Thursday, April 17 @Midnite on KOWS
California Dreamin’
Summer 2025 is just around the corner so it seemed like the right time to go back a few years to summer’s opening salvo. A little bit of surf…just a bit…and some folk favorites right alongside some local performers in this week’s episode brought your way directly from the KOWS Studios in downtown Santa Rosa, California. Our theme is the Golden State where the living may be costly but the core soul is one of progressive culture and hard work: whether that’s in the fields, behind the desk, in the service industry, or on the road. This week’s show focuses on California, from the LA Freeway to the Streets of Bakersfield, on up to Lodi and the Monterey Bay. The past century has found the state a popular subject of song and we’ve got some favorites and off-the-wall nuggets just for you this Friday morning including tracks from Dave Alvin, Albert Hammond, and Red River Dave. Tune in.
Thursday, April 17 @9am on KOWS
Saturday, April 19 @3am on KOWS
Episode 505
This week’s show will offer more vintage and a big dose of the new…because that’s our jam and we’re stickin’ to it on Sonoma County Community Radio, KOWS-LP. That LP may stand for ‘low power’ but with the power of the internet, we blast well beyond the county, feeding our stream to the growing number of ex-pats who we’ve lost. This week’s show features yet another new track from Sierra Hull’s new album, a fresh track from Palmyra, Van Morrison, Emily Zisman and a powerful gospel-infused number from Annie and the Caldwells. We’ll turn back the pages to the last century for some Hank Williams reminiscences, Bobby Bare, The Eagles, Dylan and even a little bit of Gene Autry in this week’s lineup of tributes and remembrances. Fresh as fresh can be each morning streaming at 9 Pacific and with the power of a nightlight blasting to all of you in West Sonoma County at 92.5 from Occidental on your FM dial.
Friday, April 18 @9am on KOWS
Get on Board
From a song about dirty little religions to a song about Joanie the Jehovah Witness Stripper, we’ll be going all out from up and down with genre celebrations from the past century where music reflects the inspiration from church on Sunday mornings following the barroom sinners of Saturday night. This week’s Deeper Roots takes a bit of a free form shuffle featuring Bo Diddley, The Ramones, Johnny Mercer, and a whole host of rhythm makers. Performances this morning will span some covers from Chris Smither, David Lindley and an answer song from Barbara Lewis. KOWS radio wants to thank all of you who came out to the Comedy fundraiser at Barrel Proof Lounge last week. It was a great success for us and also a validation of community radio here in the North Bay. KOWS is free form, free speech, no bull community radio; just the kind of thing we need in a country gone mad with lies, deceit and hate. There is always hope. Tune into your radio voice, any time of the day or night. We’ll always welcome you.
Saturday, April 19 @9am on KOWS
Also Rans 1956
The charts for the year 1956 were overtaken by Elvis. No question. There were a few others that illuminated the jukebox namely Fats Domino, Webb Pierce, Little Richard, and The Platters. Rock ‘n roll’s impact swept the floor with most burying some fairly incredible performances in it’s wake. Call it an avalanche. Call it a mudslide. Call it what you like. As I began to assemble a show looking at the top of the charts for the year, I found that starting at the bottom and working my way up was a revelation. Whether it was country, rhythm & blues, rock ‘n roll or pop…there were some delicious also-rans that I could not ignore so chose to ignore the Top 30 and focused today’s show on the so-called losers below the waterline of the Top 40. And what a joy it was! We’ll hear from some of them including Big Joe Turner, The Dells, LaVern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, Carl Smith and Kitty Wells in today’s show. I hope you’ll find some time, morning, noon or night, to listen in.