KBCO Studio C
In the ’80s, rock radio fragmented into programming formats ranging from classic rock and hard rock to a more eclectic presentation called Triple A or AAA (for, roughly, adult album alternative). Evolving out of the free-form FM stations of the ’70s, AAA was created to be a different listening option for boomers tired of hit-obsessed commercial radio. One of the pioneering broadcasters was Boulder-based KBCO-FM. A full on-air staff of music heads played records that weren’t necessarily traditional radio hits and supported a number of newer artists almost tailor-made for the nascent demographic who went on to the mainstream, from Natalie Merchant, Sheryl Crow and Bodeans to R.E.M., Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin. KBCO took chances and broke bands that built very visible and sustainable careers. With passion, creativity and a community-minded approach, the station grew in popularity to be ranked No. 1 in the Denver-Boulder ratings.
In 1988, KBCO Studio C was launched with a performance by Melissa Etheridge in the station’s small control room. An upgraded studio followed, and many artists in Colorado for a concert or promotional tour would stop by to play live on the radio. Since the release of KBCO Studio C – Volume 1 in 1991, the station has released a CD every year in late November with the best or most memorable performances. The CDs quickly sell out, and all proceeds benefit local charities. Now owned by iHeartMedia, KBCO continues the long-running series to this day, adding to more than three dozen releases.
James Taylor
Something in the Way She Moves
1992
According to Taylor, this was the song he played for Paul McCartney and George Harrison before signing to the Beatles’ Apple Records in 1968.
Blue Rodeo
What Am I Doing Here
1992
An institution in their home country, Blue Rodeo became Canada’s premier alt-country act, owing to the harmonies of Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor.
Chris Whitley
Poison Girl
1992
A Texas-based singer, songwriter and guitarist, Whitley rendered his dark, haunting sound from the traditions of blues and rock.
Jellyfish
The King Is Half-Undressed
1992
Jellyfish established a reputation for the key ingredients of classic power pop—inventive melodies, addictive hooks and gorgeous harmonies.
Peter Himmelman
Woman with the Strength of 10,000 Men
1992
Insistent and intelligent, Minnesota folk-rocker Peter Himmelman delivered a stirring song about the perseverance of a paralyzed woman.
Crash Test Dummies
Superman’s Song
1992
Led by the deep, distinctive baritone vocals of Brad Roberts, the collegiate folk-pop humorists earned the 1992 Juno Award for Group of the Year.
Lowen & Navarro
Walking on a Wire
1992
The Los Angeles-based duo wrote hits such as Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” before releasing their own albums of acoustic-based folk-pop.
Big Head Todd & the Monsters
Bittersweet
1992
The Colorado band found mainstream success with Sister Sweetly, a platinum album featuring “Bittersweet,” “Circle” and “Broken Hearted Savior.”
Dramarama
What Are We Gonna Do?
1992
Backed by a major label for the first time, the New Jersey-born Los Angeles-bred alt-rockers led by singer John Easdale received national airplay.
Julian Lennon
Saltwater
1992
John Lennon’s eldest son addressed environmental issues in the stately, gorgeous “Saltwater,” a commercial success in Europe and Australia.
Leftover Salmon
Alfalfa’s
1992
The jam-band pioneers’ anthem: “When I grow up, I wanna work at Alfalfa’s…I’ll be a working moderate income socially conscious Boulder hippie.”
Sonny Landreth & Steve Conn
Back to Bayou Teche
1992
Slide guitarist Landreth often performed his buoyant love song with his longtime buddy Steve Conn on accordion and background vocals.
Matthew Sweet
Girlfriend
1992
Goodfriend” was the original name of Sweet’s biggest hit, but after early listeners universally misheard the lyric, he changed the title to “Girlfriend.”
The Beat Farmers
Happy Boy
1992
The San Diego band’s customary novelty song showcased secret weapon Country Dick Montana, a kazoo break and a gargling solo.
Gavin Friday
King of Trash
1993
The Irish singer parodied himself on the playful “King of Trash,” a bump-and-grind homage to Marc Bolan of T-Rex that U2 covered live at times.
Judybats
Being Simple
1993
The unconventional band from Knoxville proffered a folk-inflected sound in keeping with the burgeoning adult album alternative radio format.
Fourth Estate
Joy
1993
Hailing from Fort Collins, the instrumental band’s spirited version of Bach’s immortal “Joy” showcased the formidable dexterity of guitarist Dave Beegle.
Jim Messina
Angry Eyes
1993
Circa the early ’90s, Messina modified one of the most requested songs in Loggins & Messina’s canon, extending his masterful acoustic guitar work.
Michael Penn
Long Way Down (Look What the Cat Drug In)
1993
Remembered for his debut hit, “No Myth,” Penn collaborated on this ominous song with surrealist animators the Quay Brothers for a music video.
Spencer Bohren
Midnight Delta
1993
Bohren was most associated with New Orleans, but the roots musician spent time in the Denver-Boulder area in the early part of his career.
Sonia Dada
New York City
1993
Founding what would be a mainstay of the Chicago musical scene, Daniel Pritzker enlisted three singers after hearing them in a subway station.
Richard Thompson
1952 Vincent Black Lightning
1993
The virtuoso guitarist, insightful songwriter and passionate vocalist saw his acclaimed composition included in Time’s “All-TIME 100 Songs” list.
John Hiatt
Buffalo River Home
1994
Over his long career, Hiatt elevated himself to the standing of songwriter’s songwriter while cutting his own records and selling enough to keep cutting them.
The Subdudes
Angel to Be
1994
The Americana band merged rootsy influences on the album Annunciation, highlighted by a track about the passing of bassist Johnny Ray Allen’s mother.
Melissa Etheridge
No Souvenirs
1994
The heartland rocker elevated her straightforward sound with an unreserved song about an affair that goes by quickly and leaves “no souvenirs.”
Barenaked Ladies
If I Had a Million Dollars
1994
A line in the Canadian group’s sing-along track inspired fans to begin throwing Kraft Dinner during live shows, a practice which the band later discouraged.
The Samples
Nitrous Fall
1994
The popular indie jam band from Boulder, Colorado, took its name from the members’ early sustenance on food samples from the local grocery store.
Loudon Wainwright III
Cardboard Boxes
1994
The witty balladeer’s songwriting was never so self-deprecating as on “Cardboard Boxes,” offering solace to anyone who’s ever moved.
Freddy Jones Band
Take the Time
1995
The Chicago-based roots rockers (none of whom was named Freddy) were known for two hits, “In a Daydream” and the reflective “Take the Time.”
Sheryl Crow
Strong Enough
1995
After the good-time up-tempo “All I Wanna Do” became an unexpected hit, Crow came back with an acoustic folk-pop ballad showcasing her vocal talents.
Keb’ Mo’
Every Morning
1995
The opening track of his self-titled debut (his first studio album under his abbreviated moniker) typified his spin on a vintage country-blues style.
Hazel Miller
Shine the Light
1995
Originally from Kentucky, the powerful vocalist was making her way to Los Angeles in 1984 when her moving van broke down in Denver. She stayed put.
Shawn Colvin
Polaroids
1993
“Polaroids,” a song evincing the surreal, introspective aspect of Colvin’s poetic skill, went on to provide the title track of her 2004 greatest hits album.
Zachary Richard
One Kiss
1993
The standout track on Snake Bite Love, the singer-songwriter’s most commercial album, offered his zesty, unique fusion of Cajun and zydeco styles.
Howard Jones
Don’t Always Look at the Rain
1993
The English synth-pop musician delivered a gem from his 1984 debut album, reimagining it as an affecting one-man-and-his piano ballad.
John Gorka
Baby Blues
1993
A leading voice of the “new folk” movement, he quipped that he was a 23-year-old bluesman when he composed a tune about a departed someone.
dada
Timothy
1993
The L.A. trio dispensed the polished guitar-pop of “Timothy,” a portrait of a neglected kid raised in a broken home who retreats into a fantasy life.
Ottmar Liebert
Full Moon Beach Walk
1993
The intimacy of Spanish flamenco guitar, the signature sound so strongly associated with the new-age star, was apparent on “Full Moon Beach Walk.”
Shona Laing
The Mercy of Love
1993
In her native New Zealand, Laing scored hits with folk in the ’70s, synth-pop in the ’80s and the gentle adult-rock of “The Mercy of Love” in the ’90s.
Chris Daniels
When You’re Cool (The Sun Shines All the Time)
1993
Daniels and the Kings, his funk-blues-swing band formed in Colorado in the mid-’80s, played a minimalist version of the song that got them national attention.
