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SAN DIEGO ROUBADOUR Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, Tblues, gospel, jazz, and news

August 2010 www.sandiegotroubadour.com Vol. 9, No. 11

what’s inside Welcome Mat ………3 Mission Contributors Mail Box Jack Tempchin Tribute Full Circle.. …………4 Nancy Porter Recordially, Lou Curtiss Front Porch... ………6 Summergrass Wendy Bailey & True Stories Greg Amov Parlor Showcase …10 Skid Roper Ramblin’... …………12 Bluegrass Corner The Zen of Recording Hosing Down Radio Daze Stages Highway’s Song. …14 Cindy Cashdollar & Of Note. ……………17 El Monte Slim Northstar Sessions Danny Langdon MandoBasso Rusty King Tyler Grant ‘Round About ...... …18 August Music Calendar The Local Seen ……19 Photo Page

AUGUST 2010 TROUBADOUR welcome mat Jack Tempchin: The “Feeling” RSAN ODUIEGBO ADOUR That Keeps on Giving Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, Tblues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news Dear Troubadour, t l u a

At the risk of sounding maudlin, I v MISSION CONTRIBUTORS o want to say that in my years of playing C

To promote, encourage, and provide an e FOUNDERS music in this town, no one in print v e

alternative voice for the great local music that t

Ellen and Lyle Duplessie S

media in this town has ever treated is generally overlooked by the mass media; :

Liz Abbott o me as well as you guys have and for t namely the genres of alternative country, Johnson o h

Americana, roots, folk, , gospel, jazz, and that I am very grateful. For reasons P PUBLISHERS bluegrass. To entertain, educate, and bring having to do with luck and general Liz Abbott together players, writers, and lovers of these incompetence on my own part, I have forms; to explore their foundations; and to Kent Johnson seldom come to anyone's attention expand the audience for these types of music. EDITORIAL/GRAPHICS Liz Abbott much less favorable attention in print SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the local source for Chuck Schiele media. I did get a taped show on alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, County TV network one time that cir - blues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news, ADVERTISING is published monthly and is free of charge. Kent Johnson culated both here and in Las Vegas for Letters to the editor must be signed and may be BUSINESS CONSULTANT awhile and that was cool, as I got a edited for content. It is not, however, guaranteed Joanna Schiele few gigs out of it. that they will appear. DISTRIBUTION Thanks for the consideration of All opinions expressed in SAN DIEGO Kent Johnson inclusion and thanks again Allen for TROUBADOUR are solely the opinion of the Dave Sawyer the jaunty, rhythmic, riding shotgun in writer and do not represent the opinions of the Mark Jackson staff or management. All rights reserved. Indian Joe Stewart a ‘56 Ford down a moonlit road style of writing the article. I liked the way you ADVERTISING INFORMATION Dan Long For advertising rates, call 619/298-8488 Paul Cruz involved yourself in a personal way in or e-mail [email protected]. You can also find STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER the article, making note of your vul - information on our website: Steve Covault nerabilities and the all too long and www.sandiegotroubadour.com WEB MASTER true time traveler connections. We SUBSCRIPTIONS are available for $30/yr. Will Edwards are, after all, children of the fifties and Send check payable to S.D. Troubadour to: WRITERS sixties. I knew you right away when San Diego Troubadour Mike Alvarez you came in the door because you P.O. Box 164 La Jolla, CA 92038 Renetta Asaro had that look of the beat scene from E-mail: [email protected]. Peter Bolland the fifties. You looked the way a writer Sandra Castillo WHERE TO FIND US Can’t find a copy of the on the music scene should look in my Lou Curtiss San Diego Troubadour? Go to mind. Paul Hormick www.sandiegotroubadour.com and click Long ago I gave up on the idea of on FIND AN ISSUE for a complete list of Frank Kocher locations we deliver to. Jim McInnes seeing my smiling face on the cover of Bart Mendoza the Rolling Stone . My goal now would SUBMITTING YOUR CD FOR REVIEW If you have a CD you’d like to be considered for Terry Roland be to see it on the cover of the review, please send two copies to: San Diego Raul Sandelin Troubadour . You may not have seen Troubadour, P.O. Box 164, La Jolla, CA 92038. Sven-Erik Seaholm the last of me yet. SUBMITTING A CALENDAR LISTING José Sinatra And if I should make it to the cover I'll Steve Thorn Email your gig date, including location, address, grab five copies for my mother. I know and time to [email protected] by D. Dwight Worden the 22rd of the month prior to publication. she'll know, wherever it is, that she is Cover photo: Tim Griswald resting in this universe. ©2010 San Diego Troubadour. Cover design: Chuck Schiele Thanks again. by Raul Sandelin national touring acts. This is how Jack Tempchin cut his teeth Hugh Gaskins “He’s a great songwriter... in the music business. He wrote songs. He The San Diego Troubadour is dedicated to the memory of He’s just really good at it.” Ellen and Lyle Duplessie , whose vision inspired the creation of this newspaper. went on stage alone with just his and — performed his own material. Between it all, he’d tell stories, creating a one-on-one con - arly last month, a handsome assem - nection with his audience. This was how blage of San Diego singer-songwrit - Jack started 45 years ago. As the record Eers with some of LA’s finest got deals were signed and the royalties started together at Anthology to honor our city’s rolling in, however, the Candy Company own Jack Tempchin, author of the ’ gave way to national tours and shows with “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” and “Already the likes of Ringo Starr, , Gone” and ’ “Slow Dancing.” Dave Mason, , , Karla The occasion was to celebrate Jack’s 45th Bonoff, Chicago, , Kenny year in the music business and included Loggins, Timothy B. Schmit, Barry McGuire, performances by Lisa Sanders, Candye Tom Rush, Al Kooper, and . Kane, Berkley Hart, Alex Woodard, Mike Playing for larger and larger audiences, Riley from the Allman Brothers, Richard Tempchin opted to hire a backing band. Stekol from Tempchin’s old band the Funky And, this has been his live format since the Kings, Steve Wood from Honk, Carlos early ’70s: Playing within a group context Olmeda, and Laura Jansen. with all of the comfort and support that The show was a partnership with KPRi’s comes with having other musicians on Homegrown Fridays and MC’d by KPRi DJ stage. Cathryn Beeks. (This in itself is refreshing However, over the last year, this has all to see the independently owned KPRi sup - changed. As part of his 45th anniversary in porting local music in this day of corporate the music business, Jack has decided to go formatting.) Starting at 10pm, later than back to the lone singer-songwriter format of most Anthology events, the show was sold his youth, allowing him to stretch out a bit, out well ahead of time. And, a long line of get to know his audience, and banter back ticket holders filed down the block an easy and forth. One thing he is really enjoying is hour before the doors opened. After his the chance to tell stories, not just the stories friends serenaded him with, first, an all- behind the songs, but stories that stand acoustic, then an electric set, Tempchin alone by themselves. In the 1980s, Jack was took the stage to round out the night. writing for a number of newspapers and Flashback 45 years: growing up in newsletters, including the newsletter put Rolando, home of both the first Jack in the out then by the Belly Up Tavern. The pieces Box and America’s first shopping mall, Jack he wrote were humorous and clever and graduated from Crawford High School at focused on his abilities to spin a yarn with - 54th St. and El Cajon Blvd and began hit - out musical accompaniment. For the last 20 ting the local coffee shops with guitar in years, however, this “other side” of Jack’s hand. He is well remembered for hanging creative engine has been hibernating ... out at Lou Curtiss’ music store where he until now. taught guitar and met fellow San Diego Another side of Jack has also been singer-songwriter Tom Waits. Most notably, emerging lately. Known more for his more he was the opening act-in-residence at the serious romantic tunes and subject matter Candy Company, located near the old that upholds the SoCal cowboy lifestyle, Alvarado Drive In on El Cajon Blvd. in La Tempchin has been putting out songs that Mesa. It is at the Candy Company where he reflect his sense of humor and less dramatic honed his craft and where he met two other side. “Light a joint” reflects Jack’s passion - young musicians who drifted in. They were ate advocacy for legalization. “Thongs 4 U” and J.D. Souther. During this time too, Tempchin was managing the continued on page 7. Backdoor at SDSU and meeting many www.sandiegotroubadour.com 3 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle Nancy Porter Helping Musicians Find Their Inner Change

Inner Change at night by Steve Thorn candlelit espresso bars of Colorado’s capi - tol city. n the 800 block of Turquoise Street in “The only one that stayed around was Pacific Beach stands a nondescript Yum Yums on Colorado Boulevard,” said Istructure, a building ignored by the Porter. “That’s when the beatniks were hundreds of local and Arizonan motorists around and I loved going to hear the driving past. Its neighbor to the left is an improvisational notes of the jazz musi - assisted living facility; to its right, the cians, poets spewing words of the war, ubiquitous beach area condo. while the flower children were following But if the sands of time could momen - Peter, Paul, and Mary. I was wearing my tarily flow in reverse to the 1990s, the black beret, listening to Joan Baez, the Ron Ratola and Peter Sprague building would have had a more cheerful Kingston Trio, and wondering who I was paint job, and the sound of acoustic gui - going to be. I couldn’t get enough of all Music supporter Nancy Porter tars would have been heard from inside. that the music was offering. Not enough This was the home of the Inner Change coffee houses around Denver to satisfy coffee house, a short-lived but important my appetite for music. I moved to L.A. in chapter in San Diego music history. A 1964.” transplanted Alaskan named Jewel devel - By the mid-1960s, Los Angeles had oped her songwriting craft at the coffee established itself as the new mecca of the house before her meteoric rise and inter - recording industry. The studio produc - national following; Joy Eden Harrison, tions of Phil Spector and Brian now living and working in the Midwest, Wilson influenced the teenage market; also called the Inner Change home; and music fans with more sophisticated tastes former Rugburns turned solo artists – were still enjoying the rich harvest of Steve Poltz and Gregory Page – still main - West Coast Jazz, led by pioneers Barney tain their vibrant stage personalities, Kessel, Art Pepper, Stan Getz, and Chet which evolved from late night shows in Baker. PB many years ago. “The music scene was incredible,” The one San Diegan who best recalls Porter recalled. “In Hermosa Beach, the the Inner Change’s highlights (surprise Lighthouse was packed with people wait - Inner Change music line up guests taking the stage) and the less ing to hear a lick or two from Miles Davis glamorous elements (mopping up the or John Coltrane. You could go to messes) would be the coffee house’s for - Hollywood to the Brown Derby and after mer proprietor, Nancy Porter. A member hours, the bar turned into a jam with all of the original espresso bar and beat poet the big names in town gathering to play generation, Porter has lent her support to together. You could have coffee and great musicians of all ages. “Generation Gap” conversation between the sit-ins. Then it Jewel at Inner Change, mid-1990s has never been – and will never be – part was off to Venice Beach for the mystical of her lexicon. sounds of the new invented surf culture How appropriate for Porter to have music. A lot of the jazz musicians were been born in Colorado, as employment in looking to play the new rock or funk the music business requires an element of stuff; Miles Davis made the transforma - the pioneer spirit. Porter grew up in tion with ease, helping along the younger Denver, mentioned in Jack Kerouac’s On musicians in the jams.” the Road and the city that gave Judy Porter and her former husband devel - Collins her start. oped a friendship with actor-singer Bobby “In elementary school, I was introduced Sherman, who was a teen idol before the to the flute,” said Porter. “They asked me emergence of David Cassidy and the not to sing.” The memory triggers laugh - Partridge Family era. “It was the ter from Porter. (Laughter – along with a early ‘70s. My husband told me about this smile that could light up Carnegie Hall – new recording studio on Ventura Blvd. in are perhaps her most endearing traits.) Sherman Oaks. Bobby suggested we get “I played through my last year of high involved and it would be a good invest - school, playing classical, jazz, and march - ment. Val Garay, who owned the studio, ing to the great music of John Phillip met with us in the studio and we invest - Sousa. “Rhapsody in Blue” is one of my ed. Getting to sit in on the recording of favorites, along with Herbie Mann, Ella was so exciting. Val, who is a through some classical chords, showing Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Quincy genius in the studio, would make the another dimension to their musical tal - Jones. I would sit and listen for hours, lis - music happen. To be able to hear and ents. They were true wonderful geniuses tening to every instrument, hanging on to understand how it works from the begin - and to have both together was an amaz - ing gift. I can close my eyes and hear notes, melodies, lyrics.” ning to the end was a gift. It was a long Inner Change flyer with Robin Henkel, George Sluppick, and Clark Stacer After high school, Porter frequented the process – hours in the studio.” Steve and Gregory. Along came Jewel with John Katcher and Jimmy Lewis and Porter said the studio, called Record their lives. I drove about the freeways Steve, wanting to play, and I gave Jewel One, was “the first privately owned (roads) and came up the ‘Innerchange’ of Thursdays. Jewel would go to the beach recording studio in L.A. The studio host - life. Usually, if you came to the Inner and take fliers and hand them out to all ed James Taylor, Kim Carnes, and Linda Change feeling bad, you would leave with the surfers and they would come on Ronstadt. Linda was also a close neighbor a better feeling then when you had gotten Thursdays, hoping to get a date...and of mine. Those years were filled with cre - there.” then they realized that she was really real - ative musical geniuses all around us. It Porter believed the attitude adjustment ly good and talented and beautiful.” was a time in music when you could sit carried over to the artists on stage. Creative application of an extension in intimate settings and be able to experi - “Having Joy Eden Harrison on stage was cord could only last for so long. In 1995, ence the music and its makers.” always exciting; she was working on Porter made the difficult decision to bring Porter eventually moved to San Diego songs for her upcoming Angel the curtain down at the Inner Change. “I in 1990 and found a music scene that was Town , and the best way I can describe Joy closed after running out of money, decid - smaller than Los Angeles but no less is a class act. She was filled with a spark ed to close before I couldn’t pay the peo - enthusiastic. “ I opened the Inner Change that would light up the room when she ple that had been so wonderful to make in 1992. I wanted to create a place where started to sing – sultry, engaging, soft spo - my dream come true. I closed the doors you could communicate through music, ken, always surprising lyrics that would with $5 in hand and a big smile on my art, spoken words and laughter, and to make you think. The Inner Change face. Seeing all the talent expressed and share in all that is offered. The Inner became a mecca for musicians who felt at the growth from within all of us was the Change was a true coffee house where the home and comfortable and it was a place reward cherished forever. I can close my sharing of intellect, ideas, and moments where you could play for the fun of it and eyes and listen to the music and words, of insights happened daily. It was the peo - work out the kinks in your act and still [recall] the mural that would take your ple’s coffee house; musicians brought smile at yourself.” breath away, and smile from the inside their own music, artists expressed their Performers sometimes had to perform out.” visions, poets rung out their words of gracefully under pressure. “Steve Poltz The Inner Change coffee house may be wisdom while the comedians brought the and Gregory Page played one night when a memory. But 15 years after its closure, laughter.” the power had been shut off due to not there are many musicians in town who Local legend has it that Nancy formu - being able to pay the bill. We ran a exten - still seek Nancy Porter’s advice and unwa - lated her ideas for the coffee house on the sion cord from the back house to the cof - vering support. back of a Grateful Dead poster. fee house and between songs, Gregory “Yes I did! I wanted a people’s place and Steve would pour coffee. Both were where everyone had a part to share about having a serious moment and played 4 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour AUGUST 2010 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

THE SEARCH FOR “HASSAYAM - tell me that “there was one guy worse Brigadier General, but everyone called stock of the more traditional type PA SAM” AND A LOT OF OTHER than you and that was old Hassayampa him Colonel Jim). Along with working records of the time (labels like STUFF Sam who chewed his Daddy’s fingers off in the mills my grandad was involved Folkways, Prestige International, because he scolded him.” I remember with union organizing and the IWW Delmark, Arhoolie, Orgin Jazz Library, parts of the song about him drinkin’ (he played in a street band from time to Riverside) and hired people to work in “pizen juice and tigers’ blood to boot.” time, singing some of those old songs the store who had a bent toward tradi - For some reason my Dad quit singing it from The Little Red Songbook; Dad said tional music. A concert series was the after we came to in 1952. In he knew Mac McClintock). Grandad inevitable result, and over the next five fact, he quit singing altogether about was shot and killed during the events years or so a pretty wide range of tradi - that time). Sometime in the ’60s I got surrounding the Everett Massacre, tional, folk, and blues artists appeared him to write the words down for me which took place in the teens. I didn’t at the Sign. Most of those concerts were but I’ve misplaced them with all the come into this world until 1939, so I taped. When my tape to digital shop moves that have gone on since never got to know him, but I have my Grammy grant came through in 2007, Lou Curtiss that time (I’m talking about Folk Arts Dad’s stories and a few remnants of an some of the first concerts transferred Rare Records relocating three times old song about a mean old cuss named (and sent to the Library of Congress since those days). “Hassayampa Sam.” and to UCLA) were the Sign of the Sun could have some more material from This is a time when I’m trying to get Sometime around 1960 Harold Concerts featuring Bessie Jones, Jean the Sign of the Sun to share with folks a good list of family songs and that is Darling opened the Sign of the Sun Ritchie, Guy Carawan, Rev. Gary Davis, and keep them intact. certainly one of them. My grandad was bookstore at Adams Ave. and College Hedy West, Stu Jamieson, the A few years back we started a named George Curtiss (as was my Dad) near El Cajon Blvd. It catered mostly to Chambers Brothers, the Scottsville SINGERS CIRCLE on the front porch at and he worked in the lumber camps San Diego State University students Squirrel Barkers, Jack and Marilyn Folk Arts Rare Records and after a y Grandad played the man - and sawmills in western Washington with used textbooks and magazines of a Powell, and Jean Redpath. Now, I know while moved it down to a noisy little dolin and sang a pile of old M after coming out there with his brother political and artistic nature. That was there was some taping done at other bar at Adams and 30th called Kadan, songs, one of which got passed down to Jim from Indiana (who was a Colonel the era when folk music was making its Sign of the Sun concerts. I’d sure like to which ran its course a few weeks ago. my Dad, who used to sing bits of it to in the Union Army during the Civil play on the pop music scene. Harold, find material by the Kentucky Colonels, We tried the front porch again and me when I was a little kid. He’d always War; he actually retired a Brevet who didn’t exactly approve, put in a the New Lost City Ramblers, Mike finally decided to move it out to our Seeger, Rita Weill, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, home in El Cajon. So, the Lou and Rosalie Sorrels, Mississippi John Hurt, Virginia Curtiss Old Timey Singers Skip James, Slim Critchlow, and others. Circle is now at 1725 Granite Hills All too often tapes wander home with Drive in El Cajon (corner of Garrison people and get lost. Now, of course, Way) on the second and fourth folks don’t listen to reel-to-reel and Tuesdays of each month, starting at some may not know what it is. This 6pm. Please join us! material needs preservation. We will be starting our second round of digital Recordially transfers soon. It’d sure be nice if we Lou Curtiss

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 5 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

by Renetta Asaro

ot so high on a hill above the town a breeze floats along the Bluegrass at its Best: Ngolden pasture and across the dusty grill of the ’39 International, bringing with it the unmistakable plunk of a played by someone who knows the strings well. Bluegrass music is home once again at the summergrass! Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum. Bluegrass Etc. For the eighth year, Summergrass San Diego welcomes award-winning blue - grass artists to the stage of the rustic incredible range of experience to the morning festivities at 10 a.m. Bring to dust off your guitar or tune up your Vista museum August 20th, 21st, and band, having played with some of the your hot coffee and breakfast goodies fiddle, you’ll be interested to know that 22nd. Opening the festival Friday at 3 most celebrated performers in blue - from the Antique Gas and Steam this year’s Summergrass once again p.m. will be local legends Chris Stuart grass. Flamekeeper will be onstage Engine Museum Bake Shop and enjoy includes the very popular Jamming 101 and Backcountry. Chris, together with Friday at 8 p.m., and twice on Saturday this group of bluegrass musicians with Sid Lewis. Lewis is a master at fellow band members Janet Beazley and at noon and at 9 p.m. whose self-description includes words using his humorous and profoundly the Uglum/Ward family will also be The Special Consensus celebrated like non-traditional, eclectic, and simple concept of “edutainment” to leading the Summergrass Bluegrass their 35th anniversary this year with unique. Appearing on the stage at infuse each attendee with motivation Camp for Kids this year. They’ll return the spring release of their appropriately Summergrass will be founders Harry and skills in the “art of jamming.” This John Reischman & the Jaybirds to the festival stage at 4 p.m. Saturday, titled CD, 35 . A look at ’s Joe Reynolds (guitar, harmonica, bass) great workshop is an educational, and at 12:30 pm Sunday just after the members make that a little unbelievable and Kathleen Johnson (vocals, auto - hands-on, group class for all ages and Kampers’ performance. given that player Rick Faris, harp, and fiddle) accompanied by steel levels of expertise, and is scheduled for Enthusiastic bluegrass fans have the bass player and vocalist David Thomas, guitarist and mandolin player Don Reed Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., rest of the weekend to enjoy some of and guitarist and vocalist Ryan Roberts and bassist Fred Wade. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. the best bluegrass in the industry appear as though they may have yet to Sunday, Lonesome Otis will take the Ever wonder just what makes those including John Reischman and the see 35 years pass by. But the story of stage twice, at 10 a.m. following the “dang banjers” work? Well, wonder no Jaybirds, Michael Cleveland and the Special Consensus as directed by Bluegrass Brethren, then again to close more. Back by popular demand, Greg Flamekeeper, the Special Consensus, founder (and banjo player) Greg Cahill the festival at 4 p.m. If their recently Deering, owner of world-renowned Bluegrass Etc., Virtual Strangers, is a significant part of the history of released (June 2010) CD Weary Deering located in Spring Valley, Lonesome Otis, the Tail Draggers, bluegrass, and the group carries on that Travelers is any indication, festivalgoers returns to host his Operation Banjo FaultLine, Bluegrass Brethren, and (rel - tradition with professionalism and a can expect strong, classic bluegrass. workshop. Dr. Deering will perform a ative) newcomers, the Anderson true passion. Summergrass attendees Chris Ruud, who is singer and guitar- banjo dissection on Saturday at 3 p.m. Family. can enjoy this musical heritage man for the band, will be highlighted at Other instrument workshops include Headliners John Reischman and the Saturday at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. and IBMA’s Songwriter Showcase for his fiddle and banjo, guitar, resophonic Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper Jaybirds bring on their elegant West Sunday at 3 p.m. song from that album “Come Weary guitar, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, Coast style with tunes and songs com - The mix of world-renowned blue - Traveler.” Besides Chris, band members mandolin, and a Slow Jam hosted by posed by each of the band members grass musicians and local talent is one are Steve Stout, fiddle and vocals, Chris Corky Shelton at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and highlighting the strengths of man - of the features that have brought the Cerna, mandolin and vocals, Dave for those folks just getting started in dolin master Reischman, “rhythm czar” Summergrass Bluegrass Festival to the Richardson on banjo, and Celeste jamming techniques. Jim Nunally, multi-talented fiddler Greg top of the list of bluegrass festivals Cerna on bass. This year Summergrass is proud to Spatz, Trisha Gagnon’s sweet bass and statewide. Bluegrass Etc. is the personi - The Tail Draggers, whose name offer Bluegrass Boot Camp for interme - amazing voice (or is it amazing bass fication of this blend. John Moore at allegedly is a reference to their premiere diate to advanced adult players. and sweet voice?), and Nick vocals, mandolin, and guitar; Dennis gig at Montgomery Field, will take the Happening Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 Hornbuckle, whose rocker past steams Caplinger at vocals and strings; togeth - stage Sunday only at 2 p.m. This “ram - p.m., this new seminar will be held on up in his hot banjo. This eclectic group er with Bill Bryson at bass form a for - bunctious” band is Jason Weiss, banjo; the museum grounds before the festival of musicians will surprise with their midable and legendary bluegrass trio. Michael Williams, flatpick guitar; Given begins. Professional musicians from the diversity, but not with their solid and Each one of these men owns a vast and Harrison, upright bass; and John stellar Summergrass headliners (Dennis Special Consensus dynamic presentation. Catch the impressive résumé. Don’t miss them Mailander who plays mandolin and fid - Caplinger, John Moore, Jim Nunally, Jaybirds on the main stage at 5 and 9 onstage at 4 p.m. Friday, and at 2 and 7 dle and appears to be the only band John Reischman, Trish Gagnon, and p.m. Friday, or Saturday at 5 p.m. only. p.m. on Saturday. member who is not a vocalist. Megan Lynch) will be teaching six Individually and collectively, few More local bluegrass goodness flows Last in the lineup, but not least – and instrument classes. Demand has been artists have amassed the array of awards from Faultline, Lonesome Otis, Tail certain to be a favorite for many – the very high and classes are filling up fast, and nominations of Michael Cleveland Draggers and the Virtual Strangers, Anderson Family will be onstage so enlist today by calling Dan Elkerton, and Flamekeeper. Like many who, fortunately, aren’t strangers to the Saturday at 3 p.m. and again Sunday Boot Camp drill sergeant, at (619) 203- Summergrass performers this year, local bluegrass scene at all. In fact, morning at 11 a.m. Hailing from Grass 5337 or email him at bluegrassboot - Michael began learning his instrument Mike Tatar Sr. on banjo, Jon Cherry on Valley, California, the four youngsters – [email protected]. at a very young age and was onstage at mandolin, Kit Birkett on guitar, and Paige, Aimee, Ethan, and Daisy – have As noted above, Summergrass is again the 1993 IBMA award show with the Yvonne Tatar on bass lend their har - made bluegrass music a family affair. offering Kids Camp to children 6 to 16 man himself, Bill Monroe. Michael and monic vocals and melodic, traditional Together with mom Christy and dad years of age. Chris Stuart & his incredible fiddling bring together style to bluegrass festivals across the Mark, they’re receiving attention for Backcountry are the Kids Camp faculty the talents of Jesse Brock on mandolin, West, but are local favorites for many great harmonies and skillful musician - who will teach the Kampers for three Chris Stuart & Backcountry Tom Adams on guitar, Marshall events. They’re scheduled for the main ship, especially sixteen-year-old gui - hours each day. Their finale will be a Wilborn on bass, and Jesse Baker on stage Friday evening only at 7 p.m. tarist Paige. mainstage performance by the young year, this Summergrass tradition is a banjo. All of these artists bring an Faultline will open the Saturday If you’ve been inspired by all of this ’uns at noon on Sunday. In its sixth definite highlight of the festival. It’s a neat experience where kids can meet new friends, hone their musical chops, and a have a blast! To enroll contact Jeff Johanning at kidscamp@summer - grass.net or call (951) 302-1503. Camping, both dry and with electric hook-up, is available on the museum grounds when purchased with a three- day ticket. The fee, $90 without electri - cal or $220 with electric hook-up, includes one three-day admission pass ($48 value) and is good for Thursday evening through Sunday evening. If you plan to be at the festival all three days, the jamming and jawing around the campground is a great part of the Summergrass experience. Walking among the barns and work sheds filled with farm essentials, inhal - ing the aroma of the smokehouse style barbeque mingling with the sounds of guitar, mandolin, and banjo, there’s no doubt Uncle Pen would be right at home at Summergrass 2010 at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum. It’s a great way to spend the summer weekend. More details on this event can be found on the Summergrass website, www.summergrass.net or by calling (858) 679-4854.

6 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch y r r e B

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Wendy Bailey and True Stories: a J

: o t o h Really, It’s a True Story P

by Sandra Castillo lived folk-rock ensemble. Eventually, “This group adds up to more than the the Rarities became True Stories, which sum of its parts.” included bassist Joe Poma. At one So, what would drive a musician to hen Wendy Bailey and True point, Mendoza discovered guitarist give his soul to music, even to the Stories graciously agreed to Wendy Bailey’s music on MySpace, and pages of True Stories? Bassist Fritz play a one-off gig at Macy’s W in time, she was invited to sit in with pondered this inquiry in his usual, Horton Plaza last December, they had True Stories for a show. thoughtful way. not planned to do so the same day an “I just heard one of her songs on “Several reasons…there is the “one - unforeseen winter storm had met them, MySpace and really liked it. We made ness” felt among band members when simultaneously, at the curb. However, [a connection] from that. Everybody we’re playing together, as well as being these good-natured rockers were all the just hit it off so well that we’ve all been part of the larger community, as a fami - more determined to give it a go and Wendy Bailey & True Stories: Wendy Bailey, Danny Cress, Billy Fritz, Bart Mendoza going ever since,” Mendoza said. ly of musicians. [There is] the joy of make the most out of a cold and blus - The initial line-up with Mendoza, playing and the performance. [There is “Oh, my…everything! Heartache, The Only Ones. tery afternoon. Bailey, Cress, and Poma lasted for only also] peace of mind attained through heartbreak, happiness, joyfulness, frus - At a recent show at Second Wind, in You see, most rock and rollers worth one performance, which was held at the mental focus required, forcing one tration at others, frustration at self. Santee, True Stories served up their their salt (and the Converse sneakers or Brick by Brick. Soon afterward, Poma to be in the moment.” Seriously, just about any issue or event audience a rollicking version of T-Rex’s Beatles boots they come a-struttin’ in) decided to leave True Stories in order to True Stories was more than lucky to in life can be written about, especially if “Bang-A-Gong,” while later shifting have spent many a midnight hour pursue his academic studies. Upon strike gold in recruiting the multi- it’s something you learn from.” artistic gears on Led Zeppelin’s “Houses sometimes playing to a beer-soaked Poma’s departure, Cress brought in faceted Bailey, whose namesake now The next inquiry, and a most obvious of the Holy.” A bar patron, seemingly crowd of five or less (six, if you count bassist Billy Fritz through their mutual graces the band’s title. While sharing one, needed to satisfy the personal amused, yet befuddled at this random, the bartender), only to gather enough affiliation with local stalwarts, the lead vocals and songwriting duties with curiosity for the writer of this article- musical maneuver, could be heard com - dough earned among band members to Coyote Problem. Fritz’s own musical Mendoza, she brings a certain elan to What are the advantages of being the menting, “That’s a weird combination grab a few burritos at La Posta after the past included turns with Rhythm and the group, albeit the kind of spirit and lone female in an all-guys troop with of songs.” It’s this type of spontaneity show. These die-hard mortals are the the Method, the Neverly Brothers, and drive that make interacting with her True Stories? that keeps the band alive and kicking ones who proclaim music is the manna Chelsea Flor and Dreamstalkers, which such a breeze. A seasoned musician, With a sly wink and a nod, Bailey while indulging their fans with some of the soul and the main incentive to made him a perfect fit for the outfit. Bailey was more than eager to share a quipped, “I’ve got dudes to help me lug chestnuts from their own storied pasts. haul tons of gear or slosh through sleet, When the house of Wendy Bailey and personal glimpse into her professional my gear.” When asked what has been their snow, or the driving rain to play a gig True Stories was finally complete, with career with the Troubadour . Wendy Bailey and True Stories’ sig - most successful performance to date, anywhere – even at Macy’s. two guitarists who write, a bassist, and “I’ve been playing and have been nature sound, described as “indie-rock Mendoza remarked, “Probably a recent Wendy Bailey and True Stories was drummer, Mendoza knew he had found involved in music most of my life, but I with touches of sixties power-pop,” res - show at the Ruby Room…big, boister - born out of a single season to harvest his mission accomplished. He reflected guess you could say I’ve been actively onates throughout the band’s spot-on ous, enthusiastic crowd. Every once in new ideas and make great music, while on what makes this band the “right performing my songs for 15 years or so. chord progressions and absolute knowl - a while, you are lucky enough to get a building a solid reputation and fan stuff.” I’ve only been in a couple of other edge of the material they are delivering. gig that’s special, and that certainly was base. Bart Mendoza, longtime San “They’re all multi-instrumentalists. bands, as I’ve primarily focused on my These rockers groove on an eclectic the one!” Diego musician and staunch advocate What I really like about these musi - [own] songs and performing as a solo mix of past and present numbers, along That said, this last question begs to for the local scene, decided it was time cians – Wendy, Danny, and Billy – is artist. I was lead guitarist for an all-girl with their own original tunes thrown in know the real truth: does True Stories to seek out other musical avenues with that everybody plays lead. There’s intri - group called the Pick-Up Girl and even for good measure. It would not be out live up to its name? like-minded comrades who shared sim - cate stuff going on in the music of True had a brief stint as “Nancy” in a Heart of the ordinary for them to ride in on It is living up to its promise,” ilar artistic goals as he. Nonetheless, he Stories; there are counter-melodies, har - tribute band,” Bailey said. the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back” or Mendoza smiled. had to start with the proverbial cross - monies, things like that. That’s really An incredibly prolific songwriter “Temptation Eyes” by the Grass Roots ing-of-paths with this person and that important. Right now, the members of with a penchant for clever, yet intro - to end their set with “Another Girl, musician to end up with this current this band are people who are versed in spective lyrics and catchy melodies, Another Planet” by the aeventies band , incarnation. So, this is how the true all of this and, intrinsically, know the Bailey captures the finer nuances of the story goes… music. It’s almost mental telepathy human condition, traversing life’s ago - Mendoza and drummer Danny [with us], because we can all look at nies and ecstasies. When asked what Cress, who has also helped out in the each other and just know what we’re she specifically draws from to create Shambles (Mendoza’s other band), supposed to be doing,” Mendoza said. music, she had this to say: played together in the Rarities, a short-

Jack Tempchin Tribute, continued from page 3. explores his appreciation of the fairer gen - After I wrote down the words, we immedi - many more hits including “Someone That der clad in, well, thongs. “Thongs 4 U” ately performed it. I don’t know how it You Used to Know” (), has also been made into a video that is happened, but someone in the audience “White Shoes” (Emmylou Harris and now posted on YouTube. recorded the song live.” That someone just ), “Rollin’” (Glen Speaking of the internet, a medium recently contacted Jack about the song. Campbell), “To Feel That Way at All” that Jack embraces fully, it should be men - And, now it sits in Jack’s possession, wait - (), “Somebody Trying to Tell tioned that a new blog – MyPeacefulEasy ing to be released when the time is right. You Something” (), “You Can Feeling. com – has been created. This blog With Jack’s new CD of new acoustic songs Go Home” (Chris Hillman and the Desert is dedicated to that song that made Jack due out by year’s end, perhaps fans won’t Rose Band), “Your Tattoo” (Sammy (and the Eagles) famous. People can log have to wait too much longer. Kershaw), “East of Eden” (Tom Rush), on to offer their own testimonials about If all of the above doesn’t redefine the “15 Days Under the Hood” (Paladins, New “the song” – where they first heard it, how word “busy,” Tempchin refuses to even Riders of the Purple Sage), and “Who’s it provided a soundtrack to their lives, etc. take a day of rest. His new songwriting Been Sleeping in My Bed” (Phantom Blues All the while, viewers can access various project is what he calls a “song a day” in Band, Candye Kane). Of course, he’s covers of the song by artists from Dwight which he will post himself online (proba - padded that resume even further by writ - Yoakam to Jackson Browne to the original bly YouTube), going through the songwrit - ing songs for Johnny River’s last album, live Eagles performance. There are other ing process, from the initial embryonic not to mention co-writes on the 2007 pieces of memorabilia too such as the spark through the final polished song. Eagles’ CD. Jack’s handwritten lyrics sheet. This idea is to document his craft as a When we add all of this up, we see This 45th year also marks the first composer. that Jack is a songwriter’s songwriter. His time Tempchin has played in the UK. It is A stay-at-home family man while here “song a day” idea shows how hard he surprising that a tour of England has in San Diego, Jack still works the clubs pushes himself. And the endless string of taken so long: one, because of the Eagles’ when he’s in LA, which is regularly. He hits shows how good he is at his craft. own popularity there, and, two, because frequently sits in at places like the Hotel Tom Waits once remarked, “The first real Jack has maintained musical relationships Café and Largo at the Coronet where he songwriter I really saw and really got with much of England’s rock royalty has befriended the new generation of enthused about was Jack Tempchin and including Ringo Starr with whom he songwriting talent such as Tim Jones of that was in about 1968.” That observation toured in the 1990s. The “tour” really Truth and Salvage Co. and Sean and Sara was made some 40 years ago. But, it’s as consisted of several dates around greater Watkins of Nickel Creek. true now as it was then. What’s also London performing with an Eagles tribute So, should we call him the fifth or remarkable is that Jack has no plans of band, Talon, a group that enjoys its own sixth Eagle? Certainly, Jack along with J.D. stopping anytime (not just anytime soon fanatical following in the UK. Souther and Jackson Browne made that but anytime period). “I’m going to keep What might be the most exciting thing supergroup truly more than the sum of its on writing, singing, and playing as if I’ll to emerge out of this yearlong celebration parts. Yet, Jack is much more than one of live forever,” Jack adds, poetically. is a long forgotten audio bootleg of Jack, the many architects of the 1970s Southern So, if this is how he celebrates his with friend Robb Strandlund, performing California Sound. Besides writing two 45th year in the biz, can you imagine what “Already Gone” the very night Jack wrote songs on the Eagles’ Greatest Hits 1971- the silver jubilee will be like? Let’s stick the tune at SDSU’s Backdoor. As Jack 1975 , an album that, with 30 million in around until 2015 and find out. explains, “We were hanging out backstage domestic sales, is the best-selling U.S. after drinking a batch of cider together. release of the 20th century, Jack wrote www.sandiegotroubadour.com 7 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch Greg Amov’s Music Is the Light Within the Dark

ic sound cascade from all directions, often encouraging. When she was very young he to the world music pulse of electronic and made a violin and bow out of newspaper to acoustic percussion. The futuristic and the tide her over until she could get her own primal intertwine to create a singularly instrument. She returned the favor many unique emotional response. Exotic sounds years later by suggesting that he add more from faraway places like the Orient and the of a groove to his music, the results of Middle East make surprising guest appear - which can be heard in the techno and R&B ances. While Amov composed and per - flavored beats in his later recordings. formed all of the music himself, it must be His final album, the posthumously noted that his wife Diane, an accomplished released The Noble Gases is a suite of com - flautist and writer herself, assisted with the positions based upon the titular chemical Greg Amov cover art and song titles. Amov’s whimsical elements. His lifelong best friend and side takes center stage on his second solo Systems Theory bandmate Steven Davies- album, Gecko Highway . It has a brighter, Morris spearheaded the effort to get it pro - by Mike Alvarez not feel constrained by traditional forms. more rhythmically based sound with certain duced, mastered, and released, calling it His compositions are as long as they need to passages actually being danceable! Some of “the work that Greg was most proud of.” be, frequently going well beyond the ten- lthough Greg Amov was born in the songs have humorous titles like “The Although divided into discrete tracks, it is minute mark. Listeners must be able to Los Angeles and eventually Flooka Sat on My Head,” “Gecko Highway,” intended to be heard as one long composi - approach his work with a fresh and open returned there as an adult, the elec - and “Ma Belle Egg Shell.” A surprising R&B tion with no gaps between songs. The music A mindset, eschewing conventional notions of influence, complete with a sampled brass is still as abstract as any that Amov has cre - tronic composer and musician spent his songcraft. Because Amov made extensive formative years in San Diego where his fam - section, comes to the fore in the energizing ated, but there is an added dimension of use of looping technology, there is a lot of ily still resides. While here he attended “Tail Wags Dog.” Snippets of dialogue play - rhythm and catchiness that makes it per - repetition although something new usually Patrick Henry High School and Grossmont fully pepper the album, proclaiming things haps his most infectious. One can only arises with each iteration. In this regard, College before pursuing higher musical like “That was interesting!” or “It’s a speculate why the gas Argon inspired him one could justifiably make a comparison to education at UC Santa Barbara and Cal State nuclear device....” While Gecko Highway to name the album’s most exuberant track someone like Philip Glass. Many of his Northridge. He was a solo artist as well as a still includes tracks that are darker and after it. Following the otherworldly strange - arrangements and sonic choices create vistas member of the progressive rock trio Systems brooding, it’s gratifying to see him explore ness of “Helium” and “Neon,” “Argon” is a that are vast and panoramic, bringing to Theory in which he served as a composer new ground as an artist. veritable dance party complete with funky mind Vangelis, another legendary electronic and multi-instrumentalist. Though he sadly Music was always in Amov’s blood, hav - guitar and horn blasts! He follows this with composer. passed away last November after his second ing come from a family of musicians and the highly charged “Krypton,” the exotic Experiencing Amov’s music is somewhat battle with cancer (just a few days shy of his music lovers. His mother Diana teaches and leisurely “Xenon,” and finally the like watching a flower unfold. It requires 50th birthday), he left behind a body of and his sister Rachel is a highly extended electronic jam of “Radon” before patience and an openness to unexpected work that includes three solo albums as regarded violinist who performs regularly tying all of his themes together in Group outcomes. Subtext is everything. At times it well as a number of compositions with throughout the local area. While not a Zero (The Noble Gases) . It’s a fascinating can be mood-setting, perfect for meditation, Systems Theory. His work could be musician himself, his father Mel is a retired final journey through the artistic mind of a but always lurking behind it is an intelligent described in a number of ways, as his influ - college professor who has loved classical man whom Rachel describes as “incredibly purposefulness that will reward the more ences were eclectic and far-reaching. Not and operatic music for his entire life. By all smart. He was a deep thinker who could attentive ear. His music is instrumental and surprisingly, he lists Tangerine Dream, Brian accounts, he is the kind of dad who was sometimes be prone to depression, but he consequently open to interpretation, but the Eno, and King Crimson among them. Less always tremendously supportive of his chil - also loved puns and bad jokes. He was an titles he chose take their cue from the obvious are the more acoustic song-oriented dren’s musical pursuits. While Mrs. Amov awesome brother!” imagery and emotions they evoke. “Tokyo artists like Carole King, Pete Seeger, and started her children’s musical education at I had the pleasure of running into Greg on Third” easily conjures a bustling Far Fairport Convention. It’s interesting to try the keyboard, she reveals, “I encouraged Amov at the 2005 CalProg festival, an annu - Eastern metropolis, whereas vast echoing and hear how they might have informed his him to play the violin because he loved it. al celebration of progressive rock, the genre Three of Amov’s CDs spaces and ornate embellishments are what music. Like many musicians of depth and But he eventually switched over to viola.” of music that is characterized by intricate define “The Cathedral at Ys,” his tribute to substance, he was also well-grounded in the She credits a teacher named Tony Porto compositions and virtuosic musicianship. deeper scrutiny, it becomes readily apparent Claude Debussy. Science fiction, mythology, classics, so his tastes included such com - (conductor of the Grossmont College Although Systems Theory is not a perform - that this is meticulously crafted music with and technology are recurring themes, as evi - posers as Aaron Copland and Beethoven Sinfonia) with helping him to master that ing entity, he and Davies-Morris were pres - a great sense of artifice and purpose. Within denced by the extended tracks “The New along with less well-known names like Arvo instrument early on. “He made music fun!” ent in the festival’s vendor room to market it one finds towering darkness as well as Worship of Old Gods” and “Nightfall on Paart and Hildegard von Bingen. Greg continued to study the viola while their music to listeners with a taste for the lighthearted whimsy. Amov was definitely Io”. Having made his living as a software pro - attending college, although his father recol - adventurous. All day long Amov easily not a commercially driven artist. He fully The Dark Within the Dark was his first fessional, Amov was very much at home lects that his temperament was not suited to struck up conversations with potential cus - pursued his musical instincts with no com - solo release in 2001, and it certainly lives using technology. As such, electronic loop - a very strict and demanding instructor he tomers. An affable and engaging gentleman, promises. His work demands that one let go up to its name. Electronic ing and digital editing became as crucial to encountered at Cal State Northridge. Mel he eventually talked me into buying his first of many listening conventions. Those who merge with other instruments and effects to his creative process as actual instrumental Amov speaks proudly of his son’s intelli - two solo albums. My first impression was knew him best report that he was a multi - create a sound that is unconventional, performance. After capturing the sounds he gence and abilities. “He would have been a that they were rather impenetrable. Even his faceted renaissance man possessed of great sometimes scary, yet always fascinating. He needed, he meticulously crafted them into first class physicist; top scientists are all mother admits to being somewhat per - abilities as well as the frailties and insecuri - does not shy away from creating disso - the ebbing and flowing colors of his musical musical. There’s a connection between plexed by his art. She sheepishly confesses, ties that beset us all. Although he is no nance, often embracing it when a desired visions. Although he brought a wealth of mathematical and musical ability.” Rachel “There’s no tempo. There’s no ending!” And longer with us, one can still come to know effect is called for. Huge washes of electron - knowledge and experience to his art, he did fondly remembers her brother as being very she has a point. But when subjected to him through the music he created. It is available for free download courtesy of Mike Dickson, the third member of Systems Theory. Links to it can be found at his web - site, http://mikedickson.org.uk/

8 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 9 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

by Bart Mendoza

ed room behind the garage and invited friends There’s no one quite over to make noise every Saturday. There was me, Mike Trahan, and Sam Reyes. We’d trade off play - like Skid Roper. ing two and drums; we didn’t have a bass. Of course, everybody wants to bash and crash on Instantly identifiable with his trademark facial hair, rr the drums, so we had to have a time limit behind ee he’s one of the San Diego music scene’s unsung pp the kit.” They played early rock ‘n’ roll hits such as oo heroes. Roper came to prominence during the ’80s RR “Fortune Teller,” “ Be Bop A Lula,” “Angel Baby,” dd alongside musical partner Mojo Nixon, a rare vir - kkii yy “Carol,” etc . “I have lots and lots of reel-to-reel SS eerr tuoso musician who can play just about any yysstt tapes that are…uh…entertaining,” he laughed. instrument he can lay his hands on and has ff MM In the late seventies, performing with legendary oo invented a few of his own. A popular side man, aann local bluesman Tomcat Courtney on guitar, as part MM his career is intertwined with many of the area’s of a duo. “I met him at a solo performance he did most celebrated musicians, while the ’80s found at a church in Normal Heights where he played the duo a staple on MTV. Keeping track of Roper’s acoustic guitar and sang blues. I asked him musical activities would be a full-time job for any - if he needed a rhythm guitar player and he said one, as many of his projects overlap, but it’s been ‘yes.’ I knew a bunch of old blues tunes from hav - a long amazing career any way you look at it. ing collected blues records for years and we fit pRe-HistoRy together well. We played together as a duo many He was born Richard Banke, on October 19, times, with two acoustic guitars or two electric 1954, in National City and graduated from guitars.” Later, Roper played drums with Tomcat Sweetwater High School. While no one in his fam - and the Bluesdusters for many years. ily was a professional musician, there was always music around. “I am the eighth of nine kids, so I always heard a variety of music in the house,” he recalled. “’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll and doo wop, country, blues, pop, , etc. Also, my mom was always singing around the house. Mostly pop tunes from the ’20s, ’30s, and 1940s. I remember when Tiny Tim came out with ‘Tiptoe Through the Tulips’ in the late ’60s, I thought to myself, hey, that’s one of the old songs my mom sings.” There was a piano at his house, though he never played it. “My sisters and brother played, but I never got a lesson [sniff],” he said. Instead, he took up the guitar, “borrowing” his sibling’s. “My sister, Kathi, had a crummy nylon string guitar The Evasions with Tim Rutherford & Dave Goodwin that I plunked around on when no one was look - suRf’s up ing,” he said. “Luckily it came with a Mel Bay In 1980 Roper also performed as part of an chord book, so I glommed onto that for awhile. I acoustic duo – Mutt and Jeff – but his next band of remember how amazed I was when I learned C note was a surf band, the Evasions, who started up and G7 and could play ‘Skip to My Lou’ without that same year. “This was right in the middle of saying “wait, wait” between chords,” Roper joked. new wave and disco so it was something different,” He soon graduated to , “It’s the most Roper said. “People loved it. We were kings of the versatile portable instrument there is,” he noted. back yard parties back then in the early 1980s.” It His love of unusual instruments began around was at this point that his prolific songwriting talent the same time. “I’ve always been a swap meet first appeared. “We did surf instrumentals and addict since I was a kid,” Roper explained. other seldom-played oldies, but right away I started “Besides old records, I would pick up kooky writing my own songs,” Roper said. “A lot of instruments for cheap. A lot of times, they were melodic instrumentals came flooding out along broken or missing some part, so I learned how to with rockabilly and other rootsy stuff. There was no fix things, just by doing it. And I’d teach myself road map, but the music just had to come out.” how to tune it and play something on it.” He lists The Evasions released a highly collectible pic - , basses, autoharps, steel drums, regular ture disc album, Son of Surf , in 1981, featuring drums, steel guitars, regular guitars, harmonicas , artwork by world-renowned artist Rick Griffin. fiddles, marimbas, banjos, , and “many, “Someone gave me the number of a guy in Los many, goofy, homemade instruments that probably Angeles who was looking for a surf band to put don’t have a name,” amongst his finds. “I was fas - out a picture disc,” Roper stated. “I called him, he cinated by the similarities and differences between came down to San Diego to hear us, and he liked a tenor banjo and a five-string banjo or a man - it.” Griffin’s involvement came through a visit to dolin and a mandola. These things still hold my Comic Con. “I had met him at the Con and asked interest and I still take in swap meet orphans!” him if he would be interested in doing a cartoon The Pleasure Barons at the Spirit Club in color for a picture disc. He is the guy who is almost solely responsible for that psychedelic let - Monte RockeRs tering that’s hard to read on old Fillmore rock 1982 would prove to be a banner year for Roper. posters, like Quicksilver’s first LP and Aoxomoxoa While international cult status was still a few years by the Grateful Dead. He was an old surfer from away, he was now working with most of the per - formers who would be a big part of his music for the sixties and he said yes.” Months went by and Skid Roper & Mojo Nixon then he delivered an amazingly gorgeous blue the next few decades. In addition to performing green oil painting … with our instruments turning with the Rockjets, 1982 saw him team up with Stars, where he was the star and lead vocalist! in a wave, with a thousand individually air Mojo Nixon for the first time and begin working Everybody in the band was in other groups and I brushed drops of water. The dark and reduced pic - with Dan McLain, soon to be “Country Dick” went to a few shows, notably one at the North ture in the picture disc doesn’t do justice to the Montana. Park Lions Club and another at the Zebra Club. It original painting.” Griffin took great care in the “I first met Dan McLain when he ran his own was a fun act with lots of goofy old songs, like Mutt & Jeff, 1980 design. “He wouldn’t sign it because he said that record store, Monte Rockers, in the late ’70s on El “Chug-a-Lug” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” I knew it shouldn’t have an up or down position. All the Cajon Boulevard, near College Ave.” he recalled. the bass player, Mark Zadarnowski, who played eaRly Days skill he used to put a round spot in the center “We both had a passion for old rock ‘n’ roll music with the Crawdaddys and was, in fact, the original His first of many groups was actually more of a went out the window when the record company and records.” Around this time McLain was play - bass player in the embryonic stage of the Evasions. jam session. “We didn’t even have a name, but I weasels intentionally printed the picture off cen - ing drums for R&B kings the Crawdaddys and When he couldn’t do a show, I took over the bass like to remember it as the Saturday Jammers,” ter,” Roper stated. “It would have looked great on started the Penetrators. “I was in the Evasions then position.” The name of the band was changed to Roper said. “Sometime in the mid-1970s I bought a turntable spinning around symmetrically, but and liked to check out other groups,” Roper said. the Pleasure Barons, when Joyce Rooks joined the a whole Slingerland at the National City instead the picture spins off center and makes you “Sometime later, he put together a conglomeration band a little later. “The Pleasure Barons is another swap meet for $50. I set them up in a little isolat - seasick!” he laughed. band, Big M.R. and the All Bitchin’, All Stud, All great band name thought up by Chris Davies of 10 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

The Whirlin’ Spurs: Roper, Lance Soliday, Jayne Robson, Dan Vazquez

The Syndicate of Soul Nixon.” It was the last album on that label (Triple The Shards duo: Skid Roper & Chris Davies X) that was pressed on vinyl, along with the CD Country Dick & the Snuggle Bunnies the addition of one small splash cymbal.” and cassette versions. “I was there at Capitol Roper admits to being taken a bit by surprise by …” Ryder played the title character. She Records in Hollywood when it was mastered and the Penetrators,” Roper noted. “He also came up Mojo and Skid’s success; after all, the eighties had recently been working with Nixon on the Jerry the guy in the lab coat asked me if I was sure I with the names Beat Farmers, Snuggle Bunnies, were more about new wave and hair metal then Lee Lewis bio-pic Great Balls of Fire . “I remember wanted the extra track on the vinyl record, not the and Three Heavy Geniuses, among others.” roots-based acoustic rock. “Yes, I was surprised, her as a teeny bopper who used the expression CD.” [laughs] By 1982 McLain had become Country Dick but Mojo was always good at rousing an audience ‘eeewww!’ a lot,” he said. “The next day after the and his band was the Snuggle Bunnies. “I really and stirrin’ ‘em up,” he said. The duo’s first nation - video shoot in New York City, she invites us to see enjoyed playing electric mandolin in the Snuggle al press was in Spin magazine in 1986. It was her latest movie, Heathers , at a local theatre. So I Bunnies, doing old-timey country songs,” Roper penned by a familiar scribe. “I did “The Story of had the unique experience of watching 18-year- said. “It’s a shame I was kicked out, but by then Mojo” for Spin . It’s by Richard Banke, but back in old on screen, sitting right next to they were doing too many Rolling Stones songs.” New York they didn’t know I was also Skid Roper,” her in the movie theatre! Nobody recognized her The band did record an as-yet unreleased album he laughed. “And they paid me too!” because she looked like she was 12 in person. I at Hit Single Studios. “I did an original called His favorite thing about his years with Nixon? “I have a great Polaroid of her all dolled up in a “Snuggle Bunny Boogie” and a rousing, rockin’ liked the persona of the silent musical partner,” he wedding dress [for the video]. Another nice photo version of “Mule Train,” Roper said. The Beat said. “Some people actually thought I was mute for my book!” Farmers soon followed the demise of the Snuggle because I didn’t say anything.” He notes they Mojo and Skid parted musical ways in 1990, but Bunnies. “Mojo and I played on hundreds of “worked well together and he never told me what Roper still has the old washboards he played. “They shows with them over the years. Our first tour was to play. Any musical backup I came up with was only lasted a few months before the metal would opening for them in 1985.” just fine with him. If I wanted to play echo harp break apart,” he said. “So I went through a couple dozen in eight years.” Even though airline security Mojo anD vooDoo on “Rockin’ Religion” or a goofy beat on some wasn’t quite the oppressive nightmare it is today, he By 1985, the music Roper made as a duo with other song, it just fit.” Sometimes a song they still had issues trying to get through the airport with Mojo Nixon was beginning to make a national recorded in the studio was literally the first time his chosen instrument. “I had to explain the wash - impact, and they soon signed to , Roper had ever heard it. “The song “Where the board on a stick at every airport we went through,” releasing their eponymous album that year, fol - Hell’s My Money?” is one of those. It’s a long tune he laughed. “It was in a guitar case, but the rake lowed by five more discs through 1990. The pair and I came up with an odd rhythm on the spot for The Shadowcasters: Chip McClendon, Dave Anderson, handle stuck out at both ends. I used to walk it on Roper scored hits with such songs as “Elvis Is the washboard and box. I remember being com - the plane with a coat wrapped around it and Everywhere” and “ Is Pregnant mitted to that hard-to-play beat once we started always asked the stewardess if I could put it in the Rock ‘n’ Roll paRt 3 With My Two-Headed Love Child,” and the iconic and I almost fell down laughing in the middle of coat closet and they always said yes!” It was 19 years between Lydia’s Café and Rock ‘n’ figure of Roper with his washboard was soon all the lengthy Mojo rant. The whole song was written Restless to a fault, during his tenure with Roll Part 3 , but it wasn’t for lack of want or materi - over MTV. But it could have turned out much dif - about playing Jerry Herrera’s Spirit Club and trying Nixon, in addition to the groups already cited, he al. The reason? “The simple answer is a profound ferently. “I like to build crazy instruments and one to collect the money at the end of the night. It was was also a member of Jett Black and the Blackouts lack of dough. This latest CD is probably way too day I made a washtub bass out of a rake handle, a one of Mojo’s best songs and recorded in one (’83), The Rockjets Trio (’83), Cowboy Skid Roper ambitious,” he said of the album’s 13 songs washtub, and a long gut string,” he recalled. “Just take.” (’85), Three Heavy Geniuses (’86), Skid Roper and recorded on 24 tracks, over a decade. “It’s embar - for laughs I nailed a washboard to the stick. It the Whirlin’ Spurs (’88), the Roundups (’89), the rassing to admit that it took more than ten years to didn’t do anything, but looked cool. I was trying to Mozeriders (’90), and Skid Roper and Buddy complete it, but it was done three hours a week sell it one day at the swap meet, and an old man Pastel, Jr. (’91). and sometimes a few years would pass between came along and bought the washtub by itself.” sessions!” he said. “I just ran out of money. That’s Earlier, Roper had met Nixon, then Kirby cHRis Davies not the way to record an album.” Basic tracks were McMillan when the Evasions played at the Spirit The 1980s saw the formation of two of Roper’s done at Hit Single Studios. “The whole thing start - Club [now Brick by Brick] with the Majestyks, favorite combos, the Syndicate of Soul and the ed when owner Randy Fuelle called me and said where he played guitar. “We hit it off well and he Shards, featuring longtime friend and collaborator, he was looking for a Fender Precision bass for his asked me to play a snare drum in a duo he was Chris Davies. “I’d always liked the obtuse guitar studio. I had a nice ’1970s P-bass so I traded it for forming. He was already Mojo Nixon by then and playing of Chris Davies in the Penetrators,” Roper two days of recording time. That’s when Joel Kmak wanted me to be Voodoo Agnew!” Roper laughed. said. “We jammed one day and started writing and I went in and did the basic tracks live, with “I thought Skid Roper was a cooler sounding good songs together early on. Actually he’s the only guitar and drums. I tip my hat to Joel for being name than Voodoo Agnew, so we became Mojo person I’ve ever written songs with.” Meanwhile, well-rehearsed so things went smoothly. It was so and Skid. Meanwhile, I had sold my old Rogers The Syndicate of Soul was an extension of another long ago that it was done on two-inch Ampex Holiday drum set to Country Dick after he bor - band Roper was playing with that year: Mitch tape. There aren’t too many studios that still have a rowed my snare and liked it so much. So, I didn’t Cornish and the Hellhounds. “While I was playing two-inch machine. Hooray for old school technol - have a drum to play with Mojo, but I did have this bass with the band, Mojo would come up on stage ogy; I’m glad it was done on tape,” he said. kooky washboard on a stick.” for a few rockin’ soul songs and so it evolved into a A true labor of love, Roper scrimped, saved, Though he is most identified for his time with separate band with the addition of Mojo and a and sacrificed to record it. “I sold off my old gui - Mojo on the upright washboard, Roper points out The Rockjets Trio: Dave Goodwin, Tim Rutherford, Roper trumpet player.”As with most of his projects, Roper tars and basses to pay for the studio time. I also he used it in other groups around the same time. has many unreleased tapes. “I have five or six live sold my rare old blues and rockabilly 45s and my “I started playing with Mojo while I was playing Roper considers the duo’s appearance on Fox- recordings of that band that could be distilled down prized collection of obscure girl group 45s. For a with the Evasions and the Snuggle Bunnies,” he TV’s “Late Show” a major highlight. “It was hosted to one great live CD. It’s so fun to hear these songs long time there looked like there was no light at said. “With the Bunnies, I used the washboard live by Arsenio Hall before he had his own show. It after all these years and I’d like to share them with the end of the tunnel, but eventually I got it fin - when we did old songs that didn’t need any man - was 1987 and Mojo sang “Elvis Is Everywhere” for the world. Or, at least, San Diego. The deaths of ished.” Mixing, in particular, took longer than he dolin. It wasn’t mic’d or anything. It was just for the ten year anniversary of Elvis’ death. Everyone friends like Buddy Blue just underscores for me that had hoped. “Luckily, there was no big deadline, so fun. In fact, Joey Harris also played the washboard in the audience had on Elvis masks. We actually you don’t want to die with music in you.” I kept mixing things again and again until my ears when he didn’t play guitar on some songs.” He made it over to the couch for a Q and A.” Roper’s were satisfied. I always hear the voice of a young notes that despite its simplicity, the washboard offbeat humor is in full evidence on the segment. solo yeaRs Muhammad Ali saying, ‘For all time, for all time!’ I was tricky to amplify. “In places like the Spirit “I was known for not talking because Mojo is a Roper released his first solo album in 1989 with used to have a nifty collection of snare drums from Club, the stage made a nice bass drum thud when great motor mouth, but out of the blue, Arsenio his group the Whirlin’ Spurs, Trails Plowed Under , the 1920s to the 1960s. They’re all gone now, but the stick hit the floor, so I had a full ‘boom chick’ asks me something. I answered with a cryptic com - but it was his second, Lydia’s Café (’91) that got my CD is finished.” sound. But when Mojo and Skid played My Rich ment about Tony Musante, the actor who played the biggest notice. “Not to be braggadocious, but I Guests include Joyce Rooks (vocals), Johnny Uncle’s, the stage with shag carpeting was so dead Toma on a TV show [laughs]. He quit the show played everything on the whole album,” he said. Viau (sax), Steelbone Cook (trombone), Jose that the very next day, I built the Skid Box. With a and “Barretta” with Robert Blake took its place.” “All the instruments and vocals. Everything, except Sinatra (vocals), and Mojo Nixon on bongos. microphone inside it, it sounded like a thunky Another highlight was working with movie star for the one bonus song on the vinyl only, “Banjo bass drum. The percussion was completed with Winona Ryder on the video for “Debbie Blues,” where the washboard is played by Mojo continued on page 16 www.sandiegotroubadour.com 11 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Bluegrass CORNER

by Dwight Worden THINGS CHANGE enthusiasm, vindication, and gravy. “I’m buying.” Blink. Squint. Blink. Open eyes wide. Less than an hour later (most of which was spent manually inflating these horrid - Two Bluegrass Learning Opportunities Blink, blink. Rub eyes until you see spots. Sven-Erik Seaholm Squint a little more. Blink a lot more... For ly acrid smelling things), we stand at the Are you an adult interested in advancing your those of us not gifted with 20/20 vision, river’s edge. “Hang on,” I say. “I’ve just got to get bluegrass playing skills? If you play at the the early morning hours are often fraught “That looks cold.” my…” intermediate or better level Summergrass is with these little “adjustment periods”…I “I’m sure it is,” I say matter-of-factly. My blurred vision tells me even before I offering what may be a great opportunity for narrow my eyes a little more, bat them like “At first.” dive back into the icy waters and begin you. This year, for the first time, a blushing geisha, and still, I just can’t I continue to discard all items of cloth - searching frantically under the swiftly Summergrass is offering an adult boot camp seem to get things to stop “fuzzing out” ing (save my ultra-cool, brown camou - moving depths: I’ve lost my glasses. that caters to adults learning to play guitar, and fall into focus this morning… flaged board shorts that I bought in Lake Not just any glasses. These were pro - mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and bass. The So it’s a week ago and more than a few Tahoe the last time I had a water-related gressive bifocals with hi-impact carbonate instructors are some of the top performing miles from home, it’s 11:30am and I am brainstorm), taking care to place my wal - lenses and were “Transitions” so that in musicians on the Summergrass bill. Here’s AGSEM Jam on third Thursdays enjoying the country gravy-ladled eggs let, cell phone, and keys into my shore- the bright summer sun, they looked like the lineup: Saturday, then moves into bluegrass at 1pm. and potatoes that I always crave upon bound shoes. sunglasses to everyone else. The ones I Lead Guitar: John Moore (Bluegrass Held on the Summergrass main stage, the commencing any travel whatsoever. As the “Well,” I say with the matter-of-fact need to drive, read, and just plain see Etc.) setting is beautiful, the breeze is refreshing, egg yokes and gravy begin their swirling calmness of someone who knows he’s with. The most complicated and expensive about to prove himself right. “I’m goin’.” Rhythm Guitar: Jim Nunally (John and the music is uplifting. Many well-known carbohydrate-meets-protein dance, the pair I ever owned. The ones I forgot to With that, I scooped up my giant pink Reischman and the Jay Birds) faces and players are regular attendees at subject of “tubing” down the river is take off of my smug little mug just prior to the jam, including outstanding guitar player broached again. And again, I state my case. donut and holding my Coors Light tall- embarking upon my little aquatic adven - Bass: Trisha Gagnon (John Reischman boy aloft, victoriously sat my butt into the and the Jay Birds) Billy Frisbee, player James Rust, “Look, it’s not that I don’t wanna go. I ture. Bummer. do. I’m just saying that paying $20 each to center of my pool toy. Mandolin: John Reischman (John and many others. Some of the regulars from In order to make the trip back home, I rent an inner tube seems a bit excessive.” “Okay, it’s a little cold,” I concede, try - Reischman and the Jay Birds) the Thursday evening jam session, hosted by needed to see. But glasses like these take Jason Weiss at Today’s Pizza in Encinitas “Yeah, but…how else are we going to go ing to keep my voice from wavering due to weeks to order, much less afford. Banjo: Dennis Caplinger (Bluegrass Etc.) (every Thursday from 6:30 - 9pm), are also in down the river? Kayaks? Rafts? How much the fact that I’ve just iced my cubes, if you I stopped and cleared my mind. I Fiddle: Meagan Lynch (Chris Stuart and attendance at the Saturday jam. will they cost, anyway?” get my meaning. thought for a while. The answer came. Backcountry) Eric and Suzanne thought it was a waste “We could do it for almost nothing,” I “Wait!” came the cries from shore. I found a Costco, scheduled an exam, “I can’t!” I yell happily. Bluegrass Boot Camp will include four hours of a valuable and beautiful space to have the counter. “All we really need is something got a new prescription and was fitted with Truly. I couldn’t. The current had of instruction beginning Friday morning, Museum’s main stage sit vacant most week - that floats for an hour or two.” contact lenses. I could see again the same already sent me spinning on my way August 20. Class size will be limited to 10 ends. Accordingly, they cooked up the idea of “Like what, a floatie?” comes the sarcas - day for less than $100. south and as I floated merrily along like a students, giving you more access to your holding a jam session on the stage. The ses - tic response. Of course, I don’t like them all that fly on a Fruit Loop I thought, instructor. Confirmed registrants will receive sions are open to anyone who wants to At this point I gather up my courage much and reading and writing are a pain “Hmmm…I’m already getting used to the detailed information about the camp, what to attend, free of charge, although donations and discard my humility, two things that because I need the contacts and some read - water temperature…” bring, etc. Registration is $75 and closes are welcome and they go to the non-profit always happen right before I do something ing glasses to do those things and frankly I Wham! on July 31. Tuition includes lunch, instruc - Museum. Suzanne Bentley is a member of relatively cool or horribly stupid. get “carsick” just turning my head with I smack sideways into a partly sub - tion, and instructional materials. You can the Board of Directors of the Museum. If you “I can prove it,” I say, dabbing the corner them on…so I’m wearing some glasses merged tree limb that looks and feels at download the application form and read are a North County player, or a player from of my mouth with my napkin. “Lemme from four years ago (see byline pic above). that moment like the arms of fate itself, more about Boot Camp at www.summer - anywhere who is willing to drive, stop by the grab my iPhone and I’ll GPS a Wal-Mart or I’m blinking and squinting and rubbing reaching out to explain to me once more grass.net. Museum on any Saturday and join the fun. something.” and laboring over the simple mechanics of Many of the musicians stay for both the 15 minutes later, we’re standing in the that I’m not always quite as clever as I even writing this column, much less what Slow Jam swing session starting at 11am and for the “Toys/Novelties” aisle. would like to believe. I’m writing about…which is this: bluegrass at 1pm, but if your cup of tea is “Here’s a deluxe model with a cup hold - I’m underwater. The current, which so Even when you’re right, you can still be one and not the other, you are welcome to er!” masterfully had intensified right at this wrong. You may not be able to see that attend only one session. You will find this a “How much?” I ask. bend in the river so as to shoot me into until afterwards, but one should at least great jam session with friendly and welcom - “$15.” adversity at the maximum speed possible recognize that possibility exists, before it’s ing folks making some great music. “No. Plus, isn’t keeping your beer ele - now has me pinned to the limb. The water proven. And always remember who’s name vated at all times part of the experience?” temperature is not a comfortable one for is on the front of the CD. Summergrass “True, true…” full-body submersion and my breathing Now if I could just see enough to type San Diego’s premier bluegrass festival, And then I saw it. Meticulously folded becomes labored, shallow, and fast. With that… Summergrass, is again upon us. Held at the into a flattened see-through polypropylene one arm pushing off the limb, I kick my Sven-Erik Seaholm is an award-winning inde - Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in package with a picture of a full-grown biki - feet hard and reach my body as high I can Vista over the weekend of August 20-22, this out of the water (thank you, high school pendent record producer, singer and songwriter. ni-clad woman on the cover. I snatch it off What he lacks in eyesight he hopes to make up Slow Jam on third Thursdays year’s festival looks to be one of the best. water polo class). the hook like it was the last Wonka bar in vision. Catch him this month at the North Outstanding national bands Michael I sheepishly grab my “tube” and wade golden ticket and begin to read. Just as I Park Music Thing, Friday August 13. First, as a Cleveland and Flamekeeper , Special If you are a beginner or an intermediate play - suspected, this model is perfectly propor - ashore, emboldened only by the fact that I panelist at 1pm and as a performer at Claire de Consensus Chris Stuart and er, of any age, who would like to improve , tioned to accommodate my manly-sized did actually float down the river on my Lune that evening. Backcountry, John Reischman and the your chops and be able to participate in jam frame and weight. To top it all off, it’s the still-inflated argument ender. We begin to Jay Birds and Bluegrass Etc. sessions, then the San Diego Bluegrass , promise to most shocking color of neon pink imagi - track our way back to the spot where I first Society’s third Tuesday of the month “slow provide some great music. There is also a nable. It’s the kind of color circus clowns entered the river. jam” may be just the ticket for you. The slow great complement of local and regional would find too loud. jam is led by nationally acclaimed teacher bands. And, there will be the usual presenta - “Grab ’em!” I say, feeling the giddy Janet Beazley (who also plays in Chris tion of free music workshops for all effects from the intoxicating cocktail of Stuart and Backcountry ) and takes place Summergrass attendees, taught by some of at Old Time Music (corner of University Ave. the performing artists. and Utah St. in North Park), happening every The annual kids camp will also take third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - place, culminating in the ever popular Kids 7:30pm. Admission is free to San Diego Camp performance on the main stage on Bluegrass Society members and $5.00 for Sunday. And, there will, no doubt, be great non-members. To sign up send Janet an jamming in the campgrounds throughout the email at: [email protected]. She will festival. Great food is also provided, includ - then send you an e-mail with music and ing barbecue, Mexican, and the usual ham - other information. Janet specializes in teach - burgers, etc. If you’ve never visited the ing classic bluegrass tunes at non- breakneck Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum this pace and in making some of the great blue - should be your year to go. You will find an grass classics accessible to those just learn - intriguing collection of antique American ing their instruments. Class members will farm equipment, including an old school - also learn how to play back up, how to house, a model railroad, a blacksmith shop, approach a solo, and how to play in a jam and other interesting sites to intrigue even session. those not that interested in bluegrass music. For more information and to see the schedule AGSEM Saturday Jam of performances, or to buy tickets, visit: There is a new jam www.summergrass.net. taking place in North So, whatever level and experience you County. Organized by are, we urge you to get out and participate in Eric and Suzanne one or more of the great bluegrass opportu - Bentley, the jam takes nities that San Diego has to offer. We hope place every Saturday to see you there! at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista. The Eric & Suzanne Bentley Museum, as you may know, is also home to the Summergrass Festival. This new jam session features swing music starting at 11am every 12 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Hosing Down Radio Philosophy, Art, Culture, & Music by José Sinatra Daze StAgeS THE “COOL” CONCLUSION by Peter Bolland larger currents, but letting itself be pulled Previously: Those who refuse to use away and dragged and dropped until it lost the word “cool” as their primary (or, ideal - SMOOTH AS STONE all sense of separateness. With each ly, only) positive adjective have been tar - encounter it left its mark on others, at the geted for assassination by the clandestine have a smooth palm-sized river stone on same time feeling the shape of its own life consortium responsible for the on-going my desk, right beneath my computer change. People often try to change all by brainwashing of America.The Hose, who monitor, a nice juxtaposition of high I themselves. Rocks do it together. dared expose the nefarious conspiracy in tech and no tech. I sometimes hold it in my We do not have to know what all the print, has finally been located and sanc - hands when I don’t have anything to say. steps are. Nor do we have to choreograph tioned for “final cooling.” Silence is the language of stones. them. We only have to willingly surrender It feels heavy and cool on my skin. I feel Amid the danger, my own voice startled to the yearnings of our own deeper nature, it pulling toward the ground, waiting for my me. then step forward courageously, humbly, wrist to twist or my fingers to part so it can “Please don’t! Don’t kill me! I’ll be The Hose himself: idol or idiot? and in the consciousness of service. Let the slip from its perch and return to mother cool! Don’t shoot! Please! I’m sorry! Let river do the rest. Life will meet us head on. earth. I never let go. Stones teach patience. me live! Let me be cool!” Difficult people will scrape up against us. purely for fun. by Jim McInnes No rock begins this way, smooth and Then the hills came alive with the Circumstance will rip away all our carefully Now it’s all for the bucks. Now the round. Rocks begin jagged. Then sand and sound of uzis. The intruders’ guns blasted constructed comforts. Our own misguided staff is paid. Maybe the bigger it gets, so water and other rocks bash and scrape and their staccato slaps onto the naked cheeks The DSC Is Back! instinctual drives will draw us into destruc - do the egos and the wallets. Is there a grind away at the edges until only the of the tape player I had hidden among the tive decisions and actions that will take limit to how cool people can be? he ultra-popular morning radio smooth round middle remains. Everything towels and pillows under the blankets. It years to repair. Pain will shatter our façades And they’ve got the city by its sensitive show team of Dave, Shelly and unessential is gone. Songs and poems and sounded like a hundred porno movies all and death will flag our every step. But parts now, haven’t they? TChainsaw (aka the DSC) has people and ideas and nations and marriages playing at once (and I must confess I never throughout the rough and tumble of this returned to the air on 100.7 JACK-FM, begin the same way: messy, unfocused, com - understood that slapping stuff). Give us what we want or we’ll move watercourse, we grow smoother and which is where I work. We last worked plicated, overwrought, cluttered. Then along Half a minute later the noise stopped away . . . Be cool, honor us . . . don’t doubt smoother every year as the disingenuous under the same roof in 2002. (All of us comes the scouring. Without the friction and the three armed enforcers began high- us for one second, please, if you know artifice is ground away by the hardships of eventually met the inevitable fate of all and the conflict and the constant, painful fiving each other and whooping and head - what’s cool. And you do know, don’t you: our lives. “The trials we endure,” wrote Clear Channel employees: termination.) cutting away, the beauty of the final stage is ing back out the shattered front door. we are. You go along with us and we’ll let Epictetus, “introduce us to our strengths.” And the circle is a wheel, whatever never revealed, cloaked forever beneath “What a wuss! Cried like a baby!” you be cool, too. If we have to move (and In our dawning maturity, we thank our ene - that means, because I was there at the peripheral layers of obfuscation and detri - “Like a chick! Sure plugged that hose, understand, we eventually want at least mies and honor our failures, for without inception of the DSC show. tus. The secret of life is learning to love the heh-heh!” half of downtown; please start the immi - them, this growing wisdom would have fall - In late 1989, KGB’s popular morning cutting away. “Totally! Call it in, dude. How cool.” nent domain proceedings asap), you’ll be en stillborn to wither on the bright plains of show team of Mike Berger and Jeff As we strive to create our best lives, as “So cool!” so uncool, you’ll pray for death. our misspent youth. Prescott defected to rival 91X. KGB’s we endeavor to hone our craft, fortify our Once I heard their car peel out into “All first drafts are shit,” said Ernest I’ll bet that nearly all Con goers who’ve then-owners, Brown Broadcasting, fortunes, and magnify our excellence, we the night, I stepped out of the back room Hemingway. Having the backbone to cull seen the original Invasion of the Body refused to put anyone under contract, so learn the art of intention and practice the and into the kitchen to review the surveil - the garbage from your writing, your song, Snatchers a consider it an impressive, Berger and Prescott were there one day law of attraction, thinking that by drawing lance tape. your poem, indeed your life, is the mark of important work of art; one of the handful and gone the next. toward us everything we lack we will even - Their faces had come out more clearly a great artist. The only thing worse than a of 20th century sci-fi masterpieces. But During a momentary lapse of reason tually be fulfilled. Manifesting situations, than I had thought possible. I’d have no half-baked song is a half-baked songwriter. why can’t they comprehend that the story over beers at a local bar, I told program conditions, and objects out of the field of problem recognizing them at the Comic If our lives are our masterworks, then every - itself is actually taking place in the real director Ted Edwards that I’d anchor a pure potentiality is a worthy goal. But lost Con. All three were on the Con staff; I thing is at stake. We have been given an world , right now? That they’ve all become, morning show until a permanent host in this model is the simple truth that we would be disguised as Xena the Warrior opportunity in the march of these days to or are becoming, victims? Substitute those could be found. I figured I’d have some already are everything we seek. Princess. step to the beat of our own drum or follow pods with something so innocuous – so name recognition, since I’d been on KGB Maybe we have it backwards. Maybe Besides being avenged, I was going to the beat of another. From the copious boun - devious – that it nearly defines genius. for 15 years at the time. Cookie instead of adding this skill and that quality document the root of the danger once and ty of our lives we draw the sustenance that Instead of millions of pods, all it takes is “Chainsaw” Randolph (NOT his real and this new piece of equipment, we ought for all. will fuel our muscles for the march, know - one single word ! It becomes their goal, name!), who was already at KGB, having to be letting things fall away, jettisoning Each year from all over the globe, hun - ing that there is always another meal and their mantra, their reason for being. In the been a part of the Berger and Prescott everything that isn’t genuinely, authentically dreds of thousands gather to recharge the another cool drink of water around the beginning was the Word; this one might show (but who didn’t want to go with real. When we let slip the limiting labels we Dread Word and at the Convention’s end, bend. Letting go of thoughts and behaviors as well have plopped out from the butt of them to 91X), would be my co- use to define ourselves, our essence begins carry it as a virus to every multisex village that no longer serve us, mindfully culling a teenage mutant ninja turtle. No, that’s host/sports reporter/brains of the outfit. to emerge. Thirteenth century German mys - and farm. It was a diabolic plan that some the clutter from our homes and to-do lists, too much class. Erik Thompson, one of KGB’s infamous tic Meister Eckhart said that we become fanboy had cribbed from Ian Fleming’s leaving room for new growth to rise up, Suddenly, reason sticks its lovely “News Brothers,” would be our news - who we really are not by a process of addi - masterpiece, On Her Majesty’s Secret take root, and bloom – these are the gifts we tongue in my throat and bitchslaps my man. This contraption, named the tion, but by a process of subtraction. Service . The entire world would soon be receive on the road toward our awakening, brain, saving me again. No, I won’t set “Morning Machine,” debuted in January In a famous anecdote about the sculptor helplessly enslaved and infected by the this joy is the fruit of our renunciation, this foot in the Con this year, or maybe ever of 1990. Michelangelo, he was asked by an admiring only adjective ever spoken (22, 345 times, verdant emptiness is the silence out of again. I’ll throw my assailants to the jus - The “Morning Machine” used to patron how he managed to create the mas - on average, every ten seconds) by atten - which the music of our lives emerge. tice system and stay away from the dan - wheeze and rattle to life weekday morn - terpiece “David.” dees during four July days at the “Pay attention to your enemies,” wrote gers of the mobs. Although I’m immune to ings at the ungodly hour of 5:30. One of “When I approached the marble,” he Convention Center. Antisthenes in the fourth century B.C.E., cool ’s power of zombification, the very the first things I whined was, “Who gets replied, “I simply removed everything that It’s been the largest gathering of its “for they are the first to discover your mis - sound of it nauseates and infuriates me. up at this hour? It’s so friggin’ early. It’s was not David.” kind in the world for decades now. San takes.” As a devoted protégé of Socrates Were I to hear it so often – choruses of it the crack of dark outside.” I frequently Like most philosophical advice, this is Diego is rightfully proud of being number- (and witness to that tragic ending), bouncing off the Convention Center walls complained about having to get up at easier said than done. How do we cooperate one-in-the-world in this respect, but evi - Antisthenes taught that misfortune and in all its proud, subliminally destructive, 4:18 am, calling it cruel and unusual with the forces around us, the forces that dently the people running the Con don’t opposition ultimately serve us better than greedy insistence – I’ll be forced to tears, punishment. And that was on the days I will peel back the cocoons of our own feel that they’re getting respect enough. easy living and blind support. Unlike at the very least. actually got up in time. There were a becoming? They want to get even bigger. They’ve got friends and lovers, enemies have no stake in I prefer to keep my tears in reserve for few days when all-night jock Coe Lewis How did this river rock reach this stage to get bigger, dammit, and if San Diego our fortune – they’re success is utterly more purely human (and humane) matters. took my place because I’d overslept. of its own beauty? By bumping up against doesn’t friggin’ expand the Convention unhinged from ours. In this light, difficult The moment I’m convinced that the word Chainsaw and Erik Thompson never the messy world, by following the flow of Center, they’re threatening to move the “cool” has not degraded the Human really got along, so E.T. was booted. and abrasive people are a profound gift; they Con to some other city. Sure, those folks Experience, I’ll voluntarily remove myself Chainsaw said he knew this woman he’d are sandpaper to our soul leaving us lighter, are the coolest, but they need more cool from it. But as of now, I’m still alive, and worked with at KDKB in Phoenix who smoother and more deeply beautiful. like a cokehead needs more coke or a mul - nom de air “Kramer, the Music Maker” at Would we rather be rough-edged, diffi - being alive right now is very neato. might be interested in being our news a Milwaukee station, was 28 years old timillionaire needs more millions. To the coolies who were sent to do me anchor. Soon I was introduced to Shelly cult to warm up to, loud, caustic, inelegant, Just more victims of the cancer of cool. and had already been working mornings chaotic, bloated, overblown, ineffective, in: You will have met Johnny Law by the Dunn. Like most ‘Zonies, she jumped at for years. His brother was also a morning How many more attendees will they time this is printed. Personally, I think the opportunity to work in San Diego awkward, and hard to love? Or would we require before they realize that the Con’s show jock and his dad had been a radio rather be simple, smooth, graceful, centered, killing a tape player is nearly as lame as and be a part of the “Morning news broadcaster for decades in Chicago. ever-expanding size had long ago dulled striking a chick. And even less cool. Machine.” grounded, powerful, clean, elegant, quiet, its enjoyability factor? Oh, sure, it’ll Rickards was born into the business! concise, clarified, and effective? Let life To those who attended the Con: I’ll After a couple of months of generally On March 29, 1990, the “Morning always be cool, and people will feel so continue to think or pray for a way to well-received shows, I was ready to wear away your sharp edges. Thank your cool to be there. And just being cool is lots Machine” ran out of gas and was thrown enemies. Honor your challenges. Know that save you. return to my mid-day program, (mostly onto the scrapheap of history. The fol - of fun, so they’ll have pantyloads of fun To everyone else: YOU’RE NEXT!!! so I could sleep until 8 am!) I was eager when you lose, you win. Welcome the when it’s all so cool. lowing Monday, April Fool’s Day, the struggle. Let it bring your essential, authen - for KGB to find someone better suited to newly christened “Dawn Patrol” kicked I remember when the Con was simply the punishing schedule. “Someone tic self to the surface. Learn to glide. Let magic. Early-to-mid 1970s, it was close to off on KGB, starring Dave Rickards, Shelly everything that’s false fall away. Become who younger,” Chainsaw told me. I didn’t Dunn and Cookie “Chainsaw” Randolph, paradise, even as I toiled on the staff as care; I just wanted out. you really are. Become as smooth as stone. Film Coordinator for two years. Autographs (NOT his real name!) while I began a For nine weeks Chainsaw had listened week’s vacation in England, sleeping as Peter Bolland is a professor at Southwestern were free. I fell in with a group of under - to hundreds of audition tapes from College where he teaches eastern and western late as I wanted. philosophy, ethics, world religions, and mythol - ground comic artists, and, with Hunter morning show hopefuls across the coun - Thompson’s recent Fear and Loathing in It’s a thrill to be working again on the ogy. After work he is a poet, singer-songwriter, try but couldn’t find anyone who stood and author. He has a band called the Coyote Las Vegas as our bible, we were able to same radio station with one of America’s out . . . until the day in late February of greatest morning shows. Problem. He also leads an occasional satsang at absorb and retain every precious moment 1990, when he listened to a young the Unity Center and knows his way around a Welcome back, DSC. You’ve been kitchen. You can find him on Facebook at: while creating memorable pleasant insani - Denver rock jock named Dave Rickards. ty whenever the mood struck. We did it missed! www.facebook.com/peter.bolland.page or write Rickards, who was once saddled with the to him at [email protected] www.sandiegotroubadour.com 13 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR highway’s song

14 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR highway’s song

Cindy Cashdollar and Dave Alvin Take Us Where We’ve Already Been

by Terry Roland women and put together the Guilty Women Ellington on country instruments. You’ll for the show. We had about 10 minutes of hear a lot about it at the show. Dave can tell here do the roots of our music rehearsal. I thought, this is so insane; we a lot of stories. He’s an amazing scholar, not come from? During a recent should be rehearsing like crazy to do this. just of music but of history. His songs are Winterview slide-steel player But, he had faith in us. We did the show. stories, really. Cindy Cashdollar stated the obvious: roots Yep Roc records was there and asked us to SDT: It seems like today’s singer-songwriters music comes from going back to where do a CD. like Dave and Tom Russell are writing things we’ve already been and creating something SDT: So, it’s just you and Dave for the San that are equal to great literature. new and timeless. Cindy should know. A Diego show? CINDY: Yes. They take you somewhere virtuoso lap steel, instrumentalist, CINDY: Yeah, this is just a very different you’ve been, where you are, and where she was raised in Woodstock, New York, thing. I got a call from the Museum of you’re going. And it’s always a great story. during the ’60s when Dylan and the Band Making Music in Carlsbad to do a show. I SDT: So, in a sense, roots music is taking us found their way to Big Pink. She absorbed thought as long as I would be in California, places we’ve been before. It’s going where it’s the diverse music coming from her town it would be nice to work with Dave again. It already been. and emerged a gifted and in-demand slide was a kind of a happy accident. Not really CINDY: Yes. But, it’s more than just the guitar player. This is no small feat for a planned or anything. Dave’s such a phe - music. It’s how we look at the world, with woman in a field dominated by men. Her nomenal singer-songwriter and one of the Cindy Cashdollar and Dave Alvin this curiosity about the source of things. talent and skill led her to session and live nicest people to work with. We do every work with what reads like an all-star roster kind of roots music for this. I was there last SDT: You’re right. When I was 14 I went of rock and country legends, including Bob year with Redd Volkaert for a history of from the Monkees to Hendrix because I SDT: Did growing up in Woodstock have any ful! He had lived in Woodstock, so I think Dylan, , , Rick slide guitar event. This year we’re doing it found out they listened to him. Then I found influence on you? there was this nice connection between us. Danko, Rod Stewart, Beausoleil, Daniel in an auditorium. I think that’s phenomenal. out Hendrix listened to Dylan, so I listened CINDY: Oh, yes. The music was every - Now, to meet Dave Alvin is coming full cir - Lanois, , and Redd Volkaert. to him. Then, I read that Dylan listened to cle because he embodies it all. He’s a genius SDT: So, this is not a tour. I noticed you’ve where. Before the Woodstock festival there Her most significant musical collabora - Woody Guthrie; that led to Woody and final - singer-songwriter and guitar player. It’ll be a sold out McCabe’s already. were Sound Outs. They were music festivals tion happened during her eight years with ly to the Carter Family: the source. on farms. I was 12 or so and our dads wonderful show. CINDY: I hear that. That was a surprise. We , which led to five CINDY: That’s right. That’s exactly it! would drop us off. We’d hang out and see SDT: What about other influences in terms Grammys. In 2009 she joined Dave Alvin’s thought as long as we were in California, SDT: So, what kind of music will you be people like . One of the first of gender in roots music, especially those the Guilty Women, which include Laurie we might as well throw in McCabe’s. I’m playing at these shows? concerts I ever saw was a benefit with John who were instrumentalists? Lewis and the late Amy Farris. This led to a excited about it. I’ve never played there. Hammond Jr., Odetta , Van Morrison, and CINDY: Yes. There was one special influ - close friendship with Americana great SDT: There’s a lot of talk about you and CINDY: There’ll be some instrumentals. It’ll Happy Traum. In my early years I was ence on me. Her name was Marian Hall. She Alvin. So, when the call came from the Dave and roots music. Can you tell me be different styles. Something for every - exposed to a lot of music like Muddy played . As far as I know she was Museum of Making Music to perform in about that? body – jazz, folk, blues, different guitar Waters and Willie Dixon. They were our one of the first female steel guitar players. Carlsbad, she called Dave. The August 14 styles, and I do, well, slide guitar. CINDY: I think the name says it all. It’s the heroes. I’d see them all. Sonny Terry and She played . She was in a concert will be acoustic, highlighting SDT: How did you get started as an instru - beginning of a certain kind of music that Brownie McGhee. It all just seeped in. I house band on a TV show in California Cindy’s talent on slide, steel, and dobro. mentalist? took root and grew in all kinds of direc - grew up with the beginnings of roots music called “Town Hall Party.” It was on during She gave a perfect example of how CINDY: I started with guitars. When I was tions. But, it’s timeless, it continues. It won’t reaching the public. There was a lot of talk the ’50s. They were an amazing house band. roots/Americana musicians honor the ori - 11 I started slide guitar and then from there go away. You know, we know it’s not gonna about Dylan and the Band being there. It It was a popular show with guests like Patsy gins of the music and their influences when took up the dobro. I loved the different be number one, but that’s not what it’s all was around the time Dylan used the Band at Cline and Johnny Cash. But Marian never she called me back after the interview to sounds you can get with the slide, either about. It’s an ever-growing, ever-present Newport Folk Festival. Later, I got to work became known. I did a piece on her for ask that I include Marian Hall, a steel gui - acoustic or electric. It’s a vocal instrument. process, ever changing, but it always has with Levon Helm; I toured with Vintage Guitar [magazine] some years ago. tarist from the 1950s, as her major influ - been there. Look what film has done for SDT: What kind guitars will you bringing and Van Morrison. When I worked with She had a family and toured. She did so ence. While Marian had been all but forgot - roots music. O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? is a for the upcoming show? Levon, I was with the All Stars. He had shot many things under contract for record ten, it’s this tribute from Cindy that makes good example. So many people discovered CINDY: One will be from Larry Pogreba his leg accidently while filming a movie, so labels. She never became the household our most American of music so unique. the genre through that film. You can look at Custom. He’s from Montana. I’ll be bringing we did all acoustic rehearsals. name she should’ve been. I spent years try - INTERVIEW WITH CINDY certain soundtracks. Now you’ve got Crazy a Bill Asher lap steel. You know, if I could SDT: Did you have music around in your ing to locate her. I finally found her in the CASHDOLLAR Heart . It’s always been there in one form or bring 20 guitars, I would. family? late ’90s. We became close friends until she another. You really can’t be in it for the San Diego Troubadour: How did you get SDT: Tell me about your influences. CINDY: Y es. My Dad was a big lover of passed away a few years ago. You know, it’s together with Dave Alvin? money, but for the love of the music. People these people who are missed without roots CINDY: Well, when I first started playing, it . My Mom loved world just keep discovering it. music. Most people are gonna listen to a CINDY: I had met Dave in Austin over the was John Fahey. He’s not known for bottle - music, jazz like Stan Getz and Dave SDT: How do you think that discovery hap - Ralph Stanely song done by Alison Krause years. Dave had this band, the Guilty Men. neck, but he had this song on this one Brubeck. pens? and that’s enough. When his friend and player Chris album, Of Rivers and Religion . I bought the SDT: Was there any special moments you Gaffney died, Dave wasn’t able to do the CINDY: Curiosity. People keep going back record for the photo on the front – this boat remember in your recording career? SDT: So, as far as a direction, would you say gigs anymore. He’d look and not see Chris to find the original source. They investigate roots music is going where it came from? going up a river. I thought if the cover CINDY: Recording Time Out of Mind with and it was just too hard. The producers of to find out where it all came from. Where I looks good, the music gotta be just as good. Dylan was a wonderful experience, wonder - CINDY: Yes. That’s it. That says it! the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San grew up in Woodstock there was lots of He did a few slide songs. I was only playing Francisco called, wanting him to bring the roots music. It was a melting pot of country, guitar and didn’t know what a dobro was. I Guilty Men, but he had to do something blues, swing, jazz. I worked with Asleep at started copying the tunings on the record. I different. So, he changed the band to the Wheel and they were like Duke had a couple of lessons, and that was it. Important players to me would be Josh RX CANNABIS RAID RELIEF CONCERT AND EXPO Graves, Michael Auldridge, Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, and Ry Cooder. August 14 · 4:30 - 9:30pm Palisades Ballroom, Balboa Park Pan-American Plaza

Info: http://safeaccessnow.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=5606

PHIL HARMONIC SEZ

“Many of the insights of the saint stem from his experience as a sinner.” —Eric Hoffer

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 15 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

Skid Roper, continued from page 11. you don’t want them too far apart ed collecting them in groups of 15 musicians all over town, people when they complement each other. and putting them in separate folders would call me, looking for a certain These are things only a record pro - with their own titles and ended up instrument player. This happened over “Ironically, my next CD is half fin - ducer would think about. The average with another 13 CDs that I’d like to and over. Don Strandberg called me ished, because it’s originals, but all person just hears the overall sound, put out.” To give an idea of the size of and asked if I knew of a bass player acoustic.” He notes some differences like seeing a painting that’s blue, but this treasure trove, this is separate available. Yes, I do. Who? Well, me! between Lydia’s Café and Rock ‘n’ the picture has many other colors from all the live CDs that he’d like to Oh, you play bass? Come to rehearsal Roll Part 3 . “Since it took ten years when you look closer.” see released. “I’ve got old tapes and see how we sound together. So I instead of one month, the latest Notably, Roper was willing to go nobody else has: the Syndicate of brought my bass down and album is a lot more ‘produced.’ If one to extraordinary lengths for the right Jose Sinatra & the Troy Dante Inferno: Soul, the Rockjets live at Bodies. joined the Hellhounds. Same thing track of Hammond organ is good, top row: Miff Laracy, Buddy Pastel Jr., Roper; sound. “I couldn’t find a baritone Mojo and Skid live, Jett Black and the with drums in Big Time Operator and four tracks of Hammond organ is bet - bottom row: Jose Sinatra, Troy Dante electric guitar to play a solo for Blackouts live at My Rich Uncles, the Charo Trick. Or bass with the ter, I had the opportunity to add lots ‘Monday Afternoon,’ so I ended up Shards live, 3 Heavy Geniuses, the Scavengers or Saint James. It’s only all of extra stuff besides guitar, bass, and twister of a tune. Some of my songs building one at Zolla Guitars. Bill Shadowcasters, Skid Roper and Jayne these years later and writing down drums.” While listeners will find can be a little long and wordy. Zolla let me cut out the unique head - Robson, the Splinters, Charo Trick at and organizing groups in a timeline everything from mandolin to African Verbose is the word that Chris Davies stock and neck and he got the correct the Casbah, the Evasions, and the list list that I realize I’ve played a whole slit drum, this time out there is no used. Verbose! Hey, that’s another scale for the fingerboard fret slots and goes on and on! I need a grant or a bunch of music on different instru - washboard. good name for a band. Thanks, glued the fingerboard to the neck and wealthy benefactor-music fan who ments.” Roper is working on a book The album was recorded with Chris!” [laughs] then put in the frets. I took all the guts could help put this stuff out. Even if I covering all these events and more, longtime friends and sidemen, drum - out of a bass with lipstick post Rock ‘n’ Roll end up giving them away, at least the complete with a free CD containing mer Joel Kmak and bassist Chip pickups and carefully duct-taped Roper hasn’t been performing live music won’t be lost,” he said. unreleased tracks from 30 different McClendon. “I’ve known Joel since everything together on a unique tear lately, though not necessarily by Roper has been going to Jack Roper associated acts. “Luckily, I kept the early ’80s when he was in the drop shaped body. It worked out well choice. “Well, the phone just stopped Butler’s (Private Domain, Glory) stu - these recordings and photographs all Hitmakers,” Roper explained. and I got to play my baritone guitar ringing,” he laughed. “I used to look dio once a week, for a few hours, to these years. But I still have the same “Somewhere in the late ’80s or early solo. By the way, that’s a four-string in the Reader at all the bands playing transfer tapes. “I’m about halfway simple ambition I had back then: Just ’90s we played together in the Saint electric mandolin playing the same at the Casbah and I would know most through my box of live cassettes,” he to be able to pay the rent every James Voodoo Rockers; I played bass notes in the solo, just a lot higher.” of them, but now I only know one or said. This is an involved process. month. It seems to get harder and and he played drums. I’ve always two in a week. I’ve never been a “Luckily he has a tape deck with harder these days. That’s right! I shop liked his propulsive stick work. And good self promoter.” He did score a speed adjustment for those tapes that at the 99¢ store! [laughs]” Roper’s his drumming too! [laughs]” major coup in June, unexpectedly get - were recorded too fast or too slow. favorite thing about making music Meanwhile, bassist McClendon is also ting an opening spot with Jonathan We tune it to the key of the song remains the same. “I like creating coming up on the two decade mark. Richman. “A few months ago I went using a tuning fork.” something that wasn’t there before “He’s the only bass player I’ve played down to the Casbah early for his Though not prolific at releasing and sharing it with the world,” he with who likes it when I come up sound check to say hello. He doesn’t solo albums, Roper is a prolific song - said. with a bass line or pattern. Some bass have an opening act so I asked him if writer. “I can be when I need to be,” Skid Roper’s latest CD, Rock ‘n’ players don’t want to be shown any - I could play mandolin instrumentals he stated. “I’ve rarely been at a loss Roll Part 3 , is available at thing. He’s always got some high- from 9 to 9:30pm. He said, [does for words. I’m always scribbling down SkidRoper.com. Skid can be contact - tech, new-fangled amp, but I did get Richman impression], ‘Hey, that words and phrases that hit my ear in ed directly at him to play through an old tuck and Charo Trick sounds pretty good to me.’ But that’s a good way. That’s why I always carry [email protected] roll Kustom Charger bass amp for a The album’s lone cover, Claudine not the normal way to get gigs a tiny pencil in my pocket. Once in few years. He now plays a five string Clark’s “Party Lights” is a nod to his [laughs].” Both the Shadowcasters the early ’80s I wrote down 25 titles bass, which I like a lot. Those low early days. “One of my older sisters and the Skid Roper Combo are con - for new rockabilly songs and finished notes really fill things out, especially used to play that 45 a whole lot when sidered active concerns, two sides of most of them in a week! Lots of the in a trio.” I was a kid and I’ve always liked it,” a musical coin. “The Shadowcasters use of words like “bop,” “rockin’,” Each song on the album has its he explained. “I used to do it live in can play anything, but theoretically, “mama,” “shakin’, etc. But that was own feel, from folk to psych to blues. the Whirlin’ Spurs, with Jayne Robson the Skid Roper Combo does all origi - just an experiment in production line For Roper the sound and placement singing the lead. This time I’m singing nals. Maybe an odd cover song or songwriting. I’ve only recorded five of of instruments on each track is impor - it as a duet with Joyce Rooks. I gave two.” six of those songs since then.” One of tant. “This is the first time I did the the song a festive, New Orleans feel As much as Roper is looking for - Rock ‘n’ Roll Part 3 ’s best tunes, ‘The final mixing of songs using head - with dueling parade snare drums and ward, to new music, he’s also Return of Rodan,’ is one of those, phones and it really helped a lot.” He a groovy sax played by Johnny Viau.” increased his efforts to catalog the though now recast as a slower blues cites the song, “The First of Shadow,” There is one outtake from the album – music in his vast archive. “I’ve taken tune, with a Jimmy Reed feel. as an example. “There’s a ragtime gui - “a nutty beat poetry song that got inventory of a whole bunch of com - Even a cursory look at Roper’s tar, played by me, and also a trom - bumped when I wrote a better one pleted songs that have never seen the resume shows a career that’s both bone, played by Steelbone. You don’t called ‘Hope,’ Roper said. “‘Hope’ light of day and I now believe that prolific and intertwined with many want them too close to each other on was kinda inspired by the Last Poets, they need to be heard,” he said. “In others, but there’s been no master the right and left because they would an early 1970s pre-rap group; Nixon my 20s and 30s I figured there was plan. “I was content to float along like fight each other in the fills but also guests on bongos on this tongue- plenty of time to do it later. It’s now a leaf in a stream, landing here and later and time’s a-wastin’. I didn’t there,” Roper said. “A strange thing realize just how many good unborn happened many times. Since I sold tunes I had lying around, until I start - lots of fixed up musical instruments to

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El Monte Slim Kill Myself to Sleep by Frank Kocher

Ian Trumbull is a singer/guitarist with local coun - try-rockers Ghost Town Deputies, and “Mocha” Joe Camacho has played pedal steel with a number of local country and rock performers, including MEX. The two Danny Langdon MandoBasso Rusty King Tyler Grant combine their talents in El Monte Slim, and play Trumbull’s original tunes on Kill Hard Lessons Bill Bradbury Running Through Up the Neck Myself to Sleep . The EP was “recorded in 2009 in San Diego bedrooms.” Gunnar Biggs The sound is deliberately spare and by Frank Kocher the Stop Signs by Frank Kocher rough, with minimal overdubs. The Originally from New York, Danny Tyler Grant is a bluegrass multi-instru - homemade charm is balanced by by Paul Hormick by Frank Kocher moments on this seven-song disc when Langdon has relocated to San Diego, mentalist who has played with Adrienne the listener feels like the sonic skeletons playing guitar and singing with local After years of prodding and encour - Rusty King calls San Diego home, Young’s band as well as Chris and Casey sound a lot like demos of tunes not yet band the Blues Brokers. He has also been agement from friends and fellow musi - though the singer/songwriter went to and the Two Stringers. Lately, he has fully realized. busy on his own, writing and recording cians, local bassist Gunnar Biggs finally North Carolina in 2009 to record his been playing bass in Emmitt/Nershi Band The title tune sets the tone: quiet, laid songs for his CD Hard Lessons . Fronting a released a CD of his own last year. debut CD, Running Through the Stop and guitar in the Drew Emmitt band, back, soft country-rock balladry by blues band hasn’t much to do with the Placing himself in trios or forming duos Signs . In Charlotte, he worked on the which features mandolin whiz Emmitt. Trumbull, with familiar-sounding hooks music on this project, which Langdon with other local top caliber musicians, disc with veteran Americana Grant can play a few licks himself, too, as and Camacho’s decorative touches. burned in West Virginia with studio musi - Biggs called the disk Footprint , and it musician/producers Eric Lovell and Gigi turns out; he won the National Guitar “Turn for the Better” blends some nice cians. The overall sound is chiming gui - proved to be one of the best local releas - Dover; they came up with a collection of Flatpicking Championship in Winfield, guitar work by both players, using a tar-keyboard rock, and Langdon is a sort es that we’ve had in a long, long time. 10 tunes that sample freely from country, Kansas, in 2008. His new disc, Up the minor key to create a mood. “Got It of update on 1980’s Canadian pop star One of the disk’s surprises, contrasting rock, and R&B. As a singer, King does Neck , is an all-instrumental affair, focus - Bad” uses a swing beat, with Trumbull Bryan Adams, mixed in with a taste of with Biggs’ straight ahead jazz and fine, he manages to overcome a ing on bluegrass and country acoustic doing some Tom Waits-style meandering 2000’s pop star Ryan Adams. This isn’t avant-garde compositions, was Southern drawl to flash enough vocal guitar tunes. These include several tradi - on the vocal, but it works anyway. On just a play on words – he pushes the rock “Zanesville Breakdown,” an Appalachian and style range and avoids sounding like tional standards arranged by Grant, a for - “AM Radio,” the pair add mandolin to envelope like Bryan, but adds softer inspired toe tapper that the bassist per - just another alt-country hat act or over- mer Nashville cat who now calls good effect. “New Bad Habit” is the clos - country touches like Ryan. Notably, formed with mandolinist Bill Bradbury. A tanned beachcomber. The songs are all Colorado home. er here, and like several of the other Langdon’s writing contributes some lyri - year later Bradbury and Biggs have King originals, and though they don’t The music on this generous 14-track tracks, it is pleasant, with good pedal cal heft with themes of spirituality and reunited to produce Mandobasso , a stray too far from familiar topic territory, disc puts the guitar out front and differs steel licks and clever lyrics. tough reality. whole disk of mandolin/bass duos there are some tracks that stand out. from many bluegrass recordings by not Kill Myself to Sleep is very laid back, “Don’t You Give In” has the message derived from or inspired by Ireland and “Was It Just Yesterday?” starts things having fiddle. The banjo and, occasional - and unhurried, as El Monte Slim might of nonconformity, -sound Appalachia. Fresh and filled with excel - off, with King in good form, yearning ly, the mandolin, take their turns chop - sound jamming in a living room. There guitars, and folk-rock harmonies of the lent musicianship, the disk is a pleasure about the good times with an absent ping and the guys on this disc are isn’t much of a beat, and a few of the early Byrds, along with a catchy melody. from beginning to end. lover, to a funky acoustic guitar rhythm smooth pros: Jordan Ramsey on man - tunes sound like they might sound better A child witnesses his mother being bat - Biggs and Bradbury are not the first with nice, R&B organ swells over the dolin and particularly Andy Thorn on with a full band treatment, but it’s inter - tered by his dad – and wants to know to pair the mandolin and bass. In 2008 top. On this one Lovell, for some reason, banjo keep the notes flying, giving Grant esting and worth a listen. why – in the title tune, a rocker with a bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolinist uses guitar effects in the background some serious company. lesson. Langdon sings “Daddy don’t you Chris Thile released a CD of their duets. that sound like croaking bullfrogs, but Grant is a young, technically gifted do it/ Don’t you hit her no more.” A The bass and mandolin are at polar the song still is a highlight. On “Alarm player. Cross picking with excellent tim - slow rocker follows, “The Only One for opposites of the musical range, extreme - Clock” King sings about how people ing and clean execution, he starts off Me,” which pushes his vocal range to its ly high and low, and their timbres are who work in cubicles sell out, and pay - with “Springtime Flatpicking,” an impres - Northstar Session limit, and almost over it. “Save Me” uses also quite different. Meyer and Thile ing his dues is a rat race; but it seems to sive piece of solo progressive bluegrass churning acoustic guitars for bottom, exploited this disparity to its fullest, the end right in the middle, and musically guitar that lays to rest any doubts about Winter Collection then gradually brings on everything else two musicians speeding through licks and lyrically it seems unfinished. The his technical skill. Then, “Funky Boulder” by Frank Kocher in the studio for a winning, rocking state - and arpeggios as though each were a familiar country theme of wishing the shows that Grant isn’t staying in a safe ment about Langdon’s faith. This is sort soloist and knowing full well that the dis - current lover were the old one makes up bluegrass groove, as jazzy chords and the Showing experi - of an open letter from him to his Lord, parity between their instruments kept “Pretending She’s You,” again the organ melody line give Thorn a chance to ence and sea - managing to be a rock prayer without them from stepping on each other’s borrows a Stax vibe that helps move the unleash a shower of notes before giving soning from being overtly religious. Unfortunately, toes. Like Bradbury and Biggs, Thile and song forward. way to Grant, who plays an imaginative three previous “Found the Love,” which follows, tries Meyer’s music has its roots in Ireland, King gets down with “Sweet Tea” solo that mixes blues, jazz, and soul. discs, former San for funkiness and falls flat despite its mes - but their pyrotechnical performances with a full band playing a stomping Bluegrass fans don’t despair – the next Diego (now LA) sage celebrating devotion. and incorporation of dissonance took blues behind him. This tune is simple but tune, “Witch Creek,” is Tony Rice-style band the Spiritual themes continue in “All I their folk-based music into a Lester Flatt effective, and his lyrics about his baby full speed hoedown licks, and Grant has Northstar Want,” as Langdon takes a snappy cho - meets the Mahavishnu Orchestra realm. and her tea provide two and half min - them all, taking the scales up, down, Session has released an EP of polished rus hook that could be from a Badfinger In quite a different manner Bradbury utes of fun. “I Haven’t Forgotten You here, and there. “Forked Deer” is an old pop and rock called Winter Collection . track, sets it to minor chords, and grafts and Biggs are somehow able to accentu - Yet” shifts gears slightly as the closest to fiddle tune, done solo in a contest-win - Singer/guitarist Matthew Szlachetka, on preachy lyrics. This one would have ate the similarities of their two instru - a rock shuffle here as he laments, “I’m ning arrangement. Another traditional drummer Kane McGee, and worked better if the words about the ments, the timbres of the bass and man - too old to be lonely/and I’m too young favorite, “I Don’t Love Nobody,” is coun - keyboard/sax player Dave Basaraba all ways of the wicked and walking on water dolin blending across the staff of treble to die,” while slick guitar licks dart in and try swing, and Grant is all over the fret - helped write the seven tunes. The music had been saved for something less boun - and bass. Exceptionally well recorded at out of the beat. In his ballad “What You board on this one, laying jazz scales is a sort of Tom Petty/Wallflowers mix of cy. “In Time” is the slow ballad here, California State, San Marcos, the man - Live For,” King reminisces back to 1992, down with bluegrass alternate picking. light rock harmonies, keyboard riffs, and about how broken hearts mend, with dolin’s strings ring out and the sound of and again seems to despair of a friend The vibe is subdued on “Bill Frisell,” as a very memorable melodies. Langdon doing a good job holding back the bass is full and rich. Even on some of who spends his days working in a cubicle Latin flavor prevails; Grant’s free form “Crazy Jade” opens, and reveals that on the vocal dramatics. the uptempo tunes the playing has a with a boss. Note to Rusty: Yeah, it can jazz picking gives the tune a haunting the sound here is smooth, layered, and Langdon’s songwriting steers away relaxed feel, as though Bradbury and suck, but sometimes you deal. allure in a style changeup that is a high - catchy, with Beatle-inspired tight vocal from love song cliches and most tradi - Biggs have been performing as a duo for Filler alert: “Make You Mine” and light. harmonies. “You Come Up Like Rose” tional country-rock themes like the road, years. “Old Dirty Movies” are among the tracks After more in the traditional style with keeps the level high, slowing things women, and hard living. While several of Recently retired, Biggs taught dou - on the project that fade very quickly. the technical jaw-dropper, “Beaumont down as the singer sings, “I tried to bury the songs clearly have a something ble bass and was the director of jazz The title tune uses good dynamics as Rag,” another solo guitar standout is you a long ago/but every time you come devout to say, this isn’t a contemporary ensembles at San Diego State for the last King builds up to power-chord choruses “Lady of the Lake.” This original, which up like a rose.” “When It Ends” has a Christian disc. 25 years. A serious composer, Bradbury about going your own way despite what melds Grant’s bluegrass abilities with his strident beat, sharp guitar chord rhythm, Dan Hartman’s 1972 hit “Free Ride,” holds a doctorate in music and teaches the world throws you. The keyboard/gui - folk and jazz side, has intricately built lat - and a punchy sax solo that keeps things originally recorded by the Edgar Winter at Cal State San Marcos. With those tar mix is augmented by Dover’s backing tice works of melody that sound moving. The band goes for more of a Group, is covered, a nice cut with wah- backgrounds, you might expect this disk vocals for a track that stays with the lis - medieval and mysterious. “Cache La folk-rock approach on “Not Alone,” a wah guitars, lots of female backup to have an academic bent, but the music tener. The closer is an interesting, quasi- Poudre” is a slow ensemble piece that slickly-produced song that listeners will singers, and a spiritual subtext. It doesn’t that these two offer is far from academic gospel song, “Easy Jesus.” Against an gives each soloist a chance to do some be downloading. The debt to Tom Petty sound remotely like anything else on this or abstract. It is warm, direct, and dis - out-of-tune, pounding piano back - interesting riffing to an unusual but is clear on “A Piece of Me,” which disc. “Give It All” is Langdon’s final word, armingly uncomplicated, never straying ground, King sings from the perspective memorable guitar figure. sounds like vintage Heartbreakers. The a short, quiet devotional keyboard bal - far from its Appalachian/Celtic roots. If of a homeless who wants help, with a lit - Up the Neck has plenty of just that. best song is the last, “A Letter Each lad; though the disc has a hidden, you gave the Meyer-Thile disk a chance tle less religion along with it. The song The big advantage of this disc is that it is Morning.” The lyric is a first-person love lengthy alternate take of “Save Me” that but were turned off by the frenetic play - works, and King shows some musical split evenly between straight bluegrass, letter from a coal miner to his beloved, follows. ing and use of dissonance, you might daring to even try it on the disc. played well, and music that could be and the music is soft, restrained, and Danny Langdon offers listeners some want to give this disk a try. As a whole, Running Though the Stop called anything from progressive blue - floats to the listener with dignity on the music that is different, rocks, and has Signs shows promise. If Rusty King can grass to jazz, as Tyler Grant is a multifac - sound of accordion, banjo, and acoustic lyrics that are thought provoking. Hard match his vocal presence with more of eted guitarist. One thing is for sure: fans guitars. It’s a standout cut. Lessons has some deeply personal music, the songwriting that is evident on such of both bluegrass and acoustic guitar in Fans of straight-ahead harmony rock and Langdon clearly has something to tracks as “Sweet Tea” and “Was It Just general will love this. and power pop will love Winter say. Yesterday?” his future efforts will be even Collection , a batch of refreshing music better. that really has no weak tracks. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 17 AUGUST 2010 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ‘round about

monday • 16 WEEKLY Zzymzzy Quartet , Weingart Auditorium, City AUGUST CALENDAR Heights Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave., noon. Poway Bluegrass Jam , Templar’s Hall, Old every sunday Open Mic , Across the Street @ Mueller Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30m. College, 4605 Park Blvd., 8pm. Rodrigo y Gabriela , Humphrey’s by the Bay, Joe Marillo , The Brickyard, 675 W. G St., sunday • 1 tuesday • 10 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7:30pm. 9:30am. Open Mic , Skybox Bar & Grill, 4809 Shawn Rohlf & Friends , Farmers Market, Clairemont Dr., 8:30pm. Robin Adler & Dave Blackburn , Encinitas Lou & Virginia Curtiss Song Circle , 1725 DMV parking lot, Hillcrest, 10am. Open Mic , South Park Bar & Grill, 1946 Fern Library, 540 Cornish Dr., 2pm. Granite Hills Dr., El Cajon, 6pm. tuesday • 17 Zzymzzy Quartet , OB People’s Food Co-op, St., 9pm. Bob Pinsker , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. Robin Henkel , Wine Steals, 1953 San Elijo, 4765 Voltaire St., Ocean Beach, 11am. New Latin Jazz Quartet Jam Session , El 78, Julian, 5pm. Cardiff, 7pm. Cowboy Jack , The Beach House, 2530 S. Coast Bluegrass Brunch , Urban Solace, 3823 30th Camino, 2400 India St., 9pm. w/ Mojo Nixon , Belly Up, 143 Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 5pm. St., 10:30am. S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Poway Folk Circle w/ Rick Wickland & Daniel Jackson , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 11am. wednesday • 11 Guests , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Park, 14134 every thursday Rhythm Jacks , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Midland Rd., 6:30m. International Ethnic Folk Dancing , Balboa Park Club Bldg., 12:30-4:30pm. Baba’s Jam Night , The Lodge, 444 Country Christopher Dale & Friends , Handlery Hotel Xavier Rudd w/ HoneyHoney Belly Up, 143 S. Club Lane, Oceanside, 5pm. (poolside), 950 Hotel Circle North, 5pm. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Open Blues Jam w/ Chet & the Committee , monday • 2 Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., El Cajon, Happy Hour Jam , Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., Costa Azul , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. 2:30pm. (no jam on March 28) 5:30pm. Blue Monday Pro Jam , Humphrey’s Backstage Zapf Dingbats , Firehouse Eatery, 722 Grand Joe Mendoza , Uncle Duke’s Beach Cafe, 107 Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Ave., 8pm. wednesday • 18 Celtic Ensemble , Twiggs, 4590 Park Blvd., 4pm. Diana St., Leucadia, 6pm. William Fitzsimmons , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Joan Baez , Humphrey’s by the Bay, 2241 Original Music Modern Jazz Series , South Chet & the Committee Open Blues Jam , Ave., 7&10pm. Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., Park Bar & Grill, 1946 Fern St., 6pm. Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main, El Cajon, 6pm. 7:30pm. Traditional Irish Session , The Field, 544 5th Soul Persuaders , Humphrey’s Backstage Benny Hollman Orchestra , Anthology, 1337 Ave., 7pm. David Patrone , Blue Fire Grill, La Costa Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. India St., 7:30pm. Resort, 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, tuesday • 3 Sau Jorge/Almaz Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Open Mic , E Street Cafe, 125 W. E St., 6pm. Solana Beach, 9pm. Livingston Taylor , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Encinitas, 7:30pm. Wood ‘n’ Lips Open Mic , Friendly Grounds, David Beldock , Rancho San Diego Library, Mansfield St., Normal Heights, 7:30pm. Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss , 8-10pm, KSDS 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 6:30pm. 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, 6:30pm. A Night of Belly Dancing & Music , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. The Mother Truckers/Jason Boland & the (88.3 FM). Mountain Dulcimer Jam (2nd & 4th Songwriters Showcase Competition , Stragglers Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana José Sinatra’s OB-oke , Winston’s, 1921 Thursday), Old Time Music, 2852 University Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Beach, 9pm. Bacon St., 9:30pm. Ave., 7pm. Island Dr., 7pm. thursday • 12 The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Rice , Joe Rathburn’s Folkey Monkey , Milano thursday • 19 10pm-midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). Coffee Co., 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., 7pm. Robin Henkel , Terra Restaurant, 3900 Vermont Open Mic , Turquoise Coffee, 841 Turquoise wednesday • 4 St., 6pm. Sue Palmer Trio , Park Manor Hotel, 525 Spruce every monday St., P.B., 7pm. Bill Cunliffe w/ Coral MacFarland Thuet , Birch Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra , St., 5pm. Moonlight Serenade Orchestra , Lucky Star North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., 7pm. Berry Park, 7071 Mt. Vernon St., Lemon Grove, Tiki Oasis Festival , Bali Hai Restaurant, Shelter Jam , Old Time Music, 2852 University Restaurant, 3893 54th St., 7pm. 6pm. Ave., 6:30pm. Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., Island, 6:30pm. Traditional Irish Session , Thornton’s Irish 7:30pm. Mountain Dulcimer Jam , Old Time Music, 2852 Old Tyme Fiddlers Jam , Old Time Music, 2852 Zapf Dingbats , Turquoise Cafe-Bar Europa, Pub, 1221 Broadway, El Cajon, 8pm. University Ave., 7pm. 873 Turquoise St., 7pm. Greg Friedman w/Rob Carona & Cory Wilkins University Ave., 7pm. Open Mic/Family Jam , Rebecca’s, 3015 Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Peter Sprague , Roxy Restaurant, 517 S. Coast Joe Rathburn & Patty Hall , Milano Coffee Co., El Cajon Music Masters , Central Juniper St., 8pm. Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 7pm. 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., Mission Valley, 7pm. Congregational Church, 8360 Lemon Ave., La Reggie Smith , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Mesa, 7pm. Open Jazz Jam , South Park Bar & Grill, 1946 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Joe Rathburn w/ Reed Waddle & Liz Longley , Chicago , Humphrey’s by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Fern St., 9:30pm. Milano Coffee Co., 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., Island Dr., 8pm. Patric Petrie & the Badblokes , O’Sullivan’s, Beatles in San Diego 45th Anniversary w/ Mission Valley, 7pm. 640 Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 7:30pm. Jeremy Morris/Wendy Bailey & True Stories/ Ruby & the Red Hots , Humphrey’s Backstage Barry Scott/ Dave Humphries/Chuck Schiele/ Creedence Clearwater Revisited , Humphrey’s International Ethnic Folk Dancing (intermedi - every friday by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7:30pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. Mark DeCerbo/Chris Biggin/Todd Borsch , ate & advanced) , Balboa Park Club & War Open Mic , Lion Coffee, 101 Market St., 6pm. Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. The Smart Brothers/William Walter , Lestat’s, Dirty Dozen Brass Band/Lukas Nelson & the Memorial Bldg., 7:30pm. 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Promise of the Real Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, David Patrone , Blue Fire Grill, La Costa Spa, Solana Beach, 9pm. Open Mic , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 7:30pm. 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, 6pm. Carl Durant , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Pro-Invitational Blues Jam , O’Connell’s Pub, thursday • 5 1310 Morena Blvd., 8pm. Tomcat Courtney , Turquoise Cafe-Bar Europa, friday • 13 The Grownup Noise , Winston’s, 1921 Bacon 873 Turquoise St., 6:30pm. John Foltz & Lisa Sanders , Milano Coffee Co., Street, Ocean Beach, 9pm. Joe Marillo Trio , Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., Mission Valley, 7pm. North Park Music Thing , Lafayette Hotel, 2223 every tuesday 7pm. (1st three Fridays of the month) El Cajon Blvd., 11am-midnight. Old Tyme Fiddlers Jam , Old Time Music, 2852 Lou Fanucchi , Paesano, 3647 30th St., 5:30pm. John Kopecky Trio South Park Bar & Grill, University Ave., 7pm. Lisa Sanders , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. friday • 20 1946 Fern St., 7pm. 78, Julian, 6pm. Traditional Irish Session , The Ould Sod, 3373 Michael McDonald , Humphrey’s by the Bay, Adams Ave., 7pm. Elliott Larence , Shooters, Sheraton Hotel La 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7:30pm. David Ybarra , Del Mar Plaza, 1555 Camino Del Tiki Oasis Festival , Crowne Hanalei Hotel, 2270 Jolla, Holiday Court Dr., 7pm. Mar, 6pm. Hotel Circle North, 9am-2am. Open Mic , Beach Club Grille, 710 Seacoast Pat Green , DreamCatcher Lounge, Viejas Dr., Imperial Beach, 7pm. John Foltz , The Marble Room, 535 5th Ave., Casino, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine, 8pm. Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra , Summergrass , Antique Gas & Steam Engine 8pm. (no show Aug. 6) Calavera Hills Park, Carlsbad, 6pm. Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, 3-10pm. Chet & the Committee All Pro Blues Jam , Fatum Brothers Jazz Orchestra , Dizzy’s @ S.D. The Harp, 4935 Newport Ave., 7:30pm. Open Mic , Bella Roma Restaurant, 6830 La Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Finding the Constant Jazz Quartet , Newbreak The Taildraggers , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Jolla Blvd. #103, 8pm. Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Open Mic , Second Wind, 8515 Navajo Rd., 8pm. The Flowerthief/Craig of Suede/Jason Church, 10791 Tierresanta Blvd., 6:30pm. Open Mic , L’Amour de Yogurt, 9975 Carmel Yamaoka , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Tom Smerk & Friends , Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper The BoDeans , Anthology, 1337 India St., Open Mic , The Royal Dive, 2949 San Luis Rey Mountain Rd., 8pm. 7:30pm. Rd., Oceanside, 8pm. Cowboy Jack , Hennessey’s, 2777 Roosevelt St., St., 7pm. Open Mic , Egyptian Tea Room & Smoking Carlsbad, 9:30pm. Dave Koz & Jonathan Butler , Humphrey’s by Industrial Jazz Group , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Patrick Berrogain’s Hot Club Combo , Prado Parlour, 4644 College Ave., 9pm. Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Restaurant, Balboa Park, 8pm. Patric Petrie & the Badblokes , Brewly’s Pint, the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Jazilla , Turquoise Cafe-Bar Europa, 873 1261 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 10pm. Randy Phillips , Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., Chase Morrin Book Works, Flower Hill Mall, Open Mic , Portugalia, 4839 Newport Ave., 9pm. Turquoise St., 9pm. 7:30pm. Del Mar, 8pm. Hot Club of Cowtown , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Coco Montoya , Anthology, 1337 India St., every friday • 6 Mansfield St., Normal Heights, 7:30pm. 9:30pm. wednesday every saturday Jim Messina , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Chuck Schiele & Friends , Farmers Market, Joe Marillo , The Brickyard, 675 W. G St., Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra , Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 4-7pm. 9:30am. Trolley Barn Park, Adams Ave. & Florida St., Gonzalo Bergara Quartet , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine saturday • 21 Lou Fanucchi , Romesco Restaurant, 4346 University Heights, 6pm. & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Open Mic (last Saturday of the month), Valley Bonita Rd., 6pm. Music, 1611 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, 6pm. Glenn Smith , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. George Benson , DreamCatcher Lounge, Viejas Tiki Oasis Festival , Crowne Hanalei Hotel, 2270 Hotel Circle North, 9am-2am. Tomcat Courtney , Turquoise Cafe-Bar Europa, Gregory Page , Westgate Hotel, 1055 2nd Ave., 78, Julian, 6pm. Casino, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine, 8pm. 873 Turquoise St., 6:30pm. Summergrass , Antique Gas & Steam Engine 8pm. Berkley Hart , Museum of Making Music, 5790 Billy Watson , Book Works, Flower Hill Mall, David Patrone , Jimmy Love’s, 672 5th Ave., Armada Dr., Carlsbad, 7pm. Del Mar, 8pm. Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, 10am- John Foltz , The Marble Room, 535 5th Ave., 10pm. 6:30pm. 8:30pm. Guy Davis , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield St., Robin Henkel , Claire de Lune, 2906 University Jerry Gontang , Desi & Friends, 2734 Lytton Normal Heights, 7:30pm. Ave., 9pm. Patric Petrie & the Badblokes , Penny Lane Blues Jam , South Park Bar & Grill, 1946 Fern Pub, 1001 W. San Marcos Blvd., 5pm. St., 7pm. St., 9pm. Joyce Cooling , Anthology, 1337 India St., Will Donato , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Open Mic , Bad Ass Coffee, 9878 Carmel 7:30pm. 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 9:30pm. Gwyneth & Monko , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 David Patrone , Tommy V’s, 3790 Via de la Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Mountain Rd., 7pm. Valle, Del Mar, 9:30pm. Louisa West CD Release , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine Scandinavian Dance Class , Folk Dance & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Banshee in the Kitchen , San Dieguito United saturday • 14 Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Center, Dancing Unlimited, 4569 30th St., 7:30pm. Ringo Starr & his All Starr Band , Humphrey’s Encinitas, 7:30pm. by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 8pm. North Park Music Thing , Lafayette Hotel, 2223 Tim Weisberg , Anthology, 1337 India St., Tony Taravella , Book Works, Flower Hill Mall, El Cajon Blvd., 11am-midnight. 7:30pm. Del Mar, 8pm. The Howls/Little Hurricane/Taming the Fox CD Jim Earp & Friends , Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper Blues & BBQ Festival , Harrah’s Rincon, Valley Tom Baird w/ David Silva & Friends , Release Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana St., 7:30pm. Michael Burks , Anthology, 1337 India St., Center, noon-6pm. Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., 7:30pm. Beach, 9pm. 7:30pm. David Grier in Concert , Old Time Music, 2852 Meet the Fiddle w/ Celia Lawley , Bertrand’s Gilbert Castellanos New Latin Jazz Quartet , University Ave., 7:30pm. Music, 13179 Black Mountain Rd., 1pm. Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Culinary Center, 200 George Duke Jazz Quartet , Anthology, 1337 Folding Mr. Lincoln , El Cajon Library, 201 E. Harbor Dr., 8pm. thursday • 26 India St., 7:30&9:30pm. saturday • 7 Douglas, 2pm. Allison Lonsdale (6-8pm) /Aaron Bowen Art Kevyn Lettau w/ Russell Ferranto , Dizzy’s @ Show , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Robin Henkel , Terra Restaurant, 3900 Vermont The Royals of San Diego , S. Clairemont Cindy Cashdollar & Dave Alvin , Museum of St., 6pm. S.D. Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., REcreation Center, 3605 Clairemont Dr., 10am. Making Music, 5790 Armada Dr., Carlsbad, 8pm. 7pm. Mountain Dulcimer Jam , Old Time Music, 2852 Patric Petrie & the Badblokes , O’Ireland Gift University Ave., 7pm. The Doo Wop Show w/ The Royals of San Shoppe, 575 Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 11am. Jason Yamaoka/Will Edwards/David Ryan sunday • 22 Diego/King & Duke , Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Norgren , Cosmos, 8278 La Mesa Blvd., 7pm. Peter Sprague , Roxy Restaurant, 517 S. Coast Tyler Ave., 8pm. Three Chord Justice , Poway Park, 14644 Lake Tiki Oasis Festival , Crowne Hanalei Hotel, 2270 Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 7pm. Poway Rd., 5:30pm. Chris Smither , AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield Hotel Circle North, 9am-4pm. St., Normal Heights, 7:30pm. Joe Rathburn & Cici Porter , Milano Coffee Co., Shirthouse Bluegrass Band , Wynola Pizza Summergrass , Antique Gas & Steam Engine 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., Mission Valley, 7pm. Express, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Beatles Tribute w/ Yesterday , Anthology, 1337 Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, 9am- sunday • 29 India St., 7:30&9:30pm. Joshua White Quartet , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & The Hank Show , Pine HIlls Lodge, 2960 La 6pm. Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Bass Clef Experiment/Panach Orchestra , Posada Way, Julian, 6:30pm. Chris Burgess w/ Peter Sprague/Duncan Way Back Then/Mike Mosley & Tony Tulenko , Chris James & Patrick Rynn CD Release , Spanish Village, Balboa Park, noon. Moore/Gunnar Biggs , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, Folding Mr. Lincoln , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Peter Sprague Group , Schulman Auditorium, Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 7pm. 6pm. Island Dr., 8pm. 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, 3pm. B.B. King & Buddy Guy , Harrah’s Rincon, Valley Peter Sprague String Consort , Tango Del Rey, Karen Briggs/Gail Johnson/Althea Renee , Center, 8pm. Aaron Beaumont/JT Spangler , Lestat’s, 3343 Three Chord Justice , The Grand, 351 W. Main Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. 3567 Del Rey St., 7pm. Adams Ave., 9pm. St., El Cajon, 3pm. Robin Henkel Band , La Costa Grill, 6996 El Ian Tordella w/ Jeff Denson & Brian The Young Lions Collective , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Camino Real, Carlsbad, 8:30pm. Three Dog Night , Humphrey’s by the Bay, 2241 Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. McLaughlin , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Culinary Shelter Island Dr., 7:30pm. Radio Latina , Anthology, 1337 India St., 10pm. Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 7pm. friday • 27 sunday • 15 Nicole Vaughn , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Mountain Tribal Gypsies , Wynola Pizza monday • 30 sunday • 8 Robin Henkel w Billy Watson , Mission Bay Express, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Deli, 1548 Quivera Way, 2pm. Lucinda Williams/JP Jones/Chrissie Hynde , Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! , Humphrey’s S.D. Folk Song Society Mtg. , Old Time Music, Peter Sprague , Bernardo winery, 13330 Paseo monday • 23 Humphrey’s by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 2852 University Ave., 2pm. 7pm. 7pm. Del Verano North, Rancho Bernardo, 2pm. A Fifth of Blues , Humphrey’s Backstage Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra , Honky Tonk Jam , Old Time Music, 2852 George Duke Jazz Quartet , Anthology, 1337 CityFest, 5th & Robinson, Hillcrest, 2:20pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. India St., 7:30pm. University Ave., 2pm. Prairie Home Companion w/ Garrison Keillor , tuesday • 31 Sara Petite , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. Cowboy Jack , Hennessey’s, 224 Main St., Vista, Zzymzzy Quartet , Claire de Lune, 2906 78, Julian, 5pm. Humphrey’s by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., University Ave., 8pm. 4pm. 7:30pm. Gun Runner w/ Maren Parusel/Fearless in Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! , Lestat’s, 3343 John Mailander , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Joseph Angelastro , Book Works, Flower Hill Fairweather , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Adams Ave., 8pm. Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Mall, Del Mar, 8pm. Beach, 8pm. Orquesta Primo Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Trio Expression , Dizzy’s @ S.D. Wine & Culinary tuesday • 24 Zsuzsanna/Chad Cavanaugh/Emerson CD Beach, 8pm. Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 7pm. Release , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Lou & Virginia Curtiss Song Circle , 1725 Big Sam’s Funky Nation , Anthology, 1337 India Gregory Page/Pi/Jeffrey Joe Morin/Summer Granite Hills Dr., El Cajon, 6pm. Mencher , Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler Ave., St., 9:30pm. monday • 9 7:30pm. Jesse Davis , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Clay Colton & the Badblokes , Molly Bloom’s, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 10pm. Poway Folk Circle Showcase , Templar’s Hall, Los Lonely Boys , DreamCatcher Lounge, Viejas Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30m. Casino, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine, 8pm. Burnsville Band , Humphrey’s Backstage Dawn Mitschele , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., wednesday • 25 saturday • 28 Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. 9pm. Patric Petrie & the Badblokes , O’Sullivan’s, 640 Rhythm Jacks , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Zzymzzy Quartet , City Heights Library, 3795 David Grier Flatpicking Workshop , Old Time Grand Ave., Carlsbad, 9pm. Fairmount Ave., noon. Music, 2852 University Ave., 2pm. Christopher Dale & Friends w/ Robin Henkel , Sara Petite , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. Handlery Hotel (poolside), 950 Hotel Circle N., 78, Julian, 6pm. 5:30pm. Peter Bolland , Cozy Cottage House Concert, Chris Isaak , Humphrey’s by the Bay, 2241 Ocean Beach, 7:15pm. Reservations: Shelter Island Dr., 7:30pm. 858.829.6037 18 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour 9 1 Photo: Dennis Andersen r i d r a n a F

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A L May 20

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