Badass Records

Blair Johnson

5.0 (5)
Music Commentary
Updated Weekly

a podcast about people and music

3d ago

Episode 228, Bradley McKellip

Bradley McKellip is a son, a sibling, a fiancé, a talented musician, and a gifted writer. He's also my guest for Episode No. 228. You can follow Mr. McKellip on Instagram at @bradleymckellip, and consume his content on Bandcamp, where you'll discover that he has four EPs, a live set, and a single. He's been a part of numerous outfits in the Lawrence, KS area, and, well, I just can't say enough kind things about him and the chunk of change he shared with me at the end of last month. We talked clean copy, robust vocabularies, poetry, photography, Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri, and -- among other things -- life. Somewhere in that mix, we examined a few of his favorite records, which were these: Red Headed Stranger (1975), Willie Nelson J Dilla's Donuts (2006) The '59 Sound (2008), Gaslight Anthem Bon Iver's 22, A Million (2016) Small Town (2017), Bill Frisell A portion of our conversation jogged this old man's rusty memory bin and reminded me of the time Mark Kelpe gifted me a paperback copy of Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential (2000) as part of one of my manager reviews working as a chef for Kelpe's (now) Culinary Virtue company. He and his business partner James Westphal taught me a number of good lessons across my eight years under their employ, and I'm forever grateful for those learning moments and the gig(s) themselves. Kelpe, on the title page, wrote, "I hope this inspires you to write your own book. Keep challenging your life -- creatively!" I really enjoyed this chat, and I hope you'll check it out. Thank you, Bradley, for the time and the energy, and thank you to everyone that supports the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from a Bruce Springsteen tune called, "I'm on Fire," which you can find on his 1984 album, Born in the U.S.A., c/o Bruce Springsteen.
Oct 8

Episode 227, Mat "Slimm KC" Adkins

Part of the fun of a project like this is the gambling, the happenstance. And a lot of what that looks like on my end is taking a chance on a stranger and a stranger taking a chance on me. It's really fun most of the time, and I typically wind up feeling good about things going the way they went. And -- more importantly -- so do my guests. So, when @kc_slimm's content started making its way to my algorithm, I was pleasantly surprised in the lane of people I'd like to talk to. You, however, should give him a follow because he's checking out joints around town and giving them honest reviews. It's more of a put-that-place-on-our-to-check-out list as opposed to a where-should-we-eat-right-now kinda lists, but I suppose the content could actually serve both purposes. Either way, Slimm's content is solid, and -- not only have I enjoyed consuming it, but -- I really enjoyed meeting him and chewing the fat. Beyond the Toks of Tik, Slimm's on Instagram at @slimmkc. And his Record Bar burger joint handle is @slimms_recordburger. While we were hanging, Mr. Adkins and I talked family, happy places, life, and -- of course -- a few of Mat's favorite albums, which were these: Thin Lizzy's Live and Dangerous (1978) White Pepper (2000), Ween John Prine's Fair and Square (2005) Dig, Lazarus, Dig! (2008), Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Deer Tick's Coin-O-Matic (2026) Trust me when I say that Slimm's content is worth you like/share/subscribe. Please check him out, and -- in case you're still tuned in here -- there's a special merch' prize for anyone that's able to successfully identify every piece of flare on his jacket. Thank you, Slimm. Thank you, everyone that tunes in. Cheers. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the audio segments contained within this episode. They are clips from a The Who song called, "Eminence Front," which is off of their 1982 release, It's Hard, c/o Geffen Records.
Oct 1

Episode 226, An Esperluette (Jimmy Wing)

Jimmy Wing, a.k.a. An Esperluette, is a son, a sibling, a husband, and a conductor of synth-pop mayhem from Kansas City, Missouri. The handle for An Esperluette on Instagram is @anesperluette, and you can also find Jimmy's stuff on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, YouTube, and TikTok. An Esperluette's full-length release, Splatter, dropped in June of last year, and consists of 10 tracks and a 33-minute run time. And for the ultra-timely, catch his gig tonight, Thursday, October 1 at miniBar in KC at 3810 Broadway Blvd. Jimmy and I talked writing, gear, gigging, the pressures of being a one-man operation, and -- naturally -- we talked about a few of his favorite records. Those were these: Melt* (a.k.a. his third self-titled record) (1980), Peter Gabriel Depeche Mode's Construction Time Again (1983) Good Mourning (2003), Alkaline Trio Radiohead's In Rainbows (2007) A ton of courage goes in to doing something like what An Esperluette's doing, and I'd like to raise a glass to Jimmy for taking on this project. I thank him for his time, energy, and forgiveness, and I wish him continued growth and success as he moves the needle. And thank you to all of you that support the show. Not to be confused with the first self-titled Gabriel record (oftentimes referred to as Car), which is precisely what I did in preparing for this conversation. Kudos to Jimmy for being so kind. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio snippets contained within this episode. They are clips from a String Cheese Incident tune called, "Land's End," which is off their 1997 offering, Born on the Wrong Planet (c/o SCI Fidelity Records).
Sep 24

Episode 225, The Decemberists Discography, featuring Derrick Benitz

When Derrick Benitz joined me for Episode No. 160 (3/26/25), we were talking about a bunch of cool stuff and he said something that prompted me to mention that I'd like to have him back one day for another conversation. Today is that day. Or...the other day was that day, and today the episode's dropping, but you catch my drift. Derrick's first appearance covered topics like street photography, his University of Missouri-Kansas City gig, John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Dr. Dre, The Wind & the Wave, and -- last but not least -- The Decemberists. For the unfamiliar, the latter is an indie-rock outfit out of Portland, Oregon. They've released nine records, and this is a conversation rooted very loosely in an analysis of their library. And by "very loosely," I mean very loosely. That's not all, though; Derrick and I inadvertently talked about the slow, organic process of creating something cool that doesn't have immediate impact on society. Perhaps it never does. We talked about it anyway. He's definitely doing a version of that with his art, and he was kind and genuine enough to suggest that I might be, too, with this thing. Even cooler: Derrick suggested we incorporate a needle-drop exercise in which we share our top-10 moments in film where a piece of music really struck us, and it was a ton of fun to do. Can't say enough nice things about Derrick without sounding like a creep, so I'll leave it at this: I'm definitely looking forward to having him back a third time for either some Quentin Tarantino-rooted shenanigans or whatever feels right at the time. Derrick's good people. Oh. That Decemberists catalog looks like this: Castaways and Cutouts (2002) Her Majesty the Decemberists (2003) Picaresque (2005) The Crane Wife (2006) The Hazards of Love (2009) The King Is Dead (2011) What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (2015) I'll Be Your Girl (2018) As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again (2024) Many thanks to Derrick for the time, consideration, effort, energy, and great conversation, and thank you to all of you that support the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from a Smashing Pumpkins tune called, "Drown." You can find it on their Rotten Apples: Greatest Hits record from 2001, but it initially came out on Singles (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) in 1992, c/o Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
Sep 18

Episode 224, Jen Jones

Jen Jones, Jen Jones, "...gonna walk around..." Jen Jones, Jen Jones, "...gonna..." Ho, boy, if dad jokes just aren't the bees knees. What a great guest for Episode No. 224, though! Jen Jones is a daughter, a sibling, an educator, and so much more. For example, she helps put together the monthly R.A.W. storytelling open-mic night at The Black Box in Kansas City (1060 Union Avenue), and the upcoming installment is this Monday, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Their Instagram handle is @raw_storytellingkc, and The Black Box's is @theblackboxkc. Jen also turned me on to cool things like the Missouri Writing Projects Network, the Greater Kansas City Writing Project (@gkcwp), and the Show Me Literacies Collaborative (@moliteracies). I could carry on and tell you about how cool her professional-educator's week is (roughly) shaped, or how organically she provided some cool storytelling tidbits in our conversation, but I wouldn't want to gloss over the amazingness that is her as the recipient of the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. Lots of good reasons for you to give this one a listen, and to add to it, we talked about a few of Jen's favorite albums, which were these: Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982) Rent, the Original Broadway Cast Recording (1996) Counting Crows' Across a Wire: Live in New York City (1998) When the Pawn... (1999), Fiona Apple Many thanks to Jen for the time and the talk. And many thanks to all of you who support the show. Also: I can't remember if it was Jen's episode or Emma Jo's, but I meant to correct myself on the Saving Private Ryan dirt-jar writing; pretty sure I goofed it. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from the epic Phil Collins* tune, "Another Day in Paradise," which comes from his 1989 release, ...But Seriously, c/o Philip Collins LTD, under exclusive license to Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. * If you're a Phil Collins hater, you're not wanted here and should hastily find some rocks to kick.
Sep 10

Episode 223, Emma Jo

Before I tell you about the amazing Emma Jo as my guest for Episode No. 223, I'd be sorely remiss if I didn't give a world-class shoutout to the absolute North American hockey great, Barry Melrose. Barry warmed the hearts of hockey fans for decades and turned some of the non-hockey-knowing world onto the sport by virtue of his knowledge, charisma, and wit at a time when the game needed it most. On behalf of Badass Records podcast, R.i.P. in Peace to the legend, the real one, the mullet, Barry Melrose. Now...please let me tell you about Emma Jo, and her amazingness. She is a daughter, a sibling, a wife, a singer/songwriter/musician. She, as a solo artist, has two EPs, 11 singles, and two LPs out there on the platforms for you to consume. She's got vinyl/CD options available on her Web site, emmajo.rocks, and she's followable on the Instagrams as @theemmajo (and also as @thechromahouse and @pinkvelvet_kc for all your grins). Having been graced with the opportunity to meet Emma, I was further blessed by the privilege of sitting and visiting with her for a hefty chunk. During said chunk, we talked growing up, family, songwriting, relationships, and more. Somewhere in that mix was a visit to a few of her favorite albums, which were these: Come on Over (1997), Shania Twain Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998) The Rising (2002), Bruce Springsteen Many, many thanks to Emma for her time and her conversation. She's gigging on Thursday, September 17th at Hillsiders in KCK, and at 2:00 p.m. at the Plaza Art Fair, but -- if you've already broken away from reading this -- you know that. Also: many thanks to all those that support the show. You are loved. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from a Widespread Panic track called, "The Take Out," which is on their 1988 debut, Space Wrangler, c/o Volcano Entertainment III, L.L.C.
Sep 3

Episode 222, Paul Seiz

Paul Seiz is a son, a sibling, a husband, and a father. He's also my guest for Episode No. 222. If one were so inclined, one could follow Paul on Instagram at @paulseizisalive, and one could peruse Paul's Web site, redbeatentertainment.com as well. Were one to check out said site, one would learn that Paul has an arsenal of entertainment at his disposal, and you can hire them. Or just check them out. Either way. Totally up to you. Anyway...on that site, you could find your entertainment-option choices, such as Pink Velvet, Winter Treats, Dueling Pianos, Neonic Nights Party with Songwheels, Party DJ-PJs, or Piano Man. Whether you visit it or not, Red Beat Entertainment has your party-vibe solution. So, please put a pin in them within your fun-planning folder. Paul and I talked about the pandemic, landing in a space wherein launching something like Red Beat Entertainment was real, and we talked about some goofy stuff, too. Like making mixtapes. We also talked about a few of Paul's favorite albums, which were these: The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Official Broadway Cast Recording (1979) Queen's Greatest Hits (1981) Ten (1991), Pearl Jam U2's Achtung Baby (1991) I had some seriously great conversational moments and some uber-memorable laughs with Paul. Hopefully you'll check out our conversation, and hopefully you'll give his deets a view. Thank you to Paul for the time and the energy, and thank you to all that support the show. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the clips within this episode. They are snippets from a Widespread Panic tune called, "Pickin' Up the Pieces," which is from their phenomenal Everyday record from 1993, c/o Volcano Entertainment III, LLC.
Aug 27

Episode 221, Ben Parks

Of Tree's Ben Parks joined me for Episode No. 221, and we've got a few things to cover, so let's get into it. Ben is a son, a sibling, a father, a visual artist, and a musician. On the artist front, please visit benjaminparks.info to check out his available workshops, studio space, exhibits, and commission-outreach details. His Instagram handle is @branchesoftree. For the musician in him, find details at benjaminparks.info/of-tree. That Instagram handle is @of_tree. Ben and his buddy, Danny McGaw, have a dual-release show happening Friday, September 11th at 8:00 p.m. at 1413 W. 11th Street in Kansas City's West Bottoms. Ben's Of Tree outfit has a single, an EP, and a full-length release available where you stream. Ben and I talked family, his visual-art approach, installs and exhibits, working with the community, and a bunch more. We also talked about a few of his favorite albums, which were these: Smog's A River Ain't Too Much to Love (2005) In the Pines' self-titled release (2008) The Bunkhouse Vol. 1: Anchor Black Tattoo (2012), Fionn Regan Gregory Alan Isakov with The Colorado Symphony (2016) Sundowner (2020), Kevin Morby During our chat, I stupidly referred to the Track Star show as "Star Track." Derp. I also spaced on the name of Morgen Agesen's Art Garden KC. My apologies. Anyway...find tickets to Ben's release show via the EventBrite link on is Web site. Thank you, Ben, and thank you to all of you that support the program. copyright disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the audio clips contained within this episode. They are snippets from the Phish track, "Tweezer," from their 1992 release, A Picture of Nectar, c/o Elektra Entertainment.

5

out of 5

5 Ratings

a podcast about people and music

Creator

Blair Johnson
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

228
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© BRP 2022
Show Website

Badass Records