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, February 28, 2024

New & MidCoastal Releases + True Lions + Malek Azrael + Marion Merritt + Betse Ellis

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

2. James Brown – “We Got To Change”
   from: We Got To Change – Single / Republic Records / February 16, 2024
   [ “Can you imagine James Brown saying, ‘We got to change’?’ Well, he did,” says William “Bootsy” Collins. “And who’s playing bass? Little ol’ funky me. Let’s go!” // A never-before-released James Brown song, “We Got To Change,” makes its debut today on Republic/Ume. // “James Brown always leaned into the social tip,” Bootsy continues. “He always was trying to keep the youngsters informed and the people informed on what’s going on. The new breed was coming in and certain things were going out. He loved to inform people on what was coming and what was going to be because he felt like he was part of it, and he was.” // Recorded at Miami’s Criteria Studios on August 16, 1970, “We Got To Change” was laid down during a pivotal period in the world of James Brown – a few months earlier, longtime members of his famed James Brown Orchestra had walked out. // Brown quickly assembled a new group anchored by guitarist Phelps “Catfish” Collins and bassist William “Bootsy” Collins, two young brothers from Cincinnati. They brought a harder edge and a fresh identity to Brown’s music on such singles as “Get Up (I Feel Like Being) a Sex Machine,” “Super Bad,” and “Soul Power.” Brown called them The J.B.’s. // Their Criteria session featured a reunion with one of Brown’s 1960s sidemen: the great Clyde Stubblefield. “The Funky Drummer,” as he was known, would grace several of Brown’s subsequent hits and become one of the most sampled drummers of the hip-hop era. Also on the track is James Brown’s longtime No. 2, Bobby Byrd, who is heard alongside Brown on the chorus. // “We Got To Change” is another example of James Brown’s social outreach seen in singles like “Don’t Be a Dropout,” “Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud,” “Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved” and “King Heroin.” // It is also a testament to Brown’s diverse musical language, quoting from Little Jimmy Dickens’ 1949 hit “Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)” and the African-American anti-war spiritual, “Down by the Riverside.” // “The James Brown Revue invented the Funk,” says Funk author Rickey Vincent, “and the J.B.’s perfected it.” Newly unearthed and hitherto unheard, “We Got to Change” adds a critical page to the history of that perfection’s evolution. // For more information about James Brown, visit http://www.jamesbrown.com]

3. Stik Figa – “SAY DAT!”
   from: “SAY DAT!” – Single / Mello Music Group / October 6, 2023
   [This is the lead single from the upcoming project with Leonard DStroy dropping before the year is out! Written by Stik Figa. Produced by Leonard Dstroy. Recorded by DJ Sean P @ TWLVS Studio Fort Worth. Mixed and mastered by Jordan Criddle. Stik Figa is rapper from Topeka, KS who cut his teeth on the Kansas City rap scene for close to a decade. Making a name for himself as a charismatic performer and premier lyricist in the region, releasing 9 solo albums and multiple collaborations // Later partnering with notable independent hip-hop label Mello Music Group releasing collaboration with L’Orange, “The City Under the City” and straight forward hip-hop album Central Standard Time. More info at: http://www.stikfiga785.bandcamp.com]

10:06 – Intro / Pledge Break #1

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. I’m Mark Manning. Today WMM MM Celebrates The MidCoast Sound with music from: The Phantastics, The Creepy Jingles, Monta, pure xtc, Malek Azrael, SEYKO, True Lions, Danielle Nicole, Timbers, and The Whips. We started with James Brown and Stik Figa

We are featuring music from musical artists playing all over Kansas City this week.

At 11:00 Malek Azrael returns to WMM to talk about his new single, “in ur mind” that is being released on Friday.

At 11:25 Alisön “Al” Hawkins and Fritz Hutchison talk about their newest True Lions release, COLD GRAVY BOWL and their COLD GRAVY BOWL, Release Show on Saturday, March 2, at The Emerald, 1717 W. 9th Street, KCMO in the West Bottoms.

We take break to encourage YOU to support 90.1 FM KKFI. To help me, is my friend…

Betse Ellis. Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Betse received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been playing the Violin for over 40 years, with over 20 years playing fiddle and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was a founding member of the acclaimed internationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and records and performs with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. Betse also plays in the band Starhaven Rounders.

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

Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to WMM, She grew up in Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She went to college in Columbia, Missouri. She studied art and musical engineering, and is a avid lover of classic films and punk rock music. For nearly 20 years she has been sharing her musical discoveries and information from her musically-encyclopedic brain on Wednesday MidDay Medley. With her partner Ann Stewart, Marion is the proprietor of Records With Merritt, a minority owned business at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City. More information at: http://www.recordwithmerritt.com

Marion Merritt, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

In 2023 on WMM we conducted over 150 interviews with 145 special guests.: Karen Lisondra, Bitch, Marion Merritt, Joelle St. Pierre, Nicolette Paige, Dedric Moore, Brenton Cook, Mark Ronning, Nathan Reusch, Krysztof Nemeth, Jennifer Owen, Stacy Busch, Marty Bush, Spencer Brown aka Daisy Buckët, IV0RY BLUE, Alyssa Murray, Mica-Elgin Vi, Noah Bartelt, Shaun Crowley, Jeffrey Stolz, Wallace Cochran, Betty Berry, Scott Easterday, Cody Wyoming, Mara Rose Williams, Nick Carswell, Fally Afani, Dan Jones, Steve Tulipana, Miki P, Mireya Ramos, Trevor Turla, Bill Sundahl, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Sophia and Analiese of The Black Mariah Theater, JNabe, Danny Alexander, Michael B. Tipton, Mark Meisenheimer, Tillie Hall, Joy Zimmerman, Paris Williams, Zava, Kevin Willmott, Mark von Schlemmer, Heidi Gluck, Nate Holt, Kirsten Paludan, Jade Osborne, Alisön Hawkins, Fritz Hutchison, Audrey Crabtree, Beth Byrd, Chip Ashby, Stephanie Iszory, Jass, Clarence Copridge, Calvin Arsenia, Kirstie Lynn, Galen Clark, Chris Haghirian, Nico Gray, Mike McCoy, Madisen Ward, Mikal Shapiro, Jen Harris, Stephonne, Betse Ellis, Luke Harbur, Julia Reynolds, Andrew Connor, Ryan Connor, Bill Belzer, Krystle Warren, Mike Dillon, Malek Azreal, Philip Dickey, Elyshya “Millz” Miller, Ethan Eckert, Sondra Freeman, Alicia Ellingsworth, Patrick Sprehe, Kate McCandless, Megan Birdsall, Michael Andrew Smith, Jess Shoman of Tenci, April Fletcher, Brad Cox, Necia Gamby, Iris DeMent, Kelly Dougherty, Audrey Bramlett, Erika Cecilia, Paul Jesse, Deegan Poores, Gayle Cade-Price, Patrick Sumner, Aaron Rhodes, Frank Loose Jr., Kurt Witt, Tim Miller, Anthony Cruz, Olivia “Liv” Wyrick of Cardio Party, Aisha Kahlil, Hermon Mehari, Nan Turner, Elizabeth Suh, Howie Howard, Nani Noam Vazana, Kelley Hunt, Rachael Sage, Michelle Bacon, Devon Teran, Aaron Mitchum

10:14

4. The Phantastics – “Things You Do (Radio Edit)”
   from: “Things You Do”- Single / Kemet Creative / May 6, 2022
   [8 member band from KC formed in December of 2010. Kemet Coleman on lead vocals; Kimology on lead vocals; Ashley Thompson on drums; Joe Donley on bass; Vincent Orsolini on keyboards; Kadesh Flow on trombone; Ernest Melton on saxophone; Lawrence Jackson on trumpet; and Nick Howell on trumpet. (Plus several of extended members.) The Phantastics specialize in genre-blending dance floor activators. In 2015, the music group was crowned “Kansas City’s best party band” by the Kansas City Star. Musicianship and diversity are at the core of their success. Rock, Rap, Dance, Funk, Jazz & Soul are all incorporated into their music. I Heart Local Music wrote that they are, “The band that can do it all”. The Phantastics have shared the stage with some of music’s most legendary acts including George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. On May 6, 2022 The Phantastics released their single “All That Fine.” On Oct. 18, 2019 The Phantastics released LIVE AT THE PLAZA ART FAIR. On Aug. 24, 2018 The Phantastics released the EP, LIFE OF THE PARTY. On Dec. 14, 2013 The Phantastics released their debut album THE CLOSER. Info at: http://www.thephantastics.com]

[The Phantastics play a Single Release and a Vine Street Brewing Company Phantastic Punch Release Dance Party on Friday, March 1, at 9:00pm at The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO in the WEST BOTTOMS, with FlarethaRebel.]

5. 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 to be released by The Creepy Jongles this year. 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. 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.] [ Jocelyn Olivia Nixon will be our guest on March 27, 2024]

6. Danielle Nicole – “Make Love”
   from: The Love You Bleed / Forty Below Records / January 26, 2024  
   [Danielle Nicole is one of the finest singers and bassists in roots music today. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, she has spent her life making music and pleasing fans, both domestically and abroad. Her stunning new album, The Love You Bleed, includes twelve heartfelt tracks exploring themes of love, loss, and perseverance. It will be released this Friday, January 26 on Forty Below Records. // The Love You Bleed was co-produced by Tony Braunagel (Taj Mahal, Eric Burdon, Robert Cray) and Nicole, with John Porter (B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bryan Ferry) mixing. The tight-knit group on the album features Danielle on bass guitar and vocals; Brandon Miller (electric, acoustic, pedal steel, mandolin, and 12-string guitar), Damon Parker (keyboards); Go-Go Ray (drums), and Stevie Blacke (violin and cello). // Nicole was inducted into the Kansas City Hall of Fame and has been the recipient of seven Blues Music Awards.  Her last release Cry No More was nominated for a Grammy in the Contemporary Blues category, debuted at number one on the Billboard Blues Charts and boasts over 10 million streams on Spotify. // Danielle Nicole’s last release, CRY NO MORE, released February 23, 2018, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Her self-titled solo debut EP was released March 10, 2015 on Concord Records. The self-titled EP features Grammy Award-winning producer-guitarist Anders Osborne, Galactic’s co-founding drummer Stanton Moore and keyboardist Mike Sedovic. On February 25, 2015, American Blues Scene premiered the track “Didn’t Do You No Good” off the new EP. Danielle Nicole was previously in the band Trampled Under Foot with her brothers Kris and Nick Schnebelen. At the 2014 Blues Music Awards, Trampled Under Foot’s album, Badlands, won the ‘Contemporary Blues Album of the Year’ category. At the same ceremony, Danielle Nicole, under the name of Danielle Schnebelen, triumphed in the ‘Best Instrumentalist – Bass’ category. The band was also nominated in the ‘Band of the Year’ category. In September 2015, her debut album, Wolf Den, was released on Concord Records. It reached number 2 in the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart in October that year. Danielle Nicole’s second solo album, Cry No More, peaked at # 1 in the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. Bill Withers wrote one of the tracks on the new album.]

[Danielle Nicole plays Records With Merritt, at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, March 2, 2024.]

10:26 – Pledge Break #2

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

WMM and KKFI are committed to featuring artists under-represented in other media, and that includes the music community that lives within Kansas City and Lawrence and the area radiance of our 100 watt signal. The story of Kansas City’s Arts and Music Community is our primary objective on WMM, where for almost 20 years we have shined a light on this music and the artists who create it, and that story also include the music labels who help get this music out into the community and beyond Kansas City. That story also includes the recording studios where this music is engineered and mastered.

Wednesday MidDay Medley 90.1 FM was the first radio show and first radio station to ever play many if these amazing musical artists. WMM was the first to play the recordings of: Calvin Arsenia, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Krystle Warren, The Black Creatures, KD Kuro, The Shy Boys, The Salvation Choir, Jamogi, Buck Moon, and so many others.. We were the first to interview these artists live on the radio and bring their music to a wider audience. Recently WMM was the first radio show to interview national artist Flamy Grant on the radio airwaves.

10:34 – Underwriting

7. Pure xtc – “Fall Apart”
   from: “Fall Apart” – Single / Taylor Hughes / March 1, 2024
   [Pure XTC released the Shed My Skin EP on November 18, 2022. Pure XTC released the single “Get Lost“ on September 9, 2022, and “Shadow” released June 1, 2022. Pure xtc released the EP Nobody’s Home on November 12, 2021. Pure xtc is the musical project of Kansas City based Taylor Hughes. Taylor is also the drummer for the band EXNATIONS. The idea of pure xtc was formed during an extremely isolating time for multi-instrumentalist, Hughes. Living truly on her own for the first time, she moved to the NYC metro in 2019. Time was spent crying on subways, climbing new rooftops, meeting new people, avoiding new people, feeling extremely fulfilled to feeling like a hollow empty shell. [Pure XTC aka Taylor Hughes was our guest on WMM July 14, 2021, and November 10, 2021, and November 16, 2022]

8. SEYKO – “Anybody High”
   from: “Anybody High” – Single / Groove King Records – Fat Beats / December 1, 2023
   [Produced by Colby Bales of the band Black Light Animals and also a bandmate of SEYKO’s in The Freedom Affair. // SEYKO released the soingle “What I Want” on June 23, 2023. // From http://www.seykomusic.com: Seyko has always found music to be a reflection of her innermost thoughts and feelings, a way of self-expression but even deeper than that. Music was always a life-giving, constant companion from the happiest moments to the darkest days. Music continues to be Seyko’s way of communicating with the world around her. // Seyko developed her musical talent during her formative years through church and school choirs, friendships that evolved into singing groups, and professional training through voice lessons and songwriting. Opportunities presented themselves, but Seyko also created opportunities for herself as she chased her dream to create and perform her own music. // The Freedom Affair and Sunu, two Kansas City bands Seyko performs and writes with, have solidified her place in the music scene and provide a solid foundation for beginning her solo career. Seyko’s singing and songwriting career has spanned twenty years, and it shows! Her creative growth has led to her being a well-respected artist in KC, allowing her to participate in recording projects for fellow musicians and even singing background vocals for Michael Bublé at a live concert in 2022.]

[The Freedom Affair play The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms Fri, March 15 at 9:00pm.]

9. Monta – “Forget About You”
   from: “Forget About You” – Single / The Record Machine / T.B.A.
   [Monta released their EP Crystal Momentum on March 24, 2023. The band released the single “Looking Back” on February 27, 2023, and “Everybody’s Baby” on January 27, 2023. Monta’s latest, the Crystal Momentum EP, hones the Kansas City band’s mastery of electrified dreamworld post-punk, presenting four spacious songs to accompany out-of-body explorations. Monta’s core players — Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Krysztof Nemeth and Lucas Behrens on guitars, Dedric Moore on electronics, Matthew Heinrich on drums, and Teri Quinn with additional vocals — accompany their visions with a groovy flow that rings with subtle tensions, introspective instrumentation, and chorus-fed uplifts. // Found within are “Everybody’s Baby,” an otherworldly adoration of unnamed strangers set to transfixing melodies and a snake-like groove; the buoyant “Looking Back,” which shines a danceable, sonic brightness through a haze of ecstatic reminiscence; the inspired “Perimeter Dancer,” an ode to those who fight for the cause, accompanied by a punky disco beat and a chorus that launches the song upward to a mirror-ball-lit sky. And then there’s “Luna Lost In Your Gaze,” a righteous desert sleepwalk of a tune that recalls the spaghetti western tones of Monta’s past while remaining on the current trajectory. // With the Crystal Momentum EP, Monta grabs the moment, further defining the distinctive mix of synth-pop and dark psychedelia that’s become the band’s trademark. Take a leap and fall into their world. // Monta means “to climb higher.” Through lineup changes and scenes ebbing and flowing, this band continues that climb. Founded by brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore, Monta (originally Monta At Odds) has grown into its own community with a rotating cast of musicians and characters. More Information at: kosmiccity.com / therecordmachine.co] [Monta played 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noice FM, Black Light Animals Soultru and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd] [Dedric Moore joined us on WMM on October 4, 2023]

[Monta plays miniBar, 3810 Broadway Blvd., KCMO, on April 7 for the Sunday Mass Gallow Dance with Carrellee (WI) & System Exclusive (CA) & DJ Rico spinning before between & after LIVE bands.]

10:46 – Pledge Break #3

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

In a few weeks, on May 8, Wednesday MidDay Medley will be celebrating 20 years!

This is 1045 weekly shows, that equal 2090 hours of radio, 30,000 hours of preparation, over 2900 Interviews, 2500 guests, and over 20,000 songs, from thousands of musical artists. We have made it our mission to mix musical genres, playing with themes, diversity, equality, free speech, connecting artists and venues and listeners and communities. Wednesday MidDay Medley has proudly endeavored to help tell the story of our growing Kansas City area music scene, “The Midcoast Sound,” as we like to call it. We have dedicated a majority of our programming to New & MidCoastal Releases.

WMM has presented new formats in radio, with our “A Story In A Song” series, and our special shows featuring: Apocalypse Meow, Crossroads Music Fest, Folk Alliance, Manor Fest, International, The Outer Reaches Festival, Boulevardia. KC Fringe Festival, Owen Cox Dance Group, Bach Aria Soloists, KC Pride, and our annual tribute shows to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., David Bowie, Iris Dement, Pioneers of Punk, LGBTQIA Themes, Black Lives Matter and inteviews with Tommy Ramone, Iris Dement, Laurie Anderson, Lily Tomlin. Plus, our annual 4-week special: WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of the Year.

To say this radio show has been inspired by the KC music community, is an understatement. The KC music community is fueled by a collaborative and generous heart that is beating in so many of the artists we’ve met while doing this show. We are inspired by the Fearless Women who created radio on 90.1 FM long before us: our friend April Fletcher who plays bass professionally in Los Angeles, and hosted Mix Well Before Serving on 90.1 in 1988 on KKFI’s first year of broadcast, and last year returned after 35 years to host and produce WMM. And our friend Anne Winter, who left us in 2009, and reminded us how we’re all connected. At Anne’s funeral we realized that we are connected to hundreds of other people who Anne had touched with her gentle, wise, guidance and had nudged into taking a job, going out on a stage, organizing an event, doing a radio show. We were all connected, she had loved us all and supported us, and some of us made a pact to do just a little bit of what Anne did, if we all did a little we could continue her work to help build our community, that is how we keep Anne alive in our heart. And through collaboration, and shining a light, like Abigail Hope Henderson, who we lost in 2013, but not before she ignited a movement to create the Midwest Music Foundation supporting heath care needs and mental health care for the music community. I’m inspired by the diverse , intelligent, motivated, listeners, looking for place on the dial, where they can connect to the stories & music & voice of our community.

Today we celebrate the pure idea of community radio, free form radio, radio that tells the story of the people who live here, the artists, the writers, the teachers, the performers. We celebrate 1035 weeks of WMM, the show that has brought us together, at this time, on this frequency, in these community airwaves. Thanks for listening.

10:55

10. The Whips – “Last Time (feat. Malek Azreal“)
    from: HOW TO HOLD A GRUDGE / Lotuspool Records / September 1, 2023
    [The Whips released their single “Begin Again” on Draft Crew Records on February 2, 2024. The Whips are Miles Patterson on drums, Quinn Cosgrove on bass, Max Indiveri on guitar, and Coop on piano. The Whips are a funk/soul band based in Kansas City. The Whips released their 12 track debut album HOW TO HOLD A GRUDGE on Lotuspool Records on September 1, 2023, Recorded with Audio Engineer Chris Cosgrove. the album features an array of their favorite local musicians guest in various tracks including: Malek Azrael, Anna Duntz, Atomic Blonde, Die Jane, Tre’ Mutava, Lymerrick & Lucy Brock. The Whips released their 6-track Debut EP, NEVER CHANGE, OR DO on August 20, 2021 on Draft Crew Records. The Whips released multiple singles in 2021. The Whips are currently on the road. More info at: ww.thewhipsband.com]

[The Whips will be playing the Treefort Music fest in Boise, Idaho March 20 through March 24, 2024]

11:00 – Station ID

11:00 – Interview with Malek Azrael

Malek Azrael returns to WMM to talk about his new single and music video, “in ur mind” that is being released on Friday, March 1. Malek Azrael grew up in Kansas City. Malek Azrael was part of Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship, and sometimes plays with Making Movies. Makek Azrael released his 10-track debut album on October 15, 2021. Malek Azrael released the singles “22” on January 13, 2023, and “Anxiety” on April 30, 2023. Malek is the lead singer and songwriter of his band, Malek & The Vibez. Malek recently played the Folk Alliance International Conference, and has played the Ameri-Kana Fest, KKFI’s Crossroads Music Fest, Boulevardia Festival, and The Greenwood Social Hall. Malek Azrael’s new single will be officially released on Friday, March 1, 2024. More info at: http://www.mavband.us . More info at: http://www.mavband.us

Malek Azrael thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard The Whips “Last Time (feat. Malek Azrael)” from their album HOW TO HOLD A GRUDGE released on Lotuspool Records on September 1, 2023

Malek Azrael performed for the first time at Folk Alliance International Conference.

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

Malek Azrael’s debut album “Waves” was compared to the likes of D’angelo, Stevie Wonder, and Prince with a voice that rivals the greatest RnB singers of our generation.

Meek Azreal is now 24 years old. Malek’s autobiographical single “22” features his experience of growing pains and learning lessons in your 20’s. Turning 20 and 21 during the Covid epidemic where you’re not out making mistakes and living life. So when I turned 22 and I was finally able to leave my house, I found that it was toxic overload tbh. Your 20’s are toxic and hard and so my 2022 year was exhausting trying to be a young adult and learning to be a social human again.

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

11:11

11. Malek Azrael – “in ur mind”
    from: “in ur mind” – Single / Malek Azrael / March 1, 2024
    [On October 15, 2021 Makek Azrael released his 10-track album debut. Male Azrael lives in KCMO. He has worked for Boys Grow, and is currently working with touring. Malek Azrael has been involved with Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship. He sometimes plays with Making Movies and played the Ameri-Kana Fest. Malek Azrael played KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, at The Black Box, in West Bottoms. Malek & The Vibez play Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on Friday, June 16.]

11:15 – Pledge Break #4

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

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

No commercials. We do have brief underwriting announcements, recognizing those who financially contribute to support non-profit community radio. But we are not trying to sell you stuff.

At KKFI there is no automated robot playing the same 50 songs in a “rotation,” based on a formula, created by a singular programmer of the robot. KKFI is the opposite of a robot.

There is always a human being on the end of the phone line anytime you call 816-931-0901.

90.1 offers 85 locally, produced, radio shows hosted, engineered and written by over 150 different people, who create content, and personally handcraft each show, each week. You will not find this kind of representative diversity anywhere else on your radio dial. Or from any singular source on your computer. It is very special. It needs to be nourished and kept alive in a world of corporate, nationally owned, commercial or religious broadcasting.

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

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

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

11:24

12. True Lions – “Walkin In The Parlor”
    from: Cold Gravy Bowl / Manor Records / March 1, 2024
    [Alison “Al” Hawkins is a queer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music teacher, and leader of True Lions, a band consisting of Al and whoever is playing music with them, which often includes Fritz Hutchison who is a veteran of the KC music community, a drummer, singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, bandmate, bandleader, friend, sibling, Gemini, and Kansas Citian who just wants to do a good job and keep it fun for everybody. Last year, True Lions and Fritz Hutchison released a homemade split cassette tape via Manor Records. When their drummer Eli Kosko moved to the desert, Al, Fritz and bassist Carly Atwood started performing acoustically. When Carly was sometimes unavailable, Al and Fritz explored amplified fiddle, synth, and drums, through old-time tunes. Their noise art creation COLD GRAVY BOWL is scheduled for cassette release Friday, March 1 via Manor Records. // COLD GRAVY BOWL is the demon music baby of Kansas City duo Al Hawkins and Fritz Hutchison, blending amplified fiddle distortion, heavy drums, and bass synth through Ozark old-time. The album artwork was drawn by local queer artist Spade Nine. // True Lions released the True Lions- Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette through Manor Records on April 26, 2023. True Lions released their debut full length album, “The Fempire Strikes Back,” on Manor Records on April 9, 2021 with Alisön Hawkins on keytar & vocals; Adee Rocket Dancy on cello & vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, Elizabeth Kosko on drums & percussion; Iona DeWalt on synthesizers; Miki P on guitar & vocals, and Teri Quinn on bass & vocals. Recorded at Deep Space Co-op. Tracking & engineering by Ross Brown at Escape Pod Audio. Mixing and mastering by Joel Nanos at Element Recording. In 2019 True Lions released their EP debut, “Cute at Best,” on February 5, 2019. They followed up with a second EP called. You’re Not Invited, released on November 9, 2019. For these recordings True Lions was: Alison Hawkins on guitar, synth, and vocals; Elizabeth Kosko on percussion, vocals; Mikala Petillo on bass, vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, vocals; Leslie Butsch on saxophone, Ezgi Karakus on cello; and Teri Quinn on vocals. All songs written by True Lions and produced by Claire Adams and Alison Hawkins. Tracking & Engineering by Claire Adams. Mixing and Mastering by Ian Dobyns and Chase Horseman. More info at: http://www.manorrecords.com .] [True Lions joi us nest week on WMM.]

[True Lions play a Cold Gravy Bowl, Album Release show Saturday, March 2, 2024 with The Matchsellers, at The Emerald, (second floor) 1717 W. 9th Street, KCMO [West Bottoms]. Witness the theatrical punk drag rock and roll folk event.]

11:26 – Interview with Alison “Al” Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison of True Lions

Alison “Al” Hawkins, a queer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music teacher, and leader of True Lions, and Fritz Hutchison, a drummer, singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. For their newest True Lions release, Al & Fritz explored playing old-time tunes with amplified fiddle, synth, and drums. Their noise art creation, COLD GRAVY BOWL is scheduled for cassette release on Friday, March 1, 2024 through Manor Records.

True Lions play a COLD GRAVY BOWL, Release Show on Saturday, March 2, 2024, with 7:00pm doors, 8:00pm showtime, at The Emerald, 1717 W. 9th Street, KCMO in the West Bottoms. This theatrical, punk, drag, rock and roll, folk event also features The Matchsellers, Scary Cherry, Ezra Prince, and Nora Demented. More info at http://www.truelions.bandcamp.com

Alison “Al” Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison thanks for being with us on WMM.

True Lions played several Private Showcases at Folk Alliance International Conference including: Thursday, February 22, at 12:30am in Lawrence Free State Room #609at The Westin Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center 1 East Pershing Road, KCMO.

When their drummer Eli Kosko moved to the desert, Al, Fritz and bassist Carly Atwood started performing acoustically. When Carly was sometimes unavailable, Al and Fritz explored amplified fiddle, synth, and drums, through old-time tunes. Their noise art creation COLD GRAVY BOWL is scheduled for cassette release Friday, March 1 via Manor Records. // COLD GRAVY BOWL is the demon music baby of Kansas City duo Al Hawkins and Fritz Hutchison, blending amplified fiddle distortion, heavy drums, and bass synth through Ozark old-time tunes.

Alison Hawkins is a queer artist, writer, multi-instrumentalist, and music teacher in KCK. They dropped out of music school (after studying classical piano) and dedicated their life to intersectional activism through community organizing and self-expression. In 2018 they founded the alt-pop band True Lions, releasing two EPs in 2019, and a keytar-inspired full-length album THE FEMPIRE STRIKRS BACK in 2021, released by Manor Records. In 2022 they became enchanted by the fiddle and obsessed with Ozark old time music while hiking through North American national parks. In 2023, Al teamed up with their partner Fritz Hutchison to create THE GREATEST PLANET IN THE WORLD released February 21, 2023 playing song taught to them by Betse Ellis, and also released TRUE LIONS FRITZ HUTCHISON SPLIT CASSETTE though Manor Records on April 26, 2023.

Fritz Hutchison is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter based in Kansas City. Fritz is a multi-instrumentalist who was born May 27, 1991. Fritz landed in the KC Music Community in 2008 playing drums with: She’s a Keeper. He played for several years with Grand Marquis, was part of the band Freight Train Rabbit Killer. As a guitarist he has played with True Lions, J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P, Calvin Arsenia, and many others. His second solo album, MOVIE NIGHT was released on April, 15, 2022 through Manor Records. He released his debut album Wide Wild Acres in March 2020 on Center Cut Records, receiving positive reviews in the US, Australia, the UK and the Netherlands. . Fritze has also released the sweet and sad country single “All the Way From Here (Happy Holidays)” in January 2021 and the unhinged rock rave-up “Zack Attack!” in March 2022.

Alison “Al” Hawkins & Fritz Hutchison thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

True Lions play a COLD GRAVY BOWL, Release Show on Saturday, March 2, 2024, with 7:00pm doors, 8:00pm showtime, at The Emerald, 1717 W. 9th Street, KCMO in the West Bottoms. This theatrical, punk, drag, rock and roll, folk event also features The Matchsellers, Scary Cherry, Ezra Prince, and Nora Demented. More info at http://www.truelions.bandcamp.com

11:37

13. True Lions – “That’s My Rabbit”
    from: Cold Gravy Bowl / Manor Records / March 1, 2024
    [Alison “Al” Hawkins is a queer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music teacher, and leader of True Lions, a band consisting of Al and whoever is playing music with them, which often includes Fritz Hutchison—a drummer, singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, bandmate, bandleader, friend, sibling, Gemini, and Kansas Citian who just wants to do a good job and keep it fun for everybody. Last year, True Lions and Fritz Hutchison released a homemade split cassette tape via Manor Records. When their drummer Eli Kosko moved to the desert, Al, Fritz and bassist Carly Atwood started performing acoustically. When Carly was sometimes unavailable, Al and Fritz explored amplified fiddle, synth, and drums, through old-time tunes. Their noise art creation COLD GRAVY BOWL is scheduled for cassette release Friday, March 1 via Manor Records. // COLD GRAVY BOWL is the demon music baby of Kansas City duo Al Hawkins and Fritz Hutchison, blending amplified fiddle distortion, heavy drums, and bass synth through Ozark old-time. The album artwork was drawn by local queer artist Spade Nine. // True Lions released the True Lions- Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette through Manor Records on April 26, 2023. True Lions released their debut full length album, “The Fempire Strikes Back,” on Manor Records on April 9, 2021 with Alisön Hawkins on keytar & vocals; Adee Rocket Dancy on cello & vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, Elizabeth Kosko on drums & percussion; Iona DeWalt on synthesizers; Miki P on guitar & vocals, and Teri Quinn on bass & vocals. Recorded at Deep Space Co-op. Tracking & engineering by Ross Brown at Escape Pod Audio. Mixing and mastering by Joel Nanos at Element Recording. In 2019 True Lions released their EP debut, “Cute at Best,” on February 5, 2019. They followed up with a second EP called. You’re Not Invited, released on November 9, 2019. For these recordings True Lions was: Alison Hawkins on guitar, synth, and vocals; Elizabeth Kosko on percussion, vocals; Mikala Petillo on bass, vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, vocals; Leslie Butsch on saxophone, Ezgi Karakus on cello; and Teri Quinn on vocals. All songs written by True Lions and produced by Claire Adams and Alison Hawkins. Tracking & Engineering by Claire Adams. Mixing and Mastering by Ian Dobyns and Chase Horseman. More info at: http://www.manorrecords.com.]

[True Lions play a Cold Gravy Bowl, Album Release show Saturday, March 2, 2024 with The Matchsellers, at The Emerald, (second floor) 1717 W. 9th Street, KCMO [West Bottoms]. Witness the theatrical punk drag rock and roll folk event.]

11:39 – Pledge Break #5

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

KKFI and Wednesday MidDay Medley offer loads and loads of information about what is going on in our community. Not only does this show interview 150 guest each year, not only do we play nearly 900 different songs with more than half of those being locally produced, but we also shine a light on area not-for-profit theatre companies, art museums & galleries, area festivals, service organizations, area record labels and record stores, the area music scene, arts scene, theatre scene, literary arts scene, political action scene.

KKFI’s Mission Statement: KKFI is the Kansas City area’s independent, noncommercial community radio station. We seek to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.

KKFI’s Philosophy Statement: KKFI is committed to diversity in programming and discourse and seeks to create a climate of mutual respect and collaboration among volunteers and staff.

11:47

14. Timbers – “Wandering”
    from: “Wandering” – Single / Timbers / January 28, 2024
    [Aaron Mitchum on vocals & guitars, Devon Teran on guitar & pedal steel, Riley Taylor on bass & BGV, Nathan Lewis on drums, cover art, Jilliann De Jong on vocals. All songs written by Timbers. Last year Timbers released the single “Time’s Stinger”on May 27, 2023 , and “Breakers” on January 18, 2023. Engineer-ing, Mixing, Mastering by Joel Nanos. Recorded at Element Studio in Kansas City, MO. Timbers was formed in 2013, their music is blend of rock & roll, country, soul. Follow up to the band’s self titled 2018 EP Timbers.]

[Timbers plays recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO tomorrow night, Feb. 29 aka Leap Day, at 7:00pm, with Lorna K’s One Night Stand and Michael B. Tipton & The Randos. it’s also Aaron & Nate’s B-day.]

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

Next week on Wednesday, March 6 Members of the band Say That Again join us lIVE on the radio!

Also next week I will be joined by Betse Ellis and Joelle St. Pierre for our Winter Fund Drive Show. We want to hear from all of our listeners to call us up at 888-931-3901

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 #1035