KX FM's T-Shirt Design Winner Revealed At Music-Filled Party

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—KX FM threw a members-only party in Mozambique’s big outdoor tent on August 24th. The shindig was held to reveal the “human crafted” T-shirt-design contest winner. Hot appetizers, swag bags and a multitude of articulate people made for a great time. But the musicians made it take off; the live music absolutely sizzled from the outset.

Station favorite Trapdoor Social was on tap, streaming their set on Instagram Live, but a surprise second band added fiery New Orleans jazz. The two groups overlapped through the magical sounds of horns, which were key to the aforementioned sizzle.

Quinn Carson joined Trapdoor Social on trombone for “Loneliness,” a decidedly raucous tune on the subject. Then Carson’s bandmate Jay Jennings brought his trumpet chops to Trapdoor's last songs.

During Carson’s set, he called up Trapdoor Social’s dynamic frontman Skylar Funk, who stalked the tent on saxophone. Generally, he was the life of the party—even luring KX FM’s newest show host Patti Compton of “Say Something Sweet” to the dance floor.

Station manager and afternoon host Alyssa Hayek beamed while revealing that 1,000 listeners had cast votes for their favorite among the design finalists. Erica Delamare, music and social media director, presided over the merch table, guarding the mannequin torso that sported the winning design on a T-shirt hidden under a tie-dyed towel.

With a decisive 30 percent of the vote, the winner was Mitch Ridder's sunset silhouette of a musician playing at the western edge of the world.

“Mornings with Ed” host Ed Steinfeld was emcee, of course. Before introducing Trapdoor Social, he paid tribute to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who’d just passed away in London. Ed's sassy selection? “The Spider and the Fly.”

A slew of station hosts were on hand, wearing badges so KX FM members could meet the people they listen to all week. Sunday was well-represented by Martin Hanlin of “The Real McCoy Show,” Steve Reid of “Coast Highway Shuffle,” and Ernest Hackmon of “The Importance of Being.”

“Tropical Surf” DJ Tommy J pointed out jeweler Cookie Lee in the crowd of KX FM supporters. Lauren Fisher came by to party for 104.7 and celebrated her first anniversary as owner of My Laguna Office on Broadway downtown.

Development director—and all-around Laguna Beach culture maven—Jayne Herring and her daughter Inara worked the check-in table gracefully. Jayne’s event-planning chops were on sweet display throughout.

When it was time to reveal the winning design between bands, Jayne disrobed the half dummy with aplomb. Ridder's graphic is printed on all-cotton quality tees by Laguna's own The T-Shirt Company; there was one in each swag bag.

Patch visited the station back in June, and it was a gas to see the core four—Erica, Ed, Alyssa and Jayne—fulfilling their mission to bring the station to the community and vice versa.

As we left to catch the trolley home, Jayne called out that Mozambique wanted Trapdoor Social to keep playing. Did they? Let us know in the comments.