Mark Olson Flies High on Morning Sessions

Tune in at 9:20 a.m. Friday as The Jayhawks co-founder Mark Olson returns to WTMD to perform selections from his new album Many Colored Kite. 

In 1995 Olson walked away from The Jayhawks during the height of the band's commercial success.  The subsequent decade found him teaming up with his wife Victoria Williams for a series of albums rooted in folk and country music. 

"I've always been trying to find the weird world between folk and rock," he says. "The idea with folk music is that you can just pick up and go; you play anywhere, anytime. Rock is a little more difficult because you have to manage the logistics of drums and amps and everything. So, there’s a strange world in between the two that, I think, is wide open."

After divorcing Williams in 2005, Olson reunited with Jayhawks co-founder Gary Louris for a couple short tours. Last year the duo released Ready For the Flood, and there are talks of a full-fledged Jayhawks reunion. 

"We got together three times in this past year, specifically to work up some songs," Olson says. "Now I feel we have a good batch, so the next step is to record them. We’re just getting that in motion now. We’re hoping to make a Jayhawks record . . . . that will come out next year."

The Show That Changed My Life

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to hear The Jayhawks scored so high in the 897 Greatest Artists Countdown.

I used to live in rural Massachusetts and, to put it bluntly, I was only exposed to bad music due to bad radio stations. I moved to New York and, all of a sudden, I heard amazing bands on decent radio stations.

One area station sponsored a free show with The Jayhawks. Having only heard "Waiting for the Sun," I went not expecting very much but some sun and fun. It turned out to be a show that affected me--and the way I listen to music--in the most positive way.

I had never been exposed to such good music, both lyrically and in terms of musicianship. The Jayhawks changed the way I listen to music. I left the show determined to expand my musical horizons. I am sure that each of us has a band we treasure.

For me, The Jayhawks' show led me to my musical epiphany. Thank you, Mark Olson and Gary Louris, for your greatness.


WTMD Volunteer Extraordinaire Fletcher is a regular at area shows, often supporting local bands by volunteering his time at their merchandise tables.

He'll be in the studio taking your calls during the Fund Drive, June 13-19. Tune in, give him a call and become part of the TMD 5,000.