KC Confidential

Now it can be told…

What did Clay Chastain think of antediluvian Kansas City Star columnist Charlie Gusewelle‘s recent hit piece on the Union Station and light rail activist?

“I was shocked,” Chastain says. “I’ve been shocked by some things but never in my 20 some year career have I ever been shocked like this. Gusewelle writes heartwarming stories about his animals and his time in Paris and I always thought he was just this kindhearted person.” Continue reading →

Where’d you guys go?

I mean, one minute The Guy Who Says What Others Think is explaining to me what a loser I am and then – whammo – lights out?

WTF?

Well, I can assure you there’ll be no stone-walling where this disappearing act is concerned – no coverup – no Blame it on Beyonce.

Because you see, Glazer did it! Continue reading →

The Granada was two thirds full Saturday for a show I’ve been anticipating now for some time – Calexico, with Canadian folksters Bahamas opening.

Bahamas are a unique band, with a drummer, a guitarist/lead singer, and two female backup vocalists.  That’s it – no bass, no keys.  Just lead man Afie Jurvanen‘s soulful voice and tasteful finger-style guitar to lead the way.

And he did just that, entrancing the crowd like he was born to do it, with songs mostly off their latest release, Bar Chords.  That’s saying something. Because many of the tunes skew quiet, with hushed, whispering vocals, and delicate guitar riffs that include Jurvanen sliding all over to cover the bass notes as well.  Oh, and a lot of denim – Jurvanen was head to toe, and the two backup singers were rocking out to perfection in tight, high-waisted mom jeans. Continue reading →

Not all “exclusive” interviews are created equal…

A couple weeks back Star features columnist Jenee Osterheldt gave a hearty clap on the back to Oprah for putting Lance Armstrong on the hotseat and not letting up with the tough questions.

“She pulled no punches,” Osterhedlt wrote. “She started with yes and no questions first, making him admit what he did, and then she cornered him into specifics.”

Would that Osterheldt done the same given her chance to corner former KCUR FM host Jabulani Leffall. Continue reading →

Two sports columnists, one big book and movie deal for one of them and a case of mistaken identity for the other…

We’re talking Joe Posnanski and Jason Whitlock, the former twin towers in the Kansas City Star sports section.

For years – from the mid 1990s until three years ago – the rival sports scribes battled quietly behind the scenes for top sports columnist and paycheck honors. When Whitlock got a radio gig Posnanski wanted and got one (ever briefly). When Whitlock got offers to move to another market and pyramided them into  hefty pay hikes, Posnanski followed suit.

Not that they were anything approaching two peas in a sports pod. Continue reading →

This may seem a little cold, but you pretty much know you’re on your last legs when Charles Gusewelle comes after your butt…

The ever-cranky, senior Star scribe sank his bona fides into longtime Union Station and Light Rail advocate Clay Chastain last Sunday. And in the process, former Star columnist, editor and publisher Art Brisbane. Continue reading →

Now that Kanrocksas appears to be well on its way…

Inquiring minds want to know – and entertainment biz sources are speculating on – whether the local music fest will swing for the fences again and land Las Vegas-based band The Killers for its second coming June 28 and 29 at the Kansas Speedway. Continue reading →

Things are starting to get interesting…

The latest on the rock festival known as Kanrocksas: the fest just rocked one outta the park with the acquisition of the New York-based indie band Fun.

The Nate Ruess lead alt rock, power pop trio is the latest addition to a previously announced lineup that includes Kendrick Lamar, the Avett Brothers and hottest DJ on the planet Tiesto.

How big a score is Fun? Huge. Continue reading →