The sounds of Broadway has joined the lineup of locally produced programs on KMFA Classical 89.5 in Icons of Broadway. Hosted by popular performers Mela Dailey & Gregory Cash Durham, the new series, available exclusively on KMFA, celebrates some of the greatest artists ever to be associated with the Great White Way. Each music-filled episode spotlights an iconic performer or personality who has defined classic American musical theater. From Judy Garland to Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell to Stephen Sondheim, each weekly episode of Icons of Broadway will feature great recordings of some of the most magical moments in music history, examining the course of artists’ roles and careers. As an added highlight, each program will feature some of Broadway's top singers performing a classic song in the KMFA studios.
“KMFA has played great orchestral Broadway music for many years in its daily programming. So the idea of a Broadway show is a natural extension of that, and something our listeners have been asking for,” said KMFA President & General Manager Ann Hume Wilson. “The innovative concept of this Broadway show is that it is artist-focused – a wonderful idea that came from Mela Dailey, as did adding a live performance to complement the recorded versions. This is another way that KMFA can bring the amazing talents of Austin’s musical artists to wider audiences.”
Host Gregory Cash Durham
Gregory Cash Durham is a writer, biker, mescal aficionado, husband and dad who believes that musical theater has the power to change lives. A graduate of Hunter College, he lived sixteen years in New York City where he worked in book publishing, and saw hundreds of Broadway shows, making him somewhat of an expert in how to score cheap tickets. He divides his time between Austin and Telluride. Host Mela Dailey
MELA (MEE-LA) DAILEY IS A 2015 GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SINGER AND ACTRESS. SHE HAS RECEIVED RECOGNITION IN A WIDE VARIETY OF MUSICAL GENRES INCLUDING OPERA, ORATORIO, ART SONG, MUSICAL THEATER, VOCAL JAZZ, GOSPEL, COUNTRY, AND POPULAR MUSIC. HER PROFESSIONAL DEBUT TOOK PLACE IN 2003 AT CARNEGIE HALL WITH THE GRAMMY AWARD WINNING CONSPIRARE COMPANY OF VOICES DIRECTED BY CRAIG HELLA JOHNSON, A GROUP WITH WHOM SHE ALSO RECORDS FOR THE HARMONIA MUNDI LABEL. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MELA ON HER WEBSITE, MELADAILEY.COM. Icons of Broadway airs Saturdays at 5PM, and can be heard at 89.5 FM. The program can also be streamed and replayed on demand at no charge at www.kmfa.org.
