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SAN DIEGO ROUBADOUR Alternative country, Americana, roots, Tfolk, gospel, and bluegrass music news

April 2004 OFFICIAL ROOTS FESTIVAL PROGRAM Vol. 3, No. 7

what’s inside

Welcome Mat………3 Mission Statement Contributors Message from AABA Letter from the Editor

Full Circle. …………4 Tomcat Courtney Lou Curtiss

Front Porch... ………6 Fred Gerlach

Center Stage..………7 Adams Ave. Roots Festival . May 1 2, 2004 ,

Performing Artists... 8 v Musician Profiles Saturday & Sunday

Performance Times Stages Map Information e

Highway’s Song... …14 Chuck Brodsky ★ Wild Jammin’ Women ✩ MEXICAN ROOTS TRIO ✩ Of Note.……………15 Hot Club of San Diego Mexican Roots Trio Jimmie Skinner ★ CLYDE DAVENPORT Roy Ruiz Clayton The Shelleys ✩ BALKAN CAFE ORCHESTRA Ramblin’...…………16 ✩ Bluegrass Corner ★ Zen of Recording ★ ★ José Sinatra PAUL GEREMIA Radio Daze e ✩ ★ ‘Round About ...... …18 LES CAMPAGNARDS April Music Calendar

The Local Seen……19 Photo Page LOU & PETER BERRYMAN G G G KENNY HALL ✩ G HAWKS AND EAGLES ✩ SSS

WANNA BE ON T.V.? Local artists with original songs that are ready to perform should contact Howard at: YOURSELF PRESENTS 619/284-3605 [email protected] Yourself Presents is broadcast Fridays at 8pm, Cox Channel 23 (Channel 18 in North County) and Thursdays at 10pm,Time Warner Channel 19. San Diego Troubadour • April 2004

welcomewelcome matmat

MESSAGE FROM THE ADAMS AVENUE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SAN DIEGO ROUBADOUR PRODUCERS OF THE ADAMS AVENUE ROOTS FESTIVAL Alternative country, Americana, roots, Tfolk, gospel, and bluegrass music news On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Adams Avenue Business Association, I want to welcome OUR MISSION CONTRIBUTORS you to the 33rd annual Adams Avenue Roots To promote, encourage, and elcome FOUNDERS Festival. While you’re here, we invite you to visit provide an alternative voice for Lyle Duplessie (Publisher Emeritus) tWhe antique stores, bookshops, coffee shops, restaurants, and many other businesses located the great local music that is Ellen Duplessie along Adams Avenue. generally overlooked by the mass Liz Abbott The “Avenue” features a wide array of distinguished services and goods. We provide a sensi- media; namely the genres of folk, Kent Johnson ble, neighborly alternative to shopping at the malls and big box stores. We hope you’ll come back country, roots, Americana, gospel, often to sample our one-of-a-kind bistros, courteous car services, rare books, delectable pastries, PUBLISHERS and bluegrass. To entertain, distinctive fabrics, and trendy taverns. Kent Johnson educate, and bring together Liz Abbott We also want to highlight a few of our successes on Adams Avenue. With the help of our City players, writers, and lovers of Councilmember Toni Atkins, the San Diego City Council, the guidance of our Board of Directors, and these forms; to explore their EDITORIAL/GRAPHICS the cooperation of business and property owners, the AABA has completed several key public foundations; and to expand the Liz Abbott improvement projects on the Avenue. Some of these include: audience for these types of music. ADVERTISING/DISTRIBUTION • Storefront Improvement Projects: Living Art building (Ohio and Adams), Ogden building To receive advertising rates and Kent Johnson (Oregon and Adams), Timeless Collectibles (Hamilton and Adams), Adams Plaza (between information, call 619/298-8488 or Mansfield St. and Hawley Blvd.). PHOTOGRAPHY e-mail [email protected]. • Sidewalk Repairs: These were completed along the south side of the 3200 block of Adams Millie Moreno Avenue. The AABA also received a $705,000 Community Development Block Grant through San Diego Troubadour Councilmember Atkins to complete sidewalk repairs west of 33rd St. along Adams Ave. This P.O. Box 164 WRITERS La Jolla, CA 92038 Annie Bethancourt work should begin in the spring. E-mail: [email protected] Lou Curtiss • Maintenance Assessment District: The AABA won the vote of area property owners to assess Phil Harmonic themselves a small yearly fee to pay for the maintenance of trees and lights in underserved Paul Hormick areas of Adams Ave. The AABA will install shade trees and antique lights in the near future E Frederick Leonard from 33rd St. to Texas St. along Adams Ave. and on 30th St. from Adams Ave. to El Cajon Jim McInnes Blvd. The AABA has saved funds for several years to buy the trees and lights and pay for their Bart Mendoza installation. SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the Sven-Erik Seaholm local source for alternative José Sinatra BRANDING ADAMS AVENUE country, Americana, roots, folk, D. Dwight Worden The AABA also markets Adams Avenue to our neighborhood, greater San Diego, and the region gospel, and bluegrass music John Philip Wyllie with special events and projects designed to gain and retain customers by “branding” Adams news, is published monthly and is Avenue. These events include the Adams Avenue Roots Festival, Taste of Adams Avenue, San free of charge. Letters to the editor Diego-Adams Avenue Antique Street Faire, Holiday on the Avenue, and the Adams Avenue Street must be signed and may be edited ROOTS FESTIVAL Fair. We also publish the Community Business Directory and the Adams Avenue Antiques Directory. for content. It is not, however, MUSIC CURATOR The Adams Avenue Business Association wants to recognize the following individuals who guaranteed that they will appear. Lou Curtiss passed away recently, but played an important part in advancing the mission of the AABA. • Ellen Duplessie, co-founder of the San Diego Troubadour, which doubles as the event program All opinions expressed in SAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIEGO TROUBADOUR, unless Marco Anguiano for the Roots Festival and the Adams Avenue Street Fair. Ellen also served on the Street Fair otherwise stated, are solely the Music Committee for the last two years, helping to select the music acts that made the Street opinion of the writer and do not VENDOR COORDINATOR Fair a destination for music lovers. Judy Moore represent the opinions of the staff • Brian Rangeley, poet, writer, and editor of On the Avenue, our special events program prior or management. All rights TALENT BUYER to the San Diego Troubadour. Though wheelchair bound, his energy was boundless and reserved. Kent Johnson professional. • Charles “Chuck” Rucker, artist and business owner of Charles Rucker Gallery on Adams ©2004 San Diego Troubadour. ILLUSTRATION Avenue as well as an innovative artist and mentor. Roy Ruiz Clayton GRAPHICS Marco Anguiano Liz Abbott Executive Director Adams Avenue Business Association ADAMS AVE. BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NORMAL HEIGHTS KIDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Bodle President Mike Magers, Smitty’s Service Vice President Russ Vuich, Western Commercial R.E. Brokers Secretary Dave McPheeters, Zac’s Attic San Diego Troubadour he idea of creating a newspaper dedicated to the local music scene originated in the mind of one person.That person was Ellen Duplessie. Once she completed the Treasurer Marlene Goldstein, Pet Me, Please! T initial groundwork, her husband, Lyle and the two of us collaborated to make her dream a reality. Although it took the combined efforts of the four of us to get the first Lou Curtiss, Folk Arts Rare Records WRITE TO US! issue out, it was Ellen’s boundless energy in making connections in the community and her Phil Linssen, Kensington Veterinary devotion to music and her musical family that made it happen. On February 24, the San We’d love to hear from you! Diego Troubadour lost Ellen to cancer. She had been living with the disease for many years, Doug Generoli, Pi Financial Send your comments, yet she was always up-beat, positive, and fearless.Words cannot express how much we will Sundi Sage, Timeless Collectibles feedback, and suggestions miss her. Her spirit will always remain at the core of this publication. Meredith Morgenroth, Road Rebel by email to: Entertainment [email protected] We wish to thank all of you who showed your love and support by writing letters, making Dick Van Ransom Magana, donations to breast cancer research in Ellen’s name, and by coming to her memorial.The Mariposa Ice Cream or by snail mail to: San Diego hundreds of people who paid their respect that day is further testimony to how this Michael Rammelsberg, Rosie Troubadour, P.O. Box 164, La O’Grady’s Jolla, CA 92038-0164. inddomitable spirit touched and enriched the lives of so many. Raymond Cintron, Hummingbird Thanks also to City Beat and Taylor Guitar’s Wood & Steel publication for the articles they Confections The San Diego Troubadour ran.The San Diego Troubadour is planning a tribute issue to Ellen Duplessie in the near Robert Rael, Mojo Designs is dedicated to the memory future. Karen Cobb, Spill the Beans of Ellen Duplessie whose Marco Anguiano, Executive vision inspired the creation Liz Abbott and Kent Johnson Director of this newspaper. Publishers, San Diego Troubadour

3 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour fullfull circlecircle a g n o L

e n n a

Tomcat Courtney: e J

: o t o h Patriarch of San P Diego’s Blues Scene

by Bart Mendoza very good piano player out of Lubbock, in L.A., and when you’ve been in all Texas, and that’s what started me toward those cold places that I have…” “I’ve had my ups and downs and really playing.” “I started playing in Ocean Beach arounds,” says revered San Diego blues- Asked for an early influence on his around ‘72,” he continues. That’s actually man Tomcat Courtney. He pauses for a guitar technique, Courtney quickly men- quite an understatement. He would go on chuckle before adding, “mostly downs.” tions Lightnin’ Hopkins. to set what is likely the all-time local Speaking with Courtney from his Spring “Oh yes, it was inspired very much record after playing at the Texas Valley home, one is struck by the musical like Lightnin’ Hopkins,” he remarks. “I Teahouse for 22 years. Taking an off history this man has experienced as well liked his music because of the sound of night, he quickly built it into a packed as a razor sharp wit, likely honed by it. See, when I was a kid Lightnin’ house event. “I started playing there on decades of stage banter. Long consid- Hopkins would come and play those little Sundays, and the place filled up. I just ered the patriarch of the local blues farm towns. What inspired me about kept playing. I wasn’t looking for any- scene, Courtney has indeed lived a life Lightnin’ Hopkins a lot was that he where else. I had some other little gigs worthy of a movie, with enough roller played by himself. Most everybody had a here and around, but I wasn’t going to coaster turns to make it a series. box they’d pat their feet on. Well, he car- drop that. Then I started getting a bunch Courtney was born in Waco, Texas on ried a rhythm that people could dance to of little parties and all kinds of gigs, but January 23, 1929, still during the days of — by himself. I liked the way he could do that particular place, they were just lin- plantations and hard living, but the young that. Most people played good, but they ing up to come in there. I’m making good Courtney found a joy in music. didn’t have that Lightnin’ bass line, that tips and a little bit off the bar and then Interestingly, although he’s known for his open string. He did that more at these here comes everybody wanting to play guitar work, it wasn’t his first or even types of places. It kept the audience with me.” He’s clearly amused by the dancing.” memories. second instrument. “When I was a kid, I Tomcat Courtney started out with the harmonica, and I He notes that he didn’t tour much at To help ends meet, he took a job as a the time. “I was working, and I had a cook with Handlery Hotels in Mission played the coronet a little bit,” he says. prised to find that the fans there were age,” he jokes. “Right now I play at couple of kids,” he states. “I went on the Valley, a move that necessitated moving “My dad used to play piano, so I played well acquainted with the album. Chateau Orleans every Thursday night, road trying those little tour things. Then his show from Sundays to Thursdays, but the piano a bit. We had an old beat up The past decade has kept Courtney and I play at the Radisson Inn in La Jolla there wasn’t a lot of money,” he says, the crowds stayed constant throughout piano in the house that my grandfather busier than ever, with millions of music on Fridays. And I play at O’Connells and perhaps a bit glum at the memory. “I his run at the club. bought for my aunt when they were kids. fans getting an opportunity to hear the other places a couple times a month as moved out and after I left there, I was While already building an audience in They must have kept that thing for years. blues giant, though not in the way you well,” all of which gives his fans an easy moving around, first to Denver and then town, it was a meeting with music My daddy used to play out but he played might expect. Recently Courtney, along- opportunity to take in a performance to Albuquerque.” archivist Lou Curtiss that brought his piano on what they already had in the lit- side guitarist Buddy Blue, taped music from one of San Diego’s most underrated An opportunity soon arose that sound to the area’s larger stages. “I tle joints.” He humorously confides with for a Mercedes commercial. Blue had and most talented performers. Whether Courtney couldn’t turn down. “Bobby walked into Folk Arts one day, and I had a laugh, “To tell you the truth, I never did met Courtney in 1979 and spent time you take in a set of solo acoustic blues ‘Blue’ Bland came through, and I talked my guitar. I met Lou and I told him I was like the piano.’’ backing him. “They were looking for a or one with his group, the Bluesbusters, to someone in his band there. I had met a blues singer. He said, ‘Well, I’d like to Tragedy soon set Courtney on a path blues voice, and so Buddy Blue and I cut you’ll never have less than a rollicking Bobby Bland in Texas, and this guy tells hear you. We’re doing some blues shows toward entertainment although, once a track, with him on guitar.” good time. Long since given the title of me Bobby Bland is going to need a guitar at the college, at a place called the again, not where one might expect. While Courtney is proud of the unofficial godfather of the local blues player. His guitar player’s sick and we’re Backdoor.’ So I played him a couple of “What happened is that when I was a accomplishment, he’s much more excit- scene, it’s clear that Courtney is a local going to L.A. to play at the Five Four songs, and he said, ‘you’re on.’” It’s clear kid, my parents died,” he explains. “And ed about his own musical projects. “I’ve treasure who deserves a much larger Club.” It was a chance Courtney wasn’t from the conversation the respect so I joined the circus. It was in the ‘40s got two CD’s out, recorded in 1992 and spotlight. about to pass up. “Bobby Bland was Courtney has for Curtiss. “Lou started up and I was tap dancing. You see, that’s 1999 (Twelve O’Clock at Midnight and Tomcat Courtney will perform at this much bigger than I was,” he says. “They the Roots Festival and all that stuff,” he when they had minstrel shows. After Live at the Texas Teahouse), and I’ve got year’s Roots Festival. See pages 10-11 were able to live off what they were notes. “Actually, Lou scraped to start WWII started on December 7, by ‘43 and a new one just about to come out,” he for days and times. doing. So I said yeah. He said there that out; he worked hard to get that ‘44 they were drafting everyone into the says. While he’s not 100 percent sure of probably aren’t any tours for you, but I going, and he helped me a lot, and I army, so they had called the best the album’s title, he has an idea he’s can get you there.” helped him a lot.” It was at one of these dancers into the service.” This gave the leaning toward. “Like all my albums, this The show at which Courtney filled in festivals that one of Courtney’s few young Courtney an opportunity to join is all original music,” he states. “And I turned out to be a major event. The last released recordings, a compilation l.p., what would just a little later become the have a song on the album named night of the Five Four Club, all the era’s San Diego Blues Jam, was taped. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey “Sundown in San Diego” that I think fits stars turned out to hit the stage one last Originally released by Los Angeles Circus. “They found out I could tap the bill.” time. “That sucker turned out so big, they Advent Records in the early ‘70s, the dance, so that’s how I got on that. I As Tomcat Courtney approaches the couldn’t sell any more tickets. They had record is currently available on CD only danced with them from 1945 until the war age of 75, he remains as busy as ever. Jimmy McCracklin, Bobby Bland, T-Bone from HighTone Records. On a tour of ended.” “Well, as busy as I want to be at my It was during this time he began to Walker, Jimmy Reed, and more. It was a Europe in the ‘90s, Courtney was sur- play the six string. “I was fooling around show!” with a guitar during that time, well a little Courtney appreciated the California before then, but I never had nothing real- climate almost more than the music that ly good to learn on. It was really junk night. “I said, ‘I ain’t going back to with just a string or two. I pulled away Arizona.’ I even left a few clothes there,” PHIL HARMONIC SEZ: from it when I joined the circus, because he jokes. “I got to talking to a guy, and they just wanted me to dance. Well, I we started playing after the show. At started singing too. And that got me back that time, music was good there. They had so many little clubs. For a while, I 8 into the guitar.” “I kept messing around with the gui- was playing three and four nights a tar, and I got good enough to play out a week. That was around 1967 or 1968.” “This world is not conclusion, a little. I was working all the time and play- It wasn’t long before Courtney found ing little places. You know, at that time San Diego. “I came here with a band, sequel stands beyond, invisible, people were still picking cotton. So we Saxophone Slim, and we played at the would go out to these little towns and Twilight Zone on Imperial. I got here in as music, but positive, as sound.” play on Friday and Saturday nights. I was 1971, and I liked the weather better,” he 17 or 18 years old and I got married. So recalls. “After I was here awhile, I found that’s going to slow you down,” he states out the music scene was a little tough, — Emily Dickinson with a hearty laugh. “I didn’t know that at and I thought I might have to leave here. the time. But I got with a kid who was a But I just love the weather in San Diego. Kent Johnson, Robert Johnson’s bastard son. The smog and stuff wasn’t as bad as it is

4 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004 fullfull circlecircle n

Oh Brother, Here We Are ... o s d r

Been Here All Along, at a h c i R

Least for Now l l i

Recordially, Lou Curtiss B

:

Well, as I’m sitting here today o t o and writing this column, the verdict music here. I hope I can continue to h P is still out on my future. I’ve owned help preserve these kinds of things the Folk Arts Rare Records business for a long time to come. I do care, for 37 years and for the past 27, it’s but it’s kind of depressing to think been located at 3611 Adams Ave., about moving my collection and the where I also make my home with my Folk Arts stock to any old place that wife Virginia and my son Ben. has room. You’d think that after the Folk Arts Rare Records began as a nice piece in the Union-Tribune and home place for the yearly folk festi- Larry Himmel’s Channel 8 spot cov- vals I’ve put together since 1967 and ering my plight, someone would Lou Curtiss has remained that way to this day. come up with an idea to keep me (The roots festivals grew out of the here, but no one has. Oh, a lot of awhile and maybe with some of you old folk festivals, which were held at people tell me they saw the article in who haven’t. What can you do, you SDSU from 1967-1987.) Folk Arts is the newspaper or on TV and they ask yourselves? You can call the city, a venue for those who like and love wanted to come in before I close. call the Adams Ave. Business and collect old-time music, whether That makes me feel real good. I’m Association and ask about the roots it’s country and bluegrass, blues, trying not to be bitter and I can’t let festival; you can call somebody who jazz, traditional folk, Cajun, Irish, depression set in before there’s a has the clout to make Folk Arts a his- rhythm and blues, or old rock and reason, but I can’t just sit still and do toric landmark. Or, even better, you roll. If it’s rare and old, I very possi- nothing except think about the fix can buy the property and let me bly have it, or know about it, or can I’m in. So I’m doing one of the stay. That’s what I would do if I think I can. With rents as they are, I Ave. Street Fair. If I no longer have a get it. Along with selling old records things I can do right now. I’m writ- could afford it. (mostly LPs, 45s, and 78s), I also sell can’t afford two different places for business on Adams Ave., my involve- ing about it and sharing it with Recordially, vintage music on tape and CD from my home and business, and it’s ment with these two events would some of you who have known me my 90,000-hour personal collection. unlikely that I’ll find a location for most likely be curbed. So, folks, I’m Lou Curtiss I host a weekly radio show called both that’s affordable to me. People in a fix. I’m a little scared and feel a Jazz Roots on KSDS (88.3 FM), write tell me there ought to be someone little bit picked on. I’ve been a good liner notes for CDs on the England- out there who will let me stay where tenant for 27 years at this location. based Country Routes label, and I I am. You’d think so, but so far no I’ve put a wife and son through col- put together customized music tapes one has come forward. The people I lege and graduate school (though from personal histories. Mostly, I put notice eyeing the property look much of that was their own doing ... people in touch with their roots in more like tear-down-and-build-some- they’re both just so darn smart), and one way or another. thing-new types. I hope I’m wrong I guess I know more about the kinds My landlord has put the Folk Arts and a buyer shows up who will allow of music and related topics I’m inter- Rare Records property up for sale, so me to keep doing what I’m doing. ested in than most people have time my home and business at 3611 Another problem with moving is to be. I care about San Diego and Adams Ave. may have to move. I my involvement with the Adams the individuals who have made their really don’t want to. In fact, I don’t Ave. Roots Festival and the Adams way playing just about every kind of

5 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour frontfront porchporch

An Interview with Fred Gerlach Fred Gerlach, master of the 12-string guitar, is perhaps best known for his Huddie Ledbetter (Leadbelly)-style of playing. Lou Curtiss sat down with Gerlach not too long ago to talk about his days in New York City during the folk revival period of the 1950s and early 1960s. Gerlach was scheduled to play at the this year’s Roots Festival but unfortunately had to cancel due to health reasons. This is part one of a two-part series, which will be published in the June issue.

red Gerlach: Oh, I got lots of found one in a pawn shop on Third ago, and realize the extent and the cir- stories. As a matter of fact, it Ave. downtown. It was a Regal and cle of people who frequented Tiny’s Fwould make a book. I started cost me 35 dollars. I pulled it down house after Leadbelly died. It was a playing in 1951, and the reason I and I tuned it up and it sounded unique time. Upstairs, one flight up, remember that date is ‘cause that’s the awful—it was absolutely horrible—so I lived Martha, who was Huddie’s wife, Fred Gerlach in the 1950s year I left my wife. I was a draftsman left it there. But I went back and tuned and every Saturday and Sunday living up on New York City’s West side, it again and found that it takes about there’d be parties. Dancing parties and the hands of Manny Greenshill, who in Washington Heights. After a day’s three stages to first tune a 12-string. blues parties. Sometimes there was live was later Gary’s manager and they work, I would come home and, being So I bought that Regal and I played music, sometimes records, but over a were issued again [giving Fred no an avid artist, paint with pastels, oils, the hell out of that. Then I found an three-year period I saw most of the credit for having recorded some of the and whatnot. I had a six-string guitar, Italian guitar in a shop down in well-known musicians of that time. Big best recordings of Rev. Davis’ career. and I used playing the guitar as a Greenwich Village that I bought from a Bill Broonzy was often there (Uncle Bill, It’s sad what an untrue rumor can break from the art. I was sure I would guy named Peter Carboni. It was a they called him) and I learned a lot bring — Lou Curtiss]. . . but back to make a great artist, as we all do when large box six-string, and he converted watching him. the parties. we first start (I was a big Van Gogh it for me into a 12. It sounded great Fred Gerlach, performing in New York City Rev. Gary Davis played there a Every Saturday and Sunday at fan; he was my idol), but the art got except that it wasn’t meant to carry 12 lot. I later recorded about three hours Tiny and Martha’s, there were all kinds to be too much, especially after spend- strings, so in a year it was gone. I went was playing at a place called The Blue of him, and when I went to England a of things going on. Woody Guthrie ing the day drafting. Somehow the through several other Italian guitars Angel; Odetta also played there some. few years later, I sold the tapes to was there. He had just burned his arm guitar playing seemed to overwhelm with big boxes and had them convert- I did an audition for a couple who Dobells, who put them out. I got $125 and could hardly play the guitar. the art. Then I got a 78 recording of ed but ran into the same problem over booked people in clubs like that. I for them, which was my ticket home Woody stayed with me at my house Leadbelly playing that walking bass, and over again. Good durable 12- played them a couple of tunes and on the liner. They were recorded on a up in the Bronx with a gal named which, up to that time I’d only heard string guitars just didn’t exist in the they told me, “Well, that’s terrific if we Magnachord tape recorder that I had Annika. I lived up on Jerome Ave. in on a piano, on a guitar, only the early ‘50s. shave his head and paint him red, and bought on the advice of Pete Seeger, the Bronx. He and Annika and the sound was totally different from a six- During this time I was living with tell everyone that he’s an Indian, we who was also at Tiny’s parties. I was baby popped in and he moved in and string. That sank in. Tiny and playing lots of music with the might get away with it.” At that time hoping to record all of these people: that was it. He’d play guitar all day Coincidentally I met Queen Ollie likes of Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, white people like me didn’t play blues. Brownie and Sonny, Big Bill, and the long. I had a mattress on the floor and Love at that time, who was Leadbelly’s Woody Guthrie, and Rev. Gary Davis. In fact, they had to be downright lot even though I knew there was no he’d write verse after verse after verse. niece (everybody knew her as Tiny). I Big Bill took me to Moe Asch at commercial like Burl Ives or Richard money in it. I tried to pay Gary Davis I remember about 30 verses about the figured first hearing Leadbelly, then Folkways (who had recorded Dyer Bennett to even be successful $50 each time I recorded him. Tiny, elevated train going by. He had a gig meeting his niece was a sign. The first Leadbelly) and I did some recordings singing folk songs. the one who was his friend, told him, downtown at WNYC for Oscar Brand blues tune I learned was Leadbelly’s for him and got 50 bucks for what I I never considered myself a real “Yes, record for Fred, and he’ll put it and got an $800 advance, but he “Good Morning Blues.” I had nothing did. Much to my surprise, I got a write traditional folk artist. I wasn’t raised on out on tape and we’ll see if we can never showed up for the recording. He but a six-string Martin and that wasn’t up in the New York Times when the a farm, I didn’t do any hollers or sukey make you some money.” At that time bought a Martin guitar and gave me adequate for playing that stuff, so I record came out. At that time the folk jumps, but I did have stuff that was $50 was a lot of money for Gary, who $100, which I didn’t need. But he started searching for a 12-string. I world was very small. The big com- mine and original with me. I look back mostly worked as a street musician, insisted and bought about 10 bags of mercial success was Josh White. He on that period now, almost 50 years but at four different sessions I paid him groceries and started to cook enough about $200. food to last for three days. Over half Later, somehow, the word got the food just went bad. out that I had secretly recorded him This interview continues with Part and sold the tapes for a huge amount. Two in the June issue. I don’t know how it could be a secret, since Tiny was sitting there during the four hours we spent with the tape recorder. Somehow the tapes I sold to Dobells later got back here and into r

6 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004 centercenter stagestage

31ST ANNUAL ADAMS AVENUE ROOTS FESTIVAL

A History Lesson You Can Tap Your Foot To by Paul Hormick trace their origins to this interac- area but a hundred years later. More ly in both styles, and they come style and dozens of international tion. The two scale systems — the immigration brought additional from from the same area of the festivals that celebrate his musical elcome to the 31st do re mi — of the two continents influences, and the repertoire country, but Zydeco is of Creole ori- contribution. You’ll hear Reinhardt’s Annual Adams Avenue differed. Africa has more “natural” expanded to include schottisches gin. It developed after WWII as the legacy as the Hot Club of San Roots Festival, the pentatonic scales, whereas in and mazurkas, resulting in a more Creoles mixed rhythm and blues Diego brings the gypsy jazz to this annual celebration of our American Europe, as a result of the develop- high spirited music. with more traditional song styles. year’s festival. mWusical heritage. Sometime during ment of keyboard instruments and Cajun comes from the French- Zydeco and Cajun have intermixed If the U.S. were a movie, part the mid-1980s the term “roots the influence of composers like speaking Acadians who settled in and influenced each other, but are of the soundtrack would have to music” began to replace “folk Bach, the natural scales were tam- Louisiana after their expulsion from separate music traditions, related include the music of the trouba- music” because the connotation of pered with. Canada. This style of more by marriage than blood. dours and minstrels who traveled “folk” had narrowed to a picture of music developed As mentioned above, certain from town to town singing their hillbillies on the back porch or of around dance individuals, because songs. These tunes were passed Bob Dylan wannabees – not quite hall of their virtuosity down through the train yards, exiting enough to build an entire or strength of cheap hotels, and jails where the festival around. Roots music encom- their personali- minstrels gathered. As this music passes more. It can mean any form ty, have had a was not written down, verses were of music that contributed to our profound effect added or altered, and sometimes the modern forms of pop, rock, and on a musical songs would change completely. It’s jazz. It comprises the masala of genre or cre- thought that the bizarre lyrics to the song styles that make up this coun- ated an country standard, “Wild Wood try’s musical heritage, from entire Flower,” developed this way. Southwest conjunto and mariachi, Woody Guthrie took the tradi- to the hammered dulcimer ensem- tion of the troubadour and added bles of the Appalachians. Even some his signature to the songs by mak- of the more modern music, like ing them topical. He sang about rhythm and blues and the songs of the masses of Okies seeking the Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie, promised land in California; his are included on roots programs songs criticized McCarthy and the because of their influence on mod- Red Scare; and his repertoire told ern popular music. stories about hard work and the The deepest roots of American hardscrabble life of the poor. His music go back to Europe. When influence is immense. All the folk Europeans began colonizing the singers who graced the Greenwich New World during the 1500s, they Village coffee shops – Bob Dylan, brought their jigs, chanties, reels, Phil Ochs, and Tom Rush – owe it and other songs to their new home. all to him. As a matter of fact, songs They also brought their instruments that address social issues or are top- and, except for the banjo, which ical in any way, no matter what the comes from Africa, all the instru- Notes style, can trace some of their inspi- ments used to play American roots were ration back to Guthrie. Ross music are European. As some ethnic sharp- Altman, known as a singer/ song- groups settled more heavily in cer- ened or flattened, and new ones fiddle tunes. This dance music was genre of their own. Django fighter, embodies this tradition. And tain areas, they retained more of were added altogether. When the usually performed by a fiddle duo Reinhardt probably didn’t know that the quirky observations of Lou and their roots in the music of their new black slaves tried to sing the songs — one instrument droned double he was creating an entirely new type Peter Berryman owe more than a land. For example, the of their southern white owners, they stops as the other played the of jazz when he started listening to nod of the hat to Guthrie, as do the Appalachians were settled by waves bent the unusual European notes to melody. The songs were sung in a the records of Louis Armstrong and American Folk Singers, Gregory of Scottish and Irish immigrants; the African ones. Of all the music strong high-pitched manner to be other American performers that hit Page and Tom Brosseau. the resulting mountain music descended from this interaction, the heard above the sound of all the shores of France in the 1930s. These are only a few highlights retained a great deal of Celtic char- blues retains this quality the most. dancers shoes on the floor. Reinhardt was a gypsy who had of this year’s Roots Festival. There is acter. Other waves of immigrants, You’ll be able to hear in the guitar What we think of as the essen- grown up playing the Romany much more — country music, blue- including Germans, Poles, Slavs, work of Robin Henkel and Tomcat tial Cajun instrument — the button music of his ancestors. Once again, grass, Appalachian fiddle tunes — and others, brought folk tunes from Courtney the bending and sliding accordion — is a relatively late the scales upon which this music is it’s all there. Workshops will also be the Old World and added them to of notes that go back to the antebel- addition to this music. It was incor- based are different from the ones conducted by performers who will the American mix. You can hear lum South. porated by German immigrants in used by the American jazz players. offer tips on their styles and instru- such roots at this year’s festival by a This festival also features music the 1880s who brought their instru- When Reinhardt tried to play jazz, ments. And don’t forget the vendors diverse group of musicians perform- of northern Mexico and the ments with them when they settled he couldn’t help but infuse the and the beer garden. By supporting ing the music of Greece, Poland, American Southwest, which are also in Louisiana. Although a late comer, tunes with a Gypsy flair. the vendors you support the music. Russia, France, and other countries based on the music of Europe. Los the accordion was an important It’s been said that Mozart’s No matter what your favorite music of the continent. Californios perform characteristi- musical influence. The breath of the music can be described as both is — rock and roll, hip-hop, or jazz The biggest crux around which cally sweet and restrained waltzes instrument, the time it takes to happy and sad at the same time. — have a good time at the festival most American roots music augers and polkas that were heard in this push or pull the hand bellows, gives Reinhardt’s music is the same. His and get in touch with your roots. is the blend of European and Africa part of the world before the Cajun music its characteristic feel. take on jazz accentuates all the sad- music. Rock, hip-hop, blues, coun- Mexican-American War. The Zydeco is often mistaken or ness and sweetness, joy and sorrow try, jazz, gospel, and almost all the Mexican Roots Trio gives us a confused with Cajun music. The in the music. There are now thou- musical styles of this country can musical development of this same button accordion figures prominent- sands of musicians who carry on his 445

7 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour performingperforming artistsartists

Sanchez and his brother Ricardo, Los senior citizen homes, promoting their new too. It’s always a pleasure to have him at Jon Adams Alacranes, along with Don “Güero” Knapp album, Folk Music the Way God Intended It Lou & Peter the Roots Festivals. LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS and Miguel Lopez, have inspired audiences to Be. Berryman Saturday: 11am, DiMille Stage; 5pm, Hawley A great Central for more than two decades. Following the Saturday: noon, DiMille Stage; 8pm, Hawley & Adams Stage; 6pm Song Swap, Church California musi- success of their critically acclaimed CD, & Adams Stage/Sunday: noon, 34th & LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS Social Hall/Sunday: 3pm, DiMille Stage cian, I first met Rising Souls, released May 1999, Los Adams Stage Lou and Peter Jon at Sweets Mill Alacranes released Picando, originally Berryman are Curt Bouterse around 1967. Jon recorded in 1989. This group always puts on musical humorists Balkan Cafe LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS is one of those a good show. who write clever, I met Curt in 1963 great song leaders Sunday: 2pm, Beer Garden; 4pm, DiMille Orchestra inventive songs Stage that are rich in in an African histo- and finger-style LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS guitarists who wordplay. Drawing ry class at San always has some- Ross Altman from influences as Diego State. He thing new to play. He hasn’t played a San diverse as Woody was carrying an Diego Festival since 1987 (when it was still LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS Guthrie, Gilbert autoharp case and at SDSU). These musicians move around a A self-described and Sullivan, a shape note hym- lot and I sort of lost track of Jon, but when “singer-songfight- George Burns and Gracie Allen, and nal, and he looked fellow songster Mark Spoelstra called, he er,” Ross Altman Jacques Brel, these two are originals who like he might be remarked that he sometimes played music keeps up with the blend (and mock) midwestern culture with interested in some with Jon and did I want him too, and I cer- times with topical worldly savvy to produce some wickedly of the kinds of music that I was. Shortly tainly did. songs that reflect funny material. Formerly married and long- thereafter Curt and I, along with some the great tradi- time friends, they’ve been performing other folks, founded the SDSU Organized Saturday: 6pm, 34th & Adams Stage; 7pm When we first moved the festival from SDSU with Mark Spoelstra, Church Sanctuary/ tions of the genre together for 20 years at cafes, folk festivals, Folksingers. Almost right away we talked Sunday: 3pm Song Swap, Church Social Hall; popularized by to its new home on Adams Avenue, the first and clubs, keeping audiences highly enter- about doing a festival there on campus. In 5pm, Hawley & Adams Stage Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, and person I got in touch with was Hank tained with their sense of wit, wisdom, and 1967 we finally got around to it. Curt Tom Paxton. Ross has been a regular at the Bradley. He, along with Frannie Leopold, whimsy. This is their second visit to the played at that very first festival and he’s Los Alacranes Adams Avenue Roots Festival as well as had played at the last festival at SDSU in Adams Avenue Roots Festival. played at every one we’ve had since. Old 1987. In 1994 his wife, Cathie Whitesides, time Appalachian folksongs with fretless other Southern California folk venues for Saturday: 3pm, Church Sanctuary; 6pm Song many years. joined them to create the Balkan Cafe Swap, Church Social Hall/Sunday: 1pm, 34th banjo, hammered dulcimer, autoharp, Orchestra. At least one of these noble three plucked dulcimer, and Vietnamese mouth Saturday: 11am & 1pm, Hawley & Adams & Adams Stage; 3pm, Troubadour Park Stage have performed at every one of the Roots Stage harp (upon which he plays Southern moun- Festivals with their fine music and original tain dance tunes) are his specialties. songs culled from many years and many Ray Bierl Saturday: noon, Church Social Hall; 8pm, The American Folk miles they’ve covered in their search for 34th & Adams Stage/Sunday: 11am, DiMille great acoustic music. The trio offers plenty: LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS Stage; 3pm Song Swap, Church Social Hall Singers Cajun songs, Greek dances, Cape Breton Back in the 1960s, Are you ready strathspeys, North Carolina heat, Bosnian Ray was one of Tom Boyer to folk? The breakdowns, and much more, tapping into those folk/country Los Alacranes are one San Diego’s most American Folk the galaxy of highly crafted scales, rhythms, singer-guitarists Tom Boyer's con- beloved group of musicians and the pride of Singers return and harmonies unavailable in either west- who played about temporary finger- San Diego’s Mexican-American community. for an encore ern classical or rock-related music. Frannie’s every coffeehouse style approach is The music of these “musicos locos” has performance southern and Cajun vocals and warm gui- and club. When soaked in the fluid been described as sort of a cross between at this year’s tar; Cathie’s dazzling Celtic and Balkan fid- the Roots Festivals country and jazz the humorous style of Lalo Guerero and the Roots Festival dle; and Hank’s banjo, bouzouki, and south- first began, Ray idioms mastered by corridos and old timey norteño songs. to entertain ern and Balkan fiddle make the Balkan Cafe was involved as a Chet Atkins and “Chunky” Sanchez explains it as Southwest- the masses Orchestra a must-see at any Roots Festival. performer/emcee as well as somebody we finds further inspi- Chicano-Mexican-Barrio folklore. His song with their offbeat blend of music from the They smile a lot too and have a good time. went to for ideas. Sometime during the ration in the nim- about a chorizo sandwich is not to be bad old days. Gregory Page and Tom You will too. 1970s, Ray drifted up to the San Francisco ble grace of Doyle believed. Brosseau are a dynamic duo who play Saturday: 4pm, Troubadour Park Stage; 8pm, Bay area, making his visits to San Diego Dykes’ arrangements. Tom first picked up Founded in 1977 by Ramon “Chunky” songs from the ‘80s — the 1880s, that is. Church Sanctuary/Sunday: 2pm, Troubadour fewer and fewer over the years. During his the guitar at 13, seduced initially by the They are back from their national tour of Park Stage years in the Bay Area, he worked with twangy reverb of the Ventures, Duane Eddy, Malvina Reynolds and Mayne Smith and and later by the electric energy of all things became a driving force with the famous rock ‘n’ roll. When he was 17, Tom's brother Hillbillies from Mars. Along with his trusty turned him on to a Chet Atkins album. “I guitar, he has picked up some expertise on was stunned by what he could do on a gui- the fiddle. tar and became a fan for life,” Boyer recalls. This accomplished musician plays guitar “I bought every album he came out with and sings in a number of styles, which span and drowned myself in his style.” the range of traditional American music. For At 19, Boyer met inventive fingerstylist more than 20 years, Ray Bierl has been D.R. Auten, who became his mentor, teach- playing the fiddle music of North America ing him the rhythmic nuances and licks that and the British Isles to appreciative contra informed the Chet style. Boyer has credited and square dancers in the San Francisco Auten as “the greatest teacher I ever had,” Bay area and beyond, most notably as a and subsequently went on to perform with member of the group Hillbillies from Mars. Auten at various social functions. He con- Cowboy Dancing, his well-received recording tinued to pursue fingerstyle guitar passion- of songs and fiddle tunes, has recently been ately in the ensuing years, absorbing the re-issued in CD format. influences of such standout fretboard styl- Sunday: noon, Beer Garden; 3pm, 34th & ists as Jerry Reed, Charlie Byrd, Antonio Adams Stage; 5pm, Church Sanctuary Carlos Jobim, Larry Carlton, George Benson, and anyone who played like Chet. Saturday: 4pm Song Swap, Church Social John Bosley Hall; 6pm, Hawley & Adams Stage/Sunday: L OU CURTISS REMEMBERS 2pm, DiMille Stage; 4pm, Church Social Hall John used to play regularly at the The Budapest concert series we held at the old Folk Brothers Arts before it LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS moved to Adams Avenue in the early E.Z. Mark and ’70s. He wrote Lee Birch have songs that sound- been around the ed like old ’30s scene and played pop tunes, with kind of a raggedy guitar at various Folk backing. He’d occasionally throw in an old Festivals since time tune, so it always kept us song collec- the very early tors wondering. John was from New York ’70s. Chuck and wrote poetry along with his songs. As Borsos has also no one has an easy time making any kind of living from music, John got a job (outside of performed at most of the Roots music), got married, and had kids, but he Festivals. They could just as easily be never threw away that guitar, and occasion- the Zagreb Boys or the Warsaw Guys. ally we can talk him into revisiting those I’ve heard them do Greek, French, and raggedy old songs and some newer ones even an old timey tune or two. E.Z. plays old jazz and vaudeville novelty songs and Lee does Mexican and

8 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004 performing artists

Cajun tunes. What we have here are made his first fiddle at the age of nine and the Sweets Mill String Band, his Long Haul three veteran old-time musicians who Roy Ruiz Clayton a banjo when he was 16. As a teenager, Gone Tomorrow Band, or any other combination) his man- know a lot of good tunes, play a lot of LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS Davenport played at dances in his home dolin is always a standout and his great old instruments, and play them well. They Roy is a potter, an town area with his brothers and, since they timey vocals a treat. Kenny was unable to are always good for a surprise. artist (he’s done were all fiddlers, he decided to pick up the be at the festival last year, so we’re glad to the Roots Festival banjo. have him back. Saturday: 1pm, DiMille Stage; 6pm, Beer At one point in his life, he stopped play- Garden/Sunday: 4pm, Hawley & Adams poster illustration Saturday: 1pm, Troubadour Park Stage; 3pm Stage the last four or five ing music for a period of 17 years. Although Song Swap, Church Social Hall; 6pm, Church years), a guitar he admits that this hiatus may have hurt his Sanctuary/Sunday: 4pm, Beer Garden picker, a song- playing, Davenport believes, on the other Los Californios writer, and a hand, that it may have been a good thing. San Diego-based Gone Tomorrow plays a wide variety of bluegrass, old-time, and Patty Hall For over a singer. I first met Had he been playing during this time, he early country music, from Bill Monroe, the LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS decade, San Roy some 20 years might have become a bluegrass fiddler and Stanley Brothers, and Hank Snow to contem- Patty Hall began Diego-based Los ago when he wandered in Folk Arts Rare abandoned his original repertoire porary bluegrass and fiddle tunes. This her musical career Californios has Records to inquire about playing some Clyde Davenport is the epitome of a folk entertaining band features Richard Burkett as a teenager in been researching music for us. He’s played a whole lot of musician. Although he has always been on guitar, Lisa Burns on upright bass, Steve the San Francisco and interpreting times for us over the years and is one of aware of his talents, he has never made his Dame on banjo, John Highkin on mandolin, Bay Area. Already the music of those guys who writes songs with words you living as a professional musician. He loves and Beth Mosko on fiddle. They are appear- a diligent plunker Spanish and Mexican California, focusing have to listen to. You won’t be sorry. to work and has always had a day job. He ing for the first time this year at the Roots on her Dad’s on the nineteenth century and the days Clayton’s CD is reviewed this month. See brags that he has never been fired or laid Festival and are also on the roster for the ukulele, she won when California was part of Spain and then page 15. off from any position. Summergrass bluegrass festival in August. tickets to the 1963 Mexico. This sweet, melodic music was Saturday: 1pm Song Swap; 2pm, 34th & Saturday: 3pm & 6pm, Troubadour Park Berkeley Folk played for dancing and singing at the fes- Adams Stage; 6pm, DiMille Stage/Sunday: Stage/Sunday: 4pm, Troubadour Park Stage Saturday: 11am, Beer Garden; 3pm, Hawley & Adams Stage/Sunday: 5pm, Troubadour Festival from radio tive gatherings hosted by the Spanish and 5pm, DiMille Stage Park Stage station KPFA. That experience changed Mexican settlers or the Californios, who ran Paul Geremia everything, prompting Hall to teach herself cattle on the huge ranchos during their hey- Tomcat Courtney to play the banjo, guitar, and autoharp. day in the 1830s and 1840s. Working from Since the mid-’60s, Kenny Hall L OU CURTISS REMEMBERS Paul Geremia has With a growing interest in folk music, she primary sources, including Californio testi- I was doing a blues LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS built a reputation began writing and performing her own monials, travelers’ accounts, and the early concert series at I first saw Kenny as a first-rate songs and eventually enrolled in the folklore sound recordings of Spanish-speaking Folk Arts Rare with the old bluesman, song- graduate program at UCLA. After earning Californians made by Charles Fletcher Records back in Sweets Mill writer, scholar of her master’s degree, she moved to Nashville Lummis almost a century ago, they endeav- the very early ’70s Mountain Boys early jazz and to work at the Country Music Hall of Fame, or to recreate the sound of serenade and when Tomcat (Ron Hughey, Pete blues, and one of the best country blues fin- where she taught banjo workshops, hosted fandango from the days before California walked into the Everwine, and gerpickers ever. With the help of his six- and women’s songwriting seminars, produced became a state. Los Californios are Vykki shop and asked if Frank Hicks) at a 12-string guitars, harmonica, piano, and a historical country music recordings, and Mende Gray, Janet Martini, Peter DuBois, he could get up cabaret concert at husky soulful voice — plus an innate sense continued writing and performing. and David Swarens. and do a song or the Berkeley Folk of the humor and drama of the music — Merging her musical interests with her Saturday: 4pm, Hawley & Adams Stage; two. He did, and we’ve been good friends Festival some time Geremia keeps traditional blues fresh and scholarly pursuits, Patty’s music blends it all 8pm, DiMille Stage ever since. Tom hails from Waco, Texas, and in the mid-1960s alive with his performances. Combining his together in a fusion of old-timey tunes, funky broke into the blues biz as a tap dancer in a and again shortly after that at the Sweets interpretations of Blind Lemon Jefferson, girl blues, upbeat kids’ songs, and topical T-Bone Walker show back in the ’40s. He Mill Festival (east of Fresno in the Sierras). Les Campagnards Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, ballads, spiked with a little folkloric com- first played with his old partner, Henry Ford He brought his unique old timey tater-bug Scrapper Blackwell, and Blind Blake, with his mentary and lots of good humor. Founded in 1995 Thompson, at the fifth San Diego Folk mandolin and fiddle to the third San Diego original compositions, he has created a Saturday: noon, Beer Garden; 3pm Song by Alan Keith, Festival in 1971 and at most of them since. Folk Festival, along with Fresno compatriots style very much his own. This is his second Swap, Church Social Hall/Sunday: noon, Barbara Slone, Tom has been responsible for giving many Jim Ringer and Ron Tinkler, and has played appearance at the Adams Avenue Roots Hawley & Adams Stage; 5pm, 34th & Adams Gary Breitbard, young San Diego musicians a chance to at most of them since. Kenny is a true Stage Festival. and Bruce play in his bands. And his style of Texas California musical treasure. He must know Culbertson, this blues, with influences ranging from Lightnin’ Saturday: 2pm, Hawley & Adams Stage; 4pm a couple thousand songs. I’ve seen him so Song Swap, Church Social Hall; 8pm, group plays the Hopkins to Muddy Waters and B.B. King to many times, yet he continues to surprise music of central Troubadour Park Stage/Sunday: 4pm, 34th & continued on page 12 his original mentor T-Bone, continues to Adams Stage and amaze me. As a band musician (with France, specifically bring down the house. the ancient Saturday: 3pm, 34th & Adams Stage/ provinces of Berry, Bourbonnais, and Sunday: 11am, Beer Garden; 1pm, Hawley & Auvergne as well as tunes and songs from Adams Stage Gascogne, Pays Basque, Provence, and Alsaçe, all of which are intended primarily for dancing. In addition to the most impor- Clyde Davenport tant of the forms — the bourrée of central A native of France — the band’s repertoire also includes the Scottish dances, polkas, mazurkas, waltzes, Cumberland and rondeaus played on the hurdy-gurdy, Gap plateau bagpipes, accordion, and violin. on the Saturday: noon, Hawley & Adams Stage; Kentucky- 5pm Song Swap, Church Social Hall; 7pm, Tennessee Beer Garden/Sunday: 3pm, Church border, Clyde Sanctuary Davenport brings his fid- dle and banjo to this year’s Adams Avenue Roots Festival. Kentucky is the birthplace of bluegrass music, but Davenport performs the older styles of the Appalachians. He plays banjo in the clawhammer manner and the influence Irish and Scottish reels and jigs are more appar- ent in the tunes and dronings of his fiddle than what you hear in a bluegrass ensem- ble. It has been said that “no living musi- cian sustains more of the 19th century solo fiddling traidition than Davenport. His play- ing preserves rare tunes . . . that had all but vanished by the time he was born.” The blues touch some of Davenport’s fiddling as well; he slides around on some notes and tunes. His low-key attitude about his fiddling and his reluctance to seek recognition are in stark contrast to the way old-time music fans have received his playing. Since his fid- dling debut on records, the world has beat- en a path to his door, hailing his unique and interesting style and repertoire. Young musicians all over have made the trek to his home hoping to learn from the master. Coming from a fiddling family, Davenport’s father and three of his five brothers played the instrument, while he

9 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour

performing artists

full circle Saturday May 1

Troubadour CHURCH CHURCH BEER 34TH & HAWLEY & DIMILLE’S TIMES PARK STAGE SANCTUARY SOCIAL HALL GARDEN ADAMS ADAMS PARKING

11-11:45 am Mary McCaslin Gone Tommorrow 7th Day Buskers Ross Altman John Bosley

noon-12:45 pm New Smokey Hawks & Eagles Curt Bouterse Patty Hall Robin Henkel Les Campagnards American Folk Mountain Boys Singers

Song Swap 1-1:45 pm Kenny Hall Holdstock & New Lost Melody Boys San Diego Cajun Mary McCaslin Ross Altman Budapest Brothers MacLeod Bob Labeau Playboys Roy Ruiz Clayton

Happy Herman & 2-2:45 pm Mark Spoelstra Siamsa Gael Mimi Wright High, Wide & Roy Ruiz Clayton Paul Geremia his Uke w/ guests Ceili Handsome The Shelleys

Song Swap Gone Tommorrow 3-3:45 pm Clyde Davenport Lou & Peter Patty Hall San Diego Cajun Tomcat Courtney Mexican Roots Trio Berryman Kenny Hall Playboys New Smokey Mtn. Boys

Song Swap 4-4:45 pm Balkan Cafe Hawks & Eagles Paul Geremia Siamsa Gael Ceili Bob Labeau Los Californios New Smokey Mtn. Orchestra Mark Spoelstra Boys Tom Boyer Song Swap 5-5:45 pm Mexican Roots Mark Spoelstra Larry Hanks San Diego Cajun Holdstock & John Bosley New Lost Melody Trio Mimi Wright Playboys MacLeod Boys Les Campagnards Song Swap 6-6:45 pm Clyde Davenport Kenny Hall Mary McCaslin Budapest Jon Adams Tom Boyer Roy Ruiz John Bosley Brothers Clayton Lou & PeterBerryman

7-7:45 pm High, Wide & Jon Adams & Old Timey Les Larry Hanks Bob Labeau New Lost Handsome Mark Spoelstra Dance with Hot Campagnards Melody Boys String Band 8-8:45 pm Paul Geremia Balkan Cafe Music New Smokey Curt Bouterse American Folk Los Californios Orchestra Mtn. Boys Singers fgfgfghehehehehehehgfghgf

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10 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004

performing artists

Sunday May 2

Troubadour CHURCH CHURCH BEER 34TH & HAWLEY & DIMILLE’S TIMES PARK STAGE SANCTUARY SOCIAL HALL GARDEN ADAMS ADAMS PARKING LEGEND

11-11:45 am Hawks & Eagles Tomcat Courtney Los Californios Bob Labeau Curt Bouterse PORT-A-POTTIES

noon-12:45 pm Mexican Roots Ray Bierl American Folk Patty Hall Larry Hanks DISABLED Trio Singers X RESTROOM

1-1:45 pm Hot Club of San Hawks & Eagles High, Wide & Lou & Peter Tomcat Courtney Holdstock & x FIRST AID Diego Handsome Berryman MacLeod

FOOD 2-2:45 pm Balkan Cafe Mimi Wright Los Alacranes Larry Hanks Robin Henkel Tom Boyer Orchestra ä

Song Swap 3-3:45 pm Lou & Peter Les Campagnards Holdstock & MacLeod Hot Club of San Ray Bierl 7th Day Buskers John Bosley Berryman Curt Bouterse Diego Jon Adams

4-4:45 pm Clyde Davenport Mary McCaslin Tom Boyer Kenny Hall Paul Geremia Budapest Los Alacranes LOST CHILDREN Brothers can be taken to the nearest 5-5:45 pm Gone Tomorrow Ray Bierl Robin Henkel New Lost Melody Patty Hall Jon Adams Roy Ruiz Clayton stage. Announcements will Boys be made between songs. fgfgfghehehehehehehgfghgf

While at the Roots Festival, don’t forget to stop by the Troubadour Booth, adjacent to the Park Stage.

Troubadour s Booth

11 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour performingperforming artistsartists

ries from the past as they weave intricate which are often described as descants. Their Larry Hanks tapestries of melody on a journey through High, Wide & strong melodic tones resonate with all who Mexican Roots Trio LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS time. Violins dance to the rhythm of Spanish Handsome hear them sing. “What a band — Larry Hanks, conquest. Guitars serenade the western sun- Saturday: 1pm, Church Sanctuary; 5pm, 34th two guys and one singer, guitarist, sets. Mandolins filled with old-world charm & Adams Stage/Sunday: 1pm, DiMille Stage; foot,” says band and trumpist pluck at the heartstrings of the not-so-dis- 3pm Song Swap, Church Social Hall member Joel (Jew’s harp), sings tant past. These modern minstrels know Guzman as he a wide variety of hundreds of songs and play just about Hot Club of San describes the old traditional everything American: Cowboy songs, Gypsy canjunto records American styles, tangos, Bolivian melodies, Irish schottisches, Diego that inspire him including old-time swingin’ stomps, Cajun two-steps, blues, and the Mexican country and cow- bluegrass, mountain music, Hungarian café A hit with Roots Trio. “[T]hey boy songs, bal- serenades, French bourees, and so on. It’s Django had one mic, and lads, blues, fiddle tunes played on the Jew’s been awhile since they played in San Diego Reinhardt fans, you can hear the guy’s foot on the wood harp, children’s songs, and topical and con- — at the 1987 Roots Festival — so we’re Tommy Presley, Kenny Wertz, Ed Douglas, the Hot Club of floor. That’s the bass drum. The bajo player temporary songs by such well-known writers happy to have them with us this year. Dennis Toler, Clarke Powell, Ricky Araiza, San Diego com- is playing the bass, rhythm, and solos. The as Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger, and Woody Saturday: noon, Church Sanctuary; 4pm, and Larry Murray are all local San Diegans bines the mem- accordion player is like the lead guitar play- Guthrie. Church Sanctuary/Sunday: 11am, who have played music together on and off orable stylings er. And they’re both singing.” Troubadour Park Stage; 1pm, Church Social Since 1962 Hanks has performed up and for 40 years, ever since the legendary Blue of the master Conjunto embodies an amalgamation of Hall Guitar opened its doors. Their combined down the West Coast at folk clubs, coffee- gypsy guitarist European styles that flowed into northern houses, and festivals. Hanks sings goofy, resume is impressive — some of the band Mexico and the southwestern United States with some of ornery hoedown ditties; home-made Robin Henkel members have played with such well-known around the turn of the twentieth century. laments; stark, lonesome ballads; and wry bands as the Flying Burrito Brothers, their own compositions. Members The Mexican Roots Trio recreates these Robin Henkel’s and angry topical songs about life, work, Country Gazette, Hearts and Flowers, and include Patrick Berrogain on lead gui- waltzes, mazurkas, polkas, and schottisches music ranges from and politics. the New Christie Minstrels at one time or tar; Alain Cola, head of San Diego- from that time before the introduction of primitive, another. A few of them got their first taste based Dell’Arte Guitars, on rhythm gui- bass, drums, and horn. Saturday: 5pm Song Swap, Church Social Mississippi Delta Hall; 7pm, 34th & Adams Stage/Sunday: of performing with the infamous Scottsville Relative youngsters to be playing roots blues and the tar, and Kevin Hennessy on bass, which noon, DiMille Stage; 2pm, 34th & Adams Squirrel Barkers, and all of the members music, the three members — Joel Guzman urban Chicago all adds up to a delightful performance Stage have been in at least a hundred unknown on button accordion, wife Sarah Fox on sound to Texas- of gypsy jazz. bands with long forgotten names. vocals, and Max Baca on bajo, 12-string gui- style western swing See page 15 for a review of their CD. Describing their music as “cowbilly,” the tar, and vocals — nonetheless have plenty of Happy Herman and beyond. An Sunday: 1pm, Troubadour Park Stage; 3pm, band plays a medley of bluegrass, ’50s experience with conjunto. Guzman’s father You won’t want to amazing blues slide guitarist, Robin has Beer Garden R&B, country and western music, blues, was a prominent bajo player, and Guzman miss the Happy been playing music since the ’60s, both as rockabilly, cowboy songs, Beatles, folk was a prodigy on the accordion, releasing Herman show at a solo act and as a contributing band mem- music, and songs sung by Merle, Marty, Bob Labeau his first record at the age of eight. For part this year’s Roots ber. With the Robin Henkel Band he uses a Buck, and Hank. Whatever you call it, you’re LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS of their research, they recorded Fox’s moth- Festival, his first variety of back-up musicians whom he cus- in for a real good time. er as she sang the old Mexican-American show ever in pub- tom picks to fit each gig. He has opened for Bob came out to San Diego from a place Saturday: 2pm, Beer Garden; 7pm, songs she remembered from the ’20s and lic. His unique such top acts as Dizzie Gillespie, Bonnie called Farmington, Minnesota sometime in Troubadour Park Stage/Sunday: 1pm, Beer ’30s. Songs from their repertoire, such as sound, reminis- Raitt, Arlo Guthrie, and Dave Mason. the early ’60s. With his original songs and Garden “Adelita” and “Mal Hombre,” are performed cent of a broken radio from the roaring Henkel has also performed with Buddy humor, he quickly became part of the San the same way as they were decades ago. ‘20s, is performed on a ukulele and a Miles, John Hammond, Sha Na Na, and Big Diego folk music scene and a regular at the See page 15 for a review of their CD. kazoo. His music is falling forward into the Jay McNeal. Holdstock & Heritage, Mission Beach’s late, lamented past fast and is a delight for the whole fam- A seasoned veteran and winner of coffeehouse. During the late ’70s and early Saturday: 3pm, DiMille Stage; 5pm, MacLeod ’80s he owned and operated his own Bob Troubadour Park Stage/Sunday: noon, ily as well as for the lonely person who has Best Blues Album at the 2000 San Diego Troubadour Park Stage no one. Special guest appearance by the Music Awards, he has participated in Dick Holdstock, Labeau Music store in Point Loma. A few Shelleys. numerous blues festivals. He is also a guitar originally from years later he moved up to San Jose and started his own business. Bob played a Saturday: 2pm, DiMille Stage teacher at the legendary Blue Guitar, where Sittingbourne, Kent Mary McCaslin number of the early festivals — the last one, he has been giving lessons to students who in the south of LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS I think, in 1987 — and also came down to are eager to learn from the legend himself. England, and Allan I first saw Mary an Adams Avenue Street Fair a few years Hawks & Eagles Saturday: noon, 34th & Adams Stage/ MacLeod, from when she opened ago. LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS Sunday: 2pm, Hawley & Adams Stage; 5pm, Armadale, West for Lightnin’ Church Social Hall It’s always important when a part of Jimmy and Lothian, Scotland, specialize in traditional Hopkins at La our city’s musical history makes a return Nancy British folk music, which includes music of Mesa’s old Bifrost visit, particularly when it’s an artist who Borsdorf, bet- the sea as well as nineteenth century Bridge coffee enjoys making and sharing his music so ter known as Scottish and English ballads. Still perform- house in the late much. Hawks and ing enthusiastically after 24 years, ’60s and, not long Eagles, have Holdstock and MacLeod trade off on man- Saturday: 1pm Song Swap, Church Social after that, at the dolin and guitar accompaniments on some Hall; 4pm, 34th & Adams Stage; 7pm, been perform- Hawley & Adams Stage/Sunday: 11am, Heritage coffee- ing traditional of their songs and frequently use a cappella Hawley & Adams Stage house in Mission Beach. She performed at California arrangements for their material. They have the third annual festival in 1969. Mary music for more than 25 years, spinning sto- mastered the art of traditional harmonies, writes very intimate songs about people and things you think you know about. If you know Mary and some of what her life is about, her songs leave you in a slight daze with sparkles of insight. The songs and the way she sings them are just so darned good. Mary has listened to a lot of old-time roots music from Appalachian to cowboy ballads. A lot of what she’s heard remains in her music. Saturday: 11am, Troubadour Park Stage; 1pm, 34th & Adams Stage; 6pm Song Swap, Church Social Hall/Sunday: 4pm, Church Sanctuary The New Lost Melody Boys L OU CURTISS REMEMBERS I’ve known all these guys for a lot of years and for most of the past 10 years they’ve been part of the Roots Festivals. John Wright did old time banjo work- shops for me back in the early ’80s. Dave Allen’s fiddle and Paul Johnson’s mandolin were part of other earlier bands, too. Banging and sawing, from backwoods songs to fiddle breakdowns, the Boys play in the grand tradition of such legendary old time

12 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004 full circleperformingperformingfull circle artistsartists

groups as the Skillet Lickers, the Fruit Jar Gael Ceili Band during the early 1930s. He Drinkers, and the Delmore Brothers. As the San Diego Cajun moved to San Diego in the mid-1970s where Mark Spoelstra Mimi Wright New Lost Melody Boys, they are perhaps Playboys he met current band members John Tuohy LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS San Diego’s premier vintage old timey (uilleann pipes), Ian Law (flute), and Judy I first saw Mark at One of our very own song catchers here in string band. Lipnick (fiddle), teaching them his music and a Broadside maga- San Diego is Mimi Wright, who sings old Saturday: 1pm Song Swap, Church Social eventually passing his pipes on to John. zine hootenanny on mountain songs — mostly unaccompanied, Hall; 5pm & 7pm, DiMille Stage/Sunday: Dave Page’s influence can be clearly heard one of my Newport sometimes with autoharp, and always with 5pm, Beer Garden in the band’s repertoire and style. Folk Festival trips spirit and a touch of wonder. If there’s an Saturday: 2pm, Church Sanctuary; 4pm, Beer sometime in the unusual variant of an old time song to be New Smokey Garden early 1960s found, Mimi will find it. Always bright (maybe it was moments at the Roots Festivals are her Mountain Boys 7th Day Buskers 1965). He was an Rocking Chair Concerts. LOU CURTISS REMEMBERS important part of Saturday: 2pm, Church Social Hall; 5pm The San Diego Cajun Playboys have been Song Swap, Church Social Hall/Sunday: I guess I met Clark Powell first, as he the New York City keeping Cajun French music going strong in singer-songwriter scene. A confirmed paci- 2pm, Church Social Hall was one of the founding members of the Southern California with a full repertoire of San Diego State Organized Folksingers back fist and a conscientious objector to military traditional Cajun language music. service, his songs often reflected such around 1963. Clark and I even played music Along with original members Jon together some. Clark plays dobro, guitar, themes. His debut, Five And Twenty Grant (accordion, fiddle) and Bill Riddell Questions, featured 12 original songs and and five-string banjo. He knew Wayne (guitar), the group features South Brandon, who is the western world’s biggest introduced his quiet, unassuming style. Louisiana-born Joel Breaux (accordion, fid- Later I met Mark a couple of times at the Roy Acuff fan and sings Acuff songs about dle) from Loreauville (pop. 860), and Greg as well as anyone except for Roy himself. Sweets Mill Festival in the Sierras east of Rasberry (triangle) from Iota and Crowley, Fresno. Mark was doing alternate service For a few years in the ’60s, we made what Louisiana. The 7th Day Buskers are a five-piece we thought was some pretty good music and living in the Fresno area then. He came Saturday: 1pm, 3pm, & 5pm, Beer Garden acoustic roots band who have been seen by and played at the San Diego Folk Festival in and then ended up going our separate much of San Diego every Sunday morning ways. Clark became a lead guitarist in a the early ’70s with a band called the at the Hillcrest Farmers Market. It was here Frontier Constabulary and then more or less variety of country music bands, and Wayne Siamsa Gael Ceili that the band formed one by one after became an elementary school principal. It dropped out of the music scene — or at Shawn P. Rohlf opened up his banjo case least the music scene I was aware of. This was only when we started doing the Roots Band and started busking (an old European word Festivals in the mid-’90s that we got back year my friend Patty Hall told me about his for performing on the street) several years new CD (Mark’s first recording in 20 years) together somehow. For the past three or ago. Their huge repertoire of original and four years, other old friends from those ’60s and a renewed interest in performing at fes- traditional material covers a wide range of tivals. So here he is with 12-string guitar, a bands have come on board, but it’s styles, including bluegrass, folk, country, Wayne’s Roy Acuff-sounding vocals and lot of new tunes and quite a few old ones, Irish, and blues. Members of the Buskers some duets with old Sweets Mill buddy Jon Clark’s Bashful Brother Oswald-sounding include Robin Henkel on Dobro, Steve dobro steel guitar that give this band its Adams, and a new outlook on playing Peevey on mandolin and guitar, Don Hickox music. unique flavor. If you like the sound of Roy The Siamsa Gael Ceili Band (pronounced on fiddle, Ken Dow on bass, and Rohlf on Saturday: 2pm, Troubadour Park Stage; 4pm Acuff’s band of the ’30s and ’40s, these Sheem-sha Gale Kay-lee) presents the tradi- banjo, guitar, harmonica, and vocals. With guys are worth a listen. Song Swap, Church Social Hall; 5pm, Church tional melodies of Ireland played in the “old the release of two CDs, Long Live the Sanctuary; 7pm with Jon Adams, Church Saturday: noon, Troubadour Park Stage; 3pm style.” Caboose and Born to Pick, the Buskers can Sanctuary Song Swap, Church Social Hall; 4pm, DiMille The band’s existence and main source be seen performing in many venues from Stage; 8pm, Beer Garden of inspiration can be attributed to a Dublin San Diego to Seattle. man named Dave Page. An accomplished Saturday: 11am, 34th & Adams Stage/ Irish piper, he played in the original Siamsa Sunday: 3pm, Hawley & Adams Stage

13 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour

thethe highway’shighway’s songsong

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Brodsky’s Ballads Delight h o J

: o t o h Baseball Fans and Music Lovers P by John Wyllie project four days ago in New Breton, With an ability to unearth interest- Nova Scotia,” Brodsky said. “I hope to ing facets about otherwise little-known have that out by early to mid-April. I’m baseball players, Brodsky’s Baseball s I pulled up to the beautiful right in the middle of putting the graph- Ballads soars like a towering fly ball over Rancho Peñasquitos home of ics together, so it is always an exciting the left-field wall. A Scharlyn Shaddinger in time when you are finishing a new “With the opening of a new baseball February, I couldn’t help but feel like the album.” season, there is always a peaked interest boy in the Willie Wonka movie, the one As he did on his other five CDs, in baseball. That will be especially true who had just discovered the last golden Brodsky will again introduce us to his here in San Diego,” Brodsky said. “The ticket. Having attended Chuck Brodsky’s everyday characters and weave his shelf life of my Baseball Ballads CD is last San Diego house concert two years intriguing stories around them. going to be pretty long. It is timeless in a ago, there was no way I was going to “There are a number of true story way and I always enjoy talking about it.” miss his only 2004 San Diego house songs on this album,” he said. “They A dyed-in-the-wool Philadelphia concert appearance, even if it was on a tend to be about characters that used to Phillies fan, Brodsky sings about, among Sunday night and three quarters of an live in the same Appalachian Mountain other things, the mistreatment that hour’s drive away. I knew the benefits of region where I live now. If there are Richie Allen endured during the 1960s his savory musical treats would far out- [recurring] themes on this album, one at the hands of the often racist fans who weigh the sleep-deprived exhaustion I would be looking back at the things that used to jeer him in Connie Mack would feel the next day at work. have been lost from earlier times. The Stadium. His touching song “Letters in Donning a Bush (George)-Orwell world has sped up, our population has the Dirt” doubles as a song in which a 2004 mock campaign shirt for the occa- grown, and people have moved. father and son connect through their sion, Brodsky arrived, armed with his Development has come to areas [like his common love of baseball. trademark rapier wit and his travel-worn own in Asheville, North Carolina] that “The Ballad of Eddie Klepp” chroni- guitar. For the next several hours, this used to be more rural. There are certain cles the little-known true story of how master storyteller delighted the intimate values that are being lost in the process Klepp, a white man, played in the Negro gathering of about 30 with songs from and I think those values are really leagues at about the same time that his current five-CD collection as well as important. It also points out some of the Jackie Robinson was breaking the color Chuck Brodsky selections from his soon-to-be-released troubles with over development and all barrier in the National League. sixth. “I learned the hard way how impor- singing about times past, Brodsky uses of the issues that it brings.” “Moe Berg” brings to light an other- Perhaps best known for his brilliant tant it is to do thorough research,” the same research-driven technique to While long-time San Diego residents wise ordinary player who doubled as an 2002 Baseball Ballads compilation, Brodsky admitted. “In the process, I create songs that are both musically will have no trouble relating to Brodsky’s international spy in the days leading up Brodsky, a long-time social critic, learned that doing it can also be a lot of appealing and intellectually stimulating. songs about unbridled growth, baseball to World War II. Every song on the demonstrated that he has a lot more fun.” His CDs are available through his web- fans anticipating the opening of the long album is interesting and each one is than baseball on his mind. We spoke Whether he is singing about site: www.chuckbrodsky.com. awaited Petco Park will be equally meticulously researched. prior to the show. America’s national pastime or just enthusiastic about Brodsky’s Baseball “I just finished recording a new Ballads. “Wild Jammin’ Women” to Gather at April Music Camp

by Annie Bethancourt cased American folk music and the works of singer/songwriters. Her love for live music grew when she worked at a local magine if Britney and Christina could dude ranch one summer, listening to her stop arguing about who had the bet- boss play Joan Baez songs ter hair dye job, skimpier leather I on the guitar. Eager to bustier, or steamier MTV smooch with participate in music as a Madonna and just get along and make form of expression, Fjell good music. Wouldn’t the world be a bought a guitar at a yard happier place? Women would be approxi- sale and an instruction book- empowered, music could blossom, and mately 35 women let at a dime store, then soon expression and art might just replace and are designed began to play at the local publicity and scandal! to foster female shops and stores in her home Unfortunately, I think the chances are bonding, creative town. Eleven albums, three very slim that these two pop stars will expression, and undergraduate degrees, 100 bond together for the sake of sisterhood musical growth. songs, and countless perform- and the greater good of music. Lucky for As Fjell ances later, Fjell’s has had a rich us, we have Judy Fjell. At a small San explained, and thriving life, thanks to her Diego venue late last December, “The empow- participation in music — and she Montana native and musical tour-de- ll erment camps are wants other people to have the Judy Fje force Fjell led a power-packed group of not about how well you can play an same experience too! female musicians (including popular local instrument or sing. The retreats are In 1986 Fjell became the founding musician Lisa Sanders) in a spontaneous about women getting together to share director of what she calls Music on-stage improvisation of a song titled their love of music, to support each Empowerment Camps, retreats that are “Wild Jammin’ Woman.” At times other and learn from each other, and to designed to encourage and cultivate the singing in unison, at times breaking off make music through the experience of use of music as a tangible, life-enriching into layered harmonies, the musically being together.” force. Later, in 1991, Fjell began to focus diverse group of women joyfully rocked For more information on Wild on women and music empowerment by through the impromptu tune, which was Jammin’ Women and other Music founding her first Women Making Music inspired by the musical empowerment Empowerment Retreats, visit www.judyf- Retreat. retreat with the same name that Fjell will jell.com Now, more than ten years later, the be running in Big Bear at the end of this retreats are still offered as havens as well month (April 23-25). as thriving outlets for women to grow Fjell (pronounced fYELL) is no stranger together and enjoy the benefits of music to this sort of music-based bonding. In creation. Fjell’s latest creation is her first fact, she’s made it her life’s work. Raised female music retreat in Southern in Montana, Fjell was first introduced to California, a similar female music music as a young girl by way of popular empowerment camp called Wild hootenanny-style radio shows that show- Jammin’ Women. The camps are open to

14 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004 ¯ ofof notenote ¯¯ ¯¯

Hot Club of Mexican Jimmie Skinner Roy Ruiz The Shelleys San Diego Roots Trio Doin’ My Time Clayton by Phil Harmonic Local singer/songwriters Tom by Lou Curtiss West Swing by Paul Hormick Army of Ragged Brosseau and Angela Correa have Doin’ My Time is a labor of love joined together to form a coun- Joel Guzman, Sarah Fox, and by Frederick Leonard CD set from the amazing Bear Angels try folk duo, calling themselves Max Baca play conjunto, a down- Family label. Jimmie Skinner was The Shelleys. When you notice home style of norteña, in this lim- I’ve been snappin’ my fingers one of the real country stylists of by Phil Harmonic the names of the songwriters on ited-edition CD. Staying true to all day listening to — and under the post-war period — a superior their eight-song CD — Bob this music, the trio pairs the but- the influence of — Hot Club of songwriter and an influential per- If you have seen any of the Dylan, Elizabeth Cotton, Woody ton accordion with the 12-string San Diego’s CD, West Swing. sonality through the Cincinnati- Roots Festival posters or ads over Guthrie, John Prine, Blind Willie guitar, eschewing any additions of Patrick Berrogain on lead guitar based record shop that bore his the last five years, then you have Johnson, Leadbelly, and the New bass, drums, or other instrumen- delivers a set of compositions name. He made records for been treated to the vibrant, dis- Lost City Ramblers — you might tation. and arrangements well worth Capitol, Decca, and Mercury, but tinctive illustrations of Roy Ruiz think that the Shelleys are senior All the magic of the mazurka the callouses I am sure to devel- his finest sides were cut for the Clayton. This local renaissance citizens or middle-aged baby and the polka fill this disk. You op by this time tomorrow. With Cincinnati-based Radio Artist label man (singer, songwriter, musi- boomers. No way. These young- hear bits of Germany, then the killer chops and backing sup- in 1949-1950. cian, poet, painter, illustrator, pot- sters, who haven’t even hit the Poland, and a bit of Slovakia in port of Alain Cola, who plays With a simple down-home style ter) has finally put together his 30-year-old mark yet, adapted Max Baca’s button accordion. rhythm guitar and also copro- of back up that features the funky first CD titled Army of Ragged and arranged these obscure clas- There’s even a bit of Celtic influ- duced the CD; Trip Sprague, electric mandolin of his long-time Angels. He synthesizes his poetry sic songs into high-quality rendi- ence on one of the tunes. who was responsible for record- associate Ray Lunsford, these sides into song lyrics and, in turn, into tions that remain true to their From the mid-nineteenth cen- ing and mastering; Kevin are gems of the early honky-tonk music with feeling and tone, thus traditional music styles. It is tury through the beginning of the Hennessey on bass; John Stubbs country style. Tunes like “Will You “painting” a song. The colors are sooooooo refreshing to hear twentieth century, the U.S. on violin; Lou Fanucchi on Be Satisfied That Way,” “You Don’t the instrumentation and voices, their pure, delicate vocal har- attempted to “Americanize” the accordion; and Bob Goldsand Know My Mind,” “On the Wrong provided by Rob Gironda on monies, which can be described waves of Eastern European immi- and Monette Marino on percus- Side of the Track,” plus songs Hammond organ, Floyd Fronius with one word: SWEET, especially grants who flowed to these sion, this is indeed a very fine Skinner wrote like “Doin’ My on violin, Theresa Rochelle-Ross on Bob Dylan’s “Billy” and shores. South of the border the work. Time,” “Don’t Give Your Heart to on vocals, Gregory Page on vocals Leadbelly’s “Bring a Little Water, Czechs, Poles, and Slavs played It is also a beautifully pro- a Rambler,” and the fine “Let’s Say and bass, and David Page on Sylvie.” The instrumentation con- their music and danced their duced CD — it’s clean, with a Goodbye Like We Said Hello.” In drums. Clayton’s voice and guitar sists of one acoustic guitar. This dances. In this country, these no-nonsense approach that 1961 he cut a Jimmie Rodgers set the tone. Like his illustrations, is a case of “less is more.” It may wonderful cultures, with their allows the music to simply be tribute album in his distinctive low his songs combine complex lyrics appear basic and simple, since it wonderful music, were watered what it is: good. It also occurs to voice, which was often compared with a sparse melodic feel to cre- isn’t filled with fast-picking riffs, down to such a degree that all me that, considering the collec- to Ernest Tubb, and that’s included ate an expressive result. but it’s solid and, combined with we had left were Lawrence Welk tive talent of this outfit, it avoids as well. The six-CD set includes a Roy Ruiz Clayton’s vocal style is the subtle playing style, becomes and Frankie Yankovic. On the being another egotistical “chop 92-page hard-cover book with highly Dylanesque but the more highly effective and a perfect other hand, our neighbors south fest” where everybody plays loads of color pictures and a fasci- you listen, you hear that the match for the vocals. There’s of the border took the folk songs everything because they can. nating discography. This is a fabu- nuance and distinctions are clear- Blind Willie Johnson’s “In My of their new neighbors, played (Why is that?) In this case, a lous box for anyone who loves ly his own style. We are blessed Time of Dying,” John Prine’s around with them a little, and small bunch of very adept musi- pure country music from the early with the contributions in art and “John Garfield Blues,” and gave us all the music of norteña. cians deploy the art of reserve. post-war years. music and poetry by such a fine Woody Guthrie’s “Pastures of Knowing what not to play hap- By adhering to a firmly estab- talent. Don’t miss Roy Ruiz Plenty.” pens as instinctually as does lished aesthetic, musicians who Clayton at the Adams Avenue You can hear them live at this what they do choose to play (at dedicate themselves to perform- Roots Festival, May 1 and 2. See year’s Adams Avenue Roots least to me, based on how good ing an established roots music pages 10-11 for performance Festival on Saturday, May 1 at 2 the vibe feels). can often stifle their own spon- times. p.m. on the DiMille Stage with The compositions are beauti- taneity and creativity. They ape Happy Herman and his ukulele. fully written and arranged, run- the lines and riffs, but their play- ning the gamut from upbeat ing lacks the verve that originally swings to slow Parisian-Sunday- got their music off the ground. afternoon-picnic-by-the-Seine- These musicians don’t fall into sounding strolls. The instrumen- that trap. Rather, they throw tation, while very acoustic in themselves into these numbers as attitude, offers a variety of though they were fresh discover- soundscapes in much the same ies, remembering to recreate the way a good waiter offers a spec- life and not just the sounds of trum of wines to taste. If you like their predecessors. red wine, you’ll probably love Heartache, love, passion, and Memories of this CD. I will verify that this joy are all in these songs, which notion holds true a little later were recorded live in concert in Renfro Valley this evening. But for now, expect San Antonio. Joel Guzman’s but- ton accordion laughs and dances to hear a few jazz moves and This special CD, for those with and Max Baca holds everything French influences, among oth- an interest in this famous barn together on the 12-string. Their ers, in the get-up of this West dance show from Kentucky, is a playful interaction backs Sarah Swing thing. collection of assorted songs and Fox, whose vocals have a wonder- You can see them live at the tunes by such personalities as Karl ful combination of strength and Roots Festival, May 1 and 2. See and Harty, Red Foley, Linda Parker clarity. pages 10-11 for performance (the Sunbonnet Girl), Doc See them at the Roots Festival, times. Hopkins, and Lily Mae Ledford and May 1 and 2. See pages 10-11 for the Coon Creek Girls. performance times.

15 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour ramblin’ramblin’

full circle Great music will be provided by the James King Band, Cache Valley Drifters, Lost Highway, Sidesaddle and Co., Ron The Spears and Within Tradition, and more. So, if you’re the travelin’ sort, you should give this consideration. Bluegrass LOCAL JAMS Remember to stop by one or more of by Sven-Erik Seaholm our local jam sessions, which are open to the public. Regular SDBS jams meet CORNER every second Tuesday of the month at Raising the Game Fuddruckers in Grossmont Center. like golf. It’s not just the fresh air, little Starting at 7pm, there’s open mic and electric carts, bizarre dress code, and bluegrass karaoke, where you can get I ability to smoke cigars and drink beer music, but you also missed give-away up and play or sing a tune of your choice while doing it either. Part of the attraction CDs and shirts, courtesy of the radio by D. Dwight Worden with back-up by the SDBS band Full is that every time you go to swing the club, station, a great KSON birthday cake, and Deck. From 8-9pm a featured band per- a laundry list of all you’ve ever learned and hospitality provided by St. Mark’s. You forms (Dennis Roger Reed will be there There’s a lot of bluegrass happening in practiced comes into play. How your feet Sven-Erik Seaholm also missed seeing Wayne Rice in a true in April) followed by more open mic from set up. Where your shoulders are. How you San Diego, so read on, get out, get Nudie Cohen sequined shirt, which he 9-10pm. There’s also jamming outside time your backswing. The speed and angle izer ($699.95 retail, $499 street), it looks involved, and have some fun! wore when his band Brush Arbor played of the downswing. How you follow like their competitors will be scurrying back at the real Grand Ole Opry! COMING: RALPH STANLEY through. It takes most folks decades to to the practice tees in large numbers. Ralph Stanley, one of the few still GONE TOMORROW AT THE BIG approach what they feel is their best game, At first blush, the Eureka would appear to performing living legends of bluegrass, KITCHEN and there are no guarantees, although con- be a smaller cousin to the popular but will be at the East County Performing On Friday, April 23, San Diego’s hot sidering the price of playing the sport, per- pricey Avalon 737sp. You’ve got that juicy Arts Center April 13, beginning at 7:30 new bluegrass band Gone Tomorrow will haps there should be. Until we’re all teeing oval VU meter, cool color illuminated but- pm. Tickets and information are available present a show of traditional and blue- up in virtual simulators at the mall, golf tons, and a similar basic layout. But the on line: http://www.ecpac.com/eventcal- grass music at the famed Big Kitchen in will remain the province of those with Avalon is a tube-based unit, while the endar.html or by phone: 619/440-0395. North Park from 7:30-9:30pm. Band mem- enough time and money to chase a little Eureka is solid state. Both use discrete Class ECPAC is a beautiful performance venue white ball while dressed like somebody’s A components, which for the sake of brevi- with plenty of great seating and an Granddad. Having little of either, I pretty ty I’ll simply define as the really, really excellent sound system. It is one of the much just watch little televised snatches of good top shelf stuff put together in the best finest places in San Diego to hear good KSON anniversary cake possible way. music. You can purchase tickets for $22- it and marvel at guys like Tiger Woods. I recently had the opportunity to use $32 for a chance to see a true bluegrass Now there’s a guy I can really respect. The Eureka with a really great microphone, the legend. The show will be preceded by a that’s open to everyone. If you want to highly coveted slots on the PGA tour are a Telefunken Elam 251, a vintage tube micro- free two-hour concert outside the the- play the open mic or karaoke, call Gary hotly contested and precious few, and ater, presented by the San Diego Kennedy at 619/296-0455 to sign up or, bringing one’s game even near that level phone from 1959 that sells for upwards of Bluegrass Society from 5:30-7:30pm, fea- space permitting, sign up at the event. requires an overwhelming amount of talent $25,000. I also tried it with a much more turing such top local bluegrass bands as Every Third Tuesday the SDBS meets and a lifetime of commitment. Tiger didn’t modestly priced Shure SM57. After an ini- Virtual Strangers, Bigger Fish, The Full at the Chula Vista Fuddruckers, with just meet that challenge, though. He beat tial bit of trial and error, I started to get Deck, and the Les and Lou Ann Band. open mic, bluegrass karaoke, and sign the hell out of everybody for a couple of some really great results in a short amount This outdoor pre-event is free and will be up slots for bands. Contact Les Preston years straight. He exceeded the mark by of time. Later, I used the SM57 dynamic on hosted by the mayor of El Cajon. at 619/267-2020 to sign up or, space per- such a large margin that his competitors an electric guitar amp and for some Often described as one of the most mitting, sign up at the event. had to completely rethink their approach. acoustic guitars, and I mic’d a bass drum And don’t forget to come to Shirley’s important country musicians in the world They had to become physically stronger. with an AKG D112 through it. The Eureka’s Kitchen at 7868 El Cajon Blvd. in La Mesa today, Ralph Stanley’s voice captures a Their focus and intensity levels needed to silky bottom and ultra-sparkling clean top on every fourth Tuesday for more SDBS- dark, painful side of life rooted in the cul- be even further honed to an atom-splitting end were hallmarks of all these tests, and it sponsored jamming, open mic, band per- tural amber of remote Appalachia. Ralph sharpness. In a phrase, the entire tour had definitely displayed a chameleon-like quali- formances, and Shirley’s great food at Stanley’s voice, simply put, is not of this ty in being able to tackle all these chores great prices. You’ll like the music and the to raise its game. century. Nor of the last one, for that mat- easily. This thing sounds like stuff that costs Wayne Rice wearing his Nudie shirt atmosphere at this family restaurant. By Tiger pushing himself and his col- ter. Its stark emotional urgency harkens four times as much! If you live in the North County, try the leagues to new heights of excellence, the back to a time when pain was the com- very sport itself is what has ultimately ben- I like the variable microphone impedance mon coin of life and the world offered North San Diego County Bluegrass and bers include Richard Burkett on guitar, efited most. Anything that is worth all of feature, as well as the Saturation Control, sinful humanity no hope of refuge. Folk Club’s jam at Roundtable Pizza on Lisa Burns on bass, Steve Dame on your time, all of your resources, and your which adds a bit of tube emulation sweet- Singing and playing what he calls Washington St. in Escondido every first banjo, John Highkin on mandolin, and total dedication should be treated with the ening to an already impressive trick bag. “mountain music” or “so-called blue- Tuesday. April’s featured band is Bigger Beth Mosko on fiddle. Gone Tomorrow is same sort of passion and respect exempli- The compressor even has soft or hard knee grass” to distinguish himself from con- Fish. In addition to a featured band and a producing the show along with the Big compression, and three fully parametric temporary bluegrass founder Bill variety of other performances, there’s fied by Mr. Woods’ approach to golf. Kitchen’s Judy Forman, better known as bands of eq. The only quibble I had was the Monroe, Ralph Stanley made an indelible lots of jamming outside. For those in Songwriting, performing, and recording are Judy the Beauty on Duty. So, come on inconvenient location of the power button mark on our music with his brother coastal North County, stop by Banjo Bob all noble crafts. They’re also a lot of fun, out to this landmark North Park diner on the rear of the unit, and instead of uti- Carter Stanley and the Stanley Brothers Cox’s jam every Thursday from 6-9pm at and it’s easy enough for scores of people to and enjoy a great show and outstanding before Carter Stanley’s death. Since that New York Pizza on Santa Fe in Encinitas do them, but if you’ve decided this is what lizing that beautiful VU meter for input music. Admission is $5. time Ralph has continued on with his for great group playing and lots of fun. you want to do with your life, shouldn’t level metering, they relegated that task to a Clinch Mountain Boys and, in recent CALLING ALL MUSIC TEACHERS There’s lots to do and see. Get you bring the full force of you talents and three-segment LED meter. years, finally begun receiving some of The California Bluegrass Association involved — I’ll look for you! passion to the proverbial table every time? Still, this thing does an awesome job of the national recognition he deserves is creating a free listing for all bluegrass In the past few years, the cost of micro- bringing really great sounding gear into the with his singing role in the film Down music teachers in California, which will phones and preamps has come down drasti- affordable price range for folks like us, and I From the Mountain and as one of the also include teachers who provide cally, while the quality of such items has recommend you take a close look at this stars of the Down From the Mountain instruction on an instrument or who offer increased by an almost equal proportion. piece the next time you’re considering rais- tour, which traveled nationally following vocal training. The free listing will also Increased competition for a growing con- ing your studio’s game. the film’s release, including a perform- include instruments taught, store loca- sumer-oriented market, paired with its ance at the Coors arena. tion or other teaching location, and other thirst for higher quality results has, in Sven-Erik Seaholm is an award-winning record- information. If you teach, or know some- MARCH GRAND OLE OPRY STYLE essence, forced manufacturers to raise their ing artist and producer who writes and per- one who does, look into this free service. EVENT A SUCCESS game as well. PreSonus has been well with- forms with The Gandhi Method and The Wild Go to www.cbaontheweb.org. in the fairways of affordable, high quality Truth when he isn’t working with other artists Last month, the San Diego Bluegrass Society produced a Grand Ole Opry style NORTH COUNTY BLUEGRASS AND audio for almost 10 years now, and with through his company, Kitsch & Sync Production event at St. Mark’s United Methodist FOLK CLUB SPRING CAMP OUT the introduction of their Eureka single (www.kaspro.com). Church in Clairmont. The event, which The NCBFC hosts its annual spring channel preamplifier compressor and equal- was a great success, featured most of Camp Out on the weekend of April 23-25. San Diego’s top bluegrass bands, includ- Located at Chula Vista’s KOA camp- ing Full Deck, Virtual Strangers, ground at 111 North Second Avenue, Lighthouse, Tanya Rose and Her Buds, these camp outs are great fun and an The Les and Lou Ann Band, Bigger Fish, excellent way to meet people, play your The Gospel According to John, and instrument, and relax. In addition, this more. KSON’s Wayne Rice, host of the one is so close to home that if you’re not Bluegrass Special (Sundays, 10pm-mid- a camper, you can come down for the night, 97.3 FM) was master of cere- day, stay for the evening pot luck and monies, introducing each group for a jamming, and go home to your own bed! three-song set. SDBS’s Gary Kennedy For information or to sign up, call Phil also took a turn at the mic to introduce Levy of the NCBFC at 619/440-7028. I’ll Wayne and his band Lighthouse, making see you there! it an especially exciting evening, Wayne broadcast the entire event on MID-STATE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL his radio show to celebrate its twenty- April 30-May 2 is the date of the eighth anniversary, making it the longest Mid-State Bluegrass Festival in Paso running radio show in San Diego history. Robles at the Mid-State Fairgrounds. If you missed this first-of-its-kind event, Although the event is not exactly local, you not only missed an evening of great it’s a pretty five-hour drive to the north.

16 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004 ramblin’

Hosing Down Radio Daze by Jim McInnes on albums (after all, they’re metronomically rhythmic just like hip-hop). by José Sinatra One Saturday morning at about 2:30, the n o t Occupational s request line in the studio lit up. Knowing that e W Hazards callers at that hour had usually been in need of Sometimes it’s not enough to let n o

v acid rescue, I dreaded answering the phone.

“sleeping dogs” lie. Something as s t

o “Radio Free Madison,” I mumbled. “Hi, sexy,” o

T his afternoon my wife sent me an

simple as a foul mood or as complex : a soft, seductive voice whispered. o t instant message while I was on the air as Male Menopausal Menstruation o h Straightening up, I replied, “Hey! Who’s this?”

P T at KPLN (103.7 The Planet). In the can make you want to immediately “My name is Anna (ahh-na). What are you message she wrote, “Hi, handsome. Play throw the car into reverse and doing when you get off the air?” Being the ‘Misty’ for me.” In an instant I was hearing Jim McInnes straight man, I replied, “I dunno. Whatcha got repeatedly drive over its stray angelic harp glissandos and experiencing a in mind?” “Wanna come over to my place? I’d canine head until the best part of a spinning vortex-like visual effect, sending me She began to lean on the mystical witch- love to meet you in person!” I said, “Oh yeah? city block is slick and slippery with back in time...to late 1972. craft bit. “I can read minds,” she told me. “I If you’re for real, what’s your address?” When Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty For Me, know what Jimmy wants right now.” doggy dura, creating an invisible she gave me her address and phone number I about a radio deejay and a delusional female Mmmmmmmmmfffffffm.... danger to any members of the stood up and tried to follow my imagination The debonair Mr. Sinatra listener, had come out a year before. Probably Then she started calling and ordering me satanic cult of skateboarders who as it ran away. She called back three minutes every radio personality in the country had had to be at her place after work. I wondered after the first call ended and asked that I bring attempt to sweep in and scoop the And when I think of one recent someone call and say, “Play ‘Misty’ for me,” at whether she could make my head explode if I her a pack of cigarettes. I recalled the old male furry carcass away for their own passing in particular, I feel ashamed least once during the ensuing year. The joke didn’t comply. I was beginning to have reser- adage “If she smokes, she pokes!” I exclaimed, secret and perverted rites. If only wore very thin very fast. The story I am about vations about this relationship. of myself and far poorer than I was “I’ll be right over!” this dumbed-down, zombified world to tell has nothing to do (on the surface, any- One day Ahh-na took me for a ride. We before she left. I picked up a sixer of Bud along with her way) with “Misty,” but... drove through a nice Madison neighborhood, knew the suffering you’ve been Still, I truly have it easy. Because smokes. Maybe we needed to get loose. Back then I was a radio rookie at WIBA- admiring the houses, when she stopped in going through. today, there is a gentleman’s gentle- I knocked on Ahh-na’s door. When she FM (Radio Free Madison) in Wisconsin. My front of a home with a “For Rent” sign in the But that’s not nice at all, is it? So opened the door I was expecting a night- man named Lyle who has been airshift was on Friday and Saturday nights, front yard. “Here’s where we are going to live, mare, but she was good looking: 5’ 5”, nice what? “Real” life can certainly be a deprived of the physical reality of a from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. Think about it — an Jimmy!” I said, “Wait a minute! Who’s we? face, and slim...except for those “Ethel cruel one, and perhaps the faster beloved wife. And his superbly tal- eight-hour show with few commercials and You and me?” “Of course.” “Um, nobody Merman” arms. She had probably lost a lot of the frothing masses are reminded of NO format and no rules! asked me about it.” “C’mon Jimmy, you know ented son who (regardless of his weight in a short time. I was glad that only I I’d usually start the show with a few hours you want to live with me.” that truth, the faster you can relax political views), regardless of the was fat! (It’s alright for the ‘star’ to be over- of “now” music, featuring the Beatles, Stones, “NO!” and stop talking to yourself so darn pain he has been dealt, will remain a weight.) Grateful Dead, Zeppelin, Stooges, Captain I got out of the car and thumbed my way much. We knocked back a few beers and passed growing source of light in the foggy Beyond, John Renbourne, Grand Funk, Nick home. That was the end of that. around el roacho until we did the mystery For veritable skull-crushing halls of our world’s music cathedral. Drake, Attila (a heavy-metal keyboard trio A few months later I saw her at my dance. It was more than I could have hoped anguish, I doubt that any musical The three of them have helped with Billy Joel), The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, favorite watering hole. She was with a new for! Whips and chains! Mayonnaise! Oil and career could match that which was me more than I’ve realized; that is Curved Air, Fifty Foot Hose, John Cale,Terry guy. He had a kind of dazed look about him ice! Naughty and nice! I thought, “How cool lived, breathed, and perpetrated by Riley, Lothar and the Hand People, all the and probably didn’t notice when Ahh-na and definitely no April Fool and I’m never is this? I didn’t have to play the game! Radio usual suspects. (I actually dropped all those I locked eyes and she gave me the stare of perhaps the second finest singer of going to joke about these three, who is a wonderful gig!” names to raise my “hipness” quotient, death! I thought, “Wow! Bad vibes, boys and modern (post-Petomane) times: the have and will continue to serve their Ahh-na and I got together often after that although I did, indeed, play ‘em all at one girls!” That was the last time I saw Ahh-na. I one, the only, the original, the wild night. After a few weeks, she told me a fellow men and women with the time or another...so I really AM a “hepcat!”) was free again. secret. “I’m a witch!” she whispered. “Oh?” they’re-paying-me-by-the-word-so- same grace and care and love with By the fifth hour I’d be into longer selections Thank God I never fell under her spell. “But I’m a good witch. I practice white bear-with-me-in-this-endeavor icon which all three continue to serve — entire album sides by the Allman Brothers I’m just trying to figure out how I heard magic.” “Whew! If you were a black witch I’d known as Sammy Davis Jr. or “Dark Star” from Live Dead. By 2 a.m. I was her voice say “Jimmmm” in my ear while I their Lord. have asked for a demonstration. Who knows Yes, Sammy, who with three and usually...er... in an altered state of conscious- was reading a Zap comic book months later. Nearly two weeks ago, I saw where I’d have ended up?” (Hearty laughter ness, listening to tape hiss or roll-off grooves a half strikes against him still swung hundreds of their extended family on both sides.) that bat and became who he was ... verify their worth in their sad smiles who he still is. and tears and miraculous ability to A corpse. conjure up a breathing being Oh, dear Heavens, Hose, you through Love on a Saturday that can’t be writing this. seemed itself borne of Love. And I Yes, I can. Sammy says so. love it because it became easy to Right now it’s sometime in March Believe. and whatever I’m writing is sched- Thus humbled, I remain a Fool uled to hit the stands on the first of this April, but more aware, I think, of April. That’s April Fool’s Day, so seeking opportunities to beautify the once again, I’ve seriously jumped grotesque or notice profundity in the the gun, which always has conse- mundane, while my own fortunes quences. Like a very rare state of will most likely remain as always: seriousness. less than desired, more than Grotesque horror (I now confess) deserved. is one of my limited arsenal of Get up with your bad selves. weapons I pull from concealment Keep driving on. when I can’t deal with reality. Or at least deal with it in a proper way. If I actually understand what “proper” means in the first place. Or I cared. I especially find it difficult to deal with the death of any one breathing being who would never hurt a fly or harm a dog or an evil skateboarder.

17 April 2004 • San Diego Troubadour

‘round‘round aboutabout

WEEKLY

APRIL MUSIC CALENDAR every sunday 7th Day Buskers, Farmer’s Market, DMV Josh Ritter, Casbah, 9pm. Tomorrow’s Son/American Luxury/ Rock Trio, Tiki Room, 9pm. parking lot, Hillcrest, 9am-1pm. Berkley Hart, Dizzys, 10:30pm. Buzzkill Romantics/Shrines, Coaster See Spot Run, Coaster Saloon, Mission thursday • 1 Saloon, Mission Beach, 9pm. Traditional Irish Music, Tom Giblin’s Pub, Beach, 9pm. 640 Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 3pm. The Art of Guitar Making, Geisel Library, Rock Trio, Java Joes Pub, 6344 El Cajon The Emerson Band/Jack the Original, UCSD, through June 11. 858/534-8074. friday • 9 Blvd., 9pm. Lestats, 9pm. Irish Dance, Dublin Square, 554 Fifth Ave., 3pm. Martin Storrow/Beezeley/Trevor Davis/ Andersons & Friends, Tabloid Coffee, League of Crafty Guitarists, Dizzys, 10pm. Jump Jones, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Marit Weitnauer, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Santee, 7pm. Celtic Ensemble, Twiggs, 4pm. Tribute to Glenn Miller, East County Cobblestone (Irish Music & Dance), 5- Performing Arts Ctr., El Cajon, 7:30pm. saturday • 17 saturday • 24 6:30pm, Boxty Band, 6:30-10pm.The Field, friday • 2 544 Fifth Ave. Wright & Hess, Metaphor Cafe, 8pm. Allison Lonsdale (6-8pm)/Gregory Page, Lite the Night, Metaphor Cafe, 8pm. John Bosley, Tabloid Coffee, Santee, Yonder Mountain String Band/ Lestats, 9pm. Miff’s Jam Night, Java Joes, 6344 El 7pm. Kathy Mattea, California Ctr. for the Arts, Lighthouse, 4th & B, 8pm. Glorious Gospel, 1st Unitarian Church, Escondido, 8pm. Cajon Blvd., 6-9pm. John Wesley Harding, Acoustic Music 4190 Front St., 7:30pm. Tristan Prettyman/Pete Thurston/Dave’s Tim Mudd/Cameron Ash/Robert Spencer/ Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss, 9-10:30pm, San Diego, 4650 Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Son/Gregory Page/The County, Twiggs, Coyote Problem/The Inside/Sara KSDS (88.3 FM). 619/303-8176 Kerrie Caldwell/Jimmy Atto, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Bancroft/Rebeca Randle, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Wright & Hess, Metaphor Cafe, 8pm. 8:30pm. The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Rice, Proclaimers/Biddy Bums, Casbah, Baja Blues Boys, Cafe Crema, Pacific 10-midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). Alicia Champion/Chris Hobson/Lauren 8:30pm. Transfer (formerly Ten Pound Brown)/ Beach, 9pm. DeRose/Until John/Kevin Wood, Twiggs, Sweet Tooth/Alpha Ray, Coaster Saloon, Joey Show w/ Billy Thompson, Tio Leos, 7th Day Buskers, Lestats, 9pm. 8:30pm. 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Mission Beach, 9pm. every monday The Blazers, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Dehra Dun/LMH, Lestats, 9pm. Big Provider, Coaster Saloon, Mission Flying Putos, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Joe Rathburn, Gallery at the Marina, Anya Marina/Saba, Java Joes Pub, 6344 Tubby, Coaster Saloon, Mission Beach, Beach, 9pm. Hot Lunch, Java Joes Pub, 6344 El Cajon Chula Visa, 5-9pm. El Cajon Blvd., 9pm. 9pm. The Displaced/Bangladeshi Pears/Heat Blvd., 9pm. Celticana, Patricks Pub, Poway, 9pm. Open Mic Night, Rosie O’Grady’s, Normal Photo Charity Event w/ Candye Kane, Tio Activated Rhythm, Lestats, 9pm. Heights, 7pm. Leos, 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Robin Henkel, Java Joes Pub, 6344 El sunday • 18 Open Mic Night, Lestats, 7:30pm. Matt Curreri/Goodbye Blue Monday/This Cajon Blvd., 9pm. sunday • 25 Holiday Life, Java Joes Pub, 6344 El Highland Way, Patricks Pub, Poway, 145th Street, Coaster Saloon, Mission Tom Brosseau/Angela Correa/Lisa Cajon Blvd., 9pm. 9pm. Beach, 2-6pm. every tuesday Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Sanders, Lestats, 9pm. Orchestra, Dizzys, 7pm. Traditional Irish Music, The Ould Sod, Normal Heights, 7pm. saturday • 3 saturday • 10 David Massengill, Dark Thirty wednesday • 28 Open Mic Night, Casa Picante, 10757 Trophy Wife, M-Theory, 3pm. Productions, Lakeside, 7:30pm. Spring Harmonica Festival, Harry Griffen Coyote Problem, OB Farmers Market, 5pm. Woodside Ave., Santee, 7:30-9:30pm. Band in Black (Johnny Cash tribute), Park, La Mesa, 11:30am-6pm. The Walking/The Enchanted/The Exfriends, Lestats, 9pm. Chris Klich, Lestats, 8:30pm. Traditional Irish Music, Blarney Stone, Pine Hills Lodge, Julian, 6pm. 760/765- San Diego Day of Percussion, Music Tommy Price, Java Joes Pub, 6344 El Clairemont, 8:30pm. 1100. bldg., SDSU, 1-6pm. Info: 619/594-7452. Cajon Blvd., 9pm. Steve Gillette/Cindy Mangsen, Old Keating & Kimball, Metaphor Cafe, 8pm. monday • 19 Poway Park, 7pm. Teeny-Tiny Pit Orchestra for Silent Films, wednesday Jen Knight/Satish/Jack the Original/Ted Che Cafe, UCSD. Screenings at 10 & 11pm. every David Wilcox, Acoustic Music San Bridget’s Music Mondays, Humphreys Ehr, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Backstage Lounge, Shelter Island, Open Mic Night, Twiggs, 6:30pm. Diego, 4650 Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Edie Brickell, Belly Up Tavern, 9pm. 619/303-8176. 6:30pm. Open Mic Night, Adams Ave. Studio of Baja Blues Boys, Patricks, Poway, 9pm. thursday • 29 the Arts, 2804 Adams Ave, 8pm. Randy Phillips/John Katchur/Joe Payne, Dizzys, 7:30pm. Anya Marina, Lestats, 9pm. tuesday • 20 Leonard Patton/Gerard Nolan-Toby Open Mic Night, The Packing House, 125 See Spot Run, Metaphor Cafe, 8pm. Gandhi Method/Hudson Rider, Coaster Ahrens Jazz Quartet, Twiggs, 8:30pm. S. Main St., Fallbrook, 8pm. Saloon, Mission Beach, 9pm. Big Sandy & his Fly-Rite Boys/BR5-49, Jamie Crawford/Jefferson Jay/Annie Tristan Prettyman/Gregory Page/Billy Open Mic Night, Metaphor Cafe, The Casbah, 8:30pm. Dru/Renata Youngblood/Steve Peavey, Mississippi Mud CD Release, Tio Leos, Shaddox/Saba, Belly Up Tavern, 8:30pm. Escondido, 8pm. 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Twiggs, 8:30pm. Jezebel/Make Out Boys, Lestats, 9pm. Live Taping of San Diego’s Finest TV Soothsayers & Friends, Lestats, 9pm. Christopher Dale/The Friday Band, Java wednesday • 21 Show, Lestats, 8:30pm. Joes Pub, 6344 El Cajon Blvd., 9pm. 21 Grams, Coaster Saloon, Mission Sue Palmer Supper Club, Caffe Calabria, friday • 30 Highland Way, Tom Giblin’s Pub, 640 Beach, 9pm. Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 9pm. 3933 30th St., 6-8pm. Leigh Taylor Band, Metaphor Cafe, 8pm. Ghost Town Deputies/Fat Tones/Roxy sunday • 11 Hatchet Brothers, The Ould Sod, 9pm. Monoxide, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Tristan Prettyman/Annie Bethancourt/ Alex J. Turtle/Saba/Pete Thurston, Lestats, 9pm. Esther/Saba/J. Turtle, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Tristan Prettyman, Java Joes Pub, 6344 thursday • 22 El Cajon Blvd., 9pm. Berkley Hart, Lestats, 9pm. every thursday Piano Extravaganza, Dizzys, 8pm. tuesday • 13 Vern’s Burnt Chicken, Tio Leos, 5302 Open Blues Jam w/ Chet & Committee, Jimmy Patton/Louisa West/LMH/Joe Napa St., 9pm. Morgan, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., El sunday • 4 Jonatha Brooke, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Cajon, 5:30-9:30pm. Beach, 7:30pm. Pete Thurston/Truckee Brothers, Lestats, Joe Marillo pays tribute to Frank Ralph Stanley & Clinch Mountain Boys, 9pm. Open Mic Night, Just Java Cafe, 285 Sinatra, Dizzys, 7pm. Third Ave., Chula Vista, 7-10pm. East County Performing Arts Ctr., 7:30pm. Coyote Problem, Dream Street, 9pm saturday & sunday Lighthouse, North County Baptist Open Mic Night, Coaster Saloon, Church, 221 W. 7th, Escondido, 7pm. Mission Beach, 9pm. Annie Dru & Friends, Lestats, 9pm. wednesday • 14 friday • 23 may 1 & 2 Carrie O’Kee, The Ould Sod, 9pm. Sue Palmer Supper Club, Caffe Calabria, Coyote Problem, Lanstorm Cafe, 262 E. Rockabilly Thursdays w/ Hot Rod monday • 5 3933 30th St., 6-8pm. Grand Ave., Escondido, 6pm. Lincoln, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa St., 9pm. Scarlet Symphony, M-Theory, 8pm. Adams Avenue Bridget’s Music Mondays, Humphreys Modern Rhythm, Humphreys Backstage Talent Showcase, Lestats, 9-11pm. Backstage Lounge, Shelter Island, 6:30pm. Lounge, Shelter Island, 6-8pm. Roots Festival Modest Mouse, Whistlestop Bar, 9pm. Billy Gunn/Physical Impulse/The thursday • 15 Darrels, Tabloid Coffee, Santee, 7pm. every friday Mark Erelli, Acoustic Music San Diego, Gone Tomorrow, Big Kitchen, 3003 Grape California Rangers, McCabes, tuesday • 6 4650 Mansfield St., 7:30pm. 619/303-8176. St., Golden Hill, 7:30pm. Want to be included in Oceanside, 4:30-9pm. James Brown, Pala Casino, 8pm. Peter Sprague & Pass the Drum , Dizzys, Bigger Fish, Round Table Pizza, 1161 our monthly calendar? Songwriter Showcase, Tabloid Coffee, 8pm. E.Washington St., Escondido, 7pm. Carol Ames, Humphreys Backstage 9225-27 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 7pm. Lounge, Shelter Island, 8pm. Meghan La Roque/Mermaid’s Journey/ Email the dates, locations, and times your band is playing to: Renata Youngblood/Fiona Wong/Mick Curtis Peoples/Lauren DeRose/Jimmy every saturday wednesday • 7 Overman/AM, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Atto, Twiggs, 8:30pm. [email protected] Bushwalla/Renata Youngblood/Anna Christian/Gospel Open Mic, El Cajon. 21 Grams/Carol Ames, OB Farmers Info: J.D., 619/246-7060. Market, 4-7pm. Troy, Lestats, 9pm. Open Mic Night, Coffee Bean & Tea Sue Palmer Supper Club, Caffe Calabria, Leaf, 9015 Mira Mesa Blvd., 8pm. 3933 30th St., 6-8pm. friday • 16 Talent Showcase w/ Larry Robinson & Ryan Blue/Angela Patula/Jamie the Train Wreck Band, The Packing Crawford, Lestats, 9pm. Blind Tamale Review, Tabloid Coffee, Santee, 7pm. House, 125 S. Main St., Fallbrook, 8pm. Billy Shaddox/Tom Brosseau/Pete Thurston, Belly Up Tavern, 9pm. The Quimbys, Metaphor Cafe, 8pm. Carrie O’Kee, The Ould Sod, 9pm. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Viejas Casino, 8pm. thursday • 8 Solas/Skelpin, Humphreys Backstage Nickel Creek, RIMAC Arena, UCSD. Lounge, Shelter Island, 8:30pm. John Hiatt, Sycuan Casino, 8pm. Holiday & Adventure Pop Collective/ Middle Earth Band/ Ashley Matte/Chris Bobby Rock Drum Clinic, Lestats, 8pm. Carpenter, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Sara Bancroft/Tim Mudd/Brian Lee/ Robin Henkel, Lestats, 9pm. Francisco Aviles, Twiggs, 8:30pm.

18 San Diego Troubadour • April 2004

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19 The Adams Avenue Business Association Presents the 31st Annual weMusic e DDanceance e AArtsrts e CCraftsrafts e Food e Workshops e Beer Garden 34th to 35th Streets, Adams Avenue e 7 Stages and Adams Park in Normal Heights San Diego, California Info: www.GoThere.com/AdamsAve

Jon Adams Folk Songster w Los Alacranes May 1 2, 2004 Mexican Folk Songs v Ross Altman O Singer-Songfighter dl ountry • Celtic • Country Blues • Cowboy Music • Conjunto - olk • Ap C T l F p , i a a s American Folk Singers m n l s e io ac a Old Wine in New Bottles M it hi gr usic • Trad an • Blue Ray Bierl Cowboy Songs & Fiddle Tunes John Bosley Bluesy Original Songs Curt Bouterse Appalachian Folk Music eaturing Tom Boyer Country Guitar F The Budapest Brothers F Eastern European Folk Music Los Californios Music from Colonial California Les Campagnards Traditional French Country Music Kenny Hall Old-Time Fiddle & Mandolin Roy Ruiz Clayton Folk Songwriter Tomcat Courtney Texas Blues Mexican Roots Trio Gone Tomorrow Grammy-Winning Conjunto Music Traditional Bluegrass Patty Hall Clyde Davenport Original & Old-Timey Country Songs Cumberland Gap Fiddle & Banjo Larry Hanks Old-Time Folk Songster Robin Henkel Blues High, Wide, & Handsome Cowbilly Paul Geremia Bluesman & 12-String Wizard Holdstock & MacLeod British Folk & Sea Songs Hot Club of San Diego Gypsy Jazz Hawks and Eagles Consummate Traveling Minstrels Bob Labeau Eclectic Singer-Songwriter Mary McCaslin Original Songwriter The New Lost Melody Boys Old-Timey String Band The New Smokey Mountain Boys Music of Roy Acuff Lou & Peter Berryman San Diego Cajun Playboys Folkdom’s Favorite Funny Folks Louisiana Cajun Music Siamsa Gael Ceili Band Traditional Irish 7th Day Buskers Balkan Cafe Orchestra Eclectic Folk Music from Around the World Americana Performers subject to change. Mark Spoelstra Veteran Folkster on 12-String Guitar Mimi Wright Alternative country, Americana, roots, Appalachian Ballads & Folk Songs folk, gospel, and bluegrass music news

Information: www.GoThere.com/AdamsAve • Music produced by Lou Curtiss and Folk Arts Rare Records • Music Info: 619/282-7833/For booth rentals: 619/282-7329