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

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

WMM presents: Mara Williams & J.M. Banks of Voices of Kansas City + “The Spooky Sh*t Show” + Beth Watts Nelson

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Beth Watts Nelson, Religion of Heartbreak, Willi Carlisle, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Brad Mehldau, Annahstasia, Big Thief, U.S. Girls, Hotline TNT, Valerie June, Frankie Cosmos, Sly & The Family Stone, and Marvin Gaye.

At 10:30 Mark welcomes Mara Williams – Assistant Managing Editor for Race & Equity Issues at The KC Star and J.M. Banks – KC Star Culture & Identity Reporter who will discuss Season 3 of The Star’s, VOICES OF KANSAS CITY airing Wednesdays at 7:00pm, starting July 9. The Voices of Kansas City, a joint project between The Kansas City Star and 90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio. For three seasons, Star writers, and editors have highlighted the stories of Black business owners, Black activists, and now Black educators in the KC metro. This new series features: Darryl Chamberlain, an unexpected music educator who started an urban youth orchestra. Dianne Brewington, who spends her time teaching adults to read. James Hogue, a childbirth educator who is the CEO and founder of the non-profit, Fathers Assisting Mothers. Dr. Tiffany Whitt, the director at Hope Leadership Academy, a public charter school in KC. Torrence Allen, the principal at Belton High School. Vincent Gunnels, an English teacher, coach, mentor, & community advocate. Melissa Ferrer, KC’s poet laureate and CEO of the Freedom School KC. Samaiyah Jones Scott, the dean of students at Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley Campus. And, Dr. Cokethea Hill, the CEO at BLAQUE, a nonprofit supporting public education in KC. More info at http://www.KansasCity.com.

At 11:00 Mark welcomes Spencer Thompson, Amanda Davis, and Derek Trautwein who join us to share details about the return of Kansas City’s popular comedic horror show, “The Spooky Sh*t Show,” created by local Kansas City playwright, Derek Trautwein. This year’s edition is titled “HITCHCOCK’D The Spooky Sh*t Show” starring Bryson Kenworthy as Alfred Hitchcock with Nicole Hall, Matt McCann, Stefanie Stevens, Spencer Thompson, and Em Coffin. “HITCHCOCK’D The Spooky Sh*t Show” has performances on Friday, July 18 at 8:30pm, Saturday, July 19 at 5:30pm, Sunday, July 20 at 4:00pm, Wednesday, July 23 at 7:00pm, and Saturday, July 26 at 7:00pm. All performances at the Levin Stage at The Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main Street, KCMO, as part of the 21st annual KC Fringe July 17-27. For more information please visit: http://www.kcfringe.org

At 11:30 Beth Watts Nelson joins us to share her new 3-song EP, “Tall Grass” a compilation of songs inspired by the Flint Hills. All three songs were recorded in one day on site at the Grimm-Schultz Farmstead during her time in residency with the Volland Foundation on April 26, 2025. For the recording Beth Watts Nelson played Banjo, Guitar, & Vocals, and Betse Ellis played Fiddle. Mixing and Mastering was completed by Clarke Wyatt, at Gnomes and Goats Studio. Beth Watts Nelson is also the lead singer songwriter for the band Little Miss Dynamite a four piece string band with Beth Watts Nelson on lead vocals & banjo, Betse Ellis (of The Wilders, Betse & Clarke) on fiddle, Brandon Day (of The Matchsellers) on bass, and Caleb Gardner (of Konza Swamp) on mandolin, guitar & vocals. More info at: http://www.bethwattsnelson.com

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

Show #1102