Raised On Radio

OK – Today held exactly what my fortune said it was going to…A pleasant surprise.

At approximatley 3:45PM Central Standard time, my song, “Broken Spoke” was played by Jody Denburg, the Program Director of KGSR, on his daily segment – The Daily Demo.

I got a call (OK – SEVERAL CALLS) from Marney around 3:40ish telling me to turn on the damn radio that I was going to be on there! I had been doing laundry and listening to a Ryan Adams tune I was learning and so iTunes was up really loud and I didn’t hear the phone(s) ringing. You can’t say that Marney didn’t try to get in touch with me. Anyway, he had heard Jody announce that I was coming up next (did you read that? I got an outro announcement!) and so he was trying to get my attention because he knew I would want to tape. He was right. When I figured out that I had been missing phone calls I pushed play on the answering machine and started dialing Marney back. By the time I heard him say the words, on the radio, it clicked…HOLY SHIT! I am going to be on the Daily Demo!!

I ran through the house to my room to grab a blank cassette. I snatched the first one I could find. God bless Joan Williamson and all her riches. Back when I dated her in high school and CDs were getting popular, she gave me all her cassettes as she converted. So, today, I recorded my Austin radio debut over a PJ Harvery tape! HA! OK – so then I ran back to the other side of the house. The only way to record this was going to be outside on the little tape player/fm/am/radio/cd player that I ended up with when I moved out of Montgomery. I popped in the tape and hit record, tuned in the radio better (yes, it was already on KGSR) and then turned to get back in the house. (Oh, I’m sorry – I did’t mention that I was naked all this time?? Well, I was. I had been doing laundry and was about to get in the shower when the phone rang.)

Now that we have the nudity in the open, let’s bear in mind that we have a nice privacy fence all the way around the house from the front corners – back, so the neighbors weren’t getting a show that they would never WANT or forget, but the real problem was in the fact that I locked myself out of the house in my rush to get outside! DOH! Now that’s smarts! Needless to say it totally affected my performance later. More on that in a few.

I freaked out! I grabbed some garden scissors and started trying to pick the lock. Then I said fuck it and broke down and basically broke into my own house. But hey…I wasn’t going looking for help here, you know?

OK – Now that you have that image forever implanted in your minds, back to the radio.

Once I was inside, the commercials ended and Jody intro’d the song. He said my name a total of 3 times. I am going to post it here as soon as I figure out how. I was pretty emotional. So, I called my Mom. She was proud, I was proud, we were proud. I then dialed Jody after the song was over and thanked him. He said I was welcome and then I came back in and listened to it again. I just couldn’t believe it! I was on the radio on Austin’s best station and one of the best in the country! Go me!

I then called up Mark at Aware Records, my boss while I interned there. He was in New Orleans at some showcase/radio thing. He was thrilled to hear the news and congratulated me. He informed me that he had bumped into Reg there. That reminded me to try and get in touch with Reg to let him know. I like to keep him updated on stuff too. Then that reminded me to follow up once more with Jeff Maddox of City Stages about performing.

Then it was time to rehearse for the show tonight. I had some new covers to pull out and I wanted to make sure they were ready.

The show went really well. By the time it was over, I had several folks who had come to the show JUST BECAUSE they heard me on the radio which REALLY excited me. And keeping in the “firsts for Nakia” spirit, I had my first encore tonight! Even after I planned on stopping at one point, I was encouraged by management to play a bit longer, then the crowd got in on it when I actually started breaking down. So, I actually had to put my stuff back together and do 2 more tunes! I was really humbled by it all. God is good.

I made some great new friends and hopefully some new fans tonight at Carousel Lounge. I am going to be calling to book another show or two with Nicky in the morning. Keep your fingers crossed! Mary, the bartender and all the regulars that were there were really into the show. Here’s a quick look at the people I know showed up and THANK YOU if you are reading this and I didn’t get your name or forgot you!

Petkus the Almighty, Josh G, Josh P, Jack, Robert, Blane, Tom, Erica, David, his friend, David, Patty, Susan, JB, Darren, Maudie, Denise, Bobby Jo. I know there were more of you, but it’s late. Forgive me?

Now, here’s a quick glance at the set list:

Set 1

Nuthin’ But
My Yearly Passage
Sunshine
The Kind That Stays
Leaving Chattanooga
Another Lie (Forgive Me)
Broken Spoke

Set 2

Move On
ez
Red Horses Ride
Surrounded
Blood And Fire
Anchored In You -> Christened Heart -> Daniel -> Christened Heart -> Anchored In You (Now known as the “Stoned Watery Love Medley”
One More Try
Weather Man

Encore

Family Veins
L.U.C.Y.

Then I was VERY lucky to have Robert, Tom, and Erica break down and load up for me while I mingled with the crowd and pushed CDs and mailing list on folks. The Joshes counted tips because you never count your money while sittin at the table, and then everyone hung out while the Experiment Sleep Project set up.

Finally, it was off to Trudy’s for a celebratory dinner with El Roberto and up to Graffiti’s to pay Joe and Debby a visit to book 2 gigs. I got June 25th ready to rock. My first Friday there. Then, we agreed to put me back up on a Saturday in July…The 24th. Both start at 9PM. Get ready North Austin.

We got lots of great footage tonight! So I should have something up ASAP.

Be well and spread the word!

~Kia

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