Ralph Johnson: ‘Shining Star’, ‘September’ and the energy of Earth, Wind & Fire

Ralph Johnson: ‘Shining Star’, ‘September’ and the energy of Earth, Wind & Fire

In this episode of 1on1 with Jon Evans, Jon sits down with Ralph Johnson—original member, vocalist, songwriter, and percussionist for the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire—ahead of the band’s stop in Wilmington at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Johnson shares why EWF is “not just a band,” but an energy rooted in Maurice White’s vision—built on movement, musicianship, and a nightly pre-show circle of prayer to “bring that energy in” and send it out to the crowd. He reflects on the surreal reach of the catalog (including the claim that an EWF song plays somewhere in the world every 98 seconds) and what it means when fans call the music the soundtrack to their lives. Ralph also opens up about the band’s abrupt 1982 pause, the years he spent doing whatever it took to provide for his family—including construction work and selling stereos in Hollywood—and the call that brought him back to help carry the torch with Verdine White and Philip Bailey. Plus: why “September” still closes the show—and what it means if you walk in and hear it. Listen now for a conbversation about timeless hits, big energy, and the rhythm that never quits!

Elaine Hendrix: From “Parent Trap” to Azalea Queen, her next role comes with a crown

Actress, author, producer, and advocate Elaine Hendrix – who became an icon to many as Meredith Blake from the movie The Parent Trap—joins “1on1 with Jon Evans” ahead of her newest role, as Queen of the 2026 North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington. Hendrix talks about returning to a celebration she remembers as “wonderfully wild”, and why she can’t wait to connect with the community. She also opens up about the life-changing accident that ended her dance career, the “second chance” she found on Dancing with the Stars, and the unexpected fan support that carried her through injury setbacks. Plus, we get a pop-culture gem: how her Inspector Gadget 2 character became the Happy Meal toy she still treasures today.

Kirk Englebright: He went from mattresses to movies, and built Wilmington newest studio for filmmakers

Mattress executive-turned-studio CEO Kirk Englebright shares the unlikely pivot that led him from retail success to launching Dark Horse Stages, the newest studio for filmmakers in North Carolina. A surprise phone call turned a busted deal into a huge opportunity, and Englebright’s momentum exploded with rapid-fire productions, a major expansion with state-of-the-art stages, a headline-making booking of MrBeast, and a growing role as an advocate for North Carolina’s film industry.

Harry Wayne Casey: The Sunshine Band's "KC" turns 75, and shows no signs of slowing down

More than a half-century has passed since Harry Wayne Casey had his first #1 hit record. You may know him better as “KC”, the founder of KC and the Sunshine Band, the group that had a string of chart-topping singles in the 1970s and dominated the Billboard HOT 100. KC just turned 75, and continues to entertain fans with his plans to “..do a little dance, make a little love, and Get Down Tonight!”

Lilah Pate: Star of “The Runarounds” rediscovers her love for singing

Lilah Pate had her first on-screen acting role when she was ten years old. More than a decade later, her career is taking off after starring as Sophia on the hit Prime Video series The Runarounds [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30274061/]. The experience also helped Lilah open her heart once again to her first love of singing.