It’s the sign of the times, I guess. I love the blues and believe it deserves to be on the radio. From when I first heard Steve Cushing play Earl Hooker’s “Two Bugs And A Roach” on WBEZ in Chicago as a kid or later the Great Johnny B from Chicago’s WLUP putting down some “Two Headed Man” from Lonnie Brooks, it would only be a matter of time before I would get a crack at it as well.
Strictly Blues has been on the radio since 1996. First on iHeart’s (previously Jacor and Clearchannel) KRFX in Denver and then later on KPAW in Loveland. In 2015 I launched an online channel based on my personal collection for iHeart Media also called Strictly Blues.
Currently, iHeart finds itself under new management and going in hopefully new and impressive directions. Sadly, Strictly Blues and iHeart have chosen to part ways bringing the KRFX KPAW shows and online channel to an end.
Thank you for listening to the show over the years through good times and bad and for supporting the Strictly Blues channel (which I am also proud of). I especially want to thank all of the hard working musicians , promoters, publicists and labels who work so tirelessly to keep this music going. It is out of respect for them and the cost of bringing this wonderful music to market that I ask they hold off on submitting music for airplay for the time being.
Though this isn’t the first time Strictly Blues has found itself without a home, it does sting a little as I feel that I am losing an old friend. I am truly thankful for what has been a heck of a 27 year run on commercial radio rounding out three decades of playing blues through the ether. I am right now rather melancholy about it all but excited to see what the future may bring.
It has been a gift to spend most of my adult life as a fly on the wall and directly involved with so many beautiful and talented artists and wonderful listeners. Though radio may change, the crossroads remain the same. I’ll be seeing you there and in the meantime, take care because the Blues aint' goin' nowhere!
Sincerely,
Kai Turner
The Blues Vassal
