Tasty Brew Music

Welcome to the 101st episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast! I first met Christian Dixon at a Sunday Heartland SongNetwork Song Sanctuary session at PH Coffee House.  Shortly thereafter I welcomed Christian on air for what I believe was his very first radio appearance.  I was honored to recently welcome him back to the airwaves as he was preparing to release his new work “Genetics.” Christian is...

To the best of my knowledge, Kris Schultz is the second“merch slinger” I’ve met that went on to pursue a lyrical life as a troubadour in her own right.  My first experience was with Texas songwriter Kayla Ray as she first visited KC slinging merch for Jason Eady.  I love Kris’ trajectory…. check this out.  Growing up in Topeka, Kansas, Kris was obsessed at an early age with the country songs of he...

Cameron Keeling, one of the hardest working and accomplished musicians from the Heartland, learned to play and write songs around his hometown Kansas City MO.  He toured with bluegrass band Grassfed for 5-years, releasing 2 studio albums.  You can catch him these holding down the low end on the upright bass as well as singing and writing with the band Front Porch.  Cameron and his RunawayTrain ban...

In this episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast, I welcome Terra Spencer, a gifted songwriter from Windsor, Nova Scotia. Howard Dolginoff, presenter of the Labyrinth House Concert Series, was kind enough to make the introduction and bring Terra into the KKFI studios prior to her run of shows in the Heartland. Ron Sexsmith shares: Raised on the mud banks of the Avon River, award-winning Nova Scotia...

In this episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast,  I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with a young artist from Lenexa, Kansas. His name is Max Cooper III — a young and incredibly gifted piano-playing songwriter with a unique sound that's already turning heads here in the Heartland. Max blends heartfelt lyrics with intricate melodies, creating music that resonates deeply with listeners of all...

Abbie Gardner is a renowned dobro player, solo artist, and a key member of the acclaimed Americana trio, Red Molly . With her exceptional mastery of the dobro, her soulful voice, and her masterful storytelling, Abbie has earned a place as one of the most respected artists in the Americana and roots music scene. Abbie has performed at major music festivals and conferences. These performances have s...

You’ll hear my origin story with Missouri’s native son Jack Summers in this episode of the Tasty Brew Music podcast… a story with a familiar path.  My introduction comes by way of plugged in Heartland music tastemaker Mike Paget of the Green Guitar Folk House Series. As a Boomer and lifelong lover of the craft of songwriting, my pantheon includes John Prine, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, of course.  A...

Deanna Ray Eberhart Von Fange – what a regal sounding moniker!  Deanna Ray, her “roots” music name, barely in her mid-20’s, presents as a fully mature artist.  I was introduced to Deanna a couple of years ago by my colleague, and accomplished songwriter in her own right, Julie Bennett Hume.  Deanna was still in college pursuing a double masters in vocal performance and Choral Church Music at the U...

#americanamusic #rootsmusic #tastybrewmusic Memories can be tricky…especially when you attain a certain vintage. While preparing this episode, I was hard pressed to remember the first time I met guitarist singer songwriter Chris Hudson and heard his indie Americana folk project…Gullywasher. Chris says we met on my show around 2018 when I was still holding down the Tuesday morning 6 am to 8 am slot...

There is the classic movie or theater story line where the understudy of a lead role, or the staff employee at a company, gets the opportunity to assume the helm and shine.  This episode’s guest, Jennifer Roe, is a living/breathing example of that life changing opportunity. Over the years, Roe fulfilled many supporting roles at Folk Alliance International, an international arts non profit and NEA...

As has happened quite often in the past 10 years or so, my curation of private showcase rooms at the Folk Alliance International Conference has yielded connections that provide continuing collaborations and opportunities for engagement.  Case in point… Chrislyn Lawrence and Mike “Mac” McClure also now known as the musical duo “Crow and Gazelle.”  Booking the duo at the 2002 Conference and subseque...

Although it has been decades, I DO remember how challenging and isolating it can be to move away during your 20’s from your hometown to accompany and support a spouse that is pursuing a promising job opportunity.  Arkansas Native and Singer/Songwriter Cory Jackson did just that to support his spouse.  I was only too happy to help introduce him to the Heartland’s music scene when a mutual acquainta...

Kate McDonnell  has captivated audiences all over the world with her award-winning songwriting, her unusual upside down and backwards guitar style, and her crystalline voice.  Kate was in the Heartland for a couple of shows in 2024 including Howard Dolginoff’s Labyrinth House Concert Series.  She was kind enough to come onto my radio show during a Pledge Drive to help me raise money for community...

I am honored to be on Radio Promotor Angela Backstrom’s contact list for new music being released by the amazing cadre of Americana/Roots Artists she represents.  Angela reached out to me to arrange a phone interview to highlight Kiely Connell’s appearance at Kansas City’s  recordBar venue in support of her amazing sophomore record “My Own Company.”  I went down the rabbit hole, as I so often do i...

Savanna, daughter of the Heartland’s Flint Hills, returns to share with me new music making its radio debut on my turn as host of MidCoast Live! On KKFI…a weekly live performance radio show that welcomes all genres of music and spoken word performance.  On this episode you will hear these new bona fide country music selections: L-O-V-E Same Beer, Different Day Honky Tonk Heartbreaker Trailer No.3...

Zachary Scott Kline came into my consciousness thanks to an email from Nashville songwriter, Henry Conlon, a former guest on my Tasty Brew Music Radio Show and Podcast.  Zachary’s power trio that included Ray Akers on bass and Sam Hatfield on drums was coming to the Heartland including playing a show in Lawrence.  It was a great honor to host what I believe to be Zachary’s debut radio interview an...

I love hosting songwriters on the radio and when it is an artist I have a personal kinship and history with…even better.  I was introduced to Jesse Harris and the Gypsy Sparrows shortly after I started my broadcast career in 2010.  The Sparrows were a hard driving, good time honky tonk/outlaw country/red dirt band for ten years. Jesse took a break when his son Jack was born and has been helping to...

Like so many musical discoveries in my Tasty Brew orbit, Heather Pierson came to my attention from Mike Paget, Director behind the Green Guitar Folk House Music Series in Lenexa, Kansas.  He discovered Heather’s talent at her official showcase during a past Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City and brought her back to the Heartland as she was touring through the area.  You’ll hear...

I met Gracie Caggiano when she participated in one of the very first monthly Songwriters’ Sanctuary events presented by the Heartland Song Network at PH Coffee in Kansas City.  I was impressed not only with her songwriting and vocal ability, but her steadfastness in dealing with the physical barriers presented to an artist living with muscular dystrophy confined to a wheelchair.  When I learned sh...

What does a Florence, Italy transplant in Austin, Texas have in common with a community radio dj in Kansas City? Turns out a connection to the first man on the Moon, Neil Armstrong.  Listen to this episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast to learn the details.  A creative and prolific artist, Giulia has released a number of solo albums, touring nationally throughout the USA and internationally. An...

The final installment of the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference Takeover of the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show spotlights two musical and life partner duos… Liz and Nilko of New York City and Tipps and Obermiller of Fort Worth, Texas.  First up Liz and Nilko, a New York City based “Latin Americana” duo combining and celebrating the music of their backgrounds… Appalachia and the Andes Mountai...

Collaboration and networking are instrumental in whatever success I enjoyed in my former corporate work life and now in my post career volunteer world.  Nancy LaBerge of Calgary’s “Backyard Betties” was introduced to me via email by Linda Wilson, a former radio colleague….giving me the heads up Nancy and her group would be coming to Kansas City for the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference. ...

It always lovely to welcome Montreal’s Genevieve Racette back to the KKFI studios whenever she can make it to Kansas City; this visit was facilitated by Genevieve’s attendance at the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference.  Please excuse some background construction noise that may be discernible while she and I are having our conversation…Both the street in front of the station and our buildi...

Originally from the mountain state of West Virginia, Eades began making music at the age of 12, when out of boredom her father handed her a 1950's Gibson that had been stored away, waiting for someone to play.   It wasn't long before she began writing songs, recording her first album at age 17 as part of the duo Special Guest.  After a more than decade-long hiatus from music, Eades began p...

I am so honored when a friend and artist such as songwriter Kelly Hunt recommends a fellow musician to me for consideration.  In the case of songwriter and fellow Buckeye Ben Gage, she could not have been more spot on with her recommendation.    As you will  hear in this conversation and performance on a recent Tasty Brew Music Radio Show, Ben sounded totally at ease and seemingly is a rather comf...