What is Listyn KC?
Kansas City's own curated music event! Join us and “Listyn” to a curated selection of music that inspired or was relevant to the featured LP of the month. Hear some historical anecdotes about the artists and music, along with fun trivia and rare cuts. Then turn off your phones while we turn up the volume and play the featured album, on vinyl, from beginning to end. An amazing sound system is brought in each month just for this event. You won't believe how great music can sound until you...Listyn! Monthly shows at Waldo Pizza, Kansas City's great little place for pizza (and beer) in beautiful Downtown Waldo. Phil's crew will be serving pie and pouring drinks in the coolest Tap Room in town.
What about the host?
Kelsyn Rooks has spent almost 30 years in the corporate world developing, marketing, and managing consumer and technology products. Along with that, he brings a lifetime of passion for music, fostered by his parent's ownership of The Music Exchange, Kansas City's premier record store from the 1970s to the 2000s. In 2005 Kelsyn launched Blackbird, a Home Theater and Audio Video Custom Installation company. While Blackbird still exists, Kelsyn has now focused on music listening and high-quality stereo equipment.
In 2015 Kelsyn launched Listyn KC, Kansas City's only curated listening event. Kelsyn is also the dealer for many of the stereo products featured in the Listyn KC show (just in case you need help making your home or business sound amazing). When not working his day job, or working on the next month's show, Kelsyn spends time with his wife Amie and son Kelsyn Jr.
Where do the records come from?
Kelsyn as an extensive record collection, some of which came from his dad, Ron Rooks, who had a personal collection outside of the massive number of records that were at The Music Exchange. Along with this, Kelsyn augments the library every month from local record stores (like the Vinyl Underground, Got What U Like, Brothers Music), and through Acoustic Sounds in Salina, KS.
How are the shows selected?
There are many factors involved in picking the show for the month.
First and foremost, it has to be worthy of the experience we have established.
The album needs to be musically or culturally significant, it needs to represent a work that, when consumed as a whole, is more than just a collection of hit singles.
The album needs to be available; by this we mean it either needs to have been reissued, we have access to an original copy, or an original copy can be purchased for a reasonable amount.
Anniversaries are used as a guideline. In many cases, they are just an easy way to focus our selection across the hundreds or thousands of great records we could choose from.
Listyner feedback. We take into consideration what our Listyners want to hear. We now have a forum where you can share your requests with everyone: https://www.listynkc.com/forum/future-show-suggestions
How many shows have there been?
Between May 2015 and November 2019 there have been 47 shows
The Listyning Room?
The Listyning Room, a new concept launching in Kansas City by a unique group of people dedicated to the hobby and art of recorded music. Inspired by the very successful monthly Listyn KC shows, the plan is to create a member-supported organization with a private club that will be open evenings and weekends for the benefit of our members.
Our desire is to bring members a premier listening environment, with the best in audio equipment and music, comfortable and stylish decor, and high-quality food and beverages. So that we can deliver an experience worthy of our vision, there will be a monthly membership charge (TBD). If you haven't yet, please fill out our prospective member survey here: https://www.listynkc.com/survey
If I have a question or issue, how quick will someone get back to me?
Please understand that Listyn KC is a labor of love, no one is employed by Listyn KC, so we may not always be quick to respond, but we will try to do our best :)