You're listening to Kokopelli Coffeehouse
…on the dial at 90.1 and 106.7 FM, or heard worldwide online at KZMU.org
In 2021, I spent the year living in Moab, UT — my lease had ended in Cincinnati, my job was still remote, and I had some friends in the desert with a spare bedroom. So I went, and I hiked a lot, soaked up the awe and wonder of what was the most incredible place I’d ever seen, and became a volunteer DJ at the local community radio station, KZMU Moab!
KZMU is a fully solar-powered, community-funded, and volunteer-led radio station in Moab, UT. It’s radio waves can be heard in Moab, Castle Valley, Monticello, Green River, and all those sweet spots in between. Above all, it’s a place where everyone is welcome and empowered to be creative, celebrate Utah, and share the joy of music.
I was given an open slot on Sunday evenings, DJ-ing for the long-running folk show, Kokopelli Coffeehouse. Kokopelli is a show that has been around since the station got its start in 1992, transferring hands between DJs over the years. My spin on the show was an exploration of where folk and soul began, and where artists are pushing the genres today. I loved spending my Sundays hiking, brainstorming carefully curated set lists, and wrapping up my weekend on-air at the station. I also loved talking to different people who would call in to chat or request songs — and that my mom & dad would listen all the way from Ohio, and text me their thoughts over the course of each show.
A major highlight for me during my time at the station, was our Fall Radiothon fundraiser. There was so much excitement with the other DJs and station managers. It was also a chance to have a fun theme — I put together a 5-hour long playlist of folk songs with fruits in the title (and then had to trim it down to 2 hours haha), and was able to create a fun illustration to promote the show! I created a whimsical design of fruit buddies, and sold merch. In total, my radiothon show fundraised $500 toward KZMU’s total of $35,000 and it was a blast! (Listen to my Fruit folk playlist, below!)
