aired during Super Bowl LII. The band’s music has been featured in a variety of other national placements, including Monday Night Football (NFL) and Bose. Hembree has notably supported Elvis Costello, Phoenix, Cold War Kids, Vance Joy, JR JR, and Joywave, among others. The band first toured Europe in Fall 2018. In 2018, Hembree signed with Thirty Tigers to release their first full-length album House on Fire, released 4/26/2019. In 2019, Hembree performed at Hangout Music Festival. They will also appear on the soundtrack of 13 Reasons Why: Season 3 with the song “Culture”. Hembree was named one of NPR’s Slingshot 2018 Artists to Watch. Rolling Stone named Hembree as one of the thirty best artists at SXSW 2018. “Had It All” debuted on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 on January 19, 2017. Lowe described the song as “absolutely fantastic.” “Holy Water” was featured in Apple’s HomePod “Distortion” TV spot, which ran during Super Bowl LII, the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, and the 2018 Winter Olympics. Hembree released the single, “Reach Out” on July 20, 2021 and “Operators (feat. Bodye)” on Sept. 21, 2021on Oread Records. Info at: http://www.hembreemusic.com]

[Hembree plays Boulevardia Saturday, June 17, at 3:45 on the Visit Missouri Grand Stage.]

10:57 – Interview with Chris Haghirian

Chris Haghirian is host & Producer of Eight One Sixty, heard Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. Chris worked for The Kansas City Star for over 20 years. Chris studied Journalism / Advertising at The University of Kansas. Chris also studied Photography at Kansas City Art Institute. Chris works for Spray KC. Chris organizes multiple concert series throughout the metro, and music stages for The Plaza Art Fair, The Innovation Fest, and The Middle of The Map Fest.

Chris Haghirian joins us for the entire show to share details about Boulevardia 2023, Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with 45 bands, 15 DJs, on 5 stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Podcast Stage, a Legacy Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences. The two-day urban street festival is near the intersection of Pershing and Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center and Washington Square Park. The event features a craft beer and food sampling experience and music, as well as interactive activities, entertainment, and shopping, all in a unique urban setting.

More information at: http://www.boulevardia.com

Chris Haghirian thanks for being with us on WMM

11:00 – Station ID

9. Kat King – “Baby Talk”
   from: “Baby Talk” – Single / Manor Records / June 16, 2023
   [On Jan. 13, 2023 Kat King released “Gone South” Produced by Joel Martin. Led by Kat, on vocals, with Derek Melies on guitar, John Kaul McCain on bass, Daniel Cole on drums, & Kara LePage on keyse. Centering on themes of self-care, steadfast friendship, and revitalizing optimism. On September 20, 2022 Kat King released the single “With Nothing In My Way.” This followed their single “New Sun” released July 29, 2022. “New Sun” was a follow up to the June 9, 2021, SAY WHAT YOU MEAN 5-track EP, recorded with her band. Co-produced & mixed / mastered by Joel Martin. Lawrence KS based singer songwriter Kat King released her last single “Song of Spain” in 2019 and her single “2017” in, 2018. She released her 5-song EP “Falling Up” on Dec. 1, 2017. Kat King has been creating music since the 2nd grade. She’s produced a 13-song album and 3 EP’s, the 1st one released at 14.]

[Kat King plays Boulevardia, on Friday, June 16, at 5:05 PM on the Visit Missouri Grand Stage]

10. Flare Tha Rebel-“Playground (feat. The Belief Cycle & Leigh Adams)”
    from: Summer You, Summer Me. / Shafer / October 21, 2022
    [“Rosé All Day” was the lead single from Flare Tha Rebel’s new EP. Playful, yet meaningful, the song is about an empowered woman of which a man is pursuing. Lines within the song such as “and if she’s a tease she can do that ya’ll / she don’t owe you nothing man, please back off”, attempt to change the at times degrading scenarios of this power dynamic. The narrative is done in the backdrop of fun and lighthearted warm weather days, cool summernights, and, of course, plenty of rosé. Continuing with Flare’s Art to Empower initiative, “Rosé All Day” aims to raise funds and awareness for a nonprofit, which this time is the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Abuse (MOCSA). Career and love brought hip-hop MC Flare Tha Rebel back to his hometown of Kansas City, MO, which created a second wind of new music. Noted by The Pitch, “As a member of hip-hop collective Anti-Crew, Flare Tha Rebel made quite an impact on the Kansas City hip-hop scene. After making the leap from KC to Chicago in the late ‘00s, he’s now back…” Known for a highly energetic live performance, Flare has shared the stage with artists such as Chance the Rapper, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Mac Lethal, Nappy Roots, and CES Cru. Although hip-hop at the core, Flare Tha Rebel’s versatility remains as he balances music with socially progressive themes that are still enjoyable enough to raise a glass to at a party. There’s also a duality to Flare’s approach. Many of his songs are connected to his Art to Empower initiative, raising awareness and funds for a variety of social justice causes and nonprofits. Flare Tha Rebel & Bob Pullian were guests on WMM, Aug. 11, 2021. Flare The Rebel released the EP, The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged on July 9, 2021. The recording was #9 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2021. Summer You, Summer Me was in the top 10 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022 ]

[FlareThaRebel plays Boulevardia, on Saturday, June 17, at 5:45 PM on the Quick Terrace Stage]

1:08 – Pledge Break #4

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt & Nico Gray.

Q. Where can I find out about what is happening in my community?
A. LGBTQIA, Urban Issues, Black Lives Matter, Labor Rights, The Environment, The Kansas City Visual & Literary Arts , The Performing Arts, Women’s Issues, Native American Issues, Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Classical, Hip Hop, Folk, Women’s Music, Indie Rock, Pop, Electronica, Punk…the answer is KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio. Radio Powered by Diversity

11:15

11. The Salvation Choir – “This Is A Photograph”
    from: “This is a Photograph (The Salvation Choir Version)” / Dead Oceans / September 20, 2020
    [The Salvation Choir is a Congolese rumba band based in Kansas City, Missouri. / Led by choir masters Jeune Wilondja and his father, Pastor John Wilondja, the choir writes, records, and performs original gospel songs in Swahili. / The Salvation Choir has traveled to perform in cities all around the Midwest, including a performance at the 2021 Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City. / Their music was also featured in a national advertising campaign on BBC’s Channel 4 and by the international record company Dust-to-Digital. Wednesday MidDay Medley was the first radio show to ever play their music in North and South America. / Kevin Morby and The Salvation Choir are proud to present “This Is A Photograph (The Salvation Choir Version),” a new reimagining of the title track from Morby’s acclaimed 2022 album. The Salvation Choir is a Congolese rumba choir from Congo and Tanzania based in Kevin’s hometown of Kansas City. “This Is A Photograph (The Salvation Choir Version)” is a stirring iteration of Morby’s original, and is presented alongside a new website on which others can access stems, instrumentals, tutorials and templates so they can make their own family history epics. Kevin Morby elaborates: “At some point last year, a few of you reached out with the request of getting the music to my song ‘This Is A Photograph’ so you could make your own version and tell your own family’s history. I found this incredibly interesting and had never gotten such requests about any of my other songs before. I have decided to heed the call of those few who reached out and I have made a website./ In celebration of this website, and to lead with an example, I reached out to one of my favorite bands, Kansas City’s own The Salvation Choir, to see if they would want to make their own version of ‘This Is A Photograph’ and was over the moon when they agreed. They created their own version in which they reinterpreted the music in their Congolese Rumba style and reworked the lyrics to their own story and sang in both English and Swahili to provide the listener with a window into their past.” // Pelo King Wilondja, The Salvation Choir’s 15-year-old drummer, states: “We met Kevin at one of our practices. I didn’t know who he was at first but then our friend played us his music and I started really liking his songs. Now he’s in my top ten. He invited us to his concert and I was actually sweating because it was so good. Kevin asked us if we wanted to remake his song to be about our family’s history and play it in our style. It was my first time recording drums in a real studio. We loved his idea because photographs are really important to our family and we’re always playing music together. There are over 20 members in the choir and everyone has their own story. The song starts out in Africa and it ends in Kansas City where we all live now. It’s about our family’s history and how we got here.”]

[The Salvation Choir plays Boulevardia, on Saturday, June 17, at 3:45 PM on the Fountain Stage]

11:19 – Interview with Chris Haghirian

Chris Haghirian is host & Producer of Eight One Sixty, heard Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. Chris worked for The Kansas City Star for over 20 years. Chris studied Journalism / Advertising at The University of Kansas. Chris also studied Photography at Kansas City Art Institute. Chris works for Spray KC. Chris organizes multiple concert series throughout the metro, and music stages for The Plaza Art Fair, The Innovation Fest, and The Middle of The Map Fest.

Chris Haghirian joins us for the entire show to share details about Boulevardia 2023, Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with 45 bands, 15 DJs, on 5 stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Podcast Stage, a Legacy Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences. The two-day urban street festival is near the intersection of Pershing and Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center and Washington Square Park. The event features a craft beer and food sampling experience and music, as well as interactive activities, entertainment, and shopping, all in a unique urban setting.

More information at: http://www.boulevardia.com

Chris Haghirian thanks for being with us on WMM

11:22

12. Katy Guillen & The Drive – “Bottom of Your Belly”
    from: ANOTHER ONE GAINED / Katy Guillen / August 19, 2022
    [Produced by Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Heartless Bastards, Ray LaMontagne) at Invisible Creature Studio in Los Angeles. This 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.” ANOTHER ONE GAINED is 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 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. Katy Guillen & The Drive opened for FANNY for their one-night-only reunion concert from Fanny+ (June Millington, Brie Howard-Darling, Patti Quatro, and Mia Huggins) at recordBar, 1520 Grand Ave, KCMO, on October 5, 2022. http://www.katyguillenmusic.com]

[Katy Guillen plays Boulevardia, on Friday, June 16, a 7:10 PM – Propaganda 3 Park Stage]

11:27 – Underwriting

11:28 – Pledge Break #5

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt & Nico Gray.

90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio offers loads and loads of information about what is going on in the community. Not only does this show interview 150 guest each year, not only do we play nearly 900 different songs with more than half of those being locally produced, but we also shine a light on area not-for-profit theatre companies, art museums & galleries, area festivals, service organizations, area record labels and record stores, the area music scene, arts scene, theatre scene, literary arts scene, political action scene.

In just this past year, we’ve featured segments shining a light on:, The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts, UMKC Conservatory of Music, Owen Cox Dance Group, KC Bass Workshop, The Record Machine, Mills Record Company, Records With Merritt, High Dive Records, Center Cut Records, Manor Records, Lost Cowgirl Records, KC Irish Fest, The Crossroads Music Fest, MixMaster Music Conference, Too Much Rock, Midwest Music Foundation, Apocalypse Meow, filmmaker Morgan Cooper, Charlotte Street Foundation, Inter Urban Arthouse, Lemonade Park, Weights and Measure Sound Lab, Innovation Festival, Bio Kansas, Les Bons Bons Electriques, Outer Reaches Fest, The Greater Philipino Association of Kamsas City, Queer Narratives Fest, No Devide KC, Boulevardia, Gay Pride, Folk Alliance International, The Band That Fell To Earth.

11:35

13. The War and Treaty – “Take Me In”
    from: Hearts Town / Rounder Records / September 25, 2020
    [The War and treaty released their last album, LOVER’S GAME on March 10, 2023, on Mercury Nashville Records. We first met The War and Treaty right before their Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International Conference on Friday, February 16, 2018. We first played them on February 7, 2018. The War and Treaty released their full length debut album, “Healing Tide” on August 10, 2018. Michael Trotter Jr & Tanya Blount-Trotter are from Albion, Michigan. For Michael Trotter Jr., the journey began in 2004, when he arrived in Iraq, an untested soldier stricken by fear and self-doubt. His captain made it his personal mission to see to Trotter’s survival. The unit was encamped in one of Saddam Hussein’s private palaces, and in a forgotten corner in its basement, they found a black upright piano that once belonged to the dictator himself. When Trotter shared the fact he could sing, he was encouraged to teach himself to play piano on that confiscated keyboard. “I wrote my first song after that captain was killed,” Trotter recalls. “I sang it for his memorial in Iraq.” Soon after it became his mission to sing at the memorial services for those that had fallen. For the next three years, he sang songs that brought solace and comfort to the members of his unit. His efforts eventually garnered wider recognition as well. He came in first place in “Military Idol,” the army’s version of “American Idol,” during a competition held in Baumholder, Germany. Following his discharge, he was featured on the Hope Channel program “My Story, My Song.” Then he met Tanya Blount. Blount’s musically influences include Mahalia Jackson, Sister Odette and Aretha Franklin. The two fell in love, got married and used the experiences they had gained to create a new musical collaboration. The couple then secured the services of musicians whose skills add a distinctive sound to The War and Treaty’s blend of roots music, blue grass, folk, gospel and soul. Their 2017 EP Down to the River was released July 21, 2017. Recorded in Albion, Michigan, Down to the River boasts a sound that’s both stirring and sensual, driven by joy, determination and an unceasing upward gaze. The music is visceral but never morose, flush with emotion but void of despair… a style that touches on a variety of genres, but never finds itself confined to anyone. The arrangements are uncluttered– harmonies, basslines, guitar and mandolin licks, settle drum patterns and keyboards create an immensely moving soundscape — but the sentiments and emotions are fully realized and soar with a steady, chilling assurance. “The recording process wasn’t like anything I ever experienced,” Tanya recalls. “This EP has allowed me to breathe musically. I feel like all I have wanted to express for the past ten years has come forth with what we’ve done. The combination of heart, soul and the overwhelming amount of love that Michael and I have for one another comes across in this record.“ “I was sitting on the banks of the Euphrates River in Baghdad dreaming about one day being able to play and sing professionally for people all around the world,” Michael reflects. “As we recorded our music, I constantly had flashbacks of those desert dreams. I thought to myself that this is actually the perfect ending to usher in a new beginning in my life.” ]

[The War and Treaty play Boulevardia Friday, June 16, 2023, at 7:50 PM, Visit Missouri Grand Stage.]

11:39 – Interview with Chris Haghirian

Chris Haghirian is host & Producer of Eight One Sixty, heard Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. Chris worked for The Kansas City Star for over 20 years. Chris studied Journalism / Advertising at The University of Kansas. Chris also studied Photography at Kansas City Art Institute. Chris works for Spray KC. Chris organizes multiple concert series throughout the metro, and music stages for The Plaza Art Fair, The Innovation Fest, and The Middle of The Map Fest.

Chris Haghirian joins us for the entire show to share details about Boulevardia 2023, Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with 45 bands, 15 DJs, on 5 stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Podcast Stage, a Legacy Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences. The two-day urban street festival is near the intersection of Pershing and Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center and Washington Square Park. The event features a craft beer and food sampling experience and music, as well as interactive activities, entertainment, and shopping, all in a unique urban setting.

More information at: http://www.boulevardia.com

Chris Haghirian thanks for being with us on WMM

14. Caley Rose – “Feels Like A Weekend”
    from: “Feels Like A Weekend” – Single / Caley Rose / May 12, 2021
    [Performed By: Caley Rose // Written by: Caley Rose, Cassandra Jane Boettcher, Conway Morrison Anthony // Produced By: Brian Skeel // Caley Rose is a Billboard Charting Pop Singer & Songwriter whose music has been featured on Top 40 radio & used by Adobe, Lipton, & more. She empowers women & youth by partnering with organizations that uplift females and by speaking about confidence in schools across the country. She has received awards from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Mid Atlantic Song Contest.]

[Caley Rose plays Boulevardia, Friday, June 16, 2023, at 5:45 on the Quirk Terrace Stage.]

15. Steddy P – “Won’t Lay Down”
    from: Style Like Mine / Indyground Entertainment / September 11, 2009
    [It’s no secret in the Show Me State, that oddly familiar eyeball tag in the alley, in the venue, green room, light pole and usual suspect area where maybe a bomber climb the pole for the highest point, that’s what is truly from here to fame and of the culture, something fought for, forever. Fathom the leap of faith, fright of flight only to be late to the fight, that’s our culture, that’s 2022, sans Pandemic. // The Indyground eyeball represents one of the most progressive and relevant Hip Hop labels and culture movements ever to come out of Missouri, by way of the point guard, patient progressive prototype and proud parent, Steddy P, of Indyground Entertainment. // The original self-proclaimed OG Gonzo Rapper is armed with one of the livest progressively rooted rap shows in the business, offering his latest album, SOS: Toxic from the Indyground label.]

[Steddy P plays Boulevardia, Friday, June 16, 8:15 PM – Quirk Terrace Stage.]

11:47 – Pledge Break #6

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt, & Nico Gray.

KKFI offers 24-7 programming, and YOU (the listener), basically get all of this amazing programming for “free.” I, for one, love that I can turn on my radio, or computer device, and tune into the 90.1 FM’s 100, 000 watt, crystal-clear signal, and hear the music, information, news, entertainment, events, and stories, that I really cannot find anywhere else. 90.1 is my comfort, my special companion, my interesting friend, introducing me to all kinds of new & local music, as well as the news & information without the intrusion of commercials. It is radio brought to YOU by real people, who create these shows out of love, and are guided by KKFI’s noble mission that “seeks to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.”

Driving in your car, at the office, at the gym, in your garage, in your cubicle, in your artspace, on your iPod, at your construction site, in your kitchen, in your barn, YOU can take 90.1 with you, as your companion. 90.1 FM is generally a good date. Good for a few laughs, fun to dance with, always interested in good conversation. Isn’t 90.1 FM KKFI worth a few dollars a day, or a week? So many people tune in to http://www.kkfi.org everyday, but studies show, that less than 1 percent actually donate to keep this miracle of broadcasting alive. Your support means that you will help bring this programming to folks who could not donate at this time, for whatever the reason.

Between two On-Air Spring Fundraiser Shows and our Facebook Fundraiser, we raised $4742.00 from 59 Donors!!! Thank you all!!!!

Marion Merritt, Nico Gray, Chris Haghirian, Thank You! Thank you to everyone who donated! For WMM

I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:54

16. Zion Isaiah – “Bad Habits”
    from: “Bad Habits” – Single / Zion Isaiah /May 5, 2023
    [21 year old Zion Isaiah released the single “Medicine” on January 17, 2023. Zion released “21” on October 28, 2022. Calla released the single “you and i (feat. Zion Isaiah & Hannah You) on June 15, 2022, on Memesquirt Records. Zion Isaiah released the single “So Harsh” on May 6, 2022. Zion Isaiah released the single “Oasis” on January 22, 2022. Zion Isaiah released the single “Tired of Missing You” on November 12, 2021. Zion Isaiah released the single, “Drive (feat. Painter Boy)” on August 13, 2021. Kansas City, Missouri based Zion Isaiah works at JHS Pedals, studies at Johnson County Community College, and Went to Kansas City Christian School. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/zeeon.boklender.%5D

[Zion Isaiah plays Boulevardia on Saturday, June 17, at 3:15 PM on the Quirk Terrace Stage]

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

Next week on WMM on June 21, is Make Music Day! Jass will play live in our 90.1 FM Studios! We also welcome Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark who’ll share tracks from the second half of their full album, Cindergarden, to be released on Wednesday June 21. Plus, in our 2nd hour we welcome Calvin Arsenia who share details about his new album Paradise.

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

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #998