KANU to bring 'Whad'Ya Know?' to Lied Center July 13

LAWRENCE -- Whad'ya know? Not much. You?

But KANU 91.5 FM, knows that "Whad'Ya Know?" the popular comedy, music and quiz show, is coming to the Lied Center at the University of Kansas on July 13.

As part of KANU's yearlong celebration of its 50th year on the air, host Michael Feldman will bring his hilarious mix of mirth and music to the stage at KU for a live broadcast.

A KANU member reception will follow the broadcast at the Lied Center.

"We're looking forward to coming," Feldman said. "By then, I'll be well versed on the flora and fauna, and you will swear that I'm a local."

"Whad'Ya Know?" features a general-knowledge quiz with an audience member working with a listener who has phoned the show. The show also comes with its own piano-bass-drum jazz combo to provide musical interludes. During the show, Feldman chats with the audience and conducts interviews with personalities from his host city.

KANU is able to bring such a popular program to Lawrence thanks to the generosity of Douglas County Bank. In celebration of its own 50th anniversary, Douglas County Bank provided an underwriting grant to KANU, KU's public radio station.

Although the show has been on for 17 years, Feldman said he already feels as though he's matched KANU's years of broadcasting. Asked whether he could see doing "Whad'Ya Know?" in 50 years, he quipped: "I feel like I have. I know (announcer) Jim (Packard) looks like he has."

Although this will be Feldman's first visit to Lawrence (though he "used to visit Lawrence Goldstein"), the show goes on the road several times a year from its home in Madison, Wis. The show has most of the travel and personnel logistics figured out, but sometimes a few bugs remain in the system.

"We left Jim in a bank vault once and went off to dinner. That was pretty funny," Feldman said.

"Whad'Ya Know?" will use several products as prizes during its show, and a Lawrence band will be the featured musical guest during the live broadcast.

All this makes for a cheerful, eclectic blend of live radio at its best. "Whad'Ya Know?" can be heard every Saturday morning between 10 and noon on KANU.

"Whad'Ya Know?" is just one of many events KANU is promoting to celebrate its 50th anniversary. On tap for the rest of the year are a performance of Broadway show tunes at the Quality Hill Playhouse in Kansas City, Mo.; performances from KANU's own comedy troupe, "Right Between the Ears"; broadcasts from the Sunflower Music Festival; a folk music concert; and a special birthday party on Sept. 15 on the construction site of KANU's new broadcast/office facility.