Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
WMM presents Suzannah Johannes + Marmoppes + Keelon Vann
- “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
[WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
- David Byrne & Ghost Train Orchestra – “Everybody Laughs”
from: Who Is The Sky? / Matador Records / September 25, 2025
[In 2023, as his triumphant American Utopia era came to a close, David Byrne began jotting down the occasional groove, chord or melody and assembling them into demos he recorded with just an acoustic guitar atop a programmed beat or loop. The prior three years had given him, and much of humanity, the opportunity to ask, “Do I like what I’m doing? Why am I writing songs, or working this job, or whatever? Does any of it matter?” Byrne’s attempts to answer those weighty questions can be found on Who Is The Sky?, a first-time collaboration between himself, Grammy-winning producer Kid Harpoon aka Tom Hull (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus) and New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra, and featuring guest appearances by Paramore’s Hayley Williams, longtime collaborator St. Vincent and The Smile drummer Tom Skinner. The album builds upon the optimistic themes laid out by American Utopia and its supporting tour, but more specifically spelled out by the Grammy-winning Broadway show and subsequent movie. With this offering, Byrne continues his lifelong exploration of human connection and the potential for societal unity against the chaotic backdrop of the world. Who Is the Sky? is particularly personal, cinematic, humorous and joyful, but often with a lesson baked in – that love is unexplainable, that enlightenment means very different things to different people and that it’s always a good idea to moisturize, whether you wake up the next morning with skin like a baby or not. Most importantly, the songs evince Byrne’s gift for riding the razor’s edge of avant-garde and accessible pop. // Since co-founding Talking Heads, David Byrne has been involved with photography, drawing, installations, performance, design, as well as a solo music career. Recent works include American Utopia on Broadway (and the Spike Lee directed film), SOCIAL! Social; Distance Dance Club, Theater of the Mind, and his non profit Arbutus and its primary project, Reasons to be Cheerful, an online news magazine. http://www.davidbyrne.bandcamp.com]
- Religion of Heartbreak – “Forget About You”
from: Dream Reflection – EP / Religion of Heartbreak / February 3, 2025
[ROH is the band formerly known as Monta At oddsIt was recently announced that Krysztof Nemeth was stepping away for Religion of Heatbreak to focus on his band ReViser also with Dedric Moore and with Breaka Dawn. Dedric Moore on vocals, guitar, synths, programming; Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Krysztof Nemeth: baritone guitar, electronic percussion; Alexander Thomas on electronic percussion on MGGG, Dream Reflection, Skeptic; Regan Moore on electronic percussion on Dark Hour of Meditation // Dream Reflection EP carries forward the motorized heartbeat of classic darkwave while forging its own metallic path. Drawing from EBM and Synth Pop traditions, this five-track release sees the Monta At Odds offshoot strip away unnecessary embellishments, leaving only the essential elements and textural remnants that speak to our collective digital malaise. // The EP’s centerpiece and title track emerges like a ghost in the machine, with Mikal Shapiro’s coolly delivered vocals floating above Dedric Moore’s gritty synth programming and precision-guided guitar along with Krysztof Nemeth’s synth pad percussion. Each track builds upon this foundation, from the robot-dance urgency of “Forget About You” to the beautiful desolation of “Skeptic,” creating a cohesive statement about modern isolation and the personas we construct. The result feels familiar and alien—like catching your reflection in a black mirror and seeing someone else staring back. // Religion of Heartbreak, an offshoot of Monta At Odds, dives deep into darkwave and EBM territories, crafting a sound that’s nostalgic and cutting-edge with Dedric Moore on vocals, guitar, synths, programming; Mikal Shapiro on vocals; and Krysztof Nemeth on baritone guitar and electronic percussion.]
[Religion of Heartbreak play miniBar, 3810 Broadway, KCMO, on Thursday, June 26 at 7:00pm with Hex Cassette, and Yama Uba.]
- The Royal Chief – “Hi-Def (Radio Mix)”
from: Fire – EP / Sovereign Sound / July 10, 2025
[New 5-track EP from The Royal Chief / Born in Kansas City, Missouri as Jamel Thompson to a single mother, The Chief is the youngest of six – two brother’s on his mother’s side and another brother and twin sisters from his father. Growing up, his mother fostered his mind; she encouraged The Royal Chief to read relentlessly and to experiment with his talents. This promoted a period where The Royal Chief began expressing himself by writing stories. Chief spent most of his early life in the urban areas of Kansas City. He and his mother moved to Dallas, Texas briefly before returning to Kansas City – to the suburbs – which provided an interesting contrast to his life before. // At the age of 13, after attending a concert in which Kanye West performed, Chief knew his path was in music and began rapping. Courtesy of his mother, he drew inspiration from R&B and Soul while getting his introduction to Hip Hop from his father and brothers. Hip Hop became a love and an outlet for him – a way to vent and document how he perceived the world. It was also an instrument for The Royal Chief to cope with the pain of losing his older brother and godmother who had a hand in raising him. // The Royal Chief moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2012. He spent his first year there living out of his Honda Civic and obtained membership to a local gym to have access in order to take showers. He established a relationship with the manager at Tree Sound Studios through a mutual friend and was soon allowed to live in the studio’s building. He made the most of this opportunity by observing and learning many of the aspects of the music industry, audio/video recording, marketing, and most importantly building relationships and networking. Soon, he began to nurture a relationship with “Cyhi The Prynce” who took him under his wing allowing Chief to create and write for other G.O.O.D. Music artist. During this time, Chief was able to go on tour and learn just to write raps and incorporate rhythm and flow into his pieces to make them sound appealing. // In 2015, under his original moniker “J-Dub,” The Royal Chief began to meticulously focus on his own projects and released his first mixtape entitled Trial and Error. Later that same year, after a trip back to his hometown of KC, he made a conscious decision to change his stage name to something that reflected his passion for his two favorite home-town sports teams and one that represented his city. And in combining the names of those teams, he thus became “The Royal Chief”. Feeling the need to release some music to commemorate the name change, in September of 2016 he released his second project, an EP entitled Dawn – representing the beginning or “dawn of” something new. // In 2017, after seeing a Kareem “Biggs” Burke’s interview in which he said “if you don’t have your city you don’t have anybody,” Chief decided it was time for him to return home and build his name and his following up in his own city. That same year, after a house fire in which he lost everything but his life, he released his third project – an EP titled Homecoming. While building traction in the city, Chief worked diligently to network and perform live all around the Kansas City Metroplex and surrounding areas. In 2018, he released a three-track EP titled 3 Pack. Chief spent the next year working towards expanding existing relationships and building new ones. Chief’s objective was to spend time building a backing band for his live performances as well as collaborate with local artists and producers. And with this feat accomplished, in 2020, Chief released his fourth project titled Groundwork. Groundwork represents “laying the foundation” – it’s the cumulative efforts of networking, touring, and building a following. More info at: http://www.theroyalchief.com]
The Royal Chief will play the 21st Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, September 6, 3:00pm to Midnight, in West Bottoms at Lemonade Park, Stockyards Brewing, Livestock Exchange Lot, The Campground, Voltaire, The Ox Cafe & Bakery(VIP Venue) with KRYSTLE WARREN / LAURA NOBLE & FRIENDS / THE MGDS • RUDY LOVE AND THE ENCORE / SEYKO • STRANDED IN THE CITY / FRIENDLY THIEVES • LITTLE MISS DYNAMITE / FLAT SUSAN • ROYAL CHIEF • SASS-A-BRAS / THE WHIPS • JESUS CHRIST TAXI DRIVER / SARA SWENSON • TALIA KEYS • JELLY ROSE / MARIACHI ESTRELLA & GRUPO FOLKLÓRICO ALMA TAPATÍA / TERI QUINN & THE COYOTES • 3 TRAILS WEST / DJ THUNDERCUTZ • NATURE BOYS • TIMBERS / SKY SMEED • JULIE BENNETT HUME & ERNEST JAMES / DJ NANA G • LINEA FRONTERA • DYM N D / RURAL GRIT ALL STARS • THE APOLOGIES / JOHN KECK • OSEZUA • BOBBY SCHARPING / ART AS MENTORSHIP PRESENTS THE REBEL SONG ACADEMY More info at: http://www.cmfkc.com
- Mavis Staples – “Godspeed”
from: “Godspeed” – Single / Anti / June 10, 2025
[Written by Frank Ocean. A legendary performer who will turn 86 next month on July 10, Mavis Staples continues to be a tour-de-force in music and a voice for the voiceless in today’s divided society. Well known for her work in the gospel and Americana space, Staples is also an R&B icon who famously worked with the one and only Prince in his 80’s heyday. // Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate. She’s both a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights icon; a GRAMMY Award-winner; a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer; a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient; and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. // At a time when most artists begin to wind down, Staples ramped things up, releasing a trio of critically acclaimed albums in her 70’s with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy that prompted Pitchfork to rave that “her voice has only gained texture and power over the years” and People to proclaim that she “provides the comfort of a higher power.” “I sing because I want to leave people feeling better than I found them,” Staples says. “I want them to walk away with a positive message in their hearts, feeling stronger than they felt before. I’m singing to myself for those same reasons, too.” // On July 9, Staples and award-winning children’s poet Carol Boston Weatherford will release the new children’s book ‘Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples’, a vibrant and poetic new picture book that introduces young readers to Staples’ life story, who began singing at age 8 and ever since has used her voice as a rallying cry to the country at numerous civil rights protests and continues to sing and share her message of love, faith and justice in front of large audiences today. // Staples recently celebrated her upcoming birthday early in stellar fashion at Los Angeles’s YouTube Theater this past April, gracing the stage alongside a star-studded lineup including Hozier, Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Black Pumas, and more. Currently on tour in Europe, Staples will return to the US and perform at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July picnic on the nation’s birthday. The next day she begins a run of dates with Norah Jones, who she affectionally calls “my baby sister.” All upcoming dates are listed below. // Mavis Staples (born July 10, 1939) is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer and civil rights activist. She rose to fame as a member of her family’s band The Staple Singers, of which she is the last surviving member. During her time in the group, she recorded the hit singles “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again”. In 1969, Staples released her self-titled debut solo album. // Staples continued to release solo albums throughout the following decades and collaborated with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Prince, Arcade Fire, Nona Hendryx, Ry Cooder, and David Byrne. Her eighth studio album You Are Not Alone (2010), earned critical acclaim, and became her first album as a soloist to reach number one on a Billboard chart, peaking atop the Top Gospel Albums chart. It also earned Staples her first Grammy Award win. Following this, she released the albums One True Vine (2013), Livin’ on a High Note (2016), If All I Was Was Black (2017), and We Get By (2019); she is also featured on the single “Nina Cried Power” by Hozier. // Staples is the recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and has won three Grammy Awards, including one for Album of the Year as a featured artist on We Are by Jon Batiste.[6] Named one of the ‘100 Greatest Singers of all Time’ by Rolling Stone in 2008; Staples was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018, as a member of The Staple Singers. Additionally, she was made a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2016. The following year, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a soloist. In 2019, she received the inaugural Rock Hall Honors Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a soloist. // Staples was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 10, 1939. She began her career with her family group in 1950. Initially singing locally at churches and appearing on a weekly radio show, the Staples scored a hit in 1956 with “Uncloudy Day” for the Vee-Jay label. When Mavis graduated from what is now Paul Robeson High School in 1957, The Staple Singers took their music on the road. Led by family patriarch Roebuck “Pops” Staples on guitar and including the voices of Mavis and her siblings Cleotha, Yvonne, and Pervis, the Staples were called “God’s Greatest Hitmakers”. // With Mavis’ voice and Pops’ songs, singing, and guitar playing, the Staples evolved from enormously popular gospel singers (with recordings on United and Riverside as well as Vee-Jay) to become the most spectacular and influential spirituality-based group in America. By the mid-1960s The Staple Singers, inspired by Pops’ close friendship with Martin Luther King Jr., became the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement. They covered contemporary pop hits with positive messages, including Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” and a version of Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth”. // During a December 20, 2008, appearance on National Public Radio’s news show Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, when Staples was asked about her past personal relationship with Dylan, she admitted that they “were good friends, yes indeed” and that he had asked her father for her hand in marriage. // The Staples sang “message” songs like “Long Walk to D.C.” and “When Will We Be Paid?,” bringing their moving and articulate music to a huge number of young people. The group signed to Stax Records in 1968, joining their gospel harmonies and deep faith with musical accompaniment from members of Booker T. and the MGs. The Staple Singers hit the Top 40 eight times between 1971 and 1975, including two No. 1 singles, “I’ll Take You There”, produced by Al Bell and recorded and mixed by Terry Manning, “Let’s Do It Again,” and a No. 2 single “Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas?” // Mavis made her first solo foray while at Epic Records with The Staple Singers, releasing a lone single “Crying in the Chapel” to little fanfare in the late 1960s. The single was finally re-released on the 1994 Sony Music collection Lost Soul. Her first solo album would not come until a 1969 self-titled release for the Stax label. After another Stax release, Only for the Lonely, in 1970, she released a soundtrack album, A Piece of the Action, on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom label. A 1984 album (also self-titled) preceded two albums under the direction of rock star Prince; 1989’s Time Waits for No One, followed by 1993’s The Voice, which People magazine named one of the Top Ten Albums of 1993. Her 1996 release, Spirituals & Gospels: A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson, was recorded with keyboardist Lucky Peterson. The recording honors Mahalia Jackson, a close family friend and a significant influence on Mavis Staples’s life. // Staples singing during the 2006 NEA National Heritage Fellows concert. // Staples made a major national return with the release of the album Have a Little Faith on Chicago’s Alligator Records, produced by Jim Tullio, in 2004. The album featured spiritual music, some of it semi-acoustic. // In 2004, Staples contributed to a Verve release by legendary jazz-rock guitarist, John Scofield. The album, entitled That’s What I Say, was a tribute to the great Ray Charles and led to a live tour featuring Staples, John Scofield, pianist Gary Versace, drummer Steve Hass, and bassist Rueben Rodriguez. A new album for Anti- Records entitled We’ll Never Turn Back was released on April 24, 2007. The Ry Cooder – produced concept album focuses on gospel songs of the civil rights movement and also included two new original songs by Cooder. // Her voice has been sampled by some of the biggest selling artists, including Salt ‘N’ Pepa, Ice Cube, Ludacris, and Hozier. Staples has recorded with a wide variety of musicians, from her friend, Bob Dylan (with whom she was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award in the “Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals” category for their duet on “Gonna Change My Way of Thinking”, from the album Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan) to The Band, Ray Charles, Prince, Nona Hendryx, George Jones, Natalie Merchant, Ann Peebles, and Delbert McClinton. She has provided vocals on current albums by Los Lobos and Dr. John, and she appears on tribute albums to such artists as Johnny Paycheck, Stephen Foster and Bob Dylan. // In 2003, Staples performed in Memphis at the Orpheum Theater alongside a cadre of her fellow former Stax Records stars during “Soul Comes Home,” a concert held in conjunction with the grand opening of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music at the original site of Stax Records, and appears on the CD & DVD that were recorded and filmed during the event. In 2004, she returned as guest artist for the Stax Music Academy’s SNAP! Summer Music Camp and performed again at the Orpheum with 225 of the academy’s students. In June 2007, she again returned to the venue to perform at the Stax 50th Anniversary Concert to Benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, produced by Concord Records, who now owns and has revived the Stax Records label. // In 2009, Staples, along with Patty Griffin and The Tri-City Singers, released a version of the song “Waiting For My Child To Come Home” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration. // On October 30, 2010, Staples performed at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear alongside singer Jeff Tweedy. In 2011 she was joined on-stage at the Outside Lands Music And Arts Festival by Arcade Fire singer Win Butler. The two performed a version of “The Weight” by The Band. // Staples also performed at the 33rd Kennedy Center Honors, singing in a tribute to honoree Paul McCartney. // Staples headlined on June 10, 2012, at Chicago’s Annual Blues Festival in Grant Park. // On June 27, 2015, Staples performed on the Park Stage of Glastonbury Somerset UK. On October 31, 2015, Staples performed with Joan Osborne in Washington, D.C. at The George Washington // University’s Lisner Auditorium as part of their Solid Soul Tour. // In February 2016, Staples’s album Livin’ on a High Note was released. Produced by M. Ward, the album features songs written specifically for Staples by Nick Cave, Justin Vernon, tUnE-yArds, Neko Case, Aloe Blacc, and others. Discussing the album Staples said: “I’ve been singing my freedom songs and I wanted to stretch out and sing some songs that were new. I told the writers I was looking for some joyful songs. I want to leave something to lift people up; I’m so busy making people cry, not from sadness, but I’m always telling a part of history that brought us down and I’m trying to bring us back up. These songwriters gave me a challenge. They gave me that feeling of, ‘Hey, I can hang! I can still do this!’ There’s a variety, and it makes me feel refreshed and brand new. Just like Benjamin Booker wrote on the opening track, ‘I got friends and I got love around me, I got people, the people who love me.’ I’m living on a high note, I’m above the clouds. I’m just so grateful. I must be the happiest old girl in the world. Yes, indeed.” // In January 2017, Staples was featured as a guest vocalist on “I Give You Power”, a single from Arcade Fire benefiting the American Civil Liberties Union. In February 2017, Staples appeared on NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me! in the “Not My Job” segment, answering questions about the rock band The Shaggs. In April 2017, “Let Me Out”, a single from the fifth studio album by Gorillaz, Humanz, was released, featuring Staples and rapper Pusha T. // Staples’s sixteenth album If All I Was Was Black was released on November 17, 2017. The record was again produced by Jeff Tweedy and contains all original songs cowritten by Mavis and Tweedy. Following the release, Staples toured with Bob Dylan. She also appeared on the 2017/18 Hootenanny. In 2018, she sang on Hozier’s single “Nina Cried Power”. // In May 2019, Staples celebrated her 80th birthday with a concert at the Apollo Theater, 63 years after first appearing at the theater as a teenager with her family band, the Staple Singers, in 1956. The show, which featured special guest artists, including David Byrne & Norah Jones, is one of a series of collaborative concerts she staged in May to commemorate her 80th birthday. She performed at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival. // In 2022, Staples released Carry Me Home, a collaboration with Levon Helm, recorded at Helm’s Midnight Ramble in 2011. // She released the single “Worthy” on June 18, 2024.]
- Tre’ Mutava – “Walls Talk”
from: “Walls Talk” b/w “Where Have You Been All My Life?” – Single / Currently Crafting / May 30, 2025
[Born in 2001 in Marietta, GA — Tre’ grew up with a love of gospel music, inspiring him to write his own. His first performance of an original song was for his elementary school while knowing only two chords on his guitar, but he knew that this is what he loved. Upon entering high school, he became interested in producing after hearing the musicality of artists’ works like 21 Pilots, Jon Bellion, and AJR. He was recognized initially by fans on the 4th single of his debut album, “GO! (feat. PEABOD),” in 2021. “The Movies” proved a cinematic experience for listeners through Tre’s unique vocals and inclusion of choir, horns, and strings. In addition to his personal works, Tre’ has been recognized for his production and co-writing work on songs like “Sunset” and “Take Me Back” by Noah Anthony, “Find You” by Jaishon Jenkins, and “Imagination” by Bobby Labrecque. Most recently, he was featured on The Whips’ album, How To Hold A Grudge, on their track “Please Help Me.” More info at: http://www.tremutava.com]
- Wednesday – “Elderberry Wine”
from: “Elderberry Wine” – Single / Dead Oceans / June 9, 2025
[Wednesday, the North Carolina rock band led by generational songwriter Karly Hartzman, share a twangy and timeless new single titled “Elderberry Wine,” alongside a video directed by Spencer Kelly.\ // “‘Elderberry Wine’ is about the potential for sweet things in life (love, family, success) to become poison if not prepared for and attended to correctly,” Hartzman explains. “Elderberry is known as a healing fruit, and is an ingredient in many tonics and syrups to aid the immune system. One time however, my sister consumed them raw and it immediately induced vomiting. So ‘Elderberry Wine’ is ultimately a love song about creating just the right environment for fulfillment. There’s a delicate balance that needs to be created, especially in love, for two lives to intersect without poisoning each other.” // “Elderberry Wine” is the first taste of new music from Wednesday since the release of their breakthrough album Rat Saw God. The album was one of 2023’s most critically acclaimed releases, landing on year end lists at the New York Times, NPR, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, The Altantic, The Ringer, The FADER, Paste, Consequence, Stereogum and more. // Wednesday is Karly Hartzman, MJ Lenderman, Xandy Chelmis, Alan Miller, and Ethan Baechtold. // “What makes Wednesday one of the best bands in the world is Hartzman’s songwriting. It’s paradisiacal in a scuzzy way, adaptable to any underbelly in North America and wickedly unafraid of being too truthful or unabashed.” -Paste // “Karly Hartzman’s storytelling remains a beautifully magpie-like collection of little details drawn from memory and observation, woven together into a transcendent indie rock tapestry.” -The AV Club // Rat Saw God released September 8, 2022. It was ij the top 30 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2024. // // Hartzman was inspired to start playing guitar after watching Mitski’s NPR Tiny Desk concert. Hartzman attended college in Asheville, where she met Daniel Gorham. The two recorded an album together under the moniker Wednesday titled yep definitely. The band’s name was inspired by the British band The Sundays. // After releasing this record, Hartzman formed another band called Diva Sweetly, alongside members of the band Pictures of Vernon. Hartzman was interested in making shoegaze music, which was not the music Diva Sweetly was making. Thus, Hartzman gathered new members to join the Wednesday band and released the second album with the group, titled I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone in 2020. The group released their third record, Twin Plagues, on August 13, 2021.// On March 11, 2022, the band released a covers album titled Mowing the Leaves Instead of Piling ’em Up, featuring covers versions of songs by Gary Stewart, Chris Bell, Roger Miller, Drive-By Truckers, Hotline TNT, Greg Sage, Vic Chesnutt, Medicine and The Smashing Pumpkins. On September 8, 2022, the band left Orindal Records and signed to Dead Oceans, releasing the single “Bull Believer”. On January 18, 2023, the band released the single “Chosen to Deserve” and announced a fifth album, Rat Saw God, which was released on April 7, 2023.] [Wednesday played the recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, on Wednesday, May 17 at 7:00 PM ]
- Chad Brothers – “Family Tree”
from: “Family Tree” – Single / Chad Brothers / January 23, 2024
[Chad Brothers is a Kansas City-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and bandmate to many. An accomplished guitarist and vocalist of 35+ years, Chad has strong sense of melodic and harmonic patterns, with a uniquely soulful perspective from which he writes original folk, bluegrass, rock and psychedelic music rooted in acoustic and electric guitar. // Born and raised on a family farm outside of Winfield, KS, Chad was deeply influenced from a young age by the acoustic mecca of the Walnut Valley Festival, absorbing and evolving musically under the rich history and uniquely-inviting campground jamming culture of the annual event. // These days, you can find Chad performing around Kansas City and surrounding areas in his impressive array of musical projects, including with Old Sound, Supermassive Black Holes, Shapiro Brothers, Mikal Shapiro & The Musical, Howard Iceberg & The Titanics and several others. Chad has also served as Chief Operator at KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio since August 2019. // You can Watch + listen to “Family Tree” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_TIRVvgO70 one of Chad’s most recently-written original songs.}
[Chad Brothers plays Mike Kelly’s Westsider, 1515 Westport Road, KCMO on Thursday, June 26 ay 6:30pm opening for Big Love Carwash.]
10:29– Underwriting
- Suzannah Johannes – “Bordeaux Girl”
from: Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard / Suzannah Johannes / August 29, 2025
[Lawrence based singer songwriter Suzannah Johannes about her new album, Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard, to be released on August 29, 2025. Raised on a farm outside of Powhattan, Kansas, Suzannah was surrounded by music from an early age but didn’t begin teaching herself guitar and singing until after college, thanks to her friend, Hanz Bronze. In 2007, she won the KJHK Farmers Ball and used the prize money to record at Black Lodge Studio Four tracks from those sessions became a debut EP, released by Range Life Records in 2008. After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City. Over the past 19 years, she has performed solo and with a rotating group of collaborators. Kansas City, features contributions from Jimmy Fitzner, John Nichols, and Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand, Bill Dolan from 5ive Style, and Brooke and Mike Tuley of Brooke Tuley and the Moontravelers and Ad Astra Per Aspera. More info at: http://www.suzannahjohannes.com. ]
[Suzannah Johannes plays Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK on Saturday, July 19, at 6:00pm. Kansas.]
10:34 – Interview with Suzannah Johannes
Lawrence based singer songwriter Suzannah Johannes about her new album, Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard, to be released on August 29, 2025. Raised on a farm outside of Powhattan, Kansas, Suzannah was surrounded by music from an early age but didn’t begin teaching herself guitar and singing until after college, thanks to her friend, Hanz Bronze. In 2007, she won the KJHK Farmers Ball and used the prize money to record at Black Lodge Studio Four tracks from those sessions became a debut EP, released by Range Life Records in 2008. After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City. Over the past 19 years, she has performed solo and with a rotating group of collaborators.
Suzannah Johannes plays Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK on Saturday, July 19, at 6:00pm. Kansas. More info at: http://www.suzannahjohannes.com.
Suzannah Johannes Thank you for being with us on WMM.
In 2008, Suzannah Johannes was an up-and-coming singer-songwriter with a debut EP—S/T—from Range Life Records. Then life happened: she got married, became a mother, dedicated her time to responsibilities outside of music. A few times a year, Johannes would play out in local clubs, but in ways too many women will recognize, her music career felt stuck on pause.
Seventeen years later, it’s time to press play—Suzannah Johannes returns with two brilliant full albums: Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard and Los Angeles: The Missing Album.
Suzannah Johannes is a singer-songwriter based out of Lawrence, Kansas. Raised on a farm outside of Powhattan, Kansas, Suzannah was surrounded by music from an early age but didn’t begin teaching herself guitar and singing until after college, thanks to her friend, Hanz Bronze, and plenty of YouTube tutorials.
In 2006 or 2007, she won the KJHK Farmers Ball and used the prize money to record at Black Lodge Studio with Josh Adams and David Wetzel. Four tracks from those sessions became his debut EP, released by Range Life Records in 2008.
Over the past 19 years, she has performed solo and with a rotating group of collaborators, including David Wetzel, Nate Holt, Sean McCue, Jeff Jackson, Dustin Kinsey, and Gus Seyffert.
Her most recent album, Kansas City, features contributions from Jimmy Fitzner, John Nichols, and Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand, Bill Dolan from 5ive Style, and Brooke and Mike Tuley of Brooke Tuley and the Moontravelers and Ad Astra Per Aspera.
After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City.
Suzannah is playing a matinee show from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 at Hillsiders in Kansas City, Kansas.
After the Kansas City album is released on Friday, August 29, she will have a release show on Thursday, Sept. 11 at The Ship, and another show in Lawrence on Saturday, Sept. 13.
More information about her upcoming albums and shows can be found on her website, http://www.suzannahjohannes.com.
Suzannah is releasing (Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard on Aug. 29, and Los Angeles: The Missing Album on Jan. 2, 2026):
10:44
- Suzannah Johannes – “St Megan”
from: Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard / Suzannah Johannes / August 29, 2025
[Lawrence based singer songwriter Suzannah Johannes about her new album, Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard, to be released on August 29, 2025. Raised on a farm outside of Powhattan, Kansas, Suzannah was surrounded by music from an early age but didn’t begin teaching herself guitar and singing until after college, thanks to her friend, Hanz Bronze. In 2007, she won the KJHK Farmers Ball and used the prize money to record at Black Lodge Studio Four tracks from those sessions became a debut EP, released by Range Life Records in 2008. After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City. Over the past 19 years, she has performed solo and with a rotating group of collaborators. Kansas City, features contributions from Jimmy Fitzner, John Nichols, and Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand, Bill Dolan from 5ive Style, and Brooke and Mike Tuley of Brooke Tuley and the Moontravelers and Ad Astra Per Aspera. More info at: http://www.suzannahjohannes.com. ]
[Suzannah Johannes plays Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK on Saturday, July 19, at 6:00pm. Kansas.]
10:48 – More Interview with Suzannah Johannes
Lawrence based singer songwriter Suzannah Johannes about her new album, Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard, to be released on August 29, 2025. Raised on a farm outside of Powhattan, Kansas, Suzannah was surrounded by music from an early age but didn’t begin teaching herself guitar and singing until after college, thanks to her friend, Hanz Bronze. In 2007, she won the KJHK Farmers Ball and used the prize money to record at Black Lodge Studio Four tracks from those sessions became a debut EP, released by Range Life Records in 2008. After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City. Over the past 19 years, she has performed solo and with a rotating group of collaborators.
Suzannah Johannes plays Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK on Saturday, July 19, at 6:00pm. Kansas. More info at: http://www.suzannahjohannes.com.
Suzannah Johannes Thank you for being with us on WMM.
Her most recent album, Kansas City, features contributions from Jimmy Fitzner, John Nichols, and Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand, Bill Dolan from 5ive Style, and Brooke and Mike Tuley of Brooke Tuley and the Moontravelers and Ad Astra Per Aspera.
After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City.
Suzannah is playing a matinee show from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 at Hillsiders in Kansas City, Kansas.
After the Kansas City album is released on Friday, August 29, she will have a release show on Thursday, Sept. 11 at The Ship, and another show in Lawrence on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Suzannah is releasing (Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard on Aug. 29, and Los Angeles: The Missing Album on Jan. 2, 2026):
Suzannah Johannes Thank you for being with us on WMM.
Suzannah Johannes plays Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK on Saturday, July 19, at 6:00pm. Kansas. More info at: http://www.suzannahjohannes.com.
10:57
- Suzannah Johannes – “Rebecca”
from: Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard / Suzannah Johannes / August 29, 2025
[Lawrence based singer songwriter Suzannah Johannes about her new album, Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard, to be released on August 29, 2025. Raised on a farm outside of Powhattan, Kansas, Suzannah was surrounded by music from an early age but didn’t begin teaching herself guitar and singing until after college, thanks to her friend, Hanz Bronze. In 2007, she won the KJHK Farmers Ball and used the prize money to record at Black Lodge Studio Four tracks from those sessions became a debut EP, released by Range Life Records in 2008. After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City. Over the past 19 years, she has performed solo and with a rotating group of collaborators. Kansas City, features contributions from Jimmy Fitzner, John Nichols, and Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand, Bill Dolan from 5ive Style, and Brooke and Mike Tuley of Brooke Tuley and the Moontravelers and Ad Astra Per Aspera. More info at: http://www.suzannahjohannes.com. ]
[Suzannah Johannes plays Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK on Saturday, July 19, at 6:00pm. Kansas.]
10:00 – Station ID
- Marmoppes – “Gyatt Time”
from: “Butterfly” – single / Big Nip Records / March 17, 2024
[Since the Spring of 2024 Marmoppes have released five new singles. Originally formed on Groundhog Day, the band includes: Simon Huntley on drums; J. Ashley Miller: on vocals, guitar & bass; Alyssa Murray on synths & keyboards; and Ernest Melton on saxophone. More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes More info at: Marmoppes- https://www.instagram.com/marmoppes/ ]
11:02 – Interview with Marmoppes
We are happy to welcome back members of the Kansas City suoer group, Marmoppes who return to Wednesday MidDay Medley to share new music and perform LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Marmoppes include: Simon Huntley on drums; J. Ashley Miller on vocals, guitar & bass; Alyssa Murray on synths & keyboards; and Ernest Melton on saxophone. Originally formed on Groundhog Day, since the fall of 2023 Marmoppes have released five singles: “Cerulean Blue Truffle Pig” (Sept. 5, 2023), “Butterfly” (March 17, 2024), “Yr Chemical” (April 28, 2024), “Gyatt Time” (Sept. 20, 2024), “Nos” (March 23, 2025) Marmoppes will premier their brand new single on WMM. More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes
Simon Huntley, J. Ashley Miller, Alyssa Murray and Ernest Melton Thank you for being with us on WMM.
Simon Huntley is a British-American musician, percussionist, producer, composer and visual artist combining classical sentiments with new world rebellion. Growing up in France then relocating in 2011, Simon now divides his time between the United States and France, investigating and collaborating with the world’s best talent including: QUIXOTIC, A$AP Rocky, Mireya Ramos, Tech9, Making Movies, Calvin Arsenia, Mike Dillon + Nikki Glaspie, Chipotle, Hilton Hotels, Qatar Airways, and many more. Preformed in venues such as: Red Rocks Amphitheater—Colorado / The MGM Grand—Las Vegas / Faena Hotel—Miami / T-Mobile Arena. // And events such as: Invision Festival—Costa Rica / Alaska World Arts Festival—Alaska / Fringe Festival—Edinburgh / Live At Heart—Sweden / Wanderlust—Canada + California // As well as festivals, PACs, Live TV and Radio.
J Ashley Miller is a recipient of the 2016 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Award. He’s a self-taught musician & composer. For nearly 20 years he has worked as Composer / Producer/ Recording Engineer / Founder of The Infoaming Vertex in Kansas City, Missouri, a recording studio which he built in 2006. For the last 12 years he has produced, engineered and mixed nearly 100 full length albums and countless smaller projects for both local and international artists including Calvin Arsenia and SSION // With SSION he co-wrote and produced 2 full length albums. The videos were always a central focus for the project, and he fine tuned his ability to work with a director and bring about a coherent final product. // He founded the musical entities Metatone and Jametatone with multiple released from 2013 through 2022. // He once told an art writer that his training was “tens of thousands of hours on computers and playing in bands”, as well as a conductor, music director, producer, performance artist, filmmaker, and recording engineer (among other interests). “I got into all of this by shooting live music films and really tailoring compositions to our filming locations,” Miller said, citing site-specific performances at La Esquina, Oppenstein Park, and Turkey Creek. Filmed and recorded onsite, in one take (multi-camera, multi-track), the final product of these shows was the resulting film or album. // Miller founded the performance group Quadrigarum for site-specific projects and to showcase the chariot instruments he designed, using wheel-mounted guitar picks and an amplified single-stringed guitar on a wooden frame. Chariots are a core element of the Atemporchestra, an ensemble of eclectic instrumentation (including pan flutes, vibraphone, drums, horns, computers, and keyboards, for starters) that he originally put together from the TEDxKC show.
Alyssa Murray recently released her album ‘SCROLLIN’ in 2023. that called “a sonic kaleidoscope of synth-tastic beats and experimental delight. Written, performed, and produced by Alyssa Murray and mixed and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlab in Kansas City, MO. // Always feeling a strong pull towards songwriting, Alyssa studied piano, voice, and guitar in her teens deep diving into such influences as Fiona Apple and Stevie Wonder. Further pursuing her passion for jazz and improvisation, Alyssa moved to Kansas City to study jazz-piano at the UMKC Conservatory while immersing herself in the local music scene. Alyssa has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has studied under the direction of Bobby Watson and Dan Thomas; as well as classical repertoire with Karen Kushner and Diane Petrella. // In addition to her solo performances, Alyssa Murray plays with Marmoppes. Alyssa Murray also plays in the trio, Easy Match with Claire Adams and Steve Gardels.
Ernest Melton is a saxophonist, composer, and band leader currently residing in Kansas City, Missouri by way of Goldsboro, North Carolina. He relocated to his mother’s hometown of Kansas City, Missouri at the age of ten where he picked up his first saxophone at Longfellow Academy of the Arts. Bored with the classical curriculum of the music department, Ernest studied more contemporary genres of music and the guitar until the age of fourteen when he joined his first jazz program through the American Jazz Museum of Kansas City. Playing mostly tenor sax by the age of fourteen, Ernest joined Lincoln High School jazz band and many other musical programs around the Greater Kansas City area. Naturally excelling, Melton left school at the age of sixteen to study music on his own. With kind neighbors and a supportive mother, Ernest was free to practice the saxophone, study albums, and write compositions at any hour of the day. It was during this time he found his first major influences in jazz like Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Kenny Garrett, and Pharoah Sanders. Pharoah’s polyphony were like echoes of Melton’s father, a Primitive Baptist preacher, and became a large influence of his playing. An avid composer as well, Ernest studied with tutors in classical orchestration, big band arranging, and Afro-Cuban drumming. He cites Charles Mingus, Igor Stravinsky, and Wayne Shorter as his favorite all around composers and still tries to implement their techniques in his music today. After being accepted into Berklee College of Music he decided not to attend and began his career playing music in bands of every genre around the Greater Kansas City area. In 2018 Ernest released his first full length album entitled, “The Time Of The Slave Is Over”, which received raved reviews at home and abroad by media such as Plastic Sax, Quest TV, and JAZIZZ to name a few. Ernest Melton has played all over the country and plans to continue to travel abroad. // Ernest Melton released the single “Waves” on April 21, 2025. He released the single, “Sonnet for Sanity”on December 18, 2020 and the single, “Chronicles of Conception” on April 21, 2020, and “Narrative for Natives” on March 9, 2020. Ernest Melton released the album “The Standard Imperfections” on September 1, 2019. Ernest Melton is also featured on the BodaciousThang singles, “Drank!” on August 7, 2019 and “Say Hi” released Sept. 2, 2020 on Juicy Burrito Records. ]
11:09 – Marmoppes LIVE
- Marmoppes – “Butterfly” (LIVE)
“Butterfly” was released as a single on Big Nip Records on March 17, 2024
[Since the Spring of 2024 Marmoppes have released five new singles. Originally formed on Groundhog Day, the band includes: Simon Huntley on drums; J. Ashley Miller: on vocals, guitar & bass; Alyssa Murray on synths & keyboards; and Ernest Melton on saxophone. More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes More info at: Marmoppes- https://www.instagram.com/marmoppes/ ]
11:12 – More Interview with Marmoppes
We are happy to welcome back members of the Kansas City suoer group, Marmoppes who return to Wednesday MidDay Medley to share new music and perform LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Marmoppes include: Simon Huntley on drums; J. Ashley Miller on vocals, guitar & bass; Alyssa Murray on synths & keyboards; and Ernest Melton on saxophone. Originally formed on Groundhog Day, since the fall of 2023 Marmoppes have released five singles: “Cerulean Blue Truffle Pig” (Sept. 5, 2023), “Butterfly” (March 17, 2024), “Yr Chemical” (April 28, 2024), “Gyatt Time” (Sept. 20, 2024), “Nos” (March 23, 2025) Marmoppes will premier their brand new single on WMM. More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes
Simon Huntley, J. Ashley Miller, Alyssa Murray and Ernest Melton Thank you for being with us on WMM.
Last time Marmoppes were on WMM was Wednesday, April 16, prior to their live performance on April 18 for The Love Note at The Strand Theatre.
Earlier Marmoppes played The Ship performing live to the film Nosferatu.
The mix of film and music has been a constant for Marmoppes
11:17 – Marmoppes LIVE
- Marmoppes – “Cerulean Blue Truffle Pig (LIVE)
“Cerulean Blue Truffle Pig” was released as a Single on Big Nip Records on September 5, 2023
[Since the Spring of 2024 Marmoppes have released five new singles. Originally formed on Groundhog Day, the band includes: Simon Huntley on drums; J. Ashley Miller: on vocals, guitar & bass; Alyssa Murray on synths & keyboards; and Ernest Melton on saxophone. More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes More info at: Marmoppes- https://www.instagram.com/marmoppes/ ]
11:20 – More Interview with Marmoppes
We are happy to welcome back members of the Kansas City suoer group, Marmoppes who return to Wednesday MidDay Medley to share new music and perform LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Marmoppes include: Simon Huntley on drums; J. Ashley Miller on vocals, guitar & bass; Alyssa Murray on synths & keyboards; and Ernest Melton on saxophone. Originally formed on Groundhog Day, since the fall of 2023 Marmoppes have released five singles: “Cerulean Blue Truffle Pig” (Sept. 5, 2023), “Butterfly” (March 17, 2024), “Yr Chemical” (April 28, 2024), “Gyatt Time” (Sept. 20, 2024), “Nos” (March 23, 2025) Marmoppes will premier their brand new single on WMM. More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes
New Music from Marmoppes: 4×10 = 75
Marmoppes discography:
4 x 10 = 75 – June 25
“Nos” – March 23, 2025 (Big Nip Records)
“Gyatt Time” – Sept. 20, 2024
“Yr Chemical” – April 28, 2024
“Butterfly” – March 17, 2024
“Cerulean Blue Truffle Pig” – September 5, 2023
Simon Huntley, J. Ashley Miller, Alyssa Murray and Ernest Melton Thank you for being with us on WMM.
More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes
11:24
- Marmoppes – “4 x 10 = 75″ (CD #15) (3:39)
from: “4 x 10 = 75” – single / Big Nip Records / June 25, 2025
[Since the Spring of 2024 Marmoppes have released five new singles. Originally formed on Groundhog Day, the band includes: Simon Huntley on drums; J. Ashley Miller: on vocals, guitar & bass; Alyssa Murray on synths & keyboards; and Ernest Melton on saxophone. More info at: https://linktr.ee/marmoppes More info at: Marmoppes- https://www.instagram.com/marmoppes/ ]
11:28 – Underwriting
- Keelon Vann – “Poison”
from: T H I R D (•) / Keelon Vann / May 23, 2025
[Keelon Vann, a 26-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist who doesn’t believe in genre. Keelon Vann is a KC native who has been deeply moved by music since childhood. His earliest influences stem from R&B, Soul, and Funk—artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Sam Cooke, The Temptations, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, James Brown, and Prince. Vann taught himself to play guitar, evolving his sound and adding new icons to his growing list of influences—Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King. A former NCAA Division II College Footbal Athlete at William Jewell College, where Vann also served as a Choral Music Scholar in both the Concert Choir and Schola Cantorum balancing athletics, academics, and music. Vann has remained steadfast in his artistic path. Keelon just released his 3rd album, T H I R D (•), pronounced “Third Eye.”]
11:31 – Interview with Keelon Vann
Keelon Vann, a 26-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist who doesn’t believe in genre. Keelon Vann is a KC native who has been deeply moved by music since childhood. His earliest influences stem from R&B, Soul, and Funk—artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Sam Cooke, The Temptations, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, James Brown, and Prince. Vann taught himself to play guitar, evolving his sound and adding new icons to his growing list of influences—Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King. A former NCAA Division II College Footbal Athlete at William Jewell College, where Vann also served as a Choral Music Scholar in both the Concert Choir and Schola Cantorum balancing athletics, academics, and music. Vann has remained steadfast in his artistic path. Keelon just released his 3rd album, T H I R D (•), pronounced “Third Eye.” to foster interesting music, and not worry about the little things.’ Let’s see if we might be able to figure out something that might make the music bigger. That’s the goal.”
Keelon Vann thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
Keelon Vann, a 26-year-old American singer-songwriter and guitarist, seeks to break barriers by honoring the classics while drawing inspiration from modern productions. The Kansas-born artist doesn’t believe in genre. “It’s pretty hard to put you in a box,” said Steve Kraske of KCUR 89.3 Radio. It is, however, to Vann’s dismay that such fusion of sounds may lead to quite an unorthodox niche—but according to Vann, art transcends genre and exists to inspire and to heal. This is Keelon Vann.
Born on August 28, 1998, to Juanita Moten and the late Kwasi Vann, Keelon Vann is a Kansas City native who has been deeply moved by music since childhood. His earliest influences stem from R&B, Soul, and Funk—artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Musiq Soulchild, Luther Vandross, Robin Thicke, Boyz II Men, Eric Benét, Maxwell, Usher, Justin Timberlake and more. He also draws from timeless legends including Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, The Temptations, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Prince, among many others. These artists were foundational in shaping Vann’s vocal talent.
Upon picking up the guitar, Vann expanded his musical world. Teaching himself to play, he discovered Blues and Rock N’ Roll, evolving his sound and adding new icons to his growing list of influences—Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Albert Collins, Freddie King, Gary Clark Jr., John Mayer, and a furthermore extensive list.
A graduate of Piper High School and former NCAA Division II College Football Athlete at William Jewell College, Vann also served as a Choral Music Scholar in both the Concert Choir and Schola Cantorum. Balancing athletics, academics, and music has never been easy, but through it all, Vann has remained steadfast in his artistic path.
Now with three independently released albums:
ŠUÑFŁØWĘR PÂRĀDØX
Tales of the Gypsy,
T H I R D (•)
11:54
- Keelon Vann – “Heaven Help Us”
from: T H I R D (•) / Keelon Vann / May 23, 2025
[Keelon Vann, a 26-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist who doesn’t believe in genre. Keelon Vann is a KC native who has been deeply moved by music since childhood. His earliest influences stem from R&B, Soul, and Funk—artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Sam Cooke, The Temptations, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, James Brown, and Prince. Vann taught himself to play guitar, evolving his sound and adding new icons to his growing list of influences—Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King. A former NCAA Division II College Footbal Athlete at William Jewell College, where Vann also served as a Choral Music Scholar in both the Concert Choir and Schola Cantorum balancing athletics, academics, and music. Vann has remained steadfast in his artistic path. Keelon just released his 3rd album, T H I R D (•), pronounced “Third Eye.”]
- Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]
Next week, on Wednesday, July 2, we’ll talk with Mara Williams Assistant Managing Editor for Race and Equity Issues at The Kansas City Star and J.M. Banks – Kansas City Star Culture and Identity Reporter who will discuss Season Three of The KC Star’s new 5 – week series, VOICES OF KANSAS CITY starting July 9, airing Wednesdays at 7:00pm to 8:00pm featuring the stories of eight young black educators in Kansas City. More info at http://www.KansasCity.com. Also next week, Spencer Thompson about the return of Kansas City’s popular comedic horror show, The Spooky **** Show, created by local Kansas Citian, Derek Trautwein returning to Kansas City Fringe Festival (July 17-27), More info http://www.kcfringe.org // And Beth Watts Nelson joins us to share her latest release.
Big THANK YOU TO THE FABULOUS 44 PEOPLE WHO DONATED in support of Wednesday MidDay Medley for KKFI 90.1 FM’s during our On-Air Winter Fund Drive! With the help of my amazing co-hosts, we raised $2,693.00 toward our goal of $2,685.00. We achieved 100% of our goal for KKFI 90.1 FM. Thank you Betse Ellis, Rachel Christia, and Mikal Shapiro and J Kelly Dougherty and all our fabulous donors and listeners!
THANK YOU to our incredible KKFI Staff; Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers and Shaina Littler – Office Manager Book Keeper
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
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Show #1101
Wednesday MidDay Medley 