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CARLTONE'S CORNER

July 17 , 2010

Summertime blues. Who has time for a case of the summertime blues (unless, of course, you are now-tough-to-find-an-acting-role Mel Gibson) when here we are halfway through the season and there is still so much great music to see/hear? Turn off CNN, FOX and American Idle and get the heck out of the house!

The end of the world. The World Cup football/soccer games have mercifully come to an end, so fans everywhere no longer have excuses to be drinking Bloody Marys at 7 a.m. in sports bars while blowing on their vuvuzelas. We can only hope that those annoying horns don’t make their way to baseball and football stadiums here in the US. Speaking of which, how’s this for a frightening new band idea: a vuvuzela, didgeridoo, accordion, saw, banjo and bongos…

Summer reading. While the great unwashed masses this summer are reading books about conspiracy theories and vampires, bluegrass and acoustic music fans are standing in line to buy the new book titled Blind But Now I See: The Biography of Music Legend Doc Watson by Kent Gustavson. Other music books of note that have been out for a bit are Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story by Tim Stafford and Caroline Wright, Man of Constant Sorrow by Ralph Stanley and Eddie Dean, and King of Queen City: The Story of King Records by Jon Hartley Fox.

Band scramble. According to a report on the Bluegrass Blog, the West Coast bluegrass band Sawmill Road has decided to call it quits.

Calling all luthierites. Want to learn how to work on acoustic instruments? Then consider attending the Luthierie Camp with Roger Siminoff in Atascadero from the 18th-23rd. Roger will be building an H5 mandola. It is a week long program in his facilities in Atascadero. Attendees will learn all the processes for building an arched top/back f-hole instrument and will leave with a fully assembled mandola.

Harwood podcast. The latest edition of Live From Bay 6 from Harwood Productions features singer/songwriter Kyle Williams, and you can watch it here.

Jerry the Giant. On August 9th it will be Jerry Garcia Day at Pacbell (or whatever corporate monolith the place is now named for) Park when the SF Giants play the Chicago Cubs on the 15th anniversary of the passing of the former guitarist for the Grateful Dead. Bob Weir will sing the National Anthem and Mickey Hart will lead a kazoo ensemble on “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Some – but not all – of the proceeds will be benefit the Rex Foundation.

Speaking of The Dead, there is a new set of recordings available titled Road Trips Vol. 3, No. 3 that commemorates the magical and transformative spring of 1970 – The Dead's early and late shows at the Fillmore East on May 15, 1970.

Talkin’ ‘bout Mill Valley. This past week there was a reunion of some of the Strawberry Point School Mill Valley singers in honor of the 40th anniversary of the song “Mill Valley” by Rita Abrams. Look for a story about the event by Joel Selvin in an upcoming Sunday SF Chronicle.

A Preservation Hall Jazz venue in SF? This could happen, according to a story in the Chronicle.

Back in the pink. Pink Floyd founders Roger Waters and David Gilmour are planning to play together again on stage at least once more. The upcoming appearance stems from the 2009 edition of the Hoping Foundation Benefit, which raises funds for young Palestinian refugees. The two, according to reports, have not been in close contact over the years…

Take the Stage. The next Take the Stage session will start in late August so applications and deposits will need to be in by August 15th. It is an eight-session class which includes a sound class and a “graduation” performance that will take place at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley on October 31st. The cost is $350, and applications and info can be found at the link above. The hosts also hope to put together another Peninsula/South Bay band that will practice there down south but come to the Freight for the welcome jam, sound class and show. In addition to newcomers there is a special track for already-existing bands that want to take their music to the next level with the help of folks like Kathy Kallick. Bands will get their own special evening show at the Freight in early November. People interested in this should send an email to hilary@nellrobinsonmusic.com.

Listen here on National Public Radio to an interview with rockabilly guitarist Bill Kirchen.

Fishwrap roundup. In the SF Chronicle read about Latin percussionist Pete Escovedo and Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre. In the Marin IJ there were stories about artist Mia Brown, the bands Tin Hat and Purvis & The Stray Dogs, The Other Café 30th Reunion Show, and Sausalito guitar maker Dan Jones. LA bluegrass singer/songwriter Susie Glaze is featured on page 16 in the recent edition of The Sounding Board, CF Martin’s monthly newsletter.

Life’s railway to heaven. Legendary country singer/songwriter Hank Cochran, who wrote such classics as "I Fall to Pieces," "She's Got You," "Make the World Go Away," "A Little Bitty Tear," "The Chair," "Don't Touch Me," and "Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurtin' Me," passed away in Nashville on the 15th at age 74. Gospel singer and pastor Walter Hawkins died in Ripon, CA, on July 11th, from cancer. He was 61. He first rose to prominence in 1969 while singing in his brother's group, The Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had a hit with the song "Oh Happy Day." Stanley Williams, founding artistic director of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in SF, died on July 2nd in SF. He was 60.

Coming attractions. Dead on the Creek in Willits 8/6-9; Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival near Hollister 8/13-15; Outside Lands Festival in SF’s Golden Gate Park 8/14-15; Saw Players Festival in Felton 8/14-15; Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol 8/14-15; Golden Old Time Campout at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville 8/20-22; Cotati Accordion Festival 8/21-22; Hot Buttered Rum 8/21, Mark Karan & Jemimah Puddleduck 8/27 at Murphy Productions in San Rafael; Strawberry Music Festival near Yosemite 9/2-6; Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention 9/8-12; The Brown Barn Bluegrass Festival in San Martin 9/10-12; Anderson Marsh Old-Time Bluegrass Festival in Lower Lake 9/11; Bluegrassin' in the Foothills in Plymouth 9/17-19; Hobbs Grove Bluegrass Festival in Sanger 9/24-26; IBMA World of Bluegrass in Nashville, TN, 9/27-10/3; Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park 10/1-3; River City Bluegrass Festival in Portland, OR, 1/7-9.

Additions

The California World Fest in Grass Valley began on the 15th and runs through the 18th. Same site as the CBA’s bluegrass fest, but worlds apart musically…

The Boulder Creek Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival started on the 16th and runs through the 18th, and some of the acts you can see there are Faux Renwah, Rainy Escobar, Page Brownton's Sidetrack, Regina Bartlett, Upcreek Drifters, Still Searchin', Heathen Hill, and Old Soles.

The Fabulosa Fest at Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma continues through the 18th will feature lots of women singer/songwriters. Go to the site for info. There are music workshops, crafts, swimming, good food, healing practitioners and more.

The Doug Blumer Trio can be seen playing at The French Garden in Sebastopol on the 17th from 7:30-10:30 p.m., and then on the 21st they will be at Strings in Emeryville at 8 p.m.

Turn your radio on. Tune into Peter Thompson’s Bluegrass Signal radio show on KALW (91.7 FM) in SF on the 19th from 6:30-8 p.m. The show this week is titled Walking the Blues Part 2 (of 3). Hear bluegrass songs about perambulating, with music from, among others, Bill Monroe, the Bray Brothers, Charles Sawtelle, Doyle Lawson, The Grascals, Hot Rize, James Reams, Lynn Morris Band, Ronnie & Rob McCoury, Shannon Grayson & His Golden Valley Boys, Special Consensus, and Tim Graves. You can listen online on the KALW web site, and the first hour of the show is also broadcast five times each week on BluegrassCountry.org.

Missed Paul McCartney last weekend? Well then, the next best thing is the Beatle Tribute Night in the Union Room at Biscuits and Blues in SF on the 17th. Hosted by Jim Bruno and starting at 8:30, numerous Bay Area singers will be sharing the stage with the host.

Some of the bands to see at the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival in Etna on the 17th and 18th are the Anderson Family, Donna Hughes, Bound to Ride, Shades of Blue, California Borderline, Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band and G2.

The Humboldt Folklife Festival in Arcata runs from the 17th-24th, and on the 18th you can see Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum playing a show. Go to the site for more info.

Allen Lam and Project #7 will be appearing at Borders in Alameda on the 17th at 6 p.m., playing an eclectic blend of music for your listening pleasure. The show is free, all ages are welcome.

If you are in Monte Rio on the 18th swing by the Village Inn on River Boulevard and you'll find Dave Hardy playing guitar on the deck for brunch, served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The 5th Annual Far West Fest happens on the 17th at Love Field in Point Reyes. Two stages with The Pimps of Joytime, Monophonics, Sister Carol, El Radio Fantastique, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Dgiin, Bo Bo Tempo, Brindl, Coastal Dave One Man Band -Sanctified Cigar Box, and more. The will be local oysters and plenty of quality local food, The Beer Garden, Far Afield Large Sculpture Exhibit, arts and crafts, a kids’ zone and much more. It all benefits worthy causes: Community Radio- KWMR, Area Preschools, Love Field Community Commons, and Home Base Youth Programs.

Fairfax singer/songwriter Jo D’Anna and East Bay songwriter Julie Larson will play at the Bazaar Cafe in San Francisco on the 17th from 7-9 p.m.

Hot time in the Woods. And no, we’re not talking about swinging golfer Tiger Woods, we’re talking about In The Woods Productions, the relatively new venue in Mill Valley at the Masonic Hall. Some shows you can see there this month are Norton's Knockouts on the 17th, Michael LaMacchia, Jeconte and Cheap Therapy on the 24th, and Ronnie Montrose Trio Unplugged on the 31st. The Woods also has an open mic on Mondays that is hosted by Austin deLone. Call (415) 389-6637 at 3:30 p.m. that day to sign up for a slot later that evening.

The Big Time Festival on the 17th revives the culture and traditions of the Coast Miwok at Kule Loklo, a replica of a Miwok village at Point Reyes National Seashore. The fest is a re-creation of a traditional Native American trade festival from those times, featuring demonstrations of basketry, flint knapping, clamshell bead making and other activities from an economy based on gathering, fishing and hunting.

Dana and Emily Rath will be sharing the bill with amazing west Marin banjo player Tim Weed at the Sleeping Lady in Fairfax on the 20th starting at 9 p.m.

The Marin Country Mart (known to everyone in the county as Larkspur Landing) has free concerts on Fridays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. See D'bunchovus on the 23rd and The Courtney Janes on the 31st.

Murphy Productions is presenting the Tommy Castro Band on the 23rd at The Palm Ballroom in San Rafael. Castro is famed not only for his hard-hitting, impassioned vocals, soaring guitar work and his blues-infused, rocking R&B sound, but also for his striking, original songwriting and exhilarating stage show. The band is Castro on guitar, Keith Crossman on sax, Ronnie Smith on drums, Scot Sutherland on bass, and Tom Poole on trumpet.

Wild time in Fremont. The trio version of the Marin bluegrass band Dr. Elmo & Wild Blue will be playing at the amphitheatre at The Niles Town Plaza Summer Concert Series in Fremont on the 25th starting at 1 p.m. along with Michael McNevin and Ron Thompson. This is a free show, and WB will go on first. The band – as noted in the previous newsletter – will also play at Murphy’s in Sonoma on the 24th.

The 18th Annual Catalan Festival will be taking place on the 24th and 25th at the Gloria Ferrer Winery in Sonoma County featuring the melodies of classical guitar, rhythms of flamenco dance, aromas of saffron and spice, and world-class wine.

Reminders

Murphy’s Irish Pub in the town of Sonoma is the place to go for good music in Sonoma County, with no cover charge. See The Perfect Crime on the 17th, The David Thom Band on the 23rd, Dr. Elmo & Wild Blue on the 24th, Blue & Lonesome on the 31st, and lots more good stuff.

Good things are happening at Peri’s in Fairfax. Every Monday is acoustic open mic night hosted by Billy D of The Billy Boys, and every Wednesday for $10 per participant there are professional swing dance lessons from 7:30-9 p.m. There are lots of great shows this month, so go to the web calendar for details.

The Sleeping Lady in Fairfax has a traditional Irish session every Sunday afternoon, jazz every Sunday night, and an open mic every Monday night. Check out their site.

The Lagunitas Brewing Company Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary presents acoustic alt-country, Americana, bluegrass, and old-timey stuff as well as acoustic Latin/jazz and World beat. Music start times are 4:20 p.m. during the week and 3 p.m. on weekends.

The Mendocino Music Festival runs from through the 24th with various kinds of music (but mostly classical) in downtown Mendocino. Go to the site for complete info.

Saylor’s Restaurant in Sausalito has live music in the restaurant from 7:30-10:30 p.m. on Fridays, and 7-10 on most Saturdays. See Em K–Sizzlin’ on the 17th, Lauralee Brown & Company on the 23rd, Jocelyn Steele on the 24th, Macy Blackman on the 30th, and Chris Goddard on the 31st.

19 Broadway in Fairfax has an open mic with Derek Smith every Monday and the Uzilevsky/Korty Duo every Tuesday. Go to the site for show info.

The Ain't Misbehavin' trio performs on the 17th at the Cove Cafe on Angel Island from 2-5 p.m.

Art, wine, beer and bluegrass. The San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival will be happening on the 17th-18th, and besides nostalgic rock and roll tribute bands there will be bluegrass being played there by the Marin County band Savannah Blue.

Houston Jones, with very special guests Stevie Coyle and Joe Craven, will perform at the Freight & Salvage on the 17th. HJ is the California based high-octane Americana quintet that formed in 2001. The band performs a mostly original repertoire that ranges from bluegrass and folk to blues and gospel and features Glenn Houston (lead guitar), Travis Jones (lead vocal, acoustic guitar), Henry Salvia (keyboard, accordion), Chris Kee (standup bass, cello, acoustic guitar), and Peter Tucker (drums). Chris, Peter and Glenn are all alumni of the Waybacks. Glenn was awarded "best guitarist" for 2009 by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.

The 142 Throckmorton Theatre has a variety of entertainment on the calendar. Besides Mark Pitta’s comedy night every Tuesday see the all-star jazz benefit for the theatre on the 17th, Barbara Higbie on the 23rd, and more.

Rancho Nicasio in West Marin has Moonalice on the 17th, Big Ben & His Snakeoil Survivors on the 23rd, Paul Thorn on the 24th and 25th, Chrome Johnson on the 30th, and others.

Dore Coller and Savannah Blue on the 17th & 18th SB will be pickin’ at the San Anselmo Art and Wine Fest from 10 a.m.-noon, and later on the 18th they will be at the Lagunitas Brewery Tap Room from 3-6 p.m. On the 23rd SB will play at Armando's in Martinez, and on the 24th and 25th SB plays the Alameda Art & Wine Festival from 10 a.m.-noon. On the 26th it will be the Hot Club of Marin's Gypsy Jazz Jam at Taste of Rome in Sausalito, and on the 27th he will be at Vasco in downtown Mill Valley from 8-10 p.m.

San Rafael guitarist/singer/songwriter Kurt Huget has a busy two weeks left to go. The J2K trio, with Jesse Kincaid and Julia Harrell, appears on the 18th at Piccolo Pavilion in Corte Madera. His jazz quintet Namely Us on the 25th will play at the Sleeping Lady Café, and his band Moonlight Rodeo play at the Old Western Saloon in Pt. Reyes Station on the 31st.

For a rip roarin’ good time join The Lonestar Retrobates when they play on the third Sunday of every month starting at 3 p.m. at 19 Broadway in Fairfax. On the 18th they’ll be playing barnyard bebop and swingin’ cowboy jazz. Johnny Cuviello, Bob Wills' drummer at 94-years young, lives in Milpitas and he often sits in on a few songs about every other month.

The Marin Jamvitational bluegrass showcase now takes place at Whipper Snapper (1613 4th Street, between F and G Streets) in downtown San Rafael. The restaurant offers “Cal-Caribe” food that blends Latin flavors with local farm fresh ingredients. The music now runs from 7:30-9:30 instead of starting at the later hour of 9 p.m. Go check it out on the 20th.

At Vasco Restaurant in Mill Valley Matt Lax and Joe Kyle host a free music series on Tuesday nights. Music from 8-10:30 p.m.

The Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa presents Lyle Lovett on the 20th, REO Speedwagon on the 28th, Michael McDonald on the 30th, John Legend on the 31st, and more.

Music and more is always brewing at the Iron Springs Pub & Brewery in Fairfax. Bands play on Wednesdays starting at 8 p.m. No cover, and great beer, food and music. See Chris Haugen, Aaron Redner & Friends on the 21st and Michael LaMacchia on the 28th.

The Uptown Theatre in Napa has Lyle Lovett on the 21st and Toad the Wet Sprocket on the 24th.

The Coast Café in Bolinas now has live music every Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. Look for wine and beer specials and beverage-only seating available during music.

Sonoma County's Americana artist Kevin Russell and his Western swing/blues/rock band, The Rhythm Rangers, will play at the Sebastopol Town Plaza on the 22nd from 6-7:30 p.m. This is a free event.

Swing Tonic delivers an eclectic mix of swing, folk, country, jazz, 'round-the-world delicacies and just about anything in between. Drawing from their varied musical background, the four members blend vocal harmony with the surprisingly un-clashing sounds of accordion, trumpet, guitar, mandolin and bass. See them play at the Spice Monkey Café in downtown Oakland on the 22nd starting at 7:30 p.m. No cover charge and kids are welcome.

Schoenberg Guitars. Besides being a wonderful acoustic guitar shop on Ark Row in Tiburon, Eric Schoenberg also has concerts and workshops there from time to time. See Jimmy Dillon & Lorin Rowan on the 22nd starting at 8 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended, as space is limited. Call (415) 789-0846 for more info.

The Craig Caffall Band (CCB) plays every Friday at Miss Pearl’s Jam House in the Waterfront Hotel at Jack London Square in Oakland. No cover charge and they play from 7-10 p.m. When not leading his own band, San Anselmo’s Caffall is Maria Muldaur’s guitarist.

Nell Robinson & Red Level on the 23rd will play at The Craneway Pavilion Boilerhouse Restaurant in Richmond starting at 8 p.m.

Finger-style guitar wiz Walter Strauss and kamal'ngoni (hunter's harp) player Mamadou Sidibe from Mali, West Africa, on the 24th will play a special west Marin concert at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center.

Doug Adamz will perform hits from his new solo album Bernardo's Serenade at Joe's Garage (home of the Acoustic Tune-up) in downtown San Mateo on the 25th from 5-7 p.m. Doug Young, with his dazzling finger-style guitar work, will join Adamz in a special guest appearance. Contact Doug A at doug@dougadamz.com if you'd like to make a reservation or just show up at 308 6th Avenue in San Mateo. He will also be at the Sleeping Lady in Fairfax on the 29th.

The San Geronimo Valley Community Center, besides presenting the Walter Straus show noted above, on the 25th will host a benefit for the center featuring Steve Kimock, Greg Anton and many other special guests starting at 4 p.m. There will be activities for kids, yummy food, booths and more.

There will be pickin’ of gospel, bluegrass and old-time music as usual up in Sebastopol on the fourth Sunday of this month, and the date is the 25th. It takes place from 2-5 p.m. at the Sebastopol Christian Church, 7433 Bodega Avenue, in Sebastopol. Bring acoustic instruments and your favorite gospel songs to sing.

The Sonoma County Fair starts on the 27th and runs through August 8th. Check out details on the web site.

The Magic Juju Boathouse Concert Series in San Rafael, in conjunction with Drew Pearce, on the 28th will host Amber Rubarth. Concerts are at 8 p.m. and you can contact Dan Fontes for reservations at (415) 785-4530 or at danfontes@yahoo.com.

Three At Last will be headlining at The Freight & Salvage in Berkeley on the 29th starting at 8 p.m.

Lindalou and Michael will play on the 31st at the Calistoga Farmer's Market from 9 a.m.-noon. They'll be joined by the 3 D's – Dan Brunetti, David Chapman and Duncan Draper.

Jammin’ in Sebastopol. The place to be for pickin’ bluegrass on Saturdays is the Coffee Catz from 2-5 p.m.

Andrew Freeman, besides normally performing solo on the first Saturday of every month at Murphy’s in Sonoma, continues to play Tuesday evenings at Giordano's (Columbus and Broadway) in SF at 7 p.m.

Ed Neff and Friends are playing bluegrass every Thursday at the Willowbrook Ale House in Petaluma from 6:30-9:30 p.m. There is no cover, and you get to hear some of the finest traditional bluegrass in the North Bay. The regular pickers are Ed Neff on fiddle, Mike Wilhoyte on guitar, Jeff King on bass, Paul Shelasky on fiddle, and Larry Cohea on banjo. The address is 3600 Petaluma Boulevard North. Call (707) 775-4232 for more info.

As always, shows, dates and times are subject to change. Please contact any venue listed above to confirm appearances.

If you are part of a bluegrass or acoustic band or are a singer/songwriter that would like to have your North Bay gigs mentioned here, please send your info here before the end of the previous month, as the news goes out around the 1st and 15th of each month.

For up to date state-wide bluegrass news three times a week, read my Almost Daily News column on the California Bluegrass Association web site.

Most importantly, if you do not wish to receive this information any longer, please let us know by simply sending a reply email saying “unsubscribe,” and your name will be taken off this list.

Cheers!

Carltone

For up to date state-wide bluegrass news three times a week, read my Almost Daily News column on the California Bluegrass Association web site.

As always, shows, dates and times are subject to change. Please contact any venue listed above to confirm appearances.

Cheers!

Larry

Resources

Marin Bluegrass Jam, Northern California Bluegrass Society, California Bluegrass Association, Murphy Productions, Hicks With Sticks Twang Newsletter, North Bay Music Listings, North Bay Concerts, Schoenberg Guitars, Murphy’s Irish Pub, Country Music Television, Rancho Nicasio, The Magic Juju Concert Series,The Black Rose, San Francisco Folk Club, SF Bay Area Radio Stations, SF Celtic Music, 19 Broadway, Peri’s Silver Dollar Saloon, Iron Springs Pub, Rocker Oysterfeller’s, Marin Local Music Scene

Links

Dave Wellhausen Recording, Allen Lam/Professional Audio, Sound Reinforcement and Location Recording, Lou Judson Intuitive Audio Live Sound and Recording Perfection, Hot Buttered Rum, Kimrea, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Amazing Grace Music, Bay Area Bluegrass Radio Shows, Lauralee Brown & Company, Bread and Roses