Well, kind of. It’s a Patsy Cline tribute with the fabulous Joni Morris and her After Midnight Band laying down an afternoon tribute to the country music star, who died in an airplane crash at the height of her career in 1963 at 30 years of age. Cline was huge in country and pop music, with hits like “I Fall to Pieces,” “She’s Got You” and Willie Nelsons “Crazy.” Morris and the band will be covering many of Cline’s hits and even dressing in period clothing for the show. Morris will also debut some of her original music from her new CD to be released later this year. The Modesto native and her band will be in town for one show only at the Sebastiani Theatre, on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. Advance tickets can be had by calling the theatre at 996-9756, or at the door if any are left.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 23. Just go do it. He’s known by many names, Murr, Murray, Murphy, The Murricain, King Daddy Murr and many others, but the popular drummer of EZ Kewl, and one of the original creators of any type of music scene here in Sonoma Valley, is retiring after many years of service to patients at the Sonoma Developmental Center and moving to New Orleans in November to play music every day. He’s already set up there with family and former Sonoma guitar player Geb Rault and has a band already lined up. Many in the local musician community, including his son Zakk of the Whiskey Thieves, are throwing him a going away party on Saturday, Oct. 23, kicking off at 5 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building. The bill has the Whiskey Thieves, Ten Foot Tone, BackTrax, the Jami Jamison Band, EZ Kewl and many special guests, yet to be announced. It was said back in the day that if you hadn’t jammed in Murphy’s Garage, literally, his garage, then you haven’t jammed in Sonoma Valley. We expect musicians to be coming out of the woodwork for the show. In true Johnn Murphy fashion, he wanted the show to be a benefit for F.I.S.H. in Sonoma Valley. There is no cover charge, but donations will be taken at the door and a percentage of all food and beverages sold will go to the cause. It’s even rumored legendary rock artist Stanley Mouse will be creating a commemorative poster for the event. Stay tuned.
Winemaker/Promoter Bruce Cohn has announced an inflation fighter special price for the Sunday, Oct. 10, day of the annual Fall Festival, offering two-for-one tickets. The show features Eddie Money, Night Ranger, Loverboy, the Greg Kihn Band, the Turtles and the Eyewitness Blues band. The tickets are for a special side-seating area and can be purchased at the winery tasting room or at www.brcohn.com.
Cornerstone Gardens in Carneros is celebrating local artists and farmers in an event titled just that, Artists & Farmers, on Sunday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and features live music by Arann Harris and the Farm Band, the Easy Leaves, and David Luning. In addition, there will be garden tours, live art, fresh farm tastings, a photo booth and much more. Might just be a chance to get your “Photobooth” badge if you play Foursquare.
Local celebrity Popo the Clown will be hosting two events this weekend at the Moose Lodge, starting tonight, Oct. 1, with a benefit for the Sonoma Junior Dragons that includes casino night and music from Superior Sounds. Tickets can be purchased at the door and include casino money. The night kicks off at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, Popo is hosting a birthday party for all the kids in Sonoma. Seems she gets asked to do her act at so many places, she just figured she’d host one big birthday party and invite all the children. There will be ballooners, magic shows and much more for the children. Superior Sounds will also be providing the musical entertainment. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and in Popos words, “It’s gonna be huge.”
The Plaza Bistro will have Mad and Eddie Duran in the back room tonight, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. Eddie Duran is a jazz legend and has been paying his dues for many, many years, and just recently turned 85 years of age and radio station KPFA in Berkeley presented Duran with a Lifetime Achievement award. Your chance to check out the legend is tonight, and there is no cover charge.
Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza tonight, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have Cynthia Carr and the Carrtunes tonight, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. Typically, the band has an annual backyard outdoor concert but the year just got away from them, so they are inviting all their fans to come celebrate with them tonight. There will be food available and wine specials by the glass and bottle and there is no cover.
The Lodge at Sonoma has Dick Conte tonight, Oct. 1, for a 7 p.m. show in the lounge. Saturday, Oct. 2, brings in the antics of Terry Disley on the piano to the lounge, also for a 7 p.m. show.
Steiners Tavern will have Isabelles Basement tonight, Oct. 1, for a show that kicks off at 10 p.m.
A couple of local acts have scored opening spots with some big names this week, starting off Saturday, Oct. 2, with Points North opening for Blues Traveler at the Uptown Theater in Napa at 6:30 p.m. Later in the week on Wednesday, Oct 6, Jason Bodlovich and Isaac Carter will be opening for guitar legend Joe Satriani for an 8 p.m. show, also at the Uptown in Napa.
The Valley of the Moon Lodge #1959 Order of the Sons of Italy will be having a dinner dance on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building with the music of Steve Albini. The evening is a benefit for high school scholarships. Reservations are required, and can be had by calling Karen Carroll at 938-1295 or Phyllis Serafini at 938-5691.
Showcase the Band is all over the Oktoberfest scene this weekend, kicking off on Saturday, Oct. 2, as a benefit for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bear Flag Post 1949, at Little Switzerland kicking off at 1 p.m. and going until 9 p.m. There will be a buffet lunch, over 50 different beers to sample and accordion music until 3:30 p.m. followed by Showcase the Band. For reservations and more info, call 938-9990. The following day, Sunday, Oct. 3, Showcase the Band is back in action at Little Switzerland with more Oktoberfest fun starting off at 5 p.m.
The El Verano Inn will have the Sean Carscadden Trio tonight, Oct. 1, for a 10 p.m. show.
Mondo American Beer Garden has the sounds of Hard Travelin’ on Saturday, Oct. 2, for a 7 p.m. show.
The Blue Moon Saloon continues its weekly Sunday Night Blues Jam at the moon on Sunday, Oct. 3, kicking off at 10 p.m. Interested players just need to show up and pick a slot to jam with the house band, which includes Isaac Carter, Phil Herrschaft, Adrian Trevino and Stuart Sperring.
The Jami Jamison Band will be on the back patio at the Swiss Hotel on Sunday, Oct. 3, for a 3 p.m. show. The venue has a special bar menu and cocktails and there is no cover. The band will be at Papa’s Taverna in Petaluma tonight, Oct. 1, for a 7 p.m. show.
EZ Kewl lays down an afternoon set at Imagery Estate Winery on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 1:30 p.m. The boys can be found on Monday, Oct. 4, at the Big 3 Diner for a dinner set that goes off at 7 p.m.
Taste of the Himalayas will have the band Rags to Riches on Monday, Oct 4, for a 7 p.m. show.
Jon Popenoe will be at Rickey’s Bar and Grill in Novato tonight, Oct. 1, for a 7 p.m. show.
Local violin protégé Nigel Armstrong is at Santa Rosa Junior College on Sunday, Oct. 3, at Newman Hall as part of the Chamber Concert Series. Showtime is 4 p.m. Tickets, which are $20, may be available at the door, but are cash only.