Tasty Brew Music

I caught up with singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalists Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore at the 2020 Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were booted out of the Media Room I had reserved so that NPR’s Anne Powers could do an impromptu interview with Ani DiFranco. No worries, The Mastersons went with the flow and we conducted our conversation in my hotel room while they were perched on my bedside with my lavalier mic attached to my water bottle handle. They could not have been more gracious and accommodating. When they're not touring the world as valued longtime members of Steve Earle's band the Dukes, the musical and marital twosome make inspired albums of their own emotionally vivid, deeply humanistic songs.

Experience is something they have aplenty. Prior to coming together as a musical duo (they married in 2009), Masterson and Whitmore were both seasoned veterans of the Americana and Texas music scenes. Masterson spent his teens playing the blues in Houston clubs before landing hired-gun gigs with acts as varied as Jack Ingram and Son Volt, while the Denton-born Whitmore grew up performing in a family band with her folk- singer dad, Alex, and sister Bonnie (now a solo singer-songwriter) before playing fiddle and violin on dozens of album sessions for the likes of Bruce Robison, Slaid Cleaves, and Shooter Jennings. By their own admission, they are here to “serve the songs.”

The Mastersons, who now call Los Angeles home after stints in Austin, Brooklyn and Terlingua, Texas; recorded their soon to be released “No Time for Love Songs” at L.A.'s legendary Sunset Sound Recorders with Shooter Jennings; it was engineered and mixed by five-time Grammy Award-winning engineer, Ryan Freeland. Shooter had recruited The Mastersons to play on his albums Family Man (2012) and The Other Life (2013), and they’d recently reunited to work on the now Grammy award winning Tanya Tucker's comeback album While I'm Livin', which Jennings co-produced with Brandi Carlile.

As our country becomes more divided," Chris observes, "it makes it harder to connect with loved ones and friends that disagree. Fundamentally we all want the same things, but we're pitted against each other by extreme rhetoric on both sides. If we can lead with kindness and empathy, there is a way out."

"Only by cataloging and acknowledging loss and grief can we move forward with gratitude for what we have." I agree 100%. Enjoy this conversation with Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore, The Mastersons!

Not too long ago, Grammy award winner, member of the Grand Ole Opry and brother to Bluegrass Queen Rhonda Vincent, Darrin Vincent, of Dailey & Vincent, called into the KKFI studios for a conversation in advance of the duo’s appearance in Kansas City at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. As you will hear, Darrin is thoughtful, kind, a loving husband and father…generous in his praise of others with a very specific sense of humor. For example, when asked “How do you get to be a millionaire in the music business? His response: “Start with $2 million!” And his laugh…oh my…that laugh!

Darrin started singing at age three and playing music at age six along with sister Rhonda Vincent,  as part of his family band, The Sally Mountain Show. As a young man, Darrin played guitar for 7 years for the legendary John Hartford. As a member of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for more than 10 years, Darrin has won five Grammy Awards and eight IBMA Awards for Instrumental Group of the Year. He has performance and recording credits with dozens of artists including Dolly Parton, Nora Jones, Emmylou Harris, Earl Scruggs, Bruce Hornsby, Vince Gill, John Hartford, and many more. He has producer credits on Grammy nominated projects with sister Rhonda Vincent, Susie Luchsinger, Cherryholmes and Hunter Berry. He is an accomplished musician and vocalist with expert abilities to arrange and create captivating music.

Daily & Vincent play over 100 dates a year including the Grand Ole Opry, have a tv show on Marty Stuart’s RFD-TV cable network, host a cruise and perform at festivals throughout the world. Enjoy this casual conversation with the very talented Darrin Vincent!

It is not every day I meet a Grammy award winning artist.  That honor came to me some years back when my friend Beau Bledsoe of Kansas City’s Ensemble Iberica introduced me to the music of and the goddess that is Mireya Ramos… founder of the all female mariachi band Flor de Toloache. As you will hear in this episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast, Mireya has found a “heartland home” in the middle of what a lot of folks still consider “fly over country.” I’ve been fortunate enough to catch her shows sitting in with Ensemble Iberia, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices and others at multiple venues in Kansas City.

Mireya, with her Afro Caribbean roots (her mother is Dominican), grew up in Puerto Rico where her Mexican father’s mariachi band played in the family restaurant. She embodies all of her musical influences whether it is mariachi, salsa, merengue or hip-hop, she always creates a unique and refreshing sound. Although, classically trained through Suzuki method on the violin and orchestral experiences in college, her passion lies in folklore and other alternative genres. Her natural improvisational skills and beautiful tone both in her violin and her lyrical voice has made her one of the top Latin artists in this country.

In 2007, she founded Movimiento, a mix of Latin American grooves with jazz and blues. In 2008, she co-founded Mariachi Flor de Toloache: New York’s first all-female mariachi band. They are Latin Grammy Award Winners and have been nominated again for a Latin Grammy in 2019. They recently were chosen to serenade Linda Ronstadt at Linda’s induction at the most recent Kennedy Center Honors in 2019! Being a genuine supporter of culture and empowerment of women, Mireya also founded an all-female Dominican roots group, the “809 Ladies” mixing merengue, pambiche, bachata and Caribbean roots music with jazz creating a unique concept and sound…a REAL Tasty Brew!

My introduction to Israeli guitarist, singer and songwriter, Bat-Or Kalo, or “B” as her friends call her, came some years back when she played a show at a very unlikely venue for her…a cocktail bar in the Waldo neighborhood in Kansas City. She came to play on my Tasty Brew Music radio show. We’ve stayed in touch over the years as she has come to play solo at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City and most recently a duo show in Carl Butler’s Gospel Lounge with bassist Jared Gaiser. As you will hear in our conversation recorded recently when she and Jared visited my home, she is fiery and electrifying, her guitar chops and contralto voice a force of nature.

KALO defies convention, channeling power trios like The Police, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Rush or Cream but her solo and duo acoustic performances are just as powerful. Within the past two years, KALO has opened for Los Angeles-based rocker Andy Frasco, the godfather of British blues, John Mayall, Texas guitar phenom Chris Duarte and has shared billing with acts like Avett Brothers and Robert Randolph & the Family Band. She was nominated for an Independent Music Award in the 2017 Best Alt/Indie Rock Album category for her album Wild Change.

B was intent on interviewing me instead of the other way around but B, her bass player and musical companion, Jared Gaiser and I managed to have a wide ranging conversation … from discussing the fine attributes of dirt, Disney Movies, Albert Einstein, learning disabilities, the importance of connection and community, the magic and humanity of music and what B wants us to know about the community and experience of her homeland…Israel. Please enjoy this time with Bat-or Kalo and Jared Gaiser.

This episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast features Songwriter Sara Morgan. We were introduced by a mutual friend about 6 years ago late one Friday night as I was leaving Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City. I was going to Host KKFI s Radio Show “Womansong” the next morning, and after a short introductory conversation, asked Sara to come in and play live in the studio (she had never been on the radio) totally relying on my gut instinct that she would be okay. The rest as they say is history…our little slice of shared history… As she had “Never Been to Nashville,” I asked her to join me in Music City for an Americanafest Music Conference. At the Americana Music Awards Ceremony at The Ryman, she met Loretta Lynn who was greeting fans as she sat in the first row as we waited for the ceremony to start. As you’ll hear, it has been one serendipitous milestone after another...for both of us...ever since.  In this conversation, we talk about where Sara is RIGHT NOW on her mountain including the recording process in Nashville, navigating social media and the business that is music. It is also a love letter of sorts to those very important people that have mentored her so far….Jason North, Carl Butler (The Gospel Lounge) , Eric Conn, Frank Hicks (Knuckleheads), Devon O’Day (WSM Radio) and her number one inspiration…Loretta Lynn. Enjoy this conversation with the girl I call Grasshopper…Sara Morgan.

Welcome to lucky Episode No. 13 of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast. I discover new music through word of mouth, radio promoters, podcasts, other artists, friends and family. There are those that seek ME out, finding me through any number of channels…perhaps through my membership in Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Association, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters or just going down that internet rabbit hole using certain music related hashtags or keywords . The Rough & Tumble, Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, found ME, sent me their cds with lovely handwritten notes and beautiful self-created art work. And the music was thankfully and delightfully right up my alley. They contacted me six months in advance of knowing they would be in the Kansas City area, asking if they could come on my Tasty Brew Music Radio Show on KKFI…even knowing I’m on at oh dark thirty through drive time on Tuesday mornings. We made a date, they came on the show and we made further plans to meet for a sit down conversation to get to know each other better. I am fascinated by anyone who is brave and courageous to sell everything they own and hit the road to pursue their dreams.

They have a wonderful insight on being true traveling troubadours in America in 2019. I wanted to ask them questions that I felt would be of interest to any aspiring road dogs out there. They describe themselves as a

“dumpster-folk, thrift store-Americana duo, hobbling around the country in their 16-foot camper since 2015”. They picked up a couple of actual strays along the way--Puddle & Magpie Mae-- and have been making themselves at home in living rooms, bars, theaters, and festivals across the country.

"Their music has been described as ‘restorative, their performance highly entertaining, their orchestra of unusual instruments intriguing, and… jokes and stories are worthy of an HBO special." (Linda Bolton, Cozy Cabin House Concerts).

The stray folkies are as industrious as they are scrappy, releasing five EPs and two albums in their 8 years. The Rough & Tumble’s 2018 release We Made Ourselves a Home When We Didn’t Know, brought the listener to the road and the road to their home, an album “as cozy, comfortable and inviting as a well-worn couch.” (Bill Kopp, Mountain Xpress).

They have a weekly live cast, a monthly blog, a Cook & Color Book, a food blog and play upwards of 150 shows a year.  Enjoy my conversation with Mallory and Scott – The Rough & Tumble – now THAT’s Americana!

Amy Speace is a modern troubadour whose music is reminiscent of folk music’s 1970s glory days. She has spent the last 20 years on the road chasing her dreams from New York City to Nashville to around the world. She has built an international audience without the help of a major label performing an average of 150 shows a year including the Glastonbury Festival and NPR's Mountain Stage.

Discovered and mentored by Judy Collins during the early 2000s,  Speace left her career as a classically-trained Shakespearean actress and kicked off a string of acclaimed albums. She was championed by the likes of The New York Times and NPR for her solo work. I personally love her work as a member of Applewood Road, a harmony-heavy trio that I discovered one year at Folk Alliance.

Me and The Ghost Of Charlemagne, her latest work, captures Amy at her now mature core, with stripped down songs that showcase her amazing voice and stellar songwriting chops. She’s no longer focused on the elusive holy grail of fame and fortune.  She’s more than satisfied with the strange and crazy trip this life is. She is a reinvested and re-energized songwriter who is nowhere near finished with what she has to offer.

I share my 2013 “origin story” with Amy at the beginning of this conversation. A lot has happened to the both of us in the intervening 6 years. Amy had just suffered the loss of her much beloved father less than two weeks before. We spoke right before her first show after having to cancel quite a few dates and I will always be most grateful for her kindness and consideration for granting me the opportunity to spend some quality time with one of my favorite Americana artists.

We talk about mutual friends and acquaintances, navigating the “chaos” of a lyrical life, and an interesting perspective on showcasing at conferences and “building your brand” like Americanafest and Folk Alliance vis a’ vis more commercial musical pathways.  I’m comforted with the thought our mutual music loving friend Tom Green was smiling down on us from the other side of the ether and sending us virtual hugs. Enjoy this conversation with folksinger Amy Speace!

Welcome to Episode 11 of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast…a conversation I had during the 2018 Folk Alliance International Conference with Doug and Telisha Williams also known as The Wild Ponies. They grew up together in Southwest Virginia, an area steeped in a powerful and rugged musical tradition. Musically, they are somewhat of a pinball, bouncing between folk, rock and roll and country music interwoven with an old-time style that informs everything they do. As you will hear, I was first introduced to them by a fellow DJ at KKFI and continued the acquaintanceship over the years making sure to attend their annual Happy Hour get together during Americanafest in Nashville. In addition to being wonderful musicians who tour the world, they have an entrepreneurial spirit that has garnered them a regular show on WSM Radio’s Route 650 line up, a guided Kentucky Bourbon Trail Ride Series, and whiskey tastings all over America that get served up with a Wild Ponies Show as the musical highlight. As you’ll hear they are always open to new music centered adventures. Enjoy my wide ranging conversation with Doug and Telisha Williams….the Wild Ponies. Now that’s Americana!

The daughter of an opera singer and a world travelling saxophone playing airline pilot, Kelly Hunt was raised in Memphis, TN, and grew up performing other people’s works through piano lessons, singing in choirs, and performing theater. During her teenage years, influenced by musical inspirations as diverse as Norah Jones, Rachmaninov, and John Denver, she began writing her own songs on the piano. Introduced to the banjo in college while studying French and visual arts, Kelly began developing her own improvised style of playing, combining old-time picking styles with the percussive origins of the instrument. After college, Hunt rambled through short careers in acting, graphic design, traditional French breadmaking, and medicine, all the while privately making music.

I met Kelly shortly after her move to Kansas City and her discovery and subsequent acquisition of the mysterious Depression-era tenor banjo she has named Ira. In short order I invited Kelly on to my Tasty Brew Music Radio Show where she has become a regular fixture. It has been an honor and privilege to get to know this young woman as she navigates the lyrical life she has chosen… Her inaugural effort Evan the Sparrow, produced by Hunt and Kelly Werts,  has garnered critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone Country, No Depression and many others and includes her friend and talented musical partner, Stas Heaney. Kelly is well read and well spoken. I recently welcomed her to my home one morning where we sat down and talked about a wide range of subjects. I hope you enjoy this conversation and musical interlude with “Banjo” Kelly Hunt.

This episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast features one of my favorite human beings on the planet… Chad Elliott…Iowa based singer-songwriter, poet, author, illustrator, sculptor, ceramicist, podcaster, and yes I’m going to say it…Renaissance Man! I was introduced to his music early on with my radio show in 2010. I’ve seen Chad perform dozens of times in many different settings, including my own backyard for a house concert. He’s been a huge supporter of my show and community radio in general; one night he drove all night from Colorado to help me pitch during a Pledge Drive Show on KKFI one morning from 6-8 am. He was my featured performer on the 2018 Tasty Brew Music Stage at KKFI’s Crossroads Musical Festival.

He leads a very lyrical life that serves as fertile ground for weaving love, loss and forgiveness into timeless melodies. He plays more than 200 shows a year, has penned more than 1,000 songs and released 22 albums to date. His latest …released in 2018… “Rest Heavy” was recorded at the world famous Sun Studios in Memphis with his band The Redemptions. As you’ll hear in this conversation, he has 3 more album projects in the works!  It was a real pleasure to sit down with him for a conversation that lasted more than 5 minutes …this one before a recent repeat performance at the Green Guitar Folk House Concert Series in Lenexa, Kansas. We start the conversation right after I relayed some details of my conversation with Radney Foster the previous week. Chad suggested I ask Radney about Gaffney, South Carolina. I had forgotten to do that so as you will hear at the beginning here…Chad filled in the blanks. Enjoy this wide ranging conversation with a true hard core troubadour and Renaissance Man… Lamoni Iowa’s Chad Elliott!