Tasty Brew Music

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 playing music again after moving to Kansas City and began her solo career in 2015.   Her music is genuine, and shares bits of her story, drawing from experiences that many find relatable.  Influenced by the strong female singer-songwriters she listened to growing up, including

I am a fan of her versatility and fluidity between genres and it is always a pleasure just to have a regular

Enjoy my conversation with Erin Eades! 

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 comfortable space in his lyrical life.  A couple of corrections to note in my on air comments. The Folk Alliance International Conference for 2025 will be in

 I love how Ben blends folk and roots blues. I understand how he grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio along the great Lake Erie with roots running  deep alongside hard

Enjoy this episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast and be sure and check out Ben’s work and schedule at https://www.bengagemusic.com/

I met Emma Jo via other songwriting friends in Kansas City and it has been interesting, even instructive, to witness her evolution as a young woman who follows a lyrical life. Raised in Kansas City by a mother who loved country music and a father who breathed rock & roll, Emma Jo has spent the better part of her life latching onto a deep-rooted passion for music and performing. From stealing the spotlight at age four during a local talent show,

I knew when I first heard her newest record, “Girl Bandit” I wanted to have her on the radio for a more robust conversation than what I could grab in between or after

I have the privilege of hosting shows on community radio that permits me to play the songs and talk to whomever I want. I take into consideration what may be of interest

Enjoy this conversation and in studio live performance from the Heartland’s own Emma Jo.  

In the Fall of 2023, a contingent of folk and jazz artists from Frutilla, Chile (fru-tee-ya Chill-ay) came to Kansas City as part of a cultural exchange facilitated by The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and their Creative Cities Network.  The Network was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Almost 300 cities around the world which currently make up this network work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of

Alicia Stockman was in Kansas City to play an intimate house concert for the Labyrinth Listening Room Series curated and hosted by fellow music lover Howard Dolginoff.  I happened to be hosting Siren Song on 90.1 FM KKFI that same day and Howard brought Alicia to the studios so we could have a chat and share some tunes with our listeners who were not able to make it to the show.

Alicia is a Utah-based folk meets Americana Singer Songwriter whose songs are written like intimate moments that draw listeners into a relatable emotional journey.  You’ll hear that her musical start was in a loud rock and roll band playing cover songs in bars with sticky floors; she eventually broke away to perform her own songs, finding a home in the Americana scene.   Her work sparked the interest of

I’ve been fortunate to see Sarah Lee Guthrie perform on

I personally find it a challenge to prepare for a conversation with the descendant of a legacy artist like John Prine or Woody Guthrie; you want to be respectful of the legacy but not dwell on it to the exclusion or minimization of the talent of the artist you are speaking with… but I’m happy to say that most times it is a wonderful experience and Sarah Lee, in this instance, could not have been more gracious and forthcoming.

Sarah Lee has been touring with her father Arlo Guthrie

Though her lineage is undeniable, many are drawn to the

I seem to be experiencing “full circle” type moments fast and furious these days. Case in point... a brief encounter at Americanafest years ago with radio promoter Angela Backstrom has yielded a now years’ long association that not only brings me

Rick Dodderidge is one of THE most dedicated music

I kept running into Rick and his lovely friend Vicki at various events around Kansas City.  He co-hosts a monthly spot on Mike Lytle’s Real Deal on KKFI where he shares his favorite music and accompanying stories such as you will hear in THIS conversation.  Rick, Vicki and I ended up on the same Ensemble Iberica patron’s trip to Ireland in the Spring of 2023.  We shared some profound musical and cultural experiences there.  A conversation in Ireland led to Rick’s appearance on the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show.

As you’ll hear, Rick literally will scale any logistical or

 Enjoy this out of body conversation with music lover

I love listening to my DJ Brother Scott Stanton’s River Trade Radio Show on KKFI on Sunday Mornings.  Not too long ago I heard an amazing voice on his show that stopped me in my tracks.  It was Beth Watts Nelson also now known as Little Miss Dynamite from right here in the Heartland.  I knew I had to get to know her and have her

I reached out to Beth right away; as a middle school teacher in the throes of finishing up her 20th year as a middle school choral director, it took a couple of months for us to find a date that worked with both of our schedules.  The following conversation is our initial meeting. 

As you’ll hear, Beth has been writing songs and singing most of her life with the support of her amazing family.  She has taken a huge leap of faith with her new project, the Notorious Chorus, a group vocal and harmony singing workshop for those who like to sing whether a beginner or seasoned professional.  And for the record, I did sign up for the inaugural group and at the recording of this episode we’re nearly through our 4-week session.  I have never sung in public, except maybe the National Anthem and Happy Birthday, so this was a big leap for me.  I’m having a blast and Beth is a total pro!

Enjoy my conversation and musical performance by Brandon Day on upright bass with Little Miss Dynamite, Beth Watts Nelson!

As I’ve stated before, one of the perks of hosting a radio show, is the ability to help a musical friend launch a new project into the ether.  I met the Reverend Jimmie Bratcher and his amazing wife Sherrie years ago at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City.   I’ve been privileged to witness the hard work and devotion he pours into his music and his ministry. His work with the prison and the unhoused populations in this country is

Like many young men of the Boomer generation, Jimmie’s first guitar hero was Eric Clapton.  Early on, he played in bands that never quite took off “due to lack of professionalism and substance abuse.”  Eventually, he steadied the ship and with the recent release of his 13th album, “Far Enough,” the Reverend has assembled a stellar crew of players, technicians and vocal accompaniment that are respected and revered industry wide.  You HAVE to hear the stories behind the songs

Did he go Far Enough?  Time will tell.  Enjoy this conversation with my friend, the Reverend Jimmie Bratcher.