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 talked with Tony Isbell, co-founder of Quark Theatre, who is directing the psychological thriller "Switzerland" by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith. -
Kacky Walton was joined by Jenny Davis, executive director of the Memphis Youth Symphony Program (MYSP), to talk about "Spring Concert Day," a full day of musical performances on Sunday, March 8, at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center. -
Carlee Zamora, adult education coordinator at the Memphis Botanic Garden, joined Kacky Walton to talk about a series of hands-on gardening events. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Christy Barzizza, executive director of Creative Aging Mid-South, and Valentina Henao of the band Tropical Fusion about the group’s upcoming performance in the organization’s Concert Series on Wednesday, April 8, at the Kroc Center. -
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Music Director Robert Moody joined Kacky Walton to talk about "The Orchestra Unplugged: Who Was Gustav Mahler," which will be performed Friday, March 6, at the Halloran Center. -
WKNO’s Gallery 1091 is currently presenting “Three Visions of Nature,” featuring photography by Becky McRae, Michael Pachis, and Allen Sparks. Kacky Walton talked with Pachis, who turned to photography following a 40-year career in information technology. The three award-winning artists met through the Memphis Camera Club, where they bonded over a shared passion for wildlife photography. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Barney Elam, bass with the Memphis Men’s Chorale (MMC), to talk about the group’s 20th anniversary concert, “Brothers Sing On!” The performance takes place on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church. -
The Germantown Symphony Orchestra continues its 50th season with “American Mosaic,” celebrating 250 years of American music. -
The Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists hosts a three-hour “Bach-a-Thon” at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown on Sunday, March 1, celebrating the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Marina Pacini, chief curator at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from 2002 to 2019. Pacini has come out of retirement to guest curate a major exhibition honoring one of the South’s most influential independent art schools.
