Raised in Kansas City, Jon Niccum has lived in Lawrence since 1983. While securing his degree in film studies from Kansas University, he earned a full-time living as a musician by teaching guitar/bass lessons at Mass Street Music, playing in a variety of working bands (The Budinskis, Easterday, Groovehead, Bobby and the Chuxx) and toiling as a sound engineer/producer.
In 1993, Niccum embarked on a career in journalism via a seven-year stint as music/film editor at The Pitch, a Kansas City weekly newspaper, where he co-founded and produced the KLAMMIES (the Kansas City/Lawrence Area Music Awards). Additionally, he hosted "Nightlife," a music/sketch comedy segment of the weekly series "KC Roundabout" on Time Warner Cable.
He joined the Journal-World in 2000, first as editor of its weekly entertainment publication, The Mag, then later as the daily's entertainment editor.
In addition to Niccum's journalistic endeavors, he served four years as president of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, wrote/produced the films "Zero the Counter," "Merriman's Circle," "Paint Shaker," "Misfortune Smiles" and the upcoming "Stuck!," and composed the official record label bios for artists such as Evanescence, Jeff Beck, Leon Redbone and Joe Satriani.
He shares a house with his wife Ann, director of video media for the World Company, and daughter Lola.
Recent Stories
Net Worth: Literal videos find fresh way to lampoon MTV classics
They say your entertainment preferences are forever shaped by the decade in which you went to high school.
Metal of honor: Cinematic success of ‘Anvil!’ frees veteran rock band from obscurity
Steve “Lips” Kudlow believes, “The way you really prove yourself in heavy metal is by staying around.”
Noteworthy translation: Lawrence-based festival celebrates diversity of Spanish-language music
The phrase “Spanish art music” is not exactly the easiest concept to market in the Midwest.
Tower of power: ‘Freedom Rings’ sculpture celebrates legacy of Wakarusa communities, Underground Railroad
Although many of the original Wakarusa River Valley communities are now permanently buried under Clinton Lake, they will soon benefit from a monument perched high in the sky.
Rate of exchange: Lawrence community shares arts and entertainment with German sister city
Carolyn Young was making the arduous drive back to Kansas from Colorado, and she was not happy about it.
Net Worth: Networking zombies need dose of unconnected living
Last year I wrote about purging myself from the rash of social networking sites.
The ink crowd: Tattooists reveal their skills on traditional canvas at Ichiban art show
When Martin Del Camino isn’t busy tattooing ink on a paying customer, he’s usually painting.
L.A. woman
Lawrence native Lisa Donnelly perfects her music ‘Thing’ in Hollywood
Having moved to the West Coast in 2002 as a 22-year-old aspiring singer, Donnelly is finally seeing the toils of her battle against the L.A. music machine paying off...
Net Worth: You’re in control, thanks to film site that aids weak bladders
Temptation is the enemy of the serious film-goer.
Left of center: Longtime LAC gallery director leaves to reconnect with life as an artist
French painter Edouard Manet once said, “Art is a circle. You’re either in or out.”
