(Photo by Todd Zimmer, at 2011’s Murder Ballad Ball)
This week we’ll be featuring some of the artists playing at Murder Ballad Ball, this Saturday, December 8, at Davey’s Uptown. This will be the fourth annual Murder Ballad Ball, and benefits Midwest Music Foundation.
One of Kansas City’s most versatile performers is Cody Wyoming. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, a vocalist, an actor, a director… basically, a performer who’s had his hand in a number of local projects that have seen great success (Exile on Main Street, The Wall, A Bucket of Blood, and several others). He is again involved in this year’s Murder Ballad Ball, and we learn a bit more about him here.
The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
Cody Wyoming: I play good music.
The Deli: Tell us a bit about the projects you’re involved in.
CW: I’ve been working as a sideman and multi-instrumentalist for Tiny Horse and David George and A Crooked Mile. I have also started a new band of my own called Sugar Skulls who you will likely see in early 2013.
The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?
CW: Seeing shows, buying records, and telling everyone you know about how much better local music is here in KC than damn near anywhere else.
The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?
CW: It’s a looooong list. And I’ll try to keep it to people I don’t play with: David Regnier, Amy Farrand, Mike Stover, Betse Ellis, Federation of Horsepower, The Big Iron, Mr. Marcos V7, Clairaudients. And everyone that I’m lucky enough to play with, and I’m lucky for that to be a lot of people.
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to the most at Murder Ballad Ball this year?
CW: Something always surprises me, and usually it’s Mark Smeltzer. Is he playing this year? (Smeltzer will be performing with the Rural Grit All-Stars)
The Deli: Tell us a bit about what songs you’re playing for the occasion.
CW: I’m playing a few that I wrote and some old favorites. This year I tried to find new instruments and different arrangements than I usually use. I tried to choose songs that fit.
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
CW: Keith Richards, Mike Nesmith, The Clash.
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
CW: Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Cheap Trick.
Wyoming will take the stage at 8:00 on Saturday. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm at Davey’s. There will be stages on the bar side and on the venue side; Wyoming will be performing on the venue side. Facebook event here. Below is Wyoming’s performance of "Stagger Lee," which he played at 2009’s Murder Ballad Ball.
–Michelle Bacon
| Michelle is editor of The Deli Magazine – Kansas City and plays drums in Deco Auto, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, and drums/bass in Dolls on Fire. She memorizes phone numbers, dates, and license plate numbers, but not on purpose. |