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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This spring, the Department of World Languages at the University of Memphis (UofM) has presented the Spanish Cultural Series—a concert series featuring acclaimed Spanish-speaking singer-songwriters from a variety of genres and generations. The performances are held at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Jeff Kirwan, director of New Moon Theatre Company’s production of Sam Shepard’s "A Particle of Dread," along with actor Chris Davis, who takes on the dual roles of Oedipus and Otto in the play. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Scott Moore, Principal Trumpet of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and leader of the MSO Big Band, about the return of one of Memphis’s most beloved traditions—the Sunset Symphony. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Jeff Hulett from the Overton Park Shell about the upcoming Orion Financial Free Concert Series, running through Saturday, June 28. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Matt Martin, film curator at Black Lodge, about the Time Warp Drive-In—a retro movie series held at Malco’s Summer Drive-In. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Claire Rutkauskas, Director of Programs for Creative Aging Mid-South, about the final performance in this season’s Concert Series—a musical preview featuring the cast of Playhouse on the Square’s upcoming production of "A Bronx Tale." -
Kacky Walton spoke with Robert Moody, Conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO), about the season’s final Masterworks concert. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Andrew Jordan, Manager of Donor Engagement at the Orpheum Theatre, about Orpheum Getaways—a unique travel program created by the theatre’s development team. -
Kacky Walton spoke about two upcoming Iris Collective concerts with Brazilian musicians and 2025 Iris Artist Fellows, violinist Gabriela Fogo and cellist Roberta dos Santos. -
Kacky Walton spoke with Ned Canty, General Director and CEO of Opera Memphis, about the city’s role as host of the 2025 Opera Conference—the premier international gathering of opera leaders and producers from around the world.
