Local Artists Make Strong Showing In KDHX Top Album Spins of 2019

St. Louis is home to a thriving music scene with expansive talent. But without KDHX, you might never know it. KDHX DJs use the power of community radio to turn a spotlight onto those musicians who are honing their craft, baring their souls and putting in the work, but might need a boost to reach a wider audience.

Of the Top 25 albums spun by KDHX DJs in 2019, six were local bands, five of them reaching the Top 10: Spectator, All St. Louis Revue (with Al Holiday & East Side Rhythm), St. Louis Blues Society (local various artists), Beth Bombara, Roland Johnson and Brothers Lazaroff.

This list reflects what we hear every day on KDHX. If you look at the DJ playlists for each week, you will see many other local artists throughout.

Lee Fields & The Expressions came in first with 116 spins of his latest album "It Rains Love." The album was spun on 17 different KDHX radio shows in 2019 (as of 12/16/19). The legendary soul singer has visited KDHX several times, most recently on 9/19/19 when he sat down with Soul Selector Papa Ray for a live session on The Record Sto'.

For the first time in many years, the St. Louis Blues Society’s contribution came in at the number two spot in the top spins overall. "St. Louis Blues Society Presents: 18 in 18" had 107 spins, showing the love is still strong for local blues.

KDHX TOP 25 Album Spins of 2019

Artist | Album | Label | Spins (as of 12/16/19)

1. Lee Fields & The Expressions | It Rains Love | Big Crown | 116
2. Various Artists | St. Louis Blues Society Presents: 18 in 18 | St. Louis Blues Society | 107 - local
3. Yola | Walk Through Fire | Easy Eye Sound/Nonesuch | 73
4. Spectator | Charlie, Baby | Nordic | 72 - local
5. All St. Louis Revue (with Al Holliday & the East Side Rhythm) | All St. Louis Revue Vol. 1 | Gaslight | 63 - local
6. Beth Bombara | Evergreen | Lemp Electric | 63 - local
7. Roland Johnson | Set Your Mind Free | Blue Lotus | 54 - local
8. Sharon Van Etten | Remind Me Tomorrow | Jagjaguwar|  54
9. Son Volt | Union | Transmit Sound | 52
10. Zion Albert | Justice & Equality | Lion Roots | 50
11. Mavis Staples | We Get By | Anti-/Epitaph | 50
12. Toro Y Moi | Outer Peace | Carpark/Hostess | 49
13. Mercury Rev | Bobbie Gentry's The Delta Sweete Revisited | Partisan | 49
14. Weyes Blood | Titanic Rising | Sub Pop | 49
15. Hayes Carll | What It Is | Dualtone | 48
16. Andrew Bird | My Finest Work Yet | Loma Vista | 48
17. Nick Waterhouse | Nick Waterhouse | Innovative Leisure | 47
18. The National | I Am Easy To Find | 4AD | 46
19. Bruce Springsteen | Western Stars | Columbia | 45
20. Josh Ritter | Fever Breaks | Pytheas | 44
21. Durand Jones & The Indications | American Love Call | Dead Oceans | 43
22. Karen O & Danger Mouse | Lux Prima | BMG | 41
23. The Delines | The Imperial | El Cortez | 41
24. Brothers Lazaroff | Sisters and Brothers | Self | 40 - local
25. The Black Keys | Let's Rock | Nonesuch | 40

KDHX TOP 10 Local Album Spins of 2019

Artist | Album | Label | Spins (as of 12/16/19)

1. Various Artists | St. Louis Blues Society Presents: 18 in 18 | St. Louis Blues Society |107
2. Spectator | Charlie, Baby | Nordic | 72
3. All St. Louis Revue (with Al Holliday & the East Side Rhythm) | All St. Louis Revue Vol. 1 | Gaslight | 63
4. Beth Bombara | Evergreen | Lemp Electric | 63
5. Roland Johnson | Set Your Mind Free | Blue Lotus | 54
6. Brothers Lazaroff | Sisters and Brothers | Self | 40
7. Three Merry Widows | I Was the Moon | Self | 37
8. Old Salt Union | Where The Dogs Don't Bite | Compass | 31
9. Melody Den | Pull, Then Push | Perdition | 30
   
10. Brian Andrew Marek | Modern Variety | Rubberstamp |30

Note: Big thanks to Curt of Music At Work for compiling the numbers!