Step-dancing to the Radio!

Updated October 25, 2008

National Radio Shows

The Thistle and Shamrock This National Public Radio show is produced and moderated by Fiona Ritchie in Edinburgh, Scotland. Add my name to the long list of men hopelessly in love with Fiona's Scottish accent. This program features a wide variety of Celtic music from around the world, both traditional and more experimental with good interviews with the musicians and background information about Celtic history, music, and the songs. An excellent way to get exposed to new artists

Local Radio Shows & Broadcasts of National Shows:

Sonoma - on KRCB -- 91.1-FM in Sonoma and 90.9 in Santa Rosa.:

• Tuesday
  • 8-10 p.m. Eclectic Cafe with Cloud Moss - a gourmet mix of Celtic, world and acoustic music.
• Saturday
  • 8-9 a.m. NPR's Thistle & Shamrock with Fiona Ritchie
  • Noon-1 p.m. (Alternate Saturdays,) The Driven Bow hosted by Heidi Chesney The show features traditional and contemporary celtic fiddle music from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton, Shetland and local American musicians. For more information, contact Heidi at heidi@monitor.net.
  • 1-5 p.m. Our Roots Are Showing - singer/songwriters, celtic, country, blues, bluegrass and all things acoustic.
• Sunday
  • 10-11 p.m. Open Space District with John Katchmer - New Age with a Celtic Lilt
  • 11- 12 p.m. Night Traveler with Linda Coffin

San Francisco:

Celtic music is relatively hard to find on the radio. Your best bet is KALW  91.7 FM. There are three shows which have the most traditional music, all on Saturday afternoon:

• 2:00-3:00 pm. NPR's Thistle & Shamrock.
• 3:00-5:00 pm, Folk Music and Beyond Hosted by JoAnn Marr and Bob Campbell. This local show features contemporary folk, traditional, and original music from America, England, Ireland, and occasionally other parts of the world. The website contains playlists, current schedule and lots of resources.
• 5:00-6:00 pm A Patchwork Quilt. Hosted by Kevin Vance. This local show has a variety of Celtic and other music.

If you live in San Francisco, you should also check out The High Reel hosted by Cormac Gannon on Tuesdays at 8-9 p.m. on S.F. Liberation Radio 93.7.

South Bay:

• Cupertino, KKUP  91.5 FM,
  • Tues 10am - 1pm
  • Thursday 7-10 am hosted by Mark Cook
  • Friday 3-6 pm (folk offerings)

Sacramento:

• KYDS  91.5 FM
  • Sunday 12-3 Program name?? hosted by Pall Carr

Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay:

• Santa Cruz:
  • Saturday 11-1-- "Continental Drift -- Celtic Music" hosted by Cindy Odom on KUSP 88.9 FM (476-2800).
  • Monday AM - noon, hosted Michael Sammet on KZSC 88.1 FM
• Monterey:
  • Sunday 11 am-1:00, "Eagle's Whistle"hosted by Ray Brown on KAZU 90.3 FM
• Mendocino:
  • Sunday 9-11 a.m, "Oak and Thorn" with Colleen Bassett or Gael Brown on KZYX -- 90.7-FM in Philo and KZYZ -- 91.5-FM in Ukiah and Willits. - Locally produced show of traditional Celtic and British Isles music -- ballads, rousing reels, and sweet airs (Studio Request Line: 1-800-499-7177)

Web Radio!

This is an exciting development, (All broadcast times are shown as Pacific Time.)

• All the Time:
  • CELTIC
    • RadioCelt is available through AccuRadio.com, a 24-hour, free multi-channel Internet radio station. The station " offers listeners a unique blend of traditional, progressive, instrumental, and vocal Celtic music. Additionally, listeners can choose a more “specialized” listening experience by tuning in to one of RadioCelt’s “subchannels:
      • Celtic - The finest Irish-based music from around the world Celtic Men The best male Celtic artists -- from Brian Kennedy to Paul Brady
      • Celtic Rock  - Celtic music with an edge--Irish rock acts like Black 47 and Seven Nations
      • Celtic Women - The gorgeous sounds of ladies like Karan Casey and Mary Black
      • Progressive Celtic-  New Celtic music from diverse artists like Afrocelts and Michael Londra
      • Traditional Celtic - For trad lovers, we have everyone from Altan to Tommy Peoples."
        
  • CAPE BRETON LIVEIUL>
  • Cape Breton Live
• IRISH
• EEist le Ceol Gaelach agus Nuacht Gaelach ar an Lion Raidio Na Gaeltachta (the national Irish radio service):
• LiveIreland.com - ", webcasting from the heart of Ireland. To hear the very best of Irish music, from Van Morrison and the Chieftains to Mary Black, The Corrs and Paul Brady."
• You can also hear several traditional music programs (live only) at Clare FM.
• SCOTTISH
  • Radio Scotland