There is the classic movie or theater story line where the

Over the years, Roe fulfilled many supporting roles at Folk

I’ve been a member Of FAI since 2010 or so.  It is a community of artists, managers, agents, DJs, festivals, record labels, fans, and more… striving to keep the tradition of folk, roots and indigenous music thriving through preservation,

 The 37th Annual FAI conference with the theme

 Enjoy this conversation with Jennifer Roe, Executive

As has happened quite often in the past 10 years or so, my

Booking the duo at the 2002 Conference and subsequently for other listening room series in the Heartland has brought another welcome addition to my so called “Americana/Roots Music” family. 

Mike McClure made his name as one of the founders of the

Their mission is to deconstruct the idea of separateness…

Enjoy this on air conversation with Crow and Gazelle in

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 acquaintance asked me to do so.  Since that request in 2023, it has been my privilege to welcome Cory to the KKFI airwaves and to showcase him as a Heartland Song Network Artist of the Month.

Cory works to bridge the gap between modern country music and the classic sounds of the past with his contemporary compositions and storytelling.
 

Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Cory’s rural upbringing deeply

He has won independent artist competitions and earned the

Cory values connection with his audience, staying true to

Enjoy this conversation and musical performance from Country artist Cory Jackson.

Kate McDonnell has captivated audiences all over

Kate comes from generations of musicians on both sides: her

 Armed with her unusual guitar style and soprano voice, Kate

 In 1989, Kate started writing her own songs and began

 Kate’s latest work, “Trapeze” introduced here on the Tasty

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 in preparation for this conversation.   I was entranced by Kiely’s voice, her

Kiely Connell is a Nashville-based, rustbelt-born Country singer who has widened her musical horizons by recording My Own Company in Portland, Oregon with producer Tucker Martine (Roseanne Cash, Courtney Barnett, Madison Cunningham).   It is a gritty and generous display of heartbreakingly honest lyricism, powerhouse vocals, and a deep-dive into recovering after heartbreak, staring down the barrel of depression, and coming out the other side…to choose oneself. Instrumental backing provided from bassist Nate Query (the Decembrists), drummer Andrew Borger (Tom Waits, Norah Jones) and long term musical companion and guitarist Drew Kohl.

Enjoy this conversation with Nashville’s Kiely

Savanna, daughter of the Heartland’s Flint Hills, returns to

L-O-V-E

Same Beer, Different Day

Honky Tonk Heartbreaker

Trailer No.3

In our latest conversation, we re-visit how I first discovered Savanna’s songcraft.   It is alive with visual imagery indigenous to the Heartland and illustrative of a

Her love for performing started in her grandparent's “Sodie Bar” on karaoke night when she was a little girl and has since taken her all across the country. From dive bars, fairs, festivals and rodeos, to season 20 of The Voice on NBC where she was chosen by Blake Shelton, Savanna has won over audiences with her unique, yet nostalgic country style. 

Savanna has won multiple songwriting contests and has been nominated 4 times for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Rocky Mountain Country music awards. She has shared the stage with acts such as Gary Allan, Sara

To quote Savanna

"Country music has always been my shoulder to lean

Enjoy my conversation with and musical performance by

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

 Zachary found his way to Americana via competitive football and the San Francisco punk scene.  Apparently there is an inside joke that when they turn 30, punk rockers put a cowboy hat on and mutate into something completely different.  Really?  I duly note Zachary

I find Zachary’s songcrafting sincere and his lyricism and turn of phrase compelling.  Zachary…keep working on that

Enjoy the debut radio performance and interview of Zachary Scott Kline.

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 support a growing family and successful landscaping business for the last 7or 8 years.

As you will hear in this conversation during a recent appearance on KKFI’s MidCoast Live Radio Show, Jesse and I share some great memories and from the sound of what’s in the hopper, great new musical memories are to be made with his new project…  Jesse Thomas Harris and the Murder of Crows.  I loved learning Jesse caught the music bug as a teenager listening to the blues at KC’s landmark Blues institution…BB’s Lawnside BBQ. 

 My main take away was that Jesse plans to stay close to home and nurture and share his musical chops right here in the Heartland.  Welcome back my friend!

 Enjoy this spirited and engaging in studio conversation and performance with Kansas City’s own Jesse Thomas Harris.

Like so many musical discoveries in my Tasty Brew orbit,

Born to a Scottish émigré mother and Navy veteran machinist father in Joplin, Missouri, Heather started out life in the single-traffic-light town of Galena, Kansas.  Music was constantly spilling out of the speakers of her parents’ stereo – a diverse playlist that included such artists as The Allman Brothers, Kansas, Cream, The Beatles, KISS, Cat Stevens, Mario Lanza, Jose Feliciano and Anne Murray.   This diversity served to open Heather’s young mind to the rich and varied language of music and to lay the foundation for her future endeavors and

Heather is now based in New Hampshire’s White Mountains…. a singer/songwriter, pianist, song leader, and performer with a passion for cultivating joy, both onstage and off.  With a toe in each of the realms of New Orleans jazz, blues, vocal chants, instrumental piano, and folk, her multi-genre songwriting places her firmly in a category all her own, one honed by decades of diligent practice and curious exploration.  Whether solo, as a duo, with her trio, or in a community sing, Heather’s live performances feature her bell-tone vocals, ease at the piano, and are infused with happiness, honest

I just know you’re going to dig the seemingly effortless

I met Gracie Caggiano when she participated in one of the

As you will learn in our conversation, In the spring of

​

Enjoy this conversation and the debut radio performance by Gracie Caggiano.