A special performance by Wayne Harper, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, is set for noon Friday, March 6, during the the “Sounds Good” program on WKMS, the public radio station at Murray State University. Harper and his band, Kentucky Sage, will perform live in the WKMS studio.
Harper, who recently retired from a 30-year career at Murray State University, managing Facilities and Grounds and teaching Horticulture courses and Taijiquan (Tai Chi), had a strong musical upbringing. He spent his formative years listening to his mother play piano in their Western Kentucky home, while simultaneously being influenced by Bluegrass giants like Merle Travis, Ike Everly, and Bill Monroe.
From those early years to buying an inexpensive Silvertone acoustic with money earned from selling newspapers at an Army post, Harper has always made room in his life for music.
During Friday’s live program, Harper and the band will perform songs from his most recent album, “Down Row,” with Harper on lead vocals, rack-mounted harmonica and guitar. He will be joined by bassist Scott Thile, percussionist Danny Shepard and multi-instrumentalist Derek Jones.
Jones will be playing banjo, saxophone and guitar, and singing harmony. The Kentucky Sage band is an example of acoustic roots music that is connected to the musical heritage of Western Kentucky in both storyline and playing style. Their unique sound is said to make people feel good.
You can listen on-air at 91.3 FM, on the WKMS website, or on the WKMS Facebook page. Live Lunch is made possible by Murray State Digital Media Services, Just Hamburgers in Paducah, and WKMS listeners.
(This story first ran on WKMS, the public radio station at Murray State University.)
