#1054 – July 10, 2024 Playlist | Wednesday MidDay Medley

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, July 10, 2024

The Baseball Project + Danielle Ate the Sandwich + MusicbySkippy + Lone Stranger

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

We start by reporting the sad news that Genetter Bradley, a Kansas City gospel icon and friend to so many, has passed. She was one of the finest gospel singers in the nation, a lead singer for the Kansas City Melody-Aires at The Apollo and on their classic 1967 album, Softly The Night Is Falling. She founded the Kansas City Gospel Music Seminar in 1982, and formed her own group, The Genetter Bradley Singers, which recorded the hit single “Right Direction,” for Spire Records. She was a gospel ambassador for Kansas City and featured in the critically acclaimed film documentary, “I’m So Glad: Kansas City And The Roots of Black Gospel Music — The Untold Story,” narrated by Isaac S. Cates.

We’ve feature this documentary on two of our WMM shows this year and there will be a special showing of the documentary “I’m So Glad,” at the Dunbar Theater, 1007 N Cleveland Ave, Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday, July 27, at 7:30 PM.

Genetter Bradley and the Melody-Aires – “I’m So Glad”
from: Softly The Night is Falling / 1967
[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 New Your City 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.]

[For more than 10 years, Electric Prairie Productions, with Paul Wenske as writer and director, his wife Nancy Meis as producer, and their son Chris Wenske 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.]

Danielle Ate the Sandwich – “The Terrible Dinner Guest”
from: The Terrible Dinner Guest / Danielle Ate The Sandwich / September 9, 2016
[Danielle Anderson on vocals, ukulele, guitar, keyboards, & Rhodes; Skye Zentz on vocals, glockenspiel, & keyboards; Ian Randall Thornton on upright bass & vocals; Jacki Paolella on electric bass; John DiGiorgio on drums; Zach Jones on electric guitar; Mothy on trumpet. Fawn Street Tabernacle Choir featured in Bad Habit: Chris Nickel, Kai B. White, Joseph Brockman, Jeff Flora, Ian Randall Thornton, Charles “Chuck” Abadam // The Terrible Dinner Guest is Danielle Ate the Sandwich’s 6th full length album, recorded in Norfolk, VA at TAPTAP Recordings and Clay Garden Studios. All Songs Written by: Danielle Anderson, Danielle Ate the Sandwich/BMI. Produced by: Skye Zentz, Jacki Paolella, Danielle Anderson. Arranged by: Danielle Anderson, Skye Zentz, Jacki Paolella. Engineered by: Jacki Paolella. Mixed by: Jacki Paolella. Mastered by: Adam Boose of Cauliflower Audio. Music. Contractor: Skye Zentz. Recorded in Norfolk, VA at TAPTAP Recordings and Clay Garden Studios. Art Direction: Ryan Anthony Martin. Photography by: Cooper James.]

[Danielle Anderson’s one woman comedy cabaret, ‘The Greatest Garage Sale Ever,’ will premiere at the KC Fringe Festival, with five performances Saturday, July 20 through Saturday, July 27 at The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 West 19th, KCMO. More info at: http://www.kcfringe.org and http://www.danielleatethesandwich.com]

10:10 – Interview with Danielle Anderson

Danielle Anderson performs as Danielle Ate the Sandwich. Danielle is a singer/songwriter, recording artist, and comedic performer based in KCMO. Danielle grew a fanbase with her DIY videos on Youtube and by touring the US extensively from 2009-2018. Danielle has released 7 albums of original music, over 200 YouTube videos, and conducts an annual 24 Hour Album project, writing and producing new songs with the help of her patrons in only 24 hours. She is recording her 8th album in Kansas City, KS, with Fritz Hutchison and Al Hawkins of True Lions. The album received an Inspiration Grant from ArtsKC. Her most recent project, ‘The Greatest Garage Sale Ever,’ is a one woman comedy cabaret, using humor, music, and songs to challenge the labels we give each other, and our ability to change. The show will premiere at the KC Fringe Festival, with five performances taking place Saturday, July 20 through Saturday, July 27 The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 West 19th, KCMO. More info at: http://www.kcfringe.org and http://www.danielleatethesandwich.com

Danielle Anderson, thank you for being with us on WMM.

We just heard the song “The Terrible Dinner Guest” from your beautiful 2016 album of the same name. You recorded the album on Norfolk Virginia, you are originally from Colorado? And from 2009 through 2018 you were on the road, touring and performing all over the country.

I remember I first met you through Erin McGrane and Jeff Freling aka Victor & Penny who met you out there on the road.

Since then Danielle ended up making her base Kansas City and quickly became involved in Folk Alliance, The Heartland Song Network, Arts and Support organizations, and improv.

She is recording her 8th album in Kansas City, KS, with Fritz Hutchison and Al Hawkins of True Lions. The album received an Inspiration Grant from ArtsKC. Her most recent project, THE GREATEST GARAGE SALE EVER is a one woman comedy cabaret featuring original characters and songs by Danielle Anderson of the folk music sensation Danielle Ate the Sandwich. This KC Fringe debut features bizarre yet endearing characters celebrating the power of nostalgia to remind us who we are, what we love, and what we’ve lost. Audience members are invited to examine the not-so-pleasant parts of being human through silliness and song, as we challenge our ability to change.

The show will premiere at the KC Fringe Festival, with five performances taking place Saturday, July 20 thru Sat., July 27 The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 West 19th, KCMO.

Saturday, July 20th at 9:00pm (1 of 5)
Sunday, July 21st at 7:30pm (2 of 5)
Tuesday, July 23rd at 9:00pm (3 of 5)
Thursday, July 25th at 6:00pm (4 of 5)
Saturday, July 27th at 1:30pm (5 of 5)

More info at: http://www.kcfringe.org and http://www.danielleatethesandwich.com
http://www.greatestgaragesaleever.com

On February 23, 2024, Danielle Ate The Sandwich released the single, “Turtle by Jer” – Written by Jerry “Jer” Slougherman and Danielle Anderson. Performed by Jer. Mixed by David Bashford

On January 14, 2024 Danielle Ate The Sandwich released the 6-track release, “2024 (The 24 Hour Album)”.

We most recently, on the radio show, featured your recording “Over Again (24 Hour Album)” released February 26, 2023. The 6 songs on this album were written and recorded in 24 hours on February 25th-26th, 2023, during Danielle Ate the Sandwich’s 8th annual 24 Hour Album. This project challenges the artist to write, record, produce, and release a new album in just twenty four hours, live streaming the process to her fans. Patrons of Danielle Ate the Sandwich tuned in from all across the world to suggest ideas and offer support with Danielle during live streams held throughout the 24 hours. Life is short! Stay up all night and make stuff!

On February 20, 2022 Danielle Ate The Sandwich released the 7-track release, “Continued Curfew (24 Hour Album 2022)”.

Danielle Ate The Sandwich released the 7-song album, 24 HOUR ALBUM (2021), on April 25, 2021. The 7 songs on this album were written and recorded in 24 hours on April 24th-25th, 2021, during Danielle Ate the Sandwich’s 6th annual 24 Hour Album.

On May 28, 2021 Danielle Ate the Sandwich released, It’s Not a Burden (Original Songs from the Documentary Film) on Youngest Daughter Records. It’s Not A Burden is a powerful and brilliant film about the joys and pain of raising elderly parents. The songs are produced by Joanna Katcher.

Danielle Ate The Sandwich released the single, “A Weight, A Wall” on June 1, 2021.

Danielle Ate The Sandwich released the single, “Goodbye to You” on August 22, 2021. More info at: http://www.danielleatethesandwich.com.]

Danielle Anderson, thank you for being with us on WMM.

Danielle Anderson’s one woman comedy cabaret, ‘The Greatest Garage Sale Ever,’ will premiere at the KC Fringe Festival, with five performances Saturday, July 20 through Saturday, July 27 at The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 West 19th, KCMO. More info at: http://www.kcfringe.org and http://www.danielleatethesandwich.com

10:29

Danielle Ate the Sandwich – “Long Haul (True Love)”
from: The Terrible Dinner Guest / Danielle Ate The Sandwich / September 9, 2016
[Danielle Anderson on vocals, ukulele, guitar, keyboards, & Rhodes; Skye Zentz on vocals, glockenspiel, & keyboards; Ian Randall Thornton on upright bass & vocals; Jacki Paolella on electric bass; John DiGiorgio on drums; Zach Jones on electric guitar; Mothy on trumpet. Fawn Street Tabernacle Choir featured in Bad Habit: Chris Nickel, Kai B. White, Joseph Brockman, Jeff Flora, Ian Randall Thornton, Charles “Chuck” Abadam // The Terrible Dinner Guest is Danielle Ate the Sandwich’s 6th full length album, recorded in Norfolk, VA at TAPTAP Recordings and Clay Garden Studios. All Songs Written by: Danielle Anderson, Danielle Ate the Sandwich/BMI. Produced by: Skye Zentz, Jacki Paolella, Danielle Anderson. Arranged by: Danielle Anderson, Skye Zentz, Jacki Paolella. Engineered by: Jacki Paolella. Mixed by: Jacki Paolella. Mastered by: Adam Boose of Cauliflower Audio. Music. Contractor: Skye Zentz. Recorded in Norfolk, VA at TAPTAP Recordings and Clay Garden Studios. Art Direction: Ryan Anthony Martin. Photography by: Cooper James.]

10:33 – Underwriting

10:35 – Interview with Luke Harbur

Luke “Skippy” Harbur, a Kansas City based performer, producer, and beatboxing specialist. Luke “Skippy” Harbur is a vivacious artist known for his cross-pollinated brand of alternative music mixing hip hop, Broadway, EDM, and singer-songwriter influences. His project musicbyskippy connects multigenerational audiences through different show experiences, living among music, theater, and poetry to combat isolation and celebrate identity. Attend live comedy or musicals, and you get the idea. Since 2022 he’s released over 50 songs and sold almost 1,000 tickets to 8 original shows. He also hosts lectures about his arts business failures and successes, sharing artist income strategies to fight gatekeeping culture and foster community building.

musicbyskippy presents a WE PRESS PLAY RELEASE 2, Album Release & Dance Party, Friday, July 12, 8:00pm at Westport Bowery, 817 Westport Rd., KCMO. More info at: http://www.musicbyskippy.com

Luke “Skippy” Harbur will co-host with Audrey Crabtree the KC Fringe Festival Flash Preview, Thursday, July 18, at 7:30pm at The Arts Asylum, at 824 East Meyer Blvd, KCMO – Kick off the live Festival as Fringe artists from 53 shows tease you with one minute scenes from their productions.

Luke M. Harbur Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

“We Press Play Release 2” is the third album from musicbyskippy, Luke “Skippy” Harbur’s music project. Returning to electronic dance music roots featured in “we press play” (2022), this music focuses on dance beats, encouraging movement to run wild in listeners and audiences alike.

Live show experiences are immersive, with musicbyskippy wearing a custom-made helmet, performing artists popping up in the crowd, and some unreleased songs that can only be heard in-person. Album and show influences include KAYTRANADA, Stromae, & Glass Animals.

Album: We Press Play Release 2 / Released May 11, 2024
Musicians: musicbyskippy / Composer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur
Arranger: Luke “Skippy” Harbur
Genre: Dance/Electronic
Studio: Get Wild Studios / Production Dates: January 2021 to May 2022
Producer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur / Mixing Engineer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur
Mastering Engineer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur
Label/Publisher: Almost Peanut Butter / Publisher/Label: LSH Productions, LLC

10:44 – musicbyskippy LIVE

musicbyskippy – “Gotta Catch My Breath Take 81” (LIVE)   Originally released as a single / Almost Peanut Butter / July 15, 2023
[Musicians: musicbyskippy. Composer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Arranger: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Studio: Get Wild Studios. Production Dates: May 2023 to June 2023. Producer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Mixing Engineer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Mastering Engineer: Luke “Skippy” // Publisher/Label: LSH Productions, LLC. More info at http://www.musicbyskippy.com]

10:46 – More interview with Luke Skippy Harbur

Luke “Skippy” Harbur, a Kansas City based performer, producer, and beatboxing specialist. Luke “Skippy” Harbur is a vivacious artist known for his cross-pollinated brand of alternative music mixing hip hop, Broadway, EDM, and singer-songwriter influences. His project musicbyskippy connects multigenerational audiences through different show experiences, living among music, theater, and poetry to combat isolation and celebrate identity. Attend live comedy or musicals, and you get the idea. Since 2022 he’s released over 50 songs and sold almost 1,000 tickets to 8 original shows. He also hosts lectures about his arts business failures and successes, sharing artist income strategies to fight gatekeeping culture and foster community building.

musicbyskippy presents a WE PRESS PLAY RELEASE 2, Album Release & Dance Party, Friday, July 12, 8:00pm at Westport Bowery, 817 Westport Rd., KCMO. More info at: http://www.musicbyskippy.com

Luke “Skippy” Harbur will co-host with Audrey Crabtree the KC Fringe Festival Flash Preview, Thursday, July 18, at 7:30pm at The Arts Asylum, at 824 East Meyer Blvd, KCVMO – Kick off the live Festival as Fringe artists from 53 shows tease you with one minute scenes from their productions.

Luke M. Harbur Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

“We Press Play Release 2” is the third album from musicbyskippy, Luke “Skippy” Harbur’s music project. Returning to electronic dance music roots featured in “we press play” (2022), this music focuses on dance beats, encouraging movement to run wild in listeners and audiences alike.

musicbyskippy is the solo musical project by Luke Harbur. Known for being a vocal per-cussionist, his discography spans multiple genres of pop, hip hop, EDM, and singer / song-writer. Harbur’s passion for musicbyskippy originates with his receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months, giving him a second chance to live life to the fullest. Through his experimental, authentic approach, he hopes his audiences will gravitate to music and a live experience that they will love. More info at: http://www.musicbyskippy.com

In 2023 musicbyskippy released THESE SONGS ARE EMOTION. In 2022 musicbyskippy released the 12-track debut album, MY DYING WISH on Feb. 18, the single “Get Wild” on June 3, the 12-track instrumental/electronic album WE PRESS PLAY, on June 17, and the 5-track EP, YOU CAN SING on Nov. 20, plus an original play and multiple projects and performances.

musicby-skippy is Luke Harbur’s entertainment project.

The Overland Park, Kansas native mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences.

After graduating from Ithaca College in 2018, he moved near home to Kansas City, Missouri, becoming a featured performer for musicians, festivals, corporate & non-profit events, and performance groups.

His music passion roots in receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old. His debut album, my dying wish, was released on all music streaming and purchasing platforms. More info at http://www.musicbyskippy.com

Musicbyskippy – Discography

musicbyskippy – These Songs Are Emotions / LSH Productions / April 22, 2023
musicbyskippy – MY DYING WISH / 12-track debut Album / Feb. 18, 2022
musicbyskippy – “Get Wild” / Single / June 3, 2022
musicbyskippy – WE PRESS PLAY / 12-track instrumental album / June 17, 2022
musicbyskippy – YOU CAN SING / 5-track EP / Nov. 20, 2022
musicbyskippy – THESE SONGS ARE EMOTIONS / 5-track EP / April 22, 2023

Luke was born and raised in Overland Park Kansas and went to Olathe East High School but let Olathe East to go to school in Winston Salem, North Carolina, at a Performing Arts School where you studied Acting and Theatre.

Luke then went to Ithica College to study Journalism and eventually got a job as a Production Assistant at the Kansas City Star,

Luke performs regularly with Quixotic and also is a frequent performer at Missy B’s

Luke M. Harbur mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, and keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences in clubs, theaters, festivals.

Luke M. Harbur works in Music Videography, Social Media Management, and graphic Design.

musicbyskippy is Luke “Skippy” Harbur’s entertainment project. The Overland Park, Kansas native mixes beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing to entertain all-age audiences. After graduating from Ithaca College in 2018, he moved near home to Kansas City, Missouri, becoming a featured performer for musicians, festivals, corporate & non-profit events, and performance groups.

His music passion roots in receiving a life-saving liver transplant at the age of 11 months old. His debut album, my dying wish, is now on all music streaming and purchasing platforms. He hopes you learn something new and experience songs you love.

Luke “Skippy” Harbur’s CV/Resume

Organizations & artists featuring musicbyskippy

Boulevardia (2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
Missie B’s (2021 & 2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
Cafe Cà Phê (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri & North Kansas City, Missouri
No Divide KC (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Jukeboxx Media, gig for T-Mobile (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Paradise Garden Club (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Fishtank Theatre (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Jesse Powers (2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Calvin Arsenia (2019, 2020, & 2021) | Kansas City, Missouri
Quixotic (2019, 2020, & 2021, 2022) | Kansas City, Missouri
Ithaca College Choral Program (2018) | Ithaca, New York
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (2018) | Winston-Salem, North Carolina
NATS Mid-Atlantic Region (2018) | Lynchburg, Virginia
The Heartland Men’s Chorus (2017) | Kansas City, Missouri
Ithacappella (2015, 2016, 2017, & 2018) | Ithaca, New York

musicbyskippy is the entertainment project of Overland Park, Kansas native Luke “Skippy” Harbur. He’s developed skills in beatboxing, singing, beat production, rapping, & keyboard playing in hopes to express his core vision: everyone has an inner artist and should be able to express their full, authentic self.

His parent’s and grandparent’s own journeys in music fostered his artistic upbringing. His involvement in music programs since age 5 eventually lead him to move to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and finish high school at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ High School Drama Program. Although he was offered Acting scholarships to SUNY Purchase and Webster University, he attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York on academic scholarship and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Outside collegiate academics he served as a vocal percussionist, ensemble member, and soloist for Ithacappella, Ithaca College’s all-male a cappella group. Once a year the group traveled across America’s northeastern coast for a winter singing tour, creating collabor-ations with the PS 22 Chorus in Staten Island, New York and singing the national anthem for NHL’s New York Rangers and NBA’s New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Since moving to Kansas City, Missouri in 2019, he’s started finding his audience: Quixotic, Missie B’s, and Cafe Cà Phê have become some of his core, consistent collaborators, and in 2021 he started releasing his first batch of public music projects. His first was SKIPPY Sessions Volume 1, a collection of 8 short music compositions combining his beatboxing skills with other artistic disciplines practiced by other Kansas City-based artists. The second music project was “Rant,” his debut single from his debut album, my dying wish, which released on all music streaming and purchasing platforms on February 18th, 2022.

Each opportunity to perform and collaborate with others is rooted in a deeper story. In 1996, at 5 months old, he was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. 6 months later he received a life-saving liver transplant from an 8-year-old boy named Aaron Drake, who passed away while on a camping trip at The Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. But through this tragedy came hope, giving Luke “Skippy” Harbur a second chance to inspire others. From his music, he hopes you learn something new and experience songs you love.

10:56

Luke M. Harbur Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

musicbyskippy presents a WE PRESS PLAY RELEASE 2, Album Release & Dance Party, Friday, July 12, 8:00pm at Westport Bowery, 817 Westport Rd., KCMO. More info at: http://www.musicbyskippy.com

10:57

musicbyskippy – “Looking Back”
from: We Press Play Release 2 / LSH Productions / May 11, 2024
[“We Press Play Release 2” is the third album from musicbyskippy, Luke “Skippy” Harbur’s music project. Returning to electronic dance music roots featured in “we press play” (2022), this music focuses on dance beats, encouraging movement to run wild in listeners and audiences alike. Live show experiences are immersive, with musicbyskippy wearing a custom-made helmet, performing artists popping up in the crowd, and some unreleased songs that can only be heard in-person. Album and show influences include KAYTRANADA, Stromae, & Glass Animals. // Musicians: musicbyskippy. Composer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Arranger: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Genre: Dance/Electronic. Studio: Get Wild Studios. Production Dates: January 2021 to May 2022. Producer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Mixing Engineer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Mastering Engineer: Luke “Skippy” Harbur. Label/Publisher: Almost Peanut Butter. Publisher/Label: LSH Productions, LLC. More info at http://www.musicbyskippy.com]

11:00 – Station ID

11:00 – Interview with Lone Stranger (Zachary S. Phillips)

Lone Stranger is the musical project of Zachary S. Phillips known for his longtime work in the bands, Gadjits and Architects where he played bass guitar and toured all over the country with his brothers Brandon, and Adam. For the Lone Stranger Zach works on mixing, mastering, and manufacturing his own solo music, playing almost all of the instruments himself, mixing genres of Ska, Reggae and hip hop.

Zachary Phillips thanks for being with us on WMM.

Lone Stranger has been writing many new songs.

11:05 – Lone Stranger LIVE

Lone Stranger – “DR V. W. Bikales ” (LIVE)
Lone Stranger (Zachary Phillips) on Vocals and Adam Phillips on percussion

11:09 – More Interview with Lone Stranger

The Lone Stranger is the new musical project of Zachary S. Phillips.

With Lone Stranger Zach plays almost all the music, and wrote, arranged, engineered, produced and performed every note. The music contains Ska, Reggae and a bit of Hip Hop.

In 2022 Zachary played live on WMM on October 26, 2022.

Zachary Phillips thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:13 – Lone Stranger LIVE

The Lone Stranger – “9 Years Ahead of my Time” (LIVE)
Lone Stranger (Zachary Phillips) on Vocals and Adam Phillips on percussion

11:18 – More Interview with Lone Stranger

Lone Stranger is the new musical project of Zachary S. Phillips. Zach played 99% of all the music, and wrote, arranged, engineered, produced and performed every note. The music contains Ska, Reggae and a bit of Hip Hop.

Zachary Phillips thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:22 – Lone Stranger LIVE

Lone Stranger – “Its Nice to Meet ya” (LIVE)
Lone Stranger (Zachary Phillips) on Vocals and Adam Phillips on percussion

11:25 – More Interview with Lone Stranger

History: The Gadjits were a ska and rock and roll band from Kansas City, Missouri. Their sound was influenced by The Clash, The Who, AC/DC, Elvis Costello, The Stooges, and The Rolling Stones.

Brandon, Zach, and Adam Phillips come from an artistic family, their father was a jazz musician and their mother an art teacher. The brothers started by playing AC/DC covers, but moved on to original songs and a broader range of influences. The group was formed in 1991 when 14-year-old Brandon led his younger brothers Zach and Adam into a seedy bar in Kansas City to play their first gig to the small crowd of locals.

The band released the debut album, Da Gravy on Yo’ Grits, on their own JoCo Ska label. They went on to perform support slots for the Skatalites, Rancid (band) and Let’s Go Bowling. Heidi Blobaum joined on keyboards, replaced a year later by Hillary Allen.

At Ease was released in 1998 on Epitaph Records attracting attention from Tim Armstrong of Rancid (band). The Gadjits appeared on the Vans Warped Tour later that summer.

Wish We Never Met was released in 1999 on Hellcat Records.

Today Is My Day was released in 2002 on Thick Records. Featuring Brandon Phillips (vocals, guitar); Zach Phillips (vocals, bass); Mike Alexander (guitar); Hilary Allen (Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Adam Phillips (drums).

In June 2004 The Gadjits ceased to exist and a new band, The Architects, was formed.
Gadjits Discography

Full-length albums

Da Gravy On Yo Grits (JoCo Ska, 1997)
At Ease (Hellcat Records, 1999)
Wish We Never Met (Hellcat Records, 2001)
Today Is My Day (Thick Records, 2002)
Our Time To…” (RCA Records, 2003) (left unreleased after RCA dropped the band)

Singles, EPs and split releases
Yes I Are (VMS Records, 2001)
Someday Driver (Thick Records, 2001)

Compilation appearances
‘Gangster Girl’ & ‘Sassy’ on ‘Skank For Brains – Saturday Matinee’ comp (Beach Records)
‘Beautiful Girl’ on the ‘Give ‘Em The Boot’ compilation (Hellcat Records, 1997)
‘Bad Gadjit’ on the ‘Give ‘Em The Boot Vol. II’ compilation (Hellcat Records, 1999)
‘One Stones Throw (From A Riot)’ on ‘Give ‘Em The Boot Vol. III’ (Hellcat Records, 2002)

The Architects are an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. The band was formed by previous members of the punk and ska band The Gadjits, brothers Brandon, Adam, and Zach Phillips, and Mike Alexander.

In June 2004 the Gadjits ceased to exist as a band and a new band, Architects, was formed. The brothers added Gadjits guitarist Mike Alexander, and this lineup recorded the band’s debut album, Keys to the Building, released on the Anodyne label in 2004. Revenge followed in 2006, described by Allmusic as ” a solid rock offering with enough soul and punk urgency to keep things interesting from start to finish”, and Vice in 2008. Keenan Nichols had replaced Alexander in Oct. 2007. They signed to Frank Iero’s Skeleton Crew.

In 2013 they started releasing the Border Wars graphic novel/EP series, on which they worked with illustrator Mallory Dorn.

Musical style and influences: The Tucson Weekly described the band’s music as “a dynamic, explosive combination of traditional punk, maximum R&B, Midwestern alternative rock, blues-based metal and pop melodies”. They were described as “dirty rock & roll tinged with Southern heart and gritty, passionate attitude” by Allmusic. Their influences include AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, and Meat Loaf.

Band Members
Brandon Phillips – lead vocals/rhythm guitar (2004–present)
Adam Phillips – drums (2004–present)
Zach Phillips – bass guitar/backing vocals (2004–present)
Mike Alexander – guitar (2004–2007)
Keenan Nichols – lead guitar/backing vocals (2007-2014)[11]
Adrianne Verhoven – keyboards (2004,2009-2010)

The Architects Discography

Albums
Keys to the Building (October 2004), Anodyne
Revenge (March 2006), Anodyne
Vice (May 2008), Anodyne
The Hard Way (June 2009), Skeleton Crew
Live in Los Angeles (October 2012), Skeleton Crew
Border Wars Episodes I & II (2017), Gran Cala Vera/Wolffang Funk

EPs
Border Wars Ep 1 (April 25, 2014)
Border Wars Ep 2 (September 9, 2013

Compilation appearances
“Promises” included on First Blood (2007), OxBlood

“There was a certain style of songwriting and performance that I had always wanted to do but had never taken the plunge.” Says Brandon Phillips, central figure in Kansas City, Missouri’s brand new pop-soul group, Brandon Phillips and The Condition. In response to that unscratched artistic itch, Phillips began writing and recording in 2015 with the help of his brothers Zach Phillips (The Architects, The Gadjits) and Adam Phillips (The Gadjits, The Architects, Radar State) and enlisting the help of various KC area musicians to flesh out a sound that was equal parts Get Happy-era Elvis Costello and early Motown.

In 2016, the first, official lineup of BP+C came together and started rehearsing for their first batch of shows. The pedigree of the lineup then, now and always – including members of bands like The Architects, Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type, The Roseline, The Gadjits, Hi Lux and Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear.

Brandon Phillips also created electronic project Memsa Deathsquad and Other Americans

Lone Stranger is the new musical project of Zachary S. Phillips known for his longtime work in the bands, Gadjits and Architects

Zachary Phillips thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:28 – Underwriting

The Baseball Project – “Erasable Man”
from: Grand Salami Time / Omnivore / June 30, 2023
[Grand Salami Time! is the fourth full-length studio album by American rock supergroup the Baseball Project, released by Omnivore Recordings on June 30, 2023. The album was produced by Mitch Easter, who began working with R.E.M. at the beginning of their careers; the Baseball Project features two of their former members. It also marks their first album under Omnivore, as they had previously been signed to Yep Roc. // At the urging of drummer Linda Pitmon, the band recorded this album with Mitch Easter, who had previously produced R.E.M.’s first single and co-produced that band’s debut EP, debut full-length, and sophomore full-length. The sessions lasted 10 days and the songs were recorded live-to-tape in Easter’s studio The album was preceded by singles “The Voice of Baseball” and “Journeyman”. The band also announced a brief tour of the United States supporting Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. The album is titled after a line that Seattle Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus would say when a grand slam was hit. // In American Songwriter, Lee Zimmerman rated this album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “a joyful and jubilant example of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s power pop”.Steven Wine of the Associated Press praised the clever lyrics and writes that “topics are paired with garage rock that gives [guitarist Peter] Buck a chance to serve up some delightful guitar squall”. BrooklynVegan’s Bill Pearis recommends the album to baseball fans and non-fans alike, noting that the former will get more enjoyment out of the music. Writing it for Glide Magazine, Jim Hynes calls this album “so much fun” and tells listeners that it’s “pure joy putting the album on and following the lyrics in the jacket”. In The Mercury News, Jim Harrington the band has “passion [that] leads to an abundance of ideas for song topics” and after multiple albums, they are “still going strong, finding plenty of musical inspiration in a seemingly endless supply of decades-old stories and modern-day tales about the game”. Mario Naves of The New York Sun favorably compares this to the band’s last album, 3rd and calls it “unstoppable”. Frank Valish of Under the Radar rated this work a 7 out of 10, writing that the live in-studio recording method “lends a certain energy to the proceedings” and characterizes the album as “a bunch of musical heroes having fun together and celebrating music, each other, and America’s favorite pastime to boot”. // Additional personnel: Steve Berlin on baritone saxophone on “Erasable Man” // Mitch Easter – guitar on “Journeyman”, recording, mixing, production // and Stephen McCarthy – lap steel guitar.]

[The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, TONIGHT, July 10, 8:00pm. More info at: http://www.therecordbar.com]

11:34 – Interview with Scott McCaughey of The Baseball Project

Nine years after their last album, the supergroup The Baseball Project released their 4th album GRAND SALAMI TIME on June 30, 2023, on their new label Omnivore Records. Joining us in our 90.1 FM Studios is veteran Rock God – Scott McCaughey who is also the leader of the Seattle and Portland-based bands The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5. He was also an auxiliary member of the American rock band R.E.M. from 1994 until the band’s break-up in 2011, contributing to the studio albums New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Up, Reveal, Around the Sun, Accelerate and Collapse into Now.

The Baseball Project was formed in 2007, the performers came together from discussions between McCaughey and Steve Wynn at R.E.M.’s March 21, 2007 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They invited Peter Buck to play bass guitar and Linda Pitmon (of filthy Friends) on drums and recorded their first album later that year.

To add to the story, between The Baseball Projects 3rd album and there latest release, Grand Salami Time, McCaughey suffered a stroke on November 16, 2017, that nearly killed him and wiped his musical catalog from his memory — decades of albums and songs written and recorded with the Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows, R.E.M., Baseball Project, and many more, all disappeared. But instead of wallowing in misery, McCaughey channeled his omni-positive spirit and began to write down whatever incoherent thoughts crossed his mind. He turned those stream-of-consciousness notebook pages into his 13th full-length Minus 5 release, Stroke Manor. McCaughey recovered substantially from his stroke in 2018, and began playing a series of well received shows at venues in Portland. And Since then has release several records, and as you just heard on the song we just played: “Eraseable Man” he sounds as great s ever.

The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Wednesday, July 10, at 8:00pm. More info at: http://www.therecordbar.com

Scott McCaughey thanks for being with us on WMM on 90.1 FM – KKFI Kansas City Community Radio

The Baseball Project is: Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn. Linda Pitmon.

Buck and McCaughey have previously played together in Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3, The Minus 5, R.E.M., and Tuatara.

Wynn is the former leader of The Dream Syndicate.

Pitmon also plays with Buck and McCaughey in Filthy Friends (with Kurt Bloch and Corin Tucker) and their project with Luke Haines (of the Auteurs).

On June 30, 2023 the band released their fourth album, Grand Salami Time, recorded with early R.E.M. collaborator Mitch Easter at his Fidelitorium Recordings studio in Kernersville, N.C., and released on Omnivore Recordings.

The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Wednesday, July 10, at 8:00pm. More info at: http://www.therecordbar.com

The Baseball Project – Website: http://www.baseballproject.net

Peter Buck – guitar, production
Scott McCaughey – guitar, keyboards, lead vocals, backing vocals, production
Mike Mills – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Stuff”, production
Linda Pitmon – drums, percussion, backing vocals, production
Steve Wynn – guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals, production

At the urging of drummer Linda Pitmon, the band recorded this album with Mitch Easter, who had previously produced R.E.M.’s first single and co-produced that band’s debut EP, debut full-length, and sophomore full-length. The sessions lasted 10 days and the songs were recorded live-to-tape in Easter’s studio The album was preceded by singles “The Voice of Baseball” and “Journeyman”.

Their first album under Omnivore, as they had previously been signed to Yep Roc.

Additional personnel: Steve Berlin on baritone saxophone on “Erasable Man” // Mitch Easter – guitar on “Journeyman”, recording, mixing, production // and Stephen McCarthy – lap steel guitar.]

Grand Salami Time! is the fourth full-length studio album – Track listing

“Grand Salami Time” (Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey) – 3:22
“The Yips” (Steve Wynn)[16] – 3:31
“Screwball” (McCaughey) – 3:44
“Uncle Charlie” (Buck and Wynn)[16] – 3:26
“Journeyman” (Buck and Wynn) – 4:07
“Erasable Man” (McCaughey) – 4:06
“New Oh in Town” (McCaughey) – 2:55
“Disco Demolition” (Wynn) – 3:28
“Stuff” (Mike Mills) – 5:21
“The All or Nothings” (Buck and McCaughey) – 2:57
“That’s Living” (Wynn) – 3:28
“64 and 64” (McCaughey) – 4:39
“Having Fun” (Wynn) – 3:30
“Fantasy Baseball Widow” (Wynn) – 2:20
“The Voice of Baseball” (Buck and McCaughey) – 3:02

From: http://www./omnivorerecordings.com

4th release featuring Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5/Young Fresh Fellows), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate), Peter Buck & Mike Mills (R.E.M.) Linda Pitmon (Filthy Friends).

In 2008 they busted out of the box and easily reached first with their Frozen Ropes And Dying Quails. The Baseball Project was on base and immediately posed a threat to go further.

In 2011, they moved on to second with some wildness aptly called High And Inside. They were halfway home.

Three years later in 2014, the quintet of Big Stars moved on down the line to the aptly titled 3rd, an epic double dip delight of craftsmanship and savvy.

And there they stayed. For 9 long year but The Baseball Project finally came home, scoring big and touching ’em all with their fourth album Grand Salami Time. The scoreboard is lighting up and the fireworks are illuminating the sky.

Speaking of reaching home, this album is a homecoming of sorts, as the band recorded and produced the album with none other than the legendary Mitch Easter. BBP members Peter Buck and Mike Mills’ made their first albums with Mitch back in the early ’80s with a swingin’ little combo called R.E.M.

Scott McCaughey and Steve Wynn kept busy themselves, busting out new tunes with the Minus 5/Young Fresh Fellows (Scott) and The Dream Syndicate (Steve), while stockpiling a passel of penned poetics about the national pastime, many co-written with Peter. Mike adds a new classic of his own about doctored baseballs called “Stuff.”

Linda Pitmon, who along with Peter and Scott has been part of a steady rhythmic nucleus, bashing out epic rock platters with Filthy Friends, (Alejandro Escovedo, Luke Haines & Peter Buck), is back driving the ship from behind her mighty drum machine.

Wynn points out, “this is our only band that plays stadiums”—true story as The Baseball Project has performed full sets along with the National Anthem and “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” at major league parks in Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and more minor league and spring training fields, as well as having thrown out some exceptional first pitches (nothing but strikes!) as well.

It’s all part of an unusual arc and fun story of a band whose first gig was an appearance on Late Night With David Letterman followed by a festival in a medieval Spanish city. For a quintet that has seemingly done everything over the years with their other bands, The Baseball Project always offers new and uncharted experiences.

The album was recorded at Mitch Easter’s fabled Fidelitorium Studios in Kernersville, North Carolina, with the entire band performing live together in the same room, a joyous experience that seemed impossible to imagine only one year before. Mitch adds guitar on a few tracks and the record also features appearances by Stephen McCarthy (The Long Ryders) and Steve Berlin (Los Lobos).

In the meantime, the band will be out on the road throughout—when else?—the upcoming baseball season. And we all know they’ll find their way home. Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it’s Grand Salami Time!

Grand Salami Time is the home run music fans have been waiting for. Packaging features stories behind the songs from band members, and makes Grand Salami Time more than a game—it makes your season!

11:42

The Baseball Project – “Journeyman”
from: Grand Salami Time / Omnivore / June 30, 2023
[Grand Salami Time! is the fourth full-length studio album by American rock supergroup the Baseball Project, released by Omnivore Recordings on June 30, 2023. The album was produced by Mitch Easter, who began working with R.E.M. at the beginning of their careers; the Baseball Project features two of their former members. It also marks their first album under Omnivore, as they had previously been signed to Yep Roc. // At the urging of drummer Linda Pitmon, the band recorded this album with Mitch Easter, who had previously produced R.E.M.’s first single and co-produced that band’s debut EP, debut full-length, and sophomore full-length. The sessions lasted 10 days and the songs were recorded live-to-tape in Easter’s studio The album was preceded by singles “The Voice of Baseball” and “Journeyman”. The band also announced a brief tour of the United States supporting Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. The album is titled after a line that Seattle Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus would say when a grand slam was hit. // In American Songwriter, Lee Zimmerman rated this album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “a joyful and jubilant example of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s power pop”.Steven Wine of the Associated Press praised the clever lyrics and writes that “topics are paired with garage rock that gives [guitarist Peter] Buck a chance to serve up some delightful guitar squall”. BrooklynVegan’s Bill Pearis recommends the album to baseball fans and non-fans alike, noting that the former will get more enjoyment out of the music. Writing it for Glide Magazine, Jim Hynes calls this album “so much fun” and tells listeners that it’s “pure joy putting the album on and following the lyrics in the jacket”. In The Mercury News, Jim Harrington the band has “passion [that] leads to an abundance of ideas for song topics” and after multiple albums, they are “still going strong, finding plenty of musical inspiration in a seemingly endless supply of decades-old stories and modern-day tales about the game”. Mario Naves of The New York Sun favorably compares this to the band’s last album, 3rd and calls it “unstoppable”. Frank Valish of Under the Radar rated this work a 7 out of 10, writing that the live in-studio recording method “lends a certain energy to the proceedings” and characterizes the album as “a bunch of musical heroes having fun together and celebrating music, each other, and America’s favorite pastime to boot”. // Additional personnel: Steve Berlin on baritone saxophone on “Erasable Man” // Mitch Easter – guitar on “Journeyman”, recording, mixing, production // and Stephen McCarthy – lap steel guitar.]

[The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Wednesday, July 10, at 8:00pm. More info at: http://www.therecordbar.com]

11:46 – More Interview with Scott McCaughey of The Baseball Project

Scott McCaughey plays with the supergroup, The Baseball Project. Scott McCaughey is also the leader of the Seattle and Portland-based bands The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5. He was also an auxiliary member of the American rock band R.E.M. from 1994 until the band’s break-up in 2011, contributing to the studio albums New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Up, Reveal, Around the Sun, Accelerate and Collapse into Now.

The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Wednesday, July 10, at 8:00pm. More info at: http://www.therecordbar.com

Scott McCaughey thanks for being with us on WMM on 90.1 FM – KKFI Kansas City Community Radio

The Baseball Project is: Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon. Formed in 2007, the performers came together from discussions between McCaughey and Wynn at R.E.M.’s March 21, 2007 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They invited Buck to play bass guitar and Pitmon on drums and recorded their first album later that year. Buck and McCaughey have previously played together in Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3, The Minus 5, R.E.M., and Tuatara. Wynn is the former leader of The Dream Syndicate. Pitmon also plays with Buck and McCaughey in Filthy Friends (with Kurt Bloch and Corin Tucker) and their project with Luke Haines (of the Auteurs). On June 30, 2023 the band released their fourth album, Grand Salami Time, recorded with early R.E.M. collaborator Mitch Easter at his Fidelitorium Recordings studio in Kernersville, N.C., and released on Omnivore Recordings. The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Wednesday, July 10, at 8:00pm. More info at: http://www.therecordbar.com

Scott Lewis McCaughey is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter and the leader of the Seattle and Portland-based bands The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5. He was also an auxiliary member of the American rock band R.E.M. from 1994 until the band’s break-up in 2011, contributing to the studio albums New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Up, Reveal, Around the Sun, Accelerate and Collapse into Now.

McCaughey started his career with the indie rock band Young Fresh Fellows. Beginning in January 1980, he was also a writer for the Seattle music magazine The Rocket.

From 1994 until 2011, McCaughey worked with R.E.M. both on stage and in the studio. “When R.E.M. came to Seattle to work on Automatic for the People, Peter [Buck] called me up. He probably didn’t know anybody else in town. We’d go out to eat or have drinks pretty regularly while he was here. And then he ended up moving out here. Once he was here, we started playing together a lot, doing all The Minus 5 stuff.” It was McCaughey who introduced Buck to his future wife, Stephanie. Buck invited McCaughey to join R.E.M. on their 1995 Monster tour, initially as a second guitarist. “[Peter] said, ‘I wouldn’t ask you if the Fellows were playing a lot.’ But the Fellows were not really doing anything; we’d kind of brought it down to a crawl. I told him, ‘Sure, I’d like to try.’ I had to audition because I didn’t know the rest of the guys as well as Peter.”

McCaughey remained with R.E.M. in various capacities until the band’s dissolution. He contributed to the studio albums New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Up, Reveal, Around the Sun, Accelerate and Collapse into Now. Additionally, he has received credits for his work on the live albums R.E.M. Live and Live at The Olympia album as well as their 2003 greatest hits collection, In Time. When working with R.E.M., McCaughey played guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and sang backing vocals.

The Minus 5 and Tuatara
R.E.M. members and side musicians formed The Minus 5 and Tuatara in the mid-1990s.

Moween
In June 2003, McCaughey recorded a song with Moween (Peter Schoemaker/Bram van den Berg) at the IDQ studio in Utrecht, titled “Move On.”

The Baseball Project
In 2008, McCaughey formed the side band The Baseball Project with Buck, Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon. Their first album, Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails was released later that year and their first ever public appearance was on the Late Night With David Letterman show. Since then, Mike Mills has joined the team and they’ve recorded Volume 2: High and Inside, Volume 3: 3rd, and Volume 4: Grand Salami Time (release date June 30, 2023 on Omnivore Records).

The Venus Three
He is also bassist for Robyn Hitchcock’s touring band The Venus 3, which has included Bill Rieflin (drums) and Peter Buck (guitar).

Tuatara
McCaughey also plays in Tuatara, an instrumental group which features Peter Buck.

The No Ones
McCaughey is a member of The No Ones, a jangle pop supergroup. Other members include Peter Buck, Frode Strømstad, and Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen (from I Was A King). Their debut EP The Sun Station (Coastal Town Recordings) also features guest appearances by Steve Wynn and Patterson Hood.

McCaughey suffered a stroke on November 16, 2017. Two benefit concerts were held in January 2018, to raise money for his medical bills. Artists included Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Bill Berry, Alejandro Escovedo, M Ward, James Mercer, Corin Tucker, the Dharma Bums, the Decemberists, and Patterson Hood. McCaughey recovered substantially from his stroke in 2018, and began playing a series of well received shows at venues in Portland, Oregon, where he lives.

Solo releases
1989: My Chartreuse Opinion (PopLlama)
2015: Spain Capers (Rock & Roll Inc. / Book) as Scott the Hoople
2020: Sad Box and Other Hits as Scott the Hoople

From: YepRoc.com

Less than three days after a doctor predicted he would never play music again, Scott McCaughey began writing his next album — while still in the ICU, unable to speak coherently, his right side just waking from paralyzation.

In November 2017, the Northwest underground stalwart suffered a stroke that nearly killed him and wiped his musical catalog from his memory — decades of albums and songs written and recorded with the Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows, R.E.M., Baseball Project, and many more, all disappeared. But instead of wallowing in misery, McCaughey channeled his omni-positive spirit and began to write down whatever incoherent thoughts crossed his mind. He turned those stream-of-consciousness notebook pages into his 13th full-length Minus 5 release, Stroke Manor.

“The lyrics are the reason for the album,” McCaughey said. “They’re frustrating and frustrated — they’re me trying to communicate something, to find out if I could communicate, if I could still even hold a pen and get it to physically move. The words are crucial to it though they’re not going to speak to everyone. But I had to try.”
Stroke Manor is a capsule of weeks in a hospital bed and the time-release recovery that creeps through in several songs. The influence is found in everything from misheard sentences and made-up words (“Pink Bag For Rip Torn” and “Plascent Folk,” respectively), to Turner Classic Movies (“Beacon From RKO,” “Scar Crow,” Goodbye Braverman”), hospital pain index cards (“Top Venom”), and the Beatles playlist Peter Buck made to help spark McCaughey’s musical memory (“Beatles Forever”). The results are often head-scratching, tongue-tying spats of confusion, but when the decision was eventually made to put them to music, McCaughey changed only the occasional word for flow, singing the words directly from his hospital notebook.

“The lyrics tapped into a different place for the music to come from,” he said. “I suppose I used the same old chords but everything sounded new and mysterious to me.” He used new voices, the dreaded autotune, and other voice-altering effects because he felt like he was singing as new characters. But the feelings were all his somehow. “I felt like I was a weird other person when I wrote those words, so it felt really right to me to let it be this guy who was coming from outer space.”

McCaughey recorded the album in his oft-frigid Portland basement, i.e. the “Dungeon.” Joe Adragna sent in rapid-turn-around drums (and often more) from his home studio outside New Orleans. Peter Buck was there to conjure up guitar lines, like a 1968 George Harrison. Jeff Tweedy, Corin Tucker, Jenny Conlee, John Moen, Steve Wynn, Linda Pitmon, Dave Depper & Alia Farah all dropped by to contribute, like good friends will do.

“I think this record captures the feeling, the moment, somehow,” McCaughey said. “I took something that I didn’t really know I was doing at the time and took it the full distance, not knowing whether it would work or not — but I feel like it really did work. I’m not saying I wish it hadn’t happened,” he said while laughing, “but at least I got something out of it. It’s a weird thing. But it’s my experience.”

Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon thanks for being with us on WMM on 90.1 FM – KKFI Kansas City Community Radio

The Baseball Project is a supergroup composed of Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon formed in 2007. The performers came together from discussions between McCaughey and Wynn at R.E.M.’s March 21, 2007 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. They invited Buck to play bass guitar and Pitmon on drums and recorded their first album, Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails later that year. Their first public appearance was on The Late Show with David Letterman in June of 2008, preceding the release of any recorded material.

Buck and McCaughey have previously played together in Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3, The Minus 5, R.E.M., and Tuatara. Wynn is the former leader of The Dream Syndicate as well as Gutterball and has played with Pitmon in Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3. Pitmon also plays with Buck and McCaughey in Filthy Friends (with Kurt Bloch and Corin Tucker) and their project with Luke Haines (of the Auteurs).

The band also recorded a ‘real time’ commentary on the 2010 baseball season for ESPN.com: one song every month made available as a free download. The collection was released in 2011 as The Broadside Ballads and also includes a few unreleased extra tracks from Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails and Volume 2: High and Inside.

The second album from The Baseball Project, Volume 2: High and Inside, was released on March 1, 2011, on Yep Roc Records. The band followed the record’s release with a tour covering the U.S. and appearances at spring training games in Arizona’s Cactus League. Mike Mills begins touring regularly with the band in 2012, taking over bass duties from Peter Buck. Buck moves over to his signature 12-string guitar role around this time.

Their third album, 3rd, includes Mike Mills playing bass on all tracks for the first time on a Baseball Project recording, and was released in 2014. Not long after that the band played a special show in Cooperstown, New York, at the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2019 they played a 3-day residency at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland as a part of the All-Star Game festivities in the city.

Their fourth album, Grand Salami Time, was recorded with early R.E.M. collaborator Mitch Easter at his Fidelitorium Recordings studio in Kernersville, N.C., and was released on June 30, 2023, on Omnivore Recordings. Special guests on release include Stephen McCarthy of the Long Ryders and the Jayhawks and Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.

Discography
Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails (Yep Roc, 2008)
Volume 2: High and Inside (Yep Roc, 2011)
3rd (Yep Roc, 2014)
Grand Salami Time (June 30, 2023 – Omnivore Recordings)

EPs and singles
The Homerun EP (Yep Roc, 2009, collaboration with Reckless Kelly, Todd Snider, and The Young Fresh Fellows)
“El Hombre” (Euclid Records single, 2012)

The Baseball Project

Scott McCaughey thanks for being with us on WMM on 90.1 FM – KKFI Kansas City Community Radio

The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Wednesday, July 10, at 8:00pm. More

11:54

The Baseball Project – “Grand Salami Time”
from: Grand Salami Time / Omnivore / June 30, 2023
[Grand Salami Time! is the fourth full-length studio album by American rock supergroup the Baseball Project, released by Omnivore Recordings on June 30, 2023. The album was produced by Mitch Easter, who began working with R.E.M. at the beginning of their careers; the Baseball Project features two of their former members. It also marks their first album under Omnivore, as they had previously been signed to Yep Roc. // At the urging of drummer Linda Pitmon, the band recorded this album with Mitch Easter, who had previously produced R.E.M.’s first single and co-produced that band’s debut EP, debut full-length, and sophomore full-length. The sessions lasted 10 days and the songs were recorded live-to-tape in Easter’s studio The album was preceded by singles “The Voice of Baseball” and “Journeyman”. The band also announced a brief tour of the United States supporting Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. The album is titled after a line that Seattle Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus would say when a grand slam was hit. // In American Songwriter, Lee Zimmerman rated this album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “a joyful and jubilant example of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s power pop”.Steven Wine of the Associated Press praised the clever lyrics and writes that “topics are paired with garage rock that gives [guitarist Peter] Buck a chance to serve up some delightful guitar squall”. BrooklynVegan’s Bill Pearis recommends the album to baseball fans and non-fans alike, noting that the former will get more enjoyment out of the music. Writing it for Glide Magazine, Jim Hynes calls this album “so much fun” and tells listeners that it’s “pure joy putting the album on and following the lyrics in the jacket”. In The Mercury News, Jim Harrington the band has “passion [that] leads to an abundance of ideas for song topics” and after multiple albums, they are “still going strong, finding plenty of musical inspiration in a seemingly endless supply of decades-old stories and modern-day tales about the game”. Mario Naves of The New York Sun favorably compares this to the band’s last album, 3rd and calls it “unstoppable”. Frank Valish of Under the Radar rated this work a 7 out of 10, writing that the live in-studio recording method “lends a certain energy to the proceedings” and characterizes the album as “a bunch of musical heroes having fun together and celebrating music, each other, and America’s favorite pastime to boot”. // Additional personnel: Steve Berlin on baritone saxophone on “Erasable Man” // Mitch Easter – guitar on “Journeyman”, recording, mixing, production // and Stephen McCarthy – lap steel guitar.]

[The Baseball Project play recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Wednesday, July 10, at 8:00pm. More info at: http://www.therecordbar.com]

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

Next week on July 17 we welcome Hip Hop artists The Epitome (Glenn Robinson) and Betse Ellis and Marion Merritt return to co-host WMM for our Summer Fund Drive Show.

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

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
https://www.soundcloud.com/wednesdaymiddaymedley
http://www.bandcamp.com/wednesdaymiddaymedley
http://www.instagram.markthomasmanning

Show #1054