KC Cafe Roadshow: 2nd Birthday Celebration May 28, 2010
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)
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Brody Bond – Lovers Try
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The Mistics – The Mistics II
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Jacqueline Durbin – Superhuman
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Tim Gleeson – No Sad Songs
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Dancing Light – Meadowdance
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Dancing Light – Rice Cakes From The Moon
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Ryan Totten – A Real Class Act
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David Morales – A Bit Of It All
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Taylor Celebrates With New Album
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 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!
