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”
+ Kasey Rausch Live! + Summer Osborne Live!
+ Nathan Reusch & Middle of the Map Announcement!
+ Marion Merritt & Betse Ellis co-host

1. Hunter Long – “Chadi extended”
from: Music for Chadi El-Koury’s choreography / Hunter Long / Jan, 2014
[City in Motion Dance Theater’s 11th annual “A Modern Night at the Folly” Saturday, February 8 at 8:00pm, at The Folly Theater featuring the work of choreographers: Muriel Cohan, Jane Gotch, Chadi El-Khoury, Dawn Karlovsky, Elaine Kimble-Peaks, Cathy Patterson, Kameron Saunders, Tiffany Sisemore, Patrick Suzeau, Paula Weber and City in Motion’s own Stephanie Whittler. Tickets at Follytheater.org. More info at: http://www.cityinmotion.org.]

10:04 – Pledge Break #1

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

Betse Ellis, is one of the hardest working musicians in KC, known by many as a founding member of The Wilders. Betse recently released her 2nd full-length solo release, the critically acclaimed, “High Moon Order.”

Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to Wednesday MidDay Medley, joining us to share recordings and info from her musically encyclopedic brain. Marion spent 18 years as manager of the Music Department at Barnes & Noble on the Plaza, but recently left her to pursue a new musical venture.

90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio is a non-commercial radio station. Three times a year, we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming, to ask YOU our beautiful-listeners, to help us continue 90.1 FM’s unique, 24-7 programming, that is…essentially free to you, to tune into. While the spirit of this station is kept alive by hundreds of volunteers who passionately donate their time and abilities to keep the transmission of our 100,000-watt-signal alive. We are a operated by a not-for-profit organization, incorporated over 35 years ago, called The MidCoast Radio Project. We’re non-profit but we still have to pay the electric bill, the rent on our fully accessible production studios and offices, the insurance, and for our small staff. Even though we have hundreds of committed volunteers, who donate thousands of hours every year, producing radio shows, answering phones, creating websites, producing benefits, rewiring the board, setting up our computer system, we still need YOU, our listener, to take a moment and call 888-931-0901 and donate to keep us alive! Our volunteers are waiting to hear from YOU right now.

YOU are the reason we were able to go onto the airwaves 26 years ago. You are the reason we’ve been able to continue all these years.

Wednesday MidDay Medley offers crucial info on music and art. In just the last 9 months on Wednesday MidDay Medley we have interviewed musicians and bands including: Shy Boys, The Grisly Hand, Red Kate, Katy & The Girls, Akkilles, Krystle Warren, The ACB’s, Summer Osborne, Dead Voices, Making Movies, The Latenight Callers, The Wires, Pedaljets, Clementines, Dollar Fox, Bach Aria Soloists, Rural Grit All Stars, Gamelan Genta Kasturi, Schwervon!, Sterling Witt, Connie Dover & Bob Walkenhorst, Beautiful Bodies, Soft Reeds, Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear, Vi Tran, Ernest James Zydeco, Wells The Traveler, The Blackbird Revue, The Empty Spaces, My Brothers & Sisters, David Burchfield, Matt Hayden, Amy Farrand, Folkicide, Betse Ellis, 3 Son Green, Kristie Stremel, Sneeky Creeps, Brandon Draper, The Depth and The Whisper, and The Brannock Device. We’ve also talked with artists involved with Apocalyspe Meow, Middle of the Map Fest, The Midwest Music Foundation, Element Recording Studio, The Crossroads Music Festival, The Crossroads Summer Block Party, Golden Sound Records, The Record Machine, Record Store Day, Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series, and Mills Record Company. We’ve welcomed as our guests: artists, film makers, musicians & organizers to join us to share the story of what is happening in the Kansas City arts, activism, & cultural scene.

10:12

2. PedalJets – “Conversations”
from: What’s In Between / Electric Moth Records / June 25, 2013
[1st album of new material in 23 years. Paul Malinowski (Vocals, Guitar), Rob Morrow (Drums, Vocals), Mike Allmayer (Guitar, Vocals), Matt Kesler (Bass, Vocals). Produced by The Pedaljets & Paul Malinoski. It was announced last week that Cody Wyoming has now joined the band. More info: thepedaljets.com]

3. Schwervon! – “Truth Teller”
from: Courage / Olive Juice Records / September 28, 2012 [Schwervon! is a two piece rock band. Nan plays drums and Matt plays guitar and they both sing. They lived in NYC for 15 years and then a few years ago Matt brough Nan back to Kansas City. They continue to tour all over the world. They recorded Courage with Memphis-based engineer Doug Easley who’s worked with Pavement, Sonic Youth, Cat Power.]

[Schwervon! plays Fokl Gallery, 56 Central, KCK, Thurs. Feb. 13, 9:00 pm, w/ Tyvek, The Bad Ideas.]

4. Shy Boys – “Keeps Me On My Toes”
from: Shy Boys / High Dive Records / January 21, 2014
[Brothers Collin Rausch, Kyle Rausch, and roommate Konnor Ervin, are members of the KC based band.]

[Shy Boys play an in-store performance February 15, at Mills Record Company]

10:20 – Pledge Break #2

Each year Wednesday MidDay Medley interviews over 200 guests.

We’ve featured segments and interviews about: Dear Diary, LikeMe Lighthouse, Spinning Tree Theatre, Martin Luther King Jr., The Midwest Music Foundation, The KC Fringe Festival, The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts, The Charlotte Street Foundation, The Latino Writers Collective, The Kansas City Art Institute, The Folly Theatre, The Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, Out Here Now Film Festival, OutSpokenKC: Love & Marriage, The Kansas City Public Library, The 816 Bike Collective, The Urban Culture Project, Amnesty International, Main Street Day, Byproduct The Laundromat, AIDS Walk KC, Gay Pride, The Writer’s Place, Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series, and Bread KC. While playing music is our primary focus, we supplement the programming with interviews from area writers, musicians, film makers, actors, artists, who all ask to come on the show to share information with our diverse audience.

10:28

5. Old Sound – “The Ocean”
from: Rain Follows The Plow / Independent / February 2014
[Greg Herrenbruck ~ Bass & Vocals; Grady Keller ~ Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar & Vocals; Chad Brothers ~ Acoustic Guitar & Vocals. Recorded and produced by Phil Wade at his studio: Alluvial Fan. Phil Wade and the band will be our guest on Wednesday MidDay Medley on February 12]

[Old Sound play the Rural Grit Happy Hour, Monday, Feb. 10th at The Brick, 6-9PM.]

[Old Sound play The 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference Opening night KC Extravaganza Wed, Feb. 19 at Penn Valley on the KKFI Stage]

10:32 – Underwriting

10:33 – Interview with Kasey Rausch

Kasey Rausch is a regular performer at The Rural Grit Happy Hour, she is a member of the bands: The Buttermilk Boys, The Naughty Pines, and Partners in Glory. Beginning Sunday, March 2, at 9:00 am she’ll premiere her new weekly radio show River Trade Radio, with her friend Mikal Shapiro, on 90.1 FM. Kasey joins us to discuss the Song-writers Living Room Session, Sat, Feb. 8, at 9:00 pm at Knuckleheads, with Sky Smeed, Kasey Rausch, & Lyal Strickland.

Kasey also plays The Appleseed Collective, Monday, February 17, at Czar Bar.

10:40

10:40 – Pledge Break #3

90.1 FM is Local & Vocal & Heard All Over! 90.1 FM is a grassroots movement, a radio station created by the people in the village. 37 years ago those people created a not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization called, The MidCoast Radio Project and for 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…

Those first radio shows were pre-recorded on reel to reel tape in the basement of Tom Crane’s house, and then delivered to the tower site and transmitter, to be played.

Anne Winter aka “Little Orphan Annie” hosted Kansas City’s first punk show on the airwaves, on 90.1 FM.

In the late 1990s Robert Moore served as Station Manager.

Former locations of 90.1 FM: The Crossroads, Westport, and now 39th & Main.

Programs on 90.1 FM have been recognized for their excellence from The National Federation of Community Broadcasters, GLAAD, International Labor Communications Association, The Pitch Kansas City, Hear Me Out Toastmasters, The Kansas City 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 musicians got their first radio airplay on 90.1 FM.

90.1 FM has been Playing More Local Music Then Anyone Else for 26 Years! In one week of programming you will hear over 2000 different songs.

90.1 FM is the only Kansas City station offering such a diverse mix of musical genre that often are overlooked or completely ignored entirely by other media.

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.

10:48

6. Betse Ellis – “Long Time to Get There”
from: High Moon Order / Free Dirt Records / June 14, 2013
Also available on: Midwestern Audio Vol. 2 – Electric Hullabaloo / Midwest Music Foundation

7. Krystle Warren & The Faculty – “Forever is a Long Time”
from: Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace / Parlour Door Music / April 9, 2012 UK]
[Paseo Arts Academy Graduate was signed to a French label, Because Music and then created her own label: Parlour Door Music. Krystle has been touring Europe opening for Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle Warren’s new album came from a 13 day recording session in Brooklyn, where she recorded the songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections. Krystle wrote the songs, and is releasing the music in 2 separate releases. We interviewed Krystle on our Oct. 23, 2013 show.]

8. The Get Up Kids – “Ten Minutes”
from: Something to Write Home About / Vagrant Records / Sept. 21, 1999

10:59 – Station ID

10:59 – Interview with Nathan Reusch

Now in it’s 4th year, Ink’s Middle of the Map Fest, curated by The Record Machine, returns to Kansas City this April 3rd-5th, featuring local, national, international and emerging talent. Ink’s Middle of the Map Fest is the brainchild of Nathan Reusch of The Record Machine who joined us live to make a very special announcement about bands and artists who will be part of this year’s festival.

This year’s Music Fest will take place April 3rd – 5th in Kansas City’s Westport entertainment district. The 3-day fest will feature more than 120 local, national, international and emerging artists including: The Get Up Kids, of Montreal, J Roddy Walston and the Business, Kate Nash, Del the Funky Homosapien and many more. Venues for the music fest include: Record Bar, Riot Room, Ernie Biggs and Westport Saloon, as well as an expanded outdoor stage.

Tickets are available for purchase online at middleofthemapfest.com.
• Music Fest: $55 per person for a three-day pass
• All-Access Pass: $90 per person for access to all music, forum and film events

2014 Ink’s Middle of the Map Fest Full Music Line-Up:

The Get Up Kids, of Montreal, Kate Nash, Gary Numan, Del the Funky Homosapien, J Roddy Walston and the Business, !!! (Chk Chk Chk), Kishi Bashi, Fanfarlo, William Elliott Whitmore, Reggie and The Full Effect, WHY?, The Colourist, Shabazz Palaces, Those Darlins, Har Mar Superstar, S Carey, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Small Black, Peelander-Z, Wolf Eyes, Wayne Hancock, Dosh, Crash Kings, Big Black Delta, Cowboy Indian Bear, Palace, The Noise FM, La Guerre , Little Legend, Max Justus, Spirit is the Spirit , Dots Not Feathers, The Great American Canyon Band, Chambers, Hammerlord, White Mule, The Weeks, Upset, Roman Remains, Caroline Smith, The Tontons, The Belle Game, Milagres, Ski Lodge, Good Graeff, Nite, Beau Jennings & The Tigers, Maps For Travelers, The Sluts, CS Luxem, Psychic Heat, The Kickback, Ings, Schwervon!, State Bird, Nathan Phillips, BODY2BODY, Bummer, Outsides, Twinsmith, Ghetto Blaster, Mammoth Life, Me Like Bees, Conchance, Not A Planet, Actors & Actresses, Dead Girls, John Velghe & the Prodigal Sons, Sleepy Kitty, Eyelit, Steddy P, Rev Gusto, Shy Boys, Hearts of Darkness, Your Friend., Middle Twin, Stik Figa, Rooms Without Windows, AJ Gaither, Bears & Company, The Bad Ideas, Forrester, Anna Cole & the Other Lovers, Josh Berwanger Band, Heartfelt Anarchy, Maria The Mexican, Howard Iceberg & the Titanics, Mime Game, The Naughty Pines, Wells The Traveler, Jorge Arana Trio, The Hooten Hallers, Loose Park, Monta At Odds, Pedaljets, Supernauts, Twenty Thousand Strongman, Billy Beale and the Blues Preservationists, Is Paris Burning, LA Price, Olassa, Ruddy Swain, Vi Tran Band, Katy Guillen & the Girls, The Clementines, Konza Swamp Band, The Phillistines, Loaded Goat, Scruffy & the Janitors, Spinstyles, Various Blonde, The Electric Lungs, Victor & Penny, Gracie Schram, Let’s Use Teamwork, The Ready Brothers, and Those Poor Bastards. (More to be announced, line-up subject to change)

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

11:05

9. Caroline Smith – “Magazine”
from: Half About Being a Woman / Unighted Interests / Oct. 8, 2013

10. Victor & Penny – “I’ll Never Say ‘Never Again’ Again”
from: Antique Pop / V & P Productions / December 9, 2011
[Jeff Freling is one the best guitarists in the area. He played with the Chicago Blue Man Group for many seasons; and Erin McGrane made a splash in the cabaret group Alacartoona, as well as many appearances as an actress in major films.]

[Victor & Penny play Californos, Saturday, Feb. 8, and they are featured performers at this years International Folk Alliance Conference February 19 – 23, at The Westin Crown Center.]

11:10 – Pledge Break #4

KKFI keeps me culturally connected. Through the great public affairs, news, and music programs on 90.1 FM, we can all be “in the loop” with all that is happening in the area and the world. Information and entertainment that is guided by a mission, rather than a need to deliver consumers to advertisers.

KKFI’s daily Blues and Jazz Calendars let me know where LIVE music is being performed, today! While other stations may feature corporate programming, from national and regional media conglomerates, or a playlist that one person alone, creates for the entire schedule. 90.1 FM KKFI’s amazing programming is hand-crafted by over 100 different people from right here in Kansas City. 90.1 FM’s programming is created by people who crearte their playlists, based on what is happening in our world and in our city. 90.1 FM doesn’t pretend to be “community” or “public” we live it! We are not owned by a television station or a university or a national corporate media conglomerate. 90.1 FM KKFI is essentially owned by YOU the listener. Your investments in our community airwaves, are what keep 90.1 alive. It is YOU we listen to, instead of advertisers selling breast enhancements, diet pills, or bad political campaign adverts.

Because of YOU, and your generous financial support, 90.1 FM KKFI is able to offer locally produced weekly programs offering: LGBT public affairs, multiple blues and jazz shows, Eco Radio, local theatre interviews, urban public affairs, ArtSpeak Radio, Occupy KC, Spanish language programs, and unfiltered news programs like: Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman, Alternate Radio, This Way Out, Counterspin, Free Speech Radio News, and so much more.

11:18

11. Sneaky Creeps – “Fiddlesticks”
from: Bell St. Radio / Independent / January 5, 2013
[3rd release from Sneaky Creeps. Recorded in the Sneaky Creeps living room/practice space (A.K.A. Bell St. Radio) with a single AKG 414. It was later overdubbed with vocals and professionally mastered by Joel Nanos of Element Recording Studios. Max – Drums & Yell/Talk, Isaac – Bass, Andy – Guitar & Yell/Talk.]

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

11:23 – Underwriting

11:24 – Interview with Summer Osborne

Summer Osborne is a fearless and commanding singing songwriter based in St. Louis. Her 2013 release “As I Am” was one of out favorite releases of the year. Summer’s latest project: “The Art of Awakening,” a fusion of music & spoken word, created by Summer Osborne and Jen Harris, plays Saturday, March 1, 7:00pm, at Uptown Arts Bar.

11:32 – Pledge Break #5

KKFI offers 24-7 programming, and YOU (the listener), basically get all of this amazing programming for “free.” I, for one, love that I can turn on my radio, or computer device, and tune into the 90.1 FM’s 100,000 watt, crystal-clear signal, and hear the music, information, news, entertainment, events, and stories, that I really cannot find anywhere else. 90.1 is my comfort, my special companion, my 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.

11:40

13. Marva Whitney – “Daddy Don’t Know About Sugar Bear”
from: Eccentric Soul: The Forte Label / Numero Group – Cleanteen Records / Sept. 3, 2013
[Born Marva Ann Manning, May 1, 1944 in Kansas City, Kansas. Whitney’s performing career started as early as three years old while touring with her family’s gospel group, the Manning Gospel Singers. In 1960, when she was 16, she joined a Kansas gospel group, the Alma Whitney Singers, and ended up marrying Harry Whitney, the brother-in-law of the group’s leader. Ever since, she has gone by her married name, Marva Whitney. Marva Whitney is well known as a funk vocalist. Singing with James Brown in the late 1960s, she was able to make a name for herself with powerful songs like “I’m Tired, I’m Tired, I’m Tired (Things Better Change Before Its Too Late)” and “If You Don’t Work (You Can’t Eat).” Her recording of “It’s My Thing (You Can’t Tell Me Who to Sock It To)” reached the R&B Top 20. Her song “Unwind Yourself” has been sampled numerous times, most recognisably by DJ Mark the 45 King on his 1987 track “The 900 Number”, which was then sampled by DJ Chad Jackson on his 1990 hit single “Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)” (UK #3 in July 1990), by DJ Kool on his 1996 hit “Let Me Clear My Throat” (UK #6 in March 1997), Sway on his 2009 track Mercedes Benz and Mac Miller on his 2011 track Party On Fifth Ave. In 2006, Marva Whitney collaborated with German born DJ/collector/manager DJ Pari and Japanese funk orchestra Osaka Monaurail to produce a new single, “I Am What I Am”. Osaka Monaurail style themselves on the James Brown sound and the single was produced in the fashion of an authentic release of the recordings she produced with Brown in 1969. Two successful tours of Japan and a full length album release followed, also entitled “I Am What I Am”. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, the tour was also brought to Europe. In December 2009, Whitney collapsed on stage in front of thousands of fans in Lorne, Australia, while performing with The Transatlantics at Falls Festival. She was immediately rushed to Geelong Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a stroke. The remaining dates of her tour had to be canceled, but Whitney made a recovery and performed again in 2010. In December 2012, Whitney died from complications of pneumonia at her home. She was 68]

[Marva Whitney and Forte Records will be featured in “Art and Soul, It’s My Thing,” February 7 at 6:00pm, presented by the Kansas City Crossroads gallery, and Kultured Chameleon Street Art Gallery, at 1739 Oak, Kansas City, MO. The show features artwork by Alexander Austin, Luke and Pat Rocha, Aaron Sutton, J.T. Daniels, SIKE, Danny Staton, ERRA, Duncan Burnett, Ociel Ramos, and Will Willmott. The artists’ works are displayed alongside local music collectors’ Kansas City Soul ephemera. Kansas City Soul ephemera includes promotional black and white photographs, posters, and album covers featuring Kansas City’s hottest musicians and groups from back in the day, and an audio listening station featuring the sounds of the legendary Kansas City record label, FORTE.]

14. Sara Swenson – “Snow”
from: All Thinks Big and Small / Independent / 2010

[Sara Swenson will play the International Folk Alliance Conference Feb 19 – 23, at The Westin Crown Center.]

15. Kirsten Paludan & The Key Party – “Siberia”
from: Up All Night / Independent / December 21, 2013
[Recorded at Element Studios, KCMO, February – November 2012. Produced by Kirsten Paludan and David Gaume. Engineered and mixed by David Gaume. Additional tracking on ‘Siberia’ by Joel Nanos. Cover artwork: ‘Moon’ by Jeremy Rockwell. Design: Studio Ike. Photo: Jeffrey McKee.]

[Kirsten Paludan will be our guest on the February 26 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley]

11:52 – Pledge Break #6

11:59:30

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

Sources for notes on tracks and interview segments come from: artist’s websites and wikipedia.org.

Show #511

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”
+ Kasey Rausch Live! + Summer Osborne Live!
+ Nathan Reusch & Middle of the Map Announcement!
+ Marion Merritt & Betse Ellis co-host

Public Art is Beautiful!

At 10:30, Kasey Rausch performs LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Mark talks with Kasey about her new radio show River Trade Radio, beginning March 2 on 90.1 FM. Kasey will share details about the Songwriters Living Room Session, Sat, Feb. 8, at 9:00 pm at Knuckleheads, with Sky Smeed, Kasey Rausch, & Lyal Strickland.

At 11:00, Nathan Reusch co-founder of The Record Machine, and the Middle of the Map Fest joins us to reveal this year’s line-up of musical artists for the festival! We’ll play music from two of the featured bands and headliners. More info at: http://www.middleofthemapfest.com

At 11:30 Summer Osborne performs LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Mark talks with Summer about “The Art of Awakening Experience,” a fusion of music and spoken word created by Summer Osborne and writer Jen Harris, Sat, March 1, at 7:00 pm, at the Uptown Arts Bar.

Marion Merritt and Betse Ellis join Mark for the entire show to encourage listeners to call 888-931-0901, to support COMMUNITY Radio. Timothy Finn of Kansas City Star and INK named Wednesday MidDay Medley “The Best Place to Hear Local Music on the Radio.”

If you donate to 90.1 FM KKFI’s Winter Fund Drive Show we’ll send you some very fine “Thank You Gifts.”

$90.00 donation – a “What’s Local & Vocal & Heard All Over?” T-shirt
$150.00 donation – a “Guest DJ” for a 1-hour music show
$200.00 donation you can receive both!

If you donate $50.00 or more, on MC/Visa/Discover/AMEX only during Wednesday MidDay Medley, you can choose one of the following “Thank You Gifts” :

The MidCoast Spirit Bag (includes):
*A Free T-Shirt (from Mills Record Company)
*$10 Gift Certificate (from Vinyl Renaissance W. 39th)
*Natural Hand Made Soap (from Doc Lerner’s Quality Goods)
*Natural Chapstick (from Doc Lerner’s Quality Goods)
*4 Free Buttons and/or Stickers (from It’s A Beautiful Day)
*PedalJets vinyl “What’s In Between” (Electric Moth Records)
*Shy Boys debut CD “Shy Boys” (from High Dive Records)
*Red Kate vinyl “When the troubles come” (from Replay Records USA)
*Midwestern Audio Vol. 2 CD (from Midwest Music Foundation)
*Sharon Jones & Dap Kings Poster (from Mills Record Co.)
(10 MidCoast Spirit Bags are available.)

The “MidCoast Sound” Six-CD Set, featuring the latest from: Ghosty, Fourth of July, ACBs, Summer Osborne, and Midwestern Audio Vol. 2 – Electric Hullabaloo, plus a surprise, high quality, critically acclaimed CD from one of our favorite mid coastal area bands.
(5 CD packages are available.)

A voucher for 2 tickets to any show at the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College. Shows include:
*RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles (Fri, Feb. 7);
*The Graduate (Sat, Feb 8);
*Venice Baroque Orchestra w/ Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor (Fri, Feb 14);
*David Finckel, cello and Wu Han, piano (Sat, Feb. 22);
*Danú (Sat, Mar. 8);
*Turtle Island Quartet (Sun, March 9);
*The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life® Stage Presentation of The Giver By Lois Lowry (Tues, Apr. 1);
*Brasil Guitar Duo (Fri, Apr. 11);
*Diavolo (Fri, Apr. 25 and Sat, Apr. 26);
*The Church Basement Ladies “A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement” (May 20, 21, 22).
For info about Performing Arts Series, (913) 469-4445 or visit jccc.edu/TheSeries
(10 pairs of vouchers available.)

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

Show #511

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

Marion Merritt’s Musical Discoveries
+ Natalie Gallagher + Spinning Tree Theatre

1. Dimitri From Paris – “Prologue”

2. William Onyeador – “Good Name”
from: World Psychedelic Classics, Vol 5: Who Is William Onyeabor? / Luaka Bop / 2013

10:14

3. Stevie Wonder – Too High
from: Innervisions / Motown / 2003

4. Steely Dan – “Black Cow”
from: Aja / Universal / 2002

10:26

5. London Grammar – “Strong”
from: If You Wait / Metal & Dust Recordings / 2013

6. Glasser – “Landscape”
from: Interiors / True Panther Sounds / 2013

7. Cate Le Bon – “Are You With Me Now?”
from: Mug Museum / Wichita / 2013

10:40 – Underwriting

8. Duke Ellington – “Portrait of Mahalia Jackson”
from: New Orleans Suite / Warner Bros. / 2012

9. Leo Welch – “Praise His Name”
from: Sabougla Voices / Big Legal Mess Records – Fat Possum / 2014

10:54

10. Morgan Delt – “Barbarian Kings”
from: Barbarian Kings / Trouble In Mind / 2013

11. Morgan Delt – “Black Tuna Gang”
from: Barbarian Kings / Trouble In Mind / 2013

11:00 – Station ID

12. 39 Clocks – “Shake The Hippie”
from: Pain it Dark / Bureau B / 2009

13. Forest Swords – “Anneka’s Battle”
from: Engravings / Tri Angle / 2013

14. Express Rising – “Leland Sprinkle”
from: Express Rising / Numero Group / 2013

11:15 – Interview with Natalie Gallagher

Natalie Gallagher is the new Music Editor at the Pitch. She moved to Kansas City from Minneapolis, where she wrote for about music the Minneapolis City Pages for the past three years.

Natalie Gallagher replaced former Music Editor David Hudnall who now works as a staff writer.

Natalie is covering the diverse KC music scene, including the Folk Alliance International and INTERNATIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE, February 19 – 23, at The Westin Crown Center.

You can connect with Natalie at natalie.gallagher@pitch.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at: @frecklednfab.

11:30 – Underwriting

11:31 – Interview with Andy Parkhurst and Julie Shaw

Spinning Tree Theatre’s production of “Motherhood Out Loud,” playing February 6-16, at Off Center Theatre in Crown Center. More info at http://www.spinningtreetheatre.com.

11:45

15. Dum Dum Girls – “Lost Boys and Girls Club”
from: Too True / Sub Pop / 2014

16. Warpaint – “Love is To Die”
from: Warpaint / Rough Trade / 2014

17. BRONCHO – “It’s On”
from: It’s On / BRONCHO / 2013

11:59:30

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

Sources for notes on tracks and interview segments come from: artist’s websites and wikipedia.org and where noted.

Show #510

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

Marion Merritt’s Musical Discoveries
+ Natalie Gallagher + Spinning Tree Theatre

William Onyeador

Mark welcomes Marion Merritt who joins us to share information from her musically-encyclopedic-brain. Marion plays tracks from: Stevie Wonder and Steely Dan (for Louis Reyna), William Onyeador, London Grammer, Glasser, Little Majorette, Cate Le Bon, Forest Swords, Duke Ellington, Leo Welsh, 5 Gentlemen, Chothilde, 39 Clocks, No Joy, Morgan Delt, BRONCHO, Express Rising, Bird Nest Roys.

At 11:15 we’ll talk with Natalie Gallagher, the new Music Editor at the Pitch.

At 11:30 we’ll talk with company members of Spinning Tree Theatre‘s production of “Motherhood Out Loud,” playing February 6-16, at Off Center Theatre in Crown Center. More info at http://www.spinningtreetheatre.com

Marion Merritt is the co-creator of the blog: a2-m3.com providing information about: Music, Film, Art, Books, Television, Technology, with links, downloads, and articles keeping us current with the latest musical and film news.

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

Show #510

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

Money Wolf Music & Folk Alliance International
+ Kaite Stover of Kansas City Public Library
+ Enrique Chi of Making Movies
+ Sterling Witt’s New Music & European Tour

1. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – “Retreat!”
from: Give The People What They Want / Daptone Records / Jan 14, 2014

2. Cate Le Bon – “I Can’t Help You”
from: Mug Museum / Witchita Recordings / November 12, 2013
[Originally from in Cardiff, Wales, now based in California, she sings in both English and Welsh. Singled out by critics for her dark lyrical content, and “haunting voice.” She released one of our favorite records of 2012.]

[Cate Le Bon plays the recordBar, Monday, January, 27]

3. John Statz with Josh Harty – “World of War”
from: 12 August / Money Wolf Music / February 18, 2014
[Recorded unrehearsed, live, with no edits, and no punches at Silo Sounds on the south side of Denver, on a free day between shows. John and Josh had played Denver the night before, and only had to drive as far as Fort Collins the next. Josh Hatly is originally from North Dakota and John Statz is from Wisconsin. Currently based in Denver the two artists were recently signed to Kansas City Recording label, Money Wolf Music.]

[John Statz with Josh Harty will play Czar bar, Tues, Feb. 18, with a special CD Release of 12 August, with Zachary Lucky, and Tommy Donoho.]

[John Statz & Josh Harty play The 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference Opening night KC Extravaganza Wed, Feb. 19 – Money Wolf Presents Showcase, at Pershing South, 8:00 to 1:00, featuring: Jason Beers, Jorge Arana Trio, The Silver Maggies, Dollar Fox, Expassionates.]

10:15 – Interview with Christian Hankel

Musician, actor, writer, producer – Christian Hankel is a long-time veteran of the Kansas City Music Scene. Christian is a member of two Money Wolf Music bands, Alacartoona and The Hillary Watts Riot, he is a co-founder of the performance collective Monocle, and a year ago he became an official partner in the Kansas City-based label Money Wolf Music. Christian joins us to talk about Money Wolf Music, their Young Songwriters Contest, and Money Wolf Music’s collaboration with the International Folk Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, February 19 – 23, at The Westin Crown Center.

On the Money Wolf Music website, it is written that Christian Hankel is dedicated to casting a wider focus on and distribution for acts that have come to be known as The Modern Sound of Kansas City. “I’m very excited to be joining Money Wolf Music,” says Hankel. “Their innovative, community-based approach to making and promoting music has already created a strong family of mutually supportive bands. I’m looking forward to exploring new promotion strategies with them, and to widening the collective to include classical, theatrical, and jazz artists.”

Folk Alliance International and INTERNATIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE, February 19 – 23, at The Westin Crown Center.

The 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference Opening night KC Extravaganza Wed, Feb 19 – Money Wolf’s Showcase, 8:00pm to 1:00am, featuring: Jason Beers, John Statz & Josh Harty, Jorge Arana Trio, The Silver Maggies, Dollar Fox, Expassionates.

Folk Alliance International is bringing over 3000 musicians & music industry professionals to KC for the 26th annual International Folk Conference in February. Money Wolf Music is working to spotlight our local music scene.

Folk Alliance International (FAI) is a membership-based industry group that advocates for folk music and dance, and provides support services for musicians. Defining “folk” as art which is “indigenous to one’s region or culture,” FAI welcomes artists from a wide variety of genres – blues, rock, country and alt-country, singer/songwriter, world music, zydeco, and many more – and styles both traditional and contemporary.

Money Wolf Music is sponsoring a Kansas City Showcase at the conference which will present live performances by over 30 local professional artists. The artists are a cross-section of the huge pool of talent we have here, and represent many musical genres. The showcase will highlight the quality and diversity of our music scene. It will also put local musicians in direct contact with an international audience of music

Money Wolf Music is also sponsoring a Young Songwriters Contest.

The 2014 INTERNATIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE Opening night KC Extravaganza Wednesday, February 19 – Money Wolf Presents Showcase, at Pershing South, 8:00pm to 1:00am, featuring: Jason Beers, John Statz & Josh Harty, Jorge Arana Trio, The Silver Maggies, Dollar Fox, Expassionates. Info at: http://www.moneywolfmusic.com

10:30

4. Dollar Fox – “Josephine”
from: Little Mother’s Things I Am Keeping / Money Wolf Music / Oct. 27, 2012
[Recorded by Patrick Meager at Fuzz Bomb. Produced by Meger and Dollar Fox. Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab. 7th release from Money Wolf Music. Dollar Fox: Tommy Donoho, Justin Penney, Nick Dothage, Ethan Taylor, Ryan Watkins.]

[Dollar Fox play The 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference Opening night KC Extravaganza Wed, Feb. 19 – Money Wolf Presents Showcase, at Pershing South, 8:00 to 1:00, featuring: Jason Beers, John Statz & Josh Harty, Jorge Arana Trio, The Silver Maggies, Dollar Fox, Expassionates.]

10:33 – Underwriting

10:34 – Interview with Kaite Stover

Kaite Stover is Director of Readers’ Services at The Kansas City Public Library. Kaite joined us back in October to discuss the KC Public Library’s Big Read of “True Grit.” A frequent contributor to KCUR, Kaite joins us today to discuss her favorite literary releases of 2013, as well as giving us a few suggestions for New Books for the New Year!

Kaite reported that 2013 was a good year for books.

Kaite prefers to read fiction, but likes to listen to non-fiction.

Kaite talke about a few of her favorite releases of 2013:

“S” by Doug Dorst and JJAbrams

“This is the Story of a Happy Marriage” by Ann Patchett.

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

10:49

5. Making Movies – “Cuna De Vida”
from: A La Deriva / Independent / December 21, 2012
[Enrique Chi (guitar/lead vox), Brendan Culp (drums), Diego Chi (bass), Juan-Carlos Chaurand (percussion /keyboard). Their new full length was produced with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. Imn 2012 the band also released the EP “Aguardiente.” The Record Machine pressed a limited number of the 7 inch vinyl, 4 song EP. More info at makingmoviesband.com]

6. Kirsten Paludan & The Key Party – “Up All Night”
from: Up All Night / Independent / December 21, 2013
[Recorded at Element Studios, KCMO, February – November 2012. Produced by Kirsten Paludan and David Gaume. Engineered and mixed by David Gaume. Additional tracking on ‘Siberia’ by Joel Nanos. Cover artwork: ‘Moon’ by Jeremy Rockwell. Design: Studio Ike. Photo: Jeffrey McKee.]

10:57 – Station ID

10:57 – Interview with Enrique Chi

Enrique Chi, is lead singer of the KVC based band Making Movies.

Making Movies present their Five Year Anniversary Show at the RecordBar, Friday, February 14, with The Conquerors.

Making Movies:

Enrique Chi plays guitar and sings lead vocals,
Brendan Culp plays drums, vocals,
Diego Chi plays bass, and vocals,
Juan-Carlos Chaurand plays percussion and keyboards and vocals.

The band’s critically acclaimed release “A La Deriva,” was recorded with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.

2013 was a very busy year for Making Movies. You had the national release of “A La Deriva.” The band played Puerto Rico in March, and you recently played Panama, where Enrique’s family is from. Recently that band had the opportunity to meet the President of Panama.

11:05

6. Enrique Chi – “Lo Que Quiero” (LIVE)
also availaible on: A La Deriva / Independent / December 21, 2012
[Enrique Chi (guitar/lead vox), Brendan Culp (drums), Diego Chi (bass), Juan-Carlos Chaurand (percussion /keyboard). Their new full length was produced with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.]

Making Movies present their Five Year Anniversary Show at the RecordBar, Friday, February 14, with The Conquerors. More info at: http://www.makingmoviesband.com

11:13

8. Sterling Witt – “Love Me to Death”
from: Spirals / Grand River Records / January 24, 2014
[Engineered by Steve Phillips at BIG TIME Studios in Kansas City MO. Allan Winkler – Drums, Davy Langerak – Bass, Sterling Witt – Vocals & Guitar.]

11:15 – Interview with Sterling Witt and Davy Langerak

Artist-singer-songwriter Sterling Witt joined us to premiere music from his new EP “Spirals,” a limited edition four-song EP, available exclusively for those who support his European Tour – Pledge Music Campaign, launching Jan. 24th. Sterling Witt and his band, play Westport Coffee House Theatre, 4010 Pennsylvania, Fri, Jan 24, at 8:00 pm.

Sterling brought along new bass player Davy Langerak, who just moved to KC from Denver, Colorado.

The new band the recorded the spirals EP:
Allan Winkler – Drums
Davy Langerak – Bass
Sterling Witt – Vocals & Guitar

The Spirals EP is an exclusive release available only to those who support the European Tour Pledge Music Campaign. The campaign will run for 2 months starting Jan 24th.

“Witt is a guy who has stretched songwriting into his own distinct voice and form.” -Timothy Finn

11:23

9. Sterling Witt – “Where in The World”
from: Spirals / Grand River Records / January 24, 2014
[Engineered by Steve Phillips at BIG TIME Studios in Kansas City MO. Allan Winkler – Drums, Davy Langerak – Bass, Sterling Witt – Vocals & Guitar.]

11:26 – Underwriting

11:33

10. Sterling Witt – “I Love You More Everyday ”
from: Spirals / Grand River Records / January 24, 2014
[Engineered by Steve Phillips at BIG TIME Studios in Kansas City MO. Allan Winkler – Drums, Davy Langerak – Bass, Sterling Witt – Vocals & Guitar.]

11:36

UK based Acoustic Magazine recently featured Sterling Witt.

Sterling Witt’s new EP “Spirals,” a limited edition four-song EP, is available exclusively for those who support his European Tour – Pledge Music Campaign, launching Jan. 24th. Sterling Witt and his band, play Westport Coffee House Theatre, 4010 Pennsylvania, Fri, Jan 24, at 8:00 pm. More info at: http://www.sterlingwitt.com

11:41

11. Ruth Acuff – “Winter”
from: The Golden Hour / Nation of Love / December, 2013

[Ruth Acuff plays The Nation of Love Kansas City Showcase, Saturday, February 1, at 7:00pm, at the recordBar, 1020 Westport Rd, Kansas City, with: Violet and the Undercurrents, Zorya, The B’Dinas, and The Future Kings. The Nation of love is an independent record label based out of Columbia Mo. The Nation of Love has also released their compilation release, THE GOLDEN HOUR. More information at: http://www.thenationoflove.com.]

12. Old Sound – “The Ocean”
from: Rain Follows The Plow / Independent / February 2014
[Greg Herrenbruck ~ Bass & Vocals; Grady Keller ~ Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar & Vocals; Chad Brothers ~ Acoustic Guitar & Vocals. Recorded and produced by Phil Wade at his studio: Alluvial Fan. Phil Wade and the band will be our guest on Wednesday MidDay Medley on February 12]

[Grady Keller plays a “Solo” set, opening for The John Brown Boys, Thurs, Jan 23rd, at Uptown Arts Bar – 3611 Broadway Blvd. Kansas City, MO]

[Old Sound play The 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference Opening night KC Extravaganza Wed, Feb. 19 at Penn Valley on the KKFI Stage]

13. Jason Vivone and the Billy Bats -“Placebo”
from: Eddie Ate Dynamite / Independent / December 18, 2013

[Jason Vivone & The Billy Bats play The 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference Opening night KC Extravaganza Wed, Feb. 19 at Penn Valley on the Shawnee KCUR Stage]


11:59:30

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

Sources for notes on tracks and interview segments come from: artist’s websites and wikipedia.org and where noted.

Show #509

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, January 22, 2014

Money Wolf Music & Folk Alliance International
+ Kaite Stover of Kansas City Public Library
+ Enrique Chi of Making Movies
+ Sterling Witt’s New Music & European Tour

Mark plays New and Local Releases from: Kirsten Paludan, Old Sound, Ruth Acuff, Making Movies, Jason Vivone & The Billy Bats, Sterling Witt, Dollar Fox, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, John Statz & Josh Harty, and Cate Le Bon.

At 10:15 Mark talks with musician, actor, writer – Christian Hankel about Money Wolf Music and the Young Songwriters Contest. Christian will also share information about Money Wolf Music’s collaboration with the International Folk Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, February 19 – 23, at The Westin Crown Center. More info at: http://www.moneywolfmusic.com/

At 10:30, Mark talks with Kaite Stover – Director of Readers’ Services at The Kansas City Public Library. Kaite joins us to discuss her favorite literary releases of 2013, as well as New Books for the New Year! More info at http://www.kclibrary.org

At 10:50 Enrique Chi, lead singer of the Kansas City based band Making Movies, joins us to talk about the band’s recent tour in Central America, their upcoming shows in Chicago, and the band’s Five Year Anniversary Show at the RecordBar, Friday, February 14, with The Conquerors. More info at: http://www.mkngmvs.com

At 11:15, in our second hour, singer-songwriter Sterling Witt joins us to premiere music from his new EP “Spirals,” a limited edition four-song EP, available exclusively for those who support his European Tour – Pledge Music Campaign, launching January 24th. Sterling will also be joined in our 90.1 FM studios with his new bass player Davy Langerak. Sterling Witt and his new, full band, will play a kick off show at Westport Coffee House Theatre, 4010 Pennsylvania, Friday, January 24, at 8:00 pm. More info at: http://www.sterlingwitt.com

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

Show #509

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

“Remembering MLK” + Shy Boys

Wednesday MidDay Medley celebrates the life of human rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. born Jan. 15, 1929. MLK led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. King’s efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination thru civil disobedience and non-violent means. As Pete Seeger wrote: “Songs gave them the courage to believe they would not fail.”

By the time of his death in 1968, Dr. King had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and opposing the Vietnam War. King was assassinated, April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. national holiday in 198I. [This year’s MLK Day is Monday, January 20.]

1. Soweto Gospel Choir – “Pride (In The Name of Love)”
from: In the Name of Love – Africa Celebrates U2 / Shout! Factory Records / 2008

2. International Noise Conspiracy / MLK Jr. – “The First Conspiracy / Let Freedom Ring”
from: Adbusters – Live Without Dead Time / Adbusters / 2003

3. Labelle – “Something in The Air / The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”
from: Something Silver / Warner Archives / 1997
[orig. Pressure Cookin’ / 1973, 3rd album from the funk/soul trio of: Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash who each shared a rap on “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” a poem and song by Gil Scott-Heron. It was the B-side to Scott-Heron’s first single, “Home Is Where the Hatred Is”, from his album Pieces of a Man (1971). “Something in the Air” is a song orig. recorded by Thunderclap Newman, a band created by Pete Townshend for The Who’s former roadie John ‘Speedy’ Keen who wrote and sang the song. It was a UK #1 single for three weeks in July 1969.]

10:13 – Soul Brother…

4. Curtis Mayfield – “Beautiful Brother of Mine”
from: Roots / Curtom-Buddah / 1971

5. Maceo & The Macks – “Soul Power ’74”
from: James Brown’s Funky People, Pt. 2 / People Records / 1988
[Not only is this particular record sampled more than hors douvres in a supermarket aisle, it contains samples itself in the form of tape overlays of civil rights rallies, a Dr. King speech, and an announcement of King’s assassination. Maceo Parker has played saxophone with James Brown, Parliment, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell and Prince.]

6. Sweet Honey in The Rock, Aaron Neville, Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise -“Ella’s Song”
from: Soundtrack to Boycott / HBO / 2001
[Critically acclaimed 2001 film staring Jeffrey Wright as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Terrence Howard as Ralph Abernathy, and CCH Pounder as Jo Ann Robinson.]

10:27 – Underwriting

10:29 – King’s Life, Death, and Spirit…

7. Darwin Hobbs & Karen Clark-Sheard – “King”
from: Soundtrack to Boycott / HBO / 2001

8. Mahalia Jackson – “How I Got Over”
from: The Original Apollo Sessions / Couch & Madison Partners / May 25, 2013
[Gospel hymn composed & published in 1951 by Clara Ward (1924-1973). It was performed by Mahalia Jackson at the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 before 250,000 people. Mahalia Jackson (Oct. 26, 1911 – Jan. 27, 1972) was referred to as “The Queen of Gospel”. She became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world, heralded internationally as a singer and civil rights activist. She was described by entertainer Harry Belafonte as “the single most powerful black woman in the United States”. She recorded about 30 albums (mostly for Columbia Records) during her career, and her 45 rpm records included a dozen “golds”—million-sellers. “I sing God’s music because it makes me feel free,” Jackson once said about her choice of gospel, adding, “It gives me hope. With the blues, when you finish, you still have the blues.”]

9. Martin Luther King Jr. – “MLK – I Have A Dream 1963 (excerpt)”
from: Inspirational Speeches, Vo. 3 / Orange Leisure / May 16, 2011 [American civil rights leader/activist and Baptist minister, born Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. King’s speeches have been issued on numerous releases – his most well-known and influential address being “I Have a Dream”, which was held during “The March on Washington” in 1963. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.]

10. Marian Anderson – “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”
from: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands / BMG / Orig. 1961
[Reissued 1991]
[Marian Anderson (Feb 27, 1897 – Apr. 8, 1993) was one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th century. In 1939, the (DAR) refused to let Anderson sing in Constitution Hall. With the aid of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anderson performed a critically acclaimed open-air concert on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. before a crowd of more than 75,000 people and a radio audience in the millions. Anderson became the first black person, to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC on Jan. 7, 1955. Anderson worked as a delegate to the UN Human Rights Committee and “goodwill ambassadress” for the U.S. Dept. of State, giving concerts all over the world. She participated in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, singing at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. Anderson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, the National Medal of Arts in 1986, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991.]

11. Tramaine Hawkins, Ella Mitchell, Billy Porter & Chorus-“Rocka My Soul”
from: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre “Revelations” / V2 / 1998

10:45 – Freedom…

12. Nina Simone -“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free”
from: Silk and Soul / RCA / 1967

13. Solomon Burke – “None Of Us Are Free”
from: Don’t Give Up On Me / Fat Possum / 2002
[Back up singers: The Blind Boys of Alabama]

14. Nina Simone – “I Shall Be Released”
from: To Love Somebody / RCA / 1967

11:00 – Bobby Watson & The Staple Singers…

15. Bobby Watson & The I Have a Dream Project – “Check Cashing Day”
[feat. Glenn North]
from: Check Cashing Day / Lafiya Music / Digital – Aug. 28, 2013 / Physical – Nov. 12, 2013
[From wikipedia.org: “Bobby Watson was born in Lawrence, Kansas, August 23, 1953. he is an American post-bop jazz alto saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator. Watson now has 27 recordings as a leader. He appears on nearly 100 other recordings as either co-leader or in a supporting role. Watson has recorded more than 100 original compositions. Watson grew up in Bonner Springs, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas.

16. The Staple Singers – “When Will We Be Paid”
from: Single / Stax (Fantasy / Ace) / 1967

17. Mavis Staples – “Down in Mississippi”
from: Live – Hope At The Hideout / Anti / 2008
[Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mavis Staples, of The Staple Singers, is a celebrated equal rights activist. She’s performed at inaugural parties for Presidents Kennedy, Carter and Clinton, Recorded in June, 2008, in the run up to the Presidential election of Barrack Obama. Recorded live in the intimate bar The Hideout, in her hometown of Chicago. The record is filled with freedom songs. Mavis Staples, who marched and sang and protested alongside Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, saw her sense of hope validated on Nov. 4th, 2008 when Barack Obama was elected President.]

18. Pops Staples – “You Gotta Serve Somebody”
from: e-town live volume 3 / e-town /
[orig. written by Bob Dylan. Rec. Sept. 16, 1994, Live in Boulder] [Roebuck “Pops” Staples was born on a cotton plantation near Winona, Mississippi, on December 28, 1914, the youngest of 14 children. When growing up he heard, and began to play with, local blues guitarists such as Charlie Patton, who lived on the nearby Dockery Plantation, Robert Johnson, and Son House. He dropped out of school after the eighth grade, and sang with a gospel group before marrying and moving to Chicago in 1935. A “pivotal figure in gospel in the 1960s and 70s,” and an accomplished songwriter, guitarist and singer. Patriarch of The Staple Singers, which included his son Pervis and daughters Mavis, Yvonne, and Cleotha.]

11:15 – Gospel & Folk Music Carried the Message…

19. Pete Seeger – “We Shall Overcome”
from: The Essential Pete Seeger / Columbia – Legacy / 2004
[derived from a gospel song by Reverend Charles Tindley called “We Will Overcome” written in 1901. Adapted and made famous by Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and others the song became central to the civil rights movement of the 1950 and 1960s and eventually used all around the world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made use of “we shall overcome” in the final Sunday March 31, 1968, speech before his assassination.]

20. Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion – “Dr. King”
from: exploration / New West / 2005 [written by Pete Seeger]

21. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – “This Land is Your Land”
from: Naturally / Daptone / 2005
[written by Woody Guthrie, Sarah Lee’s Grandfather.]

11:30 – Underwriting

11:30 – Shy Boys

22. Shy Boys – “Postcard”
from: Shy Boys / High Dive Records / January 21, 2014

Brothers Collin Rausch, Kyle Rausch, and roommate Konnor Ervin, are members of the Kansas City based band, Shy Boys. They join us live in the KKFI 90.1 FM Studios to talk about their debut, self-titled album, released on High Dive Records. Shy Boys will play an album release show, Friday, Jan. 17, 10:00 PM, at Harling’s Upstairs, 3941 Main Street, with Metatone and Knot Lazy.

It was over a year ago that the band was on the show, when Kasey Rausch and Kim Rausch McLaws were special producers, and we chronicled the music of 4 generations of the Rausch Family. Collin and Kyle father was the band director and music teacher.

Konnor Ervin is the lead singer and songwriter of The ACBs, a band that Kyle plays drums in, Konnor told us about how he met Kyle and when we first heard his music created with brother Collin.

The new 10 song album is being released January 22, 2014. Two singles have been released from the album.

The second single was made available on Pitchfork….”Is This Who You Are”

11:40

23. Shy Boys – “Is This Who You Are?”
from: Shy Boys / High Dive Records / January 21, 2014

11:43

The band talked about High Dive Records and their label mates: ACBs , Ghosty, Fourth of July.

This radio show has been a big fan of all of the ACBs recordings. In 2011 we started playing songs from The I’ms, a duo made of up Collin and Kyle, who posted 6 of their self recorded songs on their Facebook page. We ended up including this informal release in our Top Ten of The 111 Best Recordings of 2011. Three of those songs from The I’ms, Facebook page, ended up being rerecorded and included on Shy Boys. The band recorded the album at West End Studio, over two-weekends. Collin talked about the limited money for studio time, how there were no more than 5 takes per song. The band came to the studio with the songs mostly in place except for the lyrics, many of which were written in the studio. One of the songs where Konnor jumped in to help with new lyrics was “Bully Fight.” Konnor talked about how in his research over the internet, he discovered a story about a bully fight in Sydney, Australia, where a victim of a “bully,” fights back.

11:48

24. Shy Boys – “Bully Fight”
from: Shy Boys / High Dive Records / January 21, 2014

11:50

Shy Boys will play an album release show, Friday, Jan. 17, 10:00 PM, at Harling’s Upstairs, 3941 Main Street, with Metatone and Knot Lazy.

Shy Boys will play an album release show, Saturday, January 18, at 10:00 pm , in Lawrence, Kansas, at Eighth Street Taproom, 801 New Hampshire Street, Lawrence, Kansas, with The Conquerors, and Hush Machine (members of Psychic Heat/Your Friend/Haunt Ananta).

25. Shy Boys – “Keeps Me On My Toes”
from: Shy Boys / High Dive Records / January 21, 2014
11:59:30

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

Sources for notes on tracks and interview segments come from: artist’s websites and wikipedia.org and where noted.

Show #508

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

“Remembering MLK” + Shy Boys Live!

Wednesday MidDay Medley celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929. Dr. King led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. King’s efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

By the time of his death, Dr. King had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and opposing the Vietnam War, both from a religious perspective. Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. national holiday in 198I.

Mark plays music of the movement from: Bobby Watson & The I Have a Dream Project, Nina Simone, Pops Staples, Mavis Staples, The Staple Singers, Thelonius Monk Septet, Pete Seeger, Mahalia Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Maceo & The Macks, Sweet Honey in The Rock, Tramaine Hawkins, Ella Mitchell, Billy Porter, Solomon Burke, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Soweto Gospel Choir, Labelle, Darwin Hobbs & Karen Clark-Sheard.

Shy Boys

At 11:30 Mark welcomes back to the show, members of the Kansas City based band, Shy Boys. Brothers Collin Rausch, Kyle Rausch, and roommate Konnor Ervin, join us live in the 90.1 FM Studios to talk about their debut, self-titled album. We’ll feature music from the new recording, released on High Dive Records. Shy Boys will play an album release show, Friday, January 17, 10:00 PM, at Harling’s Upstairs, 3941 Main Street, with Metatone and Knot Lazy. More info about Shy Boys at http://shyboys.bandcamp.com

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

Show #508

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

A Birthday Tribute to Iris DeMent

1. Iris DeMent -“Mama’s Opry”
from: Infamous Angel / Warner Brothers / 1992 / 1993

2. Iris DeMent – “Mama Was Always Tellin’ Her Truth”
from: Sing The Delta / Flariella / Oct. 2, 2012
[Iris Dement previewed many of her new songs when she was in concert with husband Greg Brown, for their 11-11-11 show at The Folly Theatre to benefit St. Mark Child and Family Development Center. Now those songs are part of her brand new release that includes a total of 12 new songs. It is her first full-length release of original songs since 1996. The new record has been critically acclaimed by the music press on both sides of the Atlantic.]

Iris DeMent was born January 5, 1961, in rural Paragould, Arkansas. She was the youngest of 14 children. At the age of three, her devoutly religious family moved to California, where she grew up singing gospel music. During her teenage years, Iris was exposed to country, folk, and R&B, drawing influence from Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell.

After a series of jobs as a waitress and typist, Dement wrote her first song at the age of 25. She played open-mic nights in Kansas City, until she moved to Nashville, in 1988, and met producer Jim Rooney, who helped her land a record contract.

Dement made her recording debut in 1992, when her independent label offering, “Infamous Angel” won critical acclaim. Despite a complete lack of support from country radio, the record’s word-of-mouth praise earned her a deal with Warner Bros. records, which reissued “Infamous Angel” in 1993.

10:12 – Influences of Iris DeMent

3. Loretta Lynn & Jack White – “Portland Oregon”
from: Van Lear Rose / Interscope / 2004
[Produced by Jack White of The White Stripes and Racontuers. It was initially intended as a musical experiment, blending the styles of country singer-songwriter Lynn and producer White, who performs on the whole album as a musician. At the time, Lynn was 69 and White was 28. The title refers to Lynn’s origins as the daughter of a miner working the Van Lear coal mines. The album was the most successful crossover music album of Lynn’s 45-year career. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, Lynn won: Best Country Album and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for her duet with White.]

4. Johnny Cash & Joni Mitchell – “Girl From North Country”
from: The Best of The Johnny Cash TV Show / Columbia Legacy / 2007
[a TV music variety show that ran for 58-episodes from June 7, 1969 to March 31, 1971 on ABC. It featured many folk/country musicians of the time: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Merle Haggard, James Taylor and Tammy Wynette. It also featured other musicians such as jazz great, Louis Armstrong, who died 8 months after recording the show. Recorded at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, then home of the Grand Ole Opry. The first show featured Joni Mitchell, Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw, Fannie Flagg and Bob Dylan. The show included a “Country Gold” segment that featured legends never seen on network TV such as Bill Monroe & his Blue Grass Boys. Cash refused to cut the word “stoned” from Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, he stood by his Christian faith “despite network anxieties”, and persisted in bringing on Pete Seeger whose anti-Vietnam song on another network had “caused a firestorm.” He premiered his Man in Black song on an episode filmed at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University’s campus. The show was dumped in 1971 as part of ABC’s so-called “rural purge,” which also claimed that network’s The Lawrence Welk Show.]

5. John Prine w/ Iris Dement – “We’re Not The Jet Set”
from: In Spite Of Ourselves / Oh Boy / 1999
[In 1968 country superstar George Jones witnessed a fight between Tammy Wynette and her husband Don Chapel. At Jones’s urging, Wynette and her daughters drove away with him. Wynette and Jones married Feb. 16, 1969, and Wynette’s 4th daughter, Georgette, was born in 1970. Jones and Wynette, were nicknamed the “President and First Lady” of country music, and they recorded a string of hit duets that seemed drawn directly from their volatile relationship, which resulted in their divorcing in 1975. Their classic recordings included “Two Story House,” “Golden Ring,” and the humorous “(We’re Not) The Jet Set.” ]

6. Loretta Lynn – “You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man”
from: Legends of Country Music / Columbis Legacy / 1997
[Live performance for Austin City Limits taped in 1983. Loretta Webb was the second of 8 children; grew up in Butcher Holler, a section of Van Lear, a mining community in Kentucky. Growing up with such humble roots had a huge effect on Lynn’s life and heavily influenced her music as an adult. Her autobiography describes how, during her childhood, the community had no motor vehicles, paved roads, or flush toilets. She married Oliver Vanetta Lynn, known as “Doo,” on Jan. 10, 1948, at age 13. In an effort to break free of the coal mining industry, at 14, Lynn moved to the logging community Custer, Washington, with her husband. The Lynns had 4 children – Betty Sue, Jack Benny, Cissy and Ernest Ray – by the time Loretta was 18, and in her early 20s she then had twin girls, Peggy & Patsy. No stranger to controversy, Loretta Lynn possibly had more banned songs than any other country music artist, prior to The Dixie Chicks, including “Rated X,” about the double standards divorced women face, “Wings Upon Your Horns,” about the loss of teenage virginity, and “The Pill,” lyrics by T. D. Bayless, about a wife and mother becoming liberated via the birth control pill. Her song “Dear Uncle Sam,” released in 1966 during the Vietnam War, describes a wife’s anguish at the loss of a husband to war. It has been included in live performances during the US – Iraq War.]

7. Merle Haggard – “Workin’ Man Blues”
from: Oh Boy Classic Presents Merle Haggard / Oh Boy Records / 2000 [Originally released in 1969, a tribute to a core group of his fans: The American blue-collared working man. Backed by an electric guitar that typified Haggard’s signature Bakersfield Sound, he fills the role of one of those workers expressing pride in values of hard work and sacrifice, despite the resulting fatigue and the stress of raising a large family. Included on Haggard’s 1969 album “A Portrait of Merle Haggard.” Included in this collection on John Prine’s Oh Boy Records.]

10:29 – Underwriting

10:30 – Influences of Iris DeMent

Iris DeMent represents that place in the road, where Country and Folk music merged with honest stories, of working class people, not afraid to tell the truth about the times they are living through. Iris DeMent grew up singing gospel music. During her teenage years she was first exposed to country, folk, and R&B, drawing influence from Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell.

8. Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire”
from: 16 Biggets Hits / Columbia Legacy / 2007
[co-written by June Carter (wife of Johnny Cash) and Merle Kilgore. The song was recorded on March 25, 1963 and became the biggest hit of his career, staying at #1 on the charts for 7 weeks. “Ring of Fire” refers to falling in love – which is what June Carter was experiencing with Johnny Cash at the time. Some sources claim that June had seen the phrase, “Love is like a burning ring of fire,” underlined in one of her uncle A. P. Carter’s Elizabethan books of poetry. She worked with Kilgore on writing a song inspired by this phrase as she had seen her uncle do in the past. In the 2005 film, Walk the Line June is depicted as writing the song while agonizing over her feelings for Cash despite his drug addiction and alcoholism as she was driving home one evening. She had written: “There is no way to be in that kind of hell, no way to extinguish a flame that burns, burns, burns”. Cash claims he had a dream where he heard the song accompanied by “Mexican horns”. Four years after the song was released, Carter and Cash were married which Cash states helped to stop his alcohol and drug addictions. Cash’s daughter, Rosanne has stated, “The song is about the transformative power of love and that’s what it has always meant to me and that’s what it will always mean to the Cash children.]

9. Bob Dylan – “I Shall Be Released”
from: The Essential Bob Dylan / Columbia – Sony / 2000
[Originally recorded October, 1971. ]

10. Joni Mitchell – “For The Roses”
from: For The Roses / Asylumn / 1972
[Released between her 2 biggest commercial and critical successes – “Blue” and “Court & Spark”. In 2007 it was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. The title song “For the Roses” was Mitchell’s farewell to the business; she took an extended break for a year after. The album was critically acclaimed with The New York Times saying “Each of Mitchell’s songs on For the Roses is a gem glistening with her elegant way with language, her pointed splashes of irony and her perfect shaping of images. Never does Mitchell voice a thought or feeling commonly. She’s a songwriter and singer of genius who can’t help but make us feel we are not alone.” A nude photograph of Joni Mitchell was included on the inside cover of the original LP and is included in the CD booklet. The photograph shows the singer from the rear and was taken from a considerable distance; she is shown standing on a rock and staring out at the ocean. This created some controversy at the time.]

10:44

Iris DeMent’s first three releases on Warner Brothers Records, were all critically acclaimed, she received two Grammy nominations during this time, in the “Folk Music” category. Meanwhile country radio completely overlooked her original songs, and amazing voice, that has been compared to Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. This next set features music from her debut recording, “Infamous Angel,” as well as its follow-up, the autobiographical, “My Life,” released in 1994 and we’ll play from her third Warner Brother’s release, “The Way I Should,” released in 1996, which contains some of Iris DeMent’s most political songs. When Michael Moore spoke at The Uptown Theatre Iris DeMent opened for him, with his favorite song “Wasteland of the Free.” We will play the title track, “The Way I Should.”

11. Iris DeMent – “Our Town”
from: Infamous Angel / Warner Brothers / 1992 / 1993

12. Iris DeMent – “My Life”
from: My Life / Warner Brothers / 1994

13. Iris DeMent – “The Way I Should”
from: The Way I Should / Warner Brothers / 1996
[Produced by Randy Scruggs]

10:55 – Collaborations

14. Nanci Griffith w/Iris – “Ten Degrees and Getting Colder”
from: Other Voices Other Rooms / Elektra / 1993 [written by Gordon Lightfoot]

15. Nanci Griffith w/Iris & Emmylou – “Are You Tired of Me Darling”
from: Other Voices Other Rooms / Elektra / 1993
[High Harmony – Iris / Low Harmony – Emmylou Harris]
[Nanci Griffith’s 10th album. Here she pays homage to other songwriters who have influenced her own career.]

16. Randy Scruggs w/Iris & Emmylou – “Wildwood Flower”
from: Crown of Jewels / Reprise / 1998

17. John McCutcheon w/Iris – “Over The Garden Wall”
from: Sprout Wings and Fly / Rounder / 1997 [written by AP Carter]

18. Gary Kirkland w/Iris – “Just For Me”
from: Shootin’ The Works on Love / Dark Horse / 2003

11:15 – Collaborations

19. Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band w/Iris – “I’m Still In Love With You”
from: The Mountain / E – Squared / 1999
[Released February 23, 1999. Songs were written by Earle as a tribute to the founder of bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, who had died in 1996.]

20. John Prine w/ Iris – “In Spite of Ourselves”
from: In Spite of Ourselves/ Oh Boy / 1999 [written by John Prine]

21. Tom Russell w/Iris – “Love Abides”
from: The Man From God Knows Where / Hightone / 1999

11:30 – Greg Brown

In the 2002 Iris DeMent did a benefit concert for The Friends of Community Radio at Unity Temple on The Plaza. I remember when Iris asked us if it was okay that she have a musician friend open the concert for her, we agreed because Iris was donated her talent to the cause of community radio. And then she told us that this musician friend was Greg Brown, wh at this point was know all over the country but had never before played KC.

Later that year, on November 21, 2002 Greg married Iris DeMent in a private ceremony in the office of Rev. Sam Mann of St. Mark Church in East KC.

Grammy Nominated Greg Brown is one of the most respected singer songwriters working in music today. He started singing professionally at the age of 18 organizing early folk concerts in New York City, Portland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In the 1980s, he worked and toured extensively as musical director for Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion radio program. He also founded his own record label, named Red House Records after a home in which he lived in Iowa.

Greg Brown has release over 30 recordings and has allowed much of his music to be used to raise funds and awareness for environmental and social causes. His songs have been performed by Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Carlos Santana, Michael Johnson, Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Iris DeMent and Joan Baez.

22. Greg Brown w/Iris -“Jacob’s Ladder”
from: Honey in The Lion’s Head / Trailer / 2003

23. Greg Brown – “Bucket”
from: Evening Call / Red House / 2006
[The Washington Post writes, “The singer-songwriter from Iowa has a baritone as rough and chunky as Thanksgiving gravy with the turkey bits still in, and that’s just how his words drip out on his album, “The Evening Call.” on “Whippoorwill” he sing as sweetly as his lover down in Kansas City. That’s his wife, Iris DeMent, and on “Joy Tears,” he tells her, “When you start your singing, honey, the heavens open up with grace.”]

24. Greg Brown – “Let The Mystery Be”
from: Freak Flag / Yep Roc / May 10, 2011
[While recording what was to be his next album lighting hit the studio where he was working, and Greg Brown lost the recordings. Greg, used the experience to turn inward and write more songs that comprise his 24th album: Freak Flag, the title track is all that remains of the lost original album. Greg wrote ten new songs, recording them at Memphis, Tennessee’s legendary Ardent Studios. Produced by Bo Ramsey, the album also includes a cover of Brown’s daughter Pieta’s song ”Remember the Sun.’]

11:45

25. Iris DeMent – “Leaning on The Everlasting Arms”
from: True Grit (Sountrack to the Motion Picture) / Nonesuch Records / Dec. 17, 2010
[The musical score for the Coen Brothers new interpretation of the True Grit was created by Carter Burwell. Much of the music was adapted from old public domain gospel hymns. The very last song hear in the film, during the closing credits, is the only piece on the soundtrack that includes vocals. The track is not available on the CD release, but is available if you download the entire album through I-tunes. The song was originally written by Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter, and originally published in 1887. Copyright is now Public Domain. Iris also included an earlier version of this song on “Lifeline” her 2004 independently released album of protestant gospel hymns, she grew up hearing her mother sing. “Lifeline” does inclue one original song called “He Reached Down” was this song inspired by a sermon delivered by Rev. Sam Mann.]

In his review for WHYY’s Fresh Air, Entertainment Weekly Music Editor – Ken Tucker wrote: “Iris DeMent possesses one of the great voices in contemporary popular music: powerfully, ringingly clear, capable of both heartbreaking fragility and blow-your-ears-back power. Had she been making country albums in the ’70s and ’80s and had more commercial ambition, she’d probably now be considered right up there with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Instead, she’s lived a contemporary life, a somewhat private life. As she recently told an interviewer, “There’s a lot that goes into life besides songwriting.” And she’s taken her time in composing songs that fit into no genre easily.”

Her new album “Sing The Delta” has received glowing reviews from the UK publication UNcut, The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, and was in many Top Ten Lists of KC music affictionados, incl. #1 on our list of The 112 Best Recordings of 2012

26. Iris DeMent – “Livin’ On The Inside”
from: Sing The Delta / Flariella / Oct. 2, 2012
[Her first full-length release of original songs since 1996. Iris was our special guest on our Oct 10, WMM.]

27. Iris DeMent – “Go On Ahead and Go Home”
from: Sing The Delta / Flariella / Oct. 2, 2012
[Iris Dement previewed many of her new songs when she was in concert with husband Greg Brown, for their 11-11-11 show at The Folly Theatre to benefit St. Mark Child and Family Development Center. Now those songs are part of her brand new release that includes a total of 12 new songs. It is her first full-length release of original songs since 1996. The new record has been critically acclaimed by the music press on both sides of the Atlantic.]

11:59:30

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

A Personal Note:

I first met Iris DeMent when I was working at Kinko’s at West 39th & Rainbow in 1992. Iris came in to copy a few of her press clipping and on another visit to make her wedding announcements. Later I discovered her as a singer on Late Night with Conan O’Brien were she performed her song “My Life.” Then I ran into her at the old Classic Cup in Westport. I was nervous and shy, but she approached me and asked, “How do I Know You?” Our paths cross many times again and we bumped into each other at a Patti Smith concert in Lawrence.

Iris DeMent played three songs for one of our Big Bang Buffet shows back in 1999, at one of the first “First Fridays,” at the Hobbs Building during Culture Under Fire. She took the stage after an incredible dance performance by David Ollington that ended with his body being absent of all clothing. Iris also did a benefit for Friends of Community Radio in 2002, and for KKFI in 2004, both times Greg Brown joined Iris in concert. We were all surprised when Iris and greg were married just after their 2002 show at Unity Temple on the Plaza.

Iris performed her song, “Wasteland of the Free” on stage at the Uptown to open for Michael Moore, because it was one of his favorite songs. She played with Greg at Community Christian Church before Amy Goodman (of Democracy Now) took the stage. Amy is also a huge fan of Iris. Iris helped raise over $10,000.00 in both benefit concerts she gave for Community Radio. She never took a penny.

One of the biggest reasons Iris did all of these things was because Anne Winter was her friend, and Anne asked Iris. Anne was like that really incredible mentor who challenged us all to rise above life’s mediocrity, and DO something. She challenged us all. But she also LOVED helping to make her friend’s dreams come true. Having Iris play on stage with us at a Big Bang Buffet show was one of those moments for me. Asking me to stage manage at the Michael Moore show at the Uptown Theatre, was another. Inviting me to sing old time hymns with Iris and Anne, and Ike Sheldon of The Wilders, at Iris’s River Market loft was another. Anne helped to make all of these connections. Anne even went on tour with Iris at one point, to support her friend.

Thank you Iris! and thank you Anne! I love you both so very much!

Sources for notes on tracks and interview segments come from: artist’s websites and wikipedia.org and where noted.

Show #507

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

A Birthday Tribute to Iris DeMent

Wednesday MidDay Medley celebrates the Birthday of Iris DeMent, born January 5, 1961, in rural Paragould, Arkansas. She was the youngest of 14 children. At the age of three, her devoutly religious family moved to California, where she grew up singing gospel music. During her teenage years, Iris was exposed to country, folk, and R&B, drawing influence from Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell.

After a series of jobs as a waitress and typist, Dement wrote her first song at the age of 25. She played open-mic nights in Kansas City, until she moved to Nashville, in 1988, and met producer Jim Rooney, who helped her land a record contract.

Dement made her recording debut in 1992, when her independent label offering, “Infamous Angel” won critical acclaim. Despite a complete lack of support from country radio, the record’s word-of-mouth praise earned her a deal with Warner Bros. records, which reissued “Infamous Angel” in 1993.

We’ll feature music from all five of Iris DeMent’s full length recordings, plus her additional work with artists such as her husband – Greg Brown, and also: John Prine, John McCutcheon, Emmylou Harris, Tom Russell, Nancy Griffith, Steve Earle, Gary Kirkland and songs from various compilations.

We’ll also feature music from Iris DeMent’s inspirations: Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, and others.

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

Show #507