February 2006

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SAN DIEGO 10 YEARS ROUBADOUR Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, Tblues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news

April 2011 www.sandiegotroubadour.com Vol. 10, No. 7

what’s inside

Welcome Mat ………3 Mission Contributors Humphries at Humphrey’s Benefit Concert Passings Full Circle.. …………4 Roger McGuinn Recordially, Lou Curtiss Front Porch... ………6 Laura Roppé The Music Network Panache Orchestra Parlor Showcase …10 Josh Damigo Ramblin’... …………12 Bluegrass Corner The Zen of Recording Hosing Down Radio Daze Stages Highway’s Song. …14 Gregory Page Is Huge in Holland David Wilcox Of Note. ……………17 Tango Nuevo GeoffreyKeezer/Peter Sprague Tom Juravich Steve Krause James Lee Stanley ‘Round About ...... …18 April Music Calendar The Local Seen ……19 Photo Page

APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR welcome mat

A “Fab” Way to Help Critters passings JOHNNY WALKER , 1921-2011 SAN DIEGO Johnny was a ROUBADOUR singer and teacher Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, of songs and Tblues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news leader in commu - nity singing, who also helped estab - lish the San Diego Folk Song Society MISSION CONTRIBUTORS in the 1950s. For To promote, encourage, and provide an FOUNDERS most of its years alternative voice for the great local music that Ellen and Lyle Duplessie he was the unoffi - is generally overlooked by the mass media; Liz Abbott cial leader of the Folksong Society (no mat - namely the genres of alternative country, Kent Johnson Americana, roots, folk, blues, gospel, jazz, and ter who the officers were) and only in the bluegrass. To entertain, educate, and bring PUBLISHERS mid- to late sixties did he become more of together players, writers, and lovers of these Liz Abbott an entertainer in folk clubs. When the San forms; to explore their foundations; and to Kent Johnson Diego Folk Festivals started, Johnny found expand the audience for these types of music. EDITORIAL/GRAPHICS his niche and was a part of most of them, Liz Abbott from the very first as a leader of workshops, SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the local source for Chuck Schiele emcee, and behind-the-scenes advisor on a alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, ADVERTISING wide variety of music (mostly that of the blues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news, Kent Johnson British Isles). Johnny came from Hull, in is published monthly and is free of charge. Letters to the editor must be signed and may be DISTRIBUTION Yorkshire, in the North of England, and edited for content. It is not, however, guaranteed Kent Johnson by Steve Thorn Harris. The nephew of the late Kingston much of his music reflected that North that they will appear. Dave Sawyer Trio founding member Nick Reynolds, Country tradition, although his library of Indian Joe Stewart Harris has been enjoying a busy per - songs was pretty extensive. From old bal - All opinions expressed in SAN DIEGO Dan Long group of first-team Southern TROUBADOUR are solely the opinion of the Paul Cruz formance schedule with his current lads and sea chanties to British music hall writer and do not represent the opinions of the California musicians will be lend - recitations and comic songs, Johnny was a STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER band, Joey Harris and the Mentals. staff or management. All rights reserved. ing their voices to aid San Diego favorite here for many, many years. He Steve Covault A Shining a positive light on the current County animals. The third annual ADVERTISING INFORMATION state of the San Diego music scene will passed away March 17. San Diego and all WEB MASTER “Humphries at Humphreys” will be a For advertising rates, call 619/298-8488 be Wendy Bailey and True Stories, on those in the folk music world who came to or e-mail [email protected]. You can also find Will Edwards showcase headlined by Englishman docket to play a set at the fundraiser. know him will find his spot very hard to information on our website: WRITERS (now San Diegan) Dave Humphries and “Breakfast with the Beatles” (heard fill. – Lou Curtiss www.sandiegotroubadour.com Mike Alvarez his musical friends. A serene setting of Sunday mornings on The Walrus 105.7 SUBSCRIPTIONS are available for $30/yr. Peter Bolland docked sailboats will provide a nice Send check payable to S.D. Troubadour to: FM) host Dave Mason will serve as MC PINETOP PERKINS , 1913-2011 Lou Curtiss backdrop to an afternoon of music on t Frank Kocher and there will be prize give-aways and l Pinetop Perkins, San Diego Troubadour Sunday, April 17, from 3 to 7 p.m. at u a

P.O. Box 164 Jim McInnes auctions all afternoon. All proceeds will v one of the last old Humphreys Backstage Lounge on Shelter o C La Jolla, CA 92038 Tim Mudd go toward the San Diego Humane school bluesmen e

E-mail: [email protected]. Island. v Terry Roland e who played with Society and the Second Chance Rescue t S

Humphries will be playing tracks WHERE TO FIND US Can’t find a copy of the Sven-Erik Seaholm : Muddy Waters

for Dogs. Tickets will be on sale at the o t

San Diego Troubadour? Go to José Sinatra from his current Blindspot Records o and became the door for $5 and the show is for audi - h www.sandiegotroubadour.com and click Steve Thorn release, Hocus Pocus on Joker Lane , and P ences 21 and over. Visit oldest Grammy on FIND AN ISSUE for a complete list of Scott Wilson his critically acclaimed 2008 CD, ...And locations we deliver to. www.facebook.com/davehumphriesmu - award-winner D. Dwight Worden So It Goes . Two Beatles tribute bands, ever, died March SUBMITTING YOUR CD FOR REVIEW sic for more information. Cover photo: Dan Chusid HELP! and Fab More, will perform the 21 at his home of If you have a CD you’d like to be considered for Cover design: Chuck Schiele review, please send two copies to: San Diego songs of John, Paul, George and Ringo. cardiac arrest. He was 97 years old and Troubadour, P.O. Box 164, La Jolla, CA 92038. Veteran San Diego musician Hector played at the Adams Ave. Street Fair here in SUBMITTING A CALENDAR LISTING Penalosas’s side project, the Baja Bugs, San Diego just a few years ago. He started Email your gig date, including location, address, will also be rocking the house. Not a playing with Sonny Boy Williamson on the The San Diego Troubadour is dedicated to and time to [email protected] by original “King Biscuit Time” on KFFA in W. the memory of Ellen and Lyle Duplessie , Beatles tribute band per se, the Bugs the 22rd of the month prior to publication. whose vision inspired the creation of this recreate the spirit of the Beatles’ Helena Arkansas during the 1940s and went ©2011 San Diego Troubadour. newspaper. Hamburg, Germany years with a reper - on to tour with Ike Turner and the Kings of toire which features as many American Rhythm in the 1950s. He joined Muddy rhythm and Blues numbers as Lennon- Waters’ band in 1969. Still touring up until McCartney compositions. a short time ago, Pinetop had made his Recently added to the roster of acts on home in Austin, Texas since 2004. –Lou the bill is former Beat Farmer Joey Curtiss

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 3 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle

er now. What I use now is a MacBook Pro [15-inch] and I have a ProTools digital roger Mcguinn: design .002 interface. It has eight or 12 inputs – I could record a set of drums if I wanted to. It’s enough – and it records up to 48 kilohertz, 24-bit. It’s really high quality, a equal Parts Folkie high quality digital recording. The CD that’s out there is quite instructional. It gives you the basic principles of tracking on a com - puter and how to mix it and burn a CD at and Techie the end of the session. Then you send the CD up to a place like Oasis CD Duplication. Then you got a product you can sell. by Steve Thorn from a business perspective. SDT: Any sage advice to budding young San Diego Troubadour: Roger, what was the troubadours starting out? I think one of the The price you paid for your riches and fame, decision behind going independent? advantages you had starting out was the Was it all a strange game? Roger McGuinn: It really started when we same opportunity Jackie Gleason had –a You’re a little insane. comedian who was also a great actor. He had The money, the fame, and the public acclaim, were doing a George Harrison CD for a label that should go unnamed [laughs] vaudeville experience. You had the experi - Don’t forget who you are, ence of going out on the road with Bob You’re a rock and roll star. because they promised to pay us and refused to do it. They kept wanting the Gibson and playing at the Gate of Horn folk — “So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll masters; they kept saying, “Send us the club in Chicago. Any advice for the current Star,” The Byrds masters and we’ll send you the check.” And generation? we said no. We said, ‘“Wire the money and RM: Sure! I’ll give you the advice that oger McGuinn knows first-hand the we’ll send you the master.” They wouldn’t Bobby Darin gave me. And Bobby Darin got cautionary tales of fame. His band, and it never happened. We recorded this on this probably from George Burns, who was a Rthe Byrds, and their East Coast our own dime and it was a $6,000 session vaudevillian before he was a movie star and counterpart, the Lovin’ Spoonful, were high - in Nashville. We thought, let’s just take this a stand-up comedian. Get up in front of ly touted as America’s answer to the Beatles as the beginning of the new CD and do the audiences as much as you can. It doesn’t by the Fourth Estate. After their astonishing rest of it ourselves and put it out on our really matter how good you are at home. debut – an electrified re-working of Bob own label. You have to do it under pressure. You have Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” – McGuinn SDT: What did the CD eventually become? to test it under the pressure of a discerning and his cohorts were placed under the audience who may or may not like what microscope of media exposure. RM: It became Limited Edition . We called it you’re doing. That makes a big difference, McGuinn deftly guided the Byrds through that because it was limited in its distribu - you know. You may be fine at home, you the early ’70s before embarking on a suc - tion. We weren’t using any brick and mor - could be sailing through this thing and cessful solo career. In 1991, he released his tars at all. We decided we would not go think you got it down. And then you get in most critically lauded album, Back from Rio , with one of the distribution companies that front of audience and the whole thing goes a rich, Rickenbacker 12-string guitar album puts it into record stores. The real reason Roger and Camilla McGuinn out from under you – you don’t have it any - of his distinctive jingle-jangle sound. The for that was because they have a thing more. Your fingers go numb and you can’t disc featured guest appearances from Tom called “returns.” It’s one of the only retail RM: Well, I think there’s more room for it. SDT: Your website is wonderful to look play, or you can’t sing and remember the Petty, Elvis Costello, and former Byrds Chris areas where you can give them something to We’re working on a sea chantey CD right through. You could spend many hours going words. It’s quite a terrifying experience. Get Hillman and David Crosby. Back from Rio sell and if they don’t sell it, they can send it now, and also a children’s album. Those will through the many layers. Here’s what I think up in front of an audience as much as you was released on Arista Records; the back to you and say, “Sorry!” Or, they don’t be things from the Folk Den album. Some is the difference. In the old days, if I wanted can. That’s it! Even if you don’t intend to be Hollywood Records label would release the even give it back to you – they sell it some have and some haven’t been put on to the to write a fan letter to the Byrds, it would a live performer, it will help you with your next CD, Live From Mars . After the folk other way and they don’t even tell you hundred [song] Folk Den project, four-CD have probably been filtered through (Byrds recording. It will help you have confidence label Appleseed put out McGuinn’s Treasures about it… it’s kind of sneaky. The returns go set. But we are re-recording a lot of the stuff publicist) Derek Taylor and his people. when you sing into a microphone. Record from the Folk Den album, the veteran musi - out the back door… but we don’t have any and re-mixing everything. We are paying Maybe it would have been read or maybe yourself, play it back and record yourself, cian took up poet Robert Frost’s call and evidence of that. But it was something we close attention to it, because it’s going to not, but now, on the Internet, you are actual - play it back...get used to that. There’s a little began to walk the road of an independent didn’t want to deal with. So, we sold it have 20-something tracks on the sea ly answering people’s questions. There’s some tendency to get what they all red light “itis.” artist. It’s a decision that has resulted in through Amazon, CD Baby, and our own chantey CD as opposed to the 100 we had wonderful interaction going on. When the red recording light goes on, you McGuinn remaining a vital performing and website. And what has happened over the on the Folk Den project. kind of freeze up a little bit. So, it’s practice. recording artist who has been able to avoid years is that these independent record RM: Yes, that is a nice thing about the I’m still in that vein. I decided to make a That whole “10,000 hours” thing is just the oldies circuit of many of his ’60s coun - stores – like the one stops – have been buy - Internet; I love that. I had to back off a little career decision about 15 years ago to go work it, work it, practice, and practice. It terparts. ing it off CD Baby, which is really not the bit over the years because I used to get into back to my folk roots and I feel really good takes 10,000 hours to get something down. The last time the San Diego Troubadour best deal they can get. They could get a bet - all music and Byrds. It just got a little crazy, about it. I feel it has artistic integrity, and If you are technologically oriented, get interviewed McGuinn was for a preview ter deal if they bought it from our site – but so I have to back off from that. That’s the it’s not just for the money – it’s for the love yourself a MacBook Pro and a set of piece on the 2008 Poway Performing Arts they don’t know about that or trust it. So, same thing with Twitter and Facebook. The of the art. And we get paid, too! It’s the best ProTools and start recording in your house Center show with John Sebastian. In a ques - they are buying it from CD Baby in quanti - social interaction has to be limited. You of both worlds. if you want to make CDs and sell them. tion-and-answer exchange, McGuinn talked ties of 10, 12, 25 and selling them in record don’t have time to answer all that stuff. And give some of your music away. Put stuff stores. It is getting distribution into the about the legacy of the Byrds’ Sweethearts of SDT: It’s interesting that you brought that SDT: Going toward your penchant for all up on You Tube, Facebook. Twitter about brick and mortar, but we didn’t have to deal the Rodeo album and his continuing fascina - up. I read a quotation attributed to you things technical: I’ve read with fascination yourself, work your brand over the Internet in that aspect of it, the returns. tion with technology. For this current issue, where you said you were quite happy being about some of the computers you’ve built with various social networking sites. There’s we thought he would be a logical choice as SDT: With the release of independent prod - a folk singer and not a Byrd. and you actually have a guide for the bud - a whole list of stuff you can do, 100 of sites an inspiration for musicians trying to sur - uct came the most ambitious product you are RM: Absolutely! That’s the truth. I really ding musician who would like to have the you can use. vive the current economic roller coaster. known for: the massive Folk Den collection. don’t want to go on the road with an oldies “recording studio” be a computer. How does SDT: When I last interviewed you two years Camilla McGuinn, Roger’s wife and tour Is it completed or is it still a work in act, or even do new material in a band that that work, Roger? ago, you were excited about your solar-gen - manager, came aboard during the interview progress? was popular 45 years ago. I don’t want to be erated Vespa and the way you could toot and provided equally astute observations RM: Well, [the guide] was a homespun part of that. I’m not against old music that’s recording I did about five or six years ago. around your town in Florida. What is the hundreds of years old. But I do them on my It’s kind of outdated now. But the principles latest gadget that has your attention? own time. are good, you can still do it. It’s a lot quick - Continued on page 14

now showing (through May) at OB People’s Food, 4765 Voltaire St., Ocean Beach

4 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle t l u a v o C

e v e t

Recordially, Lou Curtiss S

: o t o h P

HOW I GOT MY START AT doesn’t go to far) and left me as sole great acoustic musicians and little or no the late ’80s. FOLK ARTS RARE RECORDS, owner. The Festival was starting to pick places for them to play. The second Folk The shop continued to run and in THAT IS . . . up notice during those early years and I Arts opened in the fall of 1971 and 1994 Scott Kessler from the Adams Ave. was doing concerts around town. With among the artists who played there were Business Association asked me to take bunch of us were wondering our own San Diego Folk Music U Utah Phillips, Sam Hinton, Sam over the booking for the Adams Ave. right about the time we were Foundation we presented Bukka White, Chatmon, Del Rey (she got her start Street Fair and start a new spring series Aplanning that first San Diego Mance Lipscomb, the Scragg Family, and there), Ray and Ina Patterson, Harmonica of Roots Music Festivals, which I did. State Folk Festival back in 1967, about some other things. At the old Palace on Frank Floyd, Jim Ringer and Mary Eventually the Street Fair became a the need for a headquarters for all the Pacific Highway we co-sponsored McCaslin, Phil Gross, Martin Henry, Guy booking by committee proposition (with things we were involved with and a place Howlin’ Wolf and then B.B. King. We Carawan, Thomas Shaw, Hunt ‘n’ Peck, me having my input, which was fine with where one could buy phonograph also cosponsored concerts at the Bifrost and lots more. Following the 1975 Folk me) but the Roots Festival remained records that the other record shops of Bridge in La Mesa with Lightnin’ Festival we moved the concert series over mine to book and structure. After 27 that era just didn’t carry. On July 31st of Hopkins, Jesse Fuller, and Brownie to a little natural foods restaurant called years Folk Arts was again faced with the Lou Curtiss that same year we opened FOLK ARTS McGhee. Orango’s where we ran it for several proposition of having to move. The RARE RECORDS (my partners in that Along about our third year we got a years, doing concerts with such artists as Adams Ave. Business Association assured enterprise were Stan Smith, Carol huge consignment of blues, traditional Art Rosenbaum, Kenny Hall and Joe me that if I relocated on Adams Ave. I McComb, and Gerrie Blake and our first jazz, old timey, and folk LPs from Norm Gwaltney, Paul Geremia, and many more. could continue to do the festivals as I location was at 3753 India Street on the Pierce of Jack’s Record Cellar in San In 1977 Folk Arts Rare Records had more had done. corner of Washington and India Streets). Francisco. Rare stuff that wasn’t to be landlord problems (our next door neigh - The fourth Folk Arts Rare Records is My partners moved on to other things found anywhere else in San Diego and bors didn’t like music) and we moved now located at 2881 Adams Ave. in what after about eight months (a four-way we were really on our way (me and my again. was once known as Antique Row on the split on a yet-to-make-money enterprise wife, Virginia, who I married in 1968). The third Folk Arts Rare Records was Street (only a few antique shops left Along with the shop I was publishing a at 3611 Adams Avenue in a house where now). I was relieved of my involvement little magazine called The Khrome Kazoo , we also lived (by that time there were with Adams Ave. Street Festivals when I writing bits for Blues Unlimited and three of us (my son Ben was born in quit the board of the business associa - Living Blues, Bluegrass Unlimited, and 1976). It was a peak time for the San tion. Right now I’m deeply involved with other folk and general music publica - Diego State Folk Festivals; we were get - getting the tape library of the Festivals I tions, starting to run 78 auction lists and ting grant money from the National produced archived for collections at the just starting a house concert series. Endowment for the Arts, Mike Seeger Library of Congress, UCLA, and, hope - Wouldn’t it be nice, to wake About that time an absentee landlord was bringing great troups of traditional fully, somewhere in San Diego. We got a up one day and be a fantastic decided to come back to San Diego and musicians out to play the festivals, and GRAMMY grant to do some of that work. triple our rent. I told him we’d look lots of them did to Orango’s concerts too. I continue to write, do a radio show, pick “whatever” it is you are trying elsewhere. When the Orango’s location came to a and grin a little, and run my record shop, to do in this life? Like The second location of Folk Arts Rare wind down after a pause, we started dong which is nearly 45 years old. I love to overnight, bam – you are a Records was at 3743 5th Ave. in Hillcrest. concerts at the United Methodist Church talk about old time music of all sorts and bad-ass jazz guitarist and It wasn’t long until we started doing con - on Mansfield St. in Normal Heights. We kinds and do every day. vocalist with 50 recordings certs in the store. The Heritage in also did a Sea Chanty Festival and San MAYBE I’ll get involved with another Mission Beach had closed and I volun - Diego’s first Blues Festival at the church festival someday, maybe not. At any rate under your belt, and you are a teered to have concerts in the Folk Arts in 1979. The San Diego State Folk I’ve had a pretty good run with what I’ve Grammy Award-winning song - store until a new coffee house (aka folk Festivals ran until 1987 (20 festivals in done. writer, or a yoga champion, or a club) opened. About the time the all). After that we did a short-lived House Recordially mother of four with a beautiful Heritage closed, so did the Bifrost Bridge, Concert series over on Robinson Street in Lou Curtiss home and white picket fence by In the Alley, the Candy Company, and a couple of others. San Diego had a lot of the beach. Wouldn’t it be some - thing to wake up and to have somehow arrived at that place that you dreamt of over night?

Well, it doesn’t work that way. You have to work, and work, and work at what you do EVERY DAY. You have to be so real with yourself that it hurts sometimes. You have to work to make sure that you maintain balance in your life. You have to update your Facebook page. You have to also make money so that you can pay your bills. Yes, that too.

— Steph Johnson

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 5 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch P h

o personal song on the album.” t o :

“I could go on and on, but as I mentioned, R a

c literally every song tells my story. On my first h e l

album I often told other people’s stories in M c

F addition to my own. But this time around, it’s

LAURA ROPPÉ a r

l all me.” i n After finishing her treatments, Laura was cancer-free. To be declared “in full remission” Surviving the Odds takes more time, but she was able to get back to her music career full time. First, she had the opportunity to pick up on the success of her first disc. “I completed my treatments throughout in Life and Music 2009 and then hopped an airplane to the UK for a tour and to film a music video for a song on my first album called “Float Away.” In 2010, I recorded I’m Still Here and wrote a book called Woobie ”. by Frank Kocher that really wasn’t ‘me.’” She won the LA Music Awards Americana Listening to her muse, she decided to pur - 2009 single of the year for “Float Away” and sue a music career. She began singing with the her first album was nominated for album of he old saying that “life is a journey” local cover band CoolBandLuke in 2006, the year at the LAMA. She was coming back, may be the best way to describe the doing songs by a wide range of country and and her new disc was coming together, with past six years of Laura Roppé’s person - T rock artists from the ’70s and ’80s through the help from Matt Embree, her cousin and gui - al and musical experiences, with a couple of present. Her singing of material by Pat Benatar tarist/vocalist with Orange County’s Rx important distinctions. For her, the journey and Janis Joplin gave her enough of a boost in Bandits. The two had made a YouTube video of has been a marathon run but one with big confidence to try singing her own songs. “Daddy’s Little Angels” while Laura was changes and switchbacks, a tremendous, Running another marathon in 2007 marked receiving chemo; now it was being given a stu - frightening hurdle in the middle, and yet a fin - a turn in her journey and yielded more per - dio treatment. The 13 tracks were finally ready ish that ends with triumph. sonal commitments. and I’m Still Here was released on January 25, The San Diego singer/songwriter (her name “My goal was to run a four-hour marathon. 2011. Again, it was little things that helped tell is pronounced roe-pay) is a UCLA graduate Laura Roppé I ran 4:00:08. I was so pissed.” Laura that her new disc was making a special who in 2005 was a practicing attorney. Before During long training runs, Laura had been connection with her audience. this, besides her husband and two children, thought. “‘You have to go to the doctor tomor - all. After each infusion I was very sick, and I composing songs in her head while hearing “I had the opportunity to play my new her life was primarily involved with her legal row,’ he commanded. ‘Promise me.’ So, even would come home to bed for like five days and the beat of her feet on the ground, and another songs live even before they’d been recorded, so career. But Laura had been bitten by the music though I didn’t think it was cancer, not in a nights. And when I felt well enough, I’d take goal became to record an album of originals. I knew some of them would be well received. I bug early in life. million years, I promised him I’d go.” him for a walk in the sunshine, and just feel - Her determination was rewarded in 2008 when played one show where I performed all my “As young as I can remember, my grand - Her doctors were careful and good: a biop - ing the sun on my face felt like an embrace Girl Like This was produced and released. The new material for the first time. I was the open - mother’s sister (my great aunt), a trained opera sy showed Laura had breast cancer, a rare and from God. It was beautiful! It reminded me to slick country-pop disc got immediate attention ing act for another artist, so not too many peo - singer, used to play the piano at family get- aggressive type called triple negative breast cherish the little things! And I do. for songs like “Mama Needs a Girl’s Night ple were there to see me, and I could just feel togethers so that I could take center stage and cancer, that had spread to her lymph nodes. “My two little girls were so comforting, too. Out” and “Float Away.” Radio stations were that people were connecting to the songs. dance and sing. My family wasn’t a tough Surgery and chemotherapy treatments fol - During the dark days right after infusions, I featuring the single “Mama,” and Laura placed When I said, ‘we’re gonna do one more song crowd, it’s true – but from that first applause, I lowed in late 2008 and much of 2009. While would be in bed, shivering, bald, gray, feeling runner-up in two local 2008 country music for you,’ someone in the audience shouted, was hooked.” She always knew she could sing. these took a toll on Laura physically, her so sick. And the girls would come into my talent competitions. She had a deal to distrib - ‘no, don’t go!’ That was the first time I Laura also discovered long-distance run - amazing spirit remained positive and focused, room after coming home from school, and I’d ute her new CD in the UK, and she was all set thought, ‘I think people are gonna like these ning and began training for her first marathon and there were little things that helped. feel little lips on my bald head, little voices to film a video and start a radio tour there. songs!’ But I had no idea that the collection as in 2006. Her new journey was beginning. “My husband was my savior during cancer. saying, ‘We love you, Mommy.’ There is noth - Things were starting to take off. a whole would garner so much respect, and “The real liberation started when I crossed He cried with me, laughed with me, held me, ing more life-affirming than that.” Then, her journey was again about to take that people would be able to feel me in the the finish line of that first marathon, and I’ve took me to every doctor’s appointment and Laura’s music continued during her recov - yet another turn, this time to face her biggest songs like they do.” just gained more confidence and clarity with treatment. At the dinner table, when I was ery. She kept writing and singing, and a new obstacle, much like a marathon runner hitting One of the songs is called “George each successive day. Each time I’ve taken a bald, he called me ‘Elmer Fudd.’ I said, ‘Hey, musical personality emerged as songs for a the 20-mile “wall.” In October 2008, while Clooney,” which is a clever bit of pop about chance and followed my inner voice, my you can’t make fun of me. I’ve got cancer, you new album came together. The upbeat, stirring doing the type of self-examination all women the things Laura wants to be sure to do before dreams, I’ve been greatly rewarded with adven - know.’ And he said, ‘If I stop making fun of songs were more eclectic than Girl Like This , should, Laura made a discovery. she meets her end, such as, “I want to sing my ture beyond my wildest hopes,” Laura said. “I you just because you have cancer, then cancer with some funk and soul shading, blues, and “I found a lump in my breast. It confused songs in Prague/And wear a coat in London believe distance running unlocked something will have won.’” folk-pop, along with plenty of country. The me. I thought, ‘Has this been here all along?’” fog” and “I want to smell George Clooney/I bet in my brain, something that had lain dormant “Another ‘little thing’ was the fact that my new disc was I’m Still Here and, in a way, it She asked her husband, Brad, what he he’d smell real good.” A video was shot for for many years as I pursued an intense career little dog, Buster, was my little lovie through it marked another turn in Laura’s marathon this tune, and it has gone viral. journey. “When I got 24,000 views on my ‘George “This is absolutely a conscious change in Clooney’ video within the first 24 hours and style. This new album is all me in all my became one of the most watched videos in glory – honest and revealed. This is the music multiple countries across the world, I had an I’ve always wanted to make. It reflects exactly inkling that this batch of songs might resonate who I am. To be honest, although I am very with people. proud of my first album, it reflected only small “The video has definitely generated interest sliver of my true musical personality, and I was in the entire album. I am a huge fan of music hiding in some instances behind the music I videos. They are such a fun way to express the thought I ‘should’ make; but I was too green song and make the song live and breathe for and too unsure of myself to assert myself the listeners.” way I should have into the ultimate sound and The disc shot up the Billboard “Uncharted production of every song. In truth, I wouldn’t Music” list, hitting number six and remaining say the new album is so much an evolution of in the top eight for six weeks to date, a big my sound so much as a homecoming.” accomplishment for an emerging artist with an Laura’s intensity, appreciation of life, and independently released disc. Laura has just tenacity in her cancer battle comes through in signed for distribution of I’m Still Here in the some of the deeply personal lyrics in the new UK and Europe, and promotional tours will album. Perhaps the most impressive thing follow. Her book, Woobie , based on her experi - about her new songs is that, given her experi - ences, is making the rounds, and its com - ence, is that they are so joyous, liberating, and pelling story may find a publisher soon. have such a positive vibe. She runs every day but it remains hard “Every single song on I’m Still Here is work, and she has to dig deep. For now, entirely autobiographical. During my treat - Laura’s marathon journey is back on track. ments for breast cancer, any layers of B.S. that “After my battle with cancer, I feel inspired had accumulated on my body were stripped to run again, simply because I can. I am run - off, until I was totally exposed and bare. When ning the Ragnar relay with a team in April, it came time to write songs for this album, the and my goal is to run the San Diego Rock ‘n’ only songs that came to me were highly per - Roll Marathon in early June.” sonal. Laura Roppé, singer, cancer survivor, and “I wrote the song ‘I’m Still Here’ when I marathon runner is still here. was bald from chemotherapy. I was taking my dog for a walk out on a beautiful, crisp day. And I suddenly felt the urge to take my head - scarf off and let the sun beat down on my cue ball head. In that moment, I felt empowered and fierce. I wrote this song to cancer. ‘Get out, stay out, time’s out, and I’m starting all over.’ It was a rebirth. The thing I like about this song is that it sounds like a kiss-off to a bastard in a bad relationship. But in reality, it’s a kiss-off to the biggest Bastard of all. “‘Woobie’ was a song I wrote for my hus - band, Brad. He was my security blanket during the worst nightmare of my life. It is my most 6 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

Your Quick-Start Guide to the Primary Social Networks ’ve long given-up on the frustrating sport of social media prediction; like Ithe stock market, it could all change tomorrow. There are over 50 social net - working services around the globe, six of by Tim Mudd response asking for a link to some of THEN surrendering to the important ger and bigger venues until you’re the which currently lead the pack in San my music online. I responded in kind, task of promotion and execution. For next Bob Dylan... of social media. Sure, Diego’s local consciousness (excluding Flickr, Yelp, and YouTube). As Facebook ne Tuesday evening back in and a few minutes later she came back 2010, rather than contact the 75+ this may seem blasé, but the beautiful did to MySpace what MySpace did to early November last year, I and told me that load-in would be at names on my list of past performers thing about it is that – like anything – Friendster and what Tumblr expands Oreturned home from the office 8:30pm. individually, I reached out via Twitter if you put in the time, it’s all possible. from Twitter, the “next big-thing” could around 6:30pm and stared at the walls I had a fantastic evening. As it turns (through which I “follow” and am “fol - be waiting in the wings – the only stimu - INTERNET KILLED THE VIDEO for a few minutes. This is fairly typical out, the clientele at Eleven that night lowed” by many of these artists) to lants that new outlets require are your STAR... behavior for me; I spend my days in didn’t mind hearing a geeky English gauge interest. In just less than 90 min - time, love, and affection. front of computer monitors, premature - guy bang away on his guitar for an utes, I had the list and run-of-events In the late nineties I used to preach to Here are descriptions of the top six ly aging my eyes, and the last thing I hour crying over life’s heartbreaks. In squared away. I spent the rest of that anyone who would listen that – as social networking websites with a few want to do in the evening is 1) turn on fact, I was asked to come back in Sunday afternoon shocked by the grunge was to punk what punk was to quick ideas as to how you can utilize the television or 2) break open my lap - December and perform on a Saturday response rate from this social media classic rock what classic rock was to them to promote your music. top. Usually I’d chat with my girlfriend night with the whole band. In January platform... as I stared at the walls. rock ‘n’ roll – the Internet, not a music FACEBOOK and catch up on the dull victories and we were given the opportunity to per - genre, would be the next “big thing.” Facebook is a social network service abject failures of our respective work form for our first “at capacity” audience WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU As musicians, we’ve never had much of that, as of January 2011, hosts an active days, muse over their little-relevant opening for Old Man Markley. We If you’re new to social media I promise a problem writing music and capturing user base of over 600 million people. Users create a personal “profile,” add importance, then get back to the active played again in March as part of that, once you start making inquiries, that music set to tape hasn’t been an other users as “friends,” and exchange task at hand of being a couple. Eleven’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations you won’t be at a loss for intense rea - insurmountable task either. The bottle- soning from each platform’s avid sup - neck for almost every artist out there messages, including automatic notifica - Unfortunately, during this particular and – ahem, shameless act of self-pro - tions, as and when they update their porters/users as to why their preferred was exposure, which is where – from a week, Jen was attending a conference in motion – we’ll be playing at Eleven profile. The focal point of each user’s method of communication is the great - logistical stand point – record labels D.C. and I was left with... walls. again on Saturday, April 2. profile is their “status,” where they share And hunger. Bored and fidgety while There is so much conflicting informa - est. I also know that given the fairly monopolized the most direct and trust - thoughts, photos, links, and videos – I cooked, I ran through the list of peo - tion out there on social media that you time-intensive set-up and maintenance ed channels. Means of distribution was similar to a public journal. Additionally, ple I could call and invite over for a can digest at your leisure, so I’m not of each, social media may be one also a game that labels strategized and users may join common interest user beer, then imagined each rebuttal given going to crow on about how great it is mountain that you can’t really imagine executed well, but with one fell swoop groups, organized by workplace, school, the short notice. As I aimlessly flicked (there are thousands of self-proclaimed climbing... so don’t. the Internet blew those bridges apart or other characteristics. The name of the service stems from the colloquial name through the contact list on my iPhone, “experts” out there who will do that for Find a place to start (i.e., pick one and created a whole new super highway for the book given to students at the I realized how silly all this was and me) nor how evil it is (there are just as that appears to be of some use to you), of global accessibility. sign-up, and play with it for a while. start of the academic year by university decided to quickly dip into my Twitter many people who can harp on about administrations in the U.S. with the You may get hooked, you may find it BUT VISIBILITY WILL KILL THE feed and see – on the off-chance – if this, too). Personally I feel that, for the intention of helping students to get to the most ginormous waste of time. INTERNET STAR anyone I “follow” happened to be excit - casual user, social media is the sharp, know each other better. More than likely, though, you’ll get an The issue we face now however – and ed about a concert or event I could dripping fangs of the great techno-time HOW FACEBOOK CAN BE OF USE TO YOUR idea for how it works and have one the true art form perfected by labels check out myself that night. vampire that will suck you in and feed MUSIC CAREER more “online profile” in your back that you simply cannot learn by signing One of the first things that caught my on your retina while your eyeballs up for MySpace – is that with the world First came handbills and fliers; then pocket for those moments when you there was email. Facebook now domi - eye was “@BulletMck” asking (in 140 bleed-out (which can actually be quite literally at your finger tips, user discre - run across a fellow musician or fan nates almost every other medium of characters or less) somewhat frantically fun), but professionally – and especially tion is paramount. Just as performing a if anyone could fill-in for a band who for independent music artists – it has who’d prefer to connect with you in mass communication. Create a “fan Facebook rant about your crappy boss page” for your music as a personal pro - had just cancelled their scheduled per - its uses as I hope the story above illus - that way. will likely invite disciplinary measures file page for commercial endeavors vio - formance at Eleven for 9pm. I looked at trates. OH THE PRESSURE! in the workplace or questionable pic - lates Facebook’s terms of use. Invite your my guitar, looked at my food and NOT JUST FOR THE “PROMOTEES” Another perceived problem with social tures of you from an insane booze- Friends to ‘like’ your Fan Page, keep it looked back at the Tweet. Since the regularly updated with your pertinent From 2003 to 2010, I organized and media is the pressure of it all. Avid sup - fueled party could jeopardize the inter - venue’s renovation – especially its events and activities, respond to your promoted the Singer-Songwriter porters have a funny way of making view process for your dream job, care - sound system – I’d been hoping to get fans and your audience will grow faster Showcase Day at the San Diego County you feel like a complete luddite if you less posting or bad online presentation my band down to Eleven for an audi - haven’t yet conformed to their preferred is detrimental to your brand and decid - than you can wrestle for space on the tion, but (as things tend to go) hadn’t Fair. When it came to the 2010 event I cork board at your local coffee house. opted to run a Best-Of showcase, fea - social network. Just remember that this edly more permanent. gotten around to it yet. I responded and FOURSQUARE turing performers from the previous six medium does not have a start or an end Plot your path wisely and execute told her that while I couldn’t get the point; it’s a constant flow of informa - with a plan. If you can’t stand prideful - Foursquare is a location-based social years who were able to make it (this networking software for mobile devices. full band together at such short notice, tion. You can dip-in, contribute, step- ly behind your online activities as you was fitting, considering that 2010’s This service is available to users with as long as she hadn’t had any better out, take some time off, and step back would a live performance with your installment subsequently became the GPS-enabled mobile devices, such as offers and didn’t mind hearing a geeky in again without anything being held Mum in the front row, think twice. English guy bang away on his guitar for final year of the event). In previous iPhones, Android mobile phones, against you. The only real precedent is Better yet, don’t do it. It’s incredibly Symbian devices, and Blackberries. Users an hour crying over life’s heartbreaks, years I’d spent months visiting open that you should contribute to the “con - awesome that our songs can now be “check-in” at venues using a mobile I’d be happy to come down and per - mics, looking for suitable candidates, versation” rather than simply spouting downloaded to the living rooms of website, text messaging or a device-spe - form. Within a minute, I had a whittling down a list, confirming time- slots between the fair staff and artists, off random, meaningless banter with no countries we can barely even imagine cific application, and selecting from a list value to anyone but you. That’s the visiting, let alone touring through, but of venues it locates nearby. Each check- only real reason people will begin to these people can also see any bad press in awards the user points and sometimes not pay attention and, worse still, you may receive at a similar speed that “badges.” More recently, venues have start promoting themselves by posting ignore you – which is the hardest place not even the fastest fictional super - special offers and discounts visible only to recover from. heroes would be capable of stopping. to Foursquare-users who check-in with I’ll take one more opportunity to them. IT’S LIKE – UH – TOTALLY A reënforce the point that – in all of this – HOW FOURSQUARE CAN BE OF USE TO PREFAB “SIM CITY” OF YOUR I never for one moment consider MUSIC SCENE... YOUR MUSIC CAREER myself an “social media expert.” In fact, At this time the benefits of Foursquare For a moment, try thinking of social I generally question most who place are still revealing themselves, but it media using the analogy of promoting that title in the same vicinity of their would appear that the data derived from your act in a brand new town you’ve name (and would advise you to this network is most useful to businesses never played before: approach those who do with caution). and venues endeavoring to gain greater 1. Choosing your platform. You get to I’m just one guy with a bit of experi - understanding of their clientele’s needs. New Town, U.S.A and you find out the ence and an opinion, making his way in For you, Foursquare is all about visibili - ty. Networked individuals are also venue everyone raves about as the place this crazy new world that – as you may known as “friends” here and if you’re to get a foothold on the towns audience or may not have discovered – is ulti - for your music revealed to be in a nearby location, mately the same boat we’re all rowing. Foursquare can invite more spontaneous 2. Finding friends/followers. You meet Tim Mudd is web director for CBS Radio face-to-face interactions, which is never the talent-booker and convince her/him San Diego as well as a practicing disciple a bad thing if only five of the 500 people that you’ll be good for their objectives to the art of songwriting. You can follow you invited to Lestat’s on a Wednesday 3. Mining the extended networks of him on Twitter (@timothymudd), friend night actually showed up. your core group. Performing at the him on Facebook (facebook.com/tim - LINKED IN venue exposes you to a new audience mudd), or check out his band For LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking website. Founded in that can’t believe they’ve managed to Strangers & Wardens through their blog (forstrangers.com). December 2002 and launched in May live this long without your music 2003, it is mainly used for professional because you’re passionate, intelligent, networking. As of 1 January 2011, funny, sexy... whatever. What matters is LinkedIn reports more than 90 million that they recommend you to all of their registered users, spanning more than 200 friends. Suddenly, you have a full house for every show, they’re moving you to big - Continued on page 15 www.sandiegotroubadour.com 7 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

epic communication failures.” Yet through it all, they’ve managed to make a very engaging double CD called 10 Strings that succinctly captures their live The Panache Orchestra sound. It was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs, performed exclusively on Chi’s acoustic guitar and Brenda’s vio - lin, hence the title. They have a sophisti - cated web presence and a growing list of Crosses Oceans and Genres live performance dates that they hope to expand beyond the L.A./San Diego area. Congruent with this is their ambition to diversify their sound through collabora - tions with other musicians and ensem - by Mike Alvarez And just to make things interesting, bles. To supplement Chi’s talents as a gui - much of their material was initially writ - tarist, bassist, and drummer, Brenda is he Panache Orchestra encapsu - ten for a rock band but has been adapted making rapid progress learning the cello lates their musical approach with to their current configuration. Brenda so they can feature it in future projects Tthe enigmatic phrase “Bringing admits that “it’s taken an enormous and performances. Most working musi - classical sensibilities out of the ivory amount of effort on Chi’s part to re-edu - cians will readily identify with their tower and down into the street!” and the cate me on how to make that work with - goals: to generate sufficient interest in acoustic guitar and violin duo does in the context of his music. The addition their recordings and live shows and to indeed create that impression at first of the unmistakably classical influence become financially sustainable while blush. Yet as with all things in their completely alters the character of his maintaining artistic autonomy. They are world, things are much more complex compositions, which were originally con - also looking to get their music synched than they appear. Brenda K. Spevak-Saito, ceived as straight-ahead rock and pop with various media like film and TV a San Diego native, is actually a classical - pieces intended to be performed by a soundtracks. It has already been well- ly trained violinist who has an apprecia - rock band with the melodies sung by a received in healing and holistic health tion for the likes of Sergei Prokofiev and vocalist. I learned not too long ago that circles as well as by the artistic commu - Yehudi Menuhin. She confesses to being he had never worked professionally on nity. Chi has been particularly struck by “indelibly watermarked by my upbring - the acoustic guitar before he began play - the reaction of very young children to ing and former career as a classical play - ing with me, since he is principally an their music. “They seem to get it imme - er.” Yet she also cites influences from electric player.” Brenda K. Spevak-Saito and Takashi “Chi” Saito are the Panache Orchestra diately although it is not ‘kid music’ by such unexpected sources as Lou Reed, An act as unique as the Panache any means.” While their broad musical Herbie Hancock, Eric Satie, and Rush as Orchestra could only be borne of the palette makes them hard to pigeonhole, well as Javanese and Balinese Gamelan most improbable of circumstances. theater, church gigs/weddings/events, ses - that they called Strange Dream, which it’s this very diversity that may prove to music. An accomplished bassist, she also Obviously, they hail from opposing cor - sion work, teaching private students, and continued to perform on the club and be their greatest asset. By putting their admires Jaco Pastorius and Ron Carter. ners of the planet, not to mention the fine art modeling, none of which paid festival circuit. In 2004, before a Strange stamp on every style that inspires them, Her husband, Takashi “Chi” Saito is a musical spectrum. It just so happened extraordinarily well.” Realizing that this Dream album could be recorded, Brenda they are bound to appeal to fans of many multi-instrumentalist who is a seasoned that at the time of their chance meeting mode of existence was unsustainable and and Chi relocated to San Diego, and then musical genres. veteran of the Tokyo music scene. He at a Tokyo sushi bar in 1998, they were would never give her a satisfactory quali - to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. They began his professional career at the age of each taking an indefinite hiatus from ty of life, she decided to scrap it all and initially performed as TheXiles, but 15 as a bassist on the Tokyo cabaret cir - music. Chi was making a decent living as go back to Japan where she had spent a because they were exploring a new cuit. As such, he was called upon to back a musician until the end of the ’80s, year as a college exchange student. Once acoustic instrumental sound, they even - a diverse collection of performers includ - remarking that the rise of karaoke there, she landed a good job in project tually renamed themselves the Panache ing folk singers, pop artists, jazz musi - “quickly displaced live music in night - management with an engineering con - Orchestra, a moniker which has caused a cians and even strip shows! Among his clubs and restaurants.” Unlike many sulting firm. “It lasted for a few years few raised eyebrows when people realize musical favorites are the Beatles, Eric other musicians who shifted their profes - until I hit my tolerance for the toxic cor - that they’re a duo. Clapton, King Crimson, Neil Young, sional focus to recording backing tracks porate treadmill and quit that too.” As the Panache Orchestra, Brenda K. Johnny Cash and traditional Japanese for karaoke tapes, Chi took a day job at Describing their initial sushi bar and Chi Saito are gaining a reputation as music. Being a mostly self-taught musi - his father’s advertising research firm in encounter as “love at first sight,” the duo a one-of-a-kind act that successfully cian, he very colorfully likens his musical order to support his family. Although he recorded a five-song EP titled Neo (which combines classical and rock sensibilities education to “eating out of the garbage initially accepted a night gig as a guitarist has since been reissued with bonus seasoned with Eastern and Western bin of a world class hotel.” in a Ginza show club, the hours and tracks). Their live debut was billed as touches. As Brenda pensively recounts, Anyone attempting to categorize the demands conflicted with his day job and Brenda and Me at a major Tokyo venue “Chi is still at the steep end of the learn - Panache Orchestra is taking on a huge he eventually decided to quit the band. called Club Cay and they made subse - ing curve with the English language and challenge because they have a single- Nevertheless, he still harbored hopes of quent appearances at many festivals and while I can communicate reasonably well minded determination to pursue their some day forming a group to play his clubs. In late 2000 they jointly realized in Japanese, my command of the lan - muse across many genres. Their instru - original music and opening a nightspot Chi’s dream of running his own night - guage is far from perfect.” To make mat - ments of choice might lead casual listen - to serve as its home base. Brenda gradu - club. Naming their new venture Asagaya ters worse, “the modus operandi of rock ers to call them a folk act, but they have ated from SDSU in the mid-’90s and Drum, they hosted live music and multi - vs. classical musicians are just as alien to also been described as everything from pieced together “a sketchy livelihood media events. During this time, Brenda each other as Japanese is to English/ Gypsy Jazz to New Age to World Music. composed of a combination of musical and Me expanded into a full band lineup American, so we’ve had an awful lot of

PHIL HARMONIC SEZ

There is always something about your success that displeases even your best friends.

— Oscar Wilde

8 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 9 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

by Tim Mudd

TM: That’s why! JD: I had a conversation last night with Jane Lui on the JD: If I don’t meet my daily word quota, I go home and I’m same topic; she and I were talking and someone came up upset... I cook dinner for myself and listen to Whitney to her and said, “Hey, you were SO good tonight!” He Houston. bought her CD and walked away. She told me that she always finds it awkward to talk to people who are compli - TM: Wow. mentary after shows. This is what you have to do to get JD: My roommate caught me doing that yesterday. It was ahead! We’re all hustling. I basically told her that you have awkward. to take the compliments and enjoy the people who enjoy TM: Any particular stage in Whitney Houston’s career? you. She was really cool about it... and then we tweeted JD: It’s even worse when I tell you what song it was... some pictures! I think that San Diego’s the perfect place to learn this TM: Don’t tell me it was from The Bodyguard! because everyone’s so approachable and everyone’s so JD: Actually it was! [Starts singing] “And IIIIIIIIIII, will always great to talk to. love...” Jeff Berkley: Are you noticing people at your gigs who TM: I don’t know what’s more embarrassing, that I got it or wouldn’t have shown up unless they got a Facebook post that I knew it? or a tweet from you? JD: His and my eyes locked and he said, “Are you really JD: Yes. I’ll send out an event invite on Facebook and then eating dinner by yourself in the dark listening to Whitney follow-up with an email to remind them about the event. Houston?” And I said, “Yes I am.” Sometimes, other people who haven’t actually met me in TM: Wow. person get a personalized email from me; they email me JD: He forgave me and said he wouldn’t tell anybody, but back and we start conversing. It’s interesting to me how apparently I’m telling everyone, so it’s no big deal... I’m many come based solely on the perception, “Oh, this guys pretty sure I tweeted it right away. a rock star, he’s opened for all these big names but he also has time to talk to me.” It’s a really cool thing to have SOCIAL NETWORKING someone come up after the show and say, “Thank you so TM: For the April issue of the Troubadour I’m also writing much for emailing me, I thought that was the coolest an article about social networking, which is an ever-evolv- thing.” So the short way to answer your question is: yes – ing media and one that – so far – it seems you’ve used people show-up based solely on the fact that I’ll talk to very much to your advantage. How has this helped? them. JD: I guess I’ve always been pretty good with technology. I n e s r

grew up in San José, which is, of course, Silicon Valley, so e d n A

at four or five years old I was jumping on PCs and playing s i n

video games. Social networking is a natural step for me and n e D

I’m always excited to find a new network and meet people. : o t o h

When outlets like Facebook or Twitter or MySpace popped- P up I really ran with them. The way the music industry has quickly evolved from when Napster broke in and challenged standard practices, it’s no longer a game where you get to be a huge rock star and the fans don’t get to come close to you. For me, social networking is a way of getting to talk to people, get to know them, and letting them get involved with what I’m doing; whether it’s naming my guitar or showing everybody that I can cook – it’s a way for people to get to know me better and vice versa. Without social networking I probably wouldn’t like music very much because I like to know people and their stories; why do they like this song? Why are they coming to my shows? It’s interesting to me that I get to do that through JB: This seems to be the concensus when I ask other peo - so I went and sat in on a couple and from there it just hap - the different social networks. ple, too; I’ve been doing it at our [Berkley Hart, Citizen There are a lot pened – I went from open mics to playing bigger and big - TM: So it’s about fostering relationships, not necessarily Band] gigs and it’s really making a difference. In fact, peo - of stories I could tell you about ger gigs. ple pay a lot more attention to what they get on Facebook Josh Damigo, but this one’s the most appropriate: In early just getting up on stage and performing for people. TM: I think that’s what we really want to get into; when or Twitter whereas they’re deleting emails because they get 2010 I was driving home on a Sunday night and turned on JD: I don’t see any benefit in just playing a gig to a bunch you say it “just happened” you didn’t just... so many already. the radio to hear [email protected]’s “Unsigned Sundays” of strangers who just want to hear a couple of songs. I want Liz Abbott: It seemed like it “just happened” because one show, hosted by Jane Asher. I was instantly grabbed; the to know people. I want to get involved with them, I want to JD: Our attention span is what, 30 seconds? You watch a year you popped out of nowhere and won all those H.A.T. song being played was upbeat, had a nice progression, be the soundtrack of their lives and maybe they’ll inspire commercial and you get bored if it’s not funny or it doesn’t Awards good lyrics, and was sung in a way that I really felt the me to write something. pop out at you. A three-sentence email on Facebook that singer meant it. It was produced well, too. Who the hell was JD: Right. I feel like when you love what you’re doing, it gets to the point right away is way more productive and will this? Thankfully, at the end of the song Jane back-sold it, really does “just happen.” You really don’t notice all the do more than a 17 paragraph monthly email. It’s more per - “That was “Shooting for the Sun” by Josh Damigo.” Josh work you put into it. “I don’t see any benefit in sonal but, Jeffery, most people come to your show because Damigo?! I was floored. And proud. KISSING HANDS, SHAKING BABIES just playing a gig to a you’re the best in San Diego so don’t even go there. I remember some of the first open mics Josh performed TM: No one can really doubt your visibility in San diego JB: No! at when he was dipping his toes into songwriting and per - over the last four or five years. You’re obviously comfort- bunch of strangers …I JD: You know it! forming for the first time; I also remember ragging on him able with your ability to network both in person and want to know people. I JB: You already got the gig, man. for (my opinion) ripping-off chorus progressions from through social media. Did this evolve naturally or was want to get involved with JD: He knows the first time I decided I was going to go and Christina Aguilera songs. But to hear this song that I’d never there a master plan behind the execution of it? heard him play was just brilliant. As we say in England, I play was because I saw him open for Three Dog Night. JD: You know, I’m the kind of guy who just goes out and them, I want to be the was “well-chuffed” for him. That was one of the reasons I said, “Hey, I could do this!” does things. When I was in high school I played the tuba Just over a year later in early March I found myself sit - soundtrack of their lives JB: I’m so sorry. and the baritone in the band. I was the sports guy: the cap - ting in Jeff Berkely’s San Diego studio on a Saturday morn - tain of the basketball team, baseball team, and soccer team. and maybe they’ll inspire JD: I signed-up for your email list and... ing with Josh, Jeff, the Troubadour ’s Liz Abbott and four Then I was vice president of the student council; I did every JB: Did we contact you? microphones. Our a little chat went a something like this... me to write something.” event at the church I went to – I was active all the time. I JD: No. Tim Mudd: The title of this article is “Knocking on a Million have an ADD lifestyle where I just keep doing. When I don’t —Josh Damigo JB: So I guess I’m not cut out to do social networking! Doors.” have much to do I get really bored, sit at home, and watch When I first started – back in the dark ages – we were Josh Damigo: I like that... T.V., which I find unfulfilling. One of my biggest inspirations is a song called “Lullaby” sending out handbills to our mailing list with stamps we For me, networking isn’t so much something I had to TM: Are you shooting for two million now? by Shawn Mullins, which is my favorite song of all time. He were licking ourselves. Then email came in, and that was work at, it’s just something I naturally do. I love meeting JD: Well, you have to shoot for the next step really. It’s wrote it at Genghis Cohen in L.A. after talking to a girl at a incredible, and slowly but surely I watched that take a dive people and I do have the ability to just go and talk to any - about working hard. I like the title. gig. So I guess that’s always been my attitude: you never as far as how much people were using it to promote their body, introduce myself, and tell them what I do. TM: What made you want to be an artist? know when that inspiration’s going to strike and hearing shows. Do you think that Facebook and Twitter will eventu - TM: So the medium isn’t as important as the act of doing the lives of other people is where the stories come from. ally run their course and there will be another way of doing JD: Well, I never really thought of music as a career for me; it; it’s the same theory that you can apply to whatever People are just interesting to me. I don’t know if I answered it or do you think this is the way it’s going to... I mean we I was a sports guy. Then I tore my ACL/MCL meniscus in activity you choose. any of your questions? saw MySpace and what happened there? college and that was the end of my sports career. I was sit - JD: You just go at it. I applied the same thing I’ve always ting on a couch watching the World Cup, getting all TM: No, you did... very well actually. TM: I could give you a very long answer to that... done, which is being outgoing and talkative. I was raised by bummed-out, so I picked up my buddies guitar and started LA: Well, a lot of people see Twitter as extra work and big JD: If you watch The Social Network you can see that the women so I require the same amount of verbal interaction writing. Someone said, “Hey, that’s pretty good; you should bother, so it’s cool when someone is really gung-ho about whole thing behind Facebook is to keep it cool and to keep per day as most women do... go to an open mic.” I didn’t know what an open mic was it. it living, but I think the other ways to do things haven’t

10 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

completely died. JD: I’m not just going to let someone say whatever they now. I met two or three people last week who hadn’t real - morning and even if they’re going to work at a crappy job I still hand-write and mail Christmas cards to my street want without saying something back. Most San Diegan’s ized I’d moved in December, so I can only assume I still they don’t like, they’re still thinking about it all day and team and I still send out emails. The most successful artists would just let it go and in L.A. they get you before you say maintain a presence here. I haven’t lost anything by driving can’t wait to get out and preach that at night. I feel like are the ones who can do it all. The major labels assign dif - it. I’m really somewhere in the middle. two hours north. there’s a difference between those people, the true heart ferent people whose sole job is to focus on each social TM: So basically you “belong” in San Clemente? JB: As great as it is to be known in San Diego – the com - behind their success and failure in music than there is media platform; someone’s running their Facebook, some - somebody whose just trying to get their five to 10 to 15 JD: Or Long Beach. munity that surrounds us here is passionate and awesome one’s running their Twitter, someone’s running their – there is a ceiling. You have to eventually go outside of minutes of fame through a manufactured environment. MySpace... I got three emails this morning on MySpace that

n San Diego to make that next step. Do you feel like you JD: How many musicians do we know who have great e s I responded to. I think it’s going to be all these things plus r e could have done it by not moving there or is it just easier hooks in a song and the rest of the song is garbage because d n whatever new phenomenon comes next. The million dollar A

s because everything’s now in your back yard? they won’t rewrite it or they won’t do the work again? I’ve i n question is what that phenomenon will be and if one of us n e JD: It goes back to the social networking stuff. I think you heard so many songs here that are fantastic and full of great D can figure it out right now I will buy-in to whatever compa - : o

t ideas, then you get to the second verse and wonder what

o can become an overnight sensation wherever you are. ny you guys want. h P “American Idol” allows people to audition in their city, go happened. To me the ones who are really going to make TM: I’m giving up the sport of social media prediction for through the wringer, and suddenly they’re opening for big things happen are the ones who are going to suck their Lent. names and they may have barely even played a gig, let pride and keep working and keep working and keep work - ing... LOS ANGELES alone networked. They just happened to be at the right TM: You’ve just moved up to L.A. How long have you been place at the right time. San Diego is a city where I could TM: Or deflate their ego. there now? easily just stay here, keep playing Lestat’s and the Casbah JD: Exactly. I was called “the ox” in college for soccer, and it could totally work out, but I’ve made more connec - because I’m ugly but I work hard... JD: Eight weeks. tions and had more breakfasts and lunches with different TM: False modesty Josh, stop it. TM: Eight weeks?! So you’re really still an L.A. baby. music executives and music people in L.A. in the last six to JD: There was somebody that put a comment either on JD: I hate it. eight weeks than I’ve ever made in San Diego in a year. YouTube or iTunes, which said, “Josh Damigo – kinda mod - TM: You’re not originally from San Diego. There’s just so many more people that want to know you, your music, and help increase your chances if you’re doing erate singer-songwriter but he works harder than anybody JD: I moved down here in 2003 for soccer in college, I got something good. Just going up to L.A. and playing a gig I’ve ever seen.” And because of that work ethic I’m slowly acclimated and it just became “home” really. I fit in... doesn’t mean you’re going to meet anyone. I’m getting better to where I’m starting to think that some of TM: That’s questionable. the songs I’m writing now blow the doors off “Pocket JB: So you feel that the cream can rise to the top up there? Change.” I’m not talking about baby cats and showcasing JD: The biggest reason I don’t like L.A. is that in San Diego JD: It takes some time but you’ve got to look at guys like wrong grammar in three verses; my songs are more struc - everybody gets along and there’s no hierarchy. I can talk to JB: I have friends who have moved from San Diego to try Tony Lucca, Jay Nash, Chris Pierce; some of these guys are tured and I can tell if something’s cliché or not. That comes Gregory Page and he’s going to be cool with me, I can talk their hand in different towns; my good friend Mike just up there and they’re just phenomenal. They play and it from writing every day and working on listening to new to Steve Poltz and he’s going to be cool with me, or I could moved to Nashville to play guitar, Barbara Nesbitt recently blows people away and it’s no different from the way that music, finding new inspirations. If you’re working harder go to an open mic and talk to anyone there – it’s going to moved to Austin, you’ve moved to Los Angeles, and over people do it down here; it’s just that when you blow some - you tend to grow naturally and better. be the same interaction. L.A. feels like a huge chessboard the years I’ve seen a lot of that – it’s worked for some peo - body away in L.A. there’s a chance that they’re going to and everybody’s playing a game in which it feels like every - TM: There’s a great quote – I don’t know exactly the source ple and it hasn’t worked for others. By moving to Los fund you or sign you. body I meet is wanting me to be a stepping stone, “Oh Angeles, do you think it unlocks things that someone who of it – that says “amateurs wait for inspiration, profession- TM: Do you think San Diego suffers from a “proximity man, you’re the San Diego guy! I wanna come down and just goes up there once a week to play gigs is not going to als get up and do it.” effect” to L.A.? San Diego’s a great town. It’s a great place play Lestat’s with you! Man, that’d be great!” and I’ll say, be privy to – things you have to really be there to take JD: I like that. to learn, cut your teeth, have an audience that wants to “Oh. Cool... you know I just wanted to say that was a good advantage of?

get out to hear music and they’re genuinely nice people, d i song.” It’s like everybody’s plotting and planning their next s JD: I think it really depends on your goals. I want to per - u but do we suffer – perceptually – in that shadow? h C turn and how they’re going to use you for their own gain. form on bigger platforms, bigger stages, really get out and n a

JD: I think that there are a lot of garbage bands that make it D And the hustle is cool. It’s fun to see people who would :

tour. Most of the labels who would be able to help me do o t lay out in the street for their music, and stop the freeway so big in other cities. The reason that they’ve made it big is o h

that aren’t based in San Diego. Therefore, that’s where my P that they’ll get three seconds of fame on the news and sell because there’s not a whole lot around them. networking needs to take place and that’s where I need to a couple of CD’s... We are kind of in the shadow of L.A. but at the same meet people. Now I’m told that music’s not even happen - time with bands like the Soft Pack, Transfer, the Silent TM: Which just happened ing in L.A. anymore – you have to go to Nashville. Another Comedy, who are coming out of San Diego, people are JD: Whereas the people in San Diego are so laid back; I aspect is that I want to write for other artists. I just got my suddenly looking at us. We’re the vacation spot of all the think there’s a drive in L.A. that’s lacking here. There are a first cut – I can’t talk about it yet because it hasn’t been execs – they live in L.A. then drive to San Diego to get lot of people here who think success is just going to fall pressed – that’s up for option with three Diane Warren away. into their laps. In L.A. everyone takes every chance and tracks, which would be a big thing for me if it does happen, TM: Hollywood on holiday. every opportunity; they think everything’s a big deal and but that opportunity wouldn’t have happened if I weren’t in they go at it. L.A. JD: You move to L.A. to move out. You move there, make it, The other thing I think is different is that everyone in I could easily stay in San Diego and play gigs, but the then you get as far away as you possibly can. I really think San Diego seems genuinely happy. L.A. is a city full of peo - market is so small. Once I moved to L.A. and realized how San Diego is special, it’s got a lot of special things: you can ple who are hurting. I’d been there just two days and many people are there it made me feel like all of the dumb go to one concert and hear three different types of music at already seen so many out of work actors and actresses who drama and all of the goofy stuff that goes on behind the Lestat’s and it all sounds amazing; you can hear me play a were so depressed; you could see it in their faces and the scenes here in San Diego like, “Oh man, I’m playing a gig country rock thing and then you can hear Rob Deez rap way that they were walking... they’re empty. They’re looking tonight and Berkely-Hart’s playing a gig down the street – and then you can hear Jane Lui with her incredible vocal to be fulfilled by a career or a dream, while people in San which show are my fans going to go to? Oh, they’re going and piano abilities. Diego walk with their heads up. We’ve got a pep to our to go to Berkely-Hart’s? Well, whatever – I don’t care about I believe there’s more talent per person – and this is a step and while we may not the biggest sensation going on those fans.” conversation I have with Aaron Bowen all the time – in this right now, we know that we can do a good show and it JB: Actually, they’re all going to go to Gregory Page’s show city, most of the people don’t know how good they are, doesn’t matter if there’s two people at our show or 50 – – your fans and my fans. and half of them don’t have the drive. That’s the difference we’re going to put on a good performance. in L.A. – people are more willing to go the extra mile. JD: Every night of the week! But in L.A. there are so many TM: If you get up every day and write, play music, and do TM: So San Diego fulfills the honest, heartfelt reasons as to people to draw from that this petty stuff doesn’t matter. JB: If you had a Hollywood that’s just sitting next to it as you would a job, then you can’t but help naturally why you do what you do. Whereas in L.A. you’re chal- Kensington and North Park where the whole industry was JB: In places like L.A. there’s an awful lot of white noise you evolve. lenged to achieve more than you necessarily would – you right here, some of those people that just didn’t have the have to cut through. Do you feel like you gave up a little bit don’t want to just lay back, grab a burrito, a guitar, and go drive might get discovered by accident, but we don’t have JD: My Grandpa always said, “You can work hard or you can of that big fish in a small pond thing that we get here in play an open mic? that here in this town, it’s about – like you said, Tim – the work smart and one of them’s going to be better than the San Diego? proximity effect is a big deal about L.A. other.” I adapted that and made it my own, where I say I’m JD: I’m a San Diego artist living in L.A. I feel like I’ve got a JD: There are so many ways to answer that because I’ve going to work harder and I’m going to work smarter than dual residency. I go there for work and I come here to live. JD: Yeah, I mean how many actors and actresses actually thought about it non-stop since I moved up there. The day anybody else I see. I adapt most of my ideas and strategies I know I don’t technically live here but my mind’s always made it by working their way up? There’s a lot, but the that I announced I was going to L.A. I got an email, from a from what I see other people doing. When I first got to San here. In L.A. everyone gets along with me because I’m sooo Bruce Willises that were bar tenders and someone was like, singer-songwriter here, chewing me out and telling me he Diego, there were two people whose MySpace pages I laid back and I’m sooo chill... “Dude, you’d be great in this movie,” and BOOM he’s a big would kill to be as big as me in San Diego and that I was star! Or the Mariah Carey’s who are pumping gas; someone looked at and designed my own after; it was John Hull and TM: Wow. letting it all go. If I wanted to be Mr. San Diego, that would heard her and BOOM she got a record deal. Kyle Phelan. Those two guys were the first ones I looked at JD: And everyone in San Diego can’t stand me because I’m be fine but Steve Poltz already has it – what am I going to for how I was going to present myself. From there I said, JB: That’s one in a million. so... do that he can’t do in circles around me? So I moved there okay, I need seven hundred fans on MySpace and then I’ll and – you’re right – I realized that L.A. is not as scary as I TM: It is. TM: Hyper? be at their level. Then I looked at the next person and then thought it was going to be. I thought everybody was talent - JD: But that one in a million is in L.A., it’s not so much in I looked at the next person. I’ve figured out what I’m doing JD: “Ridgid.” And structured. I lie somewhere in the middle ed, then I got there and realized everybody’s mediocre – San Diego. by looking at where everybody else is and taking that as far of those two cultures. I’ve never really screwed anyone over there’s a reason they’re not big yet. I’ve worked hard in San as I can myself. in music and I don’t ever plan on it. I pay the people who TM: That’s something that I wrestle with a lot of the “reali- Diego, I’ve learned through experiences that teach you the come and open for me way better than myself sometimes ty” stuff, you were talking about “American Idol effect” if basic situations. Moving to L.A. adds a new level of difficul - NASHVILLE but in the end I’m still hard-nosed and won’t put up with you will, where people go and audition and there’s a lot of ty; the producers are harder on you – if you can’t catch TM: So you mentioned Nashville and you’ve had experi- anything if someone’s going to bad-mouth me and my drama and a lot of fake drama that surrounds this to them on your first song they’re out of the building. These ence in Nashville. We’ve talked about L.A., tell us about music. I don’t really let things roll off my back like most San make it more interesting to a general television audience. I are challenges I’ve learned to beat by playing in San Diego Nashville. Diegan’s do. prefer being or seeing an artist who you can immediately so much. Another answer to your question is that I don’t LA: You’re not a door mat. tell that their art is their lifeblood – it’s what they love and really “claim” L.A. as much as I claim Southern California Continued on page 16. it’s what they’re passionate about. They wake up in the www.sandiegotroubadour.com 11 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Bluegrass CORNER

by Dwight Worden PREPARE YOURSELF yours or, in my case, pulling me out of the shower (I like to smell nice). s I slowly shuffled toward the Generally speaking, 10-15 minutes prior kitchen table, both hands cradling should be cool. 30 minutes late, not so Sven-Erik Seaholm WHAT’S COOKING IN APRIL a cup of coffee almost as heavy as cool. A I see the recommendation for “new my eyelids, I glimpsed the dull yellow ly. Save your mixing decisions for a differ - glint of yesterday’s junk mail. Ooooh, strings, cords, drumsticks, and heads” ent session. goody. Reading material! Brushing away quite often. This is not always exactly the This of course dovetails nicely into our the latest savings offered by the usual car - right thing. For example, I personally pre - final section, “Mixing.” pet cleaners, Thai restaurants, and pool fer my guitar strings to be slightly The best advice here is in having your maintenance professionals, I happened “worked in” to where they still have nice engineer and/or producer do the first upon a brochure from CD manufacturer sustain and intonation, but have lost all mixes. There are several excellent reasons Discmakers (www.discmakers.com ), enti - that “zingy-ness” and squeak in the high for this. First and foremost is that they tled 37 Recording Tips . Well, as this end. Putting new guitar strings on two to have probably been tweaking things like “ain’t my first rodeo,” I’ve seen many, three days prior to the session usually levels, panning, EQ, and effects this many articles like this one. So, I began to gets me there. Same goes for drums whole time. They’ve become intimate ROOTS FESTIVAL .The annual Adams set it aside as well. But as I lowered my heads. Sitting there banging away on with the song’s nuances and finer points Avenue Roots Festival is coming Saturday, hand toward the oval file, I found that I your new heads for an hour while you’re and if they’ve been doing this on a com - April 30, and Sunday, May 1. The Roots had already started reading it. We’ll let it trying to seat them, much less tune them, puter, the settings are all pretty close Festival will present more than 40 acts on Calvin Vollrath suffice to say that I’m an apparently easy is not the best use of studio time. Better already. multiple stages, along with vendors, arts and On Saturday, April 16 Canadian fiddle vir - target for the arrows of curiosity. to have them seated and close to in-tune If your initial mixes are sounding far crafts, and lots of interesting street activi - tuoso Calvin Vollrath will be performing with While I certainly won’t go through all before arrival. I usually don’t recommend new bass strings. from where you think they should be, ties. Admission is free and everyone is wel - Katie Henry. Calvin is considered by many to of those 37 points in this limited space, I then by all means, get involved. Take the come. did feel like there was some good, solid Another good point is borrowed equip - be among the premier fiddlers of the world. mixes home, listen intently, and take There are some interesting performers information being offered. I also felt like ment. If you’re bringing in someone else’s He is an outstanding teacher, contest fiddler, notes. Then listen a few times more pas - there was room for further discussion on gear, please plug it in and play it prior to who, while perhaps not traditional bluegrass fiddle tune performer, and entertainer. He’s sively, like while doing housework or in some points; if you already have this coming to the studio to make sure that performers, have a deep background in the also a skilled tune writer, having penned over the background at a party. Then listen piece of literature or will soon, please it’s working/playing well. I’ve seen some genre and can be expected to present some 400 original pieces. once more really closely and take more consider this a sort of addendum… beautiful vintage instruments leaned up quality acoustic listening experiences. The concerts take place at 7pm, with the notes. Bring them to the next session. The first section, titled “Before You Go against the wall for the entire session due There’s Dennis Caplinger, who will be playing doors opening at 6:30. Tickets are $18 in Being able to go down a list and specifi - In” recommends recording rehearsals and to faulty electronics. with his band, our own local band Virtual advance, or $20 at the door. For tickets and cally address potential issues is an amaz - gigs to point up any potential weaknesses “The Recording Process” covers a lot of Strangers will also be doing a set on Sunday ing saver of time, effort, and, of course, more information: in the songs or arrangements. Great ground, a lot of which seems pointed at in the Beer Garden. Additionally, there are money. www.familyfiddlecamp.com/concert - advice! I would add that you burn these those who are producing themselves and lots of other great performers outside of the It’s my experience, in fact, that most of dancetickets recordings to CDs and bring them, in case might actually cause some confusion in the time spent on projects is when you’re bluegrass influenced genre, including you need to consult them with regard to the studio if it were slavishly adhered to. I BLUEGRASS ON THE RADIO .San Diego blue - working on lead and backing vocals, Gregory Page, Yale Strom, Ray Bierl, Nathan tempo, feel, and other possible arrange - really loved a few things in particular, grass fans are very lucky. We have one of solos, and other overdubs after the basic James, Robin Henkel, and more. There are ment discrepancies. As we say, “Tape though, like “If you mess up a part while the longest run - tracks and before the mixing stage. six different stages so be sure to check the don’t lie.” recording, don’t stop and start over” and ning and definite - Keeping this in mind may be of help schedules when you arrive and wander a bit Being well-rehearsed is HUGE. Making the beautifully simple “Tune up often”. ly one of the best, when trying to budget your time and sure the song is “under everyone’s hands” Hot tea with lemon and honey is rec - bluegrass radio resources or just in helping find one’s will instill that crucial confidence an ommended to singers, but I highly dis - shows in the bearings while navigating the sometimes artist needs to really deliver their best per - agree with this. While lemon is an astrin - choppy waters that arise within our country. Every formance and keeps the overall stress gent that is good for cutting mucus, the Sunday evening oceans of inspiration. to take in as much as possible. level down as well. An additional consid - slightly abrasive sugar in the honey does - Recording your music is an event you from 10pm to eration is the amount of energy and n’t help at all. My friend Carlos Olmeda CONCERTS IN JULIAN . will remember for the rest of your life. Also in April, the first midnight you can stamina it requires to continually perform showed me the best one yet: Hot water. The quality of the memories you carry annual Julian Family Fiddle Camp will be tune in to KSON for six hours or more in the studio. If Just make some tea, without the tea. It with you is directly related not just to the held at beautiful Camp Cedar Glen just out - radio, 92.1 and you’re not rehearsing and performing will keep your voice relaxed, warm, and audible results, but also how comfortable side Julian. Even if you are not a mandolin or 97.3 on the FM consistently, this is where it will really lubricated. Simple! you were during the process. If you’re fiddle student interested in attending the dial, and hear the show. The next part, ”Monitoring the Mix,” Wayne Rice well-prepared, you’ll be ready to make the weekend camp, there are some great faculty KSON “Bluegrass To that end, a healthy diet and lifestyle provides some great insights with regard most of the fun and joy that comes along concerts planned for the evenings, open to Special” hosted by Wayne Rice. Wayne does are no-brainers for professional athletes to ear-fatigue. Again, it’s good to look at with it! the public, that could well could lure you up an excellent job of playing a mix of tradition - and if you’re going to be subjecting your - sessions as little marathons. Listening through headphones that are cranked up into the pine trees for the evening. al and modern bluegrass, introducing listen - self to the rigors mentioned above, you’d Producer/Singer/Songwriter Sven-Erik Seaholm really high or monitoring playbacks at has recorded, mixed and mastered hundreds of ers to new groups while informing listeners better believe you’ll need to baby that concert volume are akin to sprinting the recordings. Many have won awards and all have and providing great bluegrass entertainment. body of yours. Remember kids: Keith included some fond memories. He is currently first few miles. Turn it down, ’cause we’re Wayne also welcomes call-in requests. Richards is the exception, not the rule. working on a solo record, as well as one for in it to win it, baby! Keep in mind also Seaholm Mackintosh. (www.kaspro.com) Once a month, on the third Sunday of The first two words of the second sec - tion, titled “Setting Up” are “Be early!”. that by the end of a long session you’re every month, Wayne hosts the “San Diego Okay, so… let’s bend that to this: be on going to be hearing things a bit different - Bluegrass Society Live” segment on his time , or if you are going to show up early, show. During this period, he presents one of at least call ahead and check first. You San Diego’s great bluegrass bands live in the may be intruding on the session before studio, typically the band scheduled to play as the featured band for the San Diego Bluegrass Society on the following Tuesday at the Bluegrass Society’s monthly fourth Tuesday of the month featured band night, held at the Boll Weevil restaurant at 9330 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. This is a great chance to hear San Diego bands live and is a collaborative effort of the SDBS and KSON’s Wayne Rice. Wayne also dedicates one of his shows Evan Marshall each year to presenting a live recording of the annual International Bluegrass Music Friday, April 15 presents an evening con - Association Awards Show held in Nashville, cert by mandolin stars Evan Marshall and Tennessee. During this special program on Scott Gates. Evan Marshall is, put simply, a Wayne’s show one can listen in live to all the stunningly talented mandolin player. He is, in awards ceremonies, hear the winners, and the opinion of many, the world’s premier solo enjoy the top notch musical presentations . mandolin virtuoso. By himself, he sounds like So, do yourself a favor. Listen in to the several of the world’s finest mandolinists “Bluegrass Special,” enjoy the music, and let performing together. His stylistic signature is Wayne know how much you appreciate what classical, with strong influences from the he’s doing. And, if you happen to miss one of Italian and American folk traditions. Country the shows, know that you can tune in guitar legend Chet Atkins called Evan “one of through the Internet as each of Wayne’s the few great musicians of our time.” Scott shows is available online for about a month Gates is a budding star in his own right. If after the show is completed. Visit: you like the mandolin you will definitely http://www.kson.com/bluegrass for more enjoy a unique opportunity to hear these two information. great players up close and personal.

12 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Hosing Down Radio Philosophy, Art, Culture, & Music by José Sinatra Daze StAgeS THE BREAK OF DAWNE At daybreak my mind ached when by Peter Bolland enough for me to get at least one foot in. awakened by the greedy sound of the I eventually smoothed it out enough on young lady who lay over me and seemed REAL AMERICAN FOLK MUSIC all of those stringed instruments to even use them in recording sessions. But apart to be feasting on the toes of my right foot. ne by one they walked up to the from harmonica, I had never played a The scene itself, which might have tickled microphone, each taking a turn. wind instrument. My older brother John the average Joe, was dull and annoying to The stone amphitheater carried this depleted dreamer. O is an accomplished clarinetist. I grew up the sound deep into the canyon. High watching him make unexpectedly beauti - This was Dawne again*, the deter - overhead a red tailed hawk soared across ful music by blowing hard across a paper- mined, rather obnoxious beauty who had the sky in unraveling spirals. From our thin reed on the end of a tube with about earlier burst my cherished dream’s bubble. seats we could see deep into Mission a million holes in it, each hole covered My visions of victory in the progressing Gorge where the San Diego River winds with a felt-lined stopper attached to an Paradyokee contest had fizzled into the air beneath a canopy of sycamores and oaks, The Hose himself: clean feet and a viper’s intricately complex system of rods and when she’d advised me that I was natural - through the heart of the ancient home - vengeance levers. What he was doing seemed impos - ly disqualified as a competitor simply land of the Kumeyaay. For 10,000 years sible to me. I reached for my guitar and because I happened to be one of the “Yeah, I nearly thought you lost it,” by Jim McInnes the original Americans lived in these never looked back. judges. With me out of the race, she rea - Jason told me. He’s a good man. A great canyons in the stillness of the pre-indus - So now, all these years later, I’m finally soned, the prize would be hers. man. And possibly even a bit too wise for trial world. Turn on the Bubble braving the world of wind instruments. I do so loathe arrogance, but she might my own good. Above everything else, This was a very different kind of open Machine But I’m starting small. have a point, I mused. Here was a girl who Jason has been responsible for many of mic. There wasn’t a guitar case or a folk The Native American flute first came had beauty, poise, and an amazingly beau - my most memorable escapades during the s I write this, KPBS-TV is run - singer to be seen. Guitars are, after all, to prominence in 1983 with the release of tiful voice. A girl whom I had saved (her last decade, and I’m grateful for his friend - ning its now-ubiquitous the instrument of the conquest, brought R. Carlos Nakai’s first album Changes . own words!) some weeks before from a ship. Hell, I’ve had a lot of fun singing dur - Apledge drive programming. here by the Spanish. Instead, this was an Nakai was a classically trained trumpet directionless life of nakedness, drug ing this Paradyokee contest, anyway. This disturbs me because they are open mic celebrating the original player with an ear for jazz until a car acci - abuse, and improper political affiliation. A He went on. “You’ve really raised the pre-empting “The Lawrence Welk American folk music – Native American dent injury made it impossible for him to girl whose bare feet even now curled and bar for these final five girls, Hose. What Show!” flute. do the tightly controlled and challenging uncurled ecstatically while her mouth do you plan to sing before they all do their Yes, I have become a fan of For thousands of years Native lip work of trumpet playing. Of Navajo engulfed one of my own, opening my last songs at the finals? And what are you Lawrence Welk. There, I admit it. Americans have played a simple five or and Ute heritage, Nakai eventually com - weary eyes to the fact that the dream was gonna close the show with? Have you His was my grandmother’s favorite six-holed flute. Designed and crafted to pleted his master’s degree in Native over. thought about it yet?” TV show. I used to watch it with her play a pentatonic scale (the black keys on American studies at the University of But there were other dreamers, too. That’s right! I’ll still be able to sing, when I was nine years old. Of a piano), they are relatively easy to play. Arizona, while simultaneously pursuing Four others, in fact; five counting Dawne. dammit, and to a large audience, only a course, when I turned 13 and auto - Their simplicity is deceptive. No other mastery of the Native American flute. With me axed from the group of finalists, few weeks ahead.... “No, I haven’t,” I matically became too hip for the instrument has the power to evoke so With seven Grammy nominations and they were now five. All five, as it hap - answered, smiling, “but I’ll really have fun room, I denounced Welk’s show as much with so little. In the right hands, over 40 albums under his belt, Nakai has pened, were young, lovely women. My figuring it out.” totally squaresville, daddy-o. these humble wooden flutes call forth, almost single-handedly brought Native own blindness ( I reject most strongly the “Well, let me know as soon as you can.” Now I find the show ironically hip. like all great art, the full measure of the American flute into the mainstream. term “stupidity”) had led me to betray age - “Jason, it’ll be a great show anyway. Every musician and performer on grandeur of the land, the sky, the sweep Before Nakai, the Native American flute less men. They would be avenged. [Did I say ‘anyway’?! What a jerk.] Each of of time and the boundless consciousness was largely unknown by the general pub - “Almost done, Dawne? Had about the girls is great. They’re all gorgeous, that connects all things in a sacred web of lic, loved only by a few New Age spiritu - enough?” they’re all real serious about winning. One being. alists and Native Americans far off the “Oh, Hose! You scared me! How long of them is so sure she’s going to win, she’s I first met Benny Mullinax at the beaten path. have you been awake?” Gazing at my eyes sorta getting annoying. No names or any - Potrero Library in the tiny hamlet of It’s wrong to say that Nakai’s car acci - from the foot of the bed even so early, she thing, but damn, she needs to be put in Potrero, California, 50 miles east of San dent was a good thing, but without it, the looked every inch a goddess with an over - her place. I mean, I wouldn’t mind if we Diego just north of the Mexican border. I world of music would be a very different glazed chin. only had the other four in the finals. Have was playing a concert – just me, my place. “Just now. Are you hungry?” ‘em do two songs instead of one – more acoustic guitar, my folk songs, and room Now my wife, Lori, and I both have “Oh, sorry Hose. I just kinda have this entertaining, more suspense – we should full of the good people of Potrero whose our own Native American flutes. We don’t thing for feet,” she purred with slight make videos to show at the finals, about warm hospitality made me feel like a play them together because they’re in two embarrassment. each of them, sort of like on “American long-lost friend. After the show I visited different keys – hers is in A and mine is “I mean, do you feel like breakfast, Idol” ... show them at home, at the gym, with the locals, swapped stories, and sold in G – but it’s a beautiful thing to hear a Dawne?” the beach, the clubs, in the shower … more than a few CDs. plaintive melody ringing out from across When I reached the kitchen I suggested ‘The Final Four as You’ve Never Seen ‘Em Life has a different feel in the back - the house, a melody thousands of years she release my foot from her mouth and Before!’” country. Things move a little slower. old, a melody older than this or any other concern herself with a likely case of rug - “But it’s five, Hose. Even the one you People take their time with each other. empire. Some musicologists say that the burn, due to the distance from the bed to may have issues with – and don’t tell me Lawrence Welk & Myron Floren There’s really nowhere to hurry off to. Native American flute is the third oldest here. I extolled the restorative effect of who it is; I don’t want to know – she won The sun shines a little brighter, the night instrument on earth after the drum and aloe lotion, a bottle of which I pulled from her place too, and we can’t take that away “The Lawrence Welk Show” is sky is a little deeper, and the sound of the the rattle – perhaps 60,000 years old. The a cupboard, and spent what seemed like a from her. Not unless she has some kind of immaculately CLEAN. Some of the wind through the trees is like a spirit simplicity and clarity of its tone, the time - very pleasant hour ministering to her accident or dies or…” women are pretty, in an Anita Bryant voice that calls all of the names of every - less quality of its primal melodies, the wounds. “Or tries to bribe a judge?” God, I’m kind of way. Welk was the Ed Sullivan one you’ve ever loved. It’s easy to see how way its song rises and falls like wind – the Later, when I was alone, I watched the feisty. of schmaltz. His thick accent was a people who come to visit sometimes Native American flute is perhaps the “surveillance” tape. It had only been about “Oh, sure, that would be a reason. result of his upbringing in a German- never leave. mother of all music. It is humanity’s first 25 minutes. Time flies when you’re having What, has she come on to you or some - speaking part of North Dakota, Benny was a Native American flute attempt to make a singing tool, a tool that fun. thing? You can’t just say that, Hose, you’d dontcha know? player. I told him I was a huge fan of the gives men and women the voices of birds. ? have to have proof. So that ain’t gonna hap - The musical set pieces are laugh - music, often playing my R. Carlos Nakai Its simple call connects us to the deepest pen. Maybe she’ll just lose legitimately.” ably silly. So is the dancing…espe - CDs all day long in my office. He invited “You mean you really thought you could elements of our collective consciousness “You’re right, Jason. Actually, I don’t cially when Welk grabs a woman me to come to their monthly meeting. I be a judge and a contestant?” Jason and burnishes the sacred shine of all see her winning at all now. Hey, when will from the audience for a bit of a asked him where it was, thinking Potrero sounded incredulous, laughing on the things ordinary and sublime. It speaks of you be here in San Diego again? I’ve got polka during a Myron Floren accor - was a little too far to drive for a Native phone. He had created the contest and a time before the conquest, before the something you’ve gotta see.” dion solo. American flute circle. was to be one of the three judges of the Europeans arrived with their breast plates Ah, yes, the video of Dawne. A home What I really like about Welk’s “San Diego,” he said, “Mission Trails finals, along with film legend Edy “Beyond and swords, their Bibles and crosses, their intrusion, a seduction, a rule-shunning show is his band. He has some pretty Regional Park, the amphitheater near the the Valley of the Dolls” Williams and guns and guitars. In other words, Native assault that I had barely been able to good jazz cats playing on these old visitor center.” myself. American flute is real American folk endure. I had been violated, possibly shows, like clarinetists Peanuts Hucko “That’s a mile from my house,” I said. “But, Jason, you know how honest I music. scarred forever. Devious Dawne, who had and Pete Fountain, accordionist “The second Sunday of every month, am. I would never vote for myself if some - The second Sunday of this month and once shown such promise, finally ended Floren and guitarist Buddy Merrill. from 1-3pm, we meet there and play. one else’s final performance was better every month, from 1-3pm, they’ll gather up with my foot in her mouth.… Welk was known to pay his musi - Flute players from all over come and than my own,” I swore with enough con - again under the open sky in the The videos of the other four would cians top union scale. swap songs – some real pros and some viction to nearly convince myself. (As a amphitheater by the visitor center in remain my secret, and theirs. I think it’s nice to have a weekly folks just starting out. You should come.” backup, I had my fingers crossed.) Mission Trails Regional Park in San TV refuge where everyone is smiling, So I did. And I ended up buying two “Hose, don’t be insane, ha ha. You are * ( pseudonym. The unintentional revela - Diego. One by one they’ll descend the happy, and unthreatening. A place flutes from Benny. joking aren’t you?” Jason sounded sudden - tion of her real name last month was stone stairs to the stage with their hand where it’s always 1957 and Ike is in Now I get the genuine pleasure of ly concerned. either a printer’s error or the Devil’s.) carved flutes, their pre-historic melodies the White House. beginning. The futility of it all in an instant started drifting out over the ancient homeland of Viva “The Lawrence Welk Show!” Starting out on a new instrument is enveloping me; a startling fog. The happy the Kumeyaay like circling hawks. And a always exciting and illuminating. After ending I had pursued for months had I’m a Quitter few of us will be there just to listen. abruptly stopped its march just ahead of years and years of playing guitar, I After years of procrastination, I gave Peter Bolland is a professor at Southwestern me. Now it had turned to face me and, th remember the first time I played dulcimer up smoking on February 10 . College where he teaches eastern and western removing its mask, revealed only a useless I did it with chemical assistance from and dobro and banjo and mandolin, fum - philosophy, ethics, world religions, and mythol - void. the drug Chantix. bling around in a terrain just familiar ogy. After work he is a poet, singer-songwriter, and author. He also leads an occasional satsang “Of course I’m not serious, you dip,” I When I took the prescription for enough to make me feel hopeful, but managed, while tears made suicidal leaps alien enough to make me feel utterly lost. at the Unity Center and knows his way around Chantix to my local Rite-Aid I was a kitchen. You can find him on Facebook at: from my cheek to the floor. Persistence, patience, and a playful will - www.facebook.com/peter.bolland.page or write ingness eventually opened the door to him at [email protected] Continued on page 16. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 13 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR highway’s song

addition, just looking at the revenues disco sticks (Lady Gaga) for the sake of map out how many shows you are going to from record companies seems to point to becoming a monetary success in a field of be doing in a year? How does the Internet the imminent collapse of the music endeavor that has been corrupted by work for you from the business side as far as industry at the hands of the internet. power and money, and instead, I hope letting people hear Roger across the United Why are you torturing yourself? you go the other way, that you decide to States? (Don’t) Give Up! Well, in my case, I can tell you quite write weird 30s-inspired Tin Pan Alley Camilla McGuinn: We don’t really use the honestly that the reason that I am tortur - songs, shop at thrift stores, make 30 Internet. The main focus of the web site is ing myself is that I love music. It’s really albums, and somehow get it together the Folk Den, and that’s carried by the (Gregory Page Is Huge in Holland) quite simple. I have come to terms with enough to sell out the Paradiso. University of North Carolina as a public the fact that chances are that I will never Isn’t that so much more interesting than service. It is an archival site. If you go to sell out the Paradiso or Wembley posing naked on the cover of Rolling Stone McGuinn.com, you will see tour dates and Stadium, and the fact of the matter is that magazine? by Scott Wilson have been at least four great musicians that will take you straight to Pollstar. We I don’t care. I’m actually quite surprised For more information please read Man’s who have all died by the age of 27: Jimi felt that putting it up on Pollstar was more that at my age I have a place to play at Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and effective than just having it on our site. The all, and I’m quite grateful for the fact that Kurt Cobain. Although the average age of McGuinn.com site is [what I use] for press. I do. San Diego CityBeat will probably pan a successful touring musician at this time It’s very easy for me now when I’m setting my latest demo in their next review; is in the mid-40s, this statistic is skewed up interviews to tell people to go to press, Rolling Stone will probably never review because of all the legacy acts that are now press photos, bio, the facts, the blog, and my next album; my greatest video may touring successfully, and many of these they can read that. Now there is a core only get 200 hits; an album that I’ve musicians became famous in their 20s. group of fans who read the blog, who are worked on for years may only sell 500 Most of the artists that are played on Top always going to the site to hear the Folk copies, but I’m completely stoked that I 40 radio are in their late 20s to early 30s. Den project. They have been fans forever. had a great rehearsal last night. I myself have seen this built-in age bias What I have been doing when we have been Music was made on a Monday night in when I did a promotional tour of Europe on the road at concerts is [working at mer - a ramshackle studio in downtown San to promote a CD that was doing well in chandise table]. I call it my lemonade stand Diego last night, and there were only four Europe when a reporter suggested that I [laughs]. Roger calls it my lemonade stand; people there to witness it unless some of get married and have kids and forget Roger McGuinn, continued from page 4 he particularly likes to get me out of the the roller derby girls in the next room about this whole music thing. Maybe he dressing room because I get stage fright and f Gregory Page’s Facebook posts can were paying attention rather than what is was trying to get a reaction, or maybe he I make him nervous. So he says, “Go to be believed then he is suddenly more likely – that they were trying to I thought I sucked or was boring, I don’t your lemonade stand.” Yes, selling CDs is becoming huge in Holland. Selling out knock the teeth out of one of their team - really know, but the message at the time an important part of our business, but it’s the Paradiso in Amsterdam is no mean mates, if the earthquake-like sound rat - was clear. You’re 32 years old and it’s more important to me to find out when feat. The Paradiso is one of the premiere tling our room as we sing our tender har - over – GIVE UP! people last saw Roger. I laugh at the line, venues in Holland and it is my hope that monies are any indication. Well, needless to say, that hasn’t hap - “Oh, I’m one of his biggest fans!” [I say] it was named after the third act in Dante’s My point is the following: why is it pened. And I’m not sure that it ever will. “Oh wow, that’s great, when did you last see Inferno , one because it’s a former church, that you are doing the things that you are Why? him?” “Oh, in 1965.” and two, because I believe that God has a doing? Wouldn’t it be better to get mar - Because hope is a delusion. But what I had found out what happened sense of irony. Why irony? – because, in ried, have kid and just forget this stupid It’s also one of the virtues in the eighth [to] the baby boomers – we are the baby most cases, the life of a musician is very dream of becoming a rock star or sphere of Heaven according to Dante in boomers, we were the hippies in the ’60s – far from Paradise and, for most, it’s a YouTube star or whatever wall we all Paradiso . is that most of their kids have finally just struggle with opposition – in the form of seem to be knocking our heads against? gotten out of college. But once they got out drugs, rejection, and being ignored I would say that for me that the of college, their retirement accounts among the many other struggles that answer to that question would be no, plunged. So they were starting to go out most of us have faced. fully knowing that there is more than a again. We had a new crop of audience but Some of the bands and musicians who good share of delusion in that decision. I RM: We have the whole house covered with [they] knew the name of Roger McGuinn. have played the Paradiso include Joy would say that the reason that the answer solar panels; we have 34, 250-watt solar It’s particularly interesting when they [bring Division, Willie Nelson, Arcade Fire, Bad is no is because we as artists are creating panels. That runs pretty much everything. their] children, and I ask the young person, Brains, Nirvana, John Cale, The Cure, meaning and, to whatever degree that we We even run the hot water meter on it. We “Do you play guitar?” And they always go, Soft Machine, Nick Cave and the Bad can, we are reaching people, perhaps indi - don’t use hot water solar panels, we use “Yes.” And I so I know what’s happening; Seeds, Dave Matthews, Suzanne Vega, and vidually, perhaps in small numbers, per - electric solar panels to heat hot water and it dad is bringing them to see this guy who Amy Winehouse, among many others haps not at all, but somehow, some way, works! It works efficiently and we just do it knows how to play guitar. And I start talk - (from Wikipedia). In my other life as an The Paradiso in Amsterdam we are creating meaning in our lives and for 20 or 30 minutes at a time, before you ing to them and I tell them about Roger’s editor I worked on the Rolling Stones in the lives of the others that we touch take a shower – it works great! I got a bet - history, that he was 14 when he started documentary for the 1995 album and that this is a valid excuse for our ter scooter, it goes faster. I really haven’t got So, are you a musician in your 30s or playing and he was 17 when he had his first Stripped , some of which was filmed at the existence, despite the fact that we are not a lot of new toys. I got an iPad, iPhone, a 40s (or 50s) swimming against the tide, professional job. But he did take lessons, Paradiso, and Keith Richards claimed that necessarily being rewarded financially for few MacBooks. I enjoy taking them apart. I with the hope that you will somehow which I would encourage anyone [to do]. these were among the greatest shows that our efforts. took my MacBook Pro apart and changed become huge in Holland, and someone You can become a guitar player and strum the band had performed and, after seeing A few years ago I was approached by a my hard drive. That takes something like 21 will finally come to appreciate that you the guitar, but you’re not going to be able to the footage, I would have to agree. friend at a Troubadour Christmas party screws just to get the keyboard off. They are a genius and that you deserve to be do that intricate picking unless you are Gregory is doing a 30-minute set, who told me that he had been listening to don’t really want you working on it. And a recognized for your secret chords and taught the technique. So I tell them to take opening for Richard Thompson, who is a my CD and that I voiced ideas that he friend just spilled coffee on hers, and I have your special words? I would ask you lessons and to diligently practice. Then I great guitar player, followed by Mazgani only thought to himself and I almost it opened up on my desk right now. I’m point blank if you are fooling yourself. I usually give them a copy of 22 Timeless and Ice Black Birds. He is playing tonight started crying in a room full of people. cleaning it now with alcohol… backing up would also ask you why you are pursuing Tracks from the Folk Den Project. I say, (2/8/11) at 10pm. These incidents are few and far between, the hard drive for her [laughs]. this dream of being a professional musi - “This is not a gift; you are going to have to One of the things that make this story but it makes life worthwhile in some cian when all evidence seems to state SDT: You’re a good friend, Roger. Camilla, work for this, because these songs are in so unique is the fact of life that in the strange way. Somehow we touch the peo - very clearly that the sheer odds of success Roger certainly has the Internet figured out danger of being lost forever. You need to eyes of the world, Gregory Page is old. ple that we know in some ineffable way, are so astronomically stacked against you as far as a way of reaching his fans. What save them. You need to learn four songs.” Because if you’re a musician at the age of and it is my hope that you become aware that it would literally take a Dantesque I’m wondering about what your side [as tour And they walk away, kind of going, “What 35, the odds are stacked against you that and responsible for that fact and do not miracle for you to achieve your goals. In manager] is; at the first of the year do you did just happened to me?” [laughs]. you will be a success as a musician. There waste your time writing songs about SDT: These days Roger’s ideal setting is a theater or auditorium. How has that worked out? CM: Now, working with theaters, we very seldom run into any problems at all. I tell the promoters that their best way to pro - mote a show will be their local press, because the baby boomers read newspapers. Don’t think they’re getting online and see - ing stuff – they’re reading their daily news - papers. If you have a daily TV show and Roger’s in town early, arrange for it. Don’t expect me to do it, because you need to have a working relationship with all your press. If you don’t, your venue is going to go under. That’s why it’s important for the venues to know who’s in town – they’re working with their press, they’re working with their radio, they’re working with their NPR and PBS stations. We’ve found that the PBS fundraisers, which Roger’s been asked to be on three different times, have been a major seller for Roger’s shows. When they run, people will say, “I just saw him on PBS, wearing that hat.” I love that, because the hat’s a funny thing. Some people love it, some people hate it. I’ve had folks come up to me – mainly guys – saying, “tell him to get rid of the hat!’ The next person [says], “I just love that hat.” It’s pretty funny. I think the men are concerned that he’s bald, and I’ve told him several times, “Honey, just take off your hat for a minute so they can see that you have hair!” 14 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR highway’s song

by Terry Roland Do you remember those journaling The Music Network, continued from page 7 scrapbooks where you could collect all o, just what is this thing we call suc - those mementos and photos from, say, a cess? Singer-songwriter David Wilcox DaviD Wilcox: safari you took in Africa? Tumblr is your countries and territories worldwide. The wisely draws the line between that online equivalent. Write about your S site is available in English, French, which others expect of us and that which music, post your lyrics, present the out - German, Italian, Portuguese, and we expect of ourselves. But, then, he takes put of your latest photo shoot, and, bet - Spanish. Quantcast reports LinkedIn has it a step further to ask what the song ter yet, include widgets that present your The Real Deal 21.4 million monthly unique U.S. visi - activities on other social networking expects of us or, more accurately, what it is tors and 47.6 million globally. asking of us. For Wilcox, this question is platforms. If your website/blog is looking HOW LINKED IN CAN BE OF USE TO YOUR the dividing line between life and death, a little dusty and you want a destination MUSIC CAREER between spirit and desolation, between suc - for people to get an overall snapshot of LinkedIn is social networking for the cess and failure. For this artist both success where you’re at but you don’t want your modern “business-person,” however you and the song are not just a formula of verse, über-hip fan base to see that your Mum should clear your mind of that term’s bridge and chorus; but a living thing of the still calls you “her little solider” on context being a grey-suited corporate rat spirit that has the power to lead us from Facebook, create your account and begin race contestant. If you’re really serious collecting the collage of information that places of dreams and visions to our every - about “getting heard,” tailor your profile day, ordinary magic present in our daily expresses who you are and what your as you would your resumé, focus on music is all about. You’ll be amazed how lives. And ultimately, the success he defines your music as a profession rather than a quickly this fills out and with thousands is that which allows us to enter more fully hobby, and start connecting with execu - of available themes – both free and paid and richly into a communion with our own tives in the arena you’re interested in – you’ll still be presented as more of an hearts through song. But, these daily experi - (A&R, publishing, placement, et. al.). individual than your MySpace or ences of life don’t come without challenge Gone are the days of sending a demo to a Facebook Fan pages will allow. to us all in one form or another, be it media major label in a brightly colored enve - TWITTER driven or personal trials. lope hoping it stands out; it’s all about Twitter is a website that offers a social On his latest CD, Reverie , Wilcox calls who you know and LinkedIn is a great networking and microblogging service, the listener’s attention to those experiences place to start. that leave us unsettled and drawn away enabling its users to send and read mes - MYSPACE from our center, our home, and our heart. sages called tweets. Tweets are text-based In August 2003, several eUniverse posts of up to 140 characters displayed The difference from his past work is that he employees with Friendster accounts saw is leading his audience into the cynical on the user’s profile page. Tweets are its potential and decided to mimic the publicly visible by default; however, places we all encounter, thanks to today’s more popular features of the social net - senders can restrict message delivery to polarized media, political controversies, and working website. Within 10 days, the just their followers. Users may subscribe those personal encounters that draw us first version of MySpace was ready for to other users’ tweets (known as “follow - away from our own serenity. Songs like launch. Throughout 2007 and 2008, ing”) and subscribers are known as fol - “Shark Man,” with lyrics like “I draw you in Myspace redesigned its site in both lay - lowers or “tweeps” (Twitter + peeps). All with my smile/big toothy grin;/ we haven’t out and function, with features such as users can send and receive tweets via the fought for a while/I’m back again/I smell the status updates, applications, and sub - Twitter website, compatible external blood of your pain/the shark arrives/my job scriptions being added in order to com - applications (such as for smart phones), is to entertain/eat you alive/then when your pete with Facebook. Despite the new or by Short Message Service (SMS) avail - wound exposed the waters red/I love the design, user adoption continued its able in certain countries. While the serv - David Wilcox way that it goes straight to my head/I lie decrease. In 2010, MySpace introduced a ice is free, accessing it through SMS may when the truth is in sight/rewrite history.” beta version of a new site design on a incur phone service provider fees. “Little Fishes” speaks to the self-righteous - limited scale, with plans to switch all HOW TWITTER CAN BE OF USE TO YOUR ness of fundamentalists on the freeway who can allow you to deal with the subtle com - world is more complex than that. It would interested users to the new site in late MUSIC CAREER draw us into our own judgmental nature plexities of the heart; with songwriting it’s be easy to keep peace if we all believed the November. At that time chief executive The popular myth about Twitter is that and then distract us from mercy and com - not just looking back, but looking forward same thing. The idea for the song came Mike Jones announced that MySpace it’s just a bunch of people crowing about passion. By contrast, “Dynamite in the to the future to where I want to go next to from this guy on the freeway who had this would no longer be competing with their breakfast or other food they’re eat - Distance” recalls the personal pain that make my life a sweeter place. huge fish decal that read “Obey the Law” Facebook as a general social networking ing. Sure, while you may not care about with chapter and verse and anyone who site; instead, they were focused on being stays throughout our lives and even, at SDT: Is this demonstrated on Reverie ? this information, it is vital data for food passed him, he’d scowl at them. He was this music-oriented and target a younger times, seems beautiful in its own way. DW: Yes. I was approaching that with a manufacturers. So, let’s say you think one-man militia of righteousness. The “Gen-Y” audience. “When you hear the sounds from far sense of humor and at the same time deal - you sound a lot like Jason Mraz. Surely album is about trying to find the places enough away even dynamite can purr/hand ing with the frustrations of things that take HOW MYSPACE CAN BE OF USE TO YOUR then, your music will appeal to Jason where I get caught up like this and thrown and hand along the memory of the way they me out of this very peaceful, centered place. MUSIC CAREER Mraz fans? Sign-up for Twitter, search for off my center and how I find my way back. were/they were walking on the ice of all the You know, I’m a peacemaker, but in the Once the general social network destina - people who mention Jason Mraz and things he’ll never say to her.” Ultimately, the media it seems like there are people who are SDT: Tell me about your signature Rain tion, MySpace’s greatest two achieve - start connecting with those people as title song, “Reverie,” lead to the moments of out to pick a fight. Then, I can’t help but Song guitar. ments were seeding the idea of social you would other potential fans. There is both the majesty and mystery in nature and wonder about their motive. There are two DW: That’s so satisfying. I’ve got the guitar networking as a new means of communi - a BIG however here; the operative word with each other, which provide the way kinds of songs on Reverie – songs about dif - so dialed in to the sound I want and it’s cation within the public consciousness in the last sentence is “connecting.” If home when he says, “Here’s where I’m ficult people like “Shark Man” and then indestructible. I can travel anywhere with a and pioneering easily executed global you spam your followers to death with gonna be/I will abide in the strength of the dealing with that enough to find my own clear head. The material it’s made of is distribution for independent unsigned tweets about your next show or your tall trees/where all of the homes we built way of living from an open heart and being strong but still light enough to get a com - artists. While many have written-off next album, you will be run out of town with our own hands fall so easily/I need to able to keep a sense of wonder in the midst plex sound from it. MySpace, it is still the number one quicker than you can say “re-tweet this.” know there’s a seed that can grow into the of all of this. It’s like the media has discov - choice for music industry executives to Treat Twitter with the rule of thirds: 33% SDT: I noticed you have a “Wilcox quickly access information about artists mystery into the reverie.” ered that it’s not just about delivering infor - of your tweets should relate to your Weekend” coming up. recommended to them. Even if you feel As portrayed on this new live album, mation anymore; everyone wants to belong, brand; 33% conversing with other users; DW: We did it last year and it was so enjoy - the need to sneak into your closet in the the way back is the way to the greatest suc - to be part of a tribe, to be able to wear these and the last third sharing random able that everyone came away from it say - middle of the night for fear of being cess – a life centered in compassion, toler - bold colors... reds and oranges. So it’s no thoughts, comments, links, and stories. ing, “I can’t wait until next year,” so we’re caught maintaining your MySpace page, ance, and an evergreen sense of a beginner’s longer about the issues. Like TV writers are Post between 2-10 tweets per day to doing it again. I find there’s a particular do it. Through form and function, it’s mind and new birth through song, art, and good at drama, but we don’t want that in appear active and you never know your thing I can teach. There is an aspect of still the easiest way for people to hear spirit. This message is clear by the example our everyday lives. We want good commu - luck. Maybe you’ll get something out of music that brings you back to the spirit- your music. For the record, I would urge Wilcox provides in his music and his own nication skills, the ability to resolve con - it... like a gig at a venue you’d been path.You know, most people don’t know the you to ignore any perception of Social personal life. While many songwriters flicts, staying on topic, and working toward thinking you might like to play. idiosyncrasies of their theology, but the Media peer pressure; despite any loud choose to hide behind their persona or the understanding. But a drama writer can’t do AND FINALLY... important thing is having the sensitivity to claims to the contrary, most people still song; Wilcox’s success as an artist is drawn that on TV. It would be boring. Somehow As the ol’ saying goes, “If you don’t have the music so that the song you write have an active account. from his vulnerability, authenticity, and the media has found that issue-oriented anything good to say, don’t speak at all.” becomes your compass. Then you know TUMBLR honesty. news, with drama, is more entertaining. So, Just as you would manage your reputa - this is probably your pathway to authentici - Tumblr is a microblogging platform that SDT: Tell me your thoughts on success. success then becomes measured by the tion in the “real world,” your brand’s rep - ty. allows users to post text, images, videos, DW: I know that is success that is not money and attention you generate. But utation online depends on its relevance SDT: So, you do songwriting workshops? links, quotes, and audio to their tumblel - dependent on what someone else thinks. I there’s a consequence. They’ve got to ask to others interested in your activities. og, a short-form blog. Users can follow Don’t speak for the sake of speaking and think of it as being able to spend all of your themselves, does this draw the kind of peo - DW: Yeah, when it comes time to teaching other users or choose to make their tum - allow your information to become time doing what you love, but that depends ple we want to draw? songwriting, people create something and blelog private. The service emphasizes “noise” to others; when you DO have on what you’re willing to give up. SDT: It sounds like you could be talking wonder if this is a song. We might say this has verses and a chorus, but is it your song, ease of use. something of value to share, that infor - SDT: How does that relate to your music? about the whole Glen Beck/Fox News phe - HOW TUMBLR CAN BE OF USE TO YOUR mation will be infinitely more impactful. nomena. has it done for you all that it can in giving DW: Like today, having success with a you a new way of seeing? When songs do MUSIC CAREER DW: I have a feeling that if you talked to song... I was not successful because I didn’t this, it can be really empowering and can people like this personally they don’t just complete what the song was asking me to give you a sweet harvest that grows contin - argue. But, they’ve found that they’re good do. so, you know, I go back make it a clever ually each year. song. But for me what makes a successful at the argument and creating the drama, it SDT: What would you say is your greatest song is that it is a way of fathoming out becomes a cathartic release. It becomes like success? what’s next for my heart, how can I make a Colosseum sport. But I don’t imagine they my life sweeter? If I find that in the song, enjoy conflict on a an everyday basis. DW: To find the joy I once found only in I’ve had success. To me music can be a lan - Reverie is my way of trying to make peace music, which I now find in the rest of my guage, a way to complete our own hearts. with all of this. life, with my with family, with my wife and Success, to me, means being able to apply SDT: The song “Little Fish” stood out for my son whose heart is still open to us. the lessons music is teaching us. You know, me. David Wilcox will be performing at AMSD Concerts on Sunday, April 3, 7:30pm. 4650 you have the music and the notes, but I feel DW: That’s one where I pushed the narra - Mansfield Street, Normal Heights. I make music when I get to the days and tive through a first person – you know the the hours of my life. thing about Shariah law and the fundamen - SDT: Like a journal? talists. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone DW: Yes. but the difference is that music believed exactly the same things, but the www.sandiegotroubadour.com 15 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

stars, I don’t want to just go to concerts, I just made-up, it works with the rest of the IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SONG Radio Daze, continued from page 13 Josh Damigo, continued from page 11 want to BE them. Nashville wasn’t the right song and he’s so happy in his little hat and TM: Really it comes down to whatever your fit for me because I feared the combination his old shoes and his Beatles t-shirt from the JD: Nashville is harder to read people definition of success is and I like to think told that insurance companies don’t of not being able to read people very well ’60s. Then you can look at someone whose cover it! I said I’d pay the $105 because everybody has an accent. that success is a highly personal thing; I and feeling like I was just going to be a got hundreds of thousands of dollars and cost out of my own pocket because don’t think that it’s some great golden chal- TM: What are you saying? I’d make that money back after three gawker with my jaw dropped all the time. I they’re making this big record and it doesn’t ice that is immovable and you either get it weeks of not buying cigarettes. The JD: Well, obviously you have a British accent, needed to be somewhere else where I’m not seem right. You see all these incredibly tal - or you don’t. drug works amazingly well. One but there’s something about a Southern going to be stuck in that kind of a mind-set. ented people who fly under the radar and JD: If you’re hung up on awards and place - week after I started taking it, I had no accent that just gets me... it’s like a home- don’t get bigger than the city they’re in. Then desire to light up and I felt perfectly t ments and how many times you open for u you see people like Paris Hilton’s who put cooked meal. To me they all sound my best a v artists, you miss it – you miss music. You can fine. No suicidal thoughts or mood o C

friends and I can’t read them. out a single based on the fact that she has swings. None of the side effects men - e v make money from music, but if that’s your e I went and played at The Rutledge, which t money and she could afford it. So really it S

tioned in the TV ads. : main focus and you can’t get back to the o is a great club and I don’t have a clue how I t depends on what your final goal is; if you’re So if the insurance companies and o

h song when it’s time to get back to the song, health experts all want people to got in because I didn’t have a draw in P doing music because you love music, that’s there’s something lost there. The point of stop smoking, why the hell don’t Nashville. While I was promoting the show I how it’s going to end up. But if you’re doing music is to make people feel. Laugh, cry... they cover smoking-cessation drugs? met so many people and I was handing out music because you want to be famous, display emotion and tell stories for some - The Wizard of Dr. Oz cards and felt great about prospects for the which is what a lot of people do, you’re body else. I’ve got a song called “L.A. Is Not My wife Sandi recently spent an show. I played The Rutledge to two people going to have to have money to back that My Home” that just got critiqued by my entire day driving around with and was bummed because everyone told up or get really, really lucky. I played with buddy Seth Combes over at CityBeat ... celebrity TV heart surgeon Dr. me they were coming. To me – and I was Shawn Mullins a couple of weeks ago, and Mehmet Oz (as seen on Oprah!). It I wrote it and every time I play it I go only there a week – that city is very much as he wrote one of the best things on a poster was part of her job in promotions back to that couch in my ex-girlfriend’s sweet as possible; people will tell you that for me, “Be lucky.” He was living in a van, with San Diego’s Fox 5 TV. Dr. Oz apartment where she’s talking about all the you’re the best singer-songwriter but their he’d already released seven CDs before he was here touting his own syndicated people she’s meeting and I think [deep sigh] show, “The Dr.Oz Show.” The doctor minds are somewhere else – like they don’t was “discovered” with the release of “I’m not from here, I don’t belong here.” was such a powerful influence on really care about you at all. It’s similar to L.A. “Lullaby.” He’s got a new song called “Light Everyone in the audience can see that’s Sandi that she’s now eating healthier but L.A. has a tan... You Up” that’s crazy-good but people only where I go. When I play “Crazy” and it’s and shedding unwanted pounds. know him for “Lullaby” – and what’s really Now when I see Sandi put a cou - TM: Are you quoting Shawn Mullins? about my two best friends’ wedding, the sec - funny is that most people think it’s called ple drops of sage extract into some - JD: I am. It’s really funny because what I’ve ond I start playing it, I see them dancing in Josh Damigo accepting the San Diego “Rockaby.” Everybody knows that song so it’s thing, I just say, “Dr. Oz?” “Dr. Oz,” found in L.A. – and this is probably just how the corner of the room. It doesn’t matter Music Award for Best Acoustic in 2010 interesting how you can be in that mind-set she says. The doctor has inspired my the music business is and I’m just realizing it what venue it is, I go back to their wedding wife to eat more antioxidants, drink and make it big or you can be not of that – is that everyone is your best friend... up and I see them having their first dance and I more water, and get more exercise! mind-set and make it big... Again, it’s just until they find out how much money you ARTIST VAMPIRES see the first time I’ve ever seen those two She just said to me, “Put in your arti - about being at the right place at the right have in your bank account. JB: You’ve talked about people in L.A. and cry. cle that he has several books out and time, but you can increase your chances by can be seen weekdays at 10am and I’ve met so many producers who are so Nashville who fish for how much money It doesn’t matter what San Diego Music being in places like L.A. and Nashville. 5pm on Fox 5!” excited to talk to me and tell me they’ve lis - you’re ready to spend with them. Even San Award you win because you have more fam - JB: Sometimes you can be making it big and I refused. My column has integrity. tened to all my stuff, they have my album Diego is starting to get like this. I can tell ily members voting for you than other artists, I won’t be a shill for some celebrity! not realize it’s happening because you Raw in their iTunes, “Shooting For the Sun” from being in the recording business that and it doesn’t matter what H.A.T. awards you thought it would look or feel a different way. is a great song, they saw me open for this artists don’t have any money and I don’t win, even though nobody knows your name JD: And that’s the best. If you’re walking Tango Nuevo, continued from page 17 guy and that guy... As soon as I tell them I’m usually make money on my best records before you walk up; if you can’t go back at around with a Kanye West vibe that says looking for someone to help me with a new because that’s the way it is here. It seems the end of the day and play one song that While it is an immaculately produced stu - “Check me out, I’ve got so many followers dio recording, it also has the vibrant feel record they ask what my budget is, which is that no one can get a fair shake because makes you feel something then you’ve on Twitter!” Or, “My album went platinum in of a live performance. It has a pure and where I tell them I just over-drafted that there’s this infrastructure of people who are missed music. 10 minutes,” people don’t want to be authentic sound that should appeal to morning buying breakfast so I don’t have a just there to make money off of these poor TM: That’s a great way to end. around that. Sure, they like you for being longtime fans of tango music and would budget. That’s when they say, “Oh, that’s artists. So when you take from the people famous, but that’s about it. The people I like also serve as an excellent introduction to cool. Alright man, well, I’ll call you next who might only have one shot with this little Don’t miss the live podcast with Josh those new to the genre. to meet are the people who are doing great week.” And they’re gone. That’s Nashville, bit of money they have, it’s blown for every - Damigo on our website: www.sandiegotrou- things but are still like... San Diegans. I did that’s L.A., it’s New York, Chicago... one. badour.com an article on Cary Brothers, who is an L.A. Rip TM: It’s everywhere; it’s here in San Diego JD: Everybody’s goal is to make money from

artist, for a website and we talked about bur - n e s

too. their art... well, maybe not everybody has r ritos almost the entire time during the inter - e d

Ferlin Husky that goal but you have to survive, you have n A

JD: My impression when I first got to

view... s i

to pay your bills, and you have responsibili - n Nashville is that everybody’s really, really n 1925-2011 TM: That’s SO WEIRD! I interviewed him a e D

sweet, but there’s still business. When I got ties. For me the final goal is to pay off stu - : o couple of years ago too and half of the con- t o

dent loans and buy a house. It doesn’t have h

there, SESAC drove me around. They took P versation was about burritos! me to the Sony building and introduced me to be big but as long as I’m surviving and to all the executives. I walked into a record - I’m getting to do music, I’ll feel spoiled. JD: He was one of the guys that I felt had ing studio and Alabama were in there. TM: Do you think that because many artists that San Diego vibe. There’s something Darius Rucker was back stage at one venue. generally can’t afford what’s being pushed about being a San Diegan and having a San I felt as though if I moved to Nashville I was their way is any reason to question their Diegan mind-set that is so attractive to me, I just going to be excited seeing other people professionalism? just want to be around those fantastic peo - ple who don’t care if they’re making money being big. I saw Sister Hazel play and got to JD: That depends. You can look at people or not, they just want to play. Now, unfortu - go back stage and meet them and felt like like Aaron Bowen; he’s flat-out talented, will nately, I need to make money so my mind- Josh Damigo with Rob Deez @ Java Joe’s this is where all the stars came. Then I real - sit and play some ridiculous chord that he ized I don’t want to come and see all of the set’s a little different.

16 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR of note

Tango Nuevo Geoffrey Tom Juravich Steve Krause James Lee Camarada Keezer/Peter Altar of the Broke Down Stanley by Mike Alvarez Sprague Band Bottom Line Beautiful Backstage at the Camarada is a chamber ensemble whose mission statement declares their by Frank Kocher by Frank Kocher Resurrection dedication to presenting musical master - Mill Creek Road The drift of the national political Steve Krause plays the kind of soft, works. Their goal is “to create an inviting landscape, illustrated by the vanishing accessible acoustic folk-rock that sounds by Frank Kocher and expansive artistic experience for audi - by Frank Kocher middle class, corporate feudalism, and best close up in a coffee house, or ences.“ Their selection of material is eclec - “Eclectic” is a word that gets used a A San Diego resident since 2006, jazz union-busting in the Midwest makes this around a fire with friends. The Bay Area tic, with the intent to appeal to a broad lot in music reviews these days. For an pianist Geoffrey Keezer has performed a better time than ever to hear the mes - singer/songwriter’s music immediately range of tastes. As such, they have per - artist like James Lee Stanley, there just and recorded on his own and with many sages on Tom Juravich’s Altar of the recalls some of the best of James Taylor, formed a varied program of music since isn’t a way to avoid the label. He is a vet - jazz artists, including Art Blakey, Christian Bottom Line . A performing veteran since with fingerpicked guitar humming as he their formation in 1994, presenting their eran performer whose songs range from McBride, Diana Krall, and fronting his the ‘80s, with four previous releases, weaves a love story, his quiet but assured unique take on such notable composers as California-sound country rock to own trio. Keezer has been putting in Juravich is a labor activist who knows his vocals and lyrics combining to capture Bach and the Beatles as well as many soul/funk, with stops on the way for jazzy appearances with local jazz guitarist Peter subject (a published author who teaches the listener to see how it turns out. selections from the classical and world pop and gospel-shaded blues. A frequent Sprague for quite a while; the guitarist the subject at a university). He also Broke Down Beautiful is his new disc, music repertoires. They have even com - San Diego visitor who has been releasing appears on his 2009’s award-winning writes his own roots music and interprets beautifully put together by veteran pro - missioned several works that were specifi - discs since the early seventies, Stanley Latin jazz disc Aurea , both played on a songs by others. By the way, Tom is a ducer/engineer Ben Wisch. The 12 tracks cally composed with their unique combi - hits all of the bases on his latest, 2010 release by singer Denise Donatelli. union musician. include 10 Krause originals, and wisely nation of instruments and voices in mind. Backstage at the Resurrection . Sprague has been a landmark on the The sound on Altar of the Bottom don’t pile on too many extra instru - A small subset of its membership The beautifully recorded disc, features local jazz scene for many years as a ver - Line is helped by a crack studio band sur - ments; the central focus remains the recorded a CD to present their take on 12 Stanley originals, and there isn’t a filler satile master of both electric and acoustic rounding Juravich’s deep, rich tenor. singer and his guitar. the music of Argentinian tango compos - cut anywhere. The memorable, catchy guitar, as on 2008’s Peter Sprague Plays Teresa Healy is prominent in harmony On the gentle “We Both Know” the er Astor Piazzolla. Local music fans will songs have melody hooks that listeners Solo . The Geoffrey Keezer/Peter Sprague spots; the 13 songs mix a half-dozen of tone is set – his songs are directed to no doubt recognize the virtuosi that will be humming afterward, delivered in Band was put together in 2010 to show - his originals with other union songs and “you,” his lover, whether the lyrics (pro - make up this lineup. Accordionist Lou style changeups that showcase Stanley’s case the talents of both, with important a few other well-chosen covers. vided) chronicle good times or trials. “If I Fanucchi is no stranger to concert stages singing and writing talents. A rock-solid contributions from bassist Hamilton Price The title tune is a lively, pleasant Were a Book” is a standout track, with an around town, having played with many singer, his lyrics (on his website, with a and drummer Duncan Moore. mid-tempo folk-rock tune that resembles engaging melody delivering metaphors prominent artists and orchestras as well nice blurb about each tune) are social Their CD is Mill Creek Road , and on it many of Juravich’s other contributions – that mean something, like “If you were a as maintaining his own schedule of per - observations and calls to make things bet - both Keezer and Sprague seem to thrive it is full of lyrics (provided) that tell an book/I think that you’d be poetry.” The formances around town. Guitarist Fred ter, without being preachy or angry. on the other’s presence. Unlike much of epic tale of the plight of workers, strug - strong cuts keep coming, and the beat Benedetti is a music educator and session Tight, three-part harmonies are a key Sprague’s quiet recent solo work, right gling financially with company bosses. picks up as “Only Always” manages to musician with an impressive list of part of the sound on “Backhand Man,” out of the gate with Sprague’s While some of the later songs sound like tell the history of a relationship from first accomplishments, including appearances recalling Crosby, Stills, and Nash; the “Thessaloniki,” the pace is quicker. This union rally sing-alongs, this one works as encounter through marriage, with a on dozens of CDs. Flautist Beth Ross- vocals are razor-sharp. It takes an old pro one has a feel something like an acoustic more of a simple protest song with a sense of joyous commitment. “Halls of Buckley is active in orchestral and operat - like Stanley to nail them this well, and take on some of Chick Corea’s early Return hook. “Immigrants Like Me” has a Your Heart” is a bit different, another ic circles, as well as being a driving force the whole song is three-part. The beat on to Forever tracks. Sharp unison playing sets minor-chord sense of foreboding, honest catchy highlight that tells of how loneli - behind the Camarada ensemble. Violinist “I Can’t Cry Anymore” has more of a up Keezer for his forays, which build until words about how our society allows ille - ness took over his life like a visitor mov - David Buckley performs with the La Jolla funk feel, but the harmonies on the cho - the flowing scales hit a couple of musical gal immigrants do our dirty work, then ing into a deserted house. Symphony as well as the San Diego rus are still there, as he sings that he is whirlpools, then give way to Sprague. His hates them for it. “We do the work in A real change of pace is Marc Cohn’s Chamber Orchestra. “all out of tears.” Stanley weaves a dark solo in turn is a delight, more sedate and the back rooms, the kitchens, and the “Walking in Memphis,” which has a The effect of their combined talents is spell on “Coming Out of Hiding,” a bop-driven, but mirroring his key player’s laundries/The places you don’t see.” It is more elaborate arrangement than most dynamic and exciting. Their obvious pas - standout track that draws from the laid- ideas with fluid, straight-ahead jazz licks. a standout track that matches its sound of the other songs. For this one, an sion for the music is beautifully commu - back R&B of such groups as War. In the It’s more of the same on “En Babia,” to its message. The blues-driven almost hypnotic keyboard/guitar drone, nicated through their exemplary musical eighties, this one was a hit for Stanley’s Keezer’s tune with staggered, 3/4 time. “Crossroad” tells a story of a miner ready a near trance blues, gives Krause a can - skills. They function flawlessly as an sister Pamela, and it sounds ready for After a catchy intro/bridge figure combin - to strike, as the bosses opened a “non- vas on which to paint the sights and ensemble, and each shines when called radio again. In the same groove, “Let’s ing Price’s excellent bass lines with union scab mine, over on the other side sounds while following the ghost of Elvis, upon to deliver a solo. The whole group Get Out of Here” is another winner, pop- Keezer’s keys, the pianist launches into of town” invoking Mother Jones and meeting various colorful characters. joins forces on the album opener jazz with Latin shading, and Stanley’s falling cascades of notes, and when it is John L Lewis. “Gone on You” and “Wherever You Are” “Michaelangelo 70,” serving up an invig - vocal is rich and soulful. his turn Sprague percolates in a George A union song album should have a are a return to the folk-pop love songs; orating blast of rhythms and melody. A “Going Back to Memphis” is a bluesy, Benson/Wes Montgomery vein. The most Woodie Guthrie song, and Juravich does “Wherever” has a waltz beat, a toe-tap - different side of the full ensemble takes good time shuffle about returning to intriguing track may be “India Zach”; a great job with “I Ain’t Got No Home”; per that clicks, and a hummable lick and shape on “Adios Noninos” as they unveil roots, and “Feather River Nocturne” fol - Zach Harmon adds a tabla pulse under - with nice harmonies by Healy, it has a verses like “And I’ll follow you through this ballad at a more leisurely pace before lows, an interesting guitar instrumental neath a musical conversation between the traditional vibe and gives the rallying hundreds of seasons/For hundreds of shifting to a higher level of energy. The that offers a glimpse of Stanley making principals that takes hints from Al DiMeola cries a break. reasons.” melancholy “Tanti Anni” gives Buckley his Martin sing. and Corea’s “Tales From the Black Juravich takes on the cause of teach - “Anything, Anything” is the only mis - and Benedetti a chance to showcase The quiet mood of “Don’t Wait Too Forest” – if it were in India. It is a high - ers and national park workers in a song fire here. This John Easdale song is likely their talents in a lovely duet between vio - Long” brings back memories of light on a disc of highlights. snatched from today’s headlines in “The on the disc to provide a bit of emotional lin and guitar. Both players display a “Helplessly Hoping” and other good, soft After the listener catches his or her Problem.” “The school board says balance, since it is five minutes of angst. remarkable sensitivity and feeling in their folk-rock harmony pieces from CSN’s breath during the laid-back title track, they’re tightening their belt, but the Krause sings it well, but the tale of a performances, obviously listening and salad days. True to form, Stanley shifts Sprague gives a lyrical clinic in his solo only one their tightening is mine.” “After squabbling couple, getting wasted, and communicating with each other. The gears again, and “What Would You Do” on the interesting mid-tempo “Durga’s Eight” quietly unreels the thoughts of a general nastiness is way off the mark and same can be said when Benedetti pairs is pure pop, another instantly memorable Hammer.” For “Moot Point” things are burned-out health care worker, to a just feels out of place on this disc. More up with Ross-Buckley on “Misterioso“ riff with a simple but positive message bopping as Keezer is clearly having fun dark, hypnotic beat; the tale of a zom - in line with the tone here is “Sleep of the and “Café 1930.” The exquisite flute about working together, “Would there be climbing flashy musical staircases, then bie-like existence, from coffee cup to Dead,” Krause’s ode to a deceased love. phrasing that has been on display change or would things be the same/ jumping off as both hands manage to sheets to alarm clock in an endless cycle The minor-chord tune conveys sadness, throughout the entire album really Have we already done all we can?” pound and intricately finesse at the same is riveting. loss, and loneliness and the somber comes to the fore in this song. Benedetti The title tune is a driving rocker, one time. Sprague soars again as well; com - After more union anthems, (“Power melody fits; the overall vibe is of a love really gets to flex his fingers on “Tango of those political/surreal passion plays parisons to Pat Metheny are fine but he in a Union,” “We Are Union”), James affair cut short in its prime. Even breakup en Skai,” a beautiful flamenco guitar with characters (St George, Ruth, Luke, really sounds like Peter Sprague, who Keelaghan’s “Cold Missouri Waters” is a ballads done by Krause are love songs. piece that puts his considerable skills to Judas Priest) representing metaphors for seems to be able to play anything aston - good story of fire jumpers, with Juravich “You’re Gonna Find Someone,” another the test. The accordion solo piece the Bush/Cheney cabal. The inspiration is ishingly well. A creative departure, sounding like Johnny Cash spinning a catchy folk highlight that sounds like a “Invierno Porteno” is all the evidence clearly “Highway 61 Revisited” and this is “Nightfall on the Serengeti,” is a mysteri - tragic tale. Perhaps the best cover here is lost James Taylor track, tells a banished one needs to confirm that Fanucchi is an update for 2011, with “St George” ous Keezer composition that creates the an uplifting version of Richard lover how much he will miss her, how his one of the finest players performing and his Patriot Act, his buddy Judas, and atmosphere of its title in the first 20 sec - Thompson’s “Time to Ring Some bed is an empty ocean, and how he’s today. He deftly navigates through its his kool aid Easter eggs ready to lead the onds, features great work by Moore and Changes,” which has the right message saving her letters – and feeling just a spectrum of moods and textures, provid - lemmings off the cliff. Yep, it’s another allows washes of staccato notes to flash to fit here with a chorus that is a minor touch of regret. ing a spot of calm before the entire highlight. through the tense musical darkness until classic; it rivals some of Bob Dylan’s early Steve Krause strikes just the right group returns to bring the proceedings James Lee Stanley proves on Backstage reaching a frenzy. work. chord with Broke Down Beautiful and full circle with the sprightly “Libertango.” at the Resurrection that sometimes there Aside from this being a must-have, Tom Juravich is a singer with a delivers the kind of stirring folk music This is a very strong collection of songs, is no substitute for experience when it let’s say that one hopes Mill Creek Road is cause, and Altar of the Bottom Line ham - that will have listeners hitting the impeccably selected and passionately comes to good music. A proven roots not the last we hear from these two mers his timely message home with “repeat” button. performed by a group of fine musicians. artist for decades, he makes diverse, artists together. They really seem to bring some good originals and covers. impressive music that succeeds on its out the best in each other. Continued on previous page. own terms. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 17 APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ‘round about

sunday • 17 WEEKLY APRIL CALENDAR The BadBlokes , Traditional Irish Breakfast, Boar Cross, 390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 11am. Nannette & her Hotsy Totsy Boys , Lafayette every sunday Open Mic, Portugalia, 4839 Newport Ave., 8pm. Hotel, 2223 El Cajon blvd., 1pm. Josh Damigo Night w/ Ashley Matte/Stop Joe Marillo, The Brickyard, 675 W. G St., Open Mic, O’Connell’s Pub, 1310 Morena Motion Poetry , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Steph Johnson , Keyways Winery, 37338 De 9:30am. Blvd., 8pm. friday • 1 Portola Rd., Temecula, 2pm. Three Chord Justice , Renegade Bar, 14335 Old Shawn Rohlf & Friends, Farmers Market, Happy Hour w/ Candye Kane , Belly Up, 143 S. Hwy. 80, El Cajon, 9pm. Dave Humphries & Friends , Humphrey’s DMV parking lot, Hillcrest, 10am. Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 3pm. every wednesday Cedros, Solana Beach, 5:30pm. Miff Laracy’s Bumbershoot Band , The Regal Marcia Forman Band, The Big Kitchen, 3003 Rodello’s Machine , Museum of Making Music, Bar, 8344 La Mesa Blvd., 9pm. Pete Johnson: Jus’ Blues Baby , Belly Up, 143 Grape St., 10am. Mike Head & Friends, Farmers Market, S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 2:30pm. Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 4-7pm. 5790 Armada Dr., Carlsbad, 7pm. Gloriana/Steel Magnolia/Troy Olsen , Zzymzzy Quartet, OB People’s Food Co-op, Adrienne Nims & Paul Montesanto , Loew’s DreamCatcher Lounge, Viejas, 5000 Willows Wes Davis & Jefferson Jay , Wynola Pizza, 4355 4765 Voltaire St., Ocean Beach, 11am. Lou Fanucchi, Romesco Restaurant, 4346 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Bonita Rd., 6pm. Coronado, 4000 Coronado Bay Rd., 7pm. Rd., Alpine, 7pm. Bluegrass Brunch, Urban Solace, 3823 30th Will Calhoun Quartet w/ Ronnie Laws , Grand Canyon Sundown , Harrah’s Rincon Son Cubano Night w/ Combo Libertad , Belly St., 10:30am. Tomcat Courtney, Turquoise Cafe, 873 Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Turquoise St., 6:30pm. Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Casino, Valley Center, 9:30pm. Daniel Jackson, Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 11am. Chris Klich Quintet , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! , Lestat’s, 3343 Jerry Gontang, Desi & Friends, 2734 Lytton Adams Ave., 9pm. International Ethnic Folk Dancing, Balboa Culinary Ctr., 200 Harbor Drive, 8pm. Park Club Bldg., 12:30-4:30pm. St., 7pm. sunday • 10 Scandinavian Dance Class, Folk Dance 7 Singers, One Bass , Point Loma Assembly, Alan Land & Friends, Sunday Songs, E St. 3035 Talbot St., 8pm. Center, Dancing Unlimited, 4569 30th St., SD Folk Song Society Mtg. , New Expression monday • 18 Cafe, 125 W. E St., Encinitas, 2pm. 7:30pm. Ari Heist/Rosi Golan , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Music, 4434 30th St., 2pm Open Blues Jam w/ Chet & the Committee, Ave., 9pm. Open Mic, Across the Street @ Mueller Brian Baynes Fundraiser w/ Eric Rigler/Sara Blue Monday Pro Jam w/ Chet & the Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., El Cajon, College, 4605 Park Blvd., 8pm. Petite/Tony Cummins/Eamon Carroll/Brehon Committee , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2:30pm. 2241 Shelter island Dr., 7pm. Open Mic, Skybox Bar & Grill, 4809 Law/Skelpin/Jim Soldi/Jerry McMorrow , Celtic Ensemble, Twiggs, 4590 Park Blvd., Clairemont Dr., 8:30pm. saturday • 2 Hooley’s, 5500 Grossmont Ctr. Dr., La Mesa, 6pm. Victor Wooten , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana 4pm. Beach, 8pm. Jesse LaMonaca & the Dime Novels, Peter Sprague plays the Beatles , Encinitas The Smart Brothers , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Hwy. Elliott Lawrence, Avenue 5 Restaurant, 2760 Hennesseys, 4650 Mission Blvd., 8:30pm. 78, Julian, 6pm. 5th Ave., 5:30pm. Community/Sr. Ctr., 1140 Oakcrest Dr., 2pm. New Latin Jazz Quartet Jam Session w/ Gilbert Gilbert Castellanos w/ Melissa Morgan/Kevin Acoustic Alliance w/ the Kellers/Jessica tuesday • 19 Jazz88 Sunday Night Jam, Spaghetteria, 1953 Castellanos, El Camino, 2400 India St., 9pm. Kanner/Joe Bagg , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Bell/David Holtze/Scott West/Celia St. Croix/ India St., 6pm. Culinary Ctr., 200 Harbor Drive, 8pm. Rob Bondurant/Christian Taylor/David Dewes/ Todd A/For the Faint/Jaylen Green/Patrick Poway Folk Circle/Guest: John Bosley , Traditional Irish Session, The Field, 544 5th Berkley Hart , New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 Lanzetta/Lenny Morris/Sister Speak/Kevin Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Ave., 7pm. every thursday State St., Carlsbad, 8pm. Martin , Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., 6pm. Rd., 6:30pm. Open Mic, Cafe Libertalia, 3834 5th Ave., 8:15pm. Baba’s Jam Night, The Lodge, 444 Country Christy Bruneau , Claire de Lune, 2906 Women in Jazz Celebration w/ Kait Dunton/ Tripp Sprague Trio , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., Pro-Invitational Blues Jam, O’Connell’s Pub, Club Lane, Oceanside, 5pm. University Ave., 8:30pm. Evona Waschinski/Laurel Grinnell/Jamie 7:30pm. 1310 Morena Blvd., 8pm. Happy Hour Jam, Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., Brandon James/Lauren Pritchard/Matt White , Shadowlight/Lori Bell/Allison Adams Tucker , Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss, 8-10pm, KSDS (88.3 5:30pm. Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Culinary Ctr., 200 Harbor FM). Joe Rathburn w/ Roger Friend, Blue Fire Drive, 7pm. wednesday • 20 José Sinatra’s OB-oke, Winston’s, 1921 Lounge, La Costa Resort, 2100 Costa Del Mar Ambrosia , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield St., Bacon St., 9:30pm. Rd., Carlsbad, 6pm. sunday • 3 7:30pm. Adrienne Nims & Mike Stewart , University Heights Library, 4139 Park Blvd., 6pm. The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Rice, 10pm- Chet & the Committee Open Blues Jam, Monette Marino Keita Band/FulaBula/Semisi , midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main, El Cajon, 6pm. Cowboy Jack , La Jolla Open Aire Market, 7300 Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Sinem Saniye , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Girard Ave., 10am. Wood ‘n’ Lips Open Mic, Friendly Grounds, Erin McLaughlin w/ Sean Watkins/Sam 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 6:30pm. Peter Sprague Trio , Bernardo Winery, 13330 Outlaw & the Country Band/Jamie Drake , Paseo Del Verano Norte, 2pm. thursday • 21 every monday Sandy Chappel Quartet, Cafe LaMaze, 1441 Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Open Mic, Gio’s, 8384 La Mesa Blvd., 5:30pm. Highland Ave., National City, 7pm. Pt. Loma Nazarene University Jazz Band & Chet & the Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Southwestern College Jazz Choir , Dizzy’s @ Cowboy Jack , John’s Neighborhood Bar & Ukulele Jam, New Expression Music, 4434 Zydeco Patrol , Four Points Sheraton, 8110 S.D. Wine & Culinary Ctr., 200 Harbor Dr., 7pm. Grill, 1280 E. Vista Way, Vista, 6:30pm. 30th St., 6:30pm. Aero Dr., 7pm. David Wilcox , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield Blame Sally , Sunset Temple, 3911 Kansas St., El Cajon Music Masters, Central Elliott Lawrence, Avenue 5 Restaurant, 2760 St., 7:30pm. monday • 11 7pm. Congregational Church, 8360 Lemon Ave., La 5th Ave., 7pm. Brian Setzer 18-piece Orchestra , Belly Up, 143 Poway Bluegrass Jam , Templar’s Hall, Old Friends of Ciudad Oculta , Anthology, 1337 India Mesa, 7pm. Old Tyme Fiddlers Jam (1st & 3rd Thursday), S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30pm. St., 7:30pm. Open Mic, Wine Steals, 1243 University Ave., New Expression Music, 4434 30th St., 7pm. Scott Cassidy/Dawn Mitschele/Jessica Bell , Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! , Humphrey’s Ruby & the Red Hots , Humphrey’s Backstage 7pm. Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Lucky Star Across the Street @ Mueller College, 4603 Park Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter island Dr., 8pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Open Mic, Turquoise Cafe Bar Europa, 873 Restaurant, 3893 54th St., 7pm. Blvd., 8:30pm. The Winchester Friendlies/The Normals , Turquoise St., PB, 7pm. Jazz Jam w/ Joe Angelastro, E St. Cafe, 128 BadBlokes , Hennessey’s, 708 4th Ave., 9pm. Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. International Ethnic Folk Dancing (intermedi- W. E St., Encinitas, 7pm. tuesday • 12 ate & advanced), Balboa Park Club & War Traditional Irish Session, Thornton’s Irish Pub, Memorial Bldg., 7:30pm. 1221 Broadway, El Cajon, 8pm. monday • 4 Bayou Brothers , Humphrey’s Backstage friday • 22 Open Mic, Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 7:30pm. Open Mic/Family Jam, Rebecca’s, 3015 Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Three Chord Justice, Bar Leucadian, 1452 N Juniper St., 8pm. Blue Monday Pro Jam w/ Chet & the Mar Dels , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Tripp Sprague Trio , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 7:30pm. Beach, 5:30pm. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 8pm. Committe , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Kurt Elling , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Jake’s Mountain , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Hwy. 78, every friday Henry Butler , Saville Theater, City College, 14th Julian, 6pm. every tuesday Open Mic, Lion Coffee, 101 Market St., 6pm. & C St., 8pm. Chet & the Committee/Mama’s Boys/Curtis tuesday • 5 Cowboy Jack , Hennessey’s, 2777 Roosevelt St., Salgado , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Lou Fanucchi, Paesano, 3647 30th St., 5:30pm. Joe Mendoza, Uncle Duke’s Beach Cafe, 107 Carlsbad, 9:30pm. Shelter island Dr., 6pm. Open Mic, Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., El Diana St., Leucadia, 6pm. Robin Henkel & Billy Watson , Friendly Ramsey Lewis , Anthology, 1337 India St., Cajon, 5:30pm. Joe Marillo Trio, Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., Grounds, 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 7pm. 7:30&9:30pm. Open Mic, Maria Maria Restaurant, 1370 7pm. (1st three Fridays of the month) Dusty & the LoveNotes , House of Blues, 1055 wednesday • 13 Theo Bleckmann , The Loft, UCSD Campus, La Frazee Rd., Mission Valley, 7pm. Elliott Lawrence, Shooters, Sheraton Hotel La 5th Ave., 8pm. Open Mic, Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ & Doc’s Jolla, Holiday Court Dr., 7pm. Patty Hall , Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr., 6pm. Jolla, 8pm. Rob Machado’s Melali/The Drifter Sessions , Saloon, 6955 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, 7pm. Open Mic, Bella Roma Restaurant, 6830 La Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 7:30pm. Robin Wilbanks , Across the Street @ Mueller Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. College, 4603 Park Blvd., 8:30pm. Traditional Irish Session, The Ould Sod, 3373 Jolla Blvd. #103, 8pm. Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio , Anthology, 1337 India St., Adams Ave., 7pm. Open Mic, L’Amour de Yogurt, 9975 Carmel 7:30pm. Zzymzzy Quartet , Claire de Lune, 2906 University Ave., 8:30pm. Live Acoustic Music, Wine Steals, 1953 San Mountain Rd., 8pm. wednesday • 6 A Night of Belly Dancing w/ the music of Cairo Elijo Ave., Cardiff, 7pm. Open Mic, Egyptian Tea Room & Smoking Beats , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. The Gregory Page Show , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Open Mic, Beach Club Grille, 710 Seacoast Parlour, 4644 College Ave., 9pm. NovaMenco , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Christy Bruneau , Portugalia, 4839 Newport MarchFourth Marching Band w/ Vokab Dr., Imperial Beach, 7pm. Bruce Cameron & Full House, Turquoise Cafe, Facebook Party w/ Alyssa Jacey/Chad Ave., OB, 9pm. 873 Turquoise St., 9pm. Cavanaugh/Tori Roze & the Hot Mess , Belly Up, omany/Solovox , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Open Mic, E Street Cafe, 125 W. E St., Sara Petite & the Sugar Daddies , Bar Pink, Solana Beach, 9pm. Encinitas, 7:30pm. 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. 3829 30th St., 10pm. Sara Petite & the Sugar Daddies , Ould Sod, Chet & the Committee All Pro Blues Jam, The 3373 Adms Ave., 9pm. Harp, 4935 Newport Ave., 7:30pm. every saturday thursday • 7 thursday • 14 Open Mic, Second Wind, 8515 Navajo Rd., 8pm. Joe Marillo, The Brickyard, 675 W. G St., 9:30am. Open Mic, The Royal Dive, 2949 San Luis Elliott Lawrence, Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 11:30am. Cowboy Jack , Robbie’s Roadhouse, 530 N. Julian Family Fiddle Camp (thru April 17) , saturday • 23 Rey Rd., Oceanside, 8pm. Open Mic, Valley Music, 1611 N. Magnolia Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 6:30pm. www.familyfiddlecamp.com Ave., El Cajon, 6pm. Spring Harp Fest w/ Billy Watson/Dane Terry/ Patrick Berrogain’s Hot Club Combo, Prado Brian Levy & Milan Zlatkovich , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Robin Henkel , Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., Restaurant, Balboa Park, 8pm. Robin Henkel, Zel’s, 1247 Camino Del Mar, 8pm. Wine & Culinary Ctr., 200 Harbor Drive, 7:30pm. Karl Cabbage/Gary Lehmann & More , Harry El Cajon, 6pm. Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St., La Mesa, noon. Oscar Hernandez Quintet , Anthology, 1337 Peter Sprague Latin Jazz Quartet , Museum of India St., 7:30pm. Sue Palmer w/ BLUSD , Flower Fields in Art, 704 Pier Way, Oceanside, 7pm. Carlsbad, 1pm. Greg Laswell & Lenka , Anthology, 1337 India Chris Clarke & the Zapt Dingbats , Wynola thursday • 28 saturday • 30 friday • 8 St., 7:30pm. Pizza, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. George Thorogood , DreamCatcher Lounge, Hot Club of Cowtown , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Roots Fest on Adams , Adams Avenue, Normal Spring Blues Dance w/ The Red Lotus Revue/ Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Heights, 10am-9pm. Adrienne Nims & Spirit Wind , Osher Learning Viejas, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine, 8pm. Lil’ A & the Allnighters/Chris James & Patrick Institute, UCSD Campus, 1pm. David Choi/Jane Lui , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ryan , Sunset Temple, 3911 Kansas St., 7:30pm. Mesa College Big Band , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Robin Henkel , Art Walk, Little Italy, 12:45pm. Culinary Ctr., 200 Harbor Drive, 7:30pm. Acme Rhythm & Blues Revue , Humphrey’s Ave., 9pm. Ramsey Lewis , Anthology, 1337 India St., Steph Johnson , Art Walk, Little Italy, 3:15pm. Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 5pm. 7:30&9:30pm. Joe Purdy w/ the Milk Carton Kids , Belly Up, Rio Peligroso , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Glenn & Jennifer Smith , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Guitar Pull , Bella Roma, 6830 La Jolla Blvd., 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 5pm. Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. friday • 15 8pm. Podunk Nowhere CD Release w/ The Black Phil Boroff , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Park, Sands/Al Howard/Eric/The Lovebirds , Tin Can 14134 Midland Rd., 7pm. Blues Divas of Tomorrow w/ Chet & the Adrienne Nims & Mike Stewart , Seaport Richard Smith , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Ale House, 1863 5th Ave., 8pm. Committee , Tango Del Rey, 3567 Del Rey St., 7pm. Village, 885 W. Harbor Dr., 12:30pm. Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers/Grass Heat , John Scofield , Anthology, 1337 India St., Cowboy Jack & North County Cowboys , The 7:30pm. Raul Midon , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Robin Henkel , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Hwy. 78, Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 9pm. Kraken, 2531 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinits, 9pm. Zydeco Patrol , Iva Lee’s, 555 N. El Camino Real, Julian, 6pm. Chet & the Committee , Eastbound Bar & Grill, 10053 Maine Ave., Lakeside, 8pm. San Clemente, 7:30pm. Agape Road , Newbreak Church, 10791 Jeff Berkley/Randi Driscoll/Lisa Sanders , Tierresanta Blvd., 7pm. sunday • 24 friday • 29 Gregory Page , Frogstop House Concert, San Across the Street @ Mueller College, 4603 Park Marcos, 8pm. 760.295.0222 or 10,000 Maniacs , DreamCatcher Lounge, Viejas, Slow Jam Sunday , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway [email protected] Blvd., 8:30pm. 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine, 8pm. Richard Starkey , New Expression Music, 4434 Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 1pm. 30th St., 7pm Gilbert Castellanos presents Night of the Carl Durant CD Release/Jesse Thomas/Rob Mikan Zlatkovich w/ Brian Levey & Russell Deez , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Chris Clarke & Plow , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Hwy. Paragon Band , La Mesa Adult Center, 8450 La Cookers , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Culinary Ctr., Bizzett , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Culinary Ctr., 200 78, Julian, 6pm. 200 Harbor Drive, 8pm. Dick Dale/Matthew Moon , Belly Up, 143 S. Harbor Drive, 8pm. Mesa Blvd., 7pm. Cedros, Solana Beach, 9pm. Gregory Alan Isakov/Fair Children , Lestat’s, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy , Anthology, 1337 India B-Side Players/Social Green , Belly Up, 143 S. Jinx King/Red Lotus , Across the Street @ 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Cedros, Solana Beach, 9pm. Three Chord Justice , Renegade Bar, 14335 Old Mueller College, 4603 Park Blvd., 8:30pm. St., 7:30pm. Chad Cavanaugh B-Day Show/Harley Jay/ Hwy. 80, El Cajon, 9pm. Steve Poltz , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Eric Taylor/Jeff Berkley , Oasis House Concerts, Sorrento Valley, 8pm. Alyssa Jacey/Dave Booda , Lestat’s, 3343 Rio Peligroso , Riviera Supper Club, 7777 monday • 25 Adams Ave., 9pm. University Ave., La Mesa, 9pm. www.oasishouseconcerts.com Maceo Parker/Steph Johnson , Belly Up, 143 S. The Farmers , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Joe Louis Walker , Anthology, 1337 India St., saturday • 16 Stoney B Blues Band , Humphrey’s Backstage 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 9pm. 9:30pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Cedros, Solana Beach, 9pm. Robin Henkel , Birdrock Coffee Roasters, 5627 Chet & the Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., John Helix , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. La Jolla Blvd., 10am. 9pm. saturday • 9 Zzymzzy Quartet , University City Library, 8820 Judicial Dr., 11am. New Expression Music Open House , 4434 30th Coco & Lafe , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Hwy. 78, tuesday • 26 St., 11am-5pm. Julian, 6pm. The BadBlokes , O’Ireland Irish Gift Shoppe, 575 Bayou Brothers , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Paragon Band , Pt. Loma Senior Center, 2128 Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 11am. Solana Beach, 8pm. Chatsworth, noon Ramona Music Fest w/ Cactus, Twang & Regina Leonard/TJ Russell , Humphrey’s Lou & Virginia Curtiss Song Circle , 1725 Whyte/Aja Alycean/Gilbert Castellanos Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 5pm. Granite Hills Dr., El Cajon, 6pm. Quintet , Dos Picos Park, Ramona, noon-6pm. Elephant Revival , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Robin Henkel , Wine Steals, 1953 San Elijo, Folding Mr. Lincoln , Wynola Pizza, 4355 Hwy. Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Cardiff, 7pm. 78, Julian, 6pm. Tom Baird w/ David Silva & Friends , Tripp Sprague Trio , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 7:30pm. Cowboy Jack , Beach House, 2530 N. Coast Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., 7:30pm. Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 6pm. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band , Anthology, Tish Hinojosa , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield 1337 India St., 7:30&9:30pm. wednesday • 27 St., 7:30pm. Django Reinhardt Tribute w/ Gonzalo Bergara Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., Bob Franke , San Dieguito United Methodist Quartet , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Culinary Ctr., Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, 7:30pm. 7:30pm. 200 Harbor Drive, 8pm. Joe Lovano , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Kenny Lattimore , Anthology, 1337 India St., Three Chord Justice , Rosie O’Grady’s, 3402 7:30&9:30pm. Kevin Miso/Marc B/Kellen Mallory , Lestat’s, Adams Ave., 9pm. 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Curtis Peoples/Kenny Eng/Sam Bybee , Across Kevin Martin CD Release , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams the Street @ Mueller College, 4603 Park Blvd., Ave., 9pm. 8:30pm. 18 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour APRIL 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR the local seen n e s r e d n n e s A r

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Simeon Flick Sheila Sondergard Paulina Connie Oliver Lorelei www.sandiegotroubadour.com 19