Listening Lyrics

Tonight on Listening Lyrics we salute James Brown—the Godfather of Soul, a man whose grooves, screams, rhythms, and swagger became a musical blueprint. His songs didn’t just become hits—they became assignments. Generations of artists from jazz, rock, reggae, funk, blues, and pop have all taken their turn covering him. When musicians need fire, rhythm, and attitude, they often start with James Brow...

This week on Listening Lyrics , it's the Alex Jenkins Trio! These Sacramento musicians are among the most talented in the region, truly creative, and promise music full of beautiful surprises. The trio's latest record, Black Bird, received a four-star review in All About Jazz  and is being played on radio stations across the country. Due to his in-depth study of the music of different cultures, Al...

So just who is Scott Schiller ? The man entrusted to handle one hour of Listening Lyrics ... + Community radio host on KDRT 95.7 FM, where he co-hosts That California Sound! —a program focused on music discovery and local/California artists  + Live-music advocate who believes strongly that live music “invigorates the soul” and has immersed himself in the regional music scene + Board member of the ...

Welcome to Listening Lyrics on KDRT. Today’s program is called “1926: The Sounds That Just Became Free.” Every year, music recordings reach the end of their copyright life. In 2026, recordings made in 1926—exactly 100 years ago—enter the public domain. That means the music that shaped early jazz, blues, and country can now be shared freely again. Tonight we travel back a century, to hear the sound...

In this episode we talk about the triggers of a melencholy feeling in music. Sometimes music doesn’t make us sad, it reminds us that we have lived. A melody can carry a memory, and when that memory returns, so does the feeling attached to it. That’s the quiet power of music.

This week's   Listening Lyrics is a musical journey through scandal and excess — inspired by the cultural undercurrents reflected in the Epstein files. The show is not about the documents themselves but about the atmosphere they reveal — wealth, temptation, secrecy, exploitation — and how artists have long warned us about these very forces.

Mercedes Yarbrough joined us to share her firsthand experience of the horrific events in Minneapolis. Listening to her, you immediately sense her clarity, compassion, and strength as a community leader. She’s the kind of person you connect with in moments — deeply passionate about her neighborhood, and especially committed to inspiring the next generation to believe in something better. Mizz Merce...

Recently, KDRT lost two truly wonderful and creative super-volunteers—friends who helped shape the heart and soul of this station. Diane Crumley and Bill Wagman were long-time members of the KDRT family, deeply committed to community radio and to showing up, week after week, with generosity, curiosity, and care. Today, I’m sharing an hour of upbeat, sing-along music—not to mark a loss, but to cele...

Minneapolis keeps producing artists who are technically sharp, stylistically open, and community-rooted. That mix explains why musicians from the city move easily between funk, jazz, indie, and pop—and why the music feels both local and universal. Listen in to an hour of music from the Twin Cities.

Christmas doesn’t arrive as just one feeling. It shows up in many forms—joy, melancholy, loneliness, and wonder—sometimes all in the same room. 1. Joyous Christmas, at its brightest, feels like the world leaning in. Laughter fills the room, music drifts through the house, and even ordinary moments feel generous. Hands are busy, hearts are open, and for a brief time, kindness feels effortless. Chri...

When we talk about Hispanic music in America, we’re talking about a story that’s been here all along. In the 1950s and ’60s, this music lived mostly inside the community. Mexican rancheras and mariachi carried stories of home and heartbreak. Cuban rhythms like mambo and cha-cha-chá filled dance halls. Spanish-language radio became a cultural lifeline. By the 1970s, identity moved front and center....

This week on the show, we’re stirring things up with a playlist that carries just a hint of techno. Not a full dive into the club scene—more like the perfect recipe where a pinch of something unexpected transforms the whole dish. A subtle pulse here, a shimmering synth there… just enough to wake up your senses without stealing the spotlight. So settle in, get comfortable, and let these rhythms sne...

This week on  Listening Lyrics , Andy Schmidt joined me in the KDRT studio to share a playlist that mirrors his life built on movement, curiosity, and craft. Andy is a journey all by himself. An accomplished bassist, entrepreneur, avid bicyclist, master handyman, sail maker, kayak builder, storyteller—you name it, he’s probably done it, made it, or fixed it. Stepping into Andy’s world is like walk...

This week on  Listening Lyrics  we welcome Eric Jones , who shares a  playlist  of the music that inspires him. All but one of the songs today are his selections, and he talks with us about why each one matters to him. Eric (left, in photo with Pieter) is also a candidate in the race for California’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Davis, Napa, Vacaville, Woodland, and much of the North...

Singer-songwriter  Nancy Northrup   (pictured) brings a smile, a love of life, and a deep appreciation for the art of music. Fresh from the  Annual Gram Parsons Guitar Pull  in Georgia, Nancy joins us to share stories and songs that celebrate the heart of Americana. Rooted in the country, gospel, and folk traditions of Kentucky and Tennessee, Nancy’s music reaches deep—touching the soul with tales...