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

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Betse Ellis + Eddie Moore + Mará Rose Williams + Claire Adams

10:00 – WMM Plays More New & MidCoastal Releases

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2. @ – “Earthly Love”
   From: Autosmile / 4AD / October 16, 2026
   [Multi-instrumentalist songwriters Victoria Rose and Stone Filipczak have a pact, a devotion to each other and to the music of @. In their solo existence, Victoria works as a beekeeper and Stone as a self-taught computer programmer, but when they get together, they become a singular, avant-garde song force. Over time, the two began collaborating long distance, and soon developed the @ formula – half Victoria songs, half Stone songs, with each filling in the cracks of the others compositions and Stone handling overall production. On their new album Autosmile, the band’s first with 4AD, @ have harnessed their unique process to reimagine the psychedelic folk tradition as an undeniably contemporary art form, carefully balancing beauty and pain and shifting between black hole heaviness and patient understanding, never abandoning a sense of wonder. // Both Victoria and Stone are incisive, classic songwriters, and their occasionally baroque arrangements and production touches give the songs a rough-hewn yet virtuosic quality. This inventiveness, applied to songs that hold up against classic psych folk records, sets @ apart, somehow looking backwards and forwards all at once. There is a consistent darkness to the moods of Autosmile, but @ is also an inherently playful enterprise, unexpected prog flourishes lurking behind incisive indie rock song craft. // Autosmile follows @’s 2021 debut album Mind Palace Music — displaying the duo’s penchant for confessional lyrics and affinity for blending digital and analog elements, the album was an organic success story via word-of-mouth praise and well-deserved press recognition. In 2024, @ released their subsequent EP Are You There God? It’s Me, @, where they diverted from their usual acoustic instrumentation to soul-searching on a sonic side quest into more electronic music. In the time since, the band has become an in-demand live act with support shows alongside Snail Mail, Cameron Winter, and Black Country New Road.]

3. Frogpond – “Talk To Me”
   from: Count To Ten / Columbia Records – Tristar Music / August 9, 1996
   [For this record: Heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Justine Volpe on bass, Kristie Stremel on guitar & backing vocals, Megan Hamilton on drums. All songs written by Frogpond & Heidi Phillips. Produced by A. P. Alexakis, engineered, and mixed by – Brian Sperber with assistance from Brad Kopplin and Brian Daly. Recorded at Smart Studios. Mixed at Chicago Trax Recording Studio. Phonographic Copyright ℗ at Sony Music Entertainment Inc. Copyright © – Sony Music Entertainment Inc. // On November 19, 2021 Frogpond reunited and released TimeThief on Black Site Records their first album in over twenty years. For that record the newly reformed Frogpond was: singer/guitarist and founder Heidi Phillips, long-time bassist, Justine Volpe, with Kristin Conkright on rhythm guitar, and Michelle Bacon on drums. // Frogpond digitally reissued their 1996 vinyl and cassette release, COUNT TO TEN on March 12, 2021, 25 years after its original release on August 9, 1996 on Columbia Records. Frogpond was formed in Warrensburg, Missouri. The band existed from 1994-2000, primarily performing in Kansas City and Lawrence, Kansas. COUNT TO TEN was the band’s 12-track national debut full length released with songs written by Heidi Phillips, with Heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Justine Volpe on bass, Megan Hamilton on drums, Kristie Stremel on guitar and backing vocals. Art Alexakis (of the band Everclear) served as producer and contributed backing vocals. // In 1999 Frogpond released the 13-track second album, SAFE RIDE HOME on C2 Records – Columbia, on CD and vinyl with songs written by Heidi Phillips, and with Heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Justine Volpe on bass & backing vocals, and Billy Johnson on drums. The album was recorded by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios in Chicago who also served as producer and contributed electric piano and piano. // In 1994 Frogpond self released their 8-song cassette release 2%that was produced, engineered, and mixed at Red House Recording, in Lawrence, Kansas, October 1994]

[Frogpond plays two COUNT TO TEN 30th Anniversary Shows, Friday, October 23, at 7:00pm and Saturday, October 24, at 7:00pm at YesWay Live, 1519 Oak Street, KCMO. Celebrating 30 years of Frogpond’s debut album “Count To Ten” these limited performances include two sets from Frogpond, performing the seminal 1996 album in its entirety for the first time, along with a mix of unique songs each night. Capacity is limited to 100 tickets per night. More info at: www.yeswaylive.com]

10:07 – Fund Drive Break #1

We’re interrupting our regularly scheduled programming for just a few minutes to let our listeners know that we are currently in day 3 of our On-Air / Fall Fund Drive. We are breaking into our prepared programming, to encourage YOU to please call us at 888-931-0901 or 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:

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 50 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 has released two acclaimed solo records, and multiple releases with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as the internationally known, Betse & Clark. The duo has toured extensively. Betse has also played and recorded with the bands: Little Miss Dynamite, The Starhaven Rounders, Beau Bledsoe, Earnest James Zydeco, Jeff Harshbarger, The Band That Fell To Earth, Howard Iceberg, Bob Walkenhorst, Rural Grit All Stars, Brooke Tuley, Blue Museum and many others.

Betse Ellis thanks for being our guest on WMM

Mará Rose Williams is The Kansas City 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

Eddie Moore is the recipient of the 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performance Award. Raised in Houston Texas, he began his musical journey at Texas Southern University where he later earned a Bachelors in Arts and immersed himself in the Houston music scene. Eddie relocated to KC to study under Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri-KC where he received a M.A in Jazz Studies. He was 2017’s Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art “Artist in Residence” in collaboration with Rashid Johnson. In 2018 his work with The Outer Circle was nominated for an Indie Music Award for “007”. His music has been featured commercially for Sprint, Netflix’s “Queer Eye”, and Morgan Cooper’s short film “Room Tone”. Moore has shared the stage and recordings with Bobby Watson, Logan Richardson, Maurice Brown, Boys II Men, Brian Blade and the Fellowship, John Baptiste, Erykah Badu, Mosdef, Bilal, Ledisi, Chantae Cann, Krystal Warren, Matt Otto, Brandon Draper, Andre Hayward, Tivon Pennicott, Various Blonde, Dominique Sanders, 77 Jefferson, Marcus Lewis Big Band.

Eddie Moore thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

90.1 FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio is Non-Commercial! We don’t have commercials. We are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, membership based organization. To fullfill our budget – three times a year, we interrupt our regular programming, to ask our listeners, to help us continue our unique, 24-7 programming.

For 38 years 90.1 FM KKFI has been on the air. The spirit of this station is kept alive by hundreds of volunteers who passionately donate their time and abilities to keep the transmission of our 100,000-watt-signal alive. But none of this is possible without YOU our listeners, who donate financially.

We are a operated by a not-for-profit organization, The MidCoast Radio Project, incorporated over 50 years ago. We are a non-profit, with a dedicated paid staff of four incredible individuals, and hundreds of volunteers, who donate thousands of hours every year, producing radio shows, training new hosts & producers, developing new radio shows, serving our vast community landscape with music and news, information and stories that reflect the many communities we serve.

We do all of this because of YOU and it is because of our incredible listeners, who take a moment and call 888-931-0901 and donate, that we are able to continue. You keep us alive! Our volunteers are waiting to hear from YOU right now.

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 90.1 FM KKFI 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.

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.

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.

We have History. We have weathered the storms. We have purchased our tower and the land around our tower. We have recently upgraded and re-wired our tower and brought it up-to-date technologically. We have recently purchased a new transmitter for our tower. We are one of the longest running locally owned, Kansas City based 100,000 watt radio station.

10:16 – WMM Plays More New & MidCoastal Releases

4. Snocaps – “Heathcliff”
   from: Snocaps / Anti / October 31, 2025
   [Snocaps is the debut full-length album from American indie rock band Snocaps, consisting of Katie and Allison Crutchfield, joined by multi-instrumentalist MJ Lenderman and producer Brad Cook. The album was surprise-released on October 31, 2025. The album was named one of the “11 New Albums You Should Listen To Now” by Pitchfork upon its release. // The Snocaps project marks the first time the Crutchfield twins had recorded music together since the split of their previous band, PS Eliot. It also marks Allison Crutchfield’s first new music in seven years, following the release of the fourth Swearin’ album Fall Into the Sun in 2018. In a post to her Substack newsletter, Katie Crutchfield noted that she and Alison had initially broached the idea of a new project in 2023, prior to the release of the Waxahatchee album Tigers Blood. She wrote that the sisters were interested in “making something akin to what we made when we were younger” with “no ambitions and no plan, purely for our own enjoyment, for the experience of making something we ourselves wanted to hear.” The album was recorded with Cook and Lenderman over the course of a week, with Katie describing the experience as “realigning with the earliest, purest versions of our music-making selves”. // All tracks are written by Katie Crutchfield and Alison Crutchfield.]

[Half of Snocaps is Katie Crutchfield who performs as Waxahatchee who headlines YEEHAW! With Caleb Hearon on Friday, October 23, at 7:00pm Doors, 8:00pm Show at The Uptown Theatre 3700 Broadway, KCMO.]

5. Lava Dreams – “Chemistry”
   from: “Chemistry – Single / Lava Dreams / February 19, 2026
   [Written by Lava Dreams and produced by Spencer Hoad. Lava Dreams (she/they) is a queer, multidisciplinary artist, performer, and songwriter based in Kansas City, Missouri – who’s been writing music for as long as they can remember. / Flourishing dreamy vocals, vulnerable lyrics, and visceral rhythms- hooking listeners through catchy melodies and electric performances – Lava Dreams is quickly becoming a striking figure in the Alternative Pop scene. / Their performances have taken them to stages across Kansas City, including Boulevardia, Kansas City Pride, Queer Dyke Night, Outer Reaches, and Manor Fest./ Lava Dreams released the single “Thirsty” on September 12, 2025, “Your Warrior” on August 9, 2024, “Driver” on May 24, 2024, “R.I.P. The Old Me” non July 28, 2023, “Thrill Ride” on July 1, 2022, “Galaxies” on July 9, 2021, and “The Amazing Wave” on January 8, 2021. Her 2020 project “GOOD ENERGY + FOCUS,” was praised by 909 The Bridge as one of the best EPs of that year. / Lava Dreams is dedicated to writing songs that lift the spirit and connect to the soul. Lava Dreams released the single. You can listen to Lava Dreams everywhere you stream music. Lava Dreams began writing lyrics and melodies as a young child. Growing up, she learned to play her first guitar chords from her father – who played around the house and in local bars. After playing guitar and singing in several Kansas City bands as a teenager, she set out to become a solo artist in 2018. Lava Dreams (Julia Hamilton) is also a film maker who received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Film from Avila University. More info at: LavaDreamsMusic.com] [Lava Dreams played Apocalypse Meow 18, Saturday, November 1, at recordBar, with: Steddy P, Betse & Clarke (Electric), and Nathan Corsi & My Atomic Daydream. Explore their music at LavaDreamsMusic.com]

[Lava Dreams plays Spirit & Song series at Zhou B Art Center KC, at 1801 East 18th Street KCMO on Friday, October 23, 2026, Doors at 6:00pm. Performance 7:00pm to 9:00pm.]

6. The Avalanches – “Under Yr Power”
   from: No Bad Memories / Modular / October 16, 2026
   [One of four singles from No Bad Memories, the upcoming fourth studio album from Australian electronic group the Avalanchess. // According to a press release, No Bad Memories is “inspired by the simultaneously magical and insidious ways that advertising and name-brand technology wraps itself around our memories. An ambivalent ode to the nostalgic pull of commercial ingles, proprietary start-up sounds, and long-forgotten audio logos. Revisiting imagery and jingles from childhood and realizing how profoundly they have stuck. Taking these sound sources from within the heart of this kinda corporate framework and flipping the fragments into our own kind of joyous pop music… Eventually we arrived at this world of No Bad Memories”. // The Avalanches are an Australian electronic music group formed in Melbourne in 1997. They have released three studio albums, Since I Left You (2000), Wildflower (2016), and We Will Always Love You (2020). The group is scheduled to release their fourth album No Bad Memories (2026) on October 16. They perform a hybrid live show that also incorporates elements of DJing. The group currently consists of co-founding members Robbie Chater and Tony Di Blasi, as well as multi-instrumentalist Andy Szekeres. // The band is an exponent of the plunderphonics genre, and their first album, Since I Left You, has been recognised by many critics as the most important example of the genre. // Three future Avalanches members formed Alarm 115 in Melbourne in 1994 as a noise punk outfit inspired by Drive Like Jehu, The Fall, and Ultra Bide. The line-up was Robbie Chater on keyboards, Tony Di Blasi on keyboards, bass and backing vocals, and Darren Seltmann on vocals (ex-Ripe). By 1995, Manabu Etoh joined on drums. The group bought instruments, recording gear and numerous old vinyl records by the crate at second-hand shops. When Etoh was deported and Alarm 115 disbanded, these records became the core of a new project. Chater was a film student at RMIT University and had access to a recording studio, which he and Seltmann used to turn the records into a 30-song demo tape labelled Pan Amateurs. In 1997 a new group consisting of Chater, Di Blasi, Seltmann, and Gordon McQuilten on keyboards was assembled to play the tracks live. Chater, Di Blasi and McQuilten had all been school mates in Maryborough. Starting in July, their first four shows were played under different names: Swinging Monkey Cocks, Quentin’s Brittle Bones, and Whoops Downs Syndrome. The group became “The Avalanches” at their fifth gig, borrowing the new band name from an American surf rock band, which recorded only one album, Ski Surfin’ with the Avalanches, in 1963.]

7. The Womack Sisters – “If You Want Me”
   from: The Womack Sisters / Daptone Records / August 14, 2026
   [The Womack Sisters are indeed the nieces of Bobby Womack, as well as the granddaughters of the legendary Sam Cooke. They are part of a musical lineage that has significantly influenced soul and R&B music. 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 & 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 debut album,The Womack Sisters, is the musical culmination of the Sisters’ long and winding journey to find them-selves. 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. // www. thewomacksisters.com.]

10:26 – Underwriting

10:27 – Pledge Break #2

WMM on-Air / Fall Fund Drive Team: Betse Ellis, Mara Williams, Eddie Moore

We are inspired by KKFI. Donating to 90.1 FM KKFI is BUILDING your community.

For 38 Years our Kansas City Area Community Speaks through our Airwaves. You’re the reason we’re able to stay alive and on the airwaves for all of these past 38 years.

On May 13, 2026 – WMM recently celebrated 22 years on the radio. As of this week WMM has done 1170 weeks, equal to 2340 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.

We are inspired by the Fearless Women who created radio on 90.1 FM long before us: our friend April Fletcher who plays bass professionally in Los Angeles, and hosted Mix Well Before Serving on 90.1 in 1988 on KKFI’s first year of broadcast, and two years ago returned after 35 years to host and produce WMM.

We are inspired by our friend Anne Winter, who left us in 2009. Anne helped to build KKFI being one of the very first programmers who recorded their shows in Tom Crane‘s basement on reel to reel tape. Anne hosted Kansas City’s first ever Punk Rock Show: Little Orphan Annie. She served on the KKFI board. She helped recruit Robert Moore to serve as KKFI’s manager, briefly in the mid 1990s. Anne also organized Culture Under Fire a two week festival of live bands, teen poetry, performance art, guest speakers, zine workshops, art exhibitions, and community building. Anne reminded us how we’re all connected. Anne also owned and operated Recycled Sounds, an influential record store in Kansas city from 1986 to 2005 at Westport Road and Main Street.

At Anne’s funeral we realized that we are connected to hundreds of other people who Anne had touched with her gentle, wise, guidance and had nudged into taking a job, going out on a stage, organizing an event, doing a radio show. We were all connected, she had loved us all and supported us, and some of us made a pact to do just a little bit of what Anne did, if we all did a little we could continue her work to help build our community, that is how we keep Anne alive in our heart.

We are inspired through collaboration, and shining a light, like Abigail Hope Henderson, who we lost in 2013, but not before she ignited a movement to create the Midwest Music Foundation supporting heath care needs and mental health care for the music community. Abigail was a frequent guest on the radio show. She told us that she felt like this was “our” radio show. Inspiring Mark to re-think the entire objective of Wednesday MidDay Medley with the mission to help tell the story of Kansas City’s music “community.”

We are inspired by the diverse, intelligent, motivated, listeners, looking for place on the dial, where they can connect to the stories & music & voice of our community.

Today we celebrate the pure idea of community radio, free form radio, radio that tells the story of the people who live here, the artists, the writers, the teachers, the performers.

Together we are building our community. We celebrate 1170 weeks of WMM, the show that has brought us together, at this time, on this frequency, in these community airwaves.
Thanks for listening.

In 2025 there were over 1675 MidCoastal (KC area) releases in Albums, EPs, & Singles…(that we know of).

In 2026 so far there have been 828 MidCoastal (KC area) releases in Albums, EPs, & Singles…(that we know of).

On WMM we culled these releases for our special mix of New & MidCoastal releases. In 2025 we’ve broadcast nearly 900 different tracks on WMM over our 100,000 watts of 90.1 FM Community Radio Airwaves.

Since 2009 WMM has presented our End-of-Year Specials: The 120 Best Recording of the Years, a 4-part, 4 week series. All of our Best of Lists and all of our weekly playlists are available at: Our “Best of Lists” can be found at: www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org

10:35 – Re/Gen

Re/Gen: The Revitalization of KC Jazz –
An introduction to new/up and coming Jazz Artists

YesWay Live, 1519 Oak St., KCMO Sunday, October 25, at 5:00pm to 9:30pm

Jazz is a music of its time period, it has always reflected the present, and through time this has been an important part of the culture. “Re/Gen” is the regeneration of Kansas City’s historic jazz culture through modern artists. The infusion of Hip-hop, R&B, Soul, Funk, and Jazz will be performed live in between sets from the DJ Skeme. The interchange between digital and visual art will resonate with the current state of popular music. To further merge the music with culture, we have brought in River MaKenzi for floral work and stage design. River’s work creates an immersive environment that breaks the wall between audience and performer for a truly authentic experience.

Run of show: The show will feature compositions led by tenured jazz keyboardist, Eddie Moore, accompanied by a rotating cast featuring some of KC’s most forward thinking and upcoming jazz artists. Including Paxton Harvey Elektrik Band (bass), Nick Hmeljak’s Open Channel (trumpet), and Daul Lee’s Atelier (keyboards). As the night continues, invited artists will join the team on stage for “friends sets” to reinforce the interchange between the artists and the audience. Together, the exchanges will dovetail musically to embody the cornerstone of Kansas City’s identity.

Daul Lee – “Dilemma”
Paxton Harvey – “Evil Forest”
Jaylen Way – “Light”
(Cut for time: Nick Hmeljak, Open Channel – “I Don’t Feel Quite Myself”

10:36

8. Daul Lee – “Dilema”
   from: “Dilema” / Daul Lee’s Atelier / To be released in November, 2026
   [Daul Lee is a 22 year old composer and pianist from Wichita, Kansas, known for his contributions to jazz music. He has premiered notable arrangements, including works by Oliver Nelson, and has collaborated with the award-winning Jazz Ensemble I at the University of Kansas.]

[Daul Lee plays Re/Gen: The Revitalization of KC Jazz – An introduction to new/up and coming Jazz Artists at YesWay Live, 1519 Oak St., KCMO, Sunday October 25, at 5:00pm to 9:30pm.]

9. 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. Eddie Moore on Synth, John Fraka on guitar, Paxton Harvey on bass, Jade Harvey on drums, Rengineered by Yarrow Harvey. Produced by Eddie Moore]

[Paxton Harvey plays Re/Gen: The Revitalization of KC Jazz – An introduction to new/up and coming Jazz Artists at YesWay Live, 1519 Oak St., KCMO, Sunday October 25, at 5:00pm to 9:30pm.]

10. Jaylen Ward – “Light”
    from: “Light” – Single / Jaylen Ward / To be released in November, 2026
    [Jaylen Ward is a Drummer, composer, producer, and audio engineer with roots in South KC. During his time in College, he has been awarded the Down Beat National Award for Best Jazz Trio (2025) and Audio Engineering (2024). Throughout his career, he has performed with artists such as Logan Richardson, Tia Fuller, Harold “Spike” Bonhart of the Four Tops, Lonnie McFadden, Tivon Pennicott, Sean Jones, Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Few, Ben Vangelder, Adam Larson, Peter Schlamb, Eddie Moore, Dominique Sanders, Lynn Seaton, and many more. He performs regularly with The James Ward Band and many other artists in Kansas City, along with his own project since 2021. In 2025, Jaylen participated in two cultural exchanges in Chile and China. While in Chile, Jaylen performed at the International Festival of Jazz of Valparaiso, collaborating with several world-renowned South American musicians. In China, Jaylen performed and was a Jazz Faculty member with Bobby Watson of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, James Ward, and Charles Williams. Jaylen toured Shanghai University, Beijing University, and Zhengzhou University.

[Jaylen Ward plays Re/Gen: The Revitalization of KC Jazz – An introduction to new/up and coming Jazz Artists at YesWay Live, 1519 Oak St., KCMO, Sunday October 25, at 5:00pm to 9:30pm.]

10:49 – Fall Fund Drive Break #3

WMM Fall Fund Drive Team: Betse Ellis, Mara Williams, Eddie Moore

So far this year in 2026 Mark conducted Over 100 interviews with 153 guests:

Michelle Bacon, Chris Hudson, Dwight Frizzell, David Basse, D Rashaan Gilmore, Calvin Arsenia, Cera Impala, FlareThaRebel, Shaun Crowley, Sara Swenson, Nathan Reusch, Charlie Burt, Mike Bland, Brad Smith, Mará Rose Williams, Sandra Draper, Betse Ellis, Joelle St. Pierre, Jennie Ferguson, Scott Mize, Matt Kesler, Hank Pendergraft, Diane Scott, Jade Osborne, Dedric Moore, Steve Tulipana, 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, Colm Chomicky, Jennifer Owen, Brad Cox, Krystle Warren, Michael B. Tipton, Kasey Rausch, Marcus Rattler, Hailes, Scott Moreau, Becky Barta, Taylor Bapp, Lava Dreams, Julie Bennett Hume, Amelia Rose, Alan Wasserman, Janice Wasserman, Jesse Bartmess, Krysztof Nemeth, Ned Stacie, Francois, Peter Pain, Rachel Christia, Vi Tran, Darin Challacombe, Madeline Marak, Lori Buntin, Margaret Cho, Brodie Rush, Cody Calhoun, Liam Sumnich, Nate Hubert, Tim Jenkins, David Brighton, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Stephonne, Will Kuenne, Vinnie Cascone, Carlos Nunez, Jonathan Van Ness, Warren Williams, Julia Othmer, James Lundie, Ames King, Noah Bartelt, Katie Schieferecke, Luke Rowe, Miki P, Rachel Lovelace, Brooke Tuley, IVORY BLUE, John Lawrence Johnson, Jamogi, Danny Fischer, Audrey Crabtree, Chris Garibaldi, Scott Free, Nick Carroll, Kimmie Queen, Theresa Scott, Nicki White, Danielle Anderson, Katheryn Krouse, Bowie Krouse, Lee Walter Redding, Angela Ward, James Ward, Joel Kraft, BOSCO, Just Angel, Clarence Copridge, Abe Abaleanie Brown, Matthew Hayden, Stephen Roper, Austin Marks, Al Hawkins, Fritz Hutchison, Derek Trautwein, Amanda Davis, Andrew Woody, Brian Hurtgen, Joseph Peaks, Ken Lovern, Xavier Martin, Maddie Lai, Bill Sundahl, Mike McCoy, Erin Eades, Silver Wesley, Tim Miller, Heather Carver, William Horner, Marilyn Maye, Michelle Shocked, Zachary Van Benthusen, Jane Prewitt Watkins, Patty Prewitt, Cortland Gibson, Elaine (Lainey) Chang, Colin Halliburton, Jesse Kates, Mack McKinney, Kate McCandless, Fanny Mandelberger, T.A. Rell, Gie Santana, Jon Hypocrace Lewis, Eboni Fondren, Alec Nicholas, Shawn Saving, Francis Connor, Darren Defrain, Eddie Moore, Claire Adams

Last year In 2025 Mark conducted 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.

10:56 – Station ID

11. Hedwig & The Angry Inch – “Wicked Little Town”
    from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to Hedwig & The Angry Inch / Hybrid / 2001
    [Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a 2001 American musical comedy-drama film written, adapted, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, who also portrayed the title role, reprising his performance from the original production. Based on Mitchell’s and Stephen Trask’s stage musical of the same name, the film follows a fictional rock band fronted by an East German transgender singer who survives a botched sex change operation. Hedwig subsequently develops a relationship with a younger man, Tommy, becoming his mentor and musical collaborator, only to have Tommy steal her music and move on without her. The film follows Hedwig and her backing band, the Angry Inch, as they shadow Tommy’s tour, while exploring Hedwig’s past and complex gender identity. The musical has developed a devoted cult following. Despite largely positive reviews from critics and audiences, the film was a box office bomb, grossing only $3.6 million from an estimated $6 million budget. In 2001, the film won the Best Director and Audience Awards at the Sundance Film Festival as well as Best Directorial Debut from the National Board of Review, the Gotham Awards, and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Mitchell received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor and the Premiere magazine Performance of the Year Award. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by a genderqueer East German singer, Hedwig Robinson. The book is by John Cameron Mitchell, and the music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask. The story draws on Mitchell’s life as the son of a U.S. Army Major General who once commanded the U.S. sector of occupied West Berlin. The character of Hedwig was inspired by a German divorced U.S. Army wife who was a Mitchell family babysitter and moonlighted as a prostitute at her Junction City, Kansas, trailer park home. The music is steeped in the androgynous 1970s glam rock style of David Bowie (who co-produced the Los Angeles production of the show), as well as the work of John Lennon and early punk performers Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. The musical opened Off-Broadway in 1998, and won the Obie Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. The production ran for two years, and was remounted with various casts by the original creative team in other US cities. In 2000, the musical had a London West End production, and it has been produced throughout the world in hundreds of stage productions. In 2014, the show saw its first Broadway incarnation, opening that April at the Belasco Theatre and winning the year’s Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The production closed on September 13, 2015. A national tour of the show began at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theatre in October 2016 before closing at the Kennedy Center in July 2017. The character of Hedwig was originally a supporting character in the piece. She was loosely inspired by a German female babysitter/prostitute who worked for Mitchell’s family when he was a teenager in Junction City, Kansas. The character of Tommy, originally conceived as the main character, was based on Mitchell himself: both were gay, the sons of an army general, deeply Roman Catholic, and fascinated with mythology. Hedwig became the story’s protagonist when Trask encouraged Mitchell to showcase their earliest material in 1994 at NYC’s drag-punk club Squeezebox, where Trask headed the house band and Mitchell’s boyfriend, Jack Steeb, played bass. They agreed the piece should be developed through band gigs in clubs rather than in a theater setting in order to preserve a rock energy. Mitchell was deeply influenced by Squeezebox’s roster of drag performers who performed rock covers. The setlists of Hedwig’s first gigs included many covers with lyrics rewritten by Mitchell to tell Hedwig’s story: Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well”; Television’s “See No Evil”; Wreckless Eric’s “Whole Wide World”; Yoko Ono’s “Death of Samantha”; Pere Ubu’s “Non-Alignment Pact”; Cher’s “Half Breed”; David Bowie’s “Boys Keep Swinging”; Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes”; and the Velvet Underground’s “Femme Fatale.” A German glam rendition of Debby Boone’s “You Light Up My Life” once served as the musical’s finale. Mitchell’s second gig was as fill-in host at Squeezebox on a bill featuring singer Deborah Harry of Blondie. It was for this occasion that Mike Potter first designed Hedwig’s trademark wig, which was initially constructed from toilet paper rolls wrapped with synthetic blond hair. Mitchell, Trask, and the band Cheater (Jack Steeb, Chris Wielding, Dave McKinley, and Scott Bilbrey) continued to workshop material at venues such as Fez Nightclub and Westbeth Theater Center for four years before premiering the completed musical Off-Broadway in 1998. Mitchell has explained that Hedwig is not a trans woman, but a genderqueer character. “She’s more than a woman or a man,” he has said. “She’s a gender of one and that is accidentally so beautiful.”]

[John Cameron Mitchell will be appearing live at Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Rd., North Kansas City on Saturday, October 24 at 2;00pm for the Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Writer/Director/Star John Cameron Mitchell will be talking over the film doing a live commentary. – Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the critically acclaimed, award-winning rock movie musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch with an unforgettable event featuring Golden Globe–nominated star John Cameron Mitchell!]

11:00 – Station ID

11:00 – Interview with Claire Adams

Claire Adams joins us to share music from her new album CARACOLES.

Musically curious & multifaceted, Claire Adams is dedicated to collaborating, recording, and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts & vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer/

Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of recording projects and also worked as a touring bassist and back-up vocalist for artists including Lilly Hiatt, Katy Guillen, Samantha Fish, Frogpond and Thelma & The Sleaze.

Claire Adams thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medle

Claire Adams plays B.B.’S LAWNSIDE BBQ 1205 E 85th St, KCMO on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 at 7:00pm.

Claire Adams plays THE 1909 CLUB, 25 Southeast 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at 7:00pm.

Claire Adams plays EAST FORTY BREWING 1201 W Main Street, Blue Springs, MO, on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 7:00pm.

Claire Adams plays COMPASS POINT: HOME OF DIRTY GIRL ADVENTURES 800 North Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, 2:30pm to 6:00pm.

Claire Adams thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

More info at: www.claireadamsmusic.com

11:08 – Claire Adams

12. Claire Adams – “Big Blue Sky”
    from: Caracoles / Claire Adams / September 22, 2026
    [Claire Adams on vocals, bass, rhythm guitars, piano; Abraham Villaseñor on lead and rhythm guitars; Jean Pierre Chaurand on drums and percussion; Tzintuni Varela on vocals on The Sun Still Shines, Garden Green, Thief in the Night; W. Gregory on trumpet on Garden Green; Agnes Esparza on spoons and ruckus on Garden Green. Recorded at Sonocomio GDL and Weights + Measures KC with additional tracking at Rio Verde. Recording Engineers: Agnes Esparza, J.P. Ortega, Alex Lepe, Duane Trower, Claire Adams. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at W+M // On May 2, 2025 Claire Adams released the 11-track album Passenger Seat, Recorded at Rio Verde in Guadalajara, Jalisco with Additional recording at Maniax Studios GDL and Weights + Measures KCMO. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures. Claire Adams on bass, rhythm guitar, vocals; Abraham Villaseñor on lead guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals; Jean Pierre Chaurand on drums; Christian Jiménez on keyboards; Carmen Aguilar on violin; Allysa Bell Jackson on viola; Mike Stover on pedal steel, Juan Carlos Chaurand on percussion; Stephanie Williams on percussion. // Claire Adams lives in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico but still gets back to Kansas City often to work on musical projects and see family and friends. // Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. // Picking up guitar as a teenager, Adams was immediately drawn to songwriting. Her penchant for wordplay and melody led her to Nashville to study, write and perform, sparking an interest in traveling, touring and working in collaborative environments. // Upon returning closer to home in 2010, Adams set up shop in Kansas City, Missouri, and Claire founded the eight-piece genre-jumping collective Claire and the Crowded Stage – a project that united her pop sensibilities with non-traditional instrumentation. This project teamed her up with guitarist Katy Guillen and drummer Stephanie Williams, leading them to form the nationally touring blues-rock trio Katy Guillen & the Girls in 2012, with Adams on bass and backing vocals. In recent years Adams has been performing solo, collaborating with the KC based string quartet Rewound, pianist Alyssa Murray, Steve Gardels. // On April 2, 2024 Claiere Adams released the EP Words of Love with Claire Adams on vocals, bass; Daniel Dissmore on trumpet; Fritz Hutchison on drums; Jackie Myers on piano; Trevor Turla on trombone; Abraham Villaseñor on guitar. // Recorded, mixed and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab, KCMO. Additional recording by Odin Parada at Rec4 Studios, GDL. // Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams is dedicated to collaborating, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire founded the eight-piece genre-jumping collective Claire and the Crowded Stage – a project that united her pop sensibilities with non-traditional instrumentation. This project teamed her up with guitarist Katy Guillen and drummer Stephanie Williams, leading them to form the nationally touring blues-rock trio Katy Guillen & the Girls in 2012, with Adams on bass and backing vocals. In recent years Adams has been performing solo, collaborating with the KC based string quartet Rewound, and in a trio featuring pianist Alyssa Murray. // Claire Adams Alyssa Murray and Steve Gardels released the EP Easy Match on November 1, 2023. Easy Match contains 5 songs. // Claire Adams released “It’s All in Fun” – Single on June 30, 2023. Claire Adams told Michelle Bacon at The Bridge, “”I wrote the string arrangement in the summer of 2021 and we went in to record it this past spring,” Adams said. “I’ve had the happiness of working with Alyssa Bell (viola) and Carmen Dieker (violin) for several years now, mostly playing my songs as arranged by others and I wanted to give a try to arranging a song myself.” “I feel like having an understanding of everyone else’s styles and strengths gives me a sense of direction and focus on what can otherwise be a really abstract craft,” she said. On bass, she, Guillen and Williams comprised the acclaimed trio Katy Guillen & The Girls for seven years, while she has consistently been working with Murray in the years to follow. The four of them got to work with Duane Trower, who has recorded and engineered the majority of Adams‘ solo songs. // Claire Adams released “If It Isn’t Right (Alyssa Murray Remix)” on April 15, 2022 Claire Adams wrote to us saying, “Alyssa Murray made a super cool remix of one of the songs off the last album and I wanted to share it with you. The song is ‘If It Isn’t Right’ and also features the Rewound string trio and an arrangement by Peter Lawless. Alyssa really made it her own and gave it a whole new spin, she’s amazing!” Here are the full credits: Vocals: Claire Adams, Alyssa Murray, Fritz Hutchison. Synths and Beats: Alyssa Murray. Cello: Ezgi Karakus. Viola: Alyssa Bell. Violin: Carmen Dieker. String Arrangement: Peter Lawless. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures Soundlab. Cover Art by Cassie Allen. ‘If It Isn’t Right’ written by Claire Adams. This song was originally on Claire’s acclaimed album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU originally released April 24, 2020. // Claire Adams released her album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU April 24, 2020. Lost in the COVID 19 of 2020. The album was properly given a “release show” and put out on CD in 2021. 10 songs all written by Claire Adams. Recorded at The Blue House in Kansas City, MO. Additional tracking at MARZ Studios in Nederland, TX. Mixed & mastered at Weights + Measures Soundlab in KCMO. Written by Claire Adams, with Claire Adams on guitars, bass, and vocals; Alyssa Murray on keyboards & vocals; and Fritz Hutchison on drums & vocals. // Claire Adams released: Words of Love EP on Feb. 5, 2021 – Recorded and Produced by Claire Adams at Casa 34 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures in Kansas City, MO. Cover Photo by Hugo Parasol. ‘So This Is Love’ written by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston. ‘Pocketful Of Rainbows’ written by Ben Weisman, ‘Till There Was You’ written by Meredith Wilson. “Words of Love” written by Claire Adams. ‘Calico Skies’ written by Paul McCartney. // Claire Adams released the EP Moras under the moniker, Mismo Sismo (same earthquake) on July 21, 2021. Claire Adams wrote and recorded this EP at home during the first months of the COVID-19 quarantine. The three songs are meant to be played all together but also stand alone. Mismo Sismo is a collaboration with photographer Hugo Parasol.// Claire played guitar on True Lions album THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK. In 2020 Clairplayed with the band Ondist for their three full length albums, No Coincidence on June 12, and Electricity on Aug. 14, and Mise en Place on Nov. 13, 2020 with songs recorded at Weights & Measures with Duane Trower with Sam Platt on drums, Eddie Moore on keyboards, DeAndre Manning on bass, Jamie Anderson on guitar, Claire Adams on vocals, and Jillian Riscoe on vocals. Claire also participated in Katy Guillen and The Girls Reunion shows in summer of 20. More info at: https://claireadams.bandcamp.com]

[Claire Adams plays B.B.’S LAWNSIDE BBQ 1205 E 85th St, KCMO on Fri, Oct. 23, 2026 at 7:00pm. ]

[Claire Adams plays THE 1909 CLUB, 25 Southeast 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO, Fri, Oct. 30, 7:00pm. ]

[Claire Adams plays EAST FORTY BREWING 1201 W Main, Blue Springs, MO, Sun, Nov. 8, 7:00pm]

[Claire Adams plays COMPASS POINT: HOME OF DIRTY GIRL ADVENTURES 800 North Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, 2:30pm to 6:00pm.]

11:11 – Fund Drive Break #4

WMM Fall Fund Drive Team: Betse Ellis, Mara Williams, Eddie Moore

Timothy Finn in KC Star named WMM “The Best Place to Hear Local Music on the Radio.” and the Best Place to hear area musicians talk about their music.

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.

In 2026 we have had Live Performances from: Calvin Arsenia, Erin Eades, Dandelion Lakewood, Gullywasher, Rosie O’Brien & Taylor Bapp, Lee Walter Redding, Just Angel & Clarence Copridge, oldnothing, Maddie Lai, Just Angel, & T.A. Rell, and more.

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, Marilyn Maye, Cheyenne Jackson, Margaret Cho, Iris Dement, Greg Brown, Scott McCaughey, Michelle Shocked, Flamy Grant, Members of Fanny, Regina Spektor, Regina Carter, Jonathan Van Ness, Tim Miller, Cris Williamson, Nick Cave, Holly Near, Sam Harris, our annual 4-week special: WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of the Year.

WMM has been inspired by the KC music community. The KC music community is fueled by a collaborative & generous heart that is beating in the artists we’ve met doing this show.

11:19 – Underwriting

11:20 – More Interview with Claire Adams

Claire Adams joins us to share music from her new album CARACOLES.

Last year (2025) Claire played bass for two national tours with songwriter Lily Hiatt, and rock ‘n’ rollers Thelma & The Sleaze, and released the album ‘Passenger Seat’

This year (2026) Claire filled in with Katy Guillen & the Drive for some KC World Cup shows and a tour in Alaska.

Claire has a trio in Guadalajara with Abraham Villaseñor on guitar and Jean Pierre Chaurand on drums. We play original music and recorded the last album ‘Passenger Seat’ and the new one ‘Caracoles’ together.

‘Caracoles’ is the new full-length album, released Sept 22nd. I think of this album as music for times of transition, music for dancing in the kitchen, music for too much wine, music for crying til you laugh, for fall, for quiet drives, for the garden, for longing, for memory. It’s a work of joy and pain, looking into the past, present, and future. Dancing along the fine lines…

The title comes from the Spanish word for snail or spiral, and the idea of returning to a place in life that feels familiar, perhaps too familiar, the feeling of a cycle, a loop, a trap. But looking at this familiar place with the memory and knowledge of when you were there before… the loop breaks, the spiral opens. It can pull you down and in… it can guide you back out again.

Claire Adams thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medle

Claire Adams plays B.B.’S LAWNSIDE BBQ 1205 E 85th St, KCMO on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 at 7:00pm.

Claire Adams plays THE 1909 CLUB, 25 Southeast 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at 7:00pm.

Claire Adams plays EAST FORTY BREWING 1201 W Main Street, Blue Springs, MO, on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 7:00pm.

Claire Adams plays COMPASS POINT: HOME OF DIRTY GIRL ADVENTURES 800 North Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, 2:30pm to 6:00pm.

Claire Adams thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

More info at: www.claireadamsmusic.com

13. Claire Adams – “The Sun Still Shines feat. Tzintzuni Varela”
    from: Caracoles / Claire Adams / September 22, 2026
    [Claire Adams on vocals, bass, rhythm guitars, piano; Abraham Villaseñor on lead and rhythm guitars; Jean Pierre Chaurand on drums and percussion; Tzintuni Varela on vocals on The Sun Still Shines, Garden Green, Thief in the Night; W. Gregory on trumpet on Garden Green; Agnes Esparza on spoons and ruckus on Garden Green. Recorded at Sonocomio GDL and Weights + Measures KC with additional tracking at Rio Verde. Recording Engineers: Agnes Esparza, J.P. Ortega, Alex Lepe, Duane Trower, Claire Adams. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at W+M One of the first singles from Claire Adams new album, Caracoles to be released in October 2026. More info at: https://claireadams.bandcamp.com]

[Claire Adams plays B.B.’S LAWNSIDE BBQ 1205 E 85th St, KCMO on Fri, Oct. 23, 2026 at 7:00pm. ]

[Claire Adams plays THE 1909 CLUB, 25 Southeast 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO, Fri, Oct. 30, 7:00pm. ]

[Claire Adams plays EAST FORTY BREWING 1201 W Main, Blue Springs, MO, Sun, Nov. 8, 7:00pm]

[Claire Adams plays COMPASS POINT: HOME OF DIRTY GIRL ADVENTURES 800 North Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, 2:30pm to 6:00pm.]

11:31 – Fund Drive Break #5

WMM on-Air / Fall Fund Drive Team: Betse Ellis, Mara Williams, Eddie Moore

For 22 years we’ve shined a light on artists, music labels, recording studios, & venues.

Wednesday MidDay Medley offers incredible mix of: Themes, Events, Bands, Venues featured:

MLK Tribute, Iris Dement Tribute, David Bowie Tribute, The Band That Fell To Earth KC, Folk Alliance International in New Orleans, New Protest Songs, Grammy Winners, Manor Records Foundation, Greenwood Social Hall, The Uptown Theater, Enigmatic Brunch Records, She Said, Kansas City Synthesizer Collective, The Record Machine, Black History with 20+ Black Artists & Bands from KC, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Kansas City Community Collage, Outer Reaches Fest, Artist INC, Artists Thrive, Kosmic City, The RINO, Sass-a-Brass Band, The Elders, Owen Cox Dance Collective, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Quality Hill Playhouse, BCR celebrates 50 Years!, Lawrence Pride, WOMEN OF THE REBELLION, recordBar, Heartland Song Network, Missouri Arts Council, Vine Street Brewing, NED’s Friend-Hole Cabaret LIVE, The Warwick Theater, REVISER, The Emerald, Manor Fest 8, All That Class and Jazz, KC Folk Fest, Kansas City Artists Coalition, An Evening of Pink Floyd, The Folly Theater, David Brighton’s SPACE ODDITY, Say That Again, Sound Mandala, The Forcefields, The Unicorn Theatre, Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves, The Swallowtails, Shuttlecock Music, PERSPECTIVES at Lavender Studio, miniBar, Replay Lounge, Lemonade Park, The Ship, Equal Minded Cafe, KC Fringe Fest, Bird Comedy Theater, Whim Space, Lotuspool Records, The Suneaters, Pamper The Madman, The Philistines, The Musical Universe of Rev. Dwight Frizzell, AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival, Magic of Grandmas, Comprehensive Arts Institute, The Blue Room, The Morton Amphitheater, The Brick, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Flew the Coop Fest, Unbossed and Unbothered with D. Rashaan Gilmore, BlaqOut KC, Light Up the Lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary for Art, Waldo Folk, Zhou B Art Center – Zhou Spirit and Song, Rural Grit Happy Hour, Oddly Correct Block Party, Hotel Leo, Knuckleheads, Molly Picture Club, Found A Job, Tribute to Dolly Parton, Hillsider’s, The Creepy Jingles, True Lions, Charlotte Street, The Spooky Shxt Show, YesWay Live, John William “Blind” Boone, The Boone Theater, encode, 22nd Annual Crossroads Music Fest, 30 Annual Kansas City Film Fest, Spike Hellis, Tribute to Mama Bear – Ruth Whitlock Ward, 9th annual Apocalypse Meow, The Roseline, She Speaks in Tongues, The Sexy Accident, No Choice but Action: Kansas Postpunk 1978-1994, Black Site Records, Truck Stop Love, Ned’s Fright-Hole Cabaret,

11:39 – WMM Celebrates New & MicCoastal Release

14. Jamogi – “Georgia Peach”
    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 & The Jammers play The 19th annual Apocalypse Meow on Saturday, November 7th, Doors at 6pm, Show at 7pm, at recordBar, featuring live music from: ROMAN NUMERALS, JAMOGI & THE JAMMERS, PHAZE II, and STUBBLEFIELD. Apocalypse Meow is MMF’s main fundraiser for Abby’s Fund For Musicians’ Health Care, which provides local musicians and music workers with essential health care resources. In addition the RockDocs will be on site to offer flu shots and COVID boosters provided by the KC Indian Center, as well as discuss screenings, wellness programs, health conditions and concerns, and arrange follow-ups. We’ll also have live raffles that feature an assortment of items donated by local businesses at AM19, and an online auction running the month of November.]

15. Corey Dies in the End – “Let’s Stay Together for the Cruise”
    from: “Boy With No Job” – Single / Lime Squeeze Records / February 17, 2023
    [Corey Dies in the End released, “Boy With No Job” on February 17, 2023. Corey Dies in the End released, “Buyers Remorse” on June 9, 2023. Corey Dies in the End is the solo musical project of Corey Vitt who has been playing in Kansas City and Lawrence bands since 2006 playing with Videodisk, Parents, Hidden Pictures, Rooms Without Windows, and Beautiful Bodies. With Corey Dies in the End on vocals, programming, & guitars and Matty Harris on mixing & mastering. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Stranger’s Faces” on September 2, 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Goth Girl Summer” on May 20. 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Air” on January 26, 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Island” on Oct 6, 2021. info at: www.coreydiesintheend.bandcamp.com]

[Corey Dies in The End play Sound Bite Social at Warehouse on Broadway, 3951 Broadway Blvd., KCMO on Friday, October 23, at 7:00pm.]

16. Suzannah Johannes – “Rebecca”
    from: Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard / Suzannah Johannes / August 29, 2025
    [Lawrence based singer songwriter Suzannah Johannes about her new album, Kansas City: Hanz Bronze Boulevard, to be released on August 29, 2025. Raised on a farm outside of Powhattan, Kansas, Suzannah was surrounded by music from an early age but didn’t begin teaching herself guitar and singing until after college, thanks to her friend, Hanz Bronze. In 2007, she won the KJHK Farmers Ball and used the prize money to record at Black Lodge Studio Four tracks from those sessions became a debut EP, released by Range Life Records in 2008. After becoming a mother in 2014 and balancing full-time work, music took a back seat—but with new self-released material on the way, she’s finding balance and momentum creating and playing music in Lawrence and Kansas City. Over the past 19 years, she has performed solo and with a rotating group of collaborators. Kansas City, features contributions from Jimmy Fitzner, John Nichols, and Mike Stover of The Grisly Hand, Bill Dolan from 5ive Style, and Brooke and Mike Tuley of Brooke Tuley and the Moontravelers and Ad Astra Per Aspera. More info at: www.suzannahjohannes.com.]

[Suzannah Johannes plays Northside Social, 340 Locust St., Lawrence KS. on Sunday, October 25, at 7;00pm with Small Birds of Sound.]

11:48 – Pledge Break #6

WMM On-Air / Fall Fund Drive Team: Betse Ellis, Mará Williams, Eddie Moore

KKFI Offers Incredible Diversity

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.

Now, more than ever, Independent, Community Media is important for our world. We are here to listen to you, to share your concerns, and offer resources and information. Along with our National Public Affairs shows like Democracy Now and Alternative Radio we offer more locally produced public affairs programs than anywhere else on the dial.

We offer programs for Women, the LGBTQIA Community, Native Americans, Black Public Affairs, Labor & Worker’s Unions, Middle Eastern Music & Information, Latino Programming, prison & justice system, environmental programming, Visual & Performing Arts, KC Tenants, Economics for the People, Understanding Israel Palestine.

At KKFI there is no automated robot playing the same 40 songs in a “rotation,” based on a formula, created by a singular programmer of the robot. KKFI is the opposite of a robot.

There is almost always a human on the end of the phone line when you call 816-931-KKFI.

90.1 offers 100 different radio programs. 88 of these programs are locally, produced, hosted, engineered and written by over 150 different people, who create content, and personally handcraft each show, each week. There are 64 local music shows and 24 locally produced News, Public Affairs, Arts & Talk shows.

There are 140 hours each week of locally produced handcrafted programs.

You will not find this kind of representative diversity anywhere else on your radio dial. Or from any singular source on your computer. It is very special. It needs to be nourished and kept alive in a world of corporate, nationally owned, commercial or religious broadcasting.

Not only do we bring the most diverse and unfiltered news and information, but our musical playlists are deep, and comprehensive. In one week you can hear over 2000 different songs played, in Blues, Jazz, Folk, Hip Hop, Reggae, Classical, World, Americana, Southern Soul, Fusion, Soul, Rock, New Wave, Electronic, Native, Local, Old Timey, Rockabilly, Women’s, Children’s, Gospel, and Experimental.

With all of this, you hear the voices from the hundreds of KKFI volunteers, and thousands of guests from the community, who share their stories, broadcast live from our non-commercial, midtown studios, at 39th & Main, in the center of our metro, across two states, a collective of communities, and thousands of listeners. What is this worth to you?

For Betse Ellis, Mará Williams, Edie Moore, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening! Thank you to everyone for donating!

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

Next week, on Wednesday, October 28 we welcome Dan Talmadge! Plus Mará Williams will be back for our On Air Fall Fund Drive to encourage YOU to please call us at 888-931-0901 or www.kkfi.org and support Community Radio

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 Fall Fund Drive during WMM. 25 people donated a total of $2979.75 THANK YOU SO MUCH! You are helping to build our community!

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/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.121

Show #1170

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

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Shaun Crowley + Colin Halliburton + Jesse Kates & Kate McCandless

1. “It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
   [WMM’s theme song]

2. Stevie Wonder – “It’s Easier”
   from: Songs In The Key Of Life – The EP / Motown / September 28, 2026
   [Stevie Wonder shares new tracks from the vault with this new EP release: Songs in the Key of Life. Stevie Wonder now 76 is a musical Icon and his critically acclaim Songs in The Key of Life is commemorating its 50th anniversary. In celebration Stevie Wonder shares new tracks from the vault, previously unheard songs, from the Songs in the Key of Life recording sessions include: “It’s Easier,” “My Life Story of Love,” “I Can See the Sun in Late December,” and “I’m Into Livin’.” // “We’ve lived with Songs in the Key of Life for fifty years, but there’s more to hear,” Wonder said in a press release. “We didn’t add these songs to the album, but they were part of what I was feeling and discovering as we made it. They bring me back to that time in my life, and now they get to become part of yours.” Wonder wrote and produced the four new releases, with “My Life Story of Love” featuring a co-writing credit for The Supremes’ Susaye Greene. “I’m Into Livin’” also includes backing vocals from soul star Deniece Williams and R&B great Thelma Houston. In addition to releasing the EP commemorating the groundbreaking LP, Wonder is heading on an 18-date anniversary world tour this fall, kicking off October 13 in Birmingham, England. // Songs in the Key of Life is Wonder’s eighteenth LP. Released when Wonder was already one of the most popular artists of the era, Songs in the Key of Life cemented his legacy as a Motown legend, featuring classics such as “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Sir Duke.” // Stevland Hardaway Morris; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, and is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. Wonder’s use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments in the 1970s reshaped the conventions of contemporary R&B. He also helped drive such genres into the album era, crafting his LPs as cohesive and consistent, in addition to socially conscious statements with complex compositions. // Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy who signed with Motown’s Tamla label at the age of 11, where he was given the professional name Little Stevie Wonder. As a teenager, he established himself as one of Motown’s most successful acts, known for his excited harmonica playing and high-pitched singing. His single “Fingertips” topped the Billboard Hot 100 when he was 13, making him the youngest solo artist ever to top the chart. Wonder’s critical and commercial peak, termed his “classic period” (1972–1976), began with the albums Music of My Mind and Talking Book (1972), which abandoned the Motown sound in favor of a synthesizer- and keyboard-driven one. With Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974), and Songs in the Key of Life (1976), he became the first Black musician to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the only artist to have won the award with three consecutive album releases. // In the 1980s, Wonder achieved international cultural presence, with high-profile collaborations (notably with Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson), television appearances, charity work, and political influence, including his 1980 campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a federal holiday in the United States. Hotter Than July (1980), the soundtrack album The Woman in Red (1984), and In Square Circle (1985) all peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200. “Ebony and Ivory”, “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, “Part-Time Lover”, and “That’s What Friends Are For” all reached number one, making him the first act to top the Billboard Hot 100 in three consecutive decades. Wonder returned to the top five with his latest album, A Time to Love (2005), and he has continued to remain active in music and political causes. // Wonder is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of more than 100 million records worldwide. He has won 25 Grammy Awards (the most by a male solo artist) and an Academy Award. He has been inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He ranked in the top 10 on Rolling Stone’s lists of the greatest singers and greatest songwriters of all time. In 2009, Wonder was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2014, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Believing himself to be of Ghanaian ancestry, he was conferred Ghanaian citizenship in 2024. // Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, the third of five children born to Lula Mae Hardaway, and the second of Hardaway’s two children with Calvin Judkins. Wonder was born six weeks premature, a condition that, along with the oxygen-rich atmosphere in the hospital incubator, resulted in retinopathy of prematurity, a disease that aborts eye growth and often causes the retinas to detach, which left him blind. // When Wonder was 4, his mother divorced his father and moved with her 3 children to Detroit. Wonder attended Whitestone Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and became a soloist at age 8. His mother later rekindled her relationship with her first child’s father (whose surname was also coincidentally Hardaway), changed her name back to Lula Hardaway, and had 2 more children. // Wonder began playing instruments at an early age, including piano, harmonica, drums. He formed a singing partnership with a friend; calling themselves Stevie & John, they played on street corners and occasionally at parties & dances. When Stevie was signed by Motown in 1961, his surname was legally changed to Morris, which (according to Lula Mae Hardaway’s authorized biography) was an old family name. // Wonder attended Fitzgerald Elementary School in Detroit. After his 1st album was released, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie (1962), he enrolled in Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, MI.]

Stevie Wonder Discography
The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie (1962)
Tribute to Uncle Ray (1962)
With a Song in My Heart (1963)
Stevie at the Beach (1964)
Up-Tight (1966)
Down to Earth (1966)
I Was Made to Love Her (1967)
Someday at Christmas (1967)
Eivets Rednow (1968)
For Once in My Life (1968)
My Cherie Amour (1969)
Signed, Sealed & Delivered (1970)
Where I’m Coming From (1971)
Music of My Mind (1972)
Talking Book (1972)
Innervisions (1973)
Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974)
Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through “The Secret Life of Plants” (1979, soundtrack)
Hotter than July (1980)
The Woman in Red (1984, soundtrack)
In Square Circle (1985)
Characters (1987)
Jungle Fever (1991, soundtrack)
Conversation Peace (1995)
A Time to Love (2005)

3. Mon Rovîa – “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”
   from: Pray the Devil Back to Hell – Single / Mon Rovîa – Nettwerk / June 19, 2026
   [Janjay Lowe, known professionally as Mon Rovîa, is an Afro-Appalachian singer-songwriter from Liberia who grew up in the United States. // Janjay Lowe was born in Monrovia, Liberia. He was adopted around the age of seven by an American family, and during his early years his family lived in Florida, Montana, the Bahamas, and Tennessee. It was in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he was first exposed to folk music. As he began exploring his interest in music, he learned to play the ukulele, guitar, and other instruments. // Lowe uploaded his first song to SoundCloud in 2017 under the name Mon Rovîa, a name he chose in honor of his birthplace of Monrovia, Liberia. In 2020, he released his first EP, Sunburnt. His first album, Dark Continent, debuted in 2021 and featured a blend of hip-hop, trap, R&B, and folk influences. During 2022, his style shifted towards folk music with songs like “Vulture Culture,” “Where the Rivers Run,” and “Borderline.” // Starting in July 2023, he began releasing a series of four EPs based on the structure of the hero’s journey: Act 1: The Wandering, Act 2: Trials, Act 3: The Dying of Self, and Act 4: Atonement. One of the singles from Act 4: Atonement, “Winter Wash 24,” was inspired by the work of the International Rescue Committee, and all the proceeds from the single went to this organization. // Mon Rovîa made his music festival debut at Bonnaroo in 2024. He has also achieved a significant following on TikTok, with over 500 million views as of October 2024. He made his debut Grand Ole Opry performance in July 2025.]

4. Valerie June – “I’ll Fly Away”
   from: Brighter Blue – 3 song Single / June Tunes – Concord / September 11, 2026
   [“I’ll Fly Away” composed by Albert E. Brumley in 1929 Published 1932 is a hymn written between 1929 and 1932 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932 by the Hartford Music company in a collection titled Wonderful Message. Albert took three years to write the song after getting the idea while picking cotton in 1928. Over the years multiple derivative versions have been created and will be licensed for decades to come. Brumley’s writing was influenced by the 1924 secular ballad “The Prisoner’s Song”. // “I’ll Fly Away” has been called the most recorded gospel song. It is frequently used in worship services by Baptists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, the Churches of Christ and many Presbyterians and Methodists. It appears in many hymnals where it is listed under the topics of eternal life, heaven and acceptance. It is a standard song at bluegrass jam sessions and is often performed at funerals, including jazz funerals in the New Orleans tradition.Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Valerie June releases her new EP, Brighter Blue, out now via Concord Records. In conjunction, she announces a March 2027 headline tour. Brighter Blue finds June journeying through the American songbook, marking a return to her early work weaving blues, folk, gospel, rock, and grunge. Throughout, she honors tradition while pushing into new territory. Today’s “Trouble in Mind,” which features Sam Amidon, has been interpreted by hundreds of artists, including Lightnin’ Hopkins, Nina Simone, and Muddy Waters. June comments, “The most transformative moments of my life have come when I found the courage to face my fears—to feel them fully and discover the stillness that remains when the storm passes. There is perhaps no better song to capture the journey from hardship toward happiness than the old blues song ‘Trouble in Mind.’ Rooted in sorrow yet reaching toward hope, it reminds us that even in our darkest moments, something within us continues to sing.” // “Trouble In Mind” follows June’s cover of “Smokestack,” a “revved-up electric blues” (Brooklyn Vegan) number, now accompanied by a video. Of the “Smokestack” video, June comments, “This one is for tiny thick thighs, lovers of the blues, and electric guitar lovers. In truth, I’m just trying to be like the other badass Black ladies who shredded on the electric guitar and came before me: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Memphis Minnie, Beverly ‘Guitar’ Watkins, and Peggy Jones/Lady Bo. I have a personal connection to all of them, and I try to keep their spirits alive in my own style. Every time I play electric, I’m giving them their flowers. They lived in times when female guitarists weren’t celebrated in the ways we’ve come to celebrate women guitarists today. So every riff, every solo, every nasty little sound is my way of honoring the women who picked up the electric guitar and showed us what was possible. This one’s for them.” // “She’s weaving together a tapestry of history, connecting genres between seemingly disparate scenes and communities. This new evolution of June is hard to categorize and undoubtedly fun.” — Chicago Tribune // “Valerie June manages to make rollicking, catchy splendor as she unpretentiously and seamlessly waltzes from pop to rock to gospel to ‘60s girl-group/Wall of Sound brilliance.” — Treble // “[A] vibrant single…a fresh take on a classic.” – Culture Beat // Valerie June is an author, poet, Grammy®-nominated singer-songwriter and three-time Americana Music Honors and Awards nominee. Recently the subject of an exhibit at Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music, she has been praised by Bob Dylan, written music for Mavis Staples, and shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Dinosaur Jr., John Prine, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, Meshell Ndegeocello, and well beyond. As NPR Music hailed, “Not all artists are cut quite like Valerie June. She is just the most expansive artist dabbling in psychedelic folk, indie rock, Appalachian, bluegrass, country, soul, gospel, you name it” (NPR’s All Songs Considered). June’s most recent album was 2025’s Owls, Omens, and Oracles. // June just wrapped a tour supporting Ani DiFranco on the west coast, and is currently in the midst of a North American headline tour with several festival appearances along the way. On September 18th at Americanafest, she’ll be in conversation with NPR Music’s Ann Powers at the Women & Guitars panel.

10:15 – Tribute to Mama Bear – Ruth Whitlock Ward

Recently our friend Madisen Ward wrote on social media that his mom, Ruth Evelyn “Mama Bear” Ward had passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at the age of 75. Ruth was born on September 12, 1951, in South Bend, Indiana, where she was raised. She later became a longtime resident of Independence, Missouri, which she called home for many years. She was the daughter of the late Isiah Whitlock Sr. and the late Ruth Moore Whitlock. / Per her obituary: Ruth was a sharp, quick-witted, and creative soul. A true artist, she expressed herself through music and had a beautiful singing voice. // Ruth Ward continually performed throughout her life, mostly in coffee shops and open mics, for over 30 years, even recording a solo acoustic gospel record. In the midst of this she got married and became a mom, and was busy raising a family. / Ruth youngest son Madisen Ward was born in Oklahoma, and grew up in the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. Madisen’s journey to become a musician, was “melodically passed down” through the songs of his mother, where Madisen grew up watching his mom perform at local coffee shops. Eventually he began to learn to play the guitar, and poured his talent for writing into the music to create original songs. They began playing Madisen’s original songs along with the occasional cover of a classic track, reinterpreted in their own incredibly beautiful performance of two voices and two guitars in harmony and orchestration.They got signed to Glassnote Records and their debut album, THE SKELETON CREW was released May 9, 2015 and was our most played record that year and was #1 on WMM’s The 115 Best Recordings of 2015. They performed their debut single “Silent Movies” on The Late Show with David Letterman, they’ve toured across the United States, and Europe, more than once. They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC’s The Today Show, and Later With Jools Holland and played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville. Their follow up EP RADIO WINNERS was released July 27, 2018 and received critical acclaim. // Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear released the album STARTED WITH A FAMILY on September 6, 2019. // Music was a huge part of Ruth’s life. She recorded and performed music across the world and made several appearances on national television. Her creativity, musical talent, and love of performing were an important part of the legacy she leaves behind. // Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Bobbie Whitlock, Donnie Ray Whitlock, Christopher Whitlock, Kimberly Whitlock, and Isiah “Teddy” Whitlock Jr. // Ruth was a loving mother and grandmother. She and her husband, Kenneth Ward, shared three children: Heather Johnson and her husband, Matt Johnson, of Lake Worth, Florida; Adam Ward and his wife, Kortney Ward, of Raytown, Missouri; and Madisen Ward, of Independence, Missouri. She was also a proud grandmother to Gabrielle Fanning, Jax Ward, and Cora Ward. Ruth was also loved and cherished by her South Bend family, who held a special place in her heart. // She is survived by her four siblings, Deborah Riley, Michelle K. Stewart and her husband, James, Velma L. Lloyd, and Beverly Taylor, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, all of South Bend, Indiana. // Her memory will be cherished by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of hearing her sing, experiencing her creativity, and knowing her humor and loving spirit. // Wednesday MidDay Medley was the first radio show to ever play the music of Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear. Recording producer and engineer and friend of their family Joel Nanos recorded an EP with the duo and then passed it on to me saying, “I don’t think I have ever heard anything quite like this before.” // Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear first played LIVE on WMM on May 8, 2013. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear made 7 live appearances on our radio show playing live on 5 different shows.

10:17

5. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – “Dreams”
   from: “Dreams” – Single / Glassnote Entertainment / January 22, 2015
   [Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear garnered international acclaim, from all over the world. They signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abiss. They performed their debut single “Silent Movies” on The Late Show with David Letterman, they’ve toured across the United States, and Europe, more than once. They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC’s The Today Show, and “Later With Jools Holland and played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville. // Ruth Ward has continually performed throughout her life, mostly in coffee shops and open mics, for over 30 years, even recording a solo record. In the midst of this she got married and became a mom, and was busy raising a family. Madisen Ward was born in Oklahoma, and grew up in the outskirts of KCMO. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 2007. Madisen’s journey to become a musician, was “melodically passed down” through the songs of his mother, where Madisen grew up watching his mom perform at local coffee shops. Eventually he began to learn to play the guitar, and poured his talent for writing into the music to create original songs. They began playing Madisen’s original songs along with the occasional cover of a classic track, reinterpreted in their own incredibly beautiful performance of two voices and two guitars in harmony & orchestration. Their debut album, THE SKELETON CREW was released May 9, 2015 and was our most played record that year and was #1 on WMM’s The 115 Best Recordings of 2015. Their follow up EP RADIO WINNERS was released July 27, 2018 and received critical acclaim. // Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear released STARTED WITH A FAMILY on Sept. 6, 2019. Produced with Grammy-winner Nathan Chapman at Blackbird Studios in Nashville.]

6. Shabazz Palaces – “Pop Life (Prince Cover)”
   from: Maximum MN: a Digital Mixtape Compilation To Benefit The International Institute of Minnesota / Sub Pop / January 22, 2026
   [The International Institute of Minnesota Provides Services To Immigrants and Refugees So They Can Build New Lives, Find Work To Support Their Families, and Contribute To Their New Communities. Proceeds From This Compilation Improves The Lives of Refugees and Immigrants and Help Strengthen Our Communities’ Future. // Maximum MN, a digital mixtape featuring Sub Pop artists covering Minnesota musicians, capturing a snapshot of Minnesota’s long history of life-changing music and showing solidarity with the people of Minnesota, is out today worldwide, Friday, September 18th, 2026. In the wake of the ICE raids in Minneapolis this year, a lot of communities have been hit hard. Families have been disrupted, people have been displaced, and local support systems are under real strain. Proceeds from this compilation will be sent to The International Institute of Minnesota, a non-profit organization that supports refugees and immigrants through resettlement services, English and citizenship classes, job training (including nursing assistant training), immigration legal services, and direct financial support in the current environment. // The eight-song tracklist includes Yuno (covering Hippo Campus “The Way It Goes”), Sweeping Promises (covering Hüsker Dü’s “Something I Learned Today”), Mudhoney (covering Halo of Flies’ “Rubber Room”), Shabazz Palaces (covering Prince’s “Pop Life”), Flock of Dimes (covering Low’s “Especially Me”), Weird Nightmare (covering Paul Westerberg’s “It’s a Wonderful Lie”), and Pissed Jeans (covering former Minnesota Governor and WWF wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura’s “The Body Rules”). Listen to Downtown Boys cover of The Replacements “Can’t Hardly Wait” now. // Shabazz Palaces is a Seattle-based hip hop group led by Ishmael Butler a.k.a. Palaceer Lazaro (formerly Butterfly of jazz rap group Digable Planets). // Much of Butler’s work as Shabazz Palaces was made in collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Tendai “Baba” Maraire, son of mbira master Dumisani Maraire. Maraire left the group before the release of their fifth album in 2020. // Shabazz Palaces has released seven studio albums on Sub Pop between 2011 and 2024 after self-releasing two EPs in 2009. // Two anonymously self-released EPs titled Shabazz Palaces and Of Light in 2009 led to Shabazz Palaces becoming the first hip-hop act to be signed to Sub Pop. Their debut full-length album, Black Up, was released on June 28, 2011 to widespread critical acclaim. In 2019, Pitchfork ranked Black Up at number 179 on their list of “The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s”; cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib wrote: “From great mystery exploded an album of impossible vision”. // Their second album, Lese Majesty, was released on July 29, 2014 days after premiering at the ‘Laser Dome’ in Seattle’s Pacific Science Center. // On July 14, 2017, Shabazz Palaces released its third and fourth full-length records concurrently. Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines were accompanied by a short film directed by Nep Sidhu, and a limited-run comic book illustrated by Joshua Ray Stephens. In 2020, “Shine a Light” was added to the soundtrack of the 2013 video game, Grand Theft Auto V. // The following year, Shabazz Palaces joined up with frequent collaborator Erik Blood to release a full-length LP titled 1 Time Mirage under the moniker Knife Knights which released on September 14, 2018. The moniker had been used by Butler for his collaborative production work with Blood on previous Shabazz Palaces records, though now formalised as a touring band signed to Sub Pop. // Shabazz Palaces’ fifth full-length record, The Don of Diamond Dreams, was released on April 17, 2020. An article written by The Guardian confirmed that Tendai Maraire was no longer part of Shabazz Palaces and was not involved in creation of the album. // On April 12, 2023, an EP titled Illusions Ago was released on Glass Cane Records in collaboration with ‘Lavarr The Starr’, presumed to be another moniker of Butler’s. // A 6th studio album by Shabazz Palaces, Robed in Rareness, released later in the year on Oct. 27, 2023. // On March 29, 2024, Shabazz Palaces’ 7th studio album was released, titled Exotic Birds of Prey. // On Aug. 11, 2026, Shabazz Palaces announced their 8th album entitled It’s a Style Sport would be released on Oct. 23rd, 2026 and also released a single, “Ahh World (I Won The Alpha Bet)”. // “Pop Life” is a song by Prince and the Revolution. It was the 2nd US (and final UK) single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day, reaching # 7 in the US charts, becoming Prince’s 8th top-10 hit in a 2-year span. // The song starts with a faded-in synth line – quickly starts the main tune. The easy groove is achieved with a smooth bass guitar & piano embellishments. A drum machine provides handclaps to make the song danceable. “Pop Life” was recorded before Purple Rain was completed, indicating a new direction Prince wanted to take after the success of that album. Lyrically, the song describes the tiresome, stressful side of the celebrity life, including the pressure that can lead to drug use (“What you putting in your nose?/Is that where all your money goes?”)]

7. Beck – “It Ends Right Here”
   from: Ride Lonesome / Iliad – Capitol / September 18, 2026
   [Ride Lonesome is the fifteenth studio album by Beck. The first studio album Beck has released since the 2019 ‘s Hyperspace, marking his longest gap between studio albums. // On January 29, 2026, Beck released the compilation album, Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime, that featured covers and rarities. // Beck David Hansen (born Bek David Campbell; July 8, 1970), known mononymously as Beck, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame in the early 1990s with his experimental and lo-fi style, and became known for creating musical collages of wide-ranging genres. He has musically encompassed folk, funk, soul, hip-hop, electronica, alternative rock, country, and psychedelia. He has released 15 studio albums, as well as several non-album singles and a book of sheet music. // Born and raised in Los Angeles, Beck gravitated towards hip-hop and folk in his teens and began to perform locally at coffeehouses and clubs. He moved to New York City in 1989 and became involved in the city’s anti-folk movement. Returning to Los Angeles in the early 1990s, he saw his commercial breakthrough with his 1993 single “Loser”. After signing with DGC Records, the song peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and served as the lead single for his third album and major label debut, Mellow Gold (1994). Its follow-up, Odelay (1996), topped critic polls and won several awards. Before his 1996 release, the same year, he played the role of a taxi driver in the US video of Alisha’s Attic’s single, “I Am, I Feel”. // Beck released the country-influenced Mutations in 1998, and the funk-infused Midnite Vultures in 1999. The soft-acoustic Sea Change in 2002 showcased a more serious Beck, and 2005’s Guero returned to Odelay’s sample-based production. The Information in 2006 was inspired by electro-funk, hip-hop, and psychedelia; 2008’s Modern Guilt was inspired by 1960s pop; and 2014’s folk-infused Morning Phase, a stylistic and thematic follow-up to Sea Change, won Album of the Year at the 57th Grammy Awards. His 2017 album, Colors, won awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. His fourteenth studio album, Hyperspace, was released on November 22, 2019. In 2022, Beck was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. // With a pop art collage of musical styles, oblique and ironic lyrics, and postmodern arrangements incorporating samples, drum machines, live instrument-ation, and sound effects, Beck has been hailed by critics and the public throughout his musical career as being among the most idiosyncratically creative musicians of the 1990s and 2000s alternative rock. Two of Beck’s most popular and acclaimed recordings are Odelay and Sea Change, both of which were ranked on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Beck is a four-time platinum artist; he has collaborated with several artists and contributed to several soundtracks. // Bek David Campbell was born in Los Angeles on July 8, 1970, the son of American visual artist Bibbe Hansen and Canadian arranger, composer, and conductor David Campbell. Bibbe Hansen grew up amid Andy Warhol’s The Factory art scene of the 1960s in New York City and was a Warhol superstar. She moved to California at 17 and met David Campbell. Beck’s maternal grandfather, artist Al Hansen, was of Norwegian descent and was a pioneer in the avant-garde Fluxus movement. Beck’s maternal grandmother was Jewish; he has said that he considers himself Jewish because he was “raised celebrating Jewish holidays.” // Beck was born in a rooming house near downtown Los Angeles. As a child he lived in a declining neighborhood near Hollywood Boulevard. He remembers “By the time we left there, they were ripping out miles of houses en masse and building low-rent, giant apartment blocks.” The working-class family struggled financially, moving to Hoover and Ninth Street, a neighborhood populated primarily by Koreans and Salvadorian refugees. He was sent for a time to live with his paternal grandparents in Kansas; he later remarked that he thought “they were kind of concerned” about his “weird” home life. Because his paternal grandfather was a Presbyterian minister, Beck grew up influenced by church music and hymns. He also spent time in Europe with his maternal grandfather. // After his parents separated when he was ten, Beck stayed with his mother and brother Channing in Los Angeles, where he was influenced by the city’s diverse musical offerings—everything from hip-hop to Latin music and his mother’s art scene—all of which would later reappear in his work. Beck obtained his first guitar at 16 and became a street musician, often playing Lead Belly covers at Lafayette Park. During his teens, Beck discovered the music of Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, and X, but remained uninterested in most music outside the folk genre until many years into his career The first contemporary music that made a direct connection with Beck was hip-hop, which he first heard on Grandmaster Flash records in the early 1980s. Growing up in a predominantly Latin district, he found himself the only white child at his school, and quickly learned how to breakdance. When he was 17, Beck grew fascinated after hearing a Mississippi John Hurt record at a friend’s house, and spent hours in his room trying to emulate Hurt’s finger-picking techniques. Shortly thereafter Beck explored blues and folk music further, discovering Woody Guthrie and Blind Willie Johnson. // Feeling like “a total outcast”, Beck dropped out of school after junior high. He later said that although he felt school was important, he felt unsafe there. When he applied to the new performing arts high school downtown, he was rejected. His brother took him to post-Beat jazz places in Echo Park and Silver Lake. He hung out at Los Angeles City College perusing records, books, and old sheet music in the college’s library. He used a fake ID to sit in on classes there, and he also befriended a literature instructor and his poet wife. He worked at a string of odd jobs, including loading trucks and operating a leaf blower.]

[Beck plays The Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway, KCMO on Sunday, October 4, at 8:00 pm with Ionna Gika in an all Ages SOLD OUT show.]

10:29 – Underwriting

8. Jass – “Autumn In The City”
   from: Autumn In The City / Jass / September 25, 2025.
   [Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. This release captures Jass’s dynamic sound in a live band recording, tracked and recorded by bandmate Clarence Copridge. The smooth vocals from Jass and instrumentals of vibes and upright bass in this track are the perfect end of summer/welcome to fall track. // Jass writes, “My new single ‘Autumn in the City” s close to my heart—paying homage to my hometown and the fall season that inspires so much love and reflection.” // Jass released the EP APRIL SHOWERS on April 27, 2025. // Jass released the single “Hope.wav” on February 29, 2024. // Jass and The Boys released the single, “Daydream Girl” on August 25, 2023. // Jass and The Boys released the single “Gvn2u” on July 14, 2023. // Jass released the single, “Time&Space” on July 14, 2023. n// Jass released the single, “Eye Contact.” // Jass released the single, “Lifetime” on January 6, 2023 // Jass and The Boys released the single “Love U Like I Love U” on December 2, 2022. Jass released the single “grow” on November 26, 2022. Jass released the EP, OFF KEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released the single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was #1 on WMM’s 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single, “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released At the Close of a Decade on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Info: www.jassrcouch.com]

[Jass plays MANOR RECORDS 9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, Thursday, October 1, at 7:00pm to Midnight, at The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO in the historic West Bottoms. The celebration will include performances by The Manor Records Family Band, DJ Mers, and host Brittany Tilander.]

10:35 – Interview with Shaun Crowley

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. I’m Mark Manning. Today we’re happy to welcome back our friend Shaun Crowley the Founder & Executive Director of Manor Records, a non-profit organization that functions as a record label to support KC musicians. Shaun shares details about MANOR RECORDS 9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, Thursday, October 1, at 7:00pm to Midnight, at The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO in the historic West Bottoms. The celebration will include performances by The Manor Records Family Band, DJ Mers, and host Brittany Tilander. There will also be a Raffle and Silent Auction with items from local businesses such as JHS Pedals, Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches, KC Fret Shop, and more! Proceeds help to fund Manor Records 2027 Record Label programming that gives funding to local KC musicians. More info at www.manorrecords.com

Money raised from the festival supports the non profit mission of releasing music from local artists on physical platforms and other resources for musicians.

Shaun Crowley is a classically trained guitarist, and studied at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. Shaun is the Founder & Executive Director of Manor Records, a music label that grew out of Manor Fest, the first festival sized “house show” Shaun and friends produced in their basement featuring 12 bands. We first met Shaun as part of the band Rev Gusto, originally formed in high school with friends at Saint James Academy.

Shaun Crowley thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Manor Records Board
Khrystal Johnson – President
Danielle Krakenberg – Secretary
Tyler Fowler – Board Treasurer
Talon Ice – Board Member
Droo Long – Board Member

Record Label Operations Team
Our record label team is a mix of our core operations staff and dedicated volunteers who work hands-on with the artists on our roster each year. Beyond supporting our musicians, we’re committed to developing the next generation of music industry professionals—giving them real experience in booking, press, and other key roles. Our long-term goal is to grow Kansas City’s music industry by turning these positions into paid, part-time roles and creating sustainable career pathways right here at home.

Shaun Crowley – Founder & Executive Director
Skylar Rochelle – Record Label Lead
Kayla Jarrett – Physical & Digital Distribution
Betsie Yeomans – Booking
Abigail Elwart – Social Media
Kate Whitefield – Press / PR
Valorie Mersman – Press / PR
Enrique Guiterrez – Graphic Design
Randee Wisdom – Blog Editor

Manor Records Event Volunteers & Manor Fest 8 Team
Dorian Allen – Manor Fest Sound Lead
Sarai Vega – Manor Fest Photo Lead
James Miller -Events Volunteer
Evan Herd – Manor Fest Lead Volunteer

Mission – Manor Records Foundation’s mission is to strengthen Kansas City’s music community by providing equitable funding and artist development to uplift and advance emerging independent artists.

Our Story – Manor Records Foundation’s mission is to provide equitable funding and artist development to uplift and advance emerging independent artists in Kansas City. Manor Records Foundation is a Kansas City based nonprofit record label dedicated to sustaining and developing our local music community through direct artist funding, development programs, and community events. Our roots trace back to The Shawnee Manor, a basement venue that became a launching pad for local and touring talent, featuring early shows from bands like Glass Animals and Hinds. From these grassroots beginnings and much learning along the way – we have grown into a fully operational nonprofit label supporting local artists.

Today, Manor Records Foundation has supported more than 60 digital releases and over 30 physical albums from emerging Kansas City musicians — helping artists fund projects, build sustainable careers, and reach wider audiences. Through initiatives like our annual Manor Fest, showcasing over 60 local acts, and year-round programs like Songbird Sessions, we provide platforms that celebrate and reinvest in the creative heartbeat of our city. By combining the spirit of community with structured artist development, Manor Records Foundation ensures that KC’s vibrant music scene continues to thrive and grow.

Manor Records Record Label Program – Each year, Manor Records raises $2,000 in direct project funding for 10 local artists, helping them bring their work to life through physical releases, music videos, touring support, and whatever resources they need as they grow.

Manor Records 2026 Roster of Artists:
Fritz Hutchison
True Lions
Jamogi
Paris Williams
Jass
Frankie Shorez
Alber
Aigerue
Kirstie Lynn

Artists Manor Records have worked with in the past:
BLANKY
CATTY CLINE
CHARLOTTE BUMGARNER
DANIEL GUM
DYLAN PYLES
FLOODING
FOREST PORRIDGE
JAIRY
KAT KING
KHRYSTAL.
MINT FATIGUES
MOMMA’S BOY
PALE TONGUE
R.I.PETER
SCABB
SUPERMOTO
THE WILD TYPE

10:44

9. 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. Kamogi and the Jammers played Boulevardia 2025]

[Jamogi plays the 19th annual Apocalypse Meow on Saturday, November 7th, Doors at 6pm, Show at 7pm, at recordBar, featuring live music from: ROMAN NUMERALS, JAMOGI & THE JAMMERS, PHAZE II, and STUBBLEFIELD. Apocalypse Meow is MMF’s main fundraiser for Abby’s Fund For Musicians’ Health Care, which provides local musicians and music workers with essential health care resources. In addition to live music, the RockDocs will be on site to offer flu shots and COVID boosters provided by the KC Indian Center, as well as discuss screenings, wellness programs, health conditions and concerns, and arrange follow-ups. We’ll also have live raffles that feature an assortment of items donated by local businesses at AM19, and an online auction running the month of November. // We are seeking donations for our annual Apocalypse Meow silent auction and fundraiser! Advertise your business or band while supporting our mission to provide healthcare grants to music professionals in the Kansas City area! Items like merchandise, music, classes, gift certificates, experiences, and art are greatly appreciated. // If you would like to donate or know of someone who can, please email Rhonda Lyne at rhonda@midwestmusicfound.org. // In 2008, Apocalypse Meow was established to raise medical funds for local musician Abigail Henderson, who had been diagnosed with cancer. Compelled to give back to the community, she co-founded MMF to provide musicians with health care assistance. Though she passed away in 2013, Abigail’s mission continues — MMF provides financial resources, educational programs, health clinics and events throughout the year. Abby’s Fund dispenses emergency health care grants to KC-area musicians, having contributed more than $780,000 since its inception. // Midwest Music Foundation provides grants to musicians faced with urgent health care expenses and preventative health care services through Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care. This assistance is available to active KC area musicians and music personnel. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE or email our Executive Director, Rhonda Lyne, for more information at rhonda@midwestmusicfound.org.]

10:48 – More Interview with Shaun Crowley

We welcome back our friend Shaun Crowley the Founder & Executive Director of Manor Records, a non-profit organization that functions as a record label to support KC musicians. Shaun shares details about MANOR RECORDS 9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, Thursday, October 1, at 7:00pm to Midnight, at The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO in the historic West Bottoms. The celebration will include performances by The Manor Records Family Band, DJ Mers, and host Brittany Tilander. There will also be a Raffle and Silent Auction with items from local businesses such as JHS Pedals, Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches, KC Fret Shop, and more! Proceeds help to fund Manor Records 2027 Record Label programming that gives funding to local KC musicians. www.manorrecords.com

Money raised from the festival supports the non profit mission of releasing music from local artists on physical platforms and other resources for musicians.

Shaun Crowley is a classically trained guitarist, and studied at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. Shaun is the Founder & Executive Director of Manor Records, a music label that grew out of Manor Fest, the first festival sized “house show” Shaun and friends produced in their basement featuring 12 bands. We first met Shaun as part of the band Rev Gusto, originally formed in high school with friends at Saint James Academy.

Shaun Crowley thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Crowley started playing in the KC when he was 17 in band Rev Gusto and Momma’s Boy. Shaun Crowley started Manor Records in 2017. The organization was born from the special concerts produced in the basement of the Rev.Gusto / Momma’s Boy band house, where Shaun and his band mates were living at the time. Named “The Manor” this house was located in the suburbs of Shawnee, KS An almost anonymous venue, where the band invited other up and coming area bands to play a musical festival held in a basement. Even national artists joined in the show. From Glass Animals to Shy Boys, the underground venue hosted numerous local acts, some national touring acts. Founder Shaun Crowley created the 1st Manor Fest with 10 bands 1-night, then grew to 2 nights and 20 bands.

Eventually band members moved out of The Manor, and went into different directions, some starting solo projects, through Manor Records, some getting married, some moving away from Kansas City. Shaun carried on, collaborating with actual public venues in Strawberry Hill to create a record store, creating monthly and weekly music events, and creating a non-for profit, called Manor Records.

Shaun was working full time, while also teaching himself how to run a non-for profit. When spaces in Strawberry Hill became unavailable Manor Records moved to the West Bottoms, and then to a Troost storefront retail space, continuing the Record Store-Record Label-Music Venue idea, and also providing music classes. Moving over state lines meant reapplying as a non-profit now under Missouri guidance.

Today, Manor Records Foundation has supported more than 60 digital releases and over 30 physical albums from emerging Kansas City musicians — helping artists fund projects, build sustainable careers, and reach wider audiences. Through initiatives like our annual Manor Fest, showcasing over 60 local acts, and year-round programs like Songbird Sessions, we provide platforms that celebrate and reinvest in the creative heartbeat of our city. By combining the spirit of community with structured artist development, Manor Records Foundation ensures that KC’s vibrant music scene continues to thrive and grow.

Manor Records Record Label Program – Each year, Manor Records raises $2,000 in direct project funding for 10 local artists, helping them bring their work to life through physical releases, music videos, touring support, and whatever resources they need as they grow.

10:56

Shaun Crowley Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

MANOR RECORDS 9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, Thursday, October 1, at 7:00pm to Midnight, at The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO in the historic West Bottoms. The celebration will include performances by The Manor Records Family Band, DJ Mers, and host Brittany Tilander. There will also be a Raffle and Silent Auction with items from local businesses such as JHS Pedals, Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches, KC Fret Shop, and more! Proceeds help to fund Manor Records 2027 Record Label programming that gives funding to local KC musicians.

www.manorrecords.com

10:56

10. Frankie Lynn Shorez & Mercy Fire – “Start Over”
    from: Project Lullaby – Adventures in the City EP / Mercy Fire LLC / April 15, 2026
    [Frankie Shorez : Lead vocals, Lyrical comp & Arrangments, Backing Vocals. Featuring MC : Jazmine Revely. Dylan Guthrie on guitar, Daniel Cole on drums, Joshua Wright on bass, Jamogi Bridges on piano. // Frankie B. Shorez is a 25 year old singer, songwriter, model, actress, and clothing designer and small business owner based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, known for her soulful voice, emotionally driven songwriting, and dynamic live performances. Since emerging on the Kansas City music scene in 2022, she has quickly built a reputation through appearances at local staples like The Fling KC, The Rino, Knuckleheads, and The Phoenix. // A songwriter as well as a performer, Frankie has contributed to several standout Kansas City artists, with multiple unreleased collaborations currently in development. Her own catalog began at age 17 with the release of her debut SoundCloud single “Shame,” and has since grown to include self-produced tracks like “Need That Back,” “Love My Baby,” and “Sam.” Her hands-on approach to music is backed by formal training at the Phil Rodgers Foundation of Music, where she studied audio recording, mixing, and mastering. // In 2026, Frankie released her highly anticipated EP, Project Lullaby, a deeply personal body of work that reflects her growth as both a songwriter and producer. Alongside her original music career, she is an active and in-demand wedding vocalist, bringing a refined, heartfelt touch to ceremonies and private events across the region. // Beyond her solo work, Frankie is the founder and frontwoman of her band Mercy Fire, where she continues to book, curate, and build immersive live experiences. Her background also includes four years as a professional modeling instructor with Barbizon USA, adding to her strong stage presence and artistic versatility. // On January 3, 2024 Frankie Shorez released the single, “Wanna Be Bad.” // In 2025 Frankie Shorez & Mercy Fire played ROCK IS BLACK—a celebration of Black artists in rock music, happening February 28, 2025 at the Zhou B Art Center, with Malek Azrael & The Vibez, Jamogi and The Jammers, and Stephonne.]

[Frankie Shorez & Mercury Fire play MANOR RECORDS 9 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, Thursday, October 1, at 7:00pm to Midnight, at The Ship 1221 Union Ave, KCMO in the historic West Bottoms. The celebration will include performances by The Manor Records Family Band, DJ Mers, and host Brittany Tilander.]

11:00 – Station ID

11. The Roseline – “Heart of Oak”
    from: 86 Gumption / The Roseline / 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.]

[The Roseline play a KC ALBUM RELEASE SHOW at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street KCK, on Friday, October 2, at 8:00pm with The Creepy Jingles, and True Lions.]

[The Roseline play a LAWRENCE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with Gracie Hughes and her band, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS on Saturday October 3, at 8:00pm]

11:04 – Interview with Colin Halliburton

Colin Halliburton joins us to share music from his band, The Roseline and their new album 86 GUMPTION, released August 7, 2026, The Roseline play a KC ALBUM RELEASE SHOW at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street KCK, on Friday, October 2, at 8:00pm with The Creepy Jingles, and True Lions. The Roseline play a LAWRENCE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with Gracie Hughes and her band, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS. More info at: www.roselonemusic.com

Colin Halliburton Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

86 Gumption – Released August 7, 2026 – The 9th Studio album from The Roseline

Colin Halliburton – acoustic guitar, vocals
Bradley McKellip – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, field recording
Heidi Gluck – keys, bass, vocals
Colin Jones – bass
Jim Piller – drums, percussion
Lynn Piller – pedal steel

Recorded at Element Recording Studios, The Green Lodge, KPR, and in the homes of Jim Piller, Bradley McKellip, and Heidi Gluck.

Engineered by Joel Nanos, Jim Piller, Jason Slote, Bradley McKellip, Heidi Gluck, and Rob Pope. Mixed by Jim Piller. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering

Design by Emily Demarchi; “Cat and Sweetpeas” image courtesy of The Met’s Open Access public domain image archive.

All songs written by Colin Halliburton / ASCAP (LFK TOWNIE)
All songs arranged by The Roseline

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.

One reviewer wrote: “Good luck trying to coax any sort of braggadocious one-sheet “highlights” 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 Songwriter, No Depression, Glide, Pop Matters, and The Bluegrass Situation.”

The Roseline 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’.

The Roseline have toured in the US, England, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, 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, although has not been accepted to showcase at the stateside Americana Fest for a record-breaking 20 consecutive years. Impressive stuff. Their 9th LP “86 Gumption” arrived August 7, 2026 and was immediately followed by a run of shows in the UK and Sweden.

Colin’s Recent Tour 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

11:12

12. The Roseline – “Apex”
    from: 86 Gumption / The Roseline / 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.]

[The Roseline play a KC ALBUM RELEASE SHOW at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street KCK, on Friday, October 2, at 8:00pm with The Creepy Jingles, and True Lions.]

[The Roseline play a LAWRENCE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with Gracie Hughes and her band, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS., on Saturday October 3, at 8:00pm]

11:16 – More Interview with Colin Halliburton

Colin Halliburton joins us to share music from his band, The Roseline and their new album 86 GUMPTION, The Roseline play a KC ALBUM RELEASE SHOW at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street KCK, on Friday, October 2, at 8:00pm with The Creepy Jingles, and True Lions. The Roseline play a LAWRENCE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with Gracie Hughes and her band, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS. More info at: www.roselonemusic.com

Colin Halliburton Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

86 GUMPTION the band’s 9th Studio album was released August 7, 2026, that was recorded at Element Recording Studios, The Green Lodge, KPR, and in the homes of Jim Piller, Bradley McKellip, and Heidi Gluck.

Engineered by Joel Nanos, Jim Piller, Jason Slote, Bradley McKellip, Heidi Gluck, and Rob Pope.

And features Colin Halliburton on acoustic guitar, vocals; Bradley McKellip on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, field recording; Heidi Gluck on keys, bass, vocals; Colin Jones on bass; Jim Piller on drums, percussion; and Lynn Piller on pedal steel.

The Roseline will play release shows for “86 Gumption” at Hillsiders with the Creepy Jingles and True Lions on Friday, October 2, and at the Replay Lounge with Gracie Hughes & Her Band on Saturday, October 3.

Introspective Lawrence country-rockers The Roseline’s ninth full-length, “86 Gumption”, comes two and a half years after their last proper release, 2024’s Keystone of the Heart, with a live album released in between. The album was recorded over the course of a year and yet feels like a single moment, so the introspection comes through clearly.

Maybe it’s the fact these folks have been playing together so long that they don’t need to hunker down over the course of a month to maintain any sort of cohesion. You can feel the relative comfort in a band capable of switching from the out and out honky tonk of “Tooth & Claw” to the AM gold country yacht rock of “Balance of Beauty,” with the Roseline seeming as though they didn’t even need to shift gears.

It’s all of a piece, lyrically and musically. Frontman Colin Halliburton’s voice plays off the backing vocals of Heidi Gluck, whose keys nicely counterpoint Bradley McKellip’s guitar, complemented by the steady rhythm of bassist Colin Jones and drummer Jim Piller, with Lynn Piller’s pedal steel popping up just when needed. For a band nine albums in, it certainly doesn’t feel like they’re settling, however.

The opening pair of songs, “Heart of Oak” and “Wet Black Fin,” are as intimately epic as anything the Roseline has done, while closing with Halliburton and an acoustic guitar for the heart-rending story of “Palm to the Sky” takes the project all the way back to its roots as a Halliburton solo project. “86 Gumption” reminds us that life is cyclical, with change constantly reminding us of what’s come before and what will come to be.

Colin Halliburton told Nick Spacek of The Pitch:

“I was listening to Nick Lowe’s The Convincer a lot during the writing of this record. I’m not sure exactly if there is a through line between the two, but I’m certain it influenced me. He has such a deft touch when balancing heartbreak and comedy. I always attempt that, but I’m unsure of how successful I am. I think both The Convincer and “86 Gumption” are distinctly adult records–we’ve seen some shit, life has landed some punches, but we’re still able to laugh it off … most of the time.”

Official Showcase act at UK Americana Music Week 2025

“Best Country of Bandcamp (Feb ’24)” – Bandcamp

“…vivid, emotion-charged songwriting. Best New Music” – American Songwriter

“The Roseline produces minimalistic and windswept Americana indicative of their Heartland roots. There’s something more to their portfolio than another set of strong contributions to the alt-country scene.” – Pop Matters

“Midwestern alt-country stalwarts… breezy, affectionate (and honest) blend of wit and melancholic twang” – No Depression

“Warm and dreamy Americana. Classic alt-country.” – Glide Magazine

“Colin Halliburton has cornered the market on power pop and Americana.” – The Boot

“9/10” – Americana-UK.com (United Kingdom)

“5/5” – Rockfarbror.se (Sweden)

“4 Stars ****” – Spill Magazine

“4 Stars ****” – Altcountry.nl (The Netherlands)

“a sparkling Americana jam.” – Petal Motel

“#1 in the Top 120 Recordings of 2021” – Mark Manning; Wednesday Midday Medley 90.1 KKFI

“hands down the best album of the year” – Fally Afani; explorelawrence.com

“Top 10 Albums of the Year” Tim Finn; InKC Magazine

“Album of the Year” – Steven Routledge; Rockin The Suburbs Podcast

“Album of the Year” – CJ Janovy; Kansas Reflector

“The Roseline’s ‘Constancy’ is a slice of pumpkin pie as imagined by a cutting edge chef.” – Jason Earle; The Marinade podcast

“These lyrics are poetic and immense. The Roseline redefines their genre. It’s a fresh take on subtlety and magic.” – Tuned Up
.
“(The Roseline) has taken the fabric of country music and painted a colorful Americana mix of pure front porch, pulling at your heart strings, sincere country gold.” – Nashville Music Guide

“He’s a master storyteller that draws you in and leaves you hanging on every word until a song fades away as gently as it started… the lyrics are so vivid and relatable it’s difficult to not get lost in them.” – I Heart Local Music

“Colin Halliburton distills the essence of Midwestern sincerity as the Roseline. The unassuming voice and gentle country-rock of the singer/songwriter reflects the rugged independence and understated graciousness associated with his home state of Kansas.” – Ink Magazine

“It’s poetic country with sublime melodies and haunting vocals.” – Diamond Deposits

“A gorgeous assortment of songs that occupy sprawling territory vaguely dubbed Americana. The Roseline have forged their path with sharp songwriting, a soft-edged country mellow burnished to produce a warm glow with pedal steel, pretty piano, and Colin Halliburton’s sweet, expressive voice. These songs will transport you.” -Present Magazine

“The Roseline have both emotion and depth. This is solid, smoky Americana.” -John Mills, Happening Magazine
.
“It’s kind of sick how good the band is… We highly endorse them.” -MTV2 Subterranean blog
.
“Let me tell you, if you’re a fan of the alt-country genre and you don’t have this album in your collection then you should stop calling yourself a fan right now.” – Parasite Gods

“The band’s fourth release is their most fully realized, both sonically and lyrically. ‘Townie’ is both bleak and hopeful at once.” -No Depression

“4 stars ****” – altcountry.nl, rootstime.be, kindamusik.com

Top 5 Albums of 2015 – Natalie Gallagher, Pitch Magazine

The Roseline play a KC ALBUM RELEASE SHOW at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street KCK, on Friday, October 2, at 8:00pm with The Creepy Jingles, and True Lions.

The Roseline play a LAWRENCE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with Gracie Hughes and her band, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS

11:24

13. The Roseline – “Wet Black Fin”
    from: 86 Gumption / The Roseline / 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.]

[The Roseline play a KC ALBUM RELEASE SHOW at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street KCK, on Friday, October 2, at 8:00pm with The Creepy Jingles, and True Lions.]

[The Roseline play a LAWRENCE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with Gracie Hughes and her band, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS., on Saturday October 3, at 8:00pm]

11:28 – Underwriting

14. 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]

[She Speaks in Tongues open for The Sexy Accident’s 21st anniversary album release on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:00pm at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore Ave, KCMO. The Sexy Accident will perform their new vinyl album release, BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON as a six-piece acoustic ensemble in Studio 306 above the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center.]

11:35 – Interview with Jesse Kates, Mack McKinney, & Kate McCandless

Kate McCandless performs as SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES. Kate writes: “My work is about reclaiming agency. It is about giving voice and liberation to what was repressed and silenced.”With vocals, looping pedal, music, lyrics, guitar, Kate collaborated with 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?”

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is artist, singer, and performer, Kate McCandless. She makes music and performances with her body, voice, and a looping pedal; and in collaboration with other musicians and artists. The work is about reclaiming femme agency, giving voice to what was silenced and suppressed, and using the voice for healing and liberation.

Albums gloria GUITAR (2012) DOMESTIKA a bjork inspired ritual (2020) and new single SMILE ft. Frogpond can be on Bandcamp and selectively on mainstream platforms. To stay most up to date on new music, performances, and events follow on Instagram @she_speaks_in_tongues

Jesse Kates and Kate McCandless who join us to share details about: Jesse’s Band The Sexy Accident’s 21st anniversary album release with She Speaks in Tongues, Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:00pm at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore Ave, KCMO. The Sexy Accident is Jamie Lin, Ramone Hall, Jesse Kates, Ryan Leip, Mack McKinney who will perform their new vinyl album release, BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON as a six-piece acoustic ensemble in Studio 306 above the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center. BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON is a revisionist history of new, homespun recordings. The album features a re-imagined selection of songs from all eras of the band’s back catalog, plus one entirely new tune, “Hard Launch.” She Speaks in Tongues opens the night..

Kate McCandless & Jesse Kates thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Kate McCandless is SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES. She writes: “My work is about reclaiming agency. It’s about giving voice & liberation to what was repressed & silenced.”

Kate McCandless writes, “Smile” “is 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.

Described by Sasha Geffen as “Best Feminist Rock n’ Roll Exorcism”.

Armed with body, voice, and a fierce, shamanic energy, SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES often lures with nostalgia – simultaneously embracing and questioning its comfort and authority with a dark, feminist bent. McCandless creates & performs her work solo, and in collaboration with other musicians. The effect is jarring, haunting, and a cathartic call to healing. A transplant from Chicago since 2020, McCandless now calls KC her creative home base.

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES started in Chicago and has transitioned to Kansas City.

We became aware of She Speaks in Tongues in 2022 when she played Outer Reaches Fest.

This first time Kate was on the WMM was April 5, 2023 when Kate & Cody Wyoming came on tshare details about SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: Patti Smith’s EASTER on EASTER, Sun, April 9, 2023, a 7:00 PM, at recordBar 1520 Grand.

Previous shows by SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES played The Benefit for Amplify Lawrence Saturday, May 31, 2025. at 8:00pm at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS. with Sisterbot, Lauren Lovelle, True Lions, and Cheery.

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: SUPPOSED FORMER INFATUATION JUNKIE//Alanis Morissette, May 13, 2025 at The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO with Katie Gilchrist and Project1994 performing JAGGED LITTLE PILL.

SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES partnered: THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, and Julia Othmer, and Teri Quinn to create a cathartic, sacred homage to Patti Smith and her work…with a surprising, shamanic edge where nothing is sacred… Sacred is all.
Info at: www.shespeaksintongues.com

The Sexy Accident has released 19 albums/EPs and multiple singles. Many of their albums have been released in creative very ways including a hardbound book of lyrics, interviews and original artwork, and as a board/card game. More information at http://www.thesexyaccident.com

The last time Jesse Kates was on WMM was October 9, 2024 to share The Sexy Accident’s new single “Becoming. On June 13, 2024, The Sexy Accident released their 4-song EP, Live at Prospero’s Bell Tower, recorded at Prospero’s Books in Kansas City on December 9, 2023.

Before We Invented the Moon / The Sexy Accident / September 29, 2026

twenty-first-anniversary revisionist history of new, homespun recordings. Features the completely new song Hard Launch.

Written by Jesse Kates {Halaster Music | ASCAP}
Arranged by The Sexy Accident:

Jesse Kates (singing, guitars, piano, autoharp, mallets, percussion)
Ramone Hall (drums, cajon)
Ryan Leip (guitars)
Mack McKinney (bass)
Rachel Jaggard (singing)

Violin on “I Tried Again” by Jonas Kates
Trumpet on “I Tried Again” by Mark Hamblin.

Group singing on “I Tried Again” by Becky Mack, Jason Ammerman, Jason Vaughn, Jonas Kates, Maggie Ammerman, Nicole Hall, Samuel Haney, Stephanie Kates, Tobias Kates and Will Leathem

Produced and engineered by Jesse Kates
Mixed by Josh Williams. Mastering by Mike Nolte
Prints by Graesen Joyce

Recorded in 2024 and 2025 at Jesse’s house in Kansas City

11:43

15. The Sexy Accident – “I’m Going to Love Your New Boyfriend”
    from: Before We Invented the Moon / The Sexy Accident / September 29, 2026
    [A twenty-first-anniversary revisionist history of new, homespun recordings. Features the completely new song Hard Launch. / Written by Jesse Kates {Halaster Music | ASCAP}. Arranged by The Sexy Accident: Jesse Kates (singing, guitars, piano, autoharp, mallets, percussion); Ramone Hall (drums, cajon); Ryan Leip (guitars); Mack McKinney (bass); Rachel Jaggard (singing). Violin on “I Tried Again” by Jonas Kates. Trumpet on “I Tried Again” by Mark Hamblin. // Group singing on “I Tried Again” by Becky Mack, Jason Ammerman, Jason Vaughn, Jonas Kates, Maggie Ammerman, Nicole Hall, Samuel Haney, Stephanie Kates, Tobias Kates and Will Leathem // Produced and engineered by Jesse Kates // Mixed by Josh Williams. Mastering by Mike Nolte. Prints by Graesen Joyce. Recorded in 2024 and 2025 at Jesse’s house in KC. Released on 180-gram vinyl via support from Club Medici. More information at www.thesexyaccident.com]

[The Sexy Accident play a show in honor of their 21st anniversary album release on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:00pm at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore Ave, KCMO. The Sexy Accident will perform their new vinyl album release, BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON as a six-piece acoustic ensemble in Studio 306 above the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, with She Speaks in Tongues opening. ]

11:45 – Interview with Jesse Kates, Mack McKinney, & Kate McCandless

Jesse Kates, Mack McKinney, and Kate McCandless who join us to share details about: Jesse’s Band The Sexy Accident’s 21st anniversary album release with She Speaks in Tongues, Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:00pm at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore Ave, KCMO. The Sexy Accident is Jamie Lin, Ramone Hall, Jesse Kates, Ryan Leip, Mack McKinney who will perform their new vinyl album release, BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON as a six-piece acoustic ensemble in Studio 306 above the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center. BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON is a revisionist history of new, homespun recordings. The album features a re-imagined selection of songs from all eras of the band’s back catalog, plus one entirely new tune, “Hard Launch.” She Speaks in Tongues opens the night.

Kate McCandless & Jesse Kates & Mack McKinney thanks for being with us on WMM

About SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits series: SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: is a live, album listening experience with a femme/feminist edge; twists, turns and script flipping. Featuring artist, vocalist, performer Kate McCandless and an assembly of top notch Kansas City musicians and collaborators, this is not your typical tribute. Collaborators have included Cody Wyoming, Katie Gilchrist, Matt Richey just to name a few. Recent performances as part of the series include: EASTER//Patti Smith (2023-2024) TO BRING YOU MY LOVE//PJ Harvey (2023-2024) and currently, SUPPOSED FORMER INFATUATION JUNKIE//Alanis Morissette

About SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES’ Bjork-inspired album/performance DOMESTIKA

“Kate McCandless samples music as hungrily as Girl Talk, but she doesn’t use a computer. With her band Speaks in Tongues, the singer repurposes well-worn rock and blues classics into new narratives…unravels threads from the music she loves to knot together her own bizarro-world reimaginings, a process she describes…as ‘a necessary feminist act…a reclaim of agency.'” – Sasha Geffen, The Chicago Reader

1 day, 1 take per song. Just me, my voice, and my looping pedal, live and in the moment, recorded in Chicago and released in 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
This album is my bloody valentine to Bjork, Motherhood, Feminism, and all the wisdom they have given me. My hope is that this music/performance serves as a stinging yet redemptive balm for my listeners, especially during these trying times.
In addition to performing excerpts from DOMESTIKA live in local music venues, my intention with this work is to create a more intentional performance, to debut in Kansas City and to tour.

This project began as an exploration of what I believed were feminist themes in Bjork’s music and a desire to highlight them, especially given her latest releases Vulnicura & Utopia, and subsequent interviews. “Domestika” was the original title intended for what became Bjork’s iconic Vespertine, during which she fell in love with Matthew Barney … the partner who would later cheat on her and file for divorce. There was something I wanted to reclaim in that. This desire was highlighted by my more recent struggles with Motherhood, mental health, and the wounding of being homebound.

What I didn’t expect was how this project would become a cathartic space in which to process the unfolding reckoning with injustice in our times … #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, the Trump presidency, the collective isolation/struggle during a pandemic…In the process I formed a chain of channeled messages … as if from my Mother ancestors, or Mother Earth herself. Messages of unheard stories, pain, healing, justice, and hope.

For, SHE SPEAKES IN TONGUES – DOMESTIKA, released May 8, 2020 – Kate McCandless writes DOMESTIKA began as an exploration of what I believed were feminist themes in Bjork’s music and a desire to highlight them. This was especially given her latest releases Vulnicura & Utopia, and subsequent interviews. “Domestika” was the original title intended for what became Bjork’s iconic Vespertine, until she met Matthew Barney … the partner who would later cheat on her and file for divorce. There was something I wanted to reclaim in that. This desire was highlighted by my more recent struggles with Motherhood, mental health, and the wounding of being homebound. // In the process I formed a chain of channeled messages … as if from my Mother ancestors, or Mother Earth herself. Messages of unheard stories, pain, healing, justice, and hope. // This album is my bloody valentine to Motherhood and all the wisdom She gave me. My hope is that this music serves as a kind of balm for my listeners, especially during these trying times. // Vocals, looping pedal, arrangement/mashup, select lyrics: Kate McCandless.Electronic music (Light Bearer): Nigel Harsch. Engineering: Steve Marek. Mixing and Mastering: Steve Marek. Music & Lyric Inspiration: Bjork.

About SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES//// HEALING ARTS

Kate McCandless (SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES) is as an artist, writer, energy healer, and tarot reader in the Kansas City area, after studying and practicing in Chicago IL. Her Shamanic approach takes the work beyond the basic hand positions or interpreter role, and flows seamlessly with her artistic practice and expression. Kate was attuned and initiated into the Reiki practice at levels 1-Master through Sara Gaines of Red Bird Reiki’s 1 Year Shamanic Reiki Apprenticeship (Chicago/Galena IL.) There she studied and explored Shamanism in the open tradition/practice of the Andean Peruvian shamans/Q’ero. Kate’s path to Tarot came naturally and intuitively and she is mostly self taught, though counted among her teachers is Lindsay Mack. Kate has completed Mack’s renowned and in depth course, Tarot for the Wild Soul and continues to study and practice on her own. Kate believes tarot and energy work is for every person and can be used as an excellent tool for self reflection, healing, and self care for any one who is curious, interested, and/or called. She serves as a compassionate facilitator and holder of space. She believes the journey is yours and she is here to support that without dogma nor judgement. Kate believes that tarot and energy work is intended to be inclusive, compassionate, healing, unpretentious and easeful, while rooted in the here and now. By reflecting on “what’s here now” we can curiously and kindly bring our awareness to reach for a more whole and healing present, and therefore, future. Other practitioners/artists she considers teachers and inspirations are Chani Nicholas, Sarah Faith Gottesdiener, Tatianna Morales, Renee Sills (Embodied Astrology,) Michelle Tea, Julia Cameron, and Rachael Gonzalez (FAMILIAR) just to name a few.

SHAMANIC ENERGY WORK + TAROT //// SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES

“KATE IS INCREDIBLE! I don’t have the words to fully relay what happened but Kate created the most healing safe cocoon of reiki energy magic I have ever experienced. I was able to feel and release challenging emotions and I feel we accomplished deep healing work for myself and ancestors… my experience was so epic. Thank you Kate for doing this kind of work in the world.” – Amy W., Energy Healing Client, Kansas City, MO

Selected The Sexy Accident Discography

Live at Prospero’s Bell Tower (2024)
The Sexy Accident released this 4-song EP om June 13, 2024. Songs written by Jesse Kates / Halaster Music [ASCAP]. Performed by The Sexy Accident: Jesse Kates on vocals & guitars. Ramone Hall on drums, Ryan Leip on keys, Mack McKinney on bass, and Rachel Jaggard on vocals. Produced by Danny Mac. Recorded and Mixed by Josh Luke. Recorded at Prospero’s Books in Kansas City on December 9, 2023. Thanks to Will Leathem More info at: www.sexyaccident.bandamp.com]

New Roulette (2022)
Kansas City’s The Sexy Accident plays mercurial pop of brains and heart “driven by catchy melodies and smart, real-life lyric writing.” (The Big Takeover) When the pandemic struck in 2020, songwriter and bandleader Jesse Kates built a home studio and began producing New Roulette remotely. Josh Williams performed and recorded Ramone Hall’s drum parts. Ryan Leip flew in guitars for Jesse to re-amp. Jamie Pratt sang at her father’s suburban home and Mack McKinney played bass from Jesse’s back yard. For more Kansas City flavor, New Roulette’s lead track, I’m Feeling Dancy, features Sisterbot and the EP includes a cover of Wind Flirter by True Lions. New Roulette comprises six tracks and releases on 23 April 2022.

Rabarbaro (2020)
The band’s seventh long-player, Rabarbaro, released on 14 April 2020 during the year of the band’s fifteenth anniversary. Produced, engineered and mixed by longtime collaborator and pacific northwest legend Steve Fisk (Car Seat Headrest, Low, Unwound, Nirvana, Pigeonhed) in Kansas City and Tacoma, Rabarbaro comprises eleven of songwriter Jesse Kates’ most dark, dynamic and sensual songs, living up to the intensity of the album’s namesake adult beverage: a bittersweet, intoxicating (30% ABV) variety of Italian amaro distilled from Chinese rhubarb with zest and cardamom.

Live at Holy Cow EP (Sept. 23, 2017
Performed on September 23, 2016, with Jesse Kates on vocals & guitar, Ramone Hall on drums, Jamie Lin on vocals, Pete Marten on bass, and Ryan Leip on keyboards. Recorded by Josh Williams. Songs selected from Champagne Babycakes, Lavender 3 and Ninja Ninja Fight Darth Vader. Cover art curated by Carly Lewandowski of How Very Vintage from objects found at Holy Cow.

Champagne Babycakes (2016)
Champagne Babycakes is the world’s first album released as a card game. Each copy of Champagne Babycakes includes a complete game deck of 54 cards illustrated by Gavin Snider and twelve songs written by Sexy Accident bandleader Jesse Kates. Champagne Babycakes was produced by Steve Fisk

The songs of Champagne Babycakes are hefty yet compact, like a deck of cards, and reflect Kates’ mainstay themes of romance and family life. Sonically, the album echoes and amplifies features of The Sexy Accident’s prior work, including the groove of Ninja Ninja Fight Darth Vader, the layering of Lavender 3, the squall of Mantoloking, and the dynamics of Kinda Like Fireworks.

Lavender 3 (2013)
Like Champagne Babycakes, The Sexy Accident’s fifth release isn’t a typical record. To deliver tactile pleasure with the ease of downloads, the band created a pop album as a hardback book. Lavender 3 is a nine-inch square, 48-page, silver cloth-covered, smythe-sewn, silk-screened book brimming with lyrics, paintings, illustrations, interviews and commentary, including works by Blue Gallery painter Bernal Koehrsen and poet Jim Daniels. Lavender 3 comprises twelve love songs marinated in strings, keyboards and alternate-tuned guitars. The tracks guest star Laurel Parks and Sascha Groschang of string ensemble The Wires, and Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger, among others.

Origins
In 2005, after years of spinning wordless tales with Pittsburgh, PA-based instrumental band Whitford, Jesse Kates decided to sing. Jesse had recently relocated to Kansas City for a day job and needed co-conspirators. A search of nearby cubicles revealed Dan Weller, the bass-playing spouse of a market researcher, and Craig used his list to find Billy Brown, the band’s first drummer. Musicians assembled, Jesse began to write. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Creative Writing program, Jesse remains influenced by a mantra of the faculty – have the courage to be clear – to this day. As the only permanent band member, The Sexy Accident remains unavoidably Jesse-centric, yet the sonics transform from album to album, showcasing the strengths of each lineup.

“The Oh,” was the third single from Rabarbaro released February 13, 2020.
“The Land of Want” was the second single released November 2, 2019
“Unto a Sparkling Shore” was the first single released September 21, 2019

The Sexy Accident – Key Lineups

2026 Jesse Kates, Ramone Hall, Ryan Leip, Mack McKinney, Jamie Lin,
2024 Jesse Kates, Ramone Hall, Ryan Leip, Mack McKinney, Rachel Jaggard.
2022 Jesse Kates, Ramone Hall, Jamie Pratt, Ryan Leip, Mack McKinney
2015 Jesse Kates, Ramone Hall, Jamie Pratt, Dan Diamond
2013 Jesse Kates, Daniel Torrence, Camry Ivory, Mark Hamblin, Kristin Smith view
2010 Jesse Kates, Daniel Torrence, Camry Ivory, Mark Hamblin
2009 Jesse Kates, Daniel Torrence, Chad Toney, Pat Padgett
2007 Jesse Kates, Daniel Torrence, Pat Fent
2005 Jesse Kates, Billy Brown, Dan Weller

Jesse was on WMM on April 15, 2020 in the early days of COVID 19. Jesse called into the show to share details about The Sexy Accident’s 7th full length, Rabarbaro, released April 14, 2020 during the band’s 15th year. Produced, engineered & mixed in Kansas City and Seattle, by longtime collaborator and pacific-northwest legend Steve Fisk (Car Seat Headrest, Low, Unwound, Nirvana, Pigeonhead), Rabarbaro includes 11 of songwriter Jesse Kates’ most dark, dynamic and sensual songs. Rabarbaro was performed by Jesse Kates on guitars, vocals, keyboards & percussion; Ramone Hall on drums; Jamie Pratt on vocals; Ryan Leip on guitars & keyboards; and Eric Knight on bass; with Steve Fisk on keyboards, and guest violinist Laurel Parks. More info at www.sexyaccident.com

The Sexy Accident is a pop band from Kansas City. The Sexy Accident have released nearly 200 songs on s19even albums/EPs. The Sexy Accident doesn’t do normal, their 2014 album Lavendar 3 was released as a 9” x 9” square, 48-page, cloth-covered, foil-stamped hardback book. Their 2016 recording Champagne Babycakes, the band’s 6th full length record, was released as a “card game.” The band’s last release, Chamcakes Babypagne was a selection of songs from The Sexy Accident’s , Champagne Babycakes, re-imagined and reconstructed by Steve Fisk, namelessnumberheadman, Akkilles and guest musicians.

Congratulations on 21 years as a band.

11:50

Jesse Kates, Mack McKinney, and Kate McCandless, Thanks for being with us on WMM

The Sexy Accident play a show in honor of their 21st anniversary album release on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:00pm at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore Ave, KCMO. The Sexy Accident will perform their new vinyl album release, BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON as a six-piece acoustic ensemble in Studio 306 above the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, with She Speaks in Tongues opening.

More information at: www.sexyaccident.com // Info at: www.shespeaksintongues.com

For WMM, I’m Mark Manning & Jesse Kates, Mack McKinney, & Kate McCandless. Thanks for listening!

11:54

16. The Sexy Accident – “Hard Launch”
    from: Before We Invented the Moon / The Sexy Accident / September 29, 2026
    [A twenty-first-anniversary revisionist history of new, homespun recordings. Features the completely new song Hard Launch. / Written by Jesse Kates {Halaster Music | ASCAP}. Arranged by The Sexy Accident: Jesse Kates (singing, guitars, piano, autoharp, mallets, percussion); Ramone Hall (drums, cajon); Ryan Leip (guitars); Mack McKinney (bass); Rachel Jaggard (singing). Violin on “I Tried Again” by Jonas Kates. Trumpet on “I Tried Again” by Mark Hamblin. // Group singing on “I Tried Again” by Becky Mack, Jason Ammerman, Jason Vaughn, Jonas Kates, Maggie Ammerman, Nicole Hall, Samuel Haney, Stephanie Kates, Tobias Kates and Will Leathem // Produced and engineered by Jesse Kates // Mixed by Josh Williams. Mastering by Mike Nolte. Prints by Graesen Joyce. Recorded in 2024 and 2025 at Jesse’s house in KC. Released on 180-gram vinyl via support from Club Medici. More information at www.thesexyaccident.com]

[The Sexy Accident play a show in honor of their 21st anniversary album release on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:00pm at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore Ave, KCMO. The Sexy Accident will perform their new vinyl album release, BEFORE WE INVENTED THE MOON as a six-piece acoustic ensemble in Studio 306 above the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, with She Speaks in Tongues opening.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, October 7, we’ll talk with Calvin Arsenia about his big show at The Folly Theatre on Tuesday, October 13, and we welcome back to the show Just Angel, who share detals about POETRY IN PINK GALA – Sunday, October 25 at 6:00pm at Sherri’s Executive Lounge, 3834 Gennessee Street, KCMO for the 2nd annual Cancer Awareness Gala for Cancer Survivors, Angels, Families and Communities. Joining Angel will be Gie Santana, Jon Hypocrace Lewis and Sherri Hall. We also talk with Fanny Mandelberger about Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in the Performance Arts.

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 #1167

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 19, 2026

Michael Tipton & Matthew Hayden + Stephen Roper of Hotel Leo + Austin Marks of oldnothing

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]

2. Meshell Ndegeocello & Cat Power – “Don’t You Want Me”
   from: Synonym / Blue Note – Verve / October 2, 2026
   [15th album from acclaimed GRAMMY-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello. // This is Ndegeocello’s third Blue Note album, With Synonym, the acclaimed singer-bassist-producer reimagines and reconceptualizes a brilliantly curated collection of classic songs as duets with an astounding rollcall of special guests. Ndegeocello has shared the 2nd single “Don’t You Want Me” featuring Cat Power, an inventive cover of The Human League’s 80s synth-pop hit given a Reggae groove with horn embellishments and performed as a duet by two of the most distinctive song stylists of our time. // Synonym was introduced last month with the lead track “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” an arresting take on the George Michael/Aretha Franklin duet sung by Ndegeocello and Cynthia Erivo. Other featured guests on the album include Chaka Khan, Brandi Carlile, Bill Callahan, Chris Thile, Madison Cunningham, Laura Lee (of Khruangbin), Lizz Wright, Emily King, Lianne La Havas, Moses Sumney, Destin Conrad, Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper, ANOHNI, WILLOW, Evann McIntosh, and Ink. // The album also notably marks a reunion with David Gamson, the producer of Ndegeocello’s first two classic albums – Plantation Lullabies (1993) and Peace Beyond Passion (1996) – who co-produced Synonym with Ndegeocello and Abe Rounds. A rotating cast of instrumentalists also anchors the music on the album, many of whom are Ndegeocello’s close artistic conspirators, including drummers Rounds and Deantoni Parks; guitarist Chris Bruce; keyboardists Jake Sherman, Jebin Bruni, and Larry Goldings; saxophonists Josh Johnson and Levon Henry; flutist Elena Pinderhughes, banjoist Bela Fleck; and others. // Exploring expressions of desire, care, heartbreak, friendship, disappointment, and love in all forms, the songs range from 1960s folk and 70s soul, country, and pop to 80s R&B and electro-boogie, early-90s alternative rock, and early-aughts hip-hop. “This project is about classic songs that are known and loved,” Ndegeocello says. “The songs have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves. But the album is also about joy, selfhood, individual representation, and universal experience.” // When asked about the album’s intriguing title, Ndegeocello first suggests that the word “just feels good on the mouth,” before expounding upon its true definition: a word or phrase that means the same thing as another word in the same language. “That’s how humans are,” Ndegeocello theorizes, “Regardless of our differences, deep down we essentially want the same things: healthy food and a safe place to live. We are all different. But at the core of the human condition, we are the same.” //

The tracklisting for Synonym is as follows:
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) with Cynthia Erivo
Don’t You Want Me with Cat Power
Don’t Stop The Music with Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper
Islands In The Stream with Chaka Khan
It Ain’t Me Babe with Madison Cunningham
Always on Time with Laura Lee
Be Real Black For Me with Emily King, Lizz Wright
Don’t Look Any Further with Lianne La Havas
The Closer I Get To You with Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney
Golden Ring with Brandi Carlile
I Got You Babe with ANOHNI
Here We Come (Here He Comes) with Evann McIntosh
Guilty with Ink
Hunger Strike with WILLOW
With God On Our Side with Bill Callahan, Chris Thile.

/ / On August 2, 2024 Meshell Ndegeocello released her acclaimed No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin on Blue Note – Verve. A tribute album to African-American thinkers and writers, including namesake James Baldwin and Audre Lorde. The album was released on Baldwin’s Centennial: August 2, 2024. (from www.bluenote.com): The visionary work is at once a musical experience, a church service, a celebration, a testimonial, and a call to action. With No More Water, Ndegeocello embarks on a prophetic musical odyssey that transcends boundaries and genres, delving headfirst into race, sexuality, religion, and other recurring themes explored in Baldwin’s canon. Following 2023’s The Omnichord Real Book, her acclaimed Blue Note debut which won the inaugural GRAMMY Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album, the multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer renders an immersive and palpable document that is as sagacious, unabashed, and introspective as Baldwin was in life. // Co-produced by Ndegeocello and guitarist Chris Bruce, No More Water features some of the bassist’s frequent collaborators including Bruce, vocalist Justin Hicks, saxophonist (and Omnichord producer) Josh Johnson, keyboardist Jebin Bruni, and drummer Abe Rounds. Also appearing on various songs are vocalist Kenita-Miller Hicks, keyboardists Jake Sherman and Julius Rodriguez, and Executive Director of the NYCPS Arts Office and trumpeter Paul Thompson. The album also showcases powerful spoken word by venerated poet Staceyann Chin and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and critic Hilton Als. // Nearly a decade in the making, the album’s origins began in 2016 during a performance at The Harlem Stage Gatehouse as part of their annual showcase honoring Baldwin. Ndegeocello had delved into Baldwin’s work the year before, including the seminal nonfiction work The Fire Next Time, which she considers “life-changing” and carries with her as a “spiritual text.” Ndegeocello says, “It was just a revelation to me, and it softened my heart in so many ways.” // Meshell Ndegeocello released her Blue Note Records debut with The Omnichord Real Book, on June 16, 2023. // At The 2024 Grammy Awards, Meshell Ndegeocello won the first-ever GRAMMY for Best Alternative Jazz Album for The Omnichord Real Book. In her acceptance speech, the two-time GRAMMY winner and 12-time nominee thanked Don Was, the president of Blue Note Records, as well as other colleagues and loved ones — including her two sons. “I hope I haven’t forgotten anybody,” Ndegeocello graciously said at the end, and invoked an elder of the music: “Oliver Lake, this is for you.” // It was a visionary, expansive, and deeply jazz-influenced album that marks the start of a new chapter in her career. Following her 2018 album Ventriloquism, Meshell returns with an album of new original material that taps into a broad spectrum of her musical roots. The Omnichord Real Book was produced by Josh Johnson and features a wide range of guest artists including Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Joel Ross, Jeff Parker, Brandee Younger, Julius Rodriguez, Mark Guiliana, Cory Henry, Joan As Police Woman, Thandiswa, and others. // Meshell Ndegeocello was born Michelle Lynn Johnson on August 29, 1968 in West Berlin, Germany, to US Army Sergeant Major and saxophonist father Jacques Johnson and health care worker mother Helen. She was raised in Washington, D.C. where she attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Oxon Hill High School. She is a singer-songwriter, rapper, and bassist. She has gone by the name Meshell Suhaila Bashir-Shakur which is used as a writing credit on some of her later work. Her music incorporates a wide variety of influences, including funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. She has received significant critical acclaim throughout her career, being nominated for eleven Grammy Awards, and winning one. She also has been credited for helping to “spark the neo-soul movement”. // Ndegeocello adopted her surname, which she says means “free like a bird” in Swahili. Early pressings of Plantation Lullabies were affixed with stickers to help pronounce her name. The spelling has changed in the hands of record labels a few times during her career; the correct spelling of her stage name as of 2001 is Meshell Ndegeocello.]

3. Katy Guillen & The Drive – “Staying Awake”
   from: MAKE THAT SOUND / Are and Be Recordings / October 17, 2025
   [Katy Guillen & The Drive released the singles: “What If: on July 25, and “Outcome” on August 22, 2025) from the band’s upcoming album.// MAKE THAT SOUND was Produced by Megan McCormick, Engineered & Mixed by Brandon Bell with Annie Petrik, Mastered by Kim Rosen. Katy Guillen on vocals & guitar; Stephanie Williams on drums & percussion; Megan McCormick on bass, backing vocals, additional guitars & percussion; Erin Manning on Synthesizers; and Brandon Bell on Loops & programming. // Established in 2019, Katy Guillen & The Drive is an independent Indie Roots Rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, formed by partners Katy Guillen (Vocals, Guitar) and Stephanie Williams (Drums). The band’s 2022 debut album Another One Gained, produced by Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Heartless Bastards), “hit the sweet spot with a mix of spiky garage rock and soulful country torch songs,” lauds Uncut Magazine. Under The Radar Magazine declares the duo “evokes a timeless indie rock sound” and displays “effortless instrumental chemistry that gives both members a chance to shine.” Following this release, the band unleashed Another One Gained Deluxe featuring ‘Batallas,’ a highly anticipated Spanish version of the fan-favorite ‘Battles,’ which spotlighted special guest Latin Grammy winner Mireya Ramos (Flor De Toloache) on violin and backing vocals. // Katy Guillen & The Drive prides itself on fostering empowered spaces for women in music both onstage and off, and performances showcase the group’s signature all-female powerhouse formation, technical prowess, and electrifying chemistry. This core value heavily influenced the band’s second full-length effort Make That Sound. Guillen admits, “Having never worked with a woman in the studio, that’s something we wanted to change on this record. We wanted more female energy, ideas, and power to influence this album.” With this goal in mind, the band was eventually led to Producer Megan McCormick (Allison Russell, Amythyst Kiah). As a result of their fast friendship and facile chemistry, the duo embraced their newfound creative trust in this relationship and ran with it. Within a matter of a few days, the three collaborated on everything from songwriting and arrangements to live tracking and overdubs, resulting in a liberated, emboldened, and nuanced new record. Williams shares, “The recording process was dense and fast. It required being totally present, trusting our initial instincts, and pushing into some uncharted territory at times.” Guillen speaks to the inspiration behind the songs and process, “In creating this album I felt particularly inspired by the countless strong and important women in my life, the love that I’ve grown with my partner, and the strength I’ve gained from digging inward through challenging times.” Make That Sound is a celebration of self-empowerment, liberation, vulnerability, honesty, and love. In addition to McCormick, the band was fortunate to work with engineers Brandon Bell (Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell) and Annie Petrik on tracking and mixing, as well as mastering engineer Kim Rosen (Bonnie Raitt, Allison Russell). The band will partner with Nashville-based indie label and artist collective Are & Be Recordings for the release.]

[Katy Guillen & The Drive play Light Up the Lawn Light Up the Lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary for Art Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS on Friday, August 21, at 8:00pm.]

4. the eradicats – “I Ate a Sandwich”
   from: “I Ate a Sandwich” – Single / Celery Wolf Records / February 27, 2026
   [the eradicats released their singles, “Be My Baby” on August 15, 2025, “Smead” on July 18. 2025, “89 Batman” on May 13, 2025. the eradicats released their EP, best in show on October 2, 2024. Words by Kristi Who and Josh Thomas. Music by Josh Thomas, Chris Smead, Justin Brooks, and Kristi Who, Artwork by Kristi Who. // What if Pixies were funny? Black Francis specifically, Kim Deal is hilarious and the coolest person ever. What if They Might Be Giants grew up listening to punk? The eradicats answer these questions, and maybe even a few others, on their debut EP “Best in Show”.]

[the eradicats play Sound Bite at Warehouse on Broadway, 3951 Broadway BLVFD., KCMO, on Friday, August 21, 2026 , at 6:00pm, with The Touchdowns, and Headlight Rivals.]

5. The Womack Sisters – “I Just Don’t Want You (To Say Goodbye)”
   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 & 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 debut album,The Womack Sisters, is the musical culmination of the Sisters’ long and winding journey to find them-selves. 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. // www. thewomacksisters.com.]

6. Sara Swenson – “Your Town” [Video released April 7, 2026]
   from: TALLER / Sara Swenson / February, 28, 2026
   [Sara Swenson and more than 20 beloved KC singer-songwriters, instrumentalists, radio DJs and promoters sing “Your Town”. Includes live footage from Swenson’s performances at KC music venues – the Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads, recordBar and Crossroads Music Fest at Stockyards Brewing Co. Sara Swenson has released some of our most played and favorite recordings of the last 7 years. Her self titled debut ended up at the top of our list of The 100 Best Recordings of 2009. In 2010 Sara Swenson released her second full length recording, “All Things Big and Small” again working with Don Chaffer in Nashville who added new layers to Sara’s great songs and voice. In November of 2011, Sara released her 5 song EP called “Never Left My Mind,” featuring her band at the time, The Pearl Snaps. In that time frame, she also had picked up two KC Singer-Songwriter of the Year awards, performed with Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair, and placed a song on the season finale of ABC’s “Private Practice.” Then after the school year ended in 2012, Sara Swenson left her job as a High School English & Journalism Teacher in Platte County High School, and left KC, and she flew off to the United Kingdom, where she got married. In the spring of 2014, Sara returned and performed for the Folk Alliance International Conference. On July 18, 2014 she released her 4th album, RUNWAY LIGHTS that captures snapshots of her 18-month experience of living abroad, moving from dating to marriage and sorting through the accompanying transitions. Produced by Don Chaffer in Nashville. On March 26, 2021 Sara Swenson released, “I Wont Let You Feel Alone”a song from husband Michael Price’s film “The Hidden Pandemic” that premiered on KCPBS that also features Mark Lowrey’s piano. Info: saraswenson.com.]

[Sara Swenson plays Greenwood Social Hall at 1750 Belleview Ave. KCMO on Fri., Aug. 21, at 8:00pm]

7. The Elders – “Next To You Love”
   from: The Spirits and The Sea – EP / The Elders / August 7, 2026
   [Ian Byrne on vocals & percussion, Norm Dahlor on vocals, bass, guitar, banjo; Kian Byrne on vocals, drums, bass, mandolin; Bill “Liam” Latas on guitar, Brent Hoad – vocals, keyboards, fiddle, guitar; Dan “Danko” Loftus on keyboard, Shannon O’Shea on violin. // The Elders formed in 1998 with a passion for music rooted in Americana & Celtic folk rock. From the beginning The Elders seemed to be channeling something ancient and enduring, unaffected by fads, trends and the giant maw of mind-numbing commercialism. The Elders remain one of the top Celtic-rock bands in the U.S. after more than two decades because of their timeless sound. Their fans feel connected to the band because of their passion, great melodies, unique harmonies, unparalleled musicianship and strong song-writing. And that songwriting began in 1998 when two musicians moved back from Los Angeles to KC to play Irish music. Norm Dahlor & Brent Hoad, played in numerous bands but their American and Celtic-folk rock roots were calling and The Elders were born. // Their ability to bring together the art of story telling with elements both musically progressive and rooted in tradition, has won them a broad international fan base, as well as critical acclaim ifrom: PASTE Magazine, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Music Row Magazine, Goldmine Magazine, TRAD Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Kansas City Star and more. Their 8th studio album, TRUE, builds upon The Elders’ song-writing reputation. The songs feature story lines with vibrant narratives that explore history, legends, tall tales & true-life experience. www.eldersmusic.com

[The Elders play Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester Ave. KCMO on Fri., Aug. 21, at 8:00pm]

The Elders Discography
2000 CD – “The Elders”
2002 CD – “Pass it on Down”
2004 CD – “American Wake”
2005 DVD/CD – “Live at the Gem Theater” (Live)
2006 CD – “Racing the Tide”
2007 DVD/CD – “Alive & Live in Ireland” (Live)
2009 CD – “Gael Day”
2010 CD – “The Best of The Elders”
2011 CD – “Wandering Life & Times”
2012 DVD/CD – “The Elders Hoolie” (Live)
2014 DVD – “Live at The Uptown Theater”
2014 CD “Story Road”
2017 CD “True”
2022 CD “Well Alright Then”
2026 EP – The Spirits and The Sea

Filmography
“Live at the Gem” (2005)
“Alive and Live In Ireland” (2007)
“American Music: OFF THE RECORD” (2008)
“The Elders: Hoolie” (2012)
“Live at The Uptown Theater” (2014)
“Evergy & The Elders Light up the Plaza” (2020) Emmy Winner

10:29 – Underwriting

8. Hotel Leo – “It’s Not Working Out”
   from: Everybody You Know / The Record Machine / August 28, 2026
   [Stephen Roper on Vocals, Synth, Piano, Guitar, Drums; Darin Breeden on Backup Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar; and Evan Verploegh on Drums. Mixed by Ross Brown. Mastered By Mike Nolte. Artwork by Tessa Kriss. // In 2026 Hotel Leo released the singles: “It’s Not Working Out” on February 27, 2026; “Mechanical” on March 27, 2026; “Just a Rumor” on May 1, 2026; “Notes in the Door” on June 5, 2026; “Limerence” on July 24, 2026. In 2024 Hotel Leo also released the singles: “Another Low” on May 19, 2024; “Give It a Chance” on June 21, 2024, and “Time Apart” on August 2, 2024. Hotel Leo is the musical project of Stephen Roper who told It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine, “ Hotel Leo has always been a studio-only project, and the idea to bring these songs to a live format is a fairly recent one. I’m lucky to have met several awesome musicians over the past year, and bringing them in to play on Hotel Leo songs feels like unlocking a whole new dimension of the band. I love the different sounds and ideas everybody brings to the table. When writing songs I don’t think about how I’m going to recreate them live – I just try and serve the song however I can. Moving those songs into a more traditional live band lineup has been a challenge. For example, how do we translate some of these synth parts to electric guitar? Or how do some of these songs recorded with a drum machine sound with real drums? I’m really enjoying the new takes on the music, and I feel like it has given new life to these songs.]

[Hotel Leo play an Album Release Show on Friday, August 28 at miniBar, 3810 Broadway, KCMO with Teri Quinn & The Coyotes and The Creepy Jingles.]

[Hotel Leo also plays The RINO, 314 Armour Rd., North Kansas City on September 19 with Brotha Josh, and Mel Crosby, and Pool Culture.]

10:35 – Interview with Stephen Roper

Hotel Leo an indie rock/dream pop project based in Kansas City. It started in 2016 as a bedroom project from songwriter Stephen Roper, and has grown over the past two years into a full band, wth Stephen Roper on vocals, synthesizers, piano, guitar, drums; Darin Breeden on backup vocals, guitar, bass guitar; and Evan Verploegh on drums, regularly playing live shows. The band’s sound was originally built around analog synthesizers and drum machines – still a big part of the project – but has since waded into utilizing electric guitars, acoustic drums, and more. Hotel Leo’s new album “Everybody You Know” will be released through The Record Machine on August 28, 2026.

Hotel Leo play an Album Release Show on Friday, August 28 at miniBar, 3810 Broadway, KCMO with Teri Quinn & The Coyotes and The Creepy Jingles.

Hotel Leo also plays The RINO, 314 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, on September 19 with Brotha Josh, and Mel Crosby, and Pool Culture.

Stephen Roper, thanks for being with us again on WMM

Where are you originally from?
I’m from Kansas City, Missouri

Where did you go to school?
I went to Belton High School, then JCCC, and then UMKC. I dropped out to go on tour with my band.

Have you been another bands?
Yes! I was the drummer in Jump Rope for Heart and Reward Tree, started playing synth in a band called Riddles, and I currently play Synth in Lava Dreams.

When did you start playing music?
I come from a musical family, so played piano as a child. My mother is a drummer in an all-girl classic rock cover band, and inspired me to start playing drums through school and high school.

Who are your biggest influences?
So many, but let’s go with Animal Collective, Broken Social Scene, Future Islands, The Good Life

On the album’s core idea: It’s about connection. Really how everyone’s got their own separate life going on, but we’re all tied together by the same basic truth: none of us get forever. That could sound dark, but for me it actually landed the opposite way. There’s certainly themes of fear and anxiety around mortality on the record, but also how the limited time we have is what makes life worth living.

On the relationship side: I also went through a pretty significant breakup while writing this, and that’s all over the record too – longing, rejection, the process of letting something end. It’s less “concept album about death” and more about how endings of all kinds – a relationship, a chapter, eventually everything – force you to pay attention to what actually matters.

On loss: I also lost my brother while I was working on this record, and that loss is woven through it too. Grief has a way of showing up in your writing whether you plan for it or not. I don’t think of the album as being about any one loss – it’s more that everything I was going through at the time, the breakup, missing him, thinking about how fragile all of it is – it all ended up in the same place.

Stephen Roper, thanks for being with us again on WMM

Hotel Leo play an Album Release Show on Friday, August 28 at miniBar, 3810 Broadway, KCMO with Teri Quinn & The Coyotes and The Creepy Jingles.

Hotel Leo also plays The RINO, 314 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, on September 19 with Brotha Josh, and Mel Crosby, and Pool Culture.

10:54

9. Hotel Leo – “Notes in The Door”
   from: Everybody You Know / The Record Machine / August 28, 2026
   [Stephen Roper on Vocals, Synth, Piano, Guitar, Drums; Darin Breeden on Backup Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar; and Evan Verploegh on Drums. Mixed by Ross Brown. Mastered By Mike Nolte. Artwork by Tessa Kriss. // In 2026 Hotel Leo released the singles: “It’s Not Working Out” on February 27, 2026; “Mechanical” on March 27, 2026; “Just a Rumor” on May 1, 2026; “Notes in the Door” on June 5, 2026; “Limerence” on July 24, 2026. In 2024 Hotel Leo also released the singles: “Another Low” on May 19, 2024; “Give It a Chance” on June 21, 2024, and “Time Apart” on August 2, 2024. Hotel Leo is the musical project of Stephen Roper who told It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine, “ Hotel Leo has always been a studio-only project, and the idea to bring these songs to a live format is a fairly recent one. I’m lucky to have met several awesome musicians over the past year, and bringing them in to play on Hotel Leo songs feels like unlocking a whole new dimension of the band. I love the different sounds and ideas everybody brings to the table. When writing songs I don’t think about how I’m going to recreate them live – I just try and serve the song however I can. Moving those songs into a more traditional live band lineup has been a challenge. For example, how do we translate some of these synth parts to electric guitar? Or how do some of these songs recorded with a drum machine sound with real drums? I’m really enjoying the new takes on the music, and I feel like it has given new life to these songs.]

[Hotel Leo play an Album Release Show on Friday, August 28 at miniBar, 3810 Broadway, KCMO with Teri Quinn & The Coyotes and The Creepy Jingles.]

[Hotel Leo also plays The RINO, 314 Armour Rd., North Kansas City on September 19 with Brotha Josh, and Mel Crosby, and Pool Culture.]

11:00 – Station ID

10. Molly Picture Club – “Disconnected”
    from: In My Own Time Machine / Indep. / Orig. April 30, 2013 / Re-released Sept. 8, 2026
    [Aniko Adany: vocals, keys, synths & omnichord; Matthew Hayden: drums, & drum sequencing; Michael Tipton: vocals, guitar, & bass. All songs written, arranged, performed, & produced by Molly Picture Club. Additional percussion by Justin Skinner. Drums recorded, EP Mixed & Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab. All other sounds recorded by Matthew Hayden at Southland Studios.]

[Thursday, August 27, 2026 – Mike Tipton Trio plays Knuckleheads with The Clay Clear Band, Free Rent Band and The Band Grim.]

[Friday, August 21 – Found a Job play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, West Bottoms]

[Friday, August 28, 2026 – Found A Job play Light Up the Lawn Light Up the Lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary for Art Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS on Friday, August 21, at 8:00pm.]

11:03 – Interview with Michael Tipton & Matthew Hayden

Michael Tipton & Matthew Hayden are part of the eight piece, Talking Heads tribute band, Found A Job. The two have collaborated together in many projects and as part of the acclaimed bands: Molly Picture Club (2009-2013), and Kodascope (2013-2016). Molly Picture Club called themselves a “dark disco” band from Kansas City. Heavily influenced by 80s and 90s punk, Hungarian-born Aniko Adany added punchy synth and raw vocals backed by the afro-beat and Latin influenced rhythms of drummer Matt Hayden, while front man and lead guitarist Michael Tipton accentuated the group’s music with yelps and quips that form the characters in MPC’s songs. Matthew has played in the band Afrolicious. Michael & Matt will share two tracks from their upcoming EP re-release, “My Own Time Machine” from Molly Picture Club.

Michael Tipton & Matthew Hayden thanks for being with us on WMM

Shows:

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm – Mike Tipton Trio plays Knuckleheads with The Clay Clear Band, Free Rent Band and The Band Grim

Friday, August 21 – Found a Job play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, West Bottoms

Friday, August 28, 2026 – Found A Job play Light Up the Lawn Light Up the Lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary for Art Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS on Fri., Aug. 21, at 8:00pm.

Michael B. Tipton released 5+ new singles Michael B. Tipton released in 2025. This single was recorded at Weights & Measures Soundlab here in KC. Performers on the track are Nate Holt- organ, Aaron Lewis– bass, Jace Hughes– electric guitar, Sam Shoemaker-pedal steel guitar, Justin Danner-drums, Ashleigh Guthrie-backing vocals, and myself on acoustic and vocals. Written by Michael B. Tipton. // Along with the country singles Michael recently teamed up with vocalist Seyko of The Freedom Affair member Seyko to release a Christmas collab they co-wrote called “Better To Believe” in early December. This song features performances by The Freedom Affair, members of Found A Job and Michael’s country band The Scoundrels, and Seyko’s daughter Reiko. // Michael B. Tipton has been working with Nashville songwriters and studios this past year and recently recorded an original song “Favorite Place in Town” (written about Strawberry Hill’s Hillsiders), at County Q Studios in Nashville. This song will be released TBA in 2026 and distributed to FM and AM Country stations across the country. Michael B. Tipton was signed to Stone Bridge Entertainment in July 2025. His debut solo album, Out of the Woods, was released on October 13, 2023. With his band The Scoundrels, Michael has shared stages with Bronwyn Keith Hynes and Jason Isbell.

Michael Tipton was one of the first musical guests we ever interviewed on WMM when he was in the band Tabla Rasa. We also played almost everything they recorded when Michael was part of the band, Molly Picture Club. Michael’s band Found a Job has been rocking venues in Kansas City for over 10 years playing Talking Heads tracks.

Michael has also been a frequent contributor to The Band That Fell to Earth proving he can serve and deliver with the lyrics of David Byrne and David Bowie.

Michael B Tipton is a seasoned singer-songwriter who has performed for audiences nationwide for over 26 years. With a remarkable versatility across genres like folk, country, electronic, indie rock, and hard rock, his compositions are written to be adapted to various musical styles. Michael made his mark as a member of acclaimed bands: Tabla Rasa (1999-2005), 5 Defy (2006-2008) (With Aniko Adany), Molly Picture Club (with Aniko Adany) (2009-2013), and Kodascope (2013-2016).

He is also the driving force behind Found A Job, a popular 8-piece tribute to Talking Heads since 2012, where he embodies David Byrne’s essence.

In addition to his live performances, Michael’s songwriting prowess has earned him placements on notable TV shows like “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and various Discovery Channel segments. With an extraordinary ability to connect through heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies, and a solid beat, Michael B Tipton continues to enchant audiences with his music. Stay tuned as this artist ventures into new musical horizons.

Michael has also been a frequent contributor to The Band That Fell to Earth KC proving he can serve and deliver with the lyrics of David Bowie as well as David Byrne.

Michael B Tipton is a seasoned singer-songwriter who has performed for audiences nationwide for over 26 years. With a remarkable versatility across genres like folk, country, electronic, indie rock, and hard rock, his compositions are written to be adapted to various musical styles.

Michael is / was a member of acclaimed bands:
Tabla Rasa (1999-2005),
5 Defy (2006-2008),
Molly Picture Club (2009-2013),
Kodascope (2013-2016)
Michaek B. Tipton & The Scoundrels (2024-2026)
Found A Job (2014 -Present)

Michael B. Tipton is singer-songwriter whose stories are shaped by his expansive life experiences: cowboy, preacher, teacher, massage therapist, door-to-door salesman and dad. He has four kids. www.michaelbtiptonmusic.com

Found A Job:
Michael Tipton: lead vocals, guitar
Matt Hayden: drums
Camry Ivory: vocals, choreography
Peter Lawless: multi-instrumentalist and band director
Justin Skinner: percussion, sound engineering & Jedi-like, show-saving skills
Katelyn Jamison; vocals, choreography
Brent Jamison: bass, keyboards
Ashleigh Guthrie; keyboards (2014-2024)
Lauren Williams: bass (2024-present)

Friday, August 21 – Found a Job play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, West Bottoms

Friday, August 28, 2026 – Found A Job play Light Up the Lawn Light Up the Lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary for Art Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS on Fri., Aug. 21, at 8:00pm.

Michael Tipton & Matthew Hayden thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:23

11. Molly Picture Club – “As You Were”
    from: In My Own Time Machine / Indep. / Orig. April 30, 2013 / Re-released Sept. 8, 2026
    [Aniko Adany: vocals, keys, synths & omnichord; Matthew Hayden: drums, & drum sequencing; Michael Tipton: vocals, guitar, & bass. All songs written, arranged, performed, & produced by Molly Picture Club. Additional percussion by Justin Skinner. Drums recorded, EP Mixed & Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab. All other sounds recorded by Matthew Hayden at Southland Studios.]

[Thursday, August 27, 2026 – Mike Tipton Trio plays Knuckleheads with The Clay Clear Band, Free Rent Band and The Band Grim]

[Friday, August 21 – Found a Job play The Ship 1221 Union Ave, West Bottoms]

[Friday, August 28, 2026 – Found A Job play Light Up the Lawn Light Up the Lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary for Art Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS on Friday, August 21, at 8:00pm.]

11:28 – Underwriting

12. oldnothing – “Take You To The Sun”
    from: Don’t Call Me Tina / oldnothing / August 15, 2026
    [Produced by David Bennett. Album artwotk by Sarah Dowen. // Austin Marks who is currently recording and performing as, oldnothing. Austin Marks is a songwriter from St. Joseph, Missouri. He writes sad songs and love songs (not that there’s any difference), and creates them all himself as warm, hazy, and drenched in reverb. He spent years playing in the Kansas City band Dreamgirl before setting out on his own. His debut album, “Don’t Call Me Tina,” is out now. You can find all of his stuff at www.oldnothing.com.]

11:32 – Interview with Austin Marks

Austin Marks records and performing as, oldnothing. Austin Marks is a songwriter from St. Joseph, Missouri. He writes sad songs and love songs (not that there’s any difference), and creates them all himself as warm, hazy, and drenched in reverb. He spent years playing in the Kansas City band Dreamgirl before setting out on his own. His debut album, “Don’t Call Me Tina,” is out now. You can find all of his stuff at www.oldnothing.com

Austin Marks Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Take you to The Sun (Lyrics)

Well I don’t know your name
But it sure sounds the same
And I could never say “I love you”

But if you wanna try
I guess you’ll blow my mind
And it might be a crime
Why don’t ya

I’l take you to the sun
You might just be the one that I’m sticking to
But you can bathe alone
And I’ll get stoned
And secretly watching

Yeah, I try
Try to make it up to the rainbow
And I lie
Lying when I said I won’t hurt you
Now I desert you
And it’s fine
Fine to move along til you forget me
Say it’s mine
Mine forever til you up and left me
I know it’s crazy

I’l take you to the sun
You might just be the one that I’m sticking to
But you can bathe alone
And I’ll get stoned
And secretly watching

oldnothing writes sad songs and love songs (and he adds: not that there’s any difference). He creates them all himself as warm, hazy, and drenched in reverb.

Oldnothing aka Ausitn Marks is also in the band Dreamgirl

Before Dreamgirl he played in the band eyelit with is ex-wife Dansare.

11:40 – Live Performance

13. oldnothing – “Take Your Time” (LIVE)

11:43 – More Interview with Austin Marks

Austin Marks records and performing as, oldnothing. Austin Marks is a songwriter from St. Joseph, Missouri. He writes sad songs and love songs (not that there’s any difference), and creates them all himself as warm, hazy, and drenched in reverb. He spent years playing in the Kansas City band Dreamgirl before setting out on his own. His debut album, “Don’t Call Me Tina,” is out now. You can find all of his stuff at www.oldnothing.com

Austin Marks Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

His debut album, “Don’t Call Me Tina,” is out now. You can find all of his stuff at www.oldnothing.com

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

11:55

14. oldnothing – “More Than You Used To Know”
    from: Don’t Call Me Tina / oldnothing / August 15, 2026
    [Produced by David Bennett. Album artwotk by Sarah Dowen. // Austin Marks recorda and performs as, oldnothing. Austin Marks is a songwriter from St. Joseph, Missouri. He writes sad songs and love songs (not that there’s any difference), and creates them all himself as warm, hazy, and drenched in reverb. He spent years playing in the Kansas City band Dreamgirl before setting out on his own. His debut album, “Don’t Call Me Tina,” is out now. You can find all of his stuff at www.oldnothing.com.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, August 26 we welcome our friend Jocelyn Olivia Nixon joins us to share new music from The Creepy Jingles. Also next week: Al Hawkins and Fritz Hutchison join us to talk about Cold Gravy Bowl 2: The Coldest Bowl playing August 28 and August 29 at Charlotte Street Foundation with The Matchsellers. AND, Amanda Davis and Derek Trautwein of the Spooky Shxt Show, join us to share details about Beach Basement Party September 3, 7:00 to 9:00pm at Hula Hoop KC.

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 #1161