#1069 – November 13, 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, November 13, 2024

Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek of The Pitch + Damron Russel Armstrong of The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City

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

Necrot – “Cut The Cord (Radio Edit)” (Nick’s #10)
from: Lifeless Birth / Tankcrimes / April 12, 2024
[Debut single from new album. Luca Indrio on bass & vocals, Chad Gailey on drums; Sonny Reinhardt on guitar. Recorded by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studio in Oakland, California. Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege September-October 2023. Art by Marald Van Haasteren. Necrot logo by David Mikkelsen. Layout by Mark Reátegui © Tankcrimes / Necrot 2024; ℗ Necrot 2024. In February Nrcrot went out on the road for the Brainsqueeze Tour with Municipal Waste, Ghoul and Dead Heat.]

10:06 – Intro / Interview with Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI.  I’m Mark Manning.

We welcome Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek of The Pitch. The Annual Pitch “Best Of” Issue recently hit the streets last week on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. We’ll talk with Brock & Nick about some of the “Headlines” of 2024. And Nick shares his 10 Favorite Musical Releases of 2024 from: Ghost Funk Orchestra, Royal Otis, Confidence Man, The Linda Lindas., Kaitlin Butts, GEL, Odie Leigh, Katheryn Hahn and the cast of Agatha All Along and Vic-Man / VCMN with Joel leoJ. We started the show with, Necrot.

Brock Wilbur is the editor-in-chief of The Pitch in Kansas City and the author of several books on video games and apocalyptic cinema. He lives with his wife, political journalist Vivian Kane, their three cats. Brock Wilbur’s most recent book, “Postal” was published through Boss Fight Books and is available wherever books are sold. Brock also has experience doing stand-up comedy, and working as a researcher.

Brock Wilbur, thanks for being with us on again on WMM.

Nick Spacek is the music editor of the Pitch. Additionally, he’s the co-host of horror podcast, The Carnage Report. Nick lives in Lawrence with his wife, two cats, and a movie and record collection big enough to constitute an actual problem. Nick has been covering music in the KC / Lawrence area, for two decades. Nick Spacek has worked in print and radio media. Nick covers soundtracks and film scores for Starburst Magazine, and is a freelance writer for Sunflower Publishing. Nick served as Station Manager and Program Director for KJHK 90.7 in Lawrence, and for 20 years worked as a baker at Great Harvest Bread Company in Lawrence. Nick Studied at The University of Kansas.

Nick Spacek, thanks for being with us on again on WMM.

The Pitch is celebrating 44 years as Kansas City publication.

The Pitch started in 1980 as The Penny Pitch as part of Penny Lane Records, The original editor was Dwight Frizzell and the original owner was Hal Brody. The Pitch has survived the difficult print media landscape, multiple owners, multiple generations of some of Kansas City’s very best writers and journalists, and remains an essential publication, continuing to break important stories about working conditions in area restaurants and theatres, that some of our older news papers have bungled. The Pitch continues to be the very first to break news that has international reverberations.

The “Best Of” issue has been part of The Pitch for as long as I can remember, celebrating all things Kansas City.

Brock Wilbur picked up a Pitch “Best of” issue during a visit to KC and it was a big part of his wife and his decision to move to Kansas City from Los Angeles.

The Pitch “Best of” Issue is divided between The “Our Picks” section, selected by The Pitch writers, and the “Your Picks” section, where people of KC cast 517,861 votes across 488 categories and 2,900 nominees, selecting their favorite people, restaurants, creators, businesses, and places. The “Your Picks” section of the issue is fully hands-off from our internal team, and no weight was placed on any of the scales. The winners and runners-up in these categories were 1000% picked by the city after rounds of nomination and voting. http://www.thepitchkc.com

10:16

Ghost Funk Orchestra – “To The Moon!” (Nick’s #9)
from: A Trip To The Moon / Colemine Records / February 23, 2024
[Coming off the heels of 2022’s A New Kind of Love, A Trip To The Moon sees GFO diving even deeper in the worlds of film music, exotica, and psychedelic surf rock. The aim is to create a layered and collaged listening experience with more elements than you could possibly pick out in a single listen. The guitars are fuzzy and flooded with spring reverb, and the horns are arranged in a studio big band fashion. It’s full of big compositions with garage rock attitude. Influences range everywhere from Eddie Palmieri and Esquivel to The Lively Ones, Dusty Springfield, and War. The tracks are tied together by real recorded transmissions from the Apollo moon missions. The concept for the album is a story about a woman stranded on earth by her cosmonaut partner, left to ponder his whereabouts and whether or not he’ll make it back from the cosmos alive. // Ghost Funk Orchestra is the brainchild of composer/multi-instrumentalist Seth Applebaum. What started as a one-man recording project has now evolved into a powerhouse live band. It’s a sonic kaleidoscope that defies genre specification, but draws heavy influence from the worlds of soul, psych rock, salsa, and beyond. Their unique blend of genres has attracted praise from the likes of NPR, Bandcamp, KUTX, Brooklyn Vegan, Earmilk, and more. Over the years they’ve had the honor of sharing the stage with the likes of Os Mutantes, Grace Potter, Marco Benevento, La Luz, Monophonics, The Nude Party, and The Jack Moves, as well as playing such legendary festivals as Montreal Jazz, Treefort, Telluride Jazz, Otis Mountain Get Down, and BRIC’s NYC Winter Jazz. Local NY blog Post-Trash described their sound as a ‘psych odyssey of traditional sounds delivered in a non-traditional fashion.’ Bandcamp’s Editorial Director J. Edward Keyes praised the band’s ability to ‘leave no funk-adjacent genre unexplored.’ Experimentation is the key, and unpredictability is what has been attracting folks from all corners of the globe to see what GFO pulls off next]

Royel Otis – “Murder on the Dance Floor (triple j Like A Version)” (Nick’s #8)
from: Murder on the Dancefloor (triple j Like A Version) – Single / Austrailian Broadcasting Corporation / January 29. 2024
[Royel Otis are an Australian guitar-pop duo from Sydney. The band was formed in 2019 by Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic. They released three EPs, including Sofa Kings, before their debut studio album, Pratts & Pain, was released in February 2024. // Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic had known of each other around the Byron Bay area before Pavlovic sent Maddell some demos in 2019, with Maddell claiming this was “the collaboration he’d been chasing his whole life”. The band’s name is a combination of the first names of Maddell and Pavlovic, respectively. // In October 2021, the duo released their debut EP Campus. This was followed in August 2022, with Bar n Grill. Their third EP Sofa Kings, released in March 2023, peaked at number 43 on the ARIA Charts following its physical release in July 2023. Their song “Going Kokomo” was included in the EA Sports FC 24 soundtrack. // In October 2023, the group announced the release of their debut studio album Pratts & Pain, which was released on 16 February 2024. In January 2024, the duo received attention for their cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s song “Murder on the Dancefloor” on the Australian radio station Triple J, which reached the ARIA Charts in February. Their cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger” reached the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2024.]

10:23 – Underwriting

10:25 – More Interview with Brock Wilbur and Nick Spacek

Today, we welcome Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek of The Pitch. The Annual Pitch “Best Of” Issue hits the streets this Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. We’re talking with Brock & Nick about some of the “Headlines” of 2024. And, Nick is sharing his 10 Favorite Musical Releases of 2024.

Brock Wilbur is the editor-in-chief of The Pitch in Kansas City. Nick Spacek is the music editor of the Pitch.

The Pitch “Best Of” issue is out. http://www.thepitchkc.com

Top Stories of 2024 from The Pitch “Best of” issue – Our Picks

Presidential Election 2024 – Popular vote:
Trump received 74,223,975 votes in his loss to Biden in 2020 (Biden) 81,283,501
Trump received 75,457,118 votes in his win over Harris in 2024 (Harris) 72,314,666
Jill Stein 730,238

10:35

Confidence Man – “I Can’t Lose You” (Nick’s #7)
rom: 3AM (LA LA LA) / A Chaos – Polydor Records / October 18, 2024 [Confidence Man are an Australian indie electro pop band formed in 2016 in Brisbane, Queensland. They released their debut album Confident Music for Confident People in April 2018. The front-duo and their band members have been a part of many festivals across the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, most notably Glastonbury Festival. The drummer, Clarence McGuffie (one of the band members behind the black veils) is not publicly known. Previous musicians taking the role of Clarence McGuffie were Sam Hales and Lachlan McGeehan, both ex-boyfriends of Janet Planet. // 2016–2022: Formation, Confident Music for Confident People and Tilt // The band was formed in 2016. The members had met on the Brisbane music scene, and had been in other bands including: The Belligerents, Moses Gunn Collective and The Jungle Giants, and use pseudonyms in Confidence Man; McGuffie and Goodchild reportedly took their stage names from tombstones. They started writing dance songs together, initially as a “kind of joke”, but eventually realised the material was worth pursuing. // Planet and Bones provide vocals and dancing while Goodchild and McGuffie, who appear as masked figures, play keyboards and drums. The band signed to UK label Heavenly Records and released their debut UK single, “Bubblegum”, in March 2017. // Confidence Man released their debut album, Confident Music for Confident People, on April 13, 2018. They toured Europe extensively in the middle of the same year, with festival slots and a sell-out at London’s Scala before returning to Australia for dates in September. // The band released a Christmas single, “Santa’s Coming Down the Chimney”, in December 2018. On November 17. 2019, Janet Planet and Sugar Bones were guests on Richard Kingsmill’s ‘2019’ programme on Triple J to premiere their new single “Does It Make You Feel Good?” During the interview, they revealed they have made celebrity friends with U2 and had been partying with them and Noel Gallagher while in Melbourne. They continued to explain their plans to feature The Edge playing tambourine on a future recording.// On August 21, 2020, Confidence Man released the non-album single, “First Class Bitch”.// On November 10, 2021, the band announce the forthcoming release of their second studio album, Tilt and released “Holiday” as its lead single. Tilt was released on 1 April 2022 and peaked at number 7 on the ARIA charts. In late 2022, the band toured Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe, which also included a performance at Glastonbury Festival which received critical acclaim. // In September 2022, the band released a remix EP, titled Re-Tilt. The EP featured collaborations with Tame Impala, CHAI, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and more. // In April 2023, Confidence Man released “On & On (Again)” with Daniel Avery. The single continued the shift from electro-pop towards a club-focused sound which had begun with Tilt, and marked their debut at new label home at Polydor. In July, the band released a collaboration with Swedish producer DJ Seinfeld on dance-pop record “Now U Do”. Clarence McGuffie (or Sam Hales) is not credited as a songwriter on either single, making them the first releases that do not credit all four originating members. // In November 2023, after releasing several bootlegs and mashups through their SoundCloud page, Confidence Man released “Firebreak”, an instrumental house single that they had been performing at shows all throughout the prior year. The song was described as “[welcoming] Reggie and Clarence to the front while Janet and Sugar get a well earned rub down”. However, Reggie Goodchild (Lewis Stephenson) is the only one of the two who is credited on the track. // The band started running their “Active Scenes” party at Glastonbury 2023. // In February 2024, the band released a single in collaboration with DJ Boring, “Forever 2 (Crush Mix)”. In May, Confidence Man released ConMan Club Classics Vol 1., a compilation EP featuring the non-album singles and their remixes, including a new remix of “Boyfriend (Repeat)” by Cowboy Rhythmbox. // On June 5, 2024, the band announced their third album, 3AM (La La La), with the release of the single, “I Can’t Lose You”, along with a video of Planet and Bones singing the track in a helicopter naked over the London skyline. The album is inspired by the band’s move to London, and by British rave culture of the 1990s. // Members: Janet Planet (Grace Stephenson) – vocals; Sugar Bones (Aidan Moore) – vocals; Reggie Goodchild (Lewis Stephenson) – production; Clarence McGuffie (currently unknown, previously Lachlan McGeehan; and Sam Hales) – production.]

The Linda Lindas – “Yo Me Estreso (feat. Weird Al Yankovic)” (Nick’s #6)
from: No Obligation / Epitaph / October 11, 2023
[No Obligation is the second studio album by American rock band The Linda Lindas. The Linda Lindas is an American rock band from Los Angeles. The all-female group comprises Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong, and sisters Lucia and Mila de la Garza. // The band formed in 2018, and took their name from Linda Linda Linda, a Japanese film. After being noticed by director Amy Poehler, they recorded the soundtrack for her film Moxie, which was released in 2021. Later that year, they released the single “Racist, Sexist Boy”, which went viral. Epitaph Records signed them shortly afterwards. // In 2022, they released their debut album, Growing Up, and received mostly positive reviews. // Epitaph Records released the album on October 11, 2024. It was produced again by Carlos de la Garza, the father of band members Lucia and Mila de la Garza. Recording sessions for No Obligation took place at Henson Recording, Sunset Sound, and Music Friends Studios in Los Angeles in 2024. Six singles were released from the album: “Too Many Things”, “Resolution/Revolution”, “All in My Head”, “Yo Me Estreso”, and the title track “No Obligation”, and “Nothing Would Change”. // Following the release of their debut studio album, Growing Up (2022), “Too Many Things” was the Linda Lindas’ first release of 2023. The band subsequently opened for Paramore on the North American leg of the This Is Why Tour. // No Obligation was written between 2022 and 2024, whenever the Linda Lindas had time outside of school or touring. Writing sessions occurred on holiday breaks and long weekends. // Recording sessions for No Obligation took place at Henson Recording, Sunset Sound, and Music Friends Studios in Los Angeles in 2024. // The track “All in My Head” was written from the perspective of a character from the 2018 novel My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh. Guitarist Lucia de la Garza called it a “break from reality”. // In a press release, the band said they would be experimenting with post-punk, garage rock, power pop, new wave, and rock en español on the album. At the time of its announcement, the band members ranged from 13 to 19 years old, with Bela Salazar having finished high school, Mila de la Garza having finished middle school, and Lucia de la Garza and Eloise Wong in high school. “All in My Head” has been described by Lucia as more indie song, due to its use of an acoustic guitar. “Too Many Things” is a pop-punk song. Staff at Paste call the song “an anthemic slice of rock ‘n’ roll”. “Resolution/Revolution” is classified as a punk rock and power pop song, with influences from riot grrrl style. In a review at Far Out, editor Aimee Ferrier says the song “[blends] the accessibility of pop with the raw energy and power of punk.” “Resolution / Revolution” was influenced by Pantera and Judas Priest, as Bela Salazar had been listening to them.]

10:41 – More Interview with Brock Wilbur and Nick Spacek

Today, we welcome Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek of The Pitch. The Annual Pitch “Best Of” Issue hits the streets this Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. We’re talking with Brock & Nick about some of the “Headlines” of 2024. And, Nick is sharing his 10 Favorite Musical Releases of 2024.

Brock Wilbur is the editor-in-chief of The Pitch in Kansas City. Nick Spacek is the music editor of the Pitch.

The Pitch “Best Of” issue is out. http://www.thepitchkc.com

Top Stories of 2024 from The Pitch “Best of” issue – Our Picks – SPORTS

Royals Stadium Proposal in East Crossroads – Voters overwhelmingly reject naked cash grab for downtown stadium – After more than a year of reporting by The Pitch and other activists about backroom dealings around proposed Royal stadium move, a thinly outlined plan to allocate funds for the next 40 years to John Sherman and co. was flatly rejected by nearly 60% of voters. $3.5 Million dollar campaign to sell proposal to voters became threatening, untrue, and racist in the weekly mailings. Jackson Country Legislators and City Hall looked incredibly out-of-touch with voters. (excerpt from Pitch Best Of Issue – November, 2024)

Chiefs on track to 3-peat

KC Currrent

10:51

Kaitlin Butts – “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me)” (Nick’s #5)
rom: Roadrunner! / Soundly Music / June 28, 2024
[Kaitlin Butts has never been one to shy away from a little drama in her music. In fact, intrigue and murder have been recurring themes in her catalog. All the more reason for the Oklahoma native to lean into that theatrical side of her music for her third official album inspired by the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! It’s called Roadrunner! and it’s set for release on June 28th. // “Every summer when I was a kid my parents would take me to see a performance of ‘Oklahoma!’ at a local amphitheater, and I’ve felt such a strong connection to it my entire life,” says Butts. “It’s a love story but there’s also a murder and a little bit of an acid-trippy feel to it at times; it’s set in the same place where I come from. Once I got the idea for this album I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before, and it turned into something that completely encompasses who I am and what I love.” // If you loved her last album what else can she do (2022) but the seven songs left you wanting even more, don’t worry, Roadrunner! will include a total 17 tracks. It’s an epic, conceptualized work produced by Oran Thornton, with contributions from steel-guitar/multi-instrumentalist Russ Pahl. Vince Gill and Cleto Cordero also pop in for a featured spots, and co-writers include Angaleena Presley, Natalie Hemby, and Courtney Patton. // Kaitlin has done nothing but continued to create buzz and momentum around her career behind quality songs and strong performances. This gives Roadrunner! the opportunity to really put her over the top. “Making this album showed me that little ideas can grow and take on a life on their own, and it’s so exciting to know that sticking with my vision can lead to something bigger than I ever even imagined,” she says. // The album draws directly from Rodgers and Hammerstein in a couple of moments, and also includes a cover of Kesha’s “Hunt You Down” that Kaitlin released a couple of months ago and has already been creating social media buzz. Now Kaitlin has released the album’s title track (listen below), which fans have been hearing live for a while now. // Roadrunner! is an album of music, but Butts wants to create a strong visual and interactive component to it, which we’ve already seen from the early songs and videos, including the title track inspired by the touring life. // “The version of me depicted in the video is much closer to what I’m like onstage, where there’s real emotion and truth but also humor and a tendency to poke fun. It’s all those different versions of me at once. In making this music video, I wanted to show the highs and lows and chaotic lifestyle that I love so much.”]

GEL – “Persona” (Nick’s #4)
rom: Persona – EP / Blue Grape Music / August 16, 2024
[Gel is an American hardcore punk band from New Jersey. Formed in 2018 as a side project of powerviolence band Sick Shit, Gel has released one full-length album, two EPs, one demo, and one split mini album. Huw Baines of NME credited them for “shaping the sound of hardcore in 2023”. // Gel has its origins in New Jersey powerviolence band Sick Shit, which was founded by guitarist Bobko and drummer Zach Miller. Sami Kaiser joined soon after. When Sick Shit’s bassist departed from the group, the role was filled by Anthony Webster, who soon after switched to guitar. This lineup of Sick Shit began Gel in 2018 as a side project in order to pursue a more traditional hardcore punk style. Gel released their debut self-titled EP in 2019. That same year, the band released a tape called HC For The Freaks. The band released their second EP in 2021 titled Violent Closure. Gel also released a standalone single in 2021 called “Mental Static”. In 2022, Gel released a split, Shock Therapy, with the band Cold Brats. The band’s debut album, Only Constant, was released on March 31, 2023. The album received positive reviews. // On August 16, 2024, Gel released a 5-song EP titled “Persona” on new record label Blue Grape Music. The EP’s themes were inspired by the works of Carl Jung, particularly his concept of the shadow self. “Persona” has been well-received by critics, with praise for its sonic evolution that incorporates a bolder production style while maintaining the band’s aggressive hardcore sound. // Gel play a style of traditional, fast hardcore punk. Their music sometimes makes use of elements of post-punk and D-beat. Unlike the predominant style in hardcore during the 2010s and 2020s, Gel’s music leans heavily on the genre’s punk rock roots. Revolver magazine called their “fast, noisy and uncompromisingly energetic” style as “filling the void that’s been empty in the broader hardcore landscape since the early days of Trash Talk”. Members: (Current) Sami Kaiser – vocals (2018–present); Matthew Bobko – bass (2018–present); Madison Nave – guitar (2021–present); Alex Salter – drums (2023-present). (Former) Anthony Webster – guitar (2018–2024); and Zach Miller – drums (2018-2023)]

10:57 – More Interview with Brock Wilbur and Nick Spacek

Today, we welcome Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek of The Pitch. The Annual Pitch “Best Of” Issue hits the streets this Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. We’re talking with Brock & Nick about some of the “Headlines” of 2024. And, Nick is sharing his 10 Favorite Musical Releases of 2024.

Brock Wilbur is the editor-in-chief of The Pitch in Kansas City. Nick Spacek is the music editor of the Pitch.

Top Stories of 2024 from The Pitch “Best of” issue – Our Picks

Celebrating Weed without worry – another year into recreational legality – Recreational cannabis sales have been legalized in the state of Missouri for almost two years now. Topping $2.5 Billion in sales as of May 2024, since medical cannabis sales were legalized in October 2020. – $370 million of cumulative sakes tax revenue from $2.5 billion dollars was generated for a good cause: expunging marijuana-related criminal records and funding veteran’s healthcare, Creating 20,000 jobs. (excerpt from Pitch Best Of Issue – November, 2024)

Moctails

11:06

Odie Leigh – “My Name on a T-Shirt” (Nick’s #3)
from: Carrier Pigeon / Mom + Pop / July 12, 2024
[American indie folk musician from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, currently based in Detroit, Michigan. // Leigh attended Loyola University New Orleans, where she studied film. Leigh gained attention after her original song “Crop Circles” went viral on TikTok. At the time of the recording of Crop Circles, Leigh was living with two hip hop musicians, and all three made a bet for who could make a viral song first. Leigh released her debut EP, How Did It Seem To You, in 2022. Leigh released her second EP, The Only Thing Worse Than A Woman Who Lies Is A Girl Who’ll Tell Truths, in 2023. In 2024, Leigh announced her debut album. The album, Carrier Pigeon, was released on July 12, 2024. The album was named one of “The best albums out July 12” from All Things Considered. Leigh was named “The Best of What’s Next” by Paste in 2024.]

Kathryn Hahn, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke & Agatha All Along Cast – “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road (Cover Version)” (Nick’s #2)
from: Agatha All Along: Vol. 1 (Episodes 1-5) [Orig. Soundtrack] / Marvel Music / Oct. 11, 2024
[‘The Ballad of The Witches’ Road (Cover Version)‘ is a featured song from the fourth episode of the Disney+ and Marvel Television original miniseries ‘Agatha All Along’. The song was written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and features the cast of show, performed within the episode as a part of Alice’s trial. // Agatha All Along is an American television miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Agatha Harkness. A spin-off from the series WandaVision (2021), it is the 11th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios and the first to be released under its Marvel Television label, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. Schaeffer serves as showrunner and lead director. // Kathryn Hahn reprises her role as Agatha Harkness from WandaVision, with Joe Locke, Debra Jo Rupp, Aubrey Plaza, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Okwui Okpokwasili, Patti LuPone, Evan Peters, Maria Dizzia, Paul Adelstein, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley also starring. Development began in October 2021, with Schaeffer and Hahn attached, and the series was formally announced the next month. Schaeffer, Rachel Goldberg, and Gandja Monteiro were set as directors in early 2023 ahead of filming, which took place from January to May 2023 at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and in Los Angeles. Cast and crew returned from WandaVision, including the series’ musical team. Several different titles were announced for the series as part of a marketing campaign before the official title of Agatha All Along—referencing the song of the same name from WandaVision—was announced in May 2024. // Agatha All Along premiered on Disney+ on September 18, 2024, and ran for nine episodes until October 30. The series is part of Phase Five of the MCU. It received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its production value, humor, and the cast’s performances, especially those of Hahn, Locke, LuPone, and Plaza.// Three years after being trapped under a magical spell in the town of Westview, New Jersey, at the end of the miniseries WandaVision (2021), the witch Agatha Harkness escapes with the help of a teen who wishes to face the trials of the legendary Witches’ Road. Without her magical powers, Agatha and the teen form a new coven of witches to face the trials, while contending with some of Agatha’s old enemies such as the Salem Seven.]

11:15 – More Interview with Brock Wilbur and Nick Spacek

Today, we welcome Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek of The Pitch. The Annual Pitch “Best Of” Issue hits the streets this Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. We’re talking with Brock & Nick about some of the “Headlines” of 2024. And, Nick is sharing his 10 Favorite Musical Releases of 2024.

Brock Wilbur is the editor-in-chief of The Pitch in Kansas City. Nick Spacek is the music editor of the Pitch.

The Pitch Best Of issue is out. http://www.thepitchkc.com

Top Stories of 2024 from The Pitch “Best of” issue – Our Picks

KC Fringe Festival – Tom Mardikes UMKC Theatre Sound Dept. – Sound Mandala

KC Music Makers: Hembree / The Greeting Committe / Epitome

Brock Wilbur & Nick Spacek, thanks for being with us on WMM.

The Pitch “Best of” Issue is divided between The “Our Picks” section, selected by The Pitch writers, and the “Your Picks” section, where people of KC cast 517,861 votes across 488 categories and 2,900 nominees, selecting their favorite people, restaurants, creators, businesses, and places. The second half of the issue is fully hands-off from our internal team, and no weight was placed on any of the scales. The winners and runners-up in these categories were 1000% picked by the city after rounds of nomination and voting. http://www.thepitchkc.com

11:25

VCMN & Joel Leoj – “Fab (Vmix)” (Nick’s #1)
from: Fab (Vmix) – Single / VCMN Music / September 2, 2024
[VCMN released the single “Fab” on July 26, 2024. VCMN release the single, “Boounce (Remix) [feat. Amira Wang & The Epitome] on August 11, 2023. VCMN released their debut album entitled “The VCMN Project” on Friday, May 13, 2022. VCMN is an American singer-songwriter duo who’s artistry is shaped by way of edgy, alternative R&B, Pop, and Rock. Victoria and Emmanuel “Manny” Cable—aka the “Vic” and “Man” of VCMN. Victoria grew up in the Bethel International Center of Worship church in Kansas City, Kansas, where her father, Cleveland Drone, was a pastor. From the ages of 10-19, she toured across the country singing gospel music. Manny came to performance via a different path: ballet and modern dance. They’ve been working it out with the rhythms and the rhymes for years now. VCMN Project was first birthed into existence when they were still dating; the album was finished after they were married. It all began on their living room sofa. The VCMN Project is just as much a party as it is a beautifully written love story. The 10-track “The VCMN Project” encompasses a song from every top 40 music genre. R&B, Rap, Pop, Alternative Rock, Ballad, Country, Hip Hop, and Dance Pop. VCMN played Lawrence Gay Pride, presented by I Heart Local Music. Fri. June 24, 2022 at Lucia, 1016 Mass with Cuee & Friends. INFOt: http://www.vcmnofficial.com%5D%5D

11:28 – Underwriting

11:30 – Interview with Damron Russel Armstrong

Damron Russel Armstrong, Executive Artistic Director of The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City. Damron is a producer/director/actor who spent his formative years right here in Kansas City. He has worked on most of the stages Kansas City: Unicorn Theatre, The Coterie Theatre, Theatre for Young America, The American Heartland Theatre, The Living Room Theatre, Chestnut Fine Arts Center, New Theatre Restaurant, and Kansas City Actors Theatre. After graduating from Ruskin High School, Damron sought to further his education in New York City. He has performed nationally in A Raisin in the Sun; The Full Monty; Children of Eden; and Dreamgirls, just to name a few. As a Director, his credits include: Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down…A Comedy; Assassins; and Red Hot and Jazz (Piza Festival, Guatemala).

The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City kicks off their 2024/25 Season with, Hip Hop Cinderella, a family-friendly musical that reimagines the classic Cinderella in a futuristic, intergalactic setting. Music & lyrics by Rona Siddiqui, Book by Scott Elmegreen, Story adaptation by Linda Chichester & David Coffman. Hip Hop Cinderella runs Nov. 22 thru December 8 at The GEM Theatre 1615 E 18th St. KCMO. More info at: http://www.brtkc.org

Damron Russel Armstrong thanks for being with us on WMM.

The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City is the premiere home for African American plays and musicals! Come help us celebrate our ninth season of great work.orie

The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City (BRTKC) is a not-for-profit organization designed to impact the Kansas City community. This production company utilizes theatre productions, and educational programming to enhance the contributions made by minorities in our neighborhoods and communities and beyond. Each production has been tasked to give life to the neglected stories, virtually untold in American theatres. In an effort to bridge the gap between the rich realities of black experiences and the incomplete depiction displayed in most media outlets, BRTKC tells the tales of the unsung.

Mission Statement: The mission of The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City is to educate and inspire our community by presenting and promoting appreciation for African-American culture through our stories.

Vision Statement: The vision of The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City is a united community embracing stories of the African-American experience.

The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City 2024/25 Season #9

Hip Hop Cinderella – November 22 through December 8, 2024
The Gem Theatre, 1615 E 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108

Hairspray – February 1 through February 23, 2025
The White Theater at The J, 5801 W 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
(a co-production with The White Theater at the J)

Mahalia A Gospel Musical – March 20 through April 6, 2025 – Location TBA

Thoughts of a Colored Man – May 8 through May 18 – Location TBA

The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City – Board of Directors and Advisors
Tracy E. Jamerson – President
Willard Snyder – Vice President
Kenneth Powell – Treasurer
Jeff Williams – Secretary
Dr. Everlyn Williams – Education Chair
Karen Wright – Community Outreach
Amy Hull – Volunteer Chair
Dr. Chris McCoy – Operations Chair
Damron Armstrong – Executive Artistic Director
Maurice Watson
Pat Jordan
Michelle Wimes
Gayle Krigel
Debby Ballard
Dennis Hennesy
S. Sloane Simmons
Mamie Hughes

info@brtkc.org

About the Young Actor’s Summer Conservatory (YASC) – is a 4-week theatre intensive run by The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, a professional non-profit 501(c)3 theatre based in Jackson County, MO. Under the direction of Damron Russel Armstrong, students will be trained by theatre professionals in drama, dance, music, stagecraft, and African American theatre history. The program culminates in a fully-staged production. Students must be available for the duration of the program. the conservatory runs Monday through Friday from 1 to 6 pm beginning June 3 through the show date of June 28 at 7pm. A limited number of scholarships are available to qualifying students (see Scholarship Request form for more information).

Get in Touch! at 816-663-9966 / PO Box 410294 Kansas City, MO 64141 / info@brtkc.org

Coming in the fall of 2025, the new home for The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City will be Boone Theater, 1701 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108

Damron Russel Armstrong thanks for being with us on WMM

The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City kicks off their 2024/25 Season with, Hip Hop Cinderella, a family-friendly musical that reimagines the classic Cinderella in a futuristic, intergalactic setting. music & lyrics by Rona Siddiqui, Book by Scott Elmegreen, & story adaptation by Linda Chichester & David Coffman. Hip Hop Cinderella runs November 22 through December 8 at The GEM Theatre 1615 E 18th St. KCMO. Tickets and More informational: http://www.brtkc.org

11:51 – Tribute to Quincy Jones

On Sunday, November 2, 2024 we lost a legend. Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (March 14, 1933 – November 3, 2024) was an American record producer, composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter, and bandleader. Over the course of his seven-decade career, he received many accolades including 28 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for seven Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.

Jones came to prominence in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor before producing pop hit records for Lesley Gore in the early 1960s (including “It’s My Party”) and serving as an arranger and conductor for several collaborations between Frank Sinatra and the jazz artist Count Basie. Jones produced three of the most successful albums by pop star Michael Jackson: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987). In 1985, Jones produced and conducted the charity song “We Are the World”, which raised funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.

Jones composed numerous films scores including for The Pawnbroker (1965), In the Heat of the Night (1967), In Cold Blood (1967), The Italian Job (1969), The Wiz (1978), and The Color Purple (1985). He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series for the miniseries Roots (1977). He received a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical as a producer for the revival of The Color Purple (2016).

Throughout his career he was the recipient of numerous honorary awards including the Grammy Legend Award in 1992, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2001, the National Medal of the Arts in 2011, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2014, and the Academy Honorary Award in June 2024. He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time.

Thank you all for listening For WMM I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:54

Quincy Jones – “Stuff Like That”
from: Sounds…and Stuff Like That / A & M / 1978
[Sounds…and Stuff Like That!! is a 1978 studio album by Quincy Jones. // “Stuff Like That” (Quincy Jones, Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford, Eric Gale, Steve Gadd, Richard Tee, Ralph MacDonald) Vocalists: Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Chaka Khan Alto sax solo: George Young.]

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

On The Next Show! – Next week on Wednesday, November 20 we welcome back Michelle Bacon, Content Manager at 90.9 The Bridge, where she helps to shine a light on area musicians and events. Michelle Bacon joins us to share her Favorite Musical Recordings of 2024.

Thank you to all who have donated during our two Fall Fund Drive Show on Wednesday MidDay Medley and our WMM Facebook Fundraiser, we received donations from 46 individuals who donated a total of $3436.00. That is 97% of our ambitious goal, I call that a success!!!

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

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Show #1069