Tasty Brew Music

Tasty Brew Music

By Diana LinnMusic
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Tasty Brew Music episodes

  • Terra Spencer - Nova Scotia comes to the Heartland!

    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 Scotian funeral director-turned-songwriter Terra Spencer charms audiences with her deft guitar, gospel piano, butterscotch voice, crackling wit, and wood-paneled warmth. Her startlingly intimate songs have caught the eye of collaborators including David Francey, Ben Caplan, and Matt Andersen. Every show is a knee-to-knee conversation with a natural storyteller. “The real deal.”  

    Terra blends folk, country and soul in a way that feels both timeless and personal that has garnered her a devoted following. Terra shares a performance with us here and we have a conversation about her journey from funeral director to troubadour, the stories behind her lyrics and what inspires her songwriting.

    So sit back...relax...and enjoy this offering of the Tasty Brew with Terra Spencer!



    39 min
  • Max Cooper III - The Overthinker

    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 kinds.

    In today’s episode which I believe came from Max’s firstever appearance on the radio, we’ll talk about his young journey pursuing his dreams in the music world, the creative process behind his songwriting, and what he’s done so far to carve out his place in an ever-evolving industry.

    I am always humbled and a little nervous to host someone fortheir first radio appearance.  I want it to be a good experience for the artist as we both hone our respectiveinterviewing and performance chops.

    So, sit back, relax, and join us for this inspiring debut radio conversation and performance with Max Cooper III.


    #community radio #tastybrewmusic #maxcooperIII #piano #songwriter

    39 min
  • Abbie Gardner - Dobrosinger Extraordinaire!!!

    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 solidified her reputation as a captivating live performer, known for her musical depth and ability to connect with audiences.

    Her solo work has garnered critical acclaim. She has also received multiple nominations for her instrumental and vocal work, further cementing her as a standout artist.

    Abbie has a Kansas City connection… her in-laws live here and she finds herself in our town from time to time.  Not too long ago, Abbie dropped in at the Heartland Song Network’s monthly Song Sanctuary at PH Coffee.   What a treat that was!

     Join us as Abbie and her amazing music and life partner Craig Akin on bass grace us with this musical conversation and performance for the Tasty Brew!

     


    43 min
  • Jack Summers - Weston Missouri's Song Farmer

    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.  Although sonically the comparisons may seem
    appropriate, the lyrical content and points of interest in Jack’s songs are unique to him while being very relatable. 
    Ironically, unlike most members of his 20-something/Millennial/Gen Z generation Jack foregoes a robust online presence but for Instagram and his website jacksummersmusic.com.  It can be a bit of challenge to find him on the internet.

     

    Jack is putting in the work.  Generally a sole practitioner, he has dabbled in collabs and as a Kerrville Music Festival songwriting competition winner, he takes the lyrical life seriously.  With the support and guidance from his family and song farmers like Mary Gauthier, the desire to create is there and I believe his aim to be true.

     Enjoy this late Fall 2024 conversation and musical

    performance.  Good stuff from Weston,
    Missouri’s Jack Summers. 

    38 min
  • Deanna Ray - Americana with an Operatic Twist

    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 University of Kansas.

    In addition to her own studies, Deanna has been teaching

    music to students ages 8-14 including voice, guitar, ukelele and basic piano. I have witnessed the power of her operatic voice; she is truly a gifted force of nature that most assuredly has a long and accomplished career ahead of her in whatever genre she pursues.  It has been an honor and privilege to get a glimpse into a musical world that is as organic as it is cerebral.

     It is a  pleasure to give space and airtime to an emerging Heartland artist as talented as Deanna.  Enjoy this conversation and beautifully nuanced performance of original music from Deanna Ray.

     


    45 min
  • Gullywasher (of Kansas City) - Rust Belt Revelations Part 1

    #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. In the intervening years, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve enjoyed whatever iteration Gullywasher is in and was most pleased to finally capture Chris and bandmate
    Sam Wright on banjo and vocals for this episode.

    Gullywasher, purveyors of indie, Americana and folk music,

    was founded in 2017 by guitarist,singer, songwriter Chris Hudson. The core trio includes Sam Wright on banjo and vocals and Matt Cathlina on the upright bass and vocals.

    In this episode Chris and Sam share insights and selections

    from the latest Gullywasher project… Rustbelt Revelations Part 1… released in October 2024…six songs from a working class upbringing currently navigating a social media age that features surveillance capitalism, bitter political division and environmental concerns.

    Contributing artists include Tasty Brew

    Favorites:

    Brandon Day on Cello

    Special vocal performances by Beth Watts Nelson and Kristin

    Hamilton

    Marco Pascolini on pedal steel and

    Jaisson Taylor on percussion.

    Rust Belt Revelations Part 2 is scheduled for release in

    2025.

    Enjoy this conversation with musical interludes from Chris

    Hudson and Sam Wright from Kansas City’s own Gullywasher.

    29 min
  • Jennifer Roe - Folk Alliance International Executive Director

    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 designated national arts service organization based in Kansas City, Missouri.  She even served as Interim Director twice and when circumstances placed FAI in need, the governing body wisely, in my opinion, did the right thing and with Jennifer’s concurrence, installed her officially as Executive Director.

    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,

    presentation and promotion. 

     The 37th Annual FAI conference with the theme

    “Illuminate” is scheduled for February 2025 in Montreal.

     Enjoy this conversation with Jennifer Roe, Executive

    Director of Folk Alliance International.

    28 min
  • Crow and Gazelle - Deconstructing Separateness

    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 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

    Oklahoma Red Dirt Music Scene and producer of such Tasty  Brew Music favorites as the Turnpike Troubadours and Cross Canadian Ragweed.  Chrislyn, worked behind the scenes of that music world in supporting roles, including as a booking agent.  Circumstances kept them from pursuing a connection when they first met in 2003, but fate intervened and they’ve been professionally and personally a team since 2018.

    Their mission is to deconstruct the idea of separateness…

    that we humans are not separate from divinity… we are holy, everything and infinite.

    Enjoy this on air conversation with Crow and Gazelle in

    support of a Heartland appearance for the Green Guitar Folk House Listening Room Series.

    29 min
  • Cory Jackson - Classic Country with a Modern Flair

    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

    influences his music. Introduced to the guitar by his grandfather at 16, Cory began learning cover songs, which led to mastering a few chords and eventually trying his hand at songwriting. Fueled by dreams of a big-stage career that
    filled his thoughts during bus rides home from school, Cory quickly gained recognition for his talent. He released his first EP in 2015, followed by a series of singles available across all streaming platforms.
     

    He has won independent artist competitions and earned the

    Arkansas Country Music Association’s "Country Artist of the Year" award in 2018.
     Cory experienced a three-chair turn on NBC’s The Voice in
    2019, joining Team Blake and further refining his craft under Blake Shelton’s mentorship.

    Cory values connection with his audience, staying true to

    his roots while pushing the boundaries of country music. Whether performing intimate acoustic sets like this one in our community radio studio or commanding large stages at festivals and other music venues, Cory has the ability
    to resonate with fans through heartfelt music. 

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

    45 min
  • Kate McDonnell - Flying High on a Lyrical "Trapeze"

    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 radio. 

    Kate comes from generations of musicians on both sides: her

    maternal grandfather (trumpet) and great grandfather (trombone and viola) performed with the National and Baltimore Symphonies. Kate's father sang in operettas in his younger years, and her mother continues to play anything she can hear on the piano in F#, just as her own mother did. All three of Kate's siblings have the musical gift.

     Armed with her unusual guitar style and soprano voice, Kate

    teamed with her twin sister to perform around their Baltimore hometown during their high school and college years. After a four-year sabbatical from performance in the mid-80s, Kate returned to music by partnering with guitarist
    Freddie Tane, at one time a member of Bill Haley’s Comets.  That duo cut two self-released albums during their collaboration and opened shows for touring stars such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Judy Collins.

     In 1989, Kate started writing her own songs and began

    racking up serious critical recognition like being named a New Folk Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas and a finalist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Showcase in New York State.

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

    Brew was released in September 2024. 

    Enjoy this conversation and in studio performance with New York’s Kate McDonnell. 

    29 min

About Tasty Brew Music

From the publisher's feed

Conversations and musical interludes with artists, industry professionals and supporters of the Americana/Global Roots Music scene. This podcast is curated by Diana Linn, Member of Folk Alliance…