Appetizer News

Green Music Coming Soon

2009-10-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

Being green is a big thing these days, but does it apply to music too? There are different meanings that this can take on, and the Appetizer looks to explore them in a future presentation.

Stay tuned for more details.

Great Ingredients Hr. 2

2009-09-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

We've been hard at work here at The Appetizer. This week D. Grant Smith will be presenting his 2nd hour of his Great Ingredients Series. He has great music lined up from Runaway Dorothy, Hannah & The Bloodlines, Elliot Park, Micah P. Hinson, and many more. So, as always, don't forget to tune in on Saturday nights at 9 on www.kacu.org.
Also, we would like to remind everyone that The Appetizer will be having its' Syndication/6th Birthday Party at the KACU studios (Don Morris Building) this Saturday (Sep. 26) at 8pm.
Yep, that's right we are celebrating our syndication, you can now enjoy The Appetizer from 3-4 p.m. on 91.3 KVLU-one Beaumont! So come out, and celebrate. Not only will there be great food and fun, but special guests, such as Appetizer artists, Micah P. Hinson and Elliot Park!

Have You Heard Hr. 3

2009-08-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

In this week's hour we will continue our musical journey with songs from the The Foo Fighters, Melissa Etheridge, Sting, Led Zeppelin, John Mayer, and many others.

You might be thinking, "Hey, I've heard these bands on commercial radio before!" Yes, BUT commerical radio only gives you a tiny sample of the delicious musical flavorings from these artists.

No need to fear, your host and chef, D. Grant Smith, will present a musical feast of hidden gems.

Join us at tonight, and every Saturday, at 9PM on 89.7 KACU or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Have You Heard?

2009-08-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's a question we'll be asking in the next several hours of the Appetizer program.

We know all too well the songs that commercial radio puts out for listeners from the best bands in the world. Too bad they only play the same 2 or 3 songs from the immense songbooks available. If you're tired of the same old song......join us for the Appetizer as we provide some heard and unheard tracks from your favorite bands.

This week, a plethora of musical flavor from Australia's Missy Higgins, Mat Kearney, Green Day, Snow Patrol, Brandi Carlile and more.

Join us at 9PM on 89.7 KACU or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Indie Insights Hour 2-William Fitzsimmons Feature

2009-08-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite Appetizer artists is William Fitzsimmons. We met William in 2007 and have kept up with his tours and his records. We were even fortunate enough to meet him in Dallas earlier this year. Coming up on Saturday night, we'll talk with William again about his tour with Rosi Golan that ended in the late spring and his new tour that's going on now, his new live EP, and the progression of his songwriting.

Also, we'll taste some great new indie flavor from around the country like Jerzy Jung, Matt Costa, Department of Eagles and more. Join us.

The Appetizer is heard Saturdays at 9PM on 89.7 KACU in Abilene, TX or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Indie Insights

2009-08-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

Over the next two weeks, we'll be featuring a great assortment of delectable flavors from around the country.

The independent music coming out all over the place is taking the music world by storm. In our first hour, we'll showcase new musical tastes from One Sad Horse, Phoenix, Runaway Dorothy, Kathleen Edwards and more.

Plus, we'll spend a little time getting to know a new Appetizer artist, Hannah and the Bloodlines. This group out of Boston has a new debut album called "Far From The Tree." We'll hear some of their music and speak with lead singer Hannah Sumner.

Tune in to The Appetizer Saturday at 9P on 89.7 KACU in Abilene, TX or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Listen to our podcast with Hannah and the Bloodlines at www.songwriterscookbook.mypodcast.com

Take Cover Concludes with the Boss and the Lizard King

2009-07-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

Our Cover series has taken us down new roads and discovered new and innovative reinterpretations of our favorite songs.

We conclude with a program focusing on songwriters and covering legends like Bruce Springsteen and The Doors.

Playlists and more available at www.appetizerradio.com

Join us Saturday at 9PM on 89.7 KACU in Abilene, TX or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Take Cover-Pop Hits

2009-07-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

Our Cover Series continues with a look a great Pop hits from years past. We'll hear reinterpretations of hits from Britney Spears, Cyndi Lauper, Flock Of Seagulls and much more.

While we've been inundated with Michael Jackson in the news following his death a few weeks ago, the focus has shifted from his impact in the many realms of music to the cause of his death, and possible people involved in that.

We're not going to travel down that path this week. What we're going to do, is look at how Jackson influenced more genres of music than just popular styles, and hear some reinterpretations of his hits in the flavors of jazz, alternative rock, rockabilly and bossa nova.

Our cover series concludes next week. Stay tuned for more information.

Tune in to the Appetizer Saturdays at 9PM on 89.7 KACU in Abilene, TX or online at www.kacu.org.

If your city doesn't have the Appetizer, call your local public radio station and let them know you want to hear it in your town.

Our Take Cover Series Returns With Rock Classics

2009-07-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, when we spend a little time showcasing the tribute artform known as cover songs. This week, we kick off our 4 hour series keying in on rock classics in a new way.

We'll cover tracks from Guns 'N Roses, Lynrd Skynyrd, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Springsteen and more with new interpretations in styles like folk, jazz, fusion, lounge, bluegrass and more.

Our feature this week will be a look at the influence of guitar icon Jimi Hendrix, and the permanent impression he made on the world of rock, blues, psychedelic music and jazz styles. We have Hendrix covers from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, The Corrs and more to showcase the phenomenal musicianship of this guitar hero.

Join us Saturday at 9PM for the Appetizer from Abilene Public Radio on 89.7 FM in Abilene, TX or anywhere at www.kacu.org

New Podcast Up

2009-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Appetizer is your source for new and up and coming artists from across the country. Recently, our host D Grant Smith was privileged enough to speak with Hannah Sumner, the lead singer for Hannah & the Bloodlines out of Boston, MA. They have a really groovy sound and a debut album out called "Far From The Tree." Check out the podcast at www.songwriterscookbook.mypodcast.com

More Hidden Treasures

2009-07-02T10:25:00.003-07:00

Last week we looked at some bite-sized portions of music's great flavors, some from people you know and others from those you don't. We're continuing on that theme this week with some more "Hidden Treasures."

Folk rock has a lot of people talking, and even more listening to these well-crafted seasonings coming from places all over the world. Tune in to The Appetizer this week for some luscious delights from Malaysian singer-songwriter Zee Avi and a cut from her 2009 release called The Story.

Also, Appetizer artist Bess Rogers and a selection from her recent Travel Back EP called "Yellowbird." You can hear Bess talk about the album and hear pieces of the it on our podcast at www.songwriterscookbook.mypodcast.com

We also have some great hidden treasures from signed artists like England's Sandi Thom, Fiona Apple, U2, Third Eye Blind, Jimmy Eat World and much more.

Join us at the table Saturday at 9PM on 89.7 FM in Abilene, TX or online anywhere at www.kacu.org

More Hidden Treasures

2009-07-02T10:25:00.001-07:00

Hidden Treasures

2009-06-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

How often do we miss great music found in the albums of "hit" radio artists because it wasn't one of the top 40 singles on the radio? All too often I'm afraid. In the next two weeks, we'll remedy that with some "Hidden Treasures."

We have some brand new flavors to introduce to you from up and coming acts like Trespassers William, we'll hear music from their album "Having," featuring a smooth folk blend you're sure to enjoy. Also, new acts like Porlolo, Hockey, and Great Northern.

Also, while we love spending most of our program highlighting acts that haven't received national attention, we're still fans of hit artists, we just love all of their music and not just the hit singles. One band still making great music after spending a while in national prominence is the Dave Matthews Band. These guys suffered some tragedy recently and the subsequent result has been an inspiring new record called "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King." Check out this link for a video with insight into the band's current state. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7iMjcnKzyQ&feature=channel

Also, we have hidden treasures from The Boss and a concert recording he did with Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello.

All this and more coming up on the Appetizer, from Abilene Public Radio
Saturday at 9PM on 89.7 FM in Abilene, TX or anywhere at www.kacu.org

Comedy 2009

2009-06-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

It's that time again, when we spend an hour just laughing ourselves silly, with both standup and music alike. It's the 5th annual Appetizer Comedy show, and this time around we have a different form of audio entertainment than what we usually do. We'll feature standup from great new acts like Josh Sneed, rising star Jim Gaffigan, music from Harry and the Potters and more.

Our feature performer is none other than one of the legends who pioneered standup comedy in the mid 1960s, the father of clean comedy, Bill Cosby.

Join us for an entertaining lineup on the Appetizer, Saturday at 9PM on 89.7 KACU or online at www.kacu.org

A Well-Seasoned Songbook

2009-06-12T12:43:00.001-07:00

Last week, we did a look at popular artists' repertoire in an effort to showcase greatness as more richer than a few top 10 radio hits. We're continuing a similar theme this week with some excellent cuts from a few popular names, some underground legends, and maybe even a few artists you haven't heard before.

We'll do some brand new music from Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown that has some interesting resemblance to styles of the '60s and '80s. We'll also hear other pop-punk tunes from Jimmy Eat World and the now disbanded Further Seems Forever.

In terms of underground sensations, Austin-based Iron & Wine has been blowing up the folk/rock touring circuit the past few years. We'll take a taste of this great new sound, as well as up and comers The Bittersweets, Lloyd Cole, Fleet Foxes and more.

Join us for A Well-Seasoned Songbook, Saturday at 9PM on the Appetizer

Heard in Abilene, TX on 89.7 FM or online at www.kacu.org

Richer, More Satisfying Songbook

2009-06-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

In our next presentation of the Appetizer, we're going to do an introspective look at some very successful commercial music artists in an attempt to discover the value of the sum of their work. All too often, we hear the big name bands and hit artists, we see their pictures in the celebrity magazines and so forth, but we don't ever get to hear too much of their work aside from the 1 or 2 hit singles that get overplayed on commercial radio.

We want to remedy this. Although the Appetizer is a great source for up-and-coming independent musicians and undiscovered talent, we're also a resource for discovering music from people you do know, but might not have heard the best cuts of their music. Our presentation of "A Richer, More Satisfying Songbook" will feature a great selection of tracks from well-known acts like P.O.D., Flyleaf, Sara Bareilles, U2, and more.

And we'll also feature some great indie sensations like Kathleen Edwards, Tyler Burkum and Paolo Nutini.

Join us Saturday June 6th at 9P on 89.7 KACU FM or online at www.kacu.org

The Enchanted Evening Finale

2009-05-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

This series has been a real treat for us, in not only expanding our repertoire for the select artists we've aired, but also in getting the opportunity to speak with a handful of them and be able to hear from them insights into their music and their journey. This week, we present a very special finale, with 4 artists all dear to the Appetizer, and we'll have 2 feature artists to boot.

We'll begin with Carla Werner, who was featured on our very first Appetizer program in September of 2003. We'll present a brand new song from her as well as a track from her debut album Departure.

Suzy Bogguss is a legendary folk/country singer-songwriter who has won several awards over the last 20 years. We'll refresh everyone's memory with a few songs that put her on the map as well as a song from her recent release Sweet Danger. We'll also chat with Suzy about her early years in music and the evolution of her sound as heard on Sweet Danger.

We'll progress with another feature artist who is no stranger to our program-Lindsay Katt. Lindsay premiered on the Appetizer in 2008 and has since launched into a very successful career in the independent music world. Her debut album Picking Out Boxes has been on our menu many times. We'll hear her music and talk with her about how things have been going since she was first on the program.

And we'll conclude with a singer-songwriter who is becoming the female Bob Dylan in her storytelling and world-renowned presence. We'll hear a brand new song from her and more when the Enchanted Evening Banquet series concludes Saturday May 30th on 89.7 FM

The Appetizer is heard every Saturday at 9P on 89.7 KACU in Abilene or online at www.kacu.org

Enchanted Evening 3

2009-05-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Coming up this week, our Enchanted Evening Banquet series continues with three up and coming artists that will guarantee to leave you wanting more.

We begin with an artist who is no stranger to the Appetizer. She's completed her third full length album called "Be OK" after a very successful "Girls and Boys". She's been featured on Grey's Anatomy and other hit TV shows. We'll hear music from both of these albums from Ingrid Michaelson.

Continuing on, we'll hear more music from Appetizer favorite Maria Taylor. Maria debuted in 2001 as part of a duo called Azure Ray with Orenda Fink. Azure Ray has produced several successful albums. Maria Taylor also has taken her talent and done many acclaimed solo albums. We'll hear from Lynn Teeter Flower and a song from her new Ladyluck album.

Our feature artist this week is a new talent who made her Appetizer debut in April as she came through Texas on tour with William Fitzsimmons. Rosi Golan is a world traveller and takes her stories and experiences from traveling through Europe as well as other journeys on her debut album "The Drifter and the Gypsy." We'll hear a wide selection of music from this album as well as speak with Rosi about her tour, her music and her future. Join us.

The Appetizer is heard every Saturday night at 9PM on 89.7 KACU FM or online at www.kacu.org

New Podcast Up

2009-05-19T08:09:00.001-07:00

The Appetizer's podcast, The Songwriter's Cookbook, just published a new episode featuring Tx based Vanessa Peters. Vanessa was the feature artist during the second portion of our Enchanted Evening Banquet. Hear excerpts from our interview with her as well as samples from her latest cd titled "Sweetheart Keep Your Chin Up," by going to www.songwriterscookbook.mypodcast.com

Enchanted Evening Banquet continues

2009-05-15T07:52:00.001-07:00

You are cordially invited to the continuation of the Appetizer's Enchanted Evening Banquet this Saturday at 9P on 89.7 KACU.

We'll begin with music from the young and talented Brie Stoner, who has put out several EPs and has been a part of Rob Bell's Nooma video series. She's also become a regular voice on the Appetizer over the past few years. We'll hear from three of her albums.

We move forward with a Korean-American talent who has recorded and toured with indie sensations Ingrid Michaelson and William Fitzsimmons. Her music has also been featured on several primetime TV shows. She's the talented Priscilla Ahn.

Also featured, pop sensation Leona Naess. Leona is a bit more publicized than our other artists. She's performed on Ellen, Craig Kilborn and other TV shows. Her music is so diverse and intriguing, she has also been featured quite a bit over the last 8 months. We'll hear from two of her albums.

Our feature artist this week is Vanessa Peters and Ice Cream on Mondays. Vanessa hails from McKinney, TX but also has links to Italy. We'll talk with Vanessa over the phone about her unusual band name, her music, tour and much more. We'll also hear select cuts from her 2008 album "Sweetheart Keep Your Chin Up."

These four great female artists are on the playbill for the next dinner plate of The Appetizer, from Abilene Public Radio, heard Saturdays at 9PM on 89.7 KACU in Abilene, TX or online at www.kacu.org

An Enchanted Evening Banquet Part 1

2009-05-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

On May 9th, we embark on a new series in the style and theme of the Lilith Fair of the mid 1990s, called "An Enchanted Evening Banquet" featuring an all female cast and conversations with Appetizer artists, who will be regarded as headliners for the show's evening. The series will last 4 weeks May 9-30. On the playbill for the first special evening, a woman who's taken her Americana/bluegrass stylings and reinterpreted them within the Mandarin Chinese culture. We'll hear a few examples of this from Abigail Washburn.

Also, a duo out of Vancouver Canada who have been making waves up there for years with their remarkable songwriting and style. They've been making music together since they were kids and are currently touring the world. They are indie sensation Opening Axe.

And we'll also hear some familiar and unfamiliar tracks from Rachael Yamagata from her Happenstance album and Loose ends.
Our feature artist will be Appetizer friend Bess Rogers. We'll hear some fan favorite tracks like "Notice" and "Only One" as well as new cuts from her Travel Back EP. We'll also share a portion of an interview D Grant Smith did with her a few weeks back.

It promises to be a night of exquisite music that you'll only find in one place: The Appetizer from Abilene Public Radio, Saturday night at 11P on 89.7 KACU in Abilene, TX or anywhere in the world online at www.kacu.org

Appetizer At New Time Starting May 9th

2009-04-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

It's been a fun ride staying up late on Saturday nights bringing you some great indie music. But 11P is a late hour to stay up for anything, even the best hour of music on the radio. It's understandable. It's late for our chef and host D Grant Smith too.

We've received many emails, calls, and letters from listeners who love the show but can't stay up that late. Thank you for your responses. To better serve you, the Appetizer will be heard at 9P on Saturday nights starting May 9th. Be sure to mark your calendars as we'll begin a great new series to start our time change.

Thank you for listening.

New Bess Rogers Podcast up and Midnight Snack

2009-04-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I added a new podcast from Bess Rogers, from a phone conversation we had a few weeks ago. We talk about her new Travel Back EP and more. You can check it out at http://songwriterscookbook.mypodcast.com/2009/04/Bess_Rogers-200842.html

This week's show will be called Midnight Snack and will feature a variety of music from Appetizer artists William Fitzsimmons and Micah P Hinson, Mainstay, P.O.D., Mana, Ingrid Michaelson, Snow Patrol, Deas Vail, Priscilla Ahn and much more.

Join us Saturday at 11P on 89.7 KACU or online at www.kacu.org

Meeting Rosi Golan and William Fitzsimmons

2009-04-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I pre-produce the Appetizer each week. Although it airs at 11P on Saturdays, I'm not at the station at that time. That's how most of radio is run. Your favorite programs are produced and finished long before you hear them. TV is the same, Hollywood is the same. It's just standard practice.

I say that to give context into how I was able to be in Ft Worth last Saturday evening and got to talk with Rosi Golan and William Fitzsimmons and you still heard the Appetizer at 11P with no problems. That's just how things work.

It's been about a year since I first spoke to indie sensation William Fitzsimmons on the phone in an interview we did last year. Part of that interview is podcasted on our webpage (Songwriters Cookbook link on www.appetizerradio.com). William was a really cool guy to talk with and I told him that if he ever ventured west towards Texas and came to DFW, I would head "down the road" and check him out. Checking his tour schedule a few months ago, I saw that he would no doubt be in Ft Worth to perform with a new indie up-and-comer, Rosi Golan. I got a hold of their respective managers and arranged an interview with both of them prior to the start of their gig.

I expected the venue to be on a main avenue and didn't know exactly how an in-person interview would work out with the traffic and people and so forth. I'm used to doing things over the phone where background noise isn't an issue and things can be edited and produced to make it sound excellent. Although my equipment was good, I didn't know if the sound would be great with the conditions of where we were.

The conditions included it being a very windy day, being outside of a bar with cheesy classic rock playing on an outside speaker, and a few guys talking a little too much due to a little too much drink. So when Rosi and William arrived, I didn't know where to go to alleviate some of the background noise issues.

Fortunately, I have friends with great ideas. I was accompanied by my wife Leilani and our friend Misty, who lives close by. She had driven us all over town and offered to let us use her car as a pseudo-studio for the interview. Rosi and William both agreed and one by one I interviewed them in the back seat of Misty's car, with Leilani and Misty in the front seats.

I won't go into detail on what we talked about in the interview. You can hear both interviews in their entirety on a new podcast called The Appetizer Drive Thru at this link http://appetizerdrivethru.mypodcast.com/

I will say that Rosi is a wonderful person to speak with and very accommodating. It was a pleasure talking to her. If you haven't heard her music, she's a real talent. Check out her stuff on myspace.com/rosigolan.

As for William, it was great to finally meet him. It's always cool to meet someone in person after you've spoken to them on the phone, but the face-to-face meet is the best. It was like a reunion with an old friend, although we don't know each other that well. Check out William's music at www.myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons. I'm still working on getting him to tour out in Abilene. Hopefully that will be a possibility and not a dream. I've got pics of us together coming. Stay tuned.

Read about D Grant and Suzy Bogguss

2009-03-11T07:18:00.001-07:00

Appetizer host D Grant Smith attended the recent concert in Abilene for folk/country legend Suzy Bogguss. Read about the show and D Grant's conversation with Suzy at his myspace blog.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendId=42944652