Podcast
KMAS Radio
Hosted by Jeff Slakey · EN
Long-form interviews and conversations from Mason County, Washington. Host Jeff Slakey sits down with local leaders, legislators, small business owners, and community voices for unhurried conversations about what's shaping the Hood Canal region — government, education, healthcare, the outdoors, and the people making a difference.
New episodes drop throughout the week. For daily local headlines, subscribe to KMAS Morning News with Jeff Slakey.
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Santa Poco Opens Hoodstock 2026: Honky-Tonk Kicks Off the Saturday Water Stage on Hood Canal
1w ago00:05:05Tap to summarizeHoodstock 2026's Saturday Water Concert kicks off at noon with Pacific-Northwest honky-tonk band Santa Poco opening the day on Hood Canal — the first act on the Water Stage at the Union Marina boat launch. Founder and songwriter Pat McHenry joins KMAS by phone to preview the set and tell the band's story: a San Antonio transplant who found a shared love of George Strait and classic western swing with co-founder Andy Shofner, and who watched a "small but mighty" country-music scene take root across Washington as fans arrived from Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia. Expect twangy Telecasters, pedal steel, and songs off their album Cowboy Songs including "The Way It Goes" and "Full House Queen." Santa Poco starts a stacked day on the water that rolls through DJ Mixtress between sets, Georgetown Orbits, and Seattle Tom Petty tribute Petty Thief to close — all part of a full Hoodstock weekend that also features the Robin Hood Village land concerts and vendors in Union. On the water, your ticket is a flag, not a wristband: grab one at the Union Country Store, Union City Market, Summertide Resort or May Mobile Marine, and see the full lineup at hoodstock.org.Santa Poco#Hoodstock #Hoodstock2026 #SantaPoco #KMAS #HoodCanal #MasonCounty #UnionWA #WaterStage #WaterConcert #HonkyTonk #CountryMusic #PNWCountry #LiveMusicPNW #WashingtonEvents #ThingsToDoWA #HoodCanalEvents #GeorgeStrait
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Petty Thief at Hoodstock 2026: Seattle's Tom Petty Tribute Headlines the Saturday Water Stage
1w ago00:05:01Tap to summarizeHoodstock 2026 closes out its Saturday on the water with Seattle's premier Tom Petty tribute, Petty Thief, headlining the Water Concert / Water Stage at the Union Marina boat launch on Hood Canal. Founder and frontman Andy Volmer joins KMAS by phone to preview a set built for a one-of-a-kind venue — where the sound carries clear across the canal and the crowd pulls up by boat, kayak and paddleboard as the day's final act takes the stage. A no-gimmicks, no-costumes five-piece that plays the songs "like Petty would have played them himself," Petty Thief digs well past the radio hits: expect Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers staples alongside Traveling Wilburys, a couple of Mud Crutch deep cuts, and the odd Byrds cover. The Water Stage is part of a full Hoodstock weekend that also includes the Robin Hood Village land concerts in Union — and on the water your ticket is a flag, not a wristband. Get your Hoodstock flags at the Union Country Store, Union City Market, Summertide Resort and May Mobile Marine, and see the full lineup at hoodstock.org.Petty ThiefWater Show Ticket Information#Hoodstock2026 #PettyThief #TomPetty #KMAS #ExploreHoodCanal #WashingtonEvents
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Champagne Sunday at Hoodstock 2026: Glam-Folk Duo Playing the Friday Kickoff at Robin Hood Village
2w ago00:05:17Tap to summarizeHoodstock 2026 kicks off Friday, August 14 with a 21+ night at Robin Hood Village Resort in Union, WA on Hood Canal — and glam-folk duo Champagne Sunday is one of three bands opening the weekend, alongside Moon Music and 5 Guys 1 Flute (6–10pm, tickets $30). Married multi-instrumentalists Jessi and Jared Fredeen join KMAS by phone — a return visit for a duo who first came through the KMAS green room back in 2018 on the edge of a big Robin Hood weekend. In this preview they unpack what "glam folk" means (all-original, high-energy, story-driven, "everything to 11"), the surprising arsenal of instruments two people bring to the stage — ukulele, keyboards, harmonica, percussion, even trombone — and the running joke that they sound like a full band (including the time a fan brought four shots to the stage looking for the rest of the group). With 20-plus years together, a deep catalog, national touring and a Patreon following, Champagne Sunday sets the tone for a weekend that also spans the free daytime Land Festival and Saturday's Water Concert out on Hood Canal — where your flag, not a ticket, gets you in. Get Friday kickoff tickets and the full Hoodstock lineup at hoodstock.org.Champagne Sunday Tickets to Friday Night #Hoodstock2026 #ChampagneSunday #KMAS #ExploreHoodCanal #WashingtonEvents
Transcribe →Shelton Art Walk 2026: Downtown Art Market, Live Music & Beer Garden — Saturday July 25
4w ago00:06:37Tap to summarizeThe Shelton Art Walk returns to downtown Shelton on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m., and KMAS gets the full preview from one of the participating artists. Presented by the Downtown Shelton Creative District, this year's walk centers on Cota Street with 40+ artists and makers at the Art Market and 13 downtown businesses hosting artist showcases — House Flowers, Marmo, Cota Street Antiques, the Mason County Historical Society Museum, Town Pub, Powers Music and more. There's live music, live art demonstrations (paper beads, acrylic, oil, mosaic and felting), a sculpture garden at 2nd and Cota, a beer garden, food, kids' activities, a community mural project, and a digital passport with QR codes for prizes. It's a free, all-day celebration of the growing arts scene in Shelton and Mason County — with artists coming in from as far as Olympia to take part. Follow the Downtown Shelton Creative District for the full map and lineup.#SheltonArtWalk #KMAS #Shelton #MasonCounty #HoodCanal #DowntownShelton #CotaStreet #ArtWalk #ArtMarket #PNWArt #LiveMusicPNW #BeerGarden #SculptureGarden #SupportLocalArtists #SheltonCreativeDistrict #WashingtonEvents #ThingsToDoWA #PNWEvents #SummerInShelton #FamilyFriendly
Transcribe →Allyn Days 2026: Salmon Bake, Live Music & the Geoduck Festival in Allyn, WA
4w ago00:06:26Tap to summarizeAllyn Days is back at Allyn Waterfront Park for a full weekend on the bay, and new Allyn Community Association president Alyssa joins KMAS with everything you need to plan your visit. Friday kicks off with Music in the Park and a BBQ as Jerry Hutchins plays at 6pm. Saturday brings the famous salmon bake (starts at 11am and sells out fast), all-day burgers and hot dogs, a free Kids Zone with a bounce house, petting zoo and tractor train ride, a beer garden, a full vendor garden, and a stacked music lineup, Backwoods Windjammers, Swing Fever, a Pat Benatar tribute called All Fired Up, and R&B act Laroca Boom. Sunday is the Geoduck Festival: a 9am church service, live music from Captain Tugboat, geoduck sliders, steamed mussels, clam chowder, an oyster-shucking contest, belly dancers, and a closing set from Hippie and the Squids. Entry is free all weekend. Saturday parking includes free Mason Transit shuttles from the overflow lot. Get the latest lineup and Music in the Park dates on the Allyn Community Association Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/AllynCommunityAssociation#AllynDays #KMAS #HoodCanal #MasonCounty #GeoduckFestival #SalmonBake #AllynWaterfrontPark #LiveMusicPNW #PNWEvents #WashingtonEvents #CommunityEvents #ThingsToDoWA #FamilyFun #WaterfrontFestival #ShellfishFestival
Transcribe →National Night Out 2025: Mason County First Responders Gear Up for August 4th
Jun 2800:07:17Tap to summarizeNational Night Out is back in Mason County and this year, more agencies than ever are coming together. Jeff Slakey sits down with leaders from South Mason Fire, North Mason Fire, Central Mason Fire & EMS, the Mason County Sheriff's Office, and Shelton Police to talk about what's planned for August 4th, 5–8 PM, all across the county.From block parties and bucket brigades to a fire-vs.-police spicy wing trivia challenge and an egg drop from the top of a 58-foot fire ladder, this year's National Night Out has something for every age. But beyond the festivities, the conversation gets to the heart of why this event matters: building relationships with law enforcement and first responders before an emergency happens, so that when help is needed, neighbors and responders are already partners.Shelton's new Chief of Police, Dan Patton, shares a story about why community trust is the foundation of effective public safety. You'll also hear from Abe Gardner (North Mason Fire), Amber Anderson (South Mason Fire), Keith Reitz (Central Mason Fire), and Deputy Matt Colbenson from the Sheriff's office.West Mason Fire and the Skokomish Tribe are also part of the night, Chief Welander stopped by before getting called out.#NationalNightOut #NNO2025 #Shelton #MasonCounty #FocusOnShelton #KMAS #SheltonWA #HoodCanal #FirstResponders #SheltonPolice #MasonCountySheriff #SouthMasonFire #NorthMasonFire #CentralMasonFire #WestMasonFire #CommunityPolicing #PublicSafety #WashingtonState
Transcribe →Free Summer Camp Returns to Shelton - Kids Camp at Shelton Presbyterian Church
Jun 2400:03:03Tap to summarizeEvery summer, Shelton Presbyterian Church opens its doors to the whole community for Kids Camp, a free, week-long vacation Bible study program that's been running for nearly two decades. In this conversation, Jeff Slakey sits down with Eileen Bailey to talk about what makes Kids Camp special: free admission, daily activities including crafts, games, cooking and woodworking, lunch, snacks, and a t-shirt for every camper.This year's theme is "Follow God with Your Whole Heart", the story of David. Kids from pre-K through sixth grade are welcome, and you don't have to be a member of the church or even from Shelton. If grandkids are visiting for the week, this is a great option. Sixth graders can also participate in a drama program that culminates in a Sunday performance for families.Camp runs July 7–10, 9 AM to 1 PM at Shelton Presbyterian Church on Shelton Springs Road. Registration is still open, call 360-432-8696. Kids Camp Sunday is July 12, with a 10 AM service and a barbecue and games to follow.
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Shelton Pride's Party in the Park: Rainbow Extravaganza at Kneeland Park
Jun 2300:04:19Tap to summarizeJeff Slakey sits down with Fae from Shelton Pride to talk about Party in the Park, a free, family-friendly event at Kneeland Park on Friday, June 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. Expect collaborative art booths, face painting, balloon animals, a short pride parade (ADA accessible), and a costume contest with the theme Rainbow Extravaganza. Every entrant gets a prize. Top three in each age category get special awards. Fae also reflects on the community compassion mural at the Shelton Civic Center, the significance of the proclamation vote, and what it means for the Shelton Pride Group.
Transcribe →Inside Hoodstock 2026: Floating Concert, Vendor Village & Community Giving | Union WA
Jun 1700:14:38Tap to summarizeHoodstock is back — and bigger than ever. Jeff Slakey heads to the Robin Hood Resort in Union, Washington to sit down with the Hoodstock organizing committee ahead of the August 14–15 weekend on Hood Canal.Last year, Hoodstock raised $50,000 for the Salmon Center and Hood Canal School — including funding that helped bring music educator Chris Eakes into the school full-time. This year, organizers are renewing that commitment, with added urgency: the Salmon Center has lost some of its educational funding, and Hoodstock donors are stepping in.On the water, expect over 400 boats — including eight yachts from the Shelton Yacht Club making a two-day trip up the canal. The water concert runs noon to 5 PM, with DJ Mixtris keeping the crowd going between sets, Santa Poco bringing Latin-country flavor, Georgetown Orbits in the middle, and Petty Thief — widely considered one of the best Tom Petty tribute bands on the West Coast — closing out the day.At the Robin Hood Resort in Union, the event features a vendor village with 25+ local artisans and crafters, a beer garden, food trucks with Filipino, Latino, seafood, and Italian ice options, and free shuttle service from Union Fire Hall and the church. Daytime events are free and family-friendly. Evening shows (Friday and Saturday nights) are ticketed at $30 for ages 21 and over.Friday evening lineup: Moon Music, Champagne Sunday, Five Guys and a Flute. Saturday afternoon: Katie Wade, Norman Baker, Queen of Hearts, Dakota Poorman, Stacey Jones Band. Saturday evening: Stephanie Ann Johnson and James Berkeley Band.Before the main weekend, don't miss the Hoodstock fundraiser dinner on August 8th at Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club — celebrating the women of Hood Canal music, featuring local musicians and headliner Kate Dinsmore with her full band.Flags and posters are available at the Union Country Store, Union City Market, Canal Side in Hoodsport, Summer Tides on the North Shore, and May Mobile Marine in Belfair (now offering boat rentals — call ahead).Mason County Sheriff's Marine Patrol will be on the water. Water concert hours: 12 PM–5 PM.#Hoodstock2026 #HoodCanal #MasonCounty #SheltonWA #UnionWA #HoodCanalMusic #FocusOnShelton #KMASRadio #PacificNorthwest #LiveMusicWA #PettyThief #HoodCanalSchool #SalmonCenter #RobinHoodResort #FloatingConcert #WashingtonMusic
Transcribe →Shelton's Next 3–5 Years: City Manager Mark Ziegler on Growth, Walkability & Your Voice in the Plan
Jun 1400:17:08Tap to summarizeShelton is growing, and the city wants to make sure the community has a voice in what that looks like. City Manager Mark Ziegler joins Jeff Slakey on Focus on Shelton to break down the strategic planning work underway at City Hall, what the City Council identified as Shelton's strengths and challenges, and how residents can weigh in at a public open house on June 23rd at Shelton's Civic Center.They cover the full picture: new housing developments near Olympic College, water infrastructure and storage capacity, walkability standards being built into new subdivisions, the former Simpson Railroad corridor as a potential crosstown trail, and the tension between preserving Shelton's small-town character while meeting the demands of a growing population.Ziegler also addresses head-on the question every listener is thinking: how do we make sure this plan doesn't just sit on a shelf? His answer; KPIs, check-ins, budget accountability, and a city manager who considers it his personal job to make it stick, is worth the listen.📅 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE: Monday, June 23rd | 5–7 PM | Shelton Civic CenterNo registration required. Drop in and talk directly with city staff about the five draft strategic initiatives.Focus on Shelton is produced by KMAS Radio and sponsored by Peninsula Credit Union.Chapter Markers0:00 — Introduction: City Manager Mark Ziegler at Shelton City Hall0:23 — Strategic planning retreats and the focus question1:27 — Growth is at Shelton's doorstep: what the council agreed on2:33 — SWOT analysis: strengths, infrastructure, water storage challenge4:51 — Revenue diversification and transportation investments6:19 — Will this plan just sit on a shelf? KPIs and accountability8:12 — PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE: June 23rd, 5–7 PM — how to participate9:18 — How the strategic plan flows to city departments10:37 — Shelton on the rise: growth trends from both sides of Seattle11:33 — Preserving small-town character while welcoming new residents13:07 — City limits, the 98584 zip code, and who counts as a constituent14:21 — Development standards: park requirements, walkability, and livable neighborhoods15:33 — Simpson Railroad trail, Neyland Park, water supply, and police staffing16:22 — Event reminder and closing#SheltonWA #FocusOnShelton #MasonCountyWA #SheltonStrategicPlan #CityOfShelton #SheltonGrowth #KMASRadio #MasonCounty #HoodCanalWA #SheltonCommunity #WashingtonState #SmallTownWA #PacificNorthwest #LocalGovernment #CivicEngagement #PublicInput
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