I had my first experience as a panelist at a Folk Alliance Region Midwest mini-conference or “Farmette” in Emporia, Kansas. My co-presenter, Nick Carswell, and I were to share our insights and opinions on what an artist needed to have in their tool kit to be “radio ready”. During the day’s activities I had the pleasure to meet many Heartland artists for the first time, including The Shandies of Springfield, Missouri.

The Shandies are Shannon Stine (vocals/guitar) andNatalie Wlodarczyk [Vwo-dar-chik](vocals/guitar). They deliver intimate, lovely marital harmony-rich performances shaped by a decade of performing and traveling together. Their songs are personal, a little playful, and perfect for listening rooms. Shannon’s family tradition of generating musicians and Natalie’s calling as a music educator make a very special pairing.

Speaking of special pairing… A shandy is a refreshing, low-alcohol tasty brew made by mixing beer (typically a light lager or pilsner) with a citrus-flavored carbonated beverage, such as lemonade, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale. Consider pouring yourself one and enjoy this conversation and musicalperformance from Shannon and Natalie…. The Shandies!

#tastybrewmusic #americanamusic #songwriters #folk #folkalliance #theshandies

Some things never get old…. Like the opportunity tointroduce a songwriter from the Heartland to a radio audience for the first time. I had the opportunity during a recent “Pledge Drive” on KKFI to introduce songwriter and Topeka, KS firefighter Caleb Nelsen to the Heartland’s airwaves.

Caleb’s has over a decade of writing and performing behindhim… a sound that is a mix of Americana roots, shaped by influences from country, rock, pop, and punk creating musicthat is uniquely his own.

Enjoy this conversation and live music performance fromCaleb Nelsen that includes several selections including a tune called “Open Space,” a clear reflection of the grit and honesty that defines his sound drawn from real-life experience.

#rootsmusic #countrymusic #songwriter #songwriting

I have dedicated most of my discretionary time and income tocommunity radio in Kansas City for the past 25 years. One of the perks from that association is to be introduced to and become friends and acquaintances with some amazingtalent. Songwriters Sara Morgan and Kelly Hunt, who individually made their radio debuts with me over ten yearsago, are now creating music and touring together as the duo “Of a Feather.” They joined me in the KKFI studios during a Pledge Drive to perform new music and share their connection with and support of community radio.

Sara Morgan writes and performs poignant, thoughtful, andsometimes hilarious tunes which cast back to the timeless country tradition of the second half of the 20th century. Her themes of love, loss, courage, introspection, and irony are in direct contrast to the current pop-influenced /cross-genre / multi-writer Country Music found on the market today.

Kelly Hunt’s songs hover beyond the constraints of genre,navigating between past and present, old world and new. Self-taught on banjo and guitar, her style is highly original and her voice evokes both her Irish ancestry and her upbringingin the soul-infused Mississippi river delta.

Together, as “Of a Feather” they say they are just wingingit, but it sounds oh so good in your headphones. Enjoy this Radio Mom’s recent visit from two of her favorite lyrical daughters…Of a Feather.

#music discussion podcast; #music interview podcast; #music podcast interviews;#americana music radio;#heartfelt music conversations;#alternative music podcasts;#communityradio;#tastybrewmusic