Kacky Walton
Classical Music HostI owe my radio career to the Ford Motor Company. My daddy had a Ford dealership in our hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and he thought it would be cute if his 7-year old daughter did his radio commercials. The pay wasn't great, just a pack of Wrigley's gum, but I was hooked on radio from then on.
I majored in Theater at Ole Miss, and really enjoyed the stage, but I always came back to radio. Now I have the best of both worlds: Everyday I get to create and host a classical music show and talk to fascinating people from the art world, and I get my theater fix when I host previews of Playhouse on the Square's musicals on Friday Live Lunch. Who could ask for anything more?
When I'm not doing radio, I love hanging out with my sweet rescue dog, who got his name from The Kinks song, “Do You Remember Walter”, from the album “Village Green Preservation Society”. I have to thank my late husband for that one. Walter is, without a doubt, the most handsome boy on the planet, and completely deserves having his own theme song. I also love putting on loud music and having my own little throw-down dance party from time to time. Not sure is Walter is so keen on that. He gives me funny looks sometimes.
I started playing the piano at age 2, and began classical training at age 5. Having gone without a piano for a large chunk of time has made me pretty rusty, but now that I have it again, I'm working on getting the old chops back. Things that I can't do without: TV, a good movie, and yummy food and wine. Also any book by John Irving. And Tab.
I don't get paid in gum anymore, and I don't make big bucks either, but I do get to wake up in the morning excited about working for a radio station that matters. I get to work for public radio! How did a girl from Clarksdale get so lucky?
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Kacky Walton spoke with Dennis Janzer, Director of Music and Organist at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral; Richard Townley, Choirmaster and Assistant Organist; and Peter Sykes, Principal Instructor of Harpsichord at Juilliard’s Historical Performance Department. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Kim Halyak, co-chair of Experience Memphis Gardens—a free, 21-day event showcasing over 300 private, public, school, and community gardens across more than 25 neighborhoods. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Crystin Gilmore, Co-Director of Playhouse on the Square's production of "Caroline, or Change," which runs until Sunday, May 18. -
Kacky Walton spoke with artist and filmmaker Mike McCarthy, co-creator of the retro film series Time Warp Drive-In, launched with Matt Martin of Black Lodge, at Malco's Summer Drive-In. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Whitney Jo, Managing Director of Playhouse on the Square, about the 47th Annual Original Art Auction, the theatre’s largest fundraiser of the year. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Brittain Wells, head of fundraising for Maria Montessori School, about the school’s partnership with Cordelia’s Market for the Blooms, Birds, Brews Festival & Chalk Art Competition. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Elmwood Cemetery Executive Director Kim Bearden and local artist Matthew Hasty, the subject of a new Artist Spotlight event on Saturday, April 26. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Anne Marie Hall, director of Neil Simon’s "Rumors," opening Friday, April 25, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Greg Belz from ArtWorks Foundation about Art in the Loop Festival, a free celebration of artists from across the region. The event will take place from Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April 27, at Ridgeway Loop Road. -
Kacky Walton speaks with Quincy Morris, Executive Director of the Klondike Smokey City Community Development Corporation, about two upcoming events that highlight the historic North Memphis neighborhoods of Klondike and Smokey City—among the oldest African American communities in the area.
