28 Oct KOTO-FM: Halloween at the Opera House
Saturday’s KOTO-FM Halloween Party at the Sheridan Opera House marks the station’s 40th anniversary. Doors, 8:30p.m., Saturday, October 31. Tickets are $35 in advance and available here.
At the height of Telluride’s crossover from mining town to hippie ski haven, local radio enthusiasts Jim Bedford and Jerry Greene created a non-commercial and non-underwritten radio station that would become the very fabric of the community. Now, four decades later, KOTO-FM is celebrating a special anniversary with the revival of a classic tradition: The KOTO Halloween Party including costume contest and cash prizes, DJ Harry and live music from The Cannondolls, with special guests Andy Rok and the Real Deal.
“We’re not holding back, we’re throwing a party. The kind of party we’ve been known for 40 years,” said Ben Kerr, KOTO’s interim executive director.
DJ Harry, who is currently residing in Telluride, has traipsed across North America, culling sounds from various cities. An integral part of the rave circuit during its heyday, Harry has DJ’d alongside the likes of Doc Martin, DJ Dan, Mark Farina, and Kimball Collins and has played support DJ for James Brown and the New Deal.
The Cannondolls, the latest project of Durango’s Caitlin Cannon, is a female-fronted, alt-country outfit, whose quirky songwriting style takes influence from Jason Isbell and Shovels and Rope. Known for intricate harmonies akin to the style of First Aid Kit, their lively shows and eclectic sound draw in audiences and spit out fans.
Andy Rok & The Real Deal is a five-piece rock-infused R&B soul band and Guerrero’s first fully authentic original solo project. After years of cutting his teeth both with Denver-based and internationally recognized bands he founded like the socio-political hip hop troupe Flobots and horn- driven Funk outfit Bop Skizzum,
“Rok is going back to basics with bass drums, keys, and guitars layered with soulful melodies and harmonies,” said Cannon.
The band is comprised of real players, all of whom could front bands of their own.
“It’s Rok’s very own soulful super group, tackling some of his most personal songs to date. You can guarantee a sweat filled stage that’s full of energy and a variety of musical styles. The Real Deal is the next chapter in a series of successful projects by the guitarist and vocalist, and now that all eyes are on the Mexican funk rocker, he aims to please,” she added.
Prior to the launch of KOTO-FM, the remote Telluride community was without a voice or center for local information.
“On the radio in those earliest pioneering years, DJs asked listeners not only to tune in, but also to volunteer. It was – and continues to be—the heart of our community,” said Kerr.
For more information visit KOTO.org.
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