WMM Playlist from August 5, 2026

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

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

New & MidCoastal Releases + BOSCO + D. Rashaan Gilmore

  1. Various Artists – “Main Title Instrumental (It’s Showtime Folks)”
    from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
    [WMM’s theme]
  1. Joel Kraft – “Wooden Castle”
    from: The End / Joel Kraft / March 1, 2026
    [Joel Kraft on voice, guitar, drums, bass, synth, production, programming, writing, dishwashing, slide flute & guitar; Nick Baker on drums on Awakening, Queen of Kings & The Foundness; Stephen Flanery on vocals on Awakening; Ross McLeron on synthesizers on Start It Over; Marty Kraft on vocals on Awakening; Adam Selzer -on mixing & mastering; Shane Ogren on album art; Philip Cheaney on graphic design. // The End is the fourth album from Kansas City–based singer-songwriter and producer Joel Kraft. It’s a layered indie pop record with roots in folk and a twist of art pop—featuring toy pianos, disco bass lines, square wave synths, and field recordings stitched together by hand. Ten years in the making, it’s the first album Kraft fully produced himself after years of learning from collaborators and experimenting with tape, MIDI, and microphones. // Kraft’s songs are rich with impressionistic lyrics, unconventional structures, and sonic textures that reward repeated listening. His songwriting blends the personal and surreal, moving between vivid imagery and quiet emotional weight without ever settling into one mode for long. // The result is a dreamy, bittersweet, and slightly eccentric pop record built on “slow-release architecture,” as Kraft calls it. The End doesn’t sound like goodbye—it sounds like waking up with a new sense of clarity. All songs written by Joel Kraft ℗ & © 2026 Joel Kraft (BMI). All rights reserved. License all rights reserved.]

[Joel Kraft plays an Album release show on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6:00pm, Matinee Show with Miss Boating at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO West Bottoms.]

  1. THAO – “Sick of the Times (ft. Tune-Yards, The Linda Lindas)”
    from: Show Me / Kill Rock Stars / October 30, 2026
    [Primal, expansive, sexy and wrenchingly tender-hearted, critically acclaimed songwriter and performer THAO has announced her first album in six years. Titled quite appropriately Show Me – due out October 30 via Kill Rock Stars – the new collection is a deeply personal exploration of her journey toward full embodiment; a flaying of flesh and old burden to reveal the rapturously beating heart therein. It is a suite of lush, lovingly crafted and powerfully voiced songs that act as portals into THAO’s kaleidoscopic inner life. Show Me was self-produced alongside Nate Brenner (also a co-writer) and Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards and features special guests: Tune-Yards, The Linda Lindas, Neko Case and Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas). // Lead single “Sick of the Times” is an art-rock protest anthem made for community activation and organizing. It is a sure fire anthem of and for these times and arrives alongside a powerful official video. Featuring vocals from powerhouse punks The Linda Lindas and close friend and collaborator Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards (who are also featured in the video), the song thrums and seethes and soothes, the infectious synth drum hook leading us into punk rock battle, the vocals uplifting and defiant. “I wanted it to be an anthem that will be used at political rallies, grass roots organizing and mutual aid events, anything that can help us emotionally prepare to activate and to stay politically engaged at all levels, but especially at the local level,” says Nguyen. “We need to keep each other buoyant, to remind ourselves we’ve got the numbers and the imperative.” Putting action to her ideas, THAO has teamed up once again with Working Families Power to donate $1 per ticket for her newly announced west coast dates. // Sometimes life starts educating you before you are ready to receive the lesson. In the midst of her multidisciplinary artistic forays, THAO’s personal life underwent a reckoning: divorce, the upending of a home. “I learned that the point of life is not to emerge unscathed, and that I don’t want to operate as I always have — masking fear as indifference,” she says. “This album is a real-time record-keeping of my life evolving into a different relationship with love and desire over the last few years. For example, I came out publicly years ago but I’ve never really written a song about sex or queer identity. So, that’s in there,” she winks. “Some songs are snapshots of moments I’ve never felt before. Some are ruminations of what I need to keep, what I want to shear, what I want to move toward.” In the shearing spirit, out went her long-time band name — Thao and the Get Down Stay Down. Show Me is a record of that journey. // The beloved songwriter has been endlessly busy outside the realm of record making since her last lauded album Temple: guest-hosting the iconic Song Exploder podcast, hosting the PBS TV show Southern Storytellers, developing a musical, film scoring and film starring (with collaborator/ Macarthur Fellow artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen, currently on exhibit in contemporary art institutions), gracing the cover of New York Times’s T Magazine, performing on Fred Armisen’s 2018 Netflix special Standup for Drummers and working on her first book for renowned publisher Graywolf Press. But THAO is a stage commanding recording artist first and foremost, and she is thrilled to be back in our ears and live in our sights.]
  1. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES – “SMILE (ft. Frogpond)”
    from: SMILE (ft. Frogpond) – Single / SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES / July 28, 2026
    [Kate McCandless is SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES (vocals, looping pedal, music, lyrics, guitar) featuring members of Kansas City’s iconic band, Frogpond – Heidi Phillips (guitar), Kristen Conkright (bass), Michelle Bacon (drums). Recorded at Element Recording, Kansas City KS with Joel Nanos as Engineer + Mixing + Mastering. Kate McCandless writes, “this song was created to capture the feeling of that “second skin” – a feeling all too familiar for women – that curdles and writhes when we’re being perceived. when power and entitlement are being projected onto us by men. the song highlights the root of rape culture, this sense of entitlement to women’s bodies rooted in patriarchy. this entitlement translates to gestures of violence that needle away at us, gradually building to a full on bleed. leers, stares, cat calls, and “innocent” remarks – “why don’t you smile, honey?” – translate directly to more extreme acts of violence – abuse, sexual assault, murder. this is the air we breathe. its pervasiveness and constancy is mirrored in the repetitive nature of the song, looping the same line again and again until it builds to a chorus of voices, all chanting the same mantra – “DON’T BAT ONE PITCH.” // don’t make eye contact, just walk down the street, ignore them, walk tall. // a body can’t just walk down the street. the second skin recoils. // beyond the chorus arises a woman’s solo cry, increasingly persistent and terrified – // “DON’T. DON’T. DON’T! DON’T!!!” // she said no, and they’re not listening.] [www.shespeaksintongues.bandcamp.com]
  1. Sweeping Promises – “Cocoon”
    from: You Say I Romanticize / Feel It Records – Sub Pop / August 14, 2026
    [From bandcamp page: Sweeping Promises’ introduction to the global punk underground was their debut album, Hunger for a Way Out, one of the breakout successes in music during 2020’s pandemic lockdown. In 2023, they followed up with the acclaimed Good Living Is Coming for You, which made Album of the Year lists for Pitchfork, NPR, Paste, and BBC, just to name a few. The album found guitarist/producer Caufield Schnug and bassist/vocalist Lira Mondal testing the limits of their home-recording resourcefulness as freshly minted Kansans – new place, new space. Now, the band is back with a frenetic new offering: You Say I Romanticize. // Recorded over an 18-month period, largely prepared and periodically interrupted by Schnug’s non-SP production work, You Say I Romanticize is a tribute to the chaos of creation and collaboration under shifting circumstances. For years now, Schnug and Mondal have embedded themselves in their combination tour house and recording studio in Kansas, annually working on dozens of albums from other bands, hosting tour stops, planning shows, and the like. After an immersive process of tracking and whittling down YSIR demos and carving out an idiosyncratic chamber recording method for the album’s intentional wall-of-sound, the duo brought in touring drummer Spenser Gralla to play the songs like the band would on stage. // The album’s frenzied execution, akin to the group’s renowned live show, prevails most of all in Mondal’s vocals. Whereas previously, you might have heard a growl here and there on certain Sweeping Promises tracks, the band’s formidable singer shouts, roars, hits all sorts of tricky notes, and shreds her throat all over the record, notably on the pummeling opener “Shooting Shadows” and the smoldering “Cocoon.” // A shadow side exists along with Sweeping Promises’ love of their artistic community—borne of weirdos channeling their misfit status into vibrant art and punk rock music, often passing through the revolving door that is their home studio. You Say I Romanticize takes the art-by-any-means-necessary ethos Mondal and Schnug have developed over the years and turns the prompt upside-down, landing on a personality epidemic manifesting across all ten tracks. // A big theme of You Say I Romanticize is hinted at in its title. Taken from a lyric sung on driving album closer “Write Lightly”—a narrative about the importance of self-expression in writing being scrubbed away by “professional” concerns—many of the characters Mondal fleshed out here are outcasts, marginalized by society and morphed into longing fanatics. The personalities depicted on You Say I Romanticize are often writerly types; as writing is, by and large, an art of obsession. To wit, “Last Man,” by equal turns musically nervous and cathartic, loosely takes after Mary Shelley’s literary work of the same name, The Last Man—a dystopian 19th Century novel written in wake of a cholera outbreak. Similarly, “My Anchoress” resonantes in its portrayal of 15th Century author Julian of Norwich—centered around her enduring Revelations of Divine Love (one of the earliest English-written works by a woman), which details her eccentric, sensuous religious visions. // Sweeping Promises have long been progenitors of concept-forward art-punk music that is remarkably immediate and irresistible. For being largely about personalities boxed in by isolation, You Say I Romanticize is carried by an outright soaring energy. —Martin Douglas ]

[Sweeping Promises play Toy Store at 936 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS Wed, August 12, 2026.]

  1. Karate Boogaloo – “Tremendous Fantastic”
    from: Access All Areas / Colemine Records / October 9, 2026
    [Written by David Thor, Henry Jenkins, Hudson Whitlock, and Callum Riley
    Produced by Karate Boogaloo // DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL STREET DATE 10/9/2026 // May it please the people of the known universe that the multi-monikered musical ensemble legally trading as Kay-Bee Funk Music Group are releasing what will alphabetically be their first album, ‘Access All Areas’. Created with Karate Boogaloo’s patented ‘Lovely Recording Technique’ these recordings let you know that everyone’s a VIP when you’re listening to KB. // ‘Access’ was the one word maxim philosophically guiding The Old Kar-Boo’s this innings. If a tune became convoluted, to the bin it went. Only those that could be hummed by any and all were kept. This sieve was on hand throughout the whole process, arrangements and forms were kept watertight, bells and whistles to a minimum. If 2024’s ‘Hold Your Horses’ was an epic, ‘Access All Areas’ is a haiku. // The band’s tried and true recording process was dutifully respected save for one wonderful addition, the magnificent ‘Sound Recordings’ helmed by its proprietor and engineer extraordinaire Alex Bennet. Steering the 4 track Ampex 440 off road when required and making sure the vibes were constantly correct, Alex is a bonafide Booger. // Although it feels only a moment, the clock tells us it’s been nearly 20 years since Kay’s Bees first tried to play the songs of their musical heroes, The Meters, Booker T & The MG’s, and The JB’s to name but a few. Since then The Famous Flying Karate Boogaloo Brothers have put one foot in front of the other and distilled their own sound, one that respectfully acknowledges the history of instrumental Funk & Soul music, and reflects the time they’ve spent crafting their distinctive sound. // As bright as each member shines individually, it is a special event when all four planets in the Booger System align. ‘Access All Areas’ is one such eclipse, it is an artistic expression of equal measure by each member and it casts a shadow unique to the occasion. Every second of music was composed and produced with all hands on deck, mixing was handled by Henry Jenkins, artwork by Hudson Whitlock and Callum Riley, and Darvid Thor did things you’d have to see to believe. Music is a team sport and there’s no I in Funk. // Coming out on the two greatest record labels in the galaxy ‘Colemine Records’ from Loveland, USA, and College of Knowledge from Coburg, Australia, please listen to Karate Boogaloo’s new album ‘Access All Areas’. ]
  1. The Womack Sisters – “If I Let You”
    from: The Womack Sisters / Daptone Records / August 14, 2026
    [The Womack Sisters – Kucha, Zeimani, and BG Womack – were singing before they could walk. The Sisters grew up on the road. Their schools were stages and studios all over the world, where they sang behind their parents, Zekkariyas & Zeriiya (fka Womack & Womack), alongside their four siblings. Nowhere was home for long. No matter where they lived they were always surrounded by music and family. // Their 2026 self-titled debut album,The Womack Sisters, is the musical culmination of the Sisters’ long and winding journey to find themselves. Over an intensely soulful collection of tunes that harkens back to when pop music had substance, vibe and purpose, each of their distinct voices have their moments in the spotlight. // See them on tour this summer. All upcoming dates at thewomacksisters.com.]
  1. TheBabeGabe – “Stargirl”
    from: Love Language / Seven Rings Media / June 10, 2025
    [New 4-track EP. Follow up the HONEYPOP RELOADED (August 8, 2025) also through Seven Rings Media. Honeypop Reloaded was one of two full length albums released in 2025 by TheBabeGabe, the other being HONEYPOP on Seven Rings Media released March 5, 2025, both with production by The Human. // After years of being the girl in the band, TheBabeGabe is stepping out, and standing ten toes down. As she dives into her solo career, Gabe brings the same sugary raps and addicting energy that she did as 1/3 of the alt-rap trio BLACKSTARKIDS. This time though, she’s telling her story, and forging a fresh start. The debut mixtape HONEY POP introduces the world to a young black girl from Kansas City that’s hungry for better things for herself and everyone who looks like her. Her energy is infectious, and you won’t want to be the one standing in her way, which becomes clear from the rowdy hook of the project’s lead single PSA. “It’s in my DNA, killing shit like every day, take this as a PSA, don’t give a fuck ‘bout what you say.” // With BLACKSTARKIDS, Gabe gained experience crushing a stage, opening on tour with The 1975, beabadoobee, Glass Animals, & more. That confidence shines through on braggadocios tracks like Only See Me, Pulse, and Pep Rally where she raps, “hoe shut the fuck up when I’m talking, got a pretty face but this mouth repulsive.” Pulling inspiration from future peers like Doja Cat & Tyler, The Creator, Gabe is quick to prove she isn’t restricted to one sound. There’s no shortage of variety with sticky hooks, soulful ballads, Janelle Monáe -esque pop hits, somber reflective cuts, and boomy west-coast kickbacks. // No song boasts this genre-bending ability better than the double track RIOT GRRL//DRAMA QUEEN. Starting with an inspirational pop-punk banger that could make any Olivia Rodrigo fan nod in approval, it soon turns to the emotional DRAMA QUEEN, seeing Gabe grapple with difficult changes and struggle to find the best way forward. Listening to Gabe can often feel like hanging with your bestie in that you’re getting both the yap sessions about the everyday as well as the venting about life’s drama and all its uncertainties. // These confessions, boasts, hooks, croons, screams, beats, and sounds all come together to create an extraordinary portrait of a young artist figuring it out. It’s an unfiltered showcase that sees Gabe pull back the curtain and step forward so you can meet her where she’s at. So when you listen, you’re seeing her for who she really is. And for many, that’s someone you can see yourself in. That’s TheBabeGabe. // TheBabeGabe was one-third of the Kansas City based BLACKSTARKIDZ Gen-Z upstarts BLACKSTARKIDS have released their sixth studio album Saturn Dayz on Sept. 20, 2024 through Dirty Hit Records and immediately followed with an 8-track 7th studio album HEAVEN ON URF, on Oct. 25, 2024 on Dirty Hit Records. Music writer Bill Brownlee talked with us about how the band created a double album, but the record company decided to release as two separate albums. The music from both albums relate to each other. Before the release of Saturn Dayz the band released their single and video “SOULMATEZ!” on August 30, 2024. “SOULMATEZ!,” is a magnetic, blissed-out bop that brings together pop, indie, and alt-rap, reminiscent of Dev Hynes-era Solange mixed with De La Soul. // The follow up to BLACKSTARKIDS’ acclaimed 2022 album CYBERKISS* which featured standout singles “CYBERKISS 2 U* ft. beabadoobee” and “SEX APPEAL,” SATURN DAYZ is an otherworldly, genre-crossing testament to their unrelenting artistry and is their most impressive work to date. PRESS HERE to pre-save SATURN DAYZ. // Putting out music at a prolific rate and making waves for their formidable songwriting and producing talents, as well as their endless energy and truly limitless sound, BLACKSTARKIDS have received critical acclaim from New York Times, MTV, UPROXX, Billboard, Alternative Press, SPIN, Ones To Watch, Rolling Stone France, The Line Of Best Fit, DIY, Coup De Main, and more. Blending garage rock with synth-punk and hip-hop to usher in a new surge of indie, such as on their beloved album Puppies Forever which features anthemic singles “ALL COPS ARE BASTARDS*,” “JUNO,” and “FIGHT CLUB,” BLACKSTARKIDS are well on their way to indie stardom and have previously toured with the likes of The 1975, COIN, Glass Animals, beabadoobee, Christian Leave, GroupLove. // Incorporating each member’s wide-ranging influences into their blissful DIY sound, such as Toro Y Moi, NERD, Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Outkast, Odd Future, and A Tribe Called Quest, BLACKSTARKIDS first captivated the internet with their “black coming of age trilogy” of projects Let’s Play Sports, Surf, and Whatever, Man that feature critically acclaimed singles including “BRITNEY BITCH” and “FRANKIE MUNIZ.” // Blackstarkids are phenomenon who came out of KC in 2020 became the soundtrack for the summer. Members include: TheBabeGabe, Deiondre, and TyFaizon (of the Drop Dead XX collective). The members have known each other since high school in Raytown, Missouri. Members met at Raytown South High School and formed the band in 2019. The group released its first album, Let’s Play Sports, on August 1, 2019. Blackstarkids then released their second album SURF through their own label Bedroom Records on February 28, 2020. Blackstarkids caught the attention of The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy and were then signed to The 1975’s management company and UK-based label Dirty Hit Records. They were featured in Clash Magazine. Blackstarkids then released, Surf Basement Demos on Dirty Hit Records on March 5, 2020. On Oct. 29, 2020, Blackstarkids released Whatever, Man on Dirty Hit Records, their third album release of 2020. Gabe, of Blackstarkids recently described the KC Music community to an interviewer, “The music scene here is really nice. There are a lot of bands who are super talented and do all types of genres. The jazz music here is really great as well. KC is honestly a hidden gem when it comes to music. I feel like you can meet an artist anywhere and anyplace in this city.”]

10:30 – Underwriting

Screenshot
  1. ear – “Ne Plus Ultra”
    from: “Ne Plus Ultra”- Single / A24 Music / May 8, 2026
    [Following a breakout 2025, idm-indebted duo ear return with a new single via A24’s label imprint A24 Music. Emotionally complex yet danceable and cathartic, ear demonstrates their unique ability to seamlessly blend unforgettable electronic melodies with pensive indie songwriting. // Ear (stylized in lowercase) is an American electronic music duo formed by musicians and producers Jonah Paz and Yaelle Avtan in 2024. The group released their debut album The Most Dear and the Future in September 2025. Their song “Real Life” was listed among the best songs of 2025 by The Fader. // Jonah Paz and Yaelle Avtan met in 2024 while attending Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. They are both of Sephardic Jewish ancestory. They bonded over shared musical interests including British post-punk, IDM, and the work of Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse. Paz was noted as being into twee and had previously performed in the group the Barns, while Avtan was into digital hardcore. Prior to making music, Paz worked as a painter and Avtan worked as a ceramicist. // The duo recorded their debut single “Nerves” in 2024 on Avtan’s iPhone in their university library. Within a few months the track garnered the group “200k monthly Spotify listeners”. After a series of releases, they performed a small number of shows. In September 2025, Ear released their debut album The Most Dear and The Future. Followed by performing as supporting acts for Yung Lean in Canada and a backyard concert at UCLA. The duo performed a sold-out European tour, including two sold-out shows in London at Ormside Projects.Paz formed the solo project Sacred Holes in 2025. The band’s album Rumspringa released on May 29, 2026. // According to British magazine The Face, Ear are “the no-caps, lower-case sound of the indietronic underground” Their song “Real Life” was listed among the best songs of 2025 by The Fader. Writer Hajin Yoo stated, “It begins gently, shy vocals ease over a lilting, sing-song synth […] But the soft beginning belies the anxiety bubbling underneath the surface, evinced in stuttering electronic chords that never quite explode to full-out dissonance.” Kieran Press-Reynolds of Pitchfork described the band’s music as “small, sampledelic pop”. // Paz uses Ableton to produce music.]

Discography
Albums
The Most Dear and the Future (2025), self-released
Rumspringa (2026), A24 Music
Singles
“Nerves” (2024), self-released
“Fetish” / “Valley Serpent” (2025), self-released
“Theorem” (2025), self-released
“Ne Plus Ultra” (2026), A24 Music]

  1. Field Daze – “On The Couch”
    from: “On The Couch”- Single / Field Daze / July 31, 2026
    [Our new single “On the Couch” is the exploration of the feeling of dread and anxiety that comes from doom scrolling and the 24 hour news cycle that ends up paralyzing us into inaction and isolation. Society is suffering from the weaponization of that feeling, and manifests itself in the form of us being glued to our couch waiting for the revolution to be televised. // Produced, mixed, and mastered by Ian Dobyns at Element Recording Studios. Earlier this year Field Daze released the singles: “Shade of Blue on April 3, 2026, “Hula Girl” on March 3, 2026, “Hate Me” on March 9, 2026, “Melona 99” on March 8, 2026. // Field Daze, is an Indie Rock/Dreampop band, originated in KCMO when Rodd Fenton & Dan Camino responded to a Facebook call to start a Dreampop band. Their collaboration led to the creation of early demos. Shortly after, they were joined by Tracer Cauy, Kyer Lasswell, & Beau Harris, solidifying the band’s lineup. // Their magnetic sound quickly found a home in the KC music community, playing The Rino, The Ship, and The Bottleneck. Field Daze’s live performances became synonymous with an immersive musical experience, drawing in crowds with their captivating melodies. // Currently, the band channels their creativity by recording homegrown tracks within Rodd Fenton’s personal studio, honing their craft and evolving their unique sound. More Info at: http://www.fielddazekc.com]
  1. Joy Oladokun – “Kind”
    from: Hope Is A Heavy Thing / Feed The Family – Concord / September 25, 2026
    [“This song is about letting go of the things that might be holding you back,” shares Oladokun. “That includes systems or ways of thinking. We wanted to tell the story of a Nigerian queer couple in this video as a way to showcase that. The criminalization of queer relationships is a product of homophobia inherited from colonizers. It is not reflective of the beauty of Nigeria’s open-hearted culture.” // “Kind” is the latest song unveiled from Oladokun’s highly anticipated new album, Hope Is A Heavy Thing, out September 25 via Concord Records (pre-order/pre-save HERE). Produced by Oladokun with additional contributions from Nigerian producer Spellz, the new 12-track project marks a bold new chapter, expanding Oladokun’s sound while continuing to prove her ability to not only bend genres but also to bridge cultures. Across the album, Oladokun explores identity, connection and self-discovery with the emotional honesty that has become a hallmark of her songwriting. In addition to “Kind” and the previously shared track “Zombie,” the album features a collaboration with Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold. // “‘To understand your future you have to confront your past.’ This is the driving theme behind Hope Is A Heavy Thing,” shares Oladokun. “It’s a collection of 12 songs that I wrote to help myself find my light again after burning out. Produced in Nashville, New York, and the back of a speeding tour bus, this album is sonically an homage to all of the music that inspires me. On this record you’ll find music that nods the brilliance of the Soulquarians, the rawness of Bob Dylan, the rhythms of afrobeats, and the sampling prowess of J Dilla. Not to mention a callback to the Ronettes and a few songs that find inspiration in rock and roll protest music of the 60’s and 70’s. You’ll also find me at the most authentic I’ve been able to be as an artist. It is a record I wrote for anyone who finds themselves wondering how to hope in these times. Sometimes it means looking back and digging through the muck to find what’s worth fighting for again.” // This fall, Oladokun will embark on her extensive “The Heavy Things Tour,” with newly confirmed stops at Austin’s Scoot Inn, Los Angeles’ The Bellwether, Seattle’s Moore Theatre, Denver’s Paramount Theatre, Chicago’s The Vic Theatre, Washington D.C.’s Howard Theatre and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, among many others. See below for complete tour itinerary. // Hope Is A Heavy Thing follows Oladokun’s critically acclaimed albums in defense of my own happiness (2021), Proof of Life (2023) and Observations From A Crowded Room (2024), which led NPR Music to call Oladokun “one of the great singer-songwriters pushing beyond roots or conventional singer-songwriter music today.” Additionally, The New York Times praised, “her songs are conversational and confessional, and her hooky but profound melodies turn her lyrics into mantras,” while Consequence declared, “One of the most refreshing voices coming out of Nashville…there’s a deeply honest quality to her music that makes her hard to shake.” // Oladokun is one of today’s most compelling genre-defying voices, using deeply vulnerable songwriting to seamlessly connect folk, soul, pop and rock with striking emotional clarity. A queer Black musician and daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Oladokun has become a vital cultural voice, writing songs that explore identity, faith, mental health, and social justice with honesty and restraint. She earned a nomination for Americana Artist of the Year and her protest anthem, “i see america,” was a finalist for the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Award for Best Song for Social Change. Oladokun has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Saturday Morning’s “Saturday Sessions,” TODAY, PBS’ Austin City Limits and NPR Music’s “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert” series. Widely respected by her peers, Oladokun has collaborated with artists such as Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Maxo Kream, Jack Antonoff, Jason Isbell and Noah Kahan and has joined Isbell, Kahan, John Mayer, Hozier, My Morning Jacket, Tyler Childers, Pink Sweat$, Leon Bridges and Manchester Orchestra on the road. Joy Oladokun released Observations From A Crowded Room on Oct. 18, 2024. // Joy Iladokun released Proof of Life her 4th studio album on April 28, 2023. The album was supported by five singles released throughout 2022 & 2023. The album features guest appearances from Mt. Joy, Manchester Orchestra, Chris Stapleton, Maxo Kream, and Noah Kahan. In a press release about the album, Oladokun said that she intended for the songs on Proof of Life to be “helpful anthems” and to resonate with “anybody who feels normal and needs a little musical boost to get through the day”. The first single, “Keeping the Light On”, was released on January 21, 2022. The second single, “Sweet Symphony” (featuring Chris Stapleton), was released on September 23, 2022. Of the song, Oladokun said that the song was about “the vulnerability, the fear, and the ups and downs that come from loving someone.” The third single, “Changes”, was released on February 17, 2023, simultaneously with the album announcement. The fourth single, “We’re All Gonna Die” (with Noah Kahan), was released March 17, 2023. The 5th and final single, “Taking Things for Granted”, was released on April 21, 2023. // Joy Oladokun was born April 6, 1992, she is an American singer-songwriter. Oladokun’s music spans the genres of folk, R&B, rock, and pop and is influenced by her identity as a queer woman of color. Oladokun grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, listening to country and folk music, as well as Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill. Both of her parents are Nigerian immigrants to the United States. Her family regularly attended a Christian church, where Oladokun was chosen to lead worship. Later, Oladokun left the church because it limited her creativity. // When Oladokun was 10, a video of Tracy Chapman inspired her to learn guitar.// After college, at a friend’s suggestion, Oladokun moved to Los Angeles to pursue her music career. She later moved to East Nashville, where she signed with Prescription Songs. She has released three studio albums. In 2015, Joy Oladokun self-released her debut EP Cathedrals. Her debut studio album, Carry Me was funded by Kickstarter and released on April 29, 2016 through Well Records. // Oladokun released the single “Sunday” in 2019, saying “‘Sunday’ is the song that 12-year-old Joy, seated in the back of church youth group, needed to hear. She needed to hear that you can be queer and happy. Queer and healthy. Queer and holy. She needed to see married women kissing and playing with their kids.” The music video highlights people in LGBTQ relation-ships and has a predominantly queer cast. // Oladokun’s song “Mercy” follows in the same theme, describing her experience as a Black person in the United States, while the single “I See America” criticizes systemic racism. NPR listed “I See America” on its 100 Best Songs of 2020. // On July 17, 2020, Oladokun released her 2nd studio album, In Defense of My Own Happiness (Vol. 1). Billboard described the album as a “stunningly emotional collection.” Mitch Mosk, editor-in-chief of Atwood Mag., called it a “a sweeping, soaring, and stunning sophomore record oozing heart and soul.” // In 2021, Oladokun received a grant from YouTube’s “#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund”. The same year she signed with Amigo Records, Verve Forecast Records, & Republics. http://www.joyoladokun.com Oladokun played The Truman on Sept. 12, 2024.]
  1. Lykke Li – “Happy Now”
    from: Afterparty / Virgin / May 8, 2026
    [THE AFTERPARTY – a one shot dusk-to-dawn odyssey, turning the collective feeling of hopelessness into celebratory revenge. Its focus track, “Happy Now,” is Lykke Li’s version of an Abba song: a gorgeously melancholic harmony reminiscent of “Dancing Queen,” the sound of someone promising love and happiness – only to drag you straight back to the ground. This is female rage thrown into the void when joy is absent. // Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson (born 18 March 1986), professionally known as Lykke Li, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, model and actress. Her music often blends elements of indie pop, dream pop and electronic. Her debut studio album, Youth Novels, was released in 2008, and has been followed by Wounded Rhymes (2011), I Never Learn (2014), So Sad So Sexy (2018), Eyeye (2022), and The Afterparty (2026). She is best known for her biggest hit single to date, “I Follow Rivers”.]
  1. Danny McGaw – “What’s A Boy Gonna Do”
    from: Songs In The Key Of Hope / Northern Sky Recordings / July 19, 2026
    [New 10-track album. // Manchester, England born Danny McGaw was a footballer, then a street musician, then a bar musician, and then a husband and father living in Lawrence, Kansas, where he released one of our favorite recordings of 2012 called, “Eccles Road.” After that he formed the band, Welles The Traveler with Jason Jones, Dan Hines, Chad Brothers, and Mike West, who produced the group’s debut recording. Eventually Danny and family relocated to California. He has made over 10 records in 25 years and records his songs in his home studio. // Danny McGaw released the singles: “SOHO” on April 22, 2024, “Step Into The Future “i n 2024; “Love Is Real” on 2024; “Start Over” on July 25, 2024; “Human” on May 24, 2024; “Scars” May 8; “Any More That I Do” on April 15. ]
  1. Phoebe Bridgers – “Lost Boys”
    from: Lost Weekend / Dead Oceans / August 14, 2026
    [Phoebe Bridgers (born August 17, 1994) is an American singer, songwriter record producer. Her indie folk music typically centers on acoustic guitar and electronic production, with melancholic lyrical themes. She has won four Grammy Awards on eleven nominations. // Bridgers has performed music since her youth and was a member of Sloppy Jane. She released her debut solo album, Stranger in the Alps, in 2017, followed by Punisher (2020), both of which received critical acclaim. She is also a member of the supergroup boygenius, with which she released a self-titled EP in 2018, followed by its debut album The Record and the EP The Rest in 2023. She was also a member of Better Oblivion Community Center with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, with whom she released a self-titled album and two singles. // Bridgers has been featured on tracks with Taylor Swift, the 1975’s Matty Healy, The Killers, Muna, SZA, Kid Cudi, Christian Lee Hutson, Shame, and the National. She has progressive political views, and has advocated and fundraised for various causes. // Phoebe Lucille Bridgers was born on August 17, 1994, in Pasadena, California. Her mother, Jamie, works in real estate and stand-up comedy, while her father was a film and television set builder. She has a younger brother named Jackson.Her parents divorced when she was 19 years old She was raised in Pasadena, but also spent some of her childhood in Ukiah, California. As a child, she made extra money by busking at the Pasadena Farmers Market, and started playing guitar around the age of 13. After graduating from the Sequoyah School, she began studying vocal jazz at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts in 2009. She was later accepted by the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out after orientation.// Bridgers was a member of various groups while in high school, including Einstein’s Dirty Secret and Sloppy Jane, and frequently played solo shows around Los Angeles. After deciding not to attend college to focus on her career, her growing presence in the L.A. music scene led to her befriending producer Tony Berg, who began working with her on her first album for free. Making an Apple commercial with Sloppy Jane had given her some financial security, so she planned to complete her record and then sell it to a label, rather than try to get signed first. This allowed her much more time and creative freedom to create what became Stranger in the Alps. Around this time, Bridgers met American singer-songwriter Ryan Adams through mutual collaborators, and he put out her EP Killer on his label PAX AM.Bridgers also supported Julien Baker on her 2016 tour of the East Coast. // In January 2017, Bridgers released the single “Smoke Signals” and opened for Conor Oberst on his European tour. The two had met the previous summer at a secret showcase Oberst organized at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles. He and his Bright Eyes bandmate, Mike Mogis, contributed vocals and production to Stranger in the Alps. Bridgers joined The Joy Formidable and Adams for select dates on their respective U.S. tours before playing at South by Southwest in March 2017. In June 2017, Bridgers signed to independent label Dead Oceans. /// In September 2017, Bridgers released her debut studio album, Stranger in the Alps, to critical acclaim. The album was produced by Tony Berg, Ethan Gruska, and Rob Moose, all of whom became consistent collaborators with Bridgers. . // Bridgers has been called a “serial collaborator”, and has either been featured on or co-released tracks with Lord Huron, Fiona Apple, Matt Berninger the National, Andrew Bird, Manchester Orchestra, the 1975, Maggie Rogers, Kid Cudi, Taylor Swift, and SZA, among others. She has participated in full-album projects with Oberst, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus.]
peatyr@gmail.com
  1. Hello Biplane – “Don’t Let Go”
    from: how to hold a bug / Hello Biplane / March 27, 2026
    [Spencer Goertz-Giffen – vocals, guitar, charango; Braden Young – vocals, electric, acoustic, baritone guitar; Jeff Jackson – bass; Austin Sinkler – drums; Hugh Naughtin – cello, synth; Nate Holt – piano, accordion, organ. // Engineered by Jim Piller and Braden Young. Produced by Braden Young, Spencer Goertz-Giffen, and Jim Piller. Mastered by Winston Goertz-Giffen at Pulp Arts Studio. All songs written by Spencer Goertz-Giffen and Braden Young. // Spencer Goertz-Giffen and Braden Young of Hello Biplane also have the band, Alien Hellbop who released the EP, After The Quake on October 25, 2021. // Alien Hellbop is a maximalist rock duo from Lawrence, KS combining guitar, drums, sample pad bass and vocal harmonies to create a sonic duo larger than the sum of its parts. Attendees of shows past have been hypnotized and dumbfounded by how the sound is pulled off. Originally formed in Chico, CA members Spencer Goertz-Giffen and Braden Young set out to create a full band sound with only two members. After a flurry of positive feedback from shows played in northern California, Alien Hellbop managed to drive cross country with their two small children to Gainesville, FL and record a five song EP at PULP studios with the help of engineer and producer Winston Goertz-Giffen. Alien Hellbop is now based out of Lawrence, KS. Spencer and Braden have been involved in many other bands over the years including: Hospital Ships, The Kinetiks, The Willnots, Accursed Wound, The Magentlemen, Saything, and Old and Gray. The duo also fronts another group called Hello Biplane, a six-piece dream-folk-pop band with focus on songwriting and male/female harmonies.]

[Hello Biplane play MidCoast LIVE! Friday, August 14, from 12:00 Noon to 1:00pm performing a live 60 minute concert on LIVE o 90.1 FM! ]

[Hello Biplane play Crossroads Music Fest Sat, Sept. 12, in the historic West Bottoms with 25 bands.]

11:00 – Station ID

  1. Sly & The Family Stone – “Family Affair”
    from: There’s A Riot Goin’ On / Sony Music / November 1, 1971
    [On June 9, 2025 we lost one of the biggest change makers inAmerican music. Sylvester Stewart passed away quietly at home surrounded by his family. // Sylvester Stewart (March 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025), better known by his stage name Sly Stone, was an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He was the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, playing a critical role in the development of psychedelic soul and funk with his pioneering fusion of soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel in the 1960s and 1970s. AllMusic stated that “James Brown may have invented funk, but Sly Stone perfected it,” and credited him with “creating a series of euphoric yet politically charged records that proved a massive influence on artists of all musical and cultural backgrounds”. Crawdaddy! has credited him as the founder of the “progressive soul” movement. // Sly & The Family Stone changed everything. RIP Sly Stone. He was a musical genius who deserved so much more than we gave him. He was a genius DJ, songwriter, producer, band leader, and father. Thank you for making my radio sound so much better!!!!! // High Moon Records is proud to announce the official release of Sly & The Family Stone’s ‘The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967’, available Friday, July 18 on CD, LP, and digital download. This earliest live recording of the pioneering band is accompanied by a deluxe booklet with liner notes from the set’s GRAMMY nominated producer Alec Palao, featuring exclusive interviews with Sly Stone and all of the original band members, never-before-seen photos, rare memorabilia, and more. The CD edition includes a bonus performance of Otis Redding’s classic “Try A Little Tenderness.” An electrifying “I Gotta Go Now / Funky Broadway.” // Sly & The Family Stone were true pioneers on so many levels: black/white, male/female, rock/soul, the act shattered all preconceptions of what popular music could be and would go on to become one of the most innovative and influential groups the world has ever witnessed. // Originally released as a sold-out, limited edition LP, earlier this year for Record Store Day, The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967 is an electrifying live performance by the original Family Stone line-up, a full year before their chart breakthrough with “Dance To The Music.” This fascinating recording was featured in Questlove’s critically acclaimed 2025 documentary, Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) and spotlights Sly Stone’s singular brilliance on a tremendously exciting and atmospheric set of vintage soul covers and original compositions, peppered with the arrangements, motifs, and intoxicating energy that would soon become familiar during the group’s ascent. // Sly & The Family Stone served as the house band at Redwood City, CA’s Winchester Cathedral from December 16, 1966, to April 28, 1967, lighting up the club with their dynamic, crowd-pleasing performances. The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967 was recorded in the early hours of March 26, 1967, by Sly & The Family Stone’s first manager, Rich Romanello. Upon the group’s signing to Epic Records later that year, Romanello put the 7-inch analog tapes into storage where they sat for thirty-five years. The reels were rediscovered in 2002 by Dutch twins Edwin and Arno Konings, renowned Sly & The Family Stone archivists, and carefully restored by their co-producer Palao for this set. // With mastering by Dan Hersch and a lacquer cut by Kevin Gray, the result is an electrifying fifty-minutes that proves the genius of Sylvester Stone.]

11:04 – Interview with D Rashaan Gilmore

On Saturday, February 14 at 5:00pm on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community radio relaunched the very good radio show called, “Unbossed and Unbothered with D. Rashaan Gilmore.” After nearly four years as part of the team on 90.1’s The Tenth Voice, D. Rashaan made the leap to producing and hosting his own weekly radio show “Unbossed and Unbothered” that aired from 2021-2022 on 90.1 FM KKFI, that was until our friends at KCPT Kansas City PBS took D. Rashaan away from us to be host and producer of Flatland In Focus where he won two Emmy Awards. Last year, KC PBS ended this critically acclaimed program, and we’re are lucky to have D. Rashaan’s old time slot suddenly become open again, around the same tome D Rashaan was looking to return to KKFI.

A life-long resident of Kansas City. D Rashaan is community connector, organizer, collaborator, and AIDS activist, who serves as Founder and President/CEO at BlaqOut KC, which seeks to organize and mobilize the black, gay community in Kansas City and develop a leadership core. Gilmore has previously managed multiple significant HIV/ AIDS awareness and prevention grants for the Kansas City CARE Clinic. D Rashaan has also served as the Senior Field Organizer for PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBT equality and advocacy organization. Rashaan’s stellar and innovative work led to his being the distinguished recipient of the 2020 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Award.

“Unbossed and Unbothered with D. Rashaan Gilmore” airs Saturdays at 5:00pm. More info at: www.blaqout.org

D. Rashaan Gilmore thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Unbossed and Unbothered – The slogan “unbought and unbossed” appeared on Shirley Chisholm’s campaign posters, one of which resides in the collections of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. NMAAHC, Gift of Ellen Brooks

In 1972 Shirley Chisholm announced her historic run for the White House, challenging fellow Democrats George McGovern, Hubert Humphrey, Edmund Muskie, Henry M. Jackson and George Wallace. “I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the woman’s movement of this country, although I am a woman and I am equally proud of that.” Before Carol Moseley Braun, before Barack Obama, before Hillary Clinton, Shirley Chisholm was both the first woman and the first African American to run for the nomination of a major party for president of the United States. Already the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1968, Chisholm made her ambitious attempt to win the White House decades before her country was ready for her, garnering just 152 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention.

One of the segments of D. Rashaan’s show was “Reclaiming My Time” in honor of Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) who is the first woman and first African American Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Waters ‘went viral’ in 2017 when she invoked House procedural rules during Steven Mnuchin’s House Financial Services Committee hearing. Rejecting Mnuchin’s attempts to avoid her questions, Waters repeated the phrase “reclaiming my time” to indicate her right to retain minutes on the clock that had been allotted to her. The hashtag #ReclaimingMyTime began trending on social media and has since become a symbol of resistance and refusal.

D Rashaan Gilmore’s sister is Dana Gilmore. Mark interviewed Dana in the early years of WMM. Dana Gilmore appeared in episode 5 of the 4th season of Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry on HBO. The show ran for 7 seasons from 2002 – 2007. Tell is about your parents and how they raised two children both gifted in words and communication.

D Rashaan is community connector, organizer, collaborator, and AIDS activist, who serves as Founder and President/CEO at BlaqOut KC, which seeks to organize and mobilize the black, gay community in Kansas City and develop a leadership core.

HEADLINES:

In Missouri – Amendments 4 and 5 were rejected by over 81 percent of the vote! Amendment 5 has been one of the most discussed measures in the days, weeks and months leading up to the August primaries. // Implementing this new amendment has been at the center of numerous debates; however, many high-profile lawmakers, including Gov. Mike Kehoe, have expressed their support for the measure, claiming that it will drive business and growth for the state. // The ballot language is as follows: “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: Require legislative phase-out of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth, and authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes; Curtail constitutional limits on taxing goods and services; and Require local tax rate cuts without reducing school funding if local sales tax revenue increases? // The proposal has no direct impact on state or local tax revenue. If passed, implementing legislation will have an unknown impact to state and local tax revenue. If implemented, state government entities expect a reduction of $57,000 annually in income tax check-off donations and implementation costs of at least $100,000.” // Missouri’s income tax has been around for more than 100 years. According to Gov. Kehoe, the state needs to implement a new tax code that fits the current economy. // If Amendment 5 passes, the Missouri General Assembly will have to slowly phase out the income tax over several years. The state’s revenue growth will largely determine the amount of time and rate of reduction. // Amendment 5 will also prevent the state from being able to implement income taxes in the future. // The passing of the amendment would mean Missouri would face significant economic losses, and lawmakers would have to replace that lost revenue with increased sales and use tax rates or expanded taxes on goods and services. How this will be done and what will be taxed is unknown. // If voters say “no” to Amendment 5, the individual income tax will remain the same. // One of the biggest worries surrounding the passing of Amendment 5 is its actual risks to Missouri taxpayers. // Some claim eliminating the individual income tax will not save people money; instead, it would cost them more by taking critical funding away and increasing taxes on other necessary service

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cleared a critical hurdle Tuesday in his bid to be confirmed to the post after swaying Republican holdouts on a Senate committee to advance his nomination for a floor vote. // The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines in support of the nomination of President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, who has aggressively pushed the Republican administration’s priorities since taking over from Pam Bondi in April. // The vote followed a deal struck late Sunday between Blanche and two Republican senators — John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — who had been threatening to block his confirmation over the settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service regarding the president’s leaked tax returns. // Cornyn and Tillis backed Blanche’s nomination after the Justice Department confirmed in writing that it wasn’t moving forward with a $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies who believe they were prosecuted for political purposes, which the administration announced as part of the settlement.

D. Rashaan Gilmore thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

“Unbossed and Unbothered with D. Rashaan Gilmore” broadcasts live Saturday at 5:00pm. More info at: www.blaqout.org

11:35

  1. Alabama Shakes – “I Feel Hope Coming”
    from: I Must Be Dreaming / Alabama Shakes – ATO Records / August 28, 2026
    [Formed in Athens, Alabama in 2009. The band currently consists of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, keyboard player Ben Tanner, and drummer Steve Johnson. The group rose to prominence from virtual obscurity in the early 2010s with their distinctive and soulful roots rock sound. The band began their career touring and performing at bars and clubs around the Southeast for two years while honing their sound and writing music. They recorded their debut album, Boys & Girls, themselves in Nashville while still unsigned. Online acclaim led ATO Records to sign the band, which released Boys & Girls in 2012 to acclaim. The album had a hit single, “Hold On,” and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. After a long touring cycle, the band recorded their sophomore record, Sound & Color, which was released in 2015 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. Brittany Howard’s solo releases are fabulous.Alabama Shakes released Sound & Color on April 21, 2015 ]

11:30 – Underwriting

11:32 – Interview with BOSCO

“The Marvelous Miss Gender” Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 8:00pm at The Folly Theater 300 W. 12th, KCMO.

BOSCO is an international showgirl, RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar, writer, and creative producer and star of, “The Marvelous Miss Gender” to be presented Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 8:00pm at The Folly Theater 300 West 12th Street, KCMO.

Bosco is best known as the globally beloved star of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 (2025), as well as a finalist of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 (2022). Though based in Seattle, Bosco has toured the world with dazzling showgirl performances in sold-out venues across Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond. From walking the New York Fashion Week runway, to a residency on the Las Vegas Strip, and to starring in her own Paramount-produced documentary. More information at dragfans.com. or www.follytheater.org

from wikipedia: Blair Constantino (born June 11, 1993). Bosco was raised in Great Falls, Montana. She was raised Catholic. She received formal dance training at a young age. Bosco was profiled in the Tribune after being awarded the q Senior Boy Titlist, ranked at the national competition in Las Vegas in 2010.

The name “Bosco” is taken from her deceased dog as a tribute to him, jokingly stating that “He’s not using it anymore, he’s dead, so now it’s mine”.

In 2022, on season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She performed a burlesque routine for the opening episode’s talent show. In the fifth, ninth, and thirteenth episodes of the season, she won the main challenges, winning three cash prizes of US$5,000. For Snatch Game, Bosco portrayed Gwyneth Paltrow but landed in the bottom seven, and thus participated in a lip-sync tournament which took place the following episode. She lost two lip syncs, one against Willow Pill to “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross and one against Lady Camden to “Don’t Let Go (Love)” by En Vogue. In the final lip sync, Bosco went up against Jasmine Kennedie to “Swept Away” by Diana Ross, and won.

In episode 12, Bosco landed in the bottom two alongside Jorgeous and had to lip sync to “Heartbreak Hotel (Hex Hector Remix)” by Whitney Houston. She lost the lip sync but was saved after she received the Gold Bar (a twist introduced in the third episode where each queen was assigned a chocolate bar and whoever had a bar which contained a golden ticket wrapped inside would be saved from elimination). This allowed Bosco to stay in the competition. In the subsequent episode, Bosco won the main challenge, which was a roast of Ross Mathews. She ended up placing third in the finale. She appears in RuPaul’s Drag Race Live Untucked.

On April 23, 2025, Bosco was announced as one of eighteen former Drag Race contestants participating in the tenth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.[11] Bosco competed in the season’s first bracket and advanced to the semifinals, having earned six points and won two challenges. She advanced to the finale after winning the talent show in the penultimate episode. She ultimately placed third a second time after winning a lipsync against Daya Betty and losing to Ginger Minj, the season’s eventual winner.

Bosco uses “she” and “they” pronouns out of drag and “she” in drag. Bosco came out as a transgender woman in February 2022, having begun her transition after filming Drag Race. In 2023, she underwent facial feminization surgery and debuted her new look while walking in New York Fashion Week.

Season 15 contestant Irene the Alien has been described as a drag “sister” to Bosco. Bosco has lived in Seattle since 2015.

Filmography

2022 RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 14) TV 3rd place (15 episodes)
2022 RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked (season 14) TV Herself (13 episodes)
2024 RuPaul’s Drag Race Live Untucked Web series Main cast Season 1–present
2025 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (season 10) TV 3rd place (6 episodes)

Awards and nominations

2022
MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Fight (Shared with Lady Camden)
RuPaul’s Drag Race Won
Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series Won
People’s Choice Awards The Competition Contestant of 2022 Nominated

2023
Queerty Awards Closet Door Bustdown (Shared with Jasmine Kennedie, Kornbread Jeté and Willow Pill) Runner-up [23]

2024
Future All-Star Herself Nominated

2026
Drag Royalty Won

“The Marvelous Miss Gender” to be presented Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 8:00pm at The Folly Theater 300 West 12th Street, KCMO.

Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Bosco, The Marvelous Miss Gender is a cinematic two-act musical comedy featuring her supervillain alter ego: Miss Gender. Enter Miss Gender’s lair and watch as Bosco blends comic book noir, burlesque, dance, high-fashion, satirical storytelling, lip sync numbers, stand-up, and over-the-top camp for a narrative-driven and immersive night of drag spectacle.

Inspired by Batman: The Animated Series, Kill Bill, Elvira, and Pee-wee’s Playhouse, The Marvelous Miss Gender is a send-up of current sociopolitical topics, and a journey through jewel heists, chase scenes, champagne celebrations, and battles with archenemies.

“I am so excited and deeply grateful to be heading out on my first solo tour with The Marvelous Miss Gender! This show has been living in my notes app for years, and after spending so much time on the road performing, producing, and writing, the time has finally come to bring it to life, now that I have an incredible team behind me,” Bosco says.

“This show is also a love letter to physical media, analog theater, and the magic of practical effects—because people are craving something they can feel and touch, not just a general approximation spit out by a computer. The Marvelous Miss Gender feels like everything I’ve been building toward in my career, and I truly can’t wait to share it with you all.”

“The Marvelous Miss Gender” marks Bosco’s first full-length solo touring show. Pulling from her years of experience as a choreographer, dancer, director, and show-maker, audiences will see intentionally crafted practical stage effects, giant props, video elements, forced-perspective sets, artist-illustrated backdrops, and GLAMOUR.

Bosco is best known as the star of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 (2025), as well as a finalist of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 (2022). Though based in Seattle, Bosco has toured the world with dazzling showgirl performances in sold-out venues across Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond.

Reserved seats for The Marvelous Miss Gender are $45 – $129. The VIP add-on package is $99 and includes a special meet & greet with Bosco before the show. The 2-hour show includes a 20-minute intermission. Doors open at 7pm with an 8pm showtime. Admission is restricted to persons 18+.

2026 Tour Dates:

July 8 – Detroit, MI (Royal Oak Music Theatre)

July 9 – Cleveland, OH (Agora Theater)

July 10 – New York, NY (Town Hall)

July 11 – Washington, D.C. (Warner Theatre)

July 12 – Pittsburgh, PA (Roxian Theatre)

July 14 – Boston, MA (The Wilbur)

July 15 – Philadelphia, PA (The Fillmore)

July 16 – Raleigh, NC (Fletcher Opera Theatre)

July 17 – Knoxville, TN (Bijou Theatre)

July 18 – Atlanta, GA (Center Stage)

July 19 – Orlando, FL (Plaza Live)

July 21 – New Orleans, LA (Civic Theatre)

July 22 – Houston, TX (House of Blues)

July 23 – Dallas, TX (House of Blues)

July 24 – Austin, TX (Emo’s)

July 25 – San Antonio, TX (Aztec Theatre)

July 28 – Palm Springs, CA (Plaza Theatre)

July 29 – Las Vegas, NV (House of Blues)

July 30 – Los Angeles, CA (The Wiltern)

July 31 – Phoenix, AZ (The Van Buren)

August 1 – San Diego, CA (Observatory North Park)

August 2 – San Francisco, CA (Palace of Fine Arts)

August 4 – Portland, OR (Newmark Theatre)

August 5 – Boise, ID (Egyptian Theatre)

August 7 – Salt Lake City, UT (The Complex)

August 8 – Denver, CO (The Fillmore)

August 10 – Tulsa, OK (Cain’s Ballroom)

August 11 – Kansas City, MO (Folly Theater)

August 12 – Minneapolis, MN (Pantages Theatre)

August 13 – Chicago, IL (Vic Theatre)

August 14 – St. Louis, MO (The Pageant)

August 15 – Columbus, OH (Lincoln Theatre)

August 16 – Buffalo, NY (Shea’s 710 Theatre)

“The Marvelous Miss Gender” written, produced, starring BOSCO – Tues, Aug 11, 8:00pm at The Folly Theater 300 W. 12th St. KCMO. dragfans.com. or www.follytheater.org

11:49

  1. The Golden Republic – “NYC”
    from: The Golden Republic / Astralwerks / February 8, 2005
    [The Golden Republic is the only studio album by American rock band The Golden Republic. It was released in United States by Astralwerks on February 8, 2005. // The Golden Republic was an American rock band, originally formed in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1999 under the name People by founding members Ben Grimes and Ryan Shank. // In 2003, the Golden Republic signed to Astralwerks, releasing one album and one EP. The band’s album received a two-and-a-half-star rating from AllMusic,[1] and a score of three from PopMatters. // The band split up in December 2006 and Kenn Jankowski went on to form the Republic Tigers. // Band members: Ben Grimes – guitar, lead vocals; Kenn Jankowski – guitar, keyboards; Harry Anderson – bass; Ryan Shank – drums. Discography: Studio albums – The Golden Republic, released February 8, 2005. EPs – People, released September 21, 2004. Compilation – Their final single “Hemel Dalingen” was included on the compilation First Blood on OxBlood Records in 2008.]

11:54

  1. Kat King – “It’s In A Dream”
    from: It’s In A Dream (Alt Versions) – EP / Kat King / July 31, 2026
    [4-track EP various remix versions of “It’s In A Dream.”// Kat King released the EP Merry Go Rounds on September 12, 2025. // Kat King released the single “It’s In a Dream” on July 11, 2025. // Kat King released the single “Somersaults”on May 2, 2025. // Kat King released the single “I Might Like It” through Manor Records on February 28, 2025 / / Kat King, on lead vocals, Derek Melies on guitar, John Kaul McCain on bass, Daniel Cole on drums, & Kara LePage on keyboards. Produced by Isaac Flynn of Hembree. // Kat King released the EP Domestic Bliss on April 5, 2024. Domestic Bliss was in the Top 25 of WMM’s 129 Best Recordings of 2024. // On October 6, 2023 Kat King released the single. “Bight-Eyed.” // On June 16, 2024 Kat King released the single “Baby Talk.” // On Jan. 13, 2023 Kat King released “Gone South” Produced by Joel Martin. Centering on themes of self-care, steadfast friendship, and revitalizing optimism. On September 20, 2022 Kat King released the single “With Nothing In My Way.” This followed their single “New Sun” released July 29, 2022. “New Sun” was a follow up to the June 9, 2021, SAY WHAT YOU MEAN 5-track EP, recorded with her band. Co-produced & mixed / mastered by Joel Martin. Lawrence KS based singer songwriter Kat King released her last single “Song of Spain” in 2019 and her single “2017” in, 2018. She released her 5-song EP “Falling Up” on Dec. 1, 2017. // Kat King’s career started as far back as 2nd grade in small town Kansas. As a solo singer-songwriter act, she produced one 13-song album and three EP’s. Now based in Kansas City, Kat King graduated into a 5-piece indie-pop rock group who are gearing up for the release of their second EP together. Their infectious energy has landed them on some of KC’s biggest stages.]

[Kat King plays Greenwood Social Hall, 1750 Belleview Ave., KCMO on Thursday, August 6, at 7:00pm with Fullbloods and Brian Gerald Bulger]

[Kat King plays Flew the Coop Fest at Blip Roasters, 512 Mulberry St., KCMO on Sat, August 29 at 2:30pm – featuring over 20 artists from our recent live sessions across three stages. The fest starts at 2:30 PM at Blip Coffee Roasters and keeps kicking till 2 AM at our afterparty hosted by our sponsor Sinse Cannabis! Catch performances from Kirstie Lynn, Brian Gerald Bulger, Eddie Moore, Corners of The Sky, Kapten, Pale Tongue, Kat King, Miki P, Jairy, Virga, Nature Boys, Alber, killusonline, Jass(ContraBand), Lauren Lovelle, Conflicts, Ezgi, Big Fat Cow + DJ sets from KB Mixes; DJ Billo!]

[Kat King plays Crossroads Music Fest on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in West Bottoms.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, August 12, Just Angel and Clarence Copridge join us to perform LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios and to share details about REMINISCE – Stories from the Living Room, hosted by Cherayla, with Just Angel, Ashley Brewer, and LeShea & Clarence Copridge, at GALLERY AT 705 on August 23, 2026, at 6:00pm. Also joining us is Rosie O’Brien of the Sass-a-Brass Band

You can find our playlists at: www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & www.kkfi.org
www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 33 people donate a total of $3513.50. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1159

WMM Playlist from July 28, 2026

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

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

New & MidCoastal Releases + Angela & James Ward + Joel Kraft

  1. Various Artists – “Main Title Instrumental (It’s Showtime Folks)”
    from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
    [WMM’s theme]
  1. Fullbloods – “No Hesitation”
    from: Playing It Safe / High Dive Records / March 7, 2025
    [Fullbloods released double single: Magic Machine with “Who’s Left” on January 9, 2026. Both songs written by Ross Brown (Bargain Hunt Music / ASCAP). Recorded (mostly) live at BRC Audio Productions. Engineered by Zack Hames with assistant engineers Tremain Hunter, Karlton Kinley, Ian McCaslin, and Nathan Gonzales. // Artwork by Sam Hrabko. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. // The first single, “No Hesitation” was released on December 7, 2024. – Fullbloods is a studio project of songwriter and producer Ross Brown (Shy Boys, Koney, Snacky). Live he is joined by his friends and the music is probably better that way. Thanks for listening! // Fullbloods released their 3rd full-length album Soft and Virtual Touch on High Dive Records on April 3, 2020. All songs written, performed, recorded, mixed by Ross Brown (℗© 2019 Bargain Hunt Music / ASCAP) in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. Artwork by Nika Winn. Kyle Rausch played drums on 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9, sang on 9. Bill Pollock Played drums on 3 and 5. David Seume played bass on 5. Jerad Tomasino played synth on 9 and 10, sang on 9. Jenni Kornfeld played cello on 4. Leslie Butsch played sax on 10. // Fullbloods is a studio project of songwriter and producer Ross Brown who is also in the bands: Shy Boys, Koney, and Snacky. When Fullbloods play live, Ross is joined on stage by his friends. N writing about Ross Browms previous Fullbloods album, Soft and Virtual Touch , Lionell Williams aka “Vinyl Williams” of PRIVATE PLAYLIST on KCRW calls “Ross Brown a frickin’ genius. He’s the modern day Brian Wilson of America. His whole album, the entire way through, is one of those albums [where] every microsecond, every quantum moment, is wow. He’s just a straight-up genius.” Info: www.fullbloods.com.][Fullbloods played The Ship on February 21, at 9:00 pm with Fake Italian for Daniel Gum’s The Great Conjunction Album Release Show. ][Fullbloods played Hillsiders in KCK on March 7 at 8:00 PM for their own PLAYING IT SAFE Album Release Show with Schemada, and 2w33dy.]

[Pearl & The Oysters, and Fullbloods play recordBar 1520 Grand Ave., KCMO, Thurs, July 30, 2026.]

  1. Pearl and The Oysters – “Wide Awake”
    from: Monkey Mind / Stones Throw Records / June 26, 2026
    [6th studio album from P&TO’s engineered, produced, and mixed by Jonathan Rado. // Pearl & the Oysters is a French-American indie pop duo formed by Juliette Pearl Davis and Joachim Polack. // Juliette and Joachim write: We wrote Monkey Mind in the span of a few weeks at the top of 2025, in the wake of the LA fires and Trump’s inauguration. Our purpose was twofold. On the one hand, these songs were meant as a way of processing and exorcising the apocalyptic visions of devastation and the lingering sense of restlessness (hence the title) that followed this most un-natural disaster. On the other, we were looking to tap into the social function of music-making and art as a way to further human connection in a time of heightened alienation and dread. We’d never written an album this quickly before. In doing so we were intending to make an urgent poetic statement, one that could encompass both the objectivity of a snapshot and the subjectivity of a scream. After debating how best to make the recording process match the lyrical themes and ambitions of these songs, we thought « what better way to do so than by recording all of it on tape with Jonathan Rado producing? // In May 2025, we set out to track for 8 days at Rado’s studio in the Valley and deliberately threw ourselves off-balance by eliminating a lot of the typical steps and recording gadgetry on which we’d come to rely in previous albums. When we stepped into the studio, we immediately realized that this new (to us) no-demo, no-click, live-to-tape approach was actually mirroring the rawness and immediacy of the writing process itself—despite our rhythm sections being well-rehearsed, and the arrangements for the most part locked in before we began tracking. We both had the feeling that working with Rado would be a fun and rewarding experience since we already knew that we shared a lot of the same musical obsessions (Todd Rundgren, The Beach Boys, Steely Dan, and early-tronic sonorities), but what we didn’t anticipate was how perfect of a match it would be for this album, specifically. Working with analog technology prescribed a particular workflow that often forced us to make quick, intuitive decisions, ultimately yielding some of our most direct and honest delivery yet captured on a record. Surprisingly, we managed to get there while never sacrificing—and in some instances dialing up—our own experimental impulses, thanks in great part to what can only be described as Rado’s sheer studio wizardry. The result felt like a reinvention of P&TO’s musical grammar and our most sincere record to date. // Thanks to Amy Spencer and everyone else at Stones Throw for giving our vision a platform, and constantly plotting new ways in which to saturate the internet with Monkey Mind content. All joking aside, we’re forever grateful to Peanut Butter Wolf and ST for taking a chance on us three albums ago, and making our analog recording fantasy a reality. On that note, we also want to thank Dan Asip and George Seay for their guidance, advocacy, and support at the very beginning of the Monkey Mind adventure. // We hope you’ll enjoy this album as much as we’ve enjoyed making it, and that these songs could be a balm (in the absence of a magic elixir) for these endlessly puzzling times. // The group originated in Paris, later relocating to Gainesville, Florida, and then to Los Angeles. Their music blends elements of indie pop, synth-pop, dream pop, and 1960s/1970s-inspired sounds. // Davis and Polack met during high school in Paris and began collaborating musically. They later moved to the United States, where they became part of Gainesville’s independent music scene. After moving to the U.S., Polack earned a master’s in musicology focused on Brazilian popular music and began a Ph.D. at the University of Florida School of Music. In 2020, they relocated to Los Angeles. // The band’s musical style is often described as an eclectic fusion of space-age pop, soft rock, and jazz influences, characterized by lush arrangements and a dreamy atmosphere. Their songwriting often evokes nostalgic moods while maintaining a contemporary indie sensibility. // Juliette and Joachim met on their first day of high school in Paris, sharing a passion for music and artists like Burt Bacharach, Kurt Weill, and Antônio Carlos. // Also American band such as The Beach Boys to the Japanese group Yellow Magic Orchestra. // Their self-titled debut album was released in 2017. Subsequent releases include Canned Music (2018), Flowerland (2021), Coast 2 Coast (2023), and Planet Pearl (2024). They have released music under labels such as Feeltrip Records and Stones Throw Records. // The duo has collaborated with musicians including Lætitia Sadier of Stereolab and Riley Geare of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. These collaborations have been noted in critical discussions of their evolving sound.]

[Pearl & The Oysters, and Fullbloods play recordBar 1520 Grand Ave., KCMO, Thurs, July 30, 2026.]

  1. Kirstie Lynn – “Blazing Prairie Star”
    from: Blazing Prairie Star / Plaid Dog Studios / July 24, 2026
    [Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark released Lost River Sound on August 9, 2024. Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark released Cindergarden (A Sides) on May 22, 2022. They released Cindergarden (B Sides) on June 21, 2023. Kirstie Lynn is a classically trained soprano with a passion for songwriting, always looking to marry poetry and melody. Though Kirstie’s voice has been compared to that of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, her sound is uniquely her own. Kirstie Lynn is a folk singer-songwriter originally from the fingerlakes region of upstate, NY. She began her professional music studies at the age of 15, and has since received both a Bachelor’s degree from Shenandoah University and a Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in voice and opera performance. Her vocal training lends her the freedom to paint her nature inspired lyrics with a wide range and a beautiful and effortless sound. // Kirstie Lynn brings elements of all the places she has called home into her songwriting. From the lilacs of Rochester, the bridges of London, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia, and the sweeping prairies of the Midwest, you can find melodies and words accompanied by her finger-picking on guitar reminiscent of the many lives she has lived so far. // Kirstie Lynn’s music is inherently emotional, providing a story-teller perspective to the trials and triumphs of life. As an aspiring conservationist and naturalist as well, her lyrics are deeply saturated in the outdoors and her experiences and adventures in nature. // You can find Kirstie Lynn playing either solo or with long-time friend and music partner, Galen Clark, in the Kansas City area. If you’re interested in bringing her or the duo to a stage near you, be sure to submit a message below!// Kirstie Lynn played IN THE ROUND with Calvin Arsenia, Julia Othmer, and Christena Graves at The Bauer, 115 West 18th St., in KCMO’s West Crossroads, Oct. 17, 2025.]

AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival – Saturday, August 1, 3:00pm to 9:30pm
at The Concourse Park, 200 Benton Blvd, KCMO.

Now in its 4th year, Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival is Sat, August 1, 3:00pm to 9:30pm at The Concourse Park, 200 Benton Blvd, KCMO. Celebrate Americana is a celebration of the myriad backgrounds, cultures, languages, and sounds that have shaped American music, bringing Grammy-winning artists to KC to perform at the FREE festival alongside youth performers from Art as Mentorship’s year-round mentorship programs. // Main Stage headliners include: Making Movies, RADKEY, Gina Chavez, Rosie Flores, The Freedom Threedom, The Salvation Choir, Audri Page, and Teri Quinn & Landon Hambright. // The Stars Out youth band takes the Main Stage for the 2nd time, performing a set of famous songs co-created by KC artists. // Community performers include youth from The Rebel Song Academy and base academy of music, dance groups, and more multicultural and multimedia performances. // Sample the food of the world with multicultural food and drink options. // Artmaking tents and music activities for all ages. // Physical activities including yard games, an obstacle course, and Copa de Calla soccer with Rygoku Soccer. // Interactive experiences including a bring-your-own-instrument parade with @sass.a.brass.band, drum circles with @drumsafari, a community art project, water toys. // MERCADO international open-air marketplace offering global goods, crafts, resources, and cuisine.// “AMERI’KANA is our living love letter to the Black, indigenous, immigrant and Latino heroes of American music. We want kids like us to know that they come from heroes.” –Making Movies // The AMERI’KANA project grew alongside Art as Mentorship, and its reach has brought Art as Mentorship into the national spotlight. Art as Mentorship is the only organization in the Midwest building a network of GRAMMY award-winning and world-class musicians to serve as mentors to young, Black, Indigenous, immigrant and Latino artists. As mentors, these professional musicians inspire youth to, like themselves, raise their voices and create original music that is grounded in their culture and personal experience. // The AMERI’KANA project’s ability to attract high level collaborators benefits Art as Mentorship greatly, providing mentoring and exposure from nationally-touring, Grammy-level artists. The events and content creation associated with AMERI’KANA provide opportunities for young artists in the programs to gain real world performing experience and develop transferable digital skills, as both performers and producers of its output. // Celebrate AMERI’KANA serves as a “graduation” for young artists in Art as Mentorship’s programs. The opportunity to play alongside historically significant NEA heritage award-winning musicians is the punctuation mark on the learning and success the young artists have achieved. // The AMERI’KANA brand is leveraged as a fundraising mechanism for Art as Mentorship. // AMERI’KANA highlights the influence of the Black and Brown musicians that created and continue to carry the legacy of American music, honoring lineage and legacy while exploring its impact. // AMERI’KANA is a response to intolerance and division, and a step toward healing the deep fissures in American society, reminding us of the connections we share. // AMERI’KANA engages underserved, immigrant and Latinx communities in a retelling of the American music story; inviting students, audiences, and performers to reassess their own sense of identity through an exploration of music history. // AMERI’KANA fills a gap in education, particularly for immigrant and BIPOC students, engaging and empowering young people through music, mentorship and performing opportunities.

10:17

  1. Radkey – “Ready To Burn”
    from: Bedroom Sand / Little Man Records / July 14, 2026
    [Most recent EP from Radkey. // Radkey released the EP Victory on July 30, 2025. It was part of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2025. // single “Falling Out of Grace” on October 24, 2025. Radkey released the single “Victory” on March 28, 2025. On September 23, 2022 Radkey released the single “Better Than This.” The band released “Games (Tonight)”: on January 28, 2022 on Little Man Records. Isaiah, Dee, and Solomon Radke of the critically acclaimed rock trio Radkey joined us live in our 90.1 FM studios on September 5, 2018. Radkey was formed in 2010 in St. Joseph, where the brothers were raised. The family moved to Kansas City. The band has released multiple full-length recordings. In 2021 Radkey was featured in Dave Grohl’s van-touring documentary film, WHAT DRIVES US. Radkey released GREEN ROOM on Little Man Records on November 27, 2020. On Green Room the band serve as their own producers. Radkey released DARK BLACK MAKE UP in 2015 and DELICIOUS ROCK NOISE in 2016 — plus multiple EPs and singles, and were part of a MasterCard advertising campaign on digital billboards in NYC along with a national television commercial that aired during the 2018 Grammy Awards that brought the band to the attention of Jack White who asked the band to tour with him. In 2018 the band went back on the road with The Damned throughout the United States. In December they went back into the studio to record with producer Bill Stevenson of the California punk rock group Descendents. In early 2019 they played shows in Amsterdam and Stockholm. In 2018 the band released “Basement,” “St. Elwood,” “Rock & Roll Homeschool,” as well as several other singles. On February 22, 2019, Radkey released “No Strange Cats…P.A.W.” a 7-song EP is essentially a collection of the band’s most recent singles. It comes after the January 11, 2019 release of No Strange cats…Spiders – EP a 6 song EP of several new songs mixed with several singles from late 2018.]

[Radkey plays Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival 2026, Saturday, August 1, at 3:00pm at The Concourse Park, 200 Benton Blvd. KCMO with Making Movies, Gina Chavez, Rosie Flores, The Freedom Threedom, The Salvation Choir, Audri Page, Teri Quinn & Landon Hambright.]

  1. SEYKO – “So Wonderful”
    from: “So Wonderful” – Single / Groove King Records – Fat Beats / June 5, 2026
    [“So Wonderful” wass written by Seyko. She told Michelle Bacon at The Bridge, that itstarted out as a possible Freedom Affair song (Seyko is one of the band’s three lead vocalists), but ultimately didn’t fit their second album thematically. So, she brought the song to a few bandmates Cole Bales for recording and production, Dave Brick on drums and Branden Moser on bass to release this as a solo single. // Seyko released the single “Anybody High: on Cecember 2, 2023 also through Groove King Re cords. And also Produced by Colby Bales of the band Black Light Animals and also a bandmate of SEYKO’s in The Freedom Affair. // Seyko released the single “What I Want” on June 23, 2023. //From www.seykomusic.com: Seyko has always found music to be a reflection of her innermost thoughts and feelings, a way of self-expression but even deeper than that. Music was always a life-giving, constant companion from the happiest moments to the darkest days. Music continues to be Seyko’s way of communicating with the world around her. // Seyko developed her musical talent during her formative years through church and school choirs, friendships that evolved into singing groups, and professional training through voice lessons and songwriting. Opportunities presented themselves, but Seyko also created opportunities for herself as she chased her dream to create and perform her own music. // The Freedom Affair and SUNU, two Kansas City bands Seyko performs and writes with, have solidified her place in the music scene and provide a solid foundation for beginning her solo career. Seyko’s singing and songwriting career has spanned twenty years, and it shows! Her creative growth has led to her being a well-respected artist in Kansas City, allowing her to participate in recording projects for fellow musicians and even singing background vocals for Michael Bublé at a live concert in 2022.]

[Seyko with The Freedom Threedom plays Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival 2026, Sat., August 1, at 3:00pm at The Concourse Park, 200 Benton Blvd. KCMO with Making Movies, Radkey, Gina Chavez, Rosie Flores, The Salvation Choir, Audri Page, Teri Quinn & Landon Hambright.]

  1. Gina Chavez – “Pitaya Roja (feat. Mexican Institute of Sound)”
    from: Pitaya Roja (feat. Mexican Institute of Sound) – Single / Gina Chavez / April 14, 2021
    [Gina Chavez (born May 24, 1982) is an American bilingual Latin-folk singer and songwriter who has been performing since 2004, releasing her first recording in 2007. Chavez’s parents are of Mexican and Swiss-German descent. Chavez’s father, Gene Chavez, is a second generation Mexican-American from the south side of San Antonio, Texas. Chavez holds a unique style of mixing the content of her music and visuals and is an eight-time Austin Music Award winner. She was named Austin Musician of the Year in 2015. A review by Sonicbids describes the style in her songs containing traversings of cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton, and folk combined with dynamic vocals and sharp social commentary. Chavez does not work alone, she is teamed with a band of six members. Her recent major album is titled Up.Rooted, and the work that she has compiled together, has earned her various awards, such as Best Latin Band. // Chavez was born in Austin, Texas. She began songwriting and performing at the University of Texas at Austin at the age of 18. Growing up, Chavez’s musical interests included Lyle Lovett, Little Richard, and Michael Jackson. She did not grow up listening to Latino music. It wasn’t until her first year of college when she began writing music while studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina that she discovered a love for folk music and dance. Ever since her time in Argentina, Chavez has incorporated Spanish lyrics as well as rhythms of Latin into her music. Her genre is mainly considered Latin-folk. Chavez’s vocal styling ranges from yearning to sensual to wailing. // On January 1, 2007, Chavez released her debut solo independent album, Hanging Spoons. On December 6, 2014, Chavez released Gina Chavez Live at the Music Club under The Good Music Club that contained five total tracks.[8] Chavez released her first independent studio album, Up.Rooted, on February 11, 2016, online to iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, with physical copies available on CD Baby. // Chavez highly promoted her single Siete-D which takes a stand against gang violence in Central America was published on her YouTube channel March 8, 2016. The visual was filmed in El Salvador in October 2015. // As of April 2016, Chavez is touring solo, and with her full six-person band. // She’s made her presence known with her work in El Salvador, being named one of 11 southern iconic women who have left a beautiful footprint across the south” by Southern Living and Olay. Her work in El Salvador continues to make a worldwide difference outside of music. In an interview with The Austin Chronicle, Chavez is described as “no stranger to the benefit rounds. She routinely puts on productions of her own to support the nonprofit she started after an eight-month mission trip to El Salvador.” // The Austin native has made such an impact and influence in the music scene that in 2015, Austin, Texas mayor, Steve Adler, announced that April 2 is officially known as “Gina Chavez Day.” // While living in El Salvador in 2009, Chavez and her wife Jodi, who also acts as her booking agent, spent eight months educating teenage girls who were surrounded by poverty in gang-dominated barrios.]

[Gina Chavez plays Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival 2026, Sat., August 1, at 3:00pm at The Concourse Park, 200 Benton Blvd. KCMO with Making Movies, Radkey, Rosie Flores, The Salvation Choir, Audri Page, Teri Quinn & Landon Hambright.]

  1. Roșie Flores & The Talismen – “Oh Yea Do You Love Me?”
    from: “Oh Yea Do You Love Me?”- Single / Mule Kick Records / July 31, 2026
    [The unstoppable Rosie Flores – known widely as the Rockabilly Filly – is coming at you this week with a new single “Oh Yea Do Ya Love Me?” co-written by firebrand Ruby James. // Weeks before her continuing tour with Robert Plant and Saving Grace, Rosie’s single offering is a tongue in cheek, reggae styled jaunt with her own unique spin. // Rosie Flores (born Rosalie Flores; September 10, 1950) is an American rockabilly, blues and country musician who has been writing and performing since the 1970s. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, where August 31 was declared Rosie Flores Day by the Austin City Council in 2006. // Rosie Flores was born in San Antonio, Texas, United States,[2] where she lived until the age of twelve, when her family moved to San Diego.[2] In interviews, Flores has recalled that growing up, she loved to watch musical television shows like The Dick Clark Show and Hit Parade. She began singing as a young child, picking up a guitar at age 6, and eventually learning how to play rhythm guitar from her older brother, Roger. // Flores formed her first band, Penelope’s Children, while still in high school in California. In the 1970s, Flores played the San Diego nightclub circuit and was the namesake of the alt country/cowpunk band Rosie and the Screamers. By 21, she was in Los Angeles at her first recording session, though her first EP, Hit City L.A., wouldn’t be released until 1982, possibly after leaving the Screamers. // In 1983, after the Screamers disbanded, she joined a cowpunk all-female band called Screamin’ Sirens. The latter band produced a series of 7-inch singles and tracks for compilation albums before releasing an album in 1984, Fiesta, produced by Brian Ahern, Michael Reid and Greg Humphries. // Flores’s debut album Rosie Flores came out on Warner Bros./Reprise in 1987. The single, “Crying Over You,” put her on the Billboard chart for the first time. Since then, Flores has recorded 13 additional solo albums. // Flores has toured widely, appearing in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. and also performing frequently in Austin, continuing into 2024. In 1995, she organized a tour with Wanda Jackson on a coast-to-coast North American tour, and she toured for eight months as a member of Asleep at the Wheel in 1997. She has also traveled with a concert tribute she created to honor Janis Martin, who she cites as a major influence early on in her career. She also performed the tribute concert’s program at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, where, in 2012, she was also part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s tribute to Chuck Berry. Her media appearances include Austin City Limits and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and she had a cameo role in the 1993 film The Thing Called Love featuring River Phoenix and Sandra Bullock. // In addition to her work as a performer and songwriter, Flores has helped to revive the careers of female rockabilly musicians from previous generations and to create new interest in their music. Her album Rockabilly Filly, released on Hightone Records in 1995, included vocals from early rock and roll musicians Janis Martin and Wanda Jackson. In 2007, Flores brought Janis Martin to a recording studio in Blanco, Texas, to procuce with Bobby Trimble a record that would be both Martin’s first solo album in thirty years as well as her last before her death of cancer. After the project was turned down by a number of record labels, Flores raised more than $16,000 on Kickstarter to release the album, which was titled Janis Martin: The Blanco Sessions. Flores is credited as a producer. // Flores’s current (as of 2013–2018) guitar of choice is her James Trussart SteelTopCaster. She uses Fender amplifiers, and has also played Fender Telecasters, Gretsch electrics, Gibson Les Pauls, and various acoustic guitars. // In 2019, Flores released her album, Simple Case of the Blues in the UK. // Flores has revealed that, under pressure from her manager, she had an abortion in 1986, shortly after signing with Warner Bros. She later regretted the decision. She has never been married, and has said that her lifestyle, which involves frequent touring, makes it difficult to maintain long-term relationships.]

[Rosie Flores plays Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival 2026, Sat., August 1, at 3:00pm at The Concourse Park, 200 Benton Blvd. KCMO with Making Movies, Radkey, Gina Chavez , Freedom Threedom, The Salvation Choir, Audri Page, Teri Quinn & Landon Hambright.]

10:29 – Underwriting

  1. Joel Kraft – “Start It Over”
    from: The End / Joel Kraft / March 1, 2026
    [Joel Kraft on voice, guitar, drums, bass, synth, production, programming, writing, dishwashing, slide flute & guitar; Nick Baker on drums on Awakening, Queen of Kings & The Foundness; Stephen Flanery on vocals on Awakening; Ross McLeron on synthesizers on Start It Over; Marty Kraft on vocals on Awakening; Adam Selzer -on mixing & mastering; Shane Ogren on album art; Philip Cheaney on graphic design. // The End is the fourth album from Kansas City–based singer-songwriter and producer Joel Kraft. It’s a layered indie pop record with roots in folk and a twist of art pop—featuring toy pianos, disco bass lines, square wave synths, and field recordings stitched together by hand. Ten years in the making, it’s the first album Kraft fully produced himself after years of learning from collaborators and experimenting with tape, MIDI, and microphones. // Kraft’s songs are rich with impressionistic lyrics, unconventional structures, and sonic textures that reward repeated listening. His songwriting blends the personal and surreal, moving between vivid imagery and quiet emotional weight without ever settling into one mode for long. // The result is a dreamy, bittersweet, and slightly eccentric pop record built on “slow-release architecture,” as Kraft calls it. The End doesn’t sound like goodbye—it sounds like waking up with a new sense of clarity. All songs written by Joel Kraft ℗ & © 2026 Joel Kraft (BMI). All rights reserved. License all rights reserved.]

[Joel Kraft plays an Album release show on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6:00pm, Matinee Show with Miss Boating at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO West Bottoms.]

10:35 – Interview with Joel Kraft

Joel Kraft joins us to share details about his new album, THE END released March 1, 2026. Joel Kraft is a curious animal that grew up among the rolling hills of Missouri. Climbing trees and walking through tunnels of Brush Creek, his head swam with all kinds of notions he could only just pin down and understand by singing them out loud over and over again. At first he sang them to himself, then into microphones he found at coffee shops and bars around the US. The End is the fourth album from Kansas City–based singer-songwriter and producer Joel Kraft. It’s a layered indie pop record with roots in folk and a twist of art pop—featuring toy pianos, disco bass lines, square wave synths, and field recordings stitched together by hand. Ten years in the making, it’s the first album Kraft fully produced himself after years of learning from collaborators and experimenting with tape, MIDI, and microphones. Joel Kraft plays an Album release show on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6:00pm, Matinee Show with Miss Boating at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO West Bottoms.

Joel Kraft thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

We just heard “Start it Over”

This one was nearly lost on a failed hard drive. Joel actually did some soldering and borrowed a recovery rig to bring it back from oblivion.

“Start it Over” – lyrics

Let us all look at your fuzzy crumpled little mess
Is that the broken project you’ve been polishing to death
Whenever you are naked out in public, it’s just a dream
But this is definitely happening

Try to play it cool but the spasms won’t subside
You’re in charge of something that keeps turning into light
When you get to hold it, try to love it but it’s hot
And it’s never going to be the way you thought
It’s just not

You thought what you thought
You thought and it’s never gonna be the way

There’s a place in the sky
That is passing you by
Feel yourself start to cry
But it’s over
Yes the moment goes by
In the blink of of an eye
It’s ok, say goodbye
And start it over

Ross McLeron: Moog
Joel Kraft: everything else

Joel Kraft is a curious animal that grew up among the rolling hills of Missouri. Climbing trees and walking through tunnels of Brush Creek, his head swam with all kinds of notions he could only just pin down and understand by singing them out loud over and over again. At first he sang them to himself, then into microphones he found at coffee shops and bars around the US. There were other people then, who would listen while sitting, or dance or sometimes sing along.

What were those songs about? I don’t think Joel himself knew all the way. Were they about someone in particular? About an event? His songs are built with impressions, one stacked upon another to arrive at something new, perhaps the same way each letter in our alphabet was once a symbol for a thing or action, but now can be arranged in strings to mean all kinds of different things.

This fascination with language and experience begins every moment of Joel’s performance, which often feels more like a series of discoveries than a broadcast. He likes people very much (especially singing people), and his favorite part of performing is discovering new moments with them.

Joel Kraft Album release show w/ Miss Boating Matinee Show Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6 PM – 9 PM at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO, Doors 6 // Show 7-9pm

The End credits: Joel Kraft – Voice, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Synth, Production, Programming, Writing, Dishwashing, Slide Flute & Guitar; Nick Baker – Drums on Awakening, Queen of Kings & The Foundness; Stephen Flanery – Vocals on Awakening; Ross McLeron – Synth on Start It Over; Marty Kraft – Vocals on Awakening; Adam Selzer – Mixing & Mastering; Shane Ogren – Album Art; Philip Cheaney – Graphic Design

Joel Kraft Discography

Gold in the Bargain Bin – released October 25, 2003

All songs by Joel Kraft. Lisa Donald played cello on Alien Phoneline, Gone, Ocean Song, and she sang harmony on Flowerpatch. Recorded by Joel Kraft, Pete Minda & Dan Balsinger. Mastered by Justin Mathews

  1. The Country Song 02:58
  2. Lionsong 03:35
  3. Alien Phoneline 04:59
  4. Gold in the Bargain Bin 02:18
  5. Scared 06:29
  6. Gone 02:30
  7. Rubix Heart 04:18
  8. Breathe 02:05
  9. Ocean Song 04:31
  10. Freefallin Cowboy 02:24
  11. Gold in the Bargain Bin (Icecream Truck Remix) 03:25
  12. Birthplace 06:18

Born in Midwestern U.S., Joel first learned the word ‘ocean’ from an orange Speak ‘n’ Spell one cold Christmas day in the ’80s. The angled glow-green letters with the queer, patient voice of the toy sent him into a kind of wondering dream. Ocean. It was something he had heard of before, he thought. Maybe from television where one could sometimes find broadcasted pictures of California. He didn’t know it yet, but he was going to meet an ocean in person one day, and write a song about it.

As Joel grew up his teachers frequently observed he had a tendency to stare out the window and daydream. When at last he graduated from a University he continued to follow his dreams right to the edge of North America where there lay an island city called Manhattan. He took what work he could find among the lights and edifices on the crowded little island, first in offices of the financial district downtown, and then on the fashionable floor of a bistro in the East Village. Somewhere between the wordless waiting at 3 am for home-bound subway trains and the din of car alarms set off by thunderstorms, Joel lost the thread of his dreams.

And he didn’t even notice until a day when fate dropped a postcard into his mailbox. Sent from a dear friend on holiday in Amsterdam, the postcard–suspended by hand comfortably within Joel’s gaze–began to resemble a window, or perhaps a door into another world, the world of dreams. Upon stepping through the door. (Stepping through that door was not quite as simple as putting his foot or even head through the postcard, but required a series of banal steps involving ticket offices, bus rides and other fossil fuel consumption, lots of waiting in non-descript rooms. The door which opened upon the world of dreams, however, was quite real.)

Joel found himself in the city of Galway, Ireland holding all his posessions in his two hands and having an acute panic attack. Five minutes later he was uttering a seamless stream of words into the receiver of a public telephone, describing his helplessness to his mother, who listened patiently a half a world away. Suddenly he ran out of words, his voice stopped, leaving only the silence of oblivion. ‘Well, I guess that’s why you went,’ she said simply over the hiss on the receiver. There seemed to be nothing more to say, so they hung up.

Turning away from the telephone to face the green of Eyre Square, Joel stood a moment before separating one of his feet from the concrete and placing it out in front of him. Shifting his weight forward, he then repeated this procedure with his other foot. Thus he discovered–for the first time, it seemed to him–how to walk. The more he employed this new discovery, the more beautiful people and places came into his experience. He stayed on a small island called Inis Mor in the hospitality of a wonderful friend, playing guitar, writing songs, reading books, singing. He walked into the ocean and out again. He walked through Paris, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Wales, and in Liverpool he used walking to board an orange and white aircraft that took him to Barcelona, Spain.

He walked across Spain, getting up early before the sun and watching mist roll off of distant mountains like silken broth boiling over the side of a pot. His pilgrimage–particularly in Spain–taught him confidence in playing music for others. In the eveningtime he would sit in a common area, singing songs with his guitar, and people would gather around, and listen. Never particularly good at making friends, suddenly he seemed to be making many of them. He went south and studied Flamenco technique with a teacher in Seville, and wrote several songs as well.

Joel returned to Ireland again, and there realized that he wanted to learn how to record his songs. He bought a ticket back to Kansas City where he got to work performing and recording. It took him a year and a half, but he has finally released his debut album, titled Gold in the Bargain Bin. The album contains work written from 1998-2003 in a variety of settings, from his childhood bedroom to apartments in Seville, Queens, Ireland, Illinois etc. One was written in Loose Park. They deal with love, alienation, fear, joy, but most of all dreams and the strange sense of humor life seems so often to require. Joel sings his little heart out.


Big Ideas – released April 25, 2006

  1. Something’s Got to Break 02:40
  2. Teacher Showed Up to Learn 04:49
  3. Raisins 02:39
  4. Light in My Mind 02:03
  5. EOW 04:49
  6. Catalpas 02:27
  7. Rainsong 06:35
  8. Big Ideas 02:38
  9. Blessed Be the Name 04:28
  10. Hymn for Sal 04:08
  11. Gone 02:37

All songs written by Joel Kraft except “Blessed Be the Name,” by Joel Kraft & Bill Belzer. Joel Kraft: lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars, accordion, glockenspiel and electric guitar on “Big Ideas”; Nick Baker: drums; Brandon Curtis: trumpet; Jeremy Harman: cello, electric guitars; Rachel Gaither: backing vocals, violin; Adam Greene: bass on “Raisins”; Justin Mathews: backing vocals; Devin McCollum: bass; Matt Wilber: trombone; Strings on “Big Ideas” arranged by Rachel Gaither

Produced, mixed and engineered by Justin Mathews, Intone Creative
Mastered by Paul Wickliffe at Skyline Productions, Warren, NJ
Cover photography and concept: Joshua Hoffine
Sleeve drawings, paintings and design: Shane Ogren
Layout Design: Kalyn Mathews
Pizza and other kindnesses: Jodi Mathews
Muse, amused, bemusing: Bill Belzer

Big Thank Yous: Nick Baker for your huge heart. Justin Mathews for clarity, perseverance and ingenuity – Love and Respect: Rachel Gaither, Jeremy Harman, Bill Belzer, Shane Ogren Lollipop Barbershop, Duane and Nancy Benton, Kasey Rausch, Kaya Rausch-Santee, Mikal Shapiro, David and Cathy Basse, Adam Greene, Eudora, Mollie Fisher, Marwan Chebaro, Mica Stumpf, Desmond Poirier, Caleb Hawley, Jodi Mathews, Mom, Chris Wells, Joshua Hoffine, S. J. Bushman for drawings curious and wonder, Heather, Dad, Jane Gotch, Greg Ansley, Annette (hineighbor!), Felix, Ellyn Herr, Beth Sarver, Whitney Fell, Quinton Mathews, Bassam Helwani, Cindy Woolf, Crystal Hansen, Bonnie Bailey, Trace, Arinna, Shiva, Chloe, Sadie, Jordan Whitney Smith, Las familias Tarrida, Brennan, Pattison, Gibbs, Harrington, McDermott, Linhardt, Potter, Poirier, Lisa Donald, Kalyn Mathews, Prospero’s Bookshop, UG, Shining Heart Community, Annie MacGill, Café Rumi, Cristina Heeren, Regina Basse, Bill Wright, Emily Pattison, Rahima, all of the musicians, my family, my friends—met and not—thank you.

All Songs © 2005 Joel Kraft except “Blessed be the Name” ©1998 W. F. Belzer/J. Kraft.
All Songs published by Joel Kraft (BMI), except “Blessed be the Name,” published by Joel Kraft (BMI) and Nihill Song Music (ASCAP). Made in the U.S.A. Re-recording of this material is a violation of applicable copyright laws. © 2006 Joel Kraft All Rights Reserved.


The Lighting Project – released December 25, 2021

  1. Queen of Kings 03:41
  2. Heart of Candy 03:09
  3. Even in the Darkness 03:30

Joel Kraft – guitars, percussion, slide whistles, vocals, keyboards; Nick Baker – drums. Recorded, engineered & produced by Joel Kraft; Mixed & mastered by Adam Selzer; Cover art and design by Shane Ogren; Thank you Emily Mentzel for making this possible.

Thank you to so many of my friends for all the inspiration and conversations about music: Israel Nebeker, Shane Ogren, Simone Sharda, Shelby Sifers, Kevin Dolan, Luke Ydstie, Ellen Osborn, Kati Claborn, Jonas Jenkins, Graham Harriman, Skyler Butenshon, Mikal Shapiro, Peter Murray, Konnor Ervin, Bill Belzer, Nick Baker, Nikolos Ray, Ross McLeron, Natasha Ria El-Scari, Nathan Wade Carter, Ama Bentley


The End – released March 1, 2026

  1. Wooden Castle 03:27
  2. Natural Wonder 03:50
  3. Start it Over 04:18
  4. Heart of Candy 03:05
  5. Awakening 04:11
  6. Queen of Kings 03:42
  7. The Foundness 04:04
  8. Even in the Darkness 03:07
  9. Can’t Go Back 01:02

Nick Baker – Drums on Awakening, Queen of Kings & The Foundness; Stephen Flanery – Vocals on Awakening; Ross McLeron – Synth on Start It Over; Marty Kraft – Vocals on Awakening; Joel Kraft – Voice, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Synth, Production, Programming, Writing, Dishwashing, Slide Flute & Guitar; Adam Selzer – Mixing & Mastering; Shane Ogren – Album Art; Philip Cheaney – Graphic Design

The End is the fourth album from Kansas City–based singer-songwriter and producer Joel Kraft. It’s a layered indie pop record with roots in folk and a twist of art pop—featuring toy pianos, disco bass lines, square wave synths, and field recordings stitched together by hand. Ten years in the making, it’s the first album Kraft fully produced himself after years of learning from collaborators and experimenting with tape, MIDI, and microphones.

Kraft’s songs are rich with impressionistic lyrics, unconventional structures, and sonic textures that reward repeated listening. His songwriting blends the personal and surreal, moving between vivid imagery and quiet emotional weight without ever settling into one mode for long.

The result is a dreamy, bittersweet, and slightly eccentric pop record built on “slow-release architecture,” as Kraft calls it. The End doesn’t sound like goodbye—it sounds like waking up with a new sense of clarity.

All songs written by Joel Kraft ℗ & © 2026 Joel Kraft (BMI). All rights reserved.

www.joelkraft.bandcamp.com

Queen of Kings – Lyrics

You’re a magic wish with sparkle power
Half a sandwich in the morning shower
Write a letter on a ragged apron
Throw a bottle in the flooded basement

You and I we swam troubled water
All the doubts that we refused to slaughter
Now we know what crazy means
Now we know who killed the childhood queen
We’re on the inside now, o my
Don’t cry

We’re the oracles of paste and makeup
All the love notes we get paid to rake up
After all the crowds have gone
After the killing in the Colosseum

It’s a tragedy of tiny portions
Lose your strength in spite of your contortions
Through your whiskers you detect a change
The queen of kindergarten pushes you on stage
You better give it all away
You may still save the day

10:54

  1. Joel Kraft – “Queen of Kings”
    from: The End / Joel Kraft / March 1, 2026
    [Joel Kraft on voice, guitar, drums, bass, synth, production, programming, writing, dishwashing, slide flute & guitar; Nick Baker on drums on Awakening, Queen of Kings & The Foundness; Stephen Flanery on vocals on Awakening; Ross McLeron on synthesizers on Start It Over; Marty Kraft on vocals on Awakening; Adam Selzer -on mixing & mastering; Shane Ogren on album art; Philip Cheaney on graphic design. // The End is the fourth album from Kansas City–based singer-songwriter and producer Joel Kraft. It’s a layered indie pop record with roots in folk and a twist of art pop—featuring toy pianos, disco bass lines, square wave synths, and field recordings stitched together by hand. Ten years in the making, it’s the first album Kraft fully produced himself after years of learning from collaborators and experimenting with tape, MIDI, and microphones. // Kraft’s songs are rich with impressionistic lyrics, unconventional structures, and sonic textures that reward repeated listening. His songwriting blends the personal and surreal, moving between vivid imagery and quiet emotional weight without ever settling into one mode for long. // The result is a dreamy, bittersweet, and slightly eccentric pop record built on “slow-release architecture,” as Kraft calls it. The End doesn’t sound like goodbye—it sounds like waking up with a new sense of clarity. All songs written by Joel Kraft ℗ & © 2026 Joel Kraft (BMI). All rights reserved. License all rights reserved.]

[Joel Kraft plays an Album release show on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6:00pm, Matinee Show with Miss Boating at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO West Bottoms.]

  1. Miss Boating – “Not My Life”
    from: Jewel In The Trash / High Dive Records / June 29, 2024
    [Miss Boating is a KC based, five-piece with multi-instrumentalist & lead singer Charlie Coleborne, drummer Bill Belzer, Aaron Jones on trombone, Tom Gillespie on Saxophone, and Bryan McGuire on bass. (Phil Dickey played bass on the album.) Charlie and Bill met in the late 1980s. In the beginning they were called The Sympathetic Fringe, and then The Sleazebeats. In recent years Charlie & Bill added Aaron, Tim and Bryan. Described by one local radio host as “the perfect house band for a John Waters After Party.” One of their songs is about a friend’s mom’s dynamic relationship with prescription medication. Another is a tribute to the late Evan Jolly, their former bassist. All of the songs are written by Charlie Colborne. // From the ashes of their former band The Sleazebeats, Charles Colborne and Bill Belzer faced a difficult 2019 when combined with the death of Charlie’s own beloved mother, their friend and bassist Evan Vhargon died. The band wrote that they “were lost when Evan passed.” Through the tough times Bill and Charlie kept playing and wrote that they “were blown away when Phil Dickey wanted to jam with us… the jamming turned into something more and we were going again. We couldn’t be more thankful and humbled.” Phil is part of the bands Dragon Inn 3, and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. // On Jan 1, 2020 Miss Boating released The Vhargon Sidestep with: Charlie Colborne on keyboards, guitar, vocals; Bill Belzer: drums, vocals; Phil Dickey on bass; Aaron Jones on trombone; Tim Gillespie on saxophone. Ross Brown served as engineering, did all of the mixing for The Vhargon Sidestep and Mike Nolte handled all of the mastering.]

[Miss Boating plays the Joel Kraft Album release show on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6:00pm, Matinee Show with Miss Boating at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO West Bottoms.]

11:00 – Station ID

  1. The JWB – “MidDay”
    from: In Perspective / James Ward Band / January 18, 2010
    [James Ward and Angela Ward of The James Ward Trio and James Ward Band also known as The JWB. The JWB is a Jazz Fusion band formed over 20 years ago that combines Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Gospel. The Wards consist of Angela Ward on keyboards, James Ward on bass, and Jaylen Ward on drums. In addition to performing, they also run a Music School where they facilitate Music Education Programs in the community. Their goal is to offer the gift of music to all. The Wards perform regularly at The Blue Room located on the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. They also perform individually in various bands in the Kansas City Music Scene.]
    [Angela Ward will be performing with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime, Thurs, July 30, at 6:30pm.]
    [The James Ward Band will be performing at the Blue Room on Friday, July 31, at 8:30pm.]
    [James Ward will be at Eddie V’s on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:30pm.]
    [Angela Ward plays with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime Friday, on August 7, at 6:30pm.]
    [The James Ward Trio play Jazz by the River on Saturday, August 8, in Leavenworth, Kansas.]

11:04 – Interview with James Ward and Angela Ward

James Ward and Angela Ward of The James Ward Trio and James Ward Band also known as The JWB. The JWB is a Jazz Fusion band formed over 20 years ago that combines Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Gospel. The Wards consist of Angela Ward on keyboards, James Ward on bass, and Jaylen Ward on drums. In addition to performing, they also run a Music School where they facilitate Music Education Programs in the community. Their goal is to offer the gift of music to all. The Wards perform regularly at The Blue Room located on the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. They also perform individually in various bands in the Kansas City Music Scene.
James Ward and Angela Ward thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley
[Angela Ward will be performing with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime, Thurs, July 30, at 6:30pm.]
[The James Ward Band will be performing at the Blue Room on Friday, July 31, at 8:30pm.]
[James Ward will be at Eddie V’s on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:30pm.]
[Angela Ward plays with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime Friday, on August 7, at 6:30pm.]
[The James Ward Trio play Jazz by the River on Saturday, August 8, in Leavenworth, Kansas.]

Angela is originally from Florida, and went to Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida. It was there that she met James Ward.

Later Angela came to Kansas City for work and eventually married James

James and Angela created the Comprehensive Arts Institute – with a mission is to equip and develop our youth with active and creative minds.

The Wards perform regularly at The Blue Room located on the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. They also perform individually in various bands in the Kansas City Music Scene.

James Ward and Angela Ward collaborate with many musicians, One such project was Erin Keller’s SONGS FOR TIMES LIKE THESE, with the James Ward Band doing original songs written & produced by Erin Keller and recorded by Chad Meise. Erin Keller & the James Ward Band played an Album Release Dinner Matinee Show, Friday, January 26, 2024, at 6:00pm, at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO.

Songs For Times Like These features Erin Keller on vocals, with the James Ward Band

James Ward on electric bass,
Jaylen Ward on drums & cymbals,
Angela Ward on keyboard,

Along with Chad Meise on electric guitar.
Recorded & mixed by Chad Meise. Mastered by Collin Jordan.
Artwork by David Ford. Photos & Graphics by Kayla Haskins.

Erin Keller and The JWB latest album “Songs for Times Like These” is political, funny, groovy, and thought-provoking. If you feel like the world is making you crazy, you might feel very seen and heard at this show! The songs are about humanity coming together in unity and love to make the world a better place. The JWB featuring James, Angela, and Jaylen Ward always lay down a funky groove you can dance and/or relax to.

Erin Keller also presents The Golden Spirit Fundraising Event, a performance of critically acclaimed Joni Mitchell album “Mingus,” with Patrick Ketter on saxophone, Angela Ward on keyboards, Adam Schlozman on guitar, Matt Leifer on drums, and Forest Stewart on bass, on Saturday, May 25, at Unity Temple on the Plaza,West 47th, KCMO.

James Ward and Angela Ward thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:22

  1. The JWB – “Groove Axis”
    from: Groove Axis / James Ward Band / January 10, 2010
    [James Ward and Angela Ward of The James Ward Trio and James Ward Band also known as The JWB. The JWB is a Jazz Fusion band formed over 20 years ago that combines Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Gospel. The Wards consist of Angela Ward on keyboards, James Ward on bass, and Jaylen Ward on drums. In addition to performing, they also run a Music School where they facilitate Music Education Programs in the community. Their goal is to offer the gift of music to all. The Wards perform regularly at The Blue Room located on the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. They also perform individually in various bands in the Kansas City Music Scene.]
    [Angela Ward will be performing with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime, Thurs, July 30, at 6:30pm.]
    [The James Ward Band will be performing at the Blue Room on Friday, July 31, at 8:30pm.]
    [James Ward will be at Eddie V’s on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:30pm.]
    [Angela Ward plays with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime Friday, on August 7, at 6:30pm.]
    [The James Ward Trio play Jazz by the River on Saturday, August 8, in Leavenworth, Kansas.]
Screenshot
  1. Malek Azrael & The Vibez – “Anxiety (feat. Mike Dillon)”
    from: Live At Greenwood Social Hall with Mike Dillon / MAZ.EL Records / May 15, 2026
    [Along with 12 track album recorded LIVE at Greenwood Social Hall with Malek Azrael, Josh Luke, Calvin Haverkamp, Quinn Cosgrove, and Mike Dillon. With Kaydee Gabel, Katie Benyo, Victor Daniel Diaz-Sanchez, and Madi Tozier // Malek Azrael also has a new single, “ANNOY MY FRIENDS” released July 17, 2026 one of three singles he has released this year. // Malek Azrael /]released the EP FEELS LIKE on March 1, 2025. // On February 28, 2025, Malek Azrael released the single “Room 4U”. // On March 1, 2024 Malek Azrael released his single, “in ur mind.” On October 15, 2021 Malek Azrael released his 10-track album “Waves” which first featured members of his live band “The Vibez”. Since then, they have grown their fanbase in KC and surrounding areas through live concerts land appearances at Boulevardia Festival, Ameri’Kana, and the 18th and Vine Gumbo Fest, and shows at RecordBar, The Truman, Grinders, and Knuckleheads and collaborated with larger acts such as Making Movies, The Greeting Committee, and D Smoke debut. Male Azrael lives in KCMO. He has worked for Boys Grow, and Art As Mentorship (Making Movies non-profit organization). He sometimes plays with Making Movies and played the Ameri-Kana Fest. Malek Azrael played KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, at The Black Box, in West Bottoms. Malek & The Vibez played Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on June 16, 2024.]

11:30 – Underwriting

  1. Mumford & Sons – “Here (with Chris Stapleton)”
    from: Prizefighter / Glassnote Records / February 20, 2026
    [Prizefighter is the sixth studio album by the British folk rock band Mumford & Sons, released on 20 February 2026 via Island Records and the group’s label Gentlemen of the Road. Produced by the band with Aaron Dessner, the group began writing songs for Prizefighter before the release of their previous album Rushmere (2025), and recorded the entire album in ten days at Dessner’s studio in New York. It was accompanied by four singles: “Rubber Band Man” (with Hozier), “Prizefighter”, “The Banjo Song”, and “Here” (with Chris Stapleton). In addition, the album features collaborations with Gigi Perez, and Gracie Abrams. // After completing their fifth album Rushmere (2025), Mumford & Sons continued to write and record music. During one of their sessions at Electric Lady Studios, the group ran into Aaron Dessner, who previously worked on their 2015 album Wilder Mind. They shared demo recordings with him while he played them songs he had written with Justin Vernon and Jon Bellion. Frontman Marcus Mumford travelled with Dessner to various parts of the world to write songs, including “Rubber Band Man”. The album was recorded in ten days at Dessner’s Long Pond Studios in New York, with the group writing “more songs than [they] had in the last seven years combined”. // Unlike previous Mumford & Sons albums, Prizefighter features several featured collaborations with other artists, including Chris Stapleton, Hozier, Gigi Perez, and Gracie Abrams; group member Ben Lovett attributed their desire to work with other musicians to “a place of security that was formed through the work with Pharrell [on 2024’s ‘Good People’] and with Dave Cobb on Rushmere.” The group sent a rough version of the album to Hozier, a longtime friend, and he asked to sing on “Rubber Band Man” after it “jumped out to him”. Abrams’ involvement began when she heard a version of “The Banjo Song”, which was not originally written by the group, and encouraged Mumford to record it. She became “a sounding board for the entire album”, providing feedback on lyrics throughout its production. She was offered to appear on any track and selected “Badlands”, which she “envisaged that song as a duet” and lead to the group approaching it as “a Bonnie and Clyde-style getaway song”. Mumford sent a demo of “Here” to Stapleton, his “favourite vocalist in the world right now”, and asked him to feature on the track he described as their “Brokeback moment”. Justin Vernon, Brandi Carlile, and Finneas also contributed to the album. // Mumford & Sons are an English folk rock band formed in Greater London. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, guitar, drums), Ben Lovett (vocals, keyboards), and Ted Dwane (vocals, bass, guitar). // Mumford & Sons have released six studio albums: Sigh No More (2009), Babel (2012), Wilder Mind (2015), Delta (2018), Rushmere (2025), and Prizefighter (2026). Their debut, Sigh No More, peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200 in the US, with Babel, Wilder Mind, and Delta all debuting at number one in the US, the former becoming the fastest-selling rock album of the decade and leading to a headline performance at Glastonbury Festival in 2013. // The band has won music awards throughout their career, with Sigh No More earning the band the Brit Award for Best British Album in 2011, a Mercury Prize nomination and six overall Grammy Award nominations. The live performance at the 2011 Grammy ceremony with Bob Dylan and The Avett Brothers led to a surge in popularity for the band in the US. The band received eight total Grammy nominations for Babel and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The band also won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 2013 and an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement in 2014. // Mumford & Sons was formed in December 2007 by multi-instrumentalists Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, and Winston Marshall. Band members play acoustic guitar, drums, keyboard instruments, bass guitar, and traditional folk instruments such as banjo, mandolin and resonator guitar. The band name originates from Marcus Mumford being the most visible member, organising the band and their performances. Lovett indicated that the name was meant to evoke the sense of an “antiquated family business name”. // Mumford and Sons were amongst a handful of similar southern English bands who were increasing their visibility in West London around the same time, giving rise to the label “West London folk scene”. Mumford downplays that characterisation as an exaggeration—Mumford & Sons and a few other folk acts just happened to be operating in the same general area at the time. In an interview with the Herald Sun, Marcus Mumford said, “It’s not folk really. Well, some of it is, and it’s certainly not a scene. Someone got over-excited about a few bands who live in a hundred-mile radius and put it in a box to sell it as a package. It’s a community, not a scene. It’s not exclusive.” Having developed in the same musical and cultural environment, Mumford & Sons’ sound has been compared to that of artists such as Noah and the Whale, Johnny Flynn or Laura Marling, whose backing band had included Marshall, Mumford, and Dwane.]

[Mumford and Sons play The Morton Amphitheater Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 8:00pm]

  1. Jamogi – “HOLLABACK (feat. Les Izmore)”
    from: J’DAY / Jam Tunes / June 12, 2026
    [J’Day is a celebration of growth, creativity, and self discovery. Three years in the making, the album represents the culmination of Jamogi’s journey through a wide range of genres, influences, and sonic landscapes. The result is a body of work that not only showcases his musical versatility but also reveals the many facets of his personality. // Produced alongside OceanLife Gianni, J’Day captures the energy, emotion, and moments that make life memorable. From the horn driven fanfare of “Go Big or Go Home” to the flirtatious blend of West Coast, Midwest, and Southern influences on “Back N’ Forth,” Jamogi demonstrates a clear understanding of both his sound and his audience. Tracks like “Do It to Me” transport listeners through different eras and musical inspirations, while songs such as “Storybook,” “Treasure,” and “Georgia Peach” reveal his romantic side through storytelling, heartfelt lyricism, and poetic imagery. // The album also features collaborations with a talented lineup of friends and fellow artists on tracks including “What’s It Gonna Be?” and “HOLLABACK,” adding even more personality and perspective to the project. // More than just a collection of songs, J’Day marks a defining moment in Jamogi’s artistic journey. It is a bold statement of who he is today and a testament to the creative vision he has spent years refining. Rich with personality, versatility, and heart, the project positions Jamogi for his next era and leaves listeners wondering where he’ll take them next. // Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California.// Jamogi released the single “Georgia Peach (feat. Burgandy)” on September 5, 2025. Jamogi released Jamogi & The Jammers: Live at Flew The Coop Sessions (Flew The Coop Live) through Jam Tunes on April 11, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Do It To Me” on March 28, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Go Big or Go Home” on August 30, 2024, Jamogi released the single “Hot Block” on May 30, 2024. Jamogi released the EP, Star-Crossed Lover on March 3, 2023. Jamogi then released a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single on June 9, 2023.Jamogi previously released the AGE OF AQUARIUS EP on March 3, 2023, and the single “Celebration” on Dec. 9, 2022, and the single “Anymore” on May 6, 2022. // Jamogi played the ROCK IS BLACK—a celebration of Black artists in rock music, happening February 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Zhou B Art Center, 1801 E 18th Street, KCMO. Rock is Black features: Malek Azrael & The Vibez, Jamogi and The Jammers, Stephonne, and Frankie Shorez & Mercy Fire. Kamogi and the Jammers played Boulevardia 2025]

[Les Izmore & The Goats plays The Brick, McGee St., KCMO, Friday, July 31 with Super Massive Blackholes and Phaze II.]

  1. Mavis Staples – “Human Mind”
    from: Sad And Beautiful World / Anti / June 10, 2025
    [Sad And Beautiful World contains covers of songs by Tom Waits, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Frank Ocean, Curtis Mayfield, Leonard Cohen, and Kevin Morby’s including ”Human Mind” written especially for the album by Hozier & Allison Russell. // Lead Vocals – Mavis Staples; Background Vocals – Anjimile; Acoustic Guitar – Brad Cook, Phil Cook; Electric Guitar – Rick Holmstrom, Phil Cook; Bass – Brad Cook; Drums – Matt McCaughan; Drum Programming – Matt McCaughan, Brad Cook; Wurlitzer – Phil Cook; Piano – Phil Cook; Organ – Phil Cook; Saxophone- Matt Douglas // A legendary performer who turned 86 next month on July 10, Mavis Staples continues to be a tour-de-force in music and a voice for the voiceless in today’s divided society. Well known for her work in the gospel and Americana space, Staples is also an R&B icon who famously worked with the one and only Prince in his 80’s heyday. // Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate. She’s both a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights icon; a GRAMMY Award-winner; a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer; a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient; and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. // At a time when most artists begin to wind down, Staples ramped things up, releasing a trio of critically acclaimed albums in her 70’s with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy that prompted Pitchfork to rave that “her voice has only gained texture and power over the years” and People to proclaim that she “provides the comfort of a higher power.” “I sing because I want to leave people feeling better than I found them,” Staples says. “I want them to walk away with a positive message in their hearts, feeling stronger than they felt before. I’m singing to myself for those same reasons, too.” // On July 9, Staples and award-winning children’s poet Carol Boston Weatherford will release the new children’s book ‘Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples’, a vibrant and poetic new picture book that introduces young readers to Staples’ life story, who began singing at age 8 and ever since has used her voice as a rallying cry to the country at numerous civil rights protests and continues to sing and share her message of love, faith and justice in front of large audiences today. // Staples recently celebrated her upcoming birthday early in stellar fashion at Los Angeles’s YouTube Theater this past April, gracing the stage alongside a star-studded lineup including Hozier, Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Black Pumas, and more. Currently on tour in Europe, Staples will return to the US and perform at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July picnic on the nation’s birthday. The next day she begins a run of dates with Norah Jones, who she affectionally calls “my baby sister.” All upcoming dates are listed below. // Mavis Staples (born July 10, 1939) is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer and civil rights activist. She rose to fame as a member of her family’s band The Staple Singers, of which she is the last surviving member. During her time in the group, she recorded the hit singles “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again”. In 1969, Staples released her self-titled debut solo album. // Staples continued to release solo albums throughout the following decades and collaborated with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Prince, Arcade Fire, Nona Hendryx, Ry Cooder, and David Byrne. Her eighth studio album You Are Not Alone (2010), earned critical acclaim, and became her first album as a soloist to reach number one on a Billboard chart, peaking atop the Top Gospel Albums chart. It also earned Staples her first Grammy Award win. Following this, she released the albums One True Vine (2013), Livin’ on a High Note (2016), If All I Was Was Black (2017), and We Get By (2019); she is also featured on the single “Nina Cried Power” by Hozier. // Staples is the recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and has won three Grammy Awards, including one for Album of the Year as a featured artist on We Are by Jon Batiste.[6] Named one of the ‘100 Greatest Singers of all Time’ by Rolling Stone in 2008; Staples was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018, as a member of The Staple Singers. Additionally, she was made a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2016. The following year, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a soloist. In 2019, she received the inaugural Rock Hall Honors Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a soloist. // Staples was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 10, 1939. She began her career with her family group in 1950. Initially singing locally at churches and appearing on a weekly radio show, the Staples scored a hit in 1956 with “Uncloudy Day” for the Vee-Jay label. When Mavis graduated from what is now Paul Robeson High School in 1957, The Staple Singers took their music on the road. Led by family patriarch Roebuck “Pops” Staples on guitar and including the voices of Mavis and her siblings Cleotha, Yvonne, and Pervis, the Staples were called “God’s Greatest Hitmakers”. // With Mavis’ voice and Pops’ songs, singing, and guitar playing, the Staples evolved from enormously popular gospel singers (with recordings on United and Riverside as well as Vee-Jay) to become the most spectacular and influential spirituality-based group in America. By the mid-1960s The Staple Singers, inspired by Pops’ close friendship with Martin Luther King Jr., became the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement. They covered contemporary pop hits with positive messages, including Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” and a version of Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth”. // During a December 20, 2008, appearance on National Public Radio’s news show Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, when Staples was asked about her past personal relationship with Dylan, she admitted that they “were good friends, yes indeed” and that he had asked her father for her hand in marriage. // The Staples sang “message” songs like “Long Walk to D.C.” and “When Will We Be Paid?,” bringing their moving and articulate music to a huge number of young people. The group signed to Stax Records in 1968, joining their gospel harmonies and deep faith with musical accompaniment from members of Booker T. and the MGs. The Staple Singers hit the Top 40 eight times between 1971 and 1975, including two No. 1 singles, “I’ll Take You There”, produced by Al Bell and recorded and mixed by Terry Manning, “Let’s Do It Again,” and a No. 2 single “Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas?” // Mavis made her first solo foray while at Epic Records with The Staple Singers, releasing a lone single “Crying in the Chapel” to little fanfare in the late 1960s. The single was finally re-released on the 1994 Sony Music collection Lost Soul. Her first solo album would not come until a 1969 self-titled release for the Stax label. After another Stax release, Only for the Lonely, in 1970, she released a soundtrack album, A Piece of the Action, on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom label. A 1984 album (also self-titled) preceded two albums under the direction of rock star Prince; 1989’s Time Waits for No One, followed by 1993’s The Voice, which People magazine named one of the Top Ten Albums of 1993. Her 1996 release, Spirituals & Gospels: A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson, was recorded with keyboardist Lucky Peterson. The recording honors Mahalia Jackson, a close family friend and a significant influence on Mavis Staples’s life. // Staples singing during the 2006 NEA National Heritage Fellows concert. // Staples made a major national return with the release of the album Have a Little Faith on Chicago’s Alligator Records, produced by Jim Tullio, in 2004. The album featured spiritual music, some of it semi-acoustic. // In 2004, Staples contributed to a Verve release by legendary jazz-rock guitarist, John Scofield. The album, entitled That’s What I Say, was a tribute to the great Ray Charles and led to a live tour featuring Staples, John Scofield, pianist Gary Versace, drummer Steve Hass, and bassist Rueben Rodriguez. A new album for Anti- Records entitled We’ll Never Turn Back was released on April 24, 2007. The Ry Cooder-produced concept album focuses on gospel songs of the civil rights movement and also included two new original songs by Cooder. // Her voice has been sampled by some of the biggest selling artists, including Salt ‘N’ Pepa, Ice Cube, Ludacris, and Hozier. Staples has recorded with a wide variety of musicians, from her friend, Bob Dylan (with whom she was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award in the “Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals” category for their duet on “Gonna Change My Way of Thinking”, from the album Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan) to The Band, Ray Charles, Prince, Nona Hendryx, George Jones, Natalie Merchant, Ann Peebles, and Delbert McClinton. She has provided vocals on current albums by Los Lobos and Dr. John, and she appears on tribute albums to such artists as Johnny Paycheck, Stephen Foster and Bob Dylan. // In 2003, Staples performed in Memphis at the Orpheum Theater alongside a cadre of her fellow former Stax Records stars during “Soul Comes Home,” a concert held in conjunction with the grand opening of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music at the original site of Stax Records, and appears on the CD & DVD that were recorded and filmed during the event. In 2004, she returned as guest artist for the Stax Music Academy’s SNAP! Summer Music Camp and performed again at the Orpheum with 225 of the academy’s students. In June 2007, she again returned to the venue to perform at the Stax 50th Anniversary Concert to Benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, produced by Concord Records, who now owns and has revived the Stax Records label. // In 2009, Staples, along with Patty Griffin and The Tri-City Singers, released a version of the song “Waiting For My Child To Come Home” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration. // On October 30, 2010, Staples performed at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear alongside singer Jeff Tweedy. In 2011 she was joined on-stage at the Outside Lands Music And Arts Festival by Arcade Fire singer Win Butler. The two performed a version of “The Weight” by The Band. // Staples also performed at the 33rd Kennedy Center Honors, singing in a tribute to honoree Paul McCartney. // Staples headlined on June 10, 2012, at Chicago’s Annual Blues Festival in Grant Park. // On June 27, 2015, Staples performed on the Park Stage of Glastonbury Somerset UK. On October 31, 2015, Staples performed with Joan Osborne in Washington, D.C. at The George Washington // University’s Lisner Auditorium as part of their Solid Soul Tour. // In February 2016, Staples’s album Livin’ on a High Note was released. Produced by M. Ward, the album features songs written specifically for Staples by Nick Cave, Justin Vernon, tUnE-yArds, Neko Case, Aloe Blacc, and others. Discussing the album Staples said: “I’ve been singing my freedom songs and I wanted to stretch out and sing some songs that were new. I told the writers I was looking for some joyful songs. I want to leave something to lift people up; I’m so busy making people cry, not from sadness, but I’m always telling a part of history that brought us down and I’m trying to bring us back up. These songwriters gave me a challenge. They gave me that feeling of, ‘Hey, I can hang! I can still do this!’ There’s a variety, and it makes me feel refreshed and brand new. Just like Benjamin Booker wrote on the opening track, ‘I got friends and I got love around me, I got people, the people who love me.’ I’m living on a high note, I’m above the clouds. I’m just so grateful. I must be the happiest old girl in the world. Yes, indeed.” // In January 2017, Staples was featured as a guest vocalist on “I Give You Power”, a single from Arcade Fire benefiting the American Civil Liberties Union. In February 2017, Staples appeared on NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me! in the “Not My Job” segment, answering questions about the rock band The Shaggs. In April 2017, “Let Me Out”, a single from the fifth studio album by Gorillaz, Humanz, was released, featuring Staples and rapper Pusha T. // Staples’s sixteenth album If All I Was Was Black was released on November 17, 2017. The record was again produced by Jeff Tweedy and contains all original songs cowritten by Mavis and Tweedy. Following the release, Staples toured with Bob Dylan. She also appeared on the 2017/18 Hootenanny. In 2018, she sang on Hozier’s single “Nina Cried Power”. // In May 2019, Staples celebrated her 80th birthday with a concert at the Apollo Theater, 63 years after first appearing at the theater as a teenager with her family band, the Staple Singers, in 1956. The show, which featured special guest artists, including David Byrne & Norah Jones, is one of a series of collaborative concerts she staged in May to commemorate her 80th birthday. She performed at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival. // In 2022, Staples released Carry Me Home, a collaboration with Levon Helm, recorded at Helm’s Midnight Ramble in 2011. // She released the single “Worthy” on June 18, 2024. // On May 13, 2022 Kevin Morby released THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH on Dead Oceans. It was #7 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. It was Kevin Morby’s 7th album as a solo artist. From www.rollingstone.com: “In January 2020, songwriter Kevin Morby witnessed his father collapse from a medical event while visiting his childhood home in Kansas. In a state of shock, the singer spent the evening looking at old family photos and fixated on an image of his father as a young man, looking, as Morby states, ‘full of confidence.’ The experience forced Morby to confront both the idea of mortality and the passage of time — and, after an extended sojourn in Tennessee, these reflections came together in the form of his upcoming album, This Is a Photograph. To mark the announcement, the singer released the record’s eponymous single, accompanied by a music video directed by Chantal Anderson. Produced by frequent Morby collaborator Sam Cohen, This Is a Photograph was primarily written in Memphis’ historic Peabody Hotel, where the singer-songwriter holed up in search of inspiration and self-realization amongst the city’s dark past.” // On October 16, 2020 Kevin Morby released SUNDOWNER, ranked #20 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2020 and was his 6th release. Kevin Robert Morby was born April 2, 1988. SUNDOWNER was the follow up to his 2019 release OH MY GOD. Kevin Morby released CITY MUSIC in 2017. Kevin learned to play guitar when he was 10. In his teens he formed the band Creepy Aliens. 17-year-old Morby dropped out of Blue Valley Northwest High School, got his GED, and moved from his native KC to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, supporting himself by working bike delivery and café jobs. He later joined the noise-folk group Woods on bass. While living in Brooklyn, he became close friends and roommates with Cassie Ramone of the punk trio Vivian Girls, and the two formed a side project together called The Babies, who released albums in 2011 & 2012. He began a solo career in 2013 releasing his debut HARLEM RIVER. His 2nd album STILL LIFE was released in 2014. SINGING SAW was in WMM’s 116 Best Recordings of 2016. CITY MUSIC was in WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018.]
  1. Lucy Dacus – “Planting Tomatoes”
    from: “Planting Tomatoes” – Single / Interscope / April 18, 2026
    [Lucy Dacus released “Plantong Tomatoes” as a Record Store Day “ 7” vinyl release. Dacus explains “I wrote most of the song on tour in Europe last year and walking around my neighborhood. It’s about trying to stay present and grateful when you know that life ends, for yourself and everyone you love, and how to avoid disenchantment by seeing through as many of your little ideas as possible.”​ // Lucy Dacus released Forever is a Feeling on February 21, 2015, part of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2025. Lucy Elizabeth Dacus was born May 2, 1995. She is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Dacus first gained fame following the release of her debut album, No Burden (2016), which led to a deal with Matador Records. Historian, her second album, was released in 2018 to critical acclaim. Home Video, her third studio album, was released in 2021. Forever is a Feeling, her fourth album, was released in 2025. // In addition to her solo work, Dacus is also a member of the indie supergroup Boygenius, with Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers. The band has released one studio album and two EPs to critical acclaim and widespread touring. The band won 3 Grammy Awards in 2024, including Best Alternative Music Album. They also became the first all-female band to win Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance. // In October 2023, Rolling Stone named Dacus the 213th-greatest guitarist of all time, noting: “[her] guitar is as essential an instrument as her voice”. // Lucy Elizabeth Dacus was adopted as an infant and grew up in Mechanicsville, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond. She is of Uzbek and Irish descent.[8] Her adoptive mother is a professional pianist and music teacher, and her adoptive father is a graphic designer. Dacus had an early interest in music, and bought her first guitar, an Ibanez, from Craigslist when she was in middle school. After graduating from Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in 2013, she began studying film at Virginia Commonwealth University, but left to avoid student debt and the “feeling of being misunderstood” in her university program. Prior to becoming a full-time musician, she was employed by Richmond Camera as an editor for children’s school photos. During this time, she wrote approximately 30 songs, nine of which would make up the tracklist of No Burden.] [Lucy Dacus brought her a Forever is a Feeling Tour to The Midland Theatre on May 7]
Den amerikanske artisten Kevin Morby på scenen på John Dee i Oslo 30. juni 2019.
  1. Kevin Morby – “100,000”
    from: Little Wide Open / Dead Oceans / May 15, 2026
    [Kevin Morby’s 8th studio album. // From Kevin’s Bandcamp page: For Kevin Morby, the “little wide open” is the big sky, the small lives, it’s his origins in the Midwest, and every duty and modesty and familiarity and isolation: the land, the people, and the parts of that inside him. “There’s something unintentionally musical about the Midwest; cicadas chirping in the trees, a train passing, a tornado siren going off,” explains Morby. “If you listen, there are these almost ominous sounds taking place beneath the wide-open sky—its ugliness and its beauty and how the two are often working together simultaneously. And while the Midwest isn’t technically the badlands, it’s my badlands.” // Little Wide Open is the title of Kevin Morby’s eighth studio album, produced by Aaron Dessner. In the summer of 2024, Dessner had asked Morby to support The National at their London show in Crystal Palace Park. Shortly after, Dessner—who was on a hot streak, having produced albums for Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Gracie Abrams—reached out to Morby to say he’d love to produce his next album. They began recording at Aaron’s Long Pond Studio in Stuyvesant, NY, early in 2025 and finished in September of that year. // The album, which features a host of contributors such as Dessner—who plays multiple instruments across it—Amelia Meath, Andrew Barr, Justin Vernon, Katie Gavin, Lucinda Williams, Meg Duffy, and more, has been described by Morby as the third in a trilogy of releases, following 2020’s Sundowner and 2022’s This Is a Photograph, which catalogued his time in the Midwest after moving back to Kansas City. This time out, Dessner’s production elevates Morby’s recordings while never losing focus of the songs themselves. There’s a newfound confidence and clarity in both Morby’s writing and Dessner’s production that recalls Tom Petty’s 1994 classic Wildflowers. // Now primarily living in LA, the atmosphere that runs through Little Wide Open has changed somewhat from its predecessors. As Rachel Kushner writes of Morby in the album’s accompanying essay: “It’s about time, about feeling like he has shifted from nostalgia and the losing game, losing but beautiful, of holding onto the past. He has accepted that time is ceaselessly flowing, and you can’t stop it. Instead, he feels like he’s riding it. He’s riding passenger with time.” // Kevin Morby’s single “Beautiful Strangers’ was recently recorded by Mavis Staples for her 2025 album SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD. Mavis Staples won a Grammy at the 68th Annual Grammys for Best American Roots Performance for her interpretation of Kevin’s song. Kevin released this song only as a single in 2016 in tribute to the victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting. Kevin Morby is pretty bowled over by the existence of this cover. Morby says. “It isn’t easy to put into words what it feels like having one of the best, most important vocalists and cultural figures of both the 20th and 21st century sing one of my songs.” // Kevin Robert Morby was born April 2, 1988. Kevin learned to play guitar when he was 10. In his teens he formed the band Creepy Aliens. 17-year-old Morby dropped out of Blue Valley Northwest High School, got his GED, and moved from his native KC to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, supporting himself by working bike delivery and café jobs. He later joined the noise-folk group Woods on bass. While living in Brooklyn, he became close friends and roommates with Cassie Ramone of the punk trio Vivian Girls, and the two formed a side project together called The Babies, who released albums in 2011 and 2012. Kevin Morby began a solo career in 2013 releasing his debut album HARLEM RIVER on November 26, 2013. STILL LIFE, his 2nd album, was released in October 14, 2014. SINGING SAW his 3rd album was released April 15, 2016 and was in WMM’s 116 Best Recordings of 2016. His 4th album CITY MUSIC was released June 16, 2017 and was in WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Kevin Morby released his 5th album OH MY GOD on April 26, 2019. On October 16, 2020 Kevin Morby released SUNDOWNER, his 6th release, #20 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2020. On October 8, 2021 Kevin Morby released A NIGHT AT the LITTLE LOS ANGELES (Sundowner 4-Track Demos) on Dead Oceans Records. On May 13, 2022 Kevin Morby released THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH his 7th album as a solo artist, on Dead Oceans. It was #7 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. From www.rollingstone.com: “In January 2020, songwriter Kevin Morby witnessed his father collapse from a medical event while visiting his childhood home in Kansas. In a state of shock, the singer spent the evening looking at old family photos and fixated on an image of his father as a young man, looking, as Morby states, ‘full of confidence.’ The experience forced Morby to confront both the idea of mortality and the passage of time — and, after an extended sojourn in Tennessee, these reflections came together in the form of, This Is a Photograph. Produced by frequent Morby collaborator Sam Cohen, This Is a Photograph was primarily written in Memphis’ historic Peabody Hotel, where the singer-songwriter holed up in search of inspiration and self-realization amongst the city’s dark past.” On January 25, 2023 Kevin Morby released MUSIC FROM MONTANA STORY a 13 track film soundtrack. On May 26, 2023 Kevin Morby released MORE PHOTO-GRAPHS (A Continuum) on Dead Oceans Records. Throughout his 10 album releases Kevin has also released 25 singles. Kevin Morby played The Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway,May 29, at 7:00 with Liam Kazar.]

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

11:55

Screenshot
  1. The Creepy Jingles – “Vow Down”
    from: Washed Up / Enigmatic Brunch Records / May 22, 2026
    [WASHED UP was written by Jocelyn Nixon, and recorded, engineered, and mixed by Paul Malinowski at Massive Sounds Studios in Shawnee, Kansas, with Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on lead vocals, piano, rhythm guitar; Andrew Woody on bass; Nick Robertson on drums; and Wills Van Doorn on lead guitars. // The Creepy Jingles line up originally included “Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Andrew Woody on bass guitar; 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.“ // Earlier this year Jocelyn Olivia Nixon shared with us the unreleased single “fight for your say” for our March 4, 2026 radio show. // Last year Jocelyn Olivia Nixon released the single, “YOU AIN’T RIGHT! YOU MUST BE WRONG!” on May 2, 2025. Jocelyn Olivia Nixon is lead singer of the band The Creepy Jungles. The Creepy Jingles are getting ready to release a new alum called WASHED UP coming this spring. Jocelyn told Nick Spacek of The Pitch, “that the songs she presents to her bandmates in The Jingles’ songs are poppier stuff, typically, while solo songs are more folky, mellow, weird, and lyrical. Solo work also gives her the opportunity to work with others outside the group. As Nixon explains, “It’s basically a tongue-in-cheek song making fun of hard right conservatives and social cliques who think only their way is ‘right.’” She said, “I felt like I needed something where I can be a bit more vulnerable and naked, I suppose,” the musician says. “I think because Jingles do rock n roll pop songs well, I think I’m kinda boxed in as an artist and singer. This is my way of saying I have many sides to myself as an individual and as an artist, and I can forge my own path and defy expectations.” Jocelyn Nixon’s next single, “Real Deal,” is due later this summer . // The Creepy Jingles released a series of 4 new singles in 2024 including “When Things Go Wrong” on February 23, 2024. // The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer / song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics. The Creepy Jingles released their album, TAKE ME AT MY WORDPLAY on March 25, 2022 through High Dive Records. Paired up with lyrics centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree. Everything and the kitchen sink or swim. No stoner left unturned. The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. The release was in the top ten of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. ]

[The Creepy Jingles play Hillsiders in KCK Fri, July 31, at 8:00 w/ Eggs On Mars, and Shared Walls]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, August 5 we welcome very special guest: D Rashaan Gilmore who hosts UNBOSSED and UNBOTHERED Saturdays at 5:00pm on KKFI; and BOSCO who is playing The Folly Theatre August 11 at 8:00pm.]

You can find our playlists at: www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & www.kkfi.org
www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 33 people donate a total of $3513.50. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1158

WMM presents: New & MidCoastal Releases + Angela & James Ward + Joel Kraft

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

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

New & MidCoastal Releases + Angela & James Ward + Joel Kraft

Mark Spins More New & MidCoastal Releases from: Kirstie Lynn, Malek Azrael & The Vibez with Mike Dillon, The Creepy Jingles, Jamogi & Les Izmore, Joel Kraft, Fullbloods, James Ward Trio, Miss Boating, Kevin Morby, Pearl & The Oysters, Lucy Dacus, Mumford & Sons, and Mavis Staples, and artists playing AMER’KANA Music & Arts Festival on August 1 in Concourse Park: SEYKO, Radkey, Gina Chavez, and Rosie Flores.

At 10:30 Joel Kraft joins us to share details about his new album, THE END released March 1, 2026. Joel Kraft is a curious animal that grew up among the rolling hills of Missouri. Climbing trees and walking through tunnels of Brush Creek, his head swam with all kinds of notions he could only just pin down and understand by singing them out loud over and over again. At first he sang them to himself, then into microphones he found at coffee shops and bars around the US. The End is the fourth album from Kansas City–based singer-songwriter and producer Joel Kraft. It’s a layered indie pop record with roots in folk and a twist of art pop—featuring toy pianos, disco bass lines, square wave synths, and field recordings stitched together by hand. Ten years in the making, it’s the first album Kraft fully produced himself after years of learning from collaborators and experimenting with tape, MIDI, and microphones. Joel Kraft plays an Album release show on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 6:00pm, Matinee Show with Miss Boating at The Ship, 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO West Bottoms.

At 11:00 Mark talks with James Ward and Angela Ward of The James Ward Trio and James Ward Band also known as The JWB. The JWB is a Jazz Fusion band formed over 20 years ago that combines Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Gospel. The Wards consist of Angela Ward on keyboards, James Ward on bass, and Jaylen Ward on drums. In addition to performing, they also run a Music School where they facilitate Music Education Programs in the community. Their goal is to offer the gift of music to all. The Wards perform regularly at The Blue Room located on the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. They also perform individually in various bands in the Kansas City Music Scene. Angela Ward will be performing with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime, on Thursday, July 30, at 6:30pm. The James Ward Band will be performing at the Blue Room on Friday, July 31, at 8:30pm. James Ward will be at Eddie V’s on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:30pm. Angela Ward plays with Lee Langston at 1587 Prime Friday, on August 7, at 6:30pm. The James Ward Trio play Jazz by the River on Saturday, August 8, in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Show #1158

WMM Playlist from July 22, 2026

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

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Danielle Anderson & Magic of Grandmas + Artist Katheryn Krouse + Lee Walter Redding

  1. Various Artists – “Main Title Instrumental (It’s Showtime Folks)”
    from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
    [WMM’s theme]
  1. Michigander– “Freaking Out”
    from: Over Before You Know It / Totally Normal Records – Thirty Tigers / July 31, 2026
    [Michigander – the acclaimed indie rock project led by Nashville-based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jason Singer – has announced his sophomore album. Over Before You Know It is the follow-up to last year’s self-titled debut album and is heralded by “Freaking Out.” The first song that Singer wrote for the album, the dissociative anthem is the thematic core of the forthcoming Over Before You Know It. Singer tells us clearly about all that’s going wrong, from the weed that seems to be cleaving him from reality to his world that seems forever wobbling. “I don’t know about you,” he deadpans, “but I haven’t been happy in a while.” In the chorus, though, Singer lands on a line that pushes these three minutes well beyond complaints: “This is what it feels like to be alive,” he sings, the sound of a smile stretched across his lips. // “One of my favorite lines from the entire album is on ‘Freaking Out’, and it is, ‘this is what it feels like to be alive’, says Jason Singer. “I’ve learned that life is complicated and not as black and white as I thought it would be. Growing up is hard. So many things happen that you’re never prepared for. Life is all about the constant battle of good and bad. It’s about coming to the realization that it’s all just ‘part of it.’”]

[Michigander plays recordBar 1520 Grand Ave, Kansas City, MO. on October 20, 2026.]

  1. Making Movies & Mireya Ramos – “La Marea”
    from: “La Marea” – Single / 3/2 Recordings / September 2, 2025
    [Produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos for the film A Little Family Drama. When a Mexican-American family’s annual reunion turns into a full-blown food fight, secrets spill faster than the salsa, and the drama heats up hotter than the tamales. Now on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. // Making Movies is a KC based 4-piece band and made up of: Enrique Chi on guitar and lead vocals; Diego Chi on bass & vocals; Juan-Carlos Chaurand on percussion & keyboards; and Duncan Burnett on drums. The band draws their influences from the origins of their families: Santiago, Panama, and KC Missouri, and Guadalajara, Mexico. // Mireya Ramos is a Latin-Grammy-winning, multiple Latin Grammy nominated and Grammy-nominated vocalist, violinist, Guitarron player, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – NY’s only all-women mariachi. She embodies all of her musical influences whether classical, mariachi, salsa, merengue or hip-hop, always creating a unique and refreshing sound. Her versatility, natural improvisational skills and beautiful tone has made her one of the top Latin artists in New York City and has landed her features on legendary albums by Latin Grammy Winner percussionist Luisito Quintero, Bobbito & Stretch, Len Smythe, Chicano Batman, Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas) and many more. As a big advocate of empowering the next generation and promoting the importance of representation, she has been an integral part of educational projects like México Beyond Mariachi, Lincoln Center, and Mariachi Academy NY. She continues to share her experience and knowledge through workshops, educational programs and performances. Apart from touring with her band, she is proudly involved in She is the Music, the Recording Academy as a serving governor of the NY Chapter, a SAG-Aftra member and promoting her debut solo album self titled “Mireya” which include collaborations with Flor de Toloache, Gaby Moreno, Haydée Milanés, Camilo Lara, Adrian Quesada, Velcro and the legendary Mike Garson. Originally for San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mireya Ramos, has an exciting new album coming out that was recorded here in Kansas City titled, Sin Fronteras, co-produced with Beau Bledsoe and the KC-based super-group, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices. ]

[Making Movies will play the 18th Annual TED Talks: The Future of Being Human After All, Friday, July 24, 2026 at The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, KCMO at 6:00pm.]

[Making Movies Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival 2026, Saturday, August 1, at 3:00pm at The Concourse Park, 200 Benton Blvd. KCMO with Radkey, Gina Chavez & Rosie Flores, The Freedom Threedom, The Salvation Choir, Audri Page, Teri Quinn & Landon Hambright, and more!]

  1. Thundercat & Lil Yachty – “I Did This To Myself (feat. Flying Lotus)”
    from: Distracted / Brainfeeder Records / April 3, 2026
    [Featuring contributions from A$AP Rocky, WILLOW, Lil Yachty U& Tame Impala as well as production work by Greg Kurstin, Flying Lotus & Kenneth Blume, Distracted is the long awaited triumphant return from one of Los Angeles’ most singular musical minds. // 4 albums, multiple Grammys & a universe of obsessions later, Distracted rolls in stacked floor-to-celing with collaborators and is anchored by a now-beloved voice that’s grown into something richer & brilliantly alive at the core. With the world now mostly fluent in Thundercat, the new record descends like a fever dream shared between old friends with this luminous roll call orbiting a singer whose falsetto has deepened into something wiser, funnier, & achingly human. The higher Thundercat ascends, the more everything multiplies. The songs get bigger, the stages get wider and the weight on the shoulders follows suit. To be more present in the world of 2026 is to be more exposed to its static, spiraling anxieties, and yes, its endless distractions. But he carries it all and offers it up with the ease and generosity of someone who has made vulnerability into an art form. Beneath his nimble hands and welcoming melodies his voice floats above like smoke, walking the line between heartbreak and a punchline. // Humor, a trademark quality across Thundercat’s oeuvre, is crucial to focus track, “Funny Friends (feat. A$AP Rocky).” Less comical and more wry, “Funny Friends” is littered with clever wordplay, delivered in warm harmonies over a steady groove. The effect elicits a psychedelic atmosphere, one where things are both wondrous and confusing, as friendships often are. // Distracted vividly captures the tension between overstimulation and introspection. Thundercat is deeply skeptical of technological “progress,” especially the way it’s narrowed our collective imagination instead of expanding it. He jokes about Star Trek & childhood dreams of space travel, then pivots to the anticlimax of reality: drones without lasers, phones that only upgrade cameras, innovation reduced to spying and access. The disappointment isn’t just about gadgets; it’s about what was promised versus what we got. // “Sometimes you need to be distracted to focus in a different way,” Thundercat declares. // What he ultimately wants listeners to take from Distracted is disarmingly simple: “Just enjoy it and have fun and just know that the struggle is real and changes shape, but just to keep pushing forward.” In an era that demands constant commentary, Thundercat offers something quieter and, in its own way, more radical. He gives per-mission to be confused. To be tired. To be, distracted, & make something beautiful out of the noise.]
  1. Malek Azrael & The Vibez – “At Fault (feat. Mike Dillon)”
    from: Live At Greenwood Social Hall with Mike Dillon / MAZ.EL Records / May 15, 2026
    [Along with 12 track album recorded LIVE at Greenwood Social Hall with Malek Azrael, Josh Luke, Calvin Haverkamp, Quinn Cosgrove, and Mike Dillon. With Kaydee Gabel, Katie Benyo, Victor Daniel Diaz-Sanchez, and Madi Tozier // Malek Azrael also has a new single, “ANNOY MY FRIENDS” released July 17, 2026 one of three singles he has released this year. // Malek Azrael /]released the EP FEELS LIKE on March 1, 2025. // On February 28, 2025, Malek Azrael released the single “Room 4U”. // On March 1, 2024 Malek Azrael released his single, “in ur mind.” On October 15, 2021 Malek Azrael released his 10-track album “Waves” which first featured members of his live band “The Vibez”. Since then, they have grown their fanbase in KC and surrounding areas through live concerts land appearances at Boulevardia Festival, Ameri’Kana, and the 18th and Vine Gumbo Fest, and shows at RecordBar, The Truman, Grinders, and Knuckleheads and collaborated with larger acts such as Making Movies, The Greeting Committee, and D Smoke debut. Male Azrael lives in KCMO. He has worked for Boys Grow, and Art As Mentorship (Making Movies non-profit organization). He sometimes plays with Making Movies and played the Ameri-Kana Fest. Malek Azrael played KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, at The Black Box, in West Bottoms. Malek & The Vibez played Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, on June 16, 2024.]
  1. The Heart Collectors – “Helplessly Hoping”
    from: The Space Between / The Heart Collectors / February 2, 2024
    [“Finalists at the International Folk Music Awards 2025 – Album of the Year” Merging the inspiration of 60’s and 70’s inspired Americana/Folk, with a distinct Celtic Lilt, The Heart Collectors have spent the last 8 years ‘collecting hearts’ of international audiences through heartfelt ballads, toe-tapping jigs, and “Epic Folk” anthems. With comparison to iconic artists of the Woodstokian era of folk, including Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Loreena Mckennit and The Seekers, The Heart Collectors combine four part vocal harmony with delicate keys, soaring cello, rolling Banjo, sparkling mandolin, intricate guitar, haunting cello, to create a sound that resonates from bluegrass-inflected folk to ethereal soundscapes. From humble beginnings in regional NSW, Australia, the band has rapidly built international momentum. In recent years, they’ve showcased at some of the world’s leading music conferences music festivals in the world, including South by South-West, Folk Alliance International, NAMM, Canadian Music Week, and Global Music Match. In 2024 alone, the band performed 103 shows across the United States across a 9-month period. Recognition that shows in their regular top 20 chart placements on both the Folk Radio Charts, and NACC Charts, including their latest EP reaching no. 7. With two upcoming releases in the first half of 2026, The Heart Collectors’ Toward the Dawn Tour will see them return to venues across the United States. ]

[The Heart Collectors played Greenwood Social Hall, Wednesday July 15, 2026]

  1. Paxton Harvey – “Evil Forest”
    from: “Evil Forest” – Single / Paxton Harvey / June 12, 2026
    [Paxton Harvey’s debut single, featuring electrifying synth from Eddie Moore with brutal grooves from The Paxton Harvey Elektrik Band. This track perfectly captures the improvisatory nature of the band and their masterful manipulation of energy. With: Eddie Moore on Synthesizers, John Fraka on Guitar, Paxton Harvey on Bass, Jade Harvey on Drums, Yarrow Harvey – Engineer, Eddie Moore – Producer. Paxton Harvey grew up in a musical family and has been playing the bass since the age of 12. Growing up on Mo-Town, Hip- Hop, R&B, Jazz, and Rock n’ Roll, He aims to bring all the influences from his childhood and life to his music. He is now refining his sound in a new age of Electric Jazz.]
  1. Ivory Blue – “Feelin’ Like A Star”
    from: “Feelin’ Like A Star” – Single / IVORY BLUE / July 17, 2026
    [Ivory Blue released her New 10-song full length album ECHO on May 22, 2026. Her third full length album. IVORY BLUE released the singles: “History” on April 3, 2026.,“afterglow” on February 20, 2026; “Forevermore” on November 28, 2025; and “Echo” on September 5, 2025. // Kansas City based artist, IVORY BLUE has a tendency of breaking through barriers that keeps her from saying what needs to be said, regardless of style. Bringing us hard hitting rock inspired ear candy like “Starlit Love Child” and “Control”, the idea of genre is only a tool IVORY uses to express her ability to communicate through music. // IVORY BLUE released the singles “Mirrors” on August 1, 2025; “Heartbeat” on March 28, 2025; “Rhythm of the Radio” on January 31, 2025 // “Exiled” on November 29, 2024; “Olé!” on October 4, 2024, Breathing Underwater” on August 9, 2024, “Bad Dreams”on June 7, 2024, “Batter Up” on April 22, 2024, “Flashback” on March 15, 2024, “Howl” on Feb. 16, 2024. // IVORY BLUE released their 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023. The 10-track album was in the top five of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023, and in the “Best of” lists at 90.9 The Bridge and stations around the world. // On Oct. 27, 2023 IVORY BLUE released the single “Ghost of Life.” This single followed IVORY’s previous releases,”In A World Like This” from Sept. 22, 2023, ”The Best of Life” from Aug. 4, 2023 and “Control” from May 26, 2023. IVORY released the single “All Outta Love” on Feb. 24, 2023. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Starlit Love Child” on Oct. 28, 2022, “Red Light” on July 29, 2022. // IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on Feb. 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top 10 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. For COMPOUND LOVE, IVORY BLUE served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. // IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017 when Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. // IVORY BLUE has played with The Band That Fell to Earth, Boulevardia, Crossroads Music Festival, Middle of the Map Fest, Westport Roots Festival, KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at KC Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. In 2011, Ivory settled in the Kansas City, MO area. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”, and then later as Trans-Female. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. Info at: www.ivorybluemusic.com]

10:30 – Underwriting

  1. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – “My Grandman Won’t Be Calling Me”
    from: Fumbling / Danielle Ate The Sandwich / March 21, 2025
    [Fumbling by Danielle Ate the Sandwich, is the artist’s 8th full length release of original music. Produced by Fritz Hutchison, Alison Hawkins, and Danielle Anderson. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. Recorded in Kansas City, KS. Photography by Paul Andrews. Danielle Anderson: vocals, ukulele, guitar, banjo. Fritz Hutchison: drums, bass, banjo, guitars, keys. Alison Hawkins: vocals, keys, fiddle. Joy Zimmerman: vocals. Marco Pascolini: pedal steel. Alberto Racanati: trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet. Aryana Nemati: flute. Laurel Parks: violin. Sascha Groschang: cello. Community Choir on ‘Peace to You Brother’: Annie Kalahurka, Morgan Fender, Forest Kinsey, Mark Orr, Jamie Campbell, Jessica Campbell. More info at: www.danielleatethesandwich.com]

[Danielle Ate The Sandwich Danielle Anderson’s new show, Magic of Grandmas currently at the KC Fringe Festival playing at Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th Street, Kansas City, with 3 more shows: Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30pm, Friday, July 24, at 9:30pm, and Saturday July 25, at 6:30pm. More info at www.kcfringe.org]

10:35 – Interview with Danielle Anderson

Danielle Anderson performs as Danielle Ate the Sandwich. Danielle is a singer/songwriter, recording artist, and comedic performer based in KCMO. Last year Danielle released her critically acclaimed new album FUMBLING from Danielle Ate The Sandwich, on March 21, 2025. Danielle has released over 300 YouTube videos, conducts an annual community songwriting project called the 24 Hour Album, and has released 8 full length albums of original music. She has opened for Mumford and Sons, Jake Shimabukuro, and had the opportunity to write the soundtrack to the Emmy nominated HBO documentary, “Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson.” In 2023, Danielle was awarded a 2-year studio residency at the Charlotte Street Foundation, and was the recipient of an Inspiration Grant from ArtsKC in 2024.

Danielle’s first one woman show, The Greatest Garage Sale Ever, was presened at the KC Fringe in 2024. It was the winner of “Best of Bird Comedy Theater”, “Made in KC” and the “Englewood Partnership Programs” Awards at KC Fringe 2024, and went to Denver Fringe in 2025, and Fort Collins Fringe in 2026.

Danielle Anderson joins us to talk about her new show, Magic of Grandmas currently at the KC Fringe Festival. This whimsical one woman comedy forces a lonely grandma on an epic adventure through space and time. Learn where grandmas came from, why they’re here, and celebrate the magic of all the women who made us. Featuring original songs by Danielle Ate the Sandwich and video by Forest Kinsey. Magic of Grandmas is playing at Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th Street, Kansas City, with 3 more shows: Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30pm, Friday, July 24, at 9:30pm, and Saturday July 25, at 6:30pm. More info at www.kcfringe.org

Danielle Anderson, thank you for being with us on WMM.

Danielle Ate the Sandwich is the stage name of Danielle Anderson, a songwriter, recording artist, and comedic performer based in Kansas City, MO. A self taught performer and musician, Danielle has been growing her professional music career since 2009, and performing improv and original comedy characters since 2019. Her characters are silly, sweet, deeply flawed and deeply relatable. Danielle’s first one woman show The Greatest Garage Sale Ever was the winner of “Best of Bird Comedy Theater”, “Made in KC” and the “Englewood Partnership Programs” Awards at KC Fringe 2024, and went to Denver Fringe in 2025, and Fort Collins Fringe in 2026. Her most recent album release, Fumbling, is an album of original folk songs exploring love, loss and finding home. The album project received an Inspiration Grant from ArtsKC, and Danielle Ate the Sandwich was awarded a two year Charlotte Street Studio Residency in 2023 and won “Best Vocalist” and “Best Musician” from The Pitch KC’s Best of Awards in 2026. Danielle Ate the Sandwich creates performances that are an interactive shared experience, celebrating what it is to be human.

Show Description of Magic of Grandmas: Cancel your dermatologist appointment and take a peek inside your nana’s purse! This whimsical one woman comedy forces a lonely grandma on an epic adventure through space and time. Learn where grandmas came from, why they’re here, and celebrate the magic of all the women who made us. Featuring original songs by Danielle Ate the Sandwich and video by Forest Kinsey. Show info on KCFringe website

Danielle Ate The Sandwich Danielle Anderson’s new show, Magic of Grandmas currently at the KC Fringe Festival playing at Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th St., KCMO

3 more shows:
Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30pm,
Friday, July 24, at 9:30pm, and
Saturday July 25, at 6:30pm.

More info at: www.kcfringe.org and www.danielleatethesandwich.com

10:52

  1. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – “Honoring The Dead”
    from: Fumbling / Danielle Ate The Sandwich / March 21, 2025
    [Fumbling by Danielle Ate the Sandwich, is the artist’s 8th full length release of original music. Produced by Fritz Hutchison, Alison Hawkins, and Danielle Anderson. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. Recorded in Kansas City, KS. Photography by Paul Andrews. Danielle Anderson: vocals, ukulele, guitar, banjo. Fritz Hutchison: drums, bass, banjo, guitars, keys. Alison Hawkins: vocals, keys, fiddle. Joy Zimmerman: vocals. Marco Pascolini: pedal steel. Alberto Racanati: trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet. Aryana Nemati: flute. Laurel Parks: violin. Sascha Groschang: cello. Community Choir on ‘Peace to You Brother’: Annie Kalahurka, Morgan Fender, Forest Kinsey, Mark Orr, Jamie Campbell, Jessica Campbell. More info at: www.danielleatethesandwich.com]

[Danielle Ate The Sandwich Danielle Anderson’s new show, Magic of Grandmas currently at the KC Fringe Festival playing at Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th Street, Kansas City, with 3 more shows: Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30pm, Friday, July 24, at 9:30pm, and Saturday July 25, at 6:30pm. More info at www.kcfringe.org]

  1. Car Microwave – “Toyota Tacoma”
    from: Spirits Up Windows Down / Car Microwave / May 29, 2026
    [Katie Boord – Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar; Kirsten Krier – Bass Guitar; Caitlyn Jacobs – Guitar; Parker Mason – Electric Guitar/Piano; Riley Rexford – Drum // There are so many people to thank for making this record possible. First off, a huge thank you to Caleb Fankhauser for persevering through studio changes and rolling with the punches to produce this album. It only took two years but we crossed the finish line dude haha. Couldn’t have done it without you! // Thank you to Rodd Fenton at Solstice Audio for mastering the record and always being a believer in our music. Your advice and encouragement is always appreciated and we’re better for knowing you. // “Jack Kerouac” was recorded at Levitate KC in Leavenworth, KS (gone but not forgotten!!). Thank you Aaron for letting us use that space! // The rest of the record was recorded in Riley’s parents’ basement. A huge thank you to them for letting us use that space all these years. We really became a band down there. // Album cover and promotional photos were shot and edited by Jeremy Nathan. SERIOUSLY book him for your band photos, y’all sleeping on this man. It was so dreary and gross the day we did the shoot but he worked his magic and we couldn’t be happier. // Thank you to our dear friend and #1 fan Adam Jones for letting us use his Mercury Grand Marquis for the shoot. May that thing run forever 🙏 // And finally thank you to every venue, every band, every promoter, and every listener that has ever trusted us with their time as we worked up and crafted these songs. We don’t and have never taken that for granted. // That’s all. See you in 3 years for the microwave themed album. // Car Microwave’s song, “Ford Crown Victoria” was pat of WMM 50 favorite Singles of 2025. Car Microwave are an indie rock band out of KCMO. Devout haters of Truck Oven! With Katie Boord on vocals; Caitlyn Jacobs on guitar, vocals; Kirsten Krier on bass; Parker Mason on guitar, and Riley Rexford on drums. The band released the single “Kiki’s Delivery Service (feat. Shotgun Wedding Singer)” on October 4, 2024. (Shotgun Wedding Singer is Adam Doyle and Ben Wendt).They released the album, PHOTO ALBUM on May 19, 2023. // Car Microwave is KC based indie rock band. Proud haters of Truck Oven™️]

[Car Microwave play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming St. KCMO West Bottoms, on Saturday, July 25 at 7:00pm, with Big Fat Cow, Landlocked, and Schuyler Minor]

11:00 – Station ID

  1. David Bowie – “Moonage Daydream”
    from: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars / RCA / June 16, 1972
    [“Moonage Daydream” is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was originally recorded in February 1971 at Radio Luxembourg’s studios in London and released as a single by his short-lived band Arnold Corns in May 1971 on B&C Records. Bowie subsequently re-recorded the song later that year with his backing band the Spiders from Mars—Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey—for release on his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The re-recording was co-produced by Ken Scott and recorded at Trident Studios in London in November 1971. The re-recording is a glam rock song that uses melodic and harmonic hooks, as well as percussion and guitar influenced by heavy metal. On the album, the song directly introduces the character Ziggy Stardust, who describes himself as a bisexual alien rock superstar who will save the Earth from the impending disaster described in the opening track “Five Years”. It features saxophone played by Bowie and a guitar solo and string arrangement by Ronson. // Since its release, “Moonage Daydream” has received critical acclaim, with many deeming Ronson’s guitar work its clear standout. Retrospectively, it has been named one of Bowie’s greatest songs. He played it in concert throughout 1972–73 on the Ziggy Stardust Tour and on later tours. The Ziggy recording has since appeared on multiple compilation albums and in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy, while the Arnold Corns recording has appeared on reissues of The Man Who Sold the World (1970) and Ziggy Stardust. The Ziggy recording has been remastered multiple times, including in 2012, which was subsequently included as part of the Five Years (1969–1973) box set in 2015, along with the Arnold Corns recording.]

11:05 – Interview with Katheryn Krouse

Artist Katheryn Krouse a full-time artist based in Kansas City, known for her vibrant and textured artwork. Katheryn Krouse has served as Visual Arts Coordinator for KC Fringe for 3 years. This year the Visual Art component of the KC Fringe Festival will be presented at Union Station on Thursday, October 1 through Friday, October 16, 2026. Katheryn Krouse holds Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Painting and Modern Art History from the University of Kansas and has participated in various public art projects. While in high school, Katheryn settled on the idea of one day becoming an art teacher, with the intention of making and selling my art on the side. She went on to study Art Education at the University of Kansas, when things took a dramatic turn. In August of 2010, she was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a rare form of macular degeneration in her retinas. Within months, it had progressed to where she could no longer maintain a drivers license, due to her low vision. During this time she truly found how healing art making can be. More info at www.katherynkrouse.com and www.kcfringe.com

Katheryn Krouse Thanks for being with us on WMM

Just before the opening of the 2025 Fringe Fest Katheryn gave birth to her baby girl named
Bowie who is the happiest, sweetest, most beautiful baby ever.

Katheryn Krouse has served as Visual Arts Coordinator for KC Fringe for 3 years. She hashed her are in the festival for 12 years

This year the Visual Art component of the KC Fringe Festival will be presented at Union Station on Thursday, October 1 through Friday, October 16, 2026.

Katheryn Krouse holds Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Painting and Modern Art History from the University of Kansas and has participated in various public art projects.

Born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, Katheryn has always had a passion for art. While in high school, I settled on the idea of one day becoming an art teacher, with the intention of making and selling my art on the side.

Katheryn went on to study Art Education at the University of Kansas, when things took a dramatic turn.

In August of 2010, Katheryn was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a rare form of macular degeneration in my retinas. Within months, it had progressed to where I could no longer maintain a drivers license, due to my low vision.

During this time she truly found how healing art making can be.

Katheryn Krouse Thanks for being with us on WMM

This year the Visual Art component of the KC Fringe Festival will be presented at Union Station on Thursday, October 1 through Friday, October 16, 2026.

More info at www.katherynkrouse.com and www.kcfringe.com

11:23

  1. David Bowie – “Candidate”
    from: Diamond Dogs / RCA / May 24, 1974
    [Diamond Dogs is the eighth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 24 May 1974 through RCA Records. Bowie produced the album and recorded it in early 1974 in London and the Netherlands, following the disbanding of his backing band the Spiders from Mars and the departure of the producer Ken Scott. Bowie played lead guitar on the record in the absence of Mick Ronson. Diamond Dogs featured the return of Tony Visconti, who had not worked with Bowie for four years; the two would collaborate for the rest of the decade. Musically, it was Bowie’s final album in the glam rock genre, though some songs were influenced by funk and soul music, which Bowie embraced on his next album, Young Americans (1975). // Conceived during a period of uncertainty over where his career was headed, Diamond Dogs is the result of multiple projects Bowie envisaged at the time: a scrapped musical based on Ziggy Stardust (1972); an adaptation of George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949); and an urban apocalyptic scenario based on the writings of William S. Burroughs. The title track introduces a new persona named Halloween Jack. The Belgian artist Guy Peellaert painted the controversial cover artwork depicting Bowie as a half-man, half-dog hybrid, based on photos taken by the photographer Terry O’Neill. // Preceded by the lead single “Rebel Rebel”, Diamond Dogs was a commercial success, peaking at number one in the UK and number five in the US. It has received mixed reviews since its release, many criticising its lack of cohesion; Bowie’s biographers consider it one of his best works and, in 2013, NME ranked it one of the greatest albums of all time. Bowie supported the album on the Diamond Dogs Tour, which featured elaborate and expensive set-pieces. Retrospectively, Diamond Dogs has been cited as an influence on the punk revolution in the years following its release. It has been reissued several times and was remastered in 2016 for the Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) box set.]
  1. Allison Russell – “Cold April”
    from: In the Hour of Chaos/ Birds of Chicago LLC – Fantasy Records – Concord / July 10, 2026
    [4x GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell has announced her third studio album, In The Hour of Chaos, produced by Russell and Dim Star and arriving on July 10th via Fantasy Records. To mark the occasion she has shared her single “Cold April” featuring her tourmate Kara Jackson, Denitia and the Explore! Pop Choir. // Allison Russell just completed her second run on Broadway as Persephone in the 8x Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. She took over the role in November 2024 initially, after spending much of that year opening for Hozier on his Unreal Unearth Tour supporting his arena run on all US dates and throughout Europe. She made her Billboard Hot 100 debut thanks to their duet “Wildflower & Barley.” // Russell recently took the stage at the JUNO Awards to pay tribute to fellow Canadian, Joni Mitchell. The performance was a duet between her and Sarah McLachan who she will tour with throughout the summer. Dates kick off on July 1st in Franklin, TN. A full list of tour dates is below. // The accolades for Russell have been immense. Last year she was nominated for the Polaris Prize and named Billboard Women In Music Canada’s “Breakthrough Artist of the Year.” She has had 8 GRAMMY nominations and one win, earned three 2022 Americana Award nominations and a win for Album of the Year with subsequent nominations in 2023 and 2024, two International Folk Music Award wins, a 2022 Juno nomination for ‘Songwriter of the Year,’ and her first-ever Juno Award win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. Russell won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, and more. // Allison Russell on “Cold April” – Things are rough. Things have been rough before. “Cold April” is not laying out the grim facts of the moment. “Cold April” asks if we can let the music itself restore and recharge us. The act of singing with my sisters, Kara Jackson and Denitia, is a balm for my soul, and a wind at my back to keep on. And my daughter Ida’s Explore! Pop Choir?! Let them tell it: “Calling all birds from across the nation yeah we got a brand new murmuration we don’t have to fly in that old formation, no” Youth – and Love – will be served! // Kara Jackson recently collaborated with Gorillaz and was previously the US National, Youth Poet Laureate Denitia part of CMT Next Women Of Country series, member of Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country program, and featured in Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony concert. // // Allison Russell released The Returner, on September 8, 2023. The album was written and co-produced by Allison along with dim star (her partner JT Nero and Drew Lindsay) and was recorded over Solstice week in December 2022 at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, CA. It features Russell’s “Rainbow Coalition” band of all female musicians along with special guest appearances from the legendary Wendy & Lisa, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, and Hozier. Allison Russell on The Returner: “My goal with The Returner – sonically, poetically, and spiritually – is a radical reclamation of the present tense, a real time union of body, mind, and soul. This album is a much deeper articulation of rhythm, groove, and syncopation. Groove as it heralds the self back into the body, groove as it celebrates sensual and sexual agency and flowering, groove as an urgent call to action and political activism. // In just a word, it’s funkier. But as is the history of anything funky, it’s never just a party. It is a multiverse of energies that merges the celebration and the battle cry. For while an embrace of the present tense is a celebration, it is equally an unquestioning leap into battle – cultural, political, environmental.” // Since the release of her debut solo LP two years ago Outside Child, Russell’s often devastating, deeply moving, cathartic celebration of survivor’s joy has become one of the most acclaimed albums of the past 10 years. Now comes the second chapter in her story, The Returner, a body-shaking, mind-expanding, soulful expression of liberation, love, and self-respect that serves as a fierce declaration of joy for all survivors that have made it to the other side. Allison, JT, and Drew built The Returner from the bottom up with a rhythm-first, genre-fluid approach. The improvisational energy of great female artists sparked the album’s fierce joy, and provided a wider canvas for Allison’s immense, unlimited talent. In all, the new album doesn’t just deliver on the promise of the last two years, it exceeds all reasonable (and unreasonable) expectations and affirms Allison Russell’s place among music’s most vital artists and The Returner, as one of 2023’s most essential recordings. // Allison Russell has spent her career in multiple bands, including Po’ Girl, Our Native Daughters, and Birds of Chicago. After a career spent as a gifted multi-instrumentalist, backing numerous other artists, she finally dared to release her solo project in 2021. “It’s an album of strength and affirmation, not victimization,” said The New York Times in their profile on Russell and Outside Child. Following the album’s release, Russell performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ellen, Late Night With Stephen Colbert, CBS Saturday Morning, Austin City Limits, The Kelly Clarkson Show made her Opry debut and appeared at the Country Music Hall of Fame and performed at the 2022 GRAMMY’s Premiere Ceremony. // The accolades for Russell have been immense. In addition to her four GRAMMY nominations, she has earned three 2022 Americana Award nominations and a win for Album of the Year, two International Folk Music Award wins, a 2022 Juno nomination for ‘Songwriter of the Year,’ and her first-ever Juno Award win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. Russell received two 2021 Americana Awards nominations, won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, and more. She was recently nominated for Song of the Year and Artist of the Year for the 2023 Americana Awards. In addition, Russell has consistently used her newfound platform to elevate, educate and inspire; curating the history making Once And Future Sounds: Roots and Revolution set for the Newport Folk Festival in 2021 and mobilizing this year’s triumphant Love Rising All-Star benefit concert in support of LGBTQIA+ causes in Nashville – raising over $550,000 and calling national attention to Tennessee’s dangerous anti/trans and anti/drag laws. Russell has also announced a book deal with Flatiron/MacMillan for her debut novel, a memoir based on her life and the material that inspired Outside Child and The Returner. // All songs written by Allison Russell, JT Nero, and Drew Lindsay // Co-Producers: Dim Star and Allison Russell // Recorded by Brandon Bell at Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA) Assistant Engineer: Kelsey Porter. Mixed by Brandon Bell at The Cabin Studio (Nashville, TN). Mastered by Kim Rosen at Knack Mastering (Ringwood, NJ) // Allison Russell (vocals, banjo, clarinet), Elenna Canlas (keyboards/synth, backing vocals), Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (percussion), Chauntee Ross (violin, backing vocals) & Monique Ross (cello, backing vocals) aka SistaStrings, Ganessa James (bass, backing vocals), Joy Clark (guitar), Kerenza Peacock (violin), Larissa Maestro (cello, backing vocals), Lisa Coleman (piano), Mandy Fer (guitar, backing vocals), Meg Coleman (drums), Meg McCormick (guitar), Wendy Melvoin (guitar, bass), and Wiktoria Bialic (drums). Special guests Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, and Hozier provide backing vocals on “Requiem”. //We first saw Allison Russell as part of the band/duo with her partner JT Nero as, The Birds of Chicago at the 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference, where they were an Official Showcase Artist . More info at www.folk.org. Russell was born in Montreal to a Grenadian student and a Scottish-Canadian teenage single mother. Her mother struggled with postpartum depression and schizophrenia, and Russell was initially placed in foster care. Her mother regained custody of her after marrying a white-supremacist American expatriate. From the ages of 5 to 15, she was physically and sexually abused by her adoptive father. At the age of 15, Russell ran away from home, eventually moving to Vancouver in 1998. She attended Dawson College. // Russell was initially a member of the Vancouver-based Celtic folk band Fear of Drinking. // In 2003, Russell formed the band Po’ Girl with The Be Good Tanyas member Trish Klein. She recorded seven albums with the band: Po’ Girl (2003), Vagabond Lullabies (2004), B-side Recordings (2006), Home to You (2007), Deer in the Night (2008), Live (2009), and Follow Your Bliss (2010). Russell formed the music group Birds of Chicago with JT Nero in 2012. As part of Birds of Chicago, Russell released three studio albums, Birds of Chicago (2012), Real Midnight (2016) and Love in Wartime (2018). With the group, she also released a live album, Live from Space, and an EP titled American Flowers in 2018. In 2018, Russell joined the musical collective Our Native Daughters alongside fellow musicians Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah In 2019, the group released the album Songs of Our Native Daughters under the Smithsonian Folkways label. Russell was also featured alongside the rest of the group in a Smithsonian Channel documentary titled Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters. Info: www.allisonrussellmusic.com]

[Allison Russell opens for Sarah McLaughlan, Friday, July 24, at Starlight Theatre.]

11:29 – Underwriting

  1. Lee Walter Redding – “Capsized”
    from: Head on Swivel– EP / Lee Walter Redding / Julne 5, 2026
    [Lee Walter Redding released the EP Student Loan Forgiveness Program on July 18, 2025. Lee Walter Redding released the single “It Should Be Ours” on February 24, 2025. // On July 15, 2022 Lee Walter Redding released the EP live From The Argyle Wallpaper. Lee Walter Redding on vocals, guitar; Justin Rogers on bass; Andy Kirk on guitar/synth and Justin Skinner on drums. // Lee Walter Redding released “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” on April 9, 2021. Lee told us that he learned about Stephonne Singleton from listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley and hearing Stephonne for the first time. WMM bringing musical collaborations together since 2004. // Kansas City based Lee Walter Redding was raised on 60s rock, steeped in 90s Britpop ennui, and guided by contemporary neo-soul, Lee Walter Redding weaves dry humor into vibrant sonic textures that sway from wistful to chaotic. Think 2010s Nick Lowe fronting The Velvet Underground. On warped vinyl. More info at: http://www.leewalterredding.bandcamp.com] [Lee Walter Redding was our guest on WMM on July 13, 2022]

11:36 – Interview with Joshua Davidson

Joshua Davidson a Kansas City based musician who records and performs music as Lee Walter Redding. Lee Walter Redding recently released a new 4-song EP, Head on Swivel, on June 5, 2026 and features the newest single, “Capsized”. Lee Walter Redding was raised on 60s rock, steeped in 90s Britpop ennui, and guided by contemporary neo-soul. Lee Walter Redding has released one album, four EPs, and 15 singles. Before recording as Lee Walter Redding, Joshua Davidson recorded and performed as Orthon Anderthon. He has collaborated with Stephonne and Teri Quinn and many others. More information at: linktr.ee/leewalterredding

Joshua Davidson thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

new 4-song EP, Head on Swivel, on June 5, 2026 and features the newest single, “Capsized”

11:40

16. Lee Walter Redding – “America” (LIVE)

11:45 – More Interview with Joshua Davidson

Lee Walter Redding released the EP Student Loan Forgiveness Program on July 18, 2025.

Lee Walter Redding released the single “It Should Be Ours” on February 24, 2025. //

On July 15, 2022 Lee Walter Redding released the EP live From The Argyle Wallpaper. Lee Walter Redding on vocals, guitar; Justin Rogers on bass; Andy Kirk on guitar/synth and Justin Skinner on drums.

Lee Walter Redding released “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” on April 9, 2021. Lee told us that he learned about Stephonne Singleton from listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley and hearing Stephonne for the first time. WMM bringing musical collaborations together since 2004]

Lee Walter Redding thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

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

11:54

  1. Lee Walter Redding – “Fall to Pieces”
    from: Head on Swivel– EP / Lee Walter Redding / Julne 5, 2026
    [Lee Walter Redding released the EP Student Loan Forgiveness Program on July 18, 2025. Lee Walter Redding released the single “It Should Be Ours” on February 24, 2025. // On July 15, 2022 Lee Walter Redding released the EP live From The Argyle Wallpaper. Lee Walter Redding on vocals, guitar; Justin Rogers on bass; Andy Kirk on guitar/synth and Justin Skinner on drums. // Lee Walter Redding released “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” on April 9, 2021. Lee told us that he learned about Stephonne Singleton from listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley and hearing Stephonne for the first time. WMM bringing musical collaborations together since 2004. // Kansas City based Lee Walter Redding was raised on 60s rock, steeped in 90s Britpop ennui, and guided by contemporary neo-soul, Lee Walter Redding weaves dry humor into vibrant sonic textures that sway from wistful to chaotic. Think 2010s Nick Lowe fronting The Velvet Underground. On warped vinyl. More info at: http://www.leewalterredding.bandcamp.com] [Lee Walter Redding was our guest on WMM on July 13, 2022]
  1. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
    from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

Next week, on Wednesday, July 29 we welcome very specual guests: Joel Kraft, Angela Ward and BOSCO who is playing The Folly Theatre August 11 2026.

You can find our playlists at: www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & www.kkfi.org
www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 33 people donate a total of $3513.50. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1157

WMM Playlist from July 8, 2026

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

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Chris Garibaldi & Suneaters + KC Fringe + Kimmie Queen & Theresa Scott + Nicki White

  1. Various Artists – “Main Title Instrumental (It’s Showtime Folks)”
    from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
    [WMM’s theme]
  1. MorMor– “Like Heaven (feat. Celeste)”
    from: Like Heaven – Single / Promised Land Recordings / May 15, 2026
    [Toronto artist MorMor marks his return with new single, ‘Like Heaven’, featuring Celeste. MorMor’s reintroduction comes four years after the release of his pandemic-era collection ‘Semblance’ – a personal collection that pursued difficult truths about love and growth. // Unlike his past era which surveyed the effects of solitude, ‘Like Heaven’ abounds in the warmth and intimacy that comes with synergy and collaboration. Built around a breakbeat, lilting keys, melodic guitar lines and woozy harmonic interplay between MorMor and Celeste, ‘Like Heaven’ searches for hope in faithless times. // On Celeste’s involvement, MorMor shares: “She came to [Rick Rubin’s Malibu studio] Shangri-La simply to hang out, but ended up jumping on the mix. Her vocal was recorded in that first session and it remains in the final version. She captured a raw, immediate energy that couldn’t be recreated.” // ‘Like Heaven’ is lifted from the artist’s full-length due later this year.]
  1. The Roseline – “Wild As The Weather”
    from: 86 Gumption / The Roseline / August 7, 2026
    [First single from the band’s upcoming album, 86 Gumption. The single was released July 3, 2026. // Colin Halliburton – acoustic guitar, vocals; Bradley McKellip – electric guitar. Heidi Gluck – bass, keys, vocals. Jim Piller – drums, percussion. Recorded by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios, Jim Piller, Heidi Gluck, and Bradley McKellip. Mixed by Jim Piller. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering // The Roseline (pronounced ‘rose’ like the flower, ‘line’ like a straight line) is a band from Lawrence, Kansas USA. They have released eight LPs and one live album, to date. They started out as a fairly delicate little acoustic trio and have since evolved into the heartland rock five-piece behemoth of their current state. // Good luck trying to coax any braggadocious one-sheet “high-lights” out of these humble Kansans. It will require some serious finesse. But, if you insist…they have had four records chart in the TOP TEN in the wildly niche Euro Americana Chart. Some very sweet words have been written about them in such esteemed publications and websites as NPR, Bandcamp, American Song-writer, No Depression, Glide, Pop Matters, and The Bluegrass Situation. They have had their songs featured (*barely audible as source music in the background of bar scenes) in ABC’s ‘Nashville’ & ‘Resurrection’, CBS’s ‘Marshals’, USA’s ‘Queen of the South’, Netflix’s ‘Virgin River’, and MTV’s own Sistine Chapel, ‘Teen Mom’. They have toured in the US, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the UK, Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. // The band made their UK debut as an Official Showcase act at 2025’s UK Americana Music Week in London. However, they have not been accepted to showcase at the stateside Americana Fest for a record-breaking 17 consecutive years. Impressive stuff. // Today, they arrive with their ninth LP “86 Gumption”. Ironically, it called for quite a bit of collective gumption to get this thing across the finish line. Recorded over a year (with a big breather in the middle) in myriad studios and homes, “86 Gumption” is perhaps the band’s most diverse musical offering yet. Indie rock, honky tonk, heartland rock, folk and alt-country occupy the sonic spectrum of the album. Primary singer and songwriter, Colin Halliburton, is found exploring the nuances of marriage, middle-age, grief, geopolitics, acts of creation, hedonism, sobriety, and everything in between. There is darkness. There is a sliver of light. Play it loud.]

UPCOMING LIVE DATES (all dates are Colin solo/acoustic)
Thursday, August 13 — The Grafton Arms; Manchester, UK
Friday, August 14 — The Vinyl Tap; Preston, UK
Saturday, August 15 — Northern Guitars; Leeds, UK
Sunday, August 16 — Oxted Sessions @ The Ginistry; Oxted, UK
Monday, August 17 — St James Wine Vaults; Bath, UK
Tuesday, August 18 — Kingsmeade House Concerts; High Wycombe, UK
Wednesday, August 19 — The Grove; Nottingham, UK
Thursday, August 20 — Biddle Bros; London, UK
Saturday, August 22 — Rootsy Summer Fest; Falkenberg, SE
Sunday, August 23 – Stockholm Roots (@ Debaser); Stockholm, SE
Lawrence and KC full-band album release shows TBD

10:12 – Interview with Audrey Crabtree

Audrey Crabtree is the Executive Director of the KC Fringe Festival. She grew up in Kansas City and went to Raytown South Senior High and Truman State University. She is an award-winning producer, actor and director. She is the Artistic Director and cofounder with Lynn Berg of Ten Directions, a theatre and film creative team. Audrey founded and ran the international NY Clown Theatre Festival for 10 years. She worked as a performance coach for Circus Harmony in St. Louis. She worked for 5 years as a clown at Clowns Without Borders in based out of Blue Lake California. Audrey is Co-Founder & Director of NY Clown Theatre Festival. She also worked for the Big Apple Circus. Audrey Crabtree is a longtime Fringe participant herself, as performer, producer and patron in New York, Minneapolis, San Francisco and St. Louis Fringe Festivals. Her work has also been featured in the Dublin and Perth Fringe Festivals. Audrey Crabtree told Libby Hanson of KC Studio Magazine, “I’m inspired every time I see a show. I love to watch artists in their career and their growth,” said Crabtree “I love to go to museums, listen to music. I’m inspired every single day by nature. I’m really excited to meet everyone and dig in and get to meet all the artists who are coming to our festival.”

Audrey Crabtree joins us to share details about the 22nd annual KC Fringe Festival, July 16-26, 2026, 11 days of bold, original, and unforgettable performances exploring theater, dance, music, comedy, visual art, and more as artists from Kansas City and beyond take the stage.

Audrey Crabtree thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

A $5 KC Fringe Festival Button is required for entry to all Fringe performances and events and is valid for the entire festival.

KC Fringe Festival presents a special preview Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 5:30pm at Kansas City Central Library – Helzberg Auditorium, 14 West 10th Street, KCMO.

Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 1:00pm at The Borough KC, 8026 The Paseo, KCMO.

KC Fringe FLASH Preview Night, Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 8:00pm at City Stage at Union Station a special free, sneak peek of family-friendly performances. Tickets, buttons and Free Programs will be available.

More info at www.kcfringe.org

The stage is set, the curtains ready to rise, as the KC Fringe Festival returns for its milestone 22nd season from July 16-26, 2026, 11 days of bold, original, and unforgettable performances exploring theater, dance, music, comedy, visual art, and more as artists from Kansas City and beyond take the stage. Embracing the spirit of creativity and diversity, the KC Fringe Festival stands as the largest celebration of arts and culture in the vibrant Kansas City metropolitan area.

Since its inception in July 2004, the KC Fringe Festival has been a beacon for artists and audiences alike, offering a platform for innovation, experimentation, and expression. This year, the festival promises a two-week explosion of performance, film, visual arts exhibitions, and events, showcasing the rich tapestry of talent from both local and international artists.
Festival Highlights:

36 Productions: Immerse yourself in 36 captivating productions, ranging from cutting-edge theater to exhilarating dance performances.

450+ Artists: Witness the collective brilliance of 364 artists, coming together to ignite the stage with their passion and creativity.

Special Events/After Parties: Extend the celebration beyond the stage with 6 special events and after-parties, promising unforgettable moments of camaraderie

The stage is set! KC Fringe Festival is taking over Kansas City July 16 – 26 with theater, circus, comedy, surprises, and the kind of creativity you can’t quite explain to your coworkers. This year there are two new Fringe venues: Kansas City Young Audiences and MOD Gallery! More spaces means more artists, more performances, and even more chances to experience something unexpected.

West Crossroads, East Crossroads, East KC, Union Station, Volker Neighborhood, and midtown

The official 2026 KC Fringe venues:
Bird Comedy Theater – 103 West 19th St. KCMO
Center for Spiritual Living – 1014 West 39th St. KCMO
City Stage at Union Station – 30 West Pershing Rd. KCMO
Kansas City Oasis – 1717 West 41st St. KCMO
Kansas City Young Audiences – NEW venue! 3732 Main St. KCMO
MOD Gallery – NEW venue! – 1809 McGee St.KCM
Whim Space – 415 Prospect, KCMO

From Midtown to the Crossroads and beyond, Fringe artists will be popping up all across KC with art without limits.

“Join us in celebrating uncurated independent performance, visual art, here in Kansas City with KC Fringe,” says Audrey Crabtree/KC Fringe Executive Director. “We’ve cultivated not just a platform, but a vibrant community where local, regional, and international artists converge. Here, every artistic voice is valued and celebrated. It’s a journey I’m truly proud to be a part of.”

For more information about the KC Fringe Festival 2026, including the lineup of events and how to participate, visit us at kcfringe.org.

About KC Fringe Festival: KC Fringe Festival is the largest celebration of arts and culture in the KC metropolitan area. Established in July 2004, the festival is a mostly volunteer-run organization dedicated to supporting artists, cultivating creators, and attracting adventurous audiences. With its non-juried & non-censored approach, the KC Fringe Festival provides a platform for artists to showcase their work and connect with diverse audiences.

22nd annual KC Fringe Festival, July 16-26, 2026, 11 days of bold, original, and unforgettable performances exploring theater, dance, music, comedy, visual art, and more as artists from Kansas City and beyond take the stage.

Audrey Crabtree thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

A $5 KC Fringe Festival Button is required for entry to all Fringe performances and events and is valid for the entire festival.

KC Fringe Festival presents a special preview Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 5:30pm at Kansas City Central Library – Helzberg Auditorium, 14 West 10th Street, KCMO.

Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 1:00pm at The Borough KC, 8026 The Paseo, KCMO.

KC Fringe FLASH Preview Night, Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 8:00pm at City Stage at Union Station a special free, sneak peek of family-friendly performances. Tickets, buttons and Free Programs will be available.

More info at www.kcfringe.org

10:27 – Underwriting

  1. Heidi Lynne Gluck – “Severance (Remix)”
    from: “Severance (Remix)” – Single / Dynamite Red / March 11, 2024
    [Heidi Lynne Gluck is a Canadian-born artist who calls Lawrence, Kansas home. Heidi is every musician’s dream to play with, given her impeccable ear for nuance and detail. She is a versatile singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, playing bass, keys, vocals, guitar, accordion and lap steel. // Heidi has collaborated live and in studio with dozens of musicians, including Tom Brousseau, John C Reilly, Juliana Hatfield, Margo and the Nuclear So and So’s, The Roseline, Lily and Madeleine, Frogpond, and 95 Sweetbird. Heidi’s music channels 70’s folk rock with a groovy Wurlitzer laying the bed for her warm, matter-of-fact delivery. Subtle acoustic guitar lines snake around crunchy electrics, embellished with ethereal pedal steel guitar. // She’s been featured on The Moth, The Great American Folk Show, The Mystery Hour and NPR live sessions. Her songs have been placed in The Listeners documentary and Tig Notaro’s hit show, ‘One Mississippi’.// She has recorded three albums, including her just released, ‘Migrate Or Die’. Heidi recorded and produced the majority of these albums at home. // Her message is uplifting and nurturing without being cloying, encouraging you to acknowledge your pain and face the unknown with strength and grace.Heidi Lynne Gluck released the album, MIGRATE OR DIE on July 7, 2023. She released the singles: “All I See Is Magic” on May 25, 2023, “I’m Not Free” on June 2, 2023 and “Skyscraper” on June 7, 2023 Heidi released two singles with Tom Brosseau, “Under African Skies” on Feb. 17, 2023 ang “Sunflower” on Dec. 15, 2022. Heidi Lynne Gluck released the 8th edition of the Too Much Rock, limited edition, 7” vinyl Single Series on Aug. 3, 2018, featuring her original song, “Party Line.” and the B-side, “Good Guys and Bad Guys” a new version of Camper Van Beethoven song. Heidi Lynne Gluck released her critically acclaimed album, PONY SHOW through Lawrence based Lotuspool Records on Aug. 26, 2016. This was the follow-up to her critically acclaimed release THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ROOM, released April 28, 2015. Heidi Lynne Gluck also plays with the band the Roseline and was a featured vocalist on “Beauty in the Distance” with Asterales..] [Heidi Lynne Gluck joined us live on WMM on June 8, and Aug. 24, 2016, and July 12, 2023]
  1. Suneaters – “Home”
    from: Suneaters V: Heroic Dose / Lotuspool Records / June 19, 2026
    [9th album release. Suneaters are: Scott Free on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer; Chris Lost on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion; Mike Judd on guitar, electric piano; Nick Carroll on vocals, guitar, drums, percussion; Sam Goodell on piano, organ, & synthesizer. // Produced by Chris Cosgrove and Suneaters. Engineered and mixed by Chris Cosgrove. Additional Engineering by Matt Allen on Women Get The Shaft. Mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Vinyl Mastering by Jeff Powell at TAKE OUT VINYL. Album illustrations by Michael McMillian. Layout and design by Michael Legleighter. // All songs written and performed by Suneaters except “Rock Me Baby” written by Bump Funk and J. Scott. // Even while their last studio album, Suneaters IV: Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fingers was listed as one of the best albums of 2022, it’s ambitious to make the next studio album a double. In their defense, Suneaters V: Heroic Dose (Available June 19, 2026 Digital and Double LP), organically grew to its eventual size, and like fingerless gloves, gets the job done with minimal fuss. // Can you call a double LP with a scattershot array of tastes/flavors, themes, and styles at all “minimal”? Mostly it’s a four-sided hunting blind. Peak your head through the flaps to see what waits for you. Beauty – a sunset. Creation – a sunrise. Destruction – thunder and lightning. // Targeting ears and attitudes. Targeting hearts and minds. ]

[Suneaters play an Album Release show on Friday, July 10, at 6:00pm, at Replay Lounge, 80 East 10th Street, Lawrence, KS, with Heidi Lynne Gluck, and The Harrisonics.]

10:37 – Interview with Chris Lost, Scott Free, and Nick Carroll of Suneaters

Suneaters are: Scott Free on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer; Chris Lost on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion; Mike Judd on guitar, electric piano; Nick Carroll on vocals, guitar, drums, percussion; Sam Goodell on piano, organ, & synthesizer. Suneaters V: Heroic Dose is their 9th release on Lotuspool Records. Produced by Chris Cosgrove and Suneaters. Engineered and mixed by Chris Cosgrove. Additional Engineering by Matt Allen on Women Get The Shaft. Mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Vinyl Mastering by Jeff Powell at TAKE OUT VINYL. Album illustrations by Michael McMillian. Layout and design by Michael Legleighter. // All songs written and performed by Suneaters except “Rock Me Baby” written by Bump Funk and J. Scott. // Even while their last studio album, Suneaters IV: Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fingers was listed as one of the best albums of 2022, it’s ambitious to make the next studio album a double. In their defense, Suneaters V: Heroic Dose (Available June 19, 2026 Digital and Double LP), organically grew to its eventual size, and like fingerless gloves, gets the job done with minimal fuss.

Scott Free, Chris Lost, Suneaters thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard “Home.”

Last week we played Suneaters: “Boulevard Of Joy And Love (feat. Rhiannon Birdsall)”, from Suneaters V: Heroic Dose on Lotuspool Records released June 19, 2026. One of several tracks with guest artists including “Rock Me Baby” written by Bump Funk and J. Scott.

Scott Free writes about The Suneaters new album:

Even while their last studio album, Suneaters IV: Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fingers was listed as one of the best albums of 2022, it’s ambitious to make the next studio album a double. In their defense, Suneaters V: Heroic Dose (Available June 19, 2026 Digital and Double LP), organically grew to its eventual size, and like fingerless gloves, gets the job done with minimal fuss.

Can you call a double LP with a scattershot array of tastes/flavors, themes, and styles at all “minimal”? Mostly it’s a four-sided hunting blind. Peak your head through the flaps to see what waits for you. Beauty – a sunset. Creation – a sunrise. Destruction – thunder and lightning.

Targeting ears and attitudes. Targeting hearts and minds. Stories about precise moments captured that are to be endured or celebrated. Precise moments of heart ache, rejection, or disappointment, ecstasy, transcendence, power, aggression or love. A heroic dose of these things that cripple or teach.

All on four sides. A square.

Enlarged subset to show greater detail:
Bedhead – From the annals of a social anxiety digest
Home – Where you’re happy?
Johatsu – The ultimate French exit
Obliteration – A controlled burn
Greater Than… – A depressed Richard Alpert discovers ketamine
Mr. Sullivan – Hat tip to those who formed us
Give the Mind… – A political song for Kid Rock to sing
Come Apart – Unlucky charms and an unhappy meal
Rock Me Baby – Didn’t see that coming
Big Dancer – Body movin’
Boulevard of Joy and Love – That which sustains us
Morning Face – Non-diegetic score for a cup of coffee
Revenge of the Children – What variety of a shithole do we leave?

A jump off a low bridge. A baby sip of poison. A super soaker to the head. A butter knife to the wrist. Heroic Dose runs over the speed bump of broken bands with sheer genuineness in this dumbest of all timelines. // There’s no such thing as a straight line said the geometer and the Suneater. A parallelogram with one line pleased as punch and another filled with something approaching sorrow. Calculated together, you get your prescription, a Heroic Dose. // Suneaters collectively thank, Matt Ku, Rhiannon Birdsall, Bump Funk, J. Scott, Michael McMillian, Mark Silverberg, Chris Cardwell, W. Dave Keith, David Saab, Matt Nalbach, Larry Glasscock, and Mike Horvath.]

10:46

  1. Suneaters – “Come Apart”
    Suneaters V: Heroic Dose / Lotuspool Records / June 19, 2026
    [9th album release. Suneaters are: Scott Free on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer; Chris Lost on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion; Mike Judd on guitar, electric piano; Nick Carroll on vocals, guitar, drums, percussion; Sam Goodell on piano, organ, & synthesizer. // Produced by Chris Cosgrove and Suneaters. Engineered and mixed by Chris Cosgrove. Additional Engineering by Matt Allen on Women Get The Shaft. Mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Vinyl Mastering by Jeff Powell at TAKE OUT VINYL. Album illustrations by Michael McMillian. Layout and design by Michael Legleighter. // All songs written and performed by Suneaters except “Rock Me Baby” written by Bump Funk and J. Scott. // Even while their last studio album, Suneaters IV: Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fingers was listed as one of the best albums of 2022, it’s ambitious to make the next studio album a double. In their defense, Suneaters V: Heroic Dose (Available June 19, 2026 Digital and Double LP), organically grew to its eventual size, and like fingerless gloves, gets the job done with minimal fuss. // Can you call a double LP with a scattershot array of tastes/flavors, themes, and styles at all “minimal”? Mostly it’s a four-sided hunting blind. Peak your head through the flaps to see what waits for you. Beauty – a sunset. Creation – a sunrise. Destruction – thunder and lightning. // Targeting ears and attitudes. Targeting hearts and minds. ]

[Suneaters play an Album Release show on Friday, July 10, at 6:00pm, at Replay Lounge, 80 East 10th Street, Lawrence, KS, with Heidi Lynne Gluck, and The Harrisonics.]

10:49 – More Interview with with Chris Lost, Scott Free, and Nick Carroll of Suneaters

Suneaters are: Scott Free on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer; Chris Lost on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion; Mike Judd on guitar, electric piano; Nick Carroll on vocals, guitar, drums, percussion; Sam Goodell on piano, organ, & synthesizer. Suneaters V: Heroic Dose is their 9th release on Lotuspool Records. Produced by Chris Cosgrove and Suneaters. Engineered and mixed by Chris Cosgrove. Additional Engineering by Matt Allen on Women Get The Shaft. Mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Vinyl Mastering by Jeff Powell at TAKE OUT VINYL. Album illustrations by Michael McMillian. Layout and design by Michael Legleighter. // All songs written and performed by Suneaters except “Rock Me Baby” written by Bump Funk and J. Scott. // Even while their last studio album, Suneaters IV: Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fingers was listed as one of the best albums of 2022, it’s ambitious to make the next studio album a double. In their defense, Suneaters V: Heroic Dose (Available June 19, 2026 Digital and Double LP), organically grew to its eventual size, and like fingerless gloves, gets the job done with minimal fuss.

Suneaters thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard “Come Apart”

Scott Free on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer;
Chris Lost on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion;
Mike Judd on guitar, electric piano;
Nick Carroll on vocals, guitar, drums, percussion;
Sam Goodell on piano, organ, & synthesizer.

Suneaters thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Suneaters play an Album Release show on Friday, July 10, at 6:00pm, at Replay Lounge, 80 East 10th Street, Lawrence, KS, with Heidi Lynne Gluck, and The Harrisonics.

10:58

  1. Suneaters – “Obliteration”
    from: Suneaters V: Heroic Dose / Lotuspool Records / June 19, 2026
    [9th album release. Suneaters are: Scott Free on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer; Chris Lost on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion; Mike Judd on guitar, electric piano; Nick Carroll on vocals, guitar, drums, percussion; Sam Goodell on piano, organ, & synthesizer. // Produced by Chris Cosgrove and Suneaters. Engineered and mixed by Chris Cosgrove. Additional Engineering by Matt Allen on Women Get The Shaft. Mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Vinyl Mastering by Jeff Powell at TAKE OUT VINYL. Album illustrations by Michael McMillian. Layout and design by Michael Legleighter. // All songs written and performed by Suneaters except “Rock Me Baby” written by Bump Funk and J. Scott. // Even while their last studio album, Suneaters IV: Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fingers was listed as one of the best albums of 2022, it’s ambitious to make the next studio album a double. In their defense, Suneaters V: Heroic Dose (Available June 19, 2026 Digital and Double LP), organically grew to its eventual size, and like fingerless gloves, gets the job done with minimal fuss. // Can you call a double LP with a scattershot array of tastes/flavors, themes, and styles at all “minimal”? Mostly it’s a four-sided hunting blind. Peak your head through the flaps to see what waits for you. Beauty – a sunset. Creation – a sunrise. Destruction – thunder and lightning. // Targeting ears and attitudes. Targeting hearts and minds. ]

[Suneaters play an Album Release show on Friday, July 10, at 6:00pm, at Replay Lounge, 80 East 10th Street, Lawrence, KS, with Heidi Lynne Gluck, and The Harrisonics.]

11:00 – Station ID

  1. Pamper The Madman – “Columbia”
    from: Muter EP / Pamper The Madman / 1998
    [Alternative/punk band from Kansas City.“ The band released their debut album, PAMPER THE MADMAN on Stress records in 1995. with Vocals – Theresa Schloegel, Drums – Chris Fugitt, Guitar – Rob Wagner, Bass – Marshall Strong. Songs Written-By –Rob Wagner and Theresa Schloegel. Producer – Barry Poynter & Brian Hardin. Engineer, Mixed By – Brian Hardin. Mastered By – John Matousek. // The band followed that up with a 4-song EP called MUTER in 1998. // The band initially existed in the mid-late ’90s, but after a handful of reunion shows between 2014-2016, decided to get back together and record some new material. // Current members of the reformed Kansas City band Pamper The Madman include: Johnny Hamil, Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt & Chris Tady. Theresa Scott is formerly known Theresa Schloegel. She is one of the original members of Pamper the Madman. Tim Finn in the KC Star wrote: “Clever songs made Pamper the Madman one of the area’s biggest bands 20 years ago.” The band released their self titled debut on Stress Records in 1995. The band stopped playing in 1998 but after a handful of reunion shows between 2014-2016, the band decided to get back together and is recording new material. Theresa Schloegel was born in Kansas City on November 07, 1970. A while back with her husband and family she left town on a boat going south on the river. She also lives in Santa Cruz. Theresa Scott’s family has owned and operated Woodyard BBQue for generations. Members of Pamper the Madman have included Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt, Robbie Wagner, Marshall Strong, Johnny Hamil and Chris Tady.]

[Pamper The Madman plays BIRTHDAZE, this Friday, July 10, at 8:00pm at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming Street, KCMO., featuring the bands: Bloodthrust, The Philistines, and Pamper The Madman – celebrating the birthdays of Rod Peal and Chris Fugitt, with a video presentation by Syd Peal.]

11:05 – Interview with Kimmie Queen and Theresa Scott

We are very happy to welcome back to the WMM, Kimmie Queen of the band, The Philistines, and Theresa Scott of the band Pamper The Madman. Kimmie and Theresa share all of the details of BIRTHDAZE, this Friday, July 10, at 8:00pm at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming Street, Kansas City, MO., featuring the bands: Bloodthrust, The Philistines, and Pamper The Madman – celebrating the birthdays of Rod Peal and Chris Fugitt, with a video presentation by Syd Peal. Bloodthrust is a new three piece band made up of Rod Peal, Steve Gianello and Paul Guinto! The Philistines triumphantly return from the void, to shower us with space rocks old and new from Cody Wyoming, Kimmie Queen, Rod Peal, Steve Gardels, Josh Mobley, and Ben Ruth on bass. The legendary Pamper The Madman is Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt, Johnny Hamill, and Chris Tady. More information at www.lemonadeparkkc.com

Kimmie Queen and Theresa Scott, Thanks for being with us on WMM

BIRTHDAZE, this Friday, July 10, at 8:00pm at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming Street, Kansas City, MO., featuring the bands: Bloodthrust, The Philistines, and Pamper The Madman – celebrating the birthdays of Rod Peal and Chris Fugitt, with a video presentation by Syd Peal.

Bloodthrust is a new 3-piece band made up of Rod Peal, Steve Gianello and Paul Guinto!

The Philistines triumphantly return from the void, to shower us with space rocks old and new from Cody Wyoming, Kimmie Queen, Rod Peal, Steve Gardels, Josh Mobley, and Ben Ruth on bass.

The legendary Pamper The Madman is Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt, Johnny Hamill, and Chris Tady

Theresa Scott, Tim Finn in the KC Star wrote: “Clever songs made Pamper the Madman one of the area’s biggest bands 20 years ago.”

The band released their self titled debut on Stress Records in 1995. The band stopped playing in 1998 but after a handful of reunion shows between 2014-2016, the band decided to get back together and is recording new material.

Theresa Schloegel was born in Kansas City on November 07, 1970. A while back with her husband and family she left town on a boat going south on the river. She also lives in Santa Cruz. Theresa Scott’s family has owned and operated Woodyard BBQue for generations.

Members of Pamper the Madman have included Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt, Robbie Wagner, Marshall Strong, Johnny Hamil and Chris Tady.

Theresa Scott is also a member of the band The Utilitarians

Kimme Queen is also a DK and also a member of The Guillotine Choir

Kimmie Queen is also proprietor of Planet Queen Records & Vintage, at 209 West Mapel Ave, in Independence MO

Kimmie Queen and Theresa Scott, Thanks for being with us on WMM

Pamper The Madman plays BIRTHDAZE, this Friday, July 10, at 8:00pm at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming Street, KCMO., featuring the bands: Bloodthrust, The Philistines, and Pamper The Madman – celebrating the birthdays of Rod Peal and Chris Fugitt, with a video presentation by Syd Peal.

11:22

  1. The Philistines – “A Twitch of The Death Nerve”
    from: The Backbone of Night / The Record Machine / June 4, 2016
    [KC based rock band with a psychedelic bent, for this recording the band was made up of: Kimmie Queen on lead vocals; Cody Wyoming on lead guitar & vocals; Rod Peal on guitar; Michelle Bacon on bass & vocals, Josh Mobley on keyboard, Steve Gardels on drums. Recorded & mixed with Paul Malinowski at Massive Sound Studios and mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering.]

[The Philistines, play BIRTHDAZE, this Friday, July 10, at 8:00pm at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming Street, KCMO., featuring the bands: Bloodthrust, The Philistines, and Pamper The Madman – celebrating the birthdays of Rod Peal and Chris Fugitt, with a video presentation by Syd Peal.]

11:25

  1. Stephonne – “All Souls ft. Victoriano Cárdenas”
    from: “All Souls ft. Victoriano Cárdenas” – Single / Glory Blue Music / March 15, 2026
    [Stephonne – Performer, Composer & Lyricist, Producer, Engineer (Recording, Mixing, Mastering); Victoriano Cárdenas – Featured Performer/Poet.Stephonne writes: I received and created All Souls during my time at the Ragdale Artist Residency in Lake Forest, IL over the past 3 weeks. Everything you hear was done by me. This is a special song that started the first day I stepped foot in my studio that’s about endings, new beginnings, growth, awareness and true love for ourselves and those we say goodbye to. It is a special collaboration with Victoriano Cárdenas who I had the pleasure to meet during our residency and to be able to record. He wrote poetry for All Souls and performs it! Check out his beautiful work (IG: sheepishw0lf).“Stephonne is reimagining what it means to be a Black musician in Kansas City, disrupting outdated narratives with music that celebrates fluidity, theatricality, and freedom. Their art is multidimensional, relentless, and ambitious, drawing inspiration from other pockets of pop music.” – Lyrical Odyssey. // On May 20, 2026 Stephonne released “Papa John” through Glory Blue Music. A funky pop art joyride of sexual liberation, they delivers us a sonic smorgasbord. Innuendo laden and cheeky, Parliament meets Doja Cat on a Studio 54 dance floor. Over a percolating beat and playful bass synth, grit, guts and go-go simmer. “Papa John” is inimitably Stephonne. Their artistic voice here is singular, however lushly layered, and the freest we’ve heard it yet.// “In the age of A.I. it’s more important than ever to show up as perfectly imperfect and as fully as possible. Listening to this song is like freebasing me. You’re experiencing me at my purest, loosest, most raw, and in full-on play mode. Every part of creating this song was fun. It felt like a celebration and still does. I’m excited to party with everybody. Right now, we need humor and joy. We need to dance and free ourselves. Revolution can be sexy. It may even be necessary. In the midst of so much pain, it’s easy to forget about pleasure. We aren’t just here to procreate. Please be safe and get tested, but don’t forget to spice up your life. Food is not the only thing that’s better with seasoning, sis. That goes for all of us, no matter the countless ways we separate ourselves. We have more in common than we don’t. God and sex are two of the biggest things we do. God used it to create my gay ass just like He used it to create you. Can wemove on to something important? You know, like stopping WWIII and A.I. armageddon? Persecuting LGBTQ people won’t stop either of those or those in power from coming for you next. Unclench, folks. Life is so much more enjoyable. The gays can show you how, honey! We can also show you how to survive, thrive, and persevere because we continue to through it all.” – Stephonne // Stephonne takes the helm as songwriter, producer, and artist again. Recent collaborator, Joseph Price (Third Son) adds his assist to amplify the Kansas City native’s potent lyricism and musical instincts. We’ve stepped into an electronic era, but “Papa John” is still punk. Full of humor and audacity, it also recalls and reimagines funk and disco. “Papa John” will live rent free in your head, long after first listen and leave you hungry for Stephonne’s next delivery. // On February 13, 2026 Stephonne released “Bloody Mary” Written, Produced, and Engineered by Stephonne Singleton, Co-Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Joseph T Price. // On August 15, 2025 Stephonne released “Worship at the Chappell: Co-written with Shawn M. Stewart and produced with Patrick Meagher, the song is a declaration of power, pleasure, and pride—a sonic celebration of being fully and freely oneself. “Worship at the Chappell” is a bold, genre-bending anthem from Kansas City artist Stephonne—an electrifying fusion of disco, pop, and gospel spirit. Inspired by fellow Missouri native Chappell Roan, the track transforms the dance floor into a sanctuary for queer joy, spiritual liberation, and unapologetic self-love. With soaring vocals, provocative lyrics, and infectious grooves, Stephonne delivers a soulful sermon for the marginalized. // Stephonne describes himself as the lovechild of Prince & Billie Holiday. He grew up in KCK and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Benedictine College, and Masters in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. Stephonne is a 2023 winner of the Charlotte Street Generative Performing Arts Fellows. // Stephonne is an Alternative/Genrequeer singer-songwriter, cultural producer, and generative performing artist from Kansas City, MO. They synthesize music, written/spoken word, performance and visual art/media into an inimitable art. They share their struggles, triumphs, and journey to self-love through multidisciplinary performance and have sent audiences on visceral and experiential journeys through a multitude of music and video releases since 2015. Bold new 2025 singles and videos continue to push boundaries! New experiences, both sonic and visual, await us from the upcoming sophomore LP, STEPHONNE. // Singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist, activist – Stephonne Singleton keeps very busy, serving as a board member of KC Folk Fest, organizing tribute shows, playing: music festivals, Charlotte Street Foundation, Lemonade Park, Lawrence Pride, Manor Records, Midwest Music Foundation, The AIDS Service Foundation of KC, InterUrban ArtHouse, Crossroads Music Fest, The Black Box, The Folly Theatre, and West 18th Street Fashion Show. Stephonne released his EP SIS: Side B on June 24, 2022. Stephonne released the single “I” on August 21, 2024. Stephonne released the single “I think its Gonna Be Alright” I April 2025. Stephonne released the single, Forgive Me, Father (Sinead O’Connor) on May 21, 2025. // More info at: www.stephonne.com] [Stephonne joins us on WMM on June 3, 2026]

11:29 – Underwriting

  1. Nicki White – “Turquoise”
    from: Shadow Work in the Omnipresence of the Divine / Anscestors Records / May 1, 2026
    [Nicki White KC based a singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for blending soulful vocals, expressive guitar work, and a wide-ranging repertoire spanning country, rock, pop, blues, and Americana. She performs as a solo artist, is a member of the all-female band Flat Susan, and also performs with Big Time Grain Co. Her original album, Shadow Work in the Omnipresence of the Divine, showcases her artistic depth through intimate songwriting and atmospheric soundscapes. Nicki has performed for corporate events, festivals, and major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.]

[Nicki White plays O’Dowds on Saturday, July 11 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.]

[Nicki White plays Red Rock Canyon Grill on Saturday, July 25 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.]

[Nicki White plays Tipsy Taco, Friday, July 31, 7:00pm – 10:00pm.]

[Nicki White plays Unity Southeast Service at Loose Park with Flat Susan on Sunday, August 2, at 11:00am.]

[Nicki White plays Kansas City Country Music & Arts Festival with Big Time Grain Co.
September 5, at Theatre in The Park, Lenexa – Shawnee, KS.]

11:36 – Interview with Nicki White

Nicki White KC based a singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for blending soulful vocals, expressive guitar work, and a wide-ranging repertoire spanning country, rock, pop, blues, and Americana. She performs as a solo artist, is a member of the all-female band Flat Susan, and also performs with Big Time Grain Co. Her original album, Shadow Work in the Omnipresence of the Divine, showcases her artistic depth through intimate songwriting and atmospheric soundscapes. Nicki has performed for corporate events, festivals, and major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nicki White thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

Her original album, Shadow Work in the Omnipresence of the Divine, showcases her artistic depth through intimate songwriting and atmospheric soundscapes. It was recorded with artist and musician Allan Winkler who created special percussion instruments for the record. It was released on May 1, 2026. The album is a raw, home-recorded meditation on presence—poetic soundscapes shaped by imperfection, subtle nature, and handmade sound.

Nicki White performs as a solo artist, is a member of the all-female band Flat Susan, and also performs with Big Time Grain Co.

Nicki White Discography
Shadow Work in the Omnipresence of the Divine (Album) May 1, 2026
Angel of Inner Strength (EP) January 27, 2026
Like Me – (Single) 2021
Merry F******g Christmas (Single) 2020
420 Queen (Single) 2020

Nicki White plays O’Dowds on Saturday, July 11 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

Nicki White plays Red Rock Canyon Grill on Saturday, July 25 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

Nicki White plays Tipsy Taco, Friday, July 31, 7:00pm – 10:00pm.

Nicki White plays Unity Southeast Service at Loose Park with Flat Susan on Sunday, August 2, at 11:00am.

Nicki White plays Kansas City Country Music & Arts Festival with Big Time Grain Co.
September 5, at Theatre in The Park, Lenexa – Shawnee, KS.

Nicki White thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

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

11:51

  1. Nicki White – “Singing River”
    from: Shadow Work in the Omnipresence of the Divine / Anscestors Records / May 1, 2026
    [Nicki White KC based a singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for blending soulful vocals, expressive guitar work, and a wide-ranging repertoire spanning country, rock, pop, blues, and Americana. She performs as a solo artist, is a member of the all-female band Flat Susan, and also performs with Big Time Grain Co. Her original album, Shadow Work in the Omnipresence of the Divine, showcases her artistic depth through intimate songwriting and atmospheric soundscapes. Nicki has performed for corporate events, festivals, and major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.]

[Nicki White plays O’Dowds on Saturday, July 11 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.]

[Nicki White plays Red Rock Canyon Grill on Saturday, July 25 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.]

[Nicki White plays Tipsy Taco, Friday, July 31, 7:00pm – 10:00pm.]

[Nicki White plays Unity Southeast Service at Loose Park with Flat Susan on Sunday, August 2, at 11:00am.]

[Nicki White plays Kansas City Country Music & Arts Festival with Big Time Grain Co.
September 5, at Theatre in The Park, Lenexa – Shawnee, KS.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, July 15 Rev. Dwight Frizzell takes over the entire show as GUEST PRODUCER.

You can find our playlists at: www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & www.kkfi.org
www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 36 people donate a total of $3513.50. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1155

WMM Playlist from July 1, 2026

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

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

John Lawrence Johnson + Jamogi + Danny Fischer

  1. Various Artists – “Main Title Instrumental (It’s Showtime Folks)”
    from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
    [WMM’s theme]
  1. feeble little horse – “Rewind (Album Version)”
    from: BITKNOT / Saddle Creek Records / May 26, 2026
    [Pittsburgh, PA’s feeble little horse surprise released their new album, bitknot, May 26 via Saddle Creek. On the band’s third full-length album, feeble little horse explore the tension between human connection and the isolating effects of capitalism, technology, and modern consumer culture. Sonically, they continue their exploration of making thrilling and wildly unpredictable music, blending expansive arrangements, introspective lyricism, melodic hooks, dense noise textures, and precision drumming into a sound that feels rooted in the early aughts but pointed toward something entirely new at the clumsy conjunction of IRL and WWW. // Throughout bitknot the band contrasts the digital and the physical, questioning ideas of hyperindividualism and self-sufficiency while searching for new forms of interdependence and shared humanity. “The album art is based on the coincidental core memory matrix, which was used in old computers to store memory / access information using 0s and 1s. Each core, or ‘bit,’ is accessed through the grid of wires, like a knot that stores secret details and memories.” // bitknot was written, arranged, produced, and recorded by Sebastian Kinsler, Lydia Slocum, and Jake Kelley across their respective homes in Pittsburgh. ]

[feeble little horse play The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., Lawrence KS on Fri, July 24]

  1. Tara Clerkin Trio – “Lake Walk”
    from: Somewhere Good / World of Echo / June 5, 2026
    [With two extraordinary mini-albums making a splash on London’s World of Echo label in wake of their self-titled 2020 debut, Somewhere Good is, in many ways, the Tara Clerkin Trio’s most realised work. In running their usual gauntlet of idiosyncratic approaches, Clerkin & co. Color in and outside of compositional lines over the course of 40+ celebratory minutes – never wallowing, despite inherently somber subject matters of self-defeat, disease, displacement, restlessness, gentrification – allowing their arrangements and improvisations ample space and time to situate, stretch out, breathe, cross-pollinate, and ultimately take deeper hold on the listener’s imagination – all while somehow sounding more like themselves than ever before.Of course, there are traceable influences herein.. Being the big dumb American from the small boring town that I am, cornfed on ’90s alternative radio with the enchantingly exotic sounds of Maxinquaye and Mezzanine emanating from my chunky tube television, I can’t help but to make a blatantly obvious reference to a “Bristol sound”, ie the whole trip-hop trip, the pastoral crooning over the suggestive urban grime of cracked electro/piano treatments, the digitally-yet-primitively reconstructed James Bond soundtrack string-beats, etc.. But the Tara Clerkin Trio is so infinitely much more than that. There are elements of avant-pop, modern classical, kraut-folk, audio verité, dare I say indie rock (and not of the beer guzzling, masturbatory fuzz-flex variety but perhaps more like a Trish Keenan-fronted Faust, Adrian Sherwood at the mixing desk of If You’re Feeling Sinister, or – in expanding on our alternate reality – a world in which High Llamas cut a full-length for Warp Records with Andrew Weatherall on coffee duty).- Ryan Davis (Chicago, February 2026). ]
  1. Suneaters – “Boulevard Of Joy And Love (feat. Rhiannon Birdsall)”
    from: Suneaters V: Heroic Dose / Lotuspool Records / June 19, 2026
    [9th album release. Suneaters are: Scott Free on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer; Chris Lost on vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, percussion; Mike Judd on guitar, electric piano; Nick Carroll on vocals, guitar, drums, percussion; Sam Goodell on piano, organ, & synthesizer. // Produced by Chris Cosgrove and Suneaters. Engineered and mixed by Chris Cosgrove. Additional Engineering by Matt Allen on Women Get The Shaft. Mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Vinyl Mastering by Jeff Powell at TAKE OUT VINYL. Album illustrations by Michael McMillian. Layout and design by Michael Legleighter. // All songs written and performed by Suneaters except “Rock Me Baby” written by Bump Funk and J. Scott. // Even while their last studio album, Suneaters IV: Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fingers was listed as one of the best albums of 2022, it’s ambitious to make the next studio album a double. In their defense, Suneaters V: Heroic Dose (Available June 19, 2026 Digital and Double LP), organically grew to its eventual size, and like fingerless gloves, gets the job done with minimal fuss. // Can you call a double LP with a scattershot array of tastes/flavors, themes, and styles at all “minimal”? Mostly it’s a four-sided hunting blind. Peak your head through the flaps to see what waits for you. Beauty – a sunset. Creation – a sunrise. Destruction – thunder and lightning. // Targeting ears and attitudes. Targeting hearts and minds. Stories about precise moments captured that are to be endured or celebrated. Precise moments of heart ache, rejection, or disappointment, ecstasy, transcendence, power, aggression or love. A heroic dose of these things that cripple or teach. All on four sides. A square. // Enlarged subset to show greater detail:
    Bedhead – From the annals of a social anxiety digest.//

Song list:

Home – Where you’re happy?
Johatsu – The ultimate French exit
Obliteration – A controlled burn
Greater Than… – A depressed Richard Alpert discovers ketamine
Mr. Sullivan – Hat tip to those who formed us
Give the Mind… – A political song for Kid Rock to sing
Come Apart – Unlucky charms and an unhappy meal
Rock Me Baby – Didn’t see that coming
Big Dancer – Body movin’
Boulevard of Joy and Love – That which sustains us
Morning Face – Non-diegetic score for a cup of coffee
Revenge of the Children – What variety of a shithole do we leave?

// A jump off a low bridge. A baby sip of poison. A super soaker to the head. A butter knife to the wrist. Heroic Dose runs over the speed bump of broken bands with sheer genuineness in this dumbest of all timelines. // There’s no such thing as a straight line said the geometer and the Suneater. A parallelogram with one line pleased as punch and another filled with something approaching sorrow. Calculated together, you get your prescription, a Heroic Dose. // Suneaters collectively thank, Matt Ku, Rhiannon Birdsall, Bump Funk, J. Scott, Michael McMillian, Mark Silverberg, Chris Cardwell, W. Dave Keith, David Saab, Matt Nalbach, Larry Glasscock, and Mike Horvath.]

  1. Lucinda Williams – “So Much Trouble in The World (ft. Mavis Staples)”
    from: World’s Gone Wrong / Highway 20 – Thirty Tigers / January 23, 2026
    [World’s Gone Wrong is the sixteenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. World’s Gone Wrong features nine original songs composed by Williams and a cover of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “So Much Trouble in the World”, seen here as a duet with Mavis Staples. The album also features additional guest appearances from Brittney Spencer (“The World’s Gone Wrong” and “Something’s Gotta Give”) and Norah Jones (“We’ve Come Too Far to Turn Around”). // The album was co-produced by Tom Overby and Ray Kennedy and recorded at the Room & Board Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. // The album’s lead single, “The World’s Gone Wrong”, was released on October 30, 2025, simultaneously with the album’s announcement. A performance video coincided with the song’s release. The second single, “There’s So Much Trouble in the World”, was released on December 12, 2025. // Lucinda Gayl Williams[a] (born January 26, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter and a solo guitarist. She recorded her first two albums, Ramblin’ on My Mind (1979) and Happy Woman Blues (1980), in a traditional country and blues style that received critical praise but little public or radio attention. In 1988, she released her third album, Lucinda Williams, to widespread critical acclaim. Regarded as “an Americana classic”, the album also featured “Passionate Kisses”, a song later recorded by Mary Chapin Carpenter for her 1992 album Come On Come On, which garnered Williams her first Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1994. Williams released her fourth album, Sweet Old World, four years later in 1992. Sweet Old World was met with further critical acclaim and was voted the 11th best album of 1992 in The Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop, an annual poll of prominent music critics. Robert Christgau, the poll’s creator, ranked it 6th on his own year-end list, later writing that the album as well as Lucinda Williams were “gorgeous, flawless, brilliant”. // Williams’ commercial breakthrough came in 1998 with Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, an album presenting a broader scope of songs that fused rock, blues, country and Americana into a distinctive style that remained consistent and commercial.[citation needed] Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, which included the singles “Right in Time” and the Grammy nominated “Can’t Let Go”, became Williams’ greatest commercial success to date.[citation needed] The album was certified Gold by the RIAA the following year, and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album while being universally acclaimed by critics. Williams’ next album, Essence, appeared in 2001 to further critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming her first Top 40 album on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 28. Featuring a more downbeat musical tone, with spare, intimate arrangements,[citation needed] Essence earned Williams three Grammy nominations in 2002: Best Contemporary Folk Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the title track, and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the single “Get Right With God”, which she won. // One of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of her generation, Williams has released a string of albums since that have earned her further critical acclaim and commercial success, including World Without Tears (2003), West (2007), Little Honey (2008), Blessed (2011), Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone (2014), The Ghosts of Highway 20 (2016), and Good Souls Better Angels (2020). She has won three Grammy Awards from 17 nominations, and has received two Americana Awards (one competitive, one honorary) from 11 nominations. Williams ranked No. 97 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Rock & Roll in 1999, and was named “America’s best songwriter” by Time magazine in 2002. In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked her the 79th greatest songwriter of all time. In 2017, she received the Berklee College of Music Honorary Doctorate of Music Degree, and ranked No. 91 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time. In 2020, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road ranked No. 97 and Lucinda Williams ranked No. 426 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. She was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2021.That same year, “Passionate Kisses” ranked No. 437 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.]

[Lucinda Williams plays Starlight Theatre on Saturday, July 4, opening for Bob Dylan along with the John Doe Trio.]

  1. Ann Peebles – “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You”
    from: Meeting on Mission Street / HearMusic / 2005
    [“Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You” is a song written by Bob Dylan from his 1969 album Nashville Skyline. It was the closing song of the album. // Ann Lee Peebles (born April 27, 1947) is a retired American singer and songwriter who gained popularity for her Memphis soul albums of the 1970s while signed to Hi Records. Her most successful singles include “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” which she wrote with her husband Don Bryant and radio broadcaster Bernie Miller, and “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down.” In 2014, she was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. // She was born in Kinloch, Missour the seventh child of eleven. As a child she began singing in the choir of her father’s church and with the family’s group, the Peebles Choir, who regularly opened shows for gospel stars including Mahalia Jackson and the Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke. She was also influenced by R&B performers, including Muddy Waters, Mary Wells and Aretha Franklin. // “Why gritty singing like this can’t be heard on ‘progressive’ radio when a borderline hysteric like Lydia Pense is an automatic add ought to be investigated by the Civil Rights Commission.”— Review of Straight from the Heart in Christgau’s Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981) // She began performing in clubs in St. Louis, and in the mid-1960s joined a revue led by bandleader Oliver Sain. While visiting Memphis in 1968, she sang in a club with trumpeter Gene “Bowlegs” Miller, a popular local bandleader known for helping other musicians get their start in the Memphis music industry (including the members of the Hi Rhythm Section, who played on Peebles’ recordings). Miller introduced her to Hi Records producer Willie Mitchell, who quickly offered her a recording contract. // Her first record, “Walk Away,” written by Sain, reached the R&B chart in 1969, as did the follow-up, “Give Me Some Credit,” and she released an album, This Is Ann Peebles. All her early records on Hi were produced by Mitchell and featured the signature sound of the Hi Rhythm Section and Memphis Horns. In 1970, her single “Part Time Love,” a version of Little Johnny Taylor’s 1963 hit, reached no. 7 on the R&B chart, and no.45 on the pop chart, and she began working with the Hi label’s songwriter Don Bryant, whom she married in 1974. One of the first songs he wrote for her was “99 Pounds” in 1971.. // She continued to have R&B hits in the early 1970s, including “I Pity the Fool,” “Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love,” “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home” (a Hot 100 hit in 1973 for Albert King and later recorded by Bette Midler), “Somebody’s on Your Case,” and “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down” (later a hit for Paul Young). She was also the only female singer on Hi to release a string of albums, including Straight from the Heart and I Can’t Stand the Rain, that contained many tracks that she co-wrote. The title track of the latter album, written by Peebles and Bryant with DJ Bernard Miller, was her biggest commercial success, reaching no. 6 on the R&B chart and no. 38 on the pop chart in 1973.// Although she continued to have hit R&B singles and to release albums on Hi, none matched the success of “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” Mitchell later said: “She was the girl with the big voice who could have really gone further … But I don’t think Ann spent enough time thinking about what she needed to do. I don’t think she put as much energy into her career as a singer as some of the rest of these people.”[6] After Hi Records closed in 1979, and with the rise of disco music, Peebles took a break from the music industry to spend more time with her family. She returned in 1989 with the album Call Me, again produced by Willie Mitchell and released on his own Waylo label. During the 1990s, she released albums on Rounder Records’ Bullseye Blues subsidiary label.n She continued to perform, and in 2006 she released the album Brand New Classics, which consisted of re-recordings of some of her songs in an acoustic style. Peebles also joined Cyndi Lauper on a recording of “Rollin’ and Tumblin'” on Lauper’s 11th studio album, Memphis Blues. She gave up performing after a stroke in 2012.]

[Bob Dylan plays Starlight Theatre on Saturday, July 4, with Lucinda Williams the John Doe Trio.]

  1. Tierra Whack – “WAX PAPER”
    from: WHACK’S MUSEUM / Interscope Records / June 18, 2026
    [Tierra Helena Whack was born August 11, 1995. She is an American rapper and singer. She originally performed as “Dizzle Dizz” as a teenager but reverted to her birth name in 2017. Her debut mixtape, Whack World, was released in May 2018 and received widespread critical acclaim. Her song “Mumbo Jumbo” was nominated at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Music Video. Whack has since collaborated with Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Tyler, the Creator, Chief Keef, and Melanie Martinez. // Whack was born in 1995 and grew up living with two younger siblings and their mother in North Philadelphia. In a 2018 interview with The Fader, Whack mentioned that she and her father are estranged. She was an introverted child who wrote to help herself deal with insecurities. As a child, Whack loved the author Dr. Seuss to the extent that she would rhyme the sentences together in her homework assignments. // Whack pinpointed the exact moment when her love for rhyming began. She had to rhyme for a homework assignment for class and after receiving positive feedback, she continued with it. She later asked her mother for composition books to fill with rhymes and lyrics before she eventually started recording herself. // Whack attended The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia for three years before finishing high school in Atlanta. At Benjamin Rush, she was a vocal major and was one of the few black students in a predominantly white graduating class. With some difficulty, she and her friends persuaded their principal to let them perform the finale from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit for the school vocal showcase; Whack performed a rap verse in the song. Later in Whack’s career, she toured with Lauryn Hill, who starred in the 1993 film. // At around fifteen, Whack who went by the moniker “Dizzle Dizz” appeared in a 2011 freestyle video produced by Philadelphia’s underground music collective We Run the Streets. Her mother drove past the group of men freestyling and encouraged her to join. She released several tracks as Dizzle Dizz including “Dizzy Rascvls”, but struggled with depression in the months afterwards. Despite being a teenager, Whack gained notoriety in the streets of Philadelphia as “Dizzle Dizz.” Although she had growing fame, Whack grew bored. There was no way to make money in freestyling and no way to creatively grow. She claimed there was little experimentation and growth beyond battle rapping if she were to stay in Philadelphia. Her mother elected to move out of Philadelphia so Whack could finish school. After going to Atlanta with her mother, Whack began working at a Mister Car Wash allowing her to save for a Mac laptop and start recording her music. She was often the only woman working on the line at the car wash, and her former manager said she was a memorable person with an impressive drive, which Whack credits to her mother. // In Atlanta, Whack kept a low profile, having felt the effects of fame back home. She wanted to keep to herself to have a chance to solely focus on her music. By the time she returned to Philadelphia, she had a laptop full of two years’ worth of music, which she never ended up sharing with anyone. She left her family behind in Atlanta. During that time she was homeless for three months and hopped around staying at friends’ homes but refused to return to Atlanta. She believed staying in Philadelphia would be best for her music career. // By 2015, Whack was in Philadelphia and she reconnected with Kenete Simms, a sound engineer and music producer whom she knew from her teenage years. Whack credits Simms as being her collaborator. After she returned to working with Simms she learned how to properly mix her own music. Simms helped her use equipment in order to help her make music more easily. In 2017, she signed with Interscope Records; Johnny Montina is her manager. // In March 2017, Whack made her debut as Tierra Whack with three tracks, including “Toe Jam” and “Sh_ Happens”. In October 2017, she released “Mumbo Jumbo”, a hip-hop single and accompanying music video which featured the young rapper performing while wearing a mouth prop. Most of the lyrics to the track are purposefully unintelligible. She also toured with Flying Lotus in 2017. // Whack’s debut fifteen-track mixtape, Whack World, was released on May 30, 2018 and received a “Best New Music” accolade from Pitchfork. Critics praised the unusual format of the album—each song lasting precisely one minute. She released each short track on Instagram, each accompanied by a short film directed by Thibaut Duverneix and Mathieu Léger. The multimedia project received widespread critical acclaim. Robert Christgau gave the album an A-minus and reported in Vice that his wife, fellow critic Carola Dibbell, loved the video, saying, “it gave me reason for living”. // Often referred to as the “Missy Elliott” of this generation, Whack has gained a great amount of acclaim for the creativity and eccentricity of her music videos. The track “Mumbo Jumbo” received a nomination for Best Music Video for the 2019 Grammy Awards. In October 2018, Whack traveled to Tokyo for a long-term artistic sabbatical. // In an episode of Genius’ The Cosign series on YouTube in which current artists who have been in the industry have the opportunity to watch videos of newer artists, rapper Remy Ma chose to cosign Whack. Even though she mentioned seeing potential in each of the artists, Remy said, “I pick(ed) her because I feel like she brought the entire package as far as the song, the delivery, the vocals, and the actual visual. I feel like she did something that was super out of the ordinary, and I enjoyed it… I wanna watch it again.” In the episode of The Cosign, Whack’s music video for her single “Unemployed” was put in a group with music videos from other female MCs including Kash Doll, CupcakKe, Mulatto, Tay Money, and That Girl Lay Lay. // She has recorded as-yet-unreleased music with Meek Mill and Childish Gambino. In 2018, she toured with 6lack on his world tour, From East Atlanta with Love. Briana Younger, the writer for The Fader, wrote that “popular and mainstream rap hasn’t championed a darker-skinned woman since Missy Elliot…and Whack seems poised to be the one.” Whack acknowledged that women in the music industry often aren’t afforded the privilege to make art for art’s sake, but she refuses to let that inhibit her. Beginning February 19, 2019, Whack released one single per week for five weeks in a series she called “#whackhistorymonth.” These singles included “Only Child”, “Clones”, “Gloria”, “Wasteland”, and “Unemployed”. Whether these tracks will be released under a full-length album has not yet been revealed. Whack has said that she is not thinking about a timeline for a new album, saying “I’m not gonna drive myself crazy. I’m having fun creating what I’m creating.” Whack collaborated with Flying Lotus on the song “Yellow Belly” for his 2019 album Flamagra and she was later named as one of the members of XXL’s “2019 Freshman Class” on June 20, 2019. She appeared at many festivals in the 2019 festival season including Coachella, Primavera Sound, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Camp Flog Gnaw, Osheaga, and Austin City Limits. Her song “Unemployed” is featured in the football game FIFA 20. // Whack co-wrote and was featured in Melanie Martinez’s single “Copy Cat”, which was released on February 10, 2020. It marks the first time that Whack has worked in a professional capacity with Melanie Martinez.[29] In May 2020, Whack appeared alongside American rapper Lil Yachty on the song “T.D” which features rappers ASAP Rocky and Tyler, the Creator. The song was #84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Whack’s first entry on the chart. She featured on the song “Me x 7” by Alicia Keys, taken from her seventh studio album, Alicia, in September 2020. Her 2017 single, “Mumbo Jumbo”, had an accompanying music video that garnered a Best Music Video nomination for the 2019 Grammy Awards. // In October 2020, Whack released her first solo single of the year titled “Dora”. In November 2020, she appeared in the 2020 Apple holiday commercial “The Magic of Mini” which featured the new singles, “Peppers and Onions” and “feel good” which were released coinciding with the introduction of the commercial. In April 2021, she released a single titled “Link”. The music video, created in partnership with the LEGO Group, had Whack sit with a group of schoolchildren as part of Lego’s “Rebuild the World” campaign, using their ideas as inspiration for the video. In December 2021, she released three EPs, Rap?, Pop? and R&B?. // March 15, 2024, Whack released her 2nd studio album “World Wide Whack” under Interscope Records, it received a 7.3 on the Pitchfork web site. In June 2024, she performed a Tiny Desk Concert featuring some songs from her new album; “Mood Swing”,”Accessible”, “Ms. Behave”, “Imaginary Friends”, “Moovies”, “27 Club” and “Shower Song” as well as earlier favorites: “Flea Market”, “Pretty Ugly”, and “Hungry Hippo”. The concert featured the mascot Phillie Phanatic as a proud supporter of her birth city quoting “anything Philly is all me”. // Whack’s beginnings in rap started with battle rapping and it is something she looks upon fondly. While she appreciates the foundation which it gave her for her music, she wanted to aim higher than just rap battles. Seeing artists such as Lauryn Hill, Andre 3000, and Eminem had inspired her to become a true artist. In doing so, she would be seen as something more serious than just a battle rapper. // Whack cites Outkast, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, and Kelis as some of her musical influences. Whack claims there are many different things which inspire and motivate her and she wants to be able to portray those to her fans in her music. She credits Sesame Street and the children’s book No! David as some of her influences; that is clearly seen through her visuals from her album’s music video. Her inspirations come from everything, from her relationships to people to inanimate objects. Her single, “Only Child”, for example, was created after dating a man whose behavior she aligned with that of someone who grew up an only child. // Whack’s mother is often credited as one of if not the biggest inspirations for her music. She recalls her mother playing gangster rap during car rides. For her single “Unemployed”, her mother helped her create the key musical hook. // Whack has written poetry since she was a child. Writing was a way for her to deal with her shyness and insecurities. She is also an accomplished spoken word performer. // She lives in Philadelphia with her mother and her two siblings. She is still “Philly-based,” saying that Philadelphia is her home and where she feels grounded. She owns a cat, whom she named Starkey after the Whole Foods brand of sparkling water. She does not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. She is severely allergic to insects, a condition she satirizes in the music video for her 2018 track, “Bugs Life”.]
  1. Run With It – “FORevR”
    from: “FORevR” – Single / Run With It / July 1, 2026
    [Every month, Run With It releases a new anthem — this month’s is FØRevR. A cinematic mid-tempo Alt-Rock coastal love story built for late-night drives, ocean air, and windows-down moments. Fans of Kings Of Leon, The Killers, and AWOLNATION will connect with its soaring vocals, atmospheric guitars, and nostalgic energy. The band also documents the full creative process online as they release one new song every month. // one of 18 new singes the band has produced over the past two years. // Miguel Antonio on lead vocals & guitar. Daniel Cole on drums. Cody Ryan Stapleton on lead guitar. // The band has always been known for their energetic live shows, leaving it all on the stage, and working their musical assets to make their audiences happy. The band has toured extensively. Run With It are influenced by The Black Keys, Maroon 5, Bill Withers, and more. With backgrounds in gritty rock, groovy soul, stylish R&B. // Miguel Carabello was born June 11, 1980 originally from Junction City, Kansas, Married. Daniel Cole was born April 8, 1991 and graduated from Lee’s Summit West HS in 2009. Cody Ryan Stapleton lives in KCK he has played with several bands including The Dear Misses. // Run With it were last on WMM on October 23, 2024, before that is was nearly eight years ago on March 22, 2017 with Miguel Caraballo on lead vocals & guitar, Daniel Cole on Drums, and Ben Byard on bass & vocals. promoting their EP How To Start A Fire release March 24, 2017. // More information at: http://www.runwithitband.com]
  1. Rhiannon Giddens – “Carolina Rain”
    from: Hope Is The Thing With Feathers / Nonesuch Records / September 18, 2026
    [“Few American performers this century are more accomplished and important than Rhiannon Giddens” – Mojo // Pulitzer and Grammy-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens has announced that her new album Hope is the Thing with Feathers. The 10-song collection was inspired by the beauty of people coming together and drawing strength from each other. It was intentionally recorded live with no frills and few overdubs, just pure and essential music that captures the feeling of community, clarity, as well as the joy and power of creating together. From exploring the lineages that make American music to the community-oriented spirit in which it was conceived and recorded, in many ways the album tells the story of the last 20 years of Giddens’ life. // Hope is the Thing with Feathers features Giddens’ key collaborators from throughout her career. Giddens (lead vocals, minstrel banjo, fiddle) is joined by longtime bassist Jason Sypher, Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi (accordion, percussion), Congolese artist Niwel Tsumbu (guitars), and Louisiana native Dirk Powell on multiple instruments, as well as her very first bandmate and fellow North Carolinian Justin Robinson (vocals, fiddle), her nephew Justin Harrington (bones), Dirk’s daughter Amelia Powell (acoustic guitar, vocals), Charly Lowry (vocals, percussion), and Giddens’ sister Lalenja Harrington. // Says Giddens: “Louisiana, the Congo, Italy, the Carolinas – all of these influences and people coming together to make something: that is American music. It’s how American music came to be, and that was the original thought of creating a band with the musicians that I’ve been playing with for years, and featured on this album.” // On “Carolina Rain” Giddens soars over plucked banjo and fiddle runs in a song about love and money that pierces like an arrow. // Recent performances and appearances include a sold-out Carnegie Hall, and PBS’ Finding Your Roots TV series with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Her work with Silkroad Ensemble continues throughout this year with Sanctuary: The Power of Resonance and Ritual. Giddens also just launched the Biscuits & Banjos Foundation, a nonprofit that celebrates the African diaspora’s role in shaping American identity and culture through music, literature, food, and community. // Giddens has a full slate of performances throughout the summer, including a special five-night presentation of concerts in which Giddens will be joined by Mavis Staples, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Hurray for the Riff Raff under open skies for a joyful celebration of American songs that connect generations and begins tomorrow, June 26. ]

10:30 – Underwriting

  1. John Lawrence Johnson – “Endless Night”
    from: The Impossible Task / John Lawrence Johnson / May 29, 2026
    [ New 11-track solo album from John Lawrence Johnson a Kansas City based musician, producer, singer songwriter, and teacher. John Lawrence Johnson also plays guitar and sings in Supermassive Black Holes.]

[John Lawrence Johnson plays a solo show July 3, 6 to 9:00pm, at Our House on West 39th St. KCMO.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play Reply Lounge in Lawrence, Kansas on July 10, with Satori.]

[ Supermassive Black Holes play Lemonade Park July 11, with Mitzi McKee, and Gullywasher.]

[John Lawrence Johnson also plays in the band Phaze II performing Thursday, July 16 at 7:00pm at The Ship 1221 Union Ave. KCMO.]

10:36 – Interview with John Lawrence Johnson

John Lawrence Johnson joins us live in our 90.1 FM Studios to share details of his new 11-track solo album THE IMPOSSIBLE TASK, released May 29, 2026. John is a Kansas City based musician, producer, singer songwriter, and teacher. John Lawrence Johnson also plays guitar and sings in the band Supermassive Black Holes. John Lawrence Johnson plays a solo show on July 3, 6:00pm to 9:00pm, at Our House on West 39th St. KCMO. Supermassive Black Holes play Reply Lounge in Lawrence, Kansas on July 10, with Satori. Supermassive Black Holes play Lemonade Park July 11, with Mitzi McKee, and Gullywasher. John Lawrence Johnson also plays in the band Phaze II performing Thursday, July 16 at 7:00pm at The Ship 1221 Union Ave. KCMO.

John Lawrence Johnson, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Impossible Task / John Lawrence Johnson / May 29, 2026

John Lawrence Johnson’s Bands:

Supermassive Black Holes – Guitar / Vocals
January 29, 2008 – Present

Phase II – Guitar
January 2, 2025 – Present

John el & Modern Culture – Guitar / Vocals
February 15, 2025 – Present

Supermassive Black Holes: Matt Davis – Alexis Barclay – John Johnson – Chad Brothers

Formed in 2010, these four extraordinary individuals crossed paths during the legendary Monday jam nights at the renowned Crosstown Station. United by their shared passion for exploration and musical adventure, Supermassive Black Holes create a mind-bending sonic experience that transcends conventional boundaries.

Matt Davis drives the rhythm section with his captivating drumming, infusing each composition with intricate fills and an uncanny ability to bend the beat across infinite styles. Alexis Barclay holds down the rock-solid foundation with his reliable and steady bass playing, providing the band with a powerful and unwavering groove.

John Johnson’s guitar mastery channels the spirits of legends like Jeff Beck and Frank Zappa, crafting intricate melodies and scorching solos that mesmerize audiences and transport them to uncharted realms. Chad Brothers, the tasteful and textural guitarist, adds depth and nuance to the band’s sonic palette, weaving atmospheric textures that intertwine seamlessly with their cosmic explorations.

Together, they forge a musical bond that transcends genres. Their chemistry, honed over 13 years of collaboration, effortlessly pushes the boundaries of sonic expression.

Amidst the swirling sonic cosmos that Supermassive Black Holes conjure, the realms of space and the celestial find their way into the band’s artistry. Their lyrics and inter-band banter often allude to the cosmic dance, adding an ethereal touch to their already mind-expanding performances.

Within their repertoire, standout tracks like “Break Some Bones,” “Tis What It Is,” “Change Your Mind,” and “The Man” showcase the band’s multifaceted brilliance. These sonic journeys embody the essence of Supermassive Black Holes, featuring Matt’s captivating drumming, Alexis’s rock-solid bass, John’s mesmerizing guitar work, and Chad’s textured playing.

John Lawrence Johnson, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

John Lawrence Johnson plays a solo show July 3, 6 to 9:00pm, at Our House on West 39th St. KCMO.

Supermassive Black Holes play Reply Lounge in Lawrence, Kansas on July 10, with Satori.

Supermassive Black Holes play Lemonade Park July 11, with Mitzi McKee, and Gullywasher.]

[John Lawrence Johnson also plays in the band Phaze II performing Thursday, July 16 at 7:00pm at The Ship 1221 Union Ave. KCMO.]

10:54

  1. John Lawrence Johnsom – “Lives”
    from: The Impossible Task / John Lawrence Johnson / May 29, 2026
    [New 11-track solo album from John Lawrence Johnson a Kansas City based musician, producer, singer songwriter, and teacher. John Lawrence Johnson also plays guitar and sings in Supermassive Black Holes.]

[John Lawrence Johnson plays a solo show July 3, 6 to 9:00pm, at Our House on West 39th St. KCMO.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play Reply Lounge in Lawrence, Kansas on July 10, with Satori.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play Lemonade Park July 11, with Mitzi McKee, and Gullywasher.]

[John Lawrence Johnson also plays in the band Phaze II performing Thursday, July 16 at 7:00pm at The Ship 1221 Union Ave. KCMO.]

  1. Cécile McLorin Salvant, Metropole Orkest & Jules Buckley – “Sophisticated Lady”
    from: With Every Breath I Take / Nonesuch / June 26, 2026
    [Cécile McLorin Salvant’s album With Every Breath I Take, her first with orchestra, features The Netherlands’ Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley. Salvant and the ensemble perform timeless songs—by Cy Coleman, Noël Coward, Duke Ellington, Stephen Sondheim, Billy Strayhorn, and Salvant—newly arranged by composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue. “It is a rare opportunity to be able to make an album at this scale, which has been a dream of mine for many years,” she says. “Darcy James Argue wrote stunning arrangements and the Metropole Orkest, conducted by the extraordinary Jules Buckley, gave these stories a cinematic dimension … I am so incredibly proud to share it.” // Cécile McLorin Salvant (born August 28, 1989) is a French-American jazz singer-songwriter and composer. Salvant is one of the most highly regarded jazz vocalists of her generation, often winning DownBeat annual critics polls. She has released eight albums since 2010, six of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards. She is a 3-time winner of the Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy Award for her 2015 album For One to Love, her 2017 album Dreams and Daggers, and her 2018 album The Window, each released on the Mack Avenue label. Salvant’s most recent album is Oh Snap, released in 2025 by Nonesuch Records. Salvant primarily sings in English or French, her first language, and has also recorded songs in Occitan and Haitian Kreyòl. // Cécile Sophie McLorin Salvant was born in Miami, Florida in 1989. Her father, who is Haitian, is a doctor and her mother, who is French, is the founder and president of a French immersion school in Miami. Salvant began studies in classical piano at the age of five, and began singing in the Miami Choral Society when she was eight. She subsequently developed an interest in classical voice and began studying with private instructors, and later with Edward Walker, vocal teacher at the University of Miami. She said in 2015: “I was lucky enough to grow up in a house where we listened to all kinds of music. We listened to Haitian, hip hop, soul, classical, jazz, gospel and Cuban music, to name a few. When you have access to that as a child, it just opens up your world.” // In 2007, Salvant moved to Aix-en-Provence, France, to study law as well as classical and baroque voice at the Darius Milhaud Conservatory. It was in Aix-en-Provence, with reedist and teacher Jean-François Bonnel [fr], that she studied improvisation, instrumental and vocal repertoire, and sang with her first band. // In a four-star review of her sold-out engagement at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London in June 2015, John Fordham wrote in The Guardian: “She brings ideas from unexpected angles to the familiar art of standards-singing, and she applies a mischievous intelligence to well-worn lyrics in ways that transform them.” // Salvant began studying voice at the age of eight with an interest in classical music. She began her transition into jazz while studying at the Darius Milhaud Conservatory in 2007, and also studied composition and music theory at The New School . Salvant says that her main jazz influence is Sarah Vaughan, recalling childhood memories of listening to her songs repeatedly. While strongly influenced by Sarah Vaughan, she is also heavily influenced by vocalists such as Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, and Betty Carter. She describes her sound as jazz, blues, with elements of folk and musical theatre. She composes music and lyrics which she also sings in French, her native language, as well as in Spanish. She enjoys popularity in Europe and in the United States, performing in clubs, concert halls, and festivals accompanied by renowned musicians. Salvant has performed at jazz venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s, the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, the Festival international de Jazz de Montréal and the Village Vanguard. // In 2010, Salvant released her first album, Cécile & the Jean-François Bonnel Paris Quintet. Soon thereafter, at the age of 21, she went on to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition for vocalists. Her first-prize win included a recording contract with the label Mack Avenue Records, with whom she released her next five albums. Writing in The New York Times in 2012, Ben Ratliff said: “In front of a trio led by the pianist Aaron Diehl she sings clearly, with her full pitch range, from a pronounced low end to full and distinct high notes, used sparingly […] Her voice clamps into each song, performing careful variations on pitch, stretching words but generally not scatting; her face conveys meaning, representing sorrow or serenity like a silent-movie actor.” // In 2013 she released her second album, WomanChild, which was nominated for a 2014 Grammy Award in the category of Best Vocal Jazz Album. The songs chosen for WomanChild include original compositions, as well as compositions that date back to the 19th century and progress into the 21st. Salvant chose for this album songs she felt had a personal connection to her life. // In September 2015, Salvant released her second album with Mack Avenue Records, titled For One to Love. On this album, she chose songs that focus attention on strong women and independence. The album contains five original works and jazz standards. In 2016, the album won a Grammy for Best Vocal Jazz Album. Two years later, her third album with Mack Avenue, Dreams and Daggers, won a Grammy in the same category. // She has toured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, whose music director Wynton Marsalis was quoted in a 2017 New Yorker article as saying of Salvant: “You get a singer like this once in a generation or two.” // In January 2023, Nonesuch Records announced the release of Salvant’s seventh album. The album, titled Mélusine, recounts the European folk legend of Melusine and largely features songs sung in French and Haitian Creole. The album was released digitally on March 24, 2023. // Salvant has sung in advertisements for Chanel’s “Chance” brand.]

11:00 – Station ID

  1. Jamogi – “Treasure”
    from: J’DAY / Jam Tunes / June 12, 2026
    [J’Day is a celebration of growth, creativity, and self discovery. Three years in the making, the album represents the culmination of Jamogi’s journey through a wide range of genres, influences, and sonic landscapes. The result is a body of work that not only showcases his musical versatility but also reveals the many facets of his personality. // Produced alongside OceanLife Gianni, J’Day captures the energy, emotion, and moments that make life memorable. From the horn driven fanfare of “Go Big or Go Home” to the flirtatious blend of West Coast, Midwest, and Southern influences on “Back N’ Forth,” Jamogi demonstrates a clear understanding of both his sound and his audience. Tracks like “Do It to Me” transport listeners through different eras and musical inspirations, while songs such as “Storybook,” “Treasure,” and “Georgia Peach” reveal his romantic side through storytelling, heartfelt lyricism, and poetic imagery. // The album also features collaborations with a talented lineup of friends and fellow artists on tracks including “What’s It Gonna Be?” and “HOLLABACK,” adding even more personality and perspective to the project. // More than just a collection of songs, J’Day marks a defining moment in Jamogi’s artistic journey. It is a bold statement of who he is today and a testament to the creative vision he has spent years refining. Rich with personality, versatility, and heart, the project positions Jamogi for his next era and leaves listeners wondering where he’ll take them next. // Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California.// Jamogi released the single “Georgia Peach (feat. Burgandy)” on September 5, 2025. Jamogi released Jamogi & The Jammers: Live at Flew The Coop Sessions (Flew The Coop Live) through Jam Tunes on April 11, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Do It To Me” on March 28, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Go Big or Go Home” on August 30, 2024, Jamogi released the single “Hot Block” on May 30, 2024. Jamogi released the EP, Star-Crossed Lover on March 3, 2023. Jamogi then released a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single on June 9, 2023.Jamogi previously released the AGE OF AQUARIUS EP on March 3, 2023, and the single “Celebration” on Dec. 9, 2022, and the single “Anymore” on May 6, 2022. // Jamogi played the ROCK IS BLACK—a celebration of Black artists in rock music, happening February 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Zhou B Art Center, 1801 E 18th Street, KCMO. Rock is Black features: Malek Azrael & The Vibez, Jamogi and The Jammers, Stephonne, and Frankie Shorez & Mercy Fire. Kamogi and the Jammers played Boulevardia 2025]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO, on Friday, July 10, 2026.]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Macken Park in North Kansas City Friday, July 10, 7:00 to 9:00pm]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play The Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS. Saturday, July 11 with Soul Agenda]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Union Station , KCMO, Sunday, July 12, 2:00pm to 4:00pm]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Sofar Sounds KC at Equal Minded Cafe KCMO, July 12, 2:00pm to 4:00pm]

11:05 – Interview with Jamogi

We are very happy to welcome back to the WMM, Jamogi who joins us to talk about his new album, J’DAY released through Jam Tunes on June 12, 2026. J’Day is a celebration of growth, creativity, and self discovery. Three years in the making, the album represents the culmination of Jamogi’s journey through a wide range of genres, influences, and sonic landscapes. The result is a body of work that not only showcases his musical versatility but also reveals the many facets of his personality. Produced alongside OceanLife Gianni. Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California.

Jamogi and The Jammers play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO, on July 10, 2026.

Jamogi, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

It took 3 years to get it J’DAY to Jamogi’s liking and he is so excited to build upon it. Just a heads up, this is just PART ONE.

J’DAY Songs:

Go Big or Go Home
Back n Forth
Do it To Me
Storybook
Hollaback
Hot Block
Georgia Peach
Whats it gonna be
Treasure

Album notes: J’Day is a celebration of growth, creativity, and self discovery. Three years in the making, the album represents the culmination of Jamogi’s journey through a wide range of genres, influences, and sonic landscapes. The result is a body of work that not only showcases his musical versatility but also reveals the many facets of his personality.

Produced alongside OceanLife Gianni, J’Day captures the energy, emotion, and moments that make life memorable. From the horn driven fanfare of “Go Big or Go Home” to the flirtatious blend of West Coast, Midwest, and Southern influences on “Back N’ Forth,” Jamogi demonstrates a clear understanding of both his sound and his audience. Tracks like “Do It to Me” transport listeners through different eras and musical inspirations, while songs such as “Storybook,” “Treasure,” and “Georgia Peach” reveal his romantic side through storytelling, heartfelt lyricism, and poetic imagery.

The album also features collaborations with a talented lineup of friends and fellow artists on tracks including “What’s It Gonna Be?” and “HOLLABACK,” adding even more personality and perspective to the project.

More than just a collection of songs, J’Day marks a defining moment in Jamogi’s artistic journey. It is a bold statement of who he is today and a testament to the creative vision he has spent years refining. Rich with personality, versatility, and heart, the project positions Jamogi for his next era and leaves listeners wondering where he’ll take them next.

Jamogi released the single “Georgia Peach (feat. Burgandy)” on September 5, 2025. Jamogi released Jamogi & The Jammers: Live at Flew The Coop Sessions (Flew The Coop Live) through Jam Tunes on April 11, 2025.

Jamogi Bridges a KC based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California. Jamogi’s music is a fusion of soulful R&B melodies with infectious pop beats and dance-floor grooves. Jamogi released his debut single, “Celebration” on December 30, 2022. Jamogi delivered his debut EP, AGE OF AQUARIUS on March 3, 2023. Jamogi followed up with his latest EP, STAR-CROSSED LOVER, on March 3, 2023, followed by a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single, on June 9, 2023. Jamogi played the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on August 26, 2023. More info at: https://linktr.ee/Jamogi

Jamogi Bridges a KC based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Long Beach, CA.
He moved to Kansas City hen he was 15 years old.

Jamogi has been singing since he was seven years old. He started singing in church. It was his uncle’s church, and it was his uncle who urged him to sing.

His first performance out of Church was in Middle School, singing, CeeLo Green’s “Forget You.”

Jamogi sang with, for many years, and graduated from The Kansas City Boys Choir, founded by Ollie Robinson in 1994. Jamogi served as Assistant Music Director also.

For Jamogi’s live performances he plays with an ensemble of musicians with himself on lead vocals and keyboards, a drummer, bass player, horn section, and back up singers.

More info at: https://linktr.ee/Jamogi

Jamogi, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

[Jamogi and The Jammers play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO, on Friday, July 10, 2026.]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Macken Park in North Kansas City Friday, July 10, 7:00 to 9:00pm]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play The Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS. Saturday, July 11 with Soul Agenda]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Union Station , KCMO, Sunday, July 12, 2:00pm to 4:00pm]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Sofar Sounds KC at Equal Minded Cafe KCMO, July 12, 2:00pm to 4:00pm]

11:24

  1. Jamogi – “Back & Forth”
    from: J’DAY / Jam Tunes / June 12, 2026
    [J’Day is a celebration of growth, creativity, and self discovery. Three years in the making, the album represents the culmination of Jamogi’s journey through a wide range of genres, influences, and sonic landscapes. The result is a body of work that not only showcases his musical versatility but also reveals the many facets of his personality. // Produced alongside OceanLife Gianni, J’Day captures the energy, emotion, and moments that make life memorable. From the horn driven fanfare of “Go Big or Go Home” to the flirtatious blend of West Coast, Midwest, and Southern influences on “Back N’ Forth,” Jamogi demonstrates a clear understanding of both his sound and his audience. Tracks like “Do It to Me” transport listeners through different eras and musical inspirations, while songs such as “Storybook,” “Treasure,” and “Georgia Peach” reveal his romantic side through storytelling, heartfelt lyricism, and poetic imagery. // The album also features collaborations with a talented lineup of friends and fellow artists on tracks including “What’s It Gonna Be?” and “HOLLABACK,” adding even more personality and perspective to the project. // More than just a collection of songs, J’Day marks a defining moment in Jamogi’s artistic journey. It is a bold statement of who he is today and a testament to the creative vision he has spent years refining. Rich with personality, versatility, and heart, the project positions Jamogi for his next era and leaves listeners wondering where he’ll take them next. // Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California.// Jamogi released the single “Georgia Peach (feat. Burgandy)” on September 5, 2025. Jamogi released Jamogi & The Jammers: Live at Flew The Coop Sessions (Flew The Coop Live) through Jam Tunes on April 11, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Do It To Me” on March 28, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Go Big or Go Home” on August 30, 2024, Jamogi released the single “Hot Block” on May 30, 2024. Jamogi released the EP, Star-Crossed Lover on March 3, 2023. Jamogi then released a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single on June 9, 2023.Jamogi previously released the AGE OF AQUARIUS EP on March 3, 2023, and the single “Celebration” on Dec. 9, 2022, and the single “Anymore” on May 6, 2022. // Jamogi played the ROCK IS BLACK—a celebration of Black artists in rock music, happening February 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Zhou B Art Center, 1801 E 18th Street, KCMO. Rock is Black features: Malek Azrael & The Vibez, Jamogi and The Jammers, Stephonne, and Frankie Shorez & Mercy Fire. Jamogi and the Jammers played Boulevardia 2025]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO, on Friday, July 10, 2026.]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Macken Park in North Kansas City Friday, July 10, 7:00 to 9:00pm]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play The Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS. Saturday, July 11 with Soul Agenda]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Union Station , KCMO, Sunday, July 12, 2:00pm to 4:00pm]

[Jamogi and The Jammers play Sofar Sounds KC at Equal Minded Cafe KCMO, July 12, 2:00pm to 4:00pm]

11:28 – Underwriting

  1. Warren Burns – “Rooms”
    from: Burn Again / Warren Burns / April 10, 2026
    [Warren Burns on vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica; Brad Highnam on bass, backing vocals, piano; Marco Pascolini on pedal steel; Jon Kraft on drums, w/ Mark Cohick on pipes, Marvin Gruenbaum & Tony DeMarco & Kent Brauninger on violin; Steve Molloy & Danny Fischer on trumpet; Kari Agosti & Suzanne Hogan & on backing vocals. Recorded by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab. Mastered by Carl Saff]

[Warren Burns plays Hillsiders 403 N. 5th St., KCK, on Thursday, July 2 with Luke Callen.]

[Nature Boys play SK8BAR, 4014 Central, KCMO, on Saturday, July 4, at 7:00pm with Red Kate, The Bad Ideas, The Phantom AD, and Braggers]

11:34 – Interview with Danny Fischer

Danny Fischer joins us to talk about his musical projects including the recent release of Warren Burns and the album BURN AGAIN, released April 10, 2026. BURN AGAIN was recorded by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlab with Warren Burns on vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica; Brad Highnam on bass, backing vocals, piano; Marco Pascolini on pedal steel, and Jon Kraft on drums. Warren Burns self titled debut album was released July 2, 2022. Danny Fischer also records and performs music in his band Nature Boys who started playing together in 2009, and have release 4 albums. More information at: http://www.natureboysrocknroll.com

Warren Burns plays Hillsiders 403 N. 5th St., KCK, on Thursday, July 2 with Luke Callen.

Nature Boys play SK8BAR, 4014 Central, KCMO, on Saturday, July 4, at 7:00pm with Red Kate, The Bad Ideas, The Phantom AD, and Braggers

Danny Fischer thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

Warren Burns played a Vinyl release show will be at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. KCMO in Historic West Bottoms on Sunday April 12, at 6:00pm, with Lodestones.

In April 2026, Warren Burns went on tour:
04.23.2026-fayetteville ar-@ artemis w/ noah richmond
04.24.2026-Little rock ar-@ white water tavern w/ numb chunks, william blackart
04.25.2026-memphis-@ dkdc w/ Aquarian blood
04.26.2026-new orleans-@ The Okay bar w/ cry baby’s, dirty rotten snake in the grass
04.28.202-austin tx-@ crow bar w/ Cooper moon
04.29.2025-oklahoma city-@ flora bodega
05.19.2026-st louis mo-@ The hi dive w ace of spit
05.20.2026-berea ky-@rebel rebel
05.21.2026-detroit mi-@the painted lady w/ old fashioned aces
05.22.2026-kalamozoo mi-@glow hall
05.23.2026-green bay wi-@ the razz
05.24.2026-minniapolis mn-@eagles club
05.25.2026-iowa city-@tbd

Nature Boys released the single: “Common Visions” from / Dead Broke Rekerds / April 11, 2025

Nature Boys – Kansas City, Missouri punk rock & rollers that have been kickin’ up dust all across the country since 2009! They left for our first tour in January of 2010.

The band includes:
Danny Fischer on guitar & vocals
Suzanne Hogan on bass & vocals
Brad Highnam on drums.

Nature Boys released their album IV /on September 24, 2021. Nature Boys started playing together in Kansas City, Missouri September of 2009. They wrote this about their band: “We had our first show in November or December at the Troost House, and then our second show at Dave’s Stagecoach Inn.

Their fourth album and first on Dead Broke after self-releasing a slew of their previous efforts. Imagine if Dead Moon was a bunch of punk rockers from the south, then you might be getting close to what Nature Boys scrappy & energetic punk rock is all about. Limited to 300 copies. (200 Black, 100 Clear Pink) w/download code..]

Nature Boys played a Special Halloween Benefit for Confluence & KC Tenants on Saturday, October 30, at 8:00 PM, at Blip Roasters 1301 Woodswether Rd, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO with Pink Phase, DJ Dan Cool, Killus.

Nature Boys play 21st Annual Crossroads Music Fest on Sat, Sept. 6, at 11:15pm in West Bottoms at Voltaire, 1617 Genessee St. with DJ Nana G, DJ Thundercutz, Teri Quinn & The Coyotes, and SEYKO

Danny Fischer Discography

The Afterparty – Forever After – 2005
Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Vocals – Josh Mobley
Bass – Chris DeVictor
Drums – Paul Andrews
Vocals – Sarah Carpenter
Vocals, Guitar – Danny Fischer, Dave Regnier*
Recorded By, Engineer – Chad Meise, Clarke Wyatt
All Songs Written – The Afterparty
Arranged – The Afterparty

The Afterparty – Under The Rainbow – 2006
Vocals, Guitar, Organ – Danny Fischer
Piano [Rhodes] – Josh Mobley
Bass – Chris Devictor
Drums – Paul Andrews
Guitar – David Regnier
Vocals [The Brunettes] – Amie Nelson, Sarah Carpenter, Sonya Andrews
Guitar [Guest Musician] – Marco Pascolini
Saxophone [Guest Musician] – Mark Southerland, Mark Weinberg, Sam Hughes
Soprano Saxophone [Guest Musician] – Jolin Smith
Sousaphone [Guest Musician] – Bill McKemy
Trombone [Guest Musician] – Jeremiah Kidwell, Seth Lee
Trumpet [Guest Musician] – Bobby DuSoul
Fiddle [Guest Musician] – Betse Ellis
Recorded – Chad Meise
Mastered – E. Clarke Wyatt*
Arranged – The Afterparty
Artwork [Art/Packaging] – Pascolini Design Lab

The Afterparty – unreleased 3rd album – 2007
a limited number of cassettes were created.
Side one:
boots
Big Mamou
Rock Bump Head
Tacoland Blues
In Blazes
Dinosaurs
Side two:
Butterflies and Clothesline
Drakkars Mamma
Phil
I Love You

Nature Boys – Nature Boys – 2010
San Huevos Records
Guitar, Vocals – Danny Fischer
Bass, Vocals – Suzanne Hogan
Drums – Aaron Rommel
Recorded – Ashley Miller
Recorded [Assisted By] – Zachary VanBenthusen
Written – Nature Boys
Artwork, Photography, Design Concept – Nature Boys

Nature Boys – Nature Boys – 2013
San Huevos Records
Danny Fischer – Guitar, Vocals
Suzanne Hogan – Bass, Vocals
Aaron Rommel – Drums
Danny Fischer – Lyrics
Recorded by – Jon Kraft
Mixed – Mike Tuley, Jon Kraft, Nature Boys
Photography – Michael Boles
Will Burnip – Artwork [Insert Art]

Nature Boys – 2017
San Huevos Records
Suzanne Hogan
Suzanne Hogan – Bass, Vocals
Evan Malone – Drums
Danny Fischer – Guitar, Vocals
Recorded by – Danny Fischer
Mastered By – Carl Saff
Written By – Nature Boys

Nature Boys – IV – 2021
Dead Broke Rekerds
Suzanne Hogan – Bass, Vocals
Evan Malone – Drums
Danny Fischer – Guitar, Vocals
Recorded By – Danny Fischer, James Rumsey
Carl Saff – Lacquer Cut
Pam Fischer – Cover, Artwork
Grace Ambrose – Layout

Warren Burns – Warren Burns – 2023
Danny Fischer – Guitar, Vocals
Recorded By – Danny Fischer
Mastered By – Carl Saff

Warren Burns – Burn Again – April 10, 2026
Warren Burns on vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica
Brad Highnam on bass, backing vocals, piano
Marco Pascolini on pedal steel
Jon Kraft on drums
with Mark Cohick on pipes,
Marvin Gruenbaum & Tony DeMarco & Kent Brauninger on violin;
Steve Molloy & Danny Fischer on trumpet;
Kari Agosti & Suzanne Hogan & on backing vocals.
Recorded by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab.
Mastered by Carl Saff

Danny Fischer thanks for being with us on WMM.

Warren Burns plays Hillsiders 403 N. 5th St., KCK, on Thursday, July 2 with Luke Callen.

Nature Boys play SK8BAR, 4014 Central, KCMO, on Saturday, July 4, at 7:00pm with Red Kate, The Bad Ideas, The Phantom AD, and Braggers

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

11:52

  1. Warren Burns – “Neon Lights”
    from: Burn Again / Warren Burns / April 10, 2026
    [Warren Burns on vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica; Brad Highnam on bass, backing vocals, piano; Marco Pascolini on pedal steel; Jon Kraft on drums, w/ Mark Cohick on pipes, Marvin Gruenbaum & Tony DeMarco & Kent Brauninger on violin; Steve Molloy & Danny Fischer on trumpet; Kari Agosti & Suzanne Hogan & on backing vocals. Recorded by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab. Mastered by Carl Saff]

[Warren Burns plays Hillsiders 403 N. 5th St., KCK, on Thursday, July 2 with Luke Callen.]

[Nature Boys play SK8BAR, 4014 Central, KCMO, on Saturday, July 4, at 7:00pm with Red Kate, The Bad Ideas, The Phantom AD, and Braggers]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, July 8 we welcome Audrey Crabtree from KC Fringe, Chris Garibaldi from Lotuspool Records and the band Suneaters, Theresa Scott of The Utilitarians and Kimmie Queen of The Philistines, AND singer songwriter writer Nikki White!

You can find our playlists at: http://www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & http://www.kkfi.org
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
http://www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 36 people donate a total of $3513.50. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1154

WMM Playlist from June 24, 2026

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

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The Swallowtails + Brook Tuley + IVORY BLUE

  1. Various Artists – “Main Title Instrumental (It’s Showtime Folks)”
    from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
    [WMM’s theme]
  1. aja monet – “elsewhere (ft. Meshell Ndegeocello & Georgia Anne Muldrow)
    from: the color of rain / drink sum wtr / May 22, 2026
    [Composed by: aja monet. Produced by: Meshell Ndegeocello, aja monet and Justin Brown. Additional Production by: Chris Connors and Nico Segal. Executive Production by: aja monet, Daphne Kolader and Dr. Jatali Bellanton. Mixed by: Chris Connors at Concrete Sound, Brooklyn, NY. Mastered by: Alex DeTurk at The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NY. Recorded at: Living Room Studios, Los Angeles, CA. // the color of rain is a compositional tour-de-force of poetry, emotion, and resonance. Rain nourishes, blesses, and renews. It loves everything it touches. This album is the space between droplets. At the crux of rising fascism, aja monet offers a waking-dream intervention, amid the sinister reality of contemporary events. A prompt to look up at the sky within., the color of rain is an imbrication of familiar genres forged beyond category or definition. as one stride’s through the sequence of poems, each song shifts between musical perceptions of jazz, soul, hip hop, rhythm and blues. surrealism at it’s finest, a marvelous unleashing of the mind. the color of rain reminds us that poetry predates the very blueprints of genre. // This is an evolution from the intimate, live-café energy of aja monet’s Grammy-nominated debut album, when the poems do what they do. While she nods at the Black Arts Movement’s legacy and lineage, this sophomore album is a conjure to experiment and explore the interior. If the first album was a gentle altar call, then the second is an impassioned call to bare arms, a definitive guide to choose your weapon, wisely. If the pen is the sword, music sharpens or blunts the blade. // Live instrumentation anchors the record but it’s spirit surfaces in pre- and post- production with warped sonics, wayward voltas, and delicate investigations. Meshell Ndegecello conducts the illustrious cast of musicians while Justin Brown bolsters the prismatic vision. In true community organizing fashion, aja knows how to bring artists together, recruiting meaningful musical contributions from Burniss Travis, Josh Johnson, Daniel Mintseris, Jermaine Paul, Ambrose Akinmusire and Nico Segal. // aja monet recites poetry with verve and risk. what sets her apart as a poet is her vulnerable immersion in the music. Her vocal delivery is a rare art. she’s not just monotonously reciting words over a stubborn beat. aja’s tone, rhythm, and cadence interacts with music melodically and vice versa. her instincts as a touring bandleader are felt on this record as we bear witness to the mood and meter of her words. They lead these songs by refrain, invocation, or image. At times the urgency of what is said underscores the deliberate breaths of stillness. As we listen intently, we catch glimpses of aja singing throughout the color of rain. It’s a sonic collage of sounds and personas but most importantly—commands presence. // For the devoted lovers of poetry, there are breadcrumbs of metaphor and meaning embedded within and throughout her musical choices. ‘Say It With Your Chest,’ opens the color of rain as a sublime drumming mantra for courageous truth telling. “elsewhere” poetically grooves and glimmers in honor of Sly Stone’s memory–featuring soul-stirring vocals by Georgia Anne Muldrow, Novena Carmel, and Meshell Ndegeocello. The afro-punk drum and horn haunts in “hollyweird” as aja reports on the Los Angeles fires of 2025, smoldering of visceral descriptions. With synth finger paint on “withness” and trumpet sketches on several songs such as “skinfolk,” the album draws the listener close. And reaches an intense polyrhythmic rally in “for the congo.” aja tells us to “talk about the blood” repetitively. // Soaked by absurd and provocative vocal treatments, her poem, “song of myself” is a direct nod to thepoet Walt Whitman as aja ventures to confront the loose contradictions within a “self.” She straddles the world between that which makes sense and that of which our senses are tested. We don’t have to look far for the shattered ground that is paved of the illogical and magical, there’s a song called Melting Clocks. Which, if even a nod to Dali only in name, boasts a tempo that darts, transports, and moves as if time itself were being questioned. How do you listen when sound is being rearranged in front of you? This work makes us wonder about what we know to be true and stirs us to lean into the mystical unknown. The song extends with clever lyrical offerings from Mick Jenkins, Vic Mensa, and Josh Lane. // We are encouraged to consider the temporality of love as the color of rain renders a poetic ballad by way of, “Love is a Choosing,” featuring the fresh breeze of Mereba’s voice. While aja’s work sits in the knuckled terrain of advocacy and protest, it is without glamour and showmanship. “I do not trust a mouth that has never pronounced the word, sister,” a testament to the onus she responds to, that of care for dignity and equality, as it echoes in the lives of women. Sister is a verb. “To Sister.” This sentiment is realized with vocal breaths by Ganavya and hints of harp by Brandee Younger. It’s a real treat to hear the playful adlibs in “i know that i don’t know” and suspends us into a moment for humor and insight. the brave and daring bass steers the listener through the pressing depths that is “every media minute.” A poem that mirrors the moment. “working class musicians,” in its sonic landscape is unrelenting – rapturous jazz, hands and hums, chants that hold fort as propulsive tenors. Art is a labor. // A call to testify, imagine, and transmute, the color of rain is the hue of daring introspection. This album is aja monet’s refusal of convention and apathy. The final words of the closing song “indigo” encourages the listener not just to hear, but to drift, to wander, to go inward—to feel. Be the poem we need right now. // The rain exploding in the air is love. – sonia sanchez]

3.The Swallowtails – “Perspective”
from: Perspective / The Swallowtails / May 23, 2026
[Written: Mikala Petillo and Rachel Lovelace. Produced: Heidi Gluck. Performed: Miki P, Rachel Lovelace, Heidi Gluck, John O’Keefe. Engineered: Wills Van Dorn. Mixed: Jim Piller. Mastered: Paul Mahern. Photography: Lori Locke. Established in 2018, the band has released 2 full-length albums: Right Where We Are (2020) and The World Still Spins (2023). In 2024, the band wrote, produced, and self recorded their 5-song EP Lucky Penny (2024). The duo received the award Best Local Band in Kansas City by The Pitch Awards. In 2025 The Swallowtails were featured at Ozark Mountain Music Fest, Smoky Hill River Festival, and Boulevardia. They collaborated on a re-release of their single “Lucky Penny” with acclaimed Nashville-based fiddle player John Mailander, and they completed writing and recording their third full length album, PERSPECTIVE, backed and funded for over $21,000 by a Kickstarter campaign, and produced in collab-oration with Heidi Gluck. The album represents The Swallowtails’ most refined and intentional work to date.]

[The Swallowtails play a PERSPECTIVE – Album Release Show on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 7:30pm at 714 Main Street, Grandview, Missouri. More info at http://www.theswallowtails.com]

[Miki P plays Streetcar Sounds today June 24 at 1:00pm in The River Market Street Car Stop]

11:11 – Interview with Miki P. and Rachel Lovelace of The Swallowtails

Rachel Lovelace attended the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and moved from Jacksonville Florida to Kansas City in 2015 to study at UMKC and UMKC Conservatory of Music in Jazz Studies/Performance. Rachel has worked at Kansas City Young Audiences, loves rock climbing, has a dog named Peanut and just got married. She has been a part of the Swallowtails from the beginning.

Miki P is a multi-instrumentalist & songwriter. She was born in Kansas City, KS. Miki P started playing guitar in middle school. She taught herself to play the drums, while listening to Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. Miki P performed “She Loves You” at her 7th grade talent show. In 9th grade she joined a teen-band called American Slim as drummer & vocalist, and wrote songs for their full-length album Irreplaceable released in 2017, followed by a single “Queen of Hearts” released April 11, 2018. Miki P has played Middle of the Map Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Kauffman Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art before officially ending in 2018. At 21, Miki P began work on her debut solo-record, DOME OF SWALLOWS, that was released August 2, 2018. She then formed Miki P and the Swallowtails.

Since 2018 The Swallowtails have now released three albums and two EPs, played hundreds of shows and festivals around the Midwest, and been awarded The Pitch Magazine’s ‘Best Of Kansas City’ for two years. They released their EP LUCKY PENNY on February 20, 2024. The duo has just released their new album PERSPECTIVE backed and funded for over $21,000 by a Kickstarter campaign, and produced in collaboration with Heidi Gluck. The album represents The Swallowtails’ most refined and intentional work to date.

Miki P and Rachel Lovelace thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Perspective / The Swallowtails / May 23, 2026

Written: Mikala Petillo and Rachel Lovelace
Produced: Heidi Gluck
Performed: Miki P, Rachel Lovelace, Heidi Gluck, John O’Keefe
Engineered: Wills Van Dorn. Mixed: Jim Piller and Mastered: Paul Mahern
Photography: Lori Locke

“At the core of The Swallowtails, you will find two musicians magnetized by a curiosity to connect and be understood. The genre-bending exploration between Miki P (guitar and vocals) and Rachel Lovelace (bassoon and vocals) has established the band as a premier act in Kansas City and naturally grown a large and loyal following as people connect with both the music and the musicians. The band’s sound is heavily influenced by rock, folk, pop, and classical music.”

Established in 2018, prior to Perspective, the band has released 2 full-length albums: Right Where We Are (2020) and The World Still Spins (2023). In 2024, the band redefined their sound as a duo and wrote, produced, and self recorded their 5-song EP Lucky Penny (2024). This pivot cemented the beginning of a new musical direction for the duo as collaborative songwriters and was recognized by fans and critics alike when they received the award Best Local Band in Kansas City by The Pitch Awards. NPR’s 90.9 The Bridge called their latest work, “A lovely confluence of pastoral folk and baroque pop, these songs evoke the understated but poignant movements that we all encounter throughout life – in celebration, struggle, regrets and realizations.”

2025 was a milestone year for the band. The Swallowtails’ act was featured at Ozark Mountain Music Fest, Smoky Hill River Festival, and Boulevardia. They collaborated on a re-release of their single Lucky Penny with acclaimed Nashville-based fiddle player John Mailander. Most importantly, they completed writing and recording their third full length album titled Perspective. Their latest work was backed and funded for over $21,000 by a Kickstarter campaign. Now in its final stages of production, Perspective is set for release in May 2026, with the first single releasing March 4th. Produced in collaboration with Lawrence, KS–based artist Heidi Gluck, the album represents The Swallowtails’ most refined and intentional work to date. Whether on record or onstage, the duo’s bond is unmistakable—songs that guide listeners back home to themselves, illuminating the inner worlds The Swallowtails so carefully build between artist and audience.”
.
The Swallowtails are: Miki P and Rachel Marie Lovelace are an acoustic folk rock duo based out of Kansas City, MO. They’ve been a band for 6.5 years. They’ve been completely independent from record labels and management. This approach has been the best way for them to have complete control of Their vision and truly find their sound. Despite going it alone, They’ve released two albums and two EPs, played hundreds of shows and festivals around the Midwest, and been awarded The Pitch Magazine’s ‘Best Of Kansas City’ consecutively for the last two years in a row!

Prior to Perspective the duo released “Lucky Penny (2025 version)” in August 2025. This was a new recording and new version of the band’s song “Lucky Penny” originally released as the title track from their February 20, 2024 5-song EP – LUCKY PENNY. This new version will be added as a bonus track on the bands. Up coming album PERSPECTIVE.

The independent acoustic band, experimenting in the rock/pop genres while performing on what are traditionally folk/classical instruments, enter a new era having produced the entirety of this project themselves, with the songwriting matter touching on life’s big changes, challenges, and the realizations that time will heal. // “Since becoming a duo, it was time for us to reinvent our sound again. The songwriting on the LUCKY PENNY EP was split between Rachel and Miki P, and this was Rachel’s debut release as a writer and singer. We spent all of January 2024 finishing the arrangements, recording and mixing the mini-record. It was a much needed release of energy for both of us, and we are definitely looking forward to adding these songs into our live sets and performing new material.” – Miki P, songwriter, singer and musician in The Swallowtails.

Est. in 2018, The Swallowtails are a Kansas City based musical duo comprised of musicians Miki P on guitar/vocals and Rachel Lovelace on bassoon/vocals. Their vision is to write honest, heartfelt songs that feel like you’re coming home to an old friend. As recording and performance artists, they have been showcased throughout Kansas City, performing at the Folly Theatre, Boulevardia Music Festival, The Kansas City Public Library as part of the 2023 Art in the Loop: Celebrate project, and most recently at Green Guitar Folk House opening for The Wildwoods. Their songwriting was awarded Best Song by a KC Band in 2023 by the Pitch Magazine for their tune “Take it Slow.”

Swallowtails embarked on their 4th year entering NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest featuring a song off the EP, called “I’m on Fire” posted to NPR’s official contest site. // The Swallowtails were recently approved as part of KCAIC Touring Artists Roster, through the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission.

Historically, on May 22, 2023 The Swallowtails released their 7-track EP THE WORLD STILL SPINS with Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, and Miki P on guitar & lead vocals.

The Swallowtails play a PERSPECTIVE – Album Release Show on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 7:30pm at 714 Main Street, Grandview, Missouri.

Miki P plays Streetcar Sounds today at 1:00pm] in The River Market Street Car Stop

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

From their Kickstarter page:
The Perspective album (was) released in two parts. The first 5 songs were released in the Fall of 2025 digitally. The full album, including the first five released songs plus 6 more songs, was released in 2026 both digitally and physically.

Perspective as a concept was inspired by their friendship as bandmates, but more importantly friends. Having experienced seven years of life together, Miki and Rachel have had their fair share of ups and downs. They’ve laughed together, grieved together, hit some of their biggest professional achievements side by side, and supported each other through difficult life changes. This album is not only an ode to their friendship and foundation, but a reminder that: life is a matter of your perspective. They choose to revel in our lives, create art, sing songs and share our souls with the world!!

This is the first completely collaborative album they have written as a band. Writing credits are split evenly between the two of the, and you will hear both of them taking lead on certain songs and sharing harmonies. They feel like this project reflects their growth as songwriters in a way they’ve never been able to capture before, and we’re very proud of this collection of songs.

The Swallowtails challenged themselves with this project to work outside of what was familiar to then in previous recording sessions. For the first time ever they hired a producer, Heidi Gluck, an extremely talented and inspiring musician, to guide the feel of the album. Before recording in the studio, they met with Heidi to do what they call “pre-production sessions” where they reshaped their songs. They changed tempos, chords, lyrics, everything you could possibly do to create their songs best arrangements. During their time in the studio, Heidi kept them on track, wrote counter-melodies, and played bass and keyboard. This album continues to metamorphosize and evolve; the record is currently being created, re-arranged, recorded and visualized with the help and guidance of Heidi.

The Swallowtails decided to ask their friend Wills Van Doorn to engineer this project for them. Wills is a wizard at engineering, and is also a talented musician/songwriter himself. Comfort was really important to them for this record. They wanted to be somewhere they felt safe to be themselves and capture the collaborative energy with their producer Heidi. Wills did an excellent job facilitating this and they believe you can hear that on the record.

For the album cover, they asked Lori Locke to help the create the vision they saw for Perspective. They wanted it to play on the album title; the image being a matter of your perspective. After an amazing photo shoot with Lori, they printed the pictures and created a paper collage with real dried flowers (that they pressed themselves from a walk one day) and a vintage book Rachel purchased when they first started The Swallowtails. It was a group project that stemmed from Lori’s unique vision of painting their bodies and posing them in her studio!

There will be one bonus track on the Perspective album that is a call-back to a previously released song of theirs, Lucky Penny. The Swallowtails are re-releasing the song this summer as a single featuring The Swallowtails unbelievably talented friend John Mailander on violin. The band believes this re-release embodies the true spirit of the song, our friendship, and journey as musicians and producers into their next album cycle.

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

10:30

  1. The Swallowtails – “Heart Is A Garden”
    from: Perspective / The Swallowtails / May 23, 2026
    [Written: Mikala Petillo and Rachel Lovelace. Produced: Heidi Gluck. Performed: Miki P, Rachel Lovelace, Heidi Gluck, John O’Keefe. Engineered: Wills Van Dorn. Mixed: Jim Piller. Mastered: Paul Mahern. Photography: Lori Locke. Established in 2018, the band has released 2 full-length albums: Right Where We Are (2020) and The World Still Spins (2023). In 2024, the band wrote, produced, and self recorded their 5-song EP Lucky Penny (2024). The duo received the award Best Local Band in Kansas City by The Pitch Awards. In 2025 The Swallowtails were featured at Ozark Mountain Music Fest, Smoky Hill River Festival, and Boulevardia. They collaborated on a re-release of their single “Lucky Penny” with acclaimed Nashville-based fiddle player John Mailander, and they completed writing and recording their third full length album, PERSPECTIVE, backed and funded for over $21,000 by a Kickstarter campaign, and produced in collab-oration with Heidi Gluck. The album represents The Swallowtails’ most refined and intentional work to date. ]

[The Swallowtails play a PERSPECTIVE – Album Release Show on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 7:30pm at 714 Main Street, Grandview, Missouri. More info at http://www.theswallowtails.com]

[Miki P plays Streetcar Sounds today June 24, at 1:00pm in The River Market Street Car Stop].

10:33 – Underwriting

10:34 – Unity Ticket Feature

Aaron Rhodes is a Kansas City based journalist, a promoter, singer songwriter, band leader, and founder of Shuttlecock Music Magazine a blog he started ten years ago, a month after graduating from High School.

Aaron writes, “I was eighteen, and I had a lot of fun just hitting the pavement and doing standard music blogging for a few years straight, multiple shows a week. I was doing photo galleries, write ups, concert reviews, interviews with artists. That’s what the website began as. // Currently it is mostly just where I keep my calendar of concert recommendations that I’ve never stopped updating, which has been the one constant part of a Shuttlecock, a weekly concert calendar that I curate. It’s really just anything I feel is worth checking out that week. Except no offense, no DJs and no cover bands.”

Aaron has written for several music publications including The Pitch, http://www.Bridge909.org, Flatland KC on KCPBS, and content manager at http://www.Do816.com. He has supervised the development of Shuttlecock from blog, to magazine, to website and now to Substack. https://aaronrkc.substack.com Aaron has also worked as a Talent Buyer & Marketer at Farewell KCMO, 6515 Stadium Dr, Kansas City, MO. Aaron was also a co-host of the music blog, “In My Head Ache” with Bill Brownlee. Through all of this Aaron’s been supported artists & bands thru features, podcasts, and live performances: http://www.shuttlecockmusic.com

Unity Ticket formed in early 2025 and originally featured Cole Billings (of Flooding) and Tyler Snowden (of Ten Times Fast and Perfume USA) but they both had to step back due to time constraints. But they both wrote some of the music on 1 or 2 songs each on the EP.

Last time Aaron was on WMM was when he was in the band Burning Bush. Burning Bush released their EP, Demo 2024 on May 8, 2024 with Aaron Rhodes on vocals; Harrison Hawkins on guitar; Daniel Evans on bass; Ethan Payton on drums. Recording, mixing, mastering by Alex Tunks. All songs written by Burning Bush. Instrumentals recorded on January 14, 2024 at The Space in KC, Missouri. Vocals recorded on Feb 10, 2024 at Alex’s in KC

UNITY TICKET, EP was released May 29, 2026. The new 5-piece band is made of: Aaron Rhodes on vocals, Cameron Birdsall on guitar, Keego Gross on Guitar, Booker Rohlf on bass, and Hayden Jensen on drums. UNITY TICKET was recorded at Soundstructure Rehearsal Studios in KCMO, and at at Flora House in KCMO. Lyrics written by Aaron Rhodes. Music written by Cameron Birdsall, Keego Gross, Booker Rohlf, Hayden Jensen.

UNITY TICKET play a benefit for the Midwest Innocence Project at Howdy, 6523 Stadium Drive, KCMO, on Thursday, June 25 with Perfume USA, Teazers, and Wheat State. More info at: https://linktr.ee/unityticketusa

https://aaronrkc.substack.com

  1. UNITY TICKET – “Weakest Link”
    from: Unity Ticket – EP / UNITY TICKET / May 29, 2026
    [Vocals – Aaron Rhodes; Guitar – Cameron Birdsall; Guitar – Keego Gross; Bass – Booker Rohlf; Drums – Hayden Jensen. Instrumentals recorded at Soundstructure Rehearsal Studios in Kansas City, Missouri in January 2026. Vocals recorded at Flora House in Kansas City, Missouri in February 2026. Mixed at Casa De Shitbox in Kansas City, Kansas in February and March 2026. Mastered at Dead Air Studios in Amherst, Massachusetts in April 2026. // Recording engineers – Hayden Jensen (instrumentals) and Booker Rohlf (vocals). Mixing engineers – Keego Gross and Hayden Jensen. Mastering engineer – Will Killingsworth // Lyrics written by – Aaron Rhodes // Music written by – Cameron Birdsall, Keego Gross, Booker Rohlf, Hayden Jensen // Additional music writing – Tyler Snowden (track 4) and Cole Billings (tracks 2 and 3) // Band name logo / typography – Melvin Mauch / Album artwork (layout / editing) – Aaron Rhodes.]

Weakest Link 2:22
Lyrics written by – Aaron Rhodes

It seems like all you do is sit around and chain-smoke
And when you need to step up, you seem to always choke
You’re much more than bitch-made I
hope you’ve got a shrink
I suppose every crew has a weakest link

If this shit’s called DIY, then why don’t you just do it?
If you’re so much better than me, I’d like to see you prove it
You whisper to my friends that you want to fight
But when I beat your ass, they’d call me more than impolite

Take your ass back to Utah
Consider this song a wink
Try not flip your car next time you have a drink

Indecisive to a fault
Every thought you overthink
If you were the captain of this ship
We’d all be doomed to sink Every crew has a weakest link

  1. UNITY TICKET – “Costume Contest”
    from: Unity Ticket – EP / UNITY TICKET / May 29, 2026
    [Vocals – Aaron Rhodes; Guitar – Cameron Birdsall; Guitar – Keego Gross; Bass – Booker Rohlf; Drums – Hayden Jensen. Instrumentals recorded at Soundstructure Rehearsal Studios in Kansas City, Missouri in January 2026. Vocals recorded at Flora House in Kansas City, Missouri in February 2026. Mixed at Casa De Shitbox in Kansas City, Kansas in February and March 2026. Mastered at Dead Air Studios in Amherst, Massachusetts in April 2026. // Recording engineers – Hayden Jensen (instrumentals) and Booker Rohlf (vocals). Mixing engineers – Keego Gross and Hayden Jensen. Mastering engineer – Will Killingsworth // Lyrics written by – Aaron Rhode // Music written by – Cameron Birdsall, Keego Gross, Booker Rohlf, Hayden Jensen // Additional music writing – Tyler Snowden (track 4) and Cole Billings (tracks 2 and 3) // Band name logo / typography – Melvin Mauch / Album artwork (layout / editing) – Aaron Rhodes.]

costume contest (1:29)
Lyrics written by – Aaron Rhodes

You did your hair just right
You got a sick back patch
You’ll be the most decked-out
All the other punks will stand no match

You’re living in a costume contest
And there is no prize
You’re living in a costume contest
Is it self expression or just a disguise?

Your clique all took the bait
But standing out won’t set you free
We might be at the same show
But know you’re nothing like me

You’re living in a costume contest
And there is no prize
You’re living in a costume contest
Is it self expression or just a disguise?
Living in a costume contest
And there is no prize
Living in a costume contest
And I’m so happy that I’m the one you despise

  1. UNITY TICKET – “Last Incident”
    from: Unity Ticket – EP / UNITY TICKET / May 29, 2026
    [Vocals – Aaron Rhodes; Guitar – Cameron Birdsall; Guitar – Keego Gross; Bass – Booker Rohlf; Drums – Hayden Jensen. Instrumentals recorded at Soundstructure Rehearsal Studios in Kansas City, Missouri in January 2026. Vocals recorded at Flora House in Kansas City, Missouri in February 2026. Mixed at Casa De Shitbox in Kansas City, Kansas in February and March 2026. Mastered at Dead Air Studios in Amherst, Massachusetts in April 2026. // Recording engineers – Hayden Jensen (instrumentals) and Booker Rohlf (vocals). Mixing engineers – Keego Gross and Hayden Jensen. Mastering engineer – Will Killingsworth // Lyrics written by – Aaron Rhode // Music written by – Cameron Birdsall, Keego Gross, Booker Rohlf, Hayden Jensen // Additional music writing – Tyler Snowden (track 4) and Cole Billings (tracks 2 and 3) // Band name logo / typography – Melvin Mauch / Album artwork (layout / editing) – Aaron Rhodes.]

last incident (2:26)
Lyrics written by – Aaron Rhodes

Zero days since last incident
I ignored my friends, I threw a tantrum
I got jealous, it always happens
I really screwed up
Don’t feel too handsome

Reset the sign
I crossed another line
Acted up again
I’ll learn my lesson one day
But who knows when?
But who knows when?
But who knows?

Zero days since last incident
Young, dumb, and degenerate
Went and flipped my lid
Went and swung my fist
I can never seem to rid myself of this

Reset the sign
I crossed another line
Acted up again
I’ll learn my lesson one day
But who knows when?
But who knows when?
But who knows?

Zero days since (last incident)
Zero days since (last incident)
Zero days since (last incident)
It’s been zero days since

Zero days since (last incident)
Zero days since (last incident)
Zero days since (last incident)
It’s been zero days since

UNITY TICKET play a benefit for the Midwest Innocence Project at Howdy, 6523 Stadium Drive, KCMO, on Thursday, June 25 with Perfume USA, Teazers, and Wheat State. More info at: https://linktr.ee/unityticketusa

10:45

  1. Brooke Tuley and the Moon Travelers – “Chase Me”
    from: Chase Me / Brooke Tuley Music / May 7, 2024
    [We’ve been a fan of the musical work of Brook Tuley from the incredible recordings shw had created with husband Mke Tuley and with Anna St. Louis for The Bloodbirds. We also loved the solo released of Anna St; Louis and other collaborators with the Tuley family. // Mike Tuley was o our show way back when the Grisly hand released their debut vinyl EP, SAFE HOUSE back in 2010. Many of the musicians on that album play on this new Brooke Tuley release. // Brooke wrote to me saying, “Chase Me had a quiet release in 2024 and, at the time, it felt a bit too personal to share more broadly. Since then, I’ve had some distance from it and feel ready to open it up and talk about it further. The project is very much a reflection of my process. It’s not a traditional album or release, but it’s honest, and that feels worth sharing. Alongside it, I’ve been working on a show at The Temple, and the release also includes an art and poetry book with a listening card. That format came together as a way to present the work in a more tangible, exploratory way.” // Recorded and produced by Mike Tuley in the Tuley home studio, in Kansas City. Brooke Tuley on vocals, guitar, songwriting; Mike Tuley on guitar, keys, percussion, engineering; Jimmy Fitzner on guitar; John Nichols on bass, Jon Kraft on drums; Mike Stover on pedal steel; Betse Ellis on fiddle; Rich Wheeler on saxophone. Cameos by Anna St. Louis, Kevin Morby, and Suzannah Johannes. Mixed and mastered by John Golden. Cover design by Anna St Louis and photography by Christopher Good. // Chase Me is a record about momentum—about holding on as life rolls by. Recorded in Brooke Tuley’s basement studio with longtime collaborators and friends, the album blends indie warmth and Americana textures with a quiet sense of clarity and resolve. // Built around guitar, voice, and restraint, the songs trace love and loss, motherhood and memory, and the pull between staying and letting go. Chase Me turns grief into melody and melody into light—work shaped by experience rather than urgency. // Alongside the album, Brooke created Chase Me: A Visual Collection of Art, Poetry, & Movement, a companion book developed with Kansas City artists that expands each song’s emotional landscape. // From basement demos to First Midnight and Chase Me, Brooke Tuley & The Moon Travelers craft folk-rooted songs shaped by Kansas City’s DIY spirit, tracing love, loss, and renewal. Info at: brooketuleymusic.com]

11:51 – Interview with Brooke Tuley

Brooke Tuley is a Kansas City songwriter, poet, educator, and multidisciplinary artist. Her latest release,Chase Me, is an art and poetry book with a listening card, bringing together music, writing, and visual art from collaborators across the Midwest. Rooted in themes of love, loss, and transformation, her work reflects a deep commitment to creative exploration and community. In addition to her artistic practice, Tuley runs a gifted center for children and recently founded a women-led art collective dedicated to shared studio practice and collaboration.

Brooke Tuley, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

Brooke Tuley joins us in our 90.1 FM Studios to talk about her most recent release CHASE ME from Brooke Tuley and the Moon Travelers.

Chase Me was officially was released on May 7, 2024.

Brooke writes, “Chase Me had a quiet release in 2024 and, at the time, it felt a bit too personal to share more broadly. Since then, I’ve had some distance from it and feel ready to open it up and talk about it further. The project is very much a reflection of my process. It’s not a traditional album or release, but it’s honest, and that feels worth sharing.”

“Alongside it, I’ve been working on an art and poetry book with a listening card. That format came together as a way to present the work in a more tangible, exploratory way.”

Recorded and produced by Mike Tuley in the Tuley home studio, in Kansas City.

Brooke Tuley on vocals, guitar, songwriting;
Mike Tuley on guitar, keys, percussion, engineering;
Jimmy Fitzner on guitar;
John Nichols on bass,
Jon Kraft on drums;
Mike Stover on pedal steel;
Betse Ellis on fiddle;
Rich Wheeler on saxophone.

Cameos by Anna St. Louis, Kevin Morby, and Suzannah Johannes.

Mixed and mastered by John Golden.

brooketuleymusic.com

11:00 – Station I.D.

Brooke Tuley Discography

MMXIII by bloodbirds released May 1, 2015

  1. No Trains Coming Through 04:50
  2. Big Feelings 03:22
  3. Did You Say 06:22
  4. Modern Sympathy 05:51
  5. Recovered Memory 04:25
  6. Convalescence 05:31
  7. Line Array 02:05
  8. Round Moon 08:52

bloodbirds are: anna st. louis, brooke tuley, mike tuley

Live at Mills Records by bloodbirds- April 10, 2013 – released April 19, 2014

1.No Trains Coming Through – live 04:32
2.Line Array – live 01:40
3.BlueJeanAttack – cover of Retainers 02:41
4.Divorce Sea – live 04:17

[recorded at Mills Records in KCMO on August 10, 2013. mixed by mike tuley. available on a small-run of cassettes from Mills Recording Company. the cassettes include an additional song not available for download. // all forgotten/mumbled lyrics, missed-notes, and “songs” courtesy of bloodbirds, except “Blue Jean Attack” – originally by Retainers from the “teenage regrets” 7″ put out by Fashionable Idiots in 2006

First Midnight by Brooke Tuley released April 14, 2014
mixed and mastered by Mike Tuley

  1. waves 01:41
  2. only dust 04:08
  3. about a well 05:20
  4. hey, bluebird 02:17
  5. black death speaks 05:32
  6. old believers 02:44
  7. moonless night 03:23
  8. the living 04:10
  9. she’s gone 02:28
  10. apostle’s fossils 04:08

[First Midnight was written and recorded late at night on a four-track while Brooke was pregnant with her first son. Opening with an industrial hum and unfolding through ghostly vocals, lo-fi fuzz, and reverb-soaked textures, the album trades force for restraint—songs that drift like discordant lullabies. // Drawing from text, history, and spiritual practice rather than autobiography, the songs explore exile, plague, speculative worlds, and imagined futures. Originally released quietly on CD and cassette, First Midnight remains an origin document: work made in attention rather than for an audience. // From basement demos to First Midnight and Chase Me, Brooke Tuley & The Moon Travelers craft folk-rooted songs shaped by Kansas City’s DIY spirit, tracing love, loss, and renewal.]

Demo III by bloodbirds – released April 3, 2013

  1. Line Array 02:45
  2. NoNoNoNoNo 01:49
  3. Slow Drains 05:44
  4. Parasitic Twin 09:39

punk psychedelic Kansas City

Psychic Surgery by Bloodbirds released April 1, 2013

1.Divorce Sea 04:23
2.Bad Animal 04:15
3.Organ Donor 04:03
4.Sister 05:07
5.Patterned Sky 02:16
6.Estimation Is An Important Skill 05:12
7.Radiation 03:51
8.Psychic Surgery 03:00
9.Rings 04:03
10.Time Battle 04:59

principle tracking done at Junior’s Motel, additional recording at the Worst Place in the World, and House Tuley the 1st. recorded by Kirk Kaufman and Mike Tuley. mixed by Mike Tuley.

DUKH by bloodbirds – released February 10, 2012

  1. Misfire 05:19
  2. Revolver 04:43
  3. Audit 06:51
  4. Gespenst 08:05

recorded at the practice cabin and the worst place in the world. november 2011 – january 2012. with anna st. louis, brooke tuley, mike tuley

Covers by bloodbirds – July 30, 2012

  1. World on a String – NY 02:07
  2. Forming – Germs 03:16
  3. What Goes On – VU 03:14

various covers recorded at various times when we became frustrated with our own music during recording.

NIGHT RECORDINGS by bloodbirds – released December 15, 2011

  1. Orbit Obit 04:36
  2. Time Battle 05:00
  3. Fear the Answer 06:53
  4. Scraping 02:56

Brooke TuleyThanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley
Info at: brooketuleymusic.com

11:24

  1. Brooke Tuley and the Moon Travelers – “Beyond The Veil”
    from: Chase Me / Brooke Tuley Music / May 7, 2024
    [We’ve been a fan of the musical work of Brook Tuley from the incredible recordings shw had created with husband Mke Tuley and with Anna St. Louis for The Bloodbirds. We also loved the solo released of Anna St; Louis and other collaborators with the Tuley family. // Mike Tuley was o our show way back when the Grisly hand released their debut vinyl EP, SAFE HOUSE back in 2010. Many of the musicians on that album play on this new Brooke Tuley release. // Brooke wrote to me saying, “Chase Me had a quiet release in 2024 and, at the time, it felt a bit too personal to share more broadly. Since then, I’ve had some distance from it and feel ready to open it up and talk about it further. The project is very much a reflection of my process. It’s not a traditional album or release, but it’s honest, and that feels worth sharing. Alongside it, I’ve been working on a show at The Temple, and the release also includes an art and poetry book with a listening card. That format came together as a way to present the work in a more tangible, exploratory way.” // Recorded and produced by Mike Tuley in the Tuley home studio, in Kansas City. Brooke Tuley on vocals, guitar, songwriting; Mike Tuley on guitar, keys, percussion, engineering; Jimmy Fitzner on guitar; John Nichols on bass, Jon Kraft on drums; Mike Stover on pedal steel; Betse Ellis on fiddle; Rich Wheeler on saxophone. Cameos by Anna St. Louis, Kevin Morby, and Suzannah Johannes. Mixed and mastered by John Golden. Cover design by Anna St Louis and photography by Christopher Good. // Chase Me is a record about momentum—about holding on as life rolls by. Recorded in Brooke Tuley’s basement studio with longtime collaborators and friends, the album blends indie warmth and Americana textures with a quiet sense of clarity and resolve. // Built around guitar, voice, and restraint, the songs trace love and loss, motherhood and memory, and the pull between staying and letting go. Chase Me turns grief into melody and melody into light—work shaped by experience rather than urgency. // Alongside the album, Brooke created Chase Me: A Visual Collection of Art, Poetry, & Movement, a companion book developed with Kansas City artists that expands each song’s emotional landscape. // From basement demos to First Midnight and Chase Me, Brooke Tuley & The Moon Travelers craft folk-rooted songs shaped by Kansas City’s DIY spirit, tracing love, loss, and renewal. Info at: brooketuleymusic.com]

11:29 – Underwriting

  1. Ivory Blue – “Echo”
    from: Echo / IVORY BLUE / May 22, 2026
    [New 10-song full length album from IVORY BLUE. Her third full length album. IVORY BLUE released the singles: “History” on April 3, 2026.,“afterglow” on February 20, 2026; “Forevermore” on November 28, 2025; and “Echo” on September 5, 2025. // Kansas City based artist, IVORY BLUE has a tendency of breaking through barriers that keeps her from saying what needs to be said, regardless of style. Bringing us hard hitting rock inspired ear candy like “Starlit Love Child” and “Control”, the idea of genre is only a tool IVORY uses to express her ability to communicate through music. // IVORY BLUE released the singles “Mirrors” on August 1, 2025; “Heartbeat” on March 28, 2025; “Rhythm of the Radio” on January 31, 2025 // “Exiled” on November 29, 2024; “Olé!” on October 4, 2024, Breathing Underwater” on August 9, 2024, “Bad Dreams”on June 7, 2024, “Batter Up” on April 22, 2024, “Flashback” on March 15, 2024, “Howl” on Feb. 16, 2024. // IVORY BLUE released their 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023. The 10-track album was in the top five of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023, and in the “Best of” lists at 90.9 The Bridge and stations around the world. // On Oct. 27, 2023 IVORY BLUE released the single “Ghost of Life.” This single followed IVORY’s previous releases,”In A World Like This” from Sept. 22, 2023, ”The Best of Life” from Aug. 4, 2023 and “Control” from May 26, 2023. IVORY released the single “All Outta Love” on Feb. 24, 2023. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Starlit Love Child” on Oct. 28, 2022, “Red Light” on July 29, 2022. // IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on Feb. 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top 10 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. For COMPOUND LOVE, IVORY BLUE served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. // IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017 when Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. // IVORY BLUE has played with The Band That Fell to Earth, Boulevardia, Crossroads Music Festival, Middle of the Map Fest, Westport Roots Festival, KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at KC Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. In 2011, Ivory settled in the Kansas City, MO area. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”, and then later as Trans-Female. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. Info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com]

[IVORY BLUE plays PERSPECTIVES at Lavender Studio, 12307 E. 47th Street Independence, Missouri, on Saturday, June 28 with November Ballard.]

11:34 – Interview with IVORY BLUE

We welcome back IVORY BLUE who after releasing multiple singles over the last two years has just released a new 10-song album titled, ECHO on May 22, 2026. ECHO is her third full length album. IVORY BLUE has a tendency of breaking through barriers that keep her from saying what needs to be said, regardless of style. IVORY BLUE released her 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023. The 10-track album was in the top five of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023, and in the “Best of” lists at 90.9 The Bridge and stations around the world. IVORY BLUE released her debut album, COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. IVORY’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. The EP helped give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations. In 2017 Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. IVORY BLUE has played with The Band That Fell to Earth, Boulevardia, Crossroads Music Festival, and Englewood Arts Center. More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com

IVORY BLUE plays PERSPECTIVES at Lavender Studio, 12307 E. 47th Street Independence, Missouri, on Saturday, June 28 with November Ballard

IVORY BLUE, Thanks for being with us on WMM

IVORY BLUE released her 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023, It was in the top 5 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023. A free-spirited musician, IVORY BLUE has become an expressive multi-genre artist whose music is passionate rock, with a dash of pop hooks & a healthy dose of swagger. Since then she has released several new singles including: “Forevermore” on November 28, 2025; “Afterglow” on February 20, 2026; and “Echo” on September 5, 2025. “Echo” was #3 in WMM’s 50 Favorite Singles of 2025. These single will be part of Ivory’s upcoming third full length album ECHO to be released on April 24, 2026.

At the age of four, IVORY’s birth mother put her up for adoption. IVORY lived with eight different “foster parent” families, before running away at 15. Ivory turned to music to express her pain and personal story. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw IVORY performing in a YouTube video. The Van Lue family adopted IVORY into their family. As a multi-instrumentalist, IVORY refining her style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies, giving tsolo shows the feel of a full band.

IVORY BLUE released the single “Mirrors” on August 1, 2025. //IVORY BLUE released the single “Heartbeat” on March 28, 2025. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Rhythm of the Radio” on January 31, 2025 // IVORY BLUE released the single “Exiled” on November 29, 2024. IVORY BLUE released the single “Olé!” on October 4, 2024, Breathing Underwater” on August 9, 2024, “Bad Dreams”on June 7, 2024, “Batter Up” on April 22, 2024, “Flashback” on March 15, 2024, “Howl” on Feb. 16, 2024.

IVORY BLUE was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. At the age of four, IVORY’s birth mother put them up for adoption. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long. IVORY lived with eight different “foster parent” families, before running away at 15. Ivory turned to music to express their pain and personal story. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw IVORY performing in a YouTube video, captured from an open mike performance. Klaartje had moved to the United States from Belgium to marry her husband and then raise her son and daughter. Klaartje, a pianist and working mom, felt a connection, musically and maternally, sent a plane ticket for IVORY to fly to KC. The Van Lue’s adopted IVORY into their family. 10 years ago IVORY came out as “Transgender” helping to educate and to clear the pathway for a growing number of trans, queer, & non-binary musical artists who are part of KC’s diverse and collaborative music community.

IVORY BLUE released their full-length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. IVORY BLUE released the video of their song, “Family Table” directed by Mikal Shapiro, on August 21, 2021. IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, READY GET SET was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017 when IVORY was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. IVORY won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles, California to win the top prize.

IVORY BLUE has played Boulevardia, Kauffman Stadium, Crossroads Music Festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, Apocalypse Meow, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at The KC Public Library, The Viper Room (L.A.), ULAH with You Found Music, Arts In The Park, The Englewood Arts Center, MiniBar, recordBar, Lemonade Park, Davy’s Uptown Ramblers Club, Records With Merritt, The Tank Room, and many others. More info at: https://linktr.ee/ivorybluemusic

We welcome a friend of the show, IVORY BLUE, making her 19th appearance on this program. IVORY BLUE released the single “Mirrors” on August 1, 2025. //IVORY BLUE released the single “Heartbeat” on March 28, 2025. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Rhythm of the Radio” on January 31, 2025 // IVORY BLUE released the single “Exiled” on November 29, 2024; “Olé!” on October 4, 2024; Breathing Underwater” on August 9, 2024, “Bad Dreams”on June 7, 2024; “Batter Up” on April 22, 2024; “Flashback” on March 15, 2024; “Howl” on Feb. 16, 2024; and “Echo” on September 5, 2025; “Forevermore” on November 28, 2025; and “Afterglow” on February 20, 2026. “Echo” was #3 in WMM’s 50 Favorite Singles of 2025. These singles will be part of Ivory’s upcoming third full length album ECHO to be released on April 24, 2026.

IVORY BLUE thanks for being with us on WMM

IVORY BLUE released her 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023, It was in the top 5 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023. A free-spirited musician, IVORY BLUE has become an expressive multi-genre artist whose music is passionate rock, with a dash of pop hooks & a healthy dose of swagger. At the age of four, IVORY’s birth mother put her up for adoption. IVORY lived with eight different “foster parent” families, before running away at 15. Ivory turned to music to express her pain and personal story. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw IVORY performing in a YouTube video. The Van Lue family adopted IVORY into their family. As a multi-instrumentalist, IVORY refining her style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies, giving tsolo shows the feel of a full band.

IVORY BLUE released their full-length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top Ten of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. IVORY BLUE released the video of their song, “Family Table” directed by Mikal Shapiro, on August 21, 2021. IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, READY GET SET was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017 when IVORY was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. IVORY won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles, California to win the top prize.

IVORY BLUE has played Boulevardia, Kauffman Stadium, Crossroads Music Festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, Apocalypse Meow, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at The KC Public Library, The Viper Room (L.A.), ULAH with You Found Music, Arts In The Park, The Englewood Arts Center, MiniBar, recordBar, Lemonade Park, Davy’s Uptown Ramblers Club, Records With Merritt, The Tank Room, and many others.

Ivory Blue thanks for being with us on WMM.

IVORY BLUE plays PERSPECTIVES at Lavender Studio, 12307 E. 47th Street Independence, Missouri, on Saturday, June 28 with November Ballard

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

11:53

  1. Ivory Blue – “Don’t Hold Back”
    from: Echo / IVORY BLUE / May 22, 2026
    [New 10-song full length album from IVORY BLUE. Her third full length album. IVORY BLUE released the singles: “History” on April 3, 2026.,“afterglow” on February 20, 2026; “Forevermore” on November 28, 2025; and “Echo” on September 5, 2025. // Kansas City based artist, IVORY BLUE has a tendency of breaking through barriers that keeps her from saying what needs to be said, regardless of style. Bringing us hard hitting rock inspired ear candy like “Starlit Love Child” and “Control”, the idea of genre is only a tool IVORY uses to express her ability to communicate through music. // IVORY BLUE released the singles “Mirrors” on August 1, 2025; “Heartbeat” on March 28, 2025; “Rhythm of the Radio” on January 31, 2025 // “Exiled” on November 29, 2024; “Olé!” on October 4, 2024, Breathing Underwater” on August 9, 2024, “Bad Dreams”on June 7, 2024, “Batter Up” on April 22, 2024, “Flashback” on March 15, 2024, “Howl” on Feb. 16, 2024. // IVORY BLUE released their 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023. The 10-track album was in the top five of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023, and in the “Best of” lists at 90.9 The Bridge and stations around the world. // On Oct. 27, 2023 IVORY BLUE released the single “Ghost of Life.” This single followed IVORY’s previous releases,”In A World Like This” from Sept. 22, 2023, ”The Best of Life” from Aug. 4, 2023 and “Control” from May 26, 2023. IVORY released the single “All Outta Love” on Feb. 24, 2023. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Starlit Love Child” on Oct. 28, 2022, “Red Light” on July 29, 2022. // IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on Feb. 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top 10 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. For COMPOUND LOVE, IVORY BLUE served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. // IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017 when Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. // IVORY BLUE has played with The Band That Fell to Earth, Boulevardia, Crossroads Music Festival, Middle of the Map Fest, Westport Roots Festival, KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at KC Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. In 2011, Ivory settled in the Kansas City, MO area. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”, and then later as Trans-Female. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. Info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com]

[IVORY BLUE plays PERSPECTIVES at Lavender Studio, 12307 E. 47th Street Independence, Missouri, on Saturday, June 28 with November Ballard.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, July 1 we welcome John Lawrence Johnson, Jamogi, and Danny Fischer aka Warren Burns

You can find our playlists at: http://www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & http://www.kkfi.org
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
http://www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 36 people donate a total of $3513.50. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1153

WMM presents: The Swallowtails + Aaron Rhodes & UNITY TICKET + Brook Tuley + IVORY BLUE

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

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The Swallowtails + Aaron Rhodes & UNITY TICKET + Brook Tuley + IVORY BLUE

At 10:10 Mark talks with Miki P (guitar and vocals) and Rachel Lovelace (bassoon and vocals) of The Swallowtails. Established in 2018, the band has released 2 full-length albums: Right Where We Are (2020) and The World Still Spins (2023). In 2024, the band wrote, produced, and self recorded their 5-song EP Lucky Penny (2024). The duo received the award Best Local Band in Kansas City by The Pitch Awards. In 2025 The Swallowtails were featured at Ozark Mountain Music Fest, Smoky Hill River Festival, and Boulevardia. They collaborated on a re-release of their single “Lucky Penny” with acclaimed Nashville-based fiddle player John Mailander, and they completed writing and recording their third full length album, PERSPECTIVE, backed and funded for over $21,000 by a Kickstarter campaign, and produced in collaboration with Heidi Gluck. The album represents The Swallowtails’ most refined and intentional work to date. PERSPECTIVE was released on May 23, 2026. The Swallowtails play a PERSPECTIVE – Album Release Show on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 7:30pm at 714 Main Street, Grandview, Missouri. More info at http://www.theswallowtails.com

At 10:35 Aaron Rhodes joins us to share new music from his band UNITY TICKET, and their new self titled EP released May 29, 2026. The new 5-piece band is made of: Aaron Rhodes on vocals, Cameron Birdsall on guitar, Keg Gross on Guitar, Booker Rohlf on bass, and Hayden Jensen on drums. UNITY TICKET was recorded at Soundstructure Rehearsal Studios in KCMO, and at at Flora House in KCMO. Lyrics written by Aaron Rhodes. Music written by Cameron Birdsall, Keego Gross, Booker Rohlf, Hayden Jensen. UNITY TICKET play a benefit for the Midwest Innocence Project at Howdy, 6523 Stadium Drive, KCMO, on Thursday, June 25 with Perfume USA, Teazers, and Wheat State. More info at: https://linktr.ee/unityticketusa

At 11:00 Mark talks with Brooke Tuley about her most recent release CHASE ME from Brooke Tuley and the Moon Travelers. Chase Me was officially was released on May 7, 2024. Brooke writes, “Chase Me had a quiet release in 2024 and, at the time, it felt a bit too personal to share more broadly. Since then, I’ve had some distance from it and feel ready to open it up and talk about it further. The project is very much a reflection of my process. It’s not a traditional album or release, but it’s honest, and that feels worth sharing. Alongside it, I’ve been working on a show at The Temple, and the release also includes an art and poetry book with a listening card. That format came together as a way to present the work in a more tangible, exploratory way.” Recorded and produced by Mike Tuley in the Tuley home studio, in Kansas City. Brooke Tuley on vocals, guitar, songwriting; Mike Tuley on guitar, keys, percussion, engineering; Jimmy Fitzner on guitar; John Nichols on bass, Jon Kraft on drums; Mike Stover on pedal steel; Betse Ellis on fiddle; Rich Wheeler on saxophone. Cameos by Anna St. Louis, Kevin Morby, and Suzannah Johannes. Mixed and mastered by John Golden. Info at: brooketuleymusic.com

At 11:30 we welcome back IVORY BLUE who after releasing multiple singles over the last two years has just released a new 10-song album titled, ECHO on May 22, 2026. ECHO is her third full length album. IVORY BLUE has a tendency of breaking through barriers that keep her from saying what needs to be said, regardless of style. IVORY BLUE released her 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023. The 10-track album was in the top five of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023, and in the “Best of” lists at 90.9 The Bridge and stations around the world. IVORY BLUE released her debut album, COMPOUND LOVE on February 25, 2022. IVORY’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. The EP helped give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations. In 2017 Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. IVORY BLUE has played with The Band That Fell to Earth, Boulevardia, Crossroads Music Festival, and Englewood Arts Center. More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1153

WMM Playlist from June 17, 2026

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

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

New & MidCoastal Releases + Jonathan Van Ness + The Forcefields + Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves + Warren Williams

  1. Various Artists – “Main Title Instrumental (It’s Showtime Folks)”
    from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
    [WMM’s theme]
  1. Nina Simone & HAAi – “That’s All I Ask (HAAi Remix)”
    from: “That’s All I Ask (HAAi Remix)” – Single / Verve Records / June 12, 2026
    [Verve Remixed continues its year of Nina Celebration with new single and compilation album. // Nina Simone’s catalog continues to inspire a new generation of artists with the release of “That’s All I Ask (HAAi Remix),” via Verve Records. The latest installment in the Verve Remixed series sees acclaimed producer, songwriter, and DJ HAAi reinterpret the beloved recording from Simone’s 1966 album Wild Is The Wind. // Through atmospheric electronic production anchored by Simone’s captivating vocal performance, HAAi casts “That’s All I Ask” in a new light. Stripping back the original instrumentation, she spotlights the emotional honesty at the heart of the recording, transforming the track into an intimate and haunting dancefloor experience. The original recording of “That’s All I Ask” has recently found renewed resonance as the soundtrack to the viral “My Odd Top 5” trend, where users share the unique moments and experiences that make life worth living. // As Verve celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, the label continues to spotlight its lasting impact on music and culture. New releases from the Verve Remixed series will arrive monthly through the fall, with a compilation album to follow, available digitally and on vinyl. Stay tuned for more info. Contri-butors across the campaign include HAAi, Mochakk, DESIREE, Austin Millz, dublon, Supershy, Antdot, and more, each offering their own take on Nina Simone’s timeless catalog. // HAAi is known for her dynamic, tempo-shifting DJ sets. In 2025 HAAi played over 100 shows across 5 continents, 30 countries, and 91 cities. She took to the biggest stages at festivals, such as Glastonbury, Sonar, and EDC Las Vegas, while also deliver-ing sets at local parties including Japan’s Rainbow Disco Club, Berlin’s RSO and Paris’ Iconic Rex Club, where she performed a year-long residency. In-between, HAAi was playing b2b’s with friends like KI/KI, Jennifer Cardini, The Blessed Madonna and Solomun. // 2024 saw the launch of UNiSON, her community focused party brand that featured surprise back-to-back sets with Boys Noize, DJ Boring and Romy, alongside a room programmed with emerging artists discovered via HAAi’s Submit to Play platform. UNiSON has become a platform for HAAi to uplift rising talent while creating an inclusive and boundary-pushing space for club Culture. // From her beginnings as a singer-songwriter in Western Australia to her rise as a globally renowned producer, songwriter, & DJ, HAAi continues to push boundaries with electronic music.]
  1. The Milk Carton Kids – “Blinded and Smiling”
    from: Lost Cause Lover Fool / Far Cry Records / April 24, 2026
    [On their seventh studio album, Lost Cause Lover Fool (out now on Far Cry/Thirty Tigers), The Milk Carton Kids craft nine songs that, more than ever, invite listeners to lean in close and linger inside the small moments the record quietly magnifies. They share the new single “Blinded and Smiling.” // “This album is, at its core, a collection of songs about transformation,” Pattengale explains. “About the shifting terrain of consciousness and the stories we build to understand who we’ve been, who we are, and who we’re becoming. Each song takes a single moment, sometimes examined with microscopic closeness and sometimes viewed from a great distance, and lets it expand until it becomes an entire world. By enlarging small feelings until they’re inhabitable, the record looks for eternity not in the sweeping or monumental, but in the intimate specifics that usually pass too quickly to notice.” // Musically, the duo continues the subtle expansion of their palette. There’s banjo, drums, choral backing vocals, all pulling toward a unified center. Even as their arrangements grow richer, the goal remains the same. “As we’re adding more and more layers,” Ryan says, “we’re still drawn to the idea of a sound where the pieces give themselves up to the greater whole.” // Lost Cause Lover Fool doesn’t strain for relevance or make a spectacle of itself. It simply pauses long enough for the listener to step inside. It reminds us, gently but insistently, that the smallest moments are often the ones that last.]
  1. Such Lovely People – “Opposite Eye Clean”
    from: Opposite Eye Clean – Single / Such Lovely People / May 15, 2026
    [Such Lovely People is a project founded in 2020 by songwriter Josh Dorrell (he/his). An established guitarist and vocalist, Josh has played in several bands and ensembles in the Midwest. Born in Kansas City but raised on wanderlust, he sought to devote his endless voracity to making good music that means more.]
  1. Danielle Nicole – “Tug Of War”
    from: Fireflies / Forty Below / August 24, 2025
    [Recorded at Weights and Measures Sound Soundly. Award-winning blues and roots artist Danielle Nicole returns with Fireflies, her fourth solo album, arriving August 28, 2026 via Forty Below Records. Produced by Tony Braunagel and featuring Luther Dickinson, the album expands Nicole’s soulful blend of blues, R&B, and American roots music. // Danielle Nicole has spent nearly 25 years redefining what modern blues can be. Across a celebrated career that includes 10 Blues Music Awards and a Grammy nomination, the Kansas City native has continually pushed beyond genre boundaries while staying connected to the emotional core of her music. / On August 28, 2026, Nicole will release Fireflies, her fourth solo album and one of her most personal and expansive recordings to date. Released through Forty Below Records and produced by acclaimed drummer and producer Tony Braunagel, the album was recorded in Nicole’s hometown of Kansas City and reflects a period of growth, reflection, and artistic evolution. // While firmly rooted in the blues, Fireflies reaches into soul, R&B, and the broader traditions of American roots music. The album balances deeply reflective songwriting with moments of strength and empowerment, showcasing Nicole’s unmistakable voice and emotional depth. // Nostalgic highlights include “Take Me Back,” featuring North Mississippi Allstars guitarist Luther Dickinson, while tracks such as “Gaslight” and “Tug of War” deliver powerful messages of resilience and self-discovery. // The result is an album that honors where Danielle Nicole comes from while embracing where she is headed next. Richly textured, soulful, and fearless in its scope, Fireflies shines as another significant step forward in an already remarkable career. ]

[Danielle Nicole plays knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester Ave. KCMO, Saturday, June 20, at 8:00pm.

  1. Car Microwave – “Toyota Tacoma”
    from: Spirits Up Windows Down / Car Microwave / May 29, 2026
    [Katie Boord – Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar; Kirsten Krier – Bass Guitar; Caitlyn Jacobs – Guitar; Parker Mason – Electric Guitar/Piano; Riley Rexford – Drum // There are so many people to thank for making this record possible. First off, a huge thank you to Caleb Fankhauser for persevering through studio changes and rolling with the punches to produce this album. It only took two years but we crossed the finish line dude haha. Couldn’t have done it without you! // Thank you to Rodd Fenton at Solstice Audio for mastering the record and always being a believer in our music. Your advice and encouragement is always appreciated and we’re better for knowing you. // “Jack Kerouac” was recorded at Levitate KC in Leavenworth, KS (gone but not forgotten!!). Thank you Aaron for letting us use that space! // The rest of the record was recorded in Riley’s parents’ basement. A huge thank you to them for letting us use that space all these years. We really became a band down there. // Album cover and promotional photos were shot and edited by Jeremy Nathan. SERIOUSLY book him for your band photos, y’all sleeping on this man. It was so dreary and gross the day we did the shoot but he worked his magic and we couldn’t be happier. // Thank you to our dear friend and #1 fan Adam Jones for letting us use his Mercury Grand Marquis for the shoot. May that thing run forever 🙏 // And finally thank you to every venue, every band, every promoter, and every listener that has ever trusted us with their time as we worked up and crafted these songs. We don’t and have never taken that for granted. // That’s all. See you in 3 years for the microwave themed album. // Car Microwave’s song, “Ford Crown Victoria” was pat of WMM 50 favorite Singles of 2025. Car Microwave are an indie rock band out of KCMO. Devout haters of Truck Oven! With Katie Boord on vocals; Caitlyn Jacobs on guitar, vocals; Kirsten Krier on bass; Parker Mason on guitar, and Riley Rexford on drums. The band released the single “Kiki’s Delivery Service (feat. Shotgun Wedding Singer)” on October 4, 2024. (Shotgun Wedding Singer is Adam Doyle and Ben Wendt).They released the album, PHOTO ALBUM on May 19, 2023. // Car Microwave is KC based indie rock band. Proud haters of Truck Oven™️]

7. Flutienastiness – “Sparkle Juice”
from: This Is Me / Flutienastiness Entertainment / October 28, 2020
[Jazz flutist, educator, band director, and band leader, Amber Underwood is a native of Kansas City and has been entertaining and performing music since the tender age of 8. Beginning her musical journey on the piano and soon after began playing classical flute. / While in college, Amber discovered Jazz and became intrigued with the art form inspired by musical influences of Bobbi Humphrey, Hubert Laws, Frank Wess, Herbie Mann, and Nestor Torres and found a love for the art form. At age 20, Amber graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and by 23 she completed a Masters of Arts in Arts Administration and Music Business from the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory and continued her education with a second Master’s degree in Education and Teaching Music from Pittsburgh State University. / In the beginning of 2014, the Amber Underwood Project and later transformed into Flutienastiness and the SoulPatrol with the mission to showcase an instrument that is normally used as an auxiliary instrument in jazz but now as a solo instrument. Flutienastiness and the SoulPatrol is a modern and fresh take on smooth jazz and R&B sounds with a touch of Latin, Funk and Gospel. Flutienastiness and the SoulPatrol uses the rich tones and colors of the flute to interpret the various styles and genres of jazz. Amber has been a presence in the Kansas City jazz scene making a place and a voice for her instrument. Amber has opened for Kirk Whalum and has performed alongside a host of other artist. / Amber is our modern-day soul and contemporary jazz flautist and a force to be reckoned with. Her debut album, ‘This Is Me’ has gained International recognition and was name one of the Top 25 Jazz Albums of Kansas City in 2020. Amber has also appeared on jazz playlists and featured on various recordings from all genres. Amber ‘Flutienastiness’ Underwood is the future of contemporary soul jazz flute! // On October 28, 2020 Flutienastiness released the album THIS IS ME (part of WMM 120 Best recordngs of 2020). The album was produced, mixed, & mastered by Desmond “D. Professor” Mason for Out D. Park Productions. All flutes by Amber Underwood. All tracks were composed collaboratively between Amber & Desmond. Amber writes: “This is album is a touch of all my feelings, life journeys and a inside look into Amber ‘Flutienastiness’ Underwood as a person beyond the stage. More info at:www.flutienastiness.com.]

[Amber “Flutienastiness” Underwood plays the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art ,4420 Warwick Boulevard, KCMO on Thursday, June 18, at 6:00pm]

10:25 – Underwriting

  1. Anjimile – “Waits For Me”
    rom: You’re Free To Go / 4AD / March 13, 2026
    [Anjimile also released the singles “Waits For Me on March 13, 2026 and “Like You Really Mean It” earlier this year. Today North Carolina based singer-songwriter Anjimile announces plans to release the full-length album You’re Free to Go, due out March 13, 2026 on 4AD. The announcement comes with the luminous lead single “Like You Really Mean It” which overflows with tenderness and vulnerability, accompanied by a beautiful video directed by Caity Arthur. // Anjimile shares: “I wrote this to make my girlfriend want to give me a kiss. We live about an hour apart, and I was just by myself thinking about her. Thinking about wanting a kiss. What could I do to get a kiss from my sweetheart? Write a song about it! Anyway, it worked.” // “Like You Really Mean It” comes after the November single “Auld Lang Syne II,” a tender note-to-self on resilience and hard-fought freedom, characterized by delicate finger-plucked strings, charming horn passages, and intimate vocal delivery, which Stereogum called “stunning” upon its release; a song Anjimile says was: “originally intended as something of a wedding present for my best friend, who got married a few years back.” // Contrasting the intricacy and complexity of The King, You’re Free to Go unfolds organically under the intuitive direction of producer Brad Cook (Waxahatchee, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Mavis Staples). The album’s songs bloom naturally, grounded in warm acoustic guitars, subtle synth textures, lush string arrangements, and delicate rhythmic layers. Collaborative efforts with musicians Nathan Stocker (Hippo Campus), Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver), and guest vocalist Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) – a personal hero of Anjimile whose music deeply influenced the album even before his involvement – cultivate an exploratory yet intimate atmosphere, perfectly aligned with Anjimile’s nuanced storytelling. // Anjimile (ann-JIM-uh-lee) Chithambo has forged a distinctive musical path characterised by unflinching introspection and deep honesty. Emerging from Boston’s vibrant indie scene while studying at Northeastern University, Anjimile captivated audiences with earnest songwriting, delicate sonic textures, and performances that felt like prayer and celebration. // Critical acclaim quickly followed; 2020’s Giver Taker, hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the year’s best albums, positioned him as a compelling voice exploring enduring themes of spirituality, identity, and liberation. With The King(2023), Anjimile intensified his examination of Black and trans existence amid personal and societal turbulence, reaffirming his courageous commitment to navigating discomfort as a means of liberation. // You’re Free to Go picks up where The King left off, but with its hands open wide – a central question being: what happens when you let go and let love in? // Crafted over years marked by transformation, the album traces vividly the profound complexities of change – from breakups to new love; deep grief and loss to renewal and rediscovery. “The past two years have been a deeply transitional point in my life,” Anjimile explains. On You’re Free to Go, he learns to trust life again. The album’s title symbolises Anjimile’s expansive perspective on love and personal freedom, influenced profoundly by his relationship with his partner and their joyful embrace of non-monogamy. He describes this dynamic playfully: “I view non-monogamy as setting out milk every night on your porch for the cats; they can come if they want,” – a reminder that connection thrives when it’s truly chosen and not confined and restricted by normativity. This same playfulness runs through “Rust & Wire” which captures the exhilaration of falling in love again and again (“ripen in the heat like wine”). // Elsewhere, You’re Free to Go explores heavier, darker truths; ‘Exquisite Skeleton’ hauntingly portrays the ache of familial estrangement and ‘Ready or Not’ the exhaustion of facing transphobia. “When I was a little girl, I wanted to be free… When I was a little boy, I wanted to be real.”, he disarmingly reflects on “Waits For Me,” a powerful reckoning on childhood identity. But even in its most searching moments, the record radiates light. // Each song holds space for healing – for turning pain into something tender, communal, and free. // Spirituality remains the heartbeat of Anjmile’s work. “Songwriting feels like a prayer, a plea, or a question,” he says. Across You’re Free to Go, sacredness feels alive and imperfect — a practice of breathing, wondering, forgiving. The album hums with that same sacred energy: messy and full of grace. // Throughout You’re Free to Go, Anjimile skilfully integrates a variety of musical inspirations to heighten the album’s emotional impact. Tracks such as “Turning Away” and “The Store” channel the raw and unadorned authenticity reminiscent of early Modest Mouse. The collaboration with Sam Beam on “Destroying You” adds a gentle warmth that beautifully complements Anjimile’s refined vocal expression. Melodically, the album evokes a subtle nostalgia for late-’90s alternative pop, seamlessly blending folk sensibilities into inviting, memorable hooks. Anjimile has notably evolved, adopting a more relaxed and expressive approach to his singing, partly due to his ongoing hormonal therapy – a transformative journey he embraces gladly. This newfound vocal depth amplifies the album’s emotional resonance, allowing him to express himself with greater authenticity. // As Anjimile prepares to share You’re Free to Go live, he envisions intimate performances that reinterpret rather than replicate the album’s recordings. He aims for the authenticity and vulnerability embedded in these songs to resonate deeply, emphasising, “This record feels very authentic to my life experiences. It’s about as close to getting to know me as you could ever get with a record.” // You’re Free to Go is a portrait of transformation — not as a wound, but as an opening. Richly textured, this collection of songs is an honest reflection of life’s fluctuations. It holds space for contradiction and finds liberation in tenderness. As Anjimile beautifully articulates, the album embodies “breathing into the question,” acknowledging that life’s most profound moments often come without clear answers, but rather exist in the gentle tension of uncertainty and discovery. In every note, Anjimile provides space for each listener to reflect and uncover their own truths, while gently reminding us that freedom isn’t the absence of pain, but the courage to love, to ask, to keep beginning again.]
  1. Jamogi – “Storybook”
    from: J’DAY / Jam Tunes / June 12, 2026
    [J’Day is a celebration of growth, creativity, and self discovery. Three years in the making, the album represents the culmination of Jamogi’s journey through a wide range of genres, influences, and sonic landscapes. The result is a body of work that not only showcases his musical versatility but also reveals the many facets of his personality. // Produced alongside OceanLife Gianni, J’Day captures the energy, emotion, and moments that make life memorable. From the horn driven fanfare of “Go Big or Go Home” to the flirtatious blend of West Coast, Midwest, and Southern influences on “Back N’ Forth,” Jamogi demonstrates a clear understanding of both his sound and his audience. Tracks like “Do It to Me” transport listeners through different eras and musical inspirations, while songs such as “Storybook,” “Treasure,” and “Georgia Peach” reveal his romantic side through storytelling, heartfelt lyricism, and poetic imagery. // The album also features collaborations with a talented lineup of friends and fellow artists on tracks including “What’s It Gonna Be?” and “HOLLABACK,” adding even more personality and perspective to the project. // More than just a collection of songs, J’Day marks a defining moment in Jamogi’s artistic journey. It is a bold statement of who he is today and a testament to the creative vision he has spent years refining. Rich with personality, versatility, and heart, the project positions Jamogi for his next era and leaves listeners wondering where he’ll take them next. // Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California.// Jamogi released the single “Georgia Peach (feat. Burgandy)” on September 5, 2025. Jamogi released Jamogi & The Jammers: Live at Flew The Coop Sessions (Flew The Coop Live) through Jam Tunes on April 11, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Do It To Me” on March 28, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Go Big or Go Home” on August 30, 2024, Jamogi released the single “Hot Block” on May 30, 2024. Jamogi released the EP, Star-Crossed Lover on March 3, 2023. Jamogi then released a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single on June 9, 2023.Jamogi previously released the AGE OF AQUARIUS EP on March 3, 2023, and the single “Celebration” on Dec. 9, 2022, and the single “Anymore” on May 6, 2022. // Jamogi played the ROCK IS BLACK—a celebration of Black artists in rock music, happening February 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Zhou B Art Center, 1801 E 18th Street, KCMO. Rock is Black features: Malek Azrael & The Vibez, Jamogi and The Jammers, Stephonne, and Frankie Shorez & Mercy Fire. Kamogi and the Jammers played Boulevardia 2025]

10:33– Interview with Warren Williams

Warren Williams, host of Dub’s Groove Wednesdays 4:00pm to 6:00pm on 90.1 FM KKFI. Dub focuses on Old-School R & B, Funky Jazz, Latin, and Gospel music from the 60s and 70s and how different genres can fit together nicely. He heavily researches the music and artists and tells stories from that research and from his experiences working with artists and for record labels for many years. Warren worked in promotion at Elektra/Asylum Rcords in the 1970s and at Columbia Records into the 1980s. Wednesday, June 24, 2026 will be Dub’s last show as he wants to have more time to be with his family.

Warren Williams thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Warren Williams worked in Promotion at Elektra/Asylum Records from 1973 to 1976 in Los Angeles, California.

Elektra, along with its Nonesuch Records subsidiary, was acquired by Kinney National Services in 1970, which changed its name to Warner Communications (now Warner Music Group) in 1972. Soon afterwards, Kinney consolidated their label holdings under the Warner-Elektra-Atlantic umbrella. Holzman remained in charge of Elektra until 1972, when it merged with Asylum Records to become Elektra/Asylum Records; Asylum’s founder, David Geffen, headed the newly combined label. Holzman, in the meantime, was appointed senior vice president and chief technologist for Warner — ushering the company into home video and the first interactive cable system. Holzman also went on to acquire Discovery Records. In 1975, Geffen stepped down when he was told that he had a terminal illness; He later was revealed to have been falsely diagnosed. He was replaced by Joe Smith, who later went on to become CEO of Capitol Records.

Warren Williams worked in Promotion and A&R at Columbia Records from January 3, 1976 to 1983 in Los Angeles, California.

During this period, Columbia scored a Top 40 hit with the Pink Floyd single “Another Brick in the Wall”, and its parent album The Wall would spend four months at No. 1 on the Billboard LP chart in early 1980, but few in the industry knew that Dick Asher was in fact using the single as a covert experiment to test the extent of the pernicious influence of The Network – by not paying them to promote the new Pink Floyd single. The results were immediate and troubling – not one of the major radio stations in Los Angeles would program the record, despite the fact that the group was in town, performing the first seven concerts on their elaborate The Wall Tour at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena to rave reviews and sold-out crowds. Asher was already worried about the growing power of The Network, and the fact it operated entirely outside the control of the label, but he was profoundly dismayed to realize that “The Network” was in effect a huge extortion racket, and that the operation could well be linked to organized crime – a concern vehemently dismissed by Yetnikoff, who resolutely defended the “indies” and declared them to be “mensches”. But Dick Asher now knew that The Network’s real power lay in their ability to prevent records from being picked up by radio, and as an experienced media lawyer and a loyal CBS employee, he was also acutely aware that this could become a new payola scandal which had the potential to engulf the entire CBS corporation, and that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could even revoke CBS’ all-important broadcast licenses if the corporation was found to be involved in any illegality.

The 1980s and sale to Sony – The structure of US Columbia remained the same until 1980, when it spun off the classical/Broadway unit, Columbia Masterworks Records, into a separate imprint, CBS Masterworks Records.

In 1988, the CBS Records Group, including the Columbia Records unit, was acquired by Sony, which re-christened the parent division Sony Music Entertainment in 1991.

“Dub’s Groove” originally aired on Thursday mornings 2:00am to 4:00am. The show moved to Wednesdays 4:00 to 6:00pm in 2023

Dub created a show featuring primarily old school RnB and funky jazz but I also gospel, Latin, reggae, and other World music.

Soulful music – primarily old school RnB and funky jazz with a focus on funky, rhythmic music. Anyone who appreciates soulful, rhythmic music. Because of the eras that the music is from, it will attract an older demographic but many young people appreciate old school music as well.

Warren heavily researches the music and artists and tells stories from that research and from his experiences working with artists and for record labels for many years. Warren has great passion for the music and the artists. A large majority of the music he plays is from Black and Brown artists. He has played over 3000 different songs on his shows.

Warren Williams thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 will be Dub’s last show as he wants more time with his family.

10:49 – Interview with Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness, is a hairstylist, podcast host and television personality, Emmy Winner. Three times on New York Time’saaqq Bestseller list. He is best known as the grooming expert on the Netflix series Queer Eye, for his work on the web series parody Gay of Thrones, and for hosting the Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness podcast. He is also known for comedy tours.

Jonathan Van Ness plays Muriel Kauffman Theatre at The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.

  1. Mark Interviews Jonathan Van Ness
    Recorded Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 7:00pm (Central) 9:00am (Tokyo) where Jonathan called U.S.]

The Jonathan Van Ness: Hot & Healed Tour is for ages 18+. Contains Mature Content.

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear heels. Patriarchy, misogyny, sexism, they don’t stand a chance when JVN comes to town. Come tear it all down with Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye, Fun & Slutty) for a night of stand-up comedy with a dash of see you next Tuesday. After being featured in an unfortunate pro-Trump campaign ad – “Kamala is for the they/them” – JVN had a lot of healing to do. What better place to do that than on stage with a great bag and fabulous hair? This hour can easily replace your core & cheeks workout (your face cheeks), making it a gift for both your mental and physical health. Come for the laughs – stay for the community, and the unapologetic queer joy.

From wikipedia:
Jonathan Van Ness was born March 28, 1987, to parents Mary Winters and Jonathan Lyle Van Ness, and raised in Quincy, Illinois. He said he comes “from a family of journalists”, being the sixth generation of his family-owned newspaper. This refers to broadcast and newspaper conglomerate Quincy Media and the company’s local flagship newspaper, the Herald-Whig; Van Ness’s mother is the vice president of Quincy Media, and he is a descendant of the Oakley family, which has controlled the company since the 1890s. Van Ness’s 9th great-grandmother, Patience Bacon Miller, was one of the founders of Northampton, Massachusetts, and was the first female surgeon in America. // When Van Ness was younger, he was sexually abused by an older boy at church, which laid the foundation for self-destructive behaviors. In his early teens, he used online chat to socialize with older men, and sometimes meet with them for sex. // Openly gay throughout his life, Van Ness experienced bullying for his femininity and natural flamboyance. He “endured years of judgment, ridicule, and trauma”. Of the time, Van Ness said, “Growing up I definitely put on every nail polish, every heel, every scarf – I definitely had my mom’s knockoff Hermès scarves in my hair and around my waist – those were my skirts, and I loved it. … But when I was really young, I had really femme-shamey, gender-shamey [reactions] when I would dress like that. When I would play with those things, I knew it needed to be … behind closed doors.” Although always comfortable in his gender expression and sexuality, he says it took time to navigate other people’s reactions. In response to the bullying, he used humor as a coping mechanism and relied on a small group of close friends for support. // Years later, in the late 2010s, he realized he was gender non-conforming and came out as non-binary. He uses they/them, he/him, and she/her pronouns. // Van Ness was the first male cheerleader at Quincy Senior High School and continued cheerleading in college at the University of Arizona, where he majored in political science. One month in his initial semester at college, he used his monthly allowance on cocaine and, too embarrassed to ask his parents for funds, turned to sex work. His addictions to sex and drugs increased to also include methamphetamine. His grades fell, and he lost his cheerleading scholarship; he dropped out after one semester to pursue hairstyling. // Van Ness trained at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis. After graduating, he worked in Arizona for five years, before moving to Los Angeles in 2009. // In Los Angeles, Van Ness found a job as a personal assistant at Sally Hershberger Salon. One day in 2012, at age 25, he fainted in the salon while doing highlights for a client’s hair. Later at a clinic, he found out he was HIV-positive. He used the revelation to get clean from drug use and publicly shared his story, saying, “I want people to realize you’re never too broken to be fixed.” // He worked at MoJoHair and Stile Salon, both in Los Angeles, which he co-founded with Monique Northrop of Arte Salon in New York City. // In 2013, while dressing the hair of friend Erin Gibson, who worked for the comedy syndicate Funny or Die, Gibson asked Van Ness to perform his recap of a Game of Thrones episode for Funny or Die, which became the Gay of Thrones web series In 2018, Van Ness was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Variety Series for the series.
// Since 2015, Van Ness has hosted the weekly podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. His podcast took off upon the airing of the first Queer Eye episode. // Beginning in 2018, Van Ness has starred as the grooming expert on the Netflix revival of Queer Eye. // Van Ness’s memoir, Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love, was published in October 2019. His memoir discusses his past and how it helped sculpt his future. // In 2020, Van Ness released a picture book titled Peanut Goes for the Gold, which tells the story of a nonbinary guinea pig named Peanut and their adventures as a rhythmic gymnastics prodigy. Peanut is inspired by Van Ness’s own childhood pet. // In 2022 Van Ness released a collection of essays in a book titled Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life. // Van Ness is non-binary. Although he has stated a preference for using the pronouns he/him, he has also used she/her and they/them interchangeably. He explained his gender in an interview with Out, saying, “Some days I feel like a man, but then other days I feel like a woman. I don’t really — I think my energies are really all over the place. Any opportunity I have to break down stereotypes of the binary, I am down for it, I’m here for it.” However, on his Instagram account, the pronouns displayed by order of preferences are they/he/she. // Van Ness lives and works in Austin, Texas and New York City. He has psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, and advises clients on skin care. In 2019, he revealed that he is HIV positive. // On April 4, 2019, Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Tan France, and Antoni Porowski visited Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to discuss the Equality Act, a bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of classes protected in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On September 25, Van Ness announced his endorsement of Elizabeth Warren for president in 2020 based upon healthcare being a human right. // On June 23, 2020, Van Ness and Queer Eye costar Bobby Berk praised recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that ruled that LGBT employment discrimination was a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Van Ness described the ruling as “a great step in the right direction”. However, both of them still urged the United States Congress to pass the proposed Equality Act, which passed the House but ultimately stalled in the Senate following a filibuster. // In December 2020, Van Ness revealed that he had married his partner, Mark Peacock, earlier that year. // Bibliography — Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love (2019); Peanut Goes for the Gold (2020); Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life (2022)

Jonathan Van Ness plays Muriel Kauffman Theatre at The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.

11:01 – Station ID

  1. The Forcefields – “The Symphony Of All Things”
    from: Symphony Of All Things / Frickin’ Awesome Records / June 6, 2026
    [Debut 9-track album from The Forcefields is a cosmosonic collaboration between Julia Othmer and James T Lundie AKA Aayama & Max Forcefield. The Forcefields made their first debut with the presentation TRANSMISSION for the Charlotte Street Foundation series, In(SITE), highlighting local, regional, and national acts at pivotal points in their practices. In a multidisciplinary collaboration with artists Simon Huntley, Sarah Hearn, and Mikal Shapiro, Transmission was an exploration of cosmic vibrations and soundscapes in a stunning one-night-only production. // Julia Othmer grew up in Kansas City and studied at Columbia University in New York City. The child of European refugees, she draws from a broad and richly cultured palette of experience to create her intensely human yet otherworldly songs. Her piano-driven performances are a mesmerizing and superconscious fusion of raw power, vocal artistry and joy. She played many local KC clubs including Jardine’s and Bar Natasha. Julia moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st album, OASIS MOTEL. When Julia started planning to record her second album she traveled all the way to England to work with producer James Lundie. On a dark night in North London, singer-songwriter Julia Othmer landed on the front steps of producer-composer James T Lundie. She had been introduced to his music production and fell so deeply in love with his sonic architecture, she transported herself across the proverbial pond from LA to the UK, and refused to leave until he listened to her songs. This began a deeply creative and inspired partnership both in music and in life. Together they have released (under Julia’s name) studio recordings, live recordings, short films to accompany their work, a multi-media performance experience, and multiple social and environmental justice initiatives. James T. Lundie married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. The album “Sound,” was released on April 12, 2019. Leading up to the 2020 presidential election Julia & James released Seeds (Vol. 1) in 2020, and SEEDS (Vol. 2) in 2022. In the midst of these releases Julia and James relocated to Kansas City. Last year in April of 2024 Julia and James unveiled their newest creation, THE FORCEFIELDS featuring, reimagined vintage synthesizers, video projections, one of a kind instruments. // In 2021 Julia and James relocated to KC, and they recently unveiled their newest creation, a new expanding sonic & visual aesthetic called THE FORCEFIELDS. Their sound is evolving into what is described as Annie Lennox hosting a full moon party with The Beach Boys and Portishead gathered round the fire. Their studio recordings feature James’ unique sonic tools, reimagined vintage synthesizers, audireting and distilling the essence of two of Julia’s previous songs.]

[The Forcefields play The Warwick Theatre, July 18]

11:06 – Interview with Julia Othmer, & James Lundie

Julia Othmer and James T Lundie aka Max and Aayama Forcefield of The Forcefields join us to talk about their debut 9-track album, Symphony Of All Things, released on June 6, 2026. The Forcefields is a cosmosonic collaboration between Julia Othmer and James T Lundie. The Forcefields made their performance debut with the presentation TRANSMISSION for the Charlotte Street Foundation series, In(SITE). Recently The Forcefields have been touring around the United Kingdom. The Forcefields will be performing LIVE in Kansas City on July 18 at The Warwick Theatre.

Max and Aayama Forcefield aka Julia Othmer, & James Lundie, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

For the past three months The Forcefields have been in Europe, touring the UK and France, including two performances at a 17th century chateau.

The Forcefields were hosted by UpCo Arts in England – an arts collective of activist/punks: photographer Casey Orr, painter Josh Sutton, and musician Boff Whalley (of Chumbawamba

The Forcefields have an upcoming show at the Warwick Theatre on July 18.

The Forcefields invite people to become members of the FORCEFIELDS, creating their own persona/name and being inducted into the The Forcefields Ledger of Frickin’ Awesomeness and our magical mystical question cards from the universe.

Our mission is to come together to raise the cosmic vibration

The Forcefields will be heading back overseas for more UK touring in the autumn.

Julia Othmer & James T Lundie join us to share new music from their project The Forcefields. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School and studied at Columbia University in New York City. The child of European refugees, she draws from a broad and richly cultured palette of experience to create her intensely human yet otherworldly songs. Her piano-driven performances are a mesmerizing and superconscious fusion of raw power, vocal artistry and joy. She played many local KC clubs including Jardine’s and Bar Natasha.

Julia moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st album, OASIS MOTEL. When Julia started planning to record her second album she traveled all the way to England to work with producer James Lundie. On a dark night in North London, singer-songwriter Julia Othmer landed on the front steps of producer-composer James T Lundie. She had been introduced to his music production and fell so deeply in love with his sonic architecture, she transported herself across the proverbial pond from LA to the UK, and refused to leave until he listened to her songs. This began a deeply creative and inspired partnership both in music and in life. James T. Lundie married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. The album “Sound,” was released on April 12, 2019.

Leading up to the 2020 presidential election Julia & James released Seeds (Vol. 1) on November 13, 2020. “Seeds” was Julia Othmer’s 3rd full length album and contained 10 live songs selected from her 30-day Songs of September Project, where Julia performed a different live cover of her favorite songs and broadcast the performance throughout the streaming social media platforms to inspire people to register and vote on November 3. From those songs Julia’s fans democratically selected their favorite tracks to be released together on “Seeds.” In March 20, 2022 Julia Othmer released SEEDS VOLUME 2, her 4th album, and second of live recordings from her 30-day “Songs of September Project”, where Julia covered songs of protest & hope, to inspire people to vote in 2020. In the midst of these releases Julia and James relocated to Kansas City.

In April of 2024 Julia and James unveiled their newest creation, THE FORCEFIELDS featuring, reimagined vintage synthesizers, video projections, one of a kind instruments. Together they have released studio recordings, live recordings, short films to accompany their work, a multi-media performance experience, and multiple social and environmental justice initiatives.

The Forcefields emerged from a woodland shed on England’s southern shores, blending mystic soundscapes with life force and mystery. Founders Julia Othmer and James Lundie, as alter egos Max and Aayama Forcefield, craft vivid live experiences with epic visuals and emotional, esoteric energy—imagine a full moon disco by a bonfire with Annie Lennox, Portishead, and The Beach Boys.

Inspired to take their collaboration to the next level, they are creating a new expanding sonic and visual aesthetic with their project: THE FORCEFIELDS.

Their sound is evolving into what is described as Annie Lennox hosting a full moon party with The Beach Boys and Portishead gathered round the fire. Their studio recordings feature James’ unique sonic tools, reimagined vintage synthesizers, audireting and distilling the essence of two of Julia’s previous songs, BRIDGE is a rhythmic, multi-layered and richly textured exploration of letting go and positive self realization.

Julia writes: Our first two singles: “Slip Away” and “Frickin Awesome Part Two” were kind of an EP called Bridge. Those songs were a Sonic Bridge between the work we had done under my name and what is now being created through the FORCEFIELDS.

Their sound is evolving into what is described as Annie Lennox hosting a full moon party with The Beach Boys and Portishead gathered round the fire. Their studio recordings feature James’ unique sonic tools, reimagined vintage synthesizers, audio gear and rebuilt, one-of-a-kind instruments, heard nowhere else in the world.

Their debut EP, BRIDGE, (released in 2024) was a sonic bridge between their previous work together and this new trajectory. Reinterpreting and distilling the essence of two of Julia’s previous songs, BRIDGE is a rhythmic, multi-layered and richly textured exploration of letting go and positive self realization. Julia & James premiered The Forcefields with a multi-media, live music experience called Transmission, February 23, 2024 in the Stern Theater at Charlotte Street Foundation, 3333 Wyoming St, KCMO.

The Forcefields released their 9-track debut album, Symphony Of All Things on June 6, 2026.

Julia Othmer, & James Lundie, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Forcefields will play The Warwick Theatre on July 18

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

11:24

  1. The Forcefields – “Slip Away”
    from: Symphony Of All Things / Frickin’ Awesome Records / June 6, 2026
    [Debut 9-track album from The Forcefields is a cosmosonic collaboration between Julia Othmer and James T Lundie AKA Aayama & Max Forcefield. The Forcefields made their first debut with the presentation TRANSMISSION for the Charlotte Street Foundation series, In(SITE), highlighting local, regional, and national acts at pivotal points in their practices. In a multidisciplinary collaboration with artists Simon Huntley, Sarah Hearn, and Mikal Shapiro, Transmission was an exploration of cosmic vibrations and soundscapes in a stunning one-night-only production. // Julia Othmer grew up in Kansas City and studied at Columbia University in New York City. The child of European refugees, she draws from a broad and richly cultured palette of experience to create her intensely human yet otherworldly songs. Her piano-driven performances are a mesmerizing and superconscious fusion of raw power, vocal artistry and joy. She played many local KC clubs including Jardine’s and Bar Natasha. Julia moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st album, OASIS MOTEL. When Julia started planning to record her second album she traveled all the way to England to work with producer James Lundie. On a dark night in North London, singer-songwriter Julia Othmer landed on the front steps of producer-composer James T Lundie. She had been introduced to his music production and fell so deeply in love with his sonic architecture, she transported herself across the proverbial pond from LA to the UK, and refused to leave until he listened to her songs. This began a deeply creative and inspired partnership both in music and in life. Together they have released (under Julia’s name) studio recordings, live recordings, short films to accompany their work, a multi-media performance experience, and multiple social and environmental justice initiatives. James T. Lundie married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. The album “Sound,” was released on April 12, 2019. Leading up to the 2020 presidential election Julia & James released Seeds (Vol. 1) in 2020, and SEEDS (Vol. 2) in 2022. In the midst of these releases Julia and James relocated to Kansas City. Last year in April of 2024 Julia and James unveiled their newest creation, THE FORCEFIELDS featuring, reimagined vintage synthesizers, video projections, one of a kind instruments. // In 2021 Julia and James relocated to KC, and they recently unveiled their newest creation, a new expanding sonic & visual aesthetic called THE FORCEFIELDS. Their sound is evolving into what is described as Annie Lennox hosting a full moon party with The Beach Boys and Portishead gathered round the fire. Their studio recordings feature James’ unique sonic tools, reimagined vintage synthesizers, audireting and distilling the essence of two of Julia’s previous songs.]

11:27 – Underwriting

  1. Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves – “Outside”
    from: Outside” – Single / Enigmatic Brunch Records / March 11, 2026
    [Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves are a 7-piece dance punk band based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their music combines danceable rhythms, rockin’ guitar riffs, and upbeat melodies paired with the uncommon instrumentation of viola, keytar, and foley art. The band’s inception began in theatre school where lead vocalist Sara Bellum first met guitarist MC Burnie Beta, sound designer Theo Theta, and vocalist/keytarist Zesty Zeta. Although it took many years for the band to fully form, these friendships developed the ground-work of what the group would become. After meeting violist Gemma Gamma, drummer Delma Delta, and bassist Athen Alpha, the band was fully assembled in late 2024, began performing live in January 2025, and started recording in April 2025. With the departure of Athen Alpha to attend college at the end of 2025, the Brainwaves welcomed bassist/keys player Spencer Synapse to join the group. Just as their name emphasizes the brain, much of the Brainwaves’ music and art focuses on mental health and healing. With the belief that mental health is just as important as physical health, they wish to build a loving community with their art. // Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves played a single release show at The RINO 314 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, Friday, March 13, at 8:00pm with The 58 Overhead, and Katie & Michael.]

[Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves play Engelwood Arts, 10901 E Winner Rd., Independence, MO on Saturday, June 20, doors at 6:0pm show at 7:00pm. with Quiet Talk, and Velvet Fog]

11:33 – Interview with Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves

Sara Bellum (Ames King) – lead vocalist
Burnie Beta (Noah Bartelt), – guitarist/vocalist and
Zesty Zeta (Katie Schieferecke) – vocalist/keytarist]\
Theo Theta (Luke Rowe) – foley artist

We happily welcome founding members of the band Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves, a seven-piece dance punk band based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their music combines danceable rhythms, rockin’ guitar riffs, and upbeat melodies paired with the uncommon instrumentation of viola, keytar, and foley art. The band’s inception began in theatre school where lead vocalist Sara Bellum first met guitarist MC Burnie Beta, sound designer Theo Theta, and vocalist/keytarist Zesty Zeta. We jujst herad the band;s debut single “Outside” and in a few we will play the band’s new single “Manic Pixie Dream Girl.”

Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves play Engelwood Arts, 10901 E Winner Rd., Independence, MO on Saturday, June 20, doors at 6:0pm show at 7:00pm. with Quiet Talk, and Velvet Fog

Sara Bellum, Burnie Beta, Zesty Zeta and Theo Theta, Thanks for being with us on WMM

Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves are a 7-piece dance punk band based in
Kansas City, Missouri. Their music combines danceable rhythms, rockin’ guitar
riffs, and upbeat melodies paired with the uncommon instrumentation of viola,
keytar, and foley art.

The band’s inception began in theatre school where lead vocalist Sara Bellum
first met guitarist MC Burnie Beta, sound designer Theo Theta, and
vocalist/keytarist Zesty Zeta. Although it took many years for the band to fully
form, these friendships developed the groundwork of what the group would
become.

After meeting violist Gemma Gamma, drummer Delma Delta, and
bassist Athen Alpha, the band was fully assembled in late 2024, began
performing live in January 2025, and started recording in April 2025. With the
departure of Athen Alpha to attend college at the end of 2025, the Brainwaves
welcomed bassist/keys player Spencer Synapse to join the group.

Just as their name emphasizes the brain, much of the Brainwaves’ music and art
focuses on mental health and healing. With the belief that mental health is just as
important as physical health, they wish to build a loving community with their art.

Sara Bellum, Burnie Beta, Zesty Zeta and Theo Theta, Thanks for being with us on WMM

Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves play Engelwood Arts, 10901 E Winner Rd., Independence, MO on Saturday, June 20, doors at 6:0pm show at 7:00pm. with Quiet Talk, and Velvet Fog

11:50

  1. Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves – “Manic Pixie Dream Girl”
    from: “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” – Single / Enigmatic Brunch Records / June 17, 2026
    [Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves are a 7-piece dance punk band based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their music combines danceable rhythms, rockin’ guitar riffs, and upbeat melodies paired with the uncommon instrumentation of viola, keytar, and foley art. The band’s inception began in theatre school where lead vocalist Sara Bellum first met guitarist MC Burnie Beta, sound designer Theo Theta, and vocalist/keytarist Zesty Zeta. Although it took many years for the band to fully form, these friendships developed the ground-work of what the group would become. After meeting violist Gemma Gamma, drummer Delma Delta, and bassist Athen Alpha, the band was fully assembled in late 2024, began performing live in January 2025, and started recording in April 2025. With the departure of Athen Alpha to attend college at the end of 2025, the Brainwaves welcomed bassist/keys player Spencer Synapse to join the group. Just as their name emphasizes the brain, much of the Brainwaves’ music and art focuses on mental health and healing. With the belief that mental health is just as important as physical health, they wish to build a loving community with their art. Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves played a single release show at The RINO 314 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, Friday, March 13, at 8:00pm with The 58 Overhead, and Katie & Michael.]

[Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves play Engelwood Arts, 10901 E Winner Rd., Independence, MO on Saturday, June 20, doors at 6:0pm show at 7:00pm. with Quiet Talk, and Velvet Fog]

  1. Get Smart! – “Just For The Moment”
    from: Action Reaction / Fever Records – Enigma / 1984
    [Debut album by American Post-punk band Get Smart!, released on Enigma Records’ “Fever” imprint in 1984. / It was originally announced, in Nebraska’s “Capitol Punishment”, that the album would be released on the “Fresh Sounds” label, which had previously released the band’s debut single and the “Fresh Sounds” cassette, but the band eventually signed with the Philadelphia based “Fever Records” / The album was originally recorded by Michael McGee and produced by Taylor Ross at Media Sound in Oklahoma City. Ross then recruited Iain Burgess to remix the album for release at Chicago Recording Company in Chicago. // An earlier version of “Ankle Deep In Mud” had appeared on their debut single, “Numbers and Colours”, and an earlier version of “Black Mirror” has appeared on the “Sub Pop #7” compilation cassette. // All songs were written by the band, except for “Ankle Deep In Mud” which was written by Vance Lyons, and “Black Mirror” where the lyrics were written by Vance Lyons and the music was written by Get Smart!. (Vance Lyons had played with Marc Koch in a previous band called the Battling Tops.) // Side 1 and Side 2 were originally supposed to be reversed, as the album was supposed to start with “On And On” and then end with “You’ve Got To Stop” (i.e. it would start with “On” and end with “Stop”), but for some unknown reason this was reversed in the final product. // Get Smart! formed in Lawrence, KS in 1980. The group helped to solidify Lawrence as an alternative music hotbed and toured extensively, performing 300 shows in six years. They released a flexi-disc and Words Move, a 4-track EP in 1981. In 1983 they relocated to Chicago. Their first LP, “Action Reaction” was released in 1984. The band’s second LP, “Swimming With Sharks” was released in 1986. During seven years of relentless touring, Get Smart! earned a national reputation for intense live shows and edged their way onto college radio playlists with their first two LPs, Action Reaction (1984) and Swimming With Sharks (1986). In January, 1987, the band began work on their third album with seminal recording engineer, Iain Burgess. In 1990 Get Smart! Disbanded. These recordings were archived for 33 years until Get Smart! reformed in 2020 and released the album OH YEAH NO on November 17, 2020 with the aim of matching their live sound, the band commissioned Steve Albini to craft the final mixes with them. These six songs prove that the tension and inspiration shown on their first LPs was no idle promise. Get Smart! played a special Reunion Show, Saturday, November 6, 2021 at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, KS with Pedaljets, Other Geese, Boy Soprano, and DJ Ray Velasquez. More info at: http://www.getsmartmusic.com]

[Get Smart play the recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO, Friday, June 19 with The Embarrassmen, and The Scriveners]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, June 24 we welcome The Swallowtails and feature music from their new album “Perspectives”. Also Aaron Rhodes drops by to share a few tracks from his new band UNITY TICKET, and Brooke Tuley sits down to tell the story of her beautiful album Chase Me, and IVORY BLUE drops in to talk about her new album ECHO

You can find our playlists at: http://www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & http://www.kkfi.org
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
http://www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 35 people donated a total of $3513.50. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1152

WMM Playlist from June 10, 2026

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

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Wednesday MidDay Medley is Transmitting PEACE, LOVE & KKFI

WMM Plays More New & MidCoastal Releases + Say That Again

  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]
Screenshot
  1. Eggs On Mars – “Good Morning (I Love You)”
    from: Good Morning (I Love You) / Enigmatic Brunch Records / March 3, 2026
    [Eggs on Mars, a 4-piece soft psych pop band from KCMO. Brad Smith – lead vocals, guitars & piano; Doug Bybee – bass, keys, vocals on “Shooting Stars” & “Takes Time”; Joel Stratton – lead guitars & keyboards; Mason Potter – drums, percussion, & field recordings. All songs by Eggs on Mars. Words for “Takes Time” by Justin Longmeyer. Recorded by Joel Stratton in fall 2024/winter 2025 at Soundstructure Studios. Mixed by Doug Bybee & Joel Stratton. Mastered by Doug Bybee & Josh Johnson. Art Direction by Brad Smith. Graphic design, photography, CD layout, cassette layout by Doug Bybee. Info at: http://www.eggsonmars.bandcamp.com]
  1. Kevin Morby – “Junebug”
    from: Little Wide Open / Dead Oceans / May 15, 2026
    [Kevin Morby’s 8th studio album. // From Kevin’s Bandcamp page: For Kevin Morby, the “little wide open” is the big sky, the small lives, it’s his origins in the Midwest, and every duty and modesty and familiarity and isolation: the land, the people, and the parts of that inside him. “There’s something unintentionally musical about the Midwest; cicadas chirping in the trees, a train passing, a tornado siren going off,” explains Morby. “If you listen, there are these almost ominous sounds taking place beneath the wide-open sky—its ugliness and its beauty and how the two are often working together simultaneously. And while the Midwest isn’t technically the badlands, it’s my badlands.” // Little Wide Open is the title of Kevin Morby’s eighth studio album, produced by Aaron Dessner. In the summer of 2024, Dessner had asked Morby to support The National at their London show in Crystal Palace Park. Shortly after, Dessner—who was on a hot streak, having produced albums for Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Gracie Abrams—reached out to Morby to say he’d love to produce his next album. They began recording at Aaron’s Long Pond Studio in Stuyvesant, NY, early in 2025 and finished in September of that year. // The album, which features a host of contributors such as Dessner—who plays multiple instruments across it—Amelia Meath, Andrew Barr, Justin Vernon, Katie Gavin, Lucinda Williams, Meg Duffy, and more, has been described by Morby as the third in a trilogy of releases, following 2020’s Sundowner and 2022’s This Is a Photograph, which catalogued his time in the Midwest after moving back to Kansas City. This time out, Dessner’s production elevates Morby’s recordings while never losing focus of the songs themselves. There’s a newfound confidence and clarity in both Morby’s writing and Dessner’s production that recalls Tom Petty’s 1994 classic Wildflowers. // Now primarily living in LA, the atmosphere that runs through Little Wide Open has changed somewhat from its predecessors. As Rachel Kushner writes of Morby in the album’s accompanying essay: “It’s about time, about feeling like he has shifted from nostalgia and the losing game, losing but beautiful, of holding onto the past. He has accepted that time is ceaselessly flowing, and you can’t stop it. Instead, he feels like he’s riding it. He’s riding passenger with time.” // Kevin Morby’s single “Beautiful Strangers’ was recently recorded by Mavis Staples for her 2025 album SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD. Mavis Staples won a Grammy at the 68th Annual Grammys for Best American Roots Performance for her interpretation of Kevin’s song. Kevin released this song only as a single in 2016 in tribute to the victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting. Kevin Morby is pretty bowled over by the existence of this cover. Morby says. “It isn’t easy to put into words what it feels like having one of the best, most important vocalists and cultural figures of both the 20th and 21st century sing one of my songs.” // Kevin Robert Morby was born April 2, 1988. Kevin learned to play guitar when he was 10. In his teens he formed the band Creepy Aliens. 17-year-old Morby dropped out of Blue Valley Northwest High School, got his GED, and moved from his native KC to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, supporting himself by working bike delivery and café jobs. He later joined the noise-folk group Woods on bass. While living in Brooklyn, he became close friends and roommates with Cassie Ramone of the punk trio Vivian Girls, and the two formed a side project together called The Babies, who released albums in 2011 and 2012. Kevin Morby began a solo career in 2013 releasing his debut album HARLEM RIVER on November 26, 2013. STILL LIFE, his 2nd album, was released in October 14, 2014. SINGING SAW his 3rd album was released April 15, 2016 and was in WMM’s 116 Best Recordings of 2016. His 4th album CITY MUSIC was released June 16, 2017 and was in WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Kevin Morby released his 5th album OH MY GOD on April 26, 2019. On October 16, 2020 Kevin Morby released SUNDOWNER, his 6th release, #20 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2020. On October 8, 2021 Kevin Morby released A NIGHT AT the LITTLE LOS ANGELES (Sundowner 4-Track Demos) on Dead Oceans Records. On May 13, 2022 Kevin Morby released THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH his 7th album as a solo artist, on Dead Oceans. It was #7 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. From http://www.rollingstone.com: “In January 2020, songwriter Kevin Morby witnessed his father collapse from a medical event while visiting his childhood home in Kansas. In a state of shock, the singer spent the evening looking at old family photos and fixated on an image of his father as a young man, looking, as Morby states, ‘full of confidence.’ The experience forced Morby to confront both the idea of mortality and the passage of time — and, after an extended sojourn in Tennessee, these reflections came together in the form of, This Is a Photograph. Produced by frequent Morby collaborator Sam Cohen, This Is a Photograph was primarily written in Memphis’ historic Peabody Hotel, where the singer-songwriter holed up in search of inspiration and self-realization amongst the city’s dark past.” On January 25, 2023 Kevin Morby released MUSIC FROM MONTANA STORY a 13 track film soundtrack. On May 26, 2023 Kevin Morby released MORE PHOTO-GRAPHS (A Continuum) on Dead Oceans Records. Throughout his 10 album releases Kevin has also released 25 singles. Kevin Morby played The Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway,May 29, at 7:00 with Liam Kazar.]
  1. SEYKO – “So Wonderful”
    from: “So Wonderful” – Single / Groove King Records – Fat Beats / June 5, 2026
    [“So Wonderful” wass written by Seyko. She told Michelle Bacon at The Bridge, that itstarted out as a possible Freedom Affair song (Seyko is one of the band’s three lead vocalists), but ultimately didn’t fit their second album thematically. So, she brought the song to a few bandmates Cole Bales for recording and production, Dave Brick on drums and Branden Moser on bass to release this as a solo single. // Seyko released the single “Anybody High: on Cecember 2, 2023 also through Groove King Re cords. And also Produced by Colby Bales of the band Black Light Animals and also a bandmate of SEYKO’s in The Freedom Affair. // Seyko released the single “What I Want” on June 23, 2023. //From http://www.seykomusic.com: Seyko has always found music to be a reflection of her innermost thoughts and feelings, a way of self-expression but even deeper than that. Music was always a life-giving, constant companion from the happiest moments to the darkest days. Music continues to be Seyko’s way of communicating with the world around her. // Seyko developed her musical talent during her formative years through church and school choirs, friendships that evolved into singing groups, and professional training through voice lessons and songwriting. Opportunities presented themselves, but Seyko also created opportunities for herself as she chased her dream to create and perform her own music. // The Freedom Affair and SUNU, two Kansas City bands Seyko performs and writes with, have solidified her place in the music scene and provide a solid foundation for beginning her solo career. Seyko’s singing and songwriting career has spanned twenty years, and it shows! Her creative growth has led to her being a well-respected artist in Kansas City, allowing her to participate in recording projects for fellow musicians and even singing background vocals for Michael Bublé at a live concert in 2022.]

[Seyko will be performing with SUNU for a free block party in downtown Lawrence, KS, on June 16 at 8 p.m., and with The Freedom Affair for FIFA Fan Fest KC on July 9.]

10:10 – Fund Drive Break #1 



We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for just a few minutes to let our listeners know that we are currently in day 6 of our On Air Summer Fund Drive. This is where YOU can be involved! We are breaking into our prepared programming, to encourage YOU to please call us at 888-931-0901 or http://www.kkfi.org to make a donation in support 90.1 FM KKFI.

Joining me in the studio, we have some very special co-hosts:

Mará Rose Williams is The Star’s Senior Opinion Columnist. She previously was assistant managing editor for race & equity issues, a member of the Star’s Editorial Board and an award-winning columnist. She has written on all things education for The Star since 1998, including issues of inequity in education, teen suicide, universal pre-K, college costs and racism on university campuses. She was a writer on The Star’s 2020 “Truth in Black and White” project and the recipient of the 2021 Eleanor McClatchy Award for exemplary leadership skills and transformative journalism. Mará Rose Williams was the creator and host and producer of Voices of Kansas City an award winning special series created by the KC Star with KKFI.

Mara Rose Williams thanks for being our guest on WMM

D. Rashaan Gilmore is host of “Unbossed and Unbothered with D. Rashaan Gilmore,” on KKFI Saturday nights at 5:00pm. D. Rashaan Gilmore is a two-time Emmy Award winning host and producer of Flatland In Focus on Kansas City PBS. Rashaan Gilmore is the founder and CEO of BlaqOut, which was established in 2017 as a grassroots movement to organize and mobilize Kansas City’s Black LGBTQ+ community and develop a leadership core. Gilmore has previously managed multiple significant HIV/ AIDS awareness and prevention grants for the Kansas City CARE Clinic. D Rashaan has also served as the Senior Field Organizer for PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBT equality and advocacy organization. Rashaan’s stellar and innovative work led to his being the distinguished recipient of the 2020 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Award. D. Rashaan spent 4 years as part of the team of host & Producers on KKFI’s program The Tenth Voice.

D. Rashaan Gilmore thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Also with us is Rev Dwight Frizzell is a Professor & Sound Head, at Kansas City Art Institute, in the Photography & Filmmaking Department with a Terminal Degree in Sound Design. Dwight is an internationally recognized artist whose work combines video, performance, installation, music, audio art, and writing. Frizzell’s work about his boyhood neighbor, Harry S. Truman, was featured in the Peabody-awarded “Lost and Found Sound” series broadcast on National Public Radio. Frizzell has produced an opera based on the life of Charles Darwin. In addition to his B.F.A. degree from KCAI, he holds a terminal fine arts degree in Sound Design from the UMKC. Dwight Frizzell, is a founder of the “groovy polyphonic jazz/dance” band, Black Crack Revue, now in their 43rd year. Dwight Frizzell is also served at First Editor, The Pitch, he is a founding member of the newEar contemporary chamber ensemble, and is host & producer of “From Arc To Microchip” heard on the fifth Thursday of each month on KKFI’s Thursday Night Special at 7:00pm on 90.1 FM.

BCR’s Celestial Mammals Solstice Show, at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave., KCMO, Saturday, June 20, at 6:00 to 9:00 PM – Celebrate the Solstice with BCR on the 50th Anniversary of the Black Crack Revue!

Dwight Frizzell, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

90.1 FM KKFI’s non-profit organization and governing body is the MidCoast Radio Project. MidCoastal is where we are, on the coasts of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers with a music community that spans the Kansas City Metro region and west to Lawrence and Topeka and south to Olathe and east to Columbia and North to St Joseph. Not necessarily the reach of our 100,000 watt signal but definitely the reach of our community.

WMM & KKFI are committed to featuring artists under-represented in other media, and that includes KC & Lawrence Arts & Music Community, where for 22 years we’ve shined a light on artists, music labels, recording studios, & venues.

Wednesday MidDay Medley was the first radio show to ever play the recordings of: Calvin Arsenia, Stephonne, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Krystle Warren, The Black Creatures, The Shy Boys, The ACB’s, Miss Boating, Rev Gusto, Mommas Boy, The Salvation Choir, The Creepy Jingles, Ivory Blue, Miki P., Kai McGarry, Rude Cousin. We were the first to interview these artists live on the radio and bring their music to a wider audience.

10:18 – WMM Plays More New & MidCoastal Releases

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  1. TheBabeGabe – “Love Language”
    from: HONEYPOP RELOADED / Seven Rings Media /Aug. 8, 2025
    [New 4-track EP and follow up the HONEYPOP RELOADED released August 8, 2025 through Seven Rings Media. Honeypop Reloaded was one of two full length albums released in 2025 by TheBabeGabe, the other being HONEYPOP on Seven Rings Media released March 5, 2025, both with production by The Human. // After years of being the girl in the band, TheBabeGabe is stepping out, and standing ten toes down. As she dives into her solo career, Gabe brings the same sugary raps and addicting energy that she did as 1/3 of the alt-rap trio BLACKSTARKIDS. This time though, she’s telling her story, and forging a fresh start. The debut mixtape HONEY POP introduces the world to a young black girl from Kansas City that’s hungry for better things for herself and everyone who looks like her. Her energy is infectious, and you won’t want to be the one standing in her way, which becomes clear from the rowdy hook of the project’s lead single PSA. “It’s in my DNA, killing shit like every day, take this as a PSA, don’t give a fuck ‘bout what you say.” // With BLACKSTARKIDS, Gabe gained experience crushing a stage, opening on tour with The 1975, beabadoobee, Glass Animals, & more. That confidence shines through on braggadocios tracks like Only See Me, Pulse, and Pep Rally where she raps, “hoe shut the fuck up when I’m talking, got a pretty face but this mouth repulsive.” Pulling inspiration from future peers like Doja Cat & Tyler, The Creator, Gabe is quick to prove she isn’t restricted to one sound. There’s no shortage of variety with sticky hooks, soulful ballads, Janelle Monáe -esque pop hits, somber reflective cuts, and boomy west-coast kickbacks. // No song boasts this genre-bending ability better than the double track RIOT GRRL//DRAMA QUEEN. Starting with an inspirational pop-punk banger that could make any Olivia Rodrigo fan nod in approval, it soon turns to the emotional DRAMA QUEEN, seeing Gabe grapple with difficult changes and struggle to find the best way forward. Listening to Gabe can often feel like hanging with your bestie in that you’re getting both the yap sessions about the everyday as well as the venting about life’s drama and all its uncertainties. // These confessions, boasts, hooks, croons, screams, beats, and sounds all come together to create an extraordinary portrait of a young artist figuring it out. It’s an unfiltered showcase that sees Gabe pull back the curtain and step forward so you can meet her where she’s at. So when you listen, you’re seeing her for who she really is. And for many, that’s someone you can see yourself in. That’s TheBabeGabe. // TheBabeGabe was one-third of the Kansas City based BLACKSTARKIDZ Gen-Z upstarts BLACKSTARKIDS have released their sixth studio album Saturn Dayz on Sept. 20, 2024 through Dirty Hit Records and immediately followed with an 8-track 7th studio album HEAVEN ON URF, on Oct. 25, 2024 on Dirty Hit Records. Music writer Bill Brownlee talked with us about how the band created a double album, but the record company decided to release as two separate albums. The music from both albums relate to each other. Before the release of Saturn Dayz the band released their single and video “SOULMATEZ!” on August 30, 2024. “SOULMATEZ!,” is a magnetic, blissed-out bop that brings together pop, indie, and alt-rap, reminiscent of Dev Hynes-era Solange mixed with De La Soul. // The follow up to BLACKSTARKIDS’ acclaimed 2022 album CYBERKISS* which featured standout singles “CYBERKISS 2 U* ft. beabadoobee” and “SEX APPEAL,” SATURN DAYZ is an otherworldly, genre-crossing testament to their unrelenting artistry and is their most impressive work to date. PRESS HERE to pre-save SATURN DAYZ. // Putting out music at a prolific rate and making waves for their formidable songwriting and producing talents, as well as their endless energy and truly limitless sound, BLACKSTARKIDS have received critical acclaim from New York Times, MTV, UPROXX, Billboard, Alternative Press, SPIN, Ones To Watch, Rolling Stone France, The Line Of Best Fit, DIY, Coup De Main, and more. Blending garage rock with synth-punk and hip-hop to usher in a new surge of indie, such as on their beloved album Puppies Forever which features anthemic singles “ALL COPS ARE BASTARDS,” “JUNO,” and “FIGHT CLUB,” BLACKSTARKIDS are well on their way to indie stardom and have previously toured with the likes of The 1975, COIN, Glass Animals, beabadoobee, Christian Leave, GroupLove. // Incorporating each member’s wide-ranging influences into their blissful DIY sound, such as Toro Y Moi, NERD*, Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Outkast, Odd Future, and A Tribe Called Quest, BLACKSTARKIDS first captivated the internet with their “black coming of age trilogy” of projects Let’s Play Sports, Surf, and Whatever, Man that feature critically acclaimed singles including “BRITNEY BITCH” and “FRANKIE MUNIZ.” // Blackstarkids are phenomenon who came out of KC in 2020 became the soundtrack for the summer. Members include: TheBabeGabe, Deiondre, and TyFaizon (of the Drop Dead XX collective). The members have known each other since high school in Raytown, Missouri. Members met at Raytown South High School and formed the band in 2019. The group released its first album, Let’s Play Sports, on August 1, 2019. Blackstarkids then released their second album SURF through their own label Bedroom Records on February 28, 2020. Blackstarkids caught the attention of The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy and were then signed to The 1975’s management company and UK-based label Dirty Hit Records. They were featured in Clash Magazine. Blackstarkids then released, Surf Basement Demos on Dirty Hit Records on March 5, 2020. On Oct. 29, 2020, Blackstarkids released Whatever, Man on Dirty Hit Records, their third album release of 2020. Gabe, of Blackstarkids recently described the KC Music community to an interviewer, “The music scene here is really nice. There are a lot of bands who are super talented and do all types of genres. The jazz music here is really great as well. KC is honestly a hidden gem when it comes to music. I feel like you can meet an artist anywhere and anyplace in this city.”]
  1. FlareThaRebel – “Dear City”
    from: Dear City / Shafer Publishing / May 1, 2026
    [Amplifying the tension between having love for one’s city while not dismissing its inequities, Dear City is a lyrical reflection of truth-telling and hometown pride. The album highlights commonalities experienced by many urbanites regardless of where they call home.  // In the weeks leading up to the album release concert, Flare has been releasing music video reels on social media featuring snippets of the new songs from Dear City. Filmed by Flaming Heart Productions, each reel features only the first verse or at most the first verse and chorus of each song, giving fans a taste of what’s to come and building hype for the album’s release. // Elevating the concoction further, Flare collaborated with bar owner, Bryan Ari, to film the music video reel of “Mixology” at Fern Bar. Flare turned the filming into a “fishbowl experience” inviting guests to watch him create the reel live while sipping cocktails of their own. Flare landed the scene, which involved rapping while mixing a cocktail and flaming an orange rind a precise moment within the song’s verse. The outcome? Confidently smooth – after about six takes and some hands-on coaching from Bryan Ari.// Career and love brought hip-hop MC Flare Tha Rebel™ back to his hometown of Kansas City, MO, which sparked a creative renaissance. As The Pitch noted, “As a member of hip-hop collective Anti-Crew, Flare Tha Rebel made quite an impact on the Kansas City hip-hop scene. After making the leap from KC to Chicago in the late ’00s, he’s now back…” His homecoming has proved fruitful – his track “Playground” was voted the Number 1 Song of 2022 by listeners of 90.9 FM The Bridge. Throughout his career, Flare has shared stages with heavyweights including Chance The Rapper, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Mac Lethal, Nappy Roots, and CES Cru. His most recent release is the locally acclaimed EP, “Summer You, Summer Me”, followed by his feature on the Kemet Coleman song “Android”. // Flare Tha Rebel aka Jeff Shafer is Executive Director for City Year Kansas City, an educational-equity nonprofit that places mentors/tutors in schools to keep kids on track to graduate. This was the job that brought Jeff back to KC, where he became Executive Director. ]

[FlareThaRebel hosts Music Maker Mondays presented by Manor Records Foundation, & Brewery Emperial on the First Monday of every month, 5:00pm-7:00pm (through August) at Brewery Emperial, 1829 Oak St. KCMO, to provide local music makers of all types – any genre, a laid-back, non-gig environment to connect, organize, and build community through a new monthly happy hour occurring on the first Monday of each month.]

  1. Jamogi – “HOLLABACK (feat. Les Izmore)”
    from: “HOLLABACK (feat. Les Izmore)” / Jam Tunes / May 15, 2026
    [Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally from Los Angeles, California.// Jamogi released the single “Georgia Peach (feat. Burgandy)” on September 5, 2025. Jamogi released Jamogi & The Jammers: Live at Flew The Coop Sessions (Flew The Coop Live) through Jam Tunes on April 11, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Do It To Me” on March 28, 2025. // Jamogi released the single “Go Big or Go Home” on August 30, 2024, Jamogi released the single “Hot Block” on May 30, 2024. Jamogi released the EP, Star-Crossed Lover on March 3, 2023. Jamogi then released a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single on June 9, 2023.Jamogi previously released the AGE OF AQUARIUS EP on March 3, 2023, and the single “Celebration” on Dec. 9, 2022, and the single “Anymore” on May 6, 2022. // Jamogi played the ROCK IS BLACK—a celebration of Black artists in rock music, happening February 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Zhou B Art Center, 1801 E 18th Street, KCMO. Rock is Black features: Malek Azrael & The Vibez, Jamogi and The Jammers, Stephonne, and Frankie Shorez & Mercy Fire. Kamogi and the Jammers played Boulevardia 2025]
  1. The Creepy Jingles – “Go Tell The Others”
    from: Washed Up / Enigmatic Brunch Records / June 6, 2026
    [New 11-track album was written by Jocelyn Nixon, and recorded, engineered, and mixed by Paul Malinowski at Massive Sounds Studios in Shawnee, Kansas, with Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on lead vocals, piano, rhythm guitar; Andrew Woody on bass; Nick Robertson on drums; and Wills Van Doorn on lead guitars. // Jocelyn Olivia Nixon is lead singer of the band The Creepy Jungles. Jocelyn told Nick Spacek of The Pitch, “that the songs she presents to her bandmates in The Jingles’ songs are poppier stuff, typically, while solo songs are more folky, mellow, weird, and lyrical. Solo work also gives her the opportunity to work with others outside the group. As Nixon explains, “It’s basically a tongue-in-cheek song making fun of hard right conservatives and social cliques who think only their way is ‘right.’” She said, “I felt like I needed something where I can be a bit more vulnerable and naked, I suppose,” the musician says. “I think because Jingles do rock n roll pop songs well, I think I’m kinda boxed in as an artist and singer. This is my way of saying I have many sides to myself as an individual and as an artist, and I can forge my own path and defy expectations.” Jocelyn Nixon’s next single, “Real Deal,” is due later this summer . // The Creepy Jingles released a series of 4 new singles in 2024 including “When Things Go Wrong” on February 23, 2024. // The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer / song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics. The Creepy Jingles released their album, TAKE ME AT MY WORDPLAY on March 25, 2022 through High Dive Records. Paired up with lyrics centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree. Everything and the kitchen sink or swim. No stoner left unturned. The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. It was in the top ten of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. ]

[The Creepy Jingles played a WASHED UP Album Release Show, Saturday, June 6, 2026, at The Greenwood Social Hall, with Heidi Gluck, and Lauren Lovelle & The Midnight Spliffs.]

10:29 – Underwriting

10:30 – Pledge Break #2

WMM Summer Fund Drive Team: Mara Williams, D. Rashaan Gilmore, Dwight Frizzell

So far this year in 2025 Mark conducted 42 Interview Segments with 72 special guests: Margaret Cho, David Brighton, Michelle Bacon, Chris Hudson, Dwight Frizzell, David Basse, D. Rashaan Gilmore, Calvin Arsenia, Sera Impala, FlareThaRebel, Shaun Crowley, Sara Swenson, Nathan Reusch, Charlie Burt, Mike Bland, Brad Smith, Mará Rose Williams, Sandra Draper, Jennie Ferguson, Scott Mize, Doug Hitchcock, Matt Kesler, Joelle St. Pierre, Diane Scott, Jade Osborne, Christena Graves, IVORY BLUE, Dandelion Lakewood, Rosie O’Brien, Sam Wright, Spencer Goertz-Giffen, Braden Young, Brent Kinder, Ed Wallerstein, Ian Byrne, Kian Byrne, Norm Dahlor, A.M. Merker, Jennifer Owen, Brad Cox, Krystle Warren, Michael B. Tipton, Kasey Rausch, Marcus Rattler, Hailes, Scott Moreau, Becky Barta, Allan Winkler, Taylor Bapp, Lava Dreams, Julie Bennett Hume, Amelia Rose, Alan & Janice Wasserman, Dedric Moore, Krysztof Nemeth, Ned Stacie, Francois, Peter Pain, Jesse Bartmess, Rachel Christia, Vi Tran, Darin Challacombe, Madeline Marak, Lori Buntin, Brodie Rush, Cody Calhoun, Liam Sumnich, Nate Hubert, Tim Jenkins, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Stephonne

Last year In 2025 Mark conducted over 175 interviews with 159 special guests:

Krystle Warren, elska, Michelle Bacon, Mike Dillon, Peregrine Honig, Malek Azrael, Joshua Luke, Izzy Vivas, Julie Bennet Hume, Doug Hitchcock, Diana Watts, Kevin King, Daniel Gum, Chris Garibaldi, Mark Henning, Ross Brown, Miquel Antonio, Daniel Cole, Paul Seiz, Cody Ryan Stapleton, Matt Muckenthaler, Nathan Reusch, Zach Lamun, Les Izmore, Charlie Colborne, Billy Belzer, T.A. Rell, Just Angel, Dylan Pease, Andy Wooden, Betse Ellis, Rachel Christia, Mikal Shapiro, Seth Davis, Evan Verploegh, Shanté Clair, Benjamin Baker, SEYKO, Cole Bales, Cody Calhoun, Noah Cassity, Kole Waters, Alex May, Stephonne, Danielle Anderson, Zach Hodson, Valerie Schurman, Joe Frogge, Fally Afani, Til Willis, Heather Pontonio, Jose Faus, Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman, Chico Sierra, Zo E., Jaclyn Danger, Simon Huntley, J. Ashley Miller, Grace Broadhead, Jason Turk, Sandra Draper, Enrique Chi, Julia Othmer, James T. Lundie, Alber, Jennie Ferguson, Scott Mize, Matt Kesler, Shaun Crowley, Paul Jesse, Alex Wong, Jen Kiper, David Luther, Sergio Anthony Gonzalez, Jeremiah James Gonzalez, Katlyn Conroy, Chris Catterall, Cheyenne Jackson, Kate McCandless, Moksha Sommer, Jemal Wade Hines, Chris Haghirian, James McGee, Meighan Peifer, Michael McQuary, Joey Arias, Lonnie Fisher, Tara Fisher, Adee Dancy aka Sisterbot, Hadiza., Suzannah Johannes, Keelon Van, Alyssa Murray, Ernest Melton, Mará Williams, J.M. Banks, Beth Watts Nelson, Spencer Thompson, Amanda Davis, Derek Trautwein, Dedric Moore, Rachel Lovelace, Kai McGarry, Alicia McGarry, Sandra Draper, Steve Tulipana, Day Shepherd, Tirzah DeMeire, Keyon Monté, Lee Sampson, Joel Stratton, Jim Hubbell, TheBabeGabe, TyFaison, Mitzi McKee, Don Simon, Morgan Holcomb, Bill Sundahl, Rick Truman, Nick Carswell, Brody Lowe, Fritz Hutchison, Mark Ronning, Iona DeWalt, Nan Turner, Amy Steinberg, Pete Kuhn, Brandon Day, Flare Tha Rebel, Margo May, Jared Bond, Tim York, Rita Hanch, Brock Johnson, Howard Iceberg, Chad Brothers, Julie Bates, Andrew Morris, Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Christopher Ruiz, Wills Nan Doorn, Sondra Freeman, Steddy P, David George, Scotty Sharp, Ben Wendt, Brock Wilbur, Nick Spacek, Gabe Rivera, Sara Swenson, Tommy Capps, Dirk Liebert, Graham Stone, Barry Lee, Chuck Haddix, Judy Mills, and Bill Brownlee.

10:37 – WMM Plays More New & MidCoastal Releases

  1. Betse Ellis – “The Traveler”
    from: High Moon Order / Free Dirt / June 14, 2013
    [Betse Ellis with: Jason Beers, Jonathan Kraft, Josh Mobley, Mark Smeltzer, Michael Stover, Mike West. Recorded at 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor, Lawrence, KS. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mike West. Produced by Mike West and Betse Ellis. 2nd solo release from renowned fiddler, Betse Ellis. Betse Ellis is originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Betse received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. For nearly 40 years Betse has been playing the violin and fiddle professionally and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was a founding member of the acclaimed internationally known band, The Wilders who released 10 albums. Betse is adept at the difficult technique of singing while playing the fiddle. Betse performs material, drawn from traditional American fiddle tunes, spirituals, original tunes, and her “personal old-time music”, influenced by avant-garde artists like Talking Heads, punk pioneers The Clash, and 19th century art music composer Gabriel-Mari. Betse has released two acclaimed solo records, and records & performs with the bands Little Miss Dynamite, and The Starhaven Rounders and with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as tBetse & Clarke.]

[Betse Ellis has making special appearances with The Poor Choices on Honky Tonk Tuesdays. at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO in the Historic West Bottoms.]

  1. Amber Gray, Ben Perowsky, Brian Drye, Chris Sullivan, Damon Daunno, Jenny Scheinman, Jessie Shelton, Liam Robinson, Lulu Fall, Marika Hugues, Michael Chorney, Nabiyah Be, Patrick Page & Shaina Taub – “All I’ve Ever Known (Live)”
    from: Hadestown: The Myth. The Musical. (Original Cast Recording) [Live] / Parlophone / October 5, 2017
    [Hadestown: The Myth. The Musical. (Live Original Cast Recording) is the cast album of the 2016 Off-Broadway production at New York Theatre Workshop. It was released digitally and on CD on October 6, 2017, through Ghostlight Records and Parlophone Records. A four-track EP containing live recordings of “Way Down Hadestown,” “All I’ve Ever Known,” “Wait For Me,” and “Why We Build the Wall” entitled Why We Build The Wall (Selections from Hadestown. The Myth. The Musical. Live Original Cast Recording) was released for digital retailers on October 13, 2016, in promotion of the album. The live album was recorded from the June 28 and 29, 2016 performances.[3] The recording does not contain every song from the production. It debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Cast Albums chart. // The musical Hadestown, written by American singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and based on her 2010 studio album of the same name, has had two official cast recordings. In addition, various songs from Hadestown were re-recorded by Mitchell for her 2014 studio album Xoa, including the musical’s opening number “Anyway the Wind Blows” which had not appeared on the original concept album. The song “Why We Build the Wall” has been covered by a variety of artists, including English singer-songwriter Billy Bragg for his 2017 EP Bridges Not Walls, Ben Fisher, Ben Dunham, Lilli Lewis, and Robert Neustadt. // Hadestown is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell. It blends versions of two ancient Greek myths, Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, to explore enduring and contemporary themes such as poverty. // The original sung-through version of the musical was performed in Barre and Vergennes, Vermont, in 2006, followed by a tour in Vermont and Massachusetts in 2007. Mitchell, unsure about the future of the musical, turned it into a concept album, released in 2010. // In 2012, Mitchell met Rachel Chavkin, and the two reworked the stage version, with additional songs and dialogue. The new version of the musical, directed by Chavkin, premiered off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) on May 6, 2016, and ran through July 31. Following productions in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and London, England, the show premiered on Broadway in 2019. The Broadway production received critical acclaim, and at the 73rd Tony Awards it received 14 nominations (the most that year) and won eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.]
  1. Allison Russell – “Rainbows”
    from: In The Hour of Chaos / Black Wonder LLC – Fantasy Records – Concord / July 10, 2026
    [4x GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell has announced her third studio album, In The Hour of Chaos, produced by Russell and Dim Star and arriving on July 10th via Fantasy Records. To mark the occasion she has shared her single “Cold April” featuring her tourmate Kara Jackson, Denitia and the Explore! Pop Choir. // Allison Russell just completed her second run on Broadway as Persephone in the 8x Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. She took over the role in November 2024 initially, after spending much of that year opening for Hozier on his Unreal Unearth Tour supporting his arena run on all US dates and throughout Europe. She made her Billboard Hot 100 debut thanks to their duet “Wildflower & Barley.” // Russell recently took the stage at the JUNO Awards to pay tribute to fellow Canadian, Joni Mitchell. The performance was a duet between her and Sarah McLachan who she will tour with throughout the summer. Dates kick off on July 1st in Franklin, TN. A full list of tour dates is below. // The accolades for Russell have been immense. Last year she was nominated for the Polaris Prize and named Billboard Women In Music Canada’s “Breakthrough Artist of the Year.” She has had 8 GRAMMY nominations and one win, earned three 2022 Americana Award nominations and a win for Album of the Year with subsequent nominations in 2023 and 2024, two International Folk Music Award wins, a 2022 Juno nomination for ‘Songwriter of the Year,’ and her first-ever Juno Award win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. Russell won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, and more. // Allison Russell on “Cold April” – Things are rough. Things have been rough before. “Cold April” is not laying out the grim facts of the moment. “Cold April” asks if we can let the music itself restore and recharge us. The act of singing with my sisters, Kara Jackson and Denitia, is a balm for my soul, and a wind at my back to keep on. And my daughter Ida’s Explore! Pop Choir?! Let them tell it: “Calling all birds from across the nation yeah we got a brand new murmuration we don’t have to fly in that old formation, no” Youth – and Love – will be served! // Kara Jackson recently collaborated with Gorillaz and was previously the US National, Youth Poet Laureate Denitia part of CMT Next Women Of Country series, member of Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country program, and featured in Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony concert. // // Allison Russell released The Returner, on September 8, 2023. The album was written and co-produced by Allison along with dim star (her partner JT Nero and Drew Lindsay) and was recorded over Solstice week in December 2022 at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, CA. It features Russell’s “Rainbow Coalition” band of all female musicians along with special guest appearances from the legendary Wendy & Lisa, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, and Hozier. Allison Russell on The Returner: “My goal with The Returner – sonically, poetically, and spiritually – is a radical reclamation of the present tense, a real time union of body, mind, and soul. This album is a much deeper articulation of rhythm, groove, and syncopation. Groove as it heralds the self back into the body, groove as it celebrates sensual and sexual agency and flowering, groove as an urgent call to action and political activism. // In just a word, it’s funkier. But as is the history of anything funky, it’s never just a party. It is a multiverse of energies that merges the celebration and the battle cry. For while an embrace of the present tense is a celebration, it is equally an unquestioning leap into battle – cultural, political, environmental.” // Since the release of her debut solo LP two years ago Outside Child, Russell’s often devastating, deeply moving, cathartic celebration of survivor’s joy has become one of the most acclaimed albums of the past 10 years. Now comes the second chapter in her story, The Returner, a body-shaking, mind-expanding, soulful expression of liberation, love, and self-respect that serves as a fierce declaration of joy for all survivors that have made it to the other side. Allison, JT, and Drew built The Returner from the bottom up with a rhythm-first, genre-fluid approach. The improvisational energy of great female artists sparked the album’s fierce joy, and provided a wider canvas for Allison’s immense, unlimited talent. In all, the new album doesn’t just deliver on the promise of the last two years, it exceeds all reasonable (and unreasonable) expectations and affirms Allison Russell’s place among music’s most vital artists and The Returner, as one of 2023’s most essential recordings. // Allison Russell has spent her career in multiple bands, including Po’ Girl, Our Native Daughters, and Birds of Chicago. After a career spent as a gifted multi-instrumentalist, backing numerous other artists, she finally dared to release her solo project in 2021. “It’s an album of strength and affirmation, not victimization,” said The New York Times in their profile on Russell and Outside Child. Following the album’s release, Russell performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ellen, Late Night With Stephen Colbert, CBS Saturday Morning, Austin City Limits, The Kelly Clarkson Show made her Opry debut and appeared at the Country Music Hall of Fame and performed at the 2022 GRAMMY’s Premiere Ceremony. // The accolades for Russell have been immense. In addition to her four GRAMMY nominations, she has earned three 2022 Americana Award nominations and a win for Album of the Year, two International Folk Music Award wins, a 2022 Juno nomination for ‘Songwriter of the Year,’ and her first-ever Juno Award win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. Russell received two 2021 Americana Awards nominations, won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, two UK Americana Music Awards, and more. She was recently nominated for Song of the Year and Artist of the Year for the 2023 Americana Awards. In addition, Russell has consistently used her newfound platform to elevate, educate and inspire; curating the history making Once And Future Sounds: Roots and Revolution set for the Newport Folk Festival in 2021 and mobilizing this year’s triumphant Love Rising All-Star benefit concert in support of LGBTQIA+ causes in Nashville – raising over $550,000 and calling national attention to Tennessee’s dangerous anti/trans and anti/drag laws. Russell has also announced a book deal with Flatiron/MacMillan for her debut novel, a memoir based on her life and the material that inspired Outside Child and The Returner. // All songs written by Allison Russell, JT Nero, and Drew Lindsay // Co-Producers: Dim Star and Allison Russell // Recorded by Brandon Bell at Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA) Assistant Engineer: Kelsey Porter. Mixed by Brandon Bell at The Cabin Studio (Nashville, TN). Mastered by Kim Rosen at Knack Mastering (Ringwood, NJ) // Allison Russell (vocals, banjo, clarinet), Elenna Canlas (keyboards/synth, backing vocals), Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (percussion), Chauntee Ross (violin, backing vocals) & Monique Ross (cello, backing vocals) aka SistaStrings, Ganessa James (bass, backing vocals), Joy Clark (guitar), Kerenza Peacock (violin), Larissa Maestro (cello, backing vocals), Lisa Coleman (piano), Mandy Fer (guitar, backing vocals), Meg Coleman (drums), Meg McCormick (guitar), Wendy Melvoin (guitar, bass), and Wiktoria Bialic (drums). Special guests Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, and Hozier provide backing vocals on “Requiem”. //We first saw Allison Russell as part of the band/duo with her partner JT Nero as, The Birds of Chicago at the 2014 International Folk Alliance Conference, where they were an Official Showcase Artist . More info at http://www.folk.org. Russell was born in Montreal to a Grenadian student and a Scottish-Canadian teenage single mother. Her mother struggled with postpartum depression and schizophrenia, and Russell was initially placed in foster care. Her mother regained custody of her after marrying a white-supremacist American expatriate. From the ages of 5 to 15, she was physically and sexually abused by her adoptive father. At the age of 15, Russell ran away from home, eventually moving to Vancouver in 1998. She attended Dawson College. // Russell was initially a member of the Vancouver-based Celtic folk band Fear of Drinking. // In 2003, Russell formed the band Po’ Girl with The Be Good Tanyas member Trish Klein. She recorded seven albums with the band: Po’ Girl (2003), Vagabond Lullabies (2004), B-side Recordings (2006), Home to You (2007), Deer in the Night (2008), Live (2009), and Follow Your Bliss (2010). Russell formed the music group Birds of Chicago with JT Nero in 2012. As part of Birds of Chicago, Russell released three studio albums, Birds of Chicago (2012), Real Midnight (2016) and Love in Wartime (2018). With the group, she also released a live album, Live from Space, and an EP titled American Flowers in 2018. In 2018, Russell joined the musical collective Our Native Daughters alongside fellow musicians Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah In 2019, the group released the album Songs of Our Native Daughters under the Smithsonian Folkways label. Russell was also featured alongside the rest of the group in a Smithsonian Channel documentary titled Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters. Info: http://www.allisonrussellmusic.com]
  1. Ivory Blue – “History”
    from: Echo / IVORY BLUE / May 22, 2026
    [New 10-song full length album from IVORY BLUE. Her third full length album. IVORY BLUE released the singles: “History” on April 3, 2026.,“afterglow” on February 20, 2026; “Forevermore” on November 28, 2025; and “Echo” on September 5, 2025. // Kansas City based artist, IVORY BLUE has a tendency of breaking through barriers that keeps her from saying what needs to be said, regardless of style. Bringing us hard hitting rock inspired ear candy like “Starlit Love Child” and “Control”, the idea of genre is only a tool IVORY uses to express her ability to communicate through music. // IVORY BLUE released the singles “Mirrors” on August 1, 2025; “Heartbeat” on March 28, 2025; “Rhythm of the Radio” on January 31, 2025 // “Exiled” on November 29, 2024; “Olé!” on October 4, 2024, Breathing Underwater” on August 9, 2024, “Bad Dreams”on June 7, 2024, “Batter Up” on April 22, 2024, “Flashback” on March 15, 2024, “Howl” on Feb. 16, 2024. // IVORY BLUE released their 2nd full length album, STARLIT LOVE CHILD, on Nov. 17, 2023. The 10-track album was in the top five of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2023, and in the “Best of” lists at 90.9 The Bridge and stations around the world. // On Oct. 27, 2023 IVORY BLUE released the single “Ghost of Life.” This single followed IVORY’s previous releases,”In A World Like This” from Sept. 22, 2023, ”The Best of Life” from Aug. 4, 2023 and “Control” from May 26, 2023. IVORY released the single “All Outta Love” on Feb. 24, 2023. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Starlit Love Child” on Oct. 28, 2022, “Red Light” on July 29, 2022. // IVORY BLUE released their full length debut album COMPOUND LOVE on Feb. 25, 2022. COMPOUND LOVE was in the Top 10 of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. For COMPOUND LOVE, IVORY BLUE served as songwriter, producer, vocalist and played all instruments with the exception of: Lester Estelle on drums, Klaartje Van Lue on piano, Craig Kew on bass, Lennon Bone on drums, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar. // IVORY BLUE released the single “Good Changes” on Oct 26, 2021. Ivory Blue released the singles: “Heavy,” “Bad Weather,” “It Must Have Been Me,” “Compound Love,” and “The Start” on December 14, 2021. // IVORY BLUE’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and give IVORY BLUE attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017 when Ivory was among 1800 artists/bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. // IVORY BLUE has played with The Band That Fell to Earth, Boulevardia, Crossroads Music Festival, Middle of the Map Fest, Westport Roots Festival, KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at KC Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium. // Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families, before running away at 15. // Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying Ivory to Kansas City, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. In 2011, Ivory settled in the Kansas City, MO area. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender”, and then later as Trans-Female. // As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. Info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com]

10:49 – Fund Drive Break #3

WMM Summer Fund Drive Team: Mara Williams, D. Rashaan Gilmore, Dwight Frizzell

We need KKFI Now More Than Ever. Where do listeners go to learn more about: Environmental issues, Immigration, Labor rights, Renters Rights, LGBTQIA issue, Urban Issues, Women’s Issues, Native American Issues, Understanding Isreal Palestine, Educational Issues, School Boards and Local Politics, our area Prison Population, Economic Issues, The Kansas City Visual & Literary Arts , The Performing Arts, Stadium Campaigns, National Headlines? Where do listeners go to hear: Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Classical, Hip Hop, Folk, Women’s Music, Indie Rock, Pop, Electronica, Punk…the answer is KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio. KKFI host 88 locally produce radio shows each creating weekly content to serve multiple communities of diversity across our listening audience.

10:57 – Station ID

10:57 – Say That Again

  1. Say That Again – “I’m Alright”
    from: “I’m Alright”- Single / Say That Again / March 6, 2026
    [Say That Again were formed in early 2020 with Will Kuenne on lead vocals & rhythm guitar, Trecen Peeler on bass, Vinnie Cascone on drums, and Carlos Nunez on lead guitar. Their music is a fun blend of Alternative/Indie Rock and Bedroom Pop that’ll get your toes tappinc g. Say That Again released their last album Get Over it on Feb. 23, 2024. Say That Again released their debut EP “Flying Cars” in Dec.cc of 2021 and just released their first full-length album, “Get Over It” on Feb. 23, 2024. Info: linktr.ee/SayThatAgainKC]

[Say That Again play The Rino, 314 Armour Rd., NKC, on Saturday, June 13, at 8:00pm with LYXE, and The Working Class Zeros.]

11:00 – Interview with Say That Again

Will Kuenne, Vinnie Cascone and Carlos Nunez are three fourths of the KC based band, Say That Again and they join us live in our 90.1 FM Studios. Say That Again were formed in early 2020 with Will Kuenne on lead vocals & rhythm guitar, Trecen Peeler on bass, Vinnie Cascone on drums, and Carlos Nunez on lead guitar. Their music is a fun blend of Alternative/Indie Rock and Bedroom Pop that’ll get your toes tapping. Say That Again released their debut EP, FLYING CARS on December 13, 2021 and their full-length album, GET OVER IT on February 23, 2024. Recently Say That Again have released a string of new singles including “New Strokes” on May 30, 2025, “I’m Alright” on March 6, 2026, and “In Conversation” on May 15, 2026. Say That Again play The Rino, 314 Armour Rd., NKC, on Saturday, June 13, at 8:00pm with LYXE, and The Working Class Zeros. More info at: linktr.ee/SayThatAgainKC

Will Kuenne, Vinnie Cascone and Carlos Nunez thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard Say That Again’s song, “I’m Alright” one of several new singles the band has been releasing over the last year.

Say That Again were formed in early 2020 with

Will Kuenne on lead vocals & rhythm guitar,
Trecen Peeler on bass,
Vinnie Cascone on drums,
Carlos Nunez on lead guitar.

Say That Again play The Rino, 314 Armour Rd., NKC, on Saturday, June 13, at 8:00pm with LYXE, and The Working Class Zeros.

Trecen Peeler and Carlos Nunez thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

More info at: linktr.ee/SayThatAgainKC

11:09 – Say That Again

  1. Say That Again – “In Conversation”
    from: “In Conversation”- Single / Say That Again / May 15, 2026
    [Say That Again were formed in early 2020 with Will Kuenne on lead vocals & rhythm guitar, Trecen Peeler on bass, Vinnie Cascone on drums, and Carlos Nunez on lead guitar. Their music is a fun blend of Alternative/Indie Rock and Bedroom Pop that’ll get your toes tappinc g. Say That Again released their last album Get Over it on Feb. 23, 2024. Say That Again released their debut EP “Flying Cars” in Dec.cc of 2021 and just released their first full-length album, “Get Over It” on Feb. 23, 2024. Info: linktr.ee/SayThatAgainKC]

[Say That Again play The Rino, 314 Armour Rd., NKC, on Saturday, June 13, at 8:00pm with LYXE, and The Working Class Zeros.]

11:12 – Fund Drive Break #4

WMM Summer Fund Drive Team: Mara Williams, D. Rashaan Gilmore, Dwight Frizzell

On May 13, 2026 – WMM recently celebrated 22 years on the radio.

As of this week WMM has done 1151 weeks, equal to 2302 hours of radio, over 18,000 hours of preparation, 3000 interviews, over 3000 guests, and nearly 25,000 songs, from thousands of musical artists. We have made it our mission to mix musical genres, playing with themes, diversity, equality, free speech, connecting artists and venues and listeners and communities. Wednesday MidDay Medley has proudly endeavored to help tell the story of our growing Kansas City area music community, “The Midcoast Sound,” as we like to call it. We have dedicated our WMM programming to New & MidCoastal Releases.

WMM has presented new formats in radio, with our “A Story In A Song” series, our shows featuring: Apocalypse Meow, Juneteenth, Power to The People Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Folk Alliance International, Manor Fest, The Outer Reaches Festival, Boulevardia. KC Fringe Festival, Waldo Folk Series, Shuttlecock Music, The Folly Theatre, Owen Cox Dance Group, Bach Aria Soloists, KC Pride, our annual tribute shows to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., David Bowie, Iris Dement, Pioneers of Punk, LGBTQIA Themes, Black Lives Matter and interviews with Lily Tomlin, Laurie Anderson, Tommy Ramone, Sweet Honey in The Rock, Joey Arias, Cheyenne Jackson, Iris Dement, Flamy Grant, Members of Fanny, Regina Spektor, Regina Carter, Tom Miller, Nick Cave, Holly Near, Sam Harris, our annual 4-week special: WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of the Year.

KKFI’s Mission Statement: KKFI is the Kansas City area’s independent, noncommercial community radio station. We seek to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.

KKFI’s Philosophy Statement: KKFI is committed to diversity in programming and discourse and seeks to create a climate of mutual respect and collaboration among volunteers and staff.

11:20 – Sound Mandala opens tonight, 7:30pm at Unicorn Theatre on the Jerome Stage

Sound Mandala, a 100-channel system, constructed in the Jerome Stage at Unicorn Theatre 3828 Main St. Shows start today June 10 – August 1. Wed – Sundays at 7:30pm.

  1. Dwight Frizzell – “Before The Big Band (Radio Edit) (feat. Brad Cox)”
    from: Sound Mandala / Dwight Frizzell / June 10, 2026
    [This music was created by Dwight Frizzell with piano solo by Brad Cox, piano longtones/overtones by Ben Choate and recording engineer Jacob Souders. Frizzell was among the first composers to publish music based on the physics of black holes on his Beyond the Black Crack LP (1976). Fifty years later, he is creating music inspired by the physics of the quantum void that created space-time in the nano-seconds before the Big Bang. Dedicated to Baikei Uehira, Sun Ra and Francois Bayle. // Notes by Dwight Frizzell: If there is a most mysterious mystery, the void of nothingness from which we came would be a contender—how we, along with everything else in this sprawling reality, was created from nothing. // Astro-physics is closing the gap in our understanding of nothingness by locating a void in the nano-seconds before the hot radiation we call the Big Bang. This Quantum Void of nothingness is a state of the lowest possible energy. Everything is slowed down to absolute zero.Yet this void is brimming with potential energy. Through an entirely spontaneous process due to quantum uncertainty, particles and anti-particles spontaneously pop into and out of existence. // The Quantum Void’s ground state is called a “quantum harmonic oscillator” where “non-vanishing vacuum expectation values” are created by spontaneous symmetry breaking. Our universe didn’t begin with a bang, but with a harmonic foundation of music from which sounding particles and anti-particles emerged by chance. // The piano was chosen for its one dimension strings that resonant with sympathetic overtones. In keeping with string theory and elemental energy states, a one-dimensional line can resonate into higher timbral dimensions and be temporally enfolded onto itself by creating time-pods composed of forward and backward moving timeframes. // Musique concrete techniques were also used on the piano recordings to realize the Void’s symmetry breaking process where particles and anti-particles spontaneously appear (and disappear) against the Quantum Void’s harmonic grounding. GRM’s Fusion, Grinder and Evolution software, and IRCAM’s TS was used. All sounds heard here were created from the piano. // Astro-quantum physics has developed a striking affinity with Kashmiri Tantra’s Doctrine of Vibration (Spanda). The Quantum Void, being outside our space-time, is very much like the Absolute or Universal Consciousness in Tantra, and it operates at the foundation of Reality in the same way the Quantum Void actively creates space-time. // The Doctrine of Vibration proposes that the Void is in a constant state of transformation and is full of vibration, yet from another point of view no change or movement occurs in this Absolute. Reality springs from stillness like the particles and anti-particles coming in and out of existence in the Quantum Void. Movement and rest in the Absolute presuppose one another. // The additional insight that Tantra offers to Cosmic Inflation theory has to do with consciousness being imminent in the universe. The freedom of consciousness to do what is impossible (according to reason) demonstrates, through our own experience, how the Absolute can at once be motionless yet full of activity, an astonishing realization at the fabric of reality both in quantum physics (as applied to the quantum void) and Kashmiri Tantra (as applied to the absolute and the movement of consciousness).// Stillness in consciousness is akin to the ground state of the Void– they may be one and the same. Tantra maintains the source of thought, including our understanding of past, present and future, stands outside of time. Consciousness is in an ever developing process in perpetual expansion. Our tiny part of the All, where we observe the flow of events around us and the feelings within us, is entangled with the All in the same way that the Quantum Void is entangled with the Universe. In Cosmic Inflation Theory, the Quantum Void is perpetually creating an infinity of parallel worlds. // To grasp reality in its completeness, we must go beyond thought and language which are only partial representations of reality. To experience this primordial source we pierce through the periphery of thought and plunge into the flash of thinking itself, and with it the emergence of the diversity we perceive in all the things in the world. The close contact between our senses and the Universal Consciousness revitalizes and animates our perceptions. // Unfettered awareness, free of rational thought and language, drifts from one mental object to the next. The transition between them involves a movement through a state of pure awareness outside of thought-forms and perceptions that is like the ground state of the Quantum Void. Music ©2026 Dwight Frizzell & Brad Cox]

[Sound Mandala plays The Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main Street, KCMO opening Wednesday, June 10 and running into the KC Fringe Festival 2026, through August 1. Wednesday thru Sundays at 7:30pm]

11:24:30 – Interview with Dwight Frizzell

Rev Dwight Frizzell is a Professor & Sound Head, at Kansas City Art Institute, in the Photography & Filmmaking Department with a Terminal Degree in Sound Design. Dwight Frizzell, is a founder of the “groovy polyphonic jazz/dance” band, Black Crack Revue, now in their 43rd year. Dwight Frizzell is also host & producer of “From Arc To Microchip” heard on the 5th Thursday of each month on KKFI’s Thursday Night Special at 7:00pm.

Sound Mandala – For the summer of 2026, a 100-channel system has been constructed in the Jerome Stage at the Unicorn Theatre. New programs are being created. Shows will take place during the FIFA World Cup, starting today June 10.

Signal & Soul is the Sound Mandala at its most adventurous — a single evening that moves from hip-hop to the cosmos, from Beatles psychedelia to the quantum void, from beatboxing to Anton Chekhov. Buckle up. ~50 Minutes

Indie Spotlight From Challenger Artists – a new kind of show: five fantastic young bands from Challenger Artists, live in our 100-loudspeaker immersive theatre — where sound moves, swirls, surrounds and envelops you in ways never before experienced. Featuring: Mini Trees, the indie-alt pop project of LA-based songwriter Lexi Vega; Brooklyn duo TOLEDO; Valley Boy, whose collaborators include Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, and Troye Sivan; Midwest four-piece Post Sex Nachos, whose track “SOS” climbed to the SiriusXM Alt Nation Top 6; and Chicago indie act Capital Soiree. The musical groups providing songs for our INDIE SPOTLIGHT are managed by Challenger Artists, the artist management division of Mammoth Live (promoter for venues in Kansas City including Uptown Theater, Grinder’s, Record Bar and more). ~60 Minutes

The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari – One of cinema’s most haunting masterpieces gets the sonic treatment it has always deserved. The nightmarish 1920 German Expressionist landmark returns with a brand-new live score by Kansas City composer Thomas Newby and psychedelic chamber pop innovators The Green Zoo. Approximately 62 minutes. Presented through all 100 loudspeakers. The line between screen and sensation dissolves completely. – 62 Minutes

Sound Mandala is a one-of-a-kind immersive audio experience where 100 independent loudspeakers surround you—sound moving around you, above you, and through you. This isn’t surround sound. It’s something altogether different, carefully crafted by sound designers who spend hours mixing each piece moving the sound around you, above you, and beneath you.

BCR’s Celestial Mammals Solstice Show, at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave., KCMO, Saturday, June 20, at 6:00 to 9:00 PM – Celebrate the Solstice with BCR on the 50th Anniversary of the Black Crack Revue!

11:27 – Underwriting

11:29 – WMM Celebrates New & MicCoastal Release

  1. The Forcefields – “Border”
    from: Symphony Of All Things / Frickin’ Awesome Records / June 6, 2026
    [Debut 9-track album from The Forcefields is a cosmosonic collaboration between Julia Othmer and James T Lundie AKA Aayama & Max Forcefield. The Forcefields made their first debut with the presentation TRANSMISSION for the Charlotte Street Foundation series, In(SITE), highlighting local, regional, and national acts at pivotal points in their practices. In a multidisciplinary collaboration with artists Simon Huntley, Sarah Hearn, and Mikal Shapiro, Transmission was an exploration of cosmic vibrations and soundscapes in a stunning one-night-only production. // Julia Othmer grew up in Kansas City and studied at Columbia University in New York City. The child of European refugees, she draws from a broad and richly cultured palette of experience to create her intensely human yet otherworldly songs. Her piano-driven performances are a mesmerizing and superconscious fusion of raw power, vocal artistry and joy. She played many local KC clubs including Jardine’s and Bar Natasha. Julia moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st album, OASIS MOTEL. When Julia started planning to record her second album she traveled all the way to England to work with producer James Lundie. On a dark night in North London, singer-songwriter Julia Othmer landed on the front steps of producer-composer James T Lundie. She had been introduced to his music production and fell so deeply in love with his sonic architecture, she transported herself across the proverbial pond from LA to the UK, and refused to leave until he listened to her songs. This began a deeply creative and inspired partnership both in music and in life. Together they have released (under Julia’s name) studio recordings, live recordings, short films to accompany their work, a multi-media performance experience, and multiple social and environmental justice initiatives. James T. Lundie married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. The album “Sound,” was released on April 12, 2019. Leading up to the 2020 presidential election Julia & James released Seeds (Vol. 1) in 2020, and SEEDS (Vol. 2) in 2022. In the midst of these releases Julia and James relocated to Kansas City. Last year in April of 2024 Julia and James unveiled their newest creation, THE FORCEFIELDS featuring, reimagined vintage synthesizers, video projections, one of a kind instruments. // In 2021 Julia and James relocated to KC, and they recently unveiled their newest creation, a new expanding sonic & visual aesthetic called THE FORCEFIELDS. Their sound is evolving into what is described as Annie Lennox hosting a full moon party with The Beach Boys and Portishead gathered round the fire. Their studio recordings feature James’ unique sonic tools, reimagined vintage synthesizers, audireting and distilling the essence of two of Julia’s previous songs.]

11:33 – Fund Drive Break #5

WMM Fund Drive Team: Mara Williams, D. Rashaan Gilmore, & Dwight Frizzell

We make radio shows that cover: The Folly Theater, Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society, Lotus Pool Records, KC Rep, Outer Reaches Fest, Owen/Cox Dance Group, No Divide KC, recordBar, Lawrence Arts Center, Manor Records, The Rino, KC Blues Society, KC Star, Lawrence Music Alliance, MixMaster Music Conference, Kosmic City Records, Midwest Music Foundation, Artists Thrive!, KC Gift, Juneteenth, Power to The People Fest, The Record Machine, Whim Theater, Lemonade Park, Crossroads Music Festival, The Ship, The Black Box Theatre, Amplify Lawrence, Quindaro Ruins, Queer Narratives Fest, Art in the Loop, The film: “I’m So Glad” documenting the KC Gospel Music, KC Fringe Festival, Make Music Day, Boulevardia, Arts in The Park, UMKC Conservatory of Music, The Crossroads Hotel, High Dive Records, Greenwood Social Hall, KC Folk Fest, Manor Fest, Center Cut Records, KKFI Band Auction, Charlotte Street Foundation, Women’s History Month!, University of Missouri at Columbia, Lawrence Public Library, I Heart Local Music, Black History Month, Bach Aria Soloists, Folk Alliance International, Martin Luther King Jr., Tribute to David Bowie, Tribute to Iris DeMent, the music of Palestine and Gaza

11:41 – WMM Celebrates New & MicCoastal Release

  1. Margaret Cho – “You Can Be You (feat, Garrison Starr)”
    from: Lucky Gift / Clownery Records / February 14, 2025
    [Margaret Cho’s 3rd music album. She released In Transition in 2013, and American Myth in 2016. // Produced and co-written with Garrison Starr and Roger Rocha. Acoustic Guitar Garrison Starr and Margaret Cho. Background Vocals Kate Willett. // Stef Rubino, Feb 18, 2025, http://www.autostraddle.com – In her over 30-year queer career, Margaret Cho has managed to leave her mark on just about every mainstream creative endeavor we have available to us as artists. Since beginning her career as a stand-up comedian in the early 1990s, Cho has grown to be one of our most prolific multi-hyphenate artists, constantly working across genres and willing to share her creative pursuits with her fans and the general public. Over the last 30 years, she’s gone on several comedy tours and recorded many comedy specials and albums; she’s been in films and on TV; she’s co-produced podcasts, written books, and recorded and written her own music. She has also collaborated with other musicians like Fiona Apple, Grant Lee Phillips, Ben Lee, Andrew Bird, Ani DiFranco, Tegan and Sara, and Patty Griffin. // Her first two albums of original songs, Cho Dependent and American Myth, were released to critical acclaim in 2010 and 2016 with the former earning her a Grammy nomination in 2011 for Best Comedy Album. Both of those albums featured Cho’s signature style of finding ways to laugh at the more traumatizing aspects of her life while also finding new phenomena to poke fun at and lambast a little, hence being labelled as musical comedy albums. After a nearly nine year hiatus from music production, she released her newest album Lucky Gift last week on Valentine’s Day. // Cho, a self-proclaimed music lover, collaborated with musicians Roger Rocha and Garrison Starr to both write most of the tracks and produce and compose the album, which is less comedic than the previous two albums and more of an interesting examination of the last few years of Cho’s life, her personal losses, the political atmosphere in the U.S., and the kinds of music that move her the most. // The album’s opening title track, “Lucky Gift,” is undoubtedly the biggest song on the record in terms of composition and the places Cho has to take her voice in order to match the power-pop energy of the fast-paced drums, stomping electric acoustic guitar and double-neck mandolin, and celebratory background harmonies. Although the song is brand new, its structure, rises and falls, and ever-present tambourine feel especially reminiscent of late-1990s and early-2000s pop hits. In it, Cho sings to her lover, “Thought I’d lose you but I haven’t  / The worst thing I been through never happened / I could look at you and live / You are such a lucky gift.” // Then, in what feels like one of the hallmark qualities of Cho’s sense of humor, just a few songs later, we get this one’s companion in “90s Sisyphus,” a song about breaking up with the lover in “Lucky Gift.” The composition of “90s Sisyphus” feels equally nostalgic, only its led by the fuzzy power chords of an electric guitar and punchy drums with a jangly, gleaming synthesizer just above it, all rounding out the late-1990s rom-com feel of the song. Whereas “Lucky Gift” was an ode to new love, “90s Sisyphus” gives us her feelings after the fall: “You got me so unbound / And I hate you now / Love’s most bitter refrain / Spit it up and taste it again.” / Two tracks on the album, “Funny Man” and “Baked Bread,” serve as informal eulogies for two of Cho’s friends who passed away since the recording and release of her last album. The first, “Funny Man,” is a crisp, percussive piano- and horn-section-driven track about the late, great Robin Williams and the difficulty of being the kind of comedian who uses humor as a coping mechanism for the trauma they’ve experienced, Cho singing at the chorus, “Weren’t we lonely / Weren’t we sad / Weren’t we beautiful / Weren’t we bad.” “Baked Bread” was written to honor Cho’s friend Gerri Lawlor, and its composition plays with the conventions of both pop-rock and country through its thumping bassline and twangy guitar hooks. This song is not quite as straightforward as “Funny Man” is. Instead, it is imbued in metaphor and what seems like very personal recollections of Cho’s life with Lawlor. That doesn’t make it difficult to listen to by any means, but it does feel a little less accessible than many of the other tracks on the album. // Another pair of tracks, “Wheels of Gold” and “Melinda,” address Cho’s 10-year struggle to finally get sober from opiate addiction, though the positionalities of the speaker on both of the tracks are completely different, with “Wheels of Gold” focusing on the feelings of being “in love” with drugs while “Melinda” sets its sights on the experience of recovery. The compositions of each track also help set the tone for their speakers: “Wheels of Gold” rivals that of “Lucky Gift” with the soaring orchestral swell of the electric organ leading the track whereas “Melinda” is much more lowkey, instead featuring slow, glassy acoustic guitars and some subtlety emotive violin. // Being that the long-out Cho has always fearlessly and publicly stood up for queer and trans people, it’s no surprise there’s a track on the album written specifically for queer and trans youth and dedicated to Nex Benedict. Through brightly composed acoustic guitars and glittering keyboards, Cho delivers an uncomplicated anthem for queer and trans youth reminding them that they’re free to be who they are even if the world tells them they’re wrong. Cho sings, “All I know is I’ve had enough / So I’m sending this message up / And you can be you / You can be you / You can be you / And that’s what’s true.” In a recent interview about the album, Cho said “You Can Be You” is one of her favorite tracks on the album explaining that “it’s an opportunity to establish a ‘queer elder’ understanding and a relationship to the younger community.” // While her first two music albums take the opportunity to incorporate more of Cho’s humor, Lucky Gift is an album of serious writing and musical composition that occasionally has some glimmers of Cho’s humor poking through. Although it is starkly different from a lot of the work she’s done, the album serves as yet another example of Cho’s talent. Where many artists this far into their careers might feel comfortable resting on the signatures and routines they’ve built, Cho proves once again that she’s consistently and successfully evolving, not just to keep up with the times but to show how vital it is to keep uncovering new parts of yourself as time goes on. In that way, Lucky Gift is just helping us get to know Cho in a completely different way than we’re used to and is a fun, welcome addition to Cho’s incredible repertoire.

[Margaret Cho brings her new show, “Choligarchy” to The Folly Theater, 300 West 12th, KCMO, on Saturday, June 16, at 7:30pm. ]

  1. Radkey – “Ready To Burn”
    from: “Ready To Burn” – Single / Little Man Records / May 22, 2026
    [To single from upcoming New Album Bedroom Sand to be released on July 14, 2026Radkey released the EP Victory on July 30, 2025. It was part of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2025. // single “Falling Out of Grace” on October 24, 2025. Radkey released the single “Victory” on March 28, 2025. On September 23, 2022 Radkey released the single “Better Than This.” The band released “Games (Tonight)”: on January 28, 2022 on Little Man Records. Isaiah, Dee, and Solomon Radke of the critically acclaimed rock trio Radkey joined us live in our 90.1 FM studios on September 5, 2018. Radkey was formed in 2010 in St. Joseph, where the brothers were raised. The family moved to Kansas City. The band has released multiple full-length recordings. In 2021 Radkey was featured in Dave Grohl’s van-touring documentary film, WHAT DRIVES US. Radkey released GREEN ROOM on Little Man Records on November 27, 2020. On Green Room the band serve as their own producers. Radkey released DARK BLACK MAKE UP in 2015 and DELICIOUS ROCK NOISE in 2016 — plus multiple EPs and singles, and were part of a MasterCard advertising campaign on digital billboards in NYC along with a national television commercial that aired during the 2018 Grammy Awards that brought the band to the attention of Jack White who asked the band to tour with him. In 2018 the band went back on the road with The Damned throughout the United States. In December they went back into the studio to record with producer Bill Stevenson of the California punk rock group Descendents. In early 2019 they played shows in Amsterdam and Stockholm. In 2018 the band released “Basement,” “St. Elwood,” “Rock & Roll Homeschool,” as well as several other singles. On February 22, 2019, Radkey released “No Strange Cats…P.A.W.” a 7-song EP is essentially a collection of the band’s most recent singles. It comes after the January 11, 2019 release of No Strange cats…Spiders – EP a 6 song EP of several new songs mixed with several singles from late 2018.]

[Radkey plays Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS. Friday, June 12, w/Godzillionaire.]

11:47 – Pledge Break #6

WMM Summer Fund Drive Team: Mara Williams, D. Rashaan Gilmore, Dwight Frizzell

On February 28, 1988 folks from the Kansas City Community launched onto our airwaves KKFI 90.1 FM with hopes that through community radio we could help build our community, make it a better place, for our future, for those that follow and take our place. Today 37 years later 90.1 FM offers 100 radio programs, and 85 of these programs are locally produced, locally sourced, locally researched, locally presented by passionate and dedicated members of our Kansas City Community. Bucking all trends of commercially owned media, at KKFI, Diversity and Inclusion are part of our mission. Telling the stories of people who are under-represented is our mission. In a world where national corporations have purchased almost all local TV & Radio stations, KKFI has fought hard to remain free, locally loyal, a voice for those not repented in the corporately owned & cloned stations, or the rightwing talk, church owned christian stations, that proliferate the frequencies, through all of this, KKFI has worked hard to keep a little slice of the public airwaves alive for all of the people in our collective communities.

With shows locally produced about Native People, LGBTQIA People, Women, Working People, Black People, Ecological People, People in Prison, Stories of Middle Eastern and Latinx, KC Tenants, Understanding Israel Palestine, Economics For The People, Local elected leaders, Creatives, Artists, Poets, Musicians, Teachers, Theatre People, Dancers, Writers, Environmentalists, Historians, Activists, Survivors, KKFI’s News, Public Affairs, Arts & Culture programs go the distance with every show to represent and report of what is going on in our world here in Kansas City and the surrounding metro in our 80 mile radius of signal, and even farther on line digitally.

KKFI offers music shows produced by steadfast representatives from the diverse Music Community of Kansas City: Jazz shows 7 days a week hosted by professional Jazz Musicians; Reggae Shows throughout the week hosted by Reggae Royalty, Folk and Americana shows all week long hosted by folk musicians with decades of performances; Blues shows hosted by women & men who dearly love and live in KC’s enduring and nationally recognized blues community. Music shows that celebrate Independent, Local, Alternative, Soul and R&B, Punk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Vinyl Only, Glam Rock, New Wave, Rockabilly, Tejano, Classical, K-Pop, LIVE!, Gospel, New!, World, Experimental, Old-Timey, House, Country, Heavy Metal, and so much more. Every show is produced, engineered and hosted by a real live person on the other end of the telephone.

90.1 FM is a miracle in broadcasting because hundreds of volunteers and active members keep it alive with their passion for the possibilities of radio, our most accessible media, available online, but also over the airwaves from our 100,000 watt tower that we own as a station and non-profit membership based organization.

Please help us survive. Reports show that 1 to 10 percent of listeners actually give back and donate in support of community radio. With your donation, YOU are the funder of something 100 other people will enjoy (for free) because of your donation. You are helping to build our community. – Please donate. Thank you!

For Mará Williams, D. Rashaan Gilmore, Dwight Frizzell, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening! Thank you to everyone for donating!

11:54 – WMM Plays More New & MidCoastal Releases

  1. Field Daze – “Circles”
    from: “Circles” – Single / Field Daze / June 5 2026
    [Produced, mixed, and mastered by Ian Dobyns at Element Recording Studios. Field Daze released the singles: “Shade of Blue” on April 3, 2026, “Hula Girl” on March 3, 2026, “Hate Me” on March 9, 2026, “Melona 99” on March 8, 2026. // Field Daze, is an Indie Rock/Dreampop band, originated in KCMO when Rodd Fenton & Dan Camino responded to a Facebook call to start a Dreampop band. Their collaboration led to the creation of early demos. Shortly after, they were joined by Tracer Cauy, Kyer Lasswell, & Beau Harris, solidifying the band’s lineup. // Their magnetic sound quickly found a home in the KC music community, playing The Rino, The Ship, and The Bottleneck. Field Daze’s live performances became synonymous with an immersive musical experience, drawing in crowds with their captivating melodies. // Currently, the band channels their creativity by recording homegrown tracks within Rodd Fenton’s personal studio, honing their craft and evolving their unique sound. More Info at: http://www.fielddazekc.com

[Field Daze play Wednesday Wave on the Grinder’s Patio, tonight, June 10, 6 – 9:00pm, hosted by Joshua James & The First Aid Kit, w/ Maddie Lai & comedy from Reagan Rose, & Mitchell Harmon.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, June 17 We welcome Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves and feaure their new single, “Manic Pixie Dream Girl”. And we talk with Warren Williams host and producer of 90.1 FM’s Dub’s Groove who will be doing his last show on June 24.

You can find our playlists at: http://www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org & http://www.kkfi.org
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
http://www.instagram.wednesday_midday_medley

Thank you to KKFI Staff: Executive Director – Bess Wallerstein-Huff, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, and Office Manager Book Keeper – Shaina Littler.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to KKFI’a Winter Fund Drive during WMM we had a total of 49 individuals donated $3924.00 going way over our show goal!

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. It is a collective spirit of hundreds of people, setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the goal of keeping our airwaves, non-commercial, and open! Thank you to programmers who create content for over 85 locally produced radio shows & volunteers who made extra effort to keep our station alive.

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 #1151