Spending his life within Riverside, Ken Crawford is a textbook example of a true born-and-raised Riversider. From Riverside City College’s Viewpoints, The Raincross Gazette, The Riversider Magazine and even the Riverside Historical Society, Crawford has consistently made waves within Riverside.
Starting out in the Viewpoints newsroom, Crawford gained experience as a journalist and found his professional outlook within a particular faculty member.
“Allan Lovelace was the advisor and I always like(d) that old-school professionalism,” said Crawford. “He took journalism very seriously. He believed in what he was doing and that had a big impact on me.”
Reflecting on the impression that Lovelace left on Crawford, a 2024 Viewpoints article quotes Lovelace saying, “I tried to make sure every student had an opportunity, no matter what their background was.”
While Lovelace concluded his advising career at RCC in 2020, his impact proved to be significant, as he was awarded the Emeritus Award in 2024 for his contributions to the journalism programs.
Crawford took the lessons he learned from Lovelace and continues to write within Riverside. Not only did Crawford create small local magazines based on Riverside’s music scene, but he also went on to write for the Raincross Gazette, writing over 400 articles.
Zack Corder, a childhood friend of Crawford and a close associate, recalls some of the early days with Crawford.
“He was the biggest kid at Washington Elementary School and years later, I went to Gage and Ken went to Poly,” said Cordner. “We were in that skateboarding and music scene and me and Ken really clicked because we had bonded over hardcore music.”
As a journalist and photographer himself, Cordner also reflects on his experience working alongside Crawford on projects.
“He’s always got his ear to the ground, and he’s the eyes and ears of Riverside Magazine,” said Cordner. “Ken is awesome to work with, passionate about the music scene in Riverside and making it accessible to all ages.”
Crawford’s most recent endeavor involved his coverage of “60 Miles East”, curated by Crawford and his childhood friend Zack Cordner. This was an art exhibition at the Riverside Art Museum that dove deeper into Crawford’s roots in Riverside, as he was deeply embedded in the punk, ska and hardcore music scene.
From the chaotic music culture of Riverside’s past to the historic legacy of the Mission Inn, Crawford has managed to keep a steady finger on the pulse of Riverside.
“It’s where I grew up, you know, I’ve invested a lot in (Riverside) and I’ve raised my family here,” said Crawford. “My dad came here in 1960, and my mom in 66. I feel comfortable here and that makes it easy to write about it.”
The work that Crawford puts into the community doesn’t just stop at journalism. With “60 Miles East” being a pioneering piece of Riverside’s alternative music resurgence, Crawford plans to expand beyond journalism within the community that raised him.
“We’re working really hard on getting an all-ages venue, and I’ve been working on a bunch of little projects that hopefully will come to fruition very soon,” said Crawford, “Just writing freelance and doing the Riversider magazine keeps me busy.”
Mixed within many Riverside subcultures, Ken Crawford continues to push the envelope when it comes to opportunities for a new generation. With the “60 Miles” East exhibit concluding in April of 2026, Crawford still has plans to recognize a niche music culture that inspired him, with a website launching soon that will focus on Riverside’s food, art and music.
