Background:
Kiaya Abernathy approached Olivia Maxwell about Rappahannock Radio in the summer of 2018. Kiaya was waitressing at what was at that time, the Thornton River Grille, in Sperryville. Olivia was dining with her mother and boyfriend. Oliva asked Kiaya if she was still playing music, to which Kiaya replied, something along the lines of “Yes, but I have this idea…” From then on they were in conversation about what was to become Rappahannock Radio.
Olivia and Kiaya were a dynamic duo for the remainder of 2018. Together they created the first 6 episodes of Rappahannock Radio. But they were never really on the same page as far as the long-term goal of the project. Local or Global? Covers or Originals? With Olivia’s background in radio and film she hoped to put Rappahannock Radio on the map.
Photo by Olivia Maxwell in the garden at the Inn of Little Washington
Photo taken by Olivia Maxwell taken at Olivia’s studio in Castleton
In November 2018 they attempted to raise funds for mechanical and copyright licensing fees. The licensing fees to corporations like BMI and ASCAP would allow the show to host musicians signed to record labels, as well as allow them to feature cover songs from famous musicians. However, it would take a significant source of funding to achieve this. Kiaya worried it could also take the show away from its humble roots which are grounded within the original art forms of Rappahannock and surrounding counties. Over the winter of 2018-2019 Kiaya and Olivia took a step back to evaluate their individual visions putting the show on hiatus.
In February 2019, after the death of her father, Kiaya was inspired to reboot the show with a more anthropological outlook in mind. One of the many talented local artists featured on the program was Kiaya’s father, the late great William Abernathy aka “Hot Licks Bill”. The heart of her decision was based on the fact that she now had a piece of her father’s essence recorded and archived via Rappahannock Radio. For this purpose she chose to re-launch the show. The goal being to document the stories of the unique people who call these mountains home. The show will continue to focus on local and original artists of Rappahannock and the greater Blue Ridge Mountain Area. Rappahannock Radio invites artists and storytellers of all genres to share their perspectives.