10 Years of The Best In Midwest Music

While it seems that almost every radio station has gone to a few live DJs & mostly syndicated programing the rest of the time, 1 station here in DBQ has shown that you can have the best of both worlds. That station is KGRR-FM. KGRR was started by Paul Hemmer, a long time radio fixture in DBQ. In doing so, he provided the Tri-state area with a much needed alternative to what was being offered. KGRR's format WAS & STILL IS Great Rock & Roll from the 60s to 80s (with a little newer stuff occasionally thrown in.)

10 years ago KGRR started a program that harkened back to the good old days of radio, a locally produced program that hilighted local musicians as well as those from the upper Midwest, well known or not. The program was named Midwest Music Makers. Its host was (& is) Denny Garcia, a well known local musician. While they have added others over the years, the original sponsor, Rondinelli's Music & Audio is still supporting the show. The program is produced by Steve Stevens (nee Hemmer & yes he is Paul's son & an excellent musician in his own right.)

Over the last 10 years they have produced a new show every week. There has not been a single repeat. The basic format is simple. An hour of music that consists mostly of DBQ area talent (with, as I said a few famous Midwesterners like Bob Dylan thrown in.). The result, a lot of music that you would not normally get to hear.

1 segment may focus on a band that is appearing at a local venue, another may focus on a newly released CD by a local artist. & every show ends with Denny's pick of the week. The fact that both Denny & Steve are musicians who have performed locally gives this show a lot of its heart. They know what it is like to show up at a local gig & put your best efforts in, so they are doing their best to support their friends & fellow local musicians as they perform. That experience as well as being friends with many of the performers appearing on the show is what gives Denny the edge in knowing just what questions to ask as well.

Over the years the show has won several awards as well.

This week 365Inc, a local magazine that looks at what is going on in the DBQ area has an excllent article on the history of the program. (16-29 April 2009 issue) Please go to the website for more on the program, Denny Garcia & Steve Stevens & how they put it together. (Much better than this feeble attempt.) It also saultes Denny on his upcoming 60th Birthday.

Midwest Music Makers airs every Friday night at 5:30 PM Central Time & is repeated every Saturday at 5:00 PM Central Time. KGRR now has streaming audio. The result, a program that I think is a hidden gem will finally get the world-wide recognition it deserves.

So, if you are looking for saomething different that the usual fair, tune it some Fri or Sat night for a truly unique experince. & as Denny would say: "Garcia later!"