Vol.2, No.6, February 13, 2026
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People. Places. Things To Do. |
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| | Welcome back to The Green Room.
A deadline sharpens the air around us as time clicks toward the desired goal. In radio, we live under deadlines. Devising Original Theatre Springfield (DOTS) is preparing for its third annual Fringe Festival this summer, and artists have until March 1 to step forward with an idea. It could be a script, a video, or a concept that is still taking shape. DOTS Executive Director Dr. Gretchen Teague and founding member Kristin Farr stopped by to talk about what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start building the work that lives in your heart and head.
We also hear from the Springfield Youth Symphony, which is preparing for a trip few student ensembles ever experience. Under the direction of Carla Wootton, these young musicians will travel to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall, a place where past great performances have seeped into the walls. It is the kind of opportunity that demands discipline, fundraising, and a great deal of practice for the students to be ready. We also hear a few selections from their string quartet as we bring you our first performance from inside the Arts News studio.
Two different branches of the artistic tree: one rooted in creation from scratch, the other in careful study, preparation, and tradition. Both ask the same thing of an artist…commitment.
Let’s head into The Green Room.
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| Jimmy Rea
Host, Arts News
KSMU 91.1 - FM
Ozarks Public Broadcasting
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The Green Room is sponsored by Springfield Community Gardens
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Springfield Youth Symphony string quartet performs in the Arts News studio. Photo Credit: Jimmy Rea
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The Springfield Youth Symphony is heading to New York City for a once-in-a-lifetime performance on the iconic stage of Carnegie Hall. But this is more than a concert — it’s a powerful milestone for these young musicians who have poured in hours of practice and heart. From master classes to bright Broadway lights, they’re stepping into an experience that could shape their futures. Read how a group of local students is turning big dreams into standing ovations...read more.
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Dr. Teague performs with DOTS ensemble. Photo Credit: DOTS
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Springfield’s creative pulse is about to get louder — the DOTS Festival has opened its call for artists for the third annual Fringe Festival. This isn’t your typical showcase; performers of all kinds are invited to push boundaries, take risks, and make art that sticks with you. Whether you’re into theatre, music, dance, or something totally wild, there’s a stage waiting. Find out how you can be part of the city’s boldest celebration of local talent...read more.
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Arts News on KSMU is your long-standing source for what's happening in the Ozarks arts scene spotlighting local creators, performances, and cultural events every week. Tune in Fridays at 10 a.m. on 91.1-FM or stream at KSMU.org
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👉Got a story, event, or artist I should know about? Share your arts and music tips with The Green Room, and help us shine a spotlight on the creative pulse of the Ozarks! You can email them to me at JRea@MissouriState.edu.
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Sponsored by Sothern Plumbing
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🎶Friends don't leave friends out of the music and arts scene - they share all the local arts and music happenings. Just forward this email to friends!
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What with it being Valentine’s and all this week, let’s have a story with a little romance, shall we?
Depending on your tastes, you may not know anything about the Italian composer Giorgio Moroder, other than his name, and you may not even know that. It is also perfectly acceptable if you don’t know that he won no less than three Oscars, four Golden Globes, four Grammys, is considered “The Father of Disco,” and is responsible for such hits as Hot Stuff by Donna Summer, Call Me by Blondie, and Flashdance, by Irene Carr (for which he won his second Academy Award).
And what you may not ultimately know is that forty years ago he composed what he considers to be his favorite accomplishment, The Love Theme from Top Gun: Take My Breath Away.
And while Giorgio wrote the music, those iconic lyrics that would come to epitomize the concept of the “Love Theme From….” on soundtracks for years to come, those lyrics were written by a fella from Springfield, MO.
Tom Whitlock.
Born in Springfield in 1954, by the time he was attending Glendale High School in the late 60’s he was already working as a session musician for local producer Wayne Carson. In the 70’s he pursued a music degree from Drury University, and by 1983 had moved to Los Angeles to start his own band. Shortly thereafter, while working a pickup job at Moroder’s studio, he happened into a conversation with Giorgio who was having trouble with the brakes on his Ferrari. Being a resourceful Missouri boy, Whitlock helped Moroder fix his brakes and cemented a personal and professional relationship that would last for years to come. Prepping the soundtrack for "Top Gun" a few years later, Moroder brought Whitlock in on the project and they wrote five songs including the iconic love theme and (arguably) the best action song EVER for an action movie, Danger Zone.
Whitlock would go on to write 113 registered songs for artists ranging from Ray Charles, Michael McDonald, to Diana Ross, and in 2012 he was honored by The Library of Congress for his songwriting contributions. He died in 2023 in Nashville, TN.
So, take a listen to the words of a Springfield legend, consider throwing on Top Gun as the ultimate Valentine’s movie this weekend, and we’ll see you next week!
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Local Radar with Ran Cummings is a weekly music and conversation radio show on KSMU featuring bands and performances from in and around the Ozarks every Friday night at 9:00 p.m. on 91.1 - FM or stream at KSMU.org.
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Joe in Isesaki, Japan performing as Springfield Sister Cities Association's music ambassador Fall of 2025. Photo Credit: Joe Dillstrom
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Singer/songwriter Joe Dillstrom will be our guest on Studio Live this week. This last fall, he served as musical ambassador to our sister city Isesaki, Japan. He’s working on two new albums, including one due out this May called Kilroy. The other album, with a TBD release date, is called Songs For Them All and features mall music with a singer/songwriter twist...read more
Joe Dillstrom will be performing today at noon on KSMU's Studio Live. Tune in at 91.1-FM or stream online at KSMU.org. Catch him again tonight at Studio Live Social Hour, a free in-person event 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at BrewCo in downtown Springfield.
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Studio Live with Melissa Rea and Jess Balisle airs on the 2nd Friday of every month at noon. Tune in at 91.1-FM or stream at KSMU.org for an hour of live music and conversation with talented local artists. Later that evening, experience the music in person at a FREE live performance from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Springfield Brewing Company.
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| March 13: Pomfret
April 10: The Shandies
May 8: Little Jones
June 12: The Sideburns
July 10: Jin J. X
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At Studio Live Social Hour this week, BrewCo is hosting a Galentine’s Day event in conjunction with Social Hour, so bring your friends for a girls night out. There will be a Paint & Sip (registration required) and Olive & Gold Permanent Jewelry on hand (no registration needed).
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In the mood to stay in? Queue up one of these videos handpicked by our staff at Ozarks Public Broadcasting, perfect for a night in when you're skipping the scene but still craving culture.
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These favorites from KSMU and OPT are just the beginning—there’s a whole world of storytelling, music, documentaries, and local gems waiting on you to dive in and discover at your local public broadcasting station.
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Was this email sent to you by a friend? If you'd love fresh takes, local gems, and behind-the-scenes artsy goodness in your inbox every week subscribe to The Green Room.
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❤️Huge thanks to Steve W. for his generous tip to The Green Room. We appreciate you!
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The Green Room is a production of Ozarks Public Broadcasting. For more information about our programs and services please visit our website.
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Springfield, MO 65897
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