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

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

WMM presents Til Willis, Heather Pontonio, José Faus, Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman, Chico Sierra, Kevin King & Zo E. Schmidt

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

2. REVISER – “CELESTINE”
   from: “CELESTINE” – Single / TEVISER / February 28, 2025
   Calling to mind classic 80’s bands such as Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, and Killing Joke, REVISER sounds complimentary to such contemporaries as Actors, Soft Kill, and Drab Majesty. REVISER collects and redirects its familiar influences into something both familiar and foreign, a sound that is dark, deep, and danceable. Dedric Moore on keyboards and Krysztof Nemeth on vocals and baritone guitar, with newest member Breaka Dawn (of The Bad Ideas) singing with Krysztof. This is the 4th single form REVISER who released “DARKSIDERS” on October 18, 2024, and “ASSASINS” and “BURN IT OUT” on March 15, 2024. REVISOR is a continuation of the musical collaboration from Static Phantoms, Religion of Heartbreak (with Mikal Shapiro) and Monta At Odds.

3. Eddie Moore – “In The Kitchen”
   from: What Makes Us / Eddie Moore Music / March 25, 2024
   [“In the Kitchen” features: Eddie Moore on piano, Bass, & Rhoades; Jaylen Ward on drums; Ben Tervort on bass, Isaiah Petrie on vibes. Written & Produced by Eddie Moore(Emoremyz BMI). Executive Producer – Eddie Moore, Co-Producer- Dan Israel. Mixed By- Eddie Moore. Mastered By Crayge Lindesay. Recorded at First Run Studios engineered by Dan Israel // When you speak to Eddie Moore you find an ocean of calm, and when you listen to Eddie Moore you find the depth of that ocean. Moore reaches from the soul with every note, in a deep way, with a tension just below the surface. His yearning for exploration and curiosity in music contribute to an ebb and flow freedom of expression. // On March 5, 2024 Eddie Moore released the EP Aperture (Live Piano Works) through Eddie Moore Music. // On April 20, 2023 Eddie Moore released the single “Tsunami” Recorded & produced at Moore’s Tribe Studios, the song features Jaylen Ward on drums. Mixed & mastered by veteran KC savant Crayge Lindesay. // Eddie Moore released his critically acclaimed album INTUITION on Oct. 28, 2022. Written & Produced by Eddie Moore. Recorded at Tribe Studios. Featuring Tim Ogutu on guitar. Mix & Mastered by Rick Carson at Make Believe Studios. Album Art by Brandon Wilson. // Eddie Moore released the single, “Love Song” (with Joel Castillo & Bree Cummings) on Oct. 22, 2021. // We The People released the single, “Single Double” on June 10, 2021. Written & Produced By Eddie Moore on keyboards, key bass, & programming; Zach Morrow on drums; and Jason Emmond on bass. // Eddie Moore’s band We The People released their album MISUNDERSTOOD on Sept. 25, 2020. // Eddie Moore is the recipient of the 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performance Award for his genre bending collaborations. Raised in Houston Texas, he began his musical journey at Texas Southern University where he later earned a Bachelors in Arts and immersed himself in the Houston music scene. Eddie relocated to KC to study under Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri-KC where he received a M.A in Jazz Studies. He was 2017’s Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art “Artist in Residence” in collaboration with Rashid Johnson. In 2018 his work with The Outer Circle was nominated for an Indie Music Award for “007”. His music has been featured commercially for Sprint, Netflix’s “Queer Eye”, and Morgan Cooper’s short film “Room Tone”. Moore has shared the stage and recordings with Bobby Watson, Logan Richardson, Maurice Brown, Boys II Men, Brian Blade and the Fellowship, John Baptiste, Erykah Badu, Mosdef, Bilal, Ledisi, Chantae Cann, Krystal Warren, Matt Otto, Brandon Draper, Andre Hayward, Tivon Pennicott, Various Blonde, Dominique Sanders, 77 Jefferson, and the Marcus Lewis Big Band. Eddie Moore joined WMM on Sept. 23, 2020 and Nov. 23, 2022. More info at http://www.eddiemooremusic.com]

[The Eddie Moore Trio plays The Majestic, 931 Broadway, KCMO, Thursday, April 10, at 6:00pm]

4. Ivory Blue – “Heartbeat”
   from: “Heartbeat” – Single / IVORY BLUE / March 28, 2025
   [For “HEARTBEAT” IVORY writes, “is about letting things be when there seems to be no way to change the outcome of something that happened in our life. Sometimes, things happen without an apparent reason. Other times it’s a blessing in disguise and time will tell if it was worth the pain we felt going through it.” // IVORY BLUE released the single “Rhythm of the Radio” on January 31, 2025 // IVORY BLUE released the single “Exiled” on November 29, 2024. IVORY BLUE released the single “Olé!” on October 4, 2024, Breathing Underwater” on August 9, 2024, “Bad Dreams”on June 7, 2024, “Batter Up” on April 22, 2024, “Flashback” on March 15, 2024, “Howl” on Feb. 16, 2024. // IVORY BLUE released their 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023. The 10-track album was in the top five of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023, and in the “Best of” lists at 90.9 The Bridge and stations around the world. // On Oct. 27, 2023 IVORY BLUE released the single “Ghost of Life.” This single followed IVORY’s previous releases,”In A World Like This” from Sept. 22, 2023, ”The Best of Life” from Aug. 4, 2023 and “Control” from May 26, 2023. IVORY released the single “All Outta Love” on Feb. 24, 2023. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Starlit Love Child” on Oct. 28, 2022, “Red Light” on July 29, 2022. // IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on Feb. 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top 10 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. For COMPOUND LOVE, IVORY BLUE served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. // IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017 when Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. // IVORY BLUE has played with The Band That Fell to Earth, Boulevardia, Crossroads Music Festival, The Middle of the Map Fest, The Westport Roots Festival, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at KC Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. In 2011, Ivory settled in the Kansas City, MO area. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”, and then later as Trans-Female. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com]

5. My Oh My – “Face in the Crowd (Live)”
   from: Live At The Library / My Oh My / April 11, 2025.
   [A.M. Merker on vocals & guitar, Grant Buell on keyboards, Jacob Horpinjuk on drums, Justin Rogers on bass, Melissa Geffert on vocals, Sarah Wittman on vocals, and Stephen Berry on guitar. // Recorded live at Union Library, Kansas City, MO, September 9, 2023 // Recorded, mixed, and edited by Paul Malinowski @ Massive Sound, Shawnee, KS. Mastered by Mike Nolte ® Eureka Mastering, Kansas City, KS. Photography by Betsy Gretzinger Vida. Videography by Jack McClain @ Circle M Films. All songs A.M. Merker / My Oh My, except “Superstar” (Leon Russell, Bonnie Bramlett, Skyhill Publishing/Delbon Publishing, BMI) © 2025 All rights reserved // myohmykc.com // My Oh My released the singles: “Working on Assumptions” / “I Just Don’t Understand” on November 11, 2022. // My Oh My released the 10-song album ThHE WAR OUTSIDE on May 19, 2018 // My Oh My released the single “Christmastime, 2016” on December 16, 2016 // My Oh My released the 6-track EP, WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY on December 12, 2015. // My Oh My released the 9-track debut album, YOUR HEART NOT MINE on March 14, 2014.]

[My Oh My play an Album Release Matinee Show on Friday, April 11, at 6:00pm at The Ship 1221 Union Ave. KCMO in the West Bottoms.]

6. the easterday band – “Smothered (Live)”
   from: live recordings of Scott Easterday: 35 Years / Recorded August 4, 2024 / Unreleased
   [Scott Easterday: 35 Years – celebrating Scott’s 35 years as a singer, songwriter and performer, from Sunday, August 4, at the recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO. This retrospective concert featured 11 other musicians who have performed with Scott over the years. There were 3 main acts for the evening that will include songs from Expassionates, the easterday band, and more. Featured in the show were Mark Accuff, Elaine McMilian, Jon Niccum of the original Easterday band with Richard Alwyn. Also in the show were Marco Pascolini, Richard Burgess, and Sam Platt of (the latter day) Expassionates. And also in the also were: Kyle Dahlquist, Bryan Hicks, Nate Hofer, and Matt Richey. // Originally released on the album: Easterday 1993-1995 from Scott Easterday in 2004. The easterday band featuring Scott Easterday on lead vocals and guitar, Elaine McMilian on vocals, Jon Niccum on bass and Mark Acuff on drums. The band was active from 1993-1995. The album was recorded at Red House Studios by Ed Rose and released in 2004. They have had a couple reunions since then and are taking advantage of this occasion to have another. Mark plays drums in Promise Breakers. Jon was the creator of The Worst Gig [worstgig.com] and Elaine just published her first book of poetry, Copper and Other Precious Metals. ]

[Easterday play The Black Box 1060 Union Ave. KCMO in West Bottoms on Fri, April 11, at 6:30pm]

7. Krystle Warren & The Faculty – “Empty Chairs”
   from: Extended Play / Parlour Door Music / November 1, 2024
   [Krystle Warren & The Faculty are: Krystle Warren, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Mike Riddleberger, and Jonathan Anderson. Following their double album LOVE SONGS (2012) Krystle Warren & The Faculty were involved in many musical projects. Krystle Warren & The Faculty, released the single “Macca” on May 22, 2023. They released and their single “Rising” released May 31, 2019, and written especially for Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed television mini series WHEN THEY SEE US. When Covid delayed the upcoming release of Extended Play, Krystle and members of The Faculty along with some of their frequent collaborators formed The Crew to release the 4-song CREW EP on September 15, 2020. Through isolation came unity. The Crew was made up of: Lakecia Benjamin, Matthew Silberman, Jacob Snider, Joe Blaxx, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Cassorla, Krystle Warren, and Ben Kane. They recorded unique versions of classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of The Moment: the movement of the people. // In the lockdown of their homes, they sewed together their interpretations of “Bein’ Green” (based upon Ray Charles’ rendition); “Gimme Some Truth” (a mighty John Lennon composition); “Dear Landlord” (a scathing indictment from the blistering pen of Bob Dylan); and “Rhythm of Life”, (a timeless statement originally performed by Oleta Adams). // A portion of the proceeds from The Crew. EP were donated to the various causes and organizations // // The Faculty was formed with Krystle Warren, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Mike Riddleberger, and Dave Moore. While the four boys had classes and gigs, Krystle floated around New York and made a lot of friends. She busked and wrote songs, and, with the help of her band members and Ben Kane, who had an internship at Electric Lady Studios and was sneaking them in at odd hours, Krystle turned those songs into an e.p. called Diary. // Diary led to Circles, which Ben Kane co-produced with Voodoo engineer Russell “The Dragon” Elevado. Circles was bought by Because Music in France, but Krystle still recorded Love Songs in New York, a double album that invokes a Blakean duality with its two subtitles, ‘A Time to Refrain from Embracing’ and ‘A Time You May Embrace’. // Love Songs​ was produced with most of the Faculty (Zach was on tour with Amos Lee) and a slew of guest musicians in Brian Bender’s Brooklyn studio, The Motherbrain. Bender’s assistant, Jonathan Anderson, would later go on to replace Dave Moore on keys. // The Faculty has always been a tenuous project for everyone involved because of the distance and the schedules. While everyone remains close friends, the band members are spread across the globe. Krystle in France. Riddleberger in New York and Zach in Woodstock. Jonathan in Los Angeles. And then they are all working musicians, touring, recording, and collaborating with an impressive list of artists. Musicians like, in no particular order: D’Angelo, Hercules and Love Affair, Donald Fagen and the Nightfliers, Joan As Police Woman, Jonathan Wilson, Emily King, Janet Jackson, Ron Sexsmith, Amy Helm, Taylor Swift, Rufus Wainwright, Natalie Merchant, Graham Nash, The Knights, Bleachers, Emmylou Harris, Amos Lee, Mayra Andrade, Lana Del Rey, Broken Social Scene, Teddy Thompson, Lakecia Benjamin, and honestly that’s less than the half of it. // So they have been busy, and they have gained a lot of experience since the days of sneaking into ElectricLady late night or playing for meager pay and free wine at an East Village Italian resto. And while Diary, Circles, and Love Songs​ were recorded with everyone in the same room (​Three the Hard Way, Krystle’s solo album, was pared down to her and Kane collectively), Extended Play​ was recorded disparately and assembled together by the steady hands and ears of Kane and Krystle. There is distance between the musicians in the recording process, but there is still a close emotional connection that can be heard in these songs. // The songs that make up ​Extended Play​ are songs of experience—the lyrics reflect on a crush from high school, a departed musical hero, and others who live in memory. There is nostalgia in Extended Play, and a forlornness. // Krystle describes “When I Look Back,” the last song of the album, as “an apology to my teenage self.” Twenty years ago she was writing songs about what happened day-of because being young is about immediacy and living in the present tense. Now the songs are about years past because life slows down, and we are allowed the time to “look back.”// But as Krystle sings in “Rising,” “Future lingers while past is present.” She’s writing about the past because we are all our collected histories—or as she puts it in “When I Look Back”: “there’s still something of her that stays.” The future, of course, still lingers, always there waiting for us, for the next move. The album ends with a recording of Audre Lorde’s gravelly voice. She says, // I’m going on to something else, the shape of which, I have no idea. ‘Only thing I know is, it’s going to be quite different. What I leave behind has a life of its own – I’ve said this about poetry … Well in a sense, I’m saying it about the very artifact of who I have been. // Krystle Warren & The Faculty still have more to come. They have built twenty years of memories, experiences, recordings, and shows, and with the release of Extended Play,​ they continue to show a commitment to growing as musicians together, even if apart. The Extended Play bio written by Phil Anderson]

10:29 – Underwriting

8. Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy – “Lost”
   from: “Lost” – Single / Til Willis / February 27, 2025
   [3rd single from the upcoming album, Glass Cactus. Written by Til Willis Til Willis on vocals & guitar; Bradley McKellip on guitar & backup vocals; Eric Binkley on bass; and Austin Sinkler on drums. Steve Faceman on backup vocals. // Til Willis, born in the heat of 1980, has been making music for a long time. Currently, when not performing solo, he makes noise with Erratic Cowboy. The style of music is lyric driven rock, that draws influence from many sources. Some have described it as Tin-Roof-Rain-Water-Bop. In his years of touring the country, Til has had the pleasure to perform with such notable talents as Pete Seeger.]

[Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy play an Album Release Show, Saturday, April 12, at 7:00PM at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS with Sunflower Ordnance Works.]

10:35 – Interview with Til Willis

Til Willis was born in the heat of 1980, has been making music for a long time. The style of music is lyric driven rock, that draws influence from many sources. Some have described it as Tin-Roof-Rain-Water-Bop. Til Willis joins us to share details about his band Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy and their new album Glass Cactus. Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy play an Album Release Show, Saturday, April 12, at 7:00PM at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS with Sunflower Ordnance Works.

Til Willis Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The last album from Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy was Grinding of The Stars, released Nov. 4, 2022 tand recorded in a 122 year old barn. With Til Willis on guitars & vocals; Eric Binkley on bass, and Austin Sinkler on drums/ Recorded/Mixed/Produced by Til Willis. Mastered by John Hruska.

Recorded in The Barn in Tecumseh, Kansas. Mixed in The Cabin in Ouray, Colorado, and at 1509 Recording Service in Lawrence, Kansas.

Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy is:
Til Willis on vocals & guitar
Bradley McKellip on guitar & backup vocals
Eric Binkley on bass
Austin Sinkler on drums.

With Steve Faceman on backup vocals for “Lost.
With Chance Dibben on Sonic Manipulations on Homecoming, Recovering Sunday, Natural Law
With Nate Holt on keyboards for: Ten Miles of Days, Horizon, Smells Like Honey, Recovering Sunday

10:43

9. Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy – “Ten Miles of Days”
   from: Glass Cactus / Til Willis / March 27, 2025
   [Til Willis on vocals, guitar, percussion, mixing, & production; Bradley McKellip om guitars & lap steel; Eric Binkley on bass, and Austin Sinkler on grums with Nate Holt on keyboards for: Ten Miles of Days, Horizon, Smells Like Honey, Recovering Sunday; Chance Dibben on Sonic Manipulations on Homecoming, Recovering Sunday, Natural Law; and Steve Faceman on backup vocals on Lost. Recorded in The Barn in Tecumseh, Kansas. Mixed in The Cabin in Ouray, Colorado, and at 1509 Recording Service in Lawrence, Kansas. // Til Willis, born in the heat of 1980, has been making music for a long time. Currently, when not performing solo, he makes noise with Erratic Cowboy.]

[Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy play an Album Release Show, Saturday, April 12, at 7:00PM at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS with Sunflower Ordnance Works.]

10:46 – More Interview with Til Willis

Til Willis began performing in 1992, at the remarkable age of just twelve. Since then, he’s produced an expansive catalog of music, including fifteen studio albums, two live albums, and five EPs. Til’s bandmates, known as Erratic Cowboy, both compliment and enhance Til’s well-seasoned songwriting, and have added their own dynamic energy to his albums and live shows since 2012.

Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy play an Album Release Show, Saturday, April 12, at 7:00PM at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS with Sunflower Ordnance Works.

Til Willis Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Til has headlined his own shows, and opened for such notable acts as Jesse Robinson, The Subdudes, Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos, Fainting Goats, and Pete Seeger.

Glass Cactus was recorded in The Barn in Tecumseh, KS. Mixed in The Cabin in Ouray, Colorado, and at 1509 Recording Service in Lawrence. Cover art by David Huddleston

Til and the boys perform frequently at favorite venues: recordbar and The Brick in KC, and Replay Lounge, Kaw Valley Public House and The Bottleneck in Lawrence.

There are people who write songs, and then there are songwriters… people who write simply because they have no other choice, poets in denim who wonder if they’re poetic at all. It’s talk of fire, and the breath of storms passed that stirs the echoes of longing to express one’s self…Til Willis came along after the birth of rock and roll, but before the setting of the sun in the home state of Elvis. A state that as John Magnie says, “Eats the roots of American music.” And, out of this climate Til strode with the confident swagger of a man possessed with the desire to be a songwriter.

Growing up on rock & roll made during a time when “rock & roll” mattered, and it wasn’t about fashion & packaging, Til strives to deliver substance in his own orchard of sound.

A listen to any of his albums, The Thought I Had, Shadow of the Future, Lovesick, Crimson Wind, or Cindershine confirms this level of commitment. It’s not bubblegum pop, or mindless distortion. This is American Rock, and Til has brought it to life on stages from Mississippi to California, Colorado to Oklahoma.

He has composed scores for plays by playwright Steve Goode, and student films made at the University of Colorado. He has produced albums for artists like Drew Fowler, in addition to producing all of his own recordings.

In short Til Willis is an energetic young singer/songwriter with a voice that thunders, and a musical passion and vision that screams the haunted howl of hellhounds down a dusty road. Rock and Roll is freedom, and Til exercises his daily.

CEO at Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy
Studied at Colorado State University
Lives in Lawrence, Kansas // From Ouray, Colorado
Married to Stephanie Willism, Daughter: Mahalia, Dog: Twyla

Til Willis Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy play an Album Release Show, Saturday, April 12, at 7:00PM at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS with Sunflower Ordnance Works.

10:45

0. Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy – “Horizon Before Us to Love”
   from: Glass Cactus / Til Willis / March 27, 2025
   [Til Willis on vocals, guitar, percussion, mixing, & production; Bradley McKellip om guitars & lap steel; Eric Binkley on bass, and Austin Sinkler on grums with Nate Holt on keyboards for: Ten Miles of Days, Horizon, Smells Like Honey, Recovering Sunday; Chance Dibben on Sonic Manipulations on Homecoming, Recovering Sunday, Natural Law; and Steve Faceman on backup vocals on Lost. Recorded in The Barn in Tecumseh, Kansas. Mixed in The Cabin in Ouray, Colorado, and at 1509 Recording Service in Lawrence, Kansas. // Til Willis, born in the heat of 1980, has been making music for a long time. Currently, when not performing solo, he makes noise with Erratic Cowboy. The style of music is lyric driven rock, that draws influence from many sources. Some have described it as Tin-Roof-Rain-Water-Bop. In his years of touring the country, Til has had the pleasure to perform with such notable talents as Pete Seeger.]

[Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy play an Album Release Show, Saturday, April 12, at 7:00PM at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS with Sunflower Ordnance Works.]

11:00 – Station ID

11:00 – Interview with Heather Pontonio, José Faus, Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman, and Chico Sierra

Heather Pontonio has a master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She serves on the board of VIA Collaborative Arts and Research Advisory Board for the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP).

Heather is the Senior Program Director at the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation where she is responsible for national strategy and administration of the Art Program portfolio focused on professional practices for both artists and curators. In her 13 years at the Foundation, she has expanded the curatorial portfolio from a single program (the Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award) to a suite of programs that support dozens of curators and been instrumental in the launch of Artists Thrive, a national tool to assess and improve conditions for artists across the country.

Heather joins us to share details about the ARTISTS THRIVE 2025 Summit in Kansas City, on May 6-8. The 2025 summit venue has been provided with generous support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, with lead local partner Mid-America Arts Alliance and Charlotte Street Foundation. Artists, arts leaders, educators, and funders can expand their creative circle. This unique event offers a powerful networking hub, connecting art communities with passionate colleagues from across the country. For more information on the 2025 Artists Thrive Summit you can visit: http://www.artiststhrive.org

Heather Thanks for being with us on the radio.

Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation is based in New Haven, Connecticut, but you are calling us from Montana, through your work for the foundation you travel all over the country.

2025 Artists Thrive Summit May 6-8 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Mid-America Arts Alliance and Charlotte Street Foundation

Also Joining us in the conversation is José Faus – writer, performer, visual artist, and independent teacher/mentor with an interest in the role of artists as creative catalysts for community building. He is a co-founder of the Latino Writers Collective. His writings have appeared in many anthologies and journals. His chapbook, This Town Like That was released by Spartan Press. The Life and Times of Jose Calderon was published by West 39 Press. His children’s book, Possum Trot was published by La Resistencia Press. More info at: http://www.artistinc.art/facilitator/jose-faus/

José Faus Thanks for being with us on the radio.

Also joining us is Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman (she/her) is a theatre artist dedicated to making the arts truly accessible. Since graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in 2012, she has made KC her home and has worked at several area not-for-profit companies. She received her Master of Arts in Theatre from the University of Missouri-KC and is a faculty member at Benedictine College where she teaches theatre courses. She has also taught for KCK Community College at the Fort Leavenworth correctional facilities. // As a director & administrator, Elizabeth has worked at such companies as the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, and KC Fringe. Through her work in theatre education & outreach, Elizabeth was inspired to create a theatre which reaches all corners of the diverse KC community. By producing free professional theatre, Elizabeth hopes to foster the creativity of our citizens and explore the truly global nature of the KC region. http://www.kcpublictheatre.org

Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman Thanks for being with us on the radio.

Also joining us is visual artist and muralist Chico Sierra, originally from El Paso Texax. Having relocated from his familial homeland, Chico attempts to connect the dots of his cultural history and create new stories based around humanism, class structures and social justice. Influenced by his interests in spiritual iconography he is attempting to create new narratives using symbolism that has been previously clouded by colonialism and more recently appropriated by euro-centric new age spiritualism. Chico’s work has been shown at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, the Nelson Atkins Museum Day of the Dead exhibit, Mattie Rhodes, Union Station, and InterUrban ArtHouse. More info at: http://www.chicosierra.com

Chico Sierra, Thanks for being with us on the radio.

Chris Dahlquist, José Faus, Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman, Chico Sierra are part of a Plenary Session: Lay of the Land: An Overview of the Arts in KC – Tuesday, May 6, 5-6pm. This session is designed to ground all Summit attendees into the Kansas City art scene.

Chris Dahlquist will cover Historic KC: 18th and Vine // Hallmark // Walt Disney – Laugh-O-Gram // Union Station // Downtown Airport // Nelson-Atkins // Folly Theatre // Midland Theatre
…and bring it into the Contemporary: Charlotte St Foundation // Belger Crane Yard // Zhou B Art Center // Crossroads // Kaufman Performing Arts Center

Elizabeth Bowman of KC Public Theatre will cover the: Spencer Theatre on UMKC’s Campus // Copaken Stage (Power & Light district) // Unicorn Theatre // Coterie Theatre // Musical Theatre Heritage in Crown Center // The Black Box // Just Off Broadway // The Arts Asylum // White Theatre // City Stage in Union Station // Warwick Theater // The Gem Theatre // Quality Hill Playhouse // Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center // Martin City Melodrama // The New Theatre // Stern Black Box Theatre at Charlotte Street Found

Artist-Thrive will include tours and interactive experiences include InterUrban ArtHouse in Overland Park, Englewood Arts Center in Independence, Charlotte Street in Kansas City, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College.

Learning Journeys:
Airport
InterUrban Arts
Englewood Arts
Nerman Museum at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park
Charlotte Street (also dinner on Wed)

Other locations
Main hotel: Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza
Dinner Tuesday: Crossroads – Jack Stack and Lidia’s
Dinner Thursday: Food truck event at Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park, 1123 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106

Partners
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Arts KC
Kauffman Foundation Conference Center
KCAI
Belger Arts

Artists, arts leaders, educators, and funders from across the United States are invited to expand their creative circle at the annual 2025 Artists Thrive Summit in Kansas City, Missouri, May 6–8, 2025.

This event offers a powerful networking hub to help connect attendees with passionate colleagues from across the region and country. As part of the Summit, Artists Thrive has partnered with Kansas City organizations to craft regional experiences, including tours to cultural venues embedded in the community.

Attendees will spark collaborations, share best practices, and find inspiration alongside a diverse group of individuals who share a similar dedication to the arts. The Summit’s flexible format ensures everyone—introverts, extroverts, seasoned professionals, or those new to the field—can make lasting
connections.

Artists Thrive aims to raise the value of artists in every community. Artists Thrive is a growing initiative offering activities, practices, language, visions and values of what it means to succeed and thrive as an artist – and what it means to have a thriving arts sector and, eventually, thriving communities. It is a set of interconnected and holistic resources that can guide us in improving our performance and, ultimately, the conditions in which artists can thrive. Artists Thrive is funded by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.

Heather Pontonio, José Faus, Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman, Chico Sierra thanks or being on WMM

ARTISTS THRIVE 2025 Summit in Kansas City, on May 6-8. The 2025 summit venue has been provided with generous support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, with lead local partner Mid-America Arts Alliance and Charlotte Street Foundation. Artists, arts leaders, educators, and funders can expand their creative circle. This unique event offers a powerful networking hub, connecting art communities with passionate colleagues from across the country. For more information on the 2025 Artists Thrive Summit you can visit: http://www.artiststhrive.org

11:25

11. Helen Gillet – Vautour”
    from: Helkiase / Helen Gillet / July 6, 2018
    [Originally from Leuven, Belgium and now based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Globe Trotting, multi-faceted, jazz-based cellist, singer, composer and improviser Helen Gillet is a “mixed bag” of musical influence. Downbeat Magazine recently nominated her a Rising Star in the 61st Annual Critic’s Poll. She believes music to be an expression of the honest human condition; performing an eclectic mix of French pop, Avant Garde Jazz, North Indian, Folk and Classical styles. Helen Gillet’s 2018 solo album is Inspired by Helkiase, a cure-all medicine invented by the nuns of Notre Dame à la Rose hospital in Lessines, Belgium. (The hospital was one of Europe’s longest continually operating hospitals founded in XIII’s century). Gillet’s latest music deals with the more recent personal layers of complicated grief and finding new strength, sense of humor and inspiration. This recording captures the current spirit of Gillet’s live performance and features her newest original songs “Slow Drag Pavageau” written about legendary dancer and New Orleans bassist Alcide Pavageau, as well as “You Found Me,” “Skin,” and “Vautour,”song inspired by Israeili composer and artist Naama Tsabar. All songs are performed by Helen Gillet using a Boss RC50 Loop station and mainly cello and voice. Tracks 7 “Tonnerre” and 4 “Helkiase” use a Moog Sub Fatty synthesizer and vinyl scratching of a famous 1940 General de Gaulle speech. Live studio sessions and evening concerts recorded by Andrew “Goat” Gilchrist at the House of 1Hz on March 8th and 9th 2018 in New Orleans, LA. Mastered by Bruce Barielle.]

[Owen / Cox Dance Group presents SKIN with Helen Gillet on Saturday, April 12, at 8:00pm at The Folly Theater, 300 West 12th Street, KCMO. -Critically acclaimed collaboration with New Orleans-based cellist, vocalist, live looping artist and composer Helen Gillet. Skin features original music by Gillet and choreography by Jennifer Owen, performed live by Gillet, Brad Cox, and the captivating dancers of Owen/Cox Dance Group. Skin will be performed live for one night only]

[“Skin”originally made its World premiered April 1 and 2, April 3 at 2:00 PM, at City Stage Theatre, Union Station,KCMO choreography by Jennifer Owen and musician Brad Cox in collaboration with New Orleans-based cellist Helen Gillet. Owen/Cox Dance Group is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation. More info at: http://www.owencoxdance.org]

12. Anaǐs Mitchell – “Flowers (Eurydice’s Song)”
    from: Hadestown / Righteous Babe Records / March 9, 2018
    [Hadestown is the fourth studio album by American folk singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, and was released by Righteous Babe Records on March 9, 2010. The concept album, which became the basis for the stage musical of the same name, follows a variation on the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus must embark on a quest to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. It has been advertised as a “folk opera”. Several of the songs feature singers other than Mitchell, including Justin Vernon, Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown, Ben Knox Miller, and The Haden Triplets (Tanya, Petra and Rachel Haden). The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package in the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. // Between 2006 and 2007, Mitchell staged performances of Hadestown, a musical based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Unsure what lay ahead for the stage musical, she decided to turn it into a concept album. Raising a few thousand dollars by emailing her fan base and asking them to pitch in for shirts and other merchandise, Mitchell worked on the album for over a year. // The album features orchestral arrangements by Michael Chorney, who had worked with Mitchell’s recordings since her album Hymns for the Exiled in 2004. //Within the narrative of the album, the part of Orpheus is played by Vernon; Persephone by DiFranco; Hades by Greg Brown; The Fates by Tanya, Petra and Rachel Haden; Hermes by Ben Knox Miller; and Eurydice by Mitchell. While most of the recording was produced by Todd Sickafoose at Brooklyn Recording Studio in New York City, the lead vocals were often produced elsewhere in the United States. The album encompasses a variety of American roots music forms, including folk, indie folk, country, blues, ragtime, gospel, rock, swing, and avant-garde. // Anaïs Mitchell was born March 26, 1981. She is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and playwright. Mitchell has released eight studio albums, including Hadestown (2010), Young Man in America (2012), Child Ballads (2013), and Anaïs Mitchell (2022). // She developed her album Hadestown into a stage musical (together with director Rachel Chavkin), which received its US debut at New York Theatre Workshop in summer 2016, and its Canadian debut at the Citadel Theatre, Edmonton the following year. The show opened at London’s National Theatre in November 2018 and then on Broadway on April 17, 2019, at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The Broadway production of Hadestown won eight Tony Awards in 2019 including the Tony Award for Best Musical. Mitchell received the Tony Award for Best Original Score; she was also nominated for Best Book of a Musical. The Broadway cast album of the show took home the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2020. Mitchell’s first book, Working on a Song: The Lyrics of Hadestown, was published by Plume Books on October 6, 2020. Mitchell was included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020. // Mitchell is a member of the band Bonny Light Horseman, whose self-titled debut was released in 2020. The band’s second album, “Golden Rolling Holy”, was released in 2022, followed by “Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free” in 2024. // Mitchell’s father, a novelist and college professor, named her after author Anaïs Nin. She grew up on Treleven farm in Addison County, Vermont and graduated from Mount Abraham Union High School. She was raised Quaker. Her mother was Deputy Secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Human Services. After traveling to the Middle East, Europe and Latin America as a child, she attended Middlebury College, where she majored in political science and graduated in 2004.]

[The Broadway National Tour of Hadestown plays The Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence Kansas, this Monday, April 14 at 7:30pm]

11:32 – Underwriting

11:33 – Interview with Kevin King & Zo E. Schmidt – Whim Productions

Kevin King is originally from Topeka, Kansas. He studied at The University of Kansas, In 2011 Kevin founded Whim Productions where he serves as Producing Artistic Director of Whim Productions. He is a queer playwright based in KCMO and is a playwright-in-residence at the Midwest Dramatists Center, former playwright-in-residence in the Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Residency program, and a member of the Dramatists Guild. His short play The Swallows was selected for the 2019 William Inge Theater Festival New Play Lab.

King’s work has also appeared in the Kansas City Fringe Festival, Alphabet Soup: Theater from Queer Voices (Whim Productions, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019,2020), The Barn Players’ 6×10 Short Play festival (2018, 2019), Midwest Dramatists Conference (2018, 2019), One-Minute Play Festival (2016), Fishtank Theater’s 12 Plays of Christmas (2014), and other festivals. His work ranges from campy to slice-of-life realism, portrayed through a quirky, queer lens. Kevin also works as an intimacy coach.

Kevin King joins us to share details about Whim Production’s annual flagship event, Alphabet Soup: Theater from Queer Voices an evening of six short plays written by Kansas City-area LGBTQ writers. Running through April 13, 2025, at Whim Space, 415 Prospect Ave, KCMO, in historic Pendleton Heights. For info visit: http://www.whimproductions.org.

Kevin King and Zo E. Schmidt welcome to Wednesday MidDay Medley

Whim Productions’ Alphabet Soup: Theater from Queer Voices returns to Whim Space from April 4-13. Alphabet Soup, Whim’s annual flagship production, is an evening of six short plays written by Kansas City-area LGBTQ writers.

Alphabet Soup debuted in 2015 as part of the Kansas City Fringe Festival and now returns for its ninth iteration.

“We’re so excited to bring back Alphabet Soup for a 9th year!” said Kevin King, Whim’s producing artistic director. “The six plays we’re presenting are a great mix of over-the-top narratives and very grounded drama. We can’t wait to share these with audiences!”

The selected playwrights participate in private workshops facilitated by Kevin King, Whim’s Producing Artistic Director. This allows the plays to develop and builds a community among the writers. The workshops have given production opportunities to people who had never had a production before. In fact, some of the selected playwrights had never written a play prior to being involved in Soup.

This year’s short plays are:

The High Who Spied Me by John Adams (he/him): A top-secret agent is sent to America to retrieve a stolen nuclear missile — but finds something even more explosive.

Pride and Precipice by Camilo Fontecilla (he/him): A mountain hike tests all the limits of Willow and Bree’s relationship.

Futureproof by Courtney Honors (they/her): Only hours after meeting, two women — one a serial monogamist and the other a doomsday prepper — rush into a relationship and try to make it work despite the looming threat of an armageddon.

The Space Where We Met by Kevin King (he/him): On the eve of their 10-year high school reunion, Charlie and Melissa have surprising realizations about each other. Turns out, ten years can change everything, including what you think you know.

Oversteeped Tea by B. Michael McFarland (he/him): What are the consequences of our actions? An estranged brother and sister find out over afternoon tea.

All the Stars in Cygnus by Zo E. Schmidt (they/them): Love and mortality collide in this poignant farewell as Val grapples with Kitty’s refusal to embrace eternity.

All plays are presented at every performance.

Alphabet Soup isn’t just a presentation of plays. Built into it is a script development process that builds the skills of the participating playwrights and strengthens the selected plays. King said that the workshops have paid dividends, both for Whim and the playwrights. Several plays that were developed in Alphabet Soup have been presented across the country. This summer, Kevin King & John Adams will present plays developed by Alphabet Soup at the Valdez Theatre Conference. David Whitner’s play “Tickle Monster, ” from the 2024 festival, will be published by Smith & Kraus in an anthology.

Tickets are available online at http://www.whimproductions.org and at the door.

VENUE: Whim Space – 415 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, 64124

DATES & TIMES:
Fri. Apr 4th, 7:30 pm
Sat. Apr 5th, 7:30 pm
Sun. Apr 6th, 3:00 pm
Mon. Apr 7th, 7:30 pm
Fri. Apr 11th, 7:30 pm
Sat. Apr 12th, 7:30 pm
Sun. Apr 13th, 3:00 pm

Doors open 30 min. before show. There is no admission 10 minutes after show starts.

Whim Productions is dedicated to creating challenging and evocative queer theater. Our mission is to produce works written by LGBTQ+ writers with narratives that center queer characters. We are committed to sharing the diversity of queer lives with Kansas City audiences and providing a platform for LGBTQ+ theater artists to tell their own stories.
Queer Theater. Whimsical Edge.

Producing Artistic Director 𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 founded Whim Productions in 2011 and has directed, written, & choreographed intimacy in many of our productions. He’s currently tackling the sound design and intimacy choreography for the world premiere of Kissing in the Grocery Store! Kevin’s passion for creating safe, evocative, and inclusive theatre shines in this production.

Kevin King and Zo E. Schmidt thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Whim Production’s annual flagship event, Alphabet Soup: Theater from Queer Voices an evening of six short plays written by Kansas City-area LGBTQ writers. Running through April 13, 2025, at Whim Space, 415 Prospect Ave, KCMO, in historic Pendleton Heights. For info visit: http://www.whimproductions.org.

For WMM, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:53

13. Jamogi – “DO IT TO ME”
    from: “DO IT TO ME” – Single / Jam Tunes / March 28, 2025
    [Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California. Jamogi released the single “Hot Block” on May 30, 2024. Jamogi released the EP, Star-Crossed Lover on March 3, 2023. Jamogi then released a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single on June 9, 2023.Jamogi previously released the AGE OF AQUARIUS EP on March 3, 2023, and the single “Celebration” on Dec. 9, 2022, and the single “Anymore” on May 6, 2022. // Jamogi played the ROCK IS BLACK—a celebration of Black artists in rock music, happening February 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Zhou B Art Center, 1801 E 18th Street, KCMO. Rock is Black features: Malek Azrael & The Vibez, Jamogi and The Jammers, Stephonne, and Frankie Shorez & Mercy Fire.]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play The Ship 1221 Union Ave. KCMO in the West Bottoms on Friday, April 11, at 8:00pm for the Flew The Coop Sessions Fundraiser.]

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

NEXT WEEK, on April 16 – Jaclyn Danger shares details about The Love Note April 18 at Strand Theatre on Troost. AND Zach Phillips returns w/ LIVE music from Lone Stranger.

Big THANK YOU TO THE FABULOUS 44 PEOPLE WHO DONATED in support of Wednesday MidDay Medley for KKFI 90.1 FM’s during our On-Air Winter Fund Drive! With the help of my amazing co-hosts, we raised $2,693.00 toward our goal of $2,685.00. We achieved 100% of our goal for KKFI 90.1 FM. Thank you Betse Ellis, Rachio Head, and Mikal Shapiro and J Kelly Dougherty and all our fabulous donors and listeners!

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

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

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Show #1090