THE BAND:
Bigfoot County is a blues-rock and country band from Bend, Oregon, known for their soulful takes on classic tunes. Mixing the grit of the Allman Brothers with the swagger of Waylon Jennings, they bring high-energy covers and good-time vibes to every stage.
THE ORGANIZER:
KPOV began as a bold idea in May 2001 when the FCC announced it would accept applications for a new, low power FM (LPFM) radio station in Bend. A few interested and highly motivated residents (Darcy McNamara, Mike Riley, Kyla Merwin, Stacey Dycus and Erica Reilly) quickly built a strategy and applied for a permit in June 2001, using 7 different local nonprofit organizations.
In February 2004 the FCC granted a construction permit to Women’s Civic Improvement League (WCIL), a long time, but dormant Bend organization, notable for visionary civic organization that protected Drake Park from development in the 1920s. Today, Women’s Civic Improvement League, a non-profit 501(c)(3), is KPOV’s official corporate name. The “POV” in the call letters stands for “point of view.”
The construction permit allowed KPOV to move forward and get the station off the ground. Committed volunteers elected a Board of Directors, raised funds, rented and built out a downtown studio and office space from Bend-La Pine School District, erected a transmission tower on Awbrey Butte, bought equipment, elicited program proposals, and trained DJs.
After four years of planning, on June 26, 2005 all the dreams and hard work came to fruition. KPOV began broadcasting live from the studio at 501 NW Bond St. KPOV began its broadcast schedule with over 70 newly trained DJs producing their own 35 music and talk shows, as well as several hours of syndicated talk shows. (KPOV DJs and program hosts now locally produce over 50 shows, from local affairs to music.) KPOV quickly began innovating.
THE VENUE:
Bend's largest indoor premier music venue featuring local and national music acts. Comprised of three different venues to suit your varying needs.
Memorable experiences are a vast part of Bends history in this historical building right in the heart of it all. Starting from the days as a creamery-Bend Dairy, in the buildings earliest years. Continuing on to the playful rock and roll days in the 80’s-90’s, as the area's only roller rink that later became known as Midtown Rock Rink & Roll. The now millennial days as a music lovers dream to listen to the soul soothing music that permeate the walls of this ever evolving 16,000 square foot building.