BY MIKE BREEN

Ken Glidewell, a local musician, producer and radio personality, died May 27 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Glidewell was 48.

Glidewell had an expansive history in relation to Cincinnati and its music. Early in his radio career, Glidewell (who went by "Mr. K" on the radio) was a DJ at 97X (the station that has now morphed into woxy.com), exposing Tristaters to the new, weird sounds of "Alternative Music"-- before it even had that name. Over the years he was also a valiant supporter of Metal, Country and all local music.

Glidewell performed in the '80s band Chem Dyne, one of the earlier, pioneering Punk bands in the city (though they actually hailed from Hamilton). In the '90s, Glidewell helped start Big In Iowa, a local Roots Rock crew that signed a record deal in Europe and toured over there as well. The original incarnation of the band fell apart, but Glidewell kept the name going and gave Big In Iowa a more Country sound. Glidewell also performed with the side project, The Tequila Kings, and he co-produced the latest album by Country singer/songwriter Dallas Moore.

But Glidewell is probably most widely known as Mr. K, the radio personality who worked for years at WEBN and The Fox. His radio and musical history make this Thursday's tribute to Ken on WAIF (88.3 FM; waif883.org) all the more fitting. Radio host Cynthia Wimmers -- a longtime friend of Glidewell's -- presents a special edition of Kindred Sanction Thursday at 8 p.m. The show will feature music from Glidewell's projects -- from Chem Dyne to Big In Iowa -- and Wimmers is encouraging listeners to phone in and share memories.

Donations to the Mr. K Memorial Fund can be made at any Fifth Third Bank.

More Local Notes
· Summer's starting -- time for another Rivertown Breakdown. The annual event has become the concert to direct lovers of all forms of Roots music and Americana each year. Saturday's Breakdown features music from Rumpke Mountain Boys, Bernie Franklin & Disciples of Praise, Greg Schaber, Cuz 'n Jake, Robin Lacy and DeZydeco, Star Devils, The Sidecars, Katie Laur Band, The Comet Bluegrass Allstars, Jake Speed and the Freddies, Zumba, The Faux Frenchmen, Tupelo Honey, Ricky Nye, Lagniappe and the Queen City Zapatistas. Money raised goes to the ORSANCO's River Sweep, a volunteer group that cleans up the shoreline of the Ohio River. Music starts at 8 p.m. (rivertownbreakdown.com)

· Traditional Celtic group Dark Moll releases its new CD this Saturday with a show at the Molly Malone's in Pleasant Ridge (formerly the Dubliner). Music starts at 8:30 p.m. The crisp, organically produced Animal Tracks is loaded with 14 flawless tracks of jigs, reels and tunes, interpreted by the band with a natural soul and grace. Largely an instrumental effort, the album rolls like the Irish hills, as the accomplished band members perform on banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, bodhran and other instruments I couldn't spell if it weren't for Google. If you are a fan of the traditional sounds of Ireland and its Celtic cousins, you'll be hard pressed to find a better disc made by contemporary players. (darkmoll.com)

E-mail Mike Breen

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