KC Cafe Radio

Pierce Records For Gulf Coast Tragedy

KC Cafe — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:41:44 +0000

Austin, TX – KC Cafe Radio Performing Artist Sarah Pierce has announced that she will be performing a concert to benefit the victims suffering from the recent gulf coast oil spill tragedy this Saturday.

The event will be held at the Third Coast Theater in Port Aransas, TX. More information is available here.

Sarah's performance will also be recorded, and released both as an album, and as a special broadcast for KC Cafe Radio, in the near future. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit victims of the gulf coast oil tragedy.

Live Music This Friday Night!

KC Cafe — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:39:53 +0000

William B. Howard Station Park sets the scene for the next in our series of Roadshow 2010 concerts. Ten Kansas City-area musicians will present a broad range of music, at the historic train depot in downtown Lee's Summit, Missouri, and here online at KC Cafe Radio.

The music begins at 6:30 PM Central Time. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and join us for the live music "under the stars." If you cannot join us in-person, then listen here online at the website beginning at 23:30 UTC.

For details on the event, including a Google map of the venue location, Click Here.

Featuring…

Erik Karlsson’s folk-rock songs are stories about worlds that could be inhabited by you or by me, by the person sitting beside you or the neighbor across the street. They are people with honest issues dealing with things in honest ways – some are happy, some at the end of their rope – but all are treated with respect at the hands of this engaging songwriter and performer.

A transplant from Houston, Texas to the heartland of Kansas City, Erik quickly found his way into the Kansas City singer/songwriter scene using his positive outlook and dynamic stage presence. A musician since he was old enough to reach the piano keys, Erik has played hundreds of shows through the years.

Erik’s first CD release was as a member of a band in Houston named The Plastic Yardbirds in 2001. He has since been performing his brand of music at any number of venues, from coffee shops to opening for national artists like Dana Cooper. With this kind of dedication to his music, Erik has made an impact on the Kansas City original songwriter scene in a very short time.

Not only is Erik on the bill for this Friday night's show, he is also emcee for the evening.

Jim Abel is living his dream, writing, recording, and playing his unique style of music in front of live audiences all around the Kansas City area. His inspiration comes from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Steve Goodman, Janis Ian, John McCutcheon and, first of all, Tom Paxton. But he also listens to the American Songbook, and a lot of his musical ideas come from Broadway. People like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Noel Coward, Hoagy Carmichael and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Then there is Cream, Dr. John and dozens of other blues players, including Tom Waits. The result is a performance that encompasses a unique and entertaining repertoire of songs that delights any taste.

With more than 25 years of experience as a musician, songwriter, playwright, and actor, Rick Malsick has had a lot of time to accumulate a repertoire of more than 100 songs. Most of those songs emcompass a variety of musical styles, including ragtime, jazz, and blues, some extending back to the time of the Civil War. His songs include a set focusing on the personalities and events that shaped Kansas City. He plays regularly around Kansas City at a variety of venues, including bars, coffeehouses, and restaurants, and is a member of The Herrmannators.

By: Brian Lush
The Kansas City-based pop rock siren Jillian Riscoe is on the verge of getting too big for Kansas City with the release of her electrifying debut CD ELEVEN:ELEVEN. Produced by music industry veteran David Percefull (Davidk Cook, Phil Marshal and Bowling For Soup) ELEVEN:ELEVEN is a testament to a young singer songwriter finding both her voice and sound.

Unafraid of wearing her heart on her sleeve and going for those big dramatic moments in a way that we haven’t seen since Bella Donna-era Stevie Nicks, Riscoe corners a soon-to-be ex-boyfriend on Lie The Truth, brings romantic disillusionment down to a steady rock groove on Stuck and positively burns on All Fall Down.

It was Riscoe’s intention from round one to embrace a definitive sound – one that she has dubbed ‘dark romanticism’. “Typically, my songs are about love.” says Riscoe, “One way or another, they all end up being about heartbreak or a relationship or an ex-boyfriend. I typically write with that template in mind as a songwriter. I like to think of my music as ‘dark romantic’ and that is something that I want to get across to everyone that listens to my music.”

Rick Lally is a singer-songwriter from Olathe who plays acoustic-based pop. His new release, Acoustic Dreams, was produced, engineered, composed, and performed nearly entirely by himself. He even designed the album's artwork.

It's evident that Lally not only put a lot of work into these recordings but also that he is a very talented songwriter. Acoustic Dreams is mostly filled with mid-tempo recordings that recall Jack Johnson or Jimmy Buffet.

You could definitely picture Lally performing these songs on some beach somewhere. Songs like "Spring
Time" and "Go With the Flow" might make the listener want to do nothing but lay on the ground on a warm,
sunny day. For someone who is so land-locked, maybe Lally uses these songs as his way of escaping from our harsh, continental climate to a more tropical environment.

Lally also runs the Six String Music Studios that helps support many other local musicians.

Rich O’Brien calls Olathe, Kansas home and it’s the inspiration for his new self produced album, Under a Kansas Sky. He creates music because he feels he must, taking the advice of Abraham Maslow, “a musician must make music to be fulfilled.”

Rich says, “Self producing your own album is really like running a marathon. It can seem like an endless task and there are times, like in running a real marathon that you feel like giving up. Believe me, having finished five marathons, and given up in one, it is very similar. Similar because it is a very long process, in which the preparation involved, stretches over a long period of time.

Also, you must acquire a set of new skills that you are really not sure you will be able to do the first time. Once you have completed your first DIY album, though, you will feel like you have really accomplished something, and be much more confident about the next one.” Rich’s album “Under the Kansas sky” was completed over a 2 ½ year time period was truly a labor of love.

Gary Putthoff grew up in Kansas City listening to his father play the guitar on his lap with a metal slide. The crawdad song was one of his favorites.

In college he took music theory and has always been a huge fan of Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, and all those guys who drew from the masters that lived along the rivers here in the midwest (Robert Johnson, BB King, etc.)

"I was lucky enough to work at public radio station and be the engineer for many local shows," Putthoff says, "including a blues program which gave me exposure to a lot of blues history and music."

Putthoff is currently working on a new CD.

Forrest Whitlow is one of Kansas City’s best known and loved singer/songwriters. He has written and recorded seven albums as a solo artist and with his band The Crash. His newest album, appropriately titled 7, is his best of the bunch, so far… Songs ranging from rock to folk and espousing a variety of topics that only Forrest can write and sing about. His music and style have been described as David Lynch meets Neil Young. He has a strong sense of who he is and it comes across in his strong musical performances. Forrest has a devoted following and plays consistently at coffeehouses, bars and bookshops around Kansas City.

Larry Garrett has been performing in the Kansas City area since the mid-80's – in churches, coffeehouses, bars, and at festivals. His music reaches into his own memories as a kid growing up during a time when life was simple, and neighbors were genuinely neighborally. That simplicity is reflected in his performances, which consist of solo vocal, guitar and harmonica. And for those of us who remember those simpler days, Garrett's music is a delight to the ears.

Kaye Johnston is a soulful and talented songwriter who performs her music with great emotion and grace.

Musical from the tender age four, Kaye is classically trained in piano and voice and also plays mandolin and guitar. Her musical gifts have taken Kaye to performances as far away as the UK, at clubs and pubs, to as close as neighborhood coffeehouses in the Midwest.

Kaye has performed at many venues in Westport and the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City, MO and has opened for national acts Michael Brewer, Dana Cooper and Ruckus and the Trousers.

Kaye is currently working on her fourth CD “Love's End." Kaye currently performs at various songwriter acoustic venues in the Midwest.

Lineup Announced For KC Cafe Roadshow Concert July 9

KC Cafe — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:20:32 +0000

July 1, 2010 – KC Cafe Radio announces the lineup for the third in its series of 2010 "Roadshow" series of concerts. The event will be held Friday, July 9, 2010, at William B. Howard Station Park, otherwise known as the historic train depot, in downtown Lee's Summit, Mo. The free, family-friendly evening of entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.

Kansas City Singer/Songwriter Erik Karlsson hosts the event, featuring 10 Kansas City area musicians. The lineup includes Karlsson, along with Jim Abel, Rick Malsick, Gary Putthoff, Jillian Riscoe and The 21st Century, Larry Garrett, Rick Lally, Michael and Kaye Johnson, and Rich O'Brien.

"It's going to be a wonderful evening of music, representing the depth and breadth of talent that's available right here in our community," said Karlsson, who is also director of the Free Friday Night Concert series held weekly at the downtown Lee's Summit train depot.

The local event will also be broadcast live over KC Cafe Radio beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Central Time) July 9.

More information on the event, along with a map and directions to the venue are available here.

New Music On KC Cafe Radio (June 22, 2010)

KC Cafe — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:02:23 +0000

	Screen Vinyl Image – Remixes Techno
	Riely O'connor & Molly B. Moon – Who Knows When Folk
	Si Genaro – Fearless Angel Acoustic Rock
	Lee Garland – Hummingbird Folk/California Pop
	Cathy DeWitt – Dreamsong Spiritual
	Patchwork – Patchwork Rides Again Bluegrass/Vocal Harmony
	Larry Garrett – A Rope Around the Wind…and Other Songs About Life Folk/Storyteller
	Chris Steven Tomchak – Lil' Rock n Roll Record Rock

Swenson Opens For Kansas City Lilith Fair

KC Cafe — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:22:19 +0000

June 22, 2010 – Kansas City Singer/Songwriter and KC Cafe Radio Performing Artist Sara Swenson has been selected to open for the 2010 Lilith Fair Concert, on Thursday, July 15. The announcement was reported by Kansas City's Arts and Entertainment Magazine The Pitch, on Monday.

Swenson will open for the likes of Sarah McLaughlin, Kelly Clarkson, Metric and Ingrid Michaelson, among others. The event will be held at Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone. More information on the event is available here.

Last summer, Swenson was named best Singer/Songwriter at the Pitch 2009 Music Awards, held Sunday, August 16. For the Lilith appearance, Swenson was selected for the opening act honors partially based on votes collected in an online competition.

Music By Sara Swenson on KC Cafe Radio:

Buck69 Semi-Finalist for Battle of the Bands Competition

KC Cafe — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:21:45 +0000

June 22, 2010 – Toledo Ohio blues band and KC Cafe Radio Performing Artist Buck69 announces they have been awarded semi-finalist in the Toldeo Blade Battle of the Bands competition.

The group will perform in the semi-final round of the competition, during the Red White Kaboom festival. More information on the performance is available here. Winners of the semi-final round go on to play in the finalist competition August 12-15 at the Northwest Ohio Rib Off.

This is the second year in a row the group has earned a semi-final spot in the competition. Last year, they went on to receive the top honors in the Blues category. Selection for the competition is partially based on votes cast by visitors to the Toledo Blade Battle of the Bands website. As of this writing, the group has received a total of 575 votes.

Music By Buck69 on KC Cafe Radio:

KC Cafe Roadshow: 2nd Birthday Celebration May 28, 2010

KC Cafe — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:17:23 +0000

KC Cafe Radio celebrated its 2nd birthday in the same fashion, and on the same date, that it launched in 2008… By providing live music entertainment featuring a sampling of some of the finest music talent in the Kansas City area.

For the first time this year, the event was filmed in its entirety, through the facilities of Blip TV. Our thanks to videographer Josh Tomlinson for his contribution to this effort.

To see the video, click the image above, or Click Here.

You may also listen to or download the audio from this event by visiting our Podcast page here:

New Music On KC Cafe Radio (June 8, 2010)

KC Cafe — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:22:47 +0000

	Brody Bond – Lovers Try Folk/Rock
	The Mistics – The Mistics II R&B
	Jacqueline Durbin – Superhuman Christian Folk/Pop
	Tim Gleeson – No Sad Songs Americana
	Dancing Light – Meadowdance Folk
	Dancing Light – Rice Cakes From The Moon Folk
	Ryan Totten – A Real Class Act Rock
	David Morales – A Bit Of It All Pop/Folk

Taylor Celebrates With New Album

KC Cafe — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:25:30 +0000

KC Cafe Radio Performing Artist Ray Taylor's new album Country Birthday Song Album has been getting a lot of attention, from fans and critics alike. It recently received rave reviews from Country Chart Magazine and Natalie's World Blogspot. Ray is a seasoned songwriter from San Francisco who cut his musical teeth in the classical music world. He was kind enough to take some time and answer some questions about his songwriting and his successful new album with us recently.

KC Cafe Radio: Tell me a little bit about your background in music.
Ray Taylor: I started attending the conservatory of music in San Francisco at the age of 10. I studied classical piano and voice while I was there through age 19. I performed recitals and concerts at the conservatory and private parties and schools. I even played in night clubs like the "Red Roof" in San Francisco but it doesn't exist any longer. Mostly classical with a specialty in Chopin Mazurkas.

KCCR:When did you start playing?

RT: I started to play and get paid for concerts when I was 15 years old.

KCCR: When did you start writing?
RT: My music writing started with composition class at the conservatory attending every week in the 70's. Only recently in 2009 did I decide to write country music.

KCCR: What/when was the first song you ever wrote?
RT: In 1970 I wrote my first classical song that I was going to publish, but I never did. Although I wrote classical music, in February of 2009, the Country Bug hit me and I wrote my first song, "What Can I Do". I published that song because I got great feed back and a local Radio Station, 95.7 the Wolf, put my song over the air in a series called "Moments of Greatness". This inspired me to write more Country music.

KCCR: How would you describe your style?
RT: Traditional and Classic Country

KCCR:Who are your favorite writers and how do they influence your style?
RT: I love Johnny Cash. I loved his lyrics and his melodies. I saw him in a concert in Marin County once about 20 years ago. He may have started me on Country! I like Dolly Parton, Reba, Geoge Strait, and the list goes on.

KCCR: What is your writing process?
RT: When I write, I usually will find something passionate in my own life or someone else's and have a story or a wish. Or it just made me laugh and I think it is worth telling the world. I try to be plain and simple about it, but clever. Sometimes the words come first, other times the melody and orchestration comes first. Then it is a question of putting it to sheet music so that I can read it and play it. My wife will tell you she always knows when I am writing because in the middle of something we are doing or talking about, I simply will get up, run to the music room and take out the guitar or play the piano. This is because I just had an idea and I have to listen to it on guitar or piano immediately.

KCCR: How often do you write?
RT: I have ideas everyday, I write everyday. But not all my writing have made it to become an actual song. It seems that I can write endlessly because a new idea pops in my head at least 3 times a day.

KCCR: What comes first – music, lyrics or do they happen simultaneously?
RT: It could happen either way… and simultaneously. If a tune that comes to my head is spectacular, then it needs to go to sheet music immediately so that I don't forget it. I can always play with the tune as well as the lyrics until perfectly tweaked after the first cut. But the initial idea, the tune, the story is extremely important to get on paper.

KCCR: What is your favorite cut on your new album Country Birthday Song Album?
RT: Despite the fact that my new album is entitled Country Birthday Song Album, my favorite cuts are My Sweet Texas Bed, and Designer Girl. I plan to do a YouTube over the next few months on Designer Girl.

KCCR: Where was your newest album recorded?
RT: Nashville, (FunHouse Studios)

KCCR: How long did it take to record?
RT: Less then a day.

KCCR: What's your favorite song of all time by someone else? Why?
RT: I can't tell you I have a favorite song. I love many songs. Recently I truly enjoyed "Toes in the Water" by the Zac Brown Band, and "People are Crazy" by Billy Currington. I think the lyrics are something that I would write, plain and simply, but to the point, and the sound is just perfect. Great idea's!!

KCCR: How did you hear about KC Cafe?
RT: I Googled "free Internet radio" and voila, KC Cafe came up!

KCCR: Anything you would like to add?
RT: My album, Country Birthday Song Album is for everyone who has a birthday. There is one version for the male and an other for the female. Good for most everybody!

Batdorf, Holder Finalists at Folk Festival

KC Cafe — Thu, 27 May 2010 07:33:47 +0000

May 27, 2010 – KC Cafe Radio Performing Artists John Batdorf and Terry Holder are among the 32 finalists at the 2010 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition, at the Kerrville Folk Festival that gets underway today in Kerrville, TX.

Both artists will perform in the first of the two-day competition, which begins at noon on Saturday, May 29. Each will perform two original songs.

Batdorf and Holder were selected to perform in the competition from among 800 entries. They will perform along with selected entrants from the United States, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Russia, Jamaica, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, and the United Kingdom. Six award winners will be selected from those competing this weekend. They join such music legends such as Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin in competing at the event.

More information on the event is available here.

Music By John Batdorf on KC Cafe Radio

Music by Terry Holder on KC Cafe Radio