There's Just Something About Kansas City

With Marilyn Maye returning to the stage at Kansas City’s historic Folly Theater this Friday, we’re re-releasing our unforgettable conversation with one of the city’s most beloved musical treasures.
Marilyn Maye is an American Songbook and showtune legend whose extraordinary career includes a record 76 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. A true cabaret icon, she has spent decades captivating audiences around the world while proudly carrying Kansas City’s musical legacy with her wherever she performs.
In this conversation, Marilyn reflects on her remarkable career, her deep connection to Kansas City’s jazz tradition, and what it means to represent her hometown on stages across the country and around the world. Named Kansas Citian of the Year in 2012, Marilyn continues to perform, teach, and inspire generations of artists.
At 98 years young, she’s still “kicking it,” still commanding the stage, and still showing why she has earned a reputation as one of the great voices of cabaret.
As Marilyn prepares to take the stage at the Folly, revisit the story, career and Kansas City legacy of this unforgettable American songstress on There’s Just Something About Kansas City.

As the Kansas City Chiefs kick off a new season, we’re re-releasing our conversation with the legendary voice of Chiefs Kingdom, Mitch Holthus.
From growing up in Smith Center, Kansas, to becoming the longtime radio voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and being named the 2024 Kansan of the Year, Mitch takes us inside his remarkable career, his deep connection to Chiefs fans, and what it means to be the voice of one of the NFL’s most passionate fan bases.
You’ll also hear the fascinating story of Mitch’s family connection to the iconic Western ballad “Home on the Range.” It’s a Kansas story with a surprising connection to a song known around the world.
Join Mitch Holthus as he tells the story of his life, career and Kansas roots like only he can on this re-release of There’s Just Something About Kansas City — and get ready for another Chiefs season!

What happens when you combine Kansas City beer, music, entrepreneurship, history and creativity? You get Kemet Coleman and Vine Street Brewing Co.
In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with Kemet Coleman, Kansas City musician, entrepreneur, creative placemaker, and co-founder of Vine Street Brewing Co., Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery.
Located in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, Vine Street Brewing has become much more than a place to grab a beer. It’s a gathering place where music, art, culture, history and community come together - and an important part of the ongoing revitalization of one of Kansas City’s most culturally significant neighborhoods.
Kemet takes us behind the scenes of his unlikely journey from musician and creative entrepreneur to brewery owner. He shares how his experience working at Boulevard Brewing sparked his passion for craft beer, how he connected with co-founders Woodie Bonds Jr., Elliott Ivory, and Annie McGinnis, and why he was determined to build Vine Street Brewing in the heart of Kansas City’s historic Black community.
We talk about the challenges of transforming a long-abandoned historic building into a thriving brewery, the importance of preserving the legacy of 18th & Vine, and Kemet’s vision for the future of Kansas City.
He also shares stories from his music career, the creative philosophy behind Vine Street, his belief in the power of businesses to bring neighborhoods and people together - and, yes, his dream of making it to Hollywood as an actor.
This is more than a conversation about beer. It’s a story about Kansas City, creativity, perseverance, entrepreneurship, history, and the power of betting on your hometown.

How does a Holocaust survivor become one of the people who helped save one of Kansas City’s most iconic landmarks?
Herb Kohn is a lawyer, mediator, Holocaust survivor, and civic leader whose remarkable life has been deeply intertwined with the story of Kansas City.
In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, Kohn shares his family's journey through the Holocaust, the experiences that shaped his life, and how those lessons ultimately fueled a lifelong commitment to civic responsibility and community service.
He also takes us behind the scenes of one of Kansas City's most important preservation efforts: the fight to save historic Union Station from demolition. Kohn explains how his legal expertise, relationships, persistence, and behind-the-scenes work helped preserve the landmark and give it a new future in Kansas City.
Kohn also reflects on the impact of Missouri Boys State and Girls State, programs he credits with helping shape his own life and that he continues to champion for future generations.
From surviving one of history's darkest chapters to helping preserve an iconic piece of Kansas City history, Herb Kohn's story is one of resilience, perseverance, civic responsibility, and the power of people working behind the scenes to make a difference.
This is a conversation about the lessons we carry forward—and what we can do with them.

Fifty years later, the legend of the Boys of '76 still lives on.
In 1976, the Center High School Yellowjackets put together one of the most remarkable seasons in Kansas City high school basketball history: an undefeated season that ended with a Missouri State Basketball Championship.
In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we revisit that extraordinary team with author Mike Welsh, who was writing for the Center High School newspaper during the historic season and later chronicled the story in his book, The Boys of ’76.
Mike takes us back to a special era of high school basketball and introduces us to the players, coaches, personalities, rivalries, and chemistry that made Center nearly impossible to beat.
What was it like to carry the pressure of an undefeated season? How did a group of young athletes develop the trust and teamwork that carried them all the way to a state championship? And why does that team still mean so much to the Center community 50 years later?
We revisit the games, the personalities, the pressure, and the memories that have stayed with players and fans for five decades.
This is more than a story about basketball. It's a story about friendship, teamwork, hometown pride, and what can happen when a group of young people discovers just how special they can be together.