Local Musician Spotlight – Paul Christopulos
Paul Christopulos wasn’t born in Sonoma, but has been here since the ‘70s and has seen a lot of changes, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the way he’s made a living most of his adult life, playing and teaching music. “I had a great music teacher in elementary school that really inspired me to want to share music with people” said Christopulos.
In 1997, Christopulos founded and directed the Sonoma Community Center’s Music Camp. His vocal arrangements have been sung in cabaret performances, and his chamber music has been played by the New York based Da Capo Players. Christopulos has also received a Regent’s Fellowship to study composition at the University of California, where he was awarded the Valenti Prize and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Sonoma State University.
Which brings us to this weekend. Christopulos and band mate Joe Herrschaft, whose act is 3 on a Match, have gotten together to present a benefit for the Flowery School music program, this Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Barking Dog Roasters in Boyes Hot Springs, kicking off at 5 p.m. They will also have local music teacher Mikey Cannon sitting in on drums. The Flowery music program is dear to them, as Herrschafft and Christopulos’s son both attended school at the campus. We asked Christopulos the usual six questions. Lets get to know him a little.
1) Many musicians in our generation cite the Beatles on Ed Sullivan as that moment when they knew music was what they wanted to do. When and what was it that made you realize you wanted to be a musician?
PC > When I first heard that guitar intro to Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley on the radio, I knew then I wanted to play guitar. I was already a horn player, but that song all by itself changed my mind. I actually attended college as an art major, but kept cutting class to go rehearse with my rock band. I realized I’d likely picked the wrong major at that point and that’s when I decided music would be it.
2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
PC> Was a trombone and no, I don’t have it and have no idea where it went. My first guitar was actually one of those plastic Roy Rogers ones that played if you wound a crank and I ran all over the house as a child acting like I could play guitar. My first real guitar was one I bought on a family vacation for 14 dollars. I think I learned the basics of everything I play now on that guitar.
3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?
PC > Wow, many, but for guitar I’d say Mike Bloomfield, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery and Muddy Waters
4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?
PC > Those original Brazillian bossa nova recordings from the ‘60s, done by Astrud Gilberto.
5) Tell us about your current acts.
PC > Mainly just 3 on a Match. Joe and I have been doing this for about ten years now and we play out about once a week with our ‘Dylan to Delta Blues” act. It’s been a lot of fun. I do some solo appearances now and then, but mainly the one act.
6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
PC > Oh man, wow. I guess it kind of depends on my favorite song at the moment. Currently I’d say “Can’t find my way Home” by Blind Faith, but that will likely change next week.
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Set List – The Rundown
Anaba Wines, 60 Bonneau Rd, Sonoma, 996-1966.
Sunday, Oct. 9: The Cork Pullers. 3 p.m.
Annex Wine Bar, 865 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 938-7779
Tonight, Oct. 7: Oct. 7: Sonoma Sound Syndicate. 7:30 p.m. the Mesopotamians. 8:30 p.m. Mark Larson Band. 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Drifting Rich. 7:30 p.m.
Barking Dog Roasters, 18133 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, 939-1905
Sunday, Oct. 9: Flowery School Fundraiser with Three on a Match. 5 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen, 800-330-4064
Saturday, Oct. 8: People of Earth. 12 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: Bray. 11 a.m. Justin Brown. 1:30 p.m.
Cornerstone, 23570 Arnold Dr, Carneros, 933-3010
Saturday, Oct. 8: Frankie Bourne. 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: Amy Obenski. 1 p.m.
El Verano Inn, 705 Laurel Ave. El Verano, 935-0611
Tonight, Oct. 7: the Lincolns, Modern Enemy, the Quitters, Roadside Bombs, Year Zero. 8 p.m.
Friday Farmers Market, Depot Park, 270 First St W. Sonoma
Today, Oct. 7: Stewart Degner. 9:30 a.m.
Glen Ellen Fair, Arnold Dr. Glen Ellen
Sunday, Oct. 9: Main Stage. Jaydub and Dino, Rubber Soul, Aidan Eljumaily, the Solcats. Second Stage. Radar, the Trips, Trinity Rayne, Over the Fence, Cat Sass, 8 Hits and 2 Misses.
HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway Sonoma, 935-9100
Tonight, Oct. 7: Caitlin Jemma and Bart Budwig. 5 p.m. Black Cat Bone. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Smorgy. 1 p.m. Chime Travelers. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: Solid Air. 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub, 464 First St. E. Sonoma, 935-0660
Tonight, Oct. 7: Deluxe. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Mostly Simply Bluegrass. 8 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House, 18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs, 938-7587
Saturday, Oct. 8: Karaoke. 7:30 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall, 401 Grove St. El Verano, 343-0044
Tonight, Oct. 7: Attila Viola and the Bakersfield Boys. 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Rewind. 8:30 p.m.
Schellville Grill, 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, 996-5151
Saturday, Oct. 8: Butch Engle and Styx. 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: Butch Engle and Styx. 12:30 p.m.
Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall, 452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma, 996-1364
Tonight, Oct. 7: Ryan Tatarian. 6 p.m. Tsunami. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Full Circle. 5 p.m. Magic. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: “Open Mic and Mimosas.” 1 to 7 p.m. Acrosonics. 5 p.m. Blues Jam. 8:30 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 996-5217
Saturday, Oct. 8: Wine Country Ragtime Festival. 1 p.m.
Viansa Winery, 25200 Arnold Drive, Carneros, 995-4740
Saturday, Oct. 7: Pacific Standard. 12 p.m.
If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it. jmberry@sonomamusic.com