KGPC has had a long-held dream of having a live music show in its programming lineup called "Teeny Tiny Mic". For those who aren’t familiar, National Public Radio (NPR) has a show titled "Tiny Desk", a video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music at the desk of former All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen in Washington, D.C. KGPC wanted its own local version of this music show, particularly since the Bay Area is burgeoning with musical talent hence, Teeny Tiny Mic.

When it was discovered that Raya Zion, Laney College’s Employment Services Director has a weekend gig singing in her band, Groove Objective, a host was identified. However, it wasn’t easy to get her on board. After some cajoling, begging, and maybe some bribing, KGPC was happy to announce "Microtones". Raya changed the name after consulting some of her musician friends and they thought that Microtones would be a better title.

Microtones is a reference to a musical interval that is smaller than a semitone, or the smallest difference between two adjacent notes in the Western musical scale.  

Now five shows in, Raya reflects on the diversity of artists that have visited, “We have had a variety of artists, some I think who just wanted to hear themselves.  Some who were really good.”  Raya’s first show featured guitarist Paride Pignotti, who was on the eve of his album release. You can see his show on the KGPC YouTube channel, and also on the KGPC website at www.kgpc969.org/teeny-tiny-mic.

Talking more about her show Raya dreams of a broader vision, “I want to talk to a lot of artists, unlike Tiny Desk that has a specific focus, I want to explore all genres of music, and even the arts.”  Raya has interviewed playwright Steve Budd who performed pieces of his one-man show in the studio, and gospel singer and Laney College cosmetology instructor, Marcie Bias who didn’t leave a dry eye in the building with her soulful A Cappellas during her recording.  As for the show’s future, Raya sees it evolving to be more interactive. She even changed the name back to the original title Teeny Tiny Mic. Raya concludes, “I really want to get to a point where we could give away tickets and talk to touring artists to get more people listening.” To hear Teeny Tiny Mic, you can tune in on the first Sunday of the month at 7 AM and 7 PM on 96.9 FM, and of course online at www.kgpc969.org.