Bill Sundahl discusses his favorite pet project: the Crossroads Music Fest

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Bill Sundahl has his hands on a lot of turntables, figuratively speaking. That’s not surprising, given his position as the special events and volunteer coordinator for community-radio station KKFI 90.1. But what cranks his heart up to 45 rpm is the Crossroads Music Festival, the annual event that he dreamed up in 2004 and has organized since.

This year, CMF spreads out over seven venues: Green Lady Lounge, two stages at the Living Room Theatre, the Brick, the Tank Room, Mod Gallery and East Crossroads Main Stage (at 19th Street and Grand). Ahead of the Saturday event, I talked with Sundahl about CMF’s growth.

The Pitch: This is the 11th annual Crossroads Music Fest. How has it changed over the years?

Sundahl: It started behind where the Crossroads KC is now — back then it wasn’t even called Grinders Sculpture Park. I talked to Stretch [Jeff Rumaner, Grinders co-owner] one day and was like, “I want to put a show on in your yard.” So he built a little stage, and day of the show they were cutting down trees to make way for bands loading in. I think the first year, we had something like eight bands. We did it there for three or four years, and then Sculpture Park became Crossroads KC. It got to where we were closing down the street, and we moved the main stage to Crosstown Station [until it closed in 2011]. By then, it was becoming several venues. Now, we’re up to seven stages and 35 bands. This year, our main stage is at a new location: 19th and Grand. We’re building our own venue in the lot.

With so many other locally focused music festivals in Kansas City, what makes CMF important?

I think it’s important because we strive to offer people a real cross section of what’s going on every year. There are 35 bands this year, and only five have played the festival before. We’re always trying to find newer bands — not necessarily younger bands, though that’s how it happens. We try to design it so that if you just go to one local music event a year, you can come to this one and still get a really good selection.

How have you seen the local music scene evolve as you’ve been organizing CMF?

Early on, there were a lot more repeat artists playing the festival. I feel like we’re able to have such a variety now because the scene has grown so much. There are more venues these days, and there’s more support from the community to go see Kansas City music. I think that’s the key. I think people care about the artists here — there’s an understanding that if a band works really hard and practices in their basement and no one comes to see them play, they’re going to become discouraged, and no one wants that. So I think there’s a lot of support for KC music. I always wish there was more, but the reality is that it’s never been better.

Another aspect is that I’ve seen a lot more bands being professional now than in the past. I’m not trying to dog on anyone, necessarily, but I think the level of professionalism is people realizing that bands like Making Movies or Radkey or Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, they’re going out and making a name for themselves, and they started in Kansas City. In the past, there’s always been some bands that essentially have to leave to make money because even though Kansas City does support its own, it’s not enough to make a living. So people are seeing those bands now, the ones that are going around the world and making it. They’re seeing how tight they are and how professional they are, and it’s translating into higher quality on a lower budget from local musicians.

Tell me a little about the planning process for CMF. How long does this take to put together?

[Laughs.] As soon as we get off the phone, I’m writing grants and hitting up sponsors for next year. It never stops. I wish it was the only thing I did because it’s become a passion, obviously. I love it and I love this town. And I wish I could focus on it constantly. Thankfully, I do have a great job that allows me to focus on events, and I’ll start focusing on next year’s fest immediately. As far as booking, I usually start late spring. And marketing and promotion start around then, too.

What do you personally get out of it?

I think it’s that I get to enjoy my life. I get to connect to people. I’ve always enjoyed making things happen and making something out of nothing, so Crossroads Music Fest and all of the shows and events with KKFI are just harebrained schemes until you work really hard for them.

For me, the payoff always comes at the events themselves, when you’re living life and enjoying the moment, and you’re seeing that a thousand other people are enjoying the exact same thing. Even though I’m working the events, I always take the moment to enjoy some of my favorite bands. And that’s it for me — giving people that place to go and escape and live in the moment and have a good time. I’m not the only one who likes to let art move them and get swept up.

This is a big week for KKFI. In addition to CMF, the station is putting on the following events.

Thursday, September 10

Best Board Practices seminar

KKFI Studios (3901 Main)

Thursday’s Best Board Practices is put on by the Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts (KCVLAA), which hosts educational sessions for artists around Kansas City. The seminar focuses on the responsibilities of nonprofit board members, so if you’re in charge of a nonprofit — or you’d like to be — don’t miss this session. It costs $12 for non-KCVLAA members, free to KCVLAA members.

Friday, September 11

Kelley Hunt, with Julian Davis

JCCC’s Polsky Theatre

(12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park)

Blues singer Kelley Hunt is touring in support of her exquisite The Beautiful Bones. Unable to perform at CMF, Hunt was still interested in helping support KKFI with a benefit concert. Friday at the Polsky Theatre at Johnson County Community College, she plays with her full band. Julian Davis, 15-year-old Kansas State Flatpicking Champion, opens the show. Tickets cost $20, $35 or $40.

Sunday, September 13

White Noise: Embracing the Spirit

Belvoir Winery

(1325 Odd Fellows Road, Liberty)

This one-day event was designed by KKFI DJ Maria Vasquez Boyd with writers, photographers and fine artists in mind, though anyone is welcome. Participants at the retreat will learn about the history of the property, sample wines, wander the grounds, and be entertained by singer-songwriter Heather Thornton at a reception. Tickets cost $15.

For more information on these events, or to purchase tickets, see kkfi.org.