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, September 2, 2026

Ken Lovern & “Blind Boone The Musical” + Xavier Martin aka encode + Maddie Lai

Mark Spins More New & MidCoastal Releases from: Maddie Lai, encode, Lava Dreams, Effie, Ken Lovern, Madisen Ward, Julia Haile, Robert Rebeck, Lisa Henry, Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves, Monta At Odds, Bobcat Attack, Heath Church, Kam Franklin and Kevin Morby, Asher White, and Charli XCX.

At 10:30am Ken Lovern, a KC based composer and jazz organist, joins us to share music from his recent creation “Blind Boone the Musical” a historical fantasy based on the Life and Times of John William “Blind” Boone being released September 2, 2026. For “Blind Boone The Musical,” the music, lyrics, and story was by Ken Lovern, and additional lyrics by Kadesh Flow on “Quindaro” and “School for the Blind.” Guest vocals include: Madisen Ward, Julia Haile, Kadesh Flow, Alyson Cambridge, Jordan Smith, Lisa Henry, Willis White, Terry Swope, Robert Rebeck, and Ken Lovern. Terry Swope, Brian Baggett played guitar; Zach Morrow; Lester Estelle Jr., John Kizilarmut, Brian Steever, and Kenny Watson Jr. played drums; Tyrone Clark and Matt Kesler played bass; Stanton Kessler played trumpet; Patrick Alonzo Conway played Bata drums & congas; and Ken Lovern played organ, piano, clarinet, synthesizers, and percussion. The project also includes a comic book adaptation by The Gutter Studios, Constanza Osuna, Julia Diaz, and Katie Blancha. More info at: www.blindboonethemusical.com

At 11:00 Mark talks with Xavier Martin a KC based musician with a foundational orchestral background supporting independent Pop/R&B production. Xavier Martin records and performs as encode. encode’s composing and performing experience in the KC Music Community had historically been through the band, The Black Creatures, however since the band’s hiatus, encode took to developing a sound all their own. Delivered through a mix of genres, encode’s freshman album, wha+arewe, examines relationship dynamics and the grief, hardships, lust, infatuation, love, service and questions that come with them. encode enlisted the support of several amazing KC vocalists for every track, including: Lava Dreams, Effie, Victoria Leigh Hambrick-Cable, Brook Worlledge, and Stephanie Leigh. Xavier Martin, one half of The Black Creatures with Jade Green, created music from 2013 to 2022. Their albums: WILD ECHOES and BY THY HAND (Center Cut Records) were both named album of the year by The Pitch. The Black Creatures were the recipients of the Charlotte Street Foundation 2022 Generative Performing Artist Award and they collaborated with Owen Cox Dance Group and Director & Choreographer Christian A. Warner for, WHAT CAME WITH SPRING at Union Station. As was their plan from the very beginning, after nine years The Black Creatures went on hiatus. encode’s wha+arewe, will be streaming everywhere on September 10, 2026.

At 11:30 we welcome Maddie Lai who will perform several songs LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Based in Kansas City, Maddie Lai is an indie-folk artist with a knack for emotional yet understated songwriting. Maddie has been playing out for four years but really started playing proper shows in 2025 across Kansas City and Lawrence, including recent shows at The Rino, Knuckleheads, Replay Lounge, and MidCoast LIVE! on 90.1 FM KKFI. Although occasionally joined by friends, Maddie most often plays solo. She welcomes the challenge of connecting with audiences with only her voice and an acoustic guitar. Maddie Lai plays the 22nd Annual Crossroads Music Festival, Saturday, September 12 Noon to 1:00am in the Historic West Bottoms of Kansas City. Maddie Plays Community Roots at Big Dudes, 3817 Broadway Blvd. KCMO on Saturday, September 26, at 1:00. Maddie Lai plays The RINO, 313 Armour Road, North Kansas City on Saturday November 14, at 7:00pm for the Land Lion “Hymns for End Times” anniversary show. More information at www.cmfkc.com

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

Show #1163