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 28, 2023

WMM’s 1000th Show!

WMM Celebrates 1000 Shows with Live Performances from: Madisen Ward, Mikal Shapiro, Calvin Arsenia, IVORY BLUE, Stephonne and Poet Jen Harris

Madisen Ward was born in Oklahoma, and grew up in the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 2007. Madisen’s journey to become a musician, was “melodically passed down” through the songs of his mother, where Madisen grew up watching his mom perform at local coffee shops. Eventually he began to learn to play the guitar, and poured his talent for writing into the music to create original songs. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear have garnered international acclaim, and new fans from all over the world. They signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abiss. They performed their debut single “Silent Movies” on The Late Show with David Letterman, they’ve toured across the United States, and Europe, more than once. They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC’s The Today Show, and “Later With Jools Holland and played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville.

Mikal Shapiro is founder of State City Films creating documentary and experimental filmmaking practices. Mikal studied Film History, Film, & Writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She received her MFA in Film/Video/New Media/ Animation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012. Artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, ring-leader, Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the United States and has recorded 5 critically acclaimed albums Mikal also performs with Shapiro Brothers, and Monta At Odds. Mikal is also the creator and co-host and producer of Siren Song, Saturdays at 11:00 AM on 90.1 FM KKFI KC Community Radio.

Calvin Arsenia one of our most frequent guests, who first appeared on WMM on July 25, 2012. KC Magazine has hailed Calvin as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-7-inch harpist with a 3 and ½ octave range, natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey began when he moved to Olathe, Kansas, teaching himself the guitar, piano, banjo. He learned his signature instrument, the harp, at the age of 20. In 2012, Calvin traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland and found himself accepting a role as musical liaison with an Edinburgh Church that became a life-changing musical mission. Two years later Calvin returned to KC reborn with a new confidence, a new sense of self. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to KC reborn as a humanistic songwriter / performerCalvin was voted KC’s Best Musician in The Pitch 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. He has been featured in Billboard, NPR.org. Charlotte Street Foundation awarded Calvin the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards along with The Black Creatures.

IVORY BLUE‘s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. In 2017 Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”. As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. IVORY BLUE released their debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022.

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. Singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist – Stephonne Singleton keeps very busy, organizing Tribute Shows, working as a Resident Artist at Charlottee Street studios, playing Music Festivals, Lemonade Park, 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 released his EP SIS: Side B on June 24, 2022 it was in the TOP TEN of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. Stephonne was a featured performer at the 23rd Annual West 18th Street Fashion Show on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Poet Jen Harris (she/her) is a writer based in Kansas City, Missouri. Jen has been featured on NPR, Netflix Queer Eye, Creative Mornings, TEDx, and many more, Harris is the author of 3 books of poetry and the recipient of numerous accolades. A sought-after performance artist, Harris is the founder and host of The Writing Workshop KC, whose mission is to nurture creative curiosity and inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops. She hosts weekly classes and offers creative coaching to private clients. Additionally, Jen is one half of the artist-to-artist indie podcast Confessing Animals. Her firstborn community love child, Kansas City Poetry Slam, sold out monthly for seven years.

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

Show #1000

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 21, 2023

Make Music Day with Jass + Calvin Arsenia + Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark

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. Julia Haile – “Up Late” from: “Up Late” – Single / Julia Haile / June 16, 2023 [One of four new singles released by Julia Haile in the last 9 months. Julia released “Ave 4” on June 16, 2023. Julia released “Heavy Rotation” and “Set Out” on September 30, 2022. Julia Haile is a singer and songwriter based in Kansas City, MO. Her natural talent and musical education have fueled a career of exciting performances and beautiful music. From leading Neo-Soul band Hi-Lux and international collaborations to solo works, Julia’s goal is create meaningful musical experiences for all. Julia’s work with Hi-Lux included Tim Braun on guitar, Nick Howell on keys, Dan Loftus on bass, (and prior to that Pete Leibert on bass) and Kian Bryne on drums. Hi-Lux was a Modern-Soul band that blends and bends the boundaries between soul, rock n roll, reggae, and funk. This group created music that pays tribute to their myriad of influences (Amy Winehouse, The Meters, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings). Hi-Lux released the singles, “Revolution” and “Get What You Give” on February 28, 2020, through The Record Machine. Hi-Lux released the single. “Don’t Blame Lee” (featuring Lee Scratch Perry) on April 20, 2018. Hi-Lux released the 7” vinyl single, “”Dance With My Baby” b​/​w “Don’t Blame Me” on January 5, 2018 through Sunflower Soul Records. Hi-Lux released their 6-track, self-titled EP, Hi-Lux on January 2, 2018. All 6 songs had previously been released as singles. More info at: http://www.juliaHaile.com]

3. The Blast Monkees — “Mr. Nice Guy”
   from: Mr. Nice Guy” – Single / The Blast Monkees / May 22, 2023
   [Recording Engineer: Justin Mantooth of Westend Recording Studio. The Blast Monkeys are two dudes making music out of Tonganoxie, Kansas. Formed in 2017 by high school best friends, Scott Vick & Kyle Chambers, they plan to make music their career by any means. Their songs fuse high-energy drums and catchy guitar riffs with goofy jokes and a “passionate” stage presence that is sure to win over any crowd. For more info: http://www.theblastmokeys.com. and http://www.theblactmonkees.bandcamp.com

The Blast Monkeys Discography

Summer Camp (9-track Album) / July 18. 2022
“Capo 2.0” (Single) / February 16, 2022
Big Things, Small Places (4-track EP) / August 21, 2021
Washed Out (3-track EP) / December 16, 2019
Moon Juice (5-track EP) / March 25, 2019.

4. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – “Guts n Glory”
   from: Started With a Family / Starts With Music, LLC / September 6. 2019
   [Produced with Grammy-winner Nathan Chapman at iconic Blackbird Studios in Nashville. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear have garnered international acclaim, and new fans from all over the world. They signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abiss. They performed their debut single “Silent Movies” on The Late Show with David Letterman, they’ve toured across the United States, and Europe, more than once. They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC’s The Today Show, and “Later With Jools Holland and played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville. Ruth Ward has continually performed throughout her life, mostly in coffee shops and open mics, for over 30 years, even recording a solo record. In the midst of this she got married and became a mom, and was busy raising a family. Madisen Ward was born in Oklahoma, and grew up in the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 2007. Madisen’s journey to become a musician, was “melodically passed down” through the songs of his mother, where Madisen grew up watching his mom perform at local coffee shops. Eventually he began to learn to play the guitar, and poured his talent for writing into the music to create original songs. They began playing Madisen’s original songs along with the occassional cover of a classic track, reinterpreted in their own incredibly beautiful performace of two voices and two guitars in harmony and orchestration. Their debut album, The Skeleton Crew, was released May 9, 2015 and was our most played record that year and was #1 on WMM’s The 115 Best Recordings of 2015. Their follow up EP Radio Winners was released July 27, 2018 and recieved critical acclaim.] [Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear played Crossroads Music Fest, Sat., Sept 7,, Crossroads KC, with Shy Boys, Split Lip Rayfield, The Freedom Affair.]

[Madisen Ward plays The Crossroads Hotel rooftop concert series at The Percheron TONIGHT June 21, doors open at 7:00 PM]

5. Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark – “Picture of Solitude”
   from: Cindergarden (B Sides) / Lost River Sound / May 22, 2022
   [Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark released Cindergarden (A Sides) through Lost River Sound on May 22, 2022. Kirstie Lynn is a classically trained soprano with a passion for songwriting, always looking to marry poetry and melody. Though Kirstie’s voice has been compared to that of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, her sound is uniquely her own. Kirstie Lynn is a folk singer-songwriter originally from the fingerlakes region of upstate, NY. She began her professional music studies at the age of 15, and has since received both a Bachelor’s degree from Shenandoah University and a Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in voice and opera performance. Her vocal training lends her the freedom to paint her nature inspired lyrics with a wide range and a beautiful and effortless sound. Kirstie Lynn is one half of the duo Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark. // Galen Clark introduces an alternative perspective and approach to music that contains multitudes. Migratory melodies, multi-instrumental fluency, and mysterious texture all outline the stylings of the newly transplanted Cuyahoga Valley songwriter, producer, and musician. // Born into an Air Force family, Clark grew up in many places with family anchors in Vermont and Colorado. At the age of 9 following many failed piano lessons, Clark’s grandparents gifted him a Harmony parlor guitar from a Shelburne flea market, starting a journey that would span almost 2 decades of stylistic development, a plethora of ephemeral bands, a degree in music production and recording technology, and a refined take on songwriting. .. Sharing songs spanning the stoic mountains of Idaho’s lost river range to the ancient hum of the Shenandoah Valley, Galen draws upon energy strewn between varied time and place, a broader quest for belonging, and rejuvenation beyond the front door. Clark’s previous records, Providence (2018) and The Well (2020) offer a contemplative portrait of moods in natural ambiguity, collective consciousness, and introspection. His most recent collaboration with KC – based artist, Kirstie Lynn is a reckoning that is to be heard live and will transport you elsewhere if not in mind than in spirit.]

[Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark play a CINDERGARDEN B-Sides, Special Release Show at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK, TONIGHT on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 with Kelly Hunt opening the show.]

10:15 – Interview with Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark

Kirstie Lynn is a classically trained soprano with a passion for songwriting, always looking to marry poetry and melody. Though Kirstie’s voice has been compared to that of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, her sound is uniquely her own. Kirstie Lynn is a folk singer-songwriter originally from the fingerlakes region of upstate, NY. She began her professional music studies at the age of 15, and has since received both a Bachelor’s degree from Shenandoah University and a Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in voice and opera performance. Her vocal training lends her the freedom to paint her nature inspired lyrics with a wide range and a beautiful and effortless sound. Kirstie Lynn is a reckoning that is to be heard live and will transport you elsewhere if not in mind than in spirit Kirstie Lynn is one half of the duo Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark.

Galen Clark introduces an alternative perspective and approach to music that contains multitudes. Migratory melodies, multi-instrumental fluency, and mysterious texture all outline the stylings of the newly transplanted Cuyahoga Valley songwriter, producer, and musician. // Born into an Air Force family, Clark grew up in many places with family anchors in Vermont and Colorado. At the age of 9 following many failed piano lessons, Clark’s grandparents gifted him a Harmony parlor guitar from a Shelburne flea market, starting a journey that would span almost 2 decades of stylistic development, a plethora of ephemeral bands, a degree in music production and recording technology, and a refined take on songwriting. Sharing songs spanning the stoic mountains of Idaho’s lost river range to the ancient hum of the Shenandoah Valley, Galen draws upon energy strewn between varied time and place, a broader quest for belonging, and rejuvenation beyond the front door. Clark’s previous records, Providence (2018) and The Well (2020) offer a contemplative portrait of moods in natural ambiguity, collective consciousness, and introspection.

Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark are releasing CINDERGARDEN B-Sides, with a special show at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 with Kelly Hunt opening the show.

Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

10:27

6. Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark – “Julie Boy”
   from: Cindergarden (B Sides) / Lost River Sound / May 22, 2022
   [Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark released Cindergarden (A Sides) through Lost River Sound on May 22, 2022. Kirstie Lynn is a classically trained soprano with a passion for songwriting, always looking to marry poetry and melody. Though Kirstie’s voice has been compared to that of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, her sound is uniquely her own. Kirstie Lynn is a folk singer-songwriter originally from the fingerlakes region of upstate, NY. She began her professional music studies at the age of 15, and has since received both a Bachelor’s degree from Shenandoah University and a Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in voice and opera performance. Her vocal training lends her the freedom to paint her nature inspired lyrics with a wide range and a beautiful and effortless sound. Kirstie Lynn is one half of the duo Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark. // Galen Clark introduces an alternative perspective and approach to music that contains multitudes. Migratory melodies, multi-instrumental fluency, and mysterious texture all outline the stylings of the newly transplanted Cuyahoga Valley songwriter, producer, and musician. // Born into an Air Force family, Clark grew up in many places with family anchors in Vermont and Colorado. At the age of 9 following many failed piano lessons, Clark’s grandparents gifted him a Harmony parlor guitar from a Shelburne flea market, starting a journey that would span almost 2 decades of stylistic development, a plethora of ephemeral bands, a degree in music production and recording technology, and a refined take on songwriting. .. Sharing songs spanning the stoic mountains of Idaho’s lost river range to the ancient hum of the Shenandoah Valley, Galen draws upon energy strewn between varied time and place, a broader quest for belonging, and rejuvenation beyond the front door. Clark’s previous records, Providence (2018) and The Well (2020) offer a contemplative portrait of moods in natural ambiguity, collective consciousness, and introspection. His most recent collaboration with KC – based artist.]

[Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark play a CINDERGARDEN B-Sides, Special Release Show at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK, TONIGHT on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 with Kelly Hunt opening the show.]

10:30 – Underwriting

10:32 – Make Music Day with Jass and Clarence Copridge

Jass is a vocalist, poet, instrumentalist, and creative from Kansas City, MO. She grew up singing in the choir and was involved in band and orchestra, playing the keyboard, flute, saxophone, viola, and she taught herself to play the bass guitar. In 2011 she started doing covers on YouTube, but it had always been a dream of hers to share her original work so she released her first project At the Close of a Decade.

Make Music Day is a worldwide celebration of music on June 21st! music rings out simultaneously across more than 120 countries

Musicians and artists perform at different venues around the city to celebrate music. It is all FREE and open to the public.

Jass is starting her Make Music Day here on 90.1 FM KKFI on WMM

Jass plays PH Coffee, 2200 Lexington Ave, KCMO 2:30 to 3:30 Pm to play some tunes,

Jass and her band will play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Street, KCMO West Bottoms 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

10:35

7. Jass – “Higher Ground” w/ Clarence Copridge
   from: “Higher Ground” – Single / JASS / August 16, 2022,
   [Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. This new single follows her release, “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released At the Close of a Decade on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Last month un August – Jass played a SOLD OUT Thundercat show at GRINDERS, released a brand new single called HIGHER GROUND and in the first month there are 500 streams and it was added to Sofar Sounds CHILL VIBES Spotify playlist, and Jass played a SOLD OUT @sofarsoundskc show, and headlined a show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence with my boys! (Colby Bales and Brande Moser), and she opened up for The New Respects at The Uptown, and sang the Negro National Anthem at BLAQUE to School Night at the KC Monarchs game. More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]

10:39 – Interview with Jass

As part of Make Music Day, Jass and Clarence Copridge are playing live in our 90.1 FM Studios! Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch.

Jass released her single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was WMM’s #1 Single in our 50 Favorite Singles of 2022.

Jass released At the Close of a Decade on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021.

She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.”

10:46

8. Jass – “Up/Down” w/ Clarence Copridge (LIVE)

10:49 – Interview with Jass

Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch, with Clarence Copridge on keyboards

Make Music Day is a worldwide celebration of music on June 21, where music rings out simultaneously across more than 120 countries

Musicians and artists perform at different venues around the city to celebrate music. It is all FREE and open to the public.

Jass released the single “Lifetime” – on January 6, 2023.
Jass and The Boys released the single “Love U Like I Love U” on December 2, 2022.
Jass released the EP, OFF KEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022.
Jass released the single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022.
Jass released her single, “Him” on February 23, 2022. //

Jass has opened for Thundercat sat GRINDERS, headlined a show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence with my boys! (Colby Bales and Brande Moser), and she opened up for The New Respects at The Uptown, and sang the Negro National Anthem at BLAQUE to School Night at the KC Monarchs game.

Jass & The Boys released the single “Love U Like I Love U (feat. Jass & Black Light Animals)” through Groove King Records – Fat Beats on December 2, 2022. “The Boys” are the members of Black Light Animals: Colby Bales, Branden Moser, & Cody Calhoun. Colby and Branden also are pare of The Freedom Affair.

Jass has played The Essence Festival, Boulevardia, Apocalypse Meow, Manor Fest, Farmers Ball, KC Monarchs, recordBar, Bottleneck, Mutual Musicians Foundation, Grinders, Sofar Sounds, The Uptown Theatre . She has shared the stages with The New Respects, Thundercat, Old Sound, and many others. More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com

10:54

9. Jass – “Amy’s Song” w/ Clarence Copridge (LIVE)

Jass is starting her Make Music Day here on 90.1 FM KKFI on WMM

Jass plays PH Coffee, 2200 Lexington Ave, KCMO 2:30 to 3:30 Pm to play some tunes,

Jass and her band will play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Street, KCMO West Bottoms 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Jass plays recordBar on July 7, with Royal Chief. More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]

11:00 – Station ID

10. Calvin Arsenia – “Don’t Call Me (feat. Kadesh Flow)”
    from: Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023

[Calvin Arsenia plays a PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com]

11:04 – Interview with Calvin Arsenia

Calvin Arsenia one of our most frequent guests, who first appeared on WMM on July 25, 2012. Today marks his 21st appearance! KC Magazine has hailed Calvin as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-7-inch harpist with a 3 and ½ octave range, natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey began when he moved to Olathe, Kansas, teaching himself the guitar, piano, banjo. He learned his signature instrument, the harp, at the age of 20. His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to KC reborn as a humanistic songwriter / performer where at 24 he released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. On February 14, 2017 Calvin released his critically acclaimed full length debut, Catastrophe, with a live show at recordBar in November 2016 that involved a company of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers. After signing to Center Cut Records, Calvin released the albums: Cantaloupe in 2018, with a sold out gigantic spectical at The Gem Theatre on Saturday, September 15, 2018. He then released, L.A. Sessions in 2019, and the EP HONEY DEW, and the EP Goddess with Quixotic, the Holiday album, ALL IS CALM. In 2020 Calvin collaborated with Mike Dillon on the Soundtrack to “Summer in Hindsight,” a feature-length film created by The West 18th Street Fashion Show that starred Calvin as an actor. Calvin is also the co-creator of the podcast “We Were Christian Kids” created with childhood friend Justin Randall who is a stand up comedian working in New York City and now Los Angeles. Calvin is also the published author of VERY GOOD BOY DOES FINE, a collection of Poetry & Prose published on October 5, 2021, by Andrews McMeel Universal. Calvin was voted KC’s Best Musician in The Pitch 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. He has been featured in Billboard, NPR.org. Charlotte Street Foundation announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott.

Calvin Arsenia joins us to share details about his new album PARADISE and his big PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

Calvin Arsenia, thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:13

11. Calvin Arsenia – “Help! The Flying Monkeys are Coming”
    from: Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023

[Calvin Arsenia plays a PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com]

11:16 – Interview with Calvin Arsenia

Calvin Arsenia joins us to share details about his new album PARADISE and his big PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

Calvin Arsenia, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Calvin Arsenia Discography

Calvin Arsenia – Moments [EP] / Independent / April 9, 2014
Calvin Arsenia was 24 when he released this EP after returning home to Kansas City after living and performing in Edinburgh, Scotland. Calvin works as a songwriter, composer, lyricist, producer, and engineer. Calvin Arsenia played live on Wednesday MidDay Medley on October 22. 2014.

Calvin Arsenia – Prose [EP] / Independent / February 3, 2015
Recorded over the course of three live sessions at Edinburgh’s Napier University. Produced by Graham Coe. Engineered by David O’Leary. Music and Lyrics: Calvin Arsenia, with Fiona Reid & Liselot Van Oosterom on Vocals, Graham Coe on Cello, Mark Smith on Percussion, Lyle Watt on Guitar Calvin Arsenia on Vocals & Guitar & Piano. Calvin Arsenia joined us on WMM on March 18, August 5, and October 28.

Calvin Arsenia – Caviar [EP] / Calvin Arsenia / December 5, 2017
Produced for attendees at Calvin’s “Secret Show,” Tuesday, December 5, at Wickstock West, 1324 West 12th Street, in The West Bottoms, and for supporters of his Outlyre Tour. Words and Music by Calvin Arsenia. Produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley and Calvin Arsenia. Recorded at The Infoaming Vertex.

Calvin Arsenia – Catastrophe {EP] / Calvin Arsenia / February 17, 2016
Limited edition EP, produced for Folk Alliance International, contains demo recordings of original gems that are the blueprints for Calvin’s soon to be released full length debut, coming in 2017. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. He has played all over town, including showcases at Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and collaborations with bands like My Brothers and Sisters. Standing at 6 foot 5 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, bango, guitar and harp. Calvin Arsenia is getting ready to release a new album in the fall. Calvin teaches music to elementary students. Calvin is also a graduate of Artist INC professional development program for artists in the Kansas City metro area and across the Mid-America Arts Alliance five state region. Calvin Arsenia joined us live on WMM on February 24, July 13, and November 2.

Calvin Arsenia – Catastrophe [Album] / Calvin Arsenia / February 14, 2017
Calvin Arsenia premiered these songs in a live show at recordBar in November 2016 in a stage show that involved a cpmpany of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers, special lighting, back up singers, guest artists. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar and harp Calvin teaches music to elementary students. Calvin is also a graduate of Artist INC. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Calvin recently returned home from a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerlnd, Lyon and Paris. in over 40 shows, with musician and friend Simon Huntley who plays with Quixotic. Calvin is working to release new music from Calvin’s June 11th, Live Recording at Kansas City’s newly restored Greenwood Social Hall, at 1750 Bellevue Ave. in KC. ] [Calvin Arsenia played Big Bang Buffet’s “Black Sheep Rising,” Tuesday, April 11, at 8:00 at The Buffalo Room. A benefit for 90.1 FM KKFI featuring Ron Megee, Lisa Cordes, Jon “Piggy” Cupit, The Sleazebeats, Kristie Stremel, Jen Harris, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Jen Appell, Bill Belzer, Charlie Colborne, Mark Manning, Susan Cedarquis-Brewington, BJ McBride, Michael McQuary, Janet Henry, Ryan Wilks, and Nico Gray.] [Calvin Arsenia was on WMM on Feb. 15, April 12, Sept. 20, and Oct. 25 , 2017.

Calvin Arsenia – Live at Greenwood Social Hall / Unreleased / June 11, 2017
Solo live performance at Greenwood Social Hall, 1760 Bellevue, KCMO.

Calvin Arsenia – Caviar [EP] / Calvin Arsenia / December 5, 2017
Produced for attendees at Calvin’s “Secret Show,” Tuesday, December 5, at Wickstock West, 1324 West 12th Street, in The West Bottoms, and for supporters of his Outlyre Tour. Words and Music by Calvin Arsenia. Produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley and Calvin Arsenia. Recorded at The Infoaming Vertex. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. n the late Summer and Fall Calvin went on a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerlnd, Lyon and Paris. in over 40 shows, with musician and friend Simon Huntley who plays with Quixotic. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar and harp. Calvin teaches music. Calvin is a graduate of Artist INC.

Calvin Arsenia – Cantaloupe / Center Cut Records / September 15, 2018.
Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe (Center Cut Records), has been acclaimed for melding diverse textures into an alluring signature sound for the adventurous artist.

Calvin Arsenia – L.A. Sessions / Center Cut Records / September 20, 2019
Calvin performed live at L.A.’s The Mint, showcasing songs on LA Sessions with musicians who collaborated on the album. Says Calvin: “It’s such a special experience to play with them. To be able to perform these songs in front of an audience and do this for a living – to have made a career out of something I love is so amazing – it is an honor that I never take for granted.”

Calvin Arsenia – Honeydew / Center Cut Records / June 28, 2019
[On September 15, 2018 Calvin released Cantaloupe on Center Cut Records. This new EP is a remix of three of the songs from Cantaloupe, plus a Talking Heads cover that was performed live in this style at a New Year’s Eve show at The Truman opening for Making Movies who performed the entire Talking Heads album, Remain in Light. The last three songs on Honeydew were from performed in this style at The Nelson Atkins 2019 event “Party Arty.” Honeydew was produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley, Calvin Arsenia.

Quixotic & Calvin Arsenia – “Goddess – EP / Quixotic / May 17, 2019
[An innovative performance art collective that fuses imagination with technology, dance, projection, mapping & live music to create fully-immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Quixotic harnesses light, rhythm and expressive emotion. Quixotic was given Silicon Valley’s unofficial stamp of genius when they were invited to perform at the global TED Conference in 2012. A unique blend of performance art, technology & emotion. Quixotic fuses all these elements in to what the New York Times branded an “innovative circus performance”.]

Calvin Arsenia – all is calm / Calvin Arsenia. / December 13, 2019
[Arsenia’s dreamlike whimsy shimmering through your favorite Christmas Classics. All proceeds for this album go towards the purchase of Calvin’s first harp. Featuring: Ben Muñoz on Cello, Shane Borth on Violin and Voila, and Luke “Skippy” Harbur on Beatbox. Mastered by Jametatone at the Infoaming Vertex and special thanks to Simon Huntley. Calvin wrote: “I recorded the majority of this album in my bedroom in between flights to and from KC and SF. I had my nephews and friend’s kids in mind and wanted an album of Christmas lullabys. I think it became just a little more sassy than anticipated, but I think you’ll enjoy it regardless.

Calvin Arsenia – Summer in Hindsight / Calvin Arsenia & Mike Dillon / Oct. 16, 2020
Soundtrack by Calvin Arsenia and Mike Dillon for The West 18th Street Fashion Show’s 20th year as a feature-length film. COVID-19 changed everything in 2020. “We are moving it from the street to the screen,” says Peregrine Honig to inkansascitymagazine. “Mike Dillon and Calvin Arsenia will be scoring and performing in the film.” The film premiered October 16, 2020 at The Boulevard Drive-In. Honig wrote,. “We did this during a pandemic and a cultural revolution. I am not sure where else or how else this could happen at this moment in history.” Calvin Arsenia had recently been emotionally and greatly moved by the area and national Black Lives Matter Movement. His own research into his own family revealed that Calvin’s great, great, great grandmother Alice Gilliam Scott, was a former slave who lived to observe her 100th birthday as noted by a regional newspaper Calvin had written. In the summer of 2020 Calvin wrote “Revelation” an unreleased track inspired by Black Lives Matter. Calvin premiered the song on WMM on August 12, 2020. He later shared his other new songs, “Scars and Stripes” and “The Flying Monkees are Coming!” on our October 14, 2020 edition of WMM. Both of those songs ended up on Summer in Hindsight.

Calvin’s Book VERY GOOD BOY DOES FINE / Andrews McMeel Universal / Oct. 5, 2021 a collection of Poetry & Prose

More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

11:25

12. Calvin Arsenia – “The Painted Ladies of San Francisco”
    from: Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023

[Calvin Arsenia plays a PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com]

11:29 – Underwriting

11:31 – Interview with Calvin Arsenia

Calvin Arsenia who shares details about his new album PARADISE and his big PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. Singer, harpist, and author Calvin Arsenia has built a reputation for turning the arts world on its head. Voted Kansas City’s Best Musician 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 (PitchKC), and featured on Billboard.com, NPR.org, NEWNOWNEXT, Pride.com, and GRAMMY.com. “Calvin has consistently delivers genre-bending and gender-bending shows that tackle sexuality, religion, and race in a stunningly unorthodox manner – somewhere between sacred and sacrilege.” A healthy serving of indie rock, neo-soul, R&B, and a splash of art pop, this multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter is a shimmering force of nature. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

Calvin Arsenia thank you for being with us today on WMM.

13. Calvin Arsenia – “Probation” (LIVE) Calvin on vocals & acoustic guitar

11:40

14. Calvin Arsenia – “Revelation 10”
    from: Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023

[Calvin Arsenia plays a PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com]

10:45 – Interview with Calvin Arsenia

Calvin Arsenia who shares details about his new album PARADISE and his big PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. Singer, harpist, and author Calvin Arsenia has built a reputation for turning the arts world on its head. Voted Kansas City’s Best Musician 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 (PitchKC), and featured on Billboard.com, NPR.org, NEWNOWNEXT, Pride.com, and GRAMMY.com. “Calvin has consistently delivers genre-bending and gender-bending shows that tackle sexuality, religion, and race in a stunningly unorthodox manner – somewhere between sacred and sacrilege.” A healthy serving of indie rock, neo-soul, R&B, and a splash of art pop, this multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter is a shimmering force of nature.

Calvin Arsenia thank you for being with us today on WMM.

Calvin Arsenia plays a big PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS.

More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

11:54

15. Calvin Arsenia – “Rose Petals”
    from: Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023

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

Next week on WMM on June 28, is our 1000th Show with LIVE Performances from some of our most favorite guests: Madisen Ward, Mikal Shapiro, Calvin Arsenia, Ivory Blue, Stephonne, and Jen Harris.

Big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful listeners and friends who generously and thoughtfully donated to support KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City Community Radio!!! During our Wednesday MidDay Medley Spring Fund Drive shows on June 7 and June 14, and through social media, we raised $4742.00 from 59 individual Donors! Thank you to our diverse and beautiful listeners who generously donated to allow us to continue our great mission here at 90.1 FM KKFI.

THANK YOU to my incredible co-hosts: Betse Ellis & Marion Merritt & Nico Gray, and our wonderful staff KKFI Director of Development and Communications, J Kelly Dougherty, Vounteer Coordinator Darryl Oliver, and Chief Operator Chad Brothers. And to Lincoln Dreher all of our fantastic phone volunteers for donating your time to take our donations over the phones.

This radio station is not about the individual hosts of each individual radio show. Instead it is about a collective spirit of hundreds of wonderful people, unselfishly setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the gigantic goal of keeping our airwaves free, non-commercial, and open to all! Congratulations and thank you to all programmers & volunteers who went the extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #999

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 21, 2023

Make Music Day with Jass + Calvin Arsenia + Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark

WMM plays music from Julia Haile, The Blast Monkeys, Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark, Calvin Arsenia, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear.

At 10:15 we welcome Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark who’ll share tracks from the second half of their full album, CINDERGARDEN. Kirstie Lynn is a classically trained soprano with a passion for songwriting, always looking to marry poetry and melody. Galen Clark is a Cuyahoga Valley multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and musician newly transplanted to Kansas City. Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark are releasing CINDERGARDEN B-Sides, with a special show at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 with Kelly Hunt opening the show.

At 10:30 AM as part of Make Music Day, Jass will play live in our 90.1 FM Studios! Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. Jass and The Boys released the single “Love U Like I Love U” on December 2, 2022. Jass released the EP, OFF KEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released the single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was #1 on WMM’s 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single, “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released AT THE CLOSE OF A DECADE on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. Jass has had her music featured on the Peacock Television dramatic series, Belair. She opened for Thundercat at GRINDERS, opened up for The New Respects at The Uptown, and sang the Negro National Anthem at BLAQUE to School Night at the KC Monarchs game. More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com

At 11:00 AM we welcome Calvin Arsenia who shares details about his new album PARADISE and his big PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. Singer, harpist, and author Calvin Arsenia has built a reputation for turning the arts world on its head. Voted Kansas City’s Best Musician 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 (PitchKC), and featured on Billboard.com, NPR.org, NEWNOWNEXT, Pride.com, and GRAMMY.com. “Calvin has consistently delivers genre-bending and gender-bending shows that tackle sexuality, religion, and race in a stunningly unorthodox manner – somewhere between sacred and sacrilege.” A healthy serving of indie rock, neo-soul, R&B, and a splash of art pop, this multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter is a shimmering force of nature. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

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

Show #999

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

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

WMM plays music of the bands and artists, from the lineup for the upcoming 8th annual Boulevardia Beer & Music Festival including: Jason Isbell, 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.

At 10:00 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 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.

Mark welcomes Guest Co-Hosts, Marion Merritt of Records With Merritt, a minority owned business in KCMO, and Nico Gray, Host & Producer of “Radio Nicopisa” broadcast on Thursdays 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM on 90.1 FM KKFI. Marion and Nico will encourage our wonderful listeners to call 888-931-0901, or visit http://www.kkfi.org to donate in support 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio during our Spring Fund Drive Show.

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

Show #998

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 7, 2023

WMM plays The MidCoast Sound + IVORY BLUE + Mike McCoy + A Lou Jane Temple Tribute

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. Calvin Arsenia – “Tip Toe”
   from: Cantaloupe / Center Cut Records / September 15, 2018
   [Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey really began when he moved to the KC suburb of Olathe, teaching himself the guitar, and eventually the harp. He learned his signature instrument at the age of 20 after he couldn’t find a harpist as determined as him to meld folk, rock, classical, rap and R&B into the irresistible fusion which has become his calling card in KC and beyond. His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to KC reborn as a humanistic songwriter / performer whose impassioned and conceptual stage shows (regularly sold-out in Kansas City, currently catching fire on the West Coast with a diverse following across Europe), are collaborative, costumed-culture-bridging spectacles which In KC Magazine has hailed as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-6-inch harpist with a natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Calvin released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. On February 14, 2017 Calvin released his critically acclaimed full length debut, Catastrophe. Calvin Arsenia premiered these songs in a live show at recordBar in November 2016 in a stage show that involved a company of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers, special lighting, back up singers, guest artists. Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe, September 15, 2018 on Center Cut Records, has been acclaimed for melding diverse textures into an alluring signature sound for the adventurous artist. On June 28, 2019 Calvin released Honeydew, an EP including a remix of three songs from Cantaloupe. On Dec. 13, 2019 Calvin released his full length Christmas album “all is calm.” Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Calvin is a graduate of Artist INC. ][Charlotte Street Foundation announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott.]

[Calvin Arsenia plays Crossroads Hotel rooftop concert series at The Percheron on June 7, at 8:00 PM)

3. Heidi Lynne Gluck – “All I See Is Magic”
   from: “All I See Is Magic” – Single / Lotuspool Records / May 25, 2023
   [Cowritten with Kenny Childers. From her upcoming full length album, MIGRATE OR DIE, to be released July 7, 2023. Heidi Lynne Gluck released the singles: “I’m Not Free” on June 2, 2023 and “Skyscraper” on June 7, 2023. Lawrence, Kansas based Heidi Lynne Gluck is a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist originally from the middle of Canada. After transplanting herself from the plains of Manitoba to the midwestern United States, Heidi quickly became an in-demand player, performing on stage and in the studio both as a solo artist and with renowned musicians including Juliana Hatfield & Some Girls, Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos, Lily & Madeleine, The Pieces, The Only Children, and others. Heidi Lynne Gluck joined us live on WMM on June 8, and August 24, 2016. Heidi Lynne Gluck released her critically acclaimed album, PONY SHOW through Lawrence based Lotuspool Records on August 26, 2016. This was the follow-up to her critically acclaimed release THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ROOM, released April 28, 2015. Heidi Lynne Gluck released the 8th edition of the Too Much Rock, limited edition, 7” vinyl Single Series on August 3, 2018, featuring her original song, “Party Line.” and the B-side, “Good Guys and Bad Guys” a new version of Camper Van Beethoven song. Heidi Lynne Gluck also plays with the band the Roseline and was a featured vocalist on “Beauty in the Distance” with Asterales. Heidi recently released two new singles with Tom Brosseau, “Sunflower” on Dec. 15, 2022, and “Under African Skies” on Feb. 17, 2023.]

[Heidi Lynne Gluck will join us on WMM on July 12, 2023 to share details about her new album MIGRATE OR DIE.]

10:06 – Intro / Pledge Break #1

Today WMM MM Celebrates The MidCoast Sound with music from Teri Quinn, Shy Boys, Ebony Tusks, The Creepy Jingles, IVORY BLUE, Psychic Heat, Flutienastiness, The ACBs, and Mike McCoy’s Trompe L’oeil. We’ll also play from Nirvana, Annie Ross, and Frenchie Davis. We started the show with Calvin Arsenia, and Heidi Lynne Gluck.

We are featuring music from musical artists playing all over Kansas City this week, including: High Dive Records 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 9 & 10; KC PrideFest & Parade at Theis Park, June 9, 10, & 11; Crossroads Hotel rooftop concert series at The Percheron on June 7; An Ode to Defiance at The Black Box in West Bottoms on June 9; Arts In The Park, North Kansas City, June 9, 10 & 11; Josh Ybarra Celebration of Life at miniBar, June 11; and Nighthawk the bar below Hotel Kansas City.

Plus, in a few minutes we will present a very special Tribute to Lou Jane Temple who we lost last Monday, May 29.

At 11:00 we’ll talk with musician Mike McCoy who will share details about the Josh Ybarra Celebration of Life, at miniBar, 3810 Broadway Boulevard, KCMO, on Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 PM featuring musical performances from Cher UK, The Utilitarians and more. Info at http://www.minibarkc.com

At 11:25 we’ll talk with IVORY BLUE about their brand new single, “Control” that was released May 26, 2023. IVORY BLUE plays ARTS IN THE PARK on the Main Stage, at 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 PM.

We take break to encourage YOU to support 90.1 FM KKFI. To help us is our friend…

Betse Ellis. Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Betse received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been playing the Violin for over 40 years, with over 20 years playing fiddle and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was a founding member of the acclaimed internationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and records and performs with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. In 2020 they released their latest 8-song release, WINTER. In 2022 Betse joined the long-running country band The Starhaven Rounders, and recently joined a new string band, Little Miss Dynamite.

Betse Ellis, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

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

10:14 – A Tribute to Lou Jane Temple by Mark Manning

Last Monday, May 29, 2023, at 6:30 PM we lost Lou Jane Temple, she was 79.

I first met Lou Jane Temple in 1987 at The Unicorn Theatre while working on “Kiss of The Spider Woman”. Lou Jane designed food props that the actors ate on stage, inside a jail cell, where the play took place.

Lou Jane asked me to come aboard her catering team. All of my experiences with Lou Jane were a brilliant adventure. I learned what was in the kitchen cabinets of Lennie Berkowitz, Sharon Hoffman, and KC Art Folk, who called upon Lou Jane, to make their parties special.

Lou Jane continually said to me, “Mark, you are gonna work in my restaurant when we open!” It was like being recruited for one of the most exciting jobs I ever had.

Cafe Lulu opened on my birthday, June 5, 1989. It was a Tuesday. People waited an hour for their food, but customers kept ordering champagne for the entire room.

Cafe Lulu closed on Lou Jane’s birthday, Monday, November 18, 1991. In 29 months, everything in my life changed. Through Lou Jane, I found my voice, I became an activist, I became a performance artist.

At Cafe Lulu I was a server, Wednesday thru Saturdays. On Sundays I helped Louie prepare food for the “Soul Food Sunday” cutting up chickens, boiling potatoes, snapping green beans, making molasses apple sauce.

Working with Lou on Sundays, where she and Pat Newman, and I would peel potatoes and listen to Rosemary Clooney music, crying. All three of us were having boyfriend problems.

After the first year at Cafe Lulu, Lou Jane, and Ron Megee and I created a Monday night show called “The Spoken Word.” Lou Jane envisioned a night where writers could share a chapter of a book they were writing, and while writers were big part of the show, eventually the Performance Artists took over.

I thought I was the only nerdy Queer in KC interested in performing about Queer and Trans issues, but through “The Spoken Word” I found my chosen family of other creatives, interested in Queer themes, Women’s Equality, Free Speech, and Disco. We were producing new works, things the professional companies wouldn’t ever do. We brought our ideas to the stage each week, to try them out in front of an audience, developing parts, that would eventually become plays. This is how Big Bang Buffet was born.

“The Spoken Word” was wild, packed, loud. High school kids from Johnson County sat drinking dark coffee and smoking cigarettes in a room full of artists, writers, and unsuspecting Monday diners. Lou Jane was our “Art Mother” feeding us all, giving us a job, reminding us to love each other.

At Cafe Lulu I created a performance character named Marlo “Low” Jones, the illegitimate “love chlld” of David Bowie and Lou Jane Temple. Louie had been a “Rock & Roll Caterer” for Chris Fritz Productions. It was easy to bend the timelines and imagine her making back stage food for Bowie on his first trip to the States in 1971. Like baby Lou Jane, after my character was born, they were put up for adoption, except Marlo was raised by Christian Fundamentalists, who Marlo escaped from, to then have a failed sex-change operation, leaving Marlo somewhere in the middle of male & female. (We did this long before John Cameron Mitchell ever created Hedwig & The Angry Inch.)

Cafe Lulu’s daytime bartender, Jimmy McCalister had an electric guitar he purchased from Carlos Alomar (one of Bowie’s longtime guitarists) and Jimmy along with Bryan Hicks on bass, became the band for Marlo “Low” Jones who sang “Breaking Glass” “Putting Out Fire” and “Let’s Dance.”

After Cafe LuLu closed, Lou Jane started writing mystery novels with food plots and recipes. The characters were based on real people from Cafe Lulu. Her first novel was titled “Murder on 39th Street,” but was renamed “Death By Rubarb.”

We kept the shows going, and from 1990 to 1995 we produced 80 different productions, full scale musicals, Free Speech extravaganzas. Ron Megee’s first musical “Nasty Sally Searsucker” was produced in Lou Jane’s loft space, in Columbus Park, where we built a stage, and seating for 77 people, for a Disco Opera that ran for 3-weeks, before being shut down by the Fire Marshall.

Lou Jane was the same age as my own mother, so it was easy for me to respect her incredible journey. Married as an early teen, giving birth to three amazing children. Taking correspondence classes through the television to get her degree. Moving to KC to go to the Art Institute. Reinventing herself over and over again, rising from the ashes like a phoenix. Just like Bowie.

Lou Jane taught me that you can tell aloty about what is going on in the world, by who is doing the dishes in the kitchen. At Cafe Lulu we had a Nicaraguan Freedom Fighter trained by the C.I.A

Lou Jane taught me that all the amateurs go out on Saturday Night.

Lou Jane taught me that Art is Everywhere.

Lou Jane taught me that women can seem superhuman, can be many things all at once, and that they don’t have to wait for someone’s permission to live their life freely, openly, doing what they love.

I will miss Lou Jane so much, but she is inside of me. She is in my heart. She is my Art Mother.

There will never be another Lou Jane Temple, ever ever again!!

10:19

4. Nirvana – “All Apologies”
   from: In Utero / Geffen Records / September 21, 1993
   [ written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It appears as the 12th track on the band’s third and final studio album, In Utero The song closes the American version of the album. On December 6, 1993, “All Apologies” was released as the second single from In Utero, as a double A-side with the song, “Rape Me”. It was Nirvana’s final single before Cobain’s suicide in April 1994. “All Apologies” became the third Nirvana song to top the Modern Rock chart, and reached number 32 on the UK Singles Chart. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1995, and won a BMI award for most played song on American college radio during the eligible period from 1994 to 1995. It was also included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll”. // “All Apologies” was written by Cobain in 1990. In a 2005 interview with Wes Orshoski of Harp, Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl recalled that the song was “something that Kurt wrote on [a] 4-track in our apartment in Olympia. I remember hearing it and thinking, ‘God, this guy has such a beautiful sense of melody, I can’t believe he’s screaming all the time.'” According to Cobain’s manager Danny Goldberg in his 2008 memoir Bumping into Geniuses, Cobain “played the Beatles song ‘Norwegian Wood’ over and over, hour after hour” while writing the song. // “All Apologies” was first recorded in the studio by Craig Montgomery at Music Source Studios in Seattle, Washington on January 1, 1991. This version, described by music journalist Gillian G. Gaar as “having a more upbeat pop-folk sound” than later versions, featured bassist Krist Novoselic accompanying Cobain on guitar, playing seventh chords behind the guitar riff, and Grohl’s drumming accented by a tambourine. The song was first performed live at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England on November 6, 1991. // Scott Litt was hired to remix “All Apologies,” along with “Heart-Shaped Box” and later “Pennyroyal Tea,” due to concerns by the band that the vocals and bass were not loud enough in the original mixes by Steve Albini. // The second and final studio version of “All Apologies” was recorded by Steve Albini at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota in February 1993, during the recording sessions for In Utero. The song, at that point tentatively titled “La La La,” was recorded on February 14, the second day of the sessions. // The recording features cello by Kera Schaley, a friend of Albini’s who at the time played in the Chicago band, Doubt. Schaley had initially been asked by Albini to compose a cello part for the song “Dumb,” and after hearing what she had written, Cobain asked her to “play around with ‘All Apologies.'” As she recalled in a 2010 interview with Swan Fungus, “Most of the cello on that was me just messing around and then Kurt had me learn one specific line that he wanted everyone to be playing the same thing on. I sort of thought they were going to scrap the cello on that one, but it stayed in.” // Albini was pleased with the recording, saying that he remembered “really liking the sound of that song as a contrast to the more aggressive ones” and that “it sounded really good in that it sounded lighter, but it didn’t sound conventional. It was sort of a crude light sound that suited the band.” In a 1993 Rolling Stone interview, Cobain told David Fricke that songs such as “All Apologies” and “Dumb” represented “the lighter, more dynamic” sound that he wished had been more prominent on previous Nirvana albums. // The band eventually elected to remix “All Apologies,” along with the album’s lead single “Heart-Shaped Box,” due to concerns that the vocals and bass were not loud enough in Albini’s original mixes. In a 1993 Guitar World interview, Cobain explained to English journalist Jon Savage: “[The quieter songs on In Utero] came out really good, and Steve Albini’s recording technique really served those songs well; you can really hear the ambience in those songs. It was perfect for them. But for “All Apologies” and “Heart-Shaped Box” we needed more. My main complaint was that the vocals weren’t loud enough. In every Albini mix I’ve ever heard, the vocals are always too quiet. That’s just the way he likes things, and he’s a real difficult person to persuade otherwise. I mean, he was trying to mix each tune within an hour, which is just not how the songs work. It was fine for a few songs, but not all of them. You should be able to do a few different mixes and pick the best.” // The two songs were remixed by Scott Litt, chosen due to his work with American rock band R.E.M., in May 1993 at Bad Animals in Seattle, Washington. A third song, “Pennyroyal Tea,” was remixed by Litt in November 1993, in preparation for its release as a single. Novoselic defended the band’s decision to remix “All Apologies” and “Heart-Shaped Box” by calling them “gateways” to the more abrasive sound of the rest of the album, and that once listeners played the record they would discover “this aggressive wild sound, a true alternative record”. // According to Goldberg in his 2019 Cobain biography Serving the Servant, Cobain was “euphoric” after hearing Litt’s mix of “All Apologies,” the first of the two songs initially remixed. // On November 18, 1993, Nirvana performed an acoustic version of “All Apologies” during their MTV Unplugged performance at Sony Music Studios in New York City. This version of the song featured Pat Smear on second guitar and Lori Goldston on cello. // “All Apologies” was performed for the final time live at Nirvana’s last concert, at Terminal Einz in Munich, Germany on March 1, 1994. // Cobain dedicated “All Apologies” to his wife, Courtney Love, and their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, during the band’s appearance at the Reading Festival in Reading, England on August 30, 1992. “I like to think the song is for them,” he told Michael Azerrad in the 1993 biography, Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana, “but the words don’t really fit in relation to us…the feeling does, but not the lyrics.” Cobain summarized the song’s mood as “peaceful, happy, comfort – just happy happiness.

5. Annie Ross – “Twisted”
   from: King Pleasure Sings / Annie Ross Sings / Prestige / 1958
   [Annabelle McCauley Allan Short was born July 25 1930 in Surrey, England, She passed away on July 21, 2020 in NYC. She was known professionally as Annie Ross, was a British-American singer and actress, best known as a member of the jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. Ross was born, the daughter of Scottish vaudevillians John “Jack” Short and Mary Dalziel Short (née Allan). Her brother was Scottish entertainer and theatre producer and director Jimmy Logan. She first appeared on stage at age three.At the age of four, she travelled to New York by ship with her family; she later recalled that they “got the cheapest ticket, which was right in the bowels of the ship”. // Shortly after arriving in the city, she won a token contract with MGM through a children’s radio contest run by Paul Whiteman. She subsequently moved with her aunt, Scottish-American singer and actress Ella Logan, to Los Angeles, and her mother, father and brother returned to Scotland. She did not see her parents again until fourteen years later. At the age of seven, she sang “The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond” in Our Gang Follies of 1938, and played Judy Garland’s character’s sister in Presenting Lily Mars (1943). // At the age of 14, she wrote the song “Let’s Fly”, which won a songwriting contest and was recorded by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers. // At the end of 10th grade, she left school, changed her name to Annie Ross, and went to Europe, where she established her singing career.[5] She changed her surname to Ross during the plane trip to Prestwick; in a 2011 interview, she said: “My aunt was very fanciful and she said I had an Irish grandmother called Ross, so that’s where that surname came from”. // In 1952, Ross met Prestige Records owner Bob Weinstock, who asked her to write lyrics to a jazz solo in a similar way to King Pleasure, a practice that would later be known as vocalese. The next day, she presented him with “Twisted”, a treatment of saxophonist Wardell Gray’s 1949 composition of the same name, a classic example of the genre. The song, first released in 1952 (later collected on the album King Pleasure Sings/Annie Ross Sings), was an underground hit, and resulted in her winning Down Beat magazine’s New Star award. // In February 1956, the British music magazine NME reported that Ross’s version of the song “I Want You to Be My Baby” was banned by the BBC due to the lyric “Come upstairs and have some loving”. / She recorded seven albums with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross between 1957 and 1962. Their first, Sing a Song of Basie (1957), was to have been performed by a group of singers hired by Jon Hendricks and Dave Lambert with Ross brought in only as vocal consultant. It was decided that the trio should attempt to record the material and overdub all the additional vocals themselves, but the first two tracks were recorded and deemed unsatisfactory so they ditched the dubbing idea. The resulting album was a success, and the trio became an international hit. Over the next five years, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross toured all over the world and recorded such albums as The Hottest New Group in Jazz (1959), Sing Ellington (1960), High Flying (1962), and The Real Ambassadors (1962), written by Dave Brubeck and featuring Louis Armstrong and Carmen McRae. // Ross left the group in 1962. In 1964 she opened a nightclub in London. Annie’s Room hosted Joe Williams, Nina Simone, Stuff Smith, Blossom Dearie, Anita O’Day, Jon Hendricks, and Erroll Garner. // Her adulthood film roles included Liza in Straight On till Morning (1972), Claire in Alfie Darling (1976), Diana Sharman in Funny Money (1983), Vera Webster in Superman III (1983), Mrs. Hazeltine in Throw Momma from the Train (1987), Rose Brooks in Witchery (1988), Loretta Cresswood in Pump Up the Volume (1990), Tess Trainer in Robert Altman’s Short Cuts (1993), and Lydia in Blue Sky (1994). She also appeared as Granny Ruth in the horror films Basket Case 2 (1990) and Basket Case 3: The Progeny (1991). She also had a bit part in Robert Altman’s The Player in 1992. Ross also starred in Scottish Television’s comedy-drama Charles Endell Esquire (1979). // She provided the speaking voice for Britt Ekland in The Wicker Man (1973), and Ingrid Thulin’s singing voice in Salon Kitty (1976). On stage, she appeared in Cranks (1955; London and New York City), The Threepenny Opera (1972), The Seven Deadly Sins (1973) at the Royal Opera House, Kennedy’s Children (1975) at Arts Theatre, London, Side by Side by Sondheim, and in the Joe Papp production of The Pirates of Penzance (1982). // In 1949, Ross had a brief affair with drummer Kenny Clarke. This affair produced a son, Kenny Clarke Jr. (born 1950), who was raised by Clarke’s brother and his wife. During her time with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, she became addicted to heroin and in the late 1950s had an affair with the comedian Lenny Bruce, who was also having drug problems. By 1960, Carol Sloane was substituting for her on tour. After a performance by the trio in London in May 1962, she remained in London to confront her drug addiction. // In 1963, she married actor Sean Lynch; they divorced in 1975, and he died in a car crash soon afterwards. By that time, she had also lost her home and declared bankruptcy. // She became a United States citizen in 2001. // Ross died in New York City on 21 July 2020 from emphysema and heart disease, four days before her 90th birthday. // Ross received the ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame award (2009),[2] the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters’ Award (2010),[4] and the MAC Award for Lifetime Achievement (2011). // In July 2006 a one-woman play entitled TWISTED: The Annie Ross Story by Brian McGeachan premiered at The Space Theatre in London, starring Verity Quade. It focused on her stormy relationship with her aunt, Broadway legend Ella Logan, her brief affair with the comedian Lenny Bruce and her addiction to heroin. The play transferred to the Brockley Jack Theatre in London that same year, with Ross being played by Betsy Pennington. // A documentary about Ross’s life, entitled No One But Me, premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival in 2012.]

10:26 – Pledge Break #2

Our WMM Spring Fund Drive Team: Marion Merritt and Betse Ellis

Today on WMM we are celebrating the MidCoast Sound with 11 of our Favorite Musical Artists from the MidCoastal Region of KC, Lawrence, and all. 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 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, Ivory Blue, The Salvation Choir. We were the first to interview these artists live on the radio and bring their music to a wider audience.

WMM Plays New & MidCoastal Releases. Timothy Finn Kansas City area music writer named WMM “The Best Place to Hear Local Music on the Radio.” and the Best Place to hear area musicians talk about their music.

10:34 – Underwriting

10:35 – Bands from High Dive Record’s 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 9 & 10

It all started back in 2013 with the release of ACBs “Little Leaves” and 48 releases later, High Dive continues. To celebrate this crazy milestone High Dive Records are throwing a 2 night party at Recordbar on June 9 and 10. Stacking the bills with 5 great bands each night including a couple of reunion sets by some of your favorite High Dive Recording Artists.

Friday, June 9: Shy Boys / Arc Flash / Koney (ACBs) / Greg Wheeler & The Poly Mall Cops / The Creepy Jingles

Saturday, June 10: Fourth of July / Psychic Heat / Ebony Tusks / HXXS / Thimastr

Doors at 6:30 & Music at 7:00. 18+ event, at recordBar, 1520 Grand BLVD, KCMO

6. The ACBs – “Feel Winter”
   from: Little Leaves / High Dive Records / March 5, 2013
   [The ACB’s third album and their first on High Dive Records and High Dive Records first ever release. Konnor Ervin on lead vocals, & guitar; Bryan McGuire on bass, Andrew Connor on guitar; Kyle Rausch on drums. Their songs have been featured on MTV’s The Inbetweeners, and Daytrotter. The title “Little Leaves” is a nod to frontman Konnor Ervin’s landscaping day job. The lead single, “Ocean” was released as a free download in late 2012, prompting Popmatters to declare the ACBs as one of its “Best Hopes to Break Out in 2013.”]

[Koney (ACBs) plays High Dive Records 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 9 with Shy Boys, Arc Flash, Greg Wheeler & The Poly Mall Cops, and The Creepy Jingles]

7. Shy Boys – “Keeps Me On My Toes”
   from: Shy Boys / High Dive Records. / January 17, 2014
   By now the Shy Boys line-up consists of brothers Collin Rausch & Kyle Rausch, Konnor Ervin, Kyle Little and Ross Brown. But for their debut album Shy Boys the band consisted of Kyle Rausch, Collin Rausch and Konnor Ervin. Kyleand Konnor were band mates in The ACBs. Collin had been playing for years in the KC area including The Abracadabras, and The I’ms with Kyle. The three shared a love for 1960s era pop rock and soon started writing their own music. . The album received positive reviews and the single “Bully Fight” (originally released by The I’ms) was featured on Spin.com. In June 2014, the band recorded and released two more singles and one of them, “Life Is Peachy,” was featured on Stereogum. On April 4th, 2018, it was announced the band signed to Polyvinyl Record Co.]

[Shy Boys play High Dive Records 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 9 with Koney (ACBs), Arc Flash, Greg Wheeler & The Poly Mall Cops, and The Creepy Jingles]

Shy Boys / The ACBs / Ghosty / The I’ms / Fullbloods / Koney – Discography

The ACB’s / The ACB’s / July 10, 2007
[Debut from KC based 4-piece with Konnor Ervin on lead vocals, Bryan McGuire on bass, Matt Saladino on guitar, Corey Egan on drums & vocals. Written by, and arranged by Konnor Ervin. Produced by Tim Suttle. Recorded & mixed at Underdog Studio in Desoto, KS. Mastered at Euphonic Masters in Memphis, TN.]

The Abracadabras – Be Still, Be Cool / The Abracadabras / January 1, 2008
[5-piece KC band formed in the spring of 2007, with Jocelyn Olivia (John) Nixon on keyboards & vocals, Travis Mckenzie on lead guitar, Bobby (Wayne Hutcherson) Topaz on guitar & vocals, Collin Rausch on bass & vocals, and Kyle Rausch on drums & vocals.]

The ACBs – Stona Rosa / The ACBs / January 1, 2011
[After half of the band left to move to LA, Konnor Ervin and Bryan McGuire got help from: Andrew Connor of Ghosty, and Beau Bruns of Cowboy Indian Bear. All songs written by, and arranged, lead vocals & guitar by Konnor Ervin. Mike Nolte on bass, Bryan McGuire on bass & vocals, Andrew Connor on guitar & vocals, Beau Brus on drums. Kyle Rausch on vocals. Produced by Mike Nolte. Mastered by Roger Seibel Recorded at More Famouser Studios. Mixed at More Famouser Studios. Mastered at SAE Mastering.]

The I’ms – Second MIXES / Independent / 2011
[Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch. Kyle Rausch also plays with The ACB’s. In 2011 on WMM we started playing songs from The I’ms, a duo made of up Collin and Kyle, who posted 6 of their self recorded songs on their facebook page. We included this informal release in our Top Ten of The 111 Best Recordings of 2011. 3 of the songs from The I’ms ended up being rerecorded for Shy Boys.]

Ghosty – GHOSTY / More Famouser Records – High Dive Records / April 17, 2012
[3rd full length release from Lawrence and KC area band. Ghosty is Andrew Connor, Mike Nolte an Bill Belzer who recorded their new album themselves over the last couple of years with help from David Wetzel, Josh Adams, Jake Blanton, Konnor Ervin, Ryan Connor, Kirsten Paludan, and Dan Talmadge. The new release was pressed on vinyl and available on LP and digital download. More info at ghostysounds.com.]

The ACBs – Little Leaves / High Dive Records / March 5, 2013.
[Konnor Ervin on lead vocals, & guitar; Bryan McGuire on bass, Andrew Connor on guitar; Kyle Rausch on drums. Their songs have been featured on MTV’s The Inbetweeners, and Daytrotter. The title “Little Leaves” is a nod to Konnor Ervin’s landscaping day job. The lead single, “Ocean” was released as a free download in late 2012, prompting Popmatters to declare the ACBs as one of its “Best Hopes to Break Out in 2013.”]

Shy Boys – Shy Boys / High Dive Records / January 17, 2014
[Debut release. Brothers Collin Rausch, Kyle Rausch, and friend and roommate Konnor Ervin, are members of this KC based trio. Collin and Kyle’s father was a High School band director and music teacher. Konnor Ervin is the lead singer and songwriter of The ACBs, where Kyle also plays drums. The 10 song release had two singles premiered by Stereogum. “Keeps Me On My Toes” was a song Collin wrote in 15 minutes while his girlfriend was in the shower. The album was recorded at West End Studio, over two-weekends.]

Shy Boys – “Life is Peachy” – Single Release / High Dive Records / July 15, 2014
[Stereogum has premiered the band’s new song, “Life Is Peachy”, the A-side to their new 45 rpm, 7″ single coming from High Dive Records. Brothers Collin Rausch, Kyle Rausch, and roommate Konnor Ervin, are members of the Kansas City based band, Shy Boys. ]

Fullbloods – Mild West / High Dive Records / February 26, 2016
[Second full length release from Fullbloods: Ross Brown; Jared Tomasino; David Seume; and Bill Pollock. Recorded at Westend Studios in Kansas City, Kansas by Mike Nolte. Mixed by Fullbloods. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. (Starfucker, Of Montreal).]

Shy Boys – Bell House / Polyvinyl Record Co. / August 3, 2018
[Shy Boys line-up consists of brothers Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch, Konnor Ervin, Kyle Little and Ross Brown. The group formed shortly after the trio became roommates in 2012. Kyle Rausch and Konnor Ervin were already band mates in the indie-pop band The ACBs and Collin had been playing for years in the Kansas City area in various bands. The three shared a love for 1960s era pop rock and soon started writing their own music. In 2014 they released the self-titled Shy Boys on High Dive Records. The album received generally positive reviews and the single “Bully Fight” was featured on Spin.com

Shy Boys – Dim The Light / Brick By Brick – Singles / Polyvinyl Record Co. / Feb. 15, 2019
[Single release follow up to band’s 2nd album and Polyvinyl debut, Bell House. Shy Boys line-up consists of brothers Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch, Konnor Ervin, Kyle Little and Ross Brown. Kyle Rausch and Konnor Ervin were already band mates in the indie-pop band The ACBs and Collin had been playing for years in the Kansas City area in various bands. The three shared a love for 1960s era pop rock and soon started writing their own music. In 2014 they released the self-titled Shy Boys on High Dive Records. The album received generally positive reviews and the single “Bully Fight” was featured on Spin.com. In June 2014 the band recorded and released two more singles and one of them, “Life Is Peachy,” was featured on Stereogum. On April 4th, 2018, it was announced that the band had signed to Polyvinyl Record Co.]

Fullbloods – Soft and Virtual Touch / High Dive Records / April 3, 2020
[3rd full-length album from, KC based Fullbloods. All songs written, performed, recorded, mixed by Ross Brown (℗© 2019 Bargain Hunt Music / ASCAP) in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. Artwork by Nika Winn. Kyle Rausch played drums on 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9, sang on 9. Bill Pollock Played drums on 3 and 5. David Seume played bass on 5. Jerad Tomasino played synth on 9 and 10, sang on 9. Jenni Kornfeld played cello on 4. Leslie Butsch played sax on 10. More info at: http://www.fullbloods.com.]

Shy Boys – Talk Loud / Polyvinyl Record Co. / September 25, 2020
[3rd album from the KC band Shy Boys. New music follow up to the Dim The Light / Brick By Brick, singles released February 15, 2019. Shy Boys released their 2nd album and Polyvinyl debut, Bell House on August 3, 2018. Shy Boys line-up consists of brothers Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch, Konnor Ervin, Kyle Little and Ross Brown. Kyle Rausch and Konnor Ervin were already band mates in the indie-pop band The ACBs and Collin had been playing for years in the Kansas City area in various bands including The Abracadabras, and The I’ms with brother Kyle. The three shared a love for 1960s era pop rock and soon started writing their own music. In 2014 they released the self-titled Shy Boys on High Dive Records.]

Koney – Koney / High Dive Records / October 9, 2020
[from Lucas Wetzel’s Pitch Feature: “To bring the songs to life, Konnor enlisted brothers Collin and Kyle Rausch, his roommates in their ramshackle West Plaza house/practice space and his bandmates in chamber pop group Shy Boys. Ross Brown (of Fullbloods) played synthesizer and helped run sound, and multi-instrumentalist Kyle Little contributed on guitar. Fritz Hutchison and Andrew Connor also contributed on several tracks. Recording engineer Mike Nolte flew in from Portland to run the controls at Westend Recordings, and the group set up camp in the studio over a long snowy weekend in 2015.”

8. The Creepy Jingles – “Working Class Clown”
   from: TAKE ME AY MY WORDPLAY / High Dive Records / March 25, 2022
   [From band’s 11-track, full-length debut, TAKE ME AT MY WORD PLAY. The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, 4-piece rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer / song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics. Nick Robertson on drums, Travis McKenzie on guitar, and Andrew Woody on bass guitar bring first class musicianship and creativity, helping Nixon paint the perfect picture of colors and sounds that don’t stay in the lines. Their new album, “Take Me at My Wordplay” is an eclectic blend of catchy Brit-Pop melodies that dance around the landscape of surf, NY garage rock, psychedelia and folk music. Paired up with lyrics centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree. Everything and the kitchen sink or swim. No stoner left unturned. The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. The release was in the top ten of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. ] The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019.]

[The Creepy Jingles play High Dive Records 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 9 with Koney (ACBs), Arc Flash, Greg Wheeler & The Poly Mall Cops, and Shy Boys]

9. Psychic Heat – “How Many Licks”
   from: Sunshower / High Dive Records / May 27, 2016
   [Psychic Heat was created by Evan Herd & Tanner Spreer. After releasing their EP Lighter and Brighter in 2015 they quickly turned their attention to their first full length Sunshower being released through High Dive Records. Sunshower is Engineered by Ron Miller (Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds) & mixed/mastered by Kliph Scurlock (previously of the Flaming Lips). Psychic Heat is: Steve/Evan Herd on guitar & vocals, Tanner Spreer on guitar & vocals, James Thomblison on bass, and Mark Rockwell on drums.]

[Psychic Heat play High Dive Records 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 10 with Fourth of July, Ebony Tusks, HXXS, and Thimastr.]

10. Ebony Tusks – “HDF”
    from: “HDF” – Single / High Dive Records / February 7, 2020
    [This single came out nine months before Ebony Tusks released their full-length album, Heal Thyself on November 6, 2020 on High Dive Records. “HDF” is not included on the 12-track album. As with the single and on the album, all songs written and performed by Ebony Tusks unless otherwise noted. // All Songs engineered and mixed by George Henry Valyer IV at Rundown Studios in Topeka, Kansas and MalaMUTE Studios in East Lawrence, Kansas. Assistance provided by Nico Williams and Claire Kuner. // Conny Franko’s vocals on “You Runner” engineered by Keith Rodger and Rick Carson at Make Believe Studios in Omaha, Nebraska. // IK’s vocals on “Gang Signs” engineered by Derek Montgomery. // Stik Figa’s vocals on “Hell Above Or Here Below” engineered by Sean Patrick at Twelves Studios in Forth Worth, Texas. // Cello on “Heir Apparent” written and performed by Brail Watson. Rhodes and Moog on “Heir Apparent” written and performed by Daniel Bowersox. // All Songs mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering in Portland, Oregon. // Album cover art by Justin Bergin. Album cover photography by Rachel Lock. Album layout by Martinez Hillard. // Album insert photography by Ailecia Ruscin and LeRoy Pristach. // Ebony Tusks is Daniel Smith on DJ & Production, Geese Giesecke on vocals & Production, and Marty Hillard on vocals & Production. Martinez Hillard told Vivid Seats: “ I began EBONY TUSKS in 2009 after a difficult period that summer. I was living in the student ghetto near the University of Kansas in Lawrence. It was an eerily calm Friday night and I didn’t have any plans after work so I crashed. I woke up shortly after 9:00 pm because my door was being kicked in. I was beaten and robbed at gunpoint. Thankfully, two of my neighbors were close friends and called the police immediately. I had nightmares for years afterward that included many symbols I’ve come to associate with various religious practices. I also began writing raps for the first time in over a decade. I was working with a couple producers and we had our first show at a house venue called Pizza Power in October 2010. Both Daniel and Geese came into the fold within a couple years of that show.” Daniel Smith lives in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born in Berkeley California. He moved to Lawrence when he was a child. Hs father is a Professor at The University of Kansas. Daniel works the United Way of Douglass County. He helps to provide after school job-training programs for under-served youth. Nathan “Geese” Giesecke grew up in Olathe but now lives and works in Kansas City, MO. He was friends with Calvin Arsenia in High School. Geese works as a producer as GEESACE. He makes beats and you can find his music at http://soundcloud.com/geesace Nathan is also a lighting designer who jumped on stage to do back up vocals for Marty and ended up being in the band. Martinez Hillard is the main vocalist and lyricist for EBONY TUSKS. He raps under the moniker Bodye, (pronounced “body”). He also produces beats. Martinez lives in the Old Town neighborhood in downtown Topeka with wife and 5 year old daughter. Martinez was part of the super group Cowboy Indian Bear. Martinez was recently elected to serve as a board member for Friends of the Library for Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. As Marty told Johnson County Library, in a piece published April 27, 2018: “ It was a project I started with other producers back in 2010. I asked Daniel to DJ for me sometime in 2011-2012 and Geese joined not too far behind him. Daniel and I had become fast friends when I lived in Lawrence and he was the nicest, most easygoing DJ of the handful I knew. He made our shows a lot less stressful. Geese was and is a lighting technician for a number of our friends’ projects and that was how I made acquaintance with him, seeing him work for a band and asking if he’d do lights for an EBONY TUSKS concert. He eventually asked if he could be hypeman for us and he brought an new intensity.” EBONY TUSKS have been a band for over 11 years making hip hop in the Lawrence scene that includes Approach, Stik Figa, Heartfelt Anarchy, and Archetype are just a small fraction. With that said, the three of us are always having conversations about how other genres influence us personally. Post-rock, post-hardcore, industrial, indie rock, and electronic all factor in. Our tastes evolve naturally and we follow accordingly. Since the three members of EBONY TUSKS live in three separate cities: Kansas City, Lawrence and Topeka early on, they created a Dropbox folder to share demos with one another. And as they told Vivid Seat: “It also gave us a bit of language to use in building sounds independent of one another.” More info at: http://www.highdiverecords.com Members of Ebony Tusks joined us LIVE on WMM on February 19, and October 7, 2020.]

[Ebony Tusks play play High Dive Records 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 10 with Fourth of July, Psychic Heat, HXXS, and Thimastr.]

10:47 – Pledge Break #3

Our WMM Spring Fund Drive Team: Marion Merritt, and Betse Ellis

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 sound beautiful and 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.

10:54

11. Mike McCoy’s Trompe-l’œil – “Agop”
    from: Ogallala Pression EP / Mike McCoy’s Trompe-l’œil / September 20, 2020
    [With their 2nd release, Austin supergoup Mike McCoy’s Trompe-loeil provide lush political waterscapes via masterful production from the late Howie Beno, designed to reflect, expose and warn listeners in re the maddening times at hand. This is an album about desperation, climate change and abject skullduggery.// Produced by Howie Beno and Mike McCoy // Guitars: John Lyle Wells, Jacob Shulze, Mike Stover, David Garrett, Mike McCoy; Bass: Hunter Darby; Drums: Rich Malley, Travis Garaffa, Rey Washam; Pedal Steel: Mike Stover; Mandolin: Steve Menendez, Mike Stover; Keyboards: Brandt Gassman; Organ and Piano: Christine Smith; Violin: Jenny Smith; Cello: Hilary Thomas-Oliver;
    Harmonica: Walter Daniels;Backing Vocals: Julie Lowery, Jenny Smith, Andrew Duplantis; Vocals, Acoustic guitar, Panko shaker and melodies: Mike McCoy // Recorded at: Farmadelica Studios, Bokeelia, FL, Howard “Merlin” Wulkan Engineering // Ruffian Recorders, Brooklyn, NY, Brandt Gassman Eng. // Orb Recording Studios, Austin, TX, Matt Novesky Eng. // Mastered by Jim Wilson, Longmont, CO // All songs © and ℗ by Michael George McCoy @ASCAP and Suchawussy@ASCAP // Kansas native and Austin resident Mike McCoy is a man for all seasons. A gifted singer, composer, songwriter, social commentator and conceptual artist from the heartland, McCoy has been making music for more than 30 years, incorporating a whiplash array of styles and genres from country-roots to punk to performance art and power pop. All overlap in McCoy’s world. Mike founded the KC power-pop band Cher UK (Cargo/FistPuppet) & (Red Decibel/Columbia Records) in the mid 1990s and has fronted other quirky conceptual bands such as the Black Rabbits of Lawrence, Kansas, and two Austin critics’ darlings, the American People and the Service Industry. Mike is also a prolific solo artist . A religion studies and art-history graduate of TCU, fund-raising researcher at Yale, a carpenter/designer in Austin, an online “word contortionist” and a former museum administrator in KC, McCoy’s truest calling is the crafting of songs. He’s a hayseed intellectual-philosopher whose compositions strike the right balance of plaintive and high-brow, sardonic and humble. McCoy brings a singular, poet’s sensibility to the music equation. He writes about a wonderful waitress in a rundown town who has the power to make or break your stay (“if you treat her well, you might get what you want…”), about an immigrant woman whose dreams of America lead her to a lonesome life as a domestic (“feather duster I believe her, no one sees the way I see her…”), about American apathy and how winter is a submarine (“winter is a submarine — I lay inside and I no longer dream…”). In most of McCoy’s songs, there is something deeply wistful, despite the freighted narratives and their dizzying wordplay. He’s a serious guy and he writes about serious stuff. Yet in the lyrics and in the spaces between words and melody, you can almost hear that lone whistle blow in the dark of a heartlands night; you hear a style of writing that combines political commentary and snarky populism with an inextinguishable belief that somehow, with the right blend of gumption and fortitude, we humans might just pull off something good. He’s equal parts punk-rock-Americana — a strange brew of Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, John Mellencamp, Ramones and Burl Ives. But no matter in what incarnation you encounter Mike McCoy, you’ll find he’s driven by the same basic themes: ideas and ideals of humanity, principles and hopes, outrage and indignation, absurdism and dadaism, puns and poetry and parody, with a large dose of red-white-and-blue wishful thinking.]

11:00 – Station ID

11:00 – Interview with Mike McCoy

Mike McCoy grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas. After graduating High school he moved to Kansas City. After his gap year ended he left KC to attend Texas Christian University. After college Mike returned to KC to work at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Mike has been making music for more than 30 years, playing country-roots to punk to performance art and power pop. Mike founded the KC band Cher UK in the mid 1990s and fronted the Black Rabbits of Lawrence, Kansas, and the Austin, bands: American People and The Service Industry. Mike is the founder of The North vs. South Music Festival. In 2019 Mike McCoy’s Trompe-l’œil released “Eyein’ Lies” one of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. Mike McCoy, lives in Austin Texas where he builds all kinds of cool things with his construction company.

Mike McCoy is here to share details about the Josh Ybarra Celebration of Life, at miniBar, 3810 Broadway Boulevard, KCMO, on Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 PM featuring musical performances from Cher UK, The Utilitarians and Drop a Grand. Info at http://www.minibarkc.com

Mike McCoy Thanks for being with us on WMM.

Mike was on the show last on October 5, 2022 to talk abut a The Cher U.K. reunion Heather Grehan, and Lisa McKenzie a lineup that hadn’t played together since 1996. An early Red Decibel (Minneapolis record label) press kit described Cher U.K. The Cher U.K. reunion has special significance, as this group lineup hasn’t played together since 1996. An early Red Decibel (Minneapolis record label) press kit described Cher U.K.

Cher U.K. was signed to Red Decibel in 1993 after Brent Ashley, head of promotions at Red Decibel saw them in KC. Their first album, She’s a Weird Little Snack, was released on Oct. 12, 1993, followed by Go-Go Fish, released in Nov. 1994. While the albums featured such classics as “College Song,” “Go-Go,” and “Kibbles’n’ Bitz,” it’s the live shows that always attracted the most attention.

The Josh Ybarra Celebration of Life, is at miniBar, 3810 Broadway Boulevard, KCMO, on Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 PM featuring musical performances from Cher UK, The Utilitarians and Drop a Grand. Josh Ybarra was the “life-partner” of Mark Reynolds who was the original bass player for Cher UK and played in several reunions.

Kansas native and Austin resident Mike McCoy is a man for all seasons. A gifted singer, composer, songwriter, social commentator and conceptual artist from the heartland, McCoy has been making music for more than 30 years, incorporating a whiplash array of styles and genres from country-roots to punk to performance art and power pop. All overlap in McCoy’s world. Mike founded the KC power-pop band Cher UK (Cargo/FistPuppet) & (Red Decibel/Columbia Records) in the mid 1990s and has fronted other quirky conceptual bands such as the Black Rabbits of Lawrence, Kansas, and two Austin critics’ darlings, the American People and the Service Industry.

Mike is also a prolific solo artist . A religion studies and art-history graduate of TCU, fund-raising researcher at Yale, a carpenter/designer in Austin, an online “word contortionist” and a former museum administrator in KC, McCoy’s truest calling is the crafting of songs. He’s a hayseed intellectual-philosopher whose compositions strike the right balance of plaintive and high-brow, sardonic and humble. McCoy brings a singular, poet’s sensibility to the music equation. He writes about a wonderful waitress in a rundown town who has the power to make or break your stay (“if you treat her well, you might get what you want…”), about an immigrant woman whose dreams of America lead her to a lonesome life as a domestic (“feather duster I believe her, no one sees the way I see her…”), about American apathy and how winter is a submarine (“winter is a submarine — I lay inside and I no longer dream…”).

In most of McCoy’s songs, there is something deeply wistful, despite the freighted narratives and their dizzying wordplay. He’s a serious guy and he writes about serious stuff. Yet in the lyrics and in the spaces between words and melody, you can almost hear that lone whistle blow in the dark of a heartlands night; you hear a style of writing that combines political commentary and snarky populism with an inextinguishable belief that somehow, with the right blend of gumption and fortitude, we humans might just pull off something good. He’s equal parts punk-rock-Americana — a strange brew of Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, John Mellencamp, Ramones and Burl Ives. But no matter in what incarnation you encounter Mike McCoy, you’ll find he’s driven by the same basic themes: ideas and ideals of humanity, principles and hopes, outrage and indignation, absurdism and dadaism, puns and poetry and parody, with a large dose of red-white-and-blue wishful thinking.

Mike has worked as a fund-raising researcher at Yale, and a carpenter and designer in Austin.

In 2004 Mike founded the North vs. South Music Festival, a bi-annual, bi-polar music festival designed to showcase independent rock along the I-35 corridor.

On October 17, 2012 Mike McCoy appeared on WMM to promote the Cher UK EP release of Boy Named Sue, released October 20, 2012 with the single. “Little Blue Soldier.” with Mike McCoy on Guitar & Vox, Mark Reynolds on Bass, and Bernie Dugan on Drums.

Mike McCoy Thanks for being with us on WMM.

Mike McCoy plays the Josh Ybarra Celebration of Life, partner go longtime friend, and bandmate, Mark Reynold, at miniBar, 3810 Broadway Boulevard, KCMO, on Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 PM featuring musical performances from Cher UK, Drop a Grand, and The Utilitarians. Information at http://www.minibarkc.com

11:11

12. Teri Quinn – “Running Away”
    from: “Running Away” – Single / Teri Quinn / June 2, 2023
    [Joining Teri on the track are: John O’keefe on bass, Ryan Smith on Drums, Landon Hambright on guitar. Produced and Engineered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording & Mastering Studios. Teri Quinn is a multi-instrumentalist whose primary songwriting instrument is the banjo. She uses the banjo as a way to create soundscapes drawing you in to her tales of wandering and self-discovery. In 2016, Quinn released her first EP ‘Moons and Meltdowns’ setting the gritty tone for her indie folk sensibilities. She was nominated for Best Musician for the 2018 Pitch Awards. // This single follows Teris earlier single release “Sweet Savannah” rom February 26, 2020 Produced and engineered by Chase Horseman at Element Recording Studios. Mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. For this recording: Landon Hambright on guitar, Matt Richey on drums, Joel Stratton on Wurlitzer, Molly Mclaughlin on alto flute, Chase Horseman on synth bass, and Teri Quinn on banjo and vocals. // Teri Quinn is a KC based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Teri moved to Kansas City in 2009 to study clarinet performance and Music Composition at the UMKC’s Conservatory of Music where she graduated in 2013. Teri released her debut EP, Moons and Meltdowns in 2017. Along with being a touring solo artists Teri has also played with Claire and the Crowded Stage, Abandoned Bells, True Lions, and Monta.]

[Teri Quinn plays ODE TO DEFIANCE at The Black Box, 1060 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS on Friday, June 9, at 8:00 PM featuring Olive Ursula, Babydoll, AP the Poe t, She Speaks in Tongues, Taylor Rivera, and Teri Quinn with ritual, music poetry, performance, and video. A sacrilegious exploration of daily acts of defiance that break us out of boxes and binaries that hinder us from true liberation. The audience is encouraged to dress in goth attire and participate in juicy rituals.]

1:15 – Pledge Break #4

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt & Betse Ellis.

KKFI is an Independent, non-commercial radio station!

Along with our National Public Affairs shows like Democracy Now and Alternative Radio we offer more locally produced public affairs programs than anywhere else on the dial.

We offer programs specifically produced for the LGBTQIA Community, Women’s Issues, Native American News and Culture, Middle Eastern Music and Information, Latino Programming, African American Public Affairs and Community News, Labor and Worker’s Unions, our prison population and justice system, environmental programming, Visual and Literary Arts, and Performing Arts.

90.1 offers 80 different radio programs that are locally, produced, hosted, engineered and written by over 100 different people, who create content, and personally handcraft each show, each week. There are 64 local music shows and 21 locally produced News, Public Affairs, Arts & Talk shows.

You will not find this kind of representative diversity anywhere else on your radio dial. Or from any singular source on your computer. It is very special. It needs to be nourished and kept alive in a world of corporate, nationally owned, commercial or religious broadcasting.

Not only do we bring the most diverse and unfiltered news and information, but our musical playlists are deep, and comprehensive. In one week you can hear over 2000 different songs played, in Blues, Jazz, Folk, Hip Hop, Reggae, Classical, World, Americana, Southern Soul, Fusion, Soul, Rock, New Wave, Electronic, Native, Local, Old Timey, Rockabilly, Women’s, Children’s, Gospel, and Experimental.

With all of this, you hear the voices from the hundreds of KKFI volunteers, and thousands of guests from the community, who share their stories, broadcast live from our non-commercial, midtown studios, at 39th & Main, in the center of our metro, across two states, a collective of communities, and thousands of listeners. What is this worth to you?

11:22 – Underwriting

13. Ivory Blue – “Control”
    from: “Control” – Single / IVORY BLUE / May 26, 2023
    [Follow up to the single “All Outta Love” from February 24, 2023. IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2022. For COMPOUND LOVE, IVORY BLUE served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. Nick Poortman served in mixing, with Kurt Festge who also served in mixing & Mastering. IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017. In 2017 Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. // IVORY BLUE has played Crossroads Music Festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at The Kansas City Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics. // By 2013, IVORY BLUE was playing regularly in and around Kansas City and the first EP ‘Ready Get Set’ was released. in 2015. IVORY BLUE released the video of “Family Table” directed by Mikal Shapiro, on August 21, 2021 and the audio track was released on September 7, 2021. IVORY BLUE released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. IVORY BLUE released their debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. IVORY BLUE released the single “Red Light” on July 29, 2022. IVORY BLUE released the single “Starlit Love Child” on October 28, 2022. IVORY BLUE released the single “All Outta Love” on February 24, 2023. More info at: https://linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic%5D

[IVORY BLUE plays ARTS IN THE PARK on the Main Stage, at 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 PM.]

11:26 – Interview with Ivory Blue

IVORY BLUE joins us to share details about their brand new single, “Control” that was released May 26, 2023. This new single follows, “All Outta Love” from February 24, 2023. IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. IVORY BLUE plays ARTS IN THE PARK on the Main Stage, at 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 PM. More info at: linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic

Last time IVORY BLUE was with us on WMM was just before IVORY played ULAH Live Session, Thurs, March 16, 2023 at 7:30 PM at ULAH, 4707 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood, KS.

IVORY BLUE lived a nomadic existence until settling in Kansas City MO and becoming part of the local musical community. After winning a nationwide talent contest in 2017 Ivory Blue started having success with some national and international radio play which continues today.

Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families. before running away at 15.

Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying them Ivory KC, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics.

By 2013, IVORY BLUE was playing regularly in and around Kansas City and the first EP ‘Ready Get Set’ was released. in 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and got much attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017.

Ivory entered NeXt2Rock, a nationwide talent search with over 1800 artists/bands who applied to find fresh and promising rock artists.

The top 5 national bands battled it off for the win in Los Angeles CA at the legendary Viper Room, with judges Scott Borchetta (BMLG), John Varvatos (fashion designer), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox”), Desmond Child (Musician, producer), Chris Lord-Alge (producer), Ivory Blue won over the judges and became the grand prize winner! Ivory

Ivory won the contest and a one-year record deal with BMLG who re-released the song Ready Get Set from the 2015 EP. Ivory’s 2018 re-release of ‘Ready Get Set’ undauntedly received National and International airplay within weeks.

NeXt2Rock Judges Comments about Ivory Blue:

“You got star quality and a lot of potential” by Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox” on KLOS (95.5) Los Angeles, CA, USA)

“Giving us the diamond in the rough we can only dream of, the foundation that’s built underneath it, that’s what music is made from. by Chris Lord-Alge (Engineer/Mixer).

“I love everything about you, you sing what you live, you’re fantastic” by Desmond Child (Musician \ Songwriter and Producer).

“We’ve been waiting for the WOW, and you are the WOW”, “You’re a true artist” by John Varvatos (Fashion Designer and Record Label Head)

“You exude artistry from the minute you step on that stage” by Scott Borchetta – Big Machine Label Group president and CEO.

“There’s something special about you”, “You’re a true artist” by Gavin Rossdale (British musician, singer, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band BUSH).

Ivory Blue has played Crossroads Music festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, Kansas City Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium.

IVORY BLUE started writing music at a very young age, creating their unique alt-rock sound, using a tape recorder to superimpose sounds that added to a song production. After starting performances in coffee shops and small venues, they began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, IVORY BLUE settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting a following for their strong vocals and deeply personal lyrics. On July 29th, 2022, and after studying the craft of recording and self- producing, this amazing singer-songwriter with a passionate love for everyone struggling through life, released their first full length album, COMPOUND LOVE. This was followed by their single, “Red Light” and “Starlit Love Child.”

Ivory Blue thanks for being with us on WMM.

[IVORY BLUE plays ARTS IN THE PARK on the Main Stage, at 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 PM.]

More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com

11:37

14. Ivory Blue – “Starlit Love Child”
    from: “Starlit Live Child’ – Single / Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing / October 28, 2022
    [Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families. before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying them Ivory KC, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics.. // Ivory released the singles: “Elite Dreamland,” on Feb. 17, 2021, “Half a Life” on Sept. 20, 2021. Ivory Blue released the video of “Family Table” directed by Mikal Shapiro, on August 21, 2021 and the audio track was released on September 7, 2021. Ivory Blue released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. Ivory Blue joined us on WMM on November 10, September 15, and July 28, in 2021. More info at: https://linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic%5D

[IVORY BLUE plays ARTS IN THE PARK on the Main Stage, at 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 PM.]

11:40 – Pledge Break #5

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt & Betse Ellis.

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.

11:47

5. Flutienastiness – “AlterEgo”
   from: This Is Me / Flutienastiness Entertainment / October 28, 2020
   [Flutienastiness is the music and educational project of Amber Underwood who works as a band director in KC Public Schools and is a private flute instructor at REW Band & Instruments. Her style falls on the R&B, Pop, and Soul side of jazz, Amber Underwood is a vivid performer. Amber studied Education at Pittsburgh State University from 2010 to 2012. Amber lives in Shawnee, KS. The album was produced, mixed, & mastered by Desmond “D. Professor” Mason for Out D. Park Productions. All flutes by Amber Underwood. All tracks were composed collaboratively between Amber & Desmond. Amber writes: “This is album is a touch of all my feelings, life journeys and a inside look into Amber ‘Flutienastiness’ Underwood as a person beyond the stage. This album is for all the female artists & musicians who have been criticized or not excepted when it comes to their work, art or music and felt like they didn’t belong. ‘This Is Me’ is my testimony that all things are possible and not be scared to create your OWN lane.” More info at:www.flutienastiness.com.]

[Amber Flutienastiness plays Nighthawk, the bar below Hotel Kansas City at 13th & Baltimore, Friday, June 16, 2023.]

11:50 – Pledge Break #6

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt, & Betse Ellis.

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! Between our On-Air donors this morning on Wednesday MidDay Medley, and our Facebook Fundraiser, we had 49 individuals that donated a total of $3162.00 in support of KKFI 90.1 FM! Thank you to Betse Ellis and Marion Merritt for Co-Hosting the show today!!! Thank you to all of the phone room volunteers and Darryl Oliver and J Kelly Dougherty at KKFI for all of your work!

11:54 – KC PrideFest & Parade on June 9, 10, and 11

16. Frenchie Davis – “Love’s Got A Hold On Me”
    from: “Love’s Got A Hold On Me” – Single / Frenchie Davis Music Group / September 4, 2013
    [Franchell “Frenchie” Davis was born May 7, 1979, and is an American Broadway performer and a soul, dance/electronica, and pop singer. She first came to public attention in 2003 as a contestant on the singing competition show American Idol. Davis began performing in Rent on Broadway soon afterward, and was a member of the cast for four years. In 2011 Davis reached the top 8 on the first season of singing competition The Voice. Davis was born in Washington, DC and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Howard University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.]

[Frenchie Davis plays KC PrideFest & Parade on June 9, 10, and 11. Headliners are Cazwell, Frenchie Davis, Brandon Stansell, and Muni Long, at Theis Park, 47th & Oak Street, KCMO, the massive park is just South of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, across the street from their lawn with the shuttlecocks. There’s also a big parade on Saturday, June 10 that begins in Westport, travels through the Plaza and ends at Oak and West 47th Ttreet at Thies Park.]

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

Next week on WMM on June 14, Marion Merritt will be back with Nico Gray as our special Guest Co-Hosts, Also next week Chris Haghirian joins us for the entire show to share music and information about The Boulevardia Festival happening Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17 at Crown Center.

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 #997

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 7, 2023

WMM plays The MidCoast Sound + IVORY BLUE + Mike McCoy + A Lou Jane Temple Tribute

WMM Celebrates The MidCoast Sound with music from Calvin Arsenia, Heidi Lynne Gluck, Teri Quinn, Shy Boys, Ebony Tusks, The Creepy Jingles, IVORY BLUE, Psychic Heat, Flutienastiness, The ACBs, and Mike McCoy’s Trompe L’oeil. We’ll also play from Nirvana, Annie Ross, and Frenchie Davis.

WMM features music from musical artists playing all over Kansas City this week, including: High Dive Records 10th Anniversary Shows at recordBar June 9 & 10; KC PrideFest & Parade at Theis Park, June 9, 10, & 11; Crossroads Hotel rooftop concert series at The Percheron on June 7; An Ode to Defiance at The Black Box in West Bottoms on June 9; Arts In The Park, North Kansas City, June 9, 10 & 11; Josh Ybarra Celebration of Life at miniBar, June 11; and Nighthawk the bar below Hotel Kansas City. Plus,

Mark presents a very special Tribute to Lou Jane Temple.

At 11:00 Mark talks with musicians, longtime friends, and bandmates, Mike McCoy and Mark Reynolds who share details about the Josh Ybarra Celebration of Life, at miniBar, 3810 Broadway Boulevard, KCMO, on Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 PM featuring musical performances from Cher UK, The Utilitarians and more. Information at http://www.minibarkc.com

At 11:25 we talk with IVORY BLUE about their brand new single, “Control” that was released May 26, 2023. This new single follows, “All Outta Love” from February 24, 2023. IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. IVORY BLUE plays ARTS IN THE PARK on the Main Stage, at 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 PM. More info at: linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic

AND, Marion Merritt of Records With Merritt, a minority owned business in KCMO, and Betse Ellis, critically acclaimed fiddler, singer, songwriter, and one half of Betse & Clarke join us as special Guest Co-Hosts to encourage our listeners to call 888-931-0901, or visit http://www.kkfi.org to support 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio during our Spring Fund Drive Show.

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

Show #997

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, May 31, 2023

Andrew Connor + Stephonne + Mica-Elgin Vi + musicbyskippy + Julia Reynolds

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. boygenius – “Not Strong Enough”
   from: the record / Interscope Records / March 31, 2023
   [Debut studio album from indie rock supergroup formed by Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, & Lucy Dacus. Bridgers has called the formation of the group “kind of an accident,” wherein each of the members were simply fans of each other’s work and then became friends. Both Dacus and Bridgers had opened for Baker on separate tours in 2016, and they all ran in similar circles as young up-and-coming performers navigating the indie scene. // The three became close and shared their frustrations of constantly being compared to each other as “women in rock” despite their considerably different musical styles. Dacus has commented that the idea of women in music “should not be remarkable whatsoever,” with Bridgers adding, “it’s not a genre.” Each has spoken on the tendency of the music industry to pit women against each other, and the group was formed in part to reject this idea. “I hope people see the three of us and know there isn’t competition,” Dacus has said. “You don’t have to compete with your contemporaries. You can make something good with people you admire.” // Baker had joked to Dacus years before about a “pipe dream” that they could one day all form a band. The three decided to book a co-headlining tour in early 2018, and they originally planned to record a single or a cover version so that they could perform something together on stage Their self-titled debut EP was written and recorded in four days at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and released on Oct. 26, 2018 on Matador Records. Following the release, in November 2018, Baker & Bridgers hit the road in North America for a co-headline tour, with Dacus opening. Each artist played her own individual set of tunes. The tour kicked off at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 4th, and traveled through the Northeast, Midwest, West Coast.]

3. Arlo Parks – “Pegasus (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)”
   from: My Soft Machine / Transgressive Records / May 26, 2023
   [Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho is known professionally as Arlo Parks, She is a British singer-songwriter and poet. The title, My Soft Machine, comes from a piece of dialogue from the 2019 film The Souvenir. Of the song, “Pegasus” Parks said it is about experiencing the warmth and lightness of good love for the first time,” and “It also explores how the absence of chaos and the presence of real connection can be a little bit terrifying after a long time of not having it. // Her debut studio album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, was released through Transgressive Records on January 29, 2021, to critical acclaim and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. // Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho was born on August 9, 2000 and raised in Hammersmith, West London. She is half Nigerian, quarter Chadian and quarter French. Her mother was born in Paris. Marinho learnt to speak French before she did English. // Parks chose her stage name in the manner of King Krule and Frank Ocean. In 2018, she began uploading demos to BBC Music Introducing which caught the attention of BBC Radio 1 DJ Jess Iszatt who distributed these demos to Ali Raymond of Beatnik Creative, who soon began managing Parks. She made her solo debut when she released the song “Cola” through Beatnik Records in November 2018, and announced the release of her debut EP, Super Sad Generation. She told Line of Best Fit that the song is “a reminder that betrayal is inevitable when it comes to pretty people that think flowers fix everything.” Olivia Swash wrote that the vocals on the song “flourish thanks to [Parks’] creative writing background, with her delicate tone taking centre stage against the gently plodding guitars and soft crackle of vinyl.” By November 2019, the song had amassed over three million streams on Spotify. // Following the release of “Cola”, Parks signed to Transgressive Records. She released the title track of her upcoming EP, Super Sad Generation, in January 2019. Robin Murray told Clash that the song portrays an “astute, nuanced creative control that also utilises word-play that speaks of youthful emotions spinning out of control.” Her third single, “Romantic Garbage”, was released in March 2019, before the release of the full four-track EP, Super Sad Generation in early April 2019. The EP was recorded in her home in South West London and an Airbnb in the Angel district of London. // Parks performed her first-ever gig at The Great Escape in Brighton in May 2019, and has gone on to perform on the BBC Music Introducing stage at Glastonbury Festival in late June 2019, as well as at Latitude Festival in July 2019. She embarked on her first tour supporting Jordan Rakei on the UK leg of his tour in September 2019. Throughout the last half of 2019 Parks released the songs “George”, “Second Guessing”, “Sophie”, and “Angel’s Song” ahead of her second EP, Sophie Sean Kerwick told DIY that the five-track EP “oozes with the hang-ups of heartbreak and mortality; a topic that seems to overshadow many gen-Z musicians.” // Parks embarked on her first headlining tour of Europe in February/March 2020, but could not complete it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, Parks released the singles “Eugene” and “Black Dog”, which were well received during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the latter of which became BBC Radio 1’s Tune of the Week. Parks made the front cover of NME in late July 2020. She won the AIM Independent Music Award for One to Watch in 2020 in August 2020, after losing the same award to Georgia a year before. Parks and Moses Boyd made the front cover of Music Week for the publication’s indie takeover special following the AIM Awards ceremony. Parks released her debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, on 29 January 2021. // Parks is openly bisexual and is based in London. She was educated at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith and completed her A Levels in early 2019. In her auto-biographical blurb on her Spotify profile, Parks claimed that she spent most of secondary school “feeling like that black kid who couldn’t dance for shit, listening to too much emo music and crushing on some girl in her Spanish class.” // Parks has named Sylvia Plath & Joni Mitchell as among her influences.]

4. 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, KS. 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.” ]

11:15 – Interview with Stephonne Singleton

Singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist – Stephonne Singleton keeps very busy, organizing Tribute Shows, working as a Resident Artist at Charlottee Street studios, playing Music Festivals, Lemonade Park, 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 released his EP SIS: Side B on June 24, 2022 it was in the TOP TEN of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. Stephonne is a featured performer at the 23rd Annual West 18th Street Fashion Show happening this Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM at 116 W. 18th St., KCMO. More info at: /www.eventbrite.com/e/west-18th-street-fashion-show

Stephonne Thank You for being with us on WMM!

Stephonne is a featured performer at the 23rd annual West 18th Street Fashion Show happening Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM at 116 W. 18th St., KCMO. More info at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-18th-street-fashion-show

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

Stephonne’s band: The Gay Rodeo is: Miki P on drums, Benjamin Hart (Byard) on lead guitar, Ahafia Jurkiewicz-Miles on keyboards, Spencer Thut on bass, hold band practice weekly at Charlotte Street Foundation where Stephonne is in his 2nd year of a residency.

Performances of Stephonne & The Gay Rodeo show a sexier Stephonne 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.

With his influences, Prince, Billie Holiday, The Alabama Shakes, Stephonne loves to push boundaries with his music by blending the genres of Alt-Rock, Soul, & R&B. On August 18, 2021 Stephonne joined us to talk about “The King’s Gambit,” 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.

Stephonne Discography

Stephonne – “I Miss U (A Christmas Song)” / Single / December 7, 2022

Stephonne – “Rocket In My Pocket (Feat. Shawn M Stewart)” / Single / Aug. 26, 2022

Stephonne – SIS: SIDE B / EP / June 24, 2022.

Stephonne – “Cross My Heart (Sexy M.F.) (Radio Edit)” / Single / June 3, 2022

Stephonne – “Deja Vu” with Shilow, Regina Del Carmen / Single / May 9, 2022

Stephonne – “The King’s Gambit” / Single / July 28, 2021

Stephonne – “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” from Lee Walter Redding / Single / 4-9-21.

Stephonne – “Beautiful Life (Acoustic)” / Single / January 15, 2021.

Stephonne – SIS: SIDE A / EP / August 7, 2020

Stephonne – “Deep” / Single / July 14, 2020

Stephonne – “Dominate” / Single / September 6, 2019

Stephonne – “Want Me” / Single / April 26, 2019

Stephonne – CAGED BIRD SINGS SONGS ABOUT RED BEARD / Album / July 27, 2018

Stephonne – “Unworthy” / Single / August 28, 2015

Lee Walter Redding told us 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 is a featured performer at the 23rd annual West 18th Street Fashion Show happening Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM at 116 W. 18th St., KCMO. More info at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-18th-street-fashion-show

10:28

5. Stephonne – “Rocket In My Pocket (Feat. Shawn M Stewart)”
   from: “Rocket In My Pocket (Feat. Shawn M Stewart)” / Stephonne & Shawn M Stewart / August, 26, 2022
   [At The 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest on Saturday, August 27, at 9:00 PM on Community Lending of America Stage at Lemonade Park, Stephonne his band The Gay Rodeo premiered “Rocket In MY Pocket” with special stage guest and song co-creator Shawn M Stewart. Stephonne’s band The Gay Rodeo is: Miki P on drums, Benjamin Hart (Byard) on lead guitar, Ahafia Jurkiewicz-Miles on keyboards, Spencer Thut on bass, Stephonne and The Gay Rodeo hold band practice every week at Charlotte Street Foundation where Stephonne is in his second year of a residency.Earlier this year on June 24, 2022, Stephonne released the EP SIS: Side B June 24, 2022. The EP was 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.” // 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. // More info at: http://www.stephonne.com and : http://www.shawnmstewart.com]

10:30 – Underwriting

6. musicbyskippy – “This Song Is Happiness”
   from: These Songs Are Emotions / LSH Productions / April 22, 2023
   [In 2022 musicbyskippy released the 12-track debut album, MY DYING WISH on Feb. 18, the single “Get Wild” on June 3, the 12-track instrumental/electronic album WE PRESS PLAY, on June 17, and the 5-track EP, YOU CAN SING on Nov. 20, plus an original play and multiple projects and performances. // musicby-skippy is Luke Harbur’s entertainment project. The Overland Park, Kansas native mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2018, he moved near home to Kansas City, Missouri, becoming a featured performer for musicians, festivals, corporate & non-profit events, and performance groups. His music passion roots in receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old. His debut album, my dying wish, was released on all music streaming and purchasing platforms. More info at http://www.musicbyskippy.com]

10:34 – Interview with Luke Harbur

musicbyskippy is the solo musical project by Luke Harbur. Known for being a vocal per-cussionist, his discography spans multiple genres of pop, hip hop, EDM, and singer / song-writer. Harbur’s passion for musicbyskippy originates with his receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months, giving him a second chance to live life to the fullest. Through his experimental, authentic approach, he hopes his audiences will gravitate to music and a live experience that they will love. More info at: http://www.musicbyskippy.com

musicbyskippy Plays a Release Show for his new EP, THESE SONGS ARE EMOTIONS June 24 & 25th, at the Musical Theatre Heritage on the third floor of the Crown Center Shops, 2450 Grand Blvd KCMO.

Luke M. Harbur Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Musicbyskippy – Discography

musicbyskippy – MY DYING WISH / 12-track debut Album / Feb. 18, 2022

musicbyskippy – “Get Wild” / Single / June 3, 2022

musicbyskippy – WE PRESS PLAY / 12-track instrumental album / June 17, 2022

musicbyskippy – YOU CAN SING / 5-track EP / Nov. 20, 2022

musicbyskippy – THESE SONGS ARE EMOTIONS / 5-track EP / April 22, 2023

Luke M. Harbur records as musicbyskippy. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2018, he moved near home to Kansas City, Missouri, becoming a featured performer for musicians, corporate & non-profit events, and performance groups. The Kansas native mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, and keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences in clubs, theaters, festivals and with Kansas City performance collective: Quixotic. The passion in his music has roots in his experience of receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old. musicbyskippy officially released his debut album, MY DYING WISH with a live album release show, on April 7 & 8, at Quixotic, 1616 Broadway Blvd, KCMO at their Blackbox Theater.

Luke was born and raised in Overland Park Kansas and went to Olathe East High School but let Olathe East to go to school in Winston Salem, North Carolina, at a Performing Arts School where you studied Acting and Theatre.

Luke then went to Ithica College to study Journalism and eventually got a job as a Production Assistant at the Kansas City Star,

Luke talked with Mark about the importance of collaboration in midsize market like Kansas City and how others can benefit from these collaborations.

Luke M. Harbur mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, and keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences in clubs, theaters, festivals.

Luke M. Harbur works in Music Videography, Social Media Management, and graphic Design.

The story in 100 words

musicbyskippy is Luke Harbur’s entertainment project. The Overland Park, Kansas native mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2018, he moved near home to Kansas City, Missouri, becoming a featured performer for musicians, festivals, corporate & non-profit events, and performance groups.

His music passion roots in receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old. His debut album, my dying wish, is now on all music streaming and purchasing platforms. He hopes you learn something new and experience songs you love.

musicbyskippy is the entertainment project of Overland Park, Kansas native Luke “Skippy” Harbur. He’s developed skills in beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing in hopes to express his core vision: everyone has an inner artist and should be able to express their full, authentic self.

Since moving to Kansas City, Missouri in 2019, he’s started finding his audience: Quixotic, Missie B’s, and Cafe Cà Phê have become some of his core, consistent collaborators, and in 2021 he started releasing his first batch of public music projects. His first was SKIPPY Sessions Volume 1, a collection of 8 short music compositions combining his beatboxing skills with other artistic disciplines practiced by other Kansas City-based artists. The second music project was “Rant,” his debut single from his debut album, my dying wish, which released on all music streaming and purchasing platforms on February 18th, 2022.

Each opportunity to perform and collaborate with others is rooted in a deeper story. In 1996, at 5 months old, he was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. 6 months later he received a life-saving liver transplant from an 8-year-old boy named Aaron Drake, who passed away while on a camping trip at The Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. But through this tragedy came hope, giving Luke “Skippy” Harbur a second chance to inspire others. From his music, he hopes you learn something new and experience songs you love.

Organizations & artists featuring musicbyskippy

Rubulad (2023) | New York City, New York
Community School of Music and Arts (2023) | Ithaca, New York
University of Kansas (2023) | Lawrence, Kansas
Music Theater Heritage (2022 & 2023) | Kansas City, Missouri
Boulevardia (2022 & 2023) | Kansas City, Missour
Quixotic (2019, 2020, 2021, & 2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
No Divide KC (2021 & 2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
Blue Valley High School (2022) | Overland Park, Kansas
Brookridge Day School (2022) | Overland Park, Kansas
Velo Garage & Tap House / The Record Machine (2022) | North Kansas City, Missouri
PH Coffee (2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
Fountain Haus (2021 & 2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
Missie B’s (2021 & 2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
The Black Box KC (2021 & 2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
Cafe Cà Phê (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri & North Kansas City, Missouri
Jukeboxx Media, gig for T-Mobile (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Fishtank Theatre (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Jesse Powers (Beat of Your Drum, 2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Calvin Arsenia (Little Drummer Boy, 2019) | Kansas City, Missouri

Luke has been doing public speaking for 15 years. Luke received a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old.

Luke M. Harbur Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

musicbyskippy plays a Release Show for his new EP, THESE SONGS ARE EMOTIONS June 24 & 25th, at the Musical Theatre Heritage on the 3rd floor of the Crown Center Shops, 2450 Grand Blvd KCMO.

7. musicbyskippy – “This Song Is Surprised”
   from: These Songs Are Emotions / LSH Productions / April 22, 2023
   [In 2022 musicbyskippy released the 12-track debut album, MY DYING WISH on Feb. 18, the single “Get Wild” on June 3, the 12-track instrumental/electronic album WE PRESS PLAY, on June 17, and the 5-track EP, YOU CAN SING on Nov. 20, plus an original play and multiple projects and performances. // musicby-skippy is Luke Harbur’s entertainment project. The Overland Park, Kansas native mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2018, he moved near home to Kansas City, Missouri, becoming a featured performer for musicians, festivals, corporate & non-profit events, and performance groups. His music passion roots in receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old. His debut album, my dying wish, was released on all music streaming and purchasing platforms. More info at http://www.musicbyskippy.com]

10:50

8. Julia Reynolds & Michael Johnson – “Surrender”
   from: LEMON TREE / Julia Reynolds / July 29, 2022
   [Kansas City based musician, Julia Reynolds who is a talented songwriter, singer, engineer, model, and much more. Julia performs and writes in many different styles, but she is currently radiating towards rock, alternative, electronic dance music, and folk. Julia Reynolds joins us to talk abut her solo musical releases and her collaborative work with other artists including Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral. Last year Julia Reynolds released the 10-track solo album, QUEEN OF CRAZY, and the 12 track album, LEMON TREE with Michael Johnson. She released both albums together on July 29, 2022. More information at: http://www.juliareynoldsmusic.com

10:52 – Interview with Julia Reynolds

Kansas City based musician, Julia Reynolds who is a talented songwriter, singer, engineer, model, and much more. Julia performs and writes in many different styles, but she is currently radiating towards rock, alternative, electronic dance music, and folk. Julia Reynolds joins us to talk abut her solo musical releases and her collaborative work with other artists including Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral. Last year Julia Reynolds released the 10-track solo album, QUEEN OF CRAZY, and the 12 track album, LEMON TREE with Michael Johnson. She released both albums together on July 29, 2022. More information at: http://www.juliareynoldsmusic.com

Julia Reynolds, Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Julia Reynolds is a Kansas City based musician, singer, songwriter, producer, pianist, model, fashion designer/stylist, and more.

Julia performs, produces and writes in many different styles, including, but not limited to, electro-pop, rock, pop, alt, roots and folk.

Julia plays in the band Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral

Julia is a seamstress as well, creating unique fashion pieces of many styles, which she often models for shoots and at her performances. She also accepts commissions and has made customs for performers and non performers alike.

Her mother Jennifer Reynolds helps her with her costumes.

In her pastime, some favorite activities of Julia’s (other than music and fashion) include:
yoga, being around animals, tarot cards, traveling, video games, reading books, working out, photography, photoshop and sketching.

You can listen hear Julia’s two albums
QUEEN OF CRAZY (Solo – Electropop/Rock)
LEMON TREE (Collaboration with Michael Johnson)- Alternative Folk/Roots

Julia Reynolds, Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Instagram/Facebook: juliareynoldsmusic // Tiktok/Poshmark: @crazyqueenjulia
Website: http://www.juliareynoldsmusic.com

11:08

9. Julia Reynolds – “Little Girl”
   from: QUEEN OF CRAZY / Julia Reynolds / July 29, 2022
   [Kansas City based musician, Julia Reynolds who is a talented songwriter, singer, engineer, model, and much more. Julia performs and writes in many different styles, but she is currently radiating towards rock, alternative, electronic dance music, and folk. Julia Reynolds joins us to talk abut her solo musical releases and her collaborative work with other artists including Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral. Last year Julia Reynolds released the 10-track solo album, QUEEN OF CRAZY, and the 12 track album, LEMON TREE with Michael Johnson. She released both albums together on July 29, 2022. More info at: http://www.juliareynoldsmusic.com ]

10. Modern Day Fitzgerald – “City Burning”
    from: “City Burning” – Single / Modern Day Fitzgerald / May 26, 2023
    [Modern Day Fitzgerald is a high energy pop rock group that just got done recording our new album called ‘Meet Me On Armour Road’ coming out this summer. In preparation for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the band released their new single ‘City Burning’. More information at: http://www.Moderndayfitzgerald.net]

11:13 – More Interview with Mica-Elgin Vi

Mica-Elgin Vi is a founding member of the band, Modern Day Fitzgerald. Between 2016 and 2023 the band has released two 5-track EPs, and 5 singles. Modern Day Fitzgerald is a high energy pop rock group that just recently finished recording their new album, MEET ME ON ARMOUR ROAD, coming out this summer. As part of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mica-Elgin Vi joins us to talk about the band’s new single, “City Burning” Just released on May 26, 2023. Mica-Elgin Vi is a proud first generation Filipino American, and is glad to be one of the fully led AAPI rock bands here in Kansas City. More information at: http://www.Moderndayfitzgerald.net

Mica-Elgin Vi Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Mica-Elgin Vi has a lot of different interests in his life; music, film, photography and fashion. He wanted to make something that can incorporate all of those in one.

He created Modern Day Fitzgerald. According to Mica-Elgin Vi, Modern Day Fitzgerald is more than a band, but a lifestyle representing his own personal renaissance.

Combining genres from pop songs from the 60’s with a sophisticated modern approach to british rock with true lyrical content from Vi, you cannot deny the catchiness and realism of their songs.

On the other side of the spectrum, he deliberately uses music videos to help paint a picture of his songs. He also uses other online content to document his journey of being a musician; vlogs, podcasts, interviews with different creators and more. The main goal is not only share his own story but also build value onto others to create positivity in todays’ culture.

Modern Day Fitzgerald has opened up for: The Romantics, Castlecomer, The Ghost Wolves, Leopold & His Fiction

Modern Day Fitzgerald has performed at The Midcoast Takeover Showcase during South By Southwest, The Sunset Music Fest, Swift Mile Fest & more

“Having a knack for poetic focused fun rock numbers, Modern Day Fitzgerald didn’t fall short…” – Playlist Play

Mica-Elgin Vi and represents a Kansas City based band called Modern Day Fitzgerald, a high energy pop rock group that just got done recording their new album called ‘Meet Me On Armour Road’ coming out this summer. As part of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Modern Day Fitzgerald released their new single ‘City Burning’ on Friday May 26th. Mica-Elgin Vi is a proud first generation Filipino American, and is glad to be one of the fully led AAPI rock bands here in Kansas City.

Modern Day Fitzgerald – Discography

Modern Day Fitzgerald – “City Burning” (Single) – May 26, 2023

Modern Day Fitzgerald – LIVE AT RINO – (5-track Live EP) – November 20, 2020

Modern Day Fitzgerald – THE NOSTALGIC GENERATION (5-track EP) – Nov. 8, 2019

Modern Day Fitzgerald – “Cherry Blossoms” (Single) – July 19, 2019

Modern Day Fitzgerald – “Where Did You Go” (Single) – February 23, 2018

Modern Day Fitzgerald – “Forsaken Echo” (Singer) – May 12, 2017

Modern Day Fitzgerald – “Gorgeous Killing” (Single) – February 26, 2016

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed in the U.S. during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

The first Asians documented in the Americas arrived in 1587, when Filipinos landed in California; from 1898 to 1946, the Philippines was an American possession. The next group of Asians documented in what would be the United States were Indians in Jamestown, documented as early as 1635. In 1778, the first Chinese to reach what would be the United States, arrived in Hawaii. In 1788, the first Native Hawaiian arrived on the continental United States, in Oregon; in 1900, Hawaii was annexed by the United States. The next group of Asians documented in what would be the United States were Japanese, who arrived in Hawaii in 1806. In 1884, the first Koreans arrived in the United States. In 1898, Guam was ceded to the United States; beginning in the 1900s, Chamorros began to migrate to California and Hawaii. In 1904, what is now American Samoa was ceded to the United States; beginning in the 1920s, Samoans began to migrate to Hawaii and the continental United States, with the first Samoans documented in Hawaii in 1920. In 1912, the first Vietnamese was documented in the United States.

A former congressional staffer in the 1970s, Jeanie Jew, first approached Representative Frank Horton with the idea of designating a month to recognize Asian Pacific Americans, following the bicentennial celebrations. In June 1977, Representatives Horton, and Norman Y. Mineta, introduced a United States House of Representatives resolution to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate a month later by Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga. // The proposed resolutions sought that May be designated for two reasons. For on May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrant, Nakahama Manjirō, arrived in the US. More than two decades later, on May 10, 1869, the golden spike was driven into the first transcontinental railroad, which was completed using Chinese labor.

President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution for the celebration on October 5, 1978. // On May 1, 2009, President Barack Obama signed Proclamation 8369, recognizing the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

“A joint resolution authorizing the President to proclaim annually a week during the first 10 days in May as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week.” was text in House Joint Resolution 540; this resolution as well as Senate Joint Resolution 72 did not pass. Ultimate-ly, though, Rep. Horton’s House Joint Resolution 1007 was passed by both the House and the Senate, and was signed by President Jimmy Carter on Oct. 5, 1978, to become Public Law 95-419. In 1990, George H. W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend Asian-American Heritage Week to a month; May was designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month two years later. // During APA Heritage Month, communities celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students.]

Mica-Elgin Vi Thank you for being with us on WMM.

As part of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Modern Day Fitzgerald released their new single ‘City Burning’ on Friday May 19th.

More information at: http://www.Moderndayfitzgerald.net

11:28

11. Modern Day Fitzgerald – “Where Did You Go (Live at The Rino)”
    from: Live At The Rino / Modern Day Fitzgerald / November 20, 2020
    [Modern Day Fitzgerald is a high energy pop rock group that just got done recording our new album called ‘Meet Me On Armour Road’ coming out this summer. Between 2016 and 2023 the band has released two 5-track EPs, and 5 singles. More information at: http://www.Moderndayfitzgerald.net]

10:30 – Underwriting

12. Andrew Connor – “Green Divide”
    from: In Colorado / Pretend Outlaw Music / April 21, 2021
    [Darien Williams on drums, Justin Fernando on bass guitar, Joseph Murphy on synth, Ryan Connor on guitar & lap steel, Andrew Connor on guitar, keys, & bass guitar. // Engineered by Doug Malone at Jamdek, Chicago // additional tracking by Andrew Connor. // Mixed by Mike Nolte and Andrew Connor in Portland, OR // Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering // Songs by Andrew Connor, Pretend Outlaw Music ASCAP Except “Misery” by Ryan Connor and Andrew Connor. // VINYL PRE ORDERS AVAILABLE SUMMER 2023 // “Daytime” (Official Video): youtu.be/PNQNowsCpPQ // “Moment Passed” (Official Visualizer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR28LYcRFlo // Andrew Connor is a veteran of the Lawrence KS – KC Music Community. Ghosty has released some of our most favorite music of the past 19 years of this radio show

10:35 – Interview with Andrew Connor, Ryan Connor, and Bill Belzer

The Lawrence/KC band GHOSTY is one of our most played and favorite area bands of all time Between 2002 and 2020 GHOSTY has released six EPs, three full length albums, and multiple singles. Andrew Connor just recently released his new album, IN COLORADO on April 21, 2023. GHOSTY plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 PM with Daniel Gum, and 95 Sweetbird. And GHOSTY plays the Eight Street Tap Room, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, June 3, with Miss Boating, and Empty Moon. More info at: http://www.ghostysounds.com

Andrew Connor, thanks for being with us on WMM

Andrew Connor just recently released his new album, IN COLORADO on April 21, 2023.

GHOSTY plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 PM with Daniel Gum, and 95 Sweetbird.

And GHOSTY plays the Eight Street Tap Room, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, June 3, with Miss Boating.

More info at: http://www.ghostysounds.com

Ghosty Discography

Ghosty released the 3-song EP, PRODIGAL SUN on February 28, 2020 with Bill Belzer on drums, percussion / Ross Brown on guitar, keys / Andrew Connor on guitar, keyboards, vocals / Mike Nolte on bass

Ghosty released the self titled album, GHOSTY on April 17, 2014. It was there 3rd full length release with Andrew Connor, Mike Nolte and Bill Belzer who recorded their new album themselves over the last couple of years with help from David Wetzel, Josh Adams, Jake Blanton, Konnor Ervin, Ryan Connor, Kirsten Paludan, and Dan Talmadge. The new release was pressed on vinyl and available on LP and digital download.]

Ghosty released the single, “Love U 2” on July 15, 2013, recorded June 2013 at Westend, Kansas City, KS. A documentary about the recording of this song by surrounding media vimeo.com/70317712 // with: Mike Nolte on bass, engineering, mastering // Andrew Connor on guitar, keys, vocals / Bill Belzer – drums, & percussion

Ghosty released the 5-track EP, TEAM UP AGAIN on April 13, 2010 with Andrew Connor, Mike Nolte, David Wetzel, Josh Adams, Jake Blanton, Suzannah Johannes, Konnor Ervin, Ryan Johnson // Team Up Again,” “Ocean of Heat (Setting FIres),” and “Quell The Hunger” by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty, Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP, 2010. “Virginia Song” by Rev. Howard Finster, arranged by Ghosty. “On A Saturday” by Jake Blanton, arranged by Ghosty. // “Team Up Again,” “Setting Fires,” “Virginia Song,” and “On A Saturday” recorded and mixed at Run Riot / More Famouser Studios, Shawnee, KS, September 2009 through March 2010. Engineered and mixed by Mike Nolte and Ghosty. // “Quell The Hunger” recorded at Mixtape Soundlab, Lawrence, KS, January 2009 additional tracking and mixing and Run Riot / More Famouser studios, Shawnee, KS, and February 2010. Engineered and mixed by Mike Nolte and Ghosty.

Ghosty released the 3-track EP, FOOLISH PRIDE on November 17, 2009 with All songs by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty, Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP, 2009 // “Foolish Pride” and “Rose-Colored Glasses” basic tracks recorded at Jack’s House, Merriam, Kansas, Fall 2007. Engineered by Mike Nolte and Ghosty. Additional tracking and mixing at More Famouser Studios, Kansas City, MO, and Run Riot Studios, Shawnee, KS, Fall 2009. // “Hey Bill” basic tracks recorded at Mixtape Soundlab, Lawrence, KS, January 2009. Engineered by Mike Nolte and David Wetzel. Additional tracking and mixing at More Famouser Studios, Kansas City, MO by Mike Nolte and Ghosty, Spring 2009.

Ghosty released the 3-track EP, A MYSTIC’S ROBE on September 15, 2009 with Andrew Connor, David Wetzel, Mike Nolte, Jake Blanton, Josh Adams, Carmen Winters // All Songs by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty, Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP, 2009 // “My Girl Is Strong” and “Sunday Morning” basic tracks recorded at Mixtape Soundlab, Lawrence, KS, January 2009. Engineered by Mike Nolte and David Wetzel. Additional tracking & mixing at More Famouser Studios, KCMO by Mike Nolte & Ghosty Spring 2009. // “Secret Language” basic tracks recorded at Jack’s House, Merriam, KS, Fall 2007 Engineered by Mike Nolte & Ghosty. Additional tracking & mixing at More Famouser Studios, by Mike Nolte & Ghosty Spring 2009.

Ghosty released the 11-song album, ANSWERS on January 15, 2008 with tracks recorded by Paul Malinowski at Westend and Run Riot Studios, Kansas City, KS, 2006-07. racks 4, 6, 7, and 9 were recorded and mixed by Trent Bell at Bell Labs, Norman, OK, 2006. // Track 8 was recorded by Tim Brandsted at UMKC and Paul Malinowski at Westend. Mixed by Paul Malinowski at Westend, 2007. // Tracks 2 and 10 were recorded by Chris Behmer at the Ferrell home, Overland Park, KS, 2005, and with Trent Bell at Bell Labs. Mixed by Trent Bell at Bell Labs, 2006. // Mastered by Roger Seibel at SAE Masterin // All songs by Andrew Connor, arranged by Ghosty // Pretend Outlaw Music, ASCAP. // Released on Oxblood Records.

Ghosty released the 5-track EP, ME, ME, ME on January 15, 2006 w/ Andrew Connor on guitar & vocals / Jeff Ferrell on guitar & vocals // David Wetzel on keyboards &* vocals // Mike Nolte – bass & vocals // Josh Adams on drums & vocals // Recorded & mixed Fall 2005 by Jeff Ferrell and Ghosty at New York St. house, Lawrence, KS. Artwork by Paul Browning. Songs by Andrew Connor, Pretend Outlaw Music

Ghosty released the 19-ytrack album, GROW UP OR SLEEP IN (Deluxe Edition) on August 30, 2005 with Josh Adams, Andrew Connor, Jeff Ferrell, Mike Nolte, David Wetzel// and Alums: Jacob Baum, Richard Gintowt, Mark Hurst, Andrew Sallee, James Duft // Big Surrender, Henry Greene, and Hey! Somebody were recorded by Mike Mogis at Presto! in Lincoln, NE in the summer of 2002 // Jacqueline, Rooms in the Dark, (In a Big World)Little Dreams Count, High on Life, Clouds Solve It, Go to Add/Drop City, and World Travelers were recorded by Trent Bell and Andy Nunez at Bell Labs in Norman, OK in the fall 2003 // Mastered by Doug Van Sloun at Studio B // Design by Patrick Giroux at Blue Collar Press // All songs by Andrew Connor, Copyright 2005 // Pretend Outlaw Music(ASCAP) // Wayne Coyne appears courtesy of Warner Brothers Records // BONUS TRACKS: Primadonna, John Hunter, and Sad Sack recorded Summer 2006? at the Ferrell Home in Overland Park, KS by Chris Behmer and Ghosty // Dust Box Nites and Rok Town Air recorded and mixed with Tom Wagner at Underground Sound in Lawrence Kansas, Winter 2005? James Duft plays bass // Going Home Recorded in the Spring of 2002 at 1225 and 1137 Tennessee in Lawrence, KS by Ghosty, Mixed with Jeff Ferrell.

Ghosty released the 6-track EP, THE FIVE SHORT MINUTES on February 2, 2002 with Andrew Connor: Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards / Jacob Baum: Bass, Organ, Percussion, Guitar / Richard Gintowt: Drums, Percussion / Jeff Jackson: Pedal Steel Guitar on Track 5 // Recorded Fall 2001 at the haunted house by Jacob Baum / Produced by Ghosty / Mastered by Boyd Bristow

11:43

3. Andrew Connor – “Real Boy Now”
   from: In Colorado / Pretend Outlaw Music / April 21, 2021
   [Darien Williams on drums, Justin Fernando on bass guitar, Joseph Murphy on synth, Ryan Connor on guitar & lap steel, Andrew Connor on guitar, keys, & bass guitar. // Engineered by Doug Malone at Jamdek, Chicago // additional tracking by Andrew Connor. // Mixed by Mike Nolte and Andrew Connor in Portland, OR // Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering // Songs by Andrew Connor, Pretend Outlaw Music ASCAP Except “Misery” by Ryan Connor and Andrew Connor.]

[Andrew Connor plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 PM with Daniel Gum, and 95 Sweetbird.]

[Andrew Connor plays the Eight Street Tap Room, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence Kansas on Saturday, June 3, with Miss Boating.]

11:45 – Interview with Andrew Connor, Ryan Connor, and Bill Belzer

The Lawrence/KC band GHOSTY is one of our most played and favorite area bands of all time Between 2002 and 2020 GHOSTY has released six EPs, three full length albums, and multiple singles. Andrew Connor just recently released his new album, IN COLORADO on April 21, 2023.

Bill Belzer is part of the band Miss Boating. He has also been a member of Ghosty, The New Amsterdams, Grumpy, Mongol Beach Party and many others.

Andrew Connor, Ryan Connor and Bill Belzer thanks for being with us on WMM

Andrew Connor just recently released his new album, IN COLORADO on April 21, 2023. More info at: http://www.ghostysounds.com

11:54

14. Andrew Connor – “Moment Passed”
from: In Colorado / Pretend Outlaw Music / April 21, 2021
[Darien Williams on drums, Justin Fernando on bass guitar, Joseph Murphy on synth, Ryan Connor on guitar & lap steel, Andrew Connor on guitar, keys, & bass guitar. // Engineered by Doug Malone at Jamdek, Chicago // additional tracking by Andrew Connor. // Mixed by Mike Nolte and Andrew Connor in Portland, OR // Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering // Songs by Andrew Connor, Pretend Outlaw Music ASCAP Except “Misery” by Ryan Connor and Andrew Connor./

[Andrew Connor plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 PM with Daniel Gum, and 95 Sweetbird.]

[Andrew Connor plays the Eight Street Tap Room, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence Kansas on Saturday, June 3, with Miss Boating]

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

Next week on WMM on June 7 we welcome Marion Merritt and Betse Ellis who join us for our Spring Fund Drive Show. We welcome special guests: Mike McCoy and Mark Reynolds who join us to discuss a benefit for Mark Reynold’s partner Josh Ybarra. Also next week we welcome back to the show IVORY BLUE. Also Next week we present a tribute to Lou Jane Temple who we lost on May 29, 2023. show was 79 years old.

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 #996

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, May 31, 2023

Andrew Connor + Stephonne + Mica-Elgin Vi + musicbyskippy + Julia Reynolds

Mark will spin more New & MidCoastal Releases from: boygenius, Arlo Parks, Stephonne, Stephonne & Shawn Stewart, musicbyskippy, Julia Reynolds, Julia Reynolds & Michael Johnson, Modern Day Fitzgerald, and Andrew Connor.

At 10:15 Stephonne joins us to talk about the West 18th Street Fashion Show happening Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM at 116 W. 18th St., KCMO. Stephonne’s 2022 EP release SIS: SIDE B was in the TOP TEN of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. 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 has performed in multiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne is a Resident Artist at Charlotte Street. Stephonne is a featured performer at the 23rd annual West 18th Street Fashion Show happening Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM at 116 W. 18th St., KCMO. More info at: http://www.stephonne.com and https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-18th-street-fashion-show

At 10:30 AM, Mark talks with musicbyskippy aka Luke Harbur who joins us to talk about the Release Show for his new EP, THESE SONGS ARE EMOTIONS June 24 & 25th, at the Musical Theatre Heritage on the third floor of the Crown Center Shops, 2450 Grand Blvd KCMO, 64108. musicbyskippy is the solo musical project by Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Although known for being a vocal percussionist, his discography spans multiple genres of pop, hip hop, EDM, and singer/songwriter. Harbur’s passion for musicbyskippy originates with his receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months, giving him a second chance to live life to the fullest. Through his experimental, authentic approach, he hopes his audiences will gravitate to music and a live experience that they will love. More information at: http://www.musicbyskippy.com

At 10:50 AM, we interview Kansas City based musician, Julia Reynolds who is a talented songwriter, singer, engineer, model, and much more. Julia performs and writes in many different styles, but she is currently radiating towards rock, alternative, electronic dance music, and folk. Julia Reynolds joins us to talk abut her solo musical releases and her collaborative work with other artists including Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral. Last year Julia Reynolds released the 10-track solo album, QUEEN OF CRAZY, and the 12 track album, LEMON TREE with Michael Johnson. She released both albums together on July 29, 2022. More information at: http://www.juliareynoldsmusic.com

At 11:10 Mark talks with Mica-Elgin Vi who is a founding member of the band, Modern Day Fitzgerald. Between 2016 and 2023 the band has released two 5-track EPs, and 5 singles. Modern Day Fitzgerald is a high energy pop rock group that just recently finished recording their new album, MEET ME ON ARMOUR ROAD, coming out this summer. As part of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mica-Elgin Vi joins us to share the band’s new single release, “City Burning.” Mica-Elgin Vi is a proud first generation Filipino American, and is glad to be one of the fully led AAPI rock bands here in Kansas City. More information at: http://www.Moderndayfitzgerald.net

At 11:30 AM we talk with members of one of our favorite are bands of all time, GHOSTY, including band founder, singer songwriter Andrew Connor. Between 2002 and 2020 GHOSTY has released six EPs, three full length albums, and multiple singles. Andrew Connor just recently released his new album, IN COLORADO on April 21, 2023.

GHOSTY plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 PM with Daniel Gum, and 95 Sweetbird. And GHOSTY plays the Eight Street Tap Room, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, June 3, with Miss Boating, and Empty Moon. More information at: http://www.ghostysounds.com

Mica-Elgin Vi photo by Lucas Carpenter

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

Show #996

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, May 24, 2023

Mike Dillon + Malek Azrael + Krystle Warren

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. Hannah Jadagu – “What You Did”
   from: Aperture / Sub Pop Records / May 19, 2023
   [Fresh out of high school, Hannah Jadagu released her debut EP, What Is Going On?, a collection of intimate bedroom pop tracks recorded entirely on an iPhone 7, which was, at the time, Jadagu’s most accessible mode of production. An off-the-cuff approach to music making and instinctive ability to write unforgettable hooks belied the intensity of Jadagu’s subject matter. In a short run time, What Is Going On? confronts some of the nation’s most urgent struggles all through Jadagu’s compassionate perspective. “I want my songs to be both super intimate and still universally relatable,” Jadagu says. “With the EP, so many people told me that the songs resonated with them on a personal level, and that’s what I’m always hoping for.” // Resonate it did; What Is Going On? is Jadagu’s first Sub Pop release, but she’d been putting out music on SoundCloud for years, garnering a small online fanbase as she settled into an aesthetic, and recognition from a broader audience was overdue. “It really took off when I became a percussionist in my middle school’s band,” she says. “Writing songs started as a hobby and quickly became a passion to the point that I spent all my free time recording.” // On May 19th, 2023 Jadagu premiered Aperture, her first LP and most ambitious work to date. Written in the years between graduating from high school in Mesquite, TX and her sophomore year of college in New York, Aperture finds Jadagu in a state of transition. “Where I grew up, everyone is Christian; even if you don’t go to church, you’re still practicing in some form,” Jadagu says, laughing. “Moving out of my small hometown has made me reflect on how embedded Christianity is in the culture down there, and though I’ve been questioning my relationship to the church since high school, it’s definitely a theme on this album, but so is family.” // As a kid, Jadagu followed her older sister – a major source of inspiration who she refers to as “the blueprint” – to a local children’s chorus, where she received choral training. “I hated it,” Jadagu admits. “But it taught me how to harmonize, how to discover my tone, how to recognize and write melody.” The aching single “Admit It” is dedicated to Jadagu’s sister, whose boundless love and impeccable taste has been a constant for Jadagu ever since she was a kid. At home, the siblings were raised on mom’s Young Money mixtapes and the Black Eyed Peas (to whom she credits her love of vocoder) but it was in the sanctity of her sister’s car that Jadagu discovered indie artists who would go on to inspire her work. // “Lose” showcases Jadagu’s love of contemporary indie auteurs as it weaves a spare and unpretentious guitar riff with barebones piano chords all while Jadagu sings about the thrill and underlying fear that comes with beginning a new relationship. It is, in her words, a “classic pop song.” “The things we haven’t done/ Play out in my mind/ Would you just give me time?” she sings, nearing the end, as the skittering drumbeat propels the song from a place of contemplative yearning to defiance. “Every track on this album, except for “Admit It”, was written first on guitar, which is an instrumental throughline,” Jadagu says. “But the blanket of synths I use throughout helps me move between sensibilities. There’s rock Hannah, there’s hip-hop Hannah, and so on. I didn’t want any of the songs to sound too alike.” // Emblematic of this ethos is the single “Warning Sign,” which starts out as an acoustic, R&B slowburner before a muscular electric guitar enters the mix and the song morphs into something akin to psychedelic. “I knew I could make another album on my phone, but I wanted to make sure that I was leveling up, especially for the debut,” Jadagu says. So she began the difficult process of searching for a co-producer capable of complementing her work without dominating it. Enter Max Robert Baby, a French songwriter and producer who captured Jadagu’s attention with his take on Aperture’s lead single “Say It Now.” The duo worked together remotely, sending stems to one another via email, before eventually meeting in-person for the first time at Greasy Studios on the outskirts of Paris. // “When I recorded my EP, it was all MIDI, but in the studio Max and I worked with a ton of analog instruments,” Jadagu says. “There’s some Glockenspiel on the album, calling back to my percussionist days, and some synth warping that adds texture.” While What Is Going On? was heavy on layered reverb, making Jadagu’s vocals feel “shy,” she took what she calls a more “intimate, up close” approach while recording her voice for the LP. That experimentation is best heard on the rousing “What You Did,” which leverages crushing accusations against the song’s unnamed subject. Screaming static and a crunchy guitar part softens under Jadagu’s calm delivery as she sings: “Act like it’s best if we make amends, but I don’t wanna talk to you again.” // An aperture is strictly defined as an opening, a hole, a gap. On a camera, it’s the mechanism that light passes through, allowing a photographer to immortalize a moment in time. For Jadagu, the word perfectly encapsulates the mood of her debut album. In the years it took her to complete, she faced moments of darkness, sure, but the process of making it, her first ever in a professional studio, was ultimately a cathartic experience, one she now shares with you, the listener. Let the light in.]

[Hannah Jadagu plays the Bottleneck in Lawrence Kansas on Friday, September 29, 2023]

3. ANOHNI and the Johnsons– “It Must Change”
   from: My Back Was a Bridge For You To Cross / Secretly Canadian / july 7, 2023
   [All tracks written by Anohni Hegarty. All tracks produced & mixed by Jimmy Hogarth. Executive Producers, Geoff Travis & Jeannette Lee. Mastered by Greg Calbi. Published by Downtown Music Publishing // from Bandcamp notes: “I’ve been thinking a lot about Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. That was a really important touchstone in my mind,” says ANOHNI of her sixth studio album, My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross. “A couple of these songs are almost a response to the call of What’s Going On, from 2023. They are a kind of an echo from the future to that album from 50 years ago.” // As the British-born, New York-based artist’s first full album since 2016’s HOPELESSNESS, ANOHNI explains that the creative process was painstaking, yet also inspired, joyful, and intimate, a renewal and a renaming of her response to the world as she sees it. // A record its creator acknowledges is inextricably both personal and political, and one that is full of heartfelt music that also questions its own right to be heard, My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross demonstrates music’s unique capacity to bring harmony to competing, sometimes contradictory, elements. // “For me, there’s no heavenly respite; creation is a spectral and feminine continuum, and our souls are an inalienable part of nature.” // In 2022, having sought producer recommendations from Rough Trade Records’ Jeannette Lee and Geoff Travis, ANOHNI began working with Jimmy Hogarth (Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Tina Turner) noting his sensitivity towards soul music. Having always helmed and written her previous records – bar HOPELESS-NESS, for some of which, producers were invited to submit instrumentals – this kind of collaboration was a first for ANOHNI. “There was a great ease to this songwriting process,” she says of her writing and recording sessions with Hogarth. “I loved making this record in a way that I’ve never done before.” // Bringing in with her several years of texts, ANOHNI and Hogarth shared musical ideas and sketched out a series of demos with Hogarth playing guitar. Hogarth then assembled a studio band – including guitarist Leo Abrahams and string arranger/instrumentalist Rob Moose – to record the full album. // “Many of the recordings on this record – like“It Must Change”and “Can’t” – capture the first and only time I have sung those songs through. There’s a magic when you suddenly place words you have been thinking about for a long time into melody. A neural system awakens. It isn’t personal and yet is so personal. Things connect and come alive.” // Hogarth’s intuitive guitar leads the listener across ten songs, touching on elements of American soul, British folk and experiment-al music. ANOHNI places her heart on the line and in a groove in the opening track “It Must Change,” describing systems in collapse with a note of compassion for humanity: “The truth is I always thought you were beautiful in your own way / That’s why this is so sad.”“Scapegoat” waivers between tenderness and instrumental brutality, “Take all of my hate into your body / It doesn’t matter what you’ve got to give / or why you want to live / You’re my scapegoat / It’s not personal.” The primordial, Kaliesque curse “Rest” positions the record at moments in conversation with experimental rock of the 1970s: “Rest like the enemy of all that sees / Rest like the enemy of all that breathes / In the poison ocean blue / She’ll come home to you.” “Go Ahead” presses melody through dissonance. “You are determined to take me down / Go ahead kill your friends / I can’t stop you.” My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross shape shifts through its subject matter: the loss of loved ones, inequality, alienation, privilege, denial, ecocide and the tidal power of Earth, isolation, Future Feminism, and the intention that we might yet transform our ways of thinking, our religious ideas, our societal structures, and our relationships with the rest of nature. // “You know how they always said that light was the opposite of darkness? / It’s just fire in darkness, creating life / So those opposites, they don’t exist / It’s just an idea that someone told you” (“It Must Change”) // ANOHNI’s voice is sensual and smoothed, selectively reaching to the edges of what it can contain. “I don’t want you to be dead, I can’t accept it,” she cries out at the climax of “Can’t.” “We’re not getting out of here / No one’s getting out of here / This is our world,” she murmurs on “It Must Change.” “How sweet the vista, the portal view / On my way to black and blue,” she grieves on “Sliver of Ice,” a remembering of some of the last words Lou Reed shared with her. // A portrait of gay rights activist Marsha P. Johnson taken by Alvin Baltrop features on the cover of My Back Was a Bridge For You To Cross, reflecting a 25-year relationship with the memory of Johnson that ANOHNI has held space for in the presentation of her own work. Paintings by Sylvester Hustito, a Zuni Two Spirit artist from New Mexico, depict another crucial vision of America, from a queer, indigenous historical point of view. On “You Be Free,” ANOHNI sings from with heartbreak about the passing of trans intergenerational knowledge: “Done my work / My back was broke / My back was a bridge for you to cross / Then I wished in the aftermath / That the Earth would take my life / Like she took the lives of my Mother and my Sister.” // “I’m careful with the emotional pathways I am drawing. The stories we tell ourselves are the basis of our cultural mythologies, and often a foreshadowing of our destinies. We live in a world where story-telling has become another abuse of power, a threat, fake news, anti-female, anti-nature,” ANOHNI says of her intentions as lyricist. The album artwork states ”IT’S TIME TO FEEL WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING”. In some ways it feels as if she is reaching across her life’s expression, and has found a moment of unique composure, wearing her long exploration of disarming intensity, but with the maturity of a painter choosing colors. // On listening to My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross, one is reminded of music’s power and ability to articulate the political and the personal concurrently. “As much as I was British or American, I was identified as a non-viable part of family, community, church, society. At moments I was deemed not worth protecting, as being expendable, on account of my femininity. Ultimately that was a gift for me because it brought me unique insight into the societies I found myself having to navigate. It forced me to be more willing to look at who and where I really was.” // With “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology),” Marvin Gaye made a visionary plea for the environment in 1971, a gesture that ANOHNI has echoed across her own output, from “Rapture” in 1992 and “Another World” in 2009, to “4 Degrees” and “Why Did You Separate Me From The Earth?” from her last record HOPELESSNESS in 2016. // ANOHNI’s approach since her last record has shifted from someone tasked with challenging global denial, to an artist seeking to support others on the front lines. “I want the record to be useful. I learned with HOPELESSNESS that I can provide a soundtrack that might fortify people in their work, in their activism, in their dreaming and decision-making. I can sing of an awareness that makes others feel less alone, people for whom the frank articulation of these frightening times is not a source of discomfort but a cause for identification and relief.” // “I see myself as a part of a process. I know that I’m not there, but I feel that someone in the future might know how to get there. An innovation in our way of dreaming or thinking might help us get back home. I hope that this record is another step in that direction. As problematic and broken as it might be, maybe there’s an element in this music that’s going to be useful to a future iteration of us. They’re going to be able to distill what’s right about it and make something better out of it. So I do my work hoping that someone’s going to be able to pick it up and take it further, that it can be a source of something positive at some later point in our evolution – if we’re lucky to continue to have an evolution.” // “We are each moving through massive impersonal systems that we feel powerless to change. And yet we’re being asked in this moment to pull back the curtain and recognize these systems for what they are – not the preordained will of a god, but something we created over centuries. If we can’t do this collective-ly, we will forfeit our remaining ability to influence our trajectory. We have to dismantle systems that are destructive, and yet upon which many of us are dependent. Whether it’s because of malevolence, or fear, or addiction… ultimately it’s been one big survival strategy. We’ve never been faced with a challenge this consequential before as a species. Because of their structural hatred of Femaleness, Abrahamic religions and capital-ism can only realize an apocalyptic future, rather than facilitate the emergence of a life-sustaining sensibility that might allow us to continue to exist as a part of Nature. So that’s a challenge that we’re facing now.”]

4. Ivory Blue – “Control”
   from: “Control” – Single / IVORY BLUE / May 26, 2023
   [Follow up to the single “All Outta Love” from February 24, 2023. IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2022. For COMPOUND LOVE, IVORY BLUE served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. Nick Poortman served in mixing, with Kurt Festge who also served in mixing & Mastering. IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017. In 2017 Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. // IVORY BLUE has played Crossroads Music Festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at The Kansas City Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics. // By 2013, IVORY BLUE was playing regularly in and around Kansas City and the first EP ‘Ready Get Set’ was released. in 2015. IVORY BLUE released the video of “Family Table” directed by Mikal Shapiro, on August 21, 2021 and the audio track was released on September 7, 2021. IVORY BLUE released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. IVORY BLUE released their debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. IVORY BLUE released the single “Red Light” on July 29, 2022. IVORY BLUE released the single “Starlit Love Child” on October 28, 2022. IVORY BLUE released the single “All Outta Love” on February 24, 2023. More info at: https://linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic%5D

5. Mike Dillon & Punkadelick – “Pandas”
   from: Inflorescence / Royal Potato Family / January 27, 2023
   [Punkadelick: Mike Dillon – Vibraphone, Marimba, Prophet 6, Congas, Bongo; Brain Haas – Fender Rhodes, Piano, Bass Moog, Melodica; Nikki Glaspie – Drums, Cymbals, Vocals. Mixed and Recorded by Chad Meise. Mastered by Collin Jordan / Boiler Room Mastering. Cover Art: Peregrine Honig. // From Bandcamp notes: Mike Dillon & Punkadelick makes its recorded debut with Inflorescence, an album of heady, instrumental rock highlighting a band deep in the throes of creative freedom, road tested and wild. Consisting of 10 tracks in 42-minutes, it’s an expansive, focused and fearless collection, representing a world where Duke Ellington and Augustus Pablo rub shoulders with crate-digger exotica, the freak-funk of Parliament and the ‘anything fits’ outsider ethos of acid-fried punks like The Meat Puppets. // A trio featuring Mike Dillon (Ricki Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool) on vibraphone, marimba, Prophet 6, congas, and bongos, Brian Haas (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) on Fender Rhodes, piano, bass Moog and melodica and Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce) on drums, cymbals and vocals, Punkadelick is the unified vision of six hands creating a world that often sounds like the work of an ensemble three times the size. // During 2020 and 2021, while many music venues were still shuttered, the group began touring, sweating their way through cuts Dillon and Haas had composed during quarantine writing sessions. Locking in on stage, it quickly became clear the band was functioning at a level that made the hair on their arms stand at attention—even for three live music veterans accustomed to life on the road. // “It became obvious to let this become a collaboration,” Dillon says. “This is really something all three of us are doing because we have so much love for one another and a love for the music that we started creating.” // “There’s only three of us, but we move together like a big, nasty school of fish,” Haas adds, laughing. // During the tail end of a 2021 tour, the band booked time to record with engineer—and functioning fourth band member—Chad Meise, and Inflorescence sprouted. Opener “Desert Monsoon,” sets the stage with a spiritual-jazz intro of organ, vibraphone, percussion and wordless vocal coos before crackling to life as a swaggering funk strut. The title track, and “Pandas,” dig into thick dub textures built around Glaspie’s drumming and Haas’s subwoofer-straining bass synths. // “Apocalypse Daydream,” which appeared as an exotic head-nodder on 2020’s Shoot the Moon (titled “Apocalyptic Daydreams”) is reborn as a meatier jazz-rock slab where Dillon and Haas circle each other like Television performing as a lounge act on a cruise ship sailing seas of psilocybin. // Bending ears and surprising audiences has long been part of Dillon’s MO and Glaspie and Haas act as perfect foils for forays into the weird. While Dillon bristles at the “punk jazz” tag, punk rock and jazz remain core influences to the band, in sound and spirit. // “We’re students of the titans of music. We grew up listening to punk and rock ’n’ roll but we also love instrumental music—particularly the forefathers of Black American Music. In our minds, Led Zeppelin and Milt Jackson, Parliament-Funkadelic and The Minutemen, The Bad Brains and Frank Zappa are interconnected influences,” explains Dillon. “All that comes together in how we approach instrumental creative music. Both punk rock and jazz are not prefab things, they’re about the freedom. We have no genre restriction in this band, and people who get it really respect that.” // Maybe the greatest example of the band’s punk-steeped sonic free-for-all is “Slowly But Surely,” a track Dillon told Haas to compose as if he were “writing for Queens of the Stone Age.” The song plays like QOTSA translated to piano runs, vibes and deeply swinging drums—big-riff stoner rock upended and played with huge smiles by America’s premier proponents of the unclassifiable. // “We try to challenge our listeners. We’re touching a nerve with people who maybe don’t want to see the same songs done in the same variations all night long,” continues Dillon. “Part of my mission is taking these instruments that are primarily designed for the orchestral or jazz world and taking them to the rock world, the club world, running them through pedals and effects. We’re not afraid to be soft, or to surprise. That’s what we all do in this band — get beyond our own conceptions of what music is supposed to be.” // “We are so blessed and lucky to do what we do for a living — it’s apparent in the music,” Glaspie chimes in. “It doesn’t matter how the day is going, but we get to the club, set up and crush the gig, all the other stuff doesn’t matter. We’re likeminded individuals who love life, love people and want to spread happiness.”

10:18 – Interview with Mike Dillon

We just heard Mike Dillon & Punkadelick and the track “Pandas” from the band’s debut album, Inflorescence. Mike Dillon is on the phone calling in from the road, where he is touring as a member of Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, who play Grinders KC, 1826 Locust St., on Friday, May 26. Mike Dillon was a percussionist with Billy Goat, and was one third of influential and acclaimed band, The Malachi Papers. Mike’s band, Mike Dillon & Punkadelick features Mike on vibraphone, ma-rimba, Prophet 6, congas, & bongos; Brian Haas (of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) on Fender Rhodes, piano, bass Moog & melodica; and Nikki Glaspie (of Beyonce) on drums, cymbals & vocals. Punkadelick released their 10-track instrumental rock, debut album, INFLORESCENCE on Royal Potato Family Records, on January 30, 2023. The album was produced with Chad Meise. Mike Dillon has released solo records, multiple albums with his other bands, many singles, and collaborations with Ricki Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco and others.

Mike Dillon Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Mike Dillon called in from the road, where he is touring as a member of Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, with Les on vocals & guitar, Sean Lennon on guitar, Harry Waters on keyboards, Paulo Baldi on drums, Skerik on saxophone, and Mike Dillon on percussion. Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade play Grinders KC, 1826 Locust St., on Friday, May 26.

Mike Dillon was a percussionist with Billy Goat, and was one third of influential and acclaimed band, The Malachi Papers.

Mike Dillon has released over 12 solo records, multiple albums with his other bands, many singles, and collaborations with Ricki Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco and others. More information at http://www.mikedillonvibes.com

Mike’s band, Mike Dillon & Punkadelick features Mike on vibraphone, ma-rimba, Prophet 6, congas, & bongos; Brian Haas (of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) on Fender Rhodes, piano, bass Moog & melodica; and Nikki Glaspie (of Beyonce) on drums, cymbals & vocals.

Punkadelick released their 10-track instrumental rock, debut album, INFLORESCENCE on Royal Potato Family Records, on January 30, 2023.

The album was produced with Chad Meise.

Consisting of 10 tracks in 42-minutes, it’s an expansive, focused and fearless collection, representing a world where Duke Ellington and Augustus Pablo rub shoulders with crate-digger exotica, the freak-funk of Parliament and the ‘anything fits’ outsider ethos of acid-fried punks like The Meat Puppets.

A trio featuring Mike Dillon (Ricki Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool) on vibraphone, marimba, Prophet 6, congas, and bongos, Brian Haas (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) on Fender Rhodes, piano, bass Moog and melodica and Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce) on drums, cymbals and vocals, Punkadelick is the unified vision of six hands creating a world that often sounds like the work of an ensemble three times the size.

During 2020 and 2021, while many music venues were still shuttered, the group began touring, sweating their way through cuts Dillon and Haas had composed during quarantine writing sessions. Locking in on stage, it quickly became clear the band was functioning at a level that made the hair on their arms stand at attention—even for three live music veterans accustomed to life on the road.

“It became obvious to let this become a collaboration,” Dillon says. “This is really something all three of us are doing because we have so much love for one another and a love for the music that we started creating.” // “There’s only three of us, but we move together like a big, nasty school of fish,” Haas adds, laughing.

During the tail end of a 2021 tour, the band booked time to record with engineer—and functioning fourth band member—Chad Meise, and Inflorescence sprouted. Opener “Desert Monsoon,” sets the stage with a spiritual-jazz intro of organ, vibraphone, percussion and wordless vocal coos before crackling to life as a swaggering funk strut. The title track, and “Pandas,” dig into thick dub textures built around Glaspie’s drumming and Haas’s subwoofer-straining bass synths.

Bending ears and surprising audiences has long been part of Dillon’s MO and Glaspie and Haas act as perfect foils for forays into the weird. While Dillon bristles at the “punk jazz” tag, punk rock and jazz remain core influences to the band, in sound and spirit. // “We’re students of the titans of music. We grew up listening to punk and rock ’n’ roll but we also love instrumental music—particularly the forefathers of Black American Music. In our minds, Led Zeppelin and Milt Jackson, Parliament-Funkadelic and The Minutemen, The Bad Brains and Frank Zappa are interconnected influences,” explains Dillon. “All that comes together in how we approach instrumental creative music. Both punk rock and jazz are not prefab things, they’re about the freedom. We have no genre restriction in this band, and people who get it really respect that.”

Maybe the greatest example of the band’s punk-steeped sonic free-for-all is “Slowly But Surely,” a track Dillon told Haas to compose as if he were “writing for Queens of the Stone Age.” The song plays like QOTSA translated to piano runs, vibes and deeply swinging drums—big-riff stoner rock upended and played with huge smiles by America’s premier proponents of the unclassifiable.

“We try to challenge our listeners. We’re touching a nerve with people who maybe don’t want to see the same songs done in the same variations all night long,” continues Dillon. “Part of my mission is taking these instruments that are primarily designed for the orchestral or jazz world and taking them to the rock world, the club world, running them through pedals and effects. We’re not afraid to be soft, or to surprise. That’s what we all do in this band — get beyond our own conceptions of what music is supposed to be.”

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

Mike Dillon Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, who play Grinders KC, 1826 Locust St., on Friday, May 26. Mike Dillon & Punkadelic’s debut album, Inflorescence was released this year on Roya; Potato Family Records. More information at http://www.mikedillonvibes.com

10:30

6. Mike Dillon & Punkadelick – “Desert Monsoon”
   from: Inflorescence / Royal Potato Family / January 27, 2023
   [Punkadelic: Mike Dillon – Vibraphone, Marimba, Prophet 6, Congas, Bongo; Brain Haas – Fender Rhodes, Piano, Bass Moog, Melodica; Nikki Glaspie – Drums, Cymbals, Vocals. Mixed and Recorded by Chad Meise. Mastered by Collin Jordan / Boiler Room Mastering. Cover Art: Peregrine Honig.]

10:33 – Underwriting

7. Malek Azrael & The Vibez – “22 (Radio Edit)”
   from: “22 (Radio Edit” – Single / Malek Azrael / January 6, 2023
   [On October 15, 2021 Makek Azrael released his 10-track album debut. Male Azrael lives in KCMO. He has worked for Boys Grow, and is currently working with touring. Malek Azrael has been involved with Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship. He sometimes plays with Making Movies and played the Ameri-Kana Fest. Malek Azrael played KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, at The Black Box, in West Bottoms.]

[Malek & The Vibez play Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on Friday, June 16, at 7:00 PM.]

10:39 – Interview with Malek Azrael

Malek & The Vibez is a band that includes lead singer songwriter Malek Azrael, drummer Josh Luke, bassist Jack Roberts, and guitarist Calvin Haverkamp. Malek Azrael grew up in Kansas City. He has worked for Boys Grow, and is currently working with touring. Malek Azrael was part of Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship, and sometimes plays with Making Movies. Malek played the Ameri-Kana Fest, and KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, 2022. Makek Azrael released his 10-track debut album on October 15, 2021. Malek Azrael released the single “22” on January 13, 2023, and the newest single, “Anxiety” on April 30, 2023.

Malek & The Vibez play Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on Friday, June 16, at 7:00 PM. More info at: http://www.mavband.us

Malek Azrael, Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Some have compared Malek Azrael’s soulful debut album “Waves” to artists likes of D’angelo, Stevie Wonder, and Prince.

After Waves was recorded Malek then assembled ‘The Vibez” as a live band to support the record and do live shows. The band is made up of: Drummer Josh Luke, bassist Jack Roberts, and guitarist Calvin “CLAV” Haverkamp.

The single “22” represents a departure of the sound of WAVES and features driving guitars and drums.

Malek, who will turn 24 in late June, talked about growing pains and learning lessons in his growing up process, he says “but it’s even harder when you turned 20 and 21 during the Covid epidemic where you’re not out making mistakes and living life. So when I turned 22 and I was finally able to leave my house, I found that it was toxic overload.”

Malek Azrael told KDHK Radio, “I had a particularly hard time with being told what music and sound was expected of me because I was a black male R&B singer and it made it extremely hard to create. I started writing because I loved telling a story no matter the genre, and I actually grew up with a huge appreciation for rock thanks to my dad and his obsession with most of the soundtrack from guitar hero. I decided to say fuck expectations and make music thats fun and that me and my band align with right now in this part of our journey. I’m not saying goodbye to my roots at all, I’m just saying “ hey i’m an artist, not a genre” and creating freely, that is what i think music should be. I want to remind others that black rock stars still exist!”

“Honestly, I have to thank my band mates Josh Luke, Jack Roberts, and Calvin “CLAV” Haverkamp, along with our producer and friend Brandon Yangmi because they allowed me to be able to speak my truth and actually helped me elevate my recording technique and see the potential in my work. I dream bigger when I write now, which I didn’t even know was possible until we started this project.”

10:46

8. Malek Azrael & The Vibez – “Anxiety”
   from: “Anxiety” – Single / Malek Azrael / April 30, 2023
   [On October 15, 2021 Makek Azrael released his 10-track album debut. Male Azrael lives in KCMO. He has worked for Boys Grow, and is currently working with touring. Malek Azrael has been involved with Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship. He sometimes plays with Making Movies and played the Ameri-Kana Fest. Malek Azrael played KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, at The Black Box, in West Bottoms.]

[Malek & The Vibez play Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on Friday, June 16, at 7:00 PM.]

10:50 – More Interview with Malek Azrael

Malek & The Vibez is a band that includes lead singer songwriter Malek Azrael, drummer Josh Luke, bassist Jack Roberts, and guitarist Calvin Haverkamp. Malek Azrael grew up in Kansas City, He has worked for Boys Grow and is currently working with touring. Malek Azrael was part of Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship, and sometimes plays with Making Movies. Malek played the Ameri-Kana Fest, and KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, 2022. Makek Azrael released his 10-track debut album on October 15, 2021. Malek Azrael released the single “22” on January 13, 2023, and the newest single, “Anxiety” on April 30, 2023.

Malek & The Vibez play Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on Friday, June 16, at 7:00 PM. More info at: http://www.mavband.us

Malek Azrael Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Malek talked about the new single “Anxiety” which he suffer from in his life. The song is a reminder to him to stop and breathe.

Malek told us about how he first started sing in the choir at Church, only he said in the beginning he didn’t sing, he would pose and pretend to sing, because he want to be in the group.

Eventually he was called on to sing out loud, and others discovered that yes, he could sing and he could sing very well.

Malek is excited to play Boulevardia this year, after assisting with Making Movies performance their last year.

Malek Azrael, Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Malek & The Vibez play Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on Friday, June 16, at 7:00 PM. More info at: http://www.mavband.us

10:57

9. Malek Azrael – “Find The Love”
   from: Waves / Malek Azrael / October 15, 2021
   [On October 15, 2021 Malek Azrael released his 10-track album debut. Male Azrael lives in KCMO. He has worked for Boys Grow. And is currently working with touring. Malek Azrael has been involved with Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship. He sometimes plays with Making Movies and played the Ameri-Kana Fest. Malek Azrael played KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, at The Black Box, in West Bottoms.]

[Malek & The Vibez play Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on Friday, June 16, at 7:00 PM.]

11:01 – Station ID

11:01 – Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joined us in our 90.1 FM Studios. One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren join us today to talk about her new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Krystle says that the song, “became equal parts: a love letter to Paul McCartney and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing if you think about it.” Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Krystle Warren & Solomon Dorsey headlined the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Saturday, May 20, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City, MO with Solomon Dorsey.

Following their double album LOVE SONGS (2012) and their single “Rising” written especially for Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed television mini series WHEN THEY SEE US “Macca” is the newest release from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY.”Macca” arrived unexpectedly.
.
“A pal contacted me to help work on the music for an advertisement he was piecing together. My job was to find a melody and put words to it, so I set up my mic and started trying out ideas. And then POW! ‘ ‘Hang then upon the moon…’ – it sounded so distinctly Paul. Immediately I worried that the client would accept my buddy’s sunmbission; thankfully, they didn’t.”

The “Paul” Krystle is referring to is Paul McCartney, whose famous nickname entitles the song.

“He is such a huge inspiration for me. As a songwriter – my love of melody, the little quirks that come out lyrically – that’s all thanks to him. And singing that chorus — it evoked for me those gorgeous ballads he composed in the 80s – ‘Wanderlust,” ‘Tug of War’…There’s a bit of Wings there as well, I think, with a nod to ‘I’m Carrying.’

“What’s wild to me is that, though I decided. ‘This is for Paul,’ it became equal parts: a love letter to him, and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing when you think about it: Paul’s music so often encourages us to keep going, keep trying, and in using hs language (so to speak), unwittingly, he was giving me strength.”

11:07

15. Krystle Warren & The Faculty– “Macca”
    from: “Macca”- Single / Parlour Door Music / May 22, 2023
    [Following their double album LOVE SONGS (2012) and their single “Rising” written especially for Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed television mini series WHEN THEY SEE US, “Macca” is the newest release from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY.”Macca” arrived unexpectedly. // “A Pal contacted me to help work on the music for an advertisement he was piecing together. My job was to find a melody and put words to it, so I set up my mic and started trying out ideas. And then POW! ‘ ‘Hang then upon the moon…’ – it sounded so distinctly Paul. Immediately I worried that the client would accept my buddy’s submission; thankfully, they didn’t.” // The “Paul” Krystle is referring to is Paul McCartney, whose famous nickname entitles the song. // “He is such a huge inspiration for me. As a songwriter – my love of melody, the little quirks that come out lyrically – that’s all thanks to him. Nd singing that chorus — it evoked for me those gorgeous ballads he composed in the 80s – ‘Wanderlust,” ‘Tug Of War’…There’s a bit of Wings there as well, I think, with a nod to ‘I’m Carrying.’ // “What’s wild to me is that, though I decided. ‘This is for Paul,’ it became equal parts: a love letter to him, and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing when you think about it: Paul’s music so often encourages us to keep going, keep trying, and in using his language (so to speak), unwittingly, he was giving me strength.”]

11:13 – More Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joined us in our 90.1 FM Studios. One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren join us today to talk about her new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Krystle Warren began performing in her native KC 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 EP THE CREW released September 15, 2020. Her band The Faculty is ready to release EXTENDED PLAY

Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians.

11:15

11. Paul McCartney – “That Would Be Something”
    from: McCartney / Apple – EMI / April 17, 1970
    [McCartney is the debut solo album by English musician Paul McCartney, released on 17 April 1970 by Apple Records. McCartney recorded it in secrecy, mostly using basic home-recording equipment at his house in St John’s Wood. Mixing and some recording took place at professional London studios. In its loosely arranged performances, McCartney eschewed the polish of the Beatles’ past records in favour of a lo-fi style. Apart from occasional contributions by his wife, Linda, McCartney performed the entire album alone by overdubbing on four-track tape. // McCartney recorded the album during a period of depression and confusion, following John Lennon’s private departure from the Beatles in September 1969. Conflicts over the release of McCartney’s album further estranged him from his bandmates, as he refused to delay the album’s release to allow for Apple’s previously scheduled titles, notably the Beatles’ album Let It Be. A press release in the form of a self-interview supplied with UK promotional copies of McCartney led to the Beatles’ break-up. // McCartney received mostly negative reviews, while McCartney was vilified for seemingly ending the Beatles. The record was widely criticised for being under-produced and for its unfinished songs, although the ballad “Maybe I’m Amazed” was consistently singled out for praise. Commercially, McCartney benefited from the publicity surrounding the break-up; it held the number 1 position for three weeks on the US Billboard Top LPs before yielding that position to Let It Be. It peaked at number 2 in Britain. // In later years, the album was credited for having had an impact on DIY musicians and lo-fi music styles. McCartney also recorded two successor albums: McCartney II (1980) and McCartney III (2020). In 2011, the first McCartney record was reissued with bonus tracks as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection.]

11:18 – More Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joined us in our 90.1 FM Studio. One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren join us today to talk about her new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, who gave her a one way ticket to France.

Krystle moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French & British TV programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling on world tours with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman.

Krystle left Because Music and created her own recording label, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace / A Time to Refrain from Embracing” a double album recording from a 14-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections. In 2019 The Kansas City based Owen/Cox Dance Group premiered a new dance piece titled “Love Songs” with choreography by Jennifer Owen, set to all 24 songs, in the order they appear in the recording,.

Krystle Warren has collaborated with Erykah Badu, Keziah Jones, Zap Mama, Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, Brad Cox Amadou & Mariam, Lakecia Benjamin, Guarco, Teddy Thompson, Gwyneth Herbert, Hercules & Love Affair, and Joon Moon. Along with being included in the compilation “NYC Subway – Songs from the Underground,” and tribute recordings for Kate McGarrigle, and Nick Drake.

11:20

12. Paul McCartney & Linda McCartnery – “Another Day”
    from: Ram / Apple – Columbia / May 17, 1971
    [Ram is the only album credited to the husband-and-wife music duo Paul and Linda McCartney, released on 17 May 1971 by Apple Records. It was recorded in New York with guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken, and future Wings drummer Denny Seiwell. Three singles were issued from the album: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (McCartney’s first number 1 hit in America without the Beatles), “The Back Seat of My Car” and “Eat at Home”. The recording sessions also yielded the non-album single “Another Day”. // The album’s release coincided with a period of acrimony between McCartney and his former Beatle bandmates, and followed his legal action in the United Kingdom’s High Court to dissolve the Beatles partnership. John Lennon perceived slights in the lyrics to songs such as “Too Many People”. Although McCartney felt that he had addressed the criticisms he received with his 1970 solo debut, McCartney, Ram elicited a similarly unfavourable reaction from music journalists. It nonetheless topped the national album charts in the UK, the Netherlands and Canada. Today, Ram is held in high regard by many music critics and is often ranked as one of McCartney’s best albums. It has also been recognised as an early indie pop album. // In 1971, McCartney produced Thrillington, an instrumental interpretation of Ram that was released in 1977 under the pseudonym Percy ‘Thrills’ Thrillington. In 2012, an expanded edition of Ram was reissued with over two dozen bonus tracks as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection. In 2020, Ram was ranked number 450 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest albums of all time.]

11:24 – More Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joined us live in our 90.1 FM Sutions. One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren join us today to talk about her new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

In an article in SPIN Magazine, December 6, 2020, The 35 Best Lesser-Known Artists of the Last 35 Years, Picked by 35 Well-Known Artists Krystle Was named twice!

Joan as Police Woman on Krystle Warren: “Most stellar voice, tender and strong in equal measure with a range nothing short of miraculous. Incredible writer of songs, the type of which used to get written and go on to become classics. Exquisite live performer in the way you forget completely where you are and what’s happening in your life.”

Rufus Wainwright on Krystle Warren: “Krystle Warren’s voice and performance style seared an indelible mark on me years ago when she joined Martha and I on tributes to our mom Kate McGarrigle in both London and New York. Her haunting interpretations, vocal timbre and singular look completely devastated all present, and soon after I had the honor of taking her out on the road with me. Be it covers, her own material or harmonizing with others, she is a true musician and should be considered an international treasure.”

Krystle Warren & The Faculty Discography

Krystle Warren & The Faculty has released the EP, DIARY on May 1, 2007;

Krystle Warren released the EP, THE UP SERIES on November 10, 2008;

Krystle Warren releases the 13-song Album CIRCLES on March 13, 2009;

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the EP, A TIME TO KEEP – LOVE SONGS on August 12, 2011

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the double album 24-song LOVE SONGS released on vinyl in Europe on April 9, 2012 as “Love Songs: A Time to Embrace,” and “Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing. ” And released on separate digital and CD albums in the U.S. as: “Love Songs: A Time to Embrace,” on March 13, 2012 and “Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing” on February 27, 2015.

Krystle Warren released the album THREE THE HARD WAY on August 18, 2017.

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the single “Rising” – on May 31, 2019

Krystle Warren & The Crew released the 4-song EP, THE CREW on September 15, 2020

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the single “Macca” – on May 22, 2023

11:28

13. Paul McCartney & Wings – “Get On The Right Thing”
    from: Red Rose Speedway / EMI – Columbia / April 30, 1973
    [Red Rose Speedway is the second studio album by the British–American rock band Wings, although credited to “Paul McCartney and Wings”. It was released through Apple Records on 30 April 1973, preceded by its lead single, the ballad “My Love”. By including McCartney’s name in the artist credit, the single and album broke with the tradition of Wings’ previous records. The change was made in the belief that the public’s unfamiliarity with the band had been responsible for the weak commercial performance of the group’s 1971 debut album Wild Life. // Before recording the album, Wings recruited lead guitarist Henry McCullough and released their debut single, “Give Ireland Back to the Irish”, which was banned by the BBC for its political message. Recording sessions for the album took place throughout 1972 at five recording studios in London. The group also recorded the non-album singles “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, “Hi, Hi, Hi” and “Live and Let Die”, the last of which was issued in June 1973. Originally planned as a double album, it was condensed into a single LP at the request of EMI. The company believed that the material was not of a sufficiently high standard and were mindful of the modest sales of Wild Life and Wings’ first two singles. Members McCullough and Denny Laine later expressed disappointment in the choice of songs on the single album. // Red Rose Speedway peaked at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and number 1 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart in the US, while “My Love” topped the US Billboard Hot 100. Although a commercial success, the album was given a mixed response by music critics, with several reviewers considering the songs to be inconsequential and mediocre. Decades later, it continues to receive mixed reviews. The album was reissued in 1987 and 1993 with bonus tracks and remastered in 2018 as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection. The 2018 remaster includes the reconstructed double LP version of the album..]

11:32 – Underwriting

11:34 – More Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joins us in out 90.1 FM Studios. . One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren join us today to talk about her new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year.

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

From Diary EP to Extended Play A Truncated History of Krystle Warren & The Faculty
From http://www.krystalwarren.com written by Phil Anderson:

Krystle Warren met Solomon Dorsey some weekend at a high school debate competition in Kansas City. After she had trounced Solomon’s debate partner, the two ended up in an open classroom where they began playing music—Krystle had brought her guitar and was practicing chords, and Solomon, then an accomplished violinist, cellist, bassist, and singer likely had some sort of instrument on him, and even if he didn’t he had his voice.

Due to some specific details we’re not going to get into, Krystle was already living on her own; she was eighteen and he was seventeen. But she had a friend who had an apartment near hers, and this friend was having a party. “Wanna go?” she asked Solomon. And, as Solomon puts it, he has seen or spoken to Krystle every single day of his life since.

So when Solomon decided to attend the jazz program at New School in New York, he asked Krystle, “Wanna go?” And a few months after he moved, Krystle showed up. On her first night in the city, Solomon introduced her to Zach Djanikian, a saxophonist he’d become fast friends with at school. They lived in the same dorm, and Zach and Solomon took Krystle to a practice room in the basement and the three of them played musical games. According to Zach, “We’d sing as many melodies as we could over four open strings of the upright bass, plucked successively. ‘Norwegian Wood’ and the theme to ​Family Matters​ were a couple favorites.”

This led to busking as a trio, and each of them was hustling for gigs. An Italian restaurant that featured live music gave Krystle a regular night, and she often had Solomon and Zach play with her. Zach’s friend from Philadelphia, Ben Kane, would come to these nights, and he brought Mike Riddleberger.

In Philly, Zach was in a band called The Brakes, and Ben Kane was producing an album for Zach’s band in a windowless apartment that he shared with Riddleberger. Kane and Riddleberger had become friends a year earlier at NYU, bonding over their love of D’Angelo’s album ​Voodoo​. Riddleberger says that even though he saw Krystle perform, he didn’t speak to her until after she saw him play with his band, Quintus. Zach had brought her, and she approached him after the show to play in a band she was starting.

The Faculty was formed with Krystle, Solomon, Zach, Riddleberger, and Dave Moore, a keyboardist from Kansas who was at New School, too. While the four boys had classes and gigs, Krystle floated around New York and made a lot of friends. She busked and wrote songs, and, with the help of her band members and Ben Kane, who had an internship at ElectricLady Studios and was sneaking them in at odd hours, Krystle turned those songs into an EP called DIARY.

And it was a diary. The songs were about her daily experiences in this new place and with these new people. “I’ve Seen Days” has a title that implies a reflection, but it’s about how the world is new to her, how she’s “a frightened child” in a new city. “The New Astrologer” is about a new and exciting love, one that remains a good friend of hers. “A Song For Holly” is a letter to family explaining her new quotidien life (“your big sister / out in New York on some subway / your big sister, out trying to get paid”). And “Central Park” is a document of a night she had in Central Park with Zach and his boyfriend (now husband) Jesse, and how she is coming to embrace this new city, these new people, and this new chapter of her life.

If DIARY, the Faculty’s first recordings, is Krystle’s “Songs of Innocence,” then EXTENDED PLAY​, the Faculty’s latest, is Krystle’s “Songs of Experience.”

Diary​ led to CIRCLES,​ which Ben Kane co-produced with ​Voodoo​ engineer Russell “The Dragon” Elevado. ​Circles​ was bought by Because Music in France, and Krystle had her next move. She stayed in France even when her relationship with Because ended because she found Vanessa, and Vanessa was worth staying in France for. But Krystle still recorded ​LOVE SONGS in New York, a double album that invokes a Blakean duality with its two subtitles, “A Time to Refrain from Embracing” and “A Time You May Embrace.” LOVE SONGS was produced with most of the Faculty (Zach was on tour with Amos Lee) and a slew of guest musicians in Brian Bender’s Brooklyn studio. Bender’s assistant, Jonathan Anderson, would later go on to replace Dave Moore on keys in the Faculty.

The Faculty has always been a tenuous project for everyone involved because of the distance and the schedules. While everyone remains close friends, the band members are spread across the globe. Krystle in France. Riddleberger in New York and Zach in Woodstock. Solomon and Jonathan in Los Angeles. And then they are all working musicians, touring, recording, and collaborating with an impressive list of artists. Musicians like, in no particular order: D’Angelo, Hercules and Love Affair, Donald Fagen and the Nightfliers, Joan As Policewoman, Jose James, Emily King, Janet Jackson, Ron Sexsmith, The Dixie Chicks, Amy Helm, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Rufus Wainwright, Kylie Minogue, Sara Bareilles, Natalie Merchant, Kesha, Bleachers, Emylou Harris, Amos Lee, Lana Del Rey, Broken Social Scene, Teddy Thompson, Lakecia Benjamin, Jenny Lewis, and honestly that’s less than the half of it.

So they have been busy, and they have gained a lot of experience since the days of sneaking into ElectricLady late night or playing for meager pay and free wine at an East Village Italian resto. And while DIARY and CIRCLES and LOVE SONGS were recorded with everyone in the same room (THREE THE HARD WAY was just Krystle and Kane together), EXTENDED PLAY was recorded disparately and assembled together by the steady hands and ears of Kane and Krystle. There is distance between the musicians in the recording process, but there is still a close emotional connection that can be heard in these songs.

And Krystle is writing with a close emotional connection to the distant past. The songs that make up Extended Play are songs of experience—the lyrics reflect on a crush from high school, a departed musical hero, and others who live in memory. There is nostalgia in ​EXTENDED PLAY and a forlornness. And these songs are filled with references, musical and otherwise, to those who have inspired Krystle over the years, from ​Les Mis ​(specifically the song adopted by the ACT UP movement) to Gregory Djanikian, Zach’s poet father, and Audre Lord.

Krystle describes “When I Look Back,” the last song of ​Extended Play​, as “an apology to my teenage self.” Seventeen years ago she was writing songs about what happened day-of because being young is about immediacy and living in the present tense. Now the songs are about years past because life slows down, and we are allowed the time to “look back.”

But as Krystle sings in “Rising,” “Future lingers while past is present.” She’s writing about the past because we are all our collected histories—or as she puts it in “When I Look Back”: “there’s still something of her that stays.” The future, of course, still lingers, always there waiting for us, for the next move. The album ends with a recording of Audre Lorde’s gravelly voice. She says,

“I’m going on to something else, the shape of which I have no idea. ‘Only thing I know, is it’s going to be quite different. What I leave behind has a life of its own. I’ve said this about poetry… Well in a sense, I’m saying it about the very artifact of who I have been.”

Krystle Warren & The Faculty still have more to come. They have built seventeen years of memories, experiences, recordings, and shows, and with the release of ​Extended Play​, they continue to show a commitment to growing as musicians together, even if apart.

Written by Phil Anderson

11:42

14. Paul McCartney – “Coming Up”
    from: McCartney II / Parlophone – Columbia / May 16, 1980
    [McCartney II is the second solo album by English musician Paul McCartney, released on May 16, 1980. It was recorded by McCartney at his home studio in the summer of 1979, shortly before the dissolution of his band Wings in 1981. Like his first solo album, McCartney (1970), he performed all the instruments himself. It yielded three singles: “Coming Up”, “Waterfalls”, and “Temporary Secretary”. // The album was a significant departure for McCartney, as much of it relies heavily on synthesizers and studio experimentation, while its music style embraces new wave and elements of electronica. It was initially released to largely unfavourable reviews by critics, though retrospective reception has been more positive and the album has become a cult favourite. In 2011, an expanded edition of McCartney II was issued with over a dozen bonus tracks. In 2020, the album was succeeded by McCartney III. In 2022, the trilogy was reissued in the McCartney I II III box set. // After the release of what turned out to be Wings’ final album, Back to the Egg, McCartney went north to his farm in Scotland to begin some private recordings in July 1979. “Check My Machine” samples dialogue from the 1957 Merrie Melodies cartoon featuring Tweety and Sylvester entitled Tweet Zoo. By sessions’ end, he had recorded over 20 songs. With no immediate use for the recordings, he put them aside for the time being and returned to work with Wings to prepare for a UK tour that November and December. Simultaneously with the performances (which included the new “Coming Up”), McCartney released his first solo single since 1971, the Christmas-themed “Wonderful Christmastime”, backed with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reggae”, which charted at No. 6 in the UK but initially only at No. 83 in the US. (The song later reached No. 28 in 2020.) The A-side was recorded during the McCartney II sessions, while its flip side had been cut in 1975. However, upcoming events were about to change McCartney’s plans with Wings. // After years of visa refusals due to his past arrests for marijuana possession, Japan had finally allowed McCartney, and thus Wings, to perform. It would be the first instance McCartney had performed in the country since he had done so with the Beatles in 1966, and anticipation was running high with Wings’ tour completely sold out. However, upon his arrival in Tokyo on 16 January 1980, a search of McCartney’s luggage revealed a bag containing 219 grams of marijuana, prompting his immediate arrest and eventually cancelling the tour. After a nine-day jail stay, McCartney was released and returned home to his Scottish farm. Deciding to put Wings on hold while he contemplated his future, he now decided to issue his solo recordings from the previous summer]

11:42 – More Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joined us in out 90.1 FM Studios. One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren join us today to talk about her new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, that was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Krystle says that the song, “became equal parts: a love letter to (Paul McCartney) and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing if you think about it.” Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Krystle was on WMM on September 23, 2020 to talk about The Crew. Krystle Warren formed The Crew with Lakecia Benjamin, Matthew Silberman, Jacob Snider, Joe Blaxx, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Cassorla, and Ben Kane. Warren embarked on the project after her album with The Faculty, was put on hold due to COVID-19. The Crew tackled themes of racial injustice in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter and includes a cover of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth” along with Bob Dylan’s “Dear Landlord,” Joe Raposo’s “Bein’ Green” and “Rhythm of Life” written by Nicky Holland and Roland Orzabal for Oleta Adams.

The Crew released a video of their interpretation of “Bein’ Green” an emotionally stirring five minute montage of footage of Black Lives Matter protests, young Black children choosing white dolls over dark-skinned ones, archival footage of James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Malcom X, Nina Simone, Marsha P. Johnson Al Sharpton, Ella Baker, as well as Sandra Bland, George Floyd and Eric Garner. Proceeds donated to the ACLU.

With The Crew, Krystle Warren sang her rendition of the 1970 song, that had also been previously recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and others. ‘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.”

11:46

15. Chet Atkins – “I Feel Fine”
    from: Chet Atkins Pick on the Beatles / RCA Victor / March 1966
    [Chet Atkins Picks on the Beatles is the twenty-eighth studio album by American guitarist Chet Atkins. Atkins interprets a selection of songs by The Beatles on this album. // The sleeve features liner notes by George Harrison and there is a photo of Atkins wearing a “Beatle wig” on the back cover. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Country Albums charts and No. 112 on the Pop Albums charts. // Atkins never recorded with the Gretsch Country Gentleman 12-string guitar that was made especially for him and is pictured on the cover. // The recording was nominated for Best Instrumental Recording (other than Jazz) at the 1967 Grammy awards. // Writing for Allmusic, critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album “an entertaining, if ultimately disposable, artifact… As always, his playing is subtle and tasteful, but the album doesn’t provide enough inventive or energetic performances to be of lasting interest.” Norm Rosenfield of Country Standard Time wrote “You don’t have to be a guitar fan to enjoy Atkins’ arrangements that add unexpected harmonies with generous helpings of class. So when Chet picks on the Beatles it’s only the highest form of flattery.]

11:48 – More Interview with Krystle Warren

KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren joined us in out 90.1 FM Studios. One of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests. Krystle Warren joined us today to talk about her new song, “Macca” and share her musical influences of this new song. “Macca” was recorded on the heels of sessions for Krystle Warren & The Faculty‘s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Krystle Warren has been a special guest of Wednesday MidDay Medley 17 times.

Mark first interviewed Krystle Warren for The Tenth Voice, back 2002, Krystle was 19. Mark waited several hours, during a winter snow storm, at a huge party, the where Krystle played with her band including her longtime friend Solomon Dorsey on bass, in a packed, smoke filled apartment near Community Christian Church across the hall from where Solomon lived, to be given a 2-song, demo CD, that contained Krystle’s first recorded music, including the songs “Chanel #5” and “Patches.”

Mark interviewed Krystle for WMM in an extensive interview that aired October 23, 2013,

Mark interviewed Krystle for WMM on July 8, 2015 prior to her July 10, 2015 performance at Californos in Westport, with an all-star band including Hermon Mehari, Brad Cox, Beau Bledsoe, Jeff Harshbarger, Brad Williams, and others

Krystle participated in our Special WMM Tribute to David Bowie Shows on March 2, 2016, January 4, 2017, January 3, 2018, January 9, 2 2019, and January 8, 2020.

Krystle was with us on WMM on May 18, 2016 for a “Musical Conversation” prior to her performance at The Polsky Theatre, Wednesday, May 25, at 7:30 PM, for the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, Kansas

Krystle was on WMM on June 29, 2016 as “Guest Producer” to share inspirations for her record, THREE THE HARD WAY playing early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from: Pharaoh Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones. Krystle’s critically acclaimed album, THREE THE HARD WAY was #1 on WMM’s 117 Best Recordings.

Krystle was on WMM on September 20, 2017 for our 700th Show.

Krystle was on WMM on May 15, 2019 for our 15th Anniversary Show.

Krystle was on WMM on October 16, 2019 with Brad Cox to talk about “Love Songs” Owen Cox Dance Ensemble’s production using the Krystle Warren & The faculty 24 track double album LOVE SONGS in a show choreographed by Jennifer Owen in a live performance at Polsky Theater.

Krystle was on WMM on September 23, 2020 to talk about The Crew.

Krystle was on WMM on July 28, 2021 for our 900th Show.

Krystle was on WMM on April 26, 2023 for the premiere of “Macca”.

Krystle was on WMM on May 17, 2023 to promote Kansas City Folk Fest on May 20, 2023.

Krystle was on WMM on May 24, 2023 to share inspirations for the “Macca.”

For the past hour we’ve been hanging out with Krystle Warren talking about her new song, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty, recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY to be released this year. Krystle Warren shared tracks from her musical influence, Paul McCartney. Info: http://www.krystlewarren.com

“We Can Work It Out” written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:54

16. Stevie Wonder – “We Can Work It Out”
    from: Signed Sealed and Delivered / Motown / August 7, 1970
    [Signed, Sealed & Delivered is the 12th studio album by American recording artist Stevie Wonder, released on August 7, 1970, by Tamla Records. The album featured four hits that hit the Billboard Hot 100: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” (#3), “Heaven Help Us All” (#9), “Never Had a Dream Come True” (#26) and Wonder’s cover of The Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out” (#13). The album hit #25 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart as well as #7 on the R&B Albums chart. // This was Wonder’s first album on which he was given producer credit, though he actually produced only two of the tracks and co-produced three more. He wrote or co-wrote seven of the tracks. // Reviewing for The Village Voice in 1970, Robert Christgau said Signed, Sealed & Delivered has flawed moments, but Motown albums are rarely consistent. He concluded the album is “still the most exciting LP by a male soul singer in a very long time, and it slips into no mold, Motown’s included.” Rolling Stone magazine’s Vince Aletti said that the album “holds more creative singing than you’re likely to find in another performer’s entire body of work.” Aletti felt that, although not all of the songs match the energy of the title track, the album does not have a bad song and includes an “extraordinary” cover of “We Can Work It Out” that shares the other songs’ “tasteful, unencumbered” arrangements. // In his list for The Village Voice, Christgau named Signed, Sealed and Delivered the eleventh best album of 1970, and later called it the best soul album of the year. In a retrospective review, Allmusic’s Ron Wynn gave the album three out of five stars, noting that Wonder’s focus seemed to be more on social issues than commercial concerns, and found songs such as “I Can’t Let My Heaven Walk Away” and “Never Had a Dream Come True” as intriguing as the hit title track and “We Can Work It Out”.]

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

Next week on WMM on May 31 – Stephonne joins us to talk about the West 18th Street Fashion Show, happening Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM at 116 W. 18th St., KCMO. // Also next week: Music By Skippy aka Luke Harbur joins us to talk about the Release Show for his new EP, THESE SONGS ARE EMOTIONS June 24 & 25th at the Musical Theatre Heritage on the third floor of the Crown Center Shops, 2450 Grand Blvd KCMO, 64108. // Also next week: musician Julia Reynolds joins us to talk abut her solo musica releases and her collaborative work with other artists including The Lonnie Fisher Band. // And also next week: Mica-Elgin Vi of the band Modern Day Fitzgerald, shares the band’s new single “City Burning” as part of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. // And also next week: we talk with members of one of our favorite are bands of all time, GHOSTY, including singer songwriter Andrew Connor. GHOSTY plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, June 2 at 8:00 PM with Daniel Gum, and 95 Sweetbird. And GHOSTY plays the Eight Street Tap Room, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence Kansas on Saturday, June 3, with Miss Boating, and Empty Moon.

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

Show #995