Karen Leyse's blog

In the Key of Folk, Oct. 29, 2025

On this afternoon's In the Key of Folk, we'll play a couple of tracks from the new album by banjoists extraordinaire, Alison Brown and Steve Martin, along with several other nice new releases. Then we'll walk down a dark twisty trail to visit with some rather sinister songs of long ago, all in honor of this Friday. Traditional, but not always so sweet. Enjoy, my little dearies!

In the Key of Folk, Oct. 22, 2025

It's almost In the Key of Folk time again. When, you ask? We are live at 2 p.m. every Wednesday, and that's today! We'll include new releases from the world of contra dance and Quebecois musicians, featuring Eloise & Co, the Engine Room, and Le Vent du Nord. We'll also play tracks from 1st nations singer William Prince; the Irish brothers band, Ye Vagabonds; more from Carla Gover's new album Kentucky Queen; along with past tunes from other folksters. Tune in to check it out!  

KDRT 95.7 FM in Davis, Ca  | KDRT.org for repeats and exploration!

In the Key of Folk, Oct. 15, 2025

So many new releases, so little time! So tune into In the Key of Folk today at 2 p.m. if you want to catch some of them! We'll start of with one of several new tracks released yesterday by I'm With Her, and follow up with a variety of new tracks by new musicians and well-known bands, including Le Vent du Nord, Adler and Hearne (with Eliza Gilkyson), Carla Gover, Holdsotck, Clegg & Pratt, and Elexa Dawson. And not all tracks are new, as we incude tracks by John Doyle, The Real Sarahs, Paddy on the Binge, Cantrip and more.

Also, do you know that there's a Contra dance coming up next week at Central Park? Stay tuned for more info! KDRT 95.7 FM | KDRT.org

In the Key of Folk, Sept. 24, 2025

This week on In the Key of Folk, we're looking forward to the upcoming concert with Anya Hinkle and Bily Cardine. We're also celebrating music from Canada and Denmark with tracks by Connie Kaldor, Genticorum, and Dreamer's Circus, along with the great music by Molly Tuttle, Laurie Lewis, The Rheingans Sisters, and the Wild Mountain Mystics. So tune in to learn all the scoop today, Wednesday, at 2 p.m. at KDRT 95.6 in Davis and at KDRT.org worldwide. Missed it? We also replay at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays. Enjoy!

In the Key of Folk, Sept. 17, 2025

There's a lot going on it seems, so tune in to In the Key of Folk at 2 p.m. today to listen in. You'll be treated to more tracks from A Long Journey Home (revisit of the 1925 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention) with Jake Blount, Molly Tuttle, and more. We'll also hear tracks from Anya Hinkle and dobro artist Billy Cardine, who'll be at Morgan's Mill on Sept. 26, then we'll have new music from the dance weekend, Echo Summit, with tracks by Countercurent and Alex Sturbaum. We'll include new music from Le Vent du Nord. Come check it out!

KDRT 95.7 in Davis | KDRT.org

In the Key of Folk, Sept. 10, 2025

Wednesday again already? Yes it is, and it's almost 2  p.m. Pacific time, which means that it's about time for In the Key of Folk on KDRT! Today we have a bunch of new releases for your enjoyment, including several by songwriters accoladed by the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, and several from a compilation, The Long Journey Home, which John McCutcheon has produced to recognize the music of the 1925 Mountain City Fiddler's Convention: Hint, you'll hear Tim O'Brien, Jake Blount, amazing bluegrass fiddler Becky Buller, and John McCutcheon on these. So stay tuned to KDRT 95.7 FM or KDRT.org for replays and much more!

In the Key of Folk, Sept. 3, 2025

One thing about a road trip is that it can leave you wishing for more! Another thing about a road trip is that you definitely need music, a playlist! So tune in today at 2 p.m. PT on KDRT 95.7FM in Davis, or online at KDRT.org, to listen to In the Key of Folk revisit some of the music that recently kept 16 hours on the road joyful. We'll include tracks from Amble, My Politic,  Anne Briggs, Casey Driessen, Dave Stamey, Iris Dement and more! I hope that you'll join in!

In the Key of Folk, Aug. 20, 2025

It's getting close to In the Key of Folk time, so tune in your radio or rev up your electronic device and tune in. Today we'll be featuring some new tracks by Sam Robbins, a Grammy-nominated folk musician. We'll also be playing tracks by Patrick Street, The Milk Carton Kids, Richard Thompson, Robert Earl Keen, and even more! So tune in today at 2 p.m. PST on KDRT 95.7 FM, Davis, or KDRT.org worldwide. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy.

In the Key of Folk, Aug. 6, 2025

Folk festivals are surely a place for good vibes!  In line with that, today In the Key of Folk will feature several additional tracks from the Vancouver Folk Festival, along with some favorite oldies from Gordon Lightfoot, and more new album releases by Watchhouse, Jez Lowe, Janet Feld, and Christine Lavin. We'll end the hour with a few contra dance tracks to invigorate you for the day! Tune in today  at 2 p.m. on KDRT 95.7 FM in Davis, CA & KDRT.org online.

In the Key of Folk, July 30, 2025

Summertime is Festival Time, and today In the Key of Folk brings you a program just about straight from the Vancouver B.C. Folk Festival. We're starting off with a good-bye to Tom Lehrer. Then we're moving into festival land with tracks from the Nordic group, Víík, along with the Rumbaristas and Locarno, followed by such well-known singer-songwriters as Jake Xerces Fussell, Kris Drever, Watchhouse, and more singer-songwriters from the U.S. & Canada. So join us for some new voices from the happily independent Canadian provinces! 2 p.m. Wednesday on KDRT 95.7 FM in Davis, CA & KDRT.org online.