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, October 20, 2021

Effie + Chalis O’Neal + Fred Wickham Caravan + Tillie Hall & MellowPhobia

10:00 – Station ID

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. Marieme – “Love Now”
   from: Songs For The Revolution / GALSENE Productions / August 6, 2021
   [Marieme is a Senegalese-American singer-songwriter with a multi-octave voice whose music has R&B, pop and jazz influences. Her musical themes reflect her youth affected by war and her subsequent world travels. She has released one EP, one acoustic visual EP, and her songs have been used in several television shows and in film. Marieme Diop was born in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Africa where her father was an executive at a regional electrical company. When she was six months old, war broke out between that country and Senegal forcing her family to escape leaving behind a comfortable lifestyle and keeping nothing. Marieme and her siblings lived with her aunt in Senegal, while her parents moved to the Bronx, New York in the United States. The family reunited five years later in New York. // “I grew up in Senegal until I was seven years old. There was always music around, but it wasn’t encouraged—I grew up in a very religious household. When I came to America, I found a box of CDs under my parents’ bed. It was a surprise to me because I didn’t think they listened to music. I found out later that my dad was the one who bought it because there was a discount at his job or something. There were CDs by Ace of Base, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and more—about ten albums. I would put them on and cry because of the way the music made me feel. Mariah Carey’s album changed my life. I was learning English through listening to music, which was a powerful connection. My assimilation to America was all through music. I was teased a lot for my skin color and for being straight from Africa.” // At the University of Buffalo, Marieme studied journalism and communication, and even studied and interned in feature writing in London, United Kingdom. It was in high school when a jazz history class played Billie Holiday that she realized what she wanted to become, and did so with a vocal range of several octaves. // Marieme lives in both New York City, New York and Los Angeles, California. // In 2017, Marieme moved to Los Angeles, and two days after arriving, she wrote the song, “Leave” with producer/songwriter Andy Rose. Shortly after, with three songs completed, she got a deal from Jason Markey of Universal Music Publishing Group. She started writing with producers such as Theron “Neff-U” Feemster, who has worked with Michael Jackson, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Dr.Dre, Ne-Yo. // Marieme released an eponymous EP in February 2018 on Caroline Records. The EP featured three songs, “Leave,” “Be The Change,” and “Ask For Help.”[5][6] Of the latter, she told Music in Africa: “In this society, we are faced with so much. As we learn more and more about ourselves and the human condition over time, it is very important to know our limits in order to be able to exceed them and be able to reach our true goal. Often, misplaced pride keeps us from moving forward, and in the song we meant not to be too proud and to be able to ask for help when we needed it. The most powerful way to do this is through music.” // In April 2018, the Marieme song, “What’s Cool” was included on the soundtrack for the Amy Schumer movie, I Feel Pretty. The album was released by Sony Music. // Caroline released a new Marieme song called “Tumblin’” in September 2018, which referenced the fall of a governmental system. // In October 2019, she began releasing a series of acoustic videos of the songs from the Marieme EP. The visual work preceded the release of her acoustic visual EP in January 2019. // Early in 2019, “Ask For Help” was used as the promotion for the nationwide season premiere of Iyanla: Fix My Life on Oprah’s OWN Network, and an episode of the CBS mini-series The Red Line. // Marieme independently released a video for her song “Fi Moy Senegal” featuring Shaheed and Dixa of Alien Zik, both from Senegal. The song was issued to celebrate Senegal’s Independence Day in April 2019. Initially available on YouTube only in Senegal, it became popular enough to be made available internationally by the platform in June. The audio for “Fi Moy Senegal” was used by the Senegalese soccer team Les Lions in July 2019 as they competed for the African Cup of Nations. // Since the beginning of her musical career Marieme has performed around the United States including dates in New York City and Los Angeles. Many of the shows are benefits to help those in her home continent of Africa. In November 2019, she performed at the Kick 4 Life Gala at the Angel Orensanz Center, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to provide education to at-risk children in Lesotho, Southern Africa. // Back in Senegal, Marieme became known for the live performances she does with popular African musicians, Akon, Youssou N’Dour and Pape et Cheikh.// LinkedIn struck a deal with Marieme to create an anthem for the business site. Her version of the Cat Stevenssong, “Be What You Must, became part of their promotion beginning in November 2019. //The Marieme song, Rogue is one of several that are being played in the Apple TV+ television series Truth Be Told, which became available on the platform December 13, 2019. The song is also used in worldwide TV and Digital commercials about the show. // BlackBook named the song and video for “Ask For Help” as one of BlackBook’s Best Song + Video Premieres of 2019. // In 2019, Marieme shot a video for her track, “Lovechild”, during the New York WorldPride celebrations. The track promotes the promotion of protection for black trans lives.]

3. Pastor T. L. Barrett – “Like a Ship”
   from: I Shall Wear A Crown / Numero Group / September 24, 2021
   [Thomas Lee Barrett, Jr. (born January 13, 1944), better known professionally as Pastor T.L. Barrett and Rev. T.L. Barrett, is an American Pentecostal preacher and gospel musician. Barrett is a preacher on Chicago’s South Side who released gospel albums in the 1970s; as a musician, he was largely unknown outside of Chicago until a resurgence in interest in his music occurred in the 2010s. // Barrett was born on January 13, 1944 in Jamaica, New York, but his family moved to Chicago when he was young. Barrett’s father was a gospel musician who was involved with the music at a church led by Barrett’s aunt. He attended Wendell Phillips High School, where he was expelled. His father died when Barrett was 16, and he then moved to Queens, New York, where he lived with his uncle and took a job at Flushing Hospital extracting glands from cadavers.[4] At 17 he was arrested for failing to pay child support to a 37-year-old who bore his child. In New York, he worked as a shoeshiner and played piano at parties and at venues such as the Waldorf Astoria and the Village Gate. Eventually, he decided to become a preacher, returning to Chicago and starting his own youth-focused ministry. // After receiving his G.E.D. diploma from the New York State Board of Regents in 1961, Barrett attended Bethel Bible Institute in Jamaica, New York, where he graduated with honors. // His career as a pastor began in 1966. He became pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in the Washington Park neighborhood of Chicago in 1968. After a theological disagreement with the elders of the Mt. Zion church, he left in 1976 to form his own ministry, the Life Center COGIC church, in the same neighborhood. // Barrett was charged in 1989 with orchestrating a pyramid scheme, by encouraging his congregants to donate to a series of economic development fundraisers which yielded over two million dollars in total. The financial viability of the plan was judged by a court to be infeasible, and Barrett was ordered to place his church’s title in receivership as a result. He was ordered to repay 1.2 million dollars by 1998, which he did successfully. // In 1998, the Illinois House of Representatives honored Barrett for contributions to civic life in Chicago. The city of Chicago named a portion of Garfield Boulevard, close to his Mt. Zion church location, in Barrett’s honor. In 2007, Barrett’s youngest daughter, Kleo, was murdered by an ex-boyfriend. In the 1970s, Barrett’s congregation included many noteworthy Chicago-area musicians, such as Maurice White and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, Donny Hathaway, and Phil Cohran.[5] Barrett, recording as Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir, released the album Like a Ship (Without a Sail) in 1971. The Youth for Christ Choir, led by Barrett, was an approximately 40-member ensemble of children ages 12 to 19, which grew out of his Tuesday night weekly choir meetings. The album featured instrumental contributions from Phil Upchurch, Gene Barge, Charles Pittman, and Richard Evans (of Rotary Connection). It was reissued by Light in the Attic Records in 2010 to critical acclaim and praise from musicians such as Jim James and Colin Greenwood. Barrett also released several further albums of music over the course of the 1970s, as well as discs of sermons; he also recorded as Rev. T.L. Barrett. // In 2016, Kanye West sampled the song “Father I Stretch My Hands”, from Barrett’s 1976 album Do Not Pass Me By, in the song “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” and “Pt. 2” from the album The Life of Pablo. // In 2016, Barrett’s music was used in an Under Armour commercial directed by Harmony Korine and on the soundtrack to the film Barry. and in the 2017 Almeida Theatre (London) production of Martin Crimp’s “The Treatment”. //In 2019, Barrett’s song “Nobody Knows”, from the 1971 album ‘Like a Ship (Without a Sail)’, was used in an AT&T commercial titled “Roll Up Your Sleeves”. It was also used in a trailer to Corpus Christi. // Also in 2019, English musician Richard Ashcroft covered live the song ‘Like a Ship (Without a Sail)’ and released it as a streaming single (labeled as ‘Just Like A Ship’). The song was covered during a live session at the Chris Evans Breakfast Show.] // The following year, Barrett’s recording of ‘Like a Ship (Without a Sail)’ was featured in the Netflix documentary, Crip Camp. // In 2020, Barrett’s song “Like a Ship” was sampled by electronic music Duo The Knocks in their song “All About You” featuring Foster The People. // In June 2021, Barrett’s song “Like a Ship” was used on closing credits of Season 1 Episode 9 of HBO “HACKS”. // The song “Nobody Knows”, from the 1971 album ‘Like a Ship (Without a Sail)’, has been sampled numerous times, including on rapper Copywrite’s song “Trouble” from the album “Choose your own adventure: Murderland” and DJ Khaled’s album Grateful. // On July 1, 1967 he married his sweetheart Cleopatra. This union produced seven children (Kim, Kisha, T. L., III, Torrey, Trevore, T’Shaun, and Kleo), He has at least six additional children from other relationships. // Discography:

• Like a Ship… (Without a Sail) (Mt. Zion Gospel Productions TL-8126, 1971)
• Vol. II; Do Not Pass Me By (Universal Awareness, ca. 1973)
  (Note: the “Vol. II” refers to this LP’s status as a sequel to the prior “Like A Ship” LP, and not to the Gospel Roots LP of the same name, which would be released approximately three years later)
• I Found the Answer (Gospel Truth GTS-2718, 1973)
• Do Not Pass Me By (Gospel Roots GR-5002, 1976)
• Roots (Gospel Roots GR-5009, 1977)

4. Fred Wickham Caravan– “Town Without Soul”
   from: Town Without Soul / Black Site Records / October 29, 2021
   [The first single released August 27, 2020, from the Fred Wickham Caravan’s debut LP tells of a place we all know, that city where something just ain’t right Fred Wickham on vocals & guitar, Marco Pascolini on pedal steel, Bart Colliver on piano & accordion & vocals, Richard Burgess on upright bass & vocals, Fred Wickham, Jr. on mandolin, Matt Brahl on drums & percussion. Music and lyrics by Fred Wickham. Produced by Fred Wickham Caravan. Recorded at The Nutthouse Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Engineered by Jimmy Nutt. Mastered by Chad Meise at Massive Sound Studios in KCMO. Fred Wickham is best known for his work with Hadacol, the Kansas City based quartet that released two critically acclaimed records and gained a national reputation for ferocious live shows across the country. The Caravan, formed to support the solo album, Mariosa Delta, blends country, soul and rock & roll into a sound that can only be called pure Americana. Info at: http://www.fredwickhamband.com]

[Fred Wickham Caravan Album Release show with The Roseline is Friday, October 29, 2021, at 6:30 pm, at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, Kansas City, MO 64101]

10:34 – Interview with Fred Wickham

Fred Wickham joins us to share music from the Fred Wickham Caravan debut album, TOWN WITHOUT SOUL. The 10-track album is set to be released on vinyl and digital platforms through Black-Site Records. The band is having a release show on October 29, 2021, at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, West Bottoms, KCMO with the Grand Marquis’ horn section joining the band. The Roseline will open the show.

Fred Wickham, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Caravan includes songwriter Fred Wickham on lead vocals & guitar, Richard Burgess on bass, Marco Pascolini on guitar, Fred Jr. on mandolin, Sweet Matt Brahl on drums, and Lin Buck on keyboards. Co-produced by Grammy-winning engineer Jimmy Nutt at his Nutthouse Recording Studio in legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album was mastered by Chad

After a year of recording in Muscle Shoals followed by 18 months of waiting out a global pandemic, The Fred Wickham Caravan is set to release its debut album, Town Without Soul, October 29 on Kansas City record label cooperative Black Site. To celebrate, the band is having a release show party that night at The Ship in the historic West Bottoms. The Grand Marquis’ horn section, recently departed keyboardist Cowboy Bart Colliver and a few other surprise guests will be joining the Caravan on stage, while stellar Lawrence alt country band The Roseline will open the show.

Wordsmith and architect Fred Wickham and his five master craftsmen – Richard Burgess (bass), Marco Pascolini (guitar), Fred Jr. (mandolin), Sweet Matt Brahl (drums) and newest member, Lin Buck (keys) – blend country, soul and rock and roll into an edifice of sound that can only be called pure Americana. Town Without Soul brings to vinyl the emotion and musicianship audiences across the Midwest have experienced ever since the Caravan formed to support Wickham’s much-heralded solo record, Mariosa Delta, in 2017. Leaving nothing unutilized in his refined toolbox of honky tonk and roots rock, Wickham leads the Caravan effortlessly through ten tracks of wrenching heartache, scathing satire and wry observation.

Co-produced by Grammy-winning engineer Jimmy Nutt at his Nutthouse Recording Studio in legendary Muscle Shoals, AL in late 2019, the recording was nearly complete when the pandemic struck. To keep moving forward while the music world shut down, the band released three video singles from the album over the next year – the title track, “Fatbird”, and “If We Ever Happened” – all produced by the Pascolini Brothers, Carlo and Marco. During that time, the band put the finishing touches on the rest of the record. In order to preserve the brilliant recording and engineering work of Jimmy Nutt, Wickham turned to local mastering maestro, Chad Meise at Massive Sound Studios in Shawnee, KS. Not wanting to lose an ounce of fidelity in the translation to vinyl, Black Site handed over acetate cutting duties to master of the lathe, Chris Muth at Taloowa Corp. The result is a work of sonic beauty that not only flawlessly captures this six-piece outfit’s expertise at a wide range of instruments – drums, bass, guitar, piano, organ, pedal steel, mandolin, and accordion – but also the swingin’ horn section and exquisitely-executed backing vocals from some of Muscle Shoals’ finest studio pros.

Town Without Soul comes in a gorgeous full-color gatefold jacket designed by Marco Pascolini, with a limited number of copies pressed on clear turquoise vinyl.

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Fred Wickham is best known for his work with Hadacol, the popular Kansas City based quartet who released two critically acclaimed records and gained a national reputation for their ferocious live performances across the country.

The Fred Wickham Caravan originally formed to support the recording of Wickham’s 2017 solo album, Mariosa Delta, produced and recorded by the late, great Lou Whitney in Springfield, Missouri. The album received widespread praise both nationally and abroad, with No Depression calling Mariosa Delta “a sparkling gem of an album…a great record, part document, part tragedy, all heartbreak.”

Mariosa Delta featured Wickham’s longtime musical cohort and Hadacol bassist Richard Burgess. To support the album live, the two recruited some of their favorite musicians and best friends to form a six-piece band capable of jumping from one musical style to the next while maintaining a sound that is all their own. Guitar oddity Marco Pascolini lends his unmistakable stylings on electric and pedal steel guitar. Keyboardist, accordion player, and harmony vocalist, Cowboy Bart Colliver, performed on the album, but departed the band earlier this year. His replacement, Lin Buck, who primarily uses piano and Hammond organ to add an element of melodic soul, has recently been compared to the likes of keyboard icons Booker T. Jones, Garth Hudson, Chuck Leavell and Benmont Tench. Matt Brahl, one of KC’s finest drummers and an old friend who played in Hadacol towards the end, jumped right in after original drummer Sam Platt departed n 2017. Rounding out the ensemble is Wickham’s son, Fred Jr., who had become an accomplished mandolin player while no one was watching.

CONTACT:
fredwickhammusic@gmail.com
black-site.org/fred-wickham-caravan
fredwickhamband.com
http://www.facebook.com/fredwickhammusic

BLACK SITE is a record label cooperative created by Kansas City musicians interested in supporting regional punk and rock bands release their recordings on a physical medium. With the world around us becoming a deluge of digital l’s and 0’s, transient as a trust fund crust punk on a cross country excursion, tangible art is critical to maintaining connections to our past, our sense of place, and who we are as a people. Only WE can create the world we want to live in. Reciprocity and solidarity are the cornerstones of building long lasting, self-sustaining community power that pushes back against the commodification of culture. Music is not a business; Punk is not a brand, and DIY is not a lifestyle to be consumed. This is a way of life, and if we don’t hang together, we’ll surely hang alone. More info at: Black-site.org

Fred Wickham, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

[Fred Wickham Caravan Album Release show with The Roseline is Friday, October 29, 2021, at 6:30 pm, at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, Kansas City, MO 64101]

10:27

5. Fred Wickham Caravan– “Fatbird”
   from: Town Without Soul / Black Site Records / Octiber 29, 2020
   [The second single from the Fred Wickham Caravan’s debut LP tells of a place we all know, that city where something just ain’t right Fred Wickham on vocals & guitar, Marco Pascolini on pedal steel, Bart Colliver on piano & accordion & vocals, Richard Burgess on upright bass & vocals, Fred Wickham, Jr. on mandolin, Matt Brahl on drums & percussion. Music and lyrics by Fred Wickham. Produced by Fred Wickham Caravan. Recorded at The Nutthouse Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Engineered by Jimmy Nutt. Mastered by Chad Meise at Massive Sound Studios in Kansas City, MO. More info at: http://www.fredwickhamband.com]

[Fred Wickham Caravan Album Release show with The Roseline is Friday, October 29, 2021, at 6:30 pm,at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, Kansas City, MO 64101]

10:31 – Underwriting

10:33 – Interview with Chalis O’Neal

KC based musician and performer Chalis O’Neal joins us to share details about his upcoming debut album, FLIRTING. Chalis picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven and began studying music at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Inspired by his oldest brother, jazz musician and composer Harold O’Neal, Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City. O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story. O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau. Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul. O’Neal has performed with Bobby Watson, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Lisa Henry, and David Basse.

Chalis O’Neal, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Chalis picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven

Chalis comes froma family of artists, teachers, and activists.

Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts.

Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story.

O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau.

Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul.

O’Neal has had the opportunity to perform with artists like Bobby Watson, Jeff ‘“Tain” Watts, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Stephen Scott, Ben Williams, Lewis Nash, Curtis Lundy, Lonnie McFadden, Dan Thomas, Sullivan Fortner, Lisa Henry, and David Basse.

Chalis O’Neal is getting set to release: Flirting in November, 2021.

Chalis O’Neal is the youngest brother of Harold Mujahid O’Neal who was born March 27, 1981, and is an American pianist, composer, record producer, public speaker, dancer, and storyteller. He has recorded and performed with artists in a variety of musical genres (U2, Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, Damien Rice, Aloe Blacc, and Jay Z). O’Neal has been profiled and featured in numerous publications and programs including Forbes, NPR’s All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and the 92Y, with The New York Times comparing him to Duke Ellington, Kenny Kirkland, and Maurice Ravel. He is considered to be of this generation’s greatest pianists and composers. O’Neal has been awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts, with the Patron being Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and recently played a role as a creative expert for the Academy Award winning Pixar film, Soul. // Harold O’Neal was born in Arusha, Tanzania, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. His great-grandfather, Ollie Harold Pennington, was a jazz pianist and composer for silent film in Kansas City, where his grandmother walked to school with Charlie Parker. O’Neal began playing the piano by ear at age four on his father’s miniature keyboard. He found his earliest inspirations in the music of Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, and Disney. While growing up, he spent a considerable amount of time with his grandmother exploring various creative outlets, before eventually becoming a pianist. Having spent much of his youth living in the projects (Public Housing) and surviving near-death experiences, he credits music with saving his life. O’Neal attended the Paseo Academy Of Fine And Performing Arts, with classmates Logan Richardson, Lil’ Ronnie, and Brian Kennedy, where he began his jazz piano studies while being mentored by Ahmad Alaadeen. He studied classical piano and composition with Margie Cameron-Jarrett, whose musical lineage can be traced back to Franz Liszt. // O’Neal began working with musical luminaries from a young age – touring with Bobby Watson when he was 19 after studying composition at the Berklee College of Music. He then went on to the Manhattan School of Music, to study with Kenny Barron. It was there where he met the great American jazz pianist and composer, Andrew Hill, with whom he soon became the apprentice of. Mr. Hill was an apprentice of prolific composer Paul Hindemith. Following Andrew Hill’s advice, O’Neal left the Manhattan School of Music to replace pianist Jason Moran in the influential band, the Greg Osby 4, making his major-label debut recording for Blue Note Records at the age of 21. In 2004, O’Neal premiered a jazz quartet featuring Greg Osby, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Matt Brewer. // In the following years, O’Neal released a number of critically acclaimed albums including — “Charlie’s Suite” (2006), which was a compilation of his family’s legacy, “Whirling Mantis” (2010) with a jazz quartet, and a solo piano album “Marvelous Fantasy” (2011) on Smalls Records. He then partnered with Ski Beats and Damon Dash, after being signed to Universal Music Group as a songwriter and producer, to release the albums 24 Hour Karate School 2 (2011), Twilight (2012), and Cam’Ron And Vado’s Blu Tops (2012). In 2012, O’Neal formed a partnership with producers Lil Ronnie and Jerry Wonda working with many Pop and R&B artists (Miguel, Akon, Melissa Ethridge, Raphael Saadiq, French Montana). In 2013, he released the album “Man on the Street” featuring a jazz quartet as well as solo piano for BluRoc, an at the time incarnation of Rocafella Records distributed by Def Jam Records. // O’Neal worked as a composer for a featurette and the documentaries of the 2015 Disney film Tomorrowland produced by Academy Award winning filmmaker Anthony Giacchino, which starred George Clooney and Britt Robertson. The film was directed by Brad Bird with the film-score being composed by Michael Giacchino. His solo piano album “Piano Cinema” was released in May 2018, with “Sam and Sam” serving as the lead single. Following the album release, O’Neal completed a spring tour across the U.S. with The Blk Shp with Pixar as a partner. Recently, at the suggestion of Ed Catmull, O’Neal played a role with the filmmakers (Pete Docter, Dana Murray, Kemp Powers) as a creative expert in the development of Pixar’s Soul. // As a keynote speaker and storyteller, O’Neal has been featured at Google, The World Economic Forum, TEDX, Hatch Experience, C2 Montréal, Blk Shp Power Shift, and many other leading platforms.// In 2019, O’Neal was among the 100 international individuals selected to be a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper. Goalkeepers (Gates Foundation) is an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its aim is to bring together leaders from around the world to accelerate progress toward achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Invitations are issued to global leaders and aspiring personalities who have been personally selected by the board. Previous attendees include Barack Obama, Emmanuel Macron, Amina J. Mohammed, Erna Solberg, Malala Yousafzai, and Trevor Noah.// In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Festival, a week-long event held in Aspen, Colorado in the United States. The Aspen Ideas Festival program of events includes discussions, seminars, panels, and tutorials from journalists, designers, innovators, politicians, diplomats, presidents, judges, musicians, artists, and writers. Topics covered during the festival include global politics and economics, U.S. Policy, the environment, technology, science, health, education, the arts, and economic issues. // In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts. Founded in 1754 by William Shipley, it was granted a Royal Charter in 1847, and the right to use the term “Royal” in its name by King Edward VII in 1908. Notable past fellows include Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, Nelson Mandela, David Attenborough, William Hogarth, John Diefenbaker, and Tim Berners-Lee. Today, the RSA has fellows elected from 80 countries worldwide.// NPR All Things Considered: The Yule Log (TV program), Pianist Harold O’Neal and Bill Cosby’s Christmas story[8] On 25 December 2011, O’Neal was featured along with Bill Cosby for the Christmas Day edition of NPR’s All Things Considered, with O’Neal being hosted and interviewed by Guy Raz. // Electric Burma On June 18, 2012, O’Neal performed with U2, Lupe Fiasco, Bob Geldof, Damien Rice, Angelique Kidjo and many other major artists for the presentation of Amnesty International’s prestigious ‘Ambassador of Conscience’ Award to Aung San Suu Kyi. The award was originally announced from the stage when U2 played Croke Park in July 2009 – while the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize recipient was still under house arrest in Burma. // Global Citizen: World on Stage[10] On 22 September 2016, O’Neal performed with Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter for The Global Citizen Festival’s The World on Stage, a night curated by Tom Morello and Jon Batiste. The evening was dedicated to several prominent speakers who addressed various causes—such as education, the refugee crisis, gender equality, poverty, hunger, and much more—and the presentation of the inaugural George Harrison Global Citizen award, presented by Paul Simon to Olivia and Dhani Harrison (George’s widow and son). // On December 4, 2018, Herbie Hancock received the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Medal (Royal Society of Arts) from the Royal Society for the Arts at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—being recognized for his long lifetime of creative achievements and humanitarian efforts. The 264-year-old Royal Society for the Arts, based in London, includes Franklin as a founding fellow and initiated the Benjamin Franklin medal in 1956 to honor people who transcend their vocation to generally benefit mankind. The ceremony featured bassist Christian McBride and pianist O’Neal as guest star performers, each musically representing the electric and acoustic side of Hancock’s legacy. // In 2009, O’Neal appeared as an actor in Jay Z’s music video for the hit record Young Forever, from his multi-platinum album The Blueprint 3. In 2010, he was cast in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, portraying James P. Johnson. He was also featured in MTV’s Sucker Free.

Chalis O’Neal is the nephew of Felix Lindsey “Pete” O’Neal, Jr. (born 1940), was the chairman of the Kansas City chapter of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. He led implementation of many free programs, such as providing free breakfast to children around the city. // O’Neal had trouble with authority figures in high school and dropped out. Soon afterwards, he joined the military, following the steps of his father. Once done with service, he moved to Stockton, California, where in 1959 he was sentenced to 9 months in jail for theft. He escaped from jail after 3 months, traveling back to Kansas City, MO. In 1961, law enforcement caught him and he was sent back to California to serve his remaining sentence. // After completing his sentence, the felony should have been cleared as indicated by Californian law, but it was not. This significantly hindered his chances for employment. // On October 30, 1969, he was arrested again for the transporting of a gun across state lines (under a law that went into effect just two weeks prior to his arrest). A year later a court convicted him and in October 1970, he was sentenced to four years in prison. O’Neal jumped his bail and fled to Algeria, where a number of other Black Panther Party members had also absconded to in the face of imprisonment in the United States. This group became known as the “International Section” of the Black Panther Party, and was centered around Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver. A year later O’Neal moved on to Tanzania, motivated to immigrate there as the then President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, was both a Pan-Africanist and Socialist. O’Neal has remained in Tanzania ever since. // Together with his wife, Charlotte Hill O’Neal, he is the co-founder of the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in the village of Imbaseni, near the northern city of Arusha, Tanzania. The UAACC is a center focusing on healing the community by providing a diverse array of free art, music, film and other classes to members of the community. The UAACC also serves as a hostel for people travelling through the area—offering several “huts” with bunk beds. The center has been frequented by several celebrities, American politicians, study abroad programs, students, documentary film makers, and artists. Pete and Charlotte provide numerous jobs to locals of the community and the center is entirely run by local Tanzanians. // O’Neal’s family still resides in the Kansas City area. He is a third cousin to US Representative Emmanuel Cleaver. Since 1991, Cleaver and others have unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a pardon for O’Neal, and took the issue to both President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. Both declined to pardon O’Neal. // His life and exile in Tanzania is the subject of the PBS documentary ‘A Panther in Africa’, by Aaron Matthews, and a book ‘Black Panther in Exile: The Pete O’Neal Story’ by Pete’s attorney, Paul J. Magnarella.]

Chalis O’Neal, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

10:45

6. Chalis O’Neal – “Spitting Game”
   from: Flirting / Chalis O’Neal / TBA

7. Mikal Shapiro & The Musical – “The Distance of Elements” from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020 {The Musical is Mikal Shapiro, on vocals & guitar, Chad Brothers on vocals & guitar, Johnny Hamil on bass, and Matt Richey on drums. Recorded separately and with social distancing. Mikal Shapiro released her critically acclaimed album The Musical II on May 26, 2018 which included “Everybody’s Baby” her pop song she wrote that got a lot of radio play, but all the songs on The Musical 11 are great. The Musical II is the sequel to Shapiro’s 2015 concept album, “The Musical.” Along with Mikal Shapiro, Chad Brothers, Johnny Hamil and Matt Richey, special guests include: Hermon Mehari on trumpet, Tina Bilberry on viola & violin, Damon Parker on keyboards, and Lauren Hughes on vocals. Engineered and co-produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording & Mastering Studios. Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the U.S. and has recorded five critically acclaimed albums. KC Star and Tim Finn declared her album “The Musical” to be one of his top five releases of 2015. A third generation storyteller, she draws inspiration from her travels, love life, and the state of the Union.]

[Mikal Shapiro plays the Full Moon Festivus with Julia Othmer, and Jessica Paige, at The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave m West Bottoms, KCMO, TONIGHT, October 20, 2021, at 7:00 PM. Proof of full vaccination with photo ID is required from all patrons, artists, and staff in order to attend, work, or perform any live event at The Black Box. – Please bring a lawn chair if you’d like to be guaranteed a seat!]

8. Julia Othmer – “Fortunate Son”
   from: SEEDS, Volume 2 (LIVE) / Frickin’ Awesome Records / March 20, 2021
   [This is Julia’s 4th full length and contains 10 live songs selected from her 30-day Songs of September Project, where Julia performed live covers of her favorite songs of protest and hope, broadcast through streaming social platforms to inspire people to vote on November 3. Julia’s fans democratically selected their favorite tracks to be included on SEEDS. Julia Othmer released “Sound,” on April 12, 2019, her second album, that took 3 years to complete, and was produced with James Lundie, who also married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st full-length album, “Oasis Motel.” In 2018 to 2019 Julia Othmer toured with and opened for The Alarm in US show and shows in the United Kingdom. When Julia Othmer is in Kansas City she plays with Johnny Hamil on bass, Chris Tady on guitar, John Floyd Whitaker on drums. More info at http://www.juliaothmer.com.]

[Julia Othmer plays the Full Moon Festivus with Mikal Shapiro, and Jessica Paige, at The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave m West Bottoms, KCMO, TONIGHT, October 20, 2021, at 7:00 PM. Proof of full vaccination with photo ID is required from all patrons, artists, and staff in order to attend, work, or perform any live event at The Black Box. – Please bring a lawn chair if you’d like to be guaranteed a seat!]

11:00 – Station ID

9. MellowPhobia – “Jackal”
   from: “Jackal” – Single / Jackal and Hide Records / May 7, 2020.
   [Music and Lyrics by Tillie Alexandra Hall, Producer Tillie Alexandra Hall. Recording Engineering by Justin Mantooth. Mastering by Pete Maher. Adam McKee on drums MellowPhobia were formed out of the indie alt-rock scene of Pittsburgh, PA. Now residing in their home city of Kansas City, producing a highly original sound that they describe as “landlocked surf rock”. Socially conscious lyrics, and hook laden tunes keeps the crowd jumping. The band revolves around songwriter and guitarist Til who provides the distinctive vocals to all MellowPhobia tracks. In July 2018 MelloPhobia released the 3-song EP LISTEN. More info: http://www.mellowphobia.com]

11:03 – Interview with Tillie Hall

Tillie Hall of MellowPhobia shares music from the group’s new 4-track EP, IS THIS SEAT TAKEN?, released through Jackal And Hide Records. Formed out of the indie alt-rock scene of Pittsburgh, PA. MellowPhobia is now based in Lawrence & Kansas City. The band revolves around songwriter and guitarist Tillie Hall who during the pandemic went into the studio and recorded 12 new tracks. IS THIS SEAT TAKEN? is the band’s sophomore EP. The band also released the stand alone single, “Jackal” on May 7, 2021. More info at: http://www.mellowphobia.bandcamp.com

Tillie Hall thanks for being with us on WMM.

MellowPhobia were formed out of the indie alt-rock scene of Pittsburgh, PA.

Now residing in their home city of Kansas City, they continue to grow their audience producing a highly original sound that they describe as “landlocked surf rock”. With a love of the British sound, socially conscious lyrics, and hook laden tunes; the band will keep the crowd jumping and give them something to think about.

MellowPhobia released their 4-track EP, IS THIS SEAT TAKEN? on June 23, 2021 through Jackal And Hide Records.

Music and lyrics written by Tillie Alexandra Hall Produced by Tillie Alexandra Hall.

Recording Engineer: Justin Mantooth. Mastering Engineer: Pete Maher. Drums: Adam McKee. Illustrator: Jenifer Prince. More info at http://www.melloephobia.bandcamp.com

The band revolves around songwriter and guitarist Til who provides the distinctive vocals to all MellowPhobia tracks.

The year of the pandemic saw MellowPhobia creative force Til Hall go into the studio, hunker down and record 12 new tracks.

The single, ‘Jackal’ recently paved the way for this quartet – and continues to enjoy airplay around the world.

Always ready for a collaboration, Til teamed up with Brazilian artist Jenifer Prince to create the striking cover for both “Jackal” and “Is This Seat Taken?”

The sophomore E.P. ‘Is this Seat Taken?’ includes four fresh tracks; Allie, LRH, MaryAnn Elizabeth, and Hide.

Tillie Hall thanks for being with us on WMM.

MellowPhobia released their 4-track EP, IS THIS SEAT TAKEN? on June 23, 2021 through Jackal And Hide Records. Music and lyrics written by Tillie Alexandra Hall Produced by Tillie Alexandra Hall. More info at http://www.melloephobia.bandcamp.com

11:15

10. MellowPhobia – “Allie”
    from: IS THIS SEAT TAKEN? / Jackal And Hide Records / June 23, 2021
    [Music and Lyrics by Tillie Alexandra Hall, Producer Tillie Alexandra Hall. Recording Engineering by Justin Mantooth. Mastering by Pete Maher. Adam McKee on drums MellowPhobia were formed out of the indie alt-rock scene of Pittsburgh, PA. Now residing in their home city of Kansas City, producing a highly original sound that they describe as “landlocked surf rock”. Socially conscious lyrics, and hook laden tunes keeps the crowd jumping. The band revolves around songwriter and guitarist Til who provides the distinctive vocals to all MellowPhobia tracks. In July 2018 MelloPhobia released the 3-song EP LISTEN. More info: http://www.mellowphobia.com]

11. Lonnie Fisher And The Funeral – “Rock Til You Drop”
    from: HAUNTED / Lonnie Fisher And The Funeral / October 22, 2021
    [Lonnie Fisher on lead vocals, 5 String Guitar & Keyboards; Tim Jenkins on guitars; Chris Nunez on drums, Tim Manning on bass, and Julia Reynolds on vocals & keyboards. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/lonniefisherandthefuneral%5D

[Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral Album Release and Abby’s Fund Benefit, Friday, October 22, 2021, at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO with Fritz Hutchison and Big Dopes. Lonnie Fisher writes: “Midwest Music Foundation helped me through some really tough days after my strokes and it’s a miracle I’m singing and playing again. This show is for helping others.”]

[Lonnie Fisher and The Funeral play a Lawrence Album Release Show at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, on Fri. Nov. 19 at 6:00 PM with Alien Hellbop and Shebangs, also having Album Releases.]

12. Jake Wells – “Salt and Water”
    from: “Salt and water” – Single / Jake Wells Music / October 3, 2020
    [Co-written with brother Jordan Wells. “This song was inspired by a father daughter relationship that was meant to be celebrated.” More info at https://jakewellsmusic.com. This release was followed by the 6-song EP, GOODBYES on October 15, 2021. All of the new songs on this EP (Plus the stand alone single “Salt and Water”) came from a the “custom song writing project” that Jake and brother Jordan Thompson embarked upon to support themselves financially during the pandemic. More information at: https://www.thepitchkc.com/one-musicians-custom-songwriting-brought-joy-and-tears-to-an-empty-year/ This new music is follow up to Jake’s single “The Wrong Side (feat. J. Taylor)” released on September 3, 2021, and Jake Wells and The Dirty Musicians single, “Holy Woman” released on August 6, 2021, and Jake’s single “Time After Time” released May 6, 2021, and his EP, SUNDAY MORNING released February 29, 2020. Kansas City based indie folk singer songwriter. Jake Wells was born in Florida grew up in Colorado. Jake studied Music Composition at University of Northern Colorado. “Jake’s sound evokes an emotionality and maturity much deeper than his age of 22 would imply.” He was named one of Spotify’s top 20. He has performed on stages since he was a teenager. His single releases are currently gaining radio play in the Midwest on several FM stations. In 2018 he was featured on the nationally televised NBC reality – competition program The Voice.]

11:28 – Underwriting

13. Effie – “Higher”
    from: Curve My Enthusiasm / DISTRKCT / August 13, 2021
    [Effie is Effie Altoro. Effie is a songwriter, singer, rapper, producer, one part of Kansas City’s own Jet Pack Productions originally from the Bronx, New York. Effie says that music saved her life and means everything to her. She puts herself in the category of a R&B/Hip Hop Artist. She claims Nina Simone as her biggest influence. Effie writes, “I have been writing for so many years but never shared any of my personal work until last year. So I’m working on pacing myself with releases, instead of just putting so many albums out back to back. My album, Curve My Enthusiasm, is so special to me that I’m going to release a deluxe version in January with 4 additional tracks and videos, including some exciting collaborations. I have also been writing for other artists, so you’ll be able to hear some of those releases soon, as well!” More info at: https://smarturl.it/37jrdz%5D

11:34 – Interview with Effie

In a world gone mad we all search for that guiding light. The bat signal has been received by the eclectic artist known as Effie. She is from Kansas by the way of the boogie down Bronx where the city never sleeps but her roots run deep to La Isla del Encanto. Effie is effortless and effervescent. Her sound has dexterity and fluidity that brings together her blend of influences that were cultivated by dancing in soul train lines on a Sunday afternoon with the family. Her inspirations span from Miss Education, Ye, Kendrick, Stevie Wonder with a little Marc Anthony.

The music speaks volumes but the individual behind the words and melodies has a story to tell and we are all better for listening. Effie released Curve My Enthusiasm on August 13, 2021.

Effie Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

R&B/Hip Hop artist, Effie, originally from the Bronx, New York.

Effie is Effie Altoro

Effie is a songwriter, singer, rapper, producer, and one part of Kansas City’s own Jet Pack Productions.

She also claims Nina Simone as a big influence.

Her range is limitless which is why she dons the moniker of Eff Curry because she doesn’t miss. Her talent for songwriting has been fueled by her unique perspective and her experiences as a young woman on her journey to self-discovery. Her voice conveys the full spectrum of the human condition as her staple sultry voice has a way of welcoming all and putting them in a trance as she weaves her stories in through your ears and around your heart and mind.

Effie says that music saved her life and means everything to her.

Effie writes, “I have been writing for so many years but never shared any of my personal work until last year.

Effie writes, “I’m working on pacing myself with releases, instead of just putting albums out back to back.”

We talked with Effie about the autobiographical truth in the lyrics, “Ain’t Gotta Lie.”

11:41

14. Effie – “Ain’t Gotta Lie”
    from: Curve My Enthusiasm / DISTRKCT / August 13, 2021
    [Effie is Effie Altoro. Effie is a songwriter, singer, rapper, producer, one part of Kansas City’s own Jet Pack Productions originally from the Bronx, New York. Effie says that music saved her life and means everything to her. She puts herself in the category of a R&B/Hip Hop Artist. She claims Nina Simone as her biggest influence. Effie writes, “I have been writing for so many years but never shared any of my personal work until last year. So I’m working on pacing myself with releases, instead of just putting so many albums out back to back. My album, Curve My Enthusiasm, is so special to me that I’m going to release a deluxe version in January with 4 additional tracks and videos, including some exciting collaborations. I have also been writing for other artists, so you’ll be able to hear some of those releases soon, as well!” More info at: https://smarturl.it/37jrdz%5D

11:44 – More Interview with Effie

We are talking with R&B/Hip Hop artist, Effie, originally from the Bronx, New York. Effie is a songwriter, singer, rapper, producer, and one part of Kansas City’s own JET Pack Productions. Effie released Curve My Enthusiasm on August 13, 2021.

Effie Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Effie journey includes The Bronx to Kansas to the Bronx and back to Kansas

Effie is one third of JET Pack Productions a Kansas City based music entertainment company created by Musicians Jo Blaq, Effie Altoro, and Tim Ogutu

Many of the tracks on Curve My Enthusiasm, have had videos created for them. The album features exciting collaborations. One of the collaborations includes JET Pack co-founder Jo Blaq on the track “Someday.”

Effie Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:53

15. Effie – “Someday (feat. Jo Blaq)”
    from: Curve My Enthusiasm / DISTRKCT / August 13, 2021
    [Effie is Effie Altoro. Effie is a songwriter, singer, rapper, producer, one part of Kansas City’s own Jet Pack Productions originally from the Bronx, New York. Effie says that music saved her life and means everything to her. She puts herself in the category of a R&B/Hip Hop Artist. She claims Nina Simone as her biggest influence. Effie writes, “I have been writing for so many years but never shared any of my personal work until last year. So I’m working on pacing myself with releases, instead of just putting so many albums out back to back. My album, Curve My Enthusiasm, is so special to me that I’m going to release a deluxe version in January with 4 additional tracks and videos, including some exciting collaborations. I have also been writing for other artists, so you’ll be able to hear some of those releases soon, as well!” More info at: https://smarturl.it/37jrdz%5D

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

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley, on October 27 we welcome Mitch Hewlett Producer and Audio Engineer of Coop Sessions is an online live music series featuring performances from bands and songwriters all over. Recorded in The Coop in Lawrence Kansas. ALSO…Sondra Freeman joins us to share details about Apocalypse Meow 14, on Saturday, November 6, at 7:00 PM – A Virtual Livestream Concert & Online Auction Broadcast from recordBar, with Katy Guillen & The Drive, Sons of Great Dane, Nathan Corsi and The Perfect Strangers, Julia Othmer, and Jass. Go to http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org for more info. AND…Calvin Arsenia joins us to share details about his new book, Every Good Boy Does Fine published by Simon & Schuster. AND… Barry Lee and Alan Murphy join us to share details about Out There – A Musical Journey Thru Space and Time with Alan Murphy and The Space Invaders, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2021 AT 7:00 PM, at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, Kansas.

We send a big THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Fall On-Air Fundraiser during Wednesday MidDay Medley last week, between our Facebook Fundraiser and our Fund Drive show we raised $2915.00 from 49 individual donors. THANK YOU ALL!

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

Show #912