We present what we would like to call, KUCR DJ Night. This special night at the barn will showcase several notable KUCR DJs spinning music throughout the night for everyone to dance to.

This evening’s event will feature apperances from Ellie of the Bat Hours, Avi from Drinking in the Dark, and Walter of Siked Electronix. The night will be full of an eclectic mix of danceable beats and tunes.

As always, tonight’s performance is free and open to the public, not to mention happy hour specials are available throughout the night.

Headlining for the night we have Boogaloo Assassins, a band whose sound can only be described as Spanish harlem meets 60’s and 70’s funk. The Boogaloo Assassins’ roster includes members of bands from the LA area such as See Spot, The Expanders, and the Chris Murray Combo. Some have labeled the Assassins as LA’s answer to the Latin Soul question and we here at KUCR couldn’t think of a better answer

Speaking of questions, someone recently brought us here at KUCR a question about whether or not they could bring their 3 year old son to tomorrow’s show. To answer this question, all shows that go on at the Barn are all ages and open to the public unless stated otherwise. So if you want to bring the family, go on ahead. Order some buffalo wings, enjoy some awesome music, and call it an evening.Who knew family bonding could be so fun.

Remember, doors at 6 and the first band is on at 7. Not to mention lots of delicious food and drinks for sale throughout the night.

1 DAVE GAHAN Hourglass Remixes Mute

2 STEVE REICH Daniel Variations Nonesuch

3 JIM NOIR Jim Noir Barsuk

4 FOUR TET Ringer Domino

5 B-52S Funplex Remix [EP]

6 DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH? You Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into Almost Gold

7 FRENCH KICKS Swimming Vagrant

8 PORTISHEAD Third Island Def Jam-Mercury

9 NO AGE Nouns SUB POP

10 MAN MAN Rabbit Habits Anti

11 YELLE Je Veux Te Voir EMI

12 OLD HAUNTS Poisonous Times Kill Rock Stars

13 FLYING Face Of The Night Menlo Park

14 CRYSTAL CASTLES Crystal Castles Last Gang

15 JAMIE LIDELL Jim Warp

16 BOMBADIL A Buzz, A Buzz Ramseur

17 BORIS Smile Southern Lord

18 THESE ARE POWERS Taro Tarot Hoss

19 FRIGHTENED RABBIT The Midnight Organ Fight Fat Cat

20 AUTECHRE Quaristice Warp

21 KAISER CARTEL “Okay”And Other Things We Feel Bluhammock

22 MICROPHONES The Glow, Pt. II K

23 KASSIN +2 Futurismo Luaka Bop

24 ARCHITECTS Vice Anodyne

25 TOKYO POLICE CLUB Elephant Shell Saddle Creek 

26 ISLANDS Arm’s Way Anti

27 BURIAL Untrue Hyperdub

28 NEVA DINOVA You May Already Be Dreaming Saddle Creek 

29 SOUNDTRACK Wicker Park

30 DJ DOLORES 1 Real Crammed Disc

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RADIO 200 ADDS

1 PORTISHEAD Third Island Def Jam-Mercury

2 NO AGE Nouns SUB POP

3 BORIS Smile Southern Lord

4 RUSSIAN CIRCLES Station Suicide Squeeze

5 LONG BLONDES Couples Rough Trade

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RPM

1 TING TINGS “Great DJ” [Single] Columbia

2 CARL CRAIG Sessions K7

3 FLUORESCENT GREY Gaseous Opal Orbs Record Label

4 FOUR TET Ringer Domino

5 M83 Saturdays=Youth Mute

6 BEE HATCH* Bee Hatch* Lens

7 CUT COPY In Ghost Colours Modular

8 DJ DOLORES 1 Real Crammed Disc

9 VARIOUS Silicon Graffitti

10 MOCHIPET Microphonepet Daly City

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RPM ADDS

1 JUNO REACTOR Gods And Monsters

2 BEE HATCH* Bee Hatch* Lens

3 SALLY SHAPIRO Remix Romance, Vol. 1 paper bag

4 JEF STOTT Saracen Six Degrees

5 ARC LAB The Goodbye Radio

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NEW WORLD

1 RAZ MESINAI’S BADAWI Unit Of Resistance ROIR

2 DJ DOLORES 1 Real Crammed Disc

3 MARIA RITA Samba Meu Warner Music Latina

4 DARBUKI KINGS Doumtekastan Massive

5 DA CRUZ Nova Estacao 1 [EP] Six Degrees

6 YOUSSOU N’DOUR Rokku Mi Rokka: Give And Take Nonesuch

7 ROBERT WINDPONY Moon Rider UPPER ROOM

8 DARBUKI KINGS Lawrence Of Suburbia Self-Released

9 CULTURE BROTHERS Learn How To Respect

10 NOISESHAPER Real To Reel Miracle Sounds

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HIP-HOP ADDS

1 ATMOSPHERE When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold Rhymesayers

2 PROLYPHIC AND REANIMATOR The Ugly Truth Strange Famous

Coming up next Wednesday, Mula and Boogaloo Assassins. Wear your dancing shoes.

Look at the sick air that Paul is getting with his keytar! The skeletones did not disappoint that night and brought ska back to the barn in style. You will definitely see shows like this in the future as well as many other awesome line ups with a little something for everybody.

Of course you can’t forget Mike Park and his awesome set. Some great songs and that video at the beginning of his set, powerful if I say so myself. Defintiely check him out people.

David Wong started things off right even with a little technical difficulties in the beginning. That didn’t stop him from bringing his music to the crowd. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get any pictures of Wong in action, but know he did an amazing job last Wednesday.

Speaking of pictures, all of the pictures used in this blog are used with permission from Sara Zitney and she thanks KUCR for bringing an awesome line up for free.

If you haven’t been to the barn lately, you should definitely change that people. Especially with the show we have coming up this Wednesday. Coming this week is Health headlining and local Riverside act Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound opening things up. Not to mention KUCR dj’s spinning music throughout the night.

The opening band for the show this week is Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound. The band’s sound has been described as a transdimensional, psychadelic, melt in your face while gently drowning you in relentless ways of cosmic pleasure sonic experience that you’ll have come down to hear and see for yourself.

JMTSS Seattle

Then we have headliners Health from Los Angeles. Health is known for having played with bands such as Crystal Crystal Castles and Dan Deacon. Health was kind enough to play this show before they embark on a trip to Europe shortly so the show is something you will definitely want to check out.

HEALTH - HEAVEN (NYC)

As always, doors open at 6 and there will be plenty of cheap food and refreshments to satisfy your hunger and thirst respectively. Also for those of you who are on a very tight budget, there is unlimited free chips and salsa so you should definitely take advantage of that while you rock out to the sounds of Health and Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound this Wednesday at the Barn here in Riverside.

Friday, 04 April 2008

RIVERSIDE

The Black Voice News

A standing room only crowd packed Tillman Riverside Mortuary’s chapel this past Saturday, to say goodbye to one of the Inland Empire’s most beloved sons legendary KUCR DJ Curtis “Teddy Bear” Wofford. Just the way he would have wanted it. Teddy Bear was the name by which most of the KUCR’s listeners knew Wofford who passed away on Tuesday March 18, 2008 of kidney failure at Riverside Community Hospital.

What was immediately apparent was the tremendous influence that Teddy Bear had on the Inland Empire in his 20 plus years as the premier DJ on KUCR’s Soul On Sunday which for many of those years was the IE’s source for African American influenced music including Soul, R&B, Gospel, Rap and Neo Soul as well as talk shows exploring issues concerning the African American community in the Inland Empire. The line of those wanting to take this final opportunity to say something about Teddy Bear was continuous, filled with fellow DJ’s, friends and relatives all singing the praises of a man whose ear for music, love for people and uplifting spirit resonated throughout the service.

Among those voices bidding Teddy Bear farewell were Dr. Daniel Walker, who spoke not only about the tremendous influence that Teddy Bear had on the IE, but about the “Gem that was KUCR’s Soul On Sunday.” He took the audience back when he began singing an old school R&B song Teddy Bear would play and reminded all present what a great opportunity they had had to have experienced the genius on the mic that was Teddy Bear.

Barry Benson KUCR’s “Rock Barry” was one of many who credited Teddy Bear with the career that he has had for the past 20 years in the record industry. He spoke about his time at Rhino Records working on CD compilations when he would be questioned about certain songs he wanted to include and he would say, “That’s a Teddy Bear cut,” and his colleagues’ response would be, “who is Teddy Bear?” But Barry knew, and anyone listening to radio in the IE in the 80’s and 90’s knew who he was.

Anthony Morris, KUCR’s “A-One” who has gone on to excel as a DJ at 92/100.3 The BEAT radio station as a drive time DJ also credited Teddy Bear with his success. He talked about the first time he joined the KUCR team and after giving him the orientation and tour of the station Teddy Bear told him that he would have the 1 o’clock slot. His excitement about having such a prime position so soon was quickly quelled when he was told that it was the 1 am slot.

Otis “Mighty OT” formerly of KUOR humorously recalled the times when he and Teddy Bear would ride in their car together, saying that when he (Otis) was in the car alone, it would lean to one side, but when he was joined by Teddy Bear it would be perfectly balanced. They were know throughout the Inland Empire as DJ’s and promoters.

Mavis Thomas KUCR’s “Mav T” talked about the last conversation she had with Teddy Bear a few months ago during which he had assured her about her faith in God, telling her that after his last flatline “if I didn’t believe in God before, I do now.” She also spoke about his guidance and reassurance during her time at KUCR when she would get nervous on the air.

Barry Franklin KUCR’s “Sugar B” spoke through tears about the mentoring that he received from Teddy Bear over the years. He was unequivocal in his admiration and affection for the man he said was just like a big brother to him.

Louis Vandenberg, KUCR Station manager read an official statement as representative of the university as well as remarks from Raymond Griffin KUCR’s “Raycito.” It took Vandenberg several attempts to get through his remarks as he expressed his affection and respect for Teddy Bear. Vandenberg was the only one who had known him for the entire time that he was a DJ at KUCR.

Genie Gaines, former director of the Stratton Center, talked about her special relationship with Teddy Bear and how tough this loss was on her, especially since she has just recently lost her own husband.
Shakiji who said that “Teddy Bear wasn’t like a brother to me, he was my brother” spoke about the many ventures that he had engaged in with his brother and how close they had grown over the years.

Although she did not speak at the funeral, Bernadine Hollingsworth KUCR’s Jazzy B said about Teddy Bear, “He was one of the kindest people I have known. He was always happy with a positive attitude. Although I have not seen him for a number of years, I recall lots of laughter whenever he was present.

At the time that I worked at the station, he was the anchor and the voice of KUCR.”

Finally Teddy Bear’s sister Vanessa Evans spoke about her little brother and how one day he came home running in the house being chased by a group of guys that he had lost money to by betting bets and how she had to get him out of that and many similar situations. She spoke about the tricks that she and her sisters would play on him when he would refuse to do work around the house, including pouring water on the bed and blaming him for wetting the bed to their father, concluding that although they had their differences, she loved her brother and would miss him.

The eulogy was delivered by Reverend Ed Jenkins who was the host of KUCR’S gospel show for over 20 years and is now pastors a church in Los Angeles. He spoke from the book of Job and relaying a personal story about his own time at KUCR when the station management decided they would try to change the time of his show and how Teddy Bear, although not in the meeting, was a source of support and professionalism.

Although many tears were shed, much laughter was also heard as Curtis “Teddy Bear” Wofford signed off for the last time.

First act on the bill is David Wong From Alhambra. Wong is both an outspoken political activist as well as an acoustic musical troubadour.

In the middle slot we have San Jose’s Mike Park. Mike Park is a veteran in the ska-punk scene having played in bands such as Skankin’ Pickle, The Chinkees, and The Bruce Lee Band. Mike is also known as the owner of the staunchly independent and diy, asian man records, known for putting out releases by bands such as Less Than Jake, Alkaline Trio, and The Lawrence Arms. Not to mention Mike is also the head of the Plea For Peace Foundation, an organization dedicated towards promoting the ideals of peace to the youth of America, which will be opening its own youth center in San Jose within the coming months. This will be Mike’s only southern California appearnace for quite awhile so that is all the more incentive to make it out to the show.

Finally, our headliners for the night will be Riverside locals, The Skeletones. The Skeletones have been bringing their take on Ska to Riverside and abroad for over 20 years and we’re happy to have them come down and be a part of our Spring Concert Series at the Barn. The skeletones, during their 2 decade span as a band have had the pleasure of playing shows with bands such as No Doubt, Sublime, and Fishbone. The band’s sound takes ska, rock, reggae, and several other genres, and meshes them all together to create a sound that is fresh and all their own. So support your local ska band and make it out to the show to skank your butt off. As always, the show is free and doors open at 6.

Not only will Pacific Division be performing, but to start things off right the Mighty Absurd will also be at Wednesday’s show. Spinning music throughout the night will UCR’s hip hop congress. Now I dare you to find me a group of people at UCR who know more about hip hop than hip hop congress. First person to accomplish that will get an order of buffalo wings on me. and who doesn’t love free buffalo wings.

Speaking of buffalo wings. food and drinks will also be served at the Barn, real cheap too. So get on the cheap and awesome food as well as the awesome performers that will be there.Remember, doors open at 6 and the show will go on until about 9:30 and as always, the show is FREE thanks to housing services. Also if you’re not busy in the afternoon, check out U-N-I who will be performing at noon at the belltower as part of the NOONER series. Here is another video for those of you who need to get out more often

Next week we’ll have another great show featuring Mike Park and the Skeletones, but more on that and the rest of the quarter’s line up Thursday.

A special message to KUCR staff, listeners and fans:

It is with sincere regret and sadness that I inform you of the passing of popular former KUCR DJ and radio personality Curtis “Teddy Bear” Wofford. Teddy passed away last week on March 18th at Riverside Community Hospital, following an illness. He was a member of our broadcast family that made KUCR’s “Soul on Sunday” so popular in the Riverside area during his longtime involvement in the station, from the early ’80s to the mid-’90s. Teddy was a respected community volunteer at KUCR. He made a real contribution as a broadcaster over the airwaves on KUCR, as program host, producer, music coordinator, MC and Program Director. He knew the music well and brought it to the community with an unforgettable personality and style. He was a good and gifted man who was a joy to know and to work with. His passing is a real loss, deeply felt. We remember him now for the gift of his great talent and warm personality, with deep appreciation and gratitude. All condolences to his surviving family members.

With respect and deep sadness,

Louis Vandenberg

KUCR Director and General Manager

3/26/08

Memorial services are set for this Saturday, March 29, 10am, at Tillman’s Mortuary in Riverside, located at 2874 Tenth Street , Riverside, CA 92507. Phone at (951) 682-6433 or (951) 682-6437. For further information, directions, map, etc., see: www.tillmansriversidemortuary.com . The family would greatly appreciate donations be made to help defray costs of funeral services. Please make checks payable to Tillman Riverside Mortuary, with “Curtis Wofford” in the notation. Checks may be mailed to the address above or presented at the memorial service on Saturday.