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(GUIDE Blogspot edition no. 1,519. This story also appears in the "Hollywood Progressive" for Feb. 29, 2016.)
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The Sound of OSCARS: Live Performances, Music and Sound Awards, and Some Larger Lasting Impressions
By Larry Wines
Coming in, the 88th annual Academy Awards was characterized, more than any of its predecessors, by plenty of justified criticism of the lack of diversity in nominations. Certainly, we have registered ours.
When the night finally arrived, Hollywood's production of its grand spectacle delivered an unexpectedly impressive show of diversity and talent. The night's musical dimensions featured surprises that were especially memorable.
We'll start with a few overall impressions.
=============
QUICK OVERVIEW OF OSCAR NIGHT...
Whooo, boy. Black celebrities boycotting OSCAR's big night used the occasion to hold a rally for the lead-poisoned residents of Flint, Michigan. Fans of the late ABE VIGODA are crying foul that he was left-out of OSCAR's "In Memoriam" segment. Too much attention again went into the stupidly annoying red carpet and the insanely expensive attire. Dustin Lance Black (whoever he is) is calling-out SAM SMITH for wrongly asserting himself as the first openly-gay winner of an OSCAR. And on MSNBC — interrupting its 24/7 Trumpathon — there's a feature story on "Oscar's Most Political Aspects."
This must be the day after. Where's Jimmy Durante when we need him, with his trademark, "EVERYBODY wants ta get inta the act!" -?
Let's get to it.
"SPOTLIGHT" was the surprise BEST PICTURE OSCAR winner. It's the best movie about newspaper journalism since "All the President's Men," so we were glad to see it honored. It tells the true story of the central role of the Boston Globe in researching and exposing the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests, how widespread it was, and how many church authorities went to huge lengths to protect perpetrators and cover-up scandal. (The win is also being seen as a game-changer for its production company, Open Road Films.)
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO finally won a BEST ACTOR OSCAR for his role in "The Revenant." A survival story loosely based on truth, set as a controversial portrayal of early 19th century North American fur trapper / explorers and their interactions with Native Americans. We still have mixed reactions to the film. We found it beautifully made, but over-the-top in its unsurvivable g-forces and its ersatz simplifications of Indian spirituality, juxtaposed with a revenge chase sequence like "Bullitt" on horseback. Kudos to DiCaprio for using his acceptance speech to explain how hard it was for the filmmakers to find suitably cold places to make the movie, and sounding a clarion call about climate change.
BRIE LARSON won the BEST ACTRESS OSCAR, and we have more on her in a role she played off-camera.
JACOB TREMBLAY, the kid who costarred with Larson in "Room," has won big awards elsewhere for his role. He won at the OSCARs because you expect precocious, and you get genuinely intelligent capability. And, yeah, irresistible cuteness.
Lurking at the door...
Any overview must address the "Oscars So White" controversy. We were among those mystified that neither "Concussion" nor its star, WILL SMITH, received nominations, when both should have. Perhaps that can be explained as the clout of the NFL and its rich team owners. Perhaps. But if the Catholic Church couldn't keep "Spotlight" out? The Academy still has some 'splainin' to do.
L.A. Times reporter Todd Martens leads his Monday morning page-one feature with, "'Is Hollywood racist?' asked Chris Rock in his opening monologue at the 88th Academy Awards. He quickly answered his own question. 'You damn right Hollywood’s racist.'"
Martens goes on to pursue the theme, and how Rock mixed the humorous and serious to quite effectively leave exactly the right impression.
Read it at: http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-86055599/
=============
OSCAR'S BEST MOMENT WAS MUSICAL...
The most powerful moment all night was, in fact, a musical one. LADY GAGA's live performance of “Til It Happens To You,” from the film, "The Hunting Ground," a co-write by her and legendary songwriter DIANE WARREN, left no dry eyes in the house.
That single scheduled performance was a moment in three successive acts, each powerfully effective:
• an introduction by the Vice President of the United States
• a memorably powerful performance
• an epilog not seen on tv
The conclusion brought a stage full of Gaga and Warren's fellow victims of sexual assault — both female and male, and not all young. That was after Vice President JOE BIDEN introduced Lady Gaga, and included his challenge to everyone at or viewing the event. Biden asked all to take the pledge "to intervene, if ever you see someone who has not or cannot give consent." The screen displayed the web address for the pledge and the info.
It's at: http://www.ItsOnUs.org
LADY GAGA's powerful vocal performance at the grand piano was accompanied by a line of violin players, the house orchestra, and finally, on-stage choirlike terraces of assault survivors, each silent, holding hands for support and in solidarity, spaced just right for the messages marked on their forearms to be visible, with their simple, appropriate messages for the audience: "I did nothing wrong," "Survivor," and the like.
Warren's interview with CNN spoke to how "Gaga's performance started off vulnerable, then got more and more pissed, then ended triumphant."
Yes. And wow.
The tv audience didn't see the rest of what made the OSCAR tears flow. Following the song, DIANE WARREN awaited the survivors as they descended the stairs from the stage, so she could hug them. Actress BRIE LARSON rushed to join her, and both hugged each survivor.
That unbroadcast very human moment is explored in detail in a Washington Post story, at:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/02/29/watch-brie-larson-hug-assault-survivors-after-lady-gagas-oscar-performance/
The off-camera hugs were especially meaningful. Warren, like Gaga, is their fellow survivor. And Larson won Best Actress for "Room," in which she played a young woman abducted and kept for years as a sex slave — something that has really happened in our society.
Journalist Chris Gardner of the "Hollywood Reporter" captured his own video of that heartfelt unbroadcast scene. Though not on tv, there's a link in the Washington Post story, above.
=============
THE OSCARS for MUSIC & SOUND...
Since the earliest feature films, music has played a key role in what we generally regard as a visual medium. In fact, since it broke free of nickelodeon boxes with eyepieces, film has always been a multi-sensory experience.
The only thing that kept those early movies from being true "silent pictures" were the musicians who performed live in the orchestra pit below the screen. Sometimes, typically in small towns, the musician was a pianist, equipped with, perhaps, a kick drum, cymbal, and rubber-ball horn.
Even when the theatre was a movie palace with a giant theatre organ with a full bank of audio effects, films through the nineteen-teens and twenties were accompanied, indeed interpreted, by talented theatre musicians. Performing not with pages and pages of full scores, but with mere lead sheets, most film studios left it to them to take a few themes and match their music-making to the action or mood on the screen, and to time everything appropriately.
It was more rare to get an orchestra in a movie theatre with sheet music worked-out — or improvised — for each instrumentalist, but it did happen in grand movie palaces in big cities.
Music is, and always has been, inseparable from the movies.
In the modern era, each year's OSCARS specifically recognizes music with two statuettes, and awards two more, one each for the closely related roles of sound mixing and sound editing.
Like the other categories, many films get overlooked for their music, perhaps through cultural biases. For example, we had to settle for a snippet of the excellent traditional Irish music in a quick trailer for Best Picture nominee "Brooklyn," because it was not included in the "Best Original Score" or "Best Original Song" categories.
It seems a bit crazy that only two OSCARs go for music, when so much of the industry and its annual celebration are married to music, musicians and composers. But they do sneak-in things.
Take the fine musical note at the show's midpoint. The trio of "Star Wars" 'droid stars — C3PO, R2D2, and the new BB8 — bumbled onto the stage so '3PO could admire how much OSCAR looks like him. Or really, so they could do a much-deserved shout-out (beep-out?) to composer extraordinaire JOHN WILLIAMS, the most prolific film score composer of all time.
Eventually, the makers of music and wizards of sound received their official due. Here are the nominees and winners for the music and sound categories, with a comment or two.
=============
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE) OSCAR...
• "The Hateful Eight" — WINNER— ENNIO MORRICONE
Other Nominees:
• "Bridge of Spies"
• "Carol"
• "Sicario"
• "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
We're commenting here. It was satisfying that the great film composer ENNIO MORRICONE finally won the OSCAR. After all, those early Clint Eastwood "spaghetti westerns" all notably featured his music. The five-note whistled intro to "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" is one of the world's most recognizable themes.
We will join any standing ovation for Morricone's lifetime achievement.
But we know nothing about the work for which Morricone won this award, nor are we likely to. Not being voting members of the Academy has its advantages — like not being obligated to see everything.
We avoid any film made by Quentin Tarrantino. After experiencing enough of them to know he employs a signature penchant for smartassed brutality, an inhuman outlook, and always with snide quips about "the mess" of his contrived murder and mayhem which are supposed to be a kind of inside joke among his characters and the audience? We find it a singularly appalling pornography, and we just won't go.
=============
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) OSCAR...
Presented by last year's winners, JOHN LEGEND & COMMON
• “Writing’s On The Wall,” from the film, "Spectre" — WINNER
Other Nominees:
• “Earned It,” from "Fifty Shades of Grey"
• “Manta Ray,” from "Racing Extinction"
• “Simple Song #3,” from "Youth"
• “Til It Happens To You,” from "The Hunting Ground"
=============
SOUND EDITING OSCAR...
• "Mad Max: Fury Road" - WINNER - Mark Mangini & David White
Other Nominees:
• "The Martian"
• "The Revenant"
• "Sicario"
• "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
While we congratulate achievement by sound wizards? We just don't do post-apocalyptic visions of rich oligarchs being opposed by rebels who are mysteriously capable of racing about a fried Earth, shooting people. We didn't see it when Mel Gibson did it, and we're unlikely to see the remake.
=============
SOUND MIXING OSCAR...
• "Mad Max: Fury Road" - WINNER - Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudoff & Ben Osmo
Other Nominees:
• "Bridge of Spies"
• "The Martian"
• "The Revenant"
• "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
=============
MORE LIVE MUSIC...
Performances at the 2016 Oscars included:
√ SAM SMITH sang "Writing's on the Wall" from "Spectre."
√ DAVE GROHL sang the Beatles' "Blackbird," playing acoustic guitar and accompanied by the house orchestra, for the "In Memorium" tribute to (almost) all the film industry people who died since the last OSCARs presentation. Simple, dignified, effective, and a model for future observances.
=============
OSCAR'S OTHER "GOTTA TALK ABOUT IT" MOMENT...
Finally, the most meaningful non-musical moment came with the acceptance of the OSCAR for "DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)." In her acceptance, the filmmaker of the WINNER, "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness," left meaningful impact.
The film is a true story of "honor killings." Those are murders of women that happen in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. Typically, when a girl or woman has been raped, her family kills her because it happened. Or, as in the film, because a young woman defies her family's orders to accept an arranged marriage (for economic gain for the family members), and she instead marries someone of her choice, for love.
The young woman in the film was shot in the face, multiple times, by her family members, then thrown in a river. Thanks to being found and receiving prompt, then recurring, surgeries, she lived. Most "honor killing" victims do not live.
The filmmaker, who risked death to make her documentary, told the global OSCARs audience that, after seeing her film about the horrifically barbaric and widespread practice in his country, the Prime Minister of Pakistan vowed to change the laws. Presumably that will finally proscribe penalties so harsh it will end these rampant murders and aid those fleeing the threat.
=============
ALL THE OSCAR WINNERS & NOMINEES...
There's no shortage of angles and tangles in OSCAR coverage, anyplace you turn today. For the basic news of every OSCAR nod in each category, the Academy's own site provides a quick read.
[ http://oscar.go.com/#!/news/winners/oscar-winners-2016-see-the-complete-list ]
With a rancorous election year still to be resolved, the movies, as always, will offer welcome respites. Then it's next year's OSCARs, and the to-be-answered questions of whether the Academy's changes are sufficient to avoid a sequel to Oscars So White.
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The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
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Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
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CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
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<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
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♪ ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC is blues, bluegrass, borderlands, Cajun, cowboy, Celtic, Cape Breton, newfangled old-time, accessible classical, folk-Americana from riverboats, mountainsides, front porches, barn dances & honkytonks. NOT a musical museum, it is alive with vibrant traditional music & innovators of the Acoustic Renaissance. NEWS, complete listings & descriptions of festivals EVERYWHERE & performances in Southern California, are here, frequently updated!
Monday, February 29, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Late February Music News, including Music-on-TV Wednesday night, and Wed. Gigs, Feb. 24, 2016...
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.
We open this time with a quick observation, because we all need a laugh.
A four-liner. Ready? Here goes:
GHW - Bush
GWB - Shrub
JEB - Leaves
Perhaps Jeb! should try the grocery business - Sprouts
_________________
Okay, okay. Move along. Don't block the sidewalk. We know.
Let's get started!
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Contents / in this edition...
1) "Brit Awards 2016" on TV, Starting Wednesday
2) "Grand Ole Echo" Announces New Season
3) Harper Lee — Songwriters Can Learn from this Novelist
4) The Great John McEuen: Music Video from the Caribbean, Remembering WW II Vets
5) Two Shows Tonight: Wednesday, Feb. 24
6) Early March: Plan Now to Catch...
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# 1 news feature...
"BRIT AWARDS 2016" ON TV, STARTING WEDNESDAY
The British music industry's biggest annual night do not require you make tea before you watch the telly. Though it 'tis raw-ther like Jolly Old's ahwn-sahr to the Grammys.
This year will feature a tribute to the late David Bowie and a performance by Adele. Of course, like the Grammys, you'll have to endure a performance by Justin Bieber and other concessions to commercial music. Other scheduled performers, for better or worse, include Rihanna, the Weeknd, and Coldplay.
It'll be prolific on cable tv. Which means savvy web-watchers can probably track it down on alternative devices. Cablecast times start Wednesday on FUSE and FUSED, beginning with the first U.S. broadcast on the latter, 5:30-8 pm PST. That's immediately followed by a simultaneous rebroadcast on both channels from 8:30-11 pm PST. Then, FUSE has a latenight replay, 11:30 pm-2 am.
There are plenty of opportunities to record it. Catch Thursday repeats beginning in the morning, 5:30-8 am on FUSED and 8:30-11 am on FUSE, and it repeats all day, through Thursday evening, on one or the other.
Saturday, the replays move to FMHD, happening three times, 5:30-8 am, 1-1:30 pm, and 7:30-10 pm, all Pacific.
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# 2 news feature...
"GRAND OLE ECHO" SERIES ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON
On Feb. 23, producers of the honky-tonk / alt-country / Americana concert series, "The Grand Ole Echo," made their 2016 season announcement. The venue is one or another parts of the Echoplex on West Sunset in Echo Park, on at least two stages. Though one "stage" may be informal, the other has the full sound and light package.
It runs almost every Sunday, spring-to-fall, as a late afternoon-early evening free series with multiple acts. "GOE" as fans call it, is a meeting place for music by touring and local artists and bands alike. The season runs from late March through the summer, and the weekly revelry is the exceeded by the opening and closing shows. There's a dependably friendly crowd, a full bar, a basic lil' barbecue out back (or one or more food trucks) and you can find a dance partner when the music goes in that direction.
The Grand Ole Echo has a tall task in 2016, keeping the faithful tunefully inclined as a rancorous and plumb goofy election year continues to provide mostly unwelcome surprises. Happily, GOE has announced an exciting start.
Things kick-off on March 27th, and they tell us, "will be making boogie all the way to August."
With much more to come, here are the series initial 2016 headliners with comments from the bookers...
√ Mar 27:
SARAH GAYLE MEECH
"All the way from Nashville, GOE family member Sarah Gayle Meech is back to make you swoon."
√ Apr 3:
BRIAN WHELAN
"Our hometown hero, and long time GOE family member, Brian Whelan is releasing a new record, and what better place to do it than the GOE."
√ Apr 10:
FAR WEST
"L.A.'s own golden boys of country rock, the Far West are a sublime experience to say the least. Nothing is finer than that sweet Far West sound."
√ Apr 17:
THE FREIGHT SHAKERS
"Honky Tonk bad asses, The Freight Shakers grace the GOE with their no-holds-barred raucous country."
√ Apr 24:
LUKE BELL
"Coming in from Austin, the amazing Luke Bell will be gracing our stage after his Stagecoach performance."
√ May 22:
"TOWNES VAN ZANDT TRIBUTE"
GOE producers tell us, "Along with our pals over at Midnight Rider, we are pleased to be hosting a Townes Van Zandt tribute show,where L.A.'s best and brightest pay homage to the [late] songwriting master. The band will be lead by local favorite Elijah Ocean."
The Grand Ole Echo series promises "many more, all through the summer," adding, "you'll leave with a smile on your face."
Oh, and this season has its own official t-shirt, too. You can buy them at the shows. For more info or to get on the GOE email list, dispatch a note to:
thegrandoleecho@gmail.com
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# 3 news feature...
HARPER LEE — SONGWRITERS CAN LEARN FROM THIS NOVELIST
The late Harper Lee revered craftsmanship. Because she never granted interviews, we knew very little about her as an artist. The author of the world-renowned classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird," and as it turned out, its "parent" manuscript, "Go Set a Watchman," locked away for decades, died last week.
Turns out "Watchman" was neither sequel nor prequel. It was a very different first draft of what was eventually reworked into a classic.
Beyond the obvious hint to songwriters inherent in that much, you can use the link at the end of the story to explore the very involved tale of art getting tangled-up in big-city profit-motive business, and what impact that had on the original story.
Or you can take the quick path of inspiration, and just read Harper Lee's great little essay. (Or do both for two very different perspectives, both tremendously valuable.)
As we said, Lee was famously a recluse. But she meaningfully speaks to us in an interview she did during a tumultuous time following the success of "Mockingbird." And following the assassination of JFK, and in the midst of the civil rights struggle, while America was being sucked into the abyss of Vietnam. It was the only real interview we have with her. It was back in 1964.
And those things make it all the more remarkable that her observations about writing — and the message for us — are as fresh and relevant as today.
Harper Lee said:
"I think the thing that I most deplore about American writing, and especially in the American theatre, is a lack of craftsmanship. It comes right down to this —the lack of absolute love for language, the lack of sitting down and working a good idea into a gem of an idea. It takes time and patience and effort to turn out a work of art, and few people seem willing to go all the way… I see a great deal of sloppiness and I deplore it. I suppose the reason I’m so down on it is because I see tendencies in myself to be sloppy, to be satisfied with something that’s not quite good enough."
Want to learn more?
You'll thank yourself if you click this and read it. Is it all literary-wonky? A little. But really good:
"The Paradoxical Legacy of Harper Lee" by Jonathon Sturgeon, Feb. 22, 2016. It's at:
http://flavorwire.com/562363/the-paradoxical-legacy-of-harper-lee
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# 4 news feature...
THE GREAT JOHN McEUEN: MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE CARIBBEAN, REMEMBERING WW II VETS
Everyone knows multi-instrumental string wizard John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Grammy winner for the "May the Circle Be Unbroken" album, host of the weekly "Acoustic Traveller Show" on Sirius-XM satellite-web radio, and much more.
He sent us a little story:
"While on the island of Vieques (Puerto Rico) I found the biggest echo I have ever heard — in one of the old ordnance bunkers there, where the Navy used the island for target practice and bomb testing in days gone by.
"On this 70th year of both the flag raising at Iwo Jima and my own raising, I took the video Marilyn [his wife] shot of me and put it together with this footage for an homage to our veterans from that era.
"Please share this with others, pass it around, do a 'like,' etc. It is good to remember what others have gone through. Freedom is not easy."
Watch, listen, enjoy, be moved, at:
https://vimeo.com/156061808/29bd2f9bc3 John McEuen
There's plenty more, including a link to comment, at:
www.johnmceuen.com
He also has a news site:
www.snn.bz
or
www.syndicatednews.net
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# 5 news feature...
TWO SHOWS TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24
Sure, there's more happening around town. But you can't go wrong tonight with either of these small-time, first-rate tuneful sojourns.
+=+=+
Wed, Feb 24, in Altadena:
8 pm "Homemade JAM" at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena. You won't want to miss the updated version of last month's "Tin Pan Alley... and then some" show. It's "tightened up, with new arrangements... jazzy, raggy and raucous. More fun. More action. More music!" With Tom Fair on vocals & guitar; Rob Sandiford on vocals, dobro & banjo; Samantha Elin on vocals, guitar & percussion; Ed Pausic on upright bass and vocals; and Steve Reid on percussion.
Call for reservations: 626-798-6236
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Wed, Feb 24, FREE, in Arcadia:
7-10 pm "COLLABORATIVE ENSEMBLES" are something new at the weekly "SONGWRITER SERENADE" at Matt Denny's Ale House, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. The following will combine in some heretofore untried ways for their sets: Marty Axelrod, Paul Marshall, Craig & Debbie, Ben Carr, Cynthia Brando, Ed Tree, Donna Lynn Caskey, Alias Means, JC Hyke, Chauncey Bowers. No cover. Venue has full menu and full bar.
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# 6 news feature...
EARLY MARCH: PLAN NOW TO CATCH...
Beginning here, we'll be addressing a variety of tastes, but onlya with a very select few things. Truth is, we can no longer get sucked into the vortex of musical abundance. Sure, we will take heat from all those not listed this time, and as we go forward. But the key word here is "time." Compiling, formatting, and presenting this much consumed all the time we had, following what it took to get the news feature stories out for you. And that's the way it is. And will be.
+-+-+-+
Sat, Mar 5, in Hermosa Beach:
7:30 pm SCOTTISH FIDDLERS OF LOS ANGELES perform their "35th Anniversary Spring Concert" at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre. Featured guest fiddler is Troy MacGillivray from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, plus the Tappan Sisters, Stacey and Christina, Highland dancer Devon Watson, and piper Robert Hackney.
The Scottish Fiddlers also perform a SECOND "35th Anniversary Spring Concert" at the Wright Auditorium ~ in the historic Pasadena Central Library in Pasadena, on Saturday, April 30, at 3:30 pm.
Adv. Tix for either show:
www.scottishfiddlers.org
+-+-+-+
Thu, Mar 10, in San Diego:
7-10 pm JAMES LEE STANLEY plays the Folkey Monkey, 4780 Mission Gorge Pl, Suite H, San Diego 92120.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU GO: read the Huffington Post interview with James Lee and hear his latest solo CD; both, at:
http://jamesleestanley.com
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
.
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
.
We open this time with a quick observation, because we all need a laugh.
A four-liner. Ready? Here goes:
GHW - Bush
GWB - Shrub
JEB - Leaves
Perhaps Jeb! should try the grocery business - Sprouts
_________________
Okay, okay. Move along. Don't block the sidewalk. We know.
Let's get started!
=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=
Contents / in this edition...
1) "Brit Awards 2016" on TV, Starting Wednesday
2) "Grand Ole Echo" Announces New Season
3) Harper Lee — Songwriters Can Learn from this Novelist
4) The Great John McEuen: Music Video from the Caribbean, Remembering WW II Vets
5) Two Shows Tonight: Wednesday, Feb. 24
6) Early March: Plan Now to Catch...
=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=
# 1 news feature...
"BRIT AWARDS 2016" ON TV, STARTING WEDNESDAY
The British music industry's biggest annual night do not require you make tea before you watch the telly. Though it 'tis raw-ther like Jolly Old's ahwn-sahr to the Grammys.
This year will feature a tribute to the late David Bowie and a performance by Adele. Of course, like the Grammys, you'll have to endure a performance by Justin Bieber and other concessions to commercial music. Other scheduled performers, for better or worse, include Rihanna, the Weeknd, and Coldplay.
It'll be prolific on cable tv. Which means savvy web-watchers can probably track it down on alternative devices. Cablecast times start Wednesday on FUSE and FUSED, beginning with the first U.S. broadcast on the latter, 5:30-8 pm PST. That's immediately followed by a simultaneous rebroadcast on both channels from 8:30-11 pm PST. Then, FUSE has a latenight replay, 11:30 pm-2 am.
There are plenty of opportunities to record it. Catch Thursday repeats beginning in the morning, 5:30-8 am on FUSED and 8:30-11 am on FUSE, and it repeats all day, through Thursday evening, on one or the other.
Saturday, the replays move to FMHD, happening three times, 5:30-8 am, 1-1:30 pm, and 7:30-10 pm, all Pacific.
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# 2 news feature...
"GRAND OLE ECHO" SERIES ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON
On Feb. 23, producers of the honky-tonk / alt-country / Americana concert series, "The Grand Ole Echo," made their 2016 season announcement. The venue is one or another parts of the Echoplex on West Sunset in Echo Park, on at least two stages. Though one "stage" may be informal, the other has the full sound and light package.
It runs almost every Sunday, spring-to-fall, as a late afternoon-early evening free series with multiple acts. "GOE" as fans call it, is a meeting place for music by touring and local artists and bands alike. The season runs from late March through the summer, and the weekly revelry is the exceeded by the opening and closing shows. There's a dependably friendly crowd, a full bar, a basic lil' barbecue out back (or one or more food trucks) and you can find a dance partner when the music goes in that direction.
The Grand Ole Echo has a tall task in 2016, keeping the faithful tunefully inclined as a rancorous and plumb goofy election year continues to provide mostly unwelcome surprises. Happily, GOE has announced an exciting start.
Things kick-off on March 27th, and they tell us, "will be making boogie all the way to August."
With much more to come, here are the series initial 2016 headliners with comments from the bookers...
√ Mar 27:
SARAH GAYLE MEECH
"All the way from Nashville, GOE family member Sarah Gayle Meech is back to make you swoon."
√ Apr 3:
BRIAN WHELAN
"Our hometown hero, and long time GOE family member, Brian Whelan is releasing a new record, and what better place to do it than the GOE."
√ Apr 10:
FAR WEST
"L.A.'s own golden boys of country rock, the Far West are a sublime experience to say the least. Nothing is finer than that sweet Far West sound."
√ Apr 17:
THE FREIGHT SHAKERS
"Honky Tonk bad asses, The Freight Shakers grace the GOE with their no-holds-barred raucous country."
√ Apr 24:
LUKE BELL
"Coming in from Austin, the amazing Luke Bell will be gracing our stage after his Stagecoach performance."
√ May 22:
"TOWNES VAN ZANDT TRIBUTE"
GOE producers tell us, "Along with our pals over at Midnight Rider, we are pleased to be hosting a Townes Van Zandt tribute show,where L.A.'s best and brightest pay homage to the [late] songwriting master. The band will be lead by local favorite Elijah Ocean."
The Grand Ole Echo series promises "many more, all through the summer," adding, "you'll leave with a smile on your face."
Oh, and this season has its own official t-shirt, too. You can buy them at the shows. For more info or to get on the GOE email list, dispatch a note to:
thegrandoleecho@gmail.com
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# 3 news feature...
HARPER LEE — SONGWRITERS CAN LEARN FROM THIS NOVELIST
The late Harper Lee revered craftsmanship. Because she never granted interviews, we knew very little about her as an artist. The author of the world-renowned classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird," and as it turned out, its "parent" manuscript, "Go Set a Watchman," locked away for decades, died last week.
Turns out "Watchman" was neither sequel nor prequel. It was a very different first draft of what was eventually reworked into a classic.
Beyond the obvious hint to songwriters inherent in that much, you can use the link at the end of the story to explore the very involved tale of art getting tangled-up in big-city profit-motive business, and what impact that had on the original story.
Or you can take the quick path of inspiration, and just read Harper Lee's great little essay. (Or do both for two very different perspectives, both tremendously valuable.)
As we said, Lee was famously a recluse. But she meaningfully speaks to us in an interview she did during a tumultuous time following the success of "Mockingbird." And following the assassination of JFK, and in the midst of the civil rights struggle, while America was being sucked into the abyss of Vietnam. It was the only real interview we have with her. It was back in 1964.
And those things make it all the more remarkable that her observations about writing — and the message for us — are as fresh and relevant as today.
Harper Lee said:
"I think the thing that I most deplore about American writing, and especially in the American theatre, is a lack of craftsmanship. It comes right down to this —the lack of absolute love for language, the lack of sitting down and working a good idea into a gem of an idea. It takes time and patience and effort to turn out a work of art, and few people seem willing to go all the way… I see a great deal of sloppiness and I deplore it. I suppose the reason I’m so down on it is because I see tendencies in myself to be sloppy, to be satisfied with something that’s not quite good enough."
Want to learn more?
You'll thank yourself if you click this and read it. Is it all literary-wonky? A little. But really good:
"The Paradoxical Legacy of Harper Lee" by Jonathon Sturgeon, Feb. 22, 2016. It's at:
http://flavorwire.com/562363/the-paradoxical-legacy-of-harper-lee
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# 4 news feature...
THE GREAT JOHN McEUEN: MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE CARIBBEAN, REMEMBERING WW II VETS
Everyone knows multi-instrumental string wizard John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Grammy winner for the "May the Circle Be Unbroken" album, host of the weekly "Acoustic Traveller Show" on Sirius-XM satellite-web radio, and much more.
He sent us a little story:
"While on the island of Vieques (Puerto Rico) I found the biggest echo I have ever heard — in one of the old ordnance bunkers there, where the Navy used the island for target practice and bomb testing in days gone by.
"On this 70th year of both the flag raising at Iwo Jima and my own raising, I took the video Marilyn [his wife] shot of me and put it together with this footage for an homage to our veterans from that era.
"Please share this with others, pass it around, do a 'like,' etc. It is good to remember what others have gone through. Freedom is not easy."
Watch, listen, enjoy, be moved, at:
https://vimeo.com/156061808/29bd2f9bc3 John McEuen
There's plenty more, including a link to comment, at:
www.johnmceuen.com
He also has a news site:
www.snn.bz
or
www.syndicatednews.net
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# 5 news feature...
TWO SHOWS TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24
Sure, there's more happening around town. But you can't go wrong tonight with either of these small-time, first-rate tuneful sojourns.
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Wed, Feb 24, in Altadena:
8 pm "Homemade JAM" at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena. You won't want to miss the updated version of last month's "Tin Pan Alley... and then some" show. It's "tightened up, with new arrangements... jazzy, raggy and raucous. More fun. More action. More music!" With Tom Fair on vocals & guitar; Rob Sandiford on vocals, dobro & banjo; Samantha Elin on vocals, guitar & percussion; Ed Pausic on upright bass and vocals; and Steve Reid on percussion.
Call for reservations: 626-798-6236
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Wed, Feb 24, FREE, in Arcadia:
7-10 pm "COLLABORATIVE ENSEMBLES" are something new at the weekly "SONGWRITER SERENADE" at Matt Denny's Ale House, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. The following will combine in some heretofore untried ways for their sets: Marty Axelrod, Paul Marshall, Craig & Debbie, Ben Carr, Cynthia Brando, Ed Tree, Donna Lynn Caskey, Alias Means, JC Hyke, Chauncey Bowers. No cover. Venue has full menu and full bar.
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# 6 news feature...
EARLY MARCH: PLAN NOW TO CATCH...
Beginning here, we'll be addressing a variety of tastes, but onlya with a very select few things. Truth is, we can no longer get sucked into the vortex of musical abundance. Sure, we will take heat from all those not listed this time, and as we go forward. But the key word here is "time." Compiling, formatting, and presenting this much consumed all the time we had, following what it took to get the news feature stories out for you. And that's the way it is. And will be.
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Sat, Mar 5, in Hermosa Beach:
7:30 pm SCOTTISH FIDDLERS OF LOS ANGELES perform their "35th Anniversary Spring Concert" at the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre. Featured guest fiddler is Troy MacGillivray from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, plus the Tappan Sisters, Stacey and Christina, Highland dancer Devon Watson, and piper Robert Hackney.
The Scottish Fiddlers also perform a SECOND "35th Anniversary Spring Concert" at the Wright Auditorium ~ in the historic Pasadena Central Library in Pasadena, on Saturday, April 30, at 3:30 pm.
Adv. Tix for either show:
www.scottishfiddlers.org
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Thu, Mar 10, in San Diego:
7-10 pm JAMES LEE STANLEY plays the Folkey Monkey, 4780 Mission Gorge Pl, Suite H, San Diego 92120.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU GO: read the Huffington Post interview with James Lee and hear his latest solo CD; both, at:
http://jamesleestanley.com
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The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
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More soon, as always.
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Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
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www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
.
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Friday, February 19, 2016
Friday Quickie: Tonight's Notable Music on TV... Feb 19 2016
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.
We've already got you covered with LIVE CONCERT EVENTS through the end of the month, published on Feb. 13. And a BUNCH of MUSIC NEWS feature stories published then, since then (as recently as the immediately previous edition) AND before Feb. 13. But we had to let you know about an especially good night of music on tv.
So, now...
Wow. HOT RIZE, a long renowned bluegrass band, performs tonight on "BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND."
Plus, CAROLE KING prominently performs on two tv shows tonight, both new for 2016, both on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal.
Plus there are nice surprises on VH1 CLASSIC REWIND, and on CMT, and on one of the MTV channels.
That's in addition to L.A.'s weekly Friday oasis, the only night of L.A. tv that brings a lineup of music. As always, we are soooo appreciative to KLCS for that.
So here ya go...
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Fri, Feb 19, on CMT:
8-10 pm "GEORGE STRAIT: COWBOY RIDES" was the artist's final concert, recorded in Texas in 2010, with guest performers SHERYL CROW, VINCE GILL, FAITH HILL, ALAN JACKSON, MIRANDA LAMBERT, MARTINA McBRIDE, KENNY CHESNEY, and more.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on VHCRW:
8-9:30 pm ELVIS COSTELLO performs with his band THE IMPOSTERS in Memphis.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
8-8:30 pm DEERING & DOWN guest on "SUN STUDIO SESSIONS" from 2015, from the Memphis studio where Elvis started. (Repeats 3-3:30 am.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
8:30-9 pm HOT RIZE, a long renowned bluegrass band, performs on "BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND" from 330 feet down in a Tennessee limestone cavern. (Repeats 3:30-4 am.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal:
9-10 pm "CAROLE KING: NATURAL WOMAN" is a new 2016 music bio featuring some of the renowned Folk-Americana songwriter's originals, including "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," and profiles her landmark 1971 album, "Tapestry." Also see another show with her at 11 pm.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
9-10 pm "AUSTIN CITY LIMITS" brings a 2016 edition with the TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND. (Repeats 4-5 am.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on VHCRW:
9:30-11 pm ELTON JOHN performs in a 2013 concert at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal:
11-11:30 pm CAROLE KING is the guest on the "TAVIS SMILEY" show. (Also see 9-10 pm for another show with her.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on VHCRW:
11 pm-midnight THE PRETENDERS played this concert in 2010 in London.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
10-11 pm "FRONT & CENTER" brings an another in the "CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES,"the this time with RONNIE DUNN, in a 2016 show. (No latenight repeat.)
---
Late Fri/early Sat, Feb 19/20, on VHCRW:
Mdnight-1 am BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN performs on "STORYTELLERS" from 2005 and discusses his music. A good show. (Repeats on MTVLD, 6-7 am Sat.)
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
.
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
.
We've already got you covered with LIVE CONCERT EVENTS through the end of the month, published on Feb. 13. And a BUNCH of MUSIC NEWS feature stories published then, since then (as recently as the immediately previous edition) AND before Feb. 13. But we had to let you know about an especially good night of music on tv.
So, now...
Wow. HOT RIZE, a long renowned bluegrass band, performs tonight on "BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND."
Plus, CAROLE KING prominently performs on two tv shows tonight, both new for 2016, both on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal.
Plus there are nice surprises on VH1 CLASSIC REWIND, and on CMT, and on one of the MTV channels.
That's in addition to L.A.'s weekly Friday oasis, the only night of L.A. tv that brings a lineup of music. As always, we are soooo appreciative to KLCS for that.
So here ya go...
=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=
Fri, Feb 19, on CMT:
8-10 pm "GEORGE STRAIT: COWBOY RIDES" was the artist's final concert, recorded in Texas in 2010, with guest performers SHERYL CROW, VINCE GILL, FAITH HILL, ALAN JACKSON, MIRANDA LAMBERT, MARTINA McBRIDE, KENNY CHESNEY, and more.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on VHCRW:
8-9:30 pm ELVIS COSTELLO performs with his band THE IMPOSTERS in Memphis.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
8-8:30 pm DEERING & DOWN guest on "SUN STUDIO SESSIONS" from 2015, from the Memphis studio where Elvis started. (Repeats 3-3:30 am.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
8:30-9 pm HOT RIZE, a long renowned bluegrass band, performs on "BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND" from 330 feet down in a Tennessee limestone cavern. (Repeats 3:30-4 am.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal:
9-10 pm "CAROLE KING: NATURAL WOMAN" is a new 2016 music bio featuring some of the renowned Folk-Americana songwriter's originals, including "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," and profiles her landmark 1971 album, "Tapestry." Also see another show with her at 11 pm.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
9-10 pm "AUSTIN CITY LIMITS" brings a 2016 edition with the TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND. (Repeats 4-5 am.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on VHCRW:
9:30-11 pm ELTON JOHN performs in a 2013 concert at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal:
11-11:30 pm CAROLE KING is the guest on the "TAVIS SMILEY" show. (Also see 9-10 pm for another show with her.)
---
Fri, Feb 19, on VHCRW:
11 pm-midnight THE PRETENDERS played this concert in 2010 in London.
---
Fri, Feb 19, on KLCS:
10-11 pm "FRONT & CENTER" brings an another in the "CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES,"the this time with RONNIE DUNN, in a 2016 show. (No latenight repeat.)
---
Late Fri/early Sat, Feb 19/20, on VHCRW:
Mdnight-1 am BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN performs on "STORYTELLERS" from 2005 and discusses his music. A good show. (Repeats on MTVLD, 6-7 am Sat.)
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
.
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Music News, Your Social Media at Risk, Tuneful People, and Why Tonight (Thursday) is a Good Time to GO OUT...
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.
This time around, the Guide has everything from news on new gear, to celebrations of musicians here and departed, to a professional group for women who engineer sound, to why TONIGHT is particularly good for catching live music in Southern California.
Let's get started.
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Contents / in this edition...
1) Good Live Music Tonight, Thu., Feb. 18th
2) Your Social Media at Risk: Predators Attack LinkedIn Users; Who's Next?
3) Hunter Hayes' Annual "Awards Week Concert" Airs Friday on Direct TV & U-verse
4) Pete Huttlinger Celebration of Life
5) We'd Like You to Meet... Women’s Audio Mission (WAM)
6) Must-See L.A. Art Exhibits, Closing Soon
7) "It's a Wonderful Life" & its Musical Connection Live on, Outside the Christmas Reruns
8) Three More Festival Planner Notes
9) Fiddlin' Around, this Month & Next
10) Launch of New Amps — Designed by Guitarist — Brings Acclaim of Top Artists
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# 1 news feature...
GOOD LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT, THU., FEB. 18th...
Here's what's up for a tuneful night out at some of our favorite acoustic and Americana music venues, from Altadena to Hollywood to West Sunset.
Tonight at THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; www.coffeegallery.com; reservations (highly recommended for this show) by phone only, at 626-xxc
√ The Salty Suites (details below)
√ Helen Hummel (details below)
THE SALTY SUITES arrive at the Coffee Gallery for a night at their favorite venue, playing for those they love, you, and of course Bob Stane. Festival faves Scott Gates, Chelsea Williams, Chuck Hailes, and Elaine Gregston pick and sing tunes old and new. Scott on vocals, mandolin and guitar; Chuck on bass and vocals; Chelsea Williams brings vocals and guitar; all deliver acoustic musical expertise in both original compositions and covers ranging from old Ireland to current hits. They invite you to "Come have a coffee and a tasty snack, and settle in for a night of great music." They are excited about their "amazing opening act." (see below.) Both acts, $18.
Plus, tonight (Feb. 18), at CGB...
HELEN HUMMEL, singer-songwriter, hails all the way from the Green Mountains of Vermont. Her music reflects the rural landscape of her upbringing and explores the styles of Joni Mitchell, Andrew Bird, and Jeff Buckley, among many others. Through classic and original songs, Helen fills out the limits of her vocal range, accompanying herself on bright and playful guitar
More at: reverbnation.com/helenhummel
and http://helenhummel.bandcamp.com
__________
Tonight at EL CID, it's Twanguero, Ocha La Rocha, and Echo Sparks comprising the lineup for tonight's "HONKY TONK HACIENDA," the Thursday series at El Cid, 4212 W Sunset Bl, Los Angeles 90029; 323-668-0318. 8-11 pm; www.elcidla.com
__________
Tonight at THE HOTEL CAFÉ, 1623 N Cahuenga Bl, 1/2 block S of Hollywood Bl, Hollywood 90028; www.hotelcafe.com
√ Jenny O. (details below)
√ Striking Matches (details below)
√ Whitney Rose - on Second Stage
√ Man Made Time - on Second Stage
√ Coyle Girelli - on Second Stage
Tonight, Thu, Feb 18, at Hotel Café... focus acts:
★ JENNY O. has toured with Father John Misty, Rodriguez, Ben Harper, Leon Russell, and Rodrigo Amarante. In 2015, the "Songwriters Hall of Fame" awarded her its prestigious honor, "The Holly Prize," as "an exceptionally talented and inspired young musician whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly's music: true, great, and original." Jenny O. has returned to Los Angeles to finish a second full-length album with producer Jonathan Wilson after spending a year writing and reading in Nashville. That follow-up to her widely respected "Automechanic" will be out later this year. Jenny began making simple recordings on her father's reel-to-reel tape machine as a teenager and kickstarted her career with the self-produced and heartily licensed "Home" EP. Jenny O. and her band hit The Hotel Cafe on February 18 performing material from the new album.
Also tonight (Thu, Feb 18) at the Hotel Café...
★ STRIKING MATCHES. With their T Bone Burnett-produced debut album, guitar-wielding duo Striking Matches creates an unexpected and unique sound that defies easy categorization. This pairing — Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis — occupies that sweet spot at the intersection of country, rock and blues, where all the elements blend to form an authentically raw and rootsy sound that has a timeless and international appeal. Fact is, their songs, including “When the Right One Comes Along” and “Hanging on a Lie,” have been featured on ABC’s hit drama series "Nashville" and recorded by the show’s stars Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, attracting an international fan base for them. The duo's first performances in London produced sold-out shows and audiences with a deep knowledge of their lyrics, even before the release of their first full album. Their debut self-titled EP was named among iTunes “Best of 2012” and received national attention from outlets such as NPR, the BBC and The Wall Street Journal. Their online video for "Hanging On A Lie" is racking-up YouTube views.
++++++
# 2 news feature...
YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA AT RISK: PREDATORS ATTACK LINKEDIN USERS; WHO'S NEXT?
Site is Popular with Music Professionals
An unknown number of scammers are spoofing LinkedIn's email format. Victims receive an email — probably multiple emails, each from a different "person" — with a link to click to see a private message. It's dangerous because it seems safe. You, a LinkedIn user, can only receive messages through their system from other LinkedIn users who signed-up and provided their profile. And it arrives in your regular email — gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, whatever — appearing to be a basic notice referred there because you are signed-up with LinkedIn.
It's dangerous because clicking the link to see the message implants malware — spyware that harvests your personal information and your entire contact/address book for the scammer to use for some other attack, sending your friends malware links in emails that appear to come from you.
While LinkedIn — a popular site for business and professional contacts that many find valuable — seems to have nothing to do with any of it, their users are being targeted by this latest web scam.
If you have a LinkedIn account, your name, of course, appears on it. And those two pieces of info — pretty much the only things available to non-members — are all the bad guys need.
It works like this: there is an ever-expanding world of exploitive and predatory "information providers" that leech a plethora of information from legitimate sites. They do it to sell data connecting your name with everything about you that has ever appeared online, starting with all your email accounts.
Anyone with a Facebook page routinely provides a wealth of data that the "service" sells to anyone wanting to buy it. Google harvests metadata on billions of online activities and sells it.
Increasingly, data from all these sources — those accepted as legitimate and those who illicitly steal it — is available very cheaply, in bulk. Any part of it assures that everyone will become a target of countless unwanted intrusions and efforts to con us or steal our information, or worse. All of it means that scammers can readily collect and cross-connect enormous numbers of potential victims by simply connecting email addresses with every social media account associated with those names and addresses.
So: what to do?
First, NEVER open a link in any email that is suspicious. One test is to look at the address used by the sender, although that can be spoofed, and it may have come from someone else.
Second, specifically with this scam, exploiting LinkedIn users? DELETE all emails with links that appear to be forwarded or courtesy notices of activity in your account. Just periodically check your LinkedIn account itself for messages sent to you through their system. And if anything untoward is happening there, use their provisions to register a complaint against any user who is abusing their site.
Third, the above points apply to ANY social media account you may have, from any legitimate service (though they all harvest, compile, and sell information about you as part of their own predatory business models).
Fourth, have and FREQUENTLY RUN a good anti-malware / anti-spyware program or app in each of your devices. As an old tv cop show always said, "Be careful out there."
We have one more comment to add: here at the Guide, we have been getting TONS of emails that seem to be from a great many artists that we know. All have links in them that would install invasive malware/spyware. And all those dangerous emails are, most assuredly, being sent to everyone in each of those artist's address books — because that artist opened an email and clicked a link from someone they thought THEY knew. So many busy people are just trying to get through their comms in a hurry, and without thinking, they click something nasty. Don't.
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# 3 news feature...
HUNTER HAYES ANNUAL "AWARDS WEEK CONCERT" AIRS FRIDAY ON DIRECT TV & U-VERSE
February 19, at 9 pm ET/PT, you can catch an annual concert event expected to feature seven acoustic performances on DIRECTV Ch 239 and U-verse Ch 1114. It's by Hunter Hayes, whose latest album, "The 21 Project," is available now from and on Atlantic/Warner Music Nashville.
The full concert was filmed live in Nashville, where the five-time GRAMMY nominated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performed songs from his Platinum-selling No. 1 self-titled debut album, his chart-topping sophomore album "Storyline," and his most recent release, "The 21 Project."
Hailed as a "country-rock-blues guitar hero in the making" by the Los Angeles Times, Hayes has three No. 1 singles under his belt, including the multi-Platinum smash "Wanted," "Somebody's Heartbreak," and "I Want Crazy."
Hayes delved into new territory with the rollout of new music via streaming and digital platforms in 2015, culminating in the release of a special, three-disc collection titled "The 21 Project" which features seven acoustic, seven studio and seven live songs. Hayes is currently recording music for his forthcoming third full-length studio album, with a new single anticipated in early 2016.
"Audience Network" is the presenter of record for the tv event. It features "groundbreaking concerts, in-depth artist interviews, unique stories and exclusive performances," and is "now shooting in ultra high definition 4K." Audience Network is available to DIRECTV and U-verse customers via broadcast and live stream on directv.com and uverse.com and on smartphones and tablets, via the DIRECTV and U-verse apps.
There's more at:
www.hunterhayes.com
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# 4 news feature...
PETE HUTTLINGER CELEBRATION OF LIFE
The late Pete Huttlinger was a superb guitarist, marvelous songwriter, all-around nice guy, and acclaimed, among many other things, as the late John Denver's guitar player. We lost Pete in January. Details of that and the upcoming memorial night for him follow.
His wife, Erin Huttlinger sent the following to Pete's many fans and friends on Feb. 16:
"It is with deepest gratitude that I would firstly like to thank all of you who have sent me such kind words of support regarding Pete's death. It helps my heart knowing what is in many of your hearts.
"For those of you who might not be aware, Pete passed away unexpectedly on January 15. The complications of his condition were ongoing and although he was the most resilient person that I've ever known, he could not recover from this last trauma. I am as shocked and unprepared as anybody.
"But now after a month I realized it was time to send something out and to let everyone know about the upcoming Celebration of Life. It will be a wonderful get together of family and friends and you are welcome to attend. The event will take place at the City Winery here in Nashville. The doors will open at 6 pm for those that would like to have some dinner or drinks ahead of time. The event itself will start about 7:30. City Winery has asked that you go online and make a reservation just so we can get a headcount.
"The link for that is www.citywinery.com/nashville/petehuttlinger022616.html
"There will be a few speakers, some music and maybe a jam afterward. I'm still working out the space for that. We will also be announcing the formation of the Pete Huttlinger Memorial Fund at Vanderbilt which will benefit Adult Congenital Cardiac Research. As soon as I have that confirmed I will send out the information.
"Meanwhile, let's all stay in touch. Pete's music needs to be shared around the world. His message of resilience is more important than ever, so stay tuned.
"If you would like to send me a story, or photo or any type of message you can email me at erin@morrispr.biz
"Again, thank you all."
— Erin Huttlinger
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# 5 news feature...
WE'D LIKE YOU TO MEET... WOMEN'S AUDIO MISSION (WAM)
Women's Audio Mission is a San Francisco based non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of women in music production and the recording arts.
They address a surprising need: it's a field where women are critically under-represented, with less than 5% of music production and the recording arts jobs held by women.
WAM seeks to "change the face of sound" by providing hands-on training, experience, career counseling and job placement to women and girls in media technology for music, radio, film, television and the Internet. WAM believes that women's mastery of music technology and inclusion in the production process will expand the vision and voice of media and popular culture.
The organization produces the quarterly "Local Sirens Music Festival" in San Francisco. The next installment of that is an electronica affair on March 2, 2016.
More info on the organization and their events is at:
www.womensaudiomission.org.
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# 6 news feature...
MUST-SEE L.A. ART EXHIBITS, CLOSING SOON
The folks that edit Eventbrite usually tailor their site to pop culture and pop music. But once in a while, they do an attractive piece for the rest of us. Such was the case with this story by Nile Cappello. We want to add a note to one of their picks, "LIFE: A Journey Through Time," is a must-see that runs only through March 20 at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Culver City, and it was featured on "60 Minutes" when it opened on the East Coast. Here, including quotes from their site, are Eventbrite's catch-'em-while-you-can picks:
"L.A.’s art scene is constantly expanding and evolving into one that rivals the more traditional landscape of NYC. L.A. is home to a spread of incredible, world-renowned museums and must-catch exhibits on display across the city. And, now’s one of the best times in recent history to get involved if you’re in Los Angeles."
That prefaced their picks for "some of the most beautiful art exhibits you need to see right now in L.A." They are.
√ "Rain Room," through April 24, at LACMA (mid-Wilshire). "This may be the most well-known touring exhibits of contemporary art — and with good reason. The full-sensory experience is a notorious must-visit while in L.A., which explains why tickets are already sold out. However, you might find some tickets through the box office if you’re a LACMA member or NexGen (aged 3-17) visitor. Everyone else: try Craigslist? $10-$40."
√ "The Inaugural Installation," ongoing at the Broad, the bold landmark that's newly opened in downtown L.A. "If you live anywhere near L.A., you’ve probably heard about the newest — and most hyped — museum added to the local lineup: The Broad. The contemporary art museum’s inaugural installation exemplifies the type of exhibits you can expect to see at this new DTLA landmark, including the popular 'Infinity Mirrored Room' from artist Yayoi Kusama as well as Glenn Ligon’s 'Double America 2.' They’re currently offering tickets for April, so grab them while they’re hot… and available. Free, w/ RSVP."
√ "Big Screen, Bigger Science," first Fridays through June 6 at the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park. "The fun-filled 'First Friday' series at the Natural History Museum of L.A. County is back for 2016. This season focuses on the intersection of science and fiction. Scientists will examine how science is portrayed in mainstream media, attempting to answer the question, 'How much science is in science fiction?' $18-20, w/ RSVP."
√ "Hammer Projects: Kenny Scharf," through May 22 at the Hammer Museum at UCLA in Westwood. Influenced by his favorite television cartoon characters, street artist Kenny Scharf has developed a signature style that’s full of fun and nostalgia, continually pushing the boundaries of traditional mediums. As an interdisciplinary artist, he believes strongly in the element of spontaneity. Free."
√ "The Younger Generation: Contemporary Japanese Photography," through February 21 at The Getty Center atop the hill in Brentwood. "The stunning Getty Center is often lauded for its gardens, architecture, and picnic-friendly lawns, but its permanent collection’s caliber cannot be ignored when discussing this quintessential L.A. space. The must-catch show currently on display is an exhibit featuring photographs from five female Japanese artists who redefine 'girl photography' by exploring themes related to identity within their works. The exhibit is paired with a variety of talks, performances, and tours, so check out their schedule to make it a full day of artistic appreciation. Free."
√ ★ "LIFE: A Journey Through Time," through March 20 at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Culver City. "Annenberg’s intimate photography space in the CAA courtyard of Culver City is one of the city’s best hidden gems. Currently on display is National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting’s documentation of life on Earth, a vibrant and innovative series including images, text, stories, timelines, and a short documentary. Free."
√ "The Art of Our Time," DTLA through September 12 atop Bunker Hill on Grand Avenue in downtown L.A. "This exhibit at the MOCA Grand Avenue location showcases artists brought together by friendship, art schools, or simple interest in each other’s work. The juxtaposition of well-known pieces alongside more unknown works fosters an exploratory flow for visitors of the exhibit, as opposed to a more traditional, chronological, or categorical display. $12."
√ "Robert Cremean: The Beds of Procrustes and the Seven Deadly Sins," through April 3 at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. "In this provocative exhibit from artist Robert Cremean, he interprets each of the Seven Deadly Sins within the scope of the human form. Life and humanity are the overarching themes tying the collection together, but each piece is a specific commentary on the strife of human experience. $7."
√ “The Getty Center” by“Sam Howzit”
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# 7 news feature...
"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" & ITS MUSICAL CONNECTION LIVE ON, OUTSIDE THE CHRISTMAS RERUNS
Well. It seems that Alex del Zoppo is not the sole-surviving cast member of the famous film in which he was cast as the baby. And we need to tell him this story.
First, you should know that Alex was a founding member of the band SWEETWATER, the opening band at a lil' thing called Woodstock. THE Woodstock. VH-1 produced the first-ever edition of its "Beyond the Music" series about Sweetwater. And Alex has continued his music career with the kinds of professional ups and downs that usually define really talented people.
Okay, to our story.
Caroline Grimes played Zsu-Zsu in "It's a Wonderful Life." She is still with us. In fact, she particulates every April in the "Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival" in Marshfield, in the Show-Me State.
And Mo Rocca's story on CBS "Sunday Morning" (Valentine's Day edition) revealed a lot about that singular festival. It features an annual reunion of tv and film people from diverse Americana-ish origins, like Dawn Wells ("Mary Ann"), and the girls from "The Waltons," and Andy's girlfriend from "The Andy Griffith Show."
And it's also the only annual reunion of U.S. Presidential descendants. And that always brings a credible and extensive gathering. And believe it or not, one with neither rancor nor wrangling. (What a concept.)
It all looks like fun. April in Marshfield, Missouri. Alex should go.
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# 8 news feature...
THREE MORE FESTIVAL PLANNER NOTES...
The annual "Long Beach Bayou Festival" is June 18 & 19; talent lineup tba soon; it's at Rainbow Lagoon Park, Linden Av & Shoreline Dr, Long Beach. Tix on sale soon.
The annual "Long Beach Jazz Festival" happens August 12-14; talent lineup tba soon; it, too, is at Rainbow Lagoon Park, Linden Av & Shoreline Dr, Long Beach. Tix on sale soon.
The "Claremont Pie Festival" — one previously unknown to us — looks tasty both gastronomically and tunefully. It's Saturday, March 19, 11 am-4 pm, and features old-time, bluegrass, folk, and swing, with High Strung. Info at: www.claremontpiefestival.com
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# 9 news feature...
FIDDLIN' AROUND, THIS MONTH & NEXT...
BELINDA THOM, aka "FIDDLING MAMA B," is a well-regarded Southern California fiddle player who just checked-in with news. Here it is:
"[I] had hand surgery in late December and took some time off to recuperate. I was fortunate, everything went swimmingly, and now I’m back in action. I’m including all shows up through mid March, after which I’ll be traveling in Myanmar for a couple weeks. Who knows what kind of tunes might return with me from that trip?!? Hope to see you soon:
• Fri, Feb 19, 8-11 pm, contra dancing with the Kindred Hoofits at the War Memorial in South Pasadena; Ginger calling; yummy home-cooked food included beforehand. (http://www.caldancecoop.org/cgi/dsched_save.cgi)
• Sun, Mar 6, 6:30-9:30 pm, contra dancing with the Kindred Hoofits at the Cabrillo Ballroom in Santa Barbara; Jacqui Grennan calling. (http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/)
• Sun, Mar 13, 10 am-1 pm, "kick-ass fiddle tunes and old-time songs" with Modal Tease at the Atwater Farmer’s Market in L.A. (http://www.seela.org/atwater-village-farmers-market/)
• Sat, Mar 19, 11 am-4 pm, old-time, bluegrass, folk, and swing, with High Strung at the "Claremont Pie Festival" (http://www.claremontpiefestival.com/).
More on Fiddling Mama B at:
www.modaltease.com
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# 10 news feature...
LAUNCH OF NEW AMPS — DESIGNED BY GUITARIST — BRINGS ACCLAIM OF TOP ARTISTS
Hand-Crafted Guitar Amplifiers "Designed by a Real Player for Real Players"
Nashville-based guitarist Todd Sharp has 40+ years performing from studios to stadiums with Hall & Oates, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood & Bob Welch, Delbert McClinton, Carlene Carter, David Crosby, and working alongside Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and many more.
Through his years of performing experience, Sharp had yet to find the perfect amp, so he decided to build one. Now he is launching Todd Sharp Amplifiers, his own indie line of custom-made amplifiers in Nashville, TN. These are high-end, hand-wired, vacuum tube amps, and the first of their kind from Sharp.
Sharp says, “Like any player, I have been enthralled with the many great amps of the past 60 years. I’ve owned and worked with so many of them as a working guitarist but also as proprietor of Nashville Amplifier Service (amprepair.com). My approach to amplifier design is a little different.”
He continues, “This is truly creative art to me. There are plenty of Fender, Marshall, Vox and Dumble clones out there. I’m not interested in building another knock off — I’m interested in making amplifiers for the player who wants the best there is. Amps that respond like instruments.”
Early admirers of the brand include Vince Gill, John Oates, and Mick Fleetwood, who have all purchased amps. Owen Barry, guitarist for Tal Wilkenfeld, will also be using Todd Sharp Amps during their tour opening for The Who this year.
The line's flagship model is the JOAT 20RT, for "Jack Of All Tone, 20 Watts, Reverb/Tremolo."
John Oates is using the JOAT 20RT on his 2016 national tour with Daryl Hall.
This model offers what Sharp's promo claims is "a truly original approach to vacuum tube guitar amplification. There is no tone stack (conventional bass, mid, treble controls), nor the loss that comes with a conventional tone stack."
Sharp himself likes to say, “It’s all tone, but you can take some away if you like.”
The JOAT circuit employs a unique approach to gain and tone architecture utilizing rotary selector switches; ATTITUDE, LOW CUT and HIGH CUT along with a BITE switch. INPUTS 1 and 2 are designed intentionally to receive single coil or dual coil pickups. The REVERB, says Sharp, "is unlike any other, producing a super smooth sound more akin to a plate than spring reverb." TREMOLO offers "an ultra-stable, wide range of speed and intensity, from subtle to full stutter."
Launched in 2016, Todd Sharp Amplifiers are hand-crafted in Nashville, TN. The debut model, the JOAT (Jack of all Tone) 20RT head and Model A 2x12” speaker cabinet are now available.
The promo is impressive, from aesthetics to chassis:
• mil spec rotary selectors and pots
• aircraft grade isolation mounts for the first stage 6AU6 pentode and dual Reverb tank design
• custom spec transformers, hand wired with 19 strand Teflon wire
• stainless steel hardware
Sharp advertises "a painstaking process of selecting each component for optimum performance," culminating in the assertion, "The JOAT series amplifier delivers from Fingerboard to Baffleboard."
About the Guitarist/Designer
Todd Sharp is a multi-talented musician with a versatile career as an award-winning guitarist, singer, songwriter, and now, founder of Todd Sharp Amplifiers. Sharp joined Hall & Oates on tour as their lead guitar player at the age of 19. Gigs followed with Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, and that band's founder Mick Fleetwood in his duo tour with Bob Welch. Plus tours playing for Rod Stewart, Carlene Carter, David Crosby, Delbert McClinton, Australian icon Jimmy Barnes, and French legend Eddy Mitchell. Sharp has also worked alongside greats Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and more.
As a solo artist, Sharp released two critically acclaimed records, "Who Am I," and, "Walking All The Way." Also an accomplished songwriter, Sharp co-wrote the top ten hits, “Got a Hold On Me” with Christine McVie, and Juice Newton’s “A Little Love.”
In 1994, Sharp opened Nashville Amplifier Service, performing expert repairs, restorations, and modifications for an impressive clientele. Twelve years later, he's building an original line of amps for other players.
Learn more about Todd Sharp Amplifiers at:
www.toddsharpamps.com
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
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This time around, the Guide has everything from news on new gear, to celebrations of musicians here and departed, to a professional group for women who engineer sound, to why TONIGHT is particularly good for catching live music in Southern California.
Let's get started.
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Contents / in this edition...
1) Good Live Music Tonight, Thu., Feb. 18th
2) Your Social Media at Risk: Predators Attack LinkedIn Users; Who's Next?
3) Hunter Hayes' Annual "Awards Week Concert" Airs Friday on Direct TV & U-verse
4) Pete Huttlinger Celebration of Life
5) We'd Like You to Meet... Women’s Audio Mission (WAM)
6) Must-See L.A. Art Exhibits, Closing Soon
7) "It's a Wonderful Life" & its Musical Connection Live on, Outside the Christmas Reruns
8) Three More Festival Planner Notes
9) Fiddlin' Around, this Month & Next
10) Launch of New Amps — Designed by Guitarist — Brings Acclaim of Top Artists
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# 1 news feature...
GOOD LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT, THU., FEB. 18th...
Here's what's up for a tuneful night out at some of our favorite acoustic and Americana music venues, from Altadena to Hollywood to West Sunset.
Tonight at THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; www.coffeegallery.com; reservations (highly recommended for this show) by phone only, at 626-xxc
√ The Salty Suites (details below)
√ Helen Hummel (details below)
THE SALTY SUITES arrive at the Coffee Gallery for a night at their favorite venue, playing for those they love, you, and of course Bob Stane. Festival faves Scott Gates, Chelsea Williams, Chuck Hailes, and Elaine Gregston pick and sing tunes old and new. Scott on vocals, mandolin and guitar; Chuck on bass and vocals; Chelsea Williams brings vocals and guitar; all deliver acoustic musical expertise in both original compositions and covers ranging from old Ireland to current hits. They invite you to "Come have a coffee and a tasty snack, and settle in for a night of great music." They are excited about their "amazing opening act." (see below.) Both acts, $18.
Plus, tonight (Feb. 18), at CGB...
HELEN HUMMEL, singer-songwriter, hails all the way from the Green Mountains of Vermont. Her music reflects the rural landscape of her upbringing and explores the styles of Joni Mitchell, Andrew Bird, and Jeff Buckley, among many others. Through classic and original songs, Helen fills out the limits of her vocal range, accompanying herself on bright and playful guitar
More at: reverbnation.com/helenhummel
and http://helenhummel.bandcamp.com
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Tonight at EL CID, it's Twanguero, Ocha La Rocha, and Echo Sparks comprising the lineup for tonight's "HONKY TONK HACIENDA," the Thursday series at El Cid, 4212 W Sunset Bl, Los Angeles 90029; 323-668-0318. 8-11 pm; www.elcidla.com
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Tonight at THE HOTEL CAFÉ, 1623 N Cahuenga Bl, 1/2 block S of Hollywood Bl, Hollywood 90028; www.hotelcafe.com
√ Jenny O. (details below)
√ Striking Matches (details below)
√ Whitney Rose - on Second Stage
√ Man Made Time - on Second Stage
√ Coyle Girelli - on Second Stage
Tonight, Thu, Feb 18, at Hotel Café... focus acts:
★ JENNY O. has toured with Father John Misty, Rodriguez, Ben Harper, Leon Russell, and Rodrigo Amarante. In 2015, the "Songwriters Hall of Fame" awarded her its prestigious honor, "The Holly Prize," as "an exceptionally talented and inspired young musician whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly's music: true, great, and original." Jenny O. has returned to Los Angeles to finish a second full-length album with producer Jonathan Wilson after spending a year writing and reading in Nashville. That follow-up to her widely respected "Automechanic" will be out later this year. Jenny began making simple recordings on her father's reel-to-reel tape machine as a teenager and kickstarted her career with the self-produced and heartily licensed "Home" EP. Jenny O. and her band hit The Hotel Cafe on February 18 performing material from the new album.
Also tonight (Thu, Feb 18) at the Hotel Café...
★ STRIKING MATCHES. With their T Bone Burnett-produced debut album, guitar-wielding duo Striking Matches creates an unexpected and unique sound that defies easy categorization. This pairing — Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis — occupies that sweet spot at the intersection of country, rock and blues, where all the elements blend to form an authentically raw and rootsy sound that has a timeless and international appeal. Fact is, their songs, including “When the Right One Comes Along” and “Hanging on a Lie,” have been featured on ABC’s hit drama series "Nashville" and recorded by the show’s stars Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, attracting an international fan base for them. The duo's first performances in London produced sold-out shows and audiences with a deep knowledge of their lyrics, even before the release of their first full album. Their debut self-titled EP was named among iTunes “Best of 2012” and received national attention from outlets such as NPR, the BBC and The Wall Street Journal. Their online video for "Hanging On A Lie" is racking-up YouTube views.
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# 2 news feature...
YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA AT RISK: PREDATORS ATTACK LINKEDIN USERS; WHO'S NEXT?
Site is Popular with Music Professionals
An unknown number of scammers are spoofing LinkedIn's email format. Victims receive an email — probably multiple emails, each from a different "person" — with a link to click to see a private message. It's dangerous because it seems safe. You, a LinkedIn user, can only receive messages through their system from other LinkedIn users who signed-up and provided their profile. And it arrives in your regular email — gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, whatever — appearing to be a basic notice referred there because you are signed-up with LinkedIn.
It's dangerous because clicking the link to see the message implants malware — spyware that harvests your personal information and your entire contact/address book for the scammer to use for some other attack, sending your friends malware links in emails that appear to come from you.
While LinkedIn — a popular site for business and professional contacts that many find valuable — seems to have nothing to do with any of it, their users are being targeted by this latest web scam.
If you have a LinkedIn account, your name, of course, appears on it. And those two pieces of info — pretty much the only things available to non-members — are all the bad guys need.
It works like this: there is an ever-expanding world of exploitive and predatory "information providers" that leech a plethora of information from legitimate sites. They do it to sell data connecting your name with everything about you that has ever appeared online, starting with all your email accounts.
Anyone with a Facebook page routinely provides a wealth of data that the "service" sells to anyone wanting to buy it. Google harvests metadata on billions of online activities and sells it.
Increasingly, data from all these sources — those accepted as legitimate and those who illicitly steal it — is available very cheaply, in bulk. Any part of it assures that everyone will become a target of countless unwanted intrusions and efforts to con us or steal our information, or worse. All of it means that scammers can readily collect and cross-connect enormous numbers of potential victims by simply connecting email addresses with every social media account associated with those names and addresses.
So: what to do?
First, NEVER open a link in any email that is suspicious. One test is to look at the address used by the sender, although that can be spoofed, and it may have come from someone else.
Second, specifically with this scam, exploiting LinkedIn users? DELETE all emails with links that appear to be forwarded or courtesy notices of activity in your account. Just periodically check your LinkedIn account itself for messages sent to you through their system. And if anything untoward is happening there, use their provisions to register a complaint against any user who is abusing their site.
Third, the above points apply to ANY social media account you may have, from any legitimate service (though they all harvest, compile, and sell information about you as part of their own predatory business models).
Fourth, have and FREQUENTLY RUN a good anti-malware / anti-spyware program or app in each of your devices. As an old tv cop show always said, "Be careful out there."
We have one more comment to add: here at the Guide, we have been getting TONS of emails that seem to be from a great many artists that we know. All have links in them that would install invasive malware/spyware. And all those dangerous emails are, most assuredly, being sent to everyone in each of those artist's address books — because that artist opened an email and clicked a link from someone they thought THEY knew. So many busy people are just trying to get through their comms in a hurry, and without thinking, they click something nasty. Don't.
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# 3 news feature...
HUNTER HAYES ANNUAL "AWARDS WEEK CONCERT" AIRS FRIDAY ON DIRECT TV & U-VERSE
February 19, at 9 pm ET/PT, you can catch an annual concert event expected to feature seven acoustic performances on DIRECTV Ch 239 and U-verse Ch 1114. It's by Hunter Hayes, whose latest album, "The 21 Project," is available now from and on Atlantic/Warner Music Nashville.
The full concert was filmed live in Nashville, where the five-time GRAMMY nominated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performed songs from his Platinum-selling No. 1 self-titled debut album, his chart-topping sophomore album "Storyline," and his most recent release, "The 21 Project."
Hailed as a "country-rock-blues guitar hero in the making" by the Los Angeles Times, Hayes has three No. 1 singles under his belt, including the multi-Platinum smash "Wanted," "Somebody's Heartbreak," and "I Want Crazy."
Hayes delved into new territory with the rollout of new music via streaming and digital platforms in 2015, culminating in the release of a special, three-disc collection titled "The 21 Project" which features seven acoustic, seven studio and seven live songs. Hayes is currently recording music for his forthcoming third full-length studio album, with a new single anticipated in early 2016.
"Audience Network" is the presenter of record for the tv event. It features "groundbreaking concerts, in-depth artist interviews, unique stories and exclusive performances," and is "now shooting in ultra high definition 4K." Audience Network is available to DIRECTV and U-verse customers via broadcast and live stream on directv.com and uverse.com and on smartphones and tablets, via the DIRECTV and U-verse apps.
There's more at:
www.hunterhayes.com
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# 4 news feature...
PETE HUTTLINGER CELEBRATION OF LIFE
The late Pete Huttlinger was a superb guitarist, marvelous songwriter, all-around nice guy, and acclaimed, among many other things, as the late John Denver's guitar player. We lost Pete in January. Details of that and the upcoming memorial night for him follow.
His wife, Erin Huttlinger sent the following to Pete's many fans and friends on Feb. 16:
"It is with deepest gratitude that I would firstly like to thank all of you who have sent me such kind words of support regarding Pete's death. It helps my heart knowing what is in many of your hearts.
"For those of you who might not be aware, Pete passed away unexpectedly on January 15. The complications of his condition were ongoing and although he was the most resilient person that I've ever known, he could not recover from this last trauma. I am as shocked and unprepared as anybody.
"But now after a month I realized it was time to send something out and to let everyone know about the upcoming Celebration of Life. It will be a wonderful get together of family and friends and you are welcome to attend. The event will take place at the City Winery here in Nashville. The doors will open at 6 pm for those that would like to have some dinner or drinks ahead of time. The event itself will start about 7:30. City Winery has asked that you go online and make a reservation just so we can get a headcount.
"The link for that is www.citywinery.com/nashville/petehuttlinger022616.html
"There will be a few speakers, some music and maybe a jam afterward. I'm still working out the space for that. We will also be announcing the formation of the Pete Huttlinger Memorial Fund at Vanderbilt which will benefit Adult Congenital Cardiac Research. As soon as I have that confirmed I will send out the information.
"Meanwhile, let's all stay in touch. Pete's music needs to be shared around the world. His message of resilience is more important than ever, so stay tuned.
"If you would like to send me a story, or photo or any type of message you can email me at erin@morrispr.biz
"Again, thank you all."
— Erin Huttlinger
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# 5 news feature...
WE'D LIKE YOU TO MEET... WOMEN'S AUDIO MISSION (WAM)
Women's Audio Mission is a San Francisco based non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of women in music production and the recording arts.
They address a surprising need: it's a field where women are critically under-represented, with less than 5% of music production and the recording arts jobs held by women.
WAM seeks to "change the face of sound" by providing hands-on training, experience, career counseling and job placement to women and girls in media technology for music, radio, film, television and the Internet. WAM believes that women's mastery of music technology and inclusion in the production process will expand the vision and voice of media and popular culture.
The organization produces the quarterly "Local Sirens Music Festival" in San Francisco. The next installment of that is an electronica affair on March 2, 2016.
More info on the organization and their events is at:
www.womensaudiomission.org.
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# 6 news feature...
MUST-SEE L.A. ART EXHIBITS, CLOSING SOON
The folks that edit Eventbrite usually tailor their site to pop culture and pop music. But once in a while, they do an attractive piece for the rest of us. Such was the case with this story by Nile Cappello. We want to add a note to one of their picks, "LIFE: A Journey Through Time," is a must-see that runs only through March 20 at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Culver City, and it was featured on "60 Minutes" when it opened on the East Coast. Here, including quotes from their site, are Eventbrite's catch-'em-while-you-can picks:
"L.A.’s art scene is constantly expanding and evolving into one that rivals the more traditional landscape of NYC. L.A. is home to a spread of incredible, world-renowned museums and must-catch exhibits on display across the city. And, now’s one of the best times in recent history to get involved if you’re in Los Angeles."
That prefaced their picks for "some of the most beautiful art exhibits you need to see right now in L.A." They are.
√ "Rain Room," through April 24, at LACMA (mid-Wilshire). "This may be the most well-known touring exhibits of contemporary art — and with good reason. The full-sensory experience is a notorious must-visit while in L.A., which explains why tickets are already sold out. However, you might find some tickets through the box office if you’re a LACMA member or NexGen (aged 3-17) visitor. Everyone else: try Craigslist? $10-$40."
√ "The Inaugural Installation," ongoing at the Broad, the bold landmark that's newly opened in downtown L.A. "If you live anywhere near L.A., you’ve probably heard about the newest — and most hyped — museum added to the local lineup: The Broad. The contemporary art museum’s inaugural installation exemplifies the type of exhibits you can expect to see at this new DTLA landmark, including the popular 'Infinity Mirrored Room' from artist Yayoi Kusama as well as Glenn Ligon’s 'Double America 2.' They’re currently offering tickets for April, so grab them while they’re hot… and available. Free, w/ RSVP."
√ "Big Screen, Bigger Science," first Fridays through June 6 at the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park. "The fun-filled 'First Friday' series at the Natural History Museum of L.A. County is back for 2016. This season focuses on the intersection of science and fiction. Scientists will examine how science is portrayed in mainstream media, attempting to answer the question, 'How much science is in science fiction?' $18-20, w/ RSVP."
√ "Hammer Projects: Kenny Scharf," through May 22 at the Hammer Museum at UCLA in Westwood. Influenced by his favorite television cartoon characters, street artist Kenny Scharf has developed a signature style that’s full of fun and nostalgia, continually pushing the boundaries of traditional mediums. As an interdisciplinary artist, he believes strongly in the element of spontaneity. Free."
√ "The Younger Generation: Contemporary Japanese Photography," through February 21 at The Getty Center atop the hill in Brentwood. "The stunning Getty Center is often lauded for its gardens, architecture, and picnic-friendly lawns, but its permanent collection’s caliber cannot be ignored when discussing this quintessential L.A. space. The must-catch show currently on display is an exhibit featuring photographs from five female Japanese artists who redefine 'girl photography' by exploring themes related to identity within their works. The exhibit is paired with a variety of talks, performances, and tours, so check out their schedule to make it a full day of artistic appreciation. Free."
√ ★ "LIFE: A Journey Through Time," through March 20 at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Culver City. "Annenberg’s intimate photography space in the CAA courtyard of Culver City is one of the city’s best hidden gems. Currently on display is National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting’s documentation of life on Earth, a vibrant and innovative series including images, text, stories, timelines, and a short documentary. Free."
√ "The Art of Our Time," DTLA through September 12 atop Bunker Hill on Grand Avenue in downtown L.A. "This exhibit at the MOCA Grand Avenue location showcases artists brought together by friendship, art schools, or simple interest in each other’s work. The juxtaposition of well-known pieces alongside more unknown works fosters an exploratory flow for visitors of the exhibit, as opposed to a more traditional, chronological, or categorical display. $12."
√ "Robert Cremean: The Beds of Procrustes and the Seven Deadly Sins," through April 3 at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. "In this provocative exhibit from artist Robert Cremean, he interprets each of the Seven Deadly Sins within the scope of the human form. Life and humanity are the overarching themes tying the collection together, but each piece is a specific commentary on the strife of human experience. $7."
√ “The Getty Center” by“Sam Howzit”
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# 7 news feature...
"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" & ITS MUSICAL CONNECTION LIVE ON, OUTSIDE THE CHRISTMAS RERUNS
Well. It seems that Alex del Zoppo is not the sole-surviving cast member of the famous film in which he was cast as the baby. And we need to tell him this story.
First, you should know that Alex was a founding member of the band SWEETWATER, the opening band at a lil' thing called Woodstock. THE Woodstock. VH-1 produced the first-ever edition of its "Beyond the Music" series about Sweetwater. And Alex has continued his music career with the kinds of professional ups and downs that usually define really talented people.
Okay, to our story.
Caroline Grimes played Zsu-Zsu in "It's a Wonderful Life." She is still with us. In fact, she particulates every April in the "Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival" in Marshfield, in the Show-Me State.
And Mo Rocca's story on CBS "Sunday Morning" (Valentine's Day edition) revealed a lot about that singular festival. It features an annual reunion of tv and film people from diverse Americana-ish origins, like Dawn Wells ("Mary Ann"), and the girls from "The Waltons," and Andy's girlfriend from "The Andy Griffith Show."
And it's also the only annual reunion of U.S. Presidential descendants. And that always brings a credible and extensive gathering. And believe it or not, one with neither rancor nor wrangling. (What a concept.)
It all looks like fun. April in Marshfield, Missouri. Alex should go.
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# 8 news feature...
THREE MORE FESTIVAL PLANNER NOTES...
The annual "Long Beach Bayou Festival" is June 18 & 19; talent lineup tba soon; it's at Rainbow Lagoon Park, Linden Av & Shoreline Dr, Long Beach. Tix on sale soon.
The annual "Long Beach Jazz Festival" happens August 12-14; talent lineup tba soon; it, too, is at Rainbow Lagoon Park, Linden Av & Shoreline Dr, Long Beach. Tix on sale soon.
The "Claremont Pie Festival" — one previously unknown to us — looks tasty both gastronomically and tunefully. It's Saturday, March 19, 11 am-4 pm, and features old-time, bluegrass, folk, and swing, with High Strung. Info at: www.claremontpiefestival.com
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# 9 news feature...
FIDDLIN' AROUND, THIS MONTH & NEXT...
BELINDA THOM, aka "FIDDLING MAMA B," is a well-regarded Southern California fiddle player who just checked-in with news. Here it is:
"[I] had hand surgery in late December and took some time off to recuperate. I was fortunate, everything went swimmingly, and now I’m back in action. I’m including all shows up through mid March, after which I’ll be traveling in Myanmar for a couple weeks. Who knows what kind of tunes might return with me from that trip?!? Hope to see you soon:
• Fri, Feb 19, 8-11 pm, contra dancing with the Kindred Hoofits at the War Memorial in South Pasadena; Ginger calling; yummy home-cooked food included beforehand. (http://www.caldancecoop.org/cgi/dsched_save.cgi)
• Sun, Mar 6, 6:30-9:30 pm, contra dancing with the Kindred Hoofits at the Cabrillo Ballroom in Santa Barbara; Jacqui Grennan calling. (http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/)
• Sun, Mar 13, 10 am-1 pm, "kick-ass fiddle tunes and old-time songs" with Modal Tease at the Atwater Farmer’s Market in L.A. (http://www.seela.org/atwater-village-farmers-market/)
• Sat, Mar 19, 11 am-4 pm, old-time, bluegrass, folk, and swing, with High Strung at the "Claremont Pie Festival" (http://www.claremontpiefestival.com/).
More on Fiddling Mama B at:
www.modaltease.com
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# 10 news feature...
LAUNCH OF NEW AMPS — DESIGNED BY GUITARIST — BRINGS ACCLAIM OF TOP ARTISTS
Hand-Crafted Guitar Amplifiers "Designed by a Real Player for Real Players"
Nashville-based guitarist Todd Sharp has 40+ years performing from studios to stadiums with Hall & Oates, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood & Bob Welch, Delbert McClinton, Carlene Carter, David Crosby, and working alongside Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and many more.
Through his years of performing experience, Sharp had yet to find the perfect amp, so he decided to build one. Now he is launching Todd Sharp Amplifiers, his own indie line of custom-made amplifiers in Nashville, TN. These are high-end, hand-wired, vacuum tube amps, and the first of their kind from Sharp.
Sharp says, “Like any player, I have been enthralled with the many great amps of the past 60 years. I’ve owned and worked with so many of them as a working guitarist but also as proprietor of Nashville Amplifier Service (amprepair.com). My approach to amplifier design is a little different.”
He continues, “This is truly creative art to me. There are plenty of Fender, Marshall, Vox and Dumble clones out there. I’m not interested in building another knock off — I’m interested in making amplifiers for the player who wants the best there is. Amps that respond like instruments.”
Early admirers of the brand include Vince Gill, John Oates, and Mick Fleetwood, who have all purchased amps. Owen Barry, guitarist for Tal Wilkenfeld, will also be using Todd Sharp Amps during their tour opening for The Who this year.
The line's flagship model is the JOAT 20RT, for "Jack Of All Tone, 20 Watts, Reverb/Tremolo."
John Oates is using the JOAT 20RT on his 2016 national tour with Daryl Hall.
This model offers what Sharp's promo claims is "a truly original approach to vacuum tube guitar amplification. There is no tone stack (conventional bass, mid, treble controls), nor the loss that comes with a conventional tone stack."
Sharp himself likes to say, “It’s all tone, but you can take some away if you like.”
The JOAT circuit employs a unique approach to gain and tone architecture utilizing rotary selector switches; ATTITUDE, LOW CUT and HIGH CUT along with a BITE switch. INPUTS 1 and 2 are designed intentionally to receive single coil or dual coil pickups. The REVERB, says Sharp, "is unlike any other, producing a super smooth sound more akin to a plate than spring reverb." TREMOLO offers "an ultra-stable, wide range of speed and intensity, from subtle to full stutter."
Launched in 2016, Todd Sharp Amplifiers are hand-crafted in Nashville, TN. The debut model, the JOAT (Jack of all Tone) 20RT head and Model A 2x12” speaker cabinet are now available.
The promo is impressive, from aesthetics to chassis:
• mil spec rotary selectors and pots
• aircraft grade isolation mounts for the first stage 6AU6 pentode and dual Reverb tank design
• custom spec transformers, hand wired with 19 strand Teflon wire
• stainless steel hardware
Sharp advertises "a painstaking process of selecting each component for optimum performance," culminating in the assertion, "The JOAT series amplifier delivers from Fingerboard to Baffleboard."
About the Guitarist/Designer
Todd Sharp is a multi-talented musician with a versatile career as an award-winning guitarist, singer, songwriter, and now, founder of Todd Sharp Amplifiers. Sharp joined Hall & Oates on tour as their lead guitar player at the age of 19. Gigs followed with Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, and that band's founder Mick Fleetwood in his duo tour with Bob Welch. Plus tours playing for Rod Stewart, Carlene Carter, David Crosby, Delbert McClinton, Australian icon Jimmy Barnes, and French legend Eddy Mitchell. Sharp has also worked alongside greats Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and more.
As a solo artist, Sharp released two critically acclaimed records, "Who Am I," and, "Walking All The Way." Also an accomplished songwriter, Sharp co-wrote the top ten hits, “Got a Hold On Me” with Christine McVie, and Juice Newton’s “A Little Love.”
In 1994, Sharp opened Nashville Amplifier Service, performing expert repairs, restorations, and modifications for an impressive clientele. Twelve years later, he's building an original line of amps for other players.
Learn more about Todd Sharp Amplifiers at:
www.toddsharpamps.com
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The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
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www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
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Monday, February 15, 2016
58th GRAMMY Awards - worth watching Monday night...
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58th annual GRAMMY Awards, Monday night...
Tonight at 5 pm Pacific on CBS, with an 8:30 pm replay, the recording academy presents a GRAMMY Awards gala program that's finally worth watching for devotees of Americana music.
No, the awards in the Folk, Bluegrass, Blues and most other Folk-Americana genres have not been promoted from the earlier "kids table" event to joust with the Crubio Duo and the Bloviating Trumps. Those are still being bestowed to their recipients off-camera, before the broadcast.
But... after enduring years of ever-expanding cloned categories that multiplied awards for rap and hip-hop and electronica, the event will present the best music performances in a long time.
Centerpieces will be a pair of musical tributes to creative giants who both died in January.
In one tribute medley, Jackson Browne will join the surviving members of the Eagles in a tribute to Glenn Frey.
In the other, David Bowie's rich catalog will be celebrated.
Now, less time for rap does bring consequences in a year that the Oscar nominations unforgivably snubbed performances by, and films about, non-white actors and characters. So, there has been a counterpart to "OscarsSoWhite" with a low horsepower protest tabbed "GrammysSoWhite."
From our perspective — having seen nearly all the films that SHOULD have been serious contenders for the Oscar — the Motion Picture Academy blew it, egregiously and unforgivably so. But that is not the case with the choices for live performances in tonight's Grammys.
Notice we said that carefully.
Because Grammy nominations are still far too skewed toward a few of the industry's darlings, to the exclusion of needed, but absent, categories.
Why doed Taylor Swift need seven nominations, while Western Music, Western Swing, Old Time String Revival, and a dozen other Folk-Americana genres don't get a single award category?
Anyway, if we are going to criticize what's wrong, we do need to celebrate what's right. And tonight's performances will be the best of a more diverse range than we've seen in a long time.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
.
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
.
58th annual GRAMMY Awards, Monday night...
Tonight at 5 pm Pacific on CBS, with an 8:30 pm replay, the recording academy presents a GRAMMY Awards gala program that's finally worth watching for devotees of Americana music.
No, the awards in the Folk, Bluegrass, Blues and most other Folk-Americana genres have not been promoted from the earlier "kids table" event to joust with the Crubio Duo and the Bloviating Trumps. Those are still being bestowed to their recipients off-camera, before the broadcast.
But... after enduring years of ever-expanding cloned categories that multiplied awards for rap and hip-hop and electronica, the event will present the best music performances in a long time.
Centerpieces will be a pair of musical tributes to creative giants who both died in January.
In one tribute medley, Jackson Browne will join the surviving members of the Eagles in a tribute to Glenn Frey.
In the other, David Bowie's rich catalog will be celebrated.
Now, less time for rap does bring consequences in a year that the Oscar nominations unforgivably snubbed performances by, and films about, non-white actors and characters. So, there has been a counterpart to "OscarsSoWhite" with a low horsepower protest tabbed "GrammysSoWhite."
From our perspective — having seen nearly all the films that SHOULD have been serious contenders for the Oscar — the Motion Picture Academy blew it, egregiously and unforgivably so. But that is not the case with the choices for live performances in tonight's Grammys.
Notice we said that carefully.
Because Grammy nominations are still far too skewed toward a few of the industry's darlings, to the exclusion of needed, but absent, categories.
Why doed Taylor Swift need seven nominations, while Western Music, Western Swing, Old Time String Revival, and a dozen other Folk-Americana genres don't get a single award category?
Anyway, if we are going to criticize what's wrong, we do need to celebrate what's right. And tonight's performances will be the best of a more diverse range than we've seen in a long time.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
.
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
.
The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Live Music "only" -- excerpted from the Valentine's edition...
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.
Okay, okay, we hear you. You want a separate edition with ONLY the concerts for this weekend (and the rest of February)? You don't want to scroll through the whole news edition, fascinating as that is? Okay. You've got it, right here.
CONCERTS / TICKET ALERTS /
GOOD MUSICAL MISCELLANY...
Local performances. Happening THIS VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND, or before tge end of February. Note there are multiple dates / venues for some artists / bands included in some listings — though we list 'em again on the later dates, too. Just don't allow yourself to get all befuddled when you see all those dates. All is still chronological...
WEEKEND & THE REST OF FEBRUARY IN THE LIVE ACOUSTIC & AMERICANA MUSIC SCENE
* Saturday's concerts, Feb 13...
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, starting Sat, Feb 13, at 6:30 pm at The Cave at Big Bear Lake; on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, she plays at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ BUGAN & CHAN of the group WE FIVE play Sat, Feb 13, at 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sat & Sun, Feb 13 & 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE T SISTERS play a pair of weekend gigs, Sat, Feb 13, at 7:30 pm in Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City, San Diego Co.; and Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ STEVE POSTELL'S NIGHT TRAIN MUSIC CLUB plays Sat, Feb 13, 8-10:30 pm, at the new Four Friends Gallery in Thousand Oaks. See the feature story in this edition.
√ DENNIS G & THE ZYDECO RIDERZ play for listening and Cajun-zydeco dancing on Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm in the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ THE REVELERS play Sat, Feb 13, 8 pm at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier, and Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ DALE FIELDER QUARTET brings the jazz that says "Valentine's Day date" for some folks. They play Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Tix, $20, with a reservation at 310-519-1314. Unique thing here is, you can cater your own meal and beverage, as elaborately as you want, and the venue charges nothing extra. Complimentary hot coffee, tea, cocoa, and a filtered water fountain are provided. As for the music: it's Dale Fielder, baritone sax; Jane Getz, piano; Bill Markus, bass; Thomas White, drums, presenting "An evening of cutting-edge jazz originals and classic jazz standards."
* Sunday's concerts — Valentine's Day shows...
√ THE T SISTERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ ★★★ THE KRUGER BROTHERS, North Carolina-based Swiss-born bluegrass wizards, finally stick around to play past the NAMM Show, doing a Valentine's Day gig on Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm on the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE REVELERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ STEVE WYNN (he's played 2000 indie rock shows in more than 25 countries), with friends Robert Lloyd, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon, plays Sun, Feb 14, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, continuing on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
* Beyond this weekend... TICKET ALERTS...
Mon, Feb 15...
√ JIMMY ANGEL, with CODY BRYANT and JIMMY LEE HARRIS, ROCKIN' JOHNNY PALMER & DEVILISH DOUGLAS LIVINGSTON play Mon, Feb 15, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Living legend and improbable octogenarian Jimmy Angel rocks, karate chops, dances, croons, and belts his way into your heart with '50s and '60s classics and his own songs in that style, accompanied by veteran members of the RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE Cody, Jimmy, & Doug, plus Johnny Palmer.
Tue, Feb 16...
√ BRAD COLERICK (widely acclaimed performing songwriter), plus ESCAPING PAVEMENT (Detroit-based duo, Emily Burns & Aaron Markovitz), and BOB CHEEVERS (globetrotting acoustic bluesy musician) play Tue, Feb 16, at 7:30 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. A night of country, folk, Americana, and rock.
Thu, Feb 18...
√ SALTY SUITES (marvelous acoustic band with Scott Gates, Chelsea Williams, Chuck Hailes, & Elaine Gregston), plus guest artist HELEN HUMMEL (from the Green Mountains of Vermont), play Thu, Feb 18, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
Fri, Feb 19...
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Fri, Feb 19, at 7 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City, then on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena.
√ SIDEWINDER plus the BAJA BLUES BOYS play Fri, Feb 19, at 7:30 pm at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park (N of San Diego).
√ THE HOT SARDINES play two more local shows: on Fri, Feb 19, they're on at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ TIZER TRIO (2011 “Jazz Group of the Year” nominees, with a 3x Grammy-nominated member) play Fri, Feb 19, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Fri & Sat, Feb 19 & 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sat, Feb 20...
√ JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS masterfully play the charming music of the nineteen-teens, '20s, & early '30s, Sat, Feb 20, 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JIM KWESKIN, founding pioneer of the '60s jug band revival, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Russ & Julie’s House Concerts series in Oak Park, in the Agoura Hills / Westlake Village area, past T.O.
√ STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at the "Living Tradition" concert series in the Downtown Community Center in Anaheim; see the news feature in this edition on this fine duo.
√ NATHAN McEUEN & NATALIE GELMAN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Sat, Feb 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
√ THE HOT SARDINES play one final local show, Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
Sun, Feb 21...
√ HEIDI SWEDBERG & The Sukey Jump Band play the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 21, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ KATHY CRAIG, with TOM CORBETT, BILL KNOPF, & MIKE MULLINS, plays a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 2:30 pm in the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.
√ ERIC RIGLER & DIRK FREYMUTH, formidable music-makers, Eric of "Titanic" soundtrack fame, play a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 3 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ DROPKICK MICKEYS play OC on Sun, Feb 21, 5 pm, at Macallans Public House in Brea.
√ DOWNHOME TIME (BC Cameron, Dennis C. “Tennessee” Brown, & Simeon Pillich, all accomplished makers of rootsy music for tv soundtracks) play Sun, Feb 21, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ STEVE POLTZ plays Sun, Feb 21, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Mon, Feb 22...
√ DANI JOY & THE BOYS (touring acoustic pop / jazz group similar in style to Peggy Lee, Norah Jones, Suzanne Vega) plays Mon, Feb 22, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ BONNIE RAITT plus MAIA SHARP are SOLD OUT on Mon, Feb 22, at 8 pm in the SFV at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge.
Wed, Feb 24...
√ HOMEMADE JAM (Tom Fehrer aka Tom Fair, Samantha Elin, Rob Sandiford, & Steve Reid, doing all-acoustic jazzy blues, jug band tunes, hits of the '20s and '30s) plays Wed, Feb 24, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN has a pair of dates: Wed, Feb 24, at 8:30 pm at the Largo at the Coronet series in West Hollywood; then Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
Thu, Feb 25...
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Troubadour in West Hollywood; and Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ ANI DiFRANCO plus RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES are SOLD OUT on Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
Fri, Feb 26...
√ SALTY SUITES tunefully hit the South Bay on Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm at the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ DWIGHT TWILLEY, plus Jorgensen Tagg, plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ MICHAEL McGINNIS (Original New Christy Minstrels) & FRIENDS (Stephen Geyer, David P. Jackson, plus a mystery guest or two) play Michael's annual B-day show, Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ ASHLEY MAHER plus CATINA DeLUNA and FISH TO BIRDS bring a world music flavor to musically solid stuff on Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
√ DAVID WILCOX arrives this month for three geographically distributed gigs; first is Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City (San Diego Co.); then, Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at McCabe’s in Santa Monica; and finally, Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
Sat, Feb 27...
√ TAYLOR MADE (James Taylor Tribute Band) plays Sat, Feb 27, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
√ JIM & MORNING NICHOLS play Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ DAVID WILCOX plays Sat, Feb 27, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sun, Feb 28...
√ BEETHOVEN'S WIG plays the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 28, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ AEDAN MacDONNELL plus the DROPKICK MICKEYS and LYONS ACADEMY IRISH DANCERS get you ready for St. Patrick's Day a 2-1/2 weeks early with a matinee on Sun, Feb 28, at 1 pm at the Dalmatian American Club in San Pedro.
√ MAURA KENNEDY (one-half of East Coast Americana/Folk duo The Kennedys) and B.D. LOVE (widely-published poet and lyricist), play a Sun matinee, Feb 28, 3 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER play Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm at Pickwick Gardens, inside the Pickwick Bowl, across from Cody's Viva Cantina, in Burbank.
√ BURNING HEART BLUEGRASS BAND, plus SUGAR IN THE GOURD, team-up (folk melodies, foot-stomping fiddle tunes, Appalachian murder ballads, hard-driving bluegrass) on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS wraps-up a bunch of local shows on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE WAINWRIGHT SISTERS play Sun, Feb 28, 8 pm, at McCabe’s in Santa Monica.
√ DAVID WILCOX finishes his SoCal tour on Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
Mon, Feb 29...
√ WENDOLEE THE MEXICANA (Wendolee Ayala, Latin American singing star, brings Mexico's most traditional mariachi songs with projected English subtitles) for a "Leap Day" show on Mon, Feb 29, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
* Certainly not all the possibilities, but that's all we can fit in this format and edition.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
There's also a FRESH and EXTENSIVE music NEWS EDITION, also published today, easily available right here on our site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
.
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
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Okay, okay, we hear you. You want a separate edition with ONLY the concerts for this weekend (and the rest of February)? You don't want to scroll through the whole news edition, fascinating as that is? Okay. You've got it, right here.
CONCERTS / TICKET ALERTS /
GOOD MUSICAL MISCELLANY...
Local performances. Happening THIS VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND, or before tge end of February. Note there are multiple dates / venues for some artists / bands included in some listings — though we list 'em again on the later dates, too. Just don't allow yourself to get all befuddled when you see all those dates. All is still chronological...
WEEKEND & THE REST OF FEBRUARY IN THE LIVE ACOUSTIC & AMERICANA MUSIC SCENE
* Saturday's concerts, Feb 13...
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, starting Sat, Feb 13, at 6:30 pm at The Cave at Big Bear Lake; on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, she plays at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ BUGAN & CHAN of the group WE FIVE play Sat, Feb 13, at 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sat & Sun, Feb 13 & 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE T SISTERS play a pair of weekend gigs, Sat, Feb 13, at 7:30 pm in Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City, San Diego Co.; and Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ STEVE POSTELL'S NIGHT TRAIN MUSIC CLUB plays Sat, Feb 13, 8-10:30 pm, at the new Four Friends Gallery in Thousand Oaks. See the feature story in this edition.
√ DENNIS G & THE ZYDECO RIDERZ play for listening and Cajun-zydeco dancing on Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm in the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ THE REVELERS play Sat, Feb 13, 8 pm at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier, and Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ DALE FIELDER QUARTET brings the jazz that says "Valentine's Day date" for some folks. They play Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Tix, $20, with a reservation at 310-519-1314. Unique thing here is, you can cater your own meal and beverage, as elaborately as you want, and the venue charges nothing extra. Complimentary hot coffee, tea, cocoa, and a filtered water fountain are provided. As for the music: it's Dale Fielder, baritone sax; Jane Getz, piano; Bill Markus, bass; Thomas White, drums, presenting "An evening of cutting-edge jazz originals and classic jazz standards."
* Sunday's concerts — Valentine's Day shows...
√ THE T SISTERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ ★★★ THE KRUGER BROTHERS, North Carolina-based Swiss-born bluegrass wizards, finally stick around to play past the NAMM Show, doing a Valentine's Day gig on Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm on the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE REVELERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ STEVE WYNN (he's played 2000 indie rock shows in more than 25 countries), with friends Robert Lloyd, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon, plays Sun, Feb 14, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, continuing on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
* Beyond this weekend... TICKET ALERTS...
Mon, Feb 15...
√ JIMMY ANGEL, with CODY BRYANT and JIMMY LEE HARRIS, ROCKIN' JOHNNY PALMER & DEVILISH DOUGLAS LIVINGSTON play Mon, Feb 15, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Living legend and improbable octogenarian Jimmy Angel rocks, karate chops, dances, croons, and belts his way into your heart with '50s and '60s classics and his own songs in that style, accompanied by veteran members of the RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE Cody, Jimmy, & Doug, plus Johnny Palmer.
Tue, Feb 16...
√ BRAD COLERICK (widely acclaimed performing songwriter), plus ESCAPING PAVEMENT (Detroit-based duo, Emily Burns & Aaron Markovitz), and BOB CHEEVERS (globetrotting acoustic bluesy musician) play Tue, Feb 16, at 7:30 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. A night of country, folk, Americana, and rock.
Thu, Feb 18...
√ SALTY SUITES (marvelous acoustic band with Scott Gates, Chelsea Williams, Chuck Hailes, & Elaine Gregston), plus guest artist HELEN HUMMEL (from the Green Mountains of Vermont), play Thu, Feb 18, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
Fri, Feb 19...
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Fri, Feb 19, at 7 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City, then on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena.
√ SIDEWINDER plus the BAJA BLUES BOYS play Fri, Feb 19, at 7:30 pm at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park (N of San Diego).
√ THE HOT SARDINES play two more local shows: on Fri, Feb 19, they're on at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ TIZER TRIO (2011 “Jazz Group of the Year” nominees, with a 3x Grammy-nominated member) play Fri, Feb 19, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Fri & Sat, Feb 19 & 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sat, Feb 20...
√ JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS masterfully play the charming music of the nineteen-teens, '20s, & early '30s, Sat, Feb 20, 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JIM KWESKIN, founding pioneer of the '60s jug band revival, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Russ & Julie’s House Concerts series in Oak Park, in the Agoura Hills / Westlake Village area, past T.O.
√ STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at the "Living Tradition" concert series in the Downtown Community Center in Anaheim; see the news feature in this edition on this fine duo.
√ NATHAN McEUEN & NATALIE GELMAN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Sat, Feb 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
√ THE HOT SARDINES play one final local show, Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
Sun, Feb 21...
√ HEIDI SWEDBERG & The Sukey Jump Band play the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 21, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ KATHY CRAIG, with TOM CORBETT, BILL KNOPF, & MIKE MULLINS, plays a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 2:30 pm in the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.
√ ERIC RIGLER & DIRK FREYMUTH, formidable music-makers, Eric of "Titanic" soundtrack fame, play a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 3 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ DROPKICK MICKEYS play OC on Sun, Feb 21, 5 pm, at Macallans Public House in Brea.
√ DOWNHOME TIME (BC Cameron, Dennis C. “Tennessee” Brown, & Simeon Pillich, all accomplished makers of rootsy music for tv soundtracks) play Sun, Feb 21, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ STEVE POLTZ plays Sun, Feb 21, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Mon, Feb 22...
√ DANI JOY & THE BOYS (touring acoustic pop / jazz group similar in style to Peggy Lee, Norah Jones, Suzanne Vega) plays Mon, Feb 22, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ BONNIE RAITT plus MAIA SHARP are SOLD OUT on Mon, Feb 22, at 8 pm in the SFV at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge.
Wed, Feb 24...
√ HOMEMADE JAM (Tom Fehrer aka Tom Fair, Samantha Elin, Rob Sandiford, & Steve Reid, doing all-acoustic jazzy blues, jug band tunes, hits of the '20s and '30s) plays Wed, Feb 24, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN has a pair of dates: Wed, Feb 24, at 8:30 pm at the Largo at the Coronet series in West Hollywood; then Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
Thu, Feb 25...
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Troubadour in West Hollywood; and Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ ANI DiFRANCO plus RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES are SOLD OUT on Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
Fri, Feb 26...
√ SALTY SUITES tunefully hit the South Bay on Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm at the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ DWIGHT TWILLEY, plus Jorgensen Tagg, plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ MICHAEL McGINNIS (Original New Christy Minstrels) & FRIENDS (Stephen Geyer, David P. Jackson, plus a mystery guest or two) play Michael's annual B-day show, Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ ASHLEY MAHER plus CATINA DeLUNA and FISH TO BIRDS bring a world music flavor to musically solid stuff on Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
√ DAVID WILCOX arrives this month for three geographically distributed gigs; first is Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City (San Diego Co.); then, Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at McCabe’s in Santa Monica; and finally, Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
Sat, Feb 27...
√ TAYLOR MADE (James Taylor Tribute Band) plays Sat, Feb 27, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
√ JIM & MORNING NICHOLS play Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ DAVID WILCOX plays Sat, Feb 27, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sun, Feb 28...
√ BEETHOVEN'S WIG plays the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 28, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ AEDAN MacDONNELL plus the DROPKICK MICKEYS and LYONS ACADEMY IRISH DANCERS get you ready for St. Patrick's Day a 2-1/2 weeks early with a matinee on Sun, Feb 28, at 1 pm at the Dalmatian American Club in San Pedro.
√ MAURA KENNEDY (one-half of East Coast Americana/Folk duo The Kennedys) and B.D. LOVE (widely-published poet and lyricist), play a Sun matinee, Feb 28, 3 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER play Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm at Pickwick Gardens, inside the Pickwick Bowl, across from Cody's Viva Cantina, in Burbank.
√ BURNING HEART BLUEGRASS BAND, plus SUGAR IN THE GOURD, team-up (folk melodies, foot-stomping fiddle tunes, Appalachian murder ballads, hard-driving bluegrass) on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS wraps-up a bunch of local shows on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE WAINWRIGHT SISTERS play Sun, Feb 28, 8 pm, at McCabe’s in Santa Monica.
√ DAVID WILCOX finishes his SoCal tour on Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
Mon, Feb 29...
√ WENDOLEE THE MEXICANA (Wendolee Ayala, Latin American singing star, brings Mexico's most traditional mariachi songs with projected English subtitles) for a "Leap Day" show on Mon, Feb 29, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
* Certainly not all the possibilities, but that's all we can fit in this format and edition.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
There's also a FRESH and EXTENSIVE music NEWS EDITION, also published today, easily available right here on our site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
More soon, as always.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Direct to the current editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY
editions load quickly at
.
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to: . Tiedtothetracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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Contents copyright © 2016, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
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Grab your banjo, Cupid: it's the Guide's Valentine's Weekend edition, Feb 13, 2016
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Valentine's edition, with things to do this weekend, news of upcoming music events, AND we're just in time to dodge (or catch) Cupid's arrow, with the scoop on the actual, just discovered, physics of entanglements.
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Contents / In this edition...
1) Quantum Valentine's Entanglements: Love Among Particles Brings Philosophy to Science
2) Listen Online: 31 Alt Country / Americana Hot Tracks
3) Still Time to Play for "The Dead Covers Project"
4) Valentine's Contradance Saturday Brings West Virginia Musician
5) NetteRadio and LAWIM to Team-up for Songwriter Showcase February 26
6) "O Berkley Where Hart Thou" Returns April 9
7) Sure We Should Practice, but Shouldn't it be... Fun, or Somehow Satisfying?
8) Saturday Night Music with Steam Locomotive Imagery?
9) Folkies Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen Coming Soon
10) "Re-Pete" to Celebrate Pete Seeger
11) Upcoming at Alvas Showroom: it Isn't all Jazz
12) Valentine's Weekend & Beyond, with
Concerts / Ticket Alerts / Good Musical Miscellany...
Let's get started!
(To find a concert happening THIS WEEKEND, scroll to the final feature story.)
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# 1 news feature...
QUANTUM VALENTINE'S ENTANGLEMENTS: LOVE AMONG PARTICLES BRINGS PHILOSOPHY TO SCIENCE
Just in time for Valentine's Day, it's the ultimate science nerd story about the ultimate attraction. NASA scientists even call it "particles in love."
This is a serious relationship. It's complicated. On Friday, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena told the world, "Entangled particles influence each other instantaneously even when they are physically far apart."
"Particles in Love" are, it seems, a manifestation of Quantum Mechanics, explored and described in a just-released new study. But then, "new discoveries" in science are a bit like "overnight sensations" in music: there's a story nobody knows about a lot of toil for a lot of years before that "instant" stardom happened.
In this case, it goes way back to the 1960s, when theoretical physicist John Bell proposed that a model of reality with hidden variables must allow for this kind of entanglement — which seems both wonky and waffley — but we are talking science nerds here. People who obsess over jilted ideas for a loooong time. Then, "suddenly" in 2015, three papers were published that support Bell's old hypothesis. Sorta like seeing that old flame at your high school reunion.
And now it's a love story. And it's at the smallest scales imaginable: particles of light. But it all reads a lot more like philosophy and that old idea you had when you believed you and your first major crush were made for each other.
Brace yourself:
As it turns out, it is possible to have particles that are so intimately linked that a change to one affects the other, even when they are separated at a distance.
This idea, called "entanglement," is part of the branch of physics called quantum mechanics, a description of the way the world works at the level of atoms and particles that are even smaller. Quantum mechanics says that at these very tiny scales, some properties of particles are based entirely on probability.
In other words, nothing is certain until it happens. (I've had girlfriends like that. And we're not even to the part about "entanglement" yet.)
Even Albert Einstein did not entirely believe that the laws of quantum mechanics described reality. He and others postulated that there must be some hidden variables at work, which would allow quantum systems to be predictable.
In 1964, things got goofy. John Bell published the idea that any model of physical reality with such hidden variables also must allow for the instantaneous influence of one particle on another — that particles can still affect each other when they are far apart, according to Bell. And that's after Einstein proved that information cannot travel faster than the speed of light, Bell still maintained they influence each other at exactly the same instant, despite being far — even very far — apart.
Scientists consider Bell's theorem an important foundation for modern physics. While many experiments have taken place to try to prove his theorem, until recently, no one was able to run a full, proper test of the experiment that Bell would have needed. In 2015, three separate studies were published on the topic, all consistent with the predictions of quantum mechanics and entanglement.
"What's exciting is that in some sense, we're doing experimental philosophy," said Krister Shalm, physicist with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Boulder, Colorado. Shalm is lead author on one of the 2015 studies testing Bell's theorem.
"Humans have always had certain expectations of how the world works, and when quantum mechanics came along, it seemed to behave differently."
That gets us to "How 'Alice and Bob' Test Quantum Mechanics."
The paper by Shalm, Marsili and colleagues was published in the deep-dive journal "Physical Review Letters," with the mind-bending title "Strong Loophole-Free Test of Local Realism."
"Our paper and the other two published last year show that Bell was right: any model of the world that contains hidden variables must also allow for entangled particles to influence one another at a distance," said Francesco Marsili of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, who collaborated with Shalm.
An analogy helps to understand the experiment, which was conducted at a NIST laboratory in Boulder: Imagine that A and B are entangled photons. A is sent to Alice and B is sent to Bob, who are located 607 feet (185 meters) apart. Alice and Bob poke and prod at their photons in all kinds of ways to get a sense of their properties. Without talking to each other, they then each randomly decide how to measure their photons, using random number generators to guide their decisions.
When Alice and Bob compare notes, they are surprised to find that the results of their independent experiments are correlated. In other words, even at a distance, measuring one photon of the entangled pair affects the properties of the other photon.
"It's as if Alice and Bob try to tear the two photons apart, but their love still persists," Shalm said.
In other words, the entangled photons behave as if they are two parts of a single system, even when separated in space. Alice and Bob — representing actual photon detectors — then repeat this with many other pairs of entangled photons, and the phenomenon persists.
In reality, the photon detectors are not people, but — brace yourself — superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs).
SNSPDs are metal strips that are cooled until they become "superconducting," meaning they lose their electric resistance. A photon hitting this strip causes it to turn into a normal metal again momentarily, so the resistance of the strip jumps from zero to a finite value. This change in resistance allows the researchers to record the event.
To make this experiment happen in a laboratory, the big challenge is to avoid losing photons as they get sent to the Alice and Bob detectors through an optical fiber. JPL and NIST developed SNSPDs with world record performance, demonstrating more than 90 percent efficiency and low "jitter," or uncertainty on the time of arrival of a photon.
This experiment would not have been possible without SNSPDs.
So, like, "Why This is Useful?" Spies. 007.
The design of this experiment could potentially be used in cryptography — making information and communications secure — as it involves generating random numbers.
"The same experiment that tells us something deep about how the world is constructed also can be used for these applications that require you to keep your information safe," Shalm said.
Cryptography isn't the only application of this research. Detectors similar to those used for the experiment, which were built by JPL and NIST, could eventually also be used for deep-space optical communication. With a high efficiency and low uncertainty about the time of signal arrival, these detectors are well-suited for transmitting information with pulses of light in the optical spectrum.
"Right now we have the Deep Space Network to communicate with spacecraft around the solar system, which encodes information in radio signals. With optical communications, we could increase the data rate of that network 10- to 100-fold," Marsili said.
Deep space optical communication using technology similar to the detectors in Marsili's experiment was demonstrated with NASA's Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission, which orbited the moon from October 2013 to April 2014. A technology mission called the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration, with components on LADEE and on the ground, downlinked data encoded in laser pulses, and made use of ground receivers based on SNSPDs.
Now, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate is working on the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) mission. The mission proposes to revolutionize the way we send and receive data, video and other information, using lasers to encode and transmit data at rates 10 to 100 times faster than today's fastest radio-frequency systems, using significantly less mass and power.
"Information can never travel faster than the speed of light — Einstein was right about that. But through optical communications research, we can increase the amount of information we send back from space," Marsili said. "The fact that the detectors from our experiment have this application creates great synergy between the two endeavors."
And so, what began as the study of "love" between particles is contributing to innovations in communications between space and Earth.
"Love makes the world go 'round," and it may, in a sense, help us learn about other worlds. Or you could just buy her a box of chocolates. At the exact same instant that she's buying you a box of chocolates. Or that Forrest Gump is eating a box of chocolates. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. At exactly the same time in an entanglement. Where are those chocolates?
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# 2 news feature...
LISTEN ONLINE: 31 ALT COUNTRY / AMERICANA HOT TRACKS
Rhino has 31 new tunes "to wipe away those winter blues" — presumably the slogan for those in snow country — or, since Rhino is based in Burbank, perhaps to wash away our Southern California concern over the El Niño bust of no rain.
Either way, there's some fine free music to enjoy. Those 31 tracks include music from:
• Lucinda Williams
• Buddy Miller
• Kacey Musgraves
• J.D. McPherson
• Wilco
• The Wainwright Sisters
• Joe Ely
• Son Volt
• Judy Collins
• Eilen Jewell
• Sam Gleaves
• Connie Smith
• Watkins Family Hour
• Eric Church
• Jesse Winchester
And 16 more.
Have a listen and get info on adding the music to your repertoire at:
www.rhino.com/article/new-playlist-alt-country-8
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# 3 news feature...
STILL TIME TO PLAY FOR "THE DEAD COVERS PROJECT"
Grateful Dead fans and budding musicians should enjoy the 2016 "DEAD COVERS PROJECT," in full swing right now and being promoted by Rhino Records. There's still time to show-off your own musical chops, so Rhino says, "grab your banjo and your best friend and commit your favorite Grateful Dead song to video."
Upload your video to YouTube, tag it "Dead Covers Project," and Rhino tells us, "you just might find yourself front and center on Dead.net" — and they add for anyone who is tone deaf, "Join the fun by 'liking' your favorites on YouTube.
Learn more at:
http://www.dead.net/features/dead-covers-project/dead-covers-project-2016
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# 4 news feature...
VALENTINE'S CONTRADANCE SATURDAY NIGHT BRINGS WEST VIRGINIA MUSICIAN
There’s dancing at the Womans Club in South Pasadena every month, always with a live band, a good caller, dance instruction, and some eats. This one just happens to be on Valentine's weekend. But that's not all that's special.
Jeff Spero will be calling the dances with Ben Townsend, Laura Osborn, and Steve, the event organizer, making the music.
If the name “Ben Townsend” doesn’t ring a bell, that’s because this is his first contradance since relocating to Los Angeles from his native home in West Virginia. Ben is a full-time musician and teacher, a multi-instrumentalist on fiddle, guitar, and banjo. He’s a veteran of many, many contradances as well as square dances in West Virginia and surrounding states.
With Jeff and Ben leading the way, it’s sure to a fun evening of music and dance.
It's Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena, 1424 Fremont Av, South Pasadena 91030.
Instruction for new dancers is at 7:30 pm. Contradance is 8-11 pm.
Adults, $12. Students with ID, $8. Age 12 and under are free. CDSS members get $1 off.
More info at:
www.caldancecoop.org
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# 5 news feature...
NETTERADIO & LAWIM TO TEAM-UP FOR SONGWRITER SHOWCASE FEBRUARY 26
LAWIM — Los Angeles Women in Music — has been actively promoting women artists and women in all aspects of the music industry for many years, with a membership of both men and women. NetteRadio is a long-running web radio show that plays recorded tracks by female musicians and bands fronted by women singers. The radio show, developed and hosted by Annette Conlon (hence, 'Nette Radio), also hosts live performances.
LAWIM had, until recent years, the longest-running monthly singer-songwriter showcase in town, its famed "Soiree."
That brings us to the third element, the venue. MUSE on 8th is a mid-city coffeehouse serving tasty light fare and showcasing indie music, alternating with standup comics and spoken word performances, nightly.
Put the three together and you get the event on Friday, February 26, running from 7:30-10:30 pm at MUSE and going out live on the web (PST).
It's free, but the cover is a two-item purchase from the menu to support the venue. MUSE on 8th is located at 759 South La Brea Av, Los Angeles 90036.
This is a one-time team-up with LAWIM for tge web radio show's "Fourth Friday Songwriter Showcase," which runs every month here, hosted by and featuring artists hand-picked by Annette Conlon of NetteRadio.
This edition features all LAWIM pro members
Amanda Ply, Michele Vreeland, Tracy Newman & the Reinforcements, and Annette Conlon with Doug Conlon.
Arrive early to get a seat and for the LAWIM "Meet and Mingle" happening from 7:30-8 pm. The music starts promptly at 8 pm, and this is a listening-room environment (meaning go outside if you need to talk after the performances begin).
Annette tells us, "Arrive no later than 7:30 pm to allow for parking and dinner orders."
Muse on 8th is located on La Brea between at the corner of 8th (just south of Wilshire). They offer organic vegetarian / vegan fare, fair trade coffee, desserts and baked goods from local bakeries, and more (check them out at www.museon8th.com). Arrive hungry and purchase menu items to help support the venue. Annette adds, "It's all freshly made and yummy."
She adds, "Fancy a drink? The Little Bar is next door so you can pop over between sets for a quick nip. We usually have a few after-show drinks at The Little Bar."
Parking is free but limited due to construction on La Brea or side streets, so get there early for a spot. There is a $5 valet next door at the Little Bar and other establishments on La Brea. Allow plenty of time for parking as the whole area fills-up fast after 7:30 pm.
More info...
www.museon8th.com
www.netteradio.com
www.lawim.com
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# 6 news feature...
"O BERKLEY WHERE HART THOU" RETURNS APRIL 9
Jeff Berkley and Calman Hart are perennial winners of singer-songwriter awards and the top San Diego-based acoustic duo. When they first conceived "O Berkley Where Hart Thou?" as an all-star line-up of San Diego musicians to recreate the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack to “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” they were most interested in hearing and presenting the music performed “Grand Ole’ Opry style.” That was several years ago. And every year, it returns as much because the cast of musicians demands it as because the public wants to hear it. It's coming back for its single night in 2016 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
It happens Saturday, April 9, at 8 pm. This year's lineup of guest stars includes Eve Selis,Marc Twang, Gregory Page, Robin Henkel, and,"of course," the return of The 7th Day Buskers, with more to come. Get your tickets promptly (these annual shows always sell-out).
Tix are available now at:
www.powayonstage.org/297/Oh-Berkley-Where-Hart-Thou/
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# 7 news feature...
SURE WE SHOULD PRACTICE, BUT SHOULDN'T IT BE... FUN, OR SOMEHOW SATISFYING?
When the monthly newsletter arrived Friday from the good folks at the Deering Banjo Company (www.deeringbanjos.com), it contained a wonderful piece on philosophy, in the guise of practicing your musical instrument. Ostensibly, the banjo. But this is transcendent. Hence, the title we imposed above. Here's the piece, and if you're expecting a dissertation on pickin' an' grinnin', think again.
Practicing Practice -Tools to Help You Learn the Banjo
By Barry Hunn, Worldwide Sales Manager, Deering Banjos
When learning to play the banjo (or learning anything for that matter) learning becomes more enjoyable when we can accept where we are at that time in our development. What is very common for most of us is that we tend to want to immediately be where we are able to perform at a very high level of skill before we have actually developed that skill.
What is needed for learning is a balance between a drive to improve and an almost complacent satisfaction with where we are at this moment. If we are too complacent, we stop reaching for new techniques, ideas, and we stop developing. On the other hand, if the drive to improve overrides our enjoyment of the moment, then playing the banjo becomes an arduous and odious task that needs to be endured, instead of enjoyed, in order to accomplish a “goal.”
This might seem really obvious, but when you’re practicing, and working toward a specific skill level or goal, it is amazingly easy to fall into a feeling that you will never arrive where you want to be unless you push yourself very forcefully. It’s so easy to fall into this, because in most cases, our desire to accomplish something overrides our ability to see where we are at that moment. Almost everybody does this: the degree to which we do this does vary from individual to individual.
For those of you who have read my articles in the past, you know that I speak about this patience and practicing idea from personal experience. I used a finger pick bluegrass banjo professionally, and during my college days I performed with friends and other performers and shared the stage with acts like Earl Scruggs and the Earl Scruggs Review.
However, I inherited the medical condition called focal dystonia, which pretty much ended my banjo picking career. Not being a person that likes to give up on anything, I ended up working with physical therapists and various doctors for more than 25 years in an effort to regain my ability to finger pick the banjo.
The knowledge gained from this experience has helped me to understand the process of learning and how difficult this process can seem to students just beginning. It has also revealed insights of how to make the learning process more enjoyable, easier, and, believe it or not, a little faster.
The Pressure of Time
We have all observed children who learn easily and seemingly quickly. While it is true that we are able to learn more easily when we are young, it is also true that most children do not bear the time constraints or emotional pressures of most adults. I have seen adults learn to play the banjo about as easily as many children. However, they always accomplish this because they have managed to control their perception of progress within the confines of the time that they have available.
In my observation over 50 years of learning and teaching banjo, (as well as learning other activities), the students who learn the quickest, ironically, are usually the students who thoroughly enjoy every moment they spend with their banjo. They don’t enjoy it if they make progress, they enjoy it whether they make progress or not… At least, that is their attitude.
The Pressure of Talent Perception
Probably the single most difficult challenge that new musicians face is the question that can float into a person’s mind, “do I have the needed talent to be able to play the banjo?”
While everyone has different innate abilities (whether in music, sports, art, analytical thinking, etc.), I have never met or seen anyone who was unable to play the banjo at least at a very basic level. (This isn’t necessarily true for other fretted stringed instruments.)
The Pressure Builds
So, here’s the problem: we have an adult who has to work for a living, possibly raising children, taking care of the home, and all of the responsibilities that accompany these wonderful daily activities. Buried inside of all of this is the desire to play the banjo. How in the world is this going to be accomplished?
There is an old story about a man who was being chased by a hungry tiger. In order to escape, he ran to a very sheer cliff, jumped over the edge, and was hanging on by his fingertips. Just when he thought he was safe, he looked down below and there was a huge hungry crocodile in the river below him. So up above him was the hungry tiger and below him was the hungry crocodile. While he looked up and below, trying to figure out how to get out of this mess, he looked straight ahead, and growing off of the cliff was a huge, ripe, red strawberry. He reached out, plucked the strawberry, took a big bite and thought to himself, "man, that’s good."
The idea of this story is that even though we have difficulties in both time and circumstance, we can decide to make the best use of and enjoy the very moment in which we are living.
When you think about it, if you enjoy the banjo, and you want to learn to play, what’s your hurry? Do you have to play like a professional by next Thursday? Or perhaps more precisely, do you ever have to play like a professional? Does every person who goes to a golf course on Saturday or Sunday have to play like a professional? Does every person who shoots a few baskets in the evenings at the local gym have to play like a professional basketball player?
Practice Practicing
What if we practiced our practicing technique? What I mean by this, is what if we practiced clearing our mind of any expectations of accomplishing anything while were playing the banjo? Also, this would include expectations of the time we plan to spend or the level of accomplishment that we would achieve.
For example: why can’t we sit down, knowing we have 10 minutes, and just slowly, joyfully practice what we know how to do right now? Children have an easier time doing this mostly, because they have no other responsibilities. Okay… We’re not children and we do have responsibilities, but what if we could forget about that for just 10 minutes?
From what I have heard and read, we tend to improve our abilities when we practice them, regardless of what the abilities are. However, if we practice techniques that are self-defeating, then we are digging ourselves into a hole even though “we’re putting in the time.”
How many of us have worked hard to develop some sort of skill or technique, only to become frustrated and feel thwarted regardless of how much time we invest? I think, if we analyze what happened, we would very likely see that we did make progress, but our “expectations” or our “peer evaluations” did not match with the progress that we achieved.
When I was learning to play as a young man, it really was terribly disappointing when a family member or friend was rather blasé or not very encouraging when I would play the banjo in a family setting. They were often comparing me to the professionals… And they convinced me by their lack of approval to compare myself to professionals, as well.
As I got older, I began to see that everyone experienced these kinds of disappointments in feedback from friends, family, acquaintances, etc. I also began to see that while some of these “observations by interested persons” were offered innocently and without any intention of being malicious or cruel, they were rather heartbreaking, nonetheless.
On the positive side, they could also be used to spur me on to greater development: if I did not treat them as the final word of judgment, of my skill level, or innate ability.
So perhaps one of the most important techniques to practice is to practice the sheer joy that comes from playing the banjo. After all, a person who can play with magnificent technique but who is not enjoying the playing because they are “waiting for a great moment of achievement” is no happier than a beginner who is also waiting to “be able to play”.
Playing the banjo can be very simple. Playing the banjo can be very complex. But I think all of us are searching for the joy that comes from playing the banjo.
I think we would all be better off to practice the joy.
— Barry Hunn
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BARRY HUNN IS WORLDWIDE SALES MANAGER FOR DEERING BANJOS, A POSITION HE HAS HELD FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS AS PART OF HIS MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. HIS EXPERIENCE ENCOMPASSES PERFORMING WITH ARTISTS LIKE EARL SCRUGGS, DOC WATSON, THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS, AND DANNY O’KEEFE, AND TEACHING FIVE STRING FINGER PICKING BANJO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, BOTH IN GROUPS AND AS A SOLOIST, AND TEACHING PRIVATELY FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS. HE DEVELOPED DEERING’S “TWO FINGER METHOD” TO SHOW NON-MUSICIANS THAT THEY CAN PLAY THE BANJO. SEVERAL MUSIC INDUSTRY HISTORIANS AND BUSINESS LEADERS HAVE SAID HE HAS SOLD MORE AMERICAN-MADE BANJOS THAN ANY PERSON IN HISTORY.
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# 8 news feature...
SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC WITH STEAM LOCOMOTIVE IMAGERY?
Okay, so we're suckers for any concert poster that portrays a steam locomotive busily augmenting the atmosphere with a billowing cloud of vapor. Even when we don't know why the longtime Thousand Oaks venue is suddenly billing itself as "the new" Four Friends Gallery.
In any event, Steve Postell's Night Train Music Club rolls up to the station on Saturday, promising "an extraordinary musical treat."
Hey, with all the politicians clogging up your tv, you should be accustomed to promises and ambiguity by now. Oh, and in addition to that image of the steam engine, they advertise, "Enjoy terrific fine arts, a full bar and the incomparable Night Train Music Club."
The official timetable shows a layover, Sat, Feb 13, 8-10:30 pm, at Four Friends Gallery, 1408 E Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362.
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# 9 news feature...
FOLKIES STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN COMING SOON
They're longtime concert favorites, and when their travels pause in Southern California, loyal fans flock to their performances. Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen are making two passes through Southern Cal, punctuated by music-making up north. Here are the details.
Cindy tells us, "Steve and I are ready to head to California for a little sun, sea, and music-making. We'll be revisiting some of our favorite venues, as well as adding a few new ones."
Steve is offering two songwriting workshops: one an afternoon session in Los Gatos, the other their annual weekend-long gathering in Santa Cruz. Register promptly for the weekend workshop, as it's nearly full.
The busy pair are gradually adding PDFs of sheet music of their concert material at their online store. So far, Steve's originals, "When the First Leaves Fall," and "Darcy Farrow" (made famous by John Denver) are available, with chord charts and guitar tablature so you can learn to play "Darcy." They've also added Steve's 1992 album "The Ways of the World," produced by Jim Rooney, as an MP3 available for download.
Here's the concert & workshop info:
√ Sat, Feb 20 - The Living Tradition, Anaheim; 714-955-3807
√ Fri, Feb 26 - Occidental Center for the Arts,Occidental; 707-874-9392
√ Sat, Feb 27 Keith Holland Guitars, Los Gatos; 408-395-0767; songwriting workshop 2-5 pm, concert at 7:30 pm
√ Thu, Mar 3 - Socrates Coffee House,Atascadero; 805-470-9968 or email mikeandnickc@gmail.com
√ Fri, Mar 4 - Cambridge Drive Concerts, Goleta; 805-964-0436
√ Fri, Mar 11 - House Concert, Monterey; 831-373-7780 or email jhtherrien@icloud.com
√ Sat & Sun, Mar 12-13 - 12th Annual Big Sur Songwriting Workshop, Santa Cruz; 802-442-6846
√ Sat, Mar 19 - Pasadena Folk Music Society at Caltech, Pasadena; 626-395-4652; folkmusic@caltech.edu
√ Sun, Mar 20 - Noble House Concert, Van Nuys; 818-780-5979
Sheet music, workshop registration, tour schedules, CDs, and plenty more on Cindy & Steve at:
www.compassrosemusic.com
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# 10 news feature...
"RE-PETE" TO CELEBRATE PETE SEEGER
It happens Saturday, March 12, outdoors at the lovely Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in the heart of Topanga Canyon. But the just-announced show will sell-out long before that.
"Re-PETE Celebration 2016: The Songs and Spirit of Pete Seeger" features a fine lineup and invites the audience to sing-along, all combining in a tribute to late singer-songwriter and activist Pete Seeger. The show has become an annual tradition at the Theatricum Botanicum.
This year stars:
• the Geer Family Singers
• Peter Alsop
• Ellen Geer
• Melora Marshall
• Willow Geer
• Earnestine Phillips
• Gerald C. Rivers
special guests:
• Ross Altman
• Courtney Campbell
• Matt Cartsonis (who performed with Pete)
• Dave Crossland
• Eric Schwartz
• Topanga Cabaret Singers
• Emile Hassan Dyer & Maggie Wheeler & members of the Golden Bridge Choir
• Dan Ubick and Brian Chapman
• others, tba.
It happens Saturday, March 12, at 1 pm, at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N Topanga Canyon Bl, Topanga 90290 (midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura Freeway).
The outdoor amphitheater at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually and bring cushions for bench seating. Snacks are available at the Hamlet Hut, and picnickers are welcome before and after the performance.
Tix are available now at 310-455-3723 or online at www.theatricum.com
General Admission is $25; seniors & students $15; ages 6-17 $10; children age 5 and under are free.
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# 11 news feature...
UPCOMING AT ALVAS SHOWROOM: IT ISN'T ALL JAZZ
There's no "apostrophe s" on Alvas. It's just part of the unique quirkiness that distinguishes a good music venue, especially one that gets the fundamentals right, like good sound and comfort.
The biggest quirk here? They're the venue that invites you to bring your own food and beverages, as simple or as elaborate as you like. Complimentary hot coffee, tea, cocoa, and a filtered water fountain are provided. Their full schedule is very extensive, but heavily jazz. Most shows are $20.
Alvas Showroom is located at 1417 W Eighth St, San Pedro 90732.
Make reservations for these upcoming shows at 310-519-1314:
√ "Takoma Records Guitar Masters" Lang, Ruskin, Engelhardt - Sat, Apr 2; 8 pm.
√ David Goodman & Blues Alive - Sun, Apr 3; 4 pm.
√ Akiko Tsuruga Organ Trio with Jeff Hamilton & Graham Dechter - Sun, Apr 10; 4 pm.
√ KRISTIN KORB & Friends, plus Aaron Serfaty - Sat, Apr 23; 8 pm
√ JOHN YORK (Byrds alum) - Sat, Jun 25, 8 pm.
√ SARAH McQUAID - Sun, Sep 18, 4 pm.
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# 12 news feature...
VALENTINE'S WEEKEND & BEYOND...
CONCERTS / TICKET ALERTS /
GOOD MUSICAL MISCELLANY...
Local performances. Happening THIS VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND, or before tge end of February. Note there are multiple dates / venues for some artists / bands included in some listings — though we list 'em again on the later dates, too. Just don't allow yourself to get all befuddled when you see all those dates. All is still chronological...
WEEKEND & THE REST OF FEBRUARY IN THE LIVE ACOUSTIC & AMERICANA MUSIC SCENE
* Saturday's concerts, Feb 13...
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, starting Sat, Feb 13, at 6:30 pm at The Cave at Big Bear Lake; on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, she plays at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ BUGAN & CHAN of the group WE FIVE play Sat, Feb 13, at 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sat & Sun, Feb 13 & 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE T SISTERS play a pair of weekend gigs, Sat, Feb 13, at 7:30 pm in Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City, San Diego Co.; and Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ STEVE POSTELL'S NIGHT TRAIN MUSIC CLUB plays Sat, Feb 13, 8-10:30 pm, at the new Four Friends Gallery in Thousand Oaks. See the feature story in this edition.
√ DENNIS G & THE ZYDECO RIDERZ play for listening and Cajun-zydeco dancing on Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm in the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ THE REVELERS play Sat, Feb 13, 8 pm at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier, and Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ DALE FIELDER QUARTET brings the jazz that says "Valentine's Day date" for some folks. They play Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Tix, $20, with a reservation at 310-519-1314. Unique thing here is, you can cater your own meal and beverage, as elaborately as you want, and the venue charges nothing extra. Complimentary hot coffee, tea, cocoa, and a filtered water fountain are provided. As for the music: it's Dale Fielder, baritone sax; Jane Getz, piano; Bill Markus, bass; Thomas White, drums, presenting "An evening of cutting-edge jazz originals and classic jazz standards."
* Sunday's concerts — Valentine's Day shows...
√ THE T SISTERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ ★★★ THE KRUGER BROTHERS, North Carolina-based Swiss-born bluegrass wizards, finally stick around to play past the NAMM Show, doing a Valentine's Day gig on Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm on the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE REVELERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ STEVE WYNN (he's played 2000 indie rock shows in more than 25 countries), with friends Robert Lloyd, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon, plays Sun, Feb 14, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, continuing on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
* Beyond this weekend... TICKET ALERTS...
Mon, Feb 15...
√ JIMMY ANGEL, with CODY BRYANT and JIMMY LEE HARRIS, ROCKIN' JOHNNY PALMER & DEVILISH DOUGLAS LIVINGSTON play Mon, Feb 15, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Living legend and improbable octogenarian Jimmy Angel rocks, karate chops, dances, croons, and belts his way into your heart with '50s and '60s classics and his own songs in that style, accompanied by veteran members of the RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE Cody, Jimmy, & Doug, plus Johnny Palmer.
Tue, Feb 16...
√ BRAD COLERICK (widely acclaimed performing songwriter), plus ESCAPING PAVEMENT (Detroit-based duo, Emily Burns & Aaron Markovitz), and BOB CHEEVERS (globetrotting acoustic bluesy musician) play Tue, Feb 16, at 7:30 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. A night of country, folk, Americana, and rock.
Thu, Feb 18...
√ SALTY SUITES (marvelous acoustic band with Scott Gates, Chelsea Williams, Chuck Hailes, & Elaine Gregston), plus guest artist HELEN HUMMEL (from the Green Mountains of Vermont), play Thu, Feb 18, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
Fri, Feb 19...
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Fri, Feb 19, at 7 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City, then on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena.
√ SIDEWINDER plus the BAJA BLUES BOYS play Fri, Feb 19, at 7:30 pm at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park (N of San Diego).
√ THE HOT SARDINES play two more local shows: on Fri, Feb 19, they're on at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ TIZER TRIO (2011 “Jazz Group of the Year” nominees, with a 3x Grammy-nominated member) play Fri, Feb 19, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Fri & Sat, Feb 19 & 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sat, Feb 20...
√ JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS masterfully play the charming music of the nineteen-teens, '20s, & early '30s, Sat, Feb 20, 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JIM KWESKIN, founding pioneer of the '60s jug band revival, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Russ & Julie’s House Concerts series in Oak Park, in the Agoura Hills / Westlake Village area, past T.O.
√ STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at the "Living Tradition" concert series in the Downtown Community Center in Anaheim; see the news feature in this edition on this fine duo.
√ NATHAN McEUEN & NATALIE GELMAN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Sat, Feb 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
√ THE HOT SARDINES play one final local show, Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
Sun, Feb 21...
√ HEIDI SWEDBERG & The Sukey Jump Band play the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 21, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ KATHY CRAIG, with TOM CORBETT, BILL KNOPF, & MIKE MULLINS, plays a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 2:30 pm in the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.
√ ERIC RIGLER & DIRK FREYMUTH, formidable music-makers, Eric of "Titanic" soundtrack fame, play a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 3 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ DROPKICK MICKEYS play OC on Sun, Feb 21, 5 pm, at Macallans Public House in Brea.
√ DOWNHOME TIME (BC Cameron, Dennis C. “Tennessee” Brown, & Simeon Pillich, all accomplished makers of rootsy music for tv soundtracks) play Sun, Feb 21, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ STEVE POLTZ plays Sun, Feb 21, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Mon, Feb 22...
√ DANI JOY & THE BOYS (touring acoustic pop / jazz group similar in style to Peggy Lee, Norah Jones, Suzanne Vega) plays Mon, Feb 22, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ BONNIE RAITT plus MAIA SHARP are SOLD OUT on Mon, Feb 22, at 8 pm in the SFV at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge.
Wed, Feb 24...
√ HOMEMADE JAM (Tom Fehrer aka Tom Fair, Samantha Elin, Rob Sandiford, & Steve Reid, doing all-acoustic jazzy blues, jug band tunes, hits of the '20s and '30s) plays Wed, Feb 24, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN has a pair of dates: Wed, Feb 24, at 8:30 pm at the Largo at the Coronet series in West Hollywood; then Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
Thu, Feb 25...
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Troubadour in West Hollywood; and Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ ANI DiFRANCO plus RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES are SOLD OUT on Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
Fri, Feb 26...
√ SALTY SUITES tunefully hit the South Bay on Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm at the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ DWIGHT TWILLEY, plus Jorgensen Tagg, plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ MICHAEL McGINNIS (Original New Christy Minstrels) & FRIENDS (Stephen Geyer, David P. Jackson, plus a mystery guest or two) play Michael's annual B-day show, Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ ASHLEY MAHER plus CATINA DeLUNA and FISH TO BIRDS bring a world music flavor to musically solid stuff on Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
√ DAVID WILCOX arrives this month for three geographically distributed gigs; first is Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City (San Diego Co.); then, Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at McCabe’s in Santa Monica; and finally, Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
Sat, Feb 27...
√ TAYLOR MADE (James Taylor Tribute Band) plays Sat, Feb 27, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
√ JIM & MORNING NICHOLS play Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ DAVID WILCOX plays Sat, Feb 27, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sun, Feb 28...
√ BEETHOVEN'S WIG plays the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 28, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ AEDAN MacDONNELL plus the DROPKICK MICKEYS and LYONS ACADEMY IRISH DANCERS get you ready for St. Patrick's Day a 2-1/2 weeks early with a matinee on Sun, Feb 28, at 1 pm at the Dalmatian American Club in San Pedro.
√ MAURA KENNEDY (one-half of East Coast Americana/Folk duo The Kennedys) and B.D. LOVE (widely-published poet and lyricist), play a Sun matinee, Feb 28, 3 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER play Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm at Pickwick Gardens, inside the Pickwick Bowl, across from Cody's Viva Cantina, in Burbank.
√ BURNING HEART BLUEGRASS BAND, plus SUGAR IN THE GOURD, team-up (folk melodies, foot-stomping fiddle tunes, Appalachian murder ballads, hard-driving bluegrass) on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS wraps-up a bunch of local shows on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE WAINWRIGHT SISTERS play Sun, Feb 28, 8 pm, at McCabe’s in Santa Monica.
√ DAVID WILCOX finishes his SoCal tour on Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
Mon, Feb 29...
√ WENDOLEE THE MEXICANA (Wendolee Ayala, Latin American singing star, brings Mexico's most traditional mariachi songs with projected English subtitles) for a "Leap Day" show on Mon, Feb 29, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
* Certainly not all the possibilities, but that's all we can fit in this format and edition.
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The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
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More soon, as always.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
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Valentine's edition, with things to do this weekend, news of upcoming music events, AND we're just in time to dodge (or catch) Cupid's arrow, with the scoop on the actual, just discovered, physics of entanglements.
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Contents / In this edition...
1) Quantum Valentine's Entanglements: Love Among Particles Brings Philosophy to Science
2) Listen Online: 31 Alt Country / Americana Hot Tracks
3) Still Time to Play for "The Dead Covers Project"
4) Valentine's Contradance Saturday Brings West Virginia Musician
5) NetteRadio and LAWIM to Team-up for Songwriter Showcase February 26
6) "O Berkley Where Hart Thou" Returns April 9
7) Sure We Should Practice, but Shouldn't it be... Fun, or Somehow Satisfying?
8) Saturday Night Music with Steam Locomotive Imagery?
9) Folkies Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen Coming Soon
10) "Re-Pete" to Celebrate Pete Seeger
11) Upcoming at Alvas Showroom: it Isn't all Jazz
12) Valentine's Weekend & Beyond, with
Concerts / Ticket Alerts / Good Musical Miscellany...
Let's get started!
(To find a concert happening THIS WEEKEND, scroll to the final feature story.)
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# 1 news feature...
QUANTUM VALENTINE'S ENTANGLEMENTS: LOVE AMONG PARTICLES BRINGS PHILOSOPHY TO SCIENCE
Just in time for Valentine's Day, it's the ultimate science nerd story about the ultimate attraction. NASA scientists even call it "particles in love."
This is a serious relationship. It's complicated. On Friday, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena told the world, "Entangled particles influence each other instantaneously even when they are physically far apart."
"Particles in Love" are, it seems, a manifestation of Quantum Mechanics, explored and described in a just-released new study. But then, "new discoveries" in science are a bit like "overnight sensations" in music: there's a story nobody knows about a lot of toil for a lot of years before that "instant" stardom happened.
In this case, it goes way back to the 1960s, when theoretical physicist John Bell proposed that a model of reality with hidden variables must allow for this kind of entanglement — which seems both wonky and waffley — but we are talking science nerds here. People who obsess over jilted ideas for a loooong time. Then, "suddenly" in 2015, three papers were published that support Bell's old hypothesis. Sorta like seeing that old flame at your high school reunion.
And now it's a love story. And it's at the smallest scales imaginable: particles of light. But it all reads a lot more like philosophy and that old idea you had when you believed you and your first major crush were made for each other.
Brace yourself:
As it turns out, it is possible to have particles that are so intimately linked that a change to one affects the other, even when they are separated at a distance.
This idea, called "entanglement," is part of the branch of physics called quantum mechanics, a description of the way the world works at the level of atoms and particles that are even smaller. Quantum mechanics says that at these very tiny scales, some properties of particles are based entirely on probability.
In other words, nothing is certain until it happens. (I've had girlfriends like that. And we're not even to the part about "entanglement" yet.)
Even Albert Einstein did not entirely believe that the laws of quantum mechanics described reality. He and others postulated that there must be some hidden variables at work, which would allow quantum systems to be predictable.
In 1964, things got goofy. John Bell published the idea that any model of physical reality with such hidden variables also must allow for the instantaneous influence of one particle on another — that particles can still affect each other when they are far apart, according to Bell. And that's after Einstein proved that information cannot travel faster than the speed of light, Bell still maintained they influence each other at exactly the same instant, despite being far — even very far — apart.
Scientists consider Bell's theorem an important foundation for modern physics. While many experiments have taken place to try to prove his theorem, until recently, no one was able to run a full, proper test of the experiment that Bell would have needed. In 2015, three separate studies were published on the topic, all consistent with the predictions of quantum mechanics and entanglement.
"What's exciting is that in some sense, we're doing experimental philosophy," said Krister Shalm, physicist with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Boulder, Colorado. Shalm is lead author on one of the 2015 studies testing Bell's theorem.
"Humans have always had certain expectations of how the world works, and when quantum mechanics came along, it seemed to behave differently."
That gets us to "How 'Alice and Bob' Test Quantum Mechanics."
The paper by Shalm, Marsili and colleagues was published in the deep-dive journal "Physical Review Letters," with the mind-bending title "Strong Loophole-Free Test of Local Realism."
"Our paper and the other two published last year show that Bell was right: any model of the world that contains hidden variables must also allow for entangled particles to influence one another at a distance," said Francesco Marsili of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, who collaborated with Shalm.
An analogy helps to understand the experiment, which was conducted at a NIST laboratory in Boulder: Imagine that A and B are entangled photons. A is sent to Alice and B is sent to Bob, who are located 607 feet (185 meters) apart. Alice and Bob poke and prod at their photons in all kinds of ways to get a sense of their properties. Without talking to each other, they then each randomly decide how to measure their photons, using random number generators to guide their decisions.
When Alice and Bob compare notes, they are surprised to find that the results of their independent experiments are correlated. In other words, even at a distance, measuring one photon of the entangled pair affects the properties of the other photon.
"It's as if Alice and Bob try to tear the two photons apart, but their love still persists," Shalm said.
In other words, the entangled photons behave as if they are two parts of a single system, even when separated in space. Alice and Bob — representing actual photon detectors — then repeat this with many other pairs of entangled photons, and the phenomenon persists.
In reality, the photon detectors are not people, but — brace yourself — superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs).
SNSPDs are metal strips that are cooled until they become "superconducting," meaning they lose their electric resistance. A photon hitting this strip causes it to turn into a normal metal again momentarily, so the resistance of the strip jumps from zero to a finite value. This change in resistance allows the researchers to record the event.
To make this experiment happen in a laboratory, the big challenge is to avoid losing photons as they get sent to the Alice and Bob detectors through an optical fiber. JPL and NIST developed SNSPDs with world record performance, demonstrating more than 90 percent efficiency and low "jitter," or uncertainty on the time of arrival of a photon.
This experiment would not have been possible without SNSPDs.
So, like, "Why This is Useful?" Spies. 007.
The design of this experiment could potentially be used in cryptography — making information and communications secure — as it involves generating random numbers.
"The same experiment that tells us something deep about how the world is constructed also can be used for these applications that require you to keep your information safe," Shalm said.
Cryptography isn't the only application of this research. Detectors similar to those used for the experiment, which were built by JPL and NIST, could eventually also be used for deep-space optical communication. With a high efficiency and low uncertainty about the time of signal arrival, these detectors are well-suited for transmitting information with pulses of light in the optical spectrum.
"Right now we have the Deep Space Network to communicate with spacecraft around the solar system, which encodes information in radio signals. With optical communications, we could increase the data rate of that network 10- to 100-fold," Marsili said.
Deep space optical communication using technology similar to the detectors in Marsili's experiment was demonstrated with NASA's Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission, which orbited the moon from October 2013 to April 2014. A technology mission called the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration, with components on LADEE and on the ground, downlinked data encoded in laser pulses, and made use of ground receivers based on SNSPDs.
Now, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate is working on the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) mission. The mission proposes to revolutionize the way we send and receive data, video and other information, using lasers to encode and transmit data at rates 10 to 100 times faster than today's fastest radio-frequency systems, using significantly less mass and power.
"Information can never travel faster than the speed of light — Einstein was right about that. But through optical communications research, we can increase the amount of information we send back from space," Marsili said. "The fact that the detectors from our experiment have this application creates great synergy between the two endeavors."
And so, what began as the study of "love" between particles is contributing to innovations in communications between space and Earth.
"Love makes the world go 'round," and it may, in a sense, help us learn about other worlds. Or you could just buy her a box of chocolates. At the exact same instant that she's buying you a box of chocolates. Or that Forrest Gump is eating a box of chocolates. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. At exactly the same time in an entanglement. Where are those chocolates?
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# 2 news feature...
LISTEN ONLINE: 31 ALT COUNTRY / AMERICANA HOT TRACKS
Rhino has 31 new tunes "to wipe away those winter blues" — presumably the slogan for those in snow country — or, since Rhino is based in Burbank, perhaps to wash away our Southern California concern over the El Niño bust of no rain.
Either way, there's some fine free music to enjoy. Those 31 tracks include music from:
• Lucinda Williams
• Buddy Miller
• Kacey Musgraves
• J.D. McPherson
• Wilco
• The Wainwright Sisters
• Joe Ely
• Son Volt
• Judy Collins
• Eilen Jewell
• Sam Gleaves
• Connie Smith
• Watkins Family Hour
• Eric Church
• Jesse Winchester
And 16 more.
Have a listen and get info on adding the music to your repertoire at:
www.rhino.com/article/new-playlist-alt-country-8
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# 3 news feature...
STILL TIME TO PLAY FOR "THE DEAD COVERS PROJECT"
Grateful Dead fans and budding musicians should enjoy the 2016 "DEAD COVERS PROJECT," in full swing right now and being promoted by Rhino Records. There's still time to show-off your own musical chops, so Rhino says, "grab your banjo and your best friend and commit your favorite Grateful Dead song to video."
Upload your video to YouTube, tag it "Dead Covers Project," and Rhino tells us, "you just might find yourself front and center on Dead.net" — and they add for anyone who is tone deaf, "Join the fun by 'liking' your favorites on YouTube.
Learn more at:
http://www.dead.net/features/dead-covers-project/dead-covers-project-2016
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# 4 news feature...
VALENTINE'S CONTRADANCE SATURDAY NIGHT BRINGS WEST VIRGINIA MUSICIAN
There’s dancing at the Womans Club in South Pasadena every month, always with a live band, a good caller, dance instruction, and some eats. This one just happens to be on Valentine's weekend. But that's not all that's special.
Jeff Spero will be calling the dances with Ben Townsend, Laura Osborn, and Steve, the event organizer, making the music.
If the name “Ben Townsend” doesn’t ring a bell, that’s because this is his first contradance since relocating to Los Angeles from his native home in West Virginia. Ben is a full-time musician and teacher, a multi-instrumentalist on fiddle, guitar, and banjo. He’s a veteran of many, many contradances as well as square dances in West Virginia and surrounding states.
With Jeff and Ben leading the way, it’s sure to a fun evening of music and dance.
It's Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena, 1424 Fremont Av, South Pasadena 91030.
Instruction for new dancers is at 7:30 pm. Contradance is 8-11 pm.
Adults, $12. Students with ID, $8. Age 12 and under are free. CDSS members get $1 off.
More info at:
www.caldancecoop.org
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# 5 news feature...
NETTERADIO & LAWIM TO TEAM-UP FOR SONGWRITER SHOWCASE FEBRUARY 26
LAWIM — Los Angeles Women in Music — has been actively promoting women artists and women in all aspects of the music industry for many years, with a membership of both men and women. NetteRadio is a long-running web radio show that plays recorded tracks by female musicians and bands fronted by women singers. The radio show, developed and hosted by Annette Conlon (hence, 'Nette Radio), also hosts live performances.
LAWIM had, until recent years, the longest-running monthly singer-songwriter showcase in town, its famed "Soiree."
That brings us to the third element, the venue. MUSE on 8th is a mid-city coffeehouse serving tasty light fare and showcasing indie music, alternating with standup comics and spoken word performances, nightly.
Put the three together and you get the event on Friday, February 26, running from 7:30-10:30 pm at MUSE and going out live on the web (PST).
It's free, but the cover is a two-item purchase from the menu to support the venue. MUSE on 8th is located at 759 South La Brea Av, Los Angeles 90036.
This is a one-time team-up with LAWIM for tge web radio show's "Fourth Friday Songwriter Showcase," which runs every month here, hosted by and featuring artists hand-picked by Annette Conlon of NetteRadio.
This edition features all LAWIM pro members
Amanda Ply, Michele Vreeland, Tracy Newman & the Reinforcements, and Annette Conlon with Doug Conlon.
Arrive early to get a seat and for the LAWIM "Meet and Mingle" happening from 7:30-8 pm. The music starts promptly at 8 pm, and this is a listening-room environment (meaning go outside if you need to talk after the performances begin).
Annette tells us, "Arrive no later than 7:30 pm to allow for parking and dinner orders."
Muse on 8th is located on La Brea between at the corner of 8th (just south of Wilshire). They offer organic vegetarian / vegan fare, fair trade coffee, desserts and baked goods from local bakeries, and more (check them out at www.museon8th.com). Arrive hungry and purchase menu items to help support the venue. Annette adds, "It's all freshly made and yummy."
She adds, "Fancy a drink? The Little Bar is next door so you can pop over between sets for a quick nip. We usually have a few after-show drinks at The Little Bar."
Parking is free but limited due to construction on La Brea or side streets, so get there early for a spot. There is a $5 valet next door at the Little Bar and other establishments on La Brea. Allow plenty of time for parking as the whole area fills-up fast after 7:30 pm.
More info...
www.museon8th.com
www.netteradio.com
www.lawim.com
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# 6 news feature...
"O BERKLEY WHERE HART THOU" RETURNS APRIL 9
Jeff Berkley and Calman Hart are perennial winners of singer-songwriter awards and the top San Diego-based acoustic duo. When they first conceived "O Berkley Where Hart Thou?" as an all-star line-up of San Diego musicians to recreate the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack to “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” they were most interested in hearing and presenting the music performed “Grand Ole’ Opry style.” That was several years ago. And every year, it returns as much because the cast of musicians demands it as because the public wants to hear it. It's coming back for its single night in 2016 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
It happens Saturday, April 9, at 8 pm. This year's lineup of guest stars includes Eve Selis,Marc Twang, Gregory Page, Robin Henkel, and,"of course," the return of The 7th Day Buskers, with more to come. Get your tickets promptly (these annual shows always sell-out).
Tix are available now at:
www.powayonstage.org/297/Oh-Berkley-Where-Hart-Thou/
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# 7 news feature...
SURE WE SHOULD PRACTICE, BUT SHOULDN'T IT BE... FUN, OR SOMEHOW SATISFYING?
When the monthly newsletter arrived Friday from the good folks at the Deering Banjo Company (www.deeringbanjos.com), it contained a wonderful piece on philosophy, in the guise of practicing your musical instrument. Ostensibly, the banjo. But this is transcendent. Hence, the title we imposed above. Here's the piece, and if you're expecting a dissertation on pickin' an' grinnin', think again.
Practicing Practice -Tools to Help You Learn the Banjo
By Barry Hunn, Worldwide Sales Manager, Deering Banjos
When learning to play the banjo (or learning anything for that matter) learning becomes more enjoyable when we can accept where we are at that time in our development. What is very common for most of us is that we tend to want to immediately be where we are able to perform at a very high level of skill before we have actually developed that skill.
What is needed for learning is a balance between a drive to improve and an almost complacent satisfaction with where we are at this moment. If we are too complacent, we stop reaching for new techniques, ideas, and we stop developing. On the other hand, if the drive to improve overrides our enjoyment of the moment, then playing the banjo becomes an arduous and odious task that needs to be endured, instead of enjoyed, in order to accomplish a “goal.”
This might seem really obvious, but when you’re practicing, and working toward a specific skill level or goal, it is amazingly easy to fall into a feeling that you will never arrive where you want to be unless you push yourself very forcefully. It’s so easy to fall into this, because in most cases, our desire to accomplish something overrides our ability to see where we are at that moment. Almost everybody does this: the degree to which we do this does vary from individual to individual.
For those of you who have read my articles in the past, you know that I speak about this patience and practicing idea from personal experience. I used a finger pick bluegrass banjo professionally, and during my college days I performed with friends and other performers and shared the stage with acts like Earl Scruggs and the Earl Scruggs Review.
However, I inherited the medical condition called focal dystonia, which pretty much ended my banjo picking career. Not being a person that likes to give up on anything, I ended up working with physical therapists and various doctors for more than 25 years in an effort to regain my ability to finger pick the banjo.
The knowledge gained from this experience has helped me to understand the process of learning and how difficult this process can seem to students just beginning. It has also revealed insights of how to make the learning process more enjoyable, easier, and, believe it or not, a little faster.
The Pressure of Time
We have all observed children who learn easily and seemingly quickly. While it is true that we are able to learn more easily when we are young, it is also true that most children do not bear the time constraints or emotional pressures of most adults. I have seen adults learn to play the banjo about as easily as many children. However, they always accomplish this because they have managed to control their perception of progress within the confines of the time that they have available.
In my observation over 50 years of learning and teaching banjo, (as well as learning other activities), the students who learn the quickest, ironically, are usually the students who thoroughly enjoy every moment they spend with their banjo. They don’t enjoy it if they make progress, they enjoy it whether they make progress or not… At least, that is their attitude.
The Pressure of Talent Perception
Probably the single most difficult challenge that new musicians face is the question that can float into a person’s mind, “do I have the needed talent to be able to play the banjo?”
While everyone has different innate abilities (whether in music, sports, art, analytical thinking, etc.), I have never met or seen anyone who was unable to play the banjo at least at a very basic level. (This isn’t necessarily true for other fretted stringed instruments.)
The Pressure Builds
So, here’s the problem: we have an adult who has to work for a living, possibly raising children, taking care of the home, and all of the responsibilities that accompany these wonderful daily activities. Buried inside of all of this is the desire to play the banjo. How in the world is this going to be accomplished?
There is an old story about a man who was being chased by a hungry tiger. In order to escape, he ran to a very sheer cliff, jumped over the edge, and was hanging on by his fingertips. Just when he thought he was safe, he looked down below and there was a huge hungry crocodile in the river below him. So up above him was the hungry tiger and below him was the hungry crocodile. While he looked up and below, trying to figure out how to get out of this mess, he looked straight ahead, and growing off of the cliff was a huge, ripe, red strawberry. He reached out, plucked the strawberry, took a big bite and thought to himself, "man, that’s good."
The idea of this story is that even though we have difficulties in both time and circumstance, we can decide to make the best use of and enjoy the very moment in which we are living.
When you think about it, if you enjoy the banjo, and you want to learn to play, what’s your hurry? Do you have to play like a professional by next Thursday? Or perhaps more precisely, do you ever have to play like a professional? Does every person who goes to a golf course on Saturday or Sunday have to play like a professional? Does every person who shoots a few baskets in the evenings at the local gym have to play like a professional basketball player?
Practice Practicing
What if we practiced our practicing technique? What I mean by this, is what if we practiced clearing our mind of any expectations of accomplishing anything while were playing the banjo? Also, this would include expectations of the time we plan to spend or the level of accomplishment that we would achieve.
For example: why can’t we sit down, knowing we have 10 minutes, and just slowly, joyfully practice what we know how to do right now? Children have an easier time doing this mostly, because they have no other responsibilities. Okay… We’re not children and we do have responsibilities, but what if we could forget about that for just 10 minutes?
From what I have heard and read, we tend to improve our abilities when we practice them, regardless of what the abilities are. However, if we practice techniques that are self-defeating, then we are digging ourselves into a hole even though “we’re putting in the time.”
How many of us have worked hard to develop some sort of skill or technique, only to become frustrated and feel thwarted regardless of how much time we invest? I think, if we analyze what happened, we would very likely see that we did make progress, but our “expectations” or our “peer evaluations” did not match with the progress that we achieved.
When I was learning to play as a young man, it really was terribly disappointing when a family member or friend was rather blasé or not very encouraging when I would play the banjo in a family setting. They were often comparing me to the professionals… And they convinced me by their lack of approval to compare myself to professionals, as well.
As I got older, I began to see that everyone experienced these kinds of disappointments in feedback from friends, family, acquaintances, etc. I also began to see that while some of these “observations by interested persons” were offered innocently and without any intention of being malicious or cruel, they were rather heartbreaking, nonetheless.
On the positive side, they could also be used to spur me on to greater development: if I did not treat them as the final word of judgment, of my skill level, or innate ability.
So perhaps one of the most important techniques to practice is to practice the sheer joy that comes from playing the banjo. After all, a person who can play with magnificent technique but who is not enjoying the playing because they are “waiting for a great moment of achievement” is no happier than a beginner who is also waiting to “be able to play”.
Playing the banjo can be very simple. Playing the banjo can be very complex. But I think all of us are searching for the joy that comes from playing the banjo.
I think we would all be better off to practice the joy.
— Barry Hunn
***
BARRY HUNN IS WORLDWIDE SALES MANAGER FOR DEERING BANJOS, A POSITION HE HAS HELD FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS AS PART OF HIS MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. HIS EXPERIENCE ENCOMPASSES PERFORMING WITH ARTISTS LIKE EARL SCRUGGS, DOC WATSON, THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS, AND DANNY O’KEEFE, AND TEACHING FIVE STRING FINGER PICKING BANJO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, BOTH IN GROUPS AND AS A SOLOIST, AND TEACHING PRIVATELY FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS. HE DEVELOPED DEERING’S “TWO FINGER METHOD” TO SHOW NON-MUSICIANS THAT THEY CAN PLAY THE BANJO. SEVERAL MUSIC INDUSTRY HISTORIANS AND BUSINESS LEADERS HAVE SAID HE HAS SOLD MORE AMERICAN-MADE BANJOS THAN ANY PERSON IN HISTORY.
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# 8 news feature...
SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC WITH STEAM LOCOMOTIVE IMAGERY?
Okay, so we're suckers for any concert poster that portrays a steam locomotive busily augmenting the atmosphere with a billowing cloud of vapor. Even when we don't know why the longtime Thousand Oaks venue is suddenly billing itself as "the new" Four Friends Gallery.
In any event, Steve Postell's Night Train Music Club rolls up to the station on Saturday, promising "an extraordinary musical treat."
Hey, with all the politicians clogging up your tv, you should be accustomed to promises and ambiguity by now. Oh, and in addition to that image of the steam engine, they advertise, "Enjoy terrific fine arts, a full bar and the incomparable Night Train Music Club."
The official timetable shows a layover, Sat, Feb 13, 8-10:30 pm, at Four Friends Gallery, 1408 E Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362.
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# 9 news feature...
FOLKIES STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN COMING SOON
They're longtime concert favorites, and when their travels pause in Southern California, loyal fans flock to their performances. Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen are making two passes through Southern Cal, punctuated by music-making up north. Here are the details.
Cindy tells us, "Steve and I are ready to head to California for a little sun, sea, and music-making. We'll be revisiting some of our favorite venues, as well as adding a few new ones."
Steve is offering two songwriting workshops: one an afternoon session in Los Gatos, the other their annual weekend-long gathering in Santa Cruz. Register promptly for the weekend workshop, as it's nearly full.
The busy pair are gradually adding PDFs of sheet music of their concert material at their online store. So far, Steve's originals, "When the First Leaves Fall," and "Darcy Farrow" (made famous by John Denver) are available, with chord charts and guitar tablature so you can learn to play "Darcy." They've also added Steve's 1992 album "The Ways of the World," produced by Jim Rooney, as an MP3 available for download.
Here's the concert & workshop info:
√ Sat, Feb 20 - The Living Tradition, Anaheim; 714-955-3807
√ Fri, Feb 26 - Occidental Center for the Arts,Occidental; 707-874-9392
√ Sat, Feb 27 Keith Holland Guitars, Los Gatos; 408-395-0767; songwriting workshop 2-5 pm, concert at 7:30 pm
√ Thu, Mar 3 - Socrates Coffee House,Atascadero; 805-470-9968 or email mikeandnickc@gmail.com
√ Fri, Mar 4 - Cambridge Drive Concerts, Goleta; 805-964-0436
√ Fri, Mar 11 - House Concert, Monterey; 831-373-7780 or email jhtherrien@icloud.com
√ Sat & Sun, Mar 12-13 - 12th Annual Big Sur Songwriting Workshop, Santa Cruz; 802-442-6846
√ Sat, Mar 19 - Pasadena Folk Music Society at Caltech, Pasadena; 626-395-4652; folkmusic@caltech.edu
√ Sun, Mar 20 - Noble House Concert, Van Nuys; 818-780-5979
Sheet music, workshop registration, tour schedules, CDs, and plenty more on Cindy & Steve at:
www.compassrosemusic.com
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# 10 news feature...
"RE-PETE" TO CELEBRATE PETE SEEGER
It happens Saturday, March 12, outdoors at the lovely Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in the heart of Topanga Canyon. But the just-announced show will sell-out long before that.
"Re-PETE Celebration 2016: The Songs and Spirit of Pete Seeger" features a fine lineup and invites the audience to sing-along, all combining in a tribute to late singer-songwriter and activist Pete Seeger. The show has become an annual tradition at the Theatricum Botanicum.
This year stars:
• the Geer Family Singers
• Peter Alsop
• Ellen Geer
• Melora Marshall
• Willow Geer
• Earnestine Phillips
• Gerald C. Rivers
special guests:
• Ross Altman
• Courtney Campbell
• Matt Cartsonis (who performed with Pete)
• Dave Crossland
• Eric Schwartz
• Topanga Cabaret Singers
• Emile Hassan Dyer & Maggie Wheeler & members of the Golden Bridge Choir
• Dan Ubick and Brian Chapman
• others, tba.
It happens Saturday, March 12, at 1 pm, at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N Topanga Canyon Bl, Topanga 90290 (midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura Freeway).
The outdoor amphitheater at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually and bring cushions for bench seating. Snacks are available at the Hamlet Hut, and picnickers are welcome before and after the performance.
Tix are available now at 310-455-3723 or online at www.theatricum.com
General Admission is $25; seniors & students $15; ages 6-17 $10; children age 5 and under are free.
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# 11 news feature...
UPCOMING AT ALVAS SHOWROOM: IT ISN'T ALL JAZZ
There's no "apostrophe s" on Alvas. It's just part of the unique quirkiness that distinguishes a good music venue, especially one that gets the fundamentals right, like good sound and comfort.
The biggest quirk here? They're the venue that invites you to bring your own food and beverages, as simple or as elaborate as you like. Complimentary hot coffee, tea, cocoa, and a filtered water fountain are provided. Their full schedule is very extensive, but heavily jazz. Most shows are $20.
Alvas Showroom is located at 1417 W Eighth St, San Pedro 90732.
Make reservations for these upcoming shows at 310-519-1314:
√ "Takoma Records Guitar Masters" Lang, Ruskin, Engelhardt - Sat, Apr 2; 8 pm.
√ David Goodman & Blues Alive - Sun, Apr 3; 4 pm.
√ Akiko Tsuruga Organ Trio with Jeff Hamilton & Graham Dechter - Sun, Apr 10; 4 pm.
√ KRISTIN KORB & Friends, plus Aaron Serfaty - Sat, Apr 23; 8 pm
√ JOHN YORK (Byrds alum) - Sat, Jun 25, 8 pm.
√ SARAH McQUAID - Sun, Sep 18, 4 pm.
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# 12 news feature...
VALENTINE'S WEEKEND & BEYOND...
CONCERTS / TICKET ALERTS /
GOOD MUSICAL MISCELLANY...
Local performances. Happening THIS VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND, or before tge end of February. Note there are multiple dates / venues for some artists / bands included in some listings — though we list 'em again on the later dates, too. Just don't allow yourself to get all befuddled when you see all those dates. All is still chronological...
WEEKEND & THE REST OF FEBRUARY IN THE LIVE ACOUSTIC & AMERICANA MUSIC SCENE
* Saturday's concerts, Feb 13...
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, starting Sat, Feb 13, at 6:30 pm at The Cave at Big Bear Lake; on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, she plays at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ BUGAN & CHAN of the group WE FIVE play Sat, Feb 13, at 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sat & Sun, Feb 13 & 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE T SISTERS play a pair of weekend gigs, Sat, Feb 13, at 7:30 pm in Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City, San Diego Co.; and Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ STEVE POSTELL'S NIGHT TRAIN MUSIC CLUB plays Sat, Feb 13, 8-10:30 pm, at the new Four Friends Gallery in Thousand Oaks. See the feature story in this edition.
√ DENNIS G & THE ZYDECO RIDERZ play for listening and Cajun-zydeco dancing on Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm in the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ THE REVELERS play Sat, Feb 13, 8 pm at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier, and Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ DALE FIELDER QUARTET brings the jazz that says "Valentine's Day date" for some folks. They play Sat, Feb 13, at 8 pm, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Tix, $20, with a reservation at 310-519-1314. Unique thing here is, you can cater your own meal and beverage, as elaborately as you want, and the venue charges nothing extra. Complimentary hot coffee, tea, cocoa, and a filtered water fountain are provided. As for the music: it's Dale Fielder, baritone sax; Jane Getz, piano; Bill Markus, bass; Thomas White, drums, presenting "An evening of cutting-edge jazz originals and classic jazz standards."
* Sunday's concerts — Valentine's Day shows...
√ THE T SISTERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 7 pm at a House Concert in San Clemente.
√ ★★★ THE KRUGER BROTHERS, North Carolina-based Swiss-born bluegrass wizards, finally stick around to play past the NAMM Show, doing a Valentine's Day gig on Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm on the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
√ THE HOT SARDINES play an OC stand that runs through Sun, Feb 14, at 7:30 pm, at the classy Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Samueli Theatre, in Costa Mesa; PLUS two more: on Fri, Feb 19, they play at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ THE REVELERS play Sun, Feb 14, at 8 pm for the "Deep End Sessions" in inland VC (Santa Paula).
√ STEVE WYNN (he's played 2000 indie rock shows in more than 25 countries), with friends Robert Lloyd, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon, plays Sun, Feb 14, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ JUDY COLLINS is playing a bunch of venues, continuing on Valentine's Day Sun, Feb 14, at 9 pm at the Rose in Pasadena; Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
* Beyond this weekend... TICKET ALERTS...
Mon, Feb 15...
√ JIMMY ANGEL, with CODY BRYANT and JIMMY LEE HARRIS, ROCKIN' JOHNNY PALMER & DEVILISH DOUGLAS LIVINGSTON play Mon, Feb 15, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Living legend and improbable octogenarian Jimmy Angel rocks, karate chops, dances, croons, and belts his way into your heart with '50s and '60s classics and his own songs in that style, accompanied by veteran members of the RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE Cody, Jimmy, & Doug, plus Johnny Palmer.
Tue, Feb 16...
√ BRAD COLERICK (widely acclaimed performing songwriter), plus ESCAPING PAVEMENT (Detroit-based duo, Emily Burns & Aaron Markovitz), and BOB CHEEVERS (globetrotting acoustic bluesy musician) play Tue, Feb 16, at 7:30 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. A night of country, folk, Americana, and rock.
Thu, Feb 18...
√ SALTY SUITES (marvelous acoustic band with Scott Gates, Chelsea Williams, Chuck Hailes, & Elaine Gregston), plus guest artist HELEN HUMMEL (from the Green Mountains of Vermont), play Thu, Feb 18, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
Fri, Feb 19...
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Fri, Feb 19, at 7 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City, then on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena.
√ SIDEWINDER plus the BAJA BLUES BOYS play Fri, Feb 19, at 7:30 pm at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park (N of San Diego).
√ THE HOT SARDINES play two more local shows: on Fri, Feb 19, they're on at 7:30 pm in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts in the San Diego area (Poway); they wrap it up on Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
√ TIZER TRIO (2011 “Jazz Group of the Year” nominees, with a 3x Grammy-nominated member) play Fri, Feb 19, 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Fri & Sat, Feb 19 & 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sat, Feb 20...
√ JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS masterfully play the charming music of the nineteen-teens, '20s, & early '30s, Sat, Feb 20, 7 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JIM KWESKIN, founding pioneer of the '60s jug band revival, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Russ & Julie’s House Concerts series in Oak Park, in the Agoura Hills / Westlake Village area, past T.O.
√ STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at the "Living Tradition" concert series in the Downtown Community Center in Anaheim; see the news feature in this edition on this fine duo.
√ NATHAN McEUEN & NATALIE GELMAN play Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ AL STEWART ("Time Passages," "Year of the Cat") plays Sat, Feb 20, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ BEPPE GAMBETTA, a formidable guitar wizard, plays Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm for the Pasadena Folk Music Society's series at Caltech, in Beckman Institute Auditorium ("Little Beckman") in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
√ THE HOT SARDINES play one final local show, Sat, Feb 20, at 8 pm in a "Caltech Public Events" series concert in Beckman Auditorium ("Big Beckman") at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. (Go early; two simultaneous shows on campus will make parking tough.)
Sun, Feb 21...
√ HEIDI SWEDBERG & The Sukey Jump Band play the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 21, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ KATHY CRAIG, with TOM CORBETT, BILL KNOPF, & MIKE MULLINS, plays a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 2:30 pm in the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.
√ ERIC RIGLER & DIRK FREYMUTH, formidable music-makers, Eric of "Titanic" soundtrack fame, play a matinee on Sun, Feb 21, at 3 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ DROPKICK MICKEYS play OC on Sun, Feb 21, 5 pm, at Macallans Public House in Brea.
√ DOWNHOME TIME (BC Cameron, Dennis C. “Tennessee” Brown, & Simeon Pillich, all accomplished makers of rootsy music for tv soundtracks) play Sun, Feb 21, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ STEVE POLTZ plays Sun, Feb 21, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Mon, Feb 22...
√ DANI JOY & THE BOYS (touring acoustic pop / jazz group similar in style to Peggy Lee, Norah Jones, Suzanne Vega) plays Mon, Feb 22, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ BONNIE RAITT plus MAIA SHARP are SOLD OUT on Mon, Feb 22, at 8 pm in the SFV at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge.
Wed, Feb 24...
√ HOMEMADE JAM (Tom Fehrer aka Tom Fair, Samantha Elin, Rob Sandiford, & Steve Reid, doing all-acoustic jazzy blues, jug band tunes, hits of the '20s and '30s) plays Wed, Feb 24, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN has a pair of dates: Wed, Feb 24, at 8:30 pm at the Largo at the Coronet series in West Hollywood; then Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
Thu, Feb 25...
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Troubadour in West Hollywood; and Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ ANI DiFRANCO plus RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES are SOLD OUT on Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
√ TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS play Thu, Feb 25, at 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
Fri, Feb 26...
√ SALTY SUITES tunefully hit the South Bay on Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm at the Grand Annex in downtown San Pedro.
√ DWIGHT TWILLEY, plus Jorgensen Tagg, plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ MICHAEL McGINNIS (Original New Christy Minstrels) & FRIENDS (Stephen Geyer, David P. Jackson, plus a mystery guest or two) play Michael's annual B-day show, Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ ASHLEY MAHER plus CATINA DeLUNA and FISH TO BIRDS bring a world music flavor to musically solid stuff on Fri, Feb 26, 8 pm, at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City.
√ AOIFE O'DONOVAN plays Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.
√ DAVID WILCOX arrives this month for three geographically distributed gigs; first is Fri, Feb 26, at 8 pm in the Laura R. Charles Theater at Sweetwater High School in National City (San Diego Co.); then, Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at McCabe’s in Santa Monica; and finally, Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Fri, Feb 26, at 9 pm, she's at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills; Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills; Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, she wraps-up her local dates at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS play Fri, Feb 26, 9 pm at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, San Diego area.
Sat, Feb 27...
√ TAYLOR MADE (James Taylor Tribute Band) plays Sat, Feb 27, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS continues to play a bunch of venues: Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm, it's the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
√ JIM & MORNING NICHOLS play Sat, Feb 27, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
√ DAVID WILCOX plays Sat, Feb 27, 8 pm, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
Sun, Feb 28...
√ BEETHOVEN'S WIG plays the "Matinee Kids' Show" series on Sun, Feb 28, at 11 am, at McCabe's in Santa Monica.
√ AEDAN MacDONNELL plus the DROPKICK MICKEYS and LYONS ACADEMY IRISH DANCERS get you ready for St. Patrick's Day a 2-1/2 weeks early with a matinee on Sun, Feb 28, at 1 pm at the Dalmatian American Club in San Pedro.
√ MAURA KENNEDY (one-half of East Coast Americana/Folk duo The Kennedys) and B.D. LOVE (widely-published poet and lyricist), play a Sun matinee, Feb 28, 3 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER play Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm at Pickwick Gardens, inside the Pickwick Bowl, across from Cody's Viva Cantina, in Burbank.
√ BURNING HEART BLUEGRASS BAND, plus SUGAR IN THE GOURD, team-up (folk melodies, foot-stomping fiddle tunes, Appalachian murder ballads, hard-driving bluegrass) on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
√ JUDY COLLINS wraps-up a bunch of local shows on Sun, Feb 28, at 7 pm, at the Coach House in OC (San Juan Capistrano).
√ THE WAINWRIGHT SISTERS play Sun, Feb 28, 8 pm, at McCabe’s in Santa Monica.
√ DAVID WILCOX finishes his SoCal tour on Sun, Feb 28, at 8 pm at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara.
Mon, Feb 29...
√ WENDOLEE THE MEXICANA (Wendolee Ayala, Latin American singing star, brings Mexico's most traditional mariachi songs with projected English subtitles) for a "Leap Day" show on Mon, Feb 29, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
* Certainly not all the possibilities, but that's all we can fit in this format and edition.
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The Guide brings you frequent editions covering MUSIC NEWS and ticket alerts, published separately, and always available right here on the Guide's Blogspot site.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell.
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