Christopher Hawley makes music in ski towns, artist communities, beach pubs and college towns all over the world as a solo acoustic act or with his band, The Christopher Hawley Rollers.  Winning over new fans and warming hearts in even the coldest of places, Hawley (no doubt you will hear a little Johnny Cash) has a gift of making people feel good with his music.  Look for Christopher at the Village Jester on Ojai Day during the Ojai Day Charity Pub Crawl on October 16th. Organizer Genevieve Dillon says funds raised that day will benefit her 501c3, the Foundation for Collaborative Medicine and Research .

Download | Duration: 00:04:19

"Green Eleven" is the first animated video from Todd McHatton's CD "Sundays at the Rocket Park." For more fun and adventure visit www.mchatton.com!

This is a sweet lullaby from Ojai singer-songwriter Deina Bleu. Deina's inspiration for song began at bedtime when she would sing her daughter to sleep, which is where "Goodnight Train" was born. This lovely tune showcases her impressive vocal range, from soft soulful blues to sweet and light falsettos. Deina sings soul, jazz, blues, and folk, and plays guitar and piano. Catch her next live performance this Wednesday, August 4th at 8:00 p.m. at the Village Jester. And for more of Deina's music, visit her Web site here .  "Goodnight Train" is performed and recorded with Jeff Furchtinect on guitar.

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This is the third time Radio Ojai has featured Ojai singer-songwriter Todd McHatton  (his Christmas song is here  and a love song for Valentine's Day is here ). Just this week, Todd released his album,  "Sundays at the Rocket Park," which has a wildly entertaining mix of pschedelic, family-friendly pop songs. "There's hippos on hovercrafts, a sleepy sheep that doesn't want to be counted anymore, and a bunch of long-haired birds looking for haircuts. I've also got a couple of songs about superheroes, trees, and a guy who eats clothes. Finally, I've included a mushy love song I wrote for my wife about Frankenstein and Charlie Chaplin." His new album has the best tag line I've ever heard: "My wife and children like it, so I've got that going for me." The opening track, "Funny Little Friend,s" is offered here as a free download, and the first listener to comment on Radio Ojai's Facebook page will receive a free download of the whole album. Or, click here to buy the album for just five bucks!

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Blame Sally  is the San Francisco based, all female, folk/rock powerhouse that has been making a name for themselves by selling out the Palace of Fine Arts, sharing a bill with Joan Baez at the Stern Grove Festival and going on successful national tours. Radio Ojai is pleased to feature "Jump Start" from their soon-to-be-release album "Live at Stern Grove." 

Blame Sally will be playing right here in Ojai with the Ojai Concert Series on July 23rd at 7:30 p.m. at Dance Oaks Ranch. Click here for tickets.

Download | Duration: 00:04:24

When Mark Solomon  last appeared on Radio Ojai, he sang about Parkinson's . Continuing to use humor as a vehicle for his songwriting, "Get Over It," will certainly give you a chuckle. See Mark perform tonight at 5:30 at Euterpe Farms with the rest of the Ojai Songwriters group, who will focus on comedy. More information here.  

Download | Duration: 00:02:31

Matthew Sewell has been on Radio Ojai before to talk about competing in Ojai Karaoke Idol . But this song is a far cry from karaoke. Turn out the lights and take a listen. Catch Matthew performing locally on bass with his band, The Seraphim Rising .

That's Matthew on vocals and playing all the instruments. Lyrics are public domain. Arrangement and sound recording licensed under Creative Commons.

Download | Duration: 00:05:22

Ojai Valley News columnist and blogger, Randy Graham, returns to the studio with baby red onions and stories about his wife's garden, new recipes and his upcoming trip to Ireland. Catch his column every Friday on newsstands and visit his blog at: http://www.valleyvegetarian.blogspot.com/ 

Download | Duration: 00:09:52

Lisa sits down with local musician and philosopher Raymond Powers , who talks about his musical background and the story behind his song "Mother Street."  See Raymond perform this Saturday, 5/29, at the Deer Lodge with Buddhahead Groove Faktory . 

Download | Duration: 00:12:15

Master chant musician David Newman will perform this Saturday, May 29th at 7:30 p.m. at 52 Weeks of Peace, 408 G. Bryant Circle in Ojai. "As he weaves folk and rock with Eastern kirtan chant music, David Newman is at the forefront of establishing a new genre, blending the sounds of East and West." Radio Ojai is pleased to feature the title song from David's new 10-song CD, "To Be Home" (Nutone). Tickets are $20 at the door. For more information about his Ojai performance, call 805-646-7000 or email prashanthi@52weeksofpeace.com.  For more about David, visit his Web site .

Download | Duration: 00:07:28

Devastating Karate is coming to Ojai for the first time on Thursday, May 27th at 8:30 p.m. for a free show at the Village Jester.  The trio is based in Venice and plays an eclectic mix of honky-tonk rock.  "Riverside Ronnie" is an original from their new album "The Awesome Depression."  For more about the band, visit their Web site.

Download | Duration: 00:04:48

Teri Mettala, Director of the Ojai Art Center , comes on the show to talk about the 33rd Annual Art in the Park show (5/29-30), The Catholic Girl's Guide to Losing Your Virginity play (5/28-30) and the photography exhibit EAT (6/5-7). For more information, visit their Web site or call 805-646-0117. 

Download | Duration: 00:08:26

This is a rebroadcast of an interview and music excerpts provided by the fine folks at the Ojai Music Festival (as produced by KUSC), June 10-13, 2010 at Ojai's Libbey Bowl. Buy tickets here.

Download | Duration: 00:10:22

Farmer John Fonteyn stops by the Radio Ojai studio with a box full of fresh veggies and a great conversation about CSAs, what's in season, working with local chefs and a couple of upcoming events. Enjoy Rio Gozo's bounty on 5/22 in the Oak View Community Kitchen for an Indian food cooking class and meal, and at the farm on 5/29 for Outstanding in the Field . John later told me that each meal should include, "shoots, roots, fruits and nuts!" Contact John at (805) 272 8170 for more information on subscribing to the Ventura CSA. Check-out Rio Gozo's blog and become a fan on Facebook .

Download | Duration: 00:10:10

Quintessential wine country music. That's what I discovered last weekend when I came upon Valley Road  playing in a gazebo in a park in downtown Solvang. This is the song they were playing. It sounded familiar, even though I had never heard it before. Valley Road just seems to give off that comfortable vibe that makes you feel like old friends (and makes you want to sip good wine).

Their beautiful harmonies are their signature, but can you believe they've only been at this less than a year and most of them have never been in a band? According to their front man and manager, Mike Chaput, "We are serious newbies! This has been a lifelong dream for all of us and to finally make it happen is simply awesome." And they are making it happen - on most weekends they are gigging in tasting rooms throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
 
Check out the percussionist, Jeremy, sitting on the box (it's actually called a "cajon"). He conjures some intense rhythms out of that box! He lives in Santa Paula and has a Grammy under his belt. Perhaps his proximity to Ojai will bring Valley Road into our valley to play this summer?

"Someone" is one of their originals, which has yet to be professionally recorded. This raw recording was captured in a tasting room on a digital recorder. 

Catch Valley Road this Saturday at the grand opening of Dascomb Cellars  tasting room in Solvang (1659 Copenhagen Drive, Suite C) from 7 to 9:30pm, and again on Saturday, May 29th at the Carivintas Winery  tasting room in Solvang (476 First Street) from 7 to 10. And become a fan on Facebook!

Download | Duration: 00:04:03

Radio Ojai is please to featured a song for Mother's Day by Barbara Sfraga, from the CD, "From A Mother's Heart," produced by Ojai jazz vocalist Ellen Johnson :

Download | Duration: 00:03:31

Vocalist Julija Zonic talks with Lisa about singing with Smitty and coming to Ojai via Ohio from her home Croatia. See Julija most Friday evenings in Ojai at Il Giardino or on the first Wednesday evening of the month at Euterpe Farms with other local singer/songrwriters.

Download | Duration: 00:11:50

Listen to the full length version of “Ju Te San Se Zajubija,” a song from Julija's native Croatia, here.

Lisa stops by Curly Willow flower shop in Ojai and catches shop owner Jodi Brandt playing guitar and singing a song she wrote about being tall!

Download | Duration: 00:03:44

Dale Sumersille of the City of Ojai's Recreation Department sits down with Lisa to talk about classes, summer camp and the many recreation opportunities offered by the City to all ages (tots to seniors). She also talks about the latest with tennis, including new courts, loaner rackets and funding, as well as the gymnastics demo this Friday. More info at www.ojairec.com. Find out if Dale is anything like Leslie Knope of NBC's Parks & Recreation!

Download | Duration: 00:08:59