John Richards

I'm thinking of a friend I lost 16 years ago, when we were both in college. We hadn't known each other long, but I would've loved to have had more time with her. Each time I hit a life milestone, I wish she could have, too. When we met, I was listening to a lot of Elliott Smith. It sounded so good yesterday. Can you play something off of Figure 8? Maybe "I'd Better Be Quiet Now?" Hope this isn't too much of a downer on your day. Grief sneaks up on you. Jayme, NJ

Zachary: Hey man I don’t normally do requests. You got better picks than I could ever dream of anyway, but do you think you could find time for George Harrison’s “all things must pass”?

...we cannot thank you enough for being our fearless music director through out it all. You seem to love them nearly as much as me (or maybe —it’s all subjective). Blush/wolf alice...Thanks for all you do. 🙏 Lee in SF (and Peter, age 7) :-)

Shannon in Houston: Good morning! Thanks so much for powering us all through this time of strange uncertainty. Two amplifiers in Houston Texas are wearing matching "you are not alone" shirts although we are all socially distanced. I'm sure more people out there are, but two confirmed here! Thanks, John for ALL you do!

Hey John: Amplifier here from CLE. Could you play Springsteen's version of "We Shall Overcome"? We could all use that courage today. Daniel

For all of us sheltering in place in CA right now, Gimme Shelter would sure sound good. Love to you all - Corey

I'm a longtime listener from Baltimore, and wonder if you've played Patti Smith's People Have the Power yet? Seems appropriate! Grateful for all you and KEXP are doing. Thank you. Be well! Eleanor

Neil writes: Hi John, I'm not sure what world we are in now. I am a Long Term Care Case Manager, helping our vulnerable community. Two years ago today we lost my dad to a battle with Parkonsons and Lewy Body Dementia. My mother, a breast cancer survivor is awaiting test results from her doctor from a recent full body scan. My dad introduced me to music. On Sunday afternoons we would listen to Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys, James Brown and an endless list of others. I know we are in this together. Kexp is so important to me and others around me near and far. Can you please play "The Wanderer" by U2 for me and my dad. I know he is still out "walkin'." Thank you for what you do.

I would like to request a birthday song for my friend John, who’s working on his birthday today, and doing his part to keep his the spirts up of the community he’s so actively involved with. He is much loved and respected by everyone he’s around, because he’s fantastic at his job, respectful to all, and just a great person. I’ve been lucky to have known him and had the absolute pleasure to have worked for him as a volunteer 17 years ago. He left a lasting impression on me on how to do things right, in a world where we don’t often have that. He’s a special person. Happy Birthday John. Can you play U2 “A Sort of Homecoming”

Suppport artists. Today Bandcamp has waved all fees. All proceeds go to the artist: quiversss.bandcamp.com Hi John, My husband (whose birthday it is today) and I were supposed to see Quivers play at sxsw today. I'd love to hear them this morning, even if it's streamed over air, not in Austin. I love that kexp is making an effort to keep playing the bands who were supposed to be there. Thanks for keeping us all going through this crazy time. Also, happy belated to you! Lynn in Dallas

Suppport artists. Today Bandcamp has waved all fees. All proceeds go to the artist: quiversss.bandcamp.com

Listening outside Halifax, Nova Scotia with my kids as we prepare for another day at home. Happy to be able to catch up with you after so many years off! Could you play I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time? Dedicated to Sandy in Halifax and Drew in Montreal... we were are huge listeners back in the early aughts, before real life happened. Keep it up! xo Aaron

Hey KEXP team! Hope you're all well. Could you please play Arcade Fire - Reflektor? I'd like to dedicate this one to my partner Ariel, who's been hanging on with me during quarantine here in Barcelona. Day 7 today. Tks for keeping us company during this hard time, we love you guys! 💕 Stay safe! Ana

Hey John, Your morning show is a major component of my afternoons here in Scotland, especially now. Thanks so much to you and everyone else at KEXP for getting us through the day, one day at a time. If you can, could you please play Röyksopp's "What Else Is There?" Hang in there, everyone. Heather in Edinburgh

Good morning John and Owen! Hope you two are well. Loving the mix today (as always). Thank you!! Could you please play some Gang of Four? Thanks! Scott Bly West Seattle Proud Amplifier

J. Skokna writes via the tweeters @loserboy Can you play Fearless for Angus over in NYC? #YNWA never seemed more appropriate

Thank you is not enough. I'm on my couch, working, listening to my children talk at the dining room table over their breakfast and crying. A release of all I've been holding in, these songs, knowing we aren't alone in this. Just thank you, John. I know this is a lot for all of us...and for you. Hang in there. Happy belated birthday. I wish only the best for you always. -Alison

Hi John, Happy belated birthday! Who the f moves during a pandemic? This gal. Surrounded by my fort of boxes in Brooklyn- not knowing where to begin with unpacking- some Beastie Boys or Believe by Dig is necessary. And mostly- I just wanted to send some love to you and the station. Thank you for continuing to anchor us all. Stay safe, stay sane. Maryll

For our pal Benjamin from Club 9294 in London. We love you Benj!

Man, That Mr. Rogers story makes me cry every time. Love that story and how he tells it. Thanks for playing it. 😷👍🏻👍🏻 -Geoff

Friday song...thank God somethings remain as normal. Thanks for being a thread that's helping keep us all together. And thanks for all you all do normally too. -Kerry

Sarah writes: Are you kidding me? I've been walking strong ... That story from Mr Rogers. I'm listening this morning while creating a home office since my School district finally closed campus to staff, teachers, and health center. My job is as a school based health center mental health clinician. My hope is to create a space in my home to do therapy with the kids that still allows my home to be my sacred, rejuvenating space. Thanks for the Friday song and for softening my heart with Mr Rogers

Subject: Dance party request "A Time To Dance" by The Shoes. Cuz of course, right? :-) Thanks for all that you do for us! Regards. Junu Kim A card-carrying 500 Club member in Chicago

Thanks so much for the morning dance parties - my nine-month-old son is having a great time spinning around the kitchen with mama. Maybe Iggy's Lust for Life one of these days?! Stay healthy and safe. Roxy

I recently upped my amplifier donation because KEXP has been my touchstone so many times in the previous decade, I felt I owed you all. So have a happy Birthday, and know you are truly doing to work of giants. Can I hear Saturday by De La Soul? because god damn it, I need it to be Saturday soon. Frank

Andrea Learned @AndreaLearned You know you’ve been listening to @KEXP for a few years when you think to yourself, “oooh, good transition to Prince” and that brings you joy. #musicmatters Join the community : KEXP.org #MusicMatters | as ever, @loserboy is killing it today.

For Matt.

You need to play this every day. It was our family theme song for 2019 as we had a rough heath year. But it’s more fitting for the world in 2020. Stay healthy and thank you for reminding me and my 14 year old “co-workers” that we are not alone. -Elana, New York, morning faithful

John, you and the staff at KEXP are front line crew! Yes, your exposure risk is lower than folks who have to work in situations of potential exposure in their daily lives. But the love and support the station is broadcasting out around the world is such a source of strength to everyone of us out here. -Lisa

Someone requested "the sing sing sing" song. -- Natalie adds: Thank you for this song. This song got me by after my mother’s death 15 years ago - ringing true today. Thank you, John.

While this song doesn’t directly play into the theme of everything is changing, it fits into the grief song category. I can’t even count the number times I’ve had a life change, woken up and heard you play this. This song always calls me home, finding my deeper place within where I find connection, solace and joy with music. (I’m a public school teacher who needs structure and predictability just like the students I teach! It’s been a week of shock and now grief.) I hope you have fantastic birthday and thank you for you being you. The Waterboys, “This is the Sea.” Elisabeth Grace Lynnwood

Nice note from teacher "Mr. G" aka Michael: "I came across a great quote from my favorite author (murakami) and it speaks to me during this madness. “Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we stay sane when the world is falling apart.”

This album is now a teenager. Happy birthday...NOW FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE CLEAN YOUR ROOM! -- Kidding aside, nice note from Ali: "John!!! Thank you for playing All my friends. Amazing timing. Really missing seeing and hugging all my friends right now- and grateful I still get to see my nursing friends/coworkers at the hospital as we help families welcome their newborns during this scary and crazy time. Life goes on and it will continue to! "

You have never left us alone and we will not leave you alone. I would have ended my life years ago with you and cheryl. Keep saving peoples lives. That's what your'e doing. Love and the moon -Roy