Thank you for being a part of the Live Oak Music Festival and KCBX community. Whether you’ve been part of the Live Oak tradition for decades, volunteered for years, attended occasionally, or experienced Live Oak for the first time this year, we are grateful for you.

Unfortunately, the Live Oak Music Festival will not return in 2027. We are, however, evaluating options for what may be possible for a 2028 iteration of Live Oak. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share thoughts about the future of the Live Oak Music Festival by completing the survey. The survey is now closed.

This decision is not about one challenge, but several.

Last year, federal funding for public media was eliminated. KCBX must raise an additional $420,000 annually to maintain our current operations and programming. With those increased funding pressures, KCBX can no longer take the financial risks or commit the resources necessary to sustain a three-day camping festival.

The festival's staffing, operational, and liability demands are more than our small station can sustain. Costs for talent, supplies, services, and insurance have increased over the years, while festival attendance has significantly declined.

KCBX is a 51-year community treasure. Preserving it is our priority, and this decision is what protects it – now and for the future.

Again, thank you to everyone who has attended and participated in Live Oak over the years, and thank you for caring about and believing in KCBX, your local 100% community-supported public radio station.

Chris McBride
President & General Manager, KCBX