KC keyboard player John Amaro was hospitalized for heart surgery last week.. Big John had an aortic aneurysm. He's at Lake Regional Hospital, 54 Hospital Drive, Osage Beach, MO. We hope he has a speedy recovery.

 

A Friday, May 4, concert at Tallgrass Creek retirement community in Overland Park dedicated a $65,000 Home Organ donated to residents by Schmitt Music Company. The concert featured an array of standard songs that are favorites of residents.

The Home Organ went to Tallgrass Creek as a result of a Schmitt Music Company official's inquiry on behalf of the estate of a music enthusiast. The estate wanted the Home Organ to go to a place where it would be appreciated and where others could enjoy hearing and playing it as much as the estate's loved one had done

The Home Organ will be used in a variety of ways at Tallgrass Creek. It will provide entertainment in the Bistro during happy hours and at small parties, as well as at the monthly Birthday Party for residents.

 

Wichita's Poultry ‘N Motion played at the Port of Wichita Friday evening. Click here: Poultry 'N Motion gets them out of their seats | Wichita Eagle.

 

KC's Black Oxygen kicked off Rockfest on Saturday, opened for Saliva in Wichita

yesterday, and is on the road. Click here: Black Oxygen to hit the atmosphere that is Rockfest - KansasCity.com.

 

The Prairie Rose Rangers played at the McPherson Opera House on Saturday, May 12. The band, led by Orin Friesen with Kim Coslett, Jolynn MacIntyre, and Jesse Friesen, keeps its musical skills sharp, its repertoire fresh, and its comedy funny by providing nightly entertainment at the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper, located on a ranch outside Benton. The band's main emphasis is on classic cowboy music, epitomized by the Sons of the Pioneers, but their musical influences are broad which makes for their own personal, distinctive sound. It should be noted that the band members are not drugstore cowboys;

rather each can ride, rope, and do the real cowboy thing, which adds to the authenticity of the group.

"I've seen their show at the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper," John Holecek, Opera House Executive Director, said last week. "It's truly first class and very entertaining. I think it'll be even better on our stage, which is totally geared for live performance. Keep in mind, too, that the Opera House was built when cowboys still rode the range."

 

The Rumblejets have a new album called Motor Honey. A CD release party was held at Knuckleheads in Kansas City last Wednesday. Click here: The Rumblejetts' Jud Kite on drums, art, and the band's latest, Motor Honey | Wayward Blog.

 

On Thursday, May 3 in Hutchinson's Avenue A Park one of Kansas - City's most popular musical groups, Mike Borgia and the Problems, were in concert. Performing music described as alternative and indie blues, Borgia has been a leading light of the Kansas City music scene and with his latest CD appears ready to take his playing and song writing talent to a national audience.

Hutchinson's Ben Eisiminger plays keyboards for the group. Ben was excited to be stopping in Hutchinson and having an opportunity to perform in his hometown. The program was free and open to the public.

 

The Kustom Guitar and Amp Show was held this past Friday and Saturday in Chanute at the Quarry Stone Golf Club. Kustom amps, guitars, basses, organs, pianos and memorabilia were on display. Collectors from all over the country brought their collections. There was a jam in the evening. Owner and founder Bud Ross and many former employees of the company were on hand and told stories of their days with Kustom.

 

With two albums under his belt, Kansas City native Logan Richardson has soothed ears around the world. The 31-year-old wowed jazz enthusiasts on the New York music scene last year before jet-setting to Paris. He has played gigs all over Europe and is currently working on his latest album as a signed artist for Concord Records. In June, he's taking part in the Africa Wildlife Music Festival in Kenya, which raises money for the continent's endangered species. Click here: On My Mind: The magic of music, the allure of Paris Logan Richardson | Ink

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Is the new CD from the Doo Dads. The band held CD release parties on Friday and Saturday nights. The CD is available exclusively at the Midwestern Musical Co., 1830 Locust, KCMO. Click here: The Doo-Dads: Kid Cool Rock.

 

Jerry Osterle is offering Kansas City Metro musicians low cost, on-the-spot, professional photography. The total cost to you is usually $25 a gig! The pics will be posted on his Facebook page. Also, 25 to 40 pics will be on Facebook, and 150 to 300 pics will be put on a CD along with the FB Pics. At your request, Jerry will send them all to you on a CD for $5. Give him a call at (913) 221-7181 or send Osterle a message on Facebook. Let a retired musician take your photos. All pictures will be 300dpi. Jerry will always help promote your band with his pictures on Facebook for you at no extra charge.

 

Mark the last Sunday of every month on your calendars for the blues jam at The Phoenix at 8th and Central in Kansas City. All of you blues jammers, take your guitars, drumsticks, washboards, harmonicas, voices, or whatever instrument you play and sit in with 3 of the best musicians in town…Brody Buster, Alexis Barclay, & Matt Davis. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the jam goes from 7-11.

 

Martina McBride was on ABC's The Chew last Thursday, May 10. She shared her recipe for Zucchini, Sun-dried Tomato and Cheese Tart. Click here: The Chew: Cooking AND Talking : Martina McBride.

 

Cricket Wireless Amphitheater, formerly Sandstone, in Bonner Springs has scheduled a new regular event called Wild Country, which will feature local country bands. The first Wild Country will be June 2, a Saturday, and will spotlight Outlaw Jim & the Whiskey Benders. On June 8, Country Road 5 will be the featured band. Wild Country will be in the sheltered VIP section of the amphitheater by the east entrance, behind the main stage. Admission and parking are free. It's a 21-and-older event. Doors open at 8 p.m.

This is just one of the outdoor venues in the Kansas City area that has upgraded its facilities and booked a ton of shows for this summer. Click here: Back to Rockville: Get ready to hear some music in the sun, under the stars.

 

Once again the Young Raider Horns are going to join up with Taylor's Texas Blue Dawg for the 3rd annual BBQ Rib&Hot Wing Festival June 16 outdoors at Taylor's Steakhouse in Hastings, NE. Blues, Booze and BBQ - Gate at 6:00 pm - Music at 8:00 pm.  Also performing: Brahms Howl (formerly Blackberry Winter).  For more information: Call:  (402) 469-5507 or 462-8000.

 

Andy Oberg has started recording his new CD at Greg Roller's with Bill White, William James Henderson, Marv Short, and Mark Evans. It's gonna be killer!

 

Donnie Miller & Rude Awakening return to Kansas City on Friday, May 25, for what will be a giant blues jam extravaganza. It's fitting that it be called a One Block West reunion since the Jobsite is one block west of I-35. Coyote Bill and his brand of take no prisoners blues will kick off the night as they strike a chord and rip up the place. It's going to be a good time with fast bikes, hot women, cold beer and great musicians.

 

Kim Baldwin joined Kansas City indie-rock band Now Now Sleepyhead a couple of months ago. She told KC's Ink what she's been listening to in the current issue. Click here: What You're Listening to: Kim Baldwin | Ink.

 

Pat Metheny will tour behind a new album that features Chris Potter, Ben Williams and Antonio Sanchez.  A Kansas City date isn't on the published itinerary. Click here: Nonesuch Releases Pat Metheny Unity Band Album June 12; Band to Launch Summer, Fall Tour | Nonesuch Records.

 

Tune in to Last Call with Carson Daly tonight on NBC to see their spotlight on Chely Wright and her documentary Wish Me Away.

Wish Me Away will be playing in a movie theatre near you. The following is the current schedule of theatres where Wish Me Away will be playing.

 

New York, NY	Quad Cinema	Opens June 1, 2012
Berkeley, CA	Rialto Cinemas Elmwood	Opens June 1, 2012
Hartford, CT	Out Film CT	June 3, 2012
Sebastopol, CA	Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol	Opens June 8, 2012
Wilmington, DE	Theatre N	June 8, 9 & 22, 2012
Lake Park, FL	Mos' Art Theatre	June 8 - 14, 2012
Bethlehem, PA	Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema	June 10, 2012
Tucson, AZ	Loft Cinema	June 13, 2012
Halifax, NS	Outeast Film Festival	June 15, 2012
Los Angeles, CA	Laemmle Music Hall	Opens June 15, 2012
Columbus, OH	Gateway Film Center	Opens June 15, 2012
Denver, CO	Denver Film Center/Colfax	Opens June 15, 2012
Brunswick, ME	Frontier Café, Cinema & Gallery	June 19 - 24, 2012
Durango, CO	Backspace Theatre	Opens June 22, 2012
Kansas City, MO	Tivoli Cinemas in Westport	June 22, 2012
Palm Springs, CA	Camelot Theatres	Opens June 29, 2012
Salem, MA	CinemaSalem	June 29 – July 5, 2012
Seattle, WA	SIFF Cinema	July 6 – 12, 2012
Memphis, TN	Memphis Brooks Museum of Art	August 26, 2012
Port Townsend, WA	Port Townsend Film Festival	September 21 - 23, 2012

 Visit the offical Wish Me Away website: www.wishmeawaydoc.com

On Sunday May 20, GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis) will be hosting their annual fundraiser; AIDS Walk New York. Chely will be attending and walking with TEAM NOH8. If you would like to sponsor her, go to the link below. If you are in NYC, join the team. 
http://aidswalknewyork2012.kintera.org/chelywright.

Do you have a pile of books taking up space in your home or office? Or stacks of DVDs collecting dust? Chely Wright and the Like Me® Organization request your help to build a lending library of LGBT titles for Like Me's Kansas City Lighthouse.  Like Me's project to build their first LGBT center is underway! They need your help acquiring materials for the library. The Like Me Lighthouse will be located at 2009 Main Street in Kansas City, MO.

Please send all donations to: Like Me®, 915 Elm Court, Belton, MO 64012.

Read more and please donate. Ask your friends and family to help out. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150199346397916

 

Liberty Hall turns 100 years old this June, which is pretty incredible. To celebrate the past century, the Lawrence venue has invited the Flaming Lips to come perform for two nights: Thursday, June 21, and Friday, June 22.The band's drummer Kliph Scurlock lives in Lawrence. Click here: The Flaming Lips to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Liberty Hall with two shows in Lawrence this summer | Waywa

 

After four years at Waterloo Ice House on 38th Street in Austin, Jim Stringer is moving Jim's Country Jam to a new venue. The good folks at Scholz Beer Garten will be hosting beginning May 20, and every 1st and 3rd Sunday after that. Everyone wants to thank Waterloo Ice House for everything. Jim will send a Facebook notice and an email as May 20 approaches.

 

Reviews

Click here: Plastic Sax: Review: The Meet Me at the Bridge Festival.

Click here: Music Review: David Basse - Uptown - Blogcritics Music

Click here: kcjazzlark: People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City and Battleship Potemkin