
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 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.
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Kacky Walton spoke with multi-Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator, and producer Bobby Watson about his quartet’s upcoming performance on Saturday, June 7, at The Ned McWherter Cultural Arts Center in Jackson, TN.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Jamison Totten, Director of Live at the Garden and the Radian Amphitheatre, about this summer’s concert series at the Memphis Botanic Garden and what audiences can expect from the lineup.
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Kacky Walton spoke with three-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello, who stars in the title role of the national tour of "Kimberly Akimbo," which runs Tuesday, June 24, through Sunday, June 29, at Orpheum Theatre.
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Kacky Walton spoke with pianist Jim Cornfoot and baritone Patrick Jones about their concert, "Murder She Wrote: Ballads of Love and Death," on Sunday, June 8, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Jared Johnson, director of Theatre Memphis’ upcoming production of "Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show," which runs on the Lohrey Stage from Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 29.
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Kacky Walton spoke with Chase Ring, director of the world premiere of Quark Theatre’s upcoming production "Chicken."
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Kacky Walton spoke with Leigh Sandlin about her solo exhibit, "Outside My Window," which is on view through Thursday, June 26, at WKNO's Gallery 1091.
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This spring, the Department of World Languages at the University of Memphis (UofM) has presented the Spanish Cultural Series—a concert series featuring acclaimed Spanish-speaking singer-songwriters from a variety of genres and generations. The performances are held at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.