The Folly Theater Reopens and Gullywasher’s New Release is Here!

The historic Folly Theater is unveiling its most recent renovations on Saturday October 15 at 8 pm with “Shake, Rattle & Roll: A Celebration of the Folly Theater”. Building on 122 years of presenting exceptional musical entertainment at the corner of 12th and Central, the Folly will open its doors to the community in a one-of-a-kind concert  celebrating Kansas City’s storied jazz and roots music heritage in support of the Midwest Music Foundation by bringing together two beloved Kansas City-based bands: Fred Wickham Caravan and Grand Marquis. Fred Wickham Caravan is comprised of some of Kansas City’s finest roots musicians. Originally formed in 2017 with a sound described by PopMatters as “reminiscent of rambling folk and country legends like Dylan and Cash,” the Caravan has developed into a six-piece band capable of jumping from one musical style to the next while maintaining a sound that is all their own. Grand Marquis is a big brass powerhouse, blending American roots styles from Kansas City blues to Memphis soul with the exuberance of a New Orleans second line party. A mighty chorus of horns, a groove-heavy rhythm section, and big, soulful vocals has highlighted well-crafted original music for over 23 years. The group has performed more than 2,000 concerts nationwide.  Bryan Redmond of the Grand Marquis joins Host Diana Linn on air from the KKFI studios.

The Kansas City-based band Gullywasher is no stranger to pandemic-induced productivity. Having released their debut full-length album “Holding the Dawning” in March of 2021, the progressive folk and roots trio will release a second full-length outing October 15. 2022. The new album, featuring a blend of new songs and old favorites from their self-titled demo, is entitled “Come Tomorrow You’ll Fall.” The album features the KC Horn Duo of Mark Hamblin on Trumpet & Scott Reed on Saxophone, the backing vocal harmonies of KC local country singer Kristin Hamilton, piano & keys from Jason Beers, and some flatpicking from Old Sound guitarist Chad Brothers. “Come Tomorrow You’ll Fall” was recorded by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Studio in Kansas City Missouri between October 2022 & March 2023. Mostly live with very few overdubs to get the best representation of the band they could in a studio setting. Gullywasher’s sound and music styles span a wide bandwidth of Americana music genres from old country ( Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash) , classic rock folk ( Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Gram Parsons, The Band, Grateful Dead, The Byrds) to contemporary bluegrass/jazz crossover (Bela Fleck, Billy Strings) and indie folk Americana styles ( Bonnie Prince Billie/ Gillian Welch/ Kevin Morby).  Band members Chris Hudson and Sam Wright join us live in the studio in the 11 am hour.  

Lots of new Roots Music this week on the Tasty Brew including a feature on the long awaited new release from Oklahoma’s John Fullbright, “The Liar.”

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