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Sundays at 5pmRebroadcast Mondays at 8pm Host: Susan B. Wilson Producer & Co-Host: Sylvia Maria Gross Assistant Producer: Alex Smith Contact: kccurrents@kcur.org or 816.235.6696Follow our Tweets: www.twitter.com/kccurrents For a weekly reminder of what's coming up on KC Currents, send an email to kccurrents@kcur.orgThe Latest From KC CurrentsPlanting New Grocery Stores In Rural Food Deserts Rural America is losing its grocery stores. Fewer people are living in the countryside, and mom-and-pop markets can't compete with big chains. But as KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross reports, some small towns are finding creative ways to buck the trend. K-State Program Supports Rural Groceries With grocery stores in rural Kansas closing at record speed, having access to healthy food is a growing issue. Sylvia Maria Gross interviews K-State Professor David Proctor about what options are available for small town groceries.

Anatomy of the Pedal Steel Guitar

One of Russ Wever's pedal steel guitar. Photos by Tim Bridgham / KCUR.
One of Russ Wever's pedal steel guitar. Photos by Tim Bridgham / KCUR.

Local musician Russ Wever has been playing the pedal steel guitar for more than forty years. He's performed at the Grand Ole Opry and on Broadway, and has had a big influence in the pedal steel guitar world.

By Tim Bridgham

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-888181.mp3

Kansas City, MO – When you see a pedal steel guitar it doesn't look much like a guitar. Laid out horizontally, the pedal steel has two necks and a lot of foot pedals and knee levers. Though its roots come from the guitar, this version of the instrument has the ability to do much more.

Here in Kansas City, Russ Wever teaches up-and-coming pedal steel players. KC Currents intern Tim Bridgham met with Wever to find out what gives it that distinct sound.

Beginning in the spring, pedal steel guitarist Russ Wever be playing with Byron Jones at the Northtown Opry on Saturday nights.

This story was produced for KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.

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