Get to know Listen Local!

Happy New Year, pals! Listen Local celebrates 23 years in 2026. From our humble beginning at The Coaster Saloon in Mission Beach to time spent producing events at some of the best venues in San Diego, it’s been a wild and wonderful ride and we’re still rolling! Listen Local was born in 2003 when Hotrod Harris gave me the money to buy the URL and start my website which allowed me to turn an open mic into an acoustic showcase where artists could reserve a spot and then have their music played on a podcast that Tim Flack from Idynomite Media helped me start. The early 00’s was a wild frontier of DIY dreams come true!!

These days, Listen Local is an umbrella for all of my endeavors: Podcasting, Performing, Hosting, Photography, Videography, Art, Flipping and Upcycling Fashion, Voiceover Work, and more. I host a monthly SPOKEN WORD SALON at The Art Center in Ramona on the last Sunday of each month (beginning in February) from 5pm to 8pm. It’s an open podium for story tellers, poets and authors with a special guest each month. I’ll be producing a quarterly listening room show at the Art Center called THE GALLERY SESSIONS, the first one takes place on January 25th and features Bug Guts and Virginia James. Tickets are $30 and include wine tasting, tray passed apps, and a comfy seat to enjoy the show. Limited to just 30 guests, get yours now at ListenLocalRadio.com/gallery sessions

Besides performing solo shows and performing with The Ordeal here and there, I’ll be performing with CALAMITY in the new year, as we celebrate 14 years of music and trouble making. Catch us on January 31st at Mr. Peabody’s in Encinitas, it’s an early show and it’s free! Listen Local’s SONG CIRCLES will return in the spring, along with our FULL MOON GATHERING SONG CIRCLE around the bonfire, in the meantime, you can enjoy The San Diego Songwriter’s Circle each month at Hooleys. I’ve been hired as the circle’s secretary and it’s been a pleasure to assist Barry Hill with promotion of his cool event.

THE LISTEN LOCAL SHOW podcast continues each month thanks to our subscribers who make the show possible and to our partner sponsors: Jack’s Tracks and Producer Chris, The San Diego Troubadour, Jeff Berkley and Satellite, Zen Mastering, Hale Ukulele and our newest sponsor Pamo Valley Winery. The show is 100% submission curated, I play songs submitted by music makers from San Diego and beyond and each song is introduced by the artist who includes info about their shows and news. Each month features an interesting and talented guest co host and we chat and play music. Tune in now to hear years and years of shows! 

All of my endeavors are made possible with support from my family on Patreon. They are why and how I get to continue this 23 year mission of sharing local music, art and creative folks. You can join the family for just $2 a month at www.Patreon.com/ListenLocalRadio and you’ll get early access to shows, behind the scenes footage, discounts on services and much more. You’ll get to join me on the tour I’m embarking on this January with Bonnie and Sande! In fact, DANG! I have to go pack!! Thank you for your support, your kindness and your encouragement all these years. Here’s to another 23 years. xo Cathryn

I’ve released a new collection of songs! They are old and new and happy and upbeat, the perfect soundtrack for your next road trip!