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

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Mikal Shapiro & Stephonne Singleton of KC Folk Fest + Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske of “I’m So Glad”

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

2. Calvin Arsenia – “Help! The Flying Monkees Are Coming!”
   from: The Angel and the Little Scroll – Single [“Revelation 10”]/ Calvin Arsenia /April 6, 2024
   [This track is also part of Calvin Arsenia’s newest 14 track album Paradise released to fans on June 23, 2023. It is only available through http://www.calvinarsenia.com // A new turning point as a songwriter. His most biographical album yet, with songs about Black Lives Matter, Racism, The Police, being on probation, gay love. The album contains collaborations with Cheery, Kadesh Flow and Jametatone. Calvin Arsenia one of our most frequent guests, who first appeared on WMM on July 25, 2012. KC Magazine has hailed Calvin as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-7-inch harpist with a 3 and ½ octave range, natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey began when he moved to Olathe, Kansas, teaching himself the guitar, piano, banjo. He learned his signature instrument, the harp, at the age of 20. His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to KC reborn as a humanistic songwriter / performer where at 24 he released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. On February 14, 2017 Calvin released his critically acclaimed full length debut, Catastrophe, with a live show at recordBar in November 2016 that involved a company of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers. After signing to Center Cut Records, Calvin released the albums: Cantaloupe in 2018, with a sold out gigantic spectical at The Gem Theatre on Saturday, September 15, 2018. He then released, L.A. Sessions in 2019, and the EP HONEY DEW, and the EP Goddess with Quixotic, the Holiday album, ALL IS CALM. In 2020 Calvin collaborated with Mike Dillon on the Soundtrack to “Summer in Hindsight,” a feature-length film created by The West 18th Street Fashion Show that starred Calvin as an actor. Calvin is also the co-creator of the podcast “We Were Christian Kids” created with childhood friend Justin Randall who is a stand up comedian working in New York City and now Los Angeles. Calvin is also the published author of EVERY GOOD BOY DOES FINE, a collection of Poetry & Prose published on October 5, 2021, by Andrews McMeel Universal. Calvin was voted KC’s Best Musician in The Pitch 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He has been featured in Billboard, NPR.org. Charlotte Street Foundation announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott.] [Calvin Arsenia played a PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com][Calvin Arsenia was our guest on WMM on Jan. 18, 2023, June 21, 2023, and our 1000th Show on June 28, 2923.]

[Calvin Arsenia plays The Percheron Concert Series, TONIGHT, Wednesday, May 8, at 7:00pm on the rooftop of the Crossroads Hotel, at 2101 Central Street, KCMO]

[Calvin Arsenia plays Wednesday MidDay Medley’s 20th Anniversary Show, next Wednesday, May 15 at 10:00 AM on KKFI 90.1 FM with Julia Othmer, Kasey Rausch, IVORY BLUE, Stephonne, Marion Merritt, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Nico Gray & Necia Gamby.]

[Calvin Arsenia plays plays Manor Fest 6, on Friday, May 31, at 9:00pm at Greenwood Social Club, 1759 Belleview Ave, 2nd Floor, KCMO with Fritz Hutchison, and Julia Haile.]

PERCHERON SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Calvin Arsenia on Percheron – Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – 7:00 PM – $25 per ticket

Sheppa + Friends on Percheron – Sunday, May 26, 2024 – 7:00 PM – $20 per ticket

Krystle Warren on Percheron – Thursday, Jun 13, 2024 – 7:00 PM – $30 per ticket

Hembree + Friends on Percheron – Aug 14 & Aug 15, 2024 – 7:00 PM – $25 per ticket

Madisen Ward on Percheron – Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024 – 7:00 PM – $20 per ticket

OLIVIA FOX on Percheron – Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 – 7:00 PM – $20 per ticket

Making Movies on Percheron – Wednesday, Oct 2, 2024 – 7:00 PM – $25 per ticket

Calvin Arsenia Discography

Calvin Arsenia – Moments [EP] / Independent / April 9, 2014
Calvin Arsenia was 24 when he released this EP after returning home to Kansas City after living and performing in Edinburgh, Scotland. Calvin works as a songwriter, composer, lyricist, producer, and engineer. Calvin Arsenia played live on Wednesday MidDay Medley on October 22. 2014.

Calvin Arsenia – Prose [EP] / Independent / February 3, 2015
Recorded over the course of three live sessions at Edinburgh’s Napier University. Produced by Graham Coe. Engineered by David O’Leary. Music and Lyrics: Calvin Arsenia, with Fiona Reid & Liselot Van Oosterom on Vocals, Graham Coe on Cello, Mark Smith on Percussion, Lyle Watt on Guitar Calvin Arsenia on Vocals & Guitar & Piano. Calvin Arsenia joined us on WMM on March 18, August 5, and October 28.

Calvin Arsenia – Caviar [EP] / Calvin Arsenia / December 5, 2017
Produced for attendees at Calvin’s “Secret Show,” Tuesday, December 5, at Wickstock West, 1324 West 12th Street, in The West Bottoms, and for supporters of his Outlyre Tour. Words and Music by Calvin Arsenia. Produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley and Calvin Arsenia. Recorded at The Infoaming Vertex.

Calvin Arsenia – Catastrophe {EP] / Calvin Arsenia / February 17, 2016
Limited edition EP, produced for Folk Alliance International, contains demo recordings of original gems that are the blueprints for Calvin’s soon to be released full length debut, coming in 2017. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. He has played all over town, including showcases at Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and collaborations with bands like My Brothers and Sisters. Standing at 6 foot 5 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, bango, guitar and harp. Calvin Arsenia is getting ready to release a new album in the fall. Calvin teaches music to elementary students.

Calvin Arsenia – Catastrophe [Album] / Calvin Arsenia / February 14, 2017
Calvin Arsenia premiered these songs in a live show at recordBar in November 2016 in a stage show that involved a cpmpany of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers, special lighting, back up singers, guest artists. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar and harp Calvin teaches music to elementary students. Calvin is also a graduate of Artist INC. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Calvin recently returned home from a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerlnd, Lyon and Paris. in over 40 shows, with musician and friend Simon Huntley who plays with Quixotic. Calvin is working to release new music from Calvin’s June 11th, Live Recording at Kansas City’s newly restored Greenwood Social Hall, at 1750 Bellevue Ave. in KC. ] [Calvin Arsenia played Big Bang Buffet’s “Black Sheep Rising,” Tuesday, April 11, at 8:00 at The Buffalo Room. A benefit for 90.1 FM KKFI featuring Ron Megee, Lisa Cordes, Jon “Piggy” Cupit, The Sleazebeats, Kristie Stremel, Jen Harris, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Jen Appell, Bill Belzer, Charlie Colborne, Mark Manning, Susan Cedarquis-Brewington, BJ McBride, Michael McQuary, Janet Henry, Ryan Wilks, and Nico Gray.] [Calvin Arsenia was on WMM on Feb. 15, April 12, Sept. 20, and Oct. 25 , 2017.

Calvin Arsenia – Live at Greenwood Social Hall / Unreleased / June 11, 2017
Solo live performance at Greenwood Social Hall, 1760 Bellevue, KCMO.

Calvin Arsenia – Caviar [EP] / Calvin Arsenia / December 5, 2017
Produced for attendees at Calvin’s “Secret Show,” Tuesday, December 5, at Wickstock West, 1324 West 12th Street, in The West Bottoms, and for supporters of his Outlyre Tour. Words and Music by Calvin Arsenia. Produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley and Calvin Arsenia. Recorded at The Infoaming Vertex. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. n the late Summer and Fall Calvin went on a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerlnd, Lyon and Paris. in over 40 shows, with musician and friend Simon Huntley who plays with Quixotic. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar and harp. Calvin teaches music. Calvin is a graduate of Artist INC.

Calvin Arsenia – Cantaloupe / Center Cut Records / September 15, 2018.
Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe (Center Cut Records), has been acclaimed for melding diverse textures into an alluring signature sound for the adventurous artist.

Calvin Arsenia – L.A. Sessions / Center Cut Records / September 20, 2019
Calvin performed live at L.A.’s The Mint, showcasing songs on LA Sessions with musicians who collaborated on the album. Says Calvin: “It’s such a special experience to play with them. To be able to perform these songs in front of an audience and do this for a living – to have made a career out of something I love is so amazing – it is an honor that I never take for granted.”

Calvin Arsenia – Honeydew / Center Cut Records / June 28, 2019
[On September 15, 2018 Calvin released Cantaloupe on Center Cut Records. This new EP is a remix of three of the songs from Cantaloupe, plus a Talking Heads cover that was performed live in this style at a New Year’s Eve show at The Truman opening for Making Movies who performed the entire Talking Heads album, Remain in Light. The last three songs on Honeydew were from performed in this style at The Nelson Atkins 2019 event “Party Arty.” Honeydew was produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley, Calvin Arsenia.

Quixotic & Calvin Arsenia – “Goddess – EP / Quixotic / May 17, 2019
[An innovative performance art collective that fuses imagination with technology, dance, projection, mapping & live music to create fully-immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Quixotic harnesses light, rhythm and expressive emotion. Quixotic was given Silicon Valley’s unofficial stamp of genius when they were invited to perform at the global TED Conference in 2012. A unique blend of performance art, technology & emotion. Quixotic fuses all these elements in to what the New York Times branded an “innovative circus performance”.]

Calvin Arsenia – all is calm / Calvin Arsenia. / December 13, 2019
[Arsenia’s dreamlike whimsy shimmering through your favorite Christmas Classics. All proceeds for this album go towards the purchase of Calvin’s first harp. Featuring: Ben Muñoz on Cello, Shane Borth on Violin & Voila, & Luke “Skippy” Harbur on Beatbox. Mastered by Jametatone at the Infoaming Vertex and special thanks to Simon Huntley. Calvin wrote: “I recorded the majority of this album in my bedroom in between flights to and from KC and SF. I had my nephews and friend’s kids in mind and wanted an album of Christmas lullabys. I think it became just a little more sassy than anticipated, but I think you’ll enjoy it regardless.

Calvin Arsenia – Summer in Hindsight / Calvin Arsenia & Mike Dillon / Oct. 16, 2020
Soundtrack by Calvin Arsenia and Mike Dillon for The West 18th Street Fashion Show’s 20th year as a feature-length film. COVID-19 changed everything in 2020. “We are moving it from the street to the screen,” says Peregrine Honig to inkansascitymagazine. “Mike Dillon and Calvin Arsenia will be scoring and performing in the film.” The film premiered October 16, 2020 at The Boulevard Drive-In. Honig wrote,. “We did this during a pandemic and a cultural revolution. I am not sure where else or how else this could happen at this moment in history.” Calvin Arsenia had recently been emotionally and greatly moved by the area and national Black Lives Matter Movement. His own research into his own family revealed that Calvin’s great, great, great grandmother Alice Gilliam Scott, was a former slave who lived to observe her 100th birthday as noted by a regional newspaper Calvin had written. In the summer of 2020 Calvin wrote “Revelation” an unreleased track inspired by Black Lives Matter. Calvin premiered the song on WMM on August 12, 2020. He later shared his other new songs, “Scars and Stripes” and “The Flying Monkees are Coming!” on our October 14, 2020 edition of WMM. Both of those songs ended up on Summer in Hindsight.

Calvin Arsenia – Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023
[Calvin Arsenia plays a PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com]

Calvin’s Book EVERY GOOD BOY DOES FINE / Andrews McMeel Universal / Oct. 5, 2021
a collection of Poetry & Prose More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

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Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. I’m Mark Manning. Today we spin more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Isaac Cates & Ordained, Jass, Calvin Arsenia, Love Mae C, Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear, Weda Skirts, Monta At Odds, Angie Fights Crime, THIMASTR, The Postal Service, and Ani DiFranco.

We’ll also play: Isaac Cates with Affirmations, Isaac Cates & Ordained, Chrystal Rucker, Marti Newland w/ Artis Wodehouse, Jackson Jubilee Singers, Sister Anna Grinstead w/ Sister Forestine Gibson, Zenobia Smith w/ Clarence Williams, Kansas City Gospel Singers, Genetter Bradley and the Melody-Aires, and Alma Whitney and the Whitney Singers.

At 10:30am Mikal Shapiro & Stephonne Singleton share details about 2024 KC Folk Festival, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO. This free, all-day city festival celebrates the music & arts of our neighborhoods, with song, poetry, dance, storytelling, art, demos, workshops, food trucks, and craft market. KC Folk Fest features: ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Love, Mae C., Jass, Weda Skirts, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, HSN Youth Songwriter Contest Winners, poets Mary Silwance, C. Woods, Sheri “Purpose” Hall, a demo by Break Free KC Hip Hop School, and dance by Shashwat Chaurasia. KC Folk Fest is a community-led nonprofit organization that is free thanks to the support of Folk Alliance International, Missouri Arts Council, Neighborhood Tourism & Development Fund, & donors. Info at: http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

At 11:00am we will talk with musicians & filmmakers Paul Wenske, former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star, and Nancy Meis, former content marketing, creative industries & arts manager, and Chris Wenske, a videographer & editor currently living in Los Angeles California, about “I’m So Glad” their documentary film exploring the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by Isaac S. Cates. We will share music associated with the film.

10:06

3. Ani DiFranco – “You Forgot To Speak (radio edit)”
   from: “You Forgot To Speak (radio edit)” – Single / Righteous Babe Records / April 23, 2024
   [Ani DiFranco is set to release her 23rd album, Unprecedented Sh!t, on May 17 via Righteous Babe Records. Produced by BJ Burton (Bon Iver), the title Unprecedented Sh!t not only reflects the significant departure in sound presented by Ani’s latest 11-track album, but also serves as a poignant political and social commentary on the contemporary global landscape. // The latest single from Unprecedented Sh!t is the psych-folk number “You Forgot to Speak.” The focal point of the song speaks of the crushing weight of patriarchal systems on the female psyche and the complicity of women in their own oppression. In “You Forgot to Speak,” DiFranco sings with a dreamy lilt “Between first sleep and second sleep / I stare into the dark / and I can feel there are two of me / so I put um both on the ark.” // Widely considered a feminist icon, Grammy winner DiFranco is the mother of the DIY movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label in 1990. While she has been known as the “Little Folksinger,” her music has embraced punk, funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, electronica, and even more distant sounds. In 2023, DiFranco released the 25th Anniversary Edition of her seminal album Little Plastic Castle on Righteous Babe Records. Her memoir No Walls and the Recurring Dream was a New York Times Top 10 best seller, and her debut children’s book The Knowing is out now. DiFranco is currently starring as ‘Persephone’ in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical, Hadestown. The world premiere of a documentary about DiFranco entitled 1-800-ON-HER-OWN will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, and her next children’s book Show Up and Vote is due in August. Find Ani DiFranco Online: http://www.anidifranco.com]

4. THIMASTR – “Tread on Treadmill”
   from: Between The Knees And Squeeze / High Dive Records / January 10, 2020
   [THIMASTR is a Lawrence, Kansas based band formed by Maxfield Yoder (formerly of the bands: Dean Monkey & the Dropouts, Plains) on guitar & vocals, Max Lock on vocals, Max Smith on tambourine & vocals, Esteban Gomez –on bass, Jennifer Graham on drums, and Jake Little on guitar.Thighmaster recently signed with KC based label High Dive Records. The band is resurrecting the song-writing demons that have long haunted Mayfield Yoder. Thighmaster truly is garage pop for cool grandparents. Now you too can have shapely thighs in minutes a day. Tracked, Mixed and Mastered by Ross Williams and written by Thighmaster.]

[THIMASTR play FAREWELL, 6523 Stadium Drive, KCMO on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8:00pm with Supermoto and Tidal.wav.]

[THIMASTR play Manor Fest 6 in Kansas City on Friday, May 24, at 10:00 PM at The Easy Inn, 322 6th Street, KCK, Strawberry Hill with Eggs On Mars and Pale Tongue.]

5. Angie Fights Crime – “From The Bottom”
   from: FULL MINGO / Angie Fights Crime / March 1, 2024
   [Vocals by Ash Reynolds, ax on “from the bottom” and “remember”
   mastering Dave Storms. Angie Fights Crime is the brainchild of Brent Kinder, a musician, poet, songwriter of unlimitless passion and a desire to create music and share it with the world. Angie Fights Crime often features collaborations with musicians from Kansas City and also around the world. Since 2015 Angie Fights Crime have released multiple albums and eps. Brent Kinder also plays in the Kansas City based band sMallWaves.]

[Angie Fights Crime play miniBar 3810 Broadway KCMO Saturday, May 11, at 7:00pm with The State of Everything, and We Are Branches.]

6. The Postal Service – “Such Great Heights”
   from: Give Up (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition / Sub Pop Records / February 18, 2003
   [The Postal Service is an American indie pop group from Seattle, Washington, consisting of singer Ben Gibbard, producer Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis on background vocals. // The band released their only studio album, Give Up, in 2003 on Sub Pop Records, to mostly positive reviews. The album reached number 114 on the US Billboard 200 album chart and received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The group decided to disband two years later, viewing attempts at a follow-up as unnecessary. // The band has regrouped twice for the anniversaries of Give Up, in both 2013 and 2023; each time they were accompanied by a rotating cast of support musicians, including Laura Burhenn, Jen Wood, and Dave Depper. // The group formed after Ben Gibbard contributed vocals for a song by Jimmy Tamborello called “(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan”, from the Dntel album Life Is Full of Possibilities. Ben Gibbard became familiar with Tamborello’s work after a serendipitous meeting at a Flobots concert in Spokane, WA. The song sparked an EP of remixes of other artists, such as Lali Puna, The Flaming Lips, Safety Scissors, Barbara Morgenstern and Superpitcher, and was so well-received that the two artists decided to further collaborate. The third member of the band, Jenny Lewis, recorded vocals for several tracks before eventually becoming a full-fledged member of the band, sharing vocals and instrumentation in their live shows. // The band’s name was chosen due to how it produced its songs. Due to conflicting schedules, Tamborello wrote and performed instrumental tracks and then sent the DATs through the mail to Gibbard, who then edited the song as he saw fit (adding his vocals along the way) and sent them back to Tamborello. Ironically, despite the final name they chose for the project, they did not use the United States Postal Service as a courier; the CDs were sent through either FedEx or UPS. // The band’s debut album, Give Up, was released on February 18, 2003, on Sub Pop Records. Several songs on the album feature guest vocals from Lewis, as well as vocals from indie rock musician Jen Wood. Additionally, Gibbard’s Death Cab for Cutie bandmate Chris Walla played the guitar and piano on several tracks. Although both Gibbard and Tamborello’s main projects were still active at the time, The Postal Service supported the album with a successful concert tour and stated its intention to tour again in the future. // Give Up received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America in March 2005, and later receiving platinum certification in October 2012. The album was Sub Pop’s most successful release after Nirvana’s debut album, Bleach. // The album produced three singles, the most well-known single being “Such Great Heights”, which was released as Give Up’s lead single. The song featured in advertisements for UPS, Kaiser Permanente, and M&M’s, as well as being the first theme song for ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. A cover of the song by Iron & Wine was featured on the soundtrack for the 2004 film Garden State. It was also later covered by Amanda Palmer, Ben Folds, The Scene Aesthetic, Brack Cantrell, Streetlight Manifesto, Confide, Gareth Pearson, Joy Kills Sorrow and Postmodern Jukebox. Confide would later release a music video for their cover of “Such Great Heights”. The second single, “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight”, was featured in the soundtrack of the 2004 film D.E.B.S. and later covered by British singer-songwriter Frank Turner. The third and final single, “We Will Become Silhouettes”, was covered by The Shins, and the original version was featured in the trailer for the movie Funny People.]

[The Postal Service play T-Mobile Center 1407 Grand Blvd., KCMO on TOMORROW, Thursday, May 9, at 7:30pm with Death Cab For Cutie.]

7. Monta At Odds – “Forget About You”
   from: “Forget About You” – Single / The Record Machine / April 12, 2024
   [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 Lemonade Social Night One at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming Street, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, on Friday, May 10, with Ebony Tusks, Problems, and Flesh Produce. // Lemonade Social Night Two on Saturday, May 11 with Black Light Animals, FACEFACE, Hotel Leo, and Belle and The Vertigo Waves]

10:28 – Underwriting

8. Jass – “Hope.Wav”
   from: “Hope.Wav” – Single / JASS / February 29, 2024
   [Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. Jass and The Boys released the single “Daydream Girl” August 25, 2023. Jass and The Boys released the single “Gvn2u” on July 14, 2023. Jass released the single, “Time & Space” on July 14, 2023. Jass and The Boys released the single “Love U Like I Love U” on December 2, 2022. Jass released the EP, OFF KEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released the single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was #1 on WMM’s 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single, “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released At the Close of a Decade on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Jass has opened for Thundercat sat GRINDERS, headlined a show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence with my boys! (Colby Bales and Brande Moser), and she opened up for The New Respects at The Uptown, and sang the Negro National Anthem at BLAQUE to School Night at the KC Monarchs game.More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]

[Jass plays Kansas City Folk Fest, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO with ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Love, Mae C., Weda Skirts, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, and more.]

[Jass plays Manor Fest 6, Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 5:45 PM at Arizona Trading CO. 1722 Oak Street KCMO with The Highwater, and Honeybee.]

9. Weda Skirts – “Black Snake”
   from: (The Skirts) Mother / The Skirts / July 1, 2018
   [Weda Skirts hail from the Flint Hills of Kansas, where bluegrass, folk, roots, and pop music blend to bring forth a group of original songstress darlings ready to entertain any room. These women continue to grow and evolve as a group, keeping originals as the core of their repertoire, but throwing in their homemade renditions of popular rock and folk songs. Formerly “The Skirts”, “Weda” is the universal mother, sister, and daughter, a name that reflects their view of the world and a new chapter in their lives and work. // “The Skirts” were born when former Elexa & The Hitchhikers members Elexa Dawson and Melissa Tastove joined with their friend Sarah Bays, who had recently taken up the upright bass in the summer of ’09. Emily Wilson was quick to join them on mandolin. Rachel Allai was added the night before she recorded “Many Moons”, The Skirts’ first full-length studio album with her fiddle. The group recorded their second album, Mother in 2017. At the beginning of 2019, they reintroduced themselves as Weda Skirts. In 2024, fiddler Rachel Allai is out on maternity leave. We wish the Allai family, and all our families well!]

[Weda Skirts play Kansas City Folk Fest, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO with ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Love, Mae C., Jass, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, and more.]

10:36 – Interview with Mikal Shapiro & Stephonne Singleton

Mikal Shapiro is the coordinator of Kansas City Folk Fest founder of State City Films creating documentary and experimental filmmaking practices. Mikal studied Film History, Film, & Writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She received her MFA in Film/Video/New Media/Animation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012. Artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, ring-leader, Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the United States and has recorded 5 critically acclaimed albums Mikal records and performs with her band The Musical. She also performs with Shapiro Brothers, and Monta At Odds. Mikal was the co-founder of River Trade Radio on 90.1 FM KKFI. Mikal is also the creator and co-host and producer of Siren Song, Saturdays at 11:00 AM on 90.1 FM KKFI KC Community Radio.

Mikal Shapiro thanks for being with us on WMM.

Stephonne describes himself as the lovechild of Prince & Billie Holiday. He grew up in KCK and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Benedictine College, and Masters in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. Singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist – Stephonne Singleton keeps very busy, organizing Tribute Shows, working as a Resident Artist at Charlottee Street studios, playing Music Festivals, Lemonade Park, Lawrence Pride, Manor Records, Midwest Music Foundation, The AIDS Service Foundation of KC, InterUrban ArtHouse, The Black Box, The Folly Theatre, collaborating with The Black Creatures, Calvin Arsenia, Miki P, Jass, Eboni Fondren, putting out EPs, and singles. Stephonne released his EP SIS: Side B on June 24, 2022 it was in the TOP TEN of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. Stephonne was a featured performer at the 23rd Annual West 18th Street Fashion Show on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Stephonne Singleton thanks for being with us on WMM.

Mikal Shapiro and Stephonne joins us to share details about Kansas City Folk Festival, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO.

This free, all-day city festival celebrates the music & arts of our neighborhoods, with song, poetry, dance, storytelling, art, demos, workshops, food trucks, and craft market.

KC Folk Fest is a community-led nonprofit organization that is free thanks to the support of Folk Alliance International, Missouri Arts Council, Neighborhood Tourism & Development Fund, & donors. Info at: http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

Kansas City Folk Festival, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO.

This free, all-day city festival celebrates the music & arts of our neighborhoods, with song, poetry, dance, storytelling, art, demos, workshops, food trucks, and craft market.

KC Folk Fest features: ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Love, Mae C., Jass, Weda Skirts, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, HSN Youth Songwriter Contest Winners,

Poets: Mary Silwance, C. Woods, Sheri “Purpose” Hall,

Demo by Break Free KC Hip Hop School

Dance by Shashwat Chaurasia

No Divide KC Folk Fest Stage – From 1-2pm! Featuring: Liney Blu (singer/songwriter), Waleska Barroeta (poet), Jocelyn Nixon (singer/songwriter)

10:45

10. Love, Mae C – “Black Girl Lullaby (feat. De’oni)”
    from: Warning Signs of True Love / LOVEMAEC Productions LLC / May 1, 2016
    [Mae C is a singer/songwriter who’s one of Kansas City’s go-to voices and performer’s. Mae C is a Kansas City based singer songwriter who we’ve played several times on the show. Her single “Anxious” was preceeded by her EP, Warning Sign of True Love. Influenced by Hip Hop, Rock, Jazz, Soul & R&B, Mae C is making her mark as an independent artist in the Kansas City music scene. A self-acclaimed black girl nerd, she originally planned on becoming an engineer and studied computer design at Lincoln University of Missouri. After leaving Lincoln to pursue her true passion of singing and songwriting, she finds that her techy side impacts how she writes music. “As a kid, I was always picking things apart and figuring out how to put them back together,” she said. “As an artist, I do the same thing – I pick apart my favorite singers to discover what made them great so I can walk in their footsteps.” With Kansas City becoming a place of movement for arts and entertainment, Mae C says now is the time to reinvent the wheel, break barriers, build bridges, but most of all support each other. “Supporting each other is the secret to rising to the top and putting the town on the map”, says Mae C. She aspires to inspire other artists to capitalize in their craft by not putting themselves in a box. “I’m an African American woman, but I refuse to allow anyone to use that against me. I’m an artist & proud black girl and I deserve a chance at every opportunity just as anyone else,” she said.]

[Love, Mae C plays Kansas City Folk Fest, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO with ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Weda Skirts, Jass, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, and more.]

10:48 – Interview with Mikal Shapiro & Stephonne Singleton

Mikal Shapiro is founder of State City Films creating documentary and experimental filmmaking practices. Mikal studied Film History, Film, & Writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She received her MFA in Film/Video/New Media/Animation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012. Artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, ring-leader, Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the United States and has recorded 5 critically acclaimed albums.

Mikal records and performs with her band The Musical. She also performs with Shapiro Brothers, and Monta At Odds. Mikal was the co-founder of River Trade Radio on 90.1 FM KKFI. Mikal is also the creator and co-host and producer of Siren Song, Saturdays at 11:00 AM on 90.1 FM KKFI KC Community Radio.

Mikal Shapiro is also the coordinator of Kansas City Folk Fest and joins us to share details about Kansas City Folk Festival, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO.

Mikal Shapiro Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Also with us is Stephonne Singleton who describes himself as the lovechild of Prince & Billie Holiday. He grew up in KCK and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Benedictine College, and Masters in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. Singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist – Stephonne Singleton keeps very busy, organizing Tribute Shows, working as a Resident Artist at Charlottee Street studios, playing Music Festivals, Lemonade Park, Lawrence Pride, Manor Records, Midwest Music Foundation, The AIDS Service Foundation of KC, InterUrban ArtHouse, The Black Box, The Folly Theatre, collaborating with The Black Creatures, Calvin Arsenia, Miki P, Jass, Eboni Fondren, putting out EPs, and singles. Stephonne released his EP SIS: Side B on June 24, 2022 it was in the TOP TEN of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. Stephonne was a featured performer at the 23rd Annual West 18th Street Fashion Show on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Stephonne Singleton thanks for being with us on WMM.

This free, all-day city festival celebrates the music & arts of our neighborhoods, with song, poetry, dance, storytelling, art, demos, workshops, food trucks, and craft market.

KC Folk Fest features:
ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Love, Mae C., Jass, Weda Skirts, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, HSN Youth Songwriter Contest Winners,

poets Mary Silwance, C. Woods, Sheri “Purpose” Hall,

a demo by Break Free KC Hip Hop School,

and dance by Shashwat Chaurasia.

No Divide KC Folk Fest Stage – From 1-2pm! Featuring: Liney Blu (singer/songwriter), Waleska Barroeta (poet), Jocelyn Nixon (singer/songwriter)

KC Folk Fest is a community-led nonprofit organization that is free thanks to the support of Folk Alliance International, Missouri Arts Council, Neighborhood Tourism & Development Fund, & donors. Info at: http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

KC Folk Fest values diversity, equity, inclusion, & sustainability as a legacy for future generations.

Audiences are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

The event is free. Donations appreciated. More info at: http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

Mikal Shapiro and Stephonne Singleton, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Kansas City Folk Festival, Saturday, May 18, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO. KC Folk Fest features: ARQuesta del SolSoul, Madisen Ward, Love, Mae C., Jass, Weda Skirts, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, HSN Youth Songwriter Contest Winners, poets Mary Silwance, C. Woods, Sheri “Purpose” Hall, a demo by Break Free KC Hip Hop School, and dance by Shashwat Chaurasia. More info at: http://www.kansascityfolkfestival.org

10:55

11. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – “Walk inThe Park”
    from: Started With a Family / Starts With Music, LLC / September 6. 2019
    [Produced with Grammy-winner Nathan Chapman at iconic Blackbird Studios in Nashville. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear have garnered international acclaim, and new fans from all over the world. They signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abiss. They performed their debut single “Silent Movies” on The Late Show with David Letterman, they’ve toured across the United States, and Europe, more than once. They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC’s The Today Show, and “Later With Jools Holland and played Bonnaroo, Pilgrammage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville. Ruth Ward has continually performed throughout her life, mostly in coffee shops and open mics, for over 30 years, even recording a solo record. In the midst of this she got married and became a mom, and was busy raising a family. Madisen Ward was born in Oklahoma, and grew up in the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 2007. Madisen’s journey to become a musician, was “melodically passed down” through the songs of his mother, where Madisen grew up watching his mom perform at local coffee shops. Eventually he began to learn to play the guitar, and poured his talent for writing into the music to create original songs. They began playing Madisen’s original songs along with the ocassional cover of a classic track, reinterpreted in their own incredibly beautiful performance of two voices and two guitars in harmony and orchestration. Their debut album, The Skeleton Crew, was released May 9, 2015 and was our most played record that year and was #1 on WMM’s The 115 Best Recordings of 2015. Their follow up EP Radio Winners was released July 27, 2018 and received critical acclaim.] [Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear played Crossroads Music Fest, Sat., Sept 7, Crossroads KC, with Shy Boys, Split Lip Rayfield, The Freedom Affair.]

[Madisen Ward plays Kansas City Folk Fest, Saturday, May 18, at 12:00pm, at Washington Square Park, 100 E Pershing Rd, KCMO with ARQuesta del SolSoul, Weda Skirts, Love, Mae C., Jass, Sally and the Hurts, Rural Grit Happy Hour, No Divide KC Artist Showcase, Mariachi Estrella KC, and more.]

10:59 – Station ID

12. Isaac Cates & Ordained – “Hold On”
    from: “Hold On” – Single / Isaac Cates Music / January 20, 2017\
    [Isaac Cates is an award-winning musician, singer-songwriter, composer, conductor, producer and Recording Academy member. He is conductor of the popular Kansas City gospel choir, Ordained. He frequently travels overseas to present gospel music concerts and direct gospel music workshops. He is Director of Music Outreach and Worship Leader at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.]

11:03 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

For more than 10 years, this three-person family collaborative, known as Electric Prairie Productions, with Paul as writer and director, Nancy as producer, and Chris as videographer and lead editor, have gone to historically Black churches to film amazing gospel music for their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad.” The film that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by internationally recognized gospel music conductor Isaac S. Cates.

More than 200 performers (whether in choirs, quartets or solos) at 16 churches have been recorded for their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad.”

“I’m So Glad” that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music

Many advisors and experts have assisted with this film and more than 100 interviews have been filmed with Black studies professors, archivists, historians, pastors, choral directors, performers, musicologists, and authors.

Film Synopsis: Kansas City is known for its jazz and blues. But the same forces that shaped those American art forms also led to the development of Black Gospel music.

Our region’s gospel blues have a rich but largely overlooked history. In fact, historians say gospel music may be the best window through which to view the development of the Black community in and around Kansas City, MO, and its roots in pre-Civil War Kansas.

11:07

13. Chrystal Rucker – “Walk With Me”
    from: “Walk With Me” – Single / from: The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration
    [Walk With Me Spiritual sung by Chrystal Rucker of KCK,. Dr. Chrystal Rucker has been granted the opportunity to be the first Gospel artist featured as a singing hologram in “The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration” located in the historical city of Montgomery, AL. Her melodious voice can be heard singing “Walk With Me Lord” and “This May Be My Last Time”. // The anointing that the Lord has placed on the life and ministry of this native Kansas City psalmist elevates both contemporary and traditional gospel audiences to another dimension. Whenever she takes the stage, she testifies to being saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. Being the youngest of six children, daughter of the late Bishop C.N. Rucker and Evangelist Yvonne Rucker and mother of Camille, Dr. Chrystal Rucker attributes her success to the unmerited favor of God as she is one of the most sought after music ministers in the country. Her solid church background and love for music contributes to sustaining her spiritually, physically, and emotionally, as she maintains an extremely busy ministry schedule. Although the enemy attempted to totally afflict her body in May and June of 2007, she confidently and gratefully says, “Lord, You deserve my worship”. // Chrystal sang her first solo at the age of two at the church her father founded and pastored, Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Chrystal Rucker is a “Gospel Music Industry” favorite! She has been blessed to grace the stage with many gospel music legends, such as the late Min. Edwin Hawkins, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, Tamela Mann, Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers, Jonathan Nelson, The Clark Sisters, John P. Kee, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Kathy Taylor, Erica Campbell, Jonathan McReynolds, Dr. Judith McAlister, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Dr. Myron Williams, Pastor Kim Burrell, and many more. // The angelic voice of Dr. Chrystal Rucker has impacted radio on Bishop Paul Morton’s “Be Blessed”, Jonathan Nelson’s “I Am Healed”, Greater Grace Temple’s “Covered” and her soul stirring worship ballad “You Deserve”. // The demand, respect, and admiration of music lovers and colleagues have afforded her the opportunity to make singing Gospel music a career. Chrystal was invited and appeared on the late Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir Recording, “Church Time”; Jonathan Nelson & Purpose recording “Everything You Are”; GMWA Mass Choir Recording “Live in Kansas City 2004”, Ricky Dillard and New G recording “Keep Living”, Bishop “Mr. Clean” White’s recording “I’m Glad”, Larry Callahan and Selected of God’s Recording “The Evolution II”, Anthony Brown and Group Therapy’s award-winning sophomore project “Everyday Jesus” and Pastor John P. Kee’s project “I Made It Out”. In 2017, Dr. Chrystal Rucker was awarded the recipient of the Steeple Awards Female Artist of the Year. Dr. Chrystal Rucker has been granted the opportunity to be the first Gospel artist featured as a singing hologram in “The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration” located in the historical city of Montgomery, AL. Her melodious voice can be heard singing “Walk With Me Lord” and “This May Be My Last Time”. Her gift and her kind spirit paved the way for her to be a featured soloist in the 2021 National Geographic miniseries “Aretha:Genius”. // In August 2019, Chrystal Rucker officially became Dr. Chrystal Rucker by receiving her Doctorate of Sacred Music Degree from St. Thomas Christian University in Jacksonville, FL. Chrystal Rucker is an artist with a heart for God’s people. Each November, Chrystal Rucker Ministries is blessed and favored of God to present their annual benefit concert entitled “Sharing the Harvest”. There are three to five charities that are adopted by the ministry during the holiday season, and each charity receives a financial donation. Since its inception, over $15,000 has been donated to charities both locally and nationally. // After many years of laboring with some of the Gospel Music industries’ finest, Chrystal was blessed in 2012 to be signed to Gospel Recording Artist Earnest Pugh’s record label EPM Music Group as their premier artist. Her national project on this label entitled “You Deserve” was released in the summer of 2012. It debuted at number 10 on the billboard charts. Chrystal Rucker’s junior collective will be released Summer 2022 with I.R. Music Group.]

11:11 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.,

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

For more than 10 years, this three-person family collaborative, known as Electric Prairie Productions, with Paul as writer and director, Nancy as producer, and Chris as videographer and lead editor, have gone to historically Black churches to film amazing gospel music for their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad. The film that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by internationally recognized gospel music conductor Isaac S. Cates.

11:13

14. Marti Newland – “Bles’ My Soul an’Gon (acc. by Artis Wodehouse)”
    from: “Bles’ My Soul an’Gon (feat. Artis Wodehouse)” – Single / March 25, 2012.
    [March 25, 2012. Sound recording by Whitney Slaten. Video by Zoe White, editing by Ryan Hunter.
    [Soprano Marti Newland sings live in concert the traditional Afro-American Spiritual, Bles’ My Soul An’ Gone from the 1927 collection entitled “My Spirituals” edited and arranged by Eva Jessye at Church of the Epiphany, 74th and York Ave. on the Melodeon concert, 3/25/12. She is accompanied by pianist Artis Wodehouse. Sound recording is by Whitney Slaten. Video by Zoe White, editing by Ryan Hunter. // Written by Eva Jessye of Western University, from Eva Jessye’s 1927 book My Spirituals, about her family and friends who fled the south to Coffeyville, KS. // Eva Jessye was the first African-American to become a well known international choir conductor. She was a teacher whose influence reverberated for decades and was important in the Harlem Renaissance. Jessye worked with George Gershwin on opera Porgy and Bess, one of the most important pieces of music in American history. // Dr. Marti Newland is a soprano who has performed in recitals and oratorios in the United States and Europe. Her credits includes a role as a choirister in the New New York City Opera’s production of Anna Nicole, a guest soloist with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and a performance as Glenda in “The Wiz” – is wide and varied. Dr. Newland also is a Core Lecturer in Music Humanities at Columbia and earned a Ph.D. last year from the Columbia Ethnomusicology program. Her specialty is voice studies and African American music. Dr. Newland’s dissertation was “Sounding Black: An Ethnography of Racialized Vocal Practices at Fisk University.”

11:15 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.,

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

For more than 10 years, this three-person family collaborative, known as Electric Prairie Productions, with Paul as writer and director, Nancy as producer, and Chris as videographer and lead editor, have gone to historically Black churches to film amazing gospel music for their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad.” The film that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by internationally recognized gospel music conductor Isaac S. Cates.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:17

15. Jackson Jubilee Singers – “TrainAComin”
    from: Deep River Plantation Singers / 1931
    [Jackson Jubilee Singers of Western University, about the Great Migration north in the early 1900s.]

11:20 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.,

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

For more than 10 years, this three-person family collaborative, known as Electric Prairie Productions, with Paul as writer and director, Nancy as producer, and Chris as videographer and lead editor, have gone to historically Black churches to film amazing gospel music for their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad.” The film that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by internationally recognized gospel music conductor Isaac S. Cates.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:22

16. Sister Anna Grinstead and Forestine Gibson – “Calvary”
    from: “Calvary” – Single / Winston Holmes Music Co. / 1926
    [1926 gospel recording by Winston Holmes Music Co. (on 18th and Vine) of Sister Anna Grinstead and Forestine Gibson, reflecting the bluesey, barrel house style of early Kansas City gospel recordings.]

11:23 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenskes

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.,

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

For more than 10 years, this three-person family collaborative, known as Electric Prairie Productions, with Paul as writer and director, Nancy as producer, and Chris as videographer and lead editor, have gone to historically Black churches to film amazing gospel music for their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad.” The film that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by internationally recognized gospel music conductor Isaac S. Cates.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:25

17. Zenobia Smith – “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands”
    [He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands: First arranged with sheet music by Edward Boatner in 1927; performed by KC Jazz great Clarence Williams on piano and sung by gospel icon Zenobia Smith. // Zenobia Smith is an actress, musician, singer-songwriter of contemporary/traditional Gospel music. // Singing for Jesus is a statement that exemplifies the life of KC Songbird, Zenobia L. Smith, Minister of music of the Love Fellowship Church where her Pastor is Gus T. Franklin Sr. // Zenobia is a songwriter and workshop facilitator, musician and recording artist. A native of Ogden, Utah. Zee lives in Kansas City, Missouri and is currently completing her cd. // Zee is a voice instructor and does plus sized modeling. She is a worshiper and preaches God’s word. She ministers in prisons and in nursing homes. Her travels have taken her to Germany where she taught a 200 voice choir that gave a concert to help orphaned children in Sri Lanka. She has traveled over the U.S, ministering in song and sharing her gifts with choirs and congregations, conferences and church services. // She sang and taught with Minister Daryl Coley, and recorded with Edwin Hawkins Gospel Music Seminar as one of his lead vocalist on the Washington, D.C. recording. She has been featured on programs along with Vanessa Bell Armstrong, The Williams Brothers, and Evangelist Shirlely Ceasar, and many others. She sang with Roger Akers and the group, Chosen People who recorded an album in the late 70s. // Zee recently performed in the play: Sistas Shoptalking While Real Men are Available, written by Carolyn Moore. The play premiered in Colorado Springs and is scheduled to tour in the future.// Comments of a play writer, and dear friend of Zenobia, Minerva Warner: Zenobia Smith is an anointed woman of God and has been singing all of her life. When you are in her presence, you immediately feel the spirit of love and become aware that there is a knowing, a gift of discernment that leads her to minister to your needs. The sound of her voice fills the sanctuary and brings to the audience a command performance while her delivery on song is truly evidence of the Holy Spirit. // Zenobia’s God gifted voice is indeed one of the great voices of our times; a voice that leaves her audiences spellbound, rested and set free. It is the anointing that breaks yokes and sets the captives free; and audiences all over the world who are blessed to sit under the voice of Zenobia Smith become aware that it is by no other power that she sings. She has been called Kansas City’s Songbird where she is known by all Kansas Citians as the gifted and anointed voice we are blessed to call our own. Written by M. A. Warner, Kansas City, Missouri More info at: http://kcsongbird.com/index.html%5D

11:28 – Underwriting

11:30 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.,

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:33

18. Kansas City Gospel Singers – “Trouble All About My Soul”
    from: “Trouble All About My Soul” / Swingtime Gospel / 1950
    [KC a cappella gospel group Kansas City Gospel Singers, who recorded it in the early 1950s. ]

11:35 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.,

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:38

19. Genetter Bradley & Melody-Aires – “I’m So Glad”
    from: Softly The Night is Falling / TSON Recording / unknown release date
    [Genetter Bradley, lead singer for the Kansas City Melody-Aires, one of the best all-female gospel quartets of the early 1960s, which reflects the Civil Rights era. Members: Mildred Clark, Beulah Gunnels, Genetter Conway (Bradley), Howard Franklin & Lillie Franklin. // Sister Genetter Bradley’s life activities include but are not limited to: She toured with such groups as the Staple Singers, The Caravans and many more. Sang and helped “The Kansas City Melody-Aires land their first recording contract with Simco Records and then Peacock Records. She performed at the Famed Apollo Theatre in NYC in 1966. In 1974 she was introduced to Recom Records by Shirley Caesar and recorded her first Album titled “Moving in the Right Direction” with her own group “Genetter Bradley and the Bradley Singers”. Lead singer with the “Wings of Grace” in 1982.]

11:41 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

Paul Wenske, is a former national correspondent & investigative reporter for The KC Star.

Nancy Meis, is a former content marketing, creative industries and arts manager.,

Chris Wenske, a University of Kansas graduate, who works as a videographer and editor, who is also a singer, songwriter, guitarist currently living in Los Angeles California.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:44

20. Alma Whitney and the Whitney Singers – “He’s Real”
    from: He’s My Everything / TSON Recording / unknown release date
    [Alma Whitney on Electric Keyboard & Vocals, Marva Whitney Irvin on vocals, Bobbie Davis on Lead Vocals & Piano, Sarah Fisher on Vocals & Lead Vocals, Alvena Henderson & Pat Howard on Soprano Vocals, Robert (Thunder Thumbs) Hawkins on Bass, Melvin (Lightning Licks) Moore on Drums, Billy (Fire-Frets) Farrell on Drums. Produced by The Whitney Singers. Executive Producer, Cover, Design – Martin Culpeppe. Songs Written & Arranged By Alma Whitney. Management by Alma Whitney.] He’s Real: Sung by Bobbie Davis of Alma Whitney and the Whitney Singers, one of the best gospel quartets of the Midwest in the 1970s & 1980s.]

11:49 – Interview with Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske

For more than 10 years, this three-person family collaborative, known as Electric Prairie Productions, with Paul as writer and director, Nancy as producer, and Chris as videographer and lead editor, have gone to historically Black churches to film amazing gospel music for their new documentary film, “I’m So Glad. The film that explores the untold story of Black Gospel Music in Kansas City and the roots of Black Gospel Music narrated by internationally recognized gospel music conductor Isaac S. Cates.

10 years in the making.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meiss, Chris Wenske you are a musical family. Having experience as a performing musican must have helped on this particular project.

The film explores this rich legacy: featuring the music and the stories of the region’s pioneering greats.

Interviews with historians and scholars reveal a musical and cultural history never presented before. The film shows how the region’s gospel legends played key roles in developing gospel music nationally and helped introduce African American musical traditions into the nation’s mainstream culture.

Paul Wenske, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske Thanks for being on WMM.

More info at: http://www.I’mSoGladProject.com

11:54

21. Isaac Cates – “Amazing God (Feat. Affirmations)”
    from: “Amazing God (Feat. Affirmations)” – Single / Isaac Cates Music / March 6, 2024
    [Isaac Cates is an award-winning musician, singer-songwriter, composer, conductor, producer and Recording Academy member. He is conductor of the popular Kansas City gospel choir, Ordained. He frequently travels overseas to present gospel music concerts and direct gospel music workshops. He is Director of Music Outreach and Worship Leader at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.]

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

Next week on May 15 we celebrate Wednesday MidDay Medley’s 20th Anniversary Show, next Wednesday, May 15 at 10:00 AM on KKFI 90.1 FM with Julia Othmer, Calvin Arsenia, Kasey Rausch, IVORY BLUE, Stephonne, Marion Merritt, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Nico Gray, and Necia Gamby.

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

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

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

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

Show #1045