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

Spinning Records With Merritt
+ Chris Haghirian & Nathan Reusch on Middle of The Map
+ The AJ Young Band

Marion Merritt

Mark welcomes Marion Merritt, of Records With Merritt, 1614 Westport Road, KCMO. Marion joins us as “Guest Producer” to share sonic discoveries and information from her musically-encyclopedic-brain. Marion will spin tracks from: Love, Charlie Hilton, lnzndrf, Cavern of Anti-Matter, Epic Soundtracks, This Heat, African Head Charge, CocoRosie, The Baby Grandmothers, and Rev. Edna Isaac and the Greene Sisters, and Pastor T.L. Barrett from “Christians Catch Hell” and more.

At 11:00 we’ll talk with our friends Nathan Reusch and Chris Haghirian about this year’s Middle of the Map Fest, April 27 through May 7, 2016. A production of Ink Magazine and The Record Machine. Middle of the Map Ideas: April 27- May 3 w/ Fred Armisen on April 27. Middle of the Map Film Fest: April 28 – May 1. Middle of the Map Music Fest: Wednesday, May 4 to Saturday, May 7, 4 days of music, 115 + bands in Westport, Downtown KC and The Crossroads Arts District. Tickets available at http://www.middleofthemapfest.com/tickets.

AJ Young

At 11:15 AJ Young and his band join us to play live in our 90.1 FM studios. AJ Young is a singer songwriter, guitarist based in Kansas City. Last fall he released, ”Into The Wild” the first of four EP’s he is planning to release. On Friday, April 15, The AJ Young Band play Prohibition Hall, 1118 McGee, KCMO with Golden Groves, and Atlas. More information at http://www.ajyoungmusic.com.

Tune in on 90.1 FM KKFI
or streaming live at kkfi.org

Show #620

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

Wednesday MidDay Medley Celebrates David Bowie

From Mick Rock’s photograph from 1973

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

2. James Murphy – “Golden Years”
from: While We’re Young (Original Soundtrack) / Power Elite / March 23, 2015
[Born February 4, 1970. James Murphy is a musician, producer, DJ, and co-founder of record label DFA Records. His most well-known musical project is LCD Soundsystem. James Murphy was influenced by Bowie and remixed songs for Bowie’s The Next Day Extras, and is credited as a percussionist on Bowie’s Backstar.] [“Golden Years” was written and recorded by David Bowie in 1975, and originally released in a shortened form as a single in November 1975, and in its full-length version in January the following year on, Station to Station. It was the first track completed during the Station to Station sessions, a period when Bowie’s cocaine addiction was at its peak. “Golden Years” was more similar in style to the Young Americans funk/soul material from earlier in 1975 than the rest of Station to Station, that foreshadowed the Kraftwerk-influenced Euro-centric and electronic music that Bowie would move into with his ‘Berlin Trilogy’.]

3. Chris Hadfield – “Space Oddity”
from: Space Sessions: Songs From a Tin Can / Chris Hadfield / October 9, 2015
[The video has had over 27,000,000 views on YouTube. The performance was the subject of a piece by Glenn Fleishman in The Economist on 22 May 2013 analyzing the legal implications of publicly performing a copyrighted work of music while in earth orbit. The song is the only one of Bowie’s for which Bowie did not own the copyright. Bowie’s publisher granted Hadfield a license to the song for only one year. Due to the expiry of the one year licence, the official video was taken offline on 13 May 2014, despite Bowie’s explicit wishes that the publisher grant Hadfield a license at no charge to record the song and produce the video. Following a period of negotiations, the video was restored to YouTube on November 2, 2014 with a two-year licence agreement in place.]

10:07

In May of 2013, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, commander of Expedition 35 to the International Space Station, recorded a video of “Space Oddity” while on board the space station. This was the first music video ever shot in space. The lyrics were slightly changed to reflect Hadfield’s imminent return from his final mission. Hadfield announced the video on Twitter, writing, “With deference to the genius of David Bowie, here’s Space Oddity, recorded on board the Station. A last glimpse of the World.” Bowie responded to the video, tweeting back to Hadfield, “Hallo Spaceboy”.

Bowie seemed to be from another world. I thought he was immortal. His art kept coming. His influence so vast. He was a guide. So much of my journey as a queer kid finding my way in the world was influenced by Bowie.

David Bowie’s death in New York City, on January 10, 2016 sent shock waves of grief across the world. Bowie made music for those of us who felt left out.

Bowie was a gateway to other discoveries: The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, Andy Warhol, Iggy Pop, Glam Rock, Electronica, Brian Eno, William S. Burroughs, Beat Poetry, Mick Ronson, Tony Visconti, T-Rex, Kraftwerk, Klaus Nomi, Bauhaus, Gender Expression, and so much more.

Thanks for tuning into Wednesday MidDay Medley, here on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio. 
I’m Mark Manning. Today we Celebrate David Bowie with selected songs from some of David Bowie’s 27 studio albums, and recordings that Bowie wrote and produced for other artists: Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Mott the Hoople, and Mick Ronson.

Plus, we’ll play some of our favorite Bowie songs performed by musicians he influenced: Joan As Police Woman, Soft Reeds, Nile Rodgers, Tackhead, OK Go & Bonerama, Icehouse, and The Dambuilders. We started with James Murphy and Chris Hadfield.

And into this mix of original songs and covers, we will also feature short stories about David Bowie, from nine of his biggest fans: Michelle Bacon, Barry Lee, Ben Grimes, Cody Wyoming, Krystle Warren, Jesse Bartmess, Marion Merritt, Ian Michael Flanagan Johnson, and Nico Gray.

Our first story comes from musican and director, Cody Wyoming, lead guitarist, singer, and founder of the Kansas City band, The Philistines, who will be releasing their debut full length album, “The Backbone of The Night” on May 27, through The Record Machine.

10:10

4. Cody Wyoming’s Bowie Story – “You’re Wonderful” (3:56)
recorded by Mark Manning, Saturday, February 27, 2016

10:14

5. OK Go & Bonerama – “Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide”
from: You’re Not Alone – EP / Capital / November 7, 2006
[Collaboration by rock band OK Go and brass funk rock band Bonerama, recorded to raise money for New Orleans musicians displaced in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. The EP was recorded in August 2007 in New Orleans, Bonerama’s home city.] [“Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide” by David Bowie, was originally released as the closing track on the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in June 1972. Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine found it to have “a grand sense of staged drama previously unheard of in rock & roll”. The exhortation “Oh no, love, you’re not alone” references the Jacques Brel song “You’re Not Alone” (“Jef”) that appeared in the musical Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Bowie covered Brel’s “My Death” during some Ziggy Stardust live shows. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide”, recorded on February 4, 1972, was one of the last songs recorded for Ziggy Stardust, along with “Suffragette City”, which would immediately precede it in the album track list. As the final song on the album and climax to the Ziggy Stardust live shows throughout 1972-73, it soon became a slogan, appearing on many fans’ jackets.]

10:17

6. Jesse Bartmess’ Bowie Story – “Changes in my 4-year old ears” (3:53)
recorded by Mark Manning, Saturday, February 27, 2016

10:21

7. David Bowie – “Changes”
from: Hunky Dory / RCA – (Rykodisk – Virgin – Sony – EMI – Columbia ISO) / Dec. 17, 1971
[Written by David Bowie, originally released on Hunky Dory and as a single in January 1972. “Changes” became one of Bowie’s best-known songs. The lyrics are often seen as a manifesto for his chameleonic personality, the frequent change of the world today, and frequent reinventions of his musical style throughout the 1970s. This single is cited as David Bowie’s official North American debut, despite the fact that the song “The Man Who Sold the World” was released in North America two years prior. This was the last song Bowie performed live on stage before his retirement from live performances at the end of 2006.]

10:25

8. Nico Gray’s Bowie Story – “Dude, he looks like David Bowie!” (3:09)
recorded by Nico Gray, Sunday, February 28, 2016

10:28

9. Mott The Hoople – “All The Young Dudes”
from: All The Young Dudes / Columbia / September 8, 1972
[The album was written and produced by David Bowie, during the same year he recorded and released The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Regarded as one of glam rock’s anthems, the song originated after Bowie came into contact with Mott the Hoople’s bassist Peter Watts and learned that the band was ready to split due to continued lack of commercial success. When Mott rejected his first offer of a composition, “Suffragette City” (from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars), Bowie wrote “All the Young Dudes” specially for them, allegedly sitting cross-legged on the floor of a room in Regent Street, London, in front of the band’s lead singer, Ian Hunter. With its dirge-like music, youth suicide references and calls to an imaginary audience, the song bore similarities to Bowie’s own “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide”, the final track from Ziggy Stardust. Described as being to glam rock what “All You Need Is Love” was to the hippie era, the lyrics name-checked contemporary star T. Rex and contained references to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Bowie himself once claimed that the song was not intended to be an anthem for glam, that it actually carried a darker message of apocalypse. According to an interview Bowie gave to Rolling Stone magazine in 1973, the boys are carrying the same news that the newscaster was carrying in the song “Five Years” from Ziggy Stardust; the news being the fact that the Earth had only five years left to live. Bowie explains: “All the Young Dudes’ is a song about this news. It’s no hymn to the youth, as people thought. It is completely the opposite.” “All the Young Dudes” is also thought of as a gay anthem. Lou Reed said “It’s a Gay Anthem! A rallying call to the young dudes to come out in the streets and show that they were beautiful and gay and proud of it.

10:31 – Underwriting

10:33

You are listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley’s Tribute to David Bowie on 90.1 FM

1972 was an amazing year for the 25 year old David Bowie

Starting with Bowie’s third album, The Man Who Sold The World, in 1970, through Hunky Dory in ’71, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars in ’72, Alladdin Sane and Pin Ups in ’73, Bowie records were built around a 4-piece band that included the great Mick Ronson on lead guitar, backing vocals, piano, and arrangements.

Mott The Hoople‘s “All The Young Dudes” was written and produced by Bowie, in 1972, the same year he recorded and released The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. “All the Young Dudes” was written specially for the band to keep them from breaking up, with Bowie allegedly sitting cross-legged on the floor of a room in Regent Street Hotel, in London, in front of the band’s lead singer, Ian Hunter.

During the year that saw the recording, and release, of two of rock music’s most important albums, David Bowie and Mick Ronson also served as producers on Lou Reed‘s second album, the classic, Transformer, released on Bowie’s label RCA, in November of 1972.

In many ways Bowie was giving back to one of his biggest influences. Six years earlier, David Bowie’s manager Ken Pitt, returned from a trip to New York City, where he had met with artist Andy Warhol about the possibilities of representing an new, unknown group called The Velvet Underground. Ken Pitt didn’t much care for their music, so he gave the Andy Warhol signed acetate, of The Velvet Underground & Nico, the band’s unreleased debut, to the 19-year old Bowie. Bowie said that receiving this acetate was “life changing.” He immediately learned the songs, and encouraged his band to perform, “I’m Waiting for the Man” in live shows, long before the album had been officially released. The Velvet Underground would mark the start of Bowie’s love affair with New York City.

I was able to view up close, this holy grail of glam rock music, the very special acetate, from Bowie’s own personal collection, as part of the internationally touring exhibition, David Bowie Is, at the The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, in September 2014.

This next set features a reworked track, originally recorded as “Soul Love” from the Ziggy Stardust album, renamed “Stone Love” for Mick Ronson’s second solo record, Play Don’t Worry. This will be followed by a rare, previously unreleased track from the recording sessions of Lou Reed’s, Transformer” produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, from the incredible year of 1972.

10:36

10. Mick Ronson – “Stone Love (Soul Love)”
from: Play Don’t Worry / RCA / January, 1975
[Second album by former member of The Spiders From Mars, Mick Ronson. It contains mainly covers arranged by Ronson for his own sound, covering everyone from Pure Prairie League, The Velvet Underground and Little Richard. The backing track to “White Light/White Heat” was salvaged from David Bowie’s Pinups sessions. Michael “Mick” Ronson was born May 26, 1946 and died April 29, 1993. Ronson was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer. He achieved critical and commercial success working with David Bowie as one of the Spiders from Mars. He was a session musician who recorded with Bowie and Morrissey, as well as a sideman in touring bands with Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. In 1992 he produced Morrissey’s album, Your Arsenal.]

10:40

11. Lou Reed – “Take A Walk on The Wild Side”
from: Monitor This / Monitor This / June-July 2003 (Transformer / RCA / Nov. 8, 1972)
[ Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. A previously unreleased version found during remastering sessions for Transformer release – different from version found on the BMG album NYC Man: The Collection. A Lou Reed song from his 1972 second solo album Transformer. It was produced by David Bowie. The song received wide radio coverage, despite its touching on taboo topics such as transsexuality, drugs, male prostitution and oral sex. In the United States, RCA released the single using an edited version of the song without the reference to oral sex. The lyrics, describing a series of individuals and their journeys to NYC, refer to several of the regular “superstars” at Andy Warhol’s New York studio, The Factory, namely Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro, Jackie Curtis and Joe Campbell (referred to in the song by his nickname Sugar Plum Fairy). Candy Darling was also the subject of Reed’s earlier song for The Velvet Underground, “Candy Says”. Mick Ronson (who was at the time the lead guitarist with Bowie’s band, the Spiders from Mars) played a major role in the recording of the album at Trident Studios, serving as the co-producer and primary session musician (contributing guitar, piano, recorder and backing vocals), as well as arranger, notably contributing the lush string arrangement for “Perfect Day”. Reed lauded Ronson’s contribution in the Transformer episode of the documentary series Classic Albums, praising the beauty of his work and keeping down the vocal to highlight the strings. The songs on the LP are now among Reed’s best-known works, including “Walk on the Wild Side”, “Perfect Day” and “Satellite of Love”, and the album’s commercial success elevated him from cult status to become an international star.]

10:43

Marion Merritt grew up in St. Louis and used to sing the lyrics to David Bowie’s “We Are The Dead,” at her family reunions, when she was just a kid. Marion is creator of Records With Merritt, a small, independent, minority owned business. Along with Judy Mills of Mills Record Company, Marion is keeping the tradition of, female-owned, independent record stores, on Westport Rd., alive, in Kansas City, Missouri. Here is Marion’s story…

10:44

12. Marion Merritt’s Bowie Story – “My Own Strange Scary Bowie” (2:22)
recorded by Mark Manning, Monday, February 22, 2016

10:46

13. Joan As Police Woman – “Sweet Thing”
from: Real Life (B Sides) – EP / Cheap Lullaby Records / June 12, 2007
[Extra tracks from the solo debut recording of Joan Wasser, born July 26, 1970, known by her stage name, Joan As Police Woman. She is an American musician and singer-songwriter. She began her career playing violin with the Dambuilders. Throughout her career, she has regularly collaborated with other artists as a writer, performer and arranger. Kansas City artist Krystle Warren has toured around the world with her.] [“Sweet Thing” or “Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)” is a suite of songs written by David Bowie for the album Diamond Dogs. Recorded in January 1974, the piece comprises the songs “Sweet Thing” and “Candidate” and a one-verse reprise of “Sweet Thing.” In the opening line, “Sweet Thing” contains the lowest note Bowie had recorded in a studio album (C2) until “I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spacecraft” for the album “Heathen” (2002), where he growled the word “Well” (G1) towards the end of the song. Diamond Dogs was the 8th studio album from Bowie, was released May 24, 1974, after the ‘retirement’ of Bowies’s Ziggy Stardust, character. Diamond Dogs featured a new lead character named Halloween Jack, “a real cool cat,” who lives in the decaying “Hunger City”. Bowie, however, still wore the Ziggy haircut on the cover of Diamond Dogs, and the first single, “Rebel Rebel” continues his glam rock sound. However, with the rest of the album, music writers noticed a new Bowie. For his song “Sweet Thing” / “Candidate”/ “Sweet Thing (Reprise)” Bowie first used the William S. Burroughs’ cut-up style of writing. The song “1984” reflected the “plastic soul” sound of Bowie’s next release, Young Americans, from 1975. The Diamond Dogs Tour of 1974 was one of the first huge Rock and Roll, bus and truck tours. Bowie produced the show with a giant set, like a big Broadway production.]

10:49

You are listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley’s Tribute to David Bowie on 90.1 FM

For his song “Sweet Thing” Bowie first used the William S. Burroughs’ cut-up style of writing. Sweet Thing was from Diamond Dogs, Bowie’s 8th studio album, released May 24, 1974. The first single from Diamond Dogs was “Rebel Rebel” which continued Bowie’s glam rock sound, but the rest of Diamond Dogs was different, Mick Ronson was gone, Bowie was on lead guitar, music writers noticed a new Bowie, and songs like “1984” reflected the “plastic soul” sound of Bowie’s next release, Young Americans, from 1975. Bowie released his 10th album, Station to Station in 1976. It’s first single “Golden Years” was completed during a period when Bowie’s cocaine addiction was at its peak. “Golden Years” was more similar in style to his previous album Young Americans, but the rest of the songs on Station to Station were all foreshadowing of the Kraftwerk-influenced and electronic music of Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy of 1977’s Low, Heroes, and 1979’s Lodger.

Our next story, about Bowie, comes from one of Bowie’s biggest fans, Ben Grimes, founder of two influential KC bands: Soft Reeds and The Golden Republic. Ben Grimes now lives with his family in Los Angeles, where he recorded this story for us, along with sharing a special track, written by Bowie, during that Berlin Trilogy, and recorded by Ben’s band Soft Reeds.

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14. Ben Grimes Bowie Story – “You are Never Stuck In One Thing” (5:05)
recorded by Ben Grimes, Sunday, February 28, 2016

10:56

15. Soft Reeds – “Sound and Vision”
from: unreleased track recorded during the sessions for Soft Reeds album ‘Blank City’
[Blank City was Soft Reeds second album, released by The Record Machine on April 23, 2013. Produced at Element Recording with Joel Nanos. Soft Reeds is the brainchild of Ben Grimes (formerly of Astralwerks’ The Golden Republic), a Chicago native whose roots grip firmly in the ’77 Berlin sounds of Brian Eno, David Bowie and Iggy Pop, with Austin, TX native Josh Wiedenfeld on drums, Beckie Trost, a fellow Chicagoan and childhood friend of Grimes on bass, and KC native John Mitchell on guitar, saxophone, keys.]

10:59 – Station ID

You are listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley’s Tribute to David Bowie on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio,

1977 was another big year for the 30 year old David Bowie. He released the first two albums of his “Berlin Trilogy” Low and Heroes, recording with longtime friend and producer Tony Visconti, and collaborating with musician Brian Eno.

Low came from the creative energy of Bowie’s previous album Station to Station, and music he had intended for the soundtrack to he film The Man Who Fell to Earth. When Bowie presented his material to Nicolas Roeg, the director decided that it wasn’t suitable. Elements from these pieces were incorporated into Low instead. The album’s cover, like Station to Station, is a photographic still from “The Man Who Fell To Earth.”

As a recovering cocaine addict, Bowie’s songwriting on Low dealt with difficult issues. Visconti contended that the title was partly a reference to Bowie’s “low” moods during the album’s writing and recording. Bowie said, “There’s oodles of pain in the Low album. That was my first attempt to kick cocaine, so that was an awful lot of pain.” Bowie and Iggy Pop went to Berlin together to try to kick their drug habit. Bowie said “And I moved to Berlin to do it. I moved out of the coke center of the world, Los Angeles, where Station to Station was recorded, into the smack center of the world, Berlin”.

Woven around and in between the albums Low and Heroes, Bowie also wrote music and produced Iggy Pop’s debut solo album, The Idiot, and it’s follow up, Lust for Life, both released in 1977. Iggy Pop called The Idiot his “album of freedom”. The album has been cited as a major influence on post-punk, electronic and industrial artists, including Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and Joy Division, whose lead singer Ian Curtis was found hanged in 1980 with the record still spinning on his turntable.

Bowie went on tour with Iggy Pop, playing keyboards, to promote The Idiot and returned to quickly record Lust For Life. Iggy Pop said, “David and I had determined that we would record that album very quickly, which we wrote, recorded, and mixed in eight days, and because we had done it so quickly, we had a lot of money left over from the advance, which we split.”

Iggy Pop slept very little during those 8 days of making Lust For Life, commenting “See, Bowie’s a hell of a fast guy… I realized I had to be quicker than him, otherwise whose album was it gonna be?” Pop’s spontaneous lyrical method inspired Bowie to improvise his own words on his next project, “Heroes”. The recording was made at Hansa Studio by the Wall in Berlin where Low and Heroes were also recorded.

From 1977, here is a song written and produced by David Bowie, from Iggy Pop’s second solo album, the title track, Lust For Life…

11:03

16. Iggy Pop – “Lust For Life”
from: Lust For Life / RCA / August 29, 1977
[Lust for Life is a 1977 album by Iggy Pop, his second solo release and his second collaboration with David Bowie, following The Idiot earlier in the year. As well as achieving critical success, it was Pop’s most commercially popular album to date, and remains his highest-charting release in the UK.]

11:08

17. Ian Johnson’s Bowie Story – “My Dad Tim” (3:07)
recorded by Mark Manning Sunday, February 13, 2016

11:11

18. David Bowie – “Heroes” (Single Version)
from: Heroes / RCA / October 14, 1977
[Twelfth studio album by David Bowie, released in 1977. The second installment of his Berlin Trilogy with Brian Eno – the other releases being Low and Lodger – “Heroes” developed the sound of Low and featured the contributions of guitarist Robert Fripp, who flew in from the US to record his parts in one day. Of the three albums, it was the only one wholly recorded in Berlin. The title track remains one of Bowie’s best known, and the song has received lasting critical acclaim and is continually mentioned as one of the greatest songs of all time. Recorded at Hansa studio in what was then West Berlin, “Heroes” reflected the zeitgeist of the Cold War, symbolized by the divided city. Co-producer Tony Visconti considered it “one of my last great adventures in making albums. The studio was about 500 yards from the Berlin Wall. Red Guards would look into our control-room window with powerful binoculars.” Earlier in 1977, Kraftwerk had name-checked Bowie on the title track of Trans-Europe Express, and he again paid tribute to his Kraut Rock influences: the title is a nod to the track “Hero” on the album Neu! ’75 by the German band Neu! – whose guitarist Michael Rother had originally been approached to play on the album – while “V-2 Schneider” is inspired by and named after Kraftwerk’s Florian Schneider.]

11:15

“Heroes” was part of the Berlin Trilogy, and the only one entirely recorded in Berlin, at Hansa studio by the wall, in West Berlin. Co-producer Tony Visconti considered it “one of my last great adventures in making albums. The studio was about 500 yards from the Berlin Wall. Red Guards would look into our control-room window with powerful binoculars.”

Our next story about Bowie comes from another one of Bowie’s biggest fans, musician and writer, Michelle Bacon, is Editor of the Deli Magazine KC, a freelance writer and Social Media Assistant for Midwest Music Foundation. Michelle plays bass for The Philistines and drums for, Chris Meck and The Guilty Birds. On Sunday, January 31, at The Uptown, Theatre, Michelle Bacon presented, The Band That Fell To Earth – a Tribute to David Bowie. With an all-star band of some of Kansas City’s best musicians. 900 people showed up to share in the love of Bowie, and his music. Here is Michelle Bacon.

11:16

19. Michelle Bacon’s Bowie Story – “Putting together a perfect band” (4:03)
recorded by Mark Manning, Saturday, February 27, 2016

11:20

20. The Dambuilders – “Boys Keep Swinging”
from: Crash Course For The Ravers: A Tribute To David Bowie / Undercover / Jan 1, 1996
[The Dambuilders was an indie rock band that began in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, in 1989 and later relocated to Boston. They released seven LPs (six studio albums & one compilation) and a number of EPs before breaking up in 1998. Members have gone on with other musical projects, most notably the band’s violinist/vocalist, Joan Wasser, as Joan as Police Woman.] [“Boys Keep Swinging” was written by David Bowie. It was released as a single from the album Lodger on April 27, 1979. Lodger is the 13th studio album by David Bowie, released May 18, 1979. The last of the ‘Berlin Trilogy’ recorded in collaboration with Brian Eno, it was produced in Switzerland and New York City, and was more accessible than its immediate predecessors Low and “Heroes”, having no instrumentals and being somewhat lighter and more pop-oriented. It was still an experimental record in many ways and was not, by Bowie’s standards, a major commercial success. Indifferently received by critics on its initial release, it is now widely considered to be among Bowie’s most underrated albums. During the Lodger recording sessions, Bowie had wanted to capture a garage band style for the track, and agreed with Brian Eno that the best way to achieve this sound was to get the band to swap instruments after this was ‘suggested’ by Eno’s deck of ‘Oblique Strategies’ cards which supplied the suggestion “Reverse Roles”. Guitarist Carlos Alomar played drums and drummer Dennis Davis played bass. RCA decided against releasing the single in the US, choosing “Look Back in Anger” instead. Bowie performed the track with a puppet body special effect on Saturday Night Live on 15 December 1979, joined by Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias as backing singers. During the broadcast NBC censors muted the “other boys check you out” line, but failed to notice the puppet’s bouncing phallus at the close of the song. Interviewed in 2000, Bowie said the following about the song: “I do not feel that there is anything remotely glorious about being either male or female. I was merely playing on the idea of the colonization of gender.”]
11:23

21. Nile Rodgers talks about making “Let’s Dance”

11:27

22. David Bowie – “Let’s Dance” (Single Version)
from: Let’s Dance / Undercover / April 14, 1983
[Let’s Dance was co-produced by Chic’s Nile Rodgers, the album contained three of his most successful singles; the title track, “Let’s Dance”, reached No. 1 in the US, “Modern Love” and “China Girl” both reached No. 2 in the UK. “China Girl” was a new version of a song which Bowie had co-written with Iggy Pop for the 1977 album The Idiot. The album also contains a re-recorded version of the song “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” which had been a minor hit for Bowie a year earlier. Let’s Dance was a stepping stone for the career of the Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who played on it. Let’s Dance has sold over 10.7 million copies worldwide, making it Bowie’s best-selling album. Let’s Dance is Bowie’s 18th official album release since his debut in 1967, including two live albums, one covers album (Pin Ups, 1973), and a collaboration with the Philadelphia Orchestra (1977). The success of the album surprised Bowie, who felt he had to continue to pander to the new pop audience he acquired with the album. This led to Bowie releasing two further solo albums in 1984 and 1987 that, despite their relative commercial success, did not sell as well as Let’s Dance, were poorly received by critics at the time and subsequently dismissed by Bowie himself as his “Phil Collins years”. Bowie would form the hard rock and grunge-predecessor band Tin Machine in 1989 in an effort to rejuvenate himself artistically. David Bowie had planned to use producer Tony Visconti on the album, as the two had worked together on Bowie’s previous four studio albums. However, he chose Nile Rodgers for the project, a move that came as a surprise to Visconti, who had set time aside to work on Let’s Dance. Visconti called [Bowie’s personal assistant] Coco and she said: “Well, you might as well know – he’s been in the studio for the past two weeks with someone else. It’s working out well and we won’t be needing you. He’s very sorry.” The move damaged the two men’s relationship and Visconti did not work with Bowie again for nearly 20 years (until 2002’s Heathen). Rodgers later recalled that Bowie approached him to produce his album so that Bowie could have hit singles. Rodgers reported that Bowie came into his apartment one day and showed him a photograph of Little Richard in a red suit getting into a bright red Cadillac, saying “Nile, darling, that’s what I want my album to sound like.”]

11:31 – Underwriting

11:33

You are listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley’s Tribute to David Bowie on 90.1 FM. Our next story comes from our talented friend, singer, songwriter, Krystle Warren, who has worked with some of the musical artists we’ve played today, including Joan As Police Woman. Krystle sent us her story from France, where she now lives. This Spring, Krystle Warren returns to Kansas City to play the Middle of The Map Fest.

23. Krystle Warren’s Bowie Story – “Always be genuine in your expression” (1:50)

11:35

24. Icehouse – “Loving the Alien”
from: The Berlin Tapes / Diva Records / October 12, 1995
[Icehouse is an Australian rock band, formed as Flowers in 1977 in Sydney. The Berlin Tapes is a covers / soundtrack album by Australian rock musician Iva Davies and his band Icehouse. The record was a collaboration between Davies and classical music composer Max Lambert to accompany the Sydney Dance Company’s production of the ballet “Berlin”, for which Icehouse performed live on stage.] [“Loving the Alien” is a track from the album Tonight, released September 1, 1984. One of two tracks on the album written solely by Bowie, the song was released as a single in May 1985, nine months after the release of “Blue Jean” as a single, and eight months after the release of the album. Bowie said “‘Alien’ came about because of my feeling that so much history is wrong – as is being rediscovered all the time – and that we base so much on the wrong knowledge that we’ve gleaned.” He recorded the demo in Montreux, Switzerland. He would later comment that the production on the song undid the power of the lyric, saying he preferred the demo version. Bowie performed the song on his 1987 Glass Spider Tour. On the Reality Tour in 2003 and 2004.]

11:41

You are listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley’s Tribute to David Bowie on 90.1 FM.

We just heard the Australian band Icehouse performing the song “Loving The Alien,” originally from Bowie’s 1984 album Tonight, his 16th studio album, of 27 studio albums, 8 live albums, over 50 compilation albums, 119 singles, 58 music videos, over 25 films. He was a working artist. He was always working, always creating, always studying, always interested in how it could be put together. He inspired me to stand in front of a live band and sing lyrics over the booming bass and drums and electric guitar. Bowie inspired multiple generations of people with his beautiful catalog of song.

I would like to thank all of our contributors for sharing their stories: Cody Wyoming, Jesse Bartmess, Nico Gray, Marion Merritt, Ben Grimes, Ian Johnson, Michelle Bacon, Krystle Warren, and Barry Lee, who we will hear from in just a few moments.

Next, we’ll play the song, “I am Afraid of Americans” performed by the band Tackhead. This song was released on Bowie’s 20th studio album, Earthling, released February 3, 1997.

And we’ll close with “Lazarus” the final single from David Bowie, released on his 27th and final studio album, Blackstar on January 8, 2016, Bowie’s 69th birthday. Bowie died two days later. Co-producer Tony Visconti described the album as Bowie’s intended swan song and a “parting gift” for his fans before his death.

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

11:44

25. Tackhead – “I’m Afraid of Americans”
from: For The Love Of Money / Dude Records / January 10, 2014
[Tackhead are an industrial hip-hop group that were most active during the 1980s and early 1990s, and briefly reformed in 2004 for a tour. Their music occupies the territory where funk, dub, industrial music and electronica intersect. The core members are Doug Wimbish (bass), Keith Leblanc (percussion) and Skip McDonald (guitar) and producer (sometimes credited as “mixologist”) Adrian Sherwood. For the Love of Money is the fourth album by the industrial hip hop group Tackhead, released on January 10, 2014 by Dude Records It marks their first full-length release of studio material since Strange Things, released twenty-four years prior. It comprises covers of musical acts that have proven influential to the group over the years, along with an extended cut of their original song “Stealing” from Friendly as a Hand Grenade.]

[I’m Afraid of Americans” is a single by David Bowie from the 1997 album Earthling. The song, co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno, was originally written during Bowie’s studio sessions for the 1995 album Outside but was not released until a rough mix appeared on the soundtrack to the film Showgirls, and was subsequently remade for Earthling.]

11:49

26. Barry Lee’s Bowie Story – “It was during the Live Aid Concert” (3:24)

11:53

27. David Bowie – “Lazarus”
from: Blackstar / ISO Records – Columbia / January 8, 2016
[Lazarus features David Bowie on vocals, acoustic guitar, and Fender guitar; Donny McCaslin on saxophone, flute, and woodwind; Jason Linder on piano, Wurlitzer organ and keyboards; Tim Lefebvre on bass; Mark Guiliana on drums. McCaslin and the rest of the jazz group recorded their parts in the studio over a period of about one week a month from January to March 2015, and until later in recording were unaware of Bowie’s declining health. The song “Lazarus” is part of Bowie’s Off-Broadway musical of the same name. The album has received universal critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching the number one spot in a number of countries in the wake of Bowie’s death and becoming his first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 album chart in the U.S. Blackstar is the twenty-fifth and final studio album by musician, writer, actor, chameleon, David Bowie. It is the 27th when you count the Tin Machine records, which you should. The album was released worldwide on January 8, 2016, on Bowie’s 69th birthday, and just two days later David Robert Jones passed away at home surrounded by his wife Iman, and his son Duncan Jones from his marriage to Angela Bowie, and daughter Alexandria from his marriage to Iman.]

11:59:30

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

Next week on March 9, Marion Merritt returns, plus we’ll talk about the Middle of the Map Fest with special guest Chris Haghirian, plus, AJ Young plays live.

Our script is a cut and paste of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:

www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM,
http://www.kkfi.org

Show #619

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

Wednesday MidDay Medley Celebrates David Bowie

David Bowie’s death in New York City, on January 10, 2016 sent shock waves of grief across the world. Bowie made music for those of us who felt left out. Bowie taught us how to be ourselves, to celebrate being different. Bowie understood the theatre of rock and roll. Bowie was a gateway for his fans to other important discoveries like: The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, John Cale, Andy Warhol and The Factory, Iggy Pop, Glam Rock, New Wave, Electronica, Brian Eno, Roxy Music, William S. Burroughs, Beat Poetry, Mick Ronson, Luther Vandross, Tony Visconti, Carlos Alomar, Robert Fripp, T-Rex, Kraftwerk, Klaus Nomi, Bauhaus, Gender Expression, Independent film, Arcade Fire, TV on The Radio, and so much more.

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents our first in a series of tributes to David Bowie, featuring short stories about David Bowie from nine of his biggest fans: Michelle Bacon, Barry Lee, Ben Grimes, Cody Wyoming, Krystle Warren, Jesse Bartmess, Marion Merritt, Ian Michael Flanagan Johnson, and Nico Gray.

We’ll feature selected songs from, and representing, some of David Bowie’s 27 studio albums, and recordings David Bowie wrote and produced for other artists, including: Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Mott the Hoople, and Mick Ronson, and Bowie songs performed by: Joan As Police Woman, Soft Reeds, Col. Chris Hadfield, Nile Rodgers, Tackhead, Icehouse, The Dambuilders and James Murphy.

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

Show #619

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

Be/Non + Poet Jen Harris + Sondra Freeman & The MidCoast Takeover
+ Freebo + The Jellyman’s Daughter

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980 [WMM’s theme song]

2. Electric Orchids – “Five”
from: Anything You Want – EP / Independent / August 30, 2014
[Kansas City based New Wave, Surf with just enough Garage 4-piece band, Electric Orchids is: Matt Mitchell on guitar, Chris Hutchings on bass, Derek Hatch on drums, and Val Engholm on keys, guitar, and vocals. Produced by Electric Orchids and Paul Malinowski. Written and performed by Electric Orchids. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Paul Malinowski. Recorded at Massive Sound, Shawnee, KS.]

[Electric Orchids play Uptown Arts Bar, Friday, February 26, with Bane Union, and Drew Black and Dirty Electric.]

10:06 – Underwriting

3. Fullbloods – “Money”
from: 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).]

[Fullbloods play an album release show, at The Brick, Friday, Feb 26, w/ Shy Boys]

[Fullbloods play an album release show at Mills Record Company, Sat, February 27, w/ Momma’s Boy]

4. Jen Harris – “Fortress feat. Mirina Landry”
from: Flaunting Her Mediocrity / Independent / To Be Released in Summer 2016

10:13 – Interview with Jen Harris

Poet Jen Harris at Prospero’s Books, Saturday, February 27, 2016

Kansas City based poet & spoken word artist, Jen Harris, joins us to talk about her first book of original poetry, SLAMMED, released through Prospero’s Books and Spartan Press as part of the POP POETRY series, #12poetsin12months. This is the second book of this series. Jen Harris will also share selected tracks from her new studio recordings for her debut CD to be released later this year.

Jen Harris will read from her book for the SLAMMED, POP POETRY Book Release, Saturday, February 27, at Prospero’s Books, 1800 W. 39th St, KCMO, with the PIT Poetry Open Mic hosted by Jason Ryberg from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. At 8:30 pm, Jen Harris takes the stage for a special reading with guests performers. More info at: https://www.facebook.com/poetjenharris.

Jen Harris recorded her new CD at Element Recording with Joel Nanos

10:23

5. Jen Harris – “Education feat. Ryan Wilks”
from: Flaunting Her Mediocrity / Independent / To Be Released in Summer 2016

Jen Harris will have a special release for her new book of poetry, SLAMMED, is Saturday, February 27, at Prospero’s Books, 1800 W. 39th St, KCMO, with the PIT Poetry Open Mic hosted by Jason Ryberg from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. At 8:30 pm, Jen Harris takes the stage for a special reading with guests performers. More info at: https://www.facebook.com/poetjenharris.

John Huff, Brodie Rush, Jen Harris, Brenton Cook on the February 24, 2016 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley.

10:35 – Interview with Brodie Rush, John Huff, and Brenton Cook

6. Be / Non – “Orbit”
from: Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic / Haymaker Records / February 29, 2016
[Brodie Rush on vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards; Ben Ruth on bass, keyboards, synths, John Huff on synths; Mike Cochran on drums. Engineered, mixed and produced at the Goldroom in Kansas City, between March 2010 and July 2015. Produced by Brodie Rush. Mastered for digital release by Kliph Scurlock, July 2015 in Lawrence. Master for vinyl by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures with Kliph Scurlock and Brodie Rush.]

Kansas City-based Haymaker Records releases the album Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic by space rock group Be/Non on vinyl LP and digital media on leap day February 29, 2016. Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic is the sixth album for Be/Non and will be celebrated with an album release concert entitled MEDITATION: A Live Presentation of Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic by Be/Non in the temple of the Kansas City Scottish Rite, 1330 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO, on Sunday February 28th 6-10PM.

Joining us with more information is founder of Be/Non Brodie Rush, and longtime member of the band, John Huff, and founder of Haymaker Records, Brenton Cook.

In 1996, Brodie Rush and his rock band Be/Non recorded two sets of songs in a small home studio in Lawrence, Kansas – material that would become their first two EPs released on cassette. 20 years later and with a rotating cast of band members, Be/Non is still at it and proud to present the release Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic. Recorded over the course of six years in Brodie Rush’s home studio, the album features Be/Non family old and new performing compelling songs that incorporate pop elements into synth-drenched space rock.

Haymaker Records released Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic on cassette for International Cassette Store Day October 17, 2015.

Be/Non a band founded by Brodie Rush, a songwriter, musician, singer, organizer, artist, film maker, music video creator. Over 20 years ago KC native, Brodie Rush formed the experimental, psychedelic, prog-pop band, Be/Non, The band has had more members than Spinal Tap, but Brodie has remained the only consistent member, songwriter and producer. The current line up of the band includes: Ben Ruth, Brodie Rush, Nathan Burian, John Huff, Nanci Ayala, Mike Cochran.

10:46

7. Be / Non – “She Kondel”
from: Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic / Haymaker Records / February 29, 2016
[Music written by Brodie Rush, Ben Ruth, Jeremiah James & Ryan Shank. Lyrics by Brodie Rush, Jeremiah James. Brodie Rush on vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards; Ben Ruth on bass, keyboards, synths; Ryan Shank on drums; Jeremiah James on synths. Engineered, mixed and produced at the Goldroom in Kansas City, between March 2010 and July 2015. Produed by Brodie Rush. Mastered for digital release by Kliph Scurlock, July 2015 in Lawrence. Master for vinyl by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures with Kliph Scurlock and Brodie Rush.]

A musical direction unlike all previous endeavors, Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic is a meditative album based on deep thought and cosmic oneness. It’s a one-two punch into the unknown with intuitive trajectory, a must-listen for those with a bucket-list for the bizarre.

The vinyl is pressed in limited edition purple blob vinyl with digital download included. It is the fifth vinyl release for Haymaker Records.

The show on February 28th will feature Be/Non playing the new album in its entirety, rotating in musicians who assisted in its creation.

The Kansas City Scottish Rite was chosen as a location for the event out of a curiosity surrounding the Masonic temple itself that will undoubtedly compliment the music and viewing experience. Built in 1928 and featuring classic Greek design inspired by the ancient mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Caria, the temple has a rich history in Kansas City but little in the way of public music performances.

Christian Hankel will be handling stage production for the event and Kansas City catering company Cool Guy Foods will provide catered small bites. Copies of the new vinyl record will be available to the public for the first time at this event. Advanced tickets may be purchased online at haymakerrecords.net

Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic is the sixth album for Be/Non and will be celebrated with an album release concert entitled MEDITATION: A Live Presentation of Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic by Be/Non in the temple of the Kansas City Scottish Rite, 1330 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO, on Sunday February 28th 6-10PM.

10:58

8. Be / Non – “Sunset Magic”
from: Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic / Haymaker Records / February 29, 2016
[Music written by Brodie Rush, Devon Brown, Ben Ruth, Jeremiah James & Ryan Shank. Lyrics by Brodie Rush. Brodie Rush on vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards, glockenspiel; Ben Ruth on bass, keyboards, synths, glockenspiel; Ryan Shank on glockenspiel, Mike Cochran on percussion, Jeremiah James on glockenspiel. Engineered, mixed and produced at the Goldroom in Kansas City, between March 2010 and July 2015. Produced by Brodie Rush. Mastered for digital release by Kliph Scurlock, July 2015 in Lawrence. Master for vinyl by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures with Kliph Scurlock and Brodie Rush.]

11:00 – Station ID

9. Katy Guillen & The Girls – “If You Were Gone”
from: If You Were Gone – Single / Independent / September 6, 2014
[Katy Guillen (guitar, vocals), Claire Adams (bass, vocals) & Stephanie Williams (drums). ]

[Katy Guillen & the Girls play Knuckleheads on Friday, February 26 with The Grisly Hand]

10. Golden Groves – “Stranger”
from: Golden Groves / Independent / April 20, 2013
[Debut EP fron Kansas City baed 5-piece: Isaac Hodges on vocals & guitar, Dylan Nelson on lead guitar, Max Kmeck on bass, Andrew Lewis on drums. Recorded in Lawrence, KS with Jim Barnes producing and engineering the project. Additional mixing done by Ryan Cork. Mastering done by John McCaig of Panic Studios, Seattle, WA. More info at: http://www.goldengrovesmusic.com%5D

[Golden Groves play an “Album Release Party” on Friday, February 26, at 6:00 PM, at The Riot Room, 4048 Broadway St, KCMO. with Lauren Anderson Band, and Mime Game.]

11. Berwanger – “Her Crystal Room”
from: Demonios [EP] / High Dive Records / December 11, 2015
[On September 2, 2015 it was announced that Josh Berwanger band was signed to High Dive Records. Recorded at Element Recording with producer Doug Boehm. The current line up includes: Josh Berwanger, Ricky Salthouse, and Brian Klien. Josh Berwanger was previously in The Anniversary, a Kansas band that released, 2000’s Designing a Nervous Breakdown & 2002’s Your Majesty and sold over 100,000 records before breaking up on tour in Japan. Berwanger put together a new band, The Only Children, and released, 2004’s Change of Living & 2007’s Keeper of Youth. When Keeper of Touth ended Josh Berwanger took a break and became a high school basketball coach. In the 2012 Josh formed the Josh Berwanger band. Josh Berwanger recently recorded a 7 ” Split Single with Dwight Twilley for Good Land Records. In September the band went on the road as Berwanger, opening for Get Up Kids, and in October opening for Boys Life.]

[Berwanger plays MidCoast Takeover Fundraiser #2, at The Tank Room, Saturday, February 27, with : Chris Meck & the Guilty Birds, Pink Royal, and Violet & the Undercurrents]

12. Violet and the Undercurrents – “Move Me”
from: Waves / Nation of Love / April 22, 2014
[Columbia, Missouri based, four-piece, all-female band. Violet and the Undercurrents have been described as “..Sophisticated folk-rockers ..” Members include: Violet Vonder Haar on Lead Vocals and Guitar; Linda Bott on Bass Guitar; Caitlin Lukin on Cello; Phylshawn Johnson on Drums.] [Violet and the Undercurrents played Folk Alliance International Conference, we saw them in The KC Music Collective Showcase Room 739, Saturday night at 1:00 am.]

[Violet & the Undercurrents plays MidCoast Takeover Fundraiser #2, at The Tank Room, Saturday, February 27, with : Chris Meck & the Guilty Birds, Pink Royal, and Berwanger.]

11:15 – Interview with Sondra Freeman

Sondra Freeman is Director of Promotions and Artist Relations for Midwest Music Foundation, a nonprofit created to support music and musicians in Kansas City and the surrounding areas, founded in 2008 by a collective of musicians and music lovers. The Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) unites and empowers the greater Kansas City music community by providing programs and resources to area musicians through outreach, support, education, and health care opportunities. Sondra is instrumental in MMF’s annual events: Apocalypse Meow, MidCoast Takeover and the MidCoast Takeover fundraiser shows, as well as many other collaborative musical events and fundraisers.

Sondra joined us to share all the details about MidCoast Takeover Fundraisers

February 27, at The Tank Room, with Chris Meck & The Guilty Birds, Berwanger, Violet & the Undercurrents, and TBA.

March 12, at The Brick with Amy Farrand & The Like, Kangaroo Knife Fight, Kodascope, and The Invisible World.

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

Sondra Freeman is also the Host & Producer of Busker’s Banquet, a monthly event, on Tuesday nights, 8:00 pm to Midnight, at The Buffalo Room, 817 Westport Rd. (Located in the back, south entrance of The Westport Flea Market.) The weekly show features “two open mic sessions snuggled around a featured artist.” Email: sistrumenterprises@gmail.com

11:27 – Underwriting

11:28 – Notes on Folk Alliance International Conference 2016

In 5 days, and 27 hours, I witnessed 41 bands, with a combined total of 116 different musicians, in 16 different venues, presenting their sets of music, to loving audiences, at the Folk Alliance International Conference at The Westin Crown Center. The conference was a very special place, where people of all ages and backgrounds, are sharing space with musicians, musical legends, and music lovers from all over the world. I had the opportunity to talk with musicians and folk from Montreal, New Zealand, New Orleans, Toronto, Tulsa, Columbus, Edinburgh, Pennsylvania, Kyoto, Boston, San Francisco, Nashville, Baltimore and beyond. It is glorious gift of music and great spirit.

You can see our photos at: http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM/

David Amram at Folk Alliance International, Friday, February 19, 2016

On Friday night of the Folk Alliance International, I was in the Rural Grit presents Here’s to The Roots Private Showcase Room 655, I had just watched Betse & Clarke perform their set, and then watched musical legend David Amram play his hour of jamming with an unknown accordion player, 10 year old Noah, and bassist Rick Willoughby. Just when it seemed he was ready to jam with Victor & Penny, David Amram called folk singer Freebo out of the crowd to sing his song about Dogs from his latest album “If Not Now When.”

11:28

13. Freebo – “She Loves My Dog More Than Me”
from: If Not Now When / Independent / April 21, 2015

11:29 – Interview with Freebo

Our friend, Pat Fischer interviewed Freebo, in a conversation recorded on Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Freebo is Daniel Friedberg is a bass and tuba player, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer noted primarily for his work with Bonnie Raitt. He is also a session musician who has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr, John Mayall, John Hall, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Willy DeVille, Crosby, Stills & Nash. His long collaboration with Raitt began when he attracted Raitt’s attention as a member of Philadelphia’s Edison Electric Band in the 1960s. In recent years, he has recorded four solo albums: The End Of The Beginning (1999), Dog People (2002), Before The Separation (2006), and Something to Believe (2011)]

[Freebo returns to Kansas City for a special concert on Sunday, February 28, at 1:30 pm, at Unity Village Chapel, 1901 NW Blue Parkway, Unity Village, Missouri]

11:41 – Interview with The Jellyman’s Daughter

The Jellyman’s Daughter and Calvin Arsenia

Another band that I had the chance to hear and meet at Folk Alliance International was The Jellyman’s Daughter. A duo of Graham Coe on cello and vocals, and Emily Kelly on vocals, mandolin, and guitar, The duo released their debut full length on on September 24, 2014. The Jellyman’s Daughter came to Kansas City from Edinburgh Scotland, to play Folk Alliance International Conference, and the Kansas City Folk Fest. We’ve been featuring their music on our last two weeks. The Jellyman’s Daughter played the Saturday Afternoon Stomp that Celebrates International Folk Music, Saturday, February 20, at 3:00 pm, at Coda, 1744 Broadway, KCMO, with Delaney Davidson from Christchurch, New Zealand.

Graham Coe also produced Calvin Arsenia’s most recent EP release, PROSE, that was produced and recorded in Edinburgh.

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

On the tragic news of David Bowie’s death, January 11, 2016, our friends in the duo The Jellyman’s Daughter, in Edinburgh, Scotland, called up 21 of their friends, and in an all night session, recorded a tribute to Bowie, with a special version of the Bowie classic, “Young Americans.”

14. The Jellyman’s Daughter – “Young Americans”
from: The Jellyman’s Daughter / The Jellyman’s Daughter / January 16, 2016
[Recording, mixing & mastering: David O’Leary & Graham Coe , Produced by Emily Kelly & Graham Coe. Recorded at Edinburgh Napier University Studio. Verse 1: Chris Willatt; Verse 2: Jessie Bates; Verse 3: Rebecca Shearing; Verse 4: Toby Mottershead; Verse 5: Emily Kelly; Verse 6: Angus Munro. Additional vocals: Kirsten Adamson, Lissa Robertson, Rushee Morton-Teng, Graham Coe. Drums: Scott Jamieson; Percussion: Alastair Hutchison; Bass: Doug Kemp; Piano: Jack Nissan. Acoustic guitar: Dan Crichton; Electric guitar: Fraser Allan ; Violins: Lissa Robertson & Lewis Rumney; Cello: Graham Coe; Horns: The Katet Horns: Tenor saxophone: Tom Pickles, Trumpet: Charles Dearness, Trombone: Matt Hawke. Filming: Vocals: Andrew Perry. Filming: Backline & Horns: Camille Murray. Filming: Piano & Percussion: Graham Coe. Video editing: Graham Coe

11:59:30

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

Next week on March 2, Wednesday MidDay Medley presents a very special Tribute to David Bowie, featuring short stories about Bowie, from nine of his biggest fans: Michelle Bacon, Robert Moore, Ben Grimes, Cody Wyoming, Krystle Warren, Jesse Bartmess, Marion Merritt, Ian Michael Flanagan Johnson, and Nico Gray. Plus, we’ll feature 4 of our favorite songs from Bowie (in compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1996). Plus, we’ll play special recordings Bowie wrote and produced from, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Mott the Hoople, and Bowie music performed by, Joan As Police Woman, Soft Reeds, Au Revoir Simone, Col. Chris Hadfield and Nile Rodgers.

Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Show #618

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

Music from Folk Alliance International Conference with:
Megan Slankard + Kristen Ford + SONiA disappear fear + Betse & Clarke + Nicholas St. James

10:00

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

2. The Jellyman’s Daughter – “Anna”
from: The Jellyman’s Daughter / The Jellyman’s Daughter / September 24, 2014
[The debut full length album from Edinburgh, Scotland based alt.acoustic duo of Graham Coe on cello & vocals; and Emily Kelly on guitar & vocals. Written and arranged by The Jellyman’s Daughter. Mixed by Garry Boyle at The Depot, Edinburgh Mastered by Andrew Mitchell at Audio Bay.]

[The Jellyman’s Daughter play Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Showcase, Saturday, February 20.]

[The Jellyman’s Daughter play the Kansas City Folk Fest, Sunday, February 21, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, at Westin Crown Center.]

10:06

3. Birds of Chicago – “Dim Star of the Palisades”
from: Real Midnight / Five Head Entertainment / February 19, 2016
[2nd full length release from Birds of Chicago, “This year’s biggest roots surprise” says L.A. Times. The band is a collective built around the husband and wife duo of JT Nero from Chicago, and Allison Russell from Montreal, Quebec. Since forming in 2012, they’ve toured internationally 10+ months of the year. Russell and Nero are most at home on the road, zigzagging across North America and Europe in their family band van, with their new baby daughter, Ida Maeve]

[Birds of Chicago play an Official Showcase of Folk Alliance International Conference, Thursday, February 18, at 10:15 pm in the Shawnee Mission Ballroom at The Westin Crown Center.]

4. The Matchsellers – “The Gohlis Waltz”
from: Songs We Made Up / Independent / February 12, 2016
[Julie Bates is a classically trained violinist from Kansas City. Andrew Morris is a Chicago blues guitarist from Warsaw, Indiana. They met in Leipzig, Germany. During their year of living in the former East Germany, the pair began reanalyzing the songs of their homeland, and developed a tight yet gritty bluegrass style. In the summer of 2013 they left their jobs to hit the road and haven’t looked back. In late 2014 they released their debut full length recording, “Kosciusko County,” one of Wednesday MidDay Medley’s 115 Best Recordings of 2015. The Matchsellers have toured 3 European countries and 25 US States, performing 180 shows a year, including last year for the KC Fringe Festival, Bluegrass Bazaar in Flint, Michigan, Norman Music Festival in Norman, OK, and a 1st place win at the Eddie Owen Presents songwriting competition in Atlanta, GA.]

[The Matchsellers will be playing the upcoming Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Showcase Tonight at 12:30 am in Room 722, and The Rural Grit presents The Murder Ballad Ball Showcase Thurs night at 11:00 in Room 655, and The KC Music Collective Showcase Room 739, Thursday night at Midnight.]

Leyla McCalla at Folk Alliance International, Fridy, February 19, 2016

5. Leyla McCalla – “Heart of Gold”
from: Vari-Colored Songs / Music Maker Recordings / February 4, 2014
[Leyla Sarah McCalla was born October 3, 1985. She is a classical and folk musician. She has been a cellist with the Grammy-winning string band Carolina Chocolate Drops but left that group to focus on her solo career. Both of McCalla’s parents were born in Haiti. Her father Jocelyn McCalla was the Executive Director of the New York-based National Coalition for Haitian Rights from 1988 to 2006 and is credited as translator on Vari-Colored Songs. Her mother Régine Dupuy arrived in the United States at age 5, is the daughter of Ben Dupuy who ran Haiti Progrès, a New York based Haitian socialist newspaper. McCalla’s mother went on to found Dwa Fanm, an anti-domestic violence human rights organization. McCalla was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. She lived in Accra, Ghana for two years as a teen. After a year at Smith College, she transferred to New York University to study cello performance and chamber music. She then moved to New Orleans where she played music on the streets. Her critically acclaimed album Vari-Colored Songs is a tribute to Langston Hughes which includes adaptations of his poems, Haitian folk songs sung in Haitian Creole and original compositions. McCalla says the first song she wrote for the album was Heart of Gold because it provided “a window into Hughes’ thinking”.McCalla chose to dedicate this work to Hughes because she says “reading his work made me want to be an artist.” McCalla started working on the album 5 years prior to its release. Commentators have noted the influence of Louisiana musical traditions such as old Cajun fiddle melodies and trad-jazz banjo on the album. Members of the Carolina Chocolate Drops appear on the album.]

[Leyla McCalla plays an Official Showcase of Folk Alliance International Conference, Friday, February 19, at 8:00 pm in the Century C Ballroom at The Westin Crown Center.]

10:15

6. The Sea The Sea – “In the Altogether”
from: In the Altogether – EP / The Sea The Sea / February 26, 2016
[2nd full length album from Chuck e. Costa and Mira Stanley who met at a songwriting contest that Mira had volunteered to stage-manage. Five years they reconnected to form THE SEA THE SEA. “We had both just gone through major upheavals in our lives,” says Mira, “And we were ready to test our faith in what was possible – in our art and in the world.” They borrowed their name from Xenophon’s Anabasis, the ancient tale of Greek soldiers returning to their coastal home after a long arduous battle inland. “The Sea! The Sea!” is a cry of joy. They accompany each other with electric/acoustic guitars, the occasional banjo, piano, and percussion, but it is Chuck and Mira’s rich harmonies that provide the depth to their songwriting.]

[The Sea The Sea play an Official Showcase of Folk Alliance International Conference, Saturday, February 20, at 6:15 pm in the Brookside Ballroom at The Westin Crown Center.]

7. Violet and the Undercurrents – “Anything You Want”
from: Waves / Nation of Love / April 22, 2014
[Columbia, Missouri based, four-piece, all-female band. Violet and the Undercurrents have been described as “..Sophisticated folk-rockers ..” Members include: Violet Vonder Haar on Lead Vocals and Guitar; Linda Bott on Bass Guitar; Caitlin Lukin on Cello; Phylshawn Johnson on Drums.]

[Violet and the Undercurrents will be playing the upcoming Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Showcase Thursday night at 2:00 am in Room 722, and The KC Music Collective Showcase Room 739, Saturday night at 1:00 am.]

8. Under The Big Oak Tree – “Stars Songs Faces (After Sandburg)”
from: Local Honey / Mudstomp Records / January 22, 2016
[Acoustic Folk – Country Roots from Saint Joseph, Missouri based band formed by: Kristin Hamilton, Doug “Sluggo” Ward, and Simon Fink. More info at: http://www.UnderTheBigOakTree.net/%5D

[Under The Big Oak Tree play multiple showcases at this year’s Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Friday, Febraury 19.]

[Under The Big Oak Tree play the Kansas City Folk Fest, Sunday, February 21, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, at Westin Crown Center.]

9. The Suitcase Junket – “Dying Star”
from: Dying Star – EP / Signature Sounds / March 4, 2016
[The Suitcase Junket is Matt Lorenz, a Vermont born musician, and visual artist. Currently based in Amherst, Massachusetts The Suitcase Junket’s artistic vision is one of salvaged and repurposed objects, images and emotions. Matt Lorenz sings, plays guitars, and plays up to four instruments including a suitcase drum, with his feet, in a lo-fi, one-man-band triumph of sound and spirit..]

[The Suitcase Junket play an Official Showcase of Folk Alliance International Conference, Friday, February 19, at 6:15 pm in the Liberty Ballroom at The Westin Crown Center.]

10:31 – Interview with Megan Slankard and Kristen Ford

Kristen Ford and Megan Slankard on the February 17, 2016 Wednesday MidDay Medley

San Francisco indie-alt-rocker Megan Slankard, has sold over 35,000 copies of her four previous independently released CDs, and she is currently touring across the US to support her fifth album, “Running on Machinery”, which was recorded with the help of Nashville producer, Alex Wong who has worked with, Vienna Teng, and Delta Rae. Megan calls “Running on Machinery”…a healthy mix of stories about the end of the world, bank robberies, prison escapes, failed relationships, and other adventures.”

Nashville based indie-folk-rocker Kristen Ford performs over 200 shows a year, fusing indie, folk, country, blues & rock and roll. Her one-woman band performance includes guitar, percussion and variety of effects pedals, creating a unique musical experience. Kristen released her Live Video album, Tighten it Up, on March 19, 2015. Her critically acclaimed album Dinosaur was released the year before on May 24, 2014.

Kristen and Megan are in KC, along with thousands of musicians from around the world, to play at Folk Alliance International Conference.

Megan Slankard began learning the guitar when she was 10 years old. At the age of 17 Megan Slankard produced and recorded her first album, “Lady is a Pirate” with her brother at home on her computer.

Slankard was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for Folk/Singer Songwriter Song of the year for her song “The Happy Birthday”. Megan Slankard won the 8th annual Independent Music Awards Vox Pop award in the Best Cover Song category for her rendering of the song “America”.

Slankard appeared on an episode of TLC’s What Not to Wear in July 2004 and in a follow up episode a year later.

10:38

10. Megan Slankard – “Best In Me “(LIVE) (4:00)

a brand new song that might be on her next release

During her childhood, Kristen Ford, moved around a lot, growing up in 6 different states. She began working as a dishwasher at 14 to save up enough money for her first guitar.

Being left-handed, she soon discovered that the south paw guitars were too expensive and went with a right handed guitar. This perhaps explains her dynamic and expressive rhythm hand, which she uses to drive her band forward and push acoustic songs into a new realm of dance, rock and reggae music.

Kristen’s parents supplied an interesting musical upbringing. Her father sang in a barbershop quartet, and now conducts vocal groups and takes Gospel solos at church. Her mother is a folkie of the 60s and 70s, playing guitar and spinning the likes of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Simon and Garfunkel records around the house.

Her love of touring has led her through 47 states and 6 countries, spending at least a third of each year on the road. Her solo performance of beat-boxing, playing percussion with her feet, looping guitar riffs and hushing the crowd for intimate finger-picking songs.

10:49

11. Kristen Ford – “February Song”(LIVE)

Kristen Ford plays multiple showcases at Folk Alliance International

Thursday, February 18, at Access Film Music- Blue Room
Thursday, February 18, at Bliss Happy Room
Friday, February 19, at Folk Alliance International First Timers Room
w/ Suitcase Junket, Derek…
Saturday, February 20, at Access Film Music- Blue Room
Saturday, February 20, at Access Film Music- Yellow Room

Megan Slankard’s Schedule of performances during Folk Alliance International

Wed February 17, at 10:30pm: Pushing Chain/Kingswood Records – #612
Wed February 17, at 12:30am: Momentary Love Management – #601
Wed February 17, at 1:30am: Jared Ingersol Music Management – #701
Thurs February 18 at 2:30pm: Wisconsin Room – #543
Thurs February 18 at 10:30pm: MPress – #542
Thurs February 18 at 12:30am: High Sierra Music Festival – #745
Thurs February 18 at 1:30am: ISC/Unsigned Only – #756
Friday, February 19, at 1:30am: Comboplate Booking – #652

More info at: http://www.meganslankard.com http://www.kristenfordmusic.com

10:57

12. Kristen Ford – “El Camino” (LIVE)
Also available on Dinosaur / Independent / 2014

11:00 – Station ID

13. SONiA & disappear fear – “Call me SONiA”
from: Blood, Bones & Baltimore / disappear fear records / March 9, 2010
[The album was recorded on November 11 and 12, 2009. The majority of which was mixed on December 16 and 17, 2009 at The Deep End Studio located in Baltimore, MD ]

[SONiA disappear fear plays multiple showcases at Folk Alliance International Conference.]

11:03 – Interview with Betse & Clarke and SONiA disappear fear

disappear fear is an influencial and groundbreaking indie pop-folk-Americana-world beat band formed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1987, by visual artist Sonia Rutstein with her sister Cindy Frank. The band has sold more than half a million copies of disappear fear records. In 1996 after 6 albums, Cindy stopped performing to focus on her family, and Sonia continue making and releasing 4 solo albums, touring all over the world, and performing on stages with Pete Seeger, and Bruce Springsteen. Since 2005 Sonia has been releasing her music as Sonia & disappear fear, working with a regular collective of band members, and most recently releasing 2013’s Broken Films.

Betse & Clarke seem to be everywhere… onstage at the Rural Grit Happy Hour, on Mondays at The Brick, supplying the strings for “The Band That Fell To Earth a Tribute To David Bowie “on January 31 at The Uptown,, performing in multiple showcases at this year’s Folk Alliance International Conference, including instructing at the Folk Alliance International Music Camp. The duo released their EP Bird Notes, last year on June 4, 2015.

SONiA has participated either alone or with the band in events including the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation and the Concert for Peace at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC with Peter, Paul and Mary (March 2003). Her performing destinations have taken her as far away as Jerusalem (where she toured bomb shelters), Fiji, and Australia’s Sydney Opera House.

disappear fear’s eponymous album won the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Award for Best Album in 1994. Both No Bomb Is Smart and Tango garnered multiple Grammy Award nominations for SONia Rutstein in the pop and folk categories.

In 2002, Santa Cruz Guitar Co created its “SONiA” model guitar in Rutstein’s honor.

Betse & Clarke’s schedule for the camp at Sheraton Hotel:

Thurs 18th 2:45-4:15pm in Van Horn C – Betse: Hands On Theory for Fiddlers & Friends

Thurs 18th. 2:45-4:15 Empire A – Clarke: Intermediate Old Time Banjo – Playing Melody

Fri 19th, 10:00-11:30am, Empire A – Betse: Singing with the Fiddle

Fri 19th, 2:45-4:15pm Fremont – Clarke: Intermediate Old Time Banjo – Three Shapes

Sat 20th, 10:00-11:30am, Van Horn A – Betse & Clarke – Old Time Fiddle/Banjo Duets

Betse & Clarke’s late night schedule:

Thurs 18, 10:30pm, Rm 655 Rural Grit presents Murder Ballad Ball

Fri 19, 11pm, Rm 655 Rural Grit presents Here’s to the Roots

Fri 19, 11:30pm, Rm 655 Rural Grit, a special set w/ David Amram!

Fri 19, 1:30am, Rm 739, KC Music Collective

Sat 20, 1:00pm, Rm 645 The Jean Ritchie Traditional Room hosted by Andy Cohen

Sat 20, 1:00 am, Rm 722, MudStomp Records

Sat 20, 2:30am, Rm 655, Rural Grit presents Jubilee

SUN 21, 1 pm, Foyer of Westin Square Dance! Kristin Andreassen, Brushy Creek playing

In 2016 Betse & Clarke will be performing and teaching at Montana Fiddle Camp, Earful of Fiddle Camp, and Grand Targhee Music Camp.

Both Betse & Clarke are 2015 fellows of Artist, INC.

11:10

14. SONiA disappear fear with Betse & Clarke– ” “(Live)

Rutstein’s 2006 Middle East tour led to the founding of Guitars for Peace, a non-profit foundation that delivers instruments to children in impoverished or war-torn nations.

SONiA of disappear fear’s schedule at Folk Alliance

Tonight, Wednesday, February 17, SONiA disappear fear plays Shubb Capos, Cabana Room 541, Westin Crown Centre

Friday February 19, SONiA disappear fear at Shubb Capo Cabana Room 541, Folk Alliance, Westin Crown Centre,

11:19

15. Betse & Clarke – “Shelven Rock” (LIVE)
From upcoming new release

Betse & Clarke upcoming shows:

FEB 17 WED Folk Alliance Music Camp

FEB 18 THU – Ollie’s Old Time Sessions and Beefsteak Banquet

MAR 1 TUE – Tuesday Tunes with Betse at Olathe Public Library

MAR 17 THU – Ollie’s Old Time Sessions and Beefsteak Banquet

MAR 26 SAT – Halfway To Winfield!

APR 2 SAT – Kitchen Session Fiddle Workshop, Lunch, & Jam at Culinary Center of Kansas City! Music By Betse Ellis, Overland Park, KS

More info at:
http://www.betseandclarke.com/fai-2016
http://www.soniadisappearfear.com

More info on the camp, conference, music fair at http://www.folk.org/

Betse & Clarke, SONiA disappear fear, and Nicholas St. James on the February 17, 2016, Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:33

15. Nicholas St. James – “Something Better”
from: THEATRES / Independent / February 22, 2016
[Debut album for Lawrence based vaudeville-folk-troubadour.]

11:36 – Interview with Nicholas St. James

At 11:30, Lawrence based, vaudeville-folk-troubadour, Nicholas St. James, joins us to share new music from his debut full-length album, THEATRES to be available with a special Album Release Show, Monday, February 22, at 7:30 pm at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, Kansas with the Jazz Cigarettes. The evening will also feature performances from Lawrence’s own folk-singer-songwriter, Tyler Gregory and Gadjos-Chapeaux member of the Jazz Manouche Quartet. More information at: http://www.nicholasstjames.com

From Nicholas St. James Bio:

Nicholas St. James is a folk troubadour who is more a throwback to Vaudeville than the Dust Bowl. Blogger Brian Clifton writes, “Nicholas St. James blends together old and new to create a sound as distinct as its stage show. St. James mixes folk, blues, vaudevillian drama, and country together.” Based in Lawrence, Kansas, by way of St. Louis, Missouri, Nicholas is an authentic Midwestern folk musician, and credits Tom Waits as the missing link in his own musical formation.

2016 looks to be a big year for the up-and-coming songwriter; his debut LP, Theatres, scheduled for release February 22, is just the first in a line of releases scheduled for the year. The consummate performer, 2016 also looks to be Nicholas’ busiest year on the stage with an expected 200+ live dates. No one has ever called his act or his music “traditional,” and Nicholas looks to continue to defy expectations with collaborations and projects as the year progresses.

11:43

16. Nicholas St. James – ” Misery” (LIVE)
Also available on: THEATRES / Independent / February 22, 2016

From Nicholas St. James Bio:

Nicholas St. James, joins us to share new music from his debut full-length album, THEATRES to be available with a special Album Release Show, Monday, February 22, at 7:30 pm at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, Kansas with the Jazz Cigarettes. The evening will also feature performances from Lawrence’s own folk-singer-songwriter, Tyler Gregory and Gadjos-Chapeaux member of the Jazz Manouche Quartet.

In addition to performing alongside a number of larger touring acts (Split Lip Rayfield, Old Man Markley), Nicholas is recognized as a national touring artists in his own right. His songs and electric live show have opened many doors for the full-time musician, including invites to perform at intimate house concerts, all the way up-to more public events, like SXSW and Folk Alliance International; however, it’s not always Nicholas’ own music that brings positive attention his way. In a display of true versatility, Nicholas has also written and arranged music for theatrical productions, acted on screen when called to do so, and runs a recording studio, Yellow Ribbon Studio, from his home, where he continues to record acclaimed, honest folk records for himself and other artists. Recently, Nicholas was chosen as one of five songwriters for the 2015 Kansas City Acoustic Guitar Project, again recognizing his skill as a true-born songwriter.

Ed Danger, of American Roots Magazine, took notice of Nicholas and wrote, “If Bob Dylan and Tom Waits were the same person, t

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

11:56

17. Nicholas St. James – “Sewer Service”
from: THEATRES / Independent / February 22, 2016
[Debut album for Lawrence based vaudeville-folk-troubadour.]

[Nicholas St. James plays a special Album Release Show, Monday, February 22, at 7:30 pm at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, Kansas with the Jazz Cigarettes. Tyler Gregory and Gadjos-Chapeaux member of the Jazz Manouche Quartet.]

11:59:30

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


Next week, on Wednesday, February 24, members of the KC based band Be/Non join us live in our 90.1 FM Studios. Also joining is Rachel Mallin from Rachel Mallin and the Wild Type. Plus Poet Jen Harris jons us to share information about her book release, and Sondra Freeman of Midwest Music Foundation joins us to talk about the upcoming MidCoast Takeover Fundraisers.

Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org 


Show #617

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

Music from Folk Alliance International Conference
+ Betse & Clarke + Kristen Ford + Megan Slankard
+ Nicholas St. James

In celebration of, Folk Alliance International Conference, Wednesday MidDay Medley features music from: The Jellyman’s Daughter, Leyla McCalla, The Suitcase Junket, Birds of Chicago, The Sea the Sea, Megan Slankard, Kristen Ford, Betse & Clarke, The Matchsellers, Under The Big Oak Tree, and Violet & The Undercurrents. We’ll also feature brand new music from Nicholas St. James.

At 10:30 Mark welcomes San Francisco indie-alt-rocker Megan Slankard, and Nashville based indie-folk-rocker Kristen Ford to our 90.1 FM Studios. Both women are in KC, along with hundreds of musicians from around the world, to play at Folk Alliance International Conference. Megan and Kristen tour individually all over the country in support of their releases. Kristen performs over 200 shows a year, fusing indie, folk, country, blues & rock and roll. Her one-woman band performance includes guitar, percussion and variety of effects pedals, creating a unique musical experience. Megan Slankard calls her latest release “…a healthy mix of stories about the end of the world, bank robberies, prison escapes, failed relationships, and other adventures.” More info at: http://www.meganslankard.com and http://www.kristenfordmusic.com

At 11:00, Betse & Clarke join us live in our 90.1 FM Studios. Betse & Clarke will be performing at this year’s Folk Alliance International Conference, including instructing at the Folk Alliance International Music Camp. In 2016 Betse & Clarke will be performing and teaching at Montana Fiddle Camp, Earful of Fiddle Camp, and Grand Targhee Music Camp. Both Betse & Clarke are 2015 fellows of Artist, INC. The duo released their EP Bird Notes, on June 4, 2015. Betse Ellis, Clarke Wyatt and Brett Hodges perform on the third Thursday each month, for “Old Time at Ollie’s,” at Ollie’s Local, at 3044 Gillham Rd. On February 18 they will welcome special guest Adam Tanner, who will be in town for the Folk Alliance Camp and Conference! More info at http://www.betseandclarke.com and http://www.folk.org

At 11:30, Lawrence based, vaudeville-folk-troubadour, Nicholas St. James, joins us to share new music from his debut full-length album, THEATRES to be available with a special Album Release Show, Monday, February 22, at 7:30 pm at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, Kansas with the Jazz Cigarettes. The evening will also feature performances from Lawrence’s own folk-singer-songwriter, Tyler Gregory and Gadjos-Chapeaux member of the Jazz Manouche Quartet. More information at: http://www.nicholasstjames.com

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

Show #617

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

Music from Folk Alliance International Conference
+ The Matchsellers + Don Simon & MudStomp Records
+ My Oh My + Spinning Tree Theatre’s 13

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

2. Wyatt West – “On A New York Street”
from: On A New York Street – Single / Independent / May 30, 2015
[Wyatt West told us that “On A New York Street” is a love letter to one of his favorite cities in the world. It’s a jazzy collage of street sounds, voices, and instruments. It will be included on his jazz album with Voile Chatoyante) titled “A Work In Progress” to be published this fall on Enneagram Records. “On A New York Street” features a who’s who of KC jazz musicians.] [Iconoclast Wyatt West roams the wide and diverse American music landscape to create a stunning range of music and lyrics. No musical genre is off limits or taboo for his songwriting craft. “Most audiophile’s music interests are diverse and my work is a reflection of this reality in modern culture.” – Wyatt West. In addition to his single releases, and his release with Wyatt West and the Urbanites, Wyatt West has just released a new album, FALLING AND FLYING on February 9, 2016. The recordings were engineered, mixed and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording.]

With Joelle St Pierre, Wyatt West has organized: Words of Love – Benefit Concert for Musicians Health Care, Saturday, February 13, at 9:00 PM, at Coda, 1744 Broadway St, KCMO, where he will be perfoming with: Bryan Hicks, AJ Young, Amanda Fish, Nicki Scruggs, Eems, Sean McDonnell, Thomas FreightTrain Walker, Max Berry, and more. Proceeds benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians Health Care of the Midwest Music Foundation. More info at http://www.midwestmusicfound.org

One of the bands that blew us away last year at Folk Alliance International Conference was the 6-piece Americana/roots band, based in Kyoto, Japan. The band is called Pirates Canoe and they are back again this year, for Folk Alliance, and they will also close out the MudStomp Showcase, Saturday night. From Kyoto, Japan here is Pirates Canoe.

10:08

3. Pirates Canoe – “On Being Unknown”
from: One for the Pain in My Heart / Columbia / November 18, 2014
[Kyoto, Japan based roots music loving band, hopelessly stuck somewhere between American and Japanese. Although the members come from all sorts of genres, the band focuses mainly on Americana and roots-based music. All songs are original, yet sound like they could have been around for a while, managing to create a traditional but fresh sound. Pirates Canoe is a sometimes sextet, sometimes trio who began performing in the summer of 2009. The band includes: Elizabeth Etta on vocals & guitar, Sara Kohno on mandolin & vocals, Kanako Keyaki on fiddle & vocals, Kazuhiro Iwaki on resophonic guitar, Takahe “Yossie” Yoshioka on drums & percussion, and Jun Taniguchi on bass. More info at http://piratescanoe.com/%5D

[Pirates Canoe play The MudStomp Showcase at Folk Alliance International, Saturday Night, Feb 20]

10:13

In 2008, 13 became the first, and only, Broadway musical, where everyone in the cast, and in the band, was a teenager. Tomorrow night, Spinning Tree Theatre presents the KC professional theatre premiere of 13. Here from the Original Broadway Cast Recording…

3. 13 Original Broadway Cast – “Brand New You”
from: 13 (Original Broadway Cast Recording) / Sh-K-Boom Records / November 24, 2008
[The musical opened on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on September 16, 2008 in previews, with an official opening on October 5, 2008 and closed on January 4, 2009 after 105 performances and 22 previews. Directed by Jeremy Sams and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. There was a teen band, as in prior productions. The production received one Drama Desk Award nomination, for Outstanding Lyrics by Brown. 13 is the first and only all Teenager Cast and Band to ever hit Broadway in the history of Broadway.]

10:15 – Interview with Andrew Parkhurst and Allison Banks

Allison Banks is a sophomore at Lee’s Summit North High School where she is very active within student leadership in Student Senate, FCCLA, and Gender Equality Club. Along with her school, Alison also studies acting with Nancy Marcy at The Coterie Theatre, voice with Lauren Braton, and dance with Andrew Parkhurst. Allison has appeared in multiple professional theatre productions including: “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at The Coterie Theatre, “A Christmas Carol” at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, “Peter Cottontail III” at Starlight Theatre, and “A Little Night Music” for Spinning Tree Theatre. Allison plays the lead female role of Patrice, in Spinning Tree Theatre’s 13, opening this week.

Andrew Parkhurst, is Managing Director of Spinning Tree Theatre, and a co-founder of Spinning Tree, with partner Michael Grayman. Andrew is also the co-director of 13. Andrew grew up in Kansas City and received his Bachelors in Fine Arts from Texas Christian University. He has been a member of Actor Equity Association since 1996. As a dancer he has worked with Roman Polanski, he was chosen and directed by Alvin Ailey at age 16 to dance Memoria. Andrew sang and danced on the 2009 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. He has been a part of five international productions of West Side Story. He has worked all over the world as an actor and dancer in shows such as: Call Me Madam, La Cage aux Folles, and Evita. He was an original cast member and dance captain of the Broadway touring production of Mamma Mia! for over 2,000 performances. He was in the touring company of Chicago. He has worked as a choreographer on Broadway, and in New York City, across the country, and in Kansas City for The Coterie, Starlight Theatre, New Theatre, and The Midland.

Andrew Parkhurst and Allison Banks are here to share information about Spinning Tree Theatre’s Kansas City professional theatre premiere of, 13, an original musical that features 13 of KC’s brightest stars-to-be, ” in an explosive and heartwarming evening of song and dance.” The show is Rated PG-13, and presented at the Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Penn Valley Drive, KCMO and running February 11 thru 28, Wednesdays thru Sundays. For tickets or more info: 816-569-5277 or http://www.spinningtreetheatre.com

13 is an original musical with music & lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish & Robert Horn.

Following a move from New York City to small-town Indiana, young Evan Goldman grapples with his parents’ divorce, prepares for his impending Bar Mitzvah, and navigates the complicated social circles of a new school.

13 is the only Broadway musical ever with a cast and band entirely made of teenagers. It originally began previews on September 16, 2008 and officially opened on October 5, 2008 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Rated PG13

Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Penn Valley Drive, KCMO

February 11-28, 2016 at Just Off Broadway Theatre

Thursday, February 11 at 7:30pm
Friday, February 12 at 8:00pm
Saturday, February 13 at 8:00pm – Center SOLD-OUT. Side seats remain.
Sunday, February 14 at 2:00pm – Center SOLD-OUT. Side seats remain.

Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30pm
Thursday, February 18 at 7:30pm
Friday, February 19 at 8:00pm
Saturday, February 20 at 8:00pm – Center SOLD-OUT. Side seats remain.
Sunday, February 21 at 2:00pm

Wednesday, February 24 at 7:30pm
Thursday, February 25 at 7:30pm
Friday, February 26 at 8:00pm
Saturday, February 27 at 8:00pm
Sunday, February 28 at 2:00pm

This is Spinning Tree Theatre’s 5th season, and perhaps the biggest season to date.

Allison was part of Spinning Tree Theatre’s 3rd season with “A Little Night Music”

Spinning Tree Sings! A Cabaret Fundraiser featuring Spinning Tree Alum
Monday, Feb 22, 2016 7:00 PM at the Just Off Broadway Theater, KCMO
conceived and directed by Gary Green, featuring: Daniel Beeman, Robert Gibby Brand, Lauren Braton, Nedra Dixon, Eboni Fondren, Megan Herrera, Kip Niven, Kenny Personett, Shon Ruffin, Jonathan Lloyd Schriock, Vanessa Severo, Julie Shaw, Mark Stauffer, Bob Wearing, and the cast of “13”, including a reveal of our 2016-17 season.

For tickets or more info: 816-569-5277 or http://www.spinningtreetheatre.com

10:28 – Underwriting

10:30

5. My Oh My! – “Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way”
from: Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way / Independent / December 12, 2015
[Written by A.M. Merker, Arranged by My Oh My! My Oh My is a 3-woman, 5-man band from Kansas City, that plays “a big, bearhugging blend of Americana, classic rock and folk.” The band includes: Stephen Berry on guitars; Grant Buell on keyboards; Sarah Dolt, Stephanie Gaume & Melissa Geffert on vocals; Jason Harper on bass; Jacob Horpinjuk on drums, A.M. Merker on lead vocals. The band’s second release, the EP, Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way, was released December 12, 2015. The new music was recorded, engineered, and mixed by Joel Nanos at Element Recording,, Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Wes Martin at Firewheel Recording, Garland, TX. ]

[My Oh My plays The Brick, Saturday, February 13 with Pocket Vinyl, and 40 Watt Dream]

My Oh My is a 3-woman, 5-man band from Kansas City, that plays “a big, bearhugging blend of Americana, classic rock and folk.” My Oh My, released their debut full length, “Your Heart Not Mine,” on March 14, 2014. The critically acclaimed album was nominated for “Album of the Year” by The Pitch Music Awards. In mid December 2015, My Oh My put out their second release, the EP, “Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way.” Band members include: Stephen Berry on guitars; Grant Buell on keyboards; Sarah Dolt, Stephanie Gaume & Melissa Geffert on vocals; Jason Harper on bass; Jacob Horpinjuk on drums, A.M. Merker on lead vocals. My Oh My plays The Brick, Saturday, February 13, with Pocket Vinyl, and 40 Watt Dream.

5 of the 8 members of My Oh My joined us in our 90.1 FM Studios: lead singer and songwriter A.M. Merker, guitarist Stephen Berry, keyboard player Grant Buell, and vocalists Melissa Geffert & Stephanie Gaumé, Thanks for joining us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

My Oh My was on the show back in October of 2014.

“Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way.” was recorded, engineered, and mixed by Joel Nanos at Element Recording, KCMO.

10:42

6. My Oh My! – “Marianne” (LIVE)
Also on new EP: Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way / Independent / December 12, 2015
[A.M. Merker (guitar & vocals), Stephen Berry (guitar), Grant Buell (piano), Melissa Geffert (vocals) & Stephanie Gaumé (vocals)]

My Oh My plays The Brick, Saturday, February 13 with Pocket Vinyl, and 40 Watt Dream

My Oh My plays Frank’s North Star Tavern, Lawrence, KS, Friday, April 22

The Deli Magazie KC recenty reviewed your new record and writer mary Kennedy wrote: “There’s something special about a band made up of eight talented musicians who can speak together with one unique voice.” …”While the band’s 2014 release, Your Heart Not Mine, seemed to ask questions about the unpredictability of life, the 6 tracks released in December provide some of the answers.”

10:54

7. My Oh My! – “Thief” (Live)
Also on new EP: Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way / Independent / December 12, 2015
[A.M. Merker (guitar & vocals), Stephen Berry (guitar), Grant Buell (piano), Melissa Geffert (vocals) & Stephanie Gaumé (vocals)]

More info more at: http://www.myohmy.bandcamp.com More info at: http://www.myohmykc.com

11:00 – Station ID

8. The Matchsellers – “Dirt and Beard Hair”
from: Songs We Made Up / Independent / February 12, 2016
[Classically trained violinist Julie Bates from Kansas City, and a Chicago blues guitarist from Warsaw, Indiana, Andrew Morris. Kosciusko County is a county in Indiana with a town called Warsaw as it’s county seat. Formed in 1836. It was named after the Polish general Tadeusz Kościuszko who served in the American Revolutionary War and then returned to Poland.]

[The Matchsellers play a CD Release on Friday, February 12, at 6:30 PM, at Uptown Arts Bar, 3611 Broadway Rd, KCMO]

11:03 – Interview with The Matchsellers

Julie Bates is a classically trained violinist from Kansas City. Andrew Morris is a Chicago blues guitarist from Warsaw, Indiana. They met in Leipzig, Germany. During their year of living in the former East Germany, the pair began reanalyzing the songs of their homeland, and developed a tight yet gritty bluegrass style. In the summer of 2013 they left their jobs to hit the road and haven’t looked back. In late 2014 they released their debut full length recording, “Kosciusko County,” one of Wednesday MidDay Medley’s 115 Best Recordings of 2015. The Matchsellers have toured 3 European countries and 25 US States, performing 180 shows a year, including last year for the Kansas City Fringe Festival, Bluegrass Bazaar in Flint, Michigan, Norman Music Festival in Norman, OK, and a first place win at the Eddie Owen Presents songwriting competition in Atlanta, GA. Their new album “Songs We Made Up” is set to be released in two days. The Matchsellers play a CD Release on Friday, February 12, at 6:30 PM, at Uptown Arts Bar, 3611 Broadway Rd, KCMO

Julie wrote “Dirt and Beard Hair” based on a quote by Matt Hawkins at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS.

“Songs We Made Up” was recorded live on a single microphone in Julie’s living room in Kansas City, Missouri, in October 2015.

Andrew Morris and Julie Bates wrote and performed on all tracks, Julie on her Czech-made Dvorák violin and Andrew on his 1975 Mossman Tennessee Flat Top guitar.

We were joined by Matthew Hawkins on 5-string banjo and Chris DeVictor on upright bass on some tracks.

11:08

9. The Matchsellers – “Wake Up Sally” (Live)
Also from: Songs We Made Up / Independent / February 12, 2016

The Matchsellers play a CD Release on Friday, February 12, at 6:30 PM, at Uptown Arts Bar, 3611 Broadway Rd, KCMO

“Songs We Made Up”

1. Betty Sue
2. The Riverboat Song
3. Dirt and Beard Hair 02:25
4. Doktor Seltsam
5. Back Back Back Back
6. Mentone Egg Queen
7. Tootin’ My Own Kazoo
8. Wake Up Sally
9. Sometimes You Win
10. The Lights I Wanted 02:39
11. Look at Me
12. I Asked You to Leave (But You Ate All My Crackers)
13. Dandelions and Dust
14. The Gohlis Waltz

Julie Bates – Fiddle, Vocals
Chris DeVictor – Bass
Matthew Hawkins – Banjo
Andrew Morris – Guitar, Vocals

All tracks by Andrew Morris except track 3 by Julie Bates and track 12 by Bates/Morris.
Engineered by Andrew Morris

Mastered by Johnny Kenepaske in Independence, Missouri
Printed by Nuvidea in Overland Park, Kansas

11:15

10. The Matchsellers – “The Riverboat Song” (Live)
Also from: Songs We Made Up / Independent / February 12, 2016

The Matchsellers Upcoming Shows:

Feb 25 Boomtown Film & Music Festival, Beaumont, TX 10pm

11:24

11. The Matchsellers – “Look At Me” (Live)
Also from: Songs We Made Up / Independent / February 12, 2016

11:28 – Underwriting

11:30 – 5 bands playing Folk Alliance International Conference

12. We Banjo 3 – “Prettiest Little Girl in the County”
from: Gather the Good / We Banjo 3 / May 3, 2014
[We Banjo 3 is a band from Galway, Ireland that plays a blend of traditional Irish, old time, and bluegrass music they call Celt Grass. The band is composed of two sets of brothers, Enda and Fergal Scahill and Martin and David Howley. Earle Hitchner, music writer for The Wall Street Journal, described their playing as a “freshness and finesse bordering on the magical.” Their debut album Roots of the Banjo Tree was released in 2012 and was named “Traditional Music Album of the Year” by The Irish Times. This was followed by the release of Gather the Good in 2014. Siobhan Long, music critic for the Irish Times, writes “We Banjo 3 are a musical Betty Ford Clinic, almost singlehandedly rehabilitating the much maligned banjo in 4 short years.” In 2015 the band released their first live album Live in Galway. The current line-up is: Enda Scahill on banjo, mandolin, tenor guitar; Martin Howley on banjo, mandolin, tenor guitar; David Howley on banjo, vocals, guitar; and Fergal Scahill on fiddle, guitar, bodhrán.]

[We Banjo 3 will be playing the upcoming Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Showcase, Friday, February 18.]

13. Kasey Rausch – “Crazy Heart”
from: Guitar in Hand / Mudstomp Records / November 21, 2014
[Guitar in Hand is the third solo release from KC based singer-songwriter Kasey Rausch. With Mikal Shapiro she hosts/produces RIVER TRADE RADIO Sunday mornings at 9am, on 90.1 FM. Kasey Rausch plays with The Naughty Pines every Tuesday at CODA. ]

[Kasey Rausch plays Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Showcase, Saturday, February 20.]

14. Under The Big Oak Tree – “Tracks of the Train (after Walcott)”
from: Local Honey / Mudstomp Records / January 22, 2016
[Acoustic Folk – Country Roots from Saint Joseph, Missouri based band formed by: Kristin Hamilton, Doug “Sluggo” Ward, and Simon Fink. More info at: http://www.UnderTheBigOakTree.net/%5D

[Under The Big Oak Tree play multiple showcases at this year’s Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Friday, Febraury 19.][Under The Big Oak Tree also play the Kansas City Folk Fest, Sunday, February 21, at Westin Crown Center.]

11:38 – Interview with Don Simon

Don Simon is a lawyer, author, and educator. He spends his time volunteering to help musicians with legal and business issues. Don serves on the board of the Midwest Music Foundation. Don is also a board member of Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts providing seminars in arts law to help artists avoid common pitfalls in their professional careers. Don is the managing partner of the area music label, MudStomp Records, based in Overland Park, Kansas, with offices in Springfield and Tulsa.

Don Simon joined us to share music and information about MudStomp Records Private Showcases, February 17 through 21st, at Folk Alliance International Conference, at The Westin Crown Center.

MudStomp is also presenting, the Saturday Afternoon Stomp that Celebrates International Folk Music, Saturday, February 20, at 3:00 pm, at Coda, 1744 Broadway, KCMO, with Delaney Davidson from Christchurch, New Zealand, and The Jellyman’s Daughter from Edinburgh, Scotland.

http://www.mudstomp.com

11:46

15. The Jellyman’s Daughter – “The One You’re Leaving”
from: The Jellyman’s Daughter / Mudstomp Records / September 24, 2014
[The debut full length album from Edinburgh, Scotland based alt.acoustic duo of Graham Coe on cello & vocals; and Emily Kelly on guitar & vocals. Written and arranged by The Jellyman’s Daughter. Mixed by Garry Boyle at The Depot, Edinburgh Mastered by Andrew Mitchell at Audio Bay.]

[The Jellyman’s Daughter play Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Showcase, Saturday, February 20.]

[The Jellyman’s Daughter play the Saturday Afternoon Stomp that Celebrates International Folk Music, Saturday, February 20, at 3:00 pm, at Coda, 1744 Broadway, KCMO, with Delaney Davidson from Christchurch, New Zealand]

11:49 – Underwriting

Home

Mudstomp Records Private Showcases, February 17 through 21st, at Folk Alliance International Conference, at The Westin Crown Center.

MudStomp is also presenting, the Saturday Afternoon Stomp that Celebrates International Folk Music, Saturday, February 20, at 3:00 pm, at Coda, 1744 Broadway, KCMO, with Delaney Davidson from Christchurch, New Zealand, and The Jellyman’s Daughter from Edinburgh, Scotland.

11:57

16. Julian Davis – “Mr Rain (Lock Your Door Song)”
from: Who Walks In, When I Walk Out / Little Class Records / December 18, 2015
[16 year old Kansas State Youth Flatpicking Champion, from Pittsburg, Kansas.]

[Julian Davis has been added to the Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender, Thurs, May 12, 2016, at Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, Tennessee.]

[Julian Davis plays Folk Alliance International Conference, including The MudStomp Records Showcase, Saturday, February 20.]

11:59:30

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


Next week, on Wednesday, February 17, we’ll feature more music from Folk Alliance International Conference, starting next Wednesday, February 17 through Sunday, February 21, at the Westin Crown Center and Sheraton Hotels. We will have live performances from Betse & Clarke, and others. Also Nicholas St. James will play live in our 90.1 FM Studios.

Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org


Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:

www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM,
http://www.kkfi.org

Show #616

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

Music from Folk Alliance International Conference
+ The Matchsellers + Don Simon & MudStomp Records
+ My Oh My + Spinning Tree Theatre’s 13

In anticipation of, Folk Alliance International Conference, Mark features music from: The Matchsellers, Under The Big Oak Tree, Kasey Rausch, Julian Davis, Pirates Canoe, We Banjo 3, and The Jellyman’s Daughter. We’ll also feature new music from: My Oh My, and Wyatt West!

Spinning Tree Theatre rehearsals for 13.

At 10:15, Mark talks with company members of Spinning Tree Theatre, about the KC professional theatre premiere of, 13, an original musical with music & lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish & Robert Horn. Spinning Tree Theatre’s production of 13 features 13 of KC’s brightest stars-to-be in an explosive and heartwarming evening of song and dance. The show is Rated PG-13, and presented at the Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Penn Valley Drive, KCMO and running February 11 thru 28, Wednesdays thru Sundays. For tickets or more info: 816-569-5277 or http://www.spinningtreetheatre.com

My Oh My

At 10:30, A.M. Merker and members of My Oh My, join us in our 90.1 FM studios. My Oh My is a 3-woman, 5-man band from Kansas City, that plays “a big, bearhugging blend of Americana, classic rock and folk.” The band includes: Stephen Berry on guitars; Grant Buell on keyboards; Sarah Dolt, Stephanie Gaume & Melissa Geffert on vocals; Jason Harper on bass; Jacob Horpinjuk on drums, A.M. Merker on lead vocals. The band’s second release, the EP, Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way, was released December 12, 2015. The new music was recorded, engineered, and mixed by Joel Nanos at Element Recording, KCMO. My Oh My plays The Brick, Saturday, February 13, with Pocket Vinyl, and 40 Watt Dream. More info more at: http://www.myohmy.bandcamp.com

At 11:00 The Matchsellers will play live in our 90.1 FM studios and share information about their new record, “Songs We Made Up” to be released Friday, February 12, 2016. The Matchsellers is a bluegrass duo that began in the streets of former East Germany and now crisscrosses the US Interstate system year-round. In 2012, Julie Bates and Andrew Morris met while working as English teachers in Leipzig, Germany. Bates is a classically trained violinist from Kansas City, Missouri, and Morris grew up playing electric blues guitar in the dive bars of Warsaw, Indiana. The Matchsellers play a special CD Release Party on Friday, February 12, at 6:30 PM, at Uptown Arts Bar, 3611 Broadway Rd, KCMO. More info at: http://thematchsellers.com/

At 11:30, Don Simon, of MudStomp Records, joins us to share music and information about Mudstomp Records Private Showcases, February 17 through 21st, at Folk Alliance International Conference, at The Westin Crown Center. MudStomp is also presenting, the Saturday Afternoon Stomp Celebrates International Folk Music, Saturday, February 20, at 3:00 pm, at Coda, 1744 Broadway, KCMO, with Delaney Davidson from Christchurch, New Zealand, and The Jellyman’s Daughter from Edinburgh, Scotland. More info at http://www.mudstomp.com/ or http://www.folk.org

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

Show #616

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

“The MidCoast Sound”
Betse Ellis + Marion Merritt
+ Sondra Freeman + Rae Fitzgerald

10:00

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

2. David Bowie – “Rebel Rebel”
from: David Live / RCA / May 24, 1974
[Written by by David Bowie, as a single and on the album Diamond Dogs. Cited as his most-covered track, it was effectively Bowie’s farewell to the glam rock movement that he had helped pioneer. Originally written for an aborted Ziggy Stardust musical in late 1973, “Rebel Rebel” – completed in January 1974 and released the following month – was Bowie’s last single in the glam rock style that had been his trademark. It was also his first hit since 1969 not to feature lead guitarist Mick Ronson; Bowie himself played guitar on this and almost all other tracks from Diamond Dogs, producing what NME critics Roy Carr and Charles Shaar Murray called “a rocking dirty noise that owed as much to Keith Richards as it did to the departed Ronno”. The song is notable for its gender-bending lyrics (“You got your mother in a whirl / She’s not sure if you’re a boy or a girl”) as well as its distinctive riff, which rock journalist Kris Needs has described as “a classic stick-in-the-head like the Stones’ ‘Satisfaction’”. Bowie himself later said, “It’s a fabulous riff! Just fabulous! When I stumbled onto it, it was ‘Oh, thank you!'” Transgender rock artist and former Bowie associate Jayne County claims that “Rebel Rebel” was based in part on County’s own song “Queenage Baby”, which was recorded in January 1974 by Bowie’s Mainman Records, but not released at the time. The song later surfaced on the independent 2006 release Wayne County at the Trucks, and some critics, upon hearing the track, echoed County’s claims. I have the recording in my collection and I can honestly say they sound like two very different songs. This recording is from “David Live,” David Bowie’s first official live album, originally released by RCA Records in 1974. The album was recorded in July of that year, on the initial leg of Bowie’s US Diamond Dogs Tour, at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. (The second leg, a more soul-oriented affair following recording sessions in Philadelphia for the bulk of Young Americans, would be renamed ‘Philly Dogs’). The album catches Bowie in transition from the Ziggy Stardust/Aladdin Sane glam-rock era of his career to the ‘plastic soul’ of Young Americans. While the cover featured a picture of Bowie in his latest soul threads – baggy trouser suit complete with shoulder pads and braces from October 1974 – the music was recorded in July of that year when he was showcasing his two most recent studio albums of original material, Diamond Dogs and Aladdin Sane, as well as selected favorites from Ziggy Stardust and earlier. The tour was Bowie’s most ambitious to date, featuring a giant set designed to evoke “Hunger City”, the post-apocalyptic setting for Diamond Dogs, and his largest band, led by Michael Kamen. For “Space Oddity” (recorded at the time but not released until the album’s 2005 reissue) Bowie sang using a radio microphone disguised as a telephone whilst being raised and lowered above the stage by a cherry picker crane.]

3. David Bowie – “Be My Wife”
from: Low / RCA / May 24, 1974
[2nd single from Low after “Sound and Vision”. The song also features a more conventional lyric which is closer to a traditional rock song than the more fragmented lyrics elsewhere on that album. Allegedly several analysts of Bowie’s career have seen the song as a last-ditch plea to Angela Bowie in the vain hope of saving his marriage. Tension apparently had arisen between the couple, and disagreements have been claimed to have arisen over the location of a new residence in Europe. Angela had shown herself to be heavily affected by his music; he had reputedly proposed to her by playing “The Prettiest Star” to her over the telephone. In the end it seems here that David would not agree to move back to Switzerland from Berlin, and the relationship finally ended in divorce in 1980. The song features a ragtime piano opening, which serves the somewhat retro lyrics some justice, although it is soon set against a backdrop of guitars and drums. The song repeats its lyrics, changing the spacing of the lyrics amongst the song’s verse. The song closes simply with a fadeout, as the song returns to the introductory ragtime riff repeating indefinitely, with the rest of the band playing behind it. “Be My Wife” was frequently played live on the various tours after its release and Bowie is said to have repeatedly announced this song during live performances as “one of my favorites,” as may be seen or heard in such concert footage or audio recordings.]

10:08 – Pledge Break #1

Betse Ellis

Betse Ellis is originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas. She 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 40 years, with 20 plus years playing fiddle. Betse has also worked as a teacher of music for over 15 years. Betse was one of the founding members of the critically acclaimed and nationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and now is recording and performing with multi-instrumentalist and banjo player Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. The duo released their EP Bird Notes, on June 4, 2015. Betse & Clarke were the string section for “The Band That Fell To Earth: A Tribute to David Bowie” that last Sunday, January 31, 2016 at The Uptown Theatre. Betse Ellis, Clarke Wyatt and Brett Hodges perform on the third Thursday each month, for “Old Time at Ollie’s,” at Ollie’s Local, at 3044 Gillham Rd. On February 18 they will welcome special guest Adam Tanner, who will be in town for the Folk Alliance Camp and Conference! More info at http://www.betseandclarke.com

Marion Merritt

Marion Merritt grew up in Los Angeles, and she used to sing the lyrics to David Bowie’s “We Are The Dead,” at her family reunions when she was just a kid. She graduated from High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and went to college at The University of Missouri, in Columbia. She has studied art and musical engineering, and is a avid lover of classic films and punk rock music. Marion saw Talking Heads on their first tour when they played One Block West, in 1978. Marion has been the most frequent contributor to Wednesday MidDay Medley, for over eleven years she has been sharing her musical discoveries and information from her encyclopedic brain. Marion has joined us for every on-air fund drive of the past 10 years to help us raise money, donate money, and donate priceless photographs, and discount coupons, for use as “Thank You Gifts.” Marion is a MidCoast Radio Project Board member and has generously donated resources to 90.1 FM’s silent auctions and fundraisers. Marion is the creator of Records With Merritt, a small, independent, minority owned business, at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, Missouri. In the spirit of Anne Winter, a renegade who helped launch KKFI, and owned and operated Recycled Sounds at Main & Westport Rd. Marion Merritt, along with Judy Mills of Mills Record Company, are both keeping the tradition of —- female owned, independent record stores —- alive, on Westport Road, in Kansas City. These are Record Stores that not only feature area MidCoastal releases from independent KC music labels, but also open up their stores, on a weekly basis, for area and touring bands to play live, at special in-store performances, for all ages.

In just the last year Wednesday MidDay Medley has interviewed over 200 guests, including:

Lily Tomlin, Brodie Rush, Iris DeMent, Calvin Arsenia, Steve Tulipana, Louis Meyers, Krystle Warren, Vi Tran, Phil Neal, Rev Gusto, Bach Aria Soloists, Psychic Heat, Enrique & Diego Chi, The Blackbird Revue, Kelley Hunt, Crystal Clayton, Teri Quinn, Glenn North, Howard Iceberg, Mat Kessler, Shy Boys, Bummer, Jamie Searle, David George, Johnny Hamil, John Keck, Thom Hoskins, Judy Mills, Mat Shoare, GK Callahan, The Brannock Device and Jason Beers, Katlyn Conroy, J. Ashley Miller, Nathan Reusch, Megan Slankard, Shades of Jade, Kodascope, Gary Cloud, Bill Svoboda and KC Gay Pride, Betse Ellis, Connor Liemer, The Fog, Mike Alexander, Hank Wiedel, The Cave Girls, The Waspmen, The Electric Lungs, Not A Planet, Lisa Cordes, CS Luxem, Rolf Peterman, Sinple, Shaun Crowly, Christian Hankel, Evan Lovelace, Tara Varney, The Matchsellers, Brenton Cook, Michael McQuary, Riala, Sterling Witt, Britt Adair, HMPH!, Lauren Anderson, Bill Sundahl, Nate Allen, The Clementines, Ryan Wilks, Dedric Moore, Jonathan Bender, Camry Ivory, Ivory Black, Sondra Freeman, Chris Haghirian, Gamelan Genta Kasturi, Dustin Rapier, Emily Jones Behrman, and Spinning Tree Theatre, The Thunderclaps, Slow Motion Commotion, Scott Easterday, Alyssa Murray, Ty Herndon, Stephonne Singleton, Cheri Woods, Andrew Foshee, and more.

We’ve featured shows & segments about:

Crossroads Music Fest, Folk Alliance International, Middle of the Map Fest, KC Fringe Festival, KC Psych Fest, Out Here Now Film Fest, Center of The City Fest, SeedCo Harvest Fest, Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday, KC Gay Pride, Record Store Day!, Crossroads Summer Block Party, Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series, Spinning Tree Theatre, Haymaker Records, The Record Machine, Mills Record Company, Records With Merritt, Midwest Music Foundation, CRAFT, Black Archives, Carnaval, and Charlotte Street Foundation.

One of our special “Thank You Gifts” is the 90.1 FM “Collaborations” CD produced by 90.1 FM Station Manager – Barry Lee

The album features 13 collaborations:

1. Betse & Clarke with Bird Fleming & John Kizilarmut;
2. Kasey Rausch Music with The Vine Street Seven;
3. Howard Iceberg with Hidden Pictures;
4. Victor & Penny with Cody Wyoming;
5. Gary Kirkland & Bill Dye;
6. Angela Hagenbach & The KKFI Jazz Band (Jeff Harshbarger, Roger Wilder, John Kizilarmut, Terry Wilkerson);
7. Jen Harris with Rich Hill;
8. Bobby Watson with Grupo Aztlan, and The T.J. Marley Trio;
9. BCR with Music by Betse Ellis and Bill Dye;
10. The Boss Toms (The Latenight Callers with Teri Quinn);
11. Enrique Chi of Making Movies with Bob Walkenhorst and Una Walkenhorst, 1
12. Cucharada with Gerald Trimble’s Celtic and World Music Sessions,
13. Freight Train Rabbit Killer with Jason Vivone.

This CD is only offered through 90.1 FM’s Winter Fund Drive!

10:15

3. Your Friend – “Heathering”
from: Gumption / Domino Recording Co / January 29, 2016
[Debut full length release from Lawrence, Kansas based Taryn Blake Miller, who grew up in Winfield, Kansas, and wrote all of the songs on the album. Taryn sang lead vocals, and played guitar, bass, Juno, drums, loops, slide, & reel-to-reel; with Christopher Luxem on guitar, vocals & loops; Nathan Dixey on flute, 12-string, piano, Juno,; Nicolas Stahl on drums; Austin Swick on bass & vocals; Gabe Ws on OP guru, beat overdubs, ; Lindsey Kinsey on vocals. “Gumption” was produced by Nicolas Vernhes at the Rare Book Room in Brooklyn. Vernhes has worked on albums by Animal Collective, Deerhunter, the War on Drugs, Dirty Projectors and Spoon. Domino Records is an independent record label whose roster includes Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors and Neutral Milk Hotel.]

[Your Friend will be embark on a US Tour in March and April]

4. Betse & Clarke w/ Bird Fleming & John Kizilarmut – “Black Eyed Susie”
from: KKFI Collaborations / KKFI 90.1 FM / January 29, 2016
[Traditional. Arranged by Betse Ellis, Clarke Wyatt, Bird Fleming & John Kizilarmut. Collaborations was produced by 90.1 FM Station Manager – Barry Lee. The album features 13 collaborations: Betse & Clarke with Bird Fleming & John Kizilarmut; Kasey Rausch Music with The Vine Street Seven; Howard Iceberg with Hidden Pictures; Victor & Penny with Cody Wyoming; Gary Kirkland & Bill Dye; Angela Hagenbach & The KKFI Jazz Band (Jeff Harshbarger, Roger Wilder, John Kizilarmut, Terry Wilkerson); Jen Harris with Rich Hill; Bobby Watson with Grupo Aztlan, and The T.J. Marley Trio; BCR with Music by Betse Ellis and Bill Dye; The Boss Toms (The Latenight Callers with Teri Quinn); Enrique Chi of Making Movies with Bob Walkenhorst and Una Walkenhorst, Cucharada with Gerald Trimble’s Celtic and World Music Sessions, Freight Train Rabbit Killer with Jason Vivone. Only available through 90.1 FM’s Winter Fund Drive!]

10:23 – Pledge Break #2

If you are a regular listener and benefit from the entertainment and information offered each week, now is your time to help keep this radio show alive. In the last year we played nearly 1000 songs on the show. Over half of these songs are from MidCoastal artists. We spin new vinyl and releases from area music labels: High Dive Records, Haymaker Records, MudStomp Records, The Record Machine, Little Class Records, and from hundreds of independently produced, artist released recordings.

We like to mix area recordings with critically acclaimed “national” releases. We like to mix different genres of music: Psychedelic, Jazz, Indie Rock, Folk, Classical, Hip Hop, Country, Blues, Pop, Electronic, Latin, and more.

We believe we present an integrated, multi-cultural, collage of really good music and insightful and informational interviews. We are more than just a radio show, we are part of the area music community. For two years we have hosted the Wednesday MidDay Medley – 90.1 FM Showcase at Middle of The Map Fest, we have co-emceed Apocalypse Meow at Knuckleheads, we have documented with live photographs and interviews the MidCoast Music Scene through our radio show, our Facebook, SoundCloud, Twitter, You Tube, and WordPress media.

10:30

6. Rae Fitzgerald – “Tower”
from: Popular Songs For Wholesome Families / Independent / March 14, 2015
[Written by Rae Fitzgerald. Composed by Lucas Oswald and Rae Fitzgerald. Album preview from the upcoming album POPULAR SONGS FOR WHOLESOME FAMILIES, to be released in early 2016. This will be the third album from Columbia, Missouri based singer songwriter. This is an electronic version of an acoustic version of this song.]

[Rae Fitzgerald plays Kansas City at Record With Merritt, 1614 Westport Rd. on Wednesday, February 10, at 7:00 pm, with Oh Dear Oh My, and Casey Benefield.]

Rae Fitzgerald

10:36 – Interview with Rae Fitzgerald

We just heard Rae Fitzgerald performing her song, Tower, from her upcoming album POPULAR SONGS FOR WHOLESOME FAMILIES, to be released in the late spring of 2016. This will be the third album from the Columbia, Missouri based singer songwriter. For the past 9 to 10 months Rae Fitzgerald has been living in Austin, Texas.

“Tower” was written with Lucas Oswald

Rae Fitzgerald is coming back to Kansas City next week at Records With Merritt, 1614 Westport Rd. on Wednesday, February 10, at 7:00 pm, with Oh Dear Oh My, and Casey Benefield.

To listen to her music or for more information you can visit: https://raefitzgerald.bandcamp.com/

10:45 – Underwriting

10:47 – Pledge Break #3

90.1 FM is “100,000 Watts of Community!!!” 90.1 FM is a grassroots movement, a radio station created by the people in the village. 38 years ago those people created a not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization called, The MidCoast Radio Project and for over ten years volunteers worked to raise the funds to buy a signal, a tower, and create a physical station with studios and offices, to serve the community. In February of 1988, KKFI began broadcasting over the airwaves…

We are a rare breed. A community radio station with 100,000 watts of power sending our crystal clear signal as far 40 miles away. Our engineers tell us that when our music is playing we have about the best sounding signal you will find in the area. With recent upgrades, our new transmitter, we are sounding better as we grow, towards the future.

Barry Lee is the Station Manager of 90.1 FM KKFI.

Bill Sundahl is the Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator at 90.1 FM KKFI

Paste named KKFI one of “10 Public Radio Stations You Wish Were in Your Town.” (6/4)

90.1 FM has added some fantastic new shows to our schedule:
River Trade Radio, The Boogie Bridge, ARTSPEAK Radio, Groove Juice, Radioactivity

We’ve come a long way since 1988, when those first radio shows were pre-recorded on reel to reel tape in the basement of Tom Crane’s house, and delivered to the tower site and transmitter, to be played.

Anne Winter aka Little Orphan Annie Kansas City’s first Punk show on the airwaves. KKFI still celebrates PUNK music with one of the best music shows around DIY KC Monday nights at midnight.

On Wednesday MidDay Medley we regularly feature punk, as well as electronic, folk, indie rick, alternative, jazz, classical, soul, blues, country, hip hop.

Programs on 90.1 FM have been recognized for excellence from The Federation of Community Broadcasters, GLAAD, International Labor Communications Association, The Pitch Kansas City, Hear Me Out Toastmasters, KC Star, and many others.

90.1 FM is telling the story of the Kansas City Metropolitan region with our organic and locally produced programming. Hundreds of guests are interviewed every month on 90.1 FM Public Affairs and Music Shows

So many bands and musicains got their first radio airplay on 90.1 FM.
This station has been Playing More Local Music Then Anyone Else for 27 Years! In one week of programming you will hear over 2000 different songs.

90.1 FM offers: Jazz – Mondays thru Fridays, Blues – 6 days a week, Reggae – Saturdays & Sundays, Hip Hop, Latin Music, Americana, Fusion, Rockabilly, Chamber Music, Metal, Punk, Freeform, Soul, Folk, World, Native American, Psychedelic, Rock, and Local Music.

10:54

7. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – “Dreams”
from: Dreams – Single / Glassnote Entertainment Group / January 22, 2016
[New Single release from Singer songwriters, Madisen Ward and Ruth Ward, both play guitar, and sing harmonizing as son and mom. In the past 16 months they have garnered national acclaimed after an appearance at the 2014 Americana Music Fest, they signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full-length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abbiss. They released their first single, “Silent Movies,” the same night they performed the song on The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS Television. They launched a big tour across the United States and traveled to Europe for multiple shows in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and ten did it all again. They sang and played on the influential British television show, “Later With Jools Holland” They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, and visited many radio stations. They performed on tour with Sufjan Stevens, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and others. In 2015 they have been representing KC all over the world, and recently joined us on WMM to talk about their appearance on NBC Today Show, on Nov 23. ]

11:00 – Station ID

8. Organized Crimes – “Bel Ray Flats”
from: Bel Ray Flats – Single b/w You Knew It Already / High Dive Records / January 29, 2016
[Combining distorted synthesizers and beat machines with crystal clear modulated guitar and sharp-panning auxiliary rhythms, Organized Crimes shows are sweaty and loud. Performances for their new 7″ ‘Bel-Ray Flats’ (due out 1/29/16 on High Dive Records) are well structured and heavily involve visual production. By using projectors and fastened video monitors, every song in the set is expressed in both sound and scene.
Cortland Gibson has been releasing noise-pop material under the moniker ‘Organized Crimes‘ since 2011. This will be the Kansas City native’s 3rd studio EP and his first release on High Dive. Cortland Gibson, is joined by Kyle Little, Ian Dobyns & Zach Hames for a slew of tour dates to not only release the 7″ but to promote a new full-length record due out this summer.]

[Organized Crimes play The Taproom In Lawrence ons Feb. 4th with CS Luxem & Real Adults] [Organized Crimes play Mills Record Company Kansas City, MO on Feb. 5th with Yes You Are]

11:04 – Interview with Sondra Freeman

Sondra Freeman is Director of Promotions and Artist Relations for Midwest Music Foundation, a nonprofit created to support music and musicians in Kansas City and the surrounding areas, founded in 2008 by a collective of musicians and music lovers. The Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) unites and empowers the greater Kansas City music community by providing programs and resources to area musicians through outreach, support, education, and health care opportunities. Sondra is instrumental in MMF’s annual events: Apocalypse Meow, MidCoast Takeover and the MidCoast Takeover fundraiser shows, as well as many other collaborative musical events and fundraisers.

MidCoast Takeover Fundraisers:

Saturday, February 6 at Knuckleheads Saloon, with The HillBenders, The Hardship Letters, Nicholas St. James, & The Brad Cunningham Band.

February 27, at The Tank Room, with Chris Meck & The Guilty Birds, Berwanger, Violet & the Undercurrents, and TBA.

March 12, at The Brick with Amy Farrand & The Like, Kangaroo Knife Fight, Kodascope, and The Invisible World.

Sondra Freeman is also the Host & Producer of Busker’s Banquet, Tuesday nights, 8:00 pm to Midnight, at The Buffalo Room, 817 Westport Rd. (Located in the back, south entrance of The Westport Flea Market.) The weekly show features “two open mic sessions snuggled around a featured artist.” Email: sistrumenterprises@gmail.com

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

11:13

9. The HillBenders – “Go To the Mirror”
from: Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry / Compass Records / June 2, 2015
[Springfield, MO 5-piece Bluegrass band. Jim Rea on guitar, Gary Rea on bass, Chad ‘Gravyboat’ Graves on dobro, Nolan Lawrence on mandolin, and Mark Cassidy on banjo. 45 years after its original release, this classic rock album has been fully realized as a full length bluegrass tribute. Conceived and produced by SXSW co-founder and longtime musician/producer Louis Jay Meyers, this Bluegrass Opry brings a new perspective to Tommy. Originally composed by guitarist Pete Townshend as a rock opera that tells the story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy. The original album has sold 20 million copies and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for “historical, artistic and significant value”. Meyers had been looking for the right band to pull off this high wire bluegrass approach for several decades and The HillBenders are the right band.]

[The HillBenders play the MidCoast Takeover Fundraisers, Saturday, February 6 at Knuckleheads Saloon, with The Hardship Letters, Nicholas St. James, & The Brad Cunningham Band]

10. Victor & Penny with Cody Wyoming – “Incident At Fine Creek”
from: KKFI Collaborations / KKFI 90.1 FM / January 29, 2016
[Written by Erin McGrane and Cody Wyoming. Collaborations was produced by 90.1 FM Station Manager – Barry Lee. The album features 13 collaborations: Betse & Clarke with Bird Fleming & John Kizilarmut; Kasey Rausch Music with The Vine Street Seven; Howard Iceberg with Hidden Pictures; Victor & Penny with Cody Wyoming; Gary Kirkland & Bill Dye; Angela Hagenbach & The KKFI Jazz Band (Jeff Harshbarger, Roger Wilder, John Kizilarmut, Terry Wilkerson); Jen Harris with Rich Hill; Bobby Watson with Grupo Aztlan, and The T.J. Marley Trio; BCR with Music by Betse Ellis and Bill Dye; The Boss Toms (The Latenight Callers with Teri Quinn); Enrique Chi of Making Movies with Bob Walkenhorst and Una Walkenhorst, Cucharada with Gerald Trimble’s Celtic and World Music Sessions, Freight Train Rabbit Killer with Jason Vivone. Only available through 90.1 FM’s Winter Fund Drive!]

[Victor & Penny play The Buffalo Room, TONIGHT, Wednesday 10 with Danelle Ate the Sandwhich]

11:20 – Pledge Break #4

Just remember what you don’t have to hear when you are tuned to 90.1 FM KKFI!

We do not play commercials. No automated robot playing the same 40 to 100 songs in a “rotation” based on a formula of one person, who programs the robot.

90.1 offers nearly 100 different radio programs. 80 of those programs are locally produced, and hosted and engineered by over 100 different people, who create content, and personally handcraft each show. There are over 135 hours each week of locally produced handcrafted programs. You we not find this anywhere else on your radio dial. It is very special. Not only do we bring the most diverse and unfiltered news and information, but our musical playlist is so very much deeper, and more comprehensive, than any other radio station in town. In one week you will hear over 2000 different songs played, as well as voices from the hundreds of KKFI volunteers and the hundreds of guests who visit out midtown studios to share their stories. How much is this worth to you?

11:27

11. Golden Groves – “Ideas”
from: Golden Groves / Independent / April 20, 2013
[Debut EP fron Kansas City baed 5-piece: Isaac Hodges on vocals & guitar, Dylan Nelson on lead guitar, Max Kmeck on bass, Andrew Lewis on drums. Recorded in Lawrence, KS with Jim Barnes producing and engineering the project. Additional mixing done by Ryan Cork. Mastering done by John McCaig of Panic Studios, Seattle, WA. More info at: http://www.goldengrovesmusic.com%5D

[Golden Groves plays an “Albun Release Party” on Friday, February 26, at 6:00 PM, at The Riot Room, 4048 Broadway St, KCMO. with Lauren Anderson Band, and Mime Game.]

12. The Buhs – “Can’t Let Go”
from: Can’t Let Go – unreleased single track / January 13, 2016
[The Buhs includes: singers Julia Haile, Lee Langston, and Anthony Saunders along with emcees Reach and Les Izmore., and Ryan J. Lee, Hermon Mehari, Ben Leifer, Tim Braun, Brad Williams and Kinyon Price. In November the band shot a music video in Paris. More info at: http://www.thebuhs.com%5D

[The Buhs play the Hello Art, 6th Anniversary, Friday, February 5, at The Hotel Phillips.]

11:35 – Underwriting

90.1 FM KKFI offers 24-7 programming. 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 diverse 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 art space, 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 kkfi.org everyday, but studies show, that less than 10 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.

This is your chance to put your money where your ears are. Please help keep, at least this part of our public airwaves, alive for our public to enjoy, free from commercials, free from religious sermonizing, free from extremely conservative and slanted right wing “talk radio” and free from corporately “owned and cloned” robotic affiliates that play the same 15 songs everyday at the same time. YOU deserve better. YOU deserve radio that really reflects our great city, and tells the story of our great music scene, and performing arts scene, and labor rights, and women’s issues, and LBGT information, and programming specifically produced for Latinos and African Americans, working people, Jazz lovers. Support the free-form spirit that is 90.1 FM KKFI!

11:44

13. AJ Young – “Into The Wild”
from: Into The Wild / Datura Records / October 24, 2015
[AJ Young is a singer songwriter, guitarist based in Kansas City. “Into The Wild” is the first of four EP’s to be released. “The goal was to make something that reflected my life over the past year with this EP….. It seems as though we created something that connected with other peoples lives as well, and that is more then I could ask for.” With Matt Magerkurth on bass & cello, Armond Nelson on organ & drums & keyboards, Jordan Stephens on drums, Brandon Butler on bass & keys, Jimmie Hill on bass, Russell Johnson on slide guitar, and AJ Young on acoustic/electric guitar & lead vocals. All song written by AJ Young. Produced by AJ Young. Recorded at BRC Studio—Chapman Recording & Mastering—- AJs Living Room. Mixing: Samuel Thomas, Robert Rebeck. Mastering: Eric Conn .]

[AJ Young plays Words Of Love Benefit Concert for Midwest Music Foundation, at Coda, 1744 Broadway, KCMO, Saturday, February 13, at 9:00 pm with Wyatt West with Tom Hall, Bryan Hicks, Amanda Fish, Nicki Scruggs, Eems. Sean Mc Donnell, Thomas FreightTrain Walker, Max Berry and more.]

[AJ Young plays Prohibition Hall, 1118 McGee St, KCMO, Saturday, March 5, at 7:00 pm.]

11:48 – Pledge Break #6

Who will tell our stories?

90.1 FM KKFI will tell our stories. We will tell your story too.

We will share our voices to help make a better world, to remind someone that they are not alone. To give someone a smile or a laugh. To be honest. To be real. To represent the world that we live in, with programs created by, and for, our diverse listening audience.

From the multitude of programs offered 24 – 7, seven days a week, for 27 years, by over 100 people who give of their time, and talents and resources, to not only create programming, but to work to build an audience, to share the secret.

Our Blues programs are huge: The Blues Kitchen, The Boogie Bridge, VooDoo Kittens Road Trippin’ Blues.

Our Monday through Friday Jazz shows live up to the promise of Kansas City, and give jazz a place on the airwaves unlike any other radio or television station in the area.

Our Latino Programming, and Native American programming, and Folk Music and Chamber Music, and Reggae, and Rock, and Fusion, and Rockabilly, and Women’s Music, and World Music, and Hip Hop programs, and Old Soul – R & B, and Americana, and Southern Soul, and British Rock, and Punk, and Electronica are unmatched on the radio dial!!!.

KKFI is the most diverse station on the airwaves of the Kansas City metro region, without a doubt.

Our locally produced programs: Urban Connections, and Eco Radio, and ArtSpeak Radio, and Arts Magazine, and Heartland Labor Forum, and All Souls Forum, and LGBT Public Affairs, and The Tenth Voice, Jaw’s of Justice, and Women’s Programming, and Children’s Programming, are also unmatched in the Kansas City Metro region!

The sheer number of local – MidCoastal musical releases, the we play, day after day, is unmatched in the Kansas City Metro region.

And we never ask you to pay, except a few times a year, when we have to interrupt our programming to ask you to help us. To help us continue. To keep the dream alive!

We need YOU! Your contribution sends energy through our signal to world. You help us keep this special station on the air.

Thank you to everyone who called in!

11:55

14. Vigil and Thieves – “Haunting”
from: Haunting – Single / Independent / January 23, 2016
[Sarah Storm on vocals & guitar & keys, Steph Castor on guitar, Matthew Muckenthaler on bass, Andrew Flaherty on drums. Recorded in Kansas City, MO. All lyrics by Sarah Storm.]

[Vigil & Thieves play Replay Lounge in Lawrence, Kansas, on Thursday, February 4, with Vehicles.]


11:59:30

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


Next week, on Wednesday, February 10, – Spinning Tree Theatre joins us to share information about their latest production, 13, running February 11- 28, at the Just Off Broadway Theatre. Also AM Merker and members of the Kansas City band, My Oh My join us to share music and information about their new EP, “I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way” recorded with Joel nanos at Element Recording. We will also be joined by The Matchsellers who will play live in our 90.1 FM studios and talk about their new record, “Songs We Made Up” to be released February 12, 2016. And Don Simon, of Mudstomp Records joins us to share music and information about Mudstomp Tecords Private showcases for the upcoming Folk Alliance International Conference, February 17 through the 21st.

Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org


Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:

www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,

www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM,
http://www.kkfi.org

Show #615