Vol. 1, No. 6, September 12, 2025
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People. Places. Things To Do. |
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| | Hello friends and neighbors,
Welcome back to The Green Room. I’m glad you’re here. As fall arts programming comes into view, longtime organizations like the Springfield Symphony, Ozarks Lyric Opera and the Springfield Little Theatre are gearing up for their season openers. It’s a magical time for the arts and a season of new beginnings.
I wanted to learn more about the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s new season, its 91st, and what it takes to prepare for a nine-concert run, so I brought in the conductor. It was an illuminating conversation, and we will hear some music selections from their upcoming program. I also talk with local artists across other genres. Variety is the spice of life, they say, and the musical potpourri in the Ozarks is a fragrant delight. Step into The Green Room with me and meet some of these talented artists.
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The Green Room Arts News Letter is presented by
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The season centers on storytelling. We talk with conductor and music director Kyle Wiley Pickett about this year’s programs, including Saturday’s opening concert, “Don Juan"...read more.
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Once a dominant sound in popular music, western swing is finding new listeners. We talk with bandleader Seth Darby about the genre’s roots and its influence on country music and the Ozarks...read more.
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Mitchell Matthews leads two songwriting lives - one for himself and his indie/emo band, Mitchell Matthews & The Media, and one for hire as a songwriter for film and other media projects...read more.
Mitchell Matthews & The Media will perform today at noon on KSMU's Studio Live broadcasting at 91.1-FM or streaming at KSMU.org. Catch them again tonight at Studio Live Social Hour, a free in-person event 6-8 p.m. at BrewCo in downtown Springfield.
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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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🎶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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Let’s write a brief bit about a man who died of cirrhosis in Springfield, Missouri, on August 21, 1981. Cheerful, right?
Well, not a few weeks ago, I had a request for this song from a dedicated listener. And, I must admit my total ignorance of this tune and this artist at that time. However, I was certainly familiar with his two biggest hits, both of which he wrote but never personally recorded. You see, there’s a whole business out there for those who might not be known to the public but still have the knack to make music for the masses, just sung by someone else. In this case, this someone was Ronnie Self.
Born in 1938 in Tin Town, Missouri - an unincorporated area just outside of Pleasant Hope - Ronnie was an erratic and exciting performer who once had a producer make him stand in a box so he would stay close enough to the microphone to get a clean take. His greatest success was with two tunes he penned for Brenda Lee, an early cast regular on KY3’s own Ozark Jubilee. With “Sweet Nothin’s” in 1959, and “I’m Sorry” in 1960, Self’s music would go on to live through Lee’s voice. But his greatest contribution may be something more obscure.
Released in 1957, “Bop-A-Lena” was a modest hit, charting at number 68, but it is described by music historian Colin Escott as “the first punk record.” Subjective? Yes. But the fact that this particular title could be ascribed to a song from a Springfield artist from the 1950’s, who was dubbed “Mr. Frantic,” whose shows featured frequent “jamming” (a precursor to “moshing”), who also happened to write two of the most notable pop hits of their time - well, that’s as remarkable as cashew chicken.
So, give “Bop-a-Lena” an appropriately rowdy spin, 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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Join Ozarks Public Television as we celebrate 50 years of storytelling, learning, and community. Since 1975, OPT has been a beloved part of life in southwest Missouri—bringing Mister Rogers, Arthur, riveting documentaries, and local gems into our homes. This milestone honors the generations who’ve grown up with public television, the volunteers and donors who make it all possible, and the vibrant Ozarks spirit we all share.
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Studio Live with Melissa Rea and Jess Balisle airs the 2nd Friday of every month on KSMU. Tune in at 12 p.m. for an hour of live music and conversation with talented artists. Later that evening, experience the music in person at a FREE performance from 6–8 p.m. at Springfield Brewing Company.”
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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 Arts News letter.
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The Green Room: A Weekly Arts News Letter is a production of Ozarks Public Broadcasting. For more information about our programs and services please visit our website.
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Mailing Address:
901 South National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
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Ozarks Public Television 417-836-3500
KSMU Radio 417-836-5878
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