Monday, February 16, 2009

KC Café radio celebrates a major milestone today!  It was one year ago today that we attended Larry Garrett’s “My Old Neighborhood” Songwriter’s Circle event at Main Street Coffee House in Independence, Missouri.  There, we announced the launch of KC Cafe Radio, “sometime in the near future.”  We asked the musicians attending that evening to sign on as our first “KC Cafe Performing Artists,”  and from that request came our first five artists that would apper on the station.

Today, I think of these artists as our own “fab five:” David Hakan, Larry Garrett, Kristen Hart, Harry Hewlett and Duane Woner.  You guys have been nothing but awesome for sharing your music with us and spreading the word about The Café.

From those humble beginnings, KC Cafe Radio has experienced amazing success.  Originally conceived as a showcase for Kansas City-area musicians, KC Cafe Radio received incredible support from area musicians, and not just with their music either! On May 30, 2008 KC Cafe officially launched with a party in downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri, featuring 17 KC Cafe Performing Artists appearing before a crowd of over 120 spectators.

One year later, KC Cafe Radio continues to evolve.  We recently expanded the scope of the station to include musicians from around the world, and this week we will sign on our 100th Performing Artist.  A total of 890 songs now appear on the station.

As I contemplate this milestone, I want to acknowledge those who have played an important role in our development.  A big cyber hug goes out to Teri Wilder and Bry for their excellent voice work on the Café.  You two make us sound oh, soooooooooo good!  Also, BIG thanks to Ron McManaman for his awesome support of the station, along with some great blues tunes.

On a personal note I want to say “thank you” to Mark Pierce at KTBG radio, “90.9 The Bridge,” who provided us with valuable guidance and support over the last year.  HUGE thanks to my business partners, John Dutton and Mark Riddle, for all their hard work at getting the station on the air, keeping it on the air and putting in more hours than humanly imaginable.

Most importantly, thank YOU, dear listener!  Every day you choose to visit this website and listen to KC Cafe Radio is a vote of confidence for this unique effort at “Bringing You The World’s Finest Original Music.”  None of this matters without you!

Kathy Forste, Music Director