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KSMU's Mike Smith Featured In The Current Issue Of Bluegrass Unlimited

Jessica Balisle

The host of KSMU’s long running bluegrass program, Seldom Heard Music, is featured this month in a national music magazine.  The article about Mike Smith, titled, “Mike Smith, A Music Seldom Heard,” was written by Dale McCurry with editing by Bambi Grinder, cofounders of Noteworthy Music.  It’s in this month’s issue of Bluegrass Unlimited, established in 1966 and now a publication of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

McCurry had been a fan of Smith’s show for years when he decided to pitch the idea of a story on KSMU’s music host to the magazine.

"After almost 40 years of doing what he does, being the first d.j. in America with "O, Brother" and 2000 consecutive episodes (of Seldom Heard Music), it seemed like a Bluegrass Unlimited-worthy story to me," said McCurry, "and, fortunately, the editor agreed."

McCurry is referring to Smith being the first d.j. in the U.S. to play the soundtrack from the movie, "O, Brother, Where Art Thou?" on the air.

The article takes the reader from Mike Smith’s early days, including his time in Salem, Missouri where he became acquainted with The Dillards, to his job working at KSMU, which he began in the late 70s.  And, of course, McCurry details Smith’s love of bluegrass music and how Seldom Heard Music got started.

There’s also a section on the late cohost of Seldom Heard Music, Harry Moore, who was with the show for 17 years.  When Moore moved to a longterm care facility and could no longer go to the station, Smith took a recorder on visits with his cohost so Moore could continue to part of the show.

McCurry called Smith "gracious and humble."

"Everytime he's mentioned the story, he talks about that we were doing the story about KSMU and Seldom Heard Music," said McCurry.  "He couldn't hardly bring himself to say that it was about Mike Smith and his accomplishments."

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.