John Richards

It's the ThFridMonday song!!

Our slack conversation this morning after receiving this request: Owen: OH HELLO KC and the Sunshine Band John (he/him): ohhhhh yeahhhh...keep it comin love is one of the best songs ever. i'll die on this hill Owen: I STAND UPON THAT HILL WITH YOU John (he/him): WE WILL DIE ON THIS KC HILL WITH THE SUN SHINING ON THE BAND Owen: JOHN, THEY ARE NOT JUST A BAND! THEY ARE A SUNSHINE BAND! John (he/him): getting coffee And scene

“Turn Up the Sunshine” is from the Minions: The Rise of Gru soundtrack, which was produced and curated by Jack Antonoff. for Debs in Seattle

For Lark, Remy and Peter in the CD

Autumn: Blasting (KEXP) while driving to teach, eating cupcakes, drinking coffee, sunglasses on, sunroof open! Best morning ever!

You know what goes perfectly with Beastie Boys? MORE!

This was the first single from the group's second album, Candy-O, and like their first album, was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, who did a lot of work with Queen. Yep, he was their handyman. Faucet leaking, call Roy Thomas. Build a fence, Roy! Shoe a horse? ROY!

Sarah: Hip Hop Hooray!! Savitha (Sa-vee-tha) is heading home from sabbatical!!! She's a HUGE KEXP supporter, and dear friend to me and many others). May I request Let's Go Crazy by Prince and dedicate it to her and a safe dancing in the airport travels home? HIP HOP HOORAH!!

Best Pink Floyd song, ever? Probably.

One of the first things we bonded over when we met living in Germany was music. One of my fondest memories was when we road-tripped to Zagreb, Croatia, to see her favorite band, Pearl Jam. And when we moved to Seattle, she introduced me to this station that she had unbridled love for, KEXP. Rachel loved everything about KEXP. She loved the music, she loved the DJs, and she loved the message. The first thing she did every morning, even before coffee, was turn on KEXP. When she got home, she turned it on. When she drove, it was on. When we traveled to other countries, we streamed it. In fact in all the years I knew her I don’t think I ever saw her turn it off, even to sleep or when she left the house. Sometimes I’d get up to use the restroom in the middle of the night and a metal song would be raging in the dark living room. Turning it off was my job, just because I’m boring and worried about the electricity bill. If it was left to her, KEXP would be an uninterrupted soundtrack to her entire life. What happened on KEXP any given day was dinner table fodder that night. I could go on and on. She donated often. And she felt privileged to host a KEXP event a few years ago. (continued above)

I want the whole crew to know these things. But I’m sending this to you, John, because in the last couple years the message of KEXP went from something she knew others needed to something she needed. As many Seattleites know, the size of her heart is the stuff of legends; her generosity and loving spirit made anyone who knew her feel better. Better about themselves, better about the world. What many perhaps don’t realize is that the flip side of that was that she felt others’ pain, often acutely. This being a violent, cruel world, that began to take a toll, and it led to her own struggles with mental health. And when this world wounded her, your show was her salve. When you shared your struggles, in a way that she never could, she knew she was truly not alone. That’s a powerful way to start your day. KEXP helped her deal with them and be the brilliant light that we all knew and loved. And now I’ll be leaning on your shoulder. And you’ll be there. Thank you, John, and thank you KEXP. Adam Peters Co-Founder, Rachel’s Ginger Beer

Rachel, Adam, family and friends (who were all family), this one is SO FOR YOU.

Thank you John for your beautiful reading of Adam’s email and your sensitive words. I value KEXP at the highest level and it’s moments like these that magnify my gratitude. I’ve been existing in such a stunned state since her passing but celebrating her with our community certainly helps. Thank you for helping us not feel alone and for giving us a place for our hearts to sway and connect. Deming

Hi John, Thank you for reading that incredible letter about Rachel from Adam, in my car with very damp eyes! When my daughter and I first moved to Seattle in 2011, we ate at Delancy about twice a week, where Rachel was working while perfecting her brew. So basically, our welcome crew was Rachel and Brandon, and I can’t imagine a warmer welcome than that! Over the years and as my daughter grew up, Rachel always remembered us and stopped what she was doing to catch up whenever we bumped into her. We didn’t know her that well, but for us, Rachel (and her huge, warm heart) IS Seattle, just as much as Pearl Jam and the space needle (and Delancy!). I send love and warmth to all those whose lives are deeply impacted by her absence. Warmly, Emily

Fred Rogers: We just don’t get to be competent human beings without a lot of different investments from others. I’d like to give you all an invisible gift, a gift of a silent minute to think about those who have helped you become who you are today. Some of them may be here right now. Some may be far away. Some like my astronomy professor may even be in heaven, but wherever they are, if they’ve loved you and encouraged you and wanted what was best in life for you, they’re right inside yourself. And I feel that you deserve quiet time on this special occasion to devote some thought to them.

Hi John! I am actually working at the Seattle king county clinic right here on campus! I have been here since four in the morning and I would love to hear message in a bottle by the police. We helped over 800 people yesterday get free, medical dental and vision care! Michael from Burien