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Once again we celebrate our independent record stores. April 17th is the day, be sure to go to your local store! From the national Record Store Day web site last year:

“This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances.”

Here is Sacramento, local stores R5 Records, The Beat, and Dimple will probably be celebrating with special product, sales, live music, and who knows what else. Check it out, just go! Support your local independent record stores!

Learn more about Record Store Day

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One of Sacramento’s many musical treasures is radio station KYDS 91.5 FM. It’s operated by the students at El Camino High School and features an eclectic mix of music, reminiscent of the free-form radio of the late sixties. For people who love music and want to hear something different it’s a very nice option.

But four years ago they renewed their license late and just rececntly the FCC hit them with a big fine. The Sacramento Bee did a big feature about it. But wait! There’s some great news. Local radio station 107.9 The End has offered to pay the fine! (read about it) How great is that of The End?! We here at SacMusicBlog give mad props and a big thank you to The End. The radio scene needs the student alternative and the students need a place to learn the craft.

“We have a soft spot in our hearts for students starting off,” said John Nelson, 107.9 marketing director. “And this way they can raise a lot of money and buy stuff they really need.”

And you too can help keep student-run, non-commercial radio alive by contributing to KYDS in their fundraiser this weekend or anytime else…

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The California State Fair has announced the partial lineup for its 2010 State Fair Concert Series. General viewing of all concerts is free with State Fair admission but a limited number of reserved seats will be sold at an additional price of $10-49 each. Reserved seating in the Gold Circle area will go on sale Thursday, April 15. Up to four additional acts may be added to the lineup. All shows will start at 8:00 PM on the Golden1 Stage, unless otherwise noted.

The lineup so far:

The Fab Four: Wednesday, July 14, Reserved Seating $10

Slaughter: Thursday, July 15, Reserved Seating $10

The Family Stone, Featuring Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson, Original founding members of Sly & The Family Stone: Saturday, July 17, Reserved Seating $10

Read More…

There’s a new alternative radio station in town. It is KKDO, located at 94.7 FM (web site) and also streams on the web. Here’s what they say:

“We’re proud to be unlike typical radio stations.   We limit the messages from our music sponsors and try not to get in the way of the music by talking a lot.”

Based on a few listens so far, the music was good or better, and not just the same songs that you hear everywhere else. There was a lot less talk and not many commercials.

However, like most radio stations they don’t tell you who the artist was or the name of the song.

Regardless of that, it is a welcome addition to the radio dial, at least so far. Check them out and feel free to leave us a comment.

KKDO 94.7 web site

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The latest installment of National Public Radio’s Sounds of the Re:Union highlights a Sacramento community gem, The Beat. This Sounds of the Re:Union episode, titled ‘For the Record,’ focuses on independent record stores across the country and what they are doing to survive during a widespread industry decline. Host Brenton Crozier talks to owner Rob Fauble about how the store started, dealing with the struggles of the digital age of music and what the store means to the community of Sacramento. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is also a customer and gives his opinion of the store.

The video was a little choppy in spots when we tried it but it’s still well worth watching. We love The Beat and it truly is a local treasure.

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Saturday April 24th is the date for the third annual M4AA (Music 4 Autism Awareness) on the Steps of The Capitol (learn more). The fundraiser is for “The Color Zebra” All-Care -Center dedicated to children with or without special needs and the encouragement of artistic expression in all children. This is an all day event from 10:30 until 7PM.

Here is the set list for the music (from their Craigslist page):

1. 10:30-11:30__Supernaculum___http://www.myspace.com/supernaculum
2. 11:30-12:30 dreamsofjuly_____http://www.myspace.com/dreamsofjuly
3. 12:00- 100 Scarlet Stoic_____http://www.myspace.com/scarletstoic
4. 1:00-1:30 Hamin Reed_____http://myspace.com/succumbband
5. 1:30-2:30 SKREWED_____http://www.myspace.com/blisteredjimmy
6. 2:30-3:00 Breana
7. 3:00-4:00 Freex
8. 4:00-4:30 Worlds Worst Doctors
9. 4:30-5:30 Mirros_____http://www.myspace.com/mirrosband
10. 5:30-600 AlterEGO Dance Company
11. Unified Division_____http://www.myspace.com/muzicanomaly
12. 6:00-700 WHITE Minorities__http://www.myspace.com/whiteminorities

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The schedule has been announced for the annual Friday night Concerts in the Park at Cesar Chavez Park. The free shows will run May 7th through August 13th, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. From their web site:

Music addicts and happy hour junkies fill up Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10th and J streets to enjoy live music, fresh air, good food, and the famous beer garden. Admission is FREE to this all ages show!

Here’s the schedule so far, click the “read more” at the bottom to see the full schedule. And of course, check their web site for updates.

May 7 – Kepi Ghoulie
The Kelps Dog Party

May 14 – Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Low Down Dirty Dogs

May 21 – Dance Gavin Dance
Phallucy
Con of Man
Desario

May 28 – Mike Farrell
Aaron King & The Imperials
One Eyed Rhino

Read More…

Today’s Sacramento Bee had a nice article on all-ages music venues here in Sactown. Hey, music doesn’t care how old you are! You can read their article here.

It begins:

Much has been made of midtown and downtown Sacramento’s resurgent night life scene, with its wine bars and swank cocktail lounges. But a different renaissance is occurring as well – one less shiny, more grass-roots and definitely aimed at a younger crowd.

Sacramento’s all-ages music scene, once mostly spread out to suburban venues such as the Boardwalk and Club Retro, both in Orangevale, has centralized over the past few years and especially the past several months, with several intriguing all-ages (as opposed to 21-plus or 18-plus) venues opening either in or within a guitar pick’s throw of midtown.

And it goes on from there, check it out. Then let us know, did they get it right? Did they leave out the best place? If you have an opinion or an addition, feel free to leave us a comment.

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