Want a hit song? Give Dana Suesse 12 minutes

By Mackenzie Martin,

Olivia Hewitt, Lilah Manning

Published November 12, 2024 at 4:00 AM CST

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Kansas City composer Dana Suesse was behind some of the most popular American music of the 1930s. Nicknamed “the girl Gershwin,” Suesse’s songs like “You Oughta Be In Pictures” and “My Silent Love” were performed by stars like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. As Classical KC’s Lilah Manning reports, Suesse blazed a path on Tin Pan Alley in a music scene otherwise dominated by men.

This episode of A People's History of Kansas City was reported by Lilah Manning, hosted by Mackenzie Martin, and produced by Olivia Hewitt, with editing by Luke Martin and Suzanne Hogan. Mix by Olivia Hewitt and Mackenzie Martin.

A People's History of Kansas City

Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

See stories by Mackenzie Martin

Olivia Hewitt

Olivia is the 2024-2025 KCUR Studios intern. Email her at ohewitt@kcur.org

See stories by Olivia Hewitt

Lilah Manning

Lilah Manning is the Classical KC intern for summer 2024. Email her at lmanning@kcur.org.

See stories by Lilah Manning

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