CREATE Communications in the Valley

Richard Arnold Beattie is the host and producer of "Folk Heroes" on KLZR and Community Radio. As the Founder, President and Curator of Sound Century Academy of Recording Arts, Beattie remasters vintage recordings from Musical Theater, Broadcasts and concerts from The Denver Folklore Center and Harry Tuft Collection. As a writer, singer,songwriter and guitarist, and an early concert hall manager at Swallow Hill, He has long been associated with Harry Tuft.

In the valley, the songwriter is known as the lead singer for Celtic Mountain Strings, and his songs with stories from Dick Jones, in "Walking the Same Ground." "I started Sound Century, as a documentary on the history of Radio for the 100th year Anniversary of KLZ in Denver in 2022.

Skimming the Surface

As writer and producer for the station, the General Manager suggested that Beattie start a non-profit to preserve and document recordings. From there the organization has been responsible for digitizing and preserving reel to reel tapes with Park Peters at Audio Park in Arvada. "Park is one of a fading breed of analog technicians." He preserves the tapes and we put them in our digital library on the cloud as well as on external hard drives." "There are thousands of tapes that are in danger of becoming dust in storage units around the world, Beattie says. "We are just skimming the surface."

Down in the Valley

In 2024, Richard and Jill Beattie returned to the Valley, where they purchased the Chalet at 510 Main Street. Jill started Music Mountain Instruments for Travel and Camping and teaches music to kids from 5 to 85. Richard's media studio is in the mixed use building where he works on the programs his songs, audio publishing and music with Jill who is the Appalachian Dulcimer player and singer in Celtic Mountain. The couple also performs together and with the Quartet "Highland Strings."

Folk Heroes on Community Radio

Pete Seeger told the audience at Dartmouth in 1957 that Folk Music is "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." "That is our mission. With live venues and recorded music, BMI and ASCAP are coming after the small town cafes to collect fees. With streaming services the royalties cannot be accounted for using the old formulas. So, agents are making appearances at Farmer's Markets, Cafe's, Restaurants and Bars." This presents an opportunity for traditional, original and new arrangements of songs in the public domain," Beattie says. "It also is better for the musicians and the audience. Fresh content, more imaginative sound and genres are what makes a soundscape."

Common Ground

Beattie, has been known for creating original programming for media. As a writer, producer and host since 2000, radio, podcast and online media has been a place to launch and create his CREATE Daily column, several radio programs, documentaries and specials. Community radio, streaming and podcasts are a baseline in being a good neighbor. He is an award winning producer of radio ads, and public service announcements. His interviews for nationals syndicated shows are still in circulation.

Schoolhouse Folk and Roll

In June, Beattie will be heading Valley Parks and Recreation and the Old Westcliffe School House and Youth Center as President of the association. "Community, Recreation, Education, Arts, Travel and Transportation and Entrepreneurship for all ages is what CREATE Daily is all about. He is the head of the Leadon Family Foundation, Colorado Chapter and is active in Rotary Club and Landing Well. "There are exciting opportunities for all generations in the Valley and some challenges that will take a Valley to Think and Act" , Beattie says, "And it starts with communications."

Think and Act Group Teams through Leadon Family Foundation are addressing educational, economics and ecological challenges in Colorado. To find out more email Richardbeattie809@gmail.com.