Listen to This artist lineup for February 29 event
- February 22, 2024 -
Listen To This: Stories and More on Stage brings us another edition of its renowned storytelling series on Thursday, February 29, 6:30-9:30 p.m. This month’s theme is: That Night a DJ Saved My Life: True Tales of Times When Music Made a Difference.
The event features stories by Scott Bunn, Maryedith Burrell, Alison Fields, Matt Peiken, and Kim Roney plus songs by Melissa McKinney and comedy from Cody Hughes. It’s hosted by Tom Chalmers with DJ Colby as his trusty sidekick on the turntables.
Tom Chalmers is host and producer of the long-running monthly storytelling series, Listen to This, stories and more on stage, that originated in LA and continues on in Asheville. He is a graduate of Columbia University and the former Artistic Director of NYC’s Groundlings East/Gotham City Improv. Tom currently teaches storytelling classes through the Flatiron Writer’s Room and improv and physical comedy classes at Warren Wilson College and Asheville School of Improv (which he started). He is a member of the popular local improv troupe, Reasonably Priced Babies. On Wednesday nights, you can hear Tom co-host a sports talk radio show called Run That Back on AshevilleFM 103.3.
Matt Peiken, Maryedith Burrell, Cody Hughes
Melissa McKinney is a singer-songwriter, music educator, and event curator. She writes songs about the trauma and pain that every person inevitably experiences in their lives. She sings these songs as a cry for hope, healing, and inspiration. She is passionate about creating community and hopes to create Joy through music in a way that makes a positive impact on the world. Melissa is the lead singer of Mama & The Ruckus, a resident artist with LEAF Global Arts, the co-founder of Women to the Front Music Festival, a board member of AVLFest, the director of The One Voice Project, and a small business owner. Recently she advanced to the finals at the International Blues competition in Memphis, TN and was awarded the opportunity to sing at the historic Orpheum Theatre. Melissa’s biggest joy comes from performing alongside her daughter, K McKinney, who is also a musician/singer/songwriter. She also loves writing songs that celebrate joy with her students.
Matt Peiken is a print, video and audio journalist and host of the Asheville-focused podcast The Overlook with Matt Peiken. He has occasionally performed improv and told stories on stage for more than 20 years.
Maryedith Burrell has turned her diverse talents into an award-winning career. Her numerous writer/performer credits include everything from Fridays and the iconic Seinfeld to The Tonight Show and an overall deal at Disney. Her latest film collaboration, the documentary RAISE HELL: The Life And Times of Molly Ivins, won accolades at SXSW and Sundance Film Festival, enjoyed feature release with Magnolia and now streams on HBO Max. She has contributed to The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone and Vogue among other publications, and her essay, “An Affair To Forget,” can be found in What Was I Thinking? (St. Martin’s Press.) An improv alum with the iconic Groundings and Second City, Ms. Burrell wrote and performed the “Top Ten Must See” play, #OUCH!: An Accidental Comedy, at the New York International Fringe Festival. Currently she is producing a documentary on Silicon Valley. She continues to be a proud member of Flatiron Writers.
Kim Roney, Scott Bunn, Melissa McKinney
Scott Bunn grew up in Buffalo, NY, and has lived in the Asheville area since 2001 with his wife Jenny and two kids Stella and Levi. Scott is the Development Director for the National Farm to School Network, is the co-host for the indie sports radio show Run That Back airing weekly on Asheville FM, and writes for Asheville Stages, Aquarium Drunkard as well as his own blog Recliner Notes.
Cody Hughes is a comedian from Asheville, NC. His first special, Hello Fellow Human, was released by Four by Three Comedy in 2023.
