Local Roots History
Local Roots produces a syndicated FM radio show, television concert series, live concerts, and festivals showcasing music from around the Pacific Northwest.
Originally a Sunday night radio program on KMUZ-FM in Salem, Local Roots was founded in 2013 by local musician and entrepreneur Robert Richter. The show featured original recording from local musicians, as well as over 400 concerts recorded live at the monthly Local Roots Live Series (2014-2019). Concerts included The Get Ahead, Beth Wood, Anna Tivel, and Haley Johnsen.
Now syndicated on four FM stations in the NW more than 1,000 musicians have had their music played on the Local Roots radio show. In addition to Sunday evenings on KMUZ, the show airs twice a week on KCIW 100.7FM (Brookings, OR), Mon-Fri, 8am - 10am on KMWV 98.3 (Capital Community Media, Salem, OR), and Tuesdays 6pm - 8pm on KOCF 92.7FM (Eugene & Fernhill, OR)
In addition to the radio show, Local Roots works with Capital Community Media to produce the Local Roots Television Showcase, a television program featuring half hour concert from local musicians. The showcase airs on Channel 22/322 every Sunday at 10am in Salem, and often airs on local access television in Portland. Featured performers included Tall Dark Whimsy, Erin Westfall, True North, and Liam St. John.
Shows and events are produced by founder Robert Richter working closely with the music and media community to offer the best resources for independent artists of the Pacific Northwest. Over the past several years, Local Roots has thrown music festivals, recorded hundreds of live concerts and television showcases, released 5 compilations of NW music, and have featured artists from beyond Salem and Portland, as far as Vancouver, BC, to Idaho, to Seattle, and down to Eugene, OR and beyond.
Who Runs the Show?
Portland native Robert Richter originated the Local Roots radio show on KMUZ-FM in 2013 to actively promote music from artists around the Pacific NW. A musician and songwriter for more than 20 years he continues to write, record and perform with his own music projects. “I was listening to so many talented musicians in the NW I really wanted to start the radio program to give people the opportunity to hear the amazing talent we have in our local area.”
Richter’s experience in radio started at the age of 14 as an announcer at KBPS in Portland. He also worked at OPB while attending Oregon State University in Corvallis. Later he worked as a newspaper reporter at The Oregonian and as well owned a successful staffing company in Portland. Several years ago he published a book on small business based on his experiences with his company.
“I believe it is important to support musicians in our local community and as well to be inclusive. I hope you too will support local music!”
Robert Richter
From our first Live Series Concert in 2014 to the present Carlos has been a valued member of our Local Roots team, mixing more than 400 Local Roots Live Series Concerts recorded for our radio broadcasts.
Growing up, music grabbed a hold of him early on and he was lucky to have an older brother, Luis, who indoctrinated him into the world of rock. Together they explored the entire catalog of many artists, all of their songs, their words, their album art, their whole universe. A true love of music was born.
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Eager to find a permanent home for music in my life, Carlos studied music composition and theory at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana under Polish Composer Barbara Jazwinski from 1990-1994.
His music is symphonic, electronic and acoustic audio, with visuals, sonic stories, darkness and light. At times indeterminate, at times performance art. Dissonance and dramatic harmonies alternate with playful consonance. Industrial percussion is delivered coated with urban dust and dirt.
Besides running Severe Enterprises, a film and music studio in Damascus, Oregon, Carlos is also a volunteer at AFRU Gallery, an art gallery in Portland that supports local, non-traditional artists.
Carlos Severe Marcelin
Victoria Fragoso based in Tacoma coordinates and hosts Local Roots events in the Puget Sound area including music showcases, concerts and seminars.
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A piano-based artist, her diverse musical influences include her Hispanic heritage, classical piano training, church choir harmonies, and musical theater background. Victoria's vocals are rich, with an emotional and distinct quality. Her music and social media content feature refreshing singer-songwriter material that is honest and heartfelt.
With over fifteen years of open-mic experience, Victoria's craft made its way from the coffeehouse into the clouds with her first digital release “This River”, a five song EP, in 2019.
Victoria's self-produced work continues to reflect her raw ambition and talent through genre-fluid compositions and thoughtful lyrics. Her degree in Creative Writing from Chapman University in Southern California and a passion for special effects makeup have allowed her to showcase creative artistry and imaginative storytelling through her online content and music videos.
Victoria (or "Toya", as family and friends call her), continues to grow her audience and foster community by bringing awareness to other talented artists and musicians. You can catch her hosting a live talk show called “Tuesday with Toya” weekly on Instagram where she plays keys and ukulele in addition to interviewing independent artists.
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Victoria Fragoso
"From booking shows to marketing to promotion, the staff at Local Roots aim to be a resource for musicians — it doesn't matter if they're seasoned or just getting started." Statesman Journal 2/21/20
"Through the efforts of Local Roots Music Northwest, musicians come to understand that music a business, and that they are entering into a partnership with the venue in which they are performing."