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, May 15, 2019

Wednesday MidDay Medley Celebrates 15

WMM Celebrates our 15th Anniversary with 15 Special Guests: Iris DeMent, Krystle Warren, Calvin Arsenia, Betse Ellis, Kasey Rausch, Mikal Shapiro, Jake Wells, Marion Merritt, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Necia Gamby, Jen Harris, Nico Gray, Fran Stanton, Barry Lee, and Brenton Cook.

Today’s show is a celebration of 786 weeks, 1572 hours of radio, 15,720 hours of preparation, over 2000 guests, and over 15,000 songs, from thousands of musical artists. We have made it our mission to mix musical genres, playing with themes, diversity, equality, and free speech. We seek to connect listeners with artists and venues and studios and community gathering spaces. Wednesday MidDay Medley has proudly endeavored to help tell the story of our growing Kansas City/Lawrence area music communities, “The Midcoast Sound,” as we like to call it.

To say I’ve been inspired by the KC music scene, is an understatement. The KC music community is fueled by a collaborative and generous heart that is beating in so many of the artists I’ve met while doing this show. I am inspired by the women who created radio on 90.1 FM long before me: my friend April Fletcher who now plays bass professionally in Los Angeles, and my friend Anne Winter, who left us in 2009, and reminded us how we’re all connected. I’m inspired by the diverse , intelligent, motivated, listeners, looking for a place where we can connect to the amazing stories and music of our community.

Today we celebrate the pure idea of community radio, free form radio, radio that tells the story of the people who live here, the artists, the writers, the teachers. Today we celebrate 15 years of Wednesday MidDay Medley, the show that has brought us together, at this time, on this frequency, on these community airwaves. Thanks for listening.

10:00

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

2. Dimitri From Paris – “Prologue,”
from: Sacreblu / Atlantic Records / June 11, 1996

10:04 – Introduction of Marion Merritt

Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to WMM, She grew up in Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She went to college in Columbia, Missouri. She studied art and musical engineering, and is a avid lover of classic films and punk rock music. She saw Talking Heads on their first U.S. tour when they played One Block West, in 1978. For 15 years she has been sharing her sonic discoveries and information from her musically-encyclopedic brain on Wednesday MidDay Medley. Marion has joined us for every WMM on-air fund drive to help raise funds for the MidCoast Radio Project. Marion is also the proprietor of Records With Merritt, at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, Missouri, that feature in-store performances from young and upcoming bands.

Marion Merritt thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

We always wanted someone from a record store to have a regular presence on WMM.

When Mark first met Marion she walked up to him and handed him the Philip Glass recordings of the Low Symphony with David Bowie and Brian Eno, saying, “I think you may be interested in this.”

Mark and Marion really didn’t know each other in the beginning, but throughout these 15 years they’ve become very close friends. Mark has watched Marion’s life transition from corporate retail to owning her own record store in the neighborhood where Mark lives.

For 15 years Marion has had a huge influence on our WMM playlists.

10:07 – Marion’s pick

3. Billy Preston – “That’s the Way God Planned It (Live)”
from: The Concert for Bangladesh / Apple Records / December 20, 1971
[The Concert for Bangladesh is a live triple album credited to “George Harrison & Friends” and released on Apple Records in December 1971 in America and January 1972 in Britain. The album followed the two concerts of the same name, held on August 1, 1971 at New York’s Madison Square Garden, featuring Harrison, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and Eric Clapton. The shows were a pioneering charity event, in aid of the homeless Bengali refugees of the Bangladesh Liberation War, and set the model for future multi-artist rock benefits such as Live Aid (1985) and the Concert for New York City (2001). The event brought Harrison and Starr together on a concert stage for the first time since 1966, when the Beatles retired from live performance, and represented Dylan’s first major concert appearance in the US in five years. Co-produced by Phil Spector, The Concert for Bangladesh features his Wall of Sound approach in a live setting. Besides the main performers, the musicians and singers include Badfinger, Jim Horn, Klaus Voormann, Alla Rakha, Jim Keltner, Jesse Ed Davis and Claudia Linnear. Minimal post-production was carried out on the recordings, ensuring that the album was a faithful document of the event. The box set’s packaging included a 64-page book containing photos from the concerts; the album cover, designed by Tom Wilkes, consisted of an image of a malnourished child sitting beside an empty food bowl. The album was delayed for three months due to protracted negotiations between Harrison and two record companies keen to protect their business interests, Capitol and Columbia/CBS. On release, The Concert for Bangladesh was a major critical and commercial success. It topped albums charts in several countries and went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in March 1973. Together with the 1972 Apple concert film directed by Saul Swimmer, the album gained Indian classical music its largest Western audience up until that time. It was reissued in 2005, four years after Harrison’s death, with revised artwork. As of 2011, sales of the album continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF, which raised $1.2 million for children in the Horn of Africa, in a campaign marking the album’s 40th anniversary.] [William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American musician whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he backed artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Rev. James Cleveland and the Beatles. He went on to achieve fame as a solo artist, with hit singles such as “That’s the Way God Planned It”, “Outa-Space”, “Will It Go Round in Circles”, “Space Race”, “Nothing from Nothing” and “With You I’m Born Again”. Additionally, Preston co-wrote “You Are So Beautiful”, which became a number 5 hit for Joe Cocker. Preston was one of five musicians credited on a Beatles recording other than the group’s four members. Preston continued to record and perform with other artists, notably George Harrison after the Beatles’ breakup, and Eric Clapton, and he played keyboards for the Rolling Stones on many of the group’s albums and tours during the 1970s.]

10:11 – Introduction of Maria Vasquez Boyd

Maria Vasquez Boyd is an artist, poet, educator, and radio show host & producer. She has been a regular contributor to Wednesday MidDay Medley where she has produced shows about Ukuleles, The Day of The Dead, and The Artist’s Studio. She has been a regular cast member in our “He Touched Me Gospel Hour” programs, and has contributed original material for almost all of our “A Story In A Song” shows, including our live show at recordBar, and Big Bang Buffet Black Sheep Rising at The Buffalo Room. Maria is graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, where she has taught in the Design/Illustration Department, as well as, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. An artiost and a poet, Maria is a founding member of the Latino Writers Collective. Maria uses all of her experience as the host and producer of ARTSPEAK Radio which airs Wednesdays at Noon, following Wednesday Midday Medley on 90.1 FM KKFI. Soon ARTSPEAK Radio will be celebrating 7 years on the air!

Maria Vasquez Boyd, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Mark met Maria at The Writer’s Place. Mark was on the Board of KKFI’s MidCoast Radio Project, Maria was on the board of Latino Writer’s Collective. They would both go in early to set up for their meetings. Maria was a guest on WMM and we welcomed her back to produce & host several shows and it became clear that she should create Artspeak Radio. Mark and Maria became great friends, and she calls him her “Radio Husband.”

11:14 – Maria’s Story

10:18

4. Wagon Christ – “Rennie Codgers”
from: Tomorrow / Ninja Records / March 29, 2011)

10:18 – Introduction of Necia Gamby

Necia Gamby is Licensed Massage Practitioner at her own practice, NRGinMOTION. She also serves as a licensed Massage Therapist at Spa on Penn. Necia has been in practice for 38 years. She uses Swedish (classical) massage technique. Over the years she has studied and practiced Hatha Yoga and is currently studying TaiChi. She founded and directed the Heartland School of Massage from 1988-1996. She has studied and incorporated Shiatsu, trigger point technique, lomi-lomi and a host of other philosophies and techniques into her massage style. She was an instructor for Johnson County Community College’s Certified Massage Program for 6 years where she taught Basic Swedish technique and Business Practices. She is an avid reader and especially loves science fiction and Korean dramas. Necia is the daughter of a KC Jazz pianist, and the mother of a graphic artist and MC from the acclaimed KC based hiphop duo SoundsGood and her other son is an engineer and producer with the 64111 Clinic.

Necia Gamby, thanks for being us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Mark used to live across the street from Necia.

Necia and Mark used to walk their dogs late at night and talk on the side walks about community radio.

Together, Necia and Mark became friends with Sharon Jones on March 8, 2014

11:22 – Necia’s Pick

5. Bill Withers – “I Love You Dawn”
from: Making Music / Sony / January 1, 1975
[4th studio album by American R&B singer Bill Withers. It was also released in the UK as Making Friends. William Harrison Withers Jr. (born on July 4, 1938) is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. He recorded several major hits, including “Lean on Me”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Use Me”, “Just the Two of Us”, “Lovely Day”, and “Grandma’s Hands”. Withers won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for four more. His life was the subject of the 2009 documentary film Still Bill. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015]

11:25 – Introduction of Nico Gray

Nico Gray has worked as a writer, performance artist, and as an actor with The Kansas City Rep, Gorilla Theatre, the 8th Street Cafe Theatre, Actor’s Craft, and was recently a featured performer in Big Bang Buffet’s Black Sheep Rising. Nico has also worked for Theatre League, The Midland Theatre and is currently a marketing and advertising consultant who does work with Union Station. Rooted in KC, Nico grew up with radio. Nico writes that, “Music has always served as the ‘passport’ through spiritual journeys that have transplanted him to the brownstones of Chicago, the rooftops of Paris, the sea-side of Marseille and the balconies of NYC. ”

Nico Gray welcome back to Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Mark and Nico have been friends since around 1990.

Mark and Nico marched on Washington DC together with their partners in 1993.

11:28 – Nico’s Pick

6. The Limiñanas – “The Gift (Anton mix)”
from: I’ve Got Trouble In Mind Vol. 2 (Rare Stuff 2015/2018) / Because Music / Nov. 16, 2018
[Garage pop and psyche. Getting their start in October of 2009, The Limiñanas are the brainchild of Lio and Marie Limiñana.]

10:32- Underwriting

10:34 – Introduction of Betse Ellis

Betse Ellis is originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been playing the Violin for over 40 years, with over 20 years playing fiddle and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was one of the founding members of the critically acclaimed and internationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and for the last several years is recording and performing with her partner, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. Betse Ellis is also involved with The Short Round Stringband! The 5-piece band is in the process of releasing a new 14-track Tribute To Bill Monroe record.

Betse Ellis thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Mark has known Betse since the late 1980s when she was going to school at UMKC and they did performance art together at Cafe Lulu and Whistler’s Mother.

For more than five years now Betse has been volunteering for KKFI during our Fund Drive Shows to help raise money to keep community radio alive.

Betse & Clarke play The Robert Johnson Birthday Tribute hosted by KKFI’s Boogie Bridge, Sunday, May 19, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at B.B.’s Lawnside BarB-Q, 1205 East 85th Street, Kansas City.

Betse & Clarke play The Ship on Wednesday, May 22 with Bob & Diana Suckiel.

10:38

7. Betse Ellis – “Heaven Bells Are Ringing/Gone to View that Land” (LIVE)

10:42

8. The Magnetic Fields – BBC Radiophonic Workshop
from: Holiday / Merge / 1994

11:42 – Introduction of Kasey Rausch

Kasey Rausch is a 5th generation songwriter & musician. She is co-producer and co-host of River Trade Radio on 90.1FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio on Sunday Mornings 9:00 to 11:00. With pedal steel & guitar master Marco Pascolini, Kasey performs as The Country Duo. Kasey plays locally with classic country honky tonk band The Naughty Pines. And Kasey plays bass in songwriter Scott Stanton’s The Butter Band. Rausch’s third album, Guitar in Hand was released on MudStomp Records in 2014, and debuted at #3 on the Roots Music Reporting charts and was voted one of the top three albums of the year by readers of The Pitch. She was named 2016 Best of the Northland Artist, 2013’s Female Performer of the Year by The Farmer’s Turnpike on KMXN 92.9 FM and is a four-time Pitch Music Award Nominee. She has shared the stage with Joe Ely, Dale Watson, Peter Rowan, Roland White, Kris Delmhorst, Jack Williams and many more.

Kasey Rausch thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Kasey was one of the very first live musical guests on WMM. If you look at our very first playlist from May 14, 2004 you’ll see a diverse mix, and equality between women and men, however there was hardly any “local” music. Mark was learning how to do this radio show, and it was the Kansas City and Lawrence area musicians who came on the show and taught him about the music community. Robert Moore’s Oxblood Records compilation “First Blood” became an early road map to the bands Ghosty, The Architects, Olympic Size, Softee, Roman Numerals, Ssion, The Republic Tiger, Be/Non, American Catastrophe, and others. Midwest Music Foundation and Abigail Henderson helped to shine the light. After the death of Anne Winter, Kasey and mark and Betse Ellis made a pact to be there for each other as friends and to attempt to continue some of of Anne’s work. Mark redirected his focus on the radio show to include even more area releases, and to document the growth of the music in Kansas City. Social media and Facebook became the inter-office memo of the are music community. The birth of festivals: Crossroads Music Fest, Middle of the Map Fest, and Folk Alliance International Conference, the development of more studios and record labels, and the re-birth of record stores.

10:47

9. Mark Mothersbaugh – “Look at That Old Grizzly Bear”
from: The Royal Tenenbaums / UMG / May 12, 2015

10:47 – Introduction of Mikal Shapiro

Mikal Shapiro is a singer, songwriter, artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, ring-leader. Mikal Shapiro is the founder of State City Films – a new media house based in KCMO that she founded to create content that amplifies independent voices and tells stories that ache to be told through documentary and experimental filmmaking practices. Mikal Shapiro has worked on commercial, non-profit and independent productions since 2008. She was Director of Photography for the regional Emmy award-winning film “Tipping Point.” She studied Film History, Film, & Writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She received her MFA in Film/Video/New Media/Animation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012. She has been involved in music and the arts for over two decades. Mikal’s full length solo releases “The Crow The Lark And The Loon” from 2008, and “For Good” from 2010 and “The Musical” from 2017 and “The Musical II” from 2018 have been acclaimed by local music writers, and have been in the top tens of WMM’s Best of lists.

Mikal Shapiro thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Mikal Shapiro just recently finished 10 days of filming, with an female majority crew, inside the Topeka Correctional Facility for Women documenting Rita Chiarelli facilitating a music program that culminated with a concert on May 4, with an all female band presented to their fellow inmates, families, victims, and the community. Authorities from the Department of Corrections were invited to attend including the Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

Mikal Shapiro plays with Monta At Odds at recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, on Friday, May 17, at 8:00 with Redder Moon, and Namelessnumberheadman.

Mikal Shapiro plays in the Jane Doe Revue: Female Rock Orchestra – A Benefit for Abby’s Fund, Saturday, June 8, at 7:30 PM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Boulevard, KCMO with an all female ensemble comprised of members from local bands, Violet and the Undercurrents, Teri Quinn, Amy Farrand and MORE!

10:50

10. Mikal Shapiro – “Lazy Dazy” (LIVE)
(new original song from Mikal)

11. Quiet Corral – Intro
from: Quiet Corral [EP] / Quiet Corral / 2010
[Quiet Corral was an indie folk band from Lawrence, KS. Most of the group went on to form Hembree. Members: Isaac Flynn, Jim Barnes, Matt Green, Jesse Roberts, Garrett Childers, Zach Mehl.]

10:53 – Introduction of Fran Stanton

Fran Stanton is the co-owner of It’s A Beautiful Day. She is also a mom to Hayley and Peter. She is part of the team that produces River Trade Radio every Sunday morning on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio. Fran also celebrated her birthday on Mother’s Day – May 12. Fran is a huge music supporter and traveler and gardener. She is also a dear friend to so many people. Fran has been a frequent contributor to WMM for our “Story In A Song” shows, and as part of the ensemble of “The He Touched Me Gospel Hour” co-written and starring Jim “The Blind Guy” Hoschek.

Fran Stanton, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

It’s A Beautiful Day at 3918 Broadway, KCMO – Customer Appreciation Day is Sunday, May 19, at 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Emceed by Leigh Liles & Miss Conception. Show: 12:15 -12:45 Miss Conception // 1:00-2:00 Original Culture // 2:30-4:00 Better Off Dead – KC // 4:15-5:00 Kan Eyed

10:57 – Station ID

10:57 – Intro for 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 OBrien, toured all over the world, was a frequent contributor to Prairie Home Companion, collaborated on recordings 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 trying to live in both Iowa and Kansas City, Iris ended up moving to Iowa but she still holds on to her love of the 816.

10:58

12. Iris DeMent – Mark Interviews Iris
from: KKFI Production Studio / Recorded Saturday, May 11, 2019

11:05

13. Iris DeMent – “Let The Mystery Be”
from: Infamous Angel / Warner Brothers / 1992 / 1993
[Iris DeMent’s first three releases, all on Warner Brothers records, were critically acclaimed, and she received two Grammy nominations during this time, in the “Folk Music” category. Meanwhile country radio completely overlooked her original songs, and amazing voice that has been compared to Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. For her 1992 debut record, John Prine wrote the liner notes. “One night after receiving a copy of “Let the Mystery Be,” I was listening to the tape while frying a dozen or so pork chops in a skillet. Well Iris DeMent starts singing about “Mama’s Opry,” and being the sentimental fellow I am, I got a lump in my throat and a tear fell from my eyes into the hot oil. Well the oil popped out and burnt my arm as if the pork chops were trying to say, “Shut up, or I’ll really give you something to cry about.” Of course, pork chops can’t talk. But Iris DeMent’s songs can. They talk about isolated memories of life, love and living. And Iris has a voice I like a whole lot, like one you’ve heard before— but not really. So listen to this music, this Iris DeMent. It’s good for you. And if pork chops could talk, they’d probably learn how to sing one of her songs. Then we’d all have something to cry about.” – John Prine, Songwriter, musician & president Oh Boy! Records.]

11:08 – Introduction of Krystle Warren

Krystle Warren began her musical career in KC in 2001 collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label – Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played “Later with Jools Holland,” garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music to release her double album: “Love Songs,” from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty. Most recently Krystle released, Three The Hard Way that she co-produced with Ben Kane (D’Angelo). Three The Hard Way was #1 on WMM’s 117 Best Recordings of 2017.

Krystle Warren thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We last talked with Krystle on Wednesday MidDay Medley on January 30, 2019 with Brad Cox and Jen Owen just prior to the Owen Cox Dance Group’s show “What Keeps Mankind Alive.”
In late 2018 you were in KC to participate in Calvin Arsenia’s Cantaloupe Premiere at The Gem Theatre, and that same weekend you sand at Mutual Musicians Foundation and did surprise show at The Ship.

Krystle has travelled all over the world and has musical ties in Paris, London, San Francisco, and New York City, but K\C will always hold a special place in her heart.

Krystle was brought to Paris by a record label that sent her a one way ticket. Because Music put our her record “Circles.” Krystle performed on multiple European television shows and then ended up leaving the label.

Krystle’s independently produced, “Love Songs” features 24 songs, on two albums, recorded in New York City, with a 27-piece orchestra. You followed up this double album extravaganza with Three The Hard Way, where you played almost every single instrument and sang lead and harmonized with your own voice in a critically acclaimed work of musical art.

In between all of these projects Krystle has recored with Hercules and The Love Affair, Joon Moon, and tribute concerts and recordings for Kate McGarrigle and Nick Drake.

Krystle has toured extensively with Rufus Wainwright, Joan as Police Woman, Nick Cave, and Norah Jones.

Krystle Warren thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:17

14. Krystle Warren – “Get A Load”
from: Three The Hard Way / Parlour Door Music / August 18, 2017
[Produced by Krystle Warren and Ben Kane (D’Angelo, Emily King, PJ Morton). Recorded, engineered, and mixed by Ben Kane. Written & performed by Krystle Warren. Mixed at The Garden, Brooklyn. Mastered & cut by Alex DeTurk at Masterdisk. Last year in Krystle Warren premiered this song and her other new songs from this album at the Middle of the Map Fest in a packed room at Californos in Westport and later at The Polsky Theatre for the Performing Arts Series of Johnsons County Community College. For this record Krystle decided to play every instrument and vocals & back up vocals, “playing bass, drums, lap steel, piano, guitar, and vocals directly to analog tape. She and Ben Kane recorded in Villetaneuse, France, a small town on the outskirts of Paris in a vintage 70s era studio that offered just the right, rich sound to suggest the musical foundation for the record, and to do justice to the duo’s carefully balanced arrangements.” On the radio show last year Krystle shared inspirations for this record, early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones. Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections.] [Krystle Warren was on WMM on September 20. We played her music on 12 different shows.]

11:19 – Introduction of Barry Lee

Barry Lee is host of Signal to Noise heard Friday nights at 9:00 here on KKFI 90.1 FM. Barry has been a longtime programmer at KKFI. Barry Lee has organized multiple benefit concerts for KKFI including his annual Beatles Tribute shows, A Tribute to Pete Seeger, and special “Collaborations” recordings. It was while playing in a tribute to Neil Young that Barry and friends formed Broken Arrows, a 5-piece band that has released their second record, “Street Flowers” in August of 2018 to critical acclaim. [Broken Arrows play Knuckleheads, Thursday, May 16 with the Kaw Tikis & Berwanger.] [Broken Arrows play Jazzhaus, Friday, May 17 with the Kaw Tikis ]Broken Arrows play The Bottleneck in Lawrence, Saturday, May 18 in support of The Jubilee Mystics cd release party.

Barry Lee thank you for being with us on WMM

11:20

15. Barry Lee – “Pale Blue Eyes” (Live)
Written by Lou Reed

11:26

16. Anne Winter – “Flying the Staff to The Pixies in Chicago”
from: Wednesday MidDay Medley’s Tribute to Recycled Sounds / WMM / March 22, 2006

11:27 – Underwriting

11:29 – Intro of Brenton Cook

Brenton Cook studied Computer Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology, in Rolla, Missouri, where he also had his own college radio show. Brenton has produced extensive compilations of area music for the Midwest Music Foundation. He formed the Kansas City independent music label, Haymaker Records in January 2014. The label has released multiple full length albums, for Monta At Odds, HMPH!, Be/Non, Jorge Arana Trio, Riala, Mysterious Clouds, Sie Lieben Maschinen, Schwervon!, and others on vinyl, cassette, CD, and 7 “. He has also produced two Haymaker compilation releases, called Fairgrounds. For the last 6 years, Haymaker Records has been a co-sponsor & co-curator of the Outer Reaches Fest.

Brenton Cook thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:32 – Brenton’s Pick

17. HMPH! – “Three Chords”
from: Three Chords – Single / Haymaker Records / To be released
[Ryan Lee Toms on guitar, Jonathan Thatch on drums, and Kitten Adventure Boggs on bass.]

11:36 – Intro of Calvin Arsenia

Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia who came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has released his EPs, Moments, Prose, and his full length debut, Catastrophe. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. In 2018 Calvin launched a three month Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Lyon and Paris. That same year he was signed to Center Cut Records and released his latest full length album Cantaloupe with a giant show at The Gem Theatre. This year Calvin played Folk Alliance in Montreal and has been traveling all over the world.

Calvin Arsenia thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Calvin Arsenia just returned from shows on the West and East Coasts.

Calvin Arsenia has a show this Saturday night a The Rino in North Kansas City with Teri Quinn and Aaron James from Memphis.

11:40

18. Calvin Arsenia – “Cantaloupe” (Live)
from: Cantaloupe / Center Cut Records / September 15, 2018 (KC Release)
[The first release on Center Cut Records. Calvin Arsenia who came home to KC in 2014 after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has released the EPs, Moments, Prose, and last year’s full length debut, Catastrophe. This year he released the EP Caviar to special guests who attended his Wickstock West show in West Bottoms. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar & harp. Calvin has played Folk Alliance International, KC Fringe Fest, Apocalypse Meow, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Last year he undertook a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Lyon and Paris.]

11:45

19. Eulogies – “Inward”
from: Eulogies / Dangerbird Records / September 11, 2007

11:45 – Intro of Jen Harris

Poet Jen Harris is the founder of Kansas City Poetry Slam, she is a TEDx fellow, She has been nationally recognized for her writing and advocacy. She was recently seen in the 3rd season of Queer Eye on Netflix. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts. She is the recipient of the 2015 Jim Wanser Pride Award for outstanding LGBT community activism. She is the recipient of The Pitch Magazine’s 2017 Poet of the Year award, and was nominated as the 2017 Spoken Word Host of the Year by the National Spoken Word Awards. She was the 2009 ACP Kansas Journalist of the Year. She has two published books of poetry titled: Slammed and Lust & Disdain. Her spoken word record, Flaunting Her Mediocrity was released Oct 9, 2016.

Jen Harris thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Mark met Jen Harris at The Tivoli Theatre, since then he has watched her build her spoken word / poetry career in Kansas City, Denver, and across the midwest.

Jen just recently graduated from Artist Inc.

11:48 – Jen Harris Poem

20. Jen Harris – ” ” (LIVE)

11:51 – Intro of Jake Wells

Last fall the whole world saw KC based singer songwriter – Jake Wells perform on NBC television’s musical competition show The Voice, where he sang in the blind audition and ended up being chosen to be a part of the team coached by Adam Levine of Maroon 5. Jake Wells spent his childhood singing and playing gospel music throughout the country, all the while developing his own talent and style. He studied musical composition in Colorado and performed music while hitchhiking the States before moving to Kansas City. We first played Jake Wells on Wednesday MidDay Medley when Jake released his first self-produced single, “Roll Like Thunder.” Last year Jake released his debut EP Orange and Blue. Jake Wells joins us today to share his brand new single.

Jake Wells, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Jake Wells was born in Niceville, Florida and spent his childhood singing and playing gospel music throughout the country with his family, all the while developing his own talent and style.

Jake studied musical composition at University of Northern Colorado in Colorado and performed music while hitchhiking the States before moving to Kansas City.

We first played Jake Wells on Wednesday MidDay Medley when Jake released his first self-produced single, “Roll Like Thunder”.

More information at http://www.jakewellsmusic.com

11:54

For Wednesday MidDay Medley, I’m Mark Manning, Thanks for listening

17. Jake Wells – “Wanted To Love You (Master)”
from: Wanted To Love You – Single / Sound 81 Productions / May 18, 2019
[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.]

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

Next week on May 22 – Jason Buice joins us to share music from his debut EP Other / Side and David George who produced the new recordings will also join us with new music. At 11:00 Helen Proctor share new music from her band HelKat and Shawn Stewart share music from his new album, “Poppies and Puppies.” And at 11:30 Mark talks with music icon Cris Williamson who returns to Kansas City for a special show on Thursday, May 30 at 7:00 at Center For Spiritual Living with Teresa Trull and Barbara Higbie.

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

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

Show #786

Notes on WMM’s 15th Anniversary:

During the past 15 years, Wednesday MidDay Medley has welcomed over 2000 guests, and we have featured 15,000 songs from thousands of musical artists. We have made it our mission to mix musical genres, playing with themes, diversity, equality, and free speech. We seek to connect listeners with artists and venues and studios and community gathering places. Wednesday MidDay Medley has proudly endeavored to help tell the story of our growing Kansas City / Lawrence area music communities, “The Midcoast Sound,” as we like to call it.

We have dedicated the majority of our programming to New & MidCoastal Releases and have been the first to broadcast the music of Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear, Calvin Arsenia, Ivory Blue, Krystle Warren, Rev. Gusto, Shy Boys, and so many others. We’ve created new formats in radio, with our popular, “A Story In A Song” series, and our specials featuring: The MidCoast Takeover, Middle of The Map, The Crossroads Music Fest, The Outer Reaches Festival, The Lawrence Field Day Fest, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Tribute to David Bowie, The Pioneers of Punk, LGBT themes, Performance Art, Theatre, “The He Touched Me Gospel Hour,” our interviews with Tommy Ramone, Iris Dement, Laurie Anderson, Lily Tomlin, Sam Harris, Holly Near, Cris Williamson, and our annual 4-week special: the 100+ Best Recordings of the Year.

Wednesday MidDay Medley has been a platform for others too, including Marion Merritt who for 15 years has joined us to share sonic discoveries and information from her musically encyclopedic brain. Maria Vasquez Boyd, host and creator of Artspeak Radio, who first started producing and hosting entire shows for Wednesday MidDay Medley. Other contributing “Guest Producers” include: Nico Gray, Brenton Cook, Simone Briand, Chris Haghirian & Nathan Reusch, Necia Gamby, Michelle Bacon, Aaron Rhodes, Steve Gardels, Fally Afani, Judy Mills, Mikal Shapiro, Sherman Breneman, DJ Fat Sal, Betse Ellis, Anne Winter, Jesse Bartmess, Krystle Warren, Christian LaBeau, Britt Adair, Katlyn Conroy, Kasey & Kim Rausch, Rolf Peterman, Mark Titus, Natalie Gallager, Jamie Rich, Shaun Crowley, Jim “The Blind Guy” Hoschek, Tim Kearns, and more.