Author Archives: KC Cafe

James Kahn

James Kahn – Shanty Man

James Kahn

James Kahn has gone by many monikers in his life… Doctor, author, screenwriter, singer, songwriter and now shanty man. His newest album is a collection of self-penned sea shanties. Not your typical sea shanties, these songs deal with political, environmental, social and economic issues. The lyrics are intriguing and meaningful, delivered with great harmonies and production.

KC Café Radio Music Director, Kathy Forste recently talked with James about his latest genre of writing and singing sea shanties. They discuss how sea shanties of the past and his creations are not so different from one another. James also reveals why he decided to do an album of sea shanties, and who sings on the album with him. We also learn how he went from being an emergency room doctor to an author of the novelizations of such cinematic classics and Return of the Jedi and Goonies, and which ones were his favorites to write.

Watch the interview here:

Finding Peach and Quiet

Jonny Miller and Heather Read aka Peach and Quiet

Peach and Quiet are partners in life and in music. Living on an idyllic island in Victoria British Columbia, Peach and Quiet started as a duo in 2019. Both Jonny Miller and Heather Read have a long history of writing and making music. Their first album, Just Beyond the Shine has found chart and critical success in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

KC Café Radio’s music director Kathy Forste recently had the opportunity to interview Jonny and Heather at their home via Zoom. Peach and Quiet perform two songs from Just Beyond the Shine and a preview of a new song. They share how they came up with the name Peach and Quiet, their writing process, and how they have delt with writing, recording and promoting an album during a global pandemic.


Be sure to check out Peach and Quiet’s website at www.peachandquietmusic.com where you can view the brilliant videos for Shoreline After a Storm and Empty to Fill.

Watch the interview here:

Severin Browne carries on the family traditions

Severin Browne comes from a musical family. His dad was a jazz musician who taught him to love and appreciate music from an early age. His brother Jackson is one of the most respected singer/songwriters over the last 50 years. Severin took up the accordion at an early age, thanks to The Lawrence Welk Show. However, the look of the instrument to a young boy soon gave way to the cooler looking and sounding guitar to a teenage Severin. By the early 70’s he was playing at clubs in LA which led him to sign a writing and recording deal with Motown.

Fast forward 30 plus years and Severin is still making music on his own and with the popular band, Tall Men Group. His latest album, Overdue is Severin’s honest autobiographical album filled with ten original songs.

In this interview, KC Café Radio Music Director Kathy Forste chats with Severin about his father’s influence on his music, his songwriting process, and even a cookie business he has with his brother, Jackson. Plus, as a bonus we hear three songs from Severin’s newest album Overdue. Be sure to check out Severin’s First Friday’s Facebook Show every month and visit his website for more information on his concerts and music.

Watch the interview here:

John Batdorf

John Batdorf – Living the Ordinary Extraordinary Life

John Batdorf

John Batdorf has been making his living as a musician since he was a teenager.  Yet he is about to celebrate nearly 50 years of marriage.  There is something ordinary yet extraordinary in that statement.  That is what makes John Batdorf’s life and career even more intriguing.

He was discovered by music guru, Ehmet Ertegun and signed to a recording contract. He was half of the legendary folk/rock duo Batdorf and Rodney, who have been inducted into the Las Vegas Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. He was the lead singer on the hit record, Wham Bam, by the band Silver, which, thanks to a little blockbuster movie titled “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2,” have had over 8 million plays on YouTube of their top 20 hit from 1976.

You will also know his music from various commercial jingles and TV and film scores like Touched By an Angel and Promised land.  John has also spent quite a bit of time as a backing vocalist and songwriter for artists like Adele, Rod Stewart, America and Kim Carnes.  Yet, John lives a very ordinary life at his home in Oregon where he loves to fish and spend time with his family.

KC Café Radio’s Music Director, Kathy Forste, recently Zoomed with John, in his home studio about his ordinary extraordinary life.  John performs a few songs, including a Batdorf and Rodney classic.  They discuss his newest solo album Last Summer and his upcoming EP.  John also shares why his album Soundtrax2Recovery is so important to him.  John tells us how he has been spending his time since his tour last year was cancelled because of Covid.  Kathy and John talk about his songwriting process over the years.  And, John tells us what he hopes his plans are for the coming year.

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Josie Bello is the Boss!

Josie Bello

Josie Bello started her music career only a few years ago but her voice and songwriting approach is as distinguished as any veteran singer/songwriter. In the last two years she has recorded two albums. Her latest, “Have Purpose, Live Long” is a collection of eight tracks of emotional, personal, and socially conscience songs. They are worthy of a place alongside the greatest folk songs of the last sixty years.

KC Café Radio’s Kathy Forste chatted with Josie about her music and her musical journey, starting with her learning to play accordion as a child to her collaborations with her husband and the band they formed. They talk about her song writing approach and her musical influences. And as a special treat, Josie performs her songs “I Bleed Human” and the title track from her new album.

Watch the interview here: