KPRIFM – Rest In Peace

By now, all KPRIFM fans have heard the shattering news that the locally owned radio station was sold. On September 28, 2015, it was announced that KPRI would be sold to the Educational Media Foundation, pending FCC approval. Later in the afternoon, after playing Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" as its final song, KPRI 102.1 flipped over to EMF's Contemporary Christian music feed K-Love. 

Thanks for the last 20 years of innovative and creative #sandiego music. You will be missed #kprifm ! (Me with Bob Hughes)

A photo posted by @zwriter1 on Oct 4, 2015 at 3:52pm PDT

KPRIFM Co-founders Robert "Bob" Hughes and Jonathan Schwartz, both have backgrounds on the corporate side of radio and desired to create a station that was commercially viable while successful at the same time. 

The station launched in 1996 as Sets 102-FM. They acquired the 102.1 frequency in 1995 as part of a $68 million deal with Par Broadcasting.  From 1998 through 2015, the station broadcast an adult album alternative format.

"KPRI had been a ‘true labor of love.’ I thank each and every one who has helped us create and sustain a truly amazing radio station.” Bob Hughes expressed. Hughes had noted that the independent ownership had made KPRI difficult to operate profitably, as other stations in the market are owned by conglomerates in clusters of multiple stations each, and enjoy financial synergies as a result of their scale.

For us San Diegans, KPRI was much more than a radio station. They held various listener appreciation concerts, hosting artists such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, and Norah Jones, as well as sponsoring the Green Flash concert series, held at the Birch Aquarium.

Oma and Opa were honored to attend KPRIFM’s last Private Listeners Concert featuring Anderson East,  an American rhythm and blues/pop group at the Coasterra Restaurant on Harbor Island.

Beautiful San Diego, perfect place for a private listeners concert. Here to see Anderson East. #kprifm

A photo posted by @zwriter1 on Oct 3, 2015 at 1:20pm PDT

Last #kprifm private listener concert! So sad but happy to be here.

A photo posted by @zwriter1 on Oct 3, 2015 at 1:39pm PDT

Anderson East #kprifm #sandiego

A photo posted by @zwriter1 on Oct 3, 2015 at 2:22pm PDT

Bob Hughes and Jonathan Schwartz your hard work with KPRI was innovative and appreciated by a multitude of San Diego music fans.   I can not wait to learn of your new projects!!!

Maia Sharp / Lovebirds KPRI Private Listeners Concert

Hubby and I were thrilled to score a pair of tickets to the Maia Sharp KPRIFM  Private Listeners Concert*** above the impressive Vintana Wine + Dine in Escondido, California. Located on the Penthouse Level of the Lexus Centre of Escondido, Vintana offers a modern take on California Cuisine and picturesque views of the town and countryside; perfect for this outdoor performance.

The Lovebirds,  a dynamic and unique pop duo opened the show. I had never heard of this group before but found them immediately likable and very talented. The interesting side story is that these two ladies are in reality ex-love birds.

The Lovebirds are the winners of the 2014 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest and as official showcase performers for 2015 Folk Alliance International. The LoveBirds are easy to Love! Look for other opportunities to experience the upbeat harmonious renderings from Veronica May and Lindsay White.

Headliner, Maia Sharp is a pop singer songwriter with a hint of jazz and folk that easily makes your feet tap and hips sway to her quaint melodies. Impressively, this artist has had her songs recorded by The Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Keb’ Mo’, Cher, Edwin McCain, David Wilcox, Art Garfunkel, Paul Carrack, Lisa Loeb and many more.

Maia also produced Edwin McCain's last album Mercy Bound (429 Records) and most recently two songs for Art Garfunkel's retrospective double album The Singer (Sony). And through it all, Maia has continued to record her own albums. She has five solo releases and one collaborative project with Art Garfunkel and Buddy Mondlock that have all been critically acclaimed and enthusiastically embraced by press and radio.

This was my second KPRI Private Listener Maia Sharp concert.** She and her band (Linda Taylor) continue to amaze me. The passionate and emotionally honest songs about life and love stimulate my imagination and heart.

Maia’s long awaited new album, The Dash Between the Dates (eOne Records) will be available everywhere digital and physical albums are sold October 16, 2015! In the meantime, the album's first single, "Nothing But the Radio" is out now on iTunes.

The majority of the crowd really enjoyed the two groups. However, at the end of the delightful night of song, there were a handful of concert goers who morphed into inattentive yet loud and obnoxious roadblocks to concert enjoyment. 

Additionally, the Vintana staff breaking down the tables and carting off chairs before Maia Sharp’s finale was very distracting.  Nevertheless, this KPRI Private Listeners Concert was an excellent way to enjoy our Sunday Evening!

Tip: Try the Margherita from the Vintana Lanai Menu. It was a perfect blend of vine ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, pesto, and shaved Parmesan cheese and just large enough for the two of us.

Maia Sharp / Lovebirds KPRI Private Listeners Concert Photos

**On March 13, 2013, Oma was introduced to artist Maia Sharp at the Apotheque Spa https://www.facebook.com/apothequespa in Oceanside. If you do not know Maia Sharp’s music – you must check her out. Oma bought two of her albums – Echo and Change the Ending. What a great experience – I was able to take a picture with Ms. Sharp and both she and her “band” - Linda Taylor signed my cd’s! Remember this awesome experience was free!

***Private Listener Concerts are local radio station, KPRI 102.1’s way of saying THANKS for spending time with KPRi. San Diego’s 102.1 KPRi is owned by two guys. That’s it. No big corporation, no Big Brother telling them what to do, nor what to play. Just two guys who love radio, Bob Hughes and Jonathan Schwartz who bought KPRi in 1996.

Related Posts:

• KPRiFM Kaleo Private Listener Concert
• KPRiFM Greg Holden Private Listener Concert
• FREE KPRI 102.1 Private Listener Concerts

KPRiFM Kaleo Private Listener Concert

If you have not heard of the band Kaleo, do not be surprised if you do in the near future. Paul and I were honored to be invited to the KPRI Kaleo Private Listener Concert aboard the Inspiration Hornblower.

The weather was impeccable for the Monday night two-hour sunset cruise. The four-piece band, Kaleo is originally from Iceland. Friends since high school, these lads moved to the US via Texas and their music is causing quite a stir.

The music, a blend of folk, blues, country, and rock, was appreciated and applauded by all the concert attendees. Bandleader JJ Juliusson, drummer David Antonsson Crivello, bassist Danny Jones and guitarist Rubin Pollock put on quite a spectacular show!

In 2013, Kaleo signed with one of Iceland’s largest record label, Sena. When they recorded their full-length debut, Kaleo; five singles reached Number One and the album went Gold, receiving high praise and sending the band to shows and festivals in Europe over the next year.

In the spring of 2014, Kaleo recorded the lush, introspective song “All the Pretty Girls” and as they say, history was made.

I really enjoyed their performance of “All the Pretty Girls” last night. However, my favorite Kaleo song was entitled "Broken Bones." The band is now signed to Atlantic Records in the United States and will begin recording new material with producer Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Jake Bugg) in London for an EP due this year. 

Broken Bones performed by Kaleo aboard the Inspiration Hornblower

Photos from the 07/27/2015 Kaleo Private Listener’s Concert 

 

Interesting Fact: Kaleo means “the sound” in Hawaiian

Private Listener Concerts are local radio station, KPRI 102.1’s way of saying THANKS for spending time with KPRi. San Diego’s 102.1 KPRi is owned by two guys. That’s it. No big corporation, no Big Brother telling them what to do, nor what to play. Just two guys who love radio, Bob Hughes and Jonathan Schwartz who bought KPRi in 1996.




Related Posts:

• KPRiFM Greg Holden Private Listener Concert
• FREE KPRI 102.1 Private Listener Concerts

KPRiFM Greg Holden Private Listener Concert

Private Listener Concert On A Cruise Around
the San Diego Bay on the Inspiration Hornblower

KPRiFM Private Listener Concert
03/22/2015 - Greg Holden - Give It Away

KPRi 102.1 uses their Private Listener Concerts as their way of saying THANKS for spending time with the radio station. The Private Listener Concerts happen randomly all over San Diego. They’re free and intimate, and feature new artists before they hit the big time (like Adele, Jason Mraz, Imagine Dragons… just to name a few).

I was one of the lucky chosen participants for the March 22nd Greg Holden Private Listener Concert. Husband Paul and I boarded the “Inspiration Hornblower” docked at the Grape Street Pier at four p.m. sharp. There was plenty of seating in the floors below. We started our evening with a light dinner/snack of Crackers and Cheese. I also enjoyed a glass of red wine.

The band performed on the outdoor deck at six p.m. Greg Holden is a New York-based British singer-songwriter. He is best known for his hit charity single "The Lost Boy" and for co-writing "Home," the 2012 debut single for American Idol-winner Phillip Phillips.

Holden is very good and I sang along on several songs including “Home.” He has an easy stanza to his chatter and the crowd was effortlessly drawn into the show.

"The Lost Boy" was written by Holden in 2011. Greg explained that it was inspired by the book What is the What by American writer Dave Eggers about a Sudanese refugee. Holden recorded it and released as a charity single in December 2011, and it became a hit for him in the Netherlands, topping the Dutch iTunes singles chart on Christmas Day and reaching No. 2 on the Dutch Top 40.

Photos As you can see from the photos above, Paul and I enjoyed our Private Listener’s Concert greatly. Click here if you would like to sign up for a chance to participate in one.

Related Post: FREE KPRI 102.1Private Listener Concerts 

FREE KPRI 102.1 Private Listener Concerts

Private Listener Concerts are local radio station, KPRI 102.1’s  way of saying THANKS for spending time with KPRi.   San Diego’s 102.1 KPRi is owned by two guys. That’s it. No big corporation, no Big Brother telling them what to do, nor what to play. Just two guys who love radio, Bob Hughes and Jonathan Schwartz who bought KPRi in 1996.

You might recognize Bob, as he hosts nights and some weekend shifts. KPRi has a staff of about thirty, many of whom have worked at the station for 10 years or more. The one thing everyone at KPRi has in a common is a HUGE passion for both San Diego and music!

The Private Listener Concerts happen randomly all over San Diego. They are free and intimate - Wanna go? It is simple, just click here to go to their webpage.

Oma loves attending these Private Listener Concerts and was fortunately enough to be picked for two such events in last year.

On March 13, 2013, Oma was introduced to artist Maia Sharp at the Apotheque Spa in Oceanside. If you do not know Maia Sharp’s music – you must check her out.

In addition to her solo career, Maia has written songs for and collaborated with several country and pop musicians including Cher, Trisha Yearwood, Terri Clark, Bonnie Raitt, Edwin McCain, and Art Garfunkel. This hour-long concert was amazing and made me a huge fan!

Oma bought two of her albums – Echo and Change the Ending. What a great experience – I was able to take a picture with Ms. Sharp and both she and her “band” - Linda Taylor signed my cd’s! Remember this awesome experience was free!

Then on May 24, 2013, a friend and Oma had a wonderful time at the "Family of the Year" Private Listener Concert! Family of the Year joined San Diego radio station 102.1 KPRi at the beautiful Estancia La Jolla Resort & Spa!

Yup we were there for free! Thanks so much KPRI!

Unfortunately, Oma has not been picked to attend any 2014 KPRI 102.1 Private Listener Concerts.  Nevertheless, I visit their website weekly to sign up for the drawing.

Rest assured that as soon as I am privileged to attend another Private Listener Concert  - Oma will posted the experience on "Oma Loves U!"

Oma had a wonderful time at the "Family of the Year" Private Listener Concert!