I LOVE KC MUSIC

Shawn James released his album "The Dark & The Light" on March 22, 2019. I Love KC Music asked roots music super fans and fans of Shawn James, Jeannie and Elaine Holmes to guest write a review of his album. It is a great honor for my mother, Jeannie Holmes and I, Elaine Holmes to write a record review on behalf of our dear friend Shawn James (Los Angeles, CA). We have been ardent followers of his music for many years now. His latest offering, “The Dark & The Light,” is his

Kelly Hunt and Stas' played the second show in The Mark Music Shows concert series this year. This music series has been host to some incredible music and this night was no different. Kelly had the crowd hanging on every word. Kelly's music has this way of transporting you into the exact moment of the song. Kelly with the voice of a sweet song bird paired with the soft melodies picked on the guitar and the strings bowed on Stas' violin make magic that mesmorized the crowd

Willi and Tyler are two men who have a way with words and boy did they create a night of feelings at the Westport Saloon on March 6. Willi kicked of the night with a mix of old folk tunes made new and his brilliant originals. Through humor, poetry, and a little magic, Willi takes everyday moments and turns them into folk art masterpieces with a dash of activism. Weather Willi was singing or telling stories in between songs, he had the crowd hanging on every word. His record

Magic has been happening at Rural Grit Happy Hour for twenty years now. Kimmy of I Love KC Music asked people who have been playing and attending what Rural Grit means to them. Here are their responses. Kelly Hunt: When I first showed up at Rural Grit four years ago, I was brand new to Kansas City. I hardly knew anyone and had only just begun playing my songs for people. Being embraced and uplifted by the Rural Grit community gave me the confidence and support that I needed

This past Monday Rural Grit celebrated twenty years of Monday nights at The Brick. It's been twenty years of music and community. Twenty years of growth and partnership. Twenty years of roots music and growth. Monday the community came out to celebrate dresses in the best to play, cherish the work of Kim Stanton, the woman who has done so much for Rural Grit, and all those moments that have sparkled over the years at Rural Grit. Monday night was memorable moment after mom

Wednesday night felt like being in tundra land, but the fiddles were playing hot at The Westport Saloon with Betse & Clark (Kansas City) and the Urban Pioneers (Albany, TX). It’s always a special night at the Saloon with the Urban Pioneers come to town. These shows feel like a mini Westport Roots festival with the roots family coming in for the music. Betse & Clark started with classic bluegrass. Betse being a fan of The Clash, a few of their songs were covered; they even m

On a beautiful August night Under the Big Oak Tree released their latest album, The Ark into the world. Kimmy sat down with the band moments before the show started, we sat on the back patio of Mike Kelly's Westsider. We talked about the band and the new album to the soundtrack of summer night insects. The first band started playing so we headed into the venue for a night music. I still had a few burning questions and we were out of time so they sent me the rest of the questi

As I walked up to the Westport Coffee Shop, I was asked if I was there for the Matchsellers show. When I answered yes I was show to a step staircase that transported me to another world. With each step it grew a little darker. The stage twinkled in starry laser lights as people buzzed with anticipation for the start of the show. It was already clear this wasn't going to like most concerts. The Bluegrastronauts...err The Matchsellers joined by The Breakfast Sides took the stag

For many years now, Dylan's been inviting some epic roots bands to play a massive birthday party for him and invites Kansas City to celebrate with him. I Love KC Music made it out to night two of the event and what a night it was. If you like roots music this was the place to be; people even came in from out of state for this event. The night started out with Ghosts of Grandads Past (Kansas City). When you think birthday celebration, sad bastard folk music might not be the

It was a quiet night in the city and in the warmth of the Westport Saloon, two cool roots bands played their music. Each band was a husband and wife duo. Fort Defiance warmed up the stage and Scotch Hollow closed out the night on January 18, 2018. Fort Defiance (Nashville, TN) spends most of their year touring playing their fine music. Fort Defiance’s music made me fall in love with love again. Watching Laurel and Jordan interact on stage was fun, seeing how much they love th