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 22, 2019

Jason Buice & David George
+ Helen Proctor & Shawn Stewart +
Cris Williamson, Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie

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

2. The National – “You Had Your Soul with You [feat. Gail Ann Dorsey]”
from: I Am Easy to Find / 4AD / May 17, 2019
[The National is an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Founded by Berninger, Aaron Dessner, and Scott and Bryan Devendorf, The National released their self-titled debut album, The National (2001), on Brassland Records, an independent record label founded by Dessner and his twin brother, Bryce Dessner. Bryce, who had assisted in recording the album, soon joined the band, participating as a full member in the recording of its follow-up, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003). Leaving behind their day jobs, the National signed with Beggars Banquet Records and released their third studio album, Alligator (2005), to widespread critical acclaim. The band’s fourth and fifth studio albums, Boxer (2007) and High Violet (2010), increased their exposure significantly. In 2013, the band released its sixth studio album, Trouble Will Find Me, which was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2017 the band released the album Sleep Well Beast, which won the Grammy award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Their eighth studio album, I Am Easy to Find, was released on May 17, 2019. Four of the band’s albums were included on NME’s 2013 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Pitchfork writes: “On nearly every song Berninger is accompanied and sometimes silenced by a rotation of featured female vocalists who step in to offer perspective, commentary, and dissent. The National have recruited some of the best singers out, among them Lisa Hannigan, Mina Tindle, Kate Stables, Sharon Van Etten, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, whose spotlight “Dust Swirls in Strange Light” benches Berninger all together. Most revelatory of all is Gail Ann Dorsey, David Bowie’s longtime bassist and backing singer, who heralds the album’s new direction midway through opener “You Had Your Soul With You.” Her extraordinary voice of saffron arrives like a divine intervention, instantly parting a track that had previously been National-by-numbers.]

3. Big Thief – “UFOF”
from: U.F.O.F. / 4AD / May 3, 2019
[Third album from Brooklyn, NYC, based Big Thief iwith Adrianne Lenker on vocals & guitar, Buck Meek on guitar, Max Oleartchik on bass, and James Krivchenia on drums. The “F” stands for Friend. The band’s forst two albums were releasd on Sadle Creek. This is their first on 4AD Redords.]

4. Sinkane – “Ya Sudan”
from: Dépaysé / City Slang / Expected May 31, 2019
[7th Album from Sinkane (born Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab in London, England in 1983. He is a Sudanese-American musician who blends krautrock, prog rock, electronica, free jazz and funk rock with Sudanese pop. Born to college professors in London, he lived in Sudan, then moved to the US when he was five, and lived for some time in Ohio. Prior to embarking on his solo career, he worked with Eleanor Friedberger, Caribou, of Montreal, Born Ruffians, and Yeasayer as a session musician. Ahmed Gallab is the vocalist and music director of the Atomic Bomb! Band which plays the music of Nigerian funk musician William Onyeabor. The group includes David Byrne (of Talking Heads), Money Mark (of the Beastie Boys), Damon Albarn (of Blur and Gorillaz), Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange and Lightspeed Champion), Alexis Taylor (of Hot Chip), Charles Lloyd, Amadou and Mariam, Jamie Lidell, Pharoah Sanders, Joshua Redman, among many many others.]

5. Jamila Woods – “FRIDA”
from: LEGACY! LEGACY! / Jagjaguwar / May 10, 2019
[Second album from Jamila Woods who was born October 6, 1989, and is a Chicago-based American singer, songwriter and poet. Woods is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and Brown University, where she received a BA in Africana Studies and Theater & Performance Studies. Her work focuses on themes of Black ancestry, Black feminism, and Black identity, with recurring emphases on self-love and the City of Chicago. In 2012, Jamila Woods published her first chapbook, entitled The Truth About Dolls. Her work can be found in the anthologies The Breakbeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop (2015), Courage: Daring Poems for Gutsy Girls (2014), and The UnCommon Core: Contemporary Poems for Learning & Living (2013). Her influences include Lucille Clifton, Gwendolyn Brooks, Toni Morrison, and Frida Kahlo. Woods was also one of three editors of The Breakbeat Poets Volume II, entitled Black Girl Magic. The 2018 publication is an anthology of poetry by contemporary Black women, “exploring themes of beauty, unapologetic blackness, intersectionality, self-definition, and more.” Woods is the Associate Artistic Director of Young Chicago Authors (YCA), an organization in the Chicago dedicated to uplifting youth voices through arts education and mentorship. Through YCA, Woods helps to organize Louder Than a Bomb, the world’s largest youth poetry slam festival. She also facilitates poetry workshops and creates curriculum for Chicago Public Schools. She is widely known for her collaborative works with Chance the Rapper on the hit song “Sunday Candy” from the album Surf as well as “Blessings” from Coloring Book. Woods is also featured on the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song “White Privilege II”. In January 2016, Woods signed to Chicago’s independent hip-hop label, Closed Sessions. Jamila released her debut album HEAVN on her SoundCloud page on July 11, 2016 to critical acclaim. The album features collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, Lorine Chia, Kweku Collins and Donnie Trumpet.]

6. The Creepy Jingles – “Microchip On Your Shoulder”
from: The Creepy Jingles EP / High Dive Records / May 3, 2019
[Debut EP Release from The Creepy Jingles: Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar, & Keyboards; Travis McKenzie on lead guitars, Nick Robertson on drums; and Adam York on bass. From His Dive Records website: “The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit. Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Adam York delivers pulsing Bass lines that the compliment the songs and his partner in the rhythm section. Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. Beware The Creepy Jingles, their siren call is coming from inside the house.”]

[The Creepy Jingles plays Harrison Street DIY 401 Harrison St, KCMO Wednesday, May 22, at 8:00 PM with HelKat and Scammers.]

7. Momma’s Boy – “Sugar”
from: Sugar – Single / Manor Records / May 3, 2019
[Recorded and mixed by Ross Brown of Shy Boys/Fullbloods and mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. The song features Peter Beatty on lead vocals and lyric writing. Momma’s Boy hails from Kansas City, based band with Quinn Hernandez on the drums, Jared Bajkowski on bass, Peter Beatty’ on guitar, Shaun Crowley on guitar. The band also features three singers, as Peter, Shaun and Jared rotate on lead vocals.]

8. Kid Computer – “You”
from: The Darnedest Things – EP / Kid Computer / April 26, 2019
[Kansas City based 4-piece band with Matt Gore, Christian Sanchez, Dalton Grenier, and George McMillian.]

[Kid Computer play an EP Release Show, Saturday, May 25, at 10:00 PM at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence KS., with The Sluts and Vehicles.]

9. Tiki Brawlers – “Worth The Wait”
from: All Night Riot / Tiki Brawlers / April 29, 2019
[Debut album from Kansas City based, Tiki Brawlers who formed in 2018. The music is a blend of ska, reggae, punk, pop, and rock. Tiki Brawlers are: Ian Griggs on vocals, Brad Buckner on drums, Galen Gould on bass, Mike Burton on guitar & vocals, with Kadesh Flow on trombone, and Ernest Melton on saxophone. Recorded at Markosa Studios, Roeland Park, KS. Engineered and Mastered by Mark Thies. Original Artwork by Anthony and Jessica Olvera.]

[Tiki Brawlers play Davey’s Uptown Rambler’s Club, on Friday May 24, with New Common Ground & Grapple The Sun.]

[Tiki Brawlers play miniBar, 3810 Broadway Rd, KCMO, Saturday, June 15, at 9:00 PM with The Mad Kings, and The Low Down Dirty Dirt Band.]

10:30 – Underwriting

10. Jason Buice – “Both Sides”
from: Both Sides EP / Jason Buice / June 7, 2019
[Both Sides contains five original songs written by Jason Buice and arranged by David George. Many local artists appear throughout the album including Kristin Hamilton (Under the Big Oak Tree), Mark Verbeck (Scotch Hollow) and touring bluegrass artist Caleb Ryan Martin. The album is best described as Indie Folk/Americana music. Produced by David George. Recorded and Mixed at Largely Studios (KCMO) by Pat Tomek. Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Studio (KCMO)]

[Jason Buice hosts a Both Sides Release Party at Records with Merritt, 1614 Westport Rd, KCMO, on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.]

10:32 – Interview with Jason Buice & David George

Lawrence based singer songwriter, Jason Buice joins us to talk about his new 5 song EP Both Sides to be released on June 7. Both Sides was produced by David George and recorded and mixed by Pat Tomek (of The Rainmakers and Howard Iceberg & The Titanics). Both Sides contains five original songs written by Jason Buice and arranged by David George.

Also joining us is singer, songwriter, producer, rock and roller, musical theatre creator, David George who will share a new track from the Volker Brothers new EP Wrecking Ball, to be released on June 28. Jason Buice hosts a Both Sides Release Party at Records with Merritt, 1614 Westport Rd, KCMO, on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Jason Buice and David George thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Congratulations on all of the new music.

Jason Buice (pronounced “Bice”) will release his 5 song EP Both Sides on June 7.

Both Sides was Produced by David George and recorded and mixed by Pat Tomek (The Rainmakers) at Largely Studios (KCMO).

Jason approached the multi-talented David George and asked him to produce. David agreed and helped Jason develop the songs to a new height he wouldn’t have discovered on his own.

David has treated each song as his own and helped Jason grow in his expression of songs.

Jason and David were also fortunate enough to record with Pat Tomek (The Rainmakers) at his home studio. Pat is an excellent drummer and did incredible work engineering and mixing each song in addition to lending his powerful drums to the mix.

The cherry on top was having Duane Trower master the album at Weights & Measures.

Jason loved collaborating with other musicians he admires: Caleb Ryan Martin, Kristin Hamilton, Michael Turnbo, Mark Verbeck, Marco Pascolini and Nathan Reeves Nall contribute their talents to the ep.

Both Sides contains five original songs written by Jason Buice and arranged by David George. Many local artists appear throughout the album including Kristin Hamilton (Under the Big Oak Tree), Mark Verbeck (Scotch Hollow) and touring bluegrass artist Caleb Ryan Martin. The album is best described as Indie Folk/Americana music.

JASON BUICE / BOTH SIDES
1. Wait it Out 3:17
2. Cuts Deep 3:12
3. Light On 3:33
4. Omar, He Knows 2:50
5. Both Sides 3:02

http://JasonBuiceMusic.Bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/JasonBuiceMusic
Instagram: @brother_jb
Twitter: Buice_Tweets

10:42

11. Jason Buice – “Omar, He Knows”
from: Both Sides EP / Jason Buice / June 7, 2019
[Both Sides contains five original songs written by Jason Buice and arranged by David George. Many local artists appear throughout the album including Kristin Hamilton (Under the Big Oak Tree), Mark Verbeck (Scotch Hollow) and touring bluegrass artist Caleb Ryan Martin. The album is best described as Indie Folk/Americana music. Produced by David George. Recorded and Mixed at Largely Studios (KCMO) by Pat Tomek. Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Studio (KCMO)]

[Jason Buice hosts a Both Sides Release Party at Records with Merritt, 1614 Westport Rd, KCMO, on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.]

10:45

We are talking with Lawrence based singer songwriter, Jason Buice about his new 5 song EP Both Sides to be released on June 7. Both Sides was produced by David George and contains five original songs written by Jason Buice and arranged by David George.

Also joining us is singer, songwriter, producer, rock and roller, musical theatre creator, David George who will share a new track from The Volker Brothers new EP Wrecking Ball, to be released on June 27 with a show in The Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads.

Jason Buice hosts a Both Sides Release Party at Records with Merritt, 1614 Westport Rd, KCMO, on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Jason Buice and David George thanks for being with us again on WMM.

David George has toured all over the place with John Fogerty, played on national television, had his music played when the Chiefs score a touch down, has written a Christmas Musical about a Drag Queen, has performed at The Missouri Repertory Theatre, and once invited me to sing in the chorus to a single and video he created, you have certainly produced many of your own records what was it like producing for Jason?

Jason has done so many jobs, working in theatre, in the offices of law firms, religious organizations, working as an exterminator, a delivery driver, a photographer, a record label associate, I’ve watched you navigate the Kansas City music landscape and it’s great to see that you’ve found safe harbor and are able to create this new recording.

David, what is the biggest advice you would want to give to musicians and singer songwriters venturing into the music business?

Jason Buice hosts a Both Sides Release Party at Records with Merritt, 1614 Westport Rd, KCMO, on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Volker Brothers Play a Wrecking Ball EP Release Show Thursday, June 27, at 7:30 in The Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads.

The new Volker Brothers was recorded at Weights and Measures Sound Lab with engineer Duane Trower, Matt Richey on drums, Lin Buck on keys, and Rick Willoughby on bass!

Jason Buice and David George thanks for being with us again on WMM.

10:56

12. Volker Brothers – “Wrecking Ball”
from: Wrecking Ball / Jason Buice / June 28, 2019
[2nd EP from Erik Voeks and David George, two rock and roll brothers who play guitar and harmonized on their own pop-folk-rock songs influenced by The Everly Brothers to Elvis Costello from XTC to the Finn Brothers.]

[Volker Brothers Play an EP Release Show Thursday, June 27, at 7:30 in The Gospel Lounge at Kunckleheads.]

11:00 – Station ID
11:00 – Interview with Helen Proctor and Shawn Stewart

On June 5th, Helen Proctor will celebrate her birthday. Why do I mention this, because even though I’m several decades older, I too will celebrate my birthday on June 5. I honestly relate to, and appreciate, the mercurial nature of Helen Proctor, who is many things: a musician, an artist, a model, a community organizer, a college graduate, an activist, a teacher, a ‘zine publisher, a performer, a comedian, a worker, and advocate working to end domestic violence and gender based sexual violence. Her band Helkat is getting set to release their debut single “I Want You.” Helkat plays Harrison Street DIY 401 Harrison St, KCMO Wed, May 22, at 8:00 PM with Creepy Jingles and Scammers.

Helen Proctor thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Shawn Stewart started playing music in Kansas City after he moved here from Chicago in 1991. His band, “Tin Roof Echo” played venues around town through 1993 when he retired to the suburbs to raise a family as a “stay at home dad.” In 2014, after his kids were grown, he moved midtown to pick up where he left off. He released four albums under the moniker, “JohnnySuperColossal”. In September he’s taking his trailer to Nashville for three months then on to Los Angeles for three months to pursue music publishers and radio.

Shawn Stewart thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Shawn and Helen were introduced by Poet Jen Harris

Shawn Stewart writes: “In December, I had this crazy idea to form a band that was equal parts WWF and punk pop. It didn’t matter if the band could play, I just wanted flash and image and hopefully a lead singer with a massive personality who wasn’t too flat. The reception to my idea was lukewarm from most people. I decided to run the idea by Jen Harris though before giving up. She loved it and impressed upon me the importance of having each character develop a unique persona. She also told me Helen Proctor was the lead singer I needed.

Helen and I met. I told her we would record Spotify singles and schedule a series of faux shows which would consist of her kicking the crap out of a strategically placed actor each time: unruly sound tech, loud cell-phone talker and sometimes even physical altercations with me, the manager. As Jen had predicted, she loved the idea! She was quite enthusiastic and crafted the role of “hot lesbian lead singer who seduces the crowd and occasionally assaults men.”

We added Laura Fred (the perpetually intoxicated one) on drums and Phia (the broody quiet one) on bass. I gave Helen the song with which I wanted to lead- “I Want You”. We took black and whites of our first “show” a NYE house party at which Helen had beat some guy up for taking unauthorized pics. I received a series of Instant Messages from people disappointed they had not been invited to the house show and imploring me to invite them to see this spectacle of a band’s future outings.

As things progressed, it became clear that there was a lot of actual talent and musical compatibility within the fake band. The meetings organically turned into practices and we were jamming. We were writing new songs, bringing old songs to practice and reworking them together. Helen showed us an acoustic breakup song she’d written a few years back and now it’s a groovy reggae-punk tune. We added Rozz Petrozz on drums, Dylan McGonigle on guitar and with great reluctance, and mostly because Phia was leaving the country, me on bass.

Helkat is releasing the Spotify single of “I Want You” on May 31, and playing shows through August only before we lose Dylan to The Iowa Writers Workshop and Shawn to Nashville. Helkat is a meteor, not a planet.

11:09

13. Helkat – “I Want You”
from: I Want You – Single / Helkat / To Be Released: May 31, 2019
[Post apocalyptic lounge punk from Kansas City based Helen Proctor on lead vocals & guitar, Laura Fred on drums, Rozz Petrozz on drums, Dylan McGonigle on guitar and Shawn Stewart on bass.]

[Helkat plays Harrison Street DIY 401 Harrison St, KCMO Wednesday, May 22, at 8:00 PM with Creepy Jingles and Scammers.]

11:12 – More Interview with Helen Proctor & Shawn Stewart

We are talking with Helen Proctor. Her band Helkat has just released their single “I Want You.” Helkat plays Harrison Street DIY 401 Harrison St, KCMO Wednesday, May 22, at 8:00 PM with Creepy Jingles and Scammers.

Helen Proctor thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Also with us us Shawn Stewart who releases music under the moniker, “JohnnySuperColossal”. In September he’s taking his trailer to Nashville for three months then on to Los Angeles for three months to pursue music publishers and radio.

Shawn Stewart thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Helen Proctor is the founder of Flaccid Femmes

Helen Proctor works for Manifesto and Rose Brooks

Poppies and Puppies will be part of Shawn’s new album “Pop.”

Shawn Stewart started playing the Kansas City clubs after he moved here from Chicago in 1991. His band, “Tin Roof Echo” was booked at the clubs around town through 1993 when he retired to the suburbs to raise a family as a stay at home dad.

In 2014, kids are grown, he moved midtown to pick up where he left off. He released four albums under the “JohnnySuperColossal” moniker through 2018. In 2019, in collaboration with “Helkat”, he is trying to get his songs on the radio with a vengeance and toNashville and Los Angeles publishers. In September he’s taking his trailer for three months to Nashville then three months to Los Angeles for that purpose.

Helen Proctor & Shawn Stewart thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Helkat plays Harrison Street DIY 401 Harrison St, KCMO Wednesday, May 22, at 8:00 PM with Creepy Jingles and Scammers.

11:21

14. JohnnySuperColossals – “Poppies and Puppies”
from: Poppies and Puppies – Single / Shawn Stewart / May 17, 2019
[Shawn Stewart started playing music in Kansas City after he moved here from Chicago in 1991. His band, “Tin Roof Echo” played venues around town through 1993 when he retired to the suburbs to raise a family as a “stay at home dad.” In 2014, after his kids were grown, he moved midtown to pick up where he left off. He released four albums under the moniker, “JohnnySuperColossal”. In September he’s taking his trailer to Nashville for three months then to Los Angeles for three months to pursue music publishers and radio..]

15. Bob Mould – “Camp Sunshine”
from: Sunshine Rock / Merge Records / February 8, 2019
[Sunshine Rock is the 13th solo album from American rock musician Bob Mould born Robert Arthur Mould on October 16, 1960. He is principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s. Born in Malone, New York Mould lived in several places, including the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area where he attended Macalester College. There, he formed Hüsker Dü in the late 1970s with drummer/singer Grant Hart and bass guitarist Greg Norton. Mould and Hart were the principal songwriters for Hüsker Dü, with Hart’s higher-pitched vocals and Mould’s baritone taking the lead in alternate songs. Though Mould’s sexual orientation had previously been something of an open secret, he was outed in the early 1990s in an interview in the music magazine Spin; he came to terms with being openly gay, even appearing in the movie Bear Nation, self-identifying as a bear. In April 2004, Mould was a co-organizer of the WEDRock benefit concert for Freedom to Marry. “WedRock” was a play on the word “wedlock”. The event raised an estimated US$30,000. Mould also contributed the song “See a Little Light” to the 2006 album Wed-Rock: A Benefit for Freedom to Marry, an album to support in the legalization of same-sex marriage. In interviews to promote his 2019 album Sunshine Rock, Mould revealed that he had been residing in Berlin, Germany since 2015.

11:28 – Underwriting

16. Cris Williamson – “Motherland”
from: Motherland / Wolf Moon Records / November 14, 2017
[30th release from legendary singer songwriter. Produced by Julie Wolf.]

[Cris Williamson, Barbara Higbie and Teresa Trull play The Center for Spiritual Living – Kansas City, 1014 West 39th Street, KCMO, on Thursday, May 3 ]

11:34 – Interview with Cris Williamson, Teresa Trull, and Barbara Higbie

The legendary Cris Williamson recently released her 32nd album, Motherland. Cris Williamson is a brilliant songwriter, poet, pioneer, and renegade who recorded her first album in the 1964 when she was sixteen. Cris Williamson’s groundbreaking album, The Changer and the Changed, from 1975, became one of the best-selling independent releases of all time, selling over 500,000 copies. The sales allowed the independent label Olivia Records the ability to release music from a whole new movement of diverse female artists, all overlooked by mainstream music. Cris Williamson helped to forge a historic movement for women in the male dominated music industry, fostering the creation of completely female owned record labels, touring companies, and music festivals. Cris Williamson recently was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Americana Music Association. One of Cris Williamson’s best friends and longtime collaborator – Grammy Nominated singer songwriter producer Teresa Trull is back in the States momentarily from New Zealand where she now makes her home, Teresa Trull joins forces with Barbara Higbie and Cris Williamson who last played together in Kansas City over 10 years ago are back together for a string of shows in Portland, Berkeley, Seattle and Boulder. The trio play The Center for Spiritual Living – Kansas City, 1014 West 39th Street, KCMO, on Thursday, May 30, at 7:00 PM.

Cris Williamson thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Congratulations on the the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Americana Music Association.

We loved seeing Cris Williamson in the American Masters PBS film Singing For Our Lives the story of Holly Near.

Cris is currently in rehearsal with friends Barbara Higbie and Teresa Trull.

The first show of their tour is this Friday in Portland.

Teresa Trull was brought up in Durham, North Carolina, where she was steeped at an early age in blues, gospel, and rhythm & blues, Teresa Trull began her musical career singing gospel in churches, then served as the lead singer in a rock & roll band for several years before joining the East Coast nightclub circuit. Since the release of her first album, The Ways a Woman Can Be, in 1977, Trull’s gutsy rock & roll vocal style and her songwriting and record production talents have won the fiery-haired singer an ever-widening recognition. In particular, Teresa’s collaboration with Barbara Higbie on their CD’s Unexpected and Playtime as well as her partnership with Cris Williamson on the CD Country Blessed have received wide critical acclaim. Other musicians with whom Trull has performed and recorded include Huey Lewis, Bonnie Hayes, David Sanborn, Andy Narell, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Alex DeGrassi, Joan Baez, Linda Tillery, Holly Near, the Topp Twins, Tami Neilson and Tracy Nelson. A songwriter of considerable note, Trull co-wrote two songs on the Whispers’ gold album Love for Love, including the title track, with Ray Obiedo, and her production talents were recognized by the New York Music Awards and featured in the industry standard Mix Magazine.

In 2011 Teresa moved to New Zealand to pursue her passion for horses and founded New Zealand Horse Help to help horses with their people problems. She has sung on stage at the Rugby World Cup and sung NZ’s national anthem in Maori and English for the World Cup Show Jumping Event.

Blessed with an endless supply of energy, Trull’s live performances have been said to combine the high power of Nona Hendryx with the irreverent wit of Bette Midler.

Barbara Higbie has been a professional musician since age 17, Barbara has played everything from Traditional Jazz, Bluegrass and Irish to New Classical Music, Blues, and African Pop. She is known for her ability to compose in a style that is both genre-bending and accessible. A Grammy-nominated, Grammy award-winning composer, pianist, fiddler, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Barbara Higbie has performed on more than 100 albums, including Carlos Santana’s 2007 release. Her latest solo release, 2014’s Scenes from Life was recorded at Lucas Films Skywalker Sound.

As a solo artist, Barbara’s first solo CD Signs of Life was named a Washington Post Top Ten of the Year. Four other solo releases, I Surrender, Variations on a Happy Ending and Alive in Berkeley and last years Scenes from Life followed to much critical acclaim. In 2011, Higbie was the first ever Artist in Residence at the prestigious west coast Jazz Club, Yoshi’s, where she created two new bands. Roots music, Hills to Hollers with icons Linda Tillery and Laurie Lewis, and the exotic Cello Heaven with cellists Joan Jeanreneau of Kronos Quartet fame and new age star, Jami Sieber.

Higbie has 13 solo and group recordings to her name, as well as contributions to 10 compilations that have sold in the millions. She was the first female instrumentalist to compose and record for Windham Hill Records, 1982’s Tideline, a duet project with violinist, Darol Anger. Tideline’s unique sound became an instant classic, thanks in part to Higbie’s innovative and moving compositions. One of her pieces from Tideline, True Story, was downloaded on Pandora in 2014 more than 850,000 times. In June of 2015, Tideline was re-issued on Adventure Records. 1984 was an important year when Higbie recorded with Anger, Mike Marshall and Andy Narrell, Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival for Windham Hill Records, a landmark genre-defining album. Her composition To Be became Montreux’s radio/VH-1 hit. She toured worldwide with Montreux until 1990.

In addition to her instrumental music, Higbie’s singer-songwriter work, 2 CDs with vocal dynamo, Teresa Trull, on Olivia Records and 2 solo CDs on Slowbaby Records have won her critical acclaim and a large, devoted nationwide following. http://www.barbarahigbie.com

The Changer and the Changed – Changed The Music Business for Women

Cris Williamson’s groundbreaking album, The Changer and the Changed, was released in 1975, and became one of the best-selling independent releases of all time, selling over 500,000 copies. The sales of these records allowed the independent label Olivia Records to release music from a whole new movement of diverse female artists, all overlooked by mainstream music. Cris Williamson helped to forge a historic movement in the male dominated music industry, fostering the creation of completely female owned record labels, touring companies, and music festivals. The movement, (often misclassified as a genre) was about opening the doors, and smashing glass ceilings, for so many women to follow, who had been shut-out of the game, simply because of their gender. Cris seemed to shrug all of that off with an earthy sexy confidence that makes audiences swoon for her. She wrote music for people desiring to find their own identities in modern folk and pop music. No one had ever courageously written and performed so many brilliant full length albums of songs by women, about women, for women. At the same time, these songs are universal to us all. These songs were all impeccably and professionally produced and have stood the test of time and could go up against any of the songs by Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, or James Taylor. Only difference is mainstream radio and television has almost completely ignored Cris Williamson. Despite this injustice, through her amazing voice, and spirit, and open heart, Cris has helped make the world a better place for all female and LGBTQIA artists who follow the path she cleared. We owe her for that. Cris Williamson has written and recorded hundreds of beautiful, incredible songs, while remaining one of our most underrated singer songwriters of the last 50 years. If you’ve never seen her in concert, now is your chance!

Cris Williamson, Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie play The Center for Spiritual Living – Kansas City, 1014 West 39th Street, KCMO, on Thursday, May 30, at 7:00 PM.

Congratulations to Cris for being part of NPR Music’s 2017 feature on The 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women with The Changer and the Changed: A Record of the Times (Olivia Records, 1975) Ann Powers of NPR Music writes: “Produced by Williamson and featuring dozens of the era’s finest women musicians — including guitarists Meg Christian and June Millington, bass virtuoso Jacqueline Robbins and vocalists Holly Near and Margie Adam — Changer blended pop, country and folk elements in songs that were both cuttingly intimate and generously communal. (A few featured large choruses inspired by the sing-alongs women’s music artists inspired in concert.) Williamson’s own keyboard playing ranged from contemplative to dance-floor funky. The clear and confident lesbian desire behind love songs like “Sweet Woman” and “Dream Child” made Williamson a sex symbol; her philosophical side made Changer a record of spiritual growth, too. Speaking what at the time remained mostly unspoken in pop, this album truly changed lives. ”

The Cris piece from NPR Music’s The 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women (7/24/2017):
“I’m kind of hand-carried, person to person,” Cris Williamson told the journalist Ben Fong-Torres in 1981, when asked how people discovered her music. “There are secretaries who’ve told me they can’t get through the day without running home during lunch hour and playing it.” Such was the impact of the Wyoming native’s voice, clear as a mountain stream, and her empathetic songwriting, which made this album one of the best-selling independent releases of all time and the cornerstone of the feminist “women’s music” movement. Produced by Williamson and featuring dozens of the era’s finest women musicians — including guitarists Meg Christian and June Millington, bass virtuoso Jacqueline Robbins and vocalists Holly Near and Margie Adam — Changer blended pop, country and folk elements in songs that were both cuttingly intimate and generously communal. (A few featured large choruses inspired by the sing-alongs women’s music artists inspired in concert.) Williamson’s own keyboard playing ranged from contemplative to dance-floor funky. The clear and confident lesbian desire behind love songs like “Sweet Woman” and “Dream Child” made Williamson a sex symbol; her philosophical side made Changer a record of spiritual growth, too. Speaking what at the time remained mostly unspoken in pop, this album truly changed lives. —Ann Powers (NPR Music)

From http://www.smithsonianmag.com – Ginny Berson belonged to the Furies collective, a radical, separatist household that published journals, taught classes, and advocated communal living apart from men. Judy Dlugacz, 20, had postponed law school to pursue lesbian activism and was interested in finding an economically workable means of serving the women’s community. Performing as a folk musician at area clubs and coffeehouses, Meg Christian was eager to meet other women songwriters like Cris Williamson—who had released her first album in 1964 at age 16.

When Williamson came on tour to D.C., Christian and Berson not only arranged to bring other women’s music fans to the concert; in a gesture that changed history, they also scheduled a follow-up interview on Georgetown University’s “Radio Free Women” program. On the show, Berson spoke about how she and other members of the Furies collective were searching for a bigger project to invest in— “something that’s for women, by women, and supported by women’s money”—and Williamson responded with a simple yet provocative suggestion, “Why don’t you start a women’s record company?”

Cris Williamson recorded her first record in 1964 at the age of 16. She has been releasing music for over 50 years.

In the last 17 years Cris has released 11 full length albums ( a few of those were double albums). That works out to being a new album every year and half.

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

Cris Williamson, Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie thanks for being with us again on WMM

Cris Williamson, Barbara Higbie and Teresa Trull play The Center for Spiritual Living – Kansas City, 1014 West 39th Street, KCMO, on Thursday, May 30, at 7:00 PM. More information at https://https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4219504

11:56

17. Barbara Higbie – “Water Lilies”
from: Resonance / Barbara Higbie / April 13, 2019
[Barbara Higbie (born 1958) is a Grammy nominated, Bammy award winning pianist, composer, violinist, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has played on over 65 CDs including 3 tunes on the recent Carlos Santana CD. A longtime Windham Hill recording artist, she has also recorded for Olivia/Second Wave records and Slowbaby Records. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. She is a folk, jazz, pop, and fusion singer-songwriter, noted for her highly melodic, jazz/folk piano performances. She has toured nationally and internationally since the early 1980s. An early recording artist on the Windham Hill record label, she formed and played with the group Montreux along with Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Todd Phillips, and Michael Manring. She recorded a critically acclaimed album titled Unexpected with singer Teresa Trull in 1983, which was included in The Boston Globe’s Guide to Best Albums of 1983. Higbie and Trull teamed up again in 1997 to record an album titled Playtime. Since 1990, Barbara Higbie has released a number of solo albums on the Windham Hill and Slowbaby labels. She is known as a versatile and soulful musician. Born in Michigan and raised in Indiana, she spent several years as a teenager in Ghana with her family. She went to Mills College, attended the Sorbonne in Paris, and collected traditional music in West Africa on a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. It was in Paris that she met Darol Anger and began a fruitful musical collaboration. Together they recorded the record Tideline (1982), one of the early successful records of Windham Hill. Two years later they led a group with three other musicians (Mike Marshall, Todd Phillips, and Andy Narrel) for the Montreux Jazz Festival. The concert was considered so successful that a recording made at the concert was released as a Windham Hill record (Live at Montreux–Darol Anger/Barbara Higbie Quintet) and a new group was formed. However, after two studio releases, Sign Language and Let Them Say, the group disbanded. Barbara occasionally collaborates with her Montreux colleagues. She has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Terry Riley, The Kronos Quartet, Jaron Lanier, Cris Williamson, Holly Near, Teresa Trull and Ferron. Barbara Higbie has an active performing schedule. In August 2006, she participated in the Windham Hill 30th Anniversary Concert. She spent 18 months living in Hawaii with her family and moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area in June 2009.]

[Cris Williamson, Barbara Higbie and Teresa Trull play The Center for Spiritual Living – Kansas City, 1014 West 39th Street, KCMO, on Thursday, May 30, at 7:00 PM ]

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

Next week on May 29 we present our annual LGBTQIA Pride Show, That’s So Fabulous with Bill Svoboda from KC Pride Fest, May 31, June 1, and June 2 at Berkley Riverfront Park. We’ll also talk with Stewart Hinds and Austin Williams about the 10th Anniversary of GLAMA. And Cuee and SHAH join us to share new music and talk about their shows for Pride For The Masses at the Granada Theatre in Lawrence, Kansas.

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 #787