BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – After broadcasting live every weekday morning from a studio in Bellingham, the KAFE 104.1 morning crew has made relationships with early morning listeners for decades.

The station’s call letters officially changed from KNWR to KAFE in 1989. KAFE, put simply, is an adult contemporary radio station but also has a heavy influence on older generations and young children. It is described more deeply by its KAFE This Morning show hosts Dave Walker, Patrice Valentine and Allan Fee as a mainstay community radio station with fun music, feel-good content and bits of daily news.

“There’s a lot of serious stuff that goes on in the world—we talk about some of that—but for the most part we try to keep it light, help people get in a good mood,” said Walker. “I like to think of us as the happy station.”

Walker moved to Bellingham in 1980 and got his first radio job at the PNW Media Group building in 1983. When he first started, he worked for KISM and KGMI but moved over to work KAFE in 2000. Walker has since made his mark on the station, working alongside a rotating cast of morning news hosts.

Valentine started at KAFE 104.1 a little under three years ago. She listened to Walker on KAFE 104.1 before becoming a morning host and admired the show’s positive and relatable nature. Though she wasn’t sure if she’d make a good fit, Valentine has proven to be a perfect addition to the morning crew. Furthermore, living in Ferndale, she brings in a unique news perspective further north outside of the Bellingham area.

Fee has been involved in radio since the age of 16. Though his work has taken him all over the country, he has stayed put through this second round of working at the PNW Media Group building. His passion for KAFE’s morning show is evident, as he goes on three years and continues working to help strengthen the station’s community ties.

KAFE has always taken pride in being community involved and considers it a big part of the station’s identity. Events such as Drive-By-Giving, Dream Home Do-Over, Radio-thons, live broadcasting events and much more are examples of the community involvement KAFE has in Whatcom County and beyond. Though these events raise money, the team hopes to bring people together, tell their stories and help in some way that surpasses monetary value.

Festive Fridays on KAFE were brought to the table three years ago and have made a notable difference in the connection of community that happens on the show. Every Friday, a mix of local businesses, organizations, individuals or non-profits gather to share their stories and join in on the on-air fun.

Through Festive Friday and other segments interactive segments on KAFE, the crew has helped foster new relationships, connections and events within the community alongside those who come on the show.

“I think this is a community that is exactly what it says it is,” shared Fee. “[Whatcom County residents] believe in community, they are very passionate about the community—maybe subdued about it, but they’re passionate about it.”

Following the morning show, KAFE producer and afternoon host Scotty VanDryver has been at the helm of station for years. VanDryver started at KAFE in 1998 at first doing anything to be a part of the team. Eventually he transitioned to the mixing board, worked various shows on the station over the years and now hangs out on-air during the afternoon.

Most events, fundraisers and general structure of KAFE is under the direction of the station’s producer VanDryver. His time spent behind the scenes sets the morning show crew up for success. In the afternoon you can rely on him to deliver special song requests and a variation of top hits.

The team has noticed through their work that when they share a story about an organization or individual needing help, listeners are eager to respond to the call. Time after time they had opportunities to not only make a difference in the community through KAFE 104.1, but through the listeners and community members they work with each week.

Going into the remainder of 2025, KAFE is looking to shake things up, engage with listeners through quality content and continue bringing the community together.