May 7, 2026
This week our speaker is Kelsyn Rooks, Founder & Board Chair, Center for Recorded Music
Kelsyn Rooks has over 30 years of corporate experience developing, marketing, and managing consumer and technology products at some of the world's largest technology companies including T-Mobile, Nokia, and Amazon. Along with his love of technology, he brings a lifetime of passion for music, in part fostered by his parent's ownership of The Music Exchange, Kansas City's premiere record store from the 1970s to the 2000s.
In 2015 Kelsyn launched Listyn KC, Kansas City's first curated record listening event. These shows consistently sold out their capacity with waitlists of people wanting to attend. In late 2018 Kelsyn began working with a small group of dedicated supporters to increase access to musical programming and experiences for more people. Out of the initial plans the Center For Recorded Music (C4RM) 501(c)(3) was born in 2020 and in 2024 we opened The Listyning Room in Leawood. Today, C4RM serves over 200 programs per year, 4-6 days per week, to thousands of visitors. C4RM is currently looking for a larger, permanent home in the KC Metro area.
Over the years, Kelsyn has traveled to 77 countries, been to 6 of the 7 continents (Antarctica someday), and has experienced a kaleidoscope of music in all forms and formats. Born and raised in Kansas City, Kelsyn graduated from Lincoln College Prep, attended UMKC, and now lives in Overland Park, KS with his wife, son, and three Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
In 2015 Kelsyn launched Listyn KC, Kansas City's first curated record listening event. These shows consistently sold out their capacity with waitlists of people wanting to attend. In late 2018 Kelsyn began working with a small group of dedicated supporters to increase access to musical programming and experiences for more people. Out of the initial plans the Center For Recorded Music (C4RM) 501(c)(3) was born in 2020 and in 2024 we opened The Listyning Room in Leawood. Today, C4RM serves over 200 programs per year, 4-6 days per week, to thousands of visitors. C4RM is currently looking for a larger, permanent home in the KC Metro area.
Over the years, Kelsyn has traveled to 77 countries, been to 6 of the 7 continents (Antarctica someday), and has experienced a kaleidoscope of music in all forms and formats. Born and raised in Kansas City, Kelsyn graduated from Lincoln College Prep, attended UMKC, and now lives in Overland Park, KS with his wife, son, and three Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
