Tag Archives: Folk Alliance Region Midwest

FARMette 2017: Showcase Performances

Folk Alliance Region Midwest’s “FARMette 2017” conference was held June 24, 2017 at The Buffalo Room in Kansas City’s Westport entertainment district.  The day-long event culminated in a juried Showcase Performance, featuring seven Midwest musicians.

KC Cafe Radio broadcast the show live that evening.  Here we offer the archived recordings of each performance from that broadcast.

 

John Keck (Kansas City, Missouri)

John Keck is a Kansas City songwriter who creates lyrics with the intent of capturing emotion, depicting a moment in time. Much like a photograph define can define the light. With one foot in the south and one in the Midwest, John’s music is a modern blend of traditional American and a willingness to be undefined.

“I write songs for people who love Van Gogh’s paintings. I want to have a conversation about the emotions behind the songs with our eyes. I want to provoke thought and connect with people. I’d like to see if I can get you to dance, laugh and cry a little.” – John L Keck

John is currently rehearsing songs in the studio in preparation to record a new album this year. This will be a follow album to his “Jack Moon Sessions.” He is performing nearly every weekend this summer, somewhere in the Midwest.

Listen to John’s performance here:

Download John’s performance here: FARMette 2017: John Keck

Caleb Ryan Martin (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

Caleb Ryan Martin has, according to one reviewer, “a lonesome voice and rhythm that can at times invoke a lonesome ramblin’ man sound, a voice that will haunt you with some type of mysterious mountain holler sound, like a banshee singing in the nether woods.”

Caleb Ryan Martin hails from the hills of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Looking like a man from leaner and meaner times, Caleb has traveled and played music all across the Midwest and Gulf Coast region, singing with expressive vocals, playing guitar, and picking the banjo providing people with melodic medicine. Caleb currently averages between 150 – 200 shows a year.

Listen to Caleb’s performance here:

Download Caleb’s performance here: FARMette 2017: Caleb Ryan Martin

Bill Scorzari (Huntington, New York)

Often likened to Sam Baker, Tom Waits, and Kris Kristofferson, New York singer-songwriter, Bill Scorzari is “a force. His songwriting is stellar, his picking above par and his voice fits his songs perfectly” (No Depression).

Through These Waves (released 3/10/17), was produced by Jonah Tolchin and recorded at the Bomb Shelter (Nashville, Tennessee with musicians Joachim Cooder, Will Kimbrough, Chris Scruggs, Kim Richey, Laur Joamets and more. “Bill Scorzari has a lived-in voice that says, ‘Listen to these songs.’ They spring from the earth and the ocean with an open heart and the wisdom of experience.” (John Platt, WFUV).

Listen to Bill’s performance here:

Download Bill’s performance here: FARMette 2017: Bill Scorzari

Ryan Herrick (Chicago, Illinois)

Inspired by the raw, visceral power in traditional Delta blues and Appalachian folk music, Ryan Herrick allows his music to merge from within. His soulful songs express his passionate belief in human unity and the interconnectedness of all things with a percussive blend of rock, folk-blues, Celtic, and Indian raga.

Listen to Ryan’s performance here:

Download Ryan’s performance here: FARMette 2017: Ryan Herrick

Jeff Krause (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Rooted in the tradition of classic Americana and folk storytelling with a tip of the hat to blues and southern soul, Jeff Krause pairs lyric-forward songs with a guitar style that moves from acoustic coffee house strums to dusty bar blues.

Jeff Krause got his start in the Midwest as a lead guitar player in the vast and ever growing songwriting culture of the Twin Cities. He says “I’m constantly inspired by the seemingly endless talent harbored in Minneapolis and working to create something worthy of that influence.” Jeff Krause writes original songs that are all too relatable about the lost and found of love with a common thread of the persevering spirit born from the highs and lows of life. Inspired by the lyric writing of greats such as Jason Isbell and John Prine and the acoustic grooves of Amos Lee and Ray LaMontagne, Krause crafts songs that are suited for an intimate acoustic show or a full stage.

Listen to Jeff’s performance here:

Download Jeff’s performance here: FARMette 2017: Jeff Krause

Jodee Lewis (Chicago, Illinois)

A native of the Missouri Ozarks, Jodee Lewis was raised on folk songs and honkytonk, and her music reflects the best of both worlds. The Chicago Tribune says she is “a singer-songwriter whose outsized talent is as big as her voice,” and calls her first album, “Whiskey Halo,” an “impressive solo debut.” Her song, “In The End,” took first place in the 16th annual Great American Songwriting Contest. Additionally, the 14th annual Independent Music Awards chose “Whiskey Halo” as country album of the year, and the single, “From A Bottle,” took top honors for a country song. Lewis plans to release a second album, “Buzzards Bluff,” in 2017.

Listen to Jodee’s performance here:

Download Jodee’s performance here: FARMette 2017: Jodee Lewis

Betse & Clarke (Kansas City, Missouri)

Their music is familiar…and totally different; a fiddle and banjo duo with a sense of adventure. Old time music and song celebrated alongside inventive new compositions: a passion for the depth of tradition and a look to new creative paths. “Betse and Clarke go together like peanut butter and jelly.” — Chuck Haddix, host of The Fish Fry, KCUR-FM. “Authentic…from the heart with plenty of soul. Betse and Clarke are as good as it gets.” — Daren Dortin, Ozark Highlands Radio Executive Producer/Music Director, Ozark Folk Center.

Listen to Betse & Clarke’s performance here:

Download Betse & Clarke’s performance here: FARMette 2017: Betse & Clarke

Happy Holidays from KC Cafe Radio

KC Cafe Radio Holiday GreetingsAs we approach 2015, we want to take a moment to personally thank all those who helped keep the music streaming in 2014.  First, we would like to thank all of our Performing Artists who have shared their original music with our station.  We are in awe of all the talented singer/songwriters currently streaming on the Cafe and those who performed this year in our Concert Series.

Second, we want to recognise a small group of individuals who tirelessly work in the background for KC Cafe.  We want to thank our Board of Directors which includes: John Dutton (President), Larry Garrett (Vice President), Victor James Dougherty (Secretary), and Beth Coleman (Treasurer).  Their contributions over the last six months have greatly improved our processes.

Next, we want to thank our Underwriters, KC Cafe Menu Favorites, and Community Partnerships.  Their financial and professional support helped pay for all our operational costs in 2014, as well as, allowed us to expand our reach and participate in regional folk festivals in new and exciting ways. These individuals and businesses include:

Our Concert Series Hosts were amazing in 2014. Our generous Concert Series Hosts brought together their friends and excellent food to experience KC Cafe Performing Artists from all over the United States.  A huge THANK You to the following 2014 Concert Series Hosts who welcomed KC Cafe Radio into their homes and businesses.  We are truly grateful for your partnership and everyone can relive each live performance in our live music archives here.  The list of 2014 Concert Series Hosts include:

Last but not least, we want to thank the listeners and fans of original music!  Since we began our journey in 2008 so much has changed.  Yet as things have changed our  mission has remained constant, to provide you the listener with the World Finest Original Music on the planet!  So as we close out another broadcast year we are excited to enter into 2015 with high hopes to increase our reach, expand our services to artists, and acquire new listeners looking for original music.

May 2015 be merry and bright for you and yours and may you have a blessed holiday season for the rest of 2014.

Happy Holidays from KC Cafe Radio – John, Kathy, and Kathleen

Kerry Patrick Clark: In A Perfect World

Kerry Patrick ClarkKerry Patrick Clark will quickly tell you that his amazing talent is a gift, one that he does not take for granted.  The opportunities he has been afforded over his life – from the guitar that inspired his father to teach him the gift of music, his years touring with the New Christy Minstrels in the mid ’80s, to the life experiences that inspire him to wear his heart on on his guitar strings today, there is no doubt his talent is indeed a gift.

It is fitting then, that Kerry takes a moment to produce an album that reflects on those experiences, and offers commentary on experiences we all encounter in our daily lives.  That is exactly what he does in his latest album, In A Perfect World.

At the recent 2014 Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference in Saint Louis, Missouri, Kerry took a moment from his extremely busy schedule (not only as conference registrar but as a performing musician at the conference) to talk with us about this latest project.  Prior to the opening of our Private Showcase room for the final night at the conference, he sat down with Music Director Kathy Forste and Artist Relastions Director Kathleen Coleman to share his thoughts.  They talked about the challenges of being a parent and husband, while also being an on-the-road musician, as well as his decision to make music his career.  Kerry reveals to us that art IS work, and that parenting can be an art form!  We also get a “sneek peak” into a new Christmas album that he plans to release next year.

Listen to the interview here:

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More pictures from the interview:

Music by Kerry Patrick Clark here.

FARM 2014: Conversations At FARM

KC Cafe Radio's Booth at the 2014 Folk Alliance Region Midwest conferenceOur second year of coverage from the 2014 Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference  in Saint Louis Missouri was highlighted by the conversations we had with conference attendees.  From musicians, music industry professionals, radio station DJs and venue operators, we were impressed with the breadth of conversation and learning we acquired at this year’s conference.

We hope you also enjoyed our live coverage.  Over the three days at the conference, over 22 hours of live coverage, including 6 hours of live performances from our Private Showcase stage, was provided for your listening pleasure. Here, we present all the conversations that were recorded from our daytime coverage at the conference.  Elsewhere you will find recordings from our live late-night showcase broadcasts.  If you missed any our live coverage, you can enjoy it all right here.

Next Year the conference relocates to Iowa City, Iowa.  A community rich in art and culture, Iowa City will offer even greater opportunities for networking, performance and fun.  Stay tuned to the FARM website for more details!

Conversations at FARM:

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Pictures from our interviews:

 

FARM 2014: Saturday Night Showcase

Ann Armstrong and Steve HughesOur third and final night of live broadcasts from our Private Showcase room at the 2014 Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference was full of encore presentations, encore performances, and a few surprises!  Our thanks to Graydon James and Laura Spink, who graced our stage with a beautiful “bonus” song, Kerry Patrick Clark who fought through the fatigue to bring us another stellar performance, Ann Armstrong and Steve Hughes for some stellar blues, Victor James Dougherty with a refreshing “surprise” by bringing along his friends Guy Pernetti and Poor Lazarus to his performance, and to father and son and St. Louis natives Elliott and Bryan Ranney for wrapping up the evening’s show.

Listen to the performances here:

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Pictures from our Saturday night showcase: