Thunder on the Plains

01/10/2025

Burns Night falls on a Saturday this year! If you're looking to attend the swankiest Burns Supper in the state, check out the one hosted by Scottish Society of Nebraska!!

Please use our secure online payment system to reserve your spot. You can use your credit card (select "pay without a PayPal account") or pay with PayPal.

01/05/2025

We made the largest Celtic Christmas playlist on Spotify! Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xrDgOigCDj9zO8vyp5rP0

Did you or a friend miss listening to tonight's episode live? You can stream it RIGHT NOW via our 2-week archive at KZUM.org. Check it out and share with your friends! https://kzum.org/archives/

Theme song "Lady Susan" by Joseph Carmichael. For more details about his music, visit josephcarmichael.bandcamp.com.

1. Kings - Emish
2. Apples In Winter/Frost Is All Over/A Merry Christmas - Eileen Ivers
3. Drops of Brandy - The Fire
4. The January Man - William Pint and Felicia Dale, Music of the Sea
5. January's Journey/D D's Car - John Whelan
6. Auld Lang Syne - Dougie MacLean
7. To Drive the Cold Winter Away - Ashley Davis
8. Dear Nuala/Christmas Eve - bohola
9. Nollaig Na mBan - Cormac Breatnach
10. Nollaig Na mBan - Jennifer Licko
11. The Little Christmas Set - The Jig is Up
12. Tiny Little Christmas - Peat in the Creel
13. The Danish Polka/Julia Clifford's/Dan O'Leary's Blue Ribbon Polka - Oisín Mac Diarmada & Seamus Begley
14. The 3rd of January - Colcannon
15. On the Cold Air - Jillian LaDage
16. Snowfall - The New England Irish Harp Orchestra
17. Snowdrift - Joseph Carmichael
18. Gloomy Winter - Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone, & Al Petteway
19. The Snowy Path - Altan
20. Winterberry Set - The Gothard Sisters
21. Friedemann Stickle's - The Tannahill Weavers
22. East Neuk of Fife - Còig
23. Auld Lang Syne - Red Hot Chilli Pipers
24. Drowsie Maggie/Rakish Paddy - The Nashville Celts

P.S. Yes, we didn't realize till well after the fact that we'd neglected to update the date. And YOU thought it was tough switching from typing 2024 to 2025 on your documents! 🤦‍♀️This set list is for January 5, 2025.

12/29/2024

We made the largest Celtic Christmas playlist on Spotify! Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xrDgOigCDj9zO8vyp5rP0

Did you or a friend miss listening to tonight's episode live? You can stream it RIGHT NOW via our 2-week archive at KZUM.org. Check it out and share with your friends! https://kzum.org/archives/

Theme song "Lady Susan" by Joseph Carmichael. For more details about his music, visit josephcarmichael.bandcamp.com.

1. Mari Lwyd - CALAN
2. Carol of the Bells Medley - Cassie and Maggie -Temporary Page-
3. Christmas Eve/Oiche Nollag/High Road to Linton - Eileen Ivers
4. The Belfast Polka/Pennsylvania Railroad - Sir James Galway & Phil Coulter
5. Soft Mild Morning - Irish Christmas in America
6. Banjos We Have Heard on High - Jed Marum Music
7. The Frost Is All Over - North Texas School of Irish Music
8. The Boys of Barr Na Sraide/Chapelizod - bohola
9. The Wren in the Furze - The Chieftains
10. Hunting the Wren: The King/Can Hela'r Dryw/Shelg Y Drean/The Wren-Boys of Dun/The Wren Boys' Song - Dave Townsend, Julie Murphey, Robin Huw Bowen , Ceri Rhys Matthews, Emma Christian, Colin McAlister, Steáfán Hannigan, Pete Cooper, and Dougie Pincock
11. Wran Tunes - The Jig is Up
12. Good King Wenceslas - The Gothard Sisters
13. Chant de Noel/Mummer's March/McAllistrum's March - The New England Irish Harp Orchestra
14. Cariad Cywir/Mari Lwyd/Aberdulais - Moch Pryderi
15. The Ballad of Chanukah - Magpie - Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino
16. Shalom Chaverim/Patapan/Ding D**g Merrily on High - Helicon
17. Chanukah Chase - Magpie - Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino
18. 2 Jewish Reels - De Danann
19. D'Ye Mind Lang Syne - Andy M. Stewart
20. Here's to Ye A' and a Happy New Year - Debbie Brewin-Wilson
21. New Year's Day/On Christmas Night - Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone, & Al Petteway
22. Ring In The New Year (Ring It In) - William Pint and Felicia Dale, Music of the Sea
23. Auld Lang Syne - The Tannahill Weavers
24. Ros' Hogmanay - The Rogues

12/22/2024

We made the largest Celtic Christmas playlist on Spotify! Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xrDgOigCDj9zO8vyp5rP0

Did you or a friend miss listening to tonight's episode live? You can stream it RIGHT NOW via our 2-week archive at KZUM.org. Check it out and share with your friends! https://kzum.org/archives/

Theme song "Lady Susan" by Joseph Carmichael. For more details about his music, visit josephcarmichael.bandcamp.com.

1. Christmas Day - The Elders
2. Christmas Eve/Oiche Nollag/High Road to Linton - Eileen Ivers
3. Christmas Eve Reverie - Steel City Rovers
4. Angel of Christmas - Skerryvore
5. Dreaming on a Yuletide Night - The McDades
6. The Kerry Christmas Carol - The Outside Track
7. Coventry Carol/Greensleeves - House of Hamill
8. Christmas Time in Ireland - The Noble Call
9. Ukrainian Bell Carol - The New England Irish Harp Orchestra
10. The Bushes of Jerusalem/Over By Midways/Across the Ocean/Mister Mcleod/The Drunk - bohola
11. Christmas Carousing/Ale Is Dear/New Christmas - Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone, & Al Petteway
12. Silent Night - The Celtic Tenors
13. Away in A Manger/Valoo Lammy - Mary-Kate Spring Lee
14. The Wexford Carol - Cara Dillon
15. Oikan Ayns Bethlehem (Baby in Bethlehem) - Emma Christian
16. An Nollaig Theas - Séamus Begley
17. The Nutcracker March - The Tannahill Weavers
18. Come Day Go Day - Siúcra
19. Merry Christmas to All and Good Night - Ashley Davis
20. Taladh Chriosda (Christ Child Lullabye) - The Barra MacNeils
21. The Marvelous Toy - The Irish Rovers
22. The Jingle Bells Suite - The Fire
23. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Joy to the World - The Nashville Celts
24. We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Screaming Orphans
25. Hellbound Sleigh - The Rogues

12/16/2024

12/16/2024

Joseph Carmichael : Desiderium
josephcarmichael.bandcamp.com

“It’s hard to use the word ‘new’ to describe a traditional musician, unless you’re talking about someone like Joseph Carmichael; a musician who manages to create a sound that is his own, while never losing sight of the tradition that inspires it.” - Hanz Araki (Josephine County, Steeplechase)

With Desiderium, Joseph has pulled together many of his musical influences to write a “musical postcard” of sorts to his younger self.

Originally recorded and set to release in early 2020, Joseph Carmichael took the opportunity the pandemic gave him to pull together an all-star cast of musicians, including Liam Bradley, Tom Fitzgerald, Ian Stephenson, Alan Mackie, and many others to make Desiderium something incredibly special.

Desiderium features 4 of Joseph’s original compositions, as well as a unique take on the English folk song, Sovay. With melodies ranging from odd-meter tunes inspired by movie and video game scores, to a driving, rhythmic jig & reel set, including a revamped version of his 2018 single Lady Susan, this highly anticipated album has something for a wide variety of musical tastes.

“Joseph’s creativity shines through on every track and displays true mastery of his instruments. It's not ‘pure drop’, but you get a clear sense of how Irish trad has informed his musical expression. It's uniquely Joseph, and it has been well worth the wait to finally hear it.” - Ken Fleming (Director of the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat)

Desiderium is available to buy at josephcarmichael.bandcamp.com, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Irish Music Magazine official

12/15/2024

We made the largest Celtic Christmas playlist on Spotify! Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xrDgOigCDj9zO8vyp5rP0

Did you or a friend miss listening to tonight's episode live? You can stream it RIGHT NOW via our 2-week archive at KZUM.org. Check it out and share with your friends! https://kzum.org/archives/

Theme song "Lady Susan" by Joseph Carmichael. For more details about his music, visit josephcarmichael.bandcamp.com.

1. Nollaig Moon - Ashley Davis
2. Dance of the Winter Solstice - House of Hamill
3. Winter's Crossing - Sir James Galway and Phil Coulter
4. Snowplow Set - The Barra MacNeils
5. Winter Fairly - Siobhan Miller
6. Snowy Path - North Texas School of Irish Music
7. Dust of Snow - Matt & Shannon Heaton
8. The Ivy Leaf/The Snow on the Hills/The Morning Star - Irish Christmas in America
9. Song of Solstice - Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra
10. Yule Dance - Dan Fogelberg
11. Solstice Carol - Magpie - Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino
12. Solstice Dance - Wee Brazen Hussies
13. Gloomy Winter - Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone, & Al Petteway
14. Errigal Beauty - Cherish the Ladies
15. The December Letter - Aoife Scott
16. Winter Wonderland - Tommy Ford
17. In the Bleak Midwinter (Scots) - Iona Fyfe
18. Sunrise at Solstice - We Banjo 3
19. Christmas Ever - bohola
20. Winter Jigs - The Outside Track
21. Winter's Coming (Deep Red the Bracken) - Jillian LaDage
22. Winter Jig - Ashley Davis
23. Cornish Wassailing - Kate Rusby
24. The Bells - CALAN
25. The Legend of the Dream Strathspey - The Fire
26. Swingle Jingle Bells - Còig
27. The Winter King - Syr
28. Yule Log and Holly Berries - Rathkeltair

12/13/2024

Yayyy!

Sunrise Communications/KZUM received a $20,000 Cooper grant for general operating support.
KZUM is Lincoln’s only independent, noncommercial, listener-supported community radio station licensed to Sunrise Communications, a nonprofit organization established solely to operate KZUM.
The mission of KZUM is to educate and build community through broadcast media, with diverse and independent voices that enrich the perspectives of our audiences.
For more information, go to, https://kzum.org/

12/08/2024

We made the largest Celtic Christmas playlist on Spotify! Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xrDgOigCDj9zO8vyp5rP0

Did you or a friend miss listening to tonight's episode live? You can stream it RIGHT NOW via our 2-week archive at KZUM.org. Check it out and share with your friends! https://kzum.org/archives/

Theme song "Lady Susan" by Joseph Carmichael. For more details about his music, visit josephcarmichael.bandcamp.com.

1. Big Brave Bill Saves Christmas - Kate Rusby
2. Happy Xmas (War is Over) - Larry Kirwan of Black 47 feat. Ashley Davis
3. Fairytale of New York - Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
4. Galician Carol - Carlos Núñez
5. Arthur McBride/Planxty Irwin - Peat in the Creel
6. The Boar's Head - The Chieftains
7. Little Drummer Girl - The Gothard Sisters
8. Get Me Through December - The Outside Track
9. The Wexford Carol - Emma Langford
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel/God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman - Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone, and Al Petteway
11. Sussex Carol - Brian Dunning and Jeff Johnson
12. Nollaig Bhán - Lasairfhiona
13. Bill Sullivan's Russian Britches - The Jig is Up
14. The Cherry Tree Carol - Siúcra
15. Once In Royal David's City/Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella/Tripping Up The Stairs - Patrick Crossing Celtic Band
16. Oíche Chiúin - Oisín Mac Diarmada and Seamus Begley
17. Christmas in Killarney - Terry the Irish Minstrel
18. Don Oiche Ud I Mbeithil - North Texas School of Irish Music
19. O Holy Night - The Celtic Tenors
20. Christmas Eve Reel - Tommy Coen & Eddie Moloney
21. The Angel Gabriel - Cassie and Maggie -Temporary Page-
22. O Christmas Tree/Road Dust/Are You Joanie Madden?/Watch Your Step - Cherish the Ladies
23. Santa Kills Me - Scottish Fish
24. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Eileen Ivers
25. The Christmas Medley - Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy

12/07/2024

Interested in becoming a radio show host? Either of your own show, or helping out with others? Now's your opportunity to join our clan of community volunteer DJs at KZUM!! If Celtic music is your passion, that's even better, in my opinion!

Have you thought about producing a radio program or podcast? Well, its GO TIME! KZUM’s Programmer Academy is coming up and we are accepting applications until January 3rd! Apply at KZUM.org now!

12/06/2024

Play some Celtic music - it's good for you!!

"Playing music helps build larger brain networks and new pathways. “Musicians tend to have better attention than nonmusicians,” Nyce continues. “Banging on a drum or tooting a horn can also relieve stress, reduce burnout, and help with anxiety and depression. For older people specifically, research has shown potential cognitive benefits along with a possible decrease in dementia risk.”"

Few adults play musical instruments, and even fewer do so in a group, Caroline Mimbs Nyce writes. What health benefits might they be giving up? https://theatln.tc/oglkQfzJ

“Kids receive plenty of music education, but as people get older, they fall out of practice. Many stop picking up their instrument,” Nyce writes. “This is unfortunate, in part because plenty of research shows that adults could benefit from playing music.”

Playing music helps build larger brain networks and new pathways. “Musicians tend to have better attention than nonmusicians,” Nyce continues. “Banging on a drum or tooting a horn can also relieve stress, reduce burnout, and help with anxiety and depression. For older people specifically, research has shown potential cognitive benefits along with a possible decrease in dementia risk.”

Adults may be skipping out in part because music education is associated with childhood and coursework. And after people grow out of music education in their childhood, they tend to think that music is a special talent, Nyce writes, not something that just anybody can learn.

“Of course, people are busy; they simply may not have the luxury of sitting down to study Bach once a week, much less the money to pay for an instrument or private lessons,” Nyce writes.

Playing music in groups has additional benefits, such as allowing adults to feel more trusting of and connected to one another, and to the world in general. But while it’s easy to go to a park or gym and pull together a game of pickup basketball, “piecing together people at the same skill level to play a concerto or even just jam in a garage is another matter.”

Nyce herself recently began to play the recorder. “I plan to keep learning,” she writes, “not because it strengthens my neuropathways per se (though I certainly don’t mind that), but because making music, even when it’s silly—perhaps especially when it’s silly—is just a whole lot of fun.” https://theatln.tc/oglkQfzJ

📸: Photo Media / ClassicStock / Getty

12/03/2024

Tis the season! Celtic Christmas and holiday music from now through the end of the year. Tune in live every Sunday 5:30-7:30pm Central (Chicago) Time, only on 89.3FM .3 - streaming live worldwide at kzum.org.