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, November 18, 2015

Iris DeMent +
Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear
+ Andrew Foshee

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear – “Silent Movies”
from: Skeleton Crew / Glassnote Entertainment Group / May 19, 2015
[Singer songwriter, Madisen Ward plays live and records with his mother, Ruth Ward, both on guitar, with Mama Bear harmonizing with her son. They played the Americana Music Fest in Nashville, in 2014, where the national music press fell in love with their music. They were signed to Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear made their network television debut, Feb. 11, on The Late Show With David Letterman.]

10:05 – Interview with Madisen Ward and Ruth Ward

We we’re thrilled to welcome back to the show, for their 5th appearance on Wednesday MidDay Medley, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear. In the past 14 months they have garnered national acclaimed after an appearance at the 2014 Americana Music Fest, they signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abbiss, they released their first single, “Silent Movies,” the same night they performed the song on The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS Television. They launched a big tour across the United States and traveled to Europe for multiple shows in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and ten did it all again. They sang and played on the influential British television show, “Later With Jools Holland” They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, and visited many radio stations. They performed on tour with Sufjan Stevens, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and many many others. In 2015 they have been representing Kansas City all over the world, and are back home for a few days, and join us to talk about their favorite holiday recipes, meeting Robert Plant, and their upcoming appearance on NBC Television’s Today Show, on Monday, November 23, and their shows through December that end their year performing back at at the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville, on December 30th and 31st.

“Silent Movies” was the first single off their debut album, SKELETON CREW. We all watched as Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear played this song on the CBS Television program, The Late Show With David Letterman. Ruth talked about she liked to wear colorful socks and that night all of her friends were wearing their colorful socks in support. She spoke about how they felt that all of Kansas City was pulling for them.

KC fans were all taking pictures of their televisions, myself included. It was emotional. Like when the Royals won the World Series!

We talked with Madisen and Ruth about a documentary short film showing their rise as a band, and in the film Ruth talks about how there was a time when she thought perhaps she would wake up a it would all be a dream.

Glassnote Entertainment Group LLC is a record label that was launched by music executive, Daniel Glass, in 2007. The label primarily has a lineup of indie rock and alternative rock artists: Mumford & Sons, Phoenix and has also has released music from Childish Gambino and Secondhand Serenade. Madisen and Ruth talked about how Daniel Glass flew to Kansas City to meet them, where they had a lunch and performance at The Midland Theatre to let Daniel Glass see them perform live. Then at the end of the business day, Daniel Glass flew back home.

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear recorded “Skeleton Crew” in Nashville at Oceanway Studios and Sound Kitchen Studios, working with British music producer, Jim Abbiss, known for his work on records with Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Sneaker Pimps, and both of Adele’s albums 19 and 21. Through the process they attempted to work on an individual song each day. Ruth was impressed that Jim Abbiss was so collaborative and listened to Madisen’s ideas, and didn’t try to make the sound like another band, but allowed them to be authentic to who they are as people and artists. When Jim came to Kansas City to meet with them, after the meeting he went out to see a movie with Madisen

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear have been touring a lot, and as unofficial ambassadors of the entire Kansas City Area, we wanted to know what are people’s perceptions of Kansas City from other parts of the country and from across the Atlantic? Madisen and Ruth mentioned that almost everywhere they go there is someone from Kansas City. That there was generally goodwill toward them and KC, and many folks were interested in the KC Royals chase for the crown.

We talked with Madisen and Ruth about how they’ve added a rhythm section with Tom Hudson on drums, and Brent Kastler on bass.

Madison and Ruth also talked about David “DJ” Lee who is their Tour Manager, and has had a lifetime of experience touring with bands, and with his own band, Scratch Track.

We talked with Madisen and Ruth about Kenneth Ward, (Madisen’s father, Ruth’s husband) and how as things transition from his employment, he will be able to join then more on the road.

At Bonnaroo they met Robert Plant, through their touring they’ve met David Beckham, Liv Tyler, James Taylor, and many others. We asked them what has been their most exciting “brush with celebrity” meeting? Ruth said for her it was meeting Janis Ian, who contacted Ruth and the two went for lunch. Janis Ian was an early influence on Ruth as a musician and singer-songwriter.

This fall Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear played in support of Sufjan Stevens for shows in the UK, Ireland and Paris. Madison had posted on facebook that he and Ruth had met incredible people during those shows and Madisen talked about meeting Sufjan and complimenting his latest release “Carrie & Lowell.”

10:15

3. Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear – “Yellow Taxi”
from: Skeleton Crew / Glassnote Entertainment Group / May 19, 2015
[The new single, from their acclaimed debut album.]

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear are returning to network television with an upcoming appearance on NBC Television’s Today Show, on Monday, November 23.

Madison and Ruth will be celebrating Thanksgiving at home with family in Independence, Missouri, and then go back out on the road with shows on the east coast through December, and then back at the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville, for shows on December 30 and 31.

More info at: http://www.madisenwardandthemamabear.com/

10:29

4. Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear – “Dead Daffodils”
from: Skeleton Crew / Glassnote Entertainment Group / May 19, 2015

10:34 – Underwriting

10:36 – Interview with Andrew Foshee with Brian James & Phil Spencer

Kansas City based singer-songwriter, Andrew Foshee joined us to play live in our 90.1 FM Studios. Andrew Foshee’s 2013 release, “Headphones Required” was one of Wednesday MidDay Medley’s “113 Best Recordings of 2013.” Andrew Foshee is currently working on a new record with Joel Nanos at Element Recording. Andrew Foshee and his Gosh Darn Band play The Tank Room, 1813 Grand BLVD, on December 5, at 9:00 pm opening for The Grisly Hand.

Andrew is currently playing live as a trio under the ‘Gosh Darn Band’ that consists of Andrew on guitar and vocals, Brian James on bass and harmonies, and Phil Spencer on drums.

Andrew Foshee is a singer/songwriter based out of Kansas City, MO. He describes his music as, “An unholy union between 70’s crooner folk, post-modern country and psychedelic blues-rock.”

Andrew admits that this description is a bit tongue-in-cheek, as are most of his lyrics.
Andrew wrote,”You could very well just call it ‘pop music’, however this EP certainly falls within the vein of ‘alt-country’ or simply ‘country music’, which stylistically is how I’ve always kind of imagined both my songs and vocal timbre.”

10:40

5. Andrew Foshee – “Fishing” (LIVE)
[Andrew on guitar and vocals, Brian James on harmonies]

Andrew wrote: “Over the last year I’ve made a conscious decision to really open things up lyrically and start saying, in a more direct way, what’s on my mind, instead of always worrying if it’s ‘poetic’ or if it rhymes. Sometimes I’m lucky though and I achieve both. I am somewhat of a crass, honest, and eternally sarcastic person, so this all bleeds into my most current writings. Three dominating themes that continue to surface are Women, Drugs & Philosophy, so I’m currently flirting with that as an album title.”

The ‘Gosh Darn Band’ is: Andrew on guitar and vocals, Brian James on bass and harmonies, and Phil Spencer on drums. Mike Stover and Dan Loftus from The Grisly Hand played lap-steel and keys respectively on the EP, and they’re adding some fiddle at the next recording session.

Andrew told us he’d really like to find a lead guitar player to join the band. Know any?

10:51

6. Andrew Foshee – “Cheese & Rice” aka “Jesus Christ, When Did I Become Such a Loser” (LIVE) 
[Andrew on guitar and vocals, Brian James on harmonies]

Right now Andrew is currently recording a 5-song ‘Debut EP’ with Joel Nanos at Element Recording.

Andrew wrote, ”I call it a ‘Debut EP’ for various reasons, one being that this will be my first project working in a real studio with other musicians and ‘letting go’. The EP should be done by mid-December with a release date in early 2016. And then it’s back to the studio to record more songs for the full album I have envisioned, unless I run out of money and am forced to live in my van.”

11:00 – Station ID

Andrew Foshee and his Gosh Darn band play their final show of 2015, on Saturday, December 5, at 9:00 PM at The Tank Room, The Grisly Hand. Tickets are on sale now for $8 with a link to buy at http://www.thegrislyhand.com

Main site: andrewfoshee.com
Facebook: facebook.com/andrewfoshee
Twitter: twitter.com/andrewsfoshee

11:04

7. Andrew Foshee – “I Am Too Old For You“ (LIVE)
[Andrew on guitar and vocals, Brian James on harmonies]

11:08 – Underwriting

11:10

5. Pieta Brown – “Mercury”
from: Mercury / Red House / September 27, 2011

[Pieta Brown plays Knuckleheads, on Friday, November 20, with Iris DeMent]  

11:15 – Interview with Iris DeMent

In his review for WHYY’s Fresh Air, Entertainment Weekly Music Editor – Ken Tucker wrote: “Iris DeMent possesses one of the great voices in contemporary popular music: powerfully, ringingly clear, capable of both heartbreaking fragility and blow-your-ears-back power. Had she been making country albums in the ’70s and ’80s and had more commercial ambition, she’d probably now be considered right up there with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Instead, she’s lived a contemporary life, a somewhat private life. As she recently told an interviewer, “There’s a lot that goes into life besides songwriting.”

Iris DeMent released her debut album “Infamous Angel” in 1992, on Warner Brothers records, a collection of instant classic songs including “Let The Mystery Be.” These were songs she first wrote and performed in coffeehouses and small clubs here in Kansas City, along with other up and coming singer songwriters: Howard Iceberg and Scott Hrabko. Since then Iris has released six full length recordings, was nominated for a Grammy twice, has had her songs used in multiple films and television shows, appeared as an actress in the film, Song Catcher, appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, Latenight with Conan O’Brien, toured all over the world, has been a frequent contributor to Prairie Home Companion, collaborated on recorded with John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Nancy Griffith, Steve Earle, and so many others.

On November 21, 2002, Iris married acclaimed singer-songwriter Greg Brown, in a private ceremony in the office of Rev. Sam Mann of St. Mark Church in Kansas City.

After living in both Iowa and Kansas City, Iris ended up moving to Iowa.

In the liner notes for Iris DeMent’s new album, “The Trackless Woods” Iris writes about how she and husband Greg Brown brought their daughter to the United States from Siberia in 2005, when she was just shy of 6 years old.

“The Trackless Woods” is a collection of 18 new song where Iris has set to music, poems by acclaimed 20th century Russian poet Anna Akhmatova.

Iris DeMent returns to Kansas City, to play Knuckleheads, on Friday, November 20, with Pieta Brown.

11:15

6. Interview with Iris DeMent [Part One]

7. Iris DeMent – “Listening To Singing”
from: The Trackless Woods / FlariElla / August 7, 2015

Interview with Iris DeMent [Part Two]

8. Iris DeMent – “Listening To Singing”
from: The Trackless Woods / FlariElla / August 7, 2015

Interview with Iris DeMent [Part Three]

9. Iris DeMent – “Listening To Singing”
from: The Trackless Woods / FlariElla / August 7, 2015
[6th studio album from Grammy nominated Iris DeMent who NPR said was considered ”one of the great voices in contemporary popular music.” The Trackless Woods sets 18 poems by acclaimed 20th century Russian poet Anna Akhmatova to life. Hailed as one of Russia’s finest poets, Akhmatova survived the Bolshevik Revolution, both World Wars and Stalin. She lost family, friends and fellow writers to political killings and labor in the gulags. When Iris randomly stumbled upon Akhmatova’s work in a book of poetry a friend sent as a gift, she was immediately taken by the sorrow and burden of the poems, juxtaposed with Akhmatova’s lightness and transcendence in the face of inhumanity. ”Anna’s gift of song is so strong, about alI I had to do was get really quiet and listen,” says Iris. After reading that first poem the melodies began pouring out of her, and before she even fully understood what was driving her, Iris was gathering musicians and friends, including co-producer Richard Bennett (Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, Steve Earle), to record ‘The Trackless Woods’ in her living room over a five-day period. The result is a breathtaking pairing of piano and voice in Iris’ style with timeless melodies that are deeply rooted in the American South. The project also fulfilled a long yearned-for desire to connect with her adopted daughter’s culture and history. Iris and her husband Greg Brown adopted their daughter from Siberia in 2005, when she was 6, and she says ”I’d never have made this record were it not for her.’]

More info at: http://irisdement.com/

11:55

10. Lea DeLaria – “Rebel Rebel”
from: House of David / Badbutch – Ghostlight Records / June 23, 2015
[comedian, actress, and jazz musician. The “famously controversial” DeLaria was “the first openly gay comic to break the late-night talk-show barrier” with her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show.Since 2013, she has appeared in the Netflix Original Orange Is the New Black as the recurring character prison inmate Carrie ‘Big Boo’ Black.]

[Lea DeLaria was scheduled to speak at UMKC’s Pride Lecture Series & Scholarship Breakfast, today, however this event is postponed due to a change in the taping schedule for “Orange is the New Black”. It will be rescheduled to December 2015 or Spring 2016.]

11:59:30

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


Next week, on Wednesday MidDay Medley, on November 25, we play our Favorite 15 Single of 2015 with music from: Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7, Spirit Is The Spirit, The Philistines, Sunday Heroine, Various Blonde, Kasey Rausch, Wyatt West, Stephonne, The Cave Girls, Mr. and the Mrs., Shades of Jade, Admiral of the Red, David George & a Crooked Mile, The Conquerors, and Bonzo Madrid. In our second hour Michelle Bacon of the Deli Magazine KC, and the bands The Philistines and Chris Meck and The Guilty Birds, joins us in our second hour to play from her Favorite Musical Recordings of 2015.

Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org 


Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:

www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,

www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM,
http://www.kkfi.org

Show #604