Karen Leyse's blog

Ah, it's finally feeling like spring! Flowers are blooming, the air is warm and the breezes are gentle. And it's just about time to tune into In the Key of Folk, at 2 p.m., to enjoy music in homage to this time of year, along with what I'll call the tariff sets ... and more. You'll hear another track from Kora Feder's new album, plus tracks from Locarno, Tania Libertad, Domino, Lady Maisery, Eliza Gilkyson, and more.

At KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org and repeating each week on Sunday at 10 a.m. and Thursday at 7 a.m.

After a week with a lot of great music to be heard out and about locally, join In the Key of Folk, coming up, for an hour of musical reflections. We start off with a couple of tracks from the newly released album by Countercurrent, a duo from the Pacific Northwest. We'll also be covering new releases by hometown favorite Kora Feder, and by New Englanders Jean Rohe and Sean Kiely. We'll include tracks by Kalos, Paddy on the Binge, Mad Agnes, Evie Ladin, Tom Jutz and Eric Brace. Some of these singer-songwriters and musicians may not be that familiar to you -- give it a listen and enjoy! That's this afternoon, Wednesday, at 2 p.m. on KDRT.org!

It's time again for In the Key of Folk at 2 p.m.! Today we'll start off with a couple of tracks from the album by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon. We'll also spend time with a project that Casey Driessen, fiddler extraordinaire, began in 2019: Otherlands. I'll play two tracks from this really cool adventure, both musical and geographical. Additional tracks today include Jez Lowe, San Miguel Fraser, and Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy. And, just to celebrate Robbie Burns, we'll hear from Scots Jim Malcolm, Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan, and Dick Gaughan. So come enjoy some musical travels this afternoon at KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org!

This afternoon on In the Key of Folk we'll hear tracks from a range of musicians and styles, including Mr. Nic, Dirty Cello, John McCutcheon, Paul Ellis, Jerry Douglas, Joni Mitchell, Raz de Marée, and a new release by Kora Feder. So join in at 2 p.m. this afternoon and enjoy. Or listen during repeats at 10 a.m. Friday and/or 7 a.m. Thursday -- at KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org. See  you then!

Here we are, in 2025, looking forward to a blank slate in the year ahead, so join us in welcoming the year with In the Key of Folk! One way to celebrate the close of the old year was with a New Year's Eve contra dance in Sacramento, so today I'll keep the mood on with some of my favorite contra dance bands, along with some tunes by David Mallett, who the folk world lost last week, something from the subject of the movie, A Complete Unknown, and a favorite soothing song of retrospection from Mary Chapin Carpenter. Hear from the Syncopaths, Genticorum and others, along with fantastic live tracks from Wild Asparagus at The Guiding Star Grange. Put your dancing shoes on: only on KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org!

It is almost the solstice, the darkest time of the year. Fear not though, the sun will be returning shortly!

So join us at In the Key of Folk this afternoon from 2 to 3 PM, to hear tidings of the holiday season, followed by music that will keep you energized for the afternoon and beyond.

Selections include pieces on the solstice and holiday season by Ashley Hutchings, Silly Sisters, the Melrose Quartet, and additional tunes by noted fiddler Rodney Miller and the Stringrays, the Syncopaths, Nova, and Nightingale. And, BTW, you are looking at Rodney Miller, Jeff Spero, and TJ Crow of the Rhythm Raptors, providing contra dance music this New Year's season. Thank you for listening and thank you for your support! KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org

Tune in to The Key of Folk this afternoon from 2 to 3 PM for twice the DJ pleasure as Bill Wagman joins me for the hour. Musical offerings will include pieces from Watchhouse, the Evie Ladin Band, Laurie Lewis, Adrienne Young, Kathy Barwick, and The Atlantic Folk Trio. So join in and hear a little mouth music, and body music thanks to two of the groups. It's a great time to support the station at KDRT.org/donate! Just click the link and you're there, how easy can it get? Thanks for listening and thanks for your support!

Join us at 2PM this afternoon on In the Key of Folk. You'll hear a new track from an upcoming album by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart, along with more music by Kalos, Triton, Lula Wiles, Lady Maisery, RURA, Kora Feder and more. Some old favorites and some new favorites! I hope to see you then on KDRT 95.7 fm | KDRT.org

Join us this afternoon on In the Key of Folk to hear a mix of genres with members of The Bluegrass Reunion; the rising young musician, Yasmin Williams; Laurie Lewis; Richard Thompson; traditional/contra dance tunes by Kalos, Stringray and the Syncopaths; and a bit of Scandinavian music. It's bound to keep you awake and moving. It's a great day to exercise your radio (or streaming capabilities), so tune in at 2 PM this afternoon, if you haven't tuned in already. Join us at KDRT.org!