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

August 2003 Vol. 2, No. 11

what’s inside

Welcome Mat………3 Mail Box Mission Statement Contributors

Full Circle..…………4 Pete Best & Tony Sheridan Lou Curtiss

Front Porch…………6 Bluegrass Brethren Song Remembers When House Concert Venue Dan Connor Los Californios

Parlor Showcase...…8 The Gospel Truth: A Celebration of Gospel Music

Ramblin’ …………10 Bluegrass Corner Radio Daze José Sinatra Paul Abbott

Of Note.……………12 Tim McFarland Scott Williams Kelly Bowlin Band Peter Sprague Kentucky Gospel

‘Round About ...... …13 RantHouse August Music Calendar

The Local Seen……15 Photo Page SEPTEMBER 14 DARK THIRTY

ee f PRODUCTIONS Dave Stamey PRESENTS

Named Male Performer of the Year by the Western Music OCTOBER 19 Association and nominated three times for Songwriter of Pat Donahoe the Year, Dave Stamey is rapidly becoming one of the most popular Western entertainers working today.

September 14 • 7:30pm • $15

NOVEMBER 9 Eliza Gilkyson

Eliza Gilkyson is a third-generation A master guitarist and poet/musician whose uniquely talented singer-songwriter, Pat intimate style has been shaped Donohue's style blends blues by her personal experiences and and folk in a critically the need to stay true to her acclaimed display of guitar muse. Although she avoids artistry. He appears weekly on stylistic categories, Eliza is public radio's "A Prairie Home storyteller with blood ties to folk Companion" where his guitar music blended with a passion for a playing, writing, and singing are large melody and deeply personal lyrics. featured regularly. November 9 • 7:30pm • $15 October 19 • 7:30pm • $15

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION: 619/443-9622 WWW.DARKTHIRTY.COM San Diego Troubadour • August 2003 welcomewelcome matmat

SAN DIEGO ROUBADOUR Alternative country, Americana, roots, MAILBOX Tfolk, gospel, and bluegrass music news Dear Troubadour, paper while enjoying the Pacific MISSION CONTRIBUTORS Thank you, thank you, thank Beach Block Party where I saw a To promote, encourage, and you for actually covering the local need for the “Instrumentalists” PUBLISHER provide an alternative voice for the music of note. DAMN, you guys stage. I think it is a genre that is Lyle Duplessie great local music that is generally have your fingers FIRMLY planted overlooked in San Diego. I’m overlooked by the mass media; on the pulse of San Diego original going to be contacting the Block EDITOR namely the genres of folk, country, talent’s goings-on. I commend Party about this for next year . . . Ellen Duplessie roots, Americana, gospel, and you. perhaps there will be a Troubadour Stage. bluegrass. To entertain, educate, GRAPHIC DESIGN Yours Very Truly, Thanks again for doing what former music publisher/writer and bring together players, writers, Liz Abbott Jessica Treat and lovers of these forms; to you’re doing. myslef, I know your pain, agony, PHOTOGRAPHY Velveteen Rabbit AND and labor of love. You are greatly explore their foundations; and to Sincerely, Special Events Coordinator appreciated, and I notice your expand the audience for these Ellen Duplessie Music Mart Scott Williams publication goes fast and the types of music. Paul Grupp Mildred Moreno Dear San Diego Troubadour, Ed. note: Scott Williams’ CD is Readers are stacked up, unused. To receive advertising rates and Greetings! I picked up a copy of reviewed in this issue. See page 12. Tells you what the pickers think. information, call 619/298-8488 or DISTRIBUTION your wonderful publication this e-mail [email protected]. Dear Troubadour, Sincerely yours, Kent Johnson past week and thought I should I pick up each of your issues at Mike Dollins San Diego Troubadour get in contact with you. My name Guitar Center or Moze Guitars and P.O. Box 164 ADVERTISING is Scott Williams and I perform keep up with your latest music La Jolla, CA 92038 Kent Johnson regularly on the hammered dul- publishing every month, as you WRITE TO US! E-mail: [email protected]. cimer in the San Diego metropoli- WRITERS are the gap between the street- tan area. I also accompany myself We want to hear from you! level working musicians and the SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the Paul Abbott with my own recordings of man- Send your comments, big hype you see in all the other local source for alternative coun- Lou Curtiss dolins, guitars, mountain dulcimer, feedback, and suggestions to: music publishing offerings in San try, Americana, roots, folk, gospel, Emily Davidson bass, ethnic drums, and other [email protected] Diego. and bluegrass music news, is pub- Ellen Duplessie instruments. As a graybeard, silverback blues or to San Diego Troubadour, lished monthly and is free of Lyle Duplessie I have recently left my corporate charge. Letters to the editor must guitar player in San Diego, I’ve got P.O. Box 164, La Jolla, CA Paul Hormick day job to fully pursue my home be signed and may be edited for a lot of highway on my tires and 92038-0164. Frederick Leonard business, which is recording, play- I’ve seen it all come and go in San content. It is not, however, guaran- ing, teaching, and promoting the Jim McInnes Diego. You have been the first teed that they will appear. hammered dulcimer. I will be writ- Bart Mendoza spark of music realism since the All opinions expressed in SAN ing a mission statement soon for José Sinatra Reader came on the scene in the DIEGO TROUBADOUR, unless my business, and it will most likely Rock Solidad ‘70s. They lost their way when otherwise stated, are solely the opin- be very parallel to yours. Thank they went from newsprint to ion of the writer and do not Jeniffer Thompson you for publishing such a great slicked-up Rolling Stone mag look represent the opinions of the staff or Gus Williker newspaper and for promoting this alike and now are struggling for management. All rights reserved. D. Dwight Worden kind of music. I discovered your John Philip Wyllie identity. You hang in there. As a ©2003 San Diego Troubadour.

d an present

and Derek Duplessie the Desert Poets hosted by KPRI’s Madison CD Release PARTY! ( ( ( Stereo ) ) ) Friday • August 15 • 8pm

W I T H S P E C I A L G U E S T S • Atom Orr • Bart Mendoza • Dylan Martinez • José Sinatra • Phil Harmonic • Lisa Sanders • Peter Bolland • Zach Hitchcock

THE FIREHOUSE, 7877 HERSCHEL AVE., LA JOLLA $7 cover includes hors d’oeuvres and drinks. All ages welcome. Call 858/459-1640 for more info. www.derekduplessie.com Listen to KPRI 102.1FM the week of August 11 to hear Derek live in the studio

3 August 2003 • San Diego Troubadour fullfull circlecircle

by Bart Mendoza Both Best and Sheridan are happy to play the occasional Beatles t’s a credit to the Beatles’ popular- fan gathering but incorporate them ity that not only do most people into their busy touring schedules I know a bit about the Fab Four, rather than make them the focus. t “Playing for Beatles fans all over the but they also know something of the he other place? Sure, anytime,” Sheridan group’s peripheral players. That said, of all the supposed “fifth Beatles,” only replies, noting that conventions or not, Collection, which features Best on ten that it should.” He’s also a realist about a very few can claim to have taken the he can still pack them in. “It’s going tracks, he had at last become a star recording. “I don’t think any of the stage as part of the band. Sadly, origi- very, very successfully at the moment. attraction, with royalties to match. lads are too bothered about making it nal bassist Stu Sutcliffe passed away in Just before I came to San Diego, I did Sheridan on the other hand, was into the charts or anything like that 1962, from a suspected brain a gig, where they expected 300-400 already a star in England, having been simply because of the fact that we’re aneurysm, as detailed in the 1994 film people outdoors in an old medieval a part of the legendary rock and roll getting a little bit older now and we’re Backbeat. However drummer Pete Best castle. Over 600 people turned up!” TV show Oh Boy!, and was signed to not starry-eyed youngsters. We know and singer/guitarist Tony Sheridan, he says, rightly proud. “It rained, but Polydor Records. He was really just a what the business is about, but then both mainstays of the band’s black- they wouldn’t let me off the stage! I close friend of the band who often who knows? In this business, I could leather Hamburg era, are still wowing finished up doing maybe three hours shared the stage with them in be sitting here and tomorrow I’ll be in crowds around the globe. instead of a one set thing.” As for Best, Hamburg, but crucially, in 1961 he the charts. It’s just one of those Recently, both Best and Sheridan he notes, “We do conventions but a lot chose the band to back him on what things.” were in town to perform at Beatlefair, of the time it can’t be worked into the would be their first big-time record- Sheridan is also working on a a fan convention put together by the schedule, so sometimes I do them by ings. We all know the classic rendition recording project with producer Chris the local Beatles Fan Club, Come myself and just meet the fans. But I of “My Bonnie” — that’s Tony on Houston, a member of the early ’60’s Together. While they were only sched- prefer this. There’s nothing like vocals — but it’s also important to Liverpool group the Undertakers, and uled to play sets with their own bands, performing.” note that the great early version of the later known for his work with War, the pair did indeed get together on I ask Best whether he is happy Beatles singing “Ain’t She Sweet” or Led Zeppelin, the Who, and many stage for a spirited version of “Johnny with his place in rock history. “Oh I the instrumental gem “Cry for a others. “We’re trying to fix up a thing B. Goode,” which brought the house am, I am,” he responds. “I wouldn’t be Shadow” were both recorded on Beatles in Nashville,” he says. “We both had down. It’s not every day one gets the ( ) doing it otherwise. I’ve got a great Sheridan’s dime. 2 the feeling that we should get as many band, and I’m seeing the world doing opportunity to see a historic moment Those early people together from such as this go down. Although the what I love. You can’t beat it.” recordings have the old days, like two remain firm friends and see each Sheridan for his part shares the senti- been re-released ad Albert Lee and God other from time to time while on their ment, “Life has dealt me a good hand,” nauseum, but they knows who else, respective tours, this was the first time he says with a smile. represent just the tip together to do a dou- since 1962 that the two shared a stage. That day, both Sheridan and Best of the iceberg when ble CD or something Sitting in the backstage lounge turned in sets that were revelatory and it comes to like the Traveling with Best and Sheridan together with held the large audience of more than Sheridan’s work. In Wilburys. We’re try- their respective bands, it’s interesting 1,000 in the palm of their hands, cli- 1966 he co-wrote ing to get some back- to note their differences. What they maxing with their onstage reunion. It the still unreleased ing at the moment, have in common, besides the obvious, was clear that the fans in attendance, “Tell Me If You Can” but it’s something and what is clearly evident backstage, about a quarter of whom were under with Paul McCartney that I’ve always is a great sense of humor, with quips 18 years of age, were well aware they and not long after- wanted to do.” flying left and right. Best is a basically were witnessing musical history. It was ward took his music He laments sadly a shy, quiet man, clearly exhausted by also clear from my conversations with to the troops in on the passing of so his current month-long tour. Best and Sheridan, that while they are Vietnam. Since then many music legends Surrounded by a rambunctious very proud of their early days in rock he has released sev- over the past few younger bunch of musicians, includ- and roll, they both see themselves as eral boxed sets years, including ing his brother Roag, the guitarists vital, current artists who, even at this worth of material, many close associ- break into a spot-on version of the late stage in the game, still have some- and he remains a ates. “Except for Bob Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train thing to say. Anyone who saw their popular concert Dylan and a few oth- Running” to the amusement of those sweat-drenched performances this past draw, with a mean ers, there aren’t too present. Sheridan, by contrast, is ani- weekend left absolutely convinced of blues guitar as well many of us left who mated and seems to be a bundle of that. as the plaintive way are authentic people, energy as he prepares to take the he sings a ballad. who still have some- stage. When asked for an interview Pete Best, then and now Tony Sheridan, then and now Like many thing left to say, who just before he goes on stage, he seems artists, Best and go back a long way,” just a little disappointed. He’d love to really affected us. I mean people know Sheridan certainly enjoy the attention he says, adding with a laugh, “…and chat with the fans, but he’s mostly just about me and know about the band given to their past, but it’s talk of their who have a lot of friends who would anxious to perform. more than ever because of it, but I current projects, albeit sometimes join in.” In the meantime, Sheridan A cursory introduction to Best think the beauty of it is the more we Beatles-related, that truly gets the pair continues to record on his own, with and Sheridan will show us that Best’s play around the world, we get recog- animated. Best, along with his brother his most recent disc, Vagabond, story is pretty well known — to a nized in our own right as opposed to Roag, have reopened the famed released last year to great acclaim in point. In 1962, having taken part in just our affiliation to the Beatles.” Casbah, where the group first played. Europe, a wonderful mix of charming the band’s adventures in Germany, We can also expect a new album from They recently published the first of self-penned ballads and rockers. audition sessions at EMI and Decca, him soon. “There is one that we’re three books, True Beginnings, which BBC appearances, numerous concerts, working on at the present moment covers the Beatles earlyiestdays. “The and their first released recordings on which, if it keeps to schedule, will be book that’s out at the present moment Polydor, he was asked to leave the out in the early part of next year.” is the middle segment,” says Best of band. Ringo was brought in to replace When I asked Best if he’ll be concen- the tome, which includes memorabilia him and the Fab Four as we know trating on the rock and roll standards and vintage photos. “Hopefully what them, were born and contact between his band is known for, he explains Phil Harmonic Sez: we’re going to do next is the prequel , Best and the rest of the band was bro- proudly, “We’re moving into the origi- and then the third one will be a con- ken. He subsequently embarked on a nals field. There will be a couple of “Prohibition goes beyond the clusion to our story,” adding with a solo career, releasing many great standards as well, but we’ve got some laugh, “if ever there is one.” bounds of reason in that it garage-rock singles, but to little really good material that will impress.” Of his ’90’s name recognition rise acclaim. At the height of his second When I comment on how much attempts to control a man’s via the Anthology project, Best states, “I career during the mid-’60s, he he must love music, considering both suppose financially it was very nice. appetite by legislation, and makes appeared on the game show What’s My the grueling nature of his continual You can’t take that away. But the fact Line? to give you an idea how touring and the fact that this is his that there were ten tracks on the a crime out of things that are not unknown he was. To be fair, however, third, though arguably most success- Anthology was very heart warming to getting kicked out of a band is still ful, attempt at career revitalization, he crimes. It strikes a blow at the me, because I felt like ‘there is a place referred to as a “Pete Best” to this day. replies happily if a bit wearily, “Work there for you, we do realize the impor- very principles upon which our He gave it all up soon afterward for a keeps piling up for us. As long we’re tance of your input in the early days of job in the civil service and didn’t working and we’re earning — and government was founded.” the Beatles’ and all the hard work that return to the stage until appearing at a we’re happy doing it — then I think went in there.” Tellingly, Best is still 1988 Beatles’ convention in Liverpool, we’re doing okay. We haven’t got any very much interested in breaking away which met with greater approval than ultimate pipe dreams, but we’re very —Abraham Lincoln from the Fab’s shadow, if only momen- he thought possible. Following the ambitious and we’re determined to tarily. “Band wise, [Anthology] hasn’t success of the Beatles Anthology make sure the band gets the acclaim

4 San Diego Troubadour • August 2003 fullfull circlecircle

Recordially, Lou Curtiss

Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry a good run Wesley Tuttle and asking him to sing “I for their money. When Joe Maphis would Dream that My Daddy Come Home” lead Town Hall package tours out on the (one of his old Capitol records from road, regulars Johnny Bond, Merle Travis, about 10 years prior) for my sister Leona or Wesley Tuttle would either bring in a right as he was going on stage. He said, band or sometimes bring in a guest band “Well, I was going to do something else like Ole Rassumussen, Leon McAuliffe’s but I’ll do ‘er,” and he did, dedicating it Cimarron Boys, or Hank Penny’s group. I to my sister. If you wanted to hear some- seem to recall that Bob Wills and his body sing a song and you couldn’t get to Texas Playboys even filled in one time. them, you could always ask Town Hall Three hours of the Town Hall show were emcee Jay Stewart and he’d pass it along. Lou Curtiss telecast all over Southern California every Along about 1961 or so, Town Hall Saturday, first by KTLA and then by shut down and country music on the Skeets McDonald, and Merle Travis. KCOP. We drove up to Compton to be West Coast started to fade with it. The There are also solo CDs on Country there in person as often as we could but Bakersfield Bounce of the mid-’60s gave Routes by Jose and Rose Lee Maphis, if we couldn’t make it, my family down it a little jump, but by 1970 it was all the Merle Travis, and the Collins Kids, featur- Town Hall Party Regulars — Seated, Front: “Tiny” Guy Cherry, Quincy Snodgrass, Skeets McDonald Back in Imperial Beach were usually parked in Nashville Sound. Most Town Hall artists ing material from Town Hall Party shows. Row: Larry Collins, Merle Travis, Lori Collins, “Buddy” Dooley, Pee Wee Adams, Marilyn and Wesley Tuttle, front of the television trying to clear up like Tex Ritter and Joe and Rose Lee Bear Family has issued a series of DVDs Tex Ritter, Johnny Bonds, Rose Lee Maphis, Joe Maphis, Marian Hall, Betsey Gay, Tex Carmen the snowy reception. Maphis, Lefty Frizzell, and so many more that feature artists like Gene Vincent, It was amazingly informal. Pick ses- had moved back to Nashville, and coun- Johnny Cash, and Eddie Cochran (with Town Hall on Any Marilyn Tuttle, Freddie Hart, Lefty Frizzell, sions would be going on back stage, usu- try music on the West Coast was nonex- more to come) live on the Town Hall Saturday Night Larry and Lorrie Collins, the Sons of the ally led by Skeets McDonald or Merle istent except for a few revival bands. The Party shows. It isn’t exactly like being Pioneers, Gordon Terry, Skeets Travis, and you’d often find members of idea of a country barn dance show in there, but it’s the closest thing we have. McDonald, Tex Carmen, Cousin Emmy, the audience circling around, checking California is probably dead forever except It was an old converted movie the- It hails back to a time when West Coast the White Brothers (Clarence and out a lick or two. Performers would also in the memories of those who were for- ater in the LA. suburb of Compton, built country music was just as big as anything Roland), Les “Carrot Top” Anderson, mingle with the audience as would tunate enough to visit Western Music’s over in the front to look like an old barn. Nashville had to offer and a hell of a lot Tommy Duncan, Bob Luman, and so comedians Texas Tiny and Quincy Hall of Fame at the Town Hall Party. I never knew if they used it much during more countrified. many more. On any given Saturday night Snodgrass. I remember going up to If you’re interested in hearing what the week, but during my teenage years it Recordially, you might see guests from the Grand Ole the Town Hall Party sounded like, check was the Town Hall Party on Saturday Opry like Ray Price, Stonewall Jackson, out the following two CDs on the Lou Curtiss nights. The band on stage was led by a Marty Robbins, or Faron Young. You Country Routes label. six-foot plus man with a double necked might also see rockabilly artists like Carl Mosrite guitar named Joe Maphis and RFD CD 06: Rockin’ at Town Hall: Perkins, Wanda Jackson, Gene Vincent, or with him on stage were Marion Ross on Unissued broadcasts from 1959-1961 on Eddie Cochran and the Burnett Brothers. pedal steel, Fiddlin’ Kate Warren and Bill the rockabilly side of Town Hall, featuring You might see western movie old timers Hill on fiddles, Jimmy Pruitt on piano, Carl Perkins, the Collins Kids, Warren like Eddie Dean, Ray Whitley, Jimmy Quincy Snodgrass on string bass, and Smith, Wanda Jackson, and Bob Luman Walkely, or even Gene Autry. Pee Wee Adams on drums. This band RFD CD 15: Town Hall Party: 1958- It was billed as Western Music’s Hall backed up most anyone who came on 1961: The country side of Town Hall, of Fame and from 1953 to 1961, the the show, including regulars Johnny with Johnny Bond, Faron Young, Hank West Coast country music scene personi- Bond, Tex Ritter, Merle Travis, Wesley and Thompson, Marty Robbins, Joe Maphis, fied in the Town Hall Party gave

5 August 2003 • San Diego Troubadour frontfront porchporch

O Brethren, Where Art Thou? by Gay Lynn and member of the band, is also the main going to sound ahead of time. But a lot of George Elliott Noble Jr songwriter. Over their 25 years, they have times, at least with the current members, recorded seven CDs, which are available I’ll present a song that they may or may ast year I wanted a bluegrass through their website www.bluegrass- not like, which we’ll put together as a group to play at First Southern brethren.com. Following a wonderful per- group as far as the band sound part of it. Baptist Church, where I attend. I formance at our church on June 28th, I They’re good at telling me which areas Lconvinced the church music director, set sat down with Tim and learned more the song needs work on. I’m an overview Bluegrass Brethren: Lori Beckwith, Tim Bryant, Brian Beckwith, Les Beckwith, the date, booked a group, and thought all about what the Bluegrass Brethren type of person, who sees the big picture Kevin Schell was set. Unfortunately, the band I had meant to him. of how a song is supposed to sound. All booked had to cancel a week before the four band members are excellent with movies, for instance, have made blue- in the parking lot, waiting for us to come date. Through the grace of God and with GEORGE: How long have you been play- detail, so they hear all the fine points, grass music more popular, but I think it’s back. Another embarrassing moment a little help from the Internet, I found the ing music? which I let them do, because they’re so Bluegrass Brethren. The Bluegrass also a little too commercial, which might was at a festival in Julian, and you know TIM: Actually, I started playing music good at it. Brethren hail from Long Beach and have be stifling its growth a little. More people how we kid around on the stage. We had way back in the late ‘60s. Before I played been together, in various configurations, GEORGE: Are there any words of advice who didn’t think they would like it until a little kid in the group for awhile, and we gospel, I played in dance bands in for 25 years. The current members of the that you’d give someone who might be they heard it on a soundtrack or some- were kidding around about whether to let Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. I band include Tim Bryant on guitar and considering picking up an instrument or thing like that, have found that they like it her sing or not. Of course we were gonna was a bass player, playing top 40 pop vocals; Les Beckwith on banjo, guitar, becoming a performer? and have sought out bluegrass. let her sing but were kidding with the tunes at all the local high schools, when I mandolin, and vocals; Lori Beckwith on audience a little bit, and guy out in the was first learning to play. The Bluegrass TIM: Well, I think you just do it with the GEORGE: Have you passed your love of fiddle and vocals; Kevin Schell on man- audience says “Let the little girl sing!” Brethren was formed in 1977. right attitude. I didn’t do it to be a per- bluegrass and music in general down to dolin and vocals; and Brian Beckwith on I usually say “Ahh, it’s okay!” But due to former. When you play an instrument, you your children? bass and vocals. Tim, the only original a slip of the tongue I said, “Ahh, shut GEORGE: Who, such as family members want to get to the point where you can TIM: Yes, we’ve always played all types up!” So we went ahead and did the song. and recording artists, has been an influ- stand yourself, whether you actually like of music in our family. We started with A month later we show up at this church ence on your music? what you’re doing. Maybe it’s very sim- bullfrogs and butterflies, kids music, to do a concert down in San Diego. We ple, but at least you can enjoy it for your TIM: Of course my favorite in gospel is when they were little. It’s graduated to were sitting there, eating at a potluck own self, without being egotistical. Yeah, T he Song Doyle Lawson, who’s considered the king other forms they like. My son really likes, before the concert started when one of I can play these chords. Yeah, I can of bluegrass gospel these days. But I lis- in the bluegrass vein, Nickel Creek, but the guys in the band says, “Hey, see that change on time. I can pick a little bit. Remembers When ten to all different styles of music, so I he finds as he gets a little older, he’s 20 guy over there sitting at the table? That’s Then you can think about stretching can saturate my writing with that style now, he’s finding that he likes bluegrass the guy you told to shut up over in yourself, being in front of people. I know and get creative ideas for writing music. itself more and more than he ever Julian.” I just laughed and said, “Oh for me, I’m an introvert and actually a shy thought he would. He’s been going to yeah, I remember him.” It turned out that GEORGE: Did you have a moment when person. I remember the very first time bluegrass festivals since he was about the guy was the pastor of this church!” you decided that you’d be a musician? (after the rock band days) when I played 11 years old. We go yearly on Father’s So, consequently, we got up to do the in the dark all the time — you under- concert, and the rest of the band had cut TIM: Well, for me, I grew up around Day weekend, that’s our deal. My other stand, I had to play in the daylight at out a paper bag, to put over my head music. My dad played guitar a little bit. In kids are singers, not players, but they all Sunday school. I wasn’t even leading the (with eye holes), because I was sup- the early days he’d take me to hear like music, different styles as well. music, I was just playing guitar behind posed to be so embarrassed. I didn’t groups like the Dillards and Buck Owens. by Emily Davidson the leader. I remember being scared to GEORGE: Do you think they’ll follow in know he was a pastor when I told him to And then somehow that style, even death doing that. It’s a stretching exer- your footsteps? shut up! Then he came up and he said, T wo days after moving into my though I played rock and all those things, cise. Start where you can play an instru- “Well, we decided to have Bluegrass third apartment in 12 months, I was came back to grab me. My dad always TIM: I don’t know, I think it depends on ment by yourself and enjoy it, then play Brethren here.” He said, “Despite the laid off from my job. After the initial had a guitar around and pretty soon . . . their personalities and their commitment with others, and then, maybe something things Tim has said about me, everybody confrontation in the conference room you know how it goes. There’s a guitar, and what they want to do with their lives. will happen that’s bigger than that. else in the band seems so nice.” So and obtaining my severance check, I you pick it up, play around with it, learn a that’s one of my more embarrassing gathered my things and drove away. chord, then pretty soon my brothers and I GEORGE: This band has been around for GEORGE: What’s the funniest thing that moments, having to look a pastor in the “Tangled Up in Blue” was playing on started a band. I was the bass player in 25 years, is that right? ever happened to you on the road? eye that I told to shut up. the radio. As with every key moment that band. TIM: I remember two instances: One time of my life, this memory would forever TIM: That’s right! we went to the Grass Valley area and The Bluegrass Brethren will be playing be linked to a song. GEORGE: How do you go about arranging GEORGE: I suppose you’ve seen many played at a Sizzlers restaurant. We have on the following dates in August: In November, on a trip to Atlanta, a song? Do you work as a group or do changes within the bluegrass community. a bass we call Thelma, and after we had August 10, Community Grace Brethren, the feeling of cold weather created a you have the song already mapped out What do you think is the biggest change? played and packed everything up, we 5879 Downey Ave, Long Beach, 6pm musical connection for me. As I stepped before you bring it to the group? Has interest in bluegrass grown over the drove down the road and said, “Where’s August 23, Mountain Valley Community, out of the cab and onto the flurried TIM: It’s funny — with songwriters it years, do you think? Thelma?” We realized we had left her Squaw Valley, 5pm streets of Georgia, I was reminded of my happens different ways. Sometimes, I back where we had played, so we went August 24, Bethel Southern Baptist, 15821 last winter in Nashville when the heater TIM: I thinks it’s grown. Some recent can envision the whole band and how it’s back to the restaurant and found her still D St., Madera, 10:45 am stopped working and it was 13 degrees outside. My neighbors (three bluegrass musicians, including Chris Sharp of the John Hartford band and O Brother, Where Art Thou? fame) always tried helping me San Diego’s New House Concert Venue in times like these but this time it would- n’t work. I was stuck waiting for the repair man. Iced in and swaddled in blan- by Jeniffer Thompson awaiting Berkley Hart. They chat in a low audible whisper that is warm and welcom- kets, I spent much of the next three days ing. The crowd faces a mirrored wall where in the kitchen with the oven temperature an Diego is home to many great folk artists, but few venues. Recently a the band is set to play. Oddly enough, the cranked up and its door open, resting my new venue has popped up in mirrors add warmth to the golden room. cheek on a cold, plastic radio tuned in to S These folks are enjoying the setting, the Coronado, of all places. It is a quaint and shows like Woodsongs Old-Time Radio intimate little joint for 50 people to gather; tranquility, the company. Hour. the acoustics are phenomenal — it’s, and I Intermission at Bamboo includes a Outside of helping us remember kid you not, a yoga studio. lovely reception area just outside the stu- dio’s red door. Garden benches, bamboo when, music teaches us many other Bamboo Yoga Studio & Bodywork plants, and candle light set the stage where Center, located at 1127 Loma Avenue new talent like Marie Haddad on the bill, valuable lessons. It gives only what we guests enjoy homemade pies, two different across from Chez Loma, kicked off their the setting offers something a little different take away from it. The Page family’s kinds of hummus, and a variety of snack folk concert series with a summer solstice and new. Marie plays piano and sings with musical performance at this year’s items, not to mention coffee-mochas with show featuring Berkley Hart. a low sultry voice reminiscent of Tori Amos Adams Avenue Roots Festival is an whipped cream. A door of deep pomegranate red and Joy Eden Harrison. She’s new on the With shows scheduled the first example of what local music has given beckons guests up three winding flights of scene, like the venue. They are a good Saturday of every month, Bamboo’s to me. A powerful testament to family, candle-lit stairs; bamboo lines the walls match, quietly creeping into the scene like upcoming calendar over the next few its tenderness left me with tears in my and it smells of lavender and tangerines. a cool breeze — refreshing. months features such talents as Steve Poltz, Awaiting guests on the second floor are For more information about upcom- eyes. As for the job, it wasn’t working Atom Orr, and Marie Haddad, just to name complimentary Ballast Point beer and two- ing events, check out their web site at out anyway. I once had to explain to a few. buck Chuck wine from Trader Joe’s. www.bambooyoga.com or call my now ex-boss who Roy Orbison is, a The venue is sure to be a sleeper, a The lights are dim — candles cast an 619-435-9119. sure sign that I was in the wrong place. amber glow onto the faces of 40 fans little getaway across the bridge. With fresh

6 San Diego Troubadour • August 2003 frontfront porchporch

the various cultures of the existing cattle ranches or ranchos American Southwest and for of the 1830s and ‘40s were spread Dan Connor’s founding the Southwest Museum, sparsely over miles and miles of a legacy that remains today and open terrain. Prior to the discovery displays many of the artifacts he of gold in 1849, California a collected during his travels. was lonely, In 1903, Lummis sat down remote, and Rights of Passage with the descendants of the inaccessible early Californios and set about place. Music the task of preserv- and dancing ing their music. helped to pass by Paul Hormick Using an Edison the time and wax-cylinder brighten the “This chronicles the last ten recording spirits of those years of my life. It represents major machine, cutting- living on the far emotional points for me in those edge technology end of the years,” says singer-songwriter Dan at the turn of the continent. Connor of his latest CD, Writes of 20th century, While the majority of the Passage. Ten years time has given Lummis made 12 early settlers were Hispanic, Connor a lot to consider, from the hours of recordings. the music was derived from disappointment, yearning, and “He was going a number of sources — not just tenderness that imbue his song to transcribe all the Spanish and Mexican folksongs. “Family Reunion,” to his love for songs and publish them with There is a definite European influ- the desert, which he sings of in singable English lyrics,” Gray said. ence heard in the waltzes and “Goodbye to the Moon.” Unfortunately, Lummis only got polkas that were played. With ships Although he has his own studio, around to publishing 14 songs visiting from far and wide, the Connor chose to record Writes of during his lifetime, but his early, music became more varied. Passage at Peter Sprague’s primitive recordings have been While none of Los Californios Spragueland Studio. He took the preserved. is Hispanic or descendants of the advice of Jeff Berkley, who plays djembe on the disk, and had the playing with Dave Beldock, a grad- recording mastered by Gavin uate of the Berklee College of Lurssen, who mastered the sound Music, in their band Bordertown. track to O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The award-winning band, which LOS Writes of Passage has a similar Connor founded in 1982, per- direct clear sound; the timbres of formed in some form or another, all the instruments are full and such as the SOBs (Sons of CALIFORNIOS retain their natural lushness. Bordertown), until 2001. As a child Connor took piano Ten years ago, Connor became lessons in his hometown of REVIVE A involved in elementary school Belding, Michigan. When he was music education when he and 13 or 14 he played the song “The Beldock started performing at All American Boy” at a party. The NEARLY LOST school assemblies. “We played reaction was overwhelming. “I got every school in San Diego,” he so much juice from playing that says. They also wrote songs with MUSICAL song that my mind was made up the students. And for the last five right there to be a musician,” he years Connor has been teaching says. Soon afterward he formed a music full time at Twin Oaks TRADITION band called the Keyhoppers, Elementary School in San Marcos. Janet Martini, Peter Dubois, David Swarens, Vykki Mende Gray, Janet Ashford named to describe his rocking Jerry He says that the reactions to music Lee Lewis-style of piano playing. by John Philip Wylie vary widely with the ages of the He thinks of himself as a song- children, and he tailors his pro- “In 1989, through a grant original Californios, they share a writer first but has worked on gram accordingly. mong the more than 50 with the California Parks Service, common love for historic preserva- other aspects of his performance as Besides teaching and perform- bands and individual per- we had the original recordings tion and for pre-Gold Rush well. He has taken voice lessons ing, Connor runs his recording stu- A formers that participated in played back and recorded on to a California as well as this music in since the ‘80s. “I have a certain dio, Windy Hill Studio, and mans the Adam’s Avenue Roots Festival cassette tape,” Gray explained. particular. amount of natural ability, but I’m the soundboard for Dark Thirty last April, Los Californios might “So, now I have 12 hours worth of “We have received a very not like Elvis. I don’t have a cast- Productions in Lakeside. have claimed the award as the music that I am slowly, but surely positive reaction from the Mexican iron voice,” he says. He is mindful Explaining his multiple activities most unique, had one been given. working my way through. At this community,” said Gray. Often the of maintaining good posture when he simply says, “All musicians wear Performing in period costume from point, very few people know about older members of their audiences he performs to enhance the sup- many hats.” 1830s California, Los Californios this music and we are the only will tell them that the music port of his diaphragm. His current band, Little Big Men, faithfully recreated the music that band [in San Diego] that special- sounds like the music they heard in His main instrument is guitar is a trio that includes harmonica local inhabitants once danced to izes in it.” By performing live at their youth. now. He plays more than the master Dan Byrnes and “Bongo” during the period when California festivals, historical sites, and For further information three-chord folk progression, with Bob Goldsand. He met Byrnes was still part of Mexico. schools, Gray and her bandmates, regarding the many organizations his left hand traveling the length about three years ago; soon there- “With the (1849) California Janet Martini, Peter Dubois, David working to preserve early of the fretboard for different chord after, Byrnes started showing up at Gold Rush and the arrival of so Swarens, and Janet Ashford hope California music and history and a configurations as he sings. He Connor’s gigs to sit in. They solidi- many people so quickly, the cul- to keep this musical tradition alive. current schedule of Los Californios’ picked up much of his knowledge fied the union and began perform- ture that was here before [that “One of our projects is an upcoming performances, access of the instrument from 20 years of ing as the duo Two Dan Bad. time] was completely over- educational one in which we hope their website at: Percussionist Goldsand had been whelmed,” explained group to place the music back out www.loscalifornios.com sitting in on Bordertown perform- founder, violinist and vocalist Vykki there,” Gray said. “During the ances, until he became one third of Mende Gray. “These songs exist summer, we teach this music at the Little Big Men trio about a year through the efforts of one man, two different music camps.” and a half ago. Their repertoire Charles Fletcher Lummis.” The quartet has also recorded includes a variety of Connor’s The colorful and multi-talent- its first CD of early California songs, Hank Williams ballads, ed Lummis led a fascinating and music. One hour in length, Flowers blues, and 17th- century Irish hits. highly accomplished life. of Our Lost Romance is a collection You can catch Little Big Men at Captivated by the American of early 19th-century California the Coyote Bar and Grille on Southwest, Lummis once walked dances and songs recorded as they Sunday, August 10, 2:30-4:30 p.m. from his home in Ohio all the way were originally written, in Spanish. For schedules and other informa- to Los Angeles and then published The Spanish and Mexican set- tion about Little Big Men and an account of the four-month tlers who lived in the area at that Connor, visit adventure. He was a prolific writer time faced something that those of www.danconnormusic.com. and focused much of his attention us living in the overcrowded Little Big Men, left to right: Dan Byrnes, on the region. He is perhaps best Southern California of the present Charles Lummis recording on an early Bob Goldsand, and Dan Connor known for his efforts to preserve rarely worry about: loneliness. The wax-cylinder recording machine

7 August 2003 • San Diego Troubadour parlorparlor showcaseshowcase

by Lyle Duplessie The

“Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre, make music for Him on stringed instruments. Sing to Him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy ! “ —Psalm 33: 2-3 A Celebration of egardless of religious conviction, anyone who loves American music can’t disavow the importance of its Gospel Music gospel music roots. Countless R&B, coun- try, jazz, and rock artists, both past and music all became uniquely hip-hop renditions. Rpresent, got their first exposure and train- American. Combined with Unfortunately these mod- ing as singers, stylists, and musicians in European melodies and ern efforts only reflect the gospel music. Hopefully, future generations African rhythms, these music available in today’s of American musicians and performers will aforementioned styles secular market. Now con- continue to be reared according to the tra- were borrowed from, trast this to its earlier ditions of this American musical art form. adapted, and modernized forms where roots gospel Liberally imbued with European and by the standards of the and classic black and African influences, My Funk and Wagnalls day and incorporated in white gospel served as Encyclopedia further describes gospel classic gospel music. By the spiritual parent to so music as “...(a) genre of popular American the turn of the 19th centu- many uniquely American hymnody that emerged about 1870.” ry this music was further forms. Though this form of music was given a title spread and popularized On August 17th the San around the 1870s, its foundation was laid as a result of the Diego Troubadour in con- long before that in the culture and experi- Christian revivals that junction with Mount ence of both black and white immigrants to swept across America. Soledad Presbyterian America. These people brought their musi- The messages in Church will present a cal forms and styles with them across the In 1871, the Fisk Jubilee Singers became the first to introduce American and gospel music can cut European audiences to the music of Negro Spirituals. Gospel Music Fest, honor- Atlantic. Spiritual songs and hymns were a across cultural, racial, and ing gospel music in all its continual source of encouragement to early socioeconomic lines. They are anchored in That in itself is a powerful testimony of the timelessness. Celtic, bluegrass, choral, folk, and frontier Americans and, of course, to the simplicity and beauty of a childlike faith, ability of gospel music to unite people! and country gospel will all be represented. African-American slaves. In time Sunday void of any lofty theological pretense. Today slick and glossy gospel exists So come on out and join the celebration school hymns, camp meeting spirituals, Moreover, the themes and promises side-by-side with rough, urban rap, and and a Sunday afternoon of musical fun. work songs and field hollers, and popular expressed in these songs are universal to all persons and not exclusive to any one group. Rather than communicating a fearful Considered by many to be the Father of Roots of Contemporary American Music warning of crime and punishment/sin and Contemporary Gospel Music, judgment, gospel music proclaims a loving, Thomas Dorsey forgiving, and accepting God. The music was the son of a expresses a joyful, uplifting, liberating, and Baptist preacher optimistic message, promising both hope who, during his for the present and future. Gospel music in early years, won a name for himself its most powerful state remains an uninhib- as a blues and jazz ited expression of thanksgiving and cele- composer as well bration of the believer as a child of God. as accompanist for Bessie Smith. It was after Gospel music, like all other vibrant he lost all the royalties from his music in the forms of art and expression, has changed crash of 1929 and suffered a nervous break- down that he turned his considerable talents to over time. Its themes have remained con- writing religious music. Dorsey developed a stant, however, thus retaining its beauty distinctive style, which he called gospel, that and relevance. From simple European combined traditional spirituals with blues and hymns and African-American spirituals to pop influences. However, instead of themes of the more easily identifiable turn of the cen- sadness and despair, his songs told stories of hope and affirmation. Dorsey went on to write tury classics of Ira Sankey and Fanny hundreds of gospel Crosby, to the vast body of work and inno- songs, started his own vations made during the 20th century by publishing company, African-American Thomas A. Dorsey, and was instrumental in bringing gospel gospel music has continued to develop. music more into the Over the centuries both white and black mainstream by pro- gospel forms have remained distinct. moting gospel choirs Nevertheless, much of the same body of and solo artists out- work has been shared while both have side the church. freely influenced each other stylistically.

8 San Diego Troubadour • August 2003 parlorparlor showcaseshowcase

Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, gospel, and bluegrass music news and Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church present High on a Mountaintop Sunday, August 17, noon-5pm Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church, 6551 Soledad Mountain Road, La Jolla

Join us for an afternoon celebration of gospel music, showcasing a wide range of gospel musical styles. Bring a blanket and chairs to set up on the grass in the park-like setting at Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church in La Jolla. Bring a picnic lunch or buy a burger here. Enjoy the cool ocean breezes atop Mount Soledad. But most of all, come and enjoy the music!

The Les and Lou Ann together forever. Their great lead vocals and beautiful har- With an outstanding voice and gui- Preston Band is a blue- monies are matched only by the soulful rhythm and exuberance tar playing, David McLeod per- grass band that picks of this group. This church does have a more contemporary forms original songs inspired and sings some of the praise group, but choir director Sister Mary Fisher declares that, straight from heaven. As pastor of a old-time gospel “There’s nothing like those old gospel songs!” 1:40-2:10pm. nondenominational home church in favorites. The husband Solana Beach, McLeod has been and wife team of Les Blue Root is one of the new playing and writing songs for many and Lou Ann both play young bluegrass groups years. All of his songs either use words straight from the Bible guitar and sing together. They sound great as a duo but are turned on to the older classic or, as he says, “are inspired by the Lord.” The beautiful sound quite versatile in their band formations as well. Band members sounds, which are given a of his old Martin and his incredible tenor voice showcase his vary and can range anywhere from between two and five play- fresh new sound by Rosy exceptional original music. 3:55-4:15pm. ers or more, depending on who’s available to join in. The many Dawn and the boys. Rosy talented local bluegrass musicians provides this duo with a Dawn Selwitz brings her Gospel Overdrive,a large pool to choose from for each gig. For this show, they will beautiful vocals into the mix traditional bluegrass be joined by Phil Levy on banjo, Beth Mosko on fiddle, Jim with this five-piece band. The band, is are dedicat- Murphy on mandolin, and Bob Pearson on stand-up bass. They other four members are Josh Dake on guitar and lead vocals, ed to playing and play a wide variety of bluegrass songs, gospel being only one of Mike Richardson on mandolin, Gary Peek on stand-up bass, and singing only gospel them. 12-12:45pm. Johnny Sexton on banjo and backing vocals. Formerly with music and nothing Madcap Otis, a San Diego Music Award nominee, Rosy Dawn else. The five mem- The Celtic Praise Band is led by has a wide variety of musical experience, ranging from folk to bers have been play- Tim Foley, an Irish lad who plays a opera to voice teacher. Sexton is a former member of Jackass ing together (more of less) since 1999. Bob Zacharias heads up variety of celtic instruments, includ- Nebraska; Richardson and Peek also play in the band, the the band on guitar, banjo, and vocals. Don Smith plays harmoni- ing the beautiful-sounding uilleann Woodrows. You can see Blue Root the evening of August 8 at ca and also sings. With Rick Eggeling on guitar and vocals; Dale pipes, the bodhran (drum), and a Cafe Elysa. 2:25-3pm. Henning on fiddle; Ernie Storm on mandolin, guitar, and vocals; variety of whistles including the and Michelle Billiard on bass, this band has just about every- better-known penny whistle. Foley’s Crossroads is a country band thing a bluegrass band could want. You can hear them play at friends join together with him to give us the sounds of the that plays traditional gospel different churches of various denominations all around town, Emerald Isles. Those sounds include guitar, fiddle, possibly the songs ranging from those of from Baptist to Lutheran to Catholic to nondenominational. They mandocello, and maybe even a harp, the instrument of the Hank Williams and the Louvin also play at bluegrass events and pretty much just about any- angels, played by a lass from northern Ireland. Foley keeps Brothers to songs so old, the where the Spirit leads them. Their high-lonesome sound and busy with his music, with shows ranging from gigs at down- author is unknown. Jimmy gospel message make for a great traditional gospel band. town Irish pubs and music with the worship team at the Mary Diesel White’s vocals and 4:30-5pm. Star of the Sea Catholic Church in La Jolla to music festivals telecaster lead guitar are around the country. 1-1:30pm. reminiscent of Buck Owens, with a country twang that blends This promises to be a wonderful afternoon of roots well with the vocal of Rock Solidad, who plays bass. Mark music, the actual heart and soul of American music: that The Appointed Slomka, pastor of Mt. Soledad Presbyterian Church, solidifies is, an afternoon of gospel song. From the musical her- Singers, from the band with rhythm guitar and vocals. Evan Lauer, the pastor Highland Park of Coastlands Church in Pacific Beach, keeps the beat on itage of the African slaves, to the Celtic sounds of the Christian Church, is a drums. Jenna Duplessie embellishes the sound with her man- Irish immigrants, to the songs from the backwoods of the gospel choir led by dolin. Derek Duplessie rounds out the group with his pedal steel Appalachian hills, to the country music of the Bible Belt, Sister Mary Fisher, and guitar. All of these musicians have been involved with various gospel music plays a major role in the musical history of do they ever know other bands in the local music scene. 3:15-3:45pm. our country. The San Diego Troubadour honors this musical how to praise the tradition and hopes to educate and expose many who Lord! Joy and energy exude from these 15 to 20 brothers and sisters as they sing. Although the choir has only been together may never have even heard this style. But even more, we for about three years, they sound like they’ve been singing just want all to enjoy this soulful music of the gospel.

9 August 2003 • San Diego Troubadour ramblin’ramblin’

Radio Daze Bluegrass Corner by Jim McInnes

San Diego Music and the MCA Curse (1973-86) by Dwight Worden ular bluegrass meeting on the sec- told no. Bluegrassers are nice folks! ond Tuesday on August 12. And, by asking, the group will “see” GREAT BLUEGRASS IS COMING!!! Lighthouse at the Golden Goose you and know you are there, came to San Diego exactly 30 years Coffee House in Lakeside on August increasing your chance for an invita- ago, lured by the climate and by a The Summergrass Pickin in 20, no cover charge. Call (619/390- tion to play a solo! I job offer from the original KPRI Paradise Festival in Vista is coming 7857 for further information. Second, play your instrument at 106.5. I came here from Madison, (the August 22-24, with great bands, food the appropriate volume. If you can’t “Berkeley of the Midwest”) Wisconsin, vendors, and the attractions of the Last month was a great blue- hear the lead instrument or singer, where I was a fairly well-known deejay Antique Gas and Steam Engine Park grass month. David Grier put on an you are playing too loud. Quiet down and guitar strangler. which is serving as venue. Come outstanding solo guitar concert at Jim McInnes the Museum of Making Music in when the guitar or other soft-volume Mad City (as they refer it in Wisco) and see Dan Crary, one of the top Carlsbad to a standing-room-only instrument takes a break. Do not had, and still has, a thriving music scene guitar pickers, do a solo set on For all their popularity, the crowd. The Huck Finn Jubilee in play lead lines that conflict with a (when the winters run from late October Friday evening, catch California a Penetrators never got a big-time Victorville presented a truly great singer; play gentle chords or backup into mid-April, you’ve gotta have some- multi-year award-winning bluegrass recording deal... and it’s probably a good show with the Del McCoury Band, to complement the singing. thing to do for the sake of your sanity!). I band (Byron Berline, Dan Crary, thing, because they didn’t suffer the Blue Highway, Carl Shifflet, Patty Third, solos rotate around the assumed that San Diego, a city twice as John Hickman, John Moore, and “MCA Curse”! Loveless, Rhonda Vincent and the jam circle. Pay attention and identify big as Madison...and in frickin’ California, Steve Spurgeon) on Saturday and Between 1981 and 1985, a few Rage and much more. Thanks to which way the rotation is going and dude!...would be really rocking! It wasn’t. Sunday, and enjoy the other great bands/singers from San Diego’s small but Huck Finn for a great time, great whom you follow. When your turn When I started working at KPRI, Friday and weekend acts including healthy music scene signed show and great workshops where comes, give it your best. Or if you I became friends with Joe Ron Spears and Within Tradition, major label deals, mostly fans could get up close and chat want to “pass,” tell the next person Chandler, a weekend Bluegrass Etc., Silverado, the with MCA Records. Future with the stars. Many also enjoyed in line that you want to pass BEFORE jock who paid the bills Virtual Strangers, the Bluegrass Beat Farmer Joey Harris, the Hesperia Bluegrass Festival on YOUR TURN COMES. It is annoying by working at the Guild Redliners, New West, and Cliff with his band the July 25 with its many great bands, as and poor etiquette to pass at the last Theatre in Hillcrest. Joe Wagner and the Ole #7. And, partici- Speedsters, signed with well as Ralph Stanley’s appearance second so the next person isn’t able used to set up after-hours pate in the big raffle for more than a MCA. Their eponymous at Humphreys. to start a solo at the beginning. jam sessions on the hundred prizes, including a Taylor album, which I liked and Likewise, if the person before you Guild’s stage. I traded guitar, a Deering banjo, and a Gibson BLUEGRASS TIP OF THE still own, received looks like he/she may not take a noises with guitarist Jimmy mandolin! MONTH: JAMMING absolutely no support turn, quietly ask if they are passing Krieger (later of the Tickets at the gate are only $15 Bluegrass music is great to lis- from MCA and sank before their turn comes so you can Puppies), the enigmatic Jim per day ($10 on Friday evening), with ten to, and even more fun to play. It’s without a trace. In 1982, Dane Conover be ready. Call (who became a member advance purchase tickets discount- definitely a participation sport! So, and Marty Eldridge, former members of Fourth, if someone else is ed to $8 for Friday and $13 for the here are some tips on how to suc- of the Penetrators), and the artist cur- the Puppies, recorded a superb album as singing lead, you shouldn’t join in weekend days. Kids under 10 get in cessfully join in a bluegrass jam. rently known as Z.O. Voider, whom I Trees, titled Sleep Convention, for MCA. without asking, generally speaking. free. Visit www.summergrass.net for knew as Peter. There were a few others Unfortunately for Trees, First, if you see a jam in To jumping in and sing is the same more information, including how to whose names have slipped their record was progress and want to join in, watch as when someone else plays lead order tickets or reserve camping. Or through the colander of my released at the same it for a song or two and decide with you when it is your turn to solo. call the info line at: (760) 295-1834, or consciousness. We were hip, time as Shuttered Room, whether you and your instrument Often a singer will welcome help on stop by your favorite music store to we were the “under- will fit in. For example, if there is the chorus and sometimes even on the debut of the Fixx. At pick up tickets. Be sure to grab the ground”... meaning we already a bass, and you are a bass lead, if you can sing a harmony least Trees got to make pull out Summergrass Program never played in public. player, you won’t fit in — one bass part, but it is best to ask. a video that no one saw included in this issue of the San Playing in public was at a time per jam; however during a Fifth, people participating in the before MCA dumped Diego Troubadour, which provides limited because there sim- break, you can ask the bass player if jam take turns choosing the songs, them. In 1982, I co-pro- all the details. ply weren’t enough venues you can take a turn later). By the rotating around the circle. But some- duced an EP, Where are Lynn Morris, Herb Pedersen, same token, you may not fit in if you (and we were usually too They Now, for locals times, a group of friends may do all loaded to get it together and Chris Hillman will be at the Ford are the fourth or fifth banjo. It is the song picking. This is somewhat DFX2. The song theater in Los Angeles, Sunday always best simply to ask, “May I anyway). The old Neutral “Emotion” got a lot of impolite, but if such is the situation Grounds had some good August 17, 7 pm. Go to www.fordthe- join you?” A group that seems like and you are not in the “in group,” let airplay on KROQ in L.A. bands like Glory, but it was atre.org for info and tickets. it’s jamming may actually be a band it go. You’ll have a chance to play A few labels came court- a notorious outlaw-biker Bigger Fish will be at engaged in serious practice. Other and eventually get a turn. When it’s ing but DFX2 signed hangout. Jerry Herrera and Jim Pagni Fuddruckers in La Mesa for the reg- than this situation, I’ve never been your turn to call a tune, try to select with MCA, put out a five-song EP, got a opened J.J.’s in 1974, but it featured one that you think the group knows. little airplay in the hinterlands, toured a mostly nationally touring acts like ZZ Top Let the others know what key you bit, got robbed blind by their manager and Steely Dan. will play it in, and if you are going to and got dumped by MCA. The Farage I’d say there was no real music scene sing lead, invite others to sing har- twins, David and Douglas (D.F. times in San Diego until 1976. The first mony on chorus if you want that two, get it?), were so disillusioned that Ramones album came out in ‘76 (a help. Look around and make sure they gave up music altogether. Mark everyone is capoed up and ready classic! every song exactly DeCerbo’s great power-pop outfit, Four before you start, and signal some the same, dirt-simple and Eyes, recorded an entire kind of kick-off or lead-in to set the irresistible), and Jerry album for MCA and were rhythm and timing. At the end, lift Herrera opened a new off the label before the your foot to signal the end. Don’t club, the Spirit of ‘76. In record was even released! pick a song with complex chord pat- 1977 or 78, the d.i.y. The Beat Farmers signed terns, one that requires instruction, ethic of punk was with MCA-subsidiary Curb or one that forces the majority of the jump-started by a in 1986. Despite the record group to sit it out. Suggest a tune, now-legendary show company’s lack of support, and if you don’t get looks of recogni- I attended at the the Farmers managed to get tion, suggest something else. Think Adams Avenue a few records out before about what you’ll play before it is Theatre, featuring the being bounced by MCA. your turn and be ready with one or Hitmakers, the Zeros, and the Dils. That’s why I’ll always two suggestions. It is a great idea to Seemingly overnight, San Diego had remember MCA as the Music Cemetery learn one or two standards really dozens of bands and a few places to of America. well in advance to use as ice break- play — the North Park Lions Club, the ers when you join a new jam group. Skeleton Club, and Jerry Herrera’s Spirit. Jim McInnes’ radio show, “Vinyl Resting Also, don’t forget the Gospel By 1980, the Penetrators were top dogs Place,” can be heard every Sunday from 6 Fest on August 17, featuring three in San Diego. Although the core of “the to 8pm on 103.7 The Planet. His band, local bluegrass bands performing scene” numbered about 75, the Modern Rhythm, is playing at Casa Picante in Santee on August 16 and at the Adams Penetrators were able to pull 2,000 their gospel songs. Avenue Street Fair in September. E-mail him Have fun! people for a show at Golden Hall! at [email protected].

10 San Diego Troubadour • August 2003 ramblin’ramblin’

The Art of Delivery Hosing Down by Paul Abbott have been treated this way and it creates two problems. For starters, it can make the files so hot that any filter applied in Among the most common questions I by José Sinatra mastering (equalizer, compressor, limiter, receive from musicians, proper preparation etc.) will overload and distort. Second, of audio files for mastering is always at the the effects of the process cannot be When a three-hour TV special top of the list. Following are my opinions removed, so I have to pull every trick in (a strictly commercial enterprise from relating to the three most common topics: the book in an attempt to counteract the the American Film Institute about volume, resolution, and editing. plug-in’s deleterious effects. In this situa- movie heroes and villains) makes the tion, mastering is turned into an audio front page of this city’s major paper on Volume Maybe the most common mistake salvage effort as opposed to a fine-tuning the morning following its broadcast, the well-meaning musician makes is improvement process. San Diego again greedily intimates its attempting to get his/her mixes as loud intention to become the new entertain- Resolution as possible. As far as I can tell, this is ment capital of the world. It may be obvious, but the highest because most people don’t know Paul Abbott resolution is always the best way to deliv- It’s finally happened. New York whether this issue is addressed in master- er digital audio files for mastering. So if and Los Angeles are preparing to eat ing (FYI, it is). Many artists – believing it’s Edits you have a hard disk recording setup our dust. Next February, for the first better to be safe than sorry – do one of Another common situation comes that offers 20, 24, or 32bit – as well as time, the Academy Awards will be held two things: normalize their tracks or send from musicians who say they’ve already 48, 88.2, 96, or 192kHz – capability, it’s at Copley Symphony Hall, where many them through a compressor/limiter (or done intro edits and outgoing fades, and The inimitable Mr. Sinatra to your advantage to utilize it. Why? of the Academy’s Board of Governors some sort of “finalizing” plug-in). the songs only need EQ and level treat- Because while it’s true that your audio have wanted it held for over a decade. was his opponent’s reply, delivered Unfortunately, both degrade sonic quality ment. Contrary to common lore, this files will eventually find their way to The Emmy Awards are already sched- with surprising certainty for what was, and neither delivers the proper desired does not make the mastering engineer’s 16bit/44.1kHz for the CD’s commercial uled for the Coors Amphitheater, of result. job any easier, and in some ways it can essentially, a mere prediction. release, the work that’s done on the files course. And negotiations are well Contrary to common belief, normal- make specific tasks nearly impossible. Fists flew as did blood and before that point will be much more izing does not make tracks as loud as Consider a song needing the removal of underway to bring the 2004 Grammys crunchy sounds until some guards transparent-sounding when processed at possible. The normalization process scans electronic hum or microphone hiss. To to either the Sports Arena or to Java dragged them away by their nose a higher density and resolution. a digital audio file and looks for its peak do this successfully, a bit of that noise Joe’s Palladium in a deal that would rings. It was so not scrote. Sound simple? Maybe or maybe not. volume, then moves that point up to must be taken from a part in the song involve the concession of moving the The lead singer on stage (who Here’s a scenario: Say you have a setup digital zero. All other sounds in the file where there is no music, so as to effec- San Diego Music Awards to New York hails from England), after finishing the with a built-in CD burner. If you record are adjusted proportionally. So, if the tively isolate a digital “fingerprint” and for the next three years. That’s a small song that had served as the back- and mix at 24bit/48kHz and then burn file’s loudest point is a snare hit that reg- create a filter. Ironically, the best place to price to pay for the infusion of cultural ground score to this gruesome an audio CD for listening in your home isters one decibel below digital zero take this fingerprint is the few seconds riches we’ll enjoy, a bounty whose ton- diversion, took a moment to acknowl- or car stereo, you’ve just lost all your (-1 dBFS), normalizing will make that before or after a song. If that space has nage is unprecedented since my own edge its tragic consequences. high-resolution information. This is track one decibel louder. (As a point of been removed, it is much more difficult arrival on the Scene during San because to burn a commercially compati- “That was heaveh! Evathang reference, a decibel is commonly consid- to get a good sampling of the problem. ble audio disc, your recording application Diego’s Renaissance. scrote? Okay, scrote. Let’s git it own!” ered the smallest measure of change that If an exact fade or edit point is desired, (or stand-alone unit) must reduce the bit I think we owe the morning daily Maybe it’s something in our cli- the average listener can detect.) This is the best thing to do is carefully docu- rate and resolution. And unless you have a great deal of thanks for confirming, mate or the unreported leaks from San hardly what most users of this function ment these requirements (mm:ss) on a very specific (and sophisticated) applica- finally, the importance of artistic enter- Onofre, but residents and visitors alike are trying to achieve. And not only does song-by-song basis for the mastering tions – as well as a processor with lots of prise, while relegating ugly stuff like undergo a transformation during normalizing generally not make tracks engineer. Accuracy can be confirmed in CPU horsepower running them – this will politics and war to the less influential, moments of self-importance or substantially louder, it does nothing to the reference disc. compromise the quality of your audio. So interior pages. All page one needs now empowerment or a need to be scrote. address the average volume of The next time you’re working on a while it’s okay to burn audio CDs to ref- is a daily update on speculations about Some sort of fragile, emotional songs — a situation that is crucial for the project, keep these concepts in mind. erence your work, always make sure that J. Lo and Ben. proper aural perception and flow of a They will give your mastering engineer maidenhead is ruptured, invaded, and what you deliver for mastering is the There is a time for joy and a time overcome by a mysterious force. The good CD. the necessary flexibility to bring out the same resolution as what you’ve recorded best in your music and allow you to create for no joy, and this is not one of them. victim’s voice begins to issue forth in a The second scenario finds musicians and mixed to. a more professional-sounding product. Instead, it’s time to choose this month’s bizarre Dallas/Nashville accent. adding a “mastering” plug-in to the mix- substitution for “cool” (the C-word). It’s been invading the throats of down process. I receive a lot of files that One reader, E.K. Sword, wrote me with popular singers for years. Consider the a good one: strange approximations of common I’m sick of “cool,” too. I liked your words that have become accepted and suggestion of “hose,” but I think imitated. Any word ending with the “scrote” would be just as cool. sound of a long e, when spoken, Whatever… sounds off with an “eh” within a Hmmm. Scrote. Nice, strong con- musical context. Laydeh. Parteh. sonants. Two vowels: one proud, one a Honeh. How totally scrote. And all silent wallflower. It swings. It seems to kinda other words is differnted too. “I command respect, admiration, envy, want your intuition” would become and emulation. This morning, three “Ah won’t yo intuishawn.” Oh, yeah. ladies whom I shared it with found it Thanks, Jewel. exciting, even sexy. Like “hose,” we’ll Then the song’s over and the see how it flows. demon leaves and the singer speaks Today’s lesson is taken from the normally again. Nowhere in the coun- overcrowded mosh pit of a recent try is Speaking in Scrote Tongues as concert. Two antagonists were pervasive as it is in San Diego. New offering their final verbal rebukes to York and L.A. have finally taken notice. each other before becoming violently We may be the coolest scrotes in the physical. (Both gladiators, I learned world. later, were native-born San Diegans, Lez givitup to ow baid sevs! Come citizens of Entertainment’s new own! Mecca.) “You think you bad? You ain’t bad!” screamed one, inadvertently answering his own unnecessary question. “Ah mo kick yo ass! Come own!”

11 August 2003 • San Diego Troubadour ofof notenote

Tim Scott The Kelly Peter Kentucky McFarland Williams Bowlin Band Sprague Gospel

Early Works The Road to Williamsburg Pass the Drum by Lou Curtiss

This 66-minute recording of by Rock Solidad Lisdoonvarna by Frederick Leonard by Frederick Leonard 22 tracks is essential stuff, begin- ning with the first eight tracks Every now and then I need a by Frederick Leonard Interesting things going on in Pass the Drum is a body of jolt of some tasty guitar-driven this CD. Right off the top it work gently dancing to the that feature the incredible Alfred rock ‘n’ roll. Tight rhythms, Here’s one for ya ... something opens with the heavy backwood Brazilian breeze that inspires this G. Karnes, one of the best rural catchy melodies, interesting you don’t hear or see everyday. stomp of “Kentucky Angel,” with latest release from San Diego religious singers of the pre-war hooks and bridges, lusty guitar Scott Williams. And every sound a majestic army of mandolins, Jazz icon, Peter Sprague, and his era. Karnes had a wonderfully work, and pretty harmonies can on this CD, The Road to crunchy strats. This is among the band by the same name, Pass expressive, emotion-charged all go a long way to frame Lisdoonvarna, has been created catchier takes in this collection of the Drum. The influence of Brazil voice and accompanied himself well-written lyrics. by him, right here in our very songs, ditties, renderings. The is obvious. Exploring the polari- on a double-necked Gibson harp Tim McFarland’s new CD, own Pacific Beach. Now check second take “Falling,” appropri- ties of bossa nova possibilities guitar, which enabled him to Early Works, fits the bill. All the out what he’s playing: hammered ately decorated with violin in 6/8 might not be as obvious, but it’s produce some great bass runs pieces come together in every dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, time, and sparse raw production definitely on the agenda, as well. and slaps accompanied by an tune to make a very enjoyable octave mandolin, mandolin, 12- most definitely gives the impres- Take for instance, “And I Love insistent, propulsive rhythm. CD. McFarland also proves to be string guitar, clay pot drum, sion of gently falling through Her” (Beatles), which is spun Most of the songs are old a talented songwriter, with each shaker, zils, and synthesizer. space. into a sort of Methany-esque favorites like “To the Work” and of the 11 songs penned or wut? no surf strat? The coolest thing about the bossa nova groove, while mak- “I’m Bound for the Promised co-penned by the cat. This music opens up with a CD is the juxtaposition between ing a shift in the expected Land,” but Karnes gives a lot of The CD starts off on a lively sonic procession, and images of the material and its own produc- changes we’ve come to know. new life to these. The highlights note with “Around,” a catchy ancient kings and queens march- tion value. At times, not often, it Bob Marley’s “Is This Love?” of the CD are the originals number that you’ll find yourself ing into castles come to mind. is also the distance by which it meanwhile makes morphing “Called to the Foreign Field” and singing harmony with and tap- It’s the kind of music that rolls exceeds its own potential. Mr itself into a modal fiesta sound “Days of My Childhood Plays.” ping your toe to. Though I’m over the distant, foggy hillsides Bowlin and company are most easy. The CD features arrange- This disc is worth it for Karnes usually not wild about reggae, I of green Ireland as you imagine capable of making interesting ments on such favorites as alone, but we also get 14 tracks found myself liking “Cement the sight. And from there Mr. sonic scapes, convincing in its Jobim’s “Wave” and “Passarim,” by his neighbor Ernest Phipps, Rivers.” Maybe it had something Williams takes us on a little tour drama, and its rock ‘n’ roll heart. along with Bruce Hornsby’s who is almost as good. (It is to do with McFarland’s rootsy, of readings appropriate for such At times he sounds like a bad “Every Little Kiss.” And surpris- rumored that Karnes’ guitar bluesy, vocal delivery, which instrumentation. The material man singing about desolation ingly, they go together very well might be on some of the Phipps augmented a message that I spans centuries. “Ja Nu Hons and at others he is sweet in the in this collection. tracks.) Phipps, who was a holi- could relate to. Pris” was penned by King lullaby moment. In one The band does a marvelous ness preacher, brought members “Dream On” is an entertaining Richard the Lionhearted in instance... the last song is an job of exploring the jungles of of his congregation into the stu- hybrid of a Bo Diddley-like twelfth-century England; okay song, but it’s on the wrong Brazilian solo time; however, dio for some spirited hand clap- rhythm with Duane Allman-like “Nothing Else Matters” was album. I find these guys most now and then concern for that ping, ragged singing, and extra guitar. written by Metallica. The inter- convincing when they got their exploration exceeds slightly, the guitars, pianos, fiddles, and ban- I’m really into unpredictable esting thing to note about the “rocks” on, anyway. When they ability this kind of music has to jos on such songs as “Old Ship guitar chords and changes. 1991 Metallica ballad is that it rock, they kick serious butt. And I move a brazilian hip so sweetly . of Zion,” “Do Lord Remember “Endless Journey” suggests a was recorded as if it were done also suspect that the band is bet- Coral MacFarland Thuet is a real Me,” and “If the Light Has Gone long-lost Willy Nelson song. so in 1591. ter live than they are represented treat with her sultry and most Out in Your Soul.” This is great Then McFarland throws in a sur- Impressive is the path by here on this recording. It’s good, convincing vocal takes. music from start to finish, with prise chord change that blows which Mr. William’s leads us but deserving of a little more This chiaroscuro of Sprague’s good sound and always great your original mind set, leaving through the ancient countrysides technical attention. musical menu also offers two notes by Charles Wolfe. An excel- you wondering how to classify of ancient music. Here are Check it out. There’s even a tasty compositions of his own in lent collection of a type of old- this number. Is it Tex-Mex or medleys of jigs. Northumbrian new reading on Steve Earle’s the form of “Water Tai Chi” and timey songs that are too often possibly light jazz? Who cares, jigs. Irish jigs. Celtic numbers. “Copperhead Road.” By the time “Six Circle.” These shine through overlooked. it’s a great song. The breezy Welsh numbers. English dances. you get to this point in the as not only wonderful composi- change-up in “Freedom” is And, you know, American record, this selection — at this tions in their own right but also another testimony to descensions from English folk moment is a great call. In fact, a in that they are unfamiliar and McFarland’s ability to catch you stuff. And impressive it is. It’s great way to describe the music even more exotic in a breeze of by surprise. “Easy Way out” is very well executed by way of of the Kelly Bowlin Band is to say familiar titles. just a pretty song that leaves you good chops and excellent “think of ‘Copperhead Road,’ wondering what happened in recording. The material selection give it a whisky growl, and inject that relationship. It’s juxtaposed is interesting and Scott Williams’ a rock rhythm section.” And you to the upbeat “Sun’s Gonna readings on these works are. got it. Shine Again.” Both songs A magical CD. demonstrate the yin and yang aspects of life and leave you wondering whether McFarland is musician or philosopher. Well-written songs with clever mature guitar work, great deliv- ery, and solid production makes this the kind of CD that cleanses one’s musical palate and makes you appreciate the fact that good rock and roll will never die. Early Works is available through cdbaby.com. 12 San Diego Troubadour • August 2003 ‘round about ) m o c . s n o i t c u d o r

ANT OUSE p l

R H r i g e u l b .

THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE (WELL, MOSTLY) w w w (

t r

No, I’m willing to base my entire e

by Gus T. Williker v l a C

argument on just one word. i d i One stinkin’ word. e H

f

“D” is fer Dork o

A word that deejays seem to take y s e Deejays mooch cool from musicians, t r

special delight in using. A word that u o c

but it ain’t enough to cover up the o

makes them feel important, useful and t o

giant dorks quiverin’ inside. Those mic h most-of-all cool. A word that sucks P manipulators are praying you don’t dis- dork juice through a straw and spits it cover how frickin’ close they are to the Our man fer all seasons, Gus Williker up yer butt! (yes, it is that horrible). fat fantasy Jedis that roamed the con- That word is “SWAG.” vention center last month carrying pirate’s booty. I’ll shove that micro- flashlights and ding dongs. So…they Why deejays can’t use simple phone in their collective booties if I try to hide it with hip-sounding lingo. phrases like “free stuff” or “free crap” have to hear one more deejay say is not known. What is clear, though, is something like: “Come down to I’m not talking about the obviously they are all infected with SWAG and I Margarita Rocks tonight for one dollar dorky lines. I mean, “Hi Star. Bye Star” personally think RAGE would be more Coronas, chicks in bikinis, and free 91X is so over-the-top dork, it almost pleasant on the poor unsuspecting SCHWAG.” comes around full circle, like, I don’t radio populace (reference film: 28 know, Steve Buscemi (reference film: Pure dork. Plain and simple. Days Later). You see, deejays can’t just Ghost World). The guy couldn’t do dork xoxo, say swag, which is bad enough. NOPE, more convincely, but chicks actually they have to pronounce it “schwag,” Gu$ think he is HOT… just ask my girl- as if those crappy CD singles and Please visit my online hat store… friend. Incubus posters are some kind of http://www.clunkerstore.com I’d come up with a rant about how I deserve yer business, but I’m late for a local show at the Casbah. Sin Sin 77 is playing! Yay! See ya.

13 August 2003 • San Diego Troubadour ‘round‘round aboutabout

Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Cameron Ash/Mermaids Journey/Holiday Orchestra, Trolley Park, Adams Ave. & & Adventure Pop Collective, Twiggs, Florida St., 6-8pm. 8:30pm. AUGUST CALENDAR Hot Club of Cowtown, Casbah, 7pm. Will Edwards Band, 101 Artist’s Colony, saturday • 30 Herman’s Hermits, Humphreys Concerts Encinitas, 7:30pm. by the Bay, Shelter Island, 7:30pm. Wigbillies/Cindy Lee Berryhill, 101 Chris Isaak, Viejas Casino, 8pm. Artist’s Colony, 25 E St., Encinitas, 7pm. friday • 1 Acoustic Indie Night w/ Dave Howard/ thursday • 14 Gregory Page, Kensington House Gregory Page/Joe Rathburn/Chuck Deborah Liv Johnson/Gregory Page, Saba/Cameron Ash/Jack the Original, Trailer Park Troubadours, Firehouse,7877 Concert. Email [email protected]. Schiele/The Animators, Music Mart, Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., 7:30pm. Twiggs, 8:30pm. Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 8pm. Solana Beach, 8pm. Call 858/354-6978. Mark Jackson Band, Horton Plaza, 10am. Randy Travis, Viejas Casino, 8pm. Billy Midnight/Bobby Fantasy/ Matt & Jessica, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Sensations, Lestats, 8:30pm. Leigh Taylor Band, Metaphor Cafe, Manhattan Transfer, Humphreys The Enchanted, Lestats, 8:30pm. Escondido, 8pm. friday • 8 Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island, 8pm. Toots & the Maytals, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, 8:30pm. Cameron Ash/3 Simple Words/Elijah/Zoë, Center Aisle, Metaphor Cafe, Escondido, Scott Wilson/The Troys, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Twiggs, 8:30pm. 6:30pm. sunday • 31 Carlos Olmeda, Lestats, 8:30pm. The Eagles, Coors Amphitheatre, Chula saturday • 23 Joe Jackson Band, 4th & B, 8pm. Vista, 8pm. friday • 15 Mark Jackson Band, Hooley’s Irish Pub, Summergrass Festival, see Aug. 22. Derek Duplessie & the Desert Poets with Rancho San Diego, 9pm. Baja Blues Boys, Patrick’s Irish Pub, Kingston Trio/Peter Feldman & Very Poway, 8:30pm. special guests, The Firehouse, 7877 Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 8pm. Lonesone Boys/Kathy Moffat, Grape Day Orchestra, Croce’s Top Hat, 9pm. Koko Loca, Firehouse, La Jolla, 8pm. Park, Escondido, 11am-5pm. Mark Jackson Band, Bailey’s Barbecue, Cameron Ash/Leigh Taylor Band/Satish, Julian, 8pm. Eve Selis, Firehouse, 7877 Herschel Ave., Twiggs, 8:30pm. La Jolla, 8pm. WEEKLY saturday • 2 Will Hawkins/Cameron Ash/J. Turtle/The Streaming Audio, Lestats, 8:30pm. Troys/Bushwalla, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Peter Sprague & Friends, Dizzy’s, 344 7th Gregory Page, Kensington House Ave., 8pm. every sunday Concert. Email [email protected]. Big Rig Deluxe, Lestats, 8:30pm. Shelby Woods, Metaphor Cafe, 7th Day Buskers, Hillcrest Farmer’s Lighthouse, First United Methodist saturday • 9 Escondido, 8pm. Market/DMV parking lot, 10am-1pm. Church, 8964 Magnolia, Santee, 6pm. Joe Rathburn/Roger Hunt/Linda Hill, saturday • 16 Border Radio/Tim Corley/Nathan Steve White, Elijah’s, La Jolla, 11:30am. Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Prayers for Peace Park, 29455 Pamoosa, Aaron/Jane, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Orchestra, Bird Park (Morley Field), 28th Valley Center, 1-5pm. Berkley Hart (house concert), Millie’s by Irish Dance, 3pm/Michael McMahon, St. & Upas, 6-8pm. the Bay, 8pm. Email mildredmoreno@hot- Ryan Blue, Lestats, 8:30pm. 7pm, Dublin Square, 554 Fifth Ave. Cactus, McCabe’s Beach Club, mail.com for info. Sage Gentle-Wing, Jungle Java, Oceanside, 4:30-8:30pm. Toots & the Maytals, Belly Up Tavern, Traditional Irish Music, Tom Giblin’s Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 7pm. Baja Blues Boys, Humphrey’s Backstage Solana Beach, 8:30pm. Pub, 640 Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 3pm. Mark Jackson Band, Red Barn, Wynola Lounge, Shelter Island, 3pm. Wright & Hess, Metaphor Cafe, Pizza, Julian, 6pm. Sue Palmer Trio, Martini’s Bar, 3940 Celtic Ensemble, Twiggs, 4pm. Escondido, 8pm. Cactus, Cafe Elysa, Carlsbad, 7:30pm. Fourth Ave., Hillcrest, 9pm. Randy Sterling/Raw Courage, San Cobblestone (Irish Music & Dance), Ray’s Vast Basement/Kim Fox, Twiggs, Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Mark Jackson Band, Bailey’s Barbecue, Sage Gentle-Wing, Cafe Crema, Pacific The Field, 544 Fifth Ave., 5-6:30pm. Julian, 8pm. Beach, 9pm. 8:30pm. Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, 7:30pm. Call Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss, 9-10:30pm, 858/566-4040 for info. Derek Duplessie & the Desert Poets, the Arun Luthra (jazz), Metaphor Cafe, KSDS (88.3 FM). Shambles, Baja Bugs, Tio Leos, 9pm. Escondido, 8pm. Rob Carona/Somewhere in Between/ sunday • 24 The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Bishop Wells Band, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Peter Bolland/Dave’s Son/Will Edwards Summergrass Festival, see Aug. 22. Rice, 10-midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). Angela Correa, Lestats, 8:30pm. Band, Twiggs, 8:30pm. sunday • 3 Derek Duplessie, Folk Festival at Rugburns/Rookie Card/Trophy Wife, Allison Lonsdale, Lestats, 8:30pm. Derek Duplessie, Folk Festival at Cuyamaca College, 4pm. every monday Casbah, 9pm. Buddy Blue, Tio Leos, 9pm. Cuyamaca College, 4pm. Ray Charles, Humphreys Concerts by the Open Mic Night, Lestats. Call 619/282- Smokey Robinson, Humphreys Concerts Bay, Shelter Island, 7:30pm. 0437 for info. by the Bay, Shelter Island, 7:30pm. sunday • 10 sunday • 17 Open Mic Night, Rosie O’Grady’s, Normal Heights, 7pm. Hillcrest City Fest, with Sue Palmer/Ruby Gospel Music Fest, Mt. Soledad monday • 25 monday • 4 & the Redhots/Candye Kane/Good Presbyterian Church, noon-5pm. See China/Michelle Lundeen/Theo & Zydeco page 9 for details. 16th Annual Summer Organ Festival, The Big Easy (Dixieland jazz), Metaphor Patrol/Bayou Brothers, also jewelry mak- Balboa Park, 7:30pm. every tuesday Cafe, Escondido, 6:30pm. ing, face painting, & a climbing wall, Fifth Carol Ames/Sue Palmer/Eve Selis/Cici & University, 10am-7pm. Porter/Lisa Sanders/Natalie Hassey, Open Mic Night, Casa Picante, 10757 Fundraiser for Nicole Brown Charitable tuesday • 26 Woodside Ave., Santee, 7:30-9:30pm. Dan Connor & Little Big Men, Coyote Bar Foundation, Humphreys Backstage wednesday • 6 & Grill, Carlsbad, 2:30-4:30pm. Traditional Irish Music, Blarney Stone, Lounge, Shelter Island, 1-5pm. Dave Brubeck Quartet, Humphreys Clairemont, 8:30pm. Sage Gentle-Wing, Claire de Lune, 2906 Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island, Anita Baker, Humphreys Concerts by the The Troys/Anya Marina/Noe Venable, Traditional Irish Music, The Ould Sod, Bay, Shelter Island, 8pm. University Ave., 8pm. 7:30pm. Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., 7:30pm. Normal Heights, 8:30pm. Chris Klich Quintet, Sycuan Casino, 8pm. Earth, Wind & Fire, Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island, 8pm. wednesday • 27 thursday • 7 every wednesday tuesday • 12 Joe Cocker/Yardbirds, Humphreys Sage Gentle-Wing/The Troys, Twiggs, Open Mic Night, Metaphor Cafe, 7pm. Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island, Boz Scaggs, Humphreys Concerts by the tuesday • 19 7:30pm. Escondido, 8pm. Bay, Shelter Island, 7:30pm. 2nd Ave. Dixieland Jazz Band, Metaphor Gipsy Kings, Viejas Casino, 8pm. Open Mic Night, Twiggs, 6:30pm. Cafe, Escondido, 7pm. thursday • 28 Skelpin, Dublin Square, 554 Fifth Ave., 8:30pm (also on Saturday night). wednesday • 20 Righteous Brothers, Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island, 8pm. Brehon Law, Tom Giblin’s Pub, 640 Los Lobos/Buddy Guy, Humphreys Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 9pm (also Wed. Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island, Sage Gentle-Wing, Claire de Lune, 2906 & Sat. nights). 7:30pm. University Ave., 8pm. Hatchet Brothers, The Ould Sod, 9pm. Sage Gentle-Wing, Lestats, 9pm. The Troys/Adam Lopez/Blaine Long, Twiggs, 8:30pm. thursday • 21 every thursday friday • 29 Will Edwards’ Music Show, Twiggs, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Humphreys 8:30pm. Concerts by the Bay, Shelter Island, 8pm. Chris Klich Quintet, Claire de Lune, 2906 Bitty Bums Showcase, Lestats, 9pm. Ryan Blue/The Troys, Twiggs, 8:30pm. University Ave., 8pm. Celticana Dublin’s Town Square, Steve White/The Cat Mary, Music Mart, , Solana Beach, 8pm. Call 858/354-6978. Gaslamp, 9pm. friday • 22 Sue Palmer/Candye Kane Calypso Leigh Taylor Band, Metaphor Cafe, , Summergrass Festival, Antique Tractor Escondido, 8pm. Restaurant, Hwy 101, Leucadia, 8pm. and Steam Engine Museum, Vista, through Sunday. Call 858/566-4594 for information. every friday Sage Gentle-Wing, Kensington Coffee Company, Adams Ave., 8pm.

every saturday Open Mic Night, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 9015 Mira Mesa Blvd., 8pm.

NOTE: Dates and times are subject to change.

14 San Diego Troubadour • August 2003 thethe locallocal seenseen P h o t o :

M i p l p l i u e r

M G e

i o l s r s u e e a n l P o p

: u o t D

o n h e P l l E

: o t o h P P h o t o :

M i l l i e

Baja Bugs at Hot Monkey Love Cafe M o r e n o e i s s e l p

u Will Edwards at Twiggs P D

h n

Mark DeCerbo at Dizzy’s o e l t l o : E

B : o i t l l o

H h P e r

Earl Thomas z o g

Poco at Humphreys P h o P t

Phil Harmonic wih the Troubadour House Band at Dizzy’s o h : o

e E i t o s l s l : e

e B l n p i

l D u l

u H D

p e n l r e e z l s l o s i g E e

: o t o h P

Berkley Hart at Dizzy’s, tuning because they care P h o t o :

P a u l

Billy Midnightat San Diego Music Night, Dizzy’s G r u o

Bill Bryson, Chris Hillman, Richie Furay, Herb Pedersen at Humphrey’s p n e p r o M

p e i p l l u i r M G

: l o u t a o P h

: P o t o h P

The Royaltones at San Diego Music Night, Dizzy’s P h o t o :

E l

Earl Thomas Sr. l e n

D u p l e s s i e e i The Shambles s s e e l i s p s u e l D

p n u e l D l

n E

e : l l o t E o

: h o t P o h P

Marie Haddad

Rookie Card at San Diego Music Night, Dizzy’s José Sinatra & Phil Harmonic at Dizzy’s

Troubadour friend Bill Herzog & Richie Furay of Poco

15 22nd Annual Southern California’s Largest FREE Music Festival

presented by

cake over 400 pan foo kfast ts, arts, brea & cr 3 r afts bee s booth den s gar giant 80 carn mus ival ical rid acts es

8 7 163 15 stages 805

ADAMS AVENUE El Cajon Blvd.

University Avenue

Adams Avenue & Adams Park september 27-28 Bancroft to 35 Streets Normal Heights, San Diego saturday, 10am-9pm an d sunday, 10am-6pm turing fea riends F ange on & nce o ch ead Scie ect t ie L et subj ern ock ey tists µ B & R yss : Ar hin Od Note empc grass Band ck T Blue aphael en µ Ja the Joel R asmuss tz & erlach Andy R Wer red G ction” enny F rty “A µ K ar Sho Card ers Guit Rookie Blaz d Rain The atfiel ba µ t H nic Sa & epor Harmo anders thers ey R Phil Lisa S ee Bro µ Kins enkel Truck bin H d the Ro n Ban iele & Jackso k Sch holm Mark Chuc ik Sea l ven-Er ky Kerne S Bun on The s Clayt en Love e Seli oy Ruiz e Big M ohnny Ev R & Littl J wdogs onnor Shado Dan C Maiz bles s orrea rina Sham plu gela C ya Ma The & the An tney An hm inatra no ttic t Cour n Rhyt osé S Infer gail’s A Tomca rtiss Moder J Dante Abi inia Cu ress Troy & Virg o Exp cteal Lou Nitr in A re Skelp en ugs e Ray en Su ors rk Que Baja B De hers Op al Flav iler Pa art o Brot Natur Tra kley H Delgad & Other Wife Ber ourt lessie age rophy hers ethanc k Dup ets gory P otel T e Brot nnie B Dere ert Po Gre er M rucke A xe e Des er & H The T Ups ig Delu th ue Palm estra st Pin Big R ards S Orch st Coa ight ill Edw Swing We y Midn W s Bill nglund se -Bonic ue Hills Ellie E Paradi Z yan Bl roken R nd & B l Play erthud r Bolla Fow Pow Pete monts terse he Fre rt Bou T -Wing Cu u Gentle rossea Sage Tom B uckra Slam B FOR INFO 619/282-7329

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Presented by the Adams Avenue Business Association, the Normal Heights Community Association, and the City of San Diego. Music produced by Lou Curtiss & Folk Arts Rare Records. Music info: 619/282-7833. Booth rentals: 619/282-7329. Partially funded by the city of San Diego’s Small Business Enhancement Program and the county of San Diego Community Enhancement Fund.