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

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Little Miss Dynamite + The Creepy Jingles + The Grisly Hand + Haymaker Records

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

WHITE RABBIT!!!!!!

2. Julia Othmer – “White Rabbit”
   from: White Rabbit – Single / Fricken’ Awesome Records / August 29, 2021 (Unreleased)
   [Recorded Live at Kulak’s in North Hollywood with Andy Sanesi (Missing Persons, Eminem, Arturo Sandoval) on drums, Jamie Kime (Dr. John, Zappa Plays Zappa) on guitar, and Chris Roy (Nancy Sinatra, Don Randi) on bass. // On February 27, 2024 Julia Othmer and James T Lundie released the single “Slip Away” from THE FORCEFIELDS tbeir new musical project, a new “cosmosonic” collaboration between Julia Othmer and James T Lundie AKA Aayama & Max Forcefield. The Forcefields debut EP, BRIDGE, will be released later in 2024. It is a sonic bridge between their previous work together and this new trajectory. Reinterpreting and distilling the essence of two of Julia’s previous songs, BRIDGE is a rhythmic, multi-layered and richly textured exploration of letting go and positive self realization. // Julia released SEEDS VOLUME 2, her 4th album with live recordings from her 30-day “Songs of September Project”, where Julia covered songs of protest & hope, to inspire people to vote. From those songs Julia’s fans democratically selected their favorite tracks to be released together on “Seeds.” In 2020 Julia released SEEDS VOLUME 1. Julia Othmer released “Sound,” on April 12, 2019, her second album, that took 3 years to complete, and was produced with James Lundie, who also married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School. Julia moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st album, OASIS MOTEL. More info at: http://www.juliaothmer.com.]

10:03

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio. 
I’m Mark Manning. Today, we’ll spin more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Little Miss Dynamite, The Matchsellers, The Grisly Hand, The Creepy Jingles, Jorge Arana Trio, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, English Teacher, Nilüfer Yanya, Infinity Song, and Shabaka. We started with Julia Othmer

In a few minutes we’ll talk with Beth Watts Nelson about her band, Little Miss Dynamite and their new 6-track recording, GROW UP being released this week. Little Miss Dynamite play an Album Release Party on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 4:00pm at Tall Trellis Brew Co. at 25600 West Valley Parkway, Olathe, Kansas.

At 10:30 Jocelyn Olivia Nixon shares details about the new single releases from her band The Creepy Jingles with Wills Van Doorn on guitar, Andrew Woody on bass, and Nick Robertson on drums. The Creepy Jingles play Manor Fest 6 on Thursday, May 23 at 9:00pm at The RINO, 314 Armour Rd, NKC with MC Rue + Mikey, and Brian Bulger.

At 11:00 we welcome Lauren Krum & Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand who talk ablut The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS.

And at 11:30 Brenton Cook talks about Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm with Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio. Since forming in January 2014 the label has released a total of 24 recordings from 10 different artists including Be/Non, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Schwervon!, Monta At Odds, HMPH!, and Sie Lieben Maschinen. 14 releases have made their way onto vinyl, including two compilations.

10:05

3. English Teacher – “Nearly Daffodils”
   from: This Could Be Texas / Universal-Island Records / April 12, 2024
   [English Teacher is Lily Fontaine on vocals, guitars and synthesizers, Lewis Whiting on lead guitar & synthesizers, Douglas Frost on drums, piano & vocals, and Nicholas Eden on bass. The band began writing together after meeting while students at Leeds Conservatoire. Early support from local organizations Music Leeds, Come Play With Me and BBC Radio Introducing, who regularly played their earliest offerings and helped garner support for the band, led to a pivotal signing with indie label Nice Swan Records. During lockdown, English Teacher’s fanbase grew online and 2021 single ‘R&B’ had the music industry buzzing. A much-lauded debut EP, ‘Polyawkward’ followed, providing further insight into the diverse sonic and uniquely self-made aesthetic world of the band, and appearances at Glastonbury and Leeds Festival soon made English Teacher one of the most talked about bands in British music. // Nearly Daffodils’ illustrates the intricate, math-rock leanings of the band’s songwriting. “This was one of the later ones that come together before the studio, but we’d had the individual parts for it for some time,” Whiting says, remembering their time recording predominantly in London’s Pony Studios. Eden adds: “It started as a Logic project, quite synth-heavy but it ended up as the bass line and predominant melodic driver of the track.” Fontaine says she was “obsessed with the bassline” and “loved it so much”. “It formed the backbone of the song,” she says. While having wrote the lyrics prior to the bassline being added, she noted that “they just seemed to fit.” She continues: “We added in some drum loops that Douglas made and then it just all clicked into place.” // ‘Nearly Daffodils’ is about heartbreak and acceptance of unfulfilled potential, Fontaine says. “It’s about how, no matter how much you may want something, no matter how much effort you may put into something’s growth or development, no matter how beautiful you can envision its fruition, life is a bitch and about as unstoppable as a freight train.”]

4. Little Miss Dynamite – “Coffee and Tunes”
   from: Grow Up / Rural Grit Records / May 3, 2024
   [Little Miss Dynamite is a four piece string band with Beth Watts Nelson on lead vocals & banjo, Betse Ellis (of The Wilders, Betse & Clarke) on fiddle, Brandon Day (of The Matchsellers) on bass, and Caleb Gardner (of Konza Swamp) on mandolin, guitar & vocals. Engineered and Mixed by Clarke Wyatt, Gnomes and Goats Studio. More info at: http://www.bethwattsnelson.com]

[Little Miss Dynamite play an Album Release Party on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 4:00pm at Tall Trellis Brew Co. at 25600 West Valley Parkway, Olathe, Kansas.]

10:12 – Interview with Beth Watts Nelson

Beth Watts Nelson is an award-winning Kansas City based singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and lifelong student of music. Building upon a twenty year career in music education she is now the founder and director of Notorious Chorus – a community-based, group singing workshop for adults. In addition to solo and duo performances, she can be heard in several projects throughout the KC metro including Konza Swamp Band, CATGUT, and her latest endeavor, Little Miss Dynamite. Little Miss Dynamite is a four piece string band with Beth Watts Nelson on lead vocals & banjo, Betse Ellis (of The Wilders, Betse & Clarke) on fiddle, Brandon Day (of The Matchsellers) on bass, and Caleb Gardner (of Konza Swamp) on mandolin, guitar & vocals.

Little Miss Dynamite play an Album Release Party Sat, May 4, 2024, at 4:00pm at Tall Trellis Brew Co. 25600 West Valley Parkway, Olathe, KS. Info at: http://www.bethwattsnelson.com

Beth Watts Nelson, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Beth Watts Nelson has a twenty year career in music education.

She is now the founder and director of Notorious Chorus – a community-based, group singing workshop for adults.

In addition to solo & duo performances, she can be heard in projects throughout KC metro including Konza Swamp Band, CATGUT, and her latest endeavor, Little Miss Dynamite.

Little Miss Dynamite is a newly-formed band releasing a debut six-song EP of original music featuring stringed instruments and vocal harmony titled “Grow Up”. The band’s spark was ignited when KC singer, songwriter and music educator, Beth Watts Nelson and co-founder, Caleb Gardner (both of Konza Swamp Band) joined up to sing harmonies together in the garage. The addition of long-time friend and fiddler extraordinaire, Betse Ellis (The Wilders) and the inspired playing of Brandon Day (The Matchsellers) on bass.

Production: Rural Grit Records, 2024 Beth Watts Nelson (ASCAP). Musicians and Instrumentation: Beth Watts Nelson – guitar, banjo, lead vocals; Caleb Gardner – guitar, mandolin, lead vocals; Betse Ellis – fiddle, harmony vocals; Brandon Day – bass, harmony vocals. Engineered and Mixed by Clarke Wyatt, Gnomes and Goats Studio. Album Art by Grady Keller, Mound Creative, All songs written by Beth Watts Nelson except “Circle the Drain” by Caleb Gardner.

Beth Watts Nelson, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Little Miss Dynamite play an Album Release Party Sat, May 4, 2024, at 4:00pm at Tall Trellis Brew Co. 25600 West Valley Parkway, Olathe, KS. Info at: http://www.bethwattsnelson.com

10:24

5. Little Miss Dynamite– “Ordinary Blue”
   from: Grow Up / Rural Grit Records / May 3, 2024
   [Little Miss Dynamite is a four piece string band with Beth Watts Nelson on lead vocals & banjo, Betse Ellis (of The Wilders, Betse & Clarke) on fiddle, Brandon Day (of The Matchsellers) on bass, and Caleb Gardner (of Konza Swamp) on mandolin, guitar & vocals. Engineered and Mixed by Clarke Wyatt, Gnomes and Goats Studio.More info at: http://www.bethwattsnelson.com]

[Little Miss Dynamite play an Album Release Party on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 4:00pm at Tall Trellis Brew Co. at 25600 West Valley Parkway, Olathe, Kansas.]

6. The Matchsellers – “Marcus Aurelius Too Late!”
   from: Live at The Warehouse / The Matchsellers / May 3, 2024
   [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 the band’s most recent iteration, mandolinist Brian McCarty brings an invaluable lifetime of experience in the Bluegrass tradition, while Brandon Day thrills audiences with his intricate bass solos. // On October 28, 2022 The Matchsellers released The Wishfuk Thinker’s Hall of Game // On February 12, 2016 they released their album, SONGS WE MADE UP, one of Wednesday MidDay Medley’s 116 Best Recordings of 2016.. 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 played an official Showcase at the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference on Thursday, February 22, at The Westin Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center 1 East Pershing Road, KCMO.]

[The Matchsellers play a LIVE Album Release Show at Flagship Books, 510 North 6th Street, KCK, Strawberry Hill on Friday, May 3, at 7:30pm , with opening poetry from C. Woods.]

10:30 – Underwriting

7. The Creepy Jingles – “Repeat After Me”
   from: “Repeat After Me” – Single / High Dive Records / April 19, 2024
   [This is the second of several new singles being released by The Creepy Jingles this year. The band released “When Things Go Wrong” on February 23, 2024. The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer / song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics. // Song (lyrics/melody/chords) written by Jocelyn Olivia Nixon. Guitar solo by Wills van Doorn. Recorded and Mixed by Paul Malinowski. Mastered by Zack Hames. Vocals & Piano: Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Guitars: Wills Van Doorn, Bass: Andrew Woody, and Drums: Nick Robertson. // The Creepy Jingles released their album, TAKE ME AT MY WORDPLAY on March 25, 2022 through High Dive Records. Paired up with lyrics centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree. Everything and the kitchen sink or swim. No stoner left unturned. The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. The release was in the top ten of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. ] The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019.] [

[The Creepy Jingles play Manor Fest 6 Thursday, May 23 at 9:00pm at The RINO, 314 Armour Rd, NKC with MC Rue + Mikey, and Brian Bulger.]

10:33 – Interview with Jocelyn Olivia Nixon

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon joins us to share details about the new single releases from The Creepy Jingles. The band released “Repeat After Me” on April 19, 2024 and “When Things Go Wrong” on February 23, 2024, with more to come. The new tracks were recorded and mixed by Paul Malinowski. “The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer and song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics.” Also in the band, Wills Van Doorn soars on guitar, Andrew Woody keeps the band on the highway on bass, and Nick Robertson as a founding member holds it all down on drums.

The Creepy Jingles play Manor Fest 6 on Thursday, May 23 at 9:00pm at The RINO, 314 Armour Rd, NKC with MC Rue + Mikey, and Brian Bulger.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Creepy Jingles Discography

The Creepy Jingles 6-track self-titled EP released May 3, 2019 on High Dive Records

“Throwing In The Femme Fatale” – Single on Nov. 18, 2021 on High Dive Records

Take Me At My Wordplay, 11-track album released March 25, 2022 on High Dive Records

“Decepticon Artist” Single featuring The Swallowtails, September 9, 2022

“When Things Go Wrong” – Single on February 23, 2024

“Repeat After Me” – Single on April 19, 2024

The Creepy Jingles are led by Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics “centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree.”

From http://www.highdivekc.com: “The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit.”

The Creepy Jingles line up originally included “Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Andrew Woody on bass guitar; Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. “

The new line up includes:

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on vocals, piano, and guitar
Wills Van Doorn on guitar
Andrew Woody on bass
Nick Robertson on drums

The new tracks were recorded and mixed by Paul Malinowski.
Mastered by Zack Hames

The Creepy Jingles social Media Links
Facebook @CreepyJingles
Instagram @thecreepyjingles
http://www.highdivekc.com/bands/the-creepy-jingles

From The Pitch KC June 19, 2019 Nick Spacek:

“Jocelyn Olivia Nixon was part of the band Abracadabras, that was active around Kansas City from 2006 to 2009 or so. Nixon fronted the band, which also included brothers Collin and Kyle Rausch, who now play in the pop act Shy Boys.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon told Nick Spacek in an article published in The Pitch KC on June 19, 2019, “That was, like, the first band,” Nixon says. “I’d been writing songs since I was probably about 22, and that was our first band together. So it was like we all grew up together … Once I went to Austin, I felt like it was time for me to stand on my own.”

“I’d left [Kansas City] to work on my marriage,” Nixon continues. “My wife at the time was offered a job and I figured, Yeah, Austin, great music city. I should see what happens. A music city like Austin was the silver lining in moving away from my band.”

The marriage hit the skids a few years in, but Nixon continued writing music. She released a solo project called English Major, a divorce record of sorts. Five years in, though, everything finally seemed to come to a head.

“The traffic, the cost of living — our rent went up $750,” Nixon says. “It was almost impossible to stay. I was like, Why am I killing myself to do this? I was also starting to come to terms with my own personal identity, and it blew into this existential crisis, where I was like, I can’t keep this bottled up anymore.”

Being “bottled up” was Nixon acknowledging her recent transition into life as a woman, a process she’d started early during her time in Austin.

“Tweezing my eyebrows, laser hair removal, therapy, going out more in femme,” she says — but largely abandoned after her marriage fell apart and she stepped into a new relationship. But the desire to transition hadn’t gone away; Nixon was just burying it.

“I was depressed to the point where I kind of — there’s that line in ‘Yer Blues,’ where John Lennon’s like, Feel so suicidal/ Even hate my rock & roll.’ I was like, ‘Oh, I get that line,’”

Nixon says. “I didn’t ever feel like I was going to commit suicide, but I had this fantasy of faking my death and becoming a new person, which was all sort of leading me to transition, but I was just miserable and I just didn’t want to be around it.”

She decided to leave Austin and return to KC, though moving back home as she transitioned wasn’t something Nixon was initially eager to do. “I thought it was scarier to move back,” she says. But then she realized that, as she says, “I needed to do this in front of the people I grew up with, and have those tough conversations, and tell them who I really am and how I really feel. It felt like the most honest way to do things, and it felt like the most authentic way to bridge my past to my present.”

Nixon started hormones and came out as a woman after she moved back home to KC. She says everyone’s been cool about it — tons of support.

“When I came out, I felt stupid, because I was like, ‘I should’ve done this sooner,’” she says. “An immediate weight lifted off of me, just from carrying the weight of that consuming all my mental faculties at all times. It just shot my nervous system.”

Nixon had quit playing music toward the end of her time in Austin, and she gave herself a few years during her transition to “get my head right and heal from a breakup, and also, approaching this new phase in my life,” as she puts it. But she kept writing songs.

She started jamming with Nick Robertson, a drummer. Then they brought in Travis McKenzie, a former Abracadabras guitarist, and the Creepy Jingles were born. They played around for a few years and then, last year, began recording what would become their debut self-titled EP.

“We took it slow, doing it like, once a week, and then once fall rolled around, we were like, ‘Let’s record some things,’” Nixon says. They took the music to Ross Brown, another Shy Boy, who recorded & mixed the EP in his basement. Collin Rausch ended up playing bass.

“It was kind of like a little family reunion,” Nixon says of reuniting with old bandmates.

Nick Spacek wrote: The EP was released on High Dive Records at the beginning of May. It’s confident and exuberant, a Kinksy mishmash of Britpop garage rock”.

She says. I felt like I had to adopt a mask or a character to protect myself a little bit onstage. Now it feels very me, and I’m very comfortable.”

The Creepy Jingles self titled debut EP was released on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019
Ross Brown of (Shy Boys and Full Bloods) recorded & mixed the EP at escape Pod Audio.
Mike Nolte Mastered the recordings at Eureka Mastering. EP credits give special thanks to: Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch of Shy Boys

The Creepy Jingles released the stand alone single, “Throwing In The Femme Fatale” on Nov. 18, 2021. As lead singer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, who is a transgender woman, told 90.9 The Bridge, “This is one of those songs we wanted to make space for and share because it was a favorite little oddball of ours, it’s a bit outside the box of what we normally do.” Nixon continued, “I wrote it to appear vague enough where it could be about a song, idea or a person that gets stuck inside your crawl space,” the song was about her own mindset before transitioning. “…This overwhelming thought about showing the world who I really was, because I couldn’t ignore it anymore.”

From FALLY AFANI, I Heart Local Music (June 22, 2019)

“The Creepy Jingles are really throwing us for a loop. Like, we know garage rock is supposed to sound raw and a little loose. But The Creepy Jingles are so on point with their craft, we’re not entirely comfort-able with picturing them as some laid back group of rockers. Every. Single. Note. Is. Perfect. When The Creepy Jingles play, it sounds like they practice every single day. They don’t miss a single thing! Every note in every song is spot on, we haven’t heard a group of rockers this tight with their performance in ages. When they hit the Replay for their album release show Thursday night, it was hard to look away. Jocelyn Olivia Nixon runs a tight ship with this group. They began the set with her pounding away at the keys, leaving a throbbing urge for more of their exciting rock noise. Then, when they fully dove into their impeccable guitar work, the audience was also treated to her gnarly-as-hell vocals. The growls, the screams, the RAWNESS of it all brings out our most primal emotions.”

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon is Singer/ Songwriter/ Guitar/ Keys at The Creepy Jingles
Jocelyn Olivia Nixon previously was Singer-songwriter at English Major
Jocelyn Nixon Studied Filming/Directing/Acting/writing at The Art Institute of Austin
Jocelyn Nixon Studied Studied Broadcasting & Film at University of Central Missouri
Jocelyn Nixon Studied Studied Creative Writing in English at Missouri State University
Jocelyn Nixon went to Blue Springs South High School.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

The Creepy Jingles play Manor Fest 6 on Thursday, May 23 at 9:00pm at The RINO, 314 Armour Rd, NKC with MC Rue + Mikey, and Brian Bulger.

10:48

8. The Creepy Jingles – “When Things Go Wrong”
   from: When Things Go Wrong” – Single / High Dive Records / February 23, 2024
   [This is the First of several new singles being released by The Creepy Jingles this year. The band released “Repeat After Me” on April 19, 2024. The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer / song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics. // Song (lyrics/melody/chords) written by Jocelyn Olivia Nixon. Recorded and Mixed by Paul Malinowski. Mastered by Zack Hames. Vocals & Piano: Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Guitars: Wills Van Doorn, Bass: Andrew Woody, and Drums: Nick Robertson. // The Creepy Jingles released their album, TAKE ME AT MY WORDPLAY on March 25, 2022 through High Dive Records. Paired up with lyrics centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree. Everything and the kitchen sink or swim. No stoner left unturned. The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. The release was in the top ten of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. ] The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019.] [

[The Creepy Jingles play Manor Fest 6 Thursday, May 23 at 9:00pm at The RINO, 314 Armour Rd, NKC with MC Rue + Mikey, and Brian Bulger.]

9. Nilüfer Yanya – “Like I Say (I Runaway)”
   from: “Like I Say (I Runaway)” Single / Ninja Tune / April 24, 2024
   [Nilüfer Yanya returns with her new single and music video “Like I Say (I runaway).” This offering is her first new music since the release of her celebrated 2022 album PAINLESS and announces her signing to Ninja Tune. The new single is a glowing example of Yanya’s authenticity and innate creativity that effortlessly flows from pen to paper and is a first taste of more music to come. // “Like I Say (I runaway)” comes alongside a music video directed by Yanya’s sister Molly Daniel that features Nilüfer as a runaway bride. The song highlights chunky, distorted guitar crunches under a chorus loosely reminiscent of 90’s alternative radio. The single focuses on the moment when you realise how precious time is. Speaking more about the single’s thesis Nilüfer shares, “It’s about how you choose to spend your time. Time is like a currency, every moment. You’re never going to get it back. It’s quite an overwhelming thing to realise.” // The new single was written in collaboration with Yanya’s creative partner, Wilma Archer (Sudan Archives, MF DOOM, Celeste), with whom she’s previously collaborated on PAINLESS and her debut album Miss Universe. Throughout their creative process, a clear emphasis was placed on forming a safe musical space where creative impulses were encouraged and all perceived musical boundaries were eroded. This same process is reflected in the song’s lyrics, which emphasise unrestricted artistry and standing firm in one’s truest self as Yanya attempts to make sense of the world around her.]

10. Infinity Song – “Slow Burn”
    from: Metamorphosis / Roc Nation Records / October 20, 2023
    [Infinity Song is a Soft Rock band based in New York City comprised of 4 siblings, Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd. With a blend of tight vocal harmonies, dreamy lyricism and sublime guitar riffs, the band creates a transcendent experience for the audience on every stage and in their recorded music. // Homeschooled academically and musically, along with their 5 other brothers and sisters, by parents who founded the Boys & Girls Choirs of Detroit, the siblings have performed in front of audiences since Pre-K. They were raised on classical, gospel and jazz, like Pat Methany, Marvin Gaye, The Winans Family and many others. // Infinity Song’s journey was a labored yet adventurous climb. In 2006, the Boyd patriarch, John Boyd, relocated the entire family from Detroit to New York and they began performing publicly all around the city. Singing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the morning, on 5th Avenue in the afternoon and Times Square at night, eventually Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain became a permanent stage for the next 12 years of their lives. After several years of developing a following and turning casual park visitors into loyal fans, the group was introduced to Jay-Z. // In 2016, the band was signed to Roc Nation by Jay-Z, who advised them to not conform to the label’s artistic culture, but rather allow Roc Nation’s artistic culture to catch up to them. 4 years later in 2020, the siblings made a giant splash with their debut album.]

11. Shabaka – “End Of Innocence”
    from: Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace / Impulse Records / April 12, 2024
    [Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace is the solo debut studio album of London jazz musician Shabaka Hutchings, working under the name Shabaka. The album was preceded by two singles, “End of Innocence” and “I’ll Do Whatever You Want”. // The album follows Hutchings’s hiatus from the saxophone and the end of his bands Sons of Kemet and the Comet Is Coming, and sees him focusing on different types of flutes, including the shakuhachi and the svirel, as well as the clarinet. // The album was recorded in Van Gelder Studio in 2022. Hutchings shared producing duties with Dilip Harris, and brought in a long list of collaborators including his own father Anum Iyapo, André 3000, Laraaji, and Floating Points. Musically, it focuses on jazz and new age music. Critical reception for the album was positive, highlighting the boldness of Hutchings’s shift in style. // On January 1, 2023, Hutchings announced his intention to take an indefinite hiatus from playing the saxophone, explaining later in the year that his enthusiasm for the instrument had waned after years of intense touring. This also coincided with the end of his two bands, Sons of Kemet and the Comet Is Coming. Hutchings’s last live saxophone performance was on 7 December 2023, where he played John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. // Hutchings’s new musical interests lied primarily with the flute and similar instruments, having started with them in 2019 after acquiring his first shakuhachi. Subsequent instruments Hutchings picked up include Mayan Teotihuacan drone flutes, Brazilian pifanos, Native American flutes, Slavic svirels, and South American quenas. The move coincided with an increase in attention on jazz flute following the release of André 3000’s 2023 album New Blue Sun, on which Hutchings contributed shakuhachi to one track. // Hutchings announced the album on 28 February 2024, set for a release on April 12, by Impulse! Records. On the same day, he released its lead single, “End of Innocence”, along with a music video directed by Phoebe Boswell. “End of Innocence” sees Hutchings playing the clarinet, with a band consisting of pianist Jason Moran, drummer Nasheet Waits, and percussionist Carlos Niño. // The second single, “I’ll Do Whatever You Want”, was released on March 21. Hutchings cowrote the song with Laraaji and Floating Points. It features Hutchings on shakuhachi, André 3000 on drone flute, Laraaji’s wordless vocals, Floating Points on Rhodes Chroma synthesizer and vibraphone, Esperanza Spalding and Tom Herbert on bass, Dave Okumu on guitar, Marcus Gilmore on drums, and Niño on percussion. Hutchings said the song is “about surrender and the intimate space we go to within the grasp of possession.” Other musicians on the record include Moses Sumney, Brandee Younger, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Saul Williams, Lianne La Havas, and Elucid. // Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace is Hutchings’s solo debut studio album, following his 2022 solo EP Afrikan Culture, which also centered Hutchings’s woodwind play. The titles of both releases are connected; in Hutchings’s words, they’re mean to be read as “Afrikan Culture, comma, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace”, with his next album being “the next sentence in a long form poem that encapsulates, hopefully, all the solo records of my career.” The song names on the album were extracted from a poem written for the album.]

11:00 – Station ID

12. The Grisly Hand – “Paris of The Plains”
    from: Safe House [EP] / Independent / November 2, 2010
    [The Grisly Hand are: Jimmy Fitzner, Johnny Nichols, Chas Snyder, Lauren Krum, Ben Summers, Mike Tuley & Kian Byrne. They played their first shows in January of 2009 and have since performed throughout the Kansas City/Lawrence area winning a 2010 Pitch Music Award. The entire band climbed into our studios and performed live on our Nov. 10, 2010 show. Safe House was released on vinyl.]

[The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable. EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. More info at http://thegrislyhand.com%5D

11:03 – Interview with Lauren Krum and Mike Stover

We welcome to the show, Lauren Krum & Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand who will share all of the details of The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable. EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. More info at http://thegrislyhand.com

Lauren Krum & Mike Stover thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

The band first started playing live in 2009. When The Grisly Hand released their debut album Safe House, yhe entire band (at that time: Lauren Krum, Jimmy Fitzner, Johnny Nichols, Chas Snyder, Mike Tuley) climbed into our studios and performed live on our Nov. 10, 2010 show.

Jimmy Fitzner, Johnny Nichols, Chas Snyder were in a band called Left Behind. Lauren played with them at The Brick, before leaving Kansas City to go to Columbia College in Chicago. In Chicago Lauren created the group The Strumpettes a soul-inspired group featuring four female singers and a four-piece band. When the Strumpettes dismantled in 2008 and her life in Chicago started to fall apart, Krum decided to move back to Kansas City. She immediately began singing with From Before.

Within a few months, Krum, Fitzner, Nichols and Snyder were performing as a new group. They had brought on Andy Davis to play mandolin. Krum had found the name “the Grisly Hand” after coming across it in the poem “Webster Ford” from Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology.

Currently The Grisly Hand is Jimmy Fitzner, Lauren Krum, Ben Summers, Mike Stover, Johnny Nichols and Kian Byrne.

A super group of sorts, several members have also been involved in other projects. Lauren has played and recorded with Ruddy Swain (with David Regnier), and Lorna Kay, (with Mike Stover) and Lorna Kay’s Country Club her DJ work. Mike Stover and Matt Richey have been part of the band Dead Voices.

The Grisly Hand Discography

Safe House (7-track) – EP / Independent / November 2, 2010

Western Ave. (4-track) – EP / Independent / February 1, 2012

“The Shape I’m In” – Single / Independent / December 22, 2012 (Recorded at Davey’s Uptown)

“Chucky (live) – Single / Independent / March 29, 2013 (Recorded at Davey’s Uptown)

Cuntry Singles (12 track) – Album / Independent / April 26, 2013

Flesh & Gold (9-track ) – Album / Independent / August 18, 2015

Hearts & Stars (10-track) – Album / Independent / November 18, 2016

“Now That You Know” – Single / Independent / May 7, 2021

“Why Make Me Cry” – Single / Independent / August 20, 2021

“On The Same Side” – Single / Independent / December 3, 2021

Traitors – (11 track) – Album / Independent / July 8, 2022

55 songs – an amazing body of music created over these 15 years.

The Grisly Hand members (through the years):
Lauren Krum
Jimmy Fitzner,
Johnny Nichols,
Chas Snyder,
Mike Tuley
Andy Davis
Ben Summers,
Kian Byrne
Matt Richey,
Mike Stover
Dan Loftus

Crossroads Music Fest founder Bill Sundahl describes the band: “A mixture of down home and metropolitan Country, Blues, Rock, Bluegrass, and just the right infusion of Soul is what sets them apart from their peers, yet invites you in to the party. Brilliant!”

The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable. EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. More info at http://thegrislyhand.com

11:12

13. The Grisly Hand – “Regrets on Parting”
    from: Flesh & Gold / Independent / October 2, 2015
    [The songs on Flesh & Gold are part of a double LP to be released in 2016. The band spent a year with Joel Nanos at Element Recording, and decided to split the songs between two CD/digital releases. The second half will be released in 2016, along with the LP. The album is the first with the newest member, Dan Loftus on bass, keyboards & vocals, joining Jimmy Fitzner on guitar & vocals, Lauren Krum on vocals & percussion, Matt Richey on drums, Mike Stover on steel guitar, bass & vocals, Ben Summers on guitar, vocals & mandolin. “Regrets On Parting” features: Rich Wheeler on tenor saxophone, Nick Howell on trumpet, and Mike Walker on trombone.]

[The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable. EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. More info at http://thegrislyhand.com%5D

11:16 – More Interview with Lauren Krum and Mike Stover

We are talking with, Lauren Krum & Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand who will share all of the details of The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable.

Lauren Krum & Mike Stover thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Joel Nanos of Element Recording has been like another member of the band.

A Grisly Jubilee! Featuring a setlist filled with songs from every release, all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies)

CHERISHED FRIENDS – After 15 years of exhilarating live shows, 6 excellent albums, and more than their fair share of goofs, false starts, and broken strings, The Grisly Hand wants to celebrate their long career with you!

Come and behold a whimsical and verdant garden of delights – A Grisly Jubilee! Featuring a setlist filled with songs from every release, all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies) and some very special guests!

A love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past years so memorable.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

After The Grisly Hand the dance floor Royalettes Vinyl Club

Lauren Krum & Mike Stover thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable. EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. More info at http://thegrislyhand.com

11:25

14. The Grisly Hand – “Now That You Know”
    from: Traitors / The Grisly Hand / July 8, 2022
    [On May 14, 2021, The Grisly Hand released the single “Now That You Know.” On August 20, 2021 they released the single, “Why Make Me Cry”. On December 3, 2021 they released the single, “On The Same Side.” // Now That You Know’ features Melinda Krum on vocals. ‘On The Same Side’ features Mike Tuley on banjo ‘Don’t Wait Til Summer’ features Nick Howell on trumpet. Artwork & layout by Lisa Yamanaka and Andrew PerryFor the double albums the recordings also featured: Rich Wheeler on tenor saxophone, Nick Howell on trumpet, and Mike Walker on trombone. // It had been four and a half years since The Grisly Hand has released new music. The band released HEARTS & STARS on November 18, 2016, and FLESH & GOLD on October 2, 2015. For those recordings the band had spent a year with Joel Nanos at Element Recording and decided to split the songs between two CD/digital releases: and also release them both together as a double vinyl album release, called THE GRISLY HAND released November 18, 2016 with a new reshuffling of songs for the vinyl LP format. Jimmy Fitzner on guitar & vocals, Lauren Krum on vocals & percussion, Kian Byrne on drums, Mike Stover on steel guitar, bass & vocals, Ben Summers on guitar, vocals & mandolin, Dan Loftus on bass, keyboards & vocals. ‘More info at: http://www.thegrislyhand.com]

[The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable. EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. More info at http://thegrislyhand.com%5D

11:28 – Underwriting

15. Be/Non – “Relinquish”
    from: new recordings from an upcoming Be/Non release / Be/Non / (Unreleased) 2024
    [Brodie Rush is 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. He is the Director of Animation & Motion Graphics at Crush Media. In 1996, Be/Non recorded two sets of songs in a small home studio in Lawrence, Kansas, that would become their first two EPs released on cassette. Be/Non, The band has had more members than Spinal Tap, but Brodie has remained the only consistent member, songwriter and producer. // Brodie Rush suffered an Aortic Dissection in October 2019. After being in a coma, and after months of therapy, recovery, and healing through two dangerous years of Covid-19. Brodie started working on a new song before this life-threatening event and it’s taken over two years to get it together. Be/Non personnel: 2007, Brodie Rush – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Drums; Ben Ruth – Bass, Upright Bass, Vocals; Adam Stotts – Guitar, Vocals; John Huff – Keyboards, Synths, Vocals; Adam Phillips – Drums (although Ryan Shank – played Drums on this track.) All songs written by: Brodie Rush, except Freedom Palace with music: John Huff & lyrics: Brodie Rush. Produced by Brodie Rush. Recorded at Westend Recording (Kansas City, Kansas) 2007 (Basic tracks, some overdubs); The Gold Room (Kansas City, Missouri) 2007 (Overdubs); Studio G (Brooklyn New York) 2007 (Mixing, Overdubs); The Map Room (Lawrence, Kansas) 2003 (Overdubs). Engineeres: Paul Malinowski Recorded at Westend Recording (Kansas City, Kansas) 2007 ; Brodie Rush The Gold Room (Kansas City, Missouri) 2007; Joel Hamilton Studio G (Brooklyn New York) 2007 ; Peter Buxton The Map Room (Lawrence, Kansas) 2003, (Saxophone overdubs imported from “Do The Heat” off the record, “Esperanto At The Pantheon, Incognito”). Mixed by Joel Hamilton at Studio G (Brooklyn New York) 2007. Mastered by Brodie Rush. Thanks John Hulston, Anodyne Records, Brenton Cook, Haymaker Records, Paul Malinowski, Tony Maimone, Justin Warring, Adam Phillips, Brandon Phillips, Steve Neuenburg, Mike Miller, Shawna Sowersby-Booth, David Hanson, Billy Brimblecom, Steve Tulipana, Jason Cantu, David Gaume, Robert Moczydlowsky, Laurel Birdsong Sears, Kid Millions, Cypher Sound, The Record Bar. Dedicated to: Failed marriages throughout time and space. The troubled “Freedom Palace” LP was recorded over 10 years ago in the summer of 2007 by Paul Malinowski and Brodie Rush in Kansas City, Missouri. Anodyne Records had commissioned Be/Non to re-record songs from, “RAN” and “Esperanto At The Pantheon, Incognito” along with other unreleased material. The music from the title track “Freedom Palace” was written by John Huff and had the album been released, would have been the first Be/Non composition not penned by Brodie Rush. Be/Non was a 5 piece before recording negotiations began in 2007. Directly before preproduction, the band had lost its drummer of 3 years and Be/Non was actively searching for a replacement. Between Brodie filling in on drums for two songs and Billy Brimblecom playing drums on another track, Be/Non asked Adam Phillips of The Architects to drum on the album’s remaining songs. The album was mostly recorded at Westend Studios in Kansas City and at Brodie’s home studio The Gold Room. After tracking 97% of the album, the project was taken to Studio G in Brooklyn New York for mixing by Joel Hamilton. 10 days later, the album was mixed and ready for duplication. No formal album covers had been decided on. John Huff had an idea of a Unipegadong by a nebula in space, while Brodie was thinking a castle floating in mid air. The first cover idea was mostly just pointing arrows going in all directions. Emotionally that was probably the closest to the mindset of that recording. The album “Freedom Palace” was never pressed or released. Because a contractual arrangement could not be agreed upon between Anodyne Records and Be/Non, the band would not see an album released until 2009, “A Mountain Of Yeses”, 11 years after it’s last release in 1998. “Freedom Palace” is dismissed by the band as a complete failure. Ultimately not having rights to the recordings, the inability to reach a contractual agreement with Anodyne Records and unhappiness with the final mix led to the disbanding of the “Freedom Palace” line up in early 2008. Reclusive, secluded and freshly divorced, a depressed Brodie Rush stopped all live performances for the next two years. Spending time to construct the concept record “A Mountain Of Yeses” as a solo endeavor under the Be/Non band moniker. Then, six years later in 2014, John Hulston of Anodyne Records graciously gave Brodie Rush full rights to the “Freedom Palace” recordings and masters. Be/Non has since tried numerous times to re-record the material for a proper release, but never could fully accomplish this task. Finally, for the entire world, for better or for worse, Be/Non and Haymaker Records would like to present the final mix of “Freedom Palace” the way it was originally intended. Be/Non adamantly renounces the production, mix and performances on these recordings, with few exceptions. The album was mixed and recorded during a dizzying haze of drug and alcohol abuse. The lyrics, the tone and the feel of the record is very unfocused, angry and misguided. This record does not reflect the proper sonic soundscape or performances Brodie Rush and Be/Non had intended whatsoever. “Freedom Palace” was full of rehashed versions of songs better left to their previous incarnations. “Moi Ou Toi” from the 7″ is a remake from “Freedom Palace” but the “FP” version is a remake of the original “Ran” version. Complicated. In fact ALL of the recordings on “FP” are remakes from “Ran” and “Esperanto.” “Do the Heat” and “Lucy” are again remakes of the “Ran” and “Esperanto” versions. The version of “Ice Fight” on “FP” I think… is different than the B-Side to “Moi Ou Toi”. A different remix with other instruments. We had two different versions from 2015. The Kraftwerk reference was unintentional. John Huff started playing that back in 2006 but hadn’t heard the Kraftwerk song until I played it for him in 2015. He just did that and thought he was cool. I hadn’t heard that tune until 2010 or so. It was an accident. There is an unreleased, unfinished song called “No God Of Mine” I recorded in 2002 on my 8 track that when I tried to remake it in 2007 with Mike Cochran on drums, John heard it and played me a song from the band YWKMBT Trail Of Dead from 2005 that was almost identical even the timing on the changes. The vocal melody was different tho. I got so disturbed by it that I stop working on the song altogether. “Garlic”, “In The Nighttime” “More Than Enough” and “Current And The Rind” were all part of an unreleased collection called “Enhance The Smoky” from 2000. Same year “Tenderfoot” was written.]

[Be/Non plays Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm with Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio.]

11:34 – Interview with Brenton Cook & Kristopher Bruders

Brenton Cook studied Computer Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology, in Rolla, Missouri, At his college radio station in Rolla KMNR, Brenton served as a disc jockey, business manager, and assistant music director, where he forged his love for independent music. After four years of volunteering for Midwest Music Foundation and coordinating three volumes of music compilations of regional artists, Brenton learned the hands-on know-how to produce, release, and promote independent music. He formed the Kansas City independent music label, Haymaker Records in January 2014. Haymaker Records chose to focus on boundary-pushing artists and provide promotion and a home for music that might be overlooked by traditional radio. Jorge Arana Trio became the first band signed in July 2014. Since that first release, the label has released a total of 24 recordings from 10 different artists including Be/Non, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Schwervon!, Monta At Odds, HMPH!, and Sie Lieben Maschinen. 14 releases have made their way onto vinyl, including two compilations of artists from KC, as well as acts from Arkansas to Norway. More information at: http://www.haymakerrecords.net

Brenton Cook, Thanks for being with us today on WMM

Kristopher Bruders is a singer, songwriter, band leader, husband, father and event organizer. Many Kansas City music fans know Kristopher Bruders for his work with band, Cadillac Flambé with vocalist and keyboardist, Havilah Bruders. Kristopher Bruders has also released music as a solo artist and with his newer bands Copper Threading and Gascan. Kristopher Bruders is also one half of Freight Train Rabbit Killer with Mark Smeltzer. Freight Train Rabbit Killer released their album, HAMMER OF JUDGEMENT on April 30, 2022 on vinyl from Haymaker Records.

Kristopher Bruders, Thanks for being with us today on WMM

Brenton and Kristopher join us to share details about Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm with Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio.

Haymaker Records has released multiple full length albums, for Monta At Odds, HMPH!, Be/Non, Jorge Arana Trio, Riala, Mysterious Clouds, Sie Lieben Maschinen, Schwervon!, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, and others on vinyl, cassette, CD, and 7 “. He has also produced two Haymaker compilation releases, called Fairgrounds. For the last 11 years, Brenton has been a co-curator of the Outer Reaches Fest shows.

Haymaker Records released Sie Lieben Maschinen’s June Gloom on January 1, 2015
[Steve Tulipana on vocals; Josh Newton on guitar, bass, synth; Chris Bolig on drums. Recorded and mixed by Scott Evans at Sharkbite Studios and Antisleep Audio. Vocals for “The Man Laughs”, “Postcards” and “Public Image” recorded by John Bersuch at Innerhorse. All other vocals recorded by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Sound Lab in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Carl Saff.]

Members of Jorge Arana Trio join us to on WMM on August 31, 2015 share music from their new album Mammoth. Just before they were to play their first album release concert at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, on Friday, September 2, 2016 with Haymaker Records label-mates Riala.

At that time Jorge Arana Trio was:

Jorge Arana (Guitar, Keyboard) played in Pixel Panda, Cliff of Fame.

Josh Enyart (drums, Percussion) also played with Various Blonde, Be Non and assortment of groups… Latin, Maps for Travelers, Pixel Panda, Capture The Flag, Wad, Savitar.

Jason Nash (bass) plays in Fat Bobba, Various Blonde,

Mammoth was Recorded in early 2016 by Justin Wilson at Sound 81 Productions.

Jorge Arana Trio seem to have a mutual understanding and mutual respect with their record label Haymaker Records. Both are young original, Kansas City creations, pushing the boundaries of music. Can you talk about your relationship with Haymaker Records and Brenton Cook? What does the label give the band? How to you benefit each other?

Mammoth was the 6th vinyl release for Haymaker Records following Oso and Mapache.

11:41

16. Jorge Arana Trio – “Overworld Map”
    from: Mammoth / Haymaker Records / September 23, 2016
    [Recorded in early 2016 by Justin Wilson at Sound 81 Productions. Jorge Arana Trio is: Jorge Arana, Josh Enyart, & Jason Nash. Formed in 2011. Mammoth is the 3rd album and 2nd full length release. Jorge Arana Trio played their first album release concert at recordBar, September 2 with 34 and Riala. The Jorge Arana Trio joined us live on WMM on August 31.]

[Jorge Arana Trio plays Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Sat, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm w/ Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio.]

11:43 – More Interview with Brenton Cook and Kristopher Bruders

Brenton and Kristopher join us to share details about Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm with Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio.

Brenton Cook and Kristopher Bruders, Thanks for being with us today on WMM

Haymaker Records has released multiple full length albums, for Monta At Odds, HMPH!, Be/Non, Jorge Arana Trio, Riala, Mysterious Clouds, Sie Lieben Maschinen, Schwervon!, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, and others on vinyl, cassette, CD, and 7 “. He has also produced two Haymaker compilation releases, called Fairgrounds. For the last 11 years, Brenton has been a co-curator of the Outer Reaches Fest shows.

The KC based band, Freight Train Rabbit Killer released their album, HAMMER OF JUDGEMENT April 30, 2022, on vinyl from Haymaker Records. 3 years in the making, there were hurdles along the way, from pressing plant delays to global pandemics.”The album was recorded during the Hammer of Judgment Recording Sessions back in April 2019, utilizing an interactive crowd of dedicated fans joining the band in the studio, experiencing the recording process first-hand with all of the bells and whistles of GFM Modern Recording in Blue Springs, Missouri for the engineering work and studio access and a previous collaborator, Andrew Crowley of Organica Recording for engineering, mixing, and mastering.” HAMMER OF JUDGEMENT is the band’s 2nd full-length album.

Many Kansas City music fans know Kristopher Bruders for his great work with band, Cadillac Flambé with your wife vocalist and keyboardist, Havilah Bruders.

Mark Smeltzer is a principle musician of Rural Grit and the Ruarl Grit Happy Hour Mondays at The Brick, one of Kansas City longest running weekly live musical shows. Mark has also been part of bands: Columbo, Trouble In Mind, E.I.O., and Dually Jukes.

Freight Train Rabbit Killer officially formed and performed for the first time around Halloween 2013. October 2023 marks the ten year anniversary of the band. The band celebrated their anniversary with the release of a two singles “Mule to Plow” and “Common Thorns” that will appear on the forthcoming LP “The Ten Year” due out on Haymaker Records in 2024.

Brenton Cook and Kristopher Bruders, Thanks for being with us today on WMM

Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm with Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio. More information at: http://www.haymakerrecords.net

11:52

17. Freight Train Rabbit Killer – “Mule To Plow”
    from: Mule To Plow / Haymaker Records / October 20, 2023
    [Freight Train Rabbit Killer officially formed and performed for the first time around Halloween 2013. October 2023 marks the ten year anniversary of the band. The band celebrated their anniversary with the release of a couple singles “Mule to Plow” and “Common Thorns” that will appear on the forthcoming LP “The Ten Year” due out on Haymaker Records in 2024. // Written By – Mark Smeltzer. With Mark Smeltzer on guitar & vocals, Kris Bruders on guitar & back up vocals, Jason Beers on bass, Friotz Hurtchison on drums, and Andrew Crowley on organ, // Engineered by Jeremy Wurst at B-24 Studios Kansas City, MO. Mixed and Mastered by Andrew Crowley at Organica Recording, St. Paul, MN. // Freight Train Rabbit Killer, a musical duet made up of Kristopher Bruders (Freight Train) and Mark Smeltzer (Rabbit Killer). Described as “Apocalyptic Roots” or “Doom Blues” their intense and riveting live shows are accompanied by suits and masks. // On April 30, 2022 Freight Train Rabbit Killer released their album Hammer of Judgement through Haymaker Records. For this album, the duo is accompanied by accomplished multi-instrumentalists and solo recording artists Jason Beers and Fritz Hutchison. The Hammer of Judgment recording session was a one-of-a-kind pseudo-live studio album, utilizing an interactive crowd of dedicated fans experiencing the recording process first-hand with all the bells and whistles of a professional recording studio (isolated tracking, overdubs, post-production, etc.). Tickets were sold in advance and the session was captured at GFM Modern Recording in Blue Springs, Missouri in April 2019. Post-production work, a global pandemic, and national independent record pressing delays pushed the release back three years from the recording date, but the end results made it worth the wait. Freight Train Rabbit Killer played a special Vinyl Release Party at The Fifth Floor, Saturday, April 30 at 8:00 PM, at 1106 Santa Fe St., KCMO, in the West Bottoms, with Drop A Grand, and Teri Quinn.]

[Be/Non plays Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm with Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio.]

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

Next week on May 8 we welcome Mikal Shapiro who joins us to share details about Kansas City Folk Fest on Saturday, May 18, 29024 at 12:00 Noon in Washington Square Park with Music by: ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Love, Mae C., Jass, Weda Skirts, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, HSN Youth Songwriter Contest Winners. Poetry by:, Mary Silwance, C. Woods, Sheri “Purpose” Hall. AND Demo by: Break Free KC Hip Hop School. AND Dance by: Shashwat Chaurasia. // Also next week, film makers: Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, & Isaac S. Cates return to talk and share music from their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad” that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by internationally recognized gospel music conductor Isaac S. Cates.

THANK YOU to our incredible KKFI Staff; Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers.

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. Instead it is about a collective spirit of hundreds of hardworking people, unselfishly setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the gigantic goal of keeping our airwaves free, non-commercial, and open to all! Congratulations and thank you to all programmers & volunteers who went the extra effort to keep our station alive.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

Show #1044

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

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Little Miss Dynamite + The Creepy Jingles + The Grisly Hand + Haymaker Records

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Little Miss Dynamite, The Matchsellers, The Grisly Hand, The Creepy Jingles, Julia Othmer, Jorge Arana Trio, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, English Teacher, Nilüfer Yanya, Infinity Song, and Shabaka.

At 10:11 we talk with Beth Watts Nelson about her band, Little Miss Dynamite and their new 6-track recording, GROW UP being released this week. Little Miss Dynamite is a four piece string band with Beth Watts Nelson on lead vocals & banjo, Betse Ellis (of The Wilders, Betse & Clarke) on fiddle, Brandon Day (of The Matchsellers) on bass, and Caleb Gardner (of Konza Swamp) on mandolin, guitar & vocals. Little Miss Dynamite play an Album Release Party on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 4:00pm at Tall Trellis Brew Co. at 25600 West Valley Parkway, Olathe, Kansas. More info at: http://www.bethwattsnelson.com

At 10:30 Mark welcomes Jocelyn Olivia Nixon who shares details about the new single releases from The Creepy Jingles. The band released “Repeat After Me” on April 19, 2024 and “When Things Go Wrong” on February 23, 2024, with more to come. The new tracks were recorded and mixed by Paul Malinowski. “The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer and song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics.” Also in the band, Wills Van Doorn soars on guitar, Andrew Woody keeps the band on the highway on bass, and Nick Robertson as a founding member holds it all down on drums. The Creepy Jingles play Manor Fest 6 on Thursday, May 23 at 9:00pm at The RINO, 314 Armour Rd, NKC with MC Rue + Mikey, and Brian Bulger.

At 11:00 we welcome Lauren Krum & Jimmy Fitzner of The Grisly Hand who will share all of the details of The Grisly Hand Jubilee: Celebrating 15 years of Music & Friendship, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO in WEST BOTTOMS. After 15 years of live shows, 6 albums, The Grisly Hand are doing a setlist filled with songs from every release, with all of their past band members (Lifetime Grislies), and some very special guests! This show is a love letter to the fans, family and friends who have made the past 15 years so memorable. EVERYTHING MUST GO – Grab some memorabilia at the discounted merch table – proceeds of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. More info at http://thegrislyhand.com

At 11:30 Brenton Cook talks about Haymaker Records 10 Year Anniversary Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00pm with Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Be/Non, and Jorge Arana Trio. Brenton formed Haymaker Records in January 2014. At his college radio station KMNR in Rolla, Missouri Brenton served as a disc jockey, business manager, and assistant music director, where he forged his love for independent music. After four years of volunteering for Midwest Music Foundation and coordinating three volumes of music compilations of regional artists, Brenton learned the hands-on know-how to produce, release, and promote independent music. Haymaker Records chose to focus on boundary-pushing artists and provide promotion and a home for music that might be overlooked by traditional radio. Jorge Arana Trio became the first band signed in July 2014. Since that first release, the label has released a total of 24 recordings from 10 different artists including Be/Non, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, Schwervon!, Monta At Odds, HMPH!, and Sie Lieben Maschinen. 14 releases have made their way onto vinyl, including two compilations of artists from KC, as well as acts from Arkansas to Norway. More information at: http://www.haymakerrecords.net

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

Show #1044

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

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Arson Class & Too Much Rock Single Series + Scott Hrabko + RxGhost

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: ASPN, Arson Class, RxGhost, IVORY BLUE, The Creepy Jingles, Scott Hrabko, Jo MacKenzie, Eddie Moore, Kim Gordon, Paramore, Brittany Howard, Benny Bleu, and Gloria Jones.

At 10:30 Chris & Phil Kinsley of Arson Class and Sid Sowder of Too Much Rock join us to share the radio broadcast premiere of the newest installment in the Too Much Rock Singles Series. After a four-year break, Too Much Rock is back with the 11th installment of the vinyl singles series, featuring Arson Class with their first vinyl release. Arson Class was formed by Pinoy brothers Chris & Phil Kinsley with Marc Bollinger on bass. The A-Side features the band’s “Junior.” The B-Side features a revved-up cover of John Cougar’s 1976 deep cut “American Dream” chosen by Too Much Rock. The limited-edition 7″ single will be out May 3, 2024 at area record stores, and directly from the band in both black and ultra-limited colored vinyl. Arson Class play a Single Release Party on Monday, May 6 at Farewell, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO and Saturday, May 18, at “Lawrence Rampage” Centennial Park, 600 Rockledge Rd., Lawrence, KS. For more info http://www.toomuchrock.com.

At 11:00 Jeremiah James Gonzales and band mates from RxGhost share music from their new 13-track album, Scaffolding, released April 11, 2024. RxGhost is: Josh Thomas on vocals & guitar, Justin Brooks on drums, James Capps on guitar, Chris Smead on bass, and Jeremiah James Gonzales. Scaffolding was produced by RxGhost, recorded and mixed by Paul Malinowski at Massive Sound Studios and mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. Music by RxGhost and Lyrics by Josh Thomas. RxGhost play The Brick, 1727 McGee, KCMO, on Friday, April 26, at 9:00am, with Enemy Airships, and Still Ill. More info at: rxghost.bandcamp.com

At 11:30 Scott Hrabko shares music from his new musical project, “Other Cats, Other Bags. Volume II,” released on April 19, 2024. It’s a multi-volume project culled from recording sessions Scott did at home with a few longtime Rabbits (his backing band mates) and some new friends from the KC music community, that Scott has been wanting to record with for some time. Each volume features cover art from artists Scott knows and loves who are still going strong. Scott Hrabko is an independent singer-songwriter who has followed his own mercurial muse since the town’s late 1980s indie rock scene. “Hrabko’s rootsy songs are filled with trap doors, hidden nooks, and secret passageways. They’re like those dreams within comfortably familiar houses that suddenly have brand new rooms.” Mike Warren – No Depression. More info at: http://www.scotthrabko.bandcamp.com and http://www.scotthrabko.com

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

Show #1043

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

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Claire Adams + ALBER + Rick Truman & The Folly Theater + Sondra Freeman & Michelle Bacon of Midwest Music Foundation

1.”It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / Dec. 20, 1979 [WMM theme]

2. Neko Case – “Hold On, Hold On”
   from: Fox Confessor Brings The Flood / Anti Inc / March 7, 2006
   [Neko’s 4th studio solo album. The album was recorded primarily in Tucson, over the course of two years as Case worked on the live The Tigers Have Spoken and continued to play with the New Pornographers. Critics hailed the record not only for Case’s trademark vocals but also her use of stark imagery and non-standard song structures. Fox Confessor Brings the Flood wound up on many “Best of 2006” lists, such as No.1 on the Amazon.com music editors’ picks and No. 2 on NPR’s All Songs Considered. The album debuted at No. 54 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It contains Case’s most autobiographical song, “Hold On, Hold On”. Case said: “the song is actually about me. It’s not metaphorical about other people. It’s not little pieces of my life made into a story about someone else or someone fictitious. // Neko Richelle Case was born September 8, 1970. She is an American singer-songwriter and member of the Canadian indie rock group the New Pornographers. Case has a powerful, untrained contralto voice, which has been described by contemporaries and critics as a “flamethrower”, “a powerhouse [which] seems like it might level buildings,” “a 120-mph fastball,” and a “vocal tornado”. Critics also note her idiosyncratic, “cryptic,” “imagistic” lyrics, and credit her as a significant figure in the early 21st-century American revival of the tenor guitar. Case’s body of work has spanned and drawn on a range of traditions including country, folk, art rock, indie rock, and pop and is frequently described as defying or avoiding easy generic classification. // Case is the only child of James Bamford Case and Diana Mary Dubbs. Case’s paternal family surname was originally Shevchenko; her great-aunt was the professional wrestler Ella Waldek. Her father, a Vietnam veteran serving in the United States Air Force, was based in Virginia at the time of her birth. Case’s parents, who were teenagers when they had her, are of Ukrainian ancestry. Her parents divorced when Case began school. Case’s family relocated several times during her childhood due to her stepfather’s work as an archaeologist. She has lived in Western Massachusetts, Vermont, Oregon and Washington. She considers Tacoma, Washington to be her hometown. // Case left home at age 15. By the age of 18 she was performing as a drummer for the Del Logs and the Propanes, playing in venues including a punk club called the Community World Theater.]

[Neko Case plays Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St, Lawrence Kansas on Friday, April 5, at 8:00pm.]

3. Paul Cherry – “Don’t You Wish”
   from: Pure Grooves Vol. 1 / Born Losers Records / September 15, 2023
   [Paul Cherry on acoustic guitar/synth; Joseph Faught on bass; Noah Barker on keys/synth; Nelson Devereaux on saxophone/flute; Roy Arsenault on drums/percussion; and Adam Paulsen on guitar. // All songs recorded at Honeymoon Suite, Lincoln Heights Los Angeles CA between spring 2022 and spring 2023. Engineered by Paul Cherry. Mixed by Paul Cherry. Additional Production by Paul Cherry, Noah Barker, Lydia Kitto. Radio Call-in sketches by Maya Nordine & Mood Killer. Mastered by Todd Mecaughey // Vocals & Acoustic guitar on track 3 performed by Mica Tenenbaum & Matthew Lewin]

[Paul Cherry plays The Emerald 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Monday April 8, at 7:00pm with JW Francis]

4. Claire Adams – “Words of Love (2024)”
   from: “Words of Love (2024)” – Single / Claire Adams / April 2, 2024
   [Words of Love Claire Adams-vocals, bass; Daniel Dissmore on trumpet; Fritz Hutchison on drums; Jackie Myers on piano; Trevor Turla on trombone; Abraham Villaseñor on guitar. // Recorded, mixed and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab, KCMO. Additional recording by Odin Parada at Rec4 Studios, GDL. // Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams is dedicated to collaborating, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire founded the eight-piece genre-jumping collective Claire and the Crowded Stage – a project that united her pop sensibilities with non-traditional instrumentation. This project teamed her up with guitarist Katy Guillen and drummer Stephanie Williams, leading them to form the nationally touring blues-rock trio Katy Guillen & the Girls in 2012, with Adams on bass and backing vocals. In recent years Adams has been performing solo, collaborating with the KC based string quartet Rewound, and in a trio featuring pianist Alyssa Murray. More info at: claireadamsmusic.com]

[Claire Adams plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms on Thursday, April 11 at 8:00pm, opening for Fritz Hutchison & His Honky Tonk Band]

[Claire Adams plays The Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads 2715 Rochester Ave. KCMO on Sunday, April 14 with Jackie Myers and Fritz Hutchison]

10:11 – Interview with Claire Adams

Claire Adams has a new single called WORDS OF LOVE that was officially released yesterday on April 2, 2024. Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. // Picking up guitar as a teenager, Adams was immediately drawn to songwriting. Her penchant for wordplay and melody led her to Nashville to study, write and perform, sparking an interest in traveling, touring and working in collaborative environments. // Upon returning closer to home in 2010, Adams set up shop in Kansas City, Missouri, and Claire founded the eight-piece genre-jumping collective Claire and the Crowded Stage – a project that united her pop sensibilities with non-traditional instrumentation. This project teamed her up with guitarist Katy Guillen and drummer Stephanie Williams, leading them to form the nationally touring blues-rock trio Katy Guillen & the Girls in 2012, with Adams on bass and backing vocals. In recent years Adams has been performing solo, collaborating with the KC based string quartet Rewound, pianist Alyssa Murray, and Steve Gardels. Claire Adams plays The Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads on Sunday, April 14 with Jackie Myers and Fritz Hutchison. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com

Claire Adams thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Claire Adams was our guest on WMM on April 7, 2021

Claire Adams lives in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico but still gets back to Kansas City often to work on musical projects and see family and friends..

Claire Adams has collaborated with the KC based string quartet Rewound, True Lions, Steve Gardels, jazz pianist Alyssa Murrav, Jazz pianist Jackie Myers & drummer Fritz Hutchinson.

Claire Adams Alyssa Murray and Steve Gardels released the EP Easy Match on November 1, 2023. Easy Match contains 5 songs.

Claire Adams releases “It’s All in Fun” – Single on June 30, 2023. Claire Adams told Michelle Bacon at The Bridge, “”I wrote the string arrangement in the summer of 2021 and we went in to record it this past spring,” Adams said. “I’ve had the happiness of working with Alyssa Bell (viola) and Carmen Dieker (violin) for several years now, mostly playing my songs as arranged by others and I wanted to give a try to arranging a song myself.” “I feel like having an understanding of everyone else’s styles and strengths gives me a sense of direction and focus on what can otherwise be a really abstract craft,” she said. On bass, she, Guillen and Williams comprised the acclaimed trio Katy Guillen & The Girls for seven years, while she has consistently been working with Murray in the years to follow. The four of them got to work with Duane Trower, who has recorded and engineered the majority of Adams‘ solo songs.

Claire Adams released “If It Isn’t Right (Alyssa Murray Remix)” on April 15, 2022
Claire Adams wrote to us saying, “Alyssa Murray made a super cool remix of one of the songs off the last album and I wanted to share it with you. The song is ‘If It Isn’t Right’ and also features the Rewound string trio and an arrangement by Peter Lawless. Alyssa really made it her own and gave it a whole new spin, she’s amazing!” Here are the full credits: Vocals: Claire Adams, Alyssa Murray, Fritz Hutchison. Synths and Beats: Alyssa Murray. Cello: Ezgi Karakus. Viola: Alyssa Bell. Violin: Carmen Dieker. String Arrangement: Peter Lawless. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures Soundlab. Cover Art by Cassie Allen. ‘If It Isn’t Right’ written by Claire Adams. This song was originally on Claire’s acclaimed album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU originally released April 24, 2020.

Claire Adams released her album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU April 24, 2020. Lost in the COVID 19 of 2020. The album was properly given a “release show” and put out on CD in 2021. 10 songs all written by Claire Adams. Recorded at The Blue House in Kansas City, MO. Additional tracking at MARZ Studios in Nederland, TX. Mixed & mastered at Weights + Measures Soundlab in KCMO. Written by Claire Adams, with Claire Adams on guitars, bass, and vocals; Alyssa Murray on keyboards & vocals; and Fritz Hutchison on drums & vocals.

Claire Adams released: Words of Love EP on Feb. 5, 2021 – Recorded and Produced by Claire Adams at Casa 34 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures in Kansas City, MO. Cover Photo by Hugo Parasol. ‘So This Is Love’ written by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston. ‘Pocketful Of Rainbows’ written by Ben Weisman, ‘Till There Was You’ written by Meredith Wilson. “Words of Love” written by Claire Adams. ‘Calico Skies’ written by Paul McCartney.

Claire Adams released the EP Moras under the moniker, Mismo Sismo (same earthquake) on July 21, 2021. Claire Adams wrote and recorded this EP at home during the first months of the COVID-19 quarantine. The three songs are meant to be played all together but also stand alone. Mismo Sismo is a collaboration with photographer Hugo Parasol.

Claire played guitar on True Lions album THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK. In 2020 Clairplayed with the band Ondist for their three full length albums, No Coincidence on June 12, and Electricity on Aug. 14, and Mise en Place on Nov. 13, 2020 with songs recorded at Weights & Measures with Duane Trower with Sam Platt on drums, Eddie Moore on keyboards, DeAndre Manning on bass, Jamie Anderson on guitar, Claire Adams on vocals, and Jillian Riscoe on vocals. Claire also participated in Katy Guillen and The Girls Reunion shows in summer of 20. More info at: https://claireadams.bandcamp.com%5D

In 2020 the band Ondist has released three full length albums, No Coincidence on June 12, and Electricity on August 14, and Mise en Place on November 13 totaling 41 songs, plus a 26 track Acapellas & Instrumentals Release on July 3, plus a 4-song EP entitled Resound on February 28, plus 9 singles. Ondist is Corbin Dooley, Nick Poortman, and Maya Coppola are Ondist. With divergent backgrounds rooted in Arkansas, New Zealand, and New York, the trio connected in Los Angeles. Recording in Malibu, Dallas, Kansas City, and Las Vegas brought environmental influences to the center of the Ondist sound, which is united by its cinematic vision of hope. Several of the tracks for all three albums were recorded at Weights & Measures with Duane Trower with Sam Platt on drums, Eddie Moore on keyboards, DeAndre Manning on bass, Jamie Anderson on guitar, Claire Adams on vocals, and Jillian Riscoe on vocals. Corbin Dooley signed Nine Inch nails to TVT Records in 1990. He managed Blur, and Tekronic. We interviewed Maya Coppola on the October 7, 2020 on WMM.
.
Claire Adams thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Claire Adams plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms on Thursday, April 11 at 8:00pm, opening for Fritz Hutchison & His Honky Tonk Band

Claire Adams plays The Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads on Sunday, April 14 with Jackie Myers and Fritz Hutchison. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com

10:27

5. Claire Adams – “All The Dreams”
   from: “Words of Love (2024)” – Single / Claire Adams / April 2, 2024
   [Claire Adams-vocals, bass; Fritz Hutchison on drums; Jackie Myers on piano. // Recorded, mixed and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab, KCMO. Additional recording by Odin Parada at Rec4 Studios, GDL. // Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams is dedicated to collaborating, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire founded the eight-piece genre-jumping collective Claire and the Crowded Stage – a project that united her pop sensibilities with non-traditional instrumentation. This project teamed her up with guitarist Katy Guillen and drummer Stephanie Williams, leading them to form the nationally touring blues-rock trio Katy Guillen & the Girls in 2012, with Adams on bass and backing vocals. In recent years Adams has been performing solo, collaborating with tRewound, and in a trio featuring pianist Alyssa Murray. More info at: claireadamsmusic.com]

[Claire Adams plays The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms on Thursday, April 11 at 8:00pm, opening for Fritz Hutchison & His Honky Tonk Band]

[Claire Adams plays The Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads 2715 Rochester Ave. KCMO on Sunday, April 14 with Jackie Myers and Fritz Hutchison]

10:31 – Underwriting

6. ALBER – “Ritmo”
   from: Lento / Locale Records / April 12, 2024
   [Alberto Racanati is a genre-bending musician originally from Bari, Italy, now established in Kansas City. His musical journey started at age 11 when he learned to play his first notes on the trumpet. At age 14 Alberto enrolled in the Bari Conservatory to pursue his performance degree in the academy, while living a parallel musical existence in the rich musical underground in Southern Italy, playing drums and trumpet in a plethora of bands across all genres. His musical studies then took him to the National Music Academy in Gdansk, Poland, where he lived from 2011 to 2014, discovering the multicultural nature of the arts. In 2014 Alberto moved to the United States to work as a Graduate Assistant at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. In 2016 Alberto continued on to Kansas City to pursue a Doctoral Degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he became enamored with the local music scene. 2018 saw the start of Alberto’s journey with electronic music, writing material for trumpet and electronics. This is where the project Alber starts, especially using social media as an interactive, open sketchbook for his sonic excursions. Alberto’s first self-titled album was released in 2020, followed by significant live performing presence in 2021 in Kansas and Missouri. His second album Journey, was then released in 2021. At the same time, Alberto ramped up his touring of the Midwest region and collaboration with a variety of other artists. Most recently in 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, debuting in 2024. Additionally he became one of the Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Residents, a program that features some of the most brilliant up and coming artists in the Kansas City region. Still in 2023, Alberto toured the East Coast of the US and his native Italy, in a much welcome reconnection with his musical roots. Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento and finalizing his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.]

[ALBER presents his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, Bari Italy, on May 23, 2024 at Charlotte Street Foundation, 3333 Wyoming, KCMO.]

10:36 – Interview with Albert Racanati

Albert Racanati who records as ALBER. Alberto Racanati is a genre-bending musician originally from Bari, Italy, now established in Kansas City. He learned to play his first notes on the trumpet at age 11. At 14 Alberto enrolled in the Bari Conservatory to pursue his performance degree in the academy, while living a parallel musical existence in the rich musical underground in Southern Italy, playing drums & trumpet in multiple bands. In 2011 his studies took him to the National Music Academy in Gdansk, Poland. In 2014 Alberto moved to the United States to work as a Graduate Assistant at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. In 2016 Alberto moved to Kansas City to pursue a Doctoral Degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he became enamored with the local music scene. Alberto’s first self-titled album was released in 2020, followed by significant live performing presence in 2021 in Kansas and Missouri. His second album Journey, was released in 2021. In 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, debuting in 2024. He also became a Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Resident. Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento and is planning his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.

Albert Racanati thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Alberto Racanati is originally from Bari, Italy in Southern Italy on the coast of the Adriatic Sea

His musical journey started at age 11 when he learned to play his first notes on the trumpet. At age 14 Alberto enrolled in the Bari Conservatory to pursue his performance degree in the academy, while living a parallel musical existence in the rich musical underground in Southern Italy, playing drums and trumpet in a plethora of bands across all genres.

His musical studies then took him to the National Music Academy in Gdansk, Poland, where he lived from 2011 to 2014, discovering the multicultural nature of the arts.

In 2014 Alberto moved to the United States to work as a Graduate Assistant at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.

In 2016 Alberto continued on to Kansas City to pursue a Doctoral Degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he became enamored with the local music scene. 2018 saw the start of Alberto’s journey with electronic music, writing material for trumpet and electronics.

This is where the project Alber starts, especially using social media as an interactive, open sketchbook for his sonic excursions. Alberto’s first self-titled album was released in 2020, followed by significant live performing presence in 2021 in Kansas and Missouri.

His second album Journey, was then released in 2021. At the same time, Alberto ramped up his touring of the Midwest region and collaboration with a variety of other artists.

Most recently in 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea.”

ALBER presents his multimedia installation “Born at Sea” on May 23, 2024 at Charlotte Street Foundation, 3333 Wyoming, KCMO. “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, Bari Italy.

Alberto explained to us that “Born At Sea” features four shots of the sea from the shores of Bari, Italy, reflecting four different moods, with a different musical guest with each shot, and including dance. The project will involve all of the senses of the audience.

Most recently in 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, debuting in 2024. Additionally he became one of the Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Residents, a program that features some of the most brilliant up and coming artists in the Kansas City region.

Still in 2023, Alberto toured the East Coast of the US and his native Italy, in a much welcome reconnection with his musical roots.

Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento o April 12, 2024 and finalizing his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.

DISCOGRAPHY
INTO THE WOODS – 2022
JOURNEY – 2021
ALBER – 2020

10:45

7. ALBER – “Suerte”
   from: Lento / Locale Records / April 12, 2024
   [Alberto Racanati is a genre-bending musician originally from Bari, Italy, now established in Kansas City. His musical journey started at age 11 when he learned to play his first notes on the trumpet. At age 14 Alberto enrolled in the Bari Conservatory to pursue his performance degree in the academy, while living a parallel musical existence in the rich musical underground in Southern Italy, playing drums and trumpet in a plethora of bands across all genres. His musical studies then took him to the National Music Academy in Gdansk, Poland, where he lived from 2011 to 2014, discovering the multicultural nature of the arts. In 2014 Alberto moved to the United States to work as a Graduate Assistant at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. In 2016 Alberto continued on to Kansas City to pursue a Doctoral Degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he became enamored with the local music scene. 2018 saw the start of Alberto’s journey with electronic music, writing material for trumpet and electronics. This is where the project Alber starts, especially using social media as an interactive, open sketchbook for his sonic excursions. Alberto’s first self-titled album was released in 2020, followed by significant live performing presence in 2021 in Kansas and Missouri. His second album Journey, was then released in 2021. At the same time, Alberto ramped up his touring of the Midwest region and collaboration with a variety of other artists. Most recently in 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, debuting in 2024. Additionally he became one of the Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Residents, a program that features some of the most brilliant up and coming artists in the Kansas City region. Still in 2023, Alberto toured the East Coast of the US and his native Italy, in a much welcome reconnection with his musical roots. Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento and finalizing his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.]

[ALBER presents his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, Bari Italy, on May 23, 2024 at Charlotte Street Foundation, 3333 Wyoming, KCMO.]

10:48 – More Interview with Albert Racanati

Albert Racanati who records as ALBER is a genre-bending musician originally from Bari, Italy, now established in Kansas City. In 2016 Alberto moved to Kansas City to pursue a Doctoral Degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he became enamored with the local music scene. Alberto’s first self-titled album was released in 2020, followed by significant live performing presence in 2021 in Kansas and Missouri. His second album Journey, was released in 2021. In 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, debuting in 2024. He also became a Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Resident. Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento and is planning his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.

Albert Racanati thanks for being with us again on WMM.

In 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, debuting in 2024. He also became a Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Resident.

Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento on April 12, 2024, and is planning his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.

Albert Racanati thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento and is planning his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.

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

10:57

8. ALBER – “Poolside (feat, Alex Mallett”
   from: Lento / Locale Records / April 12, 2024
   [Alberto Racanati is a genre-bending musician originally from Bari, Italy, now established in Kansas City. His musical journey started at age 11 when he learned to play his first notes on the trumpet. At age 14 Alberto enrolled in the Bari Conservatory to pursue his performance degree in the academy, while living a parallel musical existence in the rich musical underground in Southern Italy, playing drums and trumpet in a plethora of bands across all genres. His musical studies then took him to the National Music Academy in Gdansk, Poland, where he lived from 2011 to 2014, discovering the multicultural nature of the arts. In 2014 Alberto moved to the United States to work as a Graduate Assistant at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. In 2016 Alberto continued on to Kansas City to pursue a Doctoral Degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he became enamored with the local music scene. 2018 saw the start of Alberto’s journey with electronic music, writing material for trumpet and electronics. This is where the project Alber starts, especially using social media as an interactive, open sketchbook for his sonic excursions. Alberto’s first self-titled album was released in 2020, followed by significant live performing presence in 2021 in Kansas and Missouri. His second album Journey, was then released in 2021. At the same time, Alberto ramped up his touring of the Midwest region and collaboration with a variety of other artists. Most recently in 2023 Alberto was awarded the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant for his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, debuting in 2024. Additionally he became one of the Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Residents, a program that features some of the most brilliant up and coming artists in the Kansas City region. Still in 2023, Alberto toured the East Coast of the US and his native Italy, in a much welcome reconnection with his musical roots. Currently, Alberto is about to release his third full length album Lento and finalizing his upcoming 2024 tours to the East Coast and Southern Italy.]

[ALBER presents his multimedia installation “Born at Sea”, a project centered on the idyllic sea scenery of his hometown, Bari Italy, on May 23, 2024 at Charlotte Street Foundation, 3333 Wyoming, KCMO.]

11:00 – Station Identification

9. Matthew Whitaker – “Trust Me”
   from: Connections / Resilience Music Alliance / August 13, 2021
   [Matthew Whitaker (born April 3, 2001) is an American jazz pianist. Blind since birth, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater, where, at 10, he was the opening performer for Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame. // Whitaker was the subject of Thrive, a 13-minute documentary about “the prodigious talent and irrepressible spirit of a musically precocious 12-year-old blind boy.” // Whitaker was born in Hackensack, New Jersey to May and Moses Whitaker. Born three months prematurely, he weighed less than two pounds, and was given a less than 50 percent chance of survival. He was later diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which caused his blindness. On his third birthday, he played “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” on a toy Yamaha keyboard he had received as a birthday present. Whitaker had heard the song and played it by ear. // Whitaker began taking piano lessons when he was 5 as the youngest student at The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School, a New York school for the blind and visually impaired. With perfect pitch, he learned to play piano mainly by listening, although he learned to read Braille music as well. He later studied at The Harlem School of the Arts, and in addition to taking lessons in classical and jazz piano, he learned to play the organ, percussion instruments, the clarinet and bass guitar. At 9, he earned the support of the Jazz Foundation of America, and as a teenager, he attended the Manhattan School of Music’s Pre-College Jazz program. His playing was influenced by Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Barry Harris, Erroll Garner, and Thelonious Monk.// On March 6, 2017, he released his first album, Outta the Box. Other musicians on the album include Christian McBride, Dave Stryker, Will Calhoun, Sammy Figueroa, Melissa Walker, and James Carter. In April 2017, Whitaker performed on the Ellen Degeneres Show and competed on Fox’s Showtime at the Apollo, winning first place. Whitaker has toured Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Among other venues, he has performed at the main concert hall at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C and the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.]

[Matthew Whitaker plays The Folly Theatre at 300 West 12th Street, KCMO on Saturday, April 6, at 8:00pm for The Folly Jazz Series with this 22-year-old phenom. More info at http://www.follytheater.org]

11:02 – Interview with Rick Truman

Rick Truman is the Executive Director at The Folly Theatre at 300 West 12th Street, KCMO. Rick Truman joined the Folly Theater as Executive Director in January 2022. From 2003 to 2021, Truman served as Managing Director of Quality Hill Playhouse, a local nonprofit theater company, leading financial and administrative operations. He holds a Master in Public Administration from the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at UMKC and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in acting and directing from Avila University. In addition to his experience in nonprofit arts management, Rick has performed or stage directed at many Kansas City theaters, including Kansas City Repertory Theater, Musical Theater Heritage, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Spinning Tree Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, and Civic Opera Theater. On Saturday, April 6 The Folly Jazz Series continues with Matthew Whitaker, Jazz Series, 22-year-old phenom. More information at http://www.follytheater.org

Rick Truman, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Rick Truman joined the Folly Theater as Executive Director in January 2022.

From 2003 to 2021, Truman served as Managing Director of Quality Hill Playhouse, a local nonprofit theater company, leading financial and administrative operations.

He holds a Master in Public Administration from the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at UMKC and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in acting and directing from Avila University.

In addition to his experience in nonprofit arts management, Rick has performed or stage directed at many Kansas City theaters, including Kansas City Repertory Theater, Musical Theater Heritage, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Spinning Tree Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, and Civic Opera Theater

FOLLY PROGRAMMING AND PARTNERS

Folly Jazz Series
The Folly + 90.9 The Bridge Americana Concert Series
Live! In the Lounge
Folly Kids’ Series
Friends of Chamber Music
Harriman Jewell Series
Heartland Men’s Chorus
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra

Saturday, April 6: Matthew Whitaker, Jazz Series, 22-year-old phenom who is the youngest ever Hammond B3 artist (at 13) and Yamaha artist (at 15)

Sunday April 7 at 3:00 PM Emanuel Ax, Piano Part of Harriman-Jewell Series

Wednesday, April 10 at 8:00 PM Jimbo’s Drag Circus (This event is 18+)
Murray & Peter in association with House Of JIMBO proudly present “JIMBO’s Drag Circus” The Weirdest Show On Earth, featuring the many outrageous characters of JIMBO’s twisted imagination. // Best known for competing on the first season of Canada’s Drag Race (2020), the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World (2022), and the (spoiler alert) WINNER of the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (2023), JIMBO has quickly become a ‘Drag Icon’ garnering international recognition. JIMBO is a designer known for show stopping looks and creating a spectacle that leaves audience screaming for more. // The world tour will begin with 37 US cities including a stop at the Folly Theater in downtown Kansas City, MO on April 10, 2023.

Sunday, April 14: Art For Art, a benefit auction where the visual arts industry is supporting the performing arts industry (art works are donated to the Folly, and we auction them online and at a special reception event where all the art will be displayed on the Folly stage)

Saturday, April 27: Alex Cuba, Americana Series, bi-lingual GRAMMY, Latin GRAMMY, and Juno winning singer-songwriter/producer and musician

Friday, May 3: “My Shadow Is Pink”, Kids Series, world premiere choral work commissioned by the Folly, based on the book of the same title by Scott Stuart about a 5-year-old boy who is scared to reveal his true self (i.e. his shadow) who loves the color pink and dancing in a tutu. The piece will be performed by a small ensemble of the Heartland Men’s Chorus.

Wednesday, June 5: The 50th anniversary of the Folly building being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This single event is what stopped the wrecking ball and started the process of restoring the theater to the beautiful showplace it is today.

June 22, Folly will be presenting our first ever Folly Pride Concert. With the fabulously talented and indomitable Alex Newell who will take the stage for an extraordinary night of timeless Broadway classics and contemporary chart-toppers.

Rick Truman, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

On Saturday, April 6 The Folly Jazz Series continues with Matthew Whitaker, Jazz Series, 22-year-old phenom. This summer the Folly will be presenting our first ever Folly Pride Concert. On June 22, the fabulously talented and indomitable Alex Newell will take the stage for an extraordinary night of timeless Broadway classics and contemporary chart-toppers. More information at http://www.follytheater.org

Shucked is a 2022 musical with music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and a book by Robert Horn. The Broadway musical SHUCKED opened on April 4, 2023 at the Nederlander Theatre. The show received nine nominations at the 76th Annual Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Cast member Alex Newell became one of the first two openly non-binary performers to be nominated for and win a Tony Award, with their win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. (Along with J. Harrison Ghee)

11:19

10. Alex Newell – “Independently Owned”
    from: Shucked (Original Broadway Cast Recording) / Haystack on Broadway / May 5, 2023
    [Alex Eugene Newell was born August 20, 1992. They are an American actor and singer. They[ are known for their role as Unique Adams on the Fox musical series Glee and Mo on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Newell also starred as Asaka in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island at the Circle in the Square Theatre in 2018. For their role in Shucked, they won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Along with J. Harrison Ghee, they became the first openly nonbinary performers to win a Tony Award in an acting category. // As a singer, Newell has released tracks with Clean Bandit, Blonde, and the Knocks. // Newell was born on August 20, 1992, in Lynn, Massachusetts. Their father, a deacon, died of cancer when they were six years old, at which point their mother raised them as a single parent. // After four complete years of education in the first class of Kipp Lynn Academy, Newell moved on to and graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School in 2012,[6] where they were involved in their school’s choir, improv club, and costume club; they were also a member of their church choir at Zion Baptist Church in Lynn, Massachusetts while later also directing the youth choir. They never had any formal voice lessons before landing their part on Glee. They have cited Donna Summer, Sylvester, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Beyoncé as their influences.// Newell was among 34,000 to submit an audition video in 2011 for the first season of Oxygen’s The Glee Project. Newell’s self-taped audition earned them over one million MySpace views as well as a spot among the 12 participants who competed for a seven-episode arc on Glee. During the arc, they asserted themself as an out gay man. Eventually, they became the series’ first runner-up.[ Nevertheless, the producers were so impressed that they decided to bring them on Glee for two episodes. Newell first appeared on Glee in the third season episode “Saturday Night Glee-ver”. They were cast in the role of Wade “Unique” Adams, a transgender teenager who was assigned male at birth. The shy, outcast Wade expressed their female identity through music as the bold, brave alter ego, Unique. Wade broke ground by being one of the most visible transgender characters on television and one of the first on a network prime time show. Newell’s performance was described as “bold”, with “remarkable restraint and powerful vocals.” // On his nightly show, Bill O’Reilly expressed concern that children watching the show unsupervised might be encouraged to experiment with what he termed “alternative lifestyles,” which he said the show glorified. Newell commented, “My mother said, ‘If Bill O’Reilly said something about you, you are doing something right.’ He just showed the public and conservative viewers me. There are more people seeing me now… There are people like Wade and Unique, and [they’re] being themselves. If kids want to go and do that, that is them expressing who they are.” They later appeared in two more episodes and completed their story arc that season. // Newell was accepted into the Berklee College of Music for fall 2012, but decided instead to move to Los Angeles to be on Glee when they were asked to rejoin the cast for the show’s fourth season. Unique returned as a Glee recurring cast member in the fourth season premiere, “The New Rachel”. Newell, along with the rest of the cast, received a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2012, but lost to Modern Family. For the fifth season, Newell was promoted to main cast because of the character’s popularity. In the sixth and final season, Newell was not a part of the regular cast, but did appear as a recurring guest star. A highlight of the sixth season was Newell singing “I Know Where I’ve Been” from Hairspray with the Transpersons Choir of 200 performers.// Over the years, Newell sang at numerous events, such as the Coachella Festival, but also at many LGBT events and pride festivals. They also performed at the Governors Ball Music Festival and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend. // Newell announced in October 2013 that they had been signed by Big Beat Records and that they were going to release Newell’s debut album. It was also revealed that it was going to be produced by Adam Anders. Their debut single, a cover of Sigma’s “Nobody to Love”, was released on June 3, 2014. In 2015, Newell embarked on a series of cover songs and collaborations. In March, they provided feature vocals for the re-issued version of “Stronger”, a song by Clean Bandit. Later in the same month, they produced a disco-house stylization of Robin S.’s single “Show Me Love” together with Russian DJ Matvey Emerson. Over the summer, they worked with the British electro duo Blonde by featuring vocals in their single “All Cried Out”. They then began to collaborate with the US electroduo the Knocks on the song “Collect My Love”, “a soaring disco standout” where they reached “staggering heights.” The song, from the EP So Classic, will be included in The Knocks’ debut album 55, scheduled to be released in March 2016. Finally, for Christmas, Newell released a cover of the song “O Come All Ye Faithful”. // Their original song “This Ain’t Over”, released in January 2016, was warmly welcomed by the media. Out commented: “The vibrant dance-pop track flawlessly revives disco if only for a few short minutes. Without the gimmicks of manufactured radio pop, Newell manages to serve This Ain’t Over with pure talent.” Spin said: “Newell’s unassailable voice is in full force on ‘This Ain’t Over,’ shining out like a triumphant beacon over a thumping, glamorous dance-pop soundscape.” Vulture concluded: “This is just diva vocal acrobatics flexed with the swag of a queen.”] // “This Ain’t Over” was announced as the first track off their debut extended play called Power, featuring production from the pop artists Diane Warren, Nile Rodgers, MNEK and DJ Cassidy. The EP will be released on February 19 via Big Beat. // Newell supported fellow Glee alum Adam Lambert on tour from February 23 until the April 2 finale at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre in 2016. After the tour, Newell recorded a new single in collaboration with Power producers DJ Cassidy and Nile Rodgers, entitled “Kill the Lights”, released on April 8, 2016, through Atlantic Records. It was expected to be one of a few tracks that Newell was making as part of the HBO TV series Vinyl. It was later revealed that the song had been recorded the previous year when Newell was working with Clean Bandit, Blonde and The Knocks, and inspired the producers to work with them on their debut extended play. Later that same month, the song was released again, featuring vocals from Jess Glynne.// ebut album, Once on This Island, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, and Shucked // In 2017, Newell made their Broadway debut playing the role of Asaka in the revival of Once on This Island. // In 2019, Newell was cast in NBC’s musical dramedy Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist in the role of Mo, a genderfluid DJ and the protagonist’s next-door neighbor. In June 2021, the series was canceled by NBC after two seasons. In December 2021, The Roku Channel released a two-hour holiday film, Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, concluding the story of the NBC series. Newell reprised their role of Mo for the film. // In 2023, Newell premiered in the role of Lulu in the musical comedy Shucked on Broadway in the Nederlander Theatre. The show opened April 4, 2023, and is scheduled to run through January 14, 2024. In June 2023, they won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for their performance in the role. Newell and J. Harrison Ghee became the first openly nonbinary actors to win Tony Awards in the same year. // Newell played the title role in NBC’s comedy pilot Imaginary Friend, which was expected to air in 2016. It was passed on and no other network wanted to make it into a series. They contributed with music to the HBO TV series Vinyl on a track also featuring DJ Cassidy and Jess Glynne. // They are committed to helping other LGBT youth and regularly performs at benefit concerts, most notably for The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Camp Jack Antonoff’s Ally Coalition and other fundraisers. // Newell was given a special recognition award at the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards, as part of the cast of Glee. // Newell identifies as gender nonconforming, and in May 2020 said they relate to their character Mo in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, who is genderfluid. They have stated they go by all pronouns. Newell also identifies as gay.] [Shucked is a 2022 musical with music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and a book by Robert Horn. The Broadway production began previews at the Nederlander Theatre on March 8, 2023, before opening on April 4. The show received positive reviews and went on to receive nine nominations at the 76th Annual Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Cast member Alex Newell became one of the first two openly non-binary performers to be nominated for and win a Tony Award, with their win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.// A U.S. tour, West End production, and feature film adaptation are currently planned. Synopsis – Act One: The storytellers discuss the history of the town, Cob County, emphasizing the town’s love for corn. They introduce the audience to Maizy and Beau, a couple who are planning their wedding (“Corn”). // While Beau’s brother, Peanut, is officiating the wedding, the town’s corn suddenly begins to die. The town decides that they can’t have a wedding until they fix the corn. Maizy talks to her cousin, Lulu, and her grandfather, before discussing the situation with Beau. Maizy tells Beau that she wants to leave the town in order to find solutions, but Beau is against the idea. Maizy explains her reasoning, before booking a plane to Tampa (“Walls”). Maizy is amazed by Tampa, and she finds a podiatrist who calls himself a “corn doctor”. Unaware of what that actually means, she decides to meet the doctor, a man named Gordy (“Travelin’ Song”). // Gordy comes from a family of conmen, but is not great at the job (“Bad”); currently, he is in debt to some members of the mob (played by the storytellers). Gordy notices a bracelet that Maizy is wearing, which he takes to have appraised by the jewelers (also played by the storytellers), who say that the stones are incredibly valuable. Gordy realizes he can use the bracelet to get out of his debt. He tries to charm Maizy, and Maizy kisses him. Although shocked by her eagerness to cheat on Beau, she delights in her ability to save the corn (“Woman of the World”). // Maizy takes Gordy back to Cob County, where Beau is angered at her decision to go to Tampa. Maizy retorts that Beau is jealous that she managed to do something about their situation, whereas Beau couldn’t even leave the county. As the fight gets increasingly heated, Maizy admits that she kissed Gordy. Beau is shocked and angered, and breaks off his engagement with Maizy, deciding that he’s going to find someone who wants him (“Somebody Will”). // At Lulu’s whiskey distillery, Maizy vents about the situation. Lulu tells her that her mistake was telling Beau that she kissed Gordy. Gordy arrives and tries to sweet-talk Lulu, but Lulu ignores him, relishing her independence as a single person (“Independently Owned”). // Gordy receives two calls from the jewelers and the mob. The jewelers tell him the stones weren’t as valuable as they thought, while the members of the mob tell Gordy his debt has been cleared. However, Gordy misunderstands both calls, due to the poor cell service in Cob County. Peanut, Beau, and Lulu overhear the conversations, and go to warn Maizy (“Holy Shit”). However, Maizy remains optimistic and doesn’t believe the other three. She and Lulu get into an argument, leading to Maizy saying that Lulu’s whiskey is bitter. After they leave, Maizy wonders what love means (“Maybe Love”). // Gordy reveals a corn cob he’s found, which is growing, to the town. He tells them that the stones from the bracelet are stopping the corn from growing, and to fix the situation he will remove the stones from the county; he actually intends to keep the stones for himself. The rest of the town takes this as an answer, except for Beau, Lulu, and Peanut. Maizy, still frustrated with Beau and Lulu, and excited by her ability to save the corn, misinterprets Gordy being down on one knee, and agrees to marry him, to the surprise of everyone in Cob County (“Corn (Reprise)”). // Act Two: The storytellers briefly recap the events of Act I. The town goes into a song about how they’re Christian, but they drink alcohol (“We Love Jesus”). Peanut and Beau watch the celebration, and Peanut asks Beau if he’s doing all right. Beau says he’s fine, but admits his heartache after Peanut leaves (“OK”). // As Gordy tries to leave Cob County with the stones, he runs into Lulu. Gordy attempts to charm Lulu, again, and Lulu is interested in Gordy’s advances. However, she removes the catalytic converter from his car, forcing him to stay in town. // Maizy and Gordy both have trouble with the vows for their upcoming wedding. Maizy realizes that the chemistry between her and Beau is still there, and she begins to have second thoughts about the wedding. Lulu and Beau advise Gordy and Maizy, respectively, to pretend that they are the ones they are giving vows to, while the storytellers watch with chagrin (“I Do”). // Maizy asks her grandfather for advice about the wedding. Afterwards she speaks with Lulu, and the two make up (“Friends”). Lulu admits that she is interested in Gordy, and the two of them try to come up with a plan to set things right. Meanwhile, Peanut, while attempting to overlook his own romantic interest in Gordy, suggests that Beau, along with the rest of the men, get Gordy drunk, which would force him to admit everything. Storyteller 2 joins in on this song (“Best Man Wins”). // The evening before the wedding, the boys easily manage to get Gordy drunk (“Corn Mix”), and he admits his plan. He also admits that the corn cob he showed the town was planted, as he bought it from Whole Foods. However, Gordy says that he wants to do right. Beau and Maizy get back together, and Gordy and Lulu also get together. It is revealed that Storyteller One is Lulu and Gordy’s grandchild, while Storyteller Two is Maizy and Beau’s grandchild. Beau and Maizy have the wedding that they were hoping for, as Peanut, once again, officiates (“Maybe Love (Reprise)”).]

[Alex Newel plays The Folly Theatre at 300 West 12th Street, KCMO on Saturday, June 22, at 8:00pm for their first ever Folly Pride Concert. The night features the fabulously talented and indomitable Alex Newel who will take the stage for an extraordinary night of timeless Broadway classics and contemporary chart-toppers.]

11. Lonnie Fisher – “Don’t Come After Me”
    from: “:Don’t Come After Me” – Single / Lonnie Fisher / March 14, 2024
    [Recorded at Weights & Measures Sound Lab with Duane Trower. Keyboards & Backup Vocals by Julia Wildstar. Bass Guitar by Autumn Hayes. // Lonnie Fisher released his 8-song, solo album FAMOUS GIRL on January 19, 2022 was part of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. FAMOUS GIRL was engineered by Ed Rose and Duane Trower with contributions from: Chris Nunez. Tim Jenkins, Tim Manning, and Julia Reynolds. On October 22, 2021 with his band, Lonnie Fisher And The Funeral released, HAUNTED with Lonnie Fisher on lead vocals, 5 String Guitar & Keyboards; Tim Jenkins on guitars; Chris Nunez on drums, Tim Manning on bass, & Julia Reynolds on vocals & keyboards. Info at: http://www.lonniefisher.bandcamp.com.]

[Lonnie Fisher plays Northside Social, 340 Locust Street, Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, April 6 with Nirvana Hope.]

12. L’Rain – “Pet Rock”
    from: I Killed Your Dog / Mexican Summer / October 13, 2023
    [Taja Cheek, known professionally as L’Rain, is an American experimentalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and curator known primarily as the lead vocalist and songwriter of her eponymous band. L’Rain has been recognized for experimental music that draws on a vast number of traditions and genres in a practice and aesthetic Cheek calls “approaching songness”. // Her self-titled debut, L’Rain, was included in best-of-year lists by publications including Pitchfork and Bandcamp Daily; her second album, Fatigue (2021), was named the best album of the year by The Wire. She has collaborated with artists including Vagabon, Helado Negro, and Naama Tsabar, 8 and performed with Kevin Beasley at the Whitney Museum of American Art. // Cheek was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn,[9] where she lived with her mother, father, and grandparents. Her father, Wyatt Cheek, worked in music marketing and promotion for entities including Select Records and Kiss FM; her grandmother ran a liquor store; and in the 1950s her grandfather owned a neighborhood jazz club. Cheek’s mother, Lorraine C. Porter, taught physical education, health, math, and science in Brooklyn schools.The stage name L’Rain is an homage to Porter, who died before the release of the self-titled debut. // Cheek studied ballet and modern dance at The Ailey School and learned piano, cello, and Baroque recorder before picking up bass in high school, then forming and joining groups that included an Iron Maiden cover band. She attended Yale to study music but dropped the major, citing factors including a lack of diversity among the program’s course offerings. She transferred to the American Studies program, where her major included a concentration in visual, audio, literary, and performance cultures; in 2011, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction. While at Yale she worked as music director of radio station WYBC and booked shows. // After graduation, Cheek returned to New York, where she resumed playing in Brooklyn bands including Throw Vision, who released their debut in 2013 and an EP in 2015. // In 2017, Cheek released the self-titled L’Rain on New York City-based label Astro Nautico. She composed and performs vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, samples, and percussion on the album. L’Rain also features Alex Goldberg, Jeremy Powell, Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio), and Andrew Lappin, who co-produced the album with Cheek. Pitchfork included L’Rain among their 20 Best Experimental Albums of 2017, and Bandcamp Daily listed the release as #10 in their Best Albums of 2017. // In 2018, L’Rain (represented by Cheek and Ben Chapoteau-Katz) collaborated with producer Morgan Wiley and vocalist Patrick Gordon to remake the 1980s Chicago house track “Your Love” for a benefit compilation which paired electronic artists with formerly-incarcerated singers. The release, Bring Down The Walls, raised money for Critical Resistance, an organization dedicated to ending the prison–industrial complex. // L’Rain’s second album, Fatigue, was released on Mexican Summer in 2021. Fatigue was named album of the year by The Wire, included among the year’s best by Pitchfork,and met with wide acclaim from outlets including NPR. Cheek provides vocals and plays guitar, bass, synth, keyboards, piano, percussion, tape effects, and airhorn on the album, which features an expanded roster of twenty performers; these include executive producer Andrew Lappin, on guitar and programming, and co-producer Ben Chapoteau-Katz, who contributes synths, saxophone, vocals, percussion, and airhorn. // In August 2023, L’Rain announced a third album, I Killed Your Dog, released in October 2023;the album was co-produced by Cheek with Lappin and Chapoteau-Katz, who perform alongside L’Rain bandmates Zachary Levine-Caleb, Justin Felton, and Timothy Angulo. // L’Rain has toured with bands including Black Midi (2021),Animal Collective (2022), Sharon Van Etten (2022),Big Thief (2023), and LCD Soundsystem (2023). // In 2011, Cheek began working with arts nonprofit Creative Time;in 2014, as site manager for an exhibit co-presented with the Weeksville Heritage Center, Cheek installed and ran a pop-up radio station from a pink Cadillac parked outside the Utica Avenue A/C subway station. (The project was conceived by Otabenga Jones and Associates in homage to Jitu Weusi, black nationalist community arts center The East, and the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium.) The same year, Cheek––along with Ariana Allensworth, Salome Asega, Sable Elyse Smith, and Nadia Williams––co-organized “The Kara Walker Experience: WE ARE HERE”, a public gathering of people of color at the Domino Sugar Refinery for Kara Walker’s installation A Subtlety. In 2015, Cheek’s work as Curatorial Assistant for High Line Art included helping to organize an installation and performance by Kevin Beasley. // In 2016, Cheek joined the curatorial team at contemporary art institution MoMA PS1; the same year, she also opened the basement of her Brooklyn apartment to experimental music events under the name 49 Shade (initially co-organized with Max Alper, Dann Lawrence, and Matteo Liberatore). At PS1, Cheek co-organized Sunday Sessions and the Warm Up series through 2021; Warm Up lineups receiving extensive media coverage included a 2017 event with Cardi B, A$AP Ferg, and YATTA (of artist collective PTP); a 2018 show pairing Lizzo with 2019’s season opener, with Queens local duendita and Freddie Gibbs; 2020’s livestream edition, with Eartheater and KeiyaA;[48] and a limited-capacity 2021 event with Baby Tate and Patia’s Fantasy World.[49] As of July 2022, Cheek was listed as “former Associate Curator” at PS1. Her DIY space 49 Shade has presented artists including Kyp Malone, Miho Hatori, and Otomo Yoshihide, and Bartees Strange credits the space as introducing him to many of his collaborators. // In 2023, Cheek was announced as the first artist curator for BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival. // L’Rain often layers and loops her vocals, and her work frequently features samples from her collection of hundreds of field recordings, some pitch-shifted or otherwise manipulated beyond recognition. She has spoken in interviews about her work’s tendency to evade or reject categorization, saying that she is “more interested in a Barthes, Death of the Author, approach to genre”, values illegibility, and seeks to complicate assumptions about the relationship between identity and aesthetics: “I’m hyper-aware of how marketing and packaging happens for Black people and women and Black women […] I like feeling a sense of agency in how those stories are told”. // AllMusic described L’Rain as making “dreamy, genre-blurring music […], reflecting on grief, change, joy, and resistance through a collage-like mixture of soul, psychedelia, gospel, musique concrète, and numerous other genres.” Pitchfork described her 2021 album Fatigue as “painterly and methodical, daubing vocal loops over clattering percussion, sweeping strings, and resonant synths to create a shapeshifting strain of experimental pop.” Reviewers have variously identified her style and influences as including free jazz, ambient, noise music, and disco; dance; “psychedelic orchestral pop” and “distorted shoegaze”; krautrock, outsider music, and hip hop; R&B and avant-garde rock; gospel, funk, and post-punk; and soul, drone, avant-pop, and musique concrète. // While Cheek is the sole fixed figure in L’Rain recordings and performances, she says the project follows a “more nuanced and collective [model]” than that of the “lone genius or creator”: “I’m trying to find a way to nurture my own voice and singular vision, especially as a Black woman musician, while also acknowledging that I work collaboratively with a team that is essential to the project.”[ Andrew Lappin and Ben Chapoteau-Katz are credited as Cheek’s closest collaborators and co-producers of L’Rain’s second and third albums; as of 2023, the band’s members are Cheek, Lappin, and Chapoteau-Katz with Zachary Levine-Caleb, Justin Felton, and Timothy Angulo.]

[L’Rain plays recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO Saturday, April 6 at 8:00pm, with Armand Hammer.]

11:29 – Underwriting

13. Cowtown Country Club – “Undone”
    from: “Undone” – Single / Cowtown Country Club / June 2, 2023
    Cowtown Country Club released their self titled album, on September 15, 2018. Since first appearing on stage in August 2017, Greg Gagnon (guitars), Leah Sproul Pulatie(guitars), Brian Werner (bass), and Jessica Salley (drums) have been delighting audiences as Cowtown Country Club with their twist on country and western executed with glittering guitars, 24-karat vocal harmonies, and eye-catching western wear. At once both deeply familiar and excitingly fresh, Cowtown Country Club has a reputation for their original interpretations of classic country and western swing, plus a signature brand of countrified covers – re-imaginings of pop hits.]

[Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, Mental Health Care for Musicians, Saturday, April 6 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms with a 6:00 Dinner Show with Cowtown Country Club and a 10:00 Evening Show with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams, SirQueen and Goomer Green. The Spring Drive is raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care service. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

11:35 – Interview with Sondra Freeman & Michelle Bacon

Sondra Freeman is Director of Promotions & 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 KC 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, and other collaborative musical events and fundraisers.

Michelle Bacon, is Content Manager at 90.9 The Bridge, where she helps to shine a light on area musicians and events. Michelle Bacon is a board member for MMF and is Co-Chair Mental Health for Musicians,and Diversity Chair. Michelle has written for The Kansas City Star, The Deli Magazine KC, and Folk Alliance International. Michelle plays drums in the band Frogpond. Michelle also plays bass with Other Americans, and The Band That Fell To Earth: A Tribute to David Bowie

Sondra Freeman and Michelle Bacon joins us to share details about Midwest Music Foundation’s 6th Annual Spring Donation Drive, Mental Health Care for Musicians, Saturday, April 6 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms with a 6:00 Dinner Show with Cowtown Country Club and a 10:00 Evening Show with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams, SirQueen and Goomer Green. The Spring Drive is raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care service. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Sondra Freeman and Michelle Bacon thanks for being with us again on WMM.

DONATION DRIVE | APRIL 1ST-30TH, 2024

CONCERT | APRIL 6th AT THE SHIP, 1221 Union Avenue KCMO WEST BOTTOMS

The annual Spring Donation Drive expands MMF’s ability to connect musicians with vital resources for mental and urgent health care needs.

Since the formation of Midwest Music Foundation in 2009, Kansas City’s world-class musicians have been at the heart of our mission. While they regularly contribute to our experiences of healing, catharsis and celebration, they also work in an industry that often devalues personal health and wellness. For working musicians, affordable and adequate access to health care continues to be a major barrier. Hundreds of artists have benefited from MMF’s emergency health care grants, clinician resources, plus preventive care and wellness clinics at large-scale events across the metro area.

Throughout April 2024, Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) continues our service to Kansas City’s music community in our Spring Donation Drive. Funds raised will expand our ability to connect musicians with vital mental health resources.

The Ship’s – All Else the Sea stage will host two events that evening

DINNER SHOW with Cowtown Country Club – Doors at 6pm, music from 7-9pm

EVENING SHOW with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams and SirQueen & Boomer Green
Doors at 9:30pm, show at 10pm

The night will showcase a variety of local artists, beginning with a dinner show with Western swing quartet Cowtown Country Club at 7:00pm on the venue’s new All Else the Sea stage.

Starting at 10:0)pm, that stage will host music from the alt-funk quintet Friendly Thieves and multi-hyphenate rapper/producer Paris Williams. On The Ship’s original stage, DJ SirQueen and Boomer Green will serve up dance vibes until 1:00am.

Funds from MMF’s annual Donation Drive have assisted local musicians and industry professionals with affordable, essential health care services. This year’s focus on our Mental Health For Musicians initiative will designate funds for counseling and other mental wellness resources. As artists lost countless opportunities to create, perform and generate income over the pandemic, their need for mental health support remains at an all-time high. Our initial goal of $20,000 will provide mental health grants to 10 musicians. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is matching all donations to Midwest Music Foundation made in March and April up to $15,000

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater KC will be on hand from 6 to 9 p.m. to provide information and resources to attendees. Research College of Nursing will be offering free health screenings from 7 to 9 p.m.

Funds from MMF’s annual Donation Drive have assisted local musicians and industry professionals with affordable, essential health care services. This year’s focus on our Mental Health For Musicians initiative will designate funds for counseling and other mental wellness resources. As artists lost countless opportunities to create, perform and generate income over the pandemic, their need for mental health support remains at an all-time high. Our initial goal of $20,000 will provide mental health grants to 10 musicians.

If tickets, information or to make a donations can be made to MMF by visiting http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

10:42

14. Paris Williams – “Pack Light” (radio edit)
    from: “Pack Light” – Single / Bitter Sweet Sound / August, 2023
    [Paris Williams released his EP REBEL HEART through Bitter Sweet Sound on January 31, 2023. It was part of WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2023. Paris Williams is a 24-year old artist from Muskegon, Michigan in the midst of redefining the bedroom pop label. Employing his own sound that he’s dubbed, “bittersweet,” Williams never shuts away from his DIY aesthetic – producing his own work to maintain full creative flexibility. Premiering in December of 2019 with his debut album, DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, Paris is a believer in hitting the ground running and then just never letting off the gas. This mentality was shaped by the inspiration he’s pulled from other famously out-of-the-box artists: such as Kanye West, Pharrell, and Toro y Moi. // Fueled by the multi-faceted artists, Williams believes heavily in pulling from all creative mediums as a way to add layers and texture to his music. This approach has led to Williams seeing support from larger than life musical pillars, like Iggy Pop himself – who showed love to Williams’ song of the same name by spinning it on his BBC radio show in 2018. Williams reshapes the musical landscape around him as his burgeoning career continues to solidify its own form more and more each day by bringing in a breath of fresh air with him everywhere since he wrote his first bars in elementary school. Paris Williams previously released the single, “Hopscotch” on June 21, 2022. He released,“Chunky”on April 20, 2022. He released the single, “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)” on October 21, 2021 through Bittersweet Sounds. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis][Paris Williams joins us LIVE on WMM on March 8, 2023 and August 2, 2023]
    [Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, Mental Health Care for Musicians, Saturday, April 6 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms with a 6:00 Dinner Show with Cowtown Country Club and a 10:00 Evening Show with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams, SirQueen and Goomer Green. The Spring Drive is raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care service. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

[Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, Mental Health Care for Musicians, Saturday, April 6 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms with a 6:00 Dinner Show with Cowtown Country Club and a 10:00 Evening Show with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams, SirQueen and Goomer Green. The Spring Drive is raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care service. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

10:45 – More Interview with Sondra Freeman & Michelle Bacon

Sondra Freeman is Director of Promotions & 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 KC 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, and other collaborative musical events and fundraisers.

Michelle Bacon, is Content Manager at 90.9 The Bridge, where she helps to shine a light on area musicians and events. Michelle Bacon is a board member for MMF and is Co-Chair Mental Health for Musicians,and Diversity Chair. Michelle has written for The Kansas City Star, The Deli Magazine KC, and Folk Alliance International. Michelle plays drums in the band Frogpond. Michelle also plays bass with Other Americans, and The Band That Fell To Earth: A Tribute to David Bowie

Sondra Freeman and Michelle Bacon joins us to share details about Midwest Music Foundation’s 6th Annual Spring Donation Drive, Mental Health Care for Musicians, Saturday, April 6 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms with a 6:00 Dinner Show with Cowtown Country Club and a 10:00 Evening Show with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams, SirQueen and Goomer Green. The Spring Drive is raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care service. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Sondra Freeman and Michelle Bacon thanks for being with us again on WMM.

DONATION DRIVE | APRIL 1ST-30TH, 2024

CONCERT | APRIL 6th AT THE SHIP IN KANSAS CITY, MO

MMF’s annual Spring Donation Drive expands our ability to connect musicians with vital resources for mental and urgent health care needs.

We believe that a healthy, thriving community of artists contributes to the strength and character of our city. Funds raised from the Donation Drive will expand our ability to connect musicians with vital mental health resources offering mental health care grants, education and support, while continuing to provide urgent health care grants through Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care.

Throughout April 2024, Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) continues our service to Kansas City’s music community in our Spring Donation Drive. Funds raised will expand our ability to connect musicians with vital mental health resources.

“Abby believed that music can take you to where you need to be and that it’s important, and the people that do that need to be taken care of.” – Sondra Freeman

Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care was named for Abigail Henderson (1977-2013).

Death Notice from St. Louis Post Dispatch: Abigail Hope Henderson the Kansas City vocalist who started a nonprofit organization to help musicians pay health-care costs, died on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 of cancer at her home. She was 35. For more than a decade, Abigail was the lead singler of several area bands: Trouble Junction, The Gaslights, Atlantic Fadeout, and Tiny Horse. In 2008 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had health insurance, but the cost of the treatments prompted her and husband Christopher Meck, to start the Midwest Music Foundation which raised funds to help area musicians pay health care costs. “Medical bills can throw you into poverty in a week – in one day,” she said. “There’s nothing like standing in your kitchen opening a hospital bill for $63,000.00 in one day and $47,000.00 the next. After a while you don’t want to open them anymore. Who can pay that?”

For more info visit: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Midwest Music Foundation Staff

Rhonda Lyne, Executive Director
Sondra Freeman, Director of Promotions and Artist Relations
Canyon McClung, Production Specialist
Danielle Anderson, Media Manager

Midwest Music Foundation Board

Chris Meck, Founder, Musician and CM2 Audio
Amber Hulet, President
Eric Barton, Treasurer, General Counsel
Julia Haile, Secretary, Education Chair, Musician
Dr. K. Allen Greiner, MD, MPH, Chair of Health + Wellness, University of KS Med Center
Dr. Erin Corriveau, MD, MPH, Public Health Officer, University of Kansas Med Center
Michelle Bacon, Co-Chair Mental Health for Musicians, Diversity Chair, Musician
Molly Gotobed, Insurance Program Research Chair, Kansas Assistance Network, Community Health Council of Wyandotte County
Jerry Jones JD, Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Health Programs, Movember Foundation
Eddie Moore, Musician
Sonia Hall, President & CEO BioKansas

Rhonda Lyne is Executive Director of Midwest Music Foundation. She is a scientist by day and avid supporter of the arts by night. Rhonda has had an active role with the MMF since the inaugural fundraiser, Apocalypse Meow, in 2008. Inspired by MMF founder, Abigail Henderson, Rhonda is dedicated to the mission of the MMF a nonprofit created to support music & musicians in KC and the surrounding areas, founded in 2008 by a collective of musicians & music lovers. Rhonda is instrumental in MMF’s fundraising, volunteer, event coordination, overseeing the health care fund, and day to day activities of the organization.

DINNER SHOW with Cowtown Country Club – Doors at 6pm, music from 7-9pm

EVENING SHOW with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams and SirQueen & Boomer Green
Doors at 9:30pm, show at 10pm

The night will showcase a variety of local artists, beginning with a dinner show with Western swing quartet Cowtown Country Club at 7:00pm on the venue’s new All Else the Sea stage.

Starting at 10:0)pm, that stage will host music from the alt-funk quintet Friendly Thieves and multi-hyphenate rapper/producer Paris Williams. On The Ship’s original stage, DJ SirQueen and Boomer Green will serve up dance vibes until 1:00am.

Funds from MMF’s annual Donation Drive have assisted local musicians and industry professionals with affordable, essential health care services. This year’s focus on our Mental Health For Musicians initiative will designate funds for counseling and other mental wellness resources. As artists lost countless opportunities to create, perform and generate income over the pandemic, their need for mental health support remains at an all-time high. Our initial goal of $20,000 will provide mental health grants to 10 musicians. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is matching all donations to Midwest Music Foundation made in March and April up to $15,000

Sondra Freeman and Michelle Bacon thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, Mental Health Care for Musicians, Saturday, April 6 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms with a 6:00 Dinner Show with Cowtown Country Club and a 10:00 Evening Show with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams, SirQueen and Goomer Green. The Spring Drive is raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care service. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org.

For WMM, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:54

15. Friendly Thieves – “Cool”
    from: Til Death / Friendly Thieves / October 31, 2023.
    [Friendly Thieves released their single “Redbone” on October 4, 2023. Friendly Thieves released their single “Rush” on July 31, 2023. Friendly Thieves released their debut single “You Better Run” on October 28, 2022. The five-piece alt-funk band Friendly Thieves are: Sam Wells on lead vocals, Jamae Breeze on lead guitar, Sam Millard on bass, John Goss on drums, and Ben Baker on saxophone. // From Michelle Bacon’s piece in http://www.bridge909.org: Friendly Thieves describes themselves as if “Alabama Shakes and Young The Giant had a Vulfpeck-inspired love child,” and well, that’s pretty spot on. Their single captures that intersection of vibrant indie-rock energy and exceptional musicianship, with an intriguing funk aroma. // The bands show at ULAH is their only KC show so far this year before the ban sets off on tour to Austin, Chicago, Denver, and Nashville. // Sam Wells released her debut EP, FOR THE DEFLATED on French Exit Records on December 31, 2020. Sam Wells is a Kansas City, based singer songwriter who has shared stages with Betsy Phillips, Kelly Hunt, Andrew Ryan, The Zack Pietrini Band, and The Phantastics. She was featured as a composer and performer in the Kansas City Repertory Theater production of “Ghost Light” performed on the lawn of The Nelson Atkin Museum of Art in October, 2020. Sam has also performed in Troostival (2020), Kansas City Porchfest (2019) and Jamdemic. In 2019, Wells released her debut single “Lesson Learned.” In early 2020 Wells released her second single “Sugar” producer and engineered by Riley Corbin at the Lawrence Kansas Public Library recording studio. It was only a decade ago, Sam Wells sat in her bedroom learning the Corrine Bailey Ray classic “Put Your Records On”. This was all it took to ignite a lifetime love affair with music. With her smooth and sultry voice and the warm tones of a baritone ukulele, she shares stories of love, loss and everything in between. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Sam Wells has lived in Lawrence, but now calls KC home. Sam Wells also contributed to The Black Lives Matter Compilation from French Exit Records that featured tracks from 22 acts from the area, and was released on July 6, 2020. Sam contributed the song, “Dear Black People”. On WMM we featured tracks from: Blackstarkids, Daniel Gum, Crystal Rose, UpKeep, Bream, Heavy Surface, Palace Intrigue, Self Harmony, and Sam Wells. All proceeds donated to One Struggle KC’s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally. French Exit Records launched in 2018, and is an independent music label based out of Kansas City, Missouri founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond, and has organized live events. The Black Lives Matter Compilation is available on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: http://www.frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com. More info at: http://www.whoissamwells.com. Sam Wells was on WMM on May 13, 2020 and January 20, 2021.][Friendly Thieves played MUSIC UNITES, a Benefit for KKFI w/ Calvin Arsenia on Nov. 2, 2023 at 7:30 PM on the Drexel Hall Stage at KC Irish Center, 19 Linwood Blvd, KCMO.]

[Midwest Music Foundation’s Annual Spring Donation Drive, Mental Health Care for Musicians, Saturday, April 6 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms with a 6:00 Dinner Show with Cowtown Country Club and a 10:00 Evening Show with Friendly Thieves, Paris Williams, SirQueen and Goomer Green. The Spring Drive is raising funds to assist local musicians & industry professionals with affordable, essential health care service. Donate/Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

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

Next week on Wednesday, April 10 we talk with Mara Williams Assistant Managing Editor for Race and Equity Issues at The Kansas City Star and JM Banks – KC Star Culture and Identity Reporter who share detail about The KC Star’s new 4 – week series VOICES OF KANSAS CITY starting April 17, Wednesdays at 6:00am to 7:00am featuring the stories of eight young black activist in Kansas City.

Also next week Jennifer Owen and Brad Cox of Owen/Cox Dance Group talk with us about 4 FRAGMENTS premiering April 12-14 at City Stage at Union Station

AND We welcome back to the show, our friend D. Rashaan Gilmore Emmy Winning host of the Kansas City PBS program Flatland KC. D. Rashaan is a Newsweek contributing writer and the former host & producer of “Unbossed and Unbothered” that aired from 2021-2022, on 90.1 FM KKFI.

And Zachary Philips plays lIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios

THANK YOU to our incredible KKFI Staff; Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers.

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. Instead it is about a collective spirit of hundreds of hardworking people, unselfishly setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the gigantic goal of keeping our airwaves free, non-commercial, and open to all! Congratulations and thank you to all programmers & volunteers who went the extra effort to keep our station alive.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

Show #1040