
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 musician Jeff Hulett and photographer Alex Smythe about their new collaborative art project, "Emotions Without People."
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Kacky Walton spoke with Dominic Andolina, director of the world premiere of "Tragedy Sound," the winning play of Playhouse on the Square’s 2024 New Works@The Works playwriting competition.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Adriana Dunn, Assistant Director of the Art Museum at the University of Memphis, about the exhibit "Windows on Africa."
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Kacky Walton spoke with jewelry designer Lisa Ritenour, President of the Southwest Tennessee chapter of TN Craft Southwest, the group’s Fine Art Showcase, currently on view at WKNO’s Gallery 1091 through July 25.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Carlee Zamora, Adult Education Coordinator at the Memphis Botanic Garden, and artist Phyllis Boger about the upcoming Incognito Art Auction and Party.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Anna Thompson, Marketing Communications Manager at New Memphis, an organization dedicated to “forging a more prosperous and vital” city by “developing, activating, and retaining talent.”
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Kacky Walton spoke with Germantown Community Theatre (GCT) Executive Director William A. Henry, Artistic Director Rachel Crenshaw, and Education Coordinator Eliana Mabe, who announced the lineup of plays and musicals for the theater’s upcoming 54th season.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Memphis musician and PR professional Jeff Hulett about the final performances of the Overton Park Shell’s Orion Financial Free Concert Series, concluding Saturday, June 28.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Amy Rush and Domenic-Michael Andolina of the theatre company Lone Tree Live about the 4th annual The 24 Hour Plays: Memphis and the debut of The 24 Hour Plays: Memphis High School.
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Kacky Walton spoke with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Eric Lewis, who is known for his dynamic work in folk, swing, bluegrass, country, and rock genres.