Tom Keeney
KBCS drew me in 25 years ago as a supporter, and as a Bluegrass Ramble host starting in 2000. I played banjo in bluegrass bands in the 80s and still enjoy playing & sharing this music with old and new friends.
My connections to the roots of traditional bluegrass run very deep, and at the same time it’s exciting to see artists continuing to expand and redefine this genre into the 21st century.
It’s a joy to curate and present all shades of this art form we know as bluegrass on KBCS, hopefully in ways that honor it and celebrate its beauty and depth.
Tom Voorhees
One fine summer day in my garden with a radio, spinning the dial I came across a bluegrass song. Wow. Then they played another. WOW!! First time I had heard this on the radio since the 70’s, when John Morris, the founder of Old Homestead Records had a Sunday afternoon bluegrass show in my native Michigan. Saw Larry Sparks, Charlie Moore and others at his house. Later, I joined a friend in a tin-roofed cabin 18 miles up the mountains outside Hot Springs, NC (pop. 600). A loose, scattered community of farmers who spent much of their time making music, musical instruments, moonshine, log structures, singing, praying and generally enjoying life at a slow, slow pace. Electricity had been there only 15 years at the time. At first they thought this 20-something long-haired hippie was a federal agent here to bust them for bootlegging and moonshine. Soon. though, I was accepted in the community. Gained a first hand look at the love of music, family and faith of these mountain folk. I love bringing this to all of you and I treasure your stories that you’ve added to the mix through emails and phone calls.
Tom co-hosts Bluegrass Ramble with Tom Keeney Sundays 12-3pm.
Gregory D’Elia
I’ve been volunteering for not for profit college community radio since I was 15 years old. Starting in high school at our small radio station, KSFH 90.5FM (now no longer, license deleted in 2021) basically transmitting to the parking lot and some houses within 3 blocks of the campus. This low powered station was a pet project by professors and the sports department for broadcasting game info. One of the professors opened the door for interested students to learn programming and create music programs instead of just sports stuff. I co-hosted a 2 hour show with 3 other friends. First song I ever played over the airwaves: The Who “Magic Bus.” Lots of fun and it peaked my interest to listen to other stations in my area.
In summer of 1990 I heard a call out for DJs for the Underground Sound: KSCU in Santa Clara on the Santa Clara University Campus. I signed up and started learning audio production, radio broadcasting and the overwhelming diversity of music. At that time I spent a focus programming shows featuring local, alternative, indie, punk rock and jazz.
In 1992, I transferred to UCDavis in Yolo County, CA. Took a real bite out of music and audio production at KDVS. A saving grace from the stress of college, career, and the future, radio became my other life. I would often spend 6 – 8 hours programming music for late night hours and still coming in during the day for my regular show and my college courses! I won’t forget those times. I often fondly remember those fantastic experiences with amazing music aficionados, friends, musicians and artists.
After 7 years in community and college radio I took a brief sabbatical to pursue experimentation with video art, installation work and video editing. Moving up to Seattle in 1996, I was involved in many video art performances and projects, but I still was longing again for the music sharing outlet and freedoms of community public radio. A friend knew my past radio programming experience and how I felt. He suggested looking into KBCS 91.3FM. What a wonderful find of music enthusiasts, journalists, activists, and supporters of community radio. I have been at KBCS since 2000 playing music for our Northwest and global listening community, producing specific show content, conducting interviews and assisting with KBCS live events and studio recordings.
I am grateful for all the music, artists, musicians, and song creators who have changed my life forever. I am indebted to all the people I have met (and will meet) who I have learned from, been inspired by and who create amazing moments in life through music. Community radio is pivotal to my life and I hope to yours. Thank you.
Greg hosts Roots Rock + Soul evening mix from 5-7pm and The Dubside as Selecta Gro
“Whoever controls what you see, controls what you think.” T-Shirt quote in picture from The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention 2017.
Don’t let them control how you think. Keep listening and living. Take care
Ginger Hopper
Ginger Hopper started her radio career at the Country Gold Network, for over 1 year at the 5-station AM radio network based in Fife, Washington. She then subbed for Scott Salvatore on his Country Tracks show in 1990, then hosted her own show she called Early Riser on KBCS Sunday’s 5-8 AM. She also hosted a variety of shows over the years, including Sunday Folks, Puget Sounds (all genres of NW music), Womanotes (continuing currently on the 5th Wednesday and often subbing for others), nearly 20 years hosting weekly on Lunch With Folks, and now, since 2009, on the 1st and 3rd Saturday 9am to 12 noon for Our Saturday Tradition.
Rankin Mark
Rankin Mark started The Reggae Party at WOSU in Columbus, OH. He took the program to a number of radio stations along the west coast and into Idaho, before landing here on KBCS in 1997.