doobie brothers Archives - Sonoma Music Scene

Music happenings in and around Sonoma County – 10/4 – 10/7

It seems there is a different rock legend playing in Sonoma County each weekend, and this one is no different, except we have a bunch of them, and playing at one of the most intimate concert venues you will see them play. We also have a few excellent cover acts that will keep you dancing the night away.

Friday, Oct. 5, – Sugarfoot
Saturday, Oct. 6, – Crossfire

Both these bands will keep you dancing all night to songs you know. Sugarfoot is a seven-piece act that plays everything from Journey to Prince, with most of the songs being from the contemporary rock genre. Crossfire is a nine-piece act that will play songs you know, but more towards the Motown and soul genres, with a little rock thrown in for good measure

Venue – Flamingo Hotel – Santa Rosa – 707-545-8530

Friday, Oct. 5 – Pat Jordan Band

Like many a musician, the Pat Jordan Band started in a garage, in living rooms, backyards, by lakes and on beaches and has grown into a powerful five-piece acoustic-rock band. With a sound carved from hundreds of live shows, and constant drive to evolve and progress, the act has developed a devoted following spanning from coast to coast, and a style all their own.

Venue – HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol – 707- 829-7300

Saturday – Sunday, Oct. 5 – 6, – Doobie Brothers and more

For 26 years, winemaker and philanthropist Bruce Cohn has been putting on the charity concert fundraiser and has raised more than $6 million for local non-profits and veterans groups. Cohn started his musical career as manager of the Doobie Brothers back in the ‘70s, and continues today. Saturdays show features the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald, Buddy Guy, WAR, the Turtles, Lara Johnston and Scars on 45. Sundays show has the Doobie Brothers and friends, Kenny Loggins, Dave Mason, the Turtles, Zen Road Pilots, Tyronne Wells and Pat Simmons Jr. Tickets for both days will be available at the door but there is no parking at the winery. Follow the signs around Glen Ellen and for more info, point your browser to www.brcohn.com.

B. R. Cohn Winery – Glen Ellen – 707-938-4064, ext. 124

Saturday, Oct. 6, – Sam Andrew Band

Sam Andrew was a founding member of Big Brother and the Holding Company, the band that backed Janis Joplin. Andrew and original band mate, James Gurley, have produced some of the greatest psychedelic guitar solos of all time. In February of 1997, Guitar Player magazine listed Andrew and Gurleys work on “Summertime” as one of the top ten Psychedelic solos in music history.

Venue – Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa – 707-545-5876

Saturday, Oct. 6, – Loosely Covered

This four-piece act is exactly what the bands name suggests, loose versions of cover songs that you’ll probably know after the first verse or so. The band likes to put their own signature on the songs and will sometimes even take a hard rocker and put an acoustic twist to it. The venue is a new one in town, which we’ve yet to get to. If you make it, leave a comment below.

Venue – Sprenger’s Tap Room – Santa Rosa – 707–544-8277

Sunday, Oct. 7, – New Skye

We actually saw this act for the first time in a tasting room in Sonoma valley playing a wine club party and were very impressed with the playing and the quality of the vocals. The act is primarily amplified acoustic playing songs from the Great American Songbook along with contemporary acoustic classics. With a bit of country, Americana, folk and bluegrass, the act is an easy listen, but you just might get up and dance..

Venue – Mavericks – Santa Rosa – 707- 544-1562

Lynyrd Skynyrd plays Sonoma Valley

30 or so years ago, when we were seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd for the first time, if anyone would have told us that someday the band would be playing 5 miles from our house and we’d actually be writing about it, we’d have had to have asked you what you’ve been smoking. Since the plane went down in 1977, taking the life of frontman and songwriter Ronnie Van Zant and others, the band has almost become as a place where the alumni of southern rock come for a home. Still fronted by Ronnies younger brother Johnny Van Zant, the band has one

original member, Gary Rossington, still touring. But that doesn’t mean the band is without punch, Rickey Medlocke, formerly of Blackfoot, is currently one of the guitar players, of which whose father the song “The Ballad of Curtis Lowe” was written about. Members of the Outlaws and Damn Yankees have also toured with the band. Bruce Cohn has outdone himself with this years 25th anniversary of the Fall Music Festival. The charity event starts on Friday, Sept. 23, with an auction fundraising dinner in the olive grove on the winery estate, with guest chef Guy Fieri. Saturday, Sept. 24, is when the music kicks off at 11 a.m., with Carlos Reyes, Jeff Watson, Greg Kihn, Leon Russell, Sammy Hagar with Joe Satriani and the Doobie Brothers rounding out the day. Sunday, Sept. 25, kicks off at 11 a.m. also, and welcomes Carlos Reyes, Lara Johnston, Leon Russell, Little Feat, the Doobie Brothers with Jim Messina and Lynyrd Skynyrd wrapping up the day. There is also a second stage dedicated to Bruces brother Marty Cohn, who died after a short battle with cancer earlier this year. On that stage will be local acts Frobeck, the Zen Pilots, Lara Johnston and Will Champlin, Eddie Bush, Black Market Blues and the Rich Little Band. This year, the charities that will benefit from the weekends events will be the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Glide Memorial, Santa Rosa Memorial Trauma Center, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation and local and national veterans organizations. As of this writing, tickets are still available, but both days are expected to sell out. For more info, point your browser to www.brcohn.com.

The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is also this weekend, starting tonight, Sept. 23, in the historic barracks on the Plaza with Pride and Joy at 6 p.m. The weekend-long festival is the second-longest running festival in the state of California, second only to the Rose Parade, and celebrates the bounty and harvest, which seems to be a little late this year, The festival, with its all-volunteer board, in addition to donating all proceeds to chosen local non-profits, foots the bill for the Plaza so that over 20 additional local non- profits can raise funds and awareness for their causes. Local music in the Plaza behind City Hall is a big part of the weekend, with Saturday, Sept. 24, kicking off at 12:30 p.m. with Train Wreck Junction, followed by Dan Martin, the Whiskey Thieves, Out of the Blue, Tommy Thomsen and Dan Littlefield. Sunday, Sept. 25, has Sean Carscadden kicking off at noon, followed by Mad and Eddie Duran, the Hellhounds, the Dick Conte Trio, Paula Odabi and Pure Soul with Rue Manouche wrapping up the day. There is no admission for the event.

Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes Misner and Smith tonight, Sept. 23, for a night of Americana, folk and blues, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, has the Timothy O’Neil Band, also at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25, welcomes Billy Jo Valentine, for an early show kicking off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

Centre du vin in the Ledson Hotel welcomes Jess Petty and Ken Chambers on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a 7 p.m. show.

Shiso Sushi in the Maxwell Village Shopping Center has Tony Gibson with Dawn Angelosante on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a 7 p.m. show.

The Plaza Bistro has jazz tonight, Sept. 23, with an appearance by the Pamela Rose Trio at 7 p.m. With Rose tonight will be Wayne De la Cruz on the Hammond B-3 organ and Jeff Massanari on guitar. Saturday, Sept. 24, the bistro welcomes saxophonist Mike Zilber and his duo. Zilber has performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Stitt, to name just a few. Showtime Saturday is 7 p.m. also, and there is no cover either night.

Brian Cline will be at Landmark Winery and Vineyards on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a 1 p.m. show.

Little Switzerland has a rocking show on Saturday, Sept. 24, kicking off at 9 p.m. Josh Kraft and his Metallica tribute act Motorbreath will play a set, followed by the Braineaters, a Misfits tribute act then Motogruv headlines the night.

The Kathmandu Corner has the Penny Hens tonight, Sept. 24, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 24, the corner welcomes Dan Martin, also for an 8 p.m. show. Monday, Sept 26, the corner has Jason Walters, for a 6:30 p.m. show. There is no cover for any of the shows.

HopMonk Tavern Sonoma welcomes the Tonewoods on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a 9 p.m. show. The band plays a mix of acoustic Americana, British, and classic folk songs and ragtime.

The Olde Sonoma Public House has Karaoke with Kat on Sunday, Sept. 25, kicking off at 8 p.m.

Papas Taverna in Petaluma off Lakeville Highway will have Ten Foot Tone playing a special birthday celebration for Mary Serafini on Friday, Sept. 23, kicking off at 7 p.m. The public is welcome.

Jon Popenoe and Tom Wolfe will be at St. Clement Winery in St. Helena on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a 1 p.m. show.

Dawn Angelosante will be at Acacia Vineyards in Napa today, Sept. 23, for a 4:30 p.m. show.

The Hellhounds will be in Napa tonight, Sept. 23, at Cuvee for a 9:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 24, has the bluesmen at the Tradewinds in Cotati for a 9 p.m. show.

Jonathan Poretz at Centre du Vin

If you’re asking “where is that?” then you’re not alone. Centre du Vin is the name of the new French-inspired restaurant in the Ledson Hotel. We’re told by the new manager that the location will begin to be more local focused, in terms of local musicians, food and wine alike. Even though he’s not from the Valley, Jonathan Poretz has been a Sonoma Valley favorite for quite some time and will be appearing Saturday, Sept. 3, for a 7 p.m. show. Poretz has been appearing as Frank Sinatra in the “Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean (The Rat Pack)” in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston and Memphis. Blending the swinging vocal style of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin, Poretz puts his own unique stamp on every song he sings and every story he tells through the great American standard songbook.

More sad news on the local musician front, as we regret to announce the passing of great local guitarist John Salz on August, 24, 2011. In addition to his music skills, Salz was a pilot and worked as a nurse at Sonoma Valley Hospital. Ironically, they never did find out exactly what was wrong with him, or what caused his death, even though he was ill for several months. Salz made his way to Sonoma back in 1982 with the band Savannah, which also had as members Rick and Lisa Binkley, Bob Morrell, Curt Schillinger and Jim Akin. Salz played with and inspired many a musician in Sonoma Valley and beyond, and even had one of his songs, “No one can hurt you” recorded by country star Ricky Skaggs. There will be a celebration of his life at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building on Sunday, Oct. 9, starting at 11 a.m.

Although not a musician, the man made many a contribution to music that you hear almost every day. Marty Cohn, brother of winemaker and philanthropist Bruce Cohn, passed away this year and as a memorial, his brother Bruce has dedicated the second stage at this years Charity Fall Music Festival to the memory of Marty. Marty was instrumental in the signing of the Doobie Brothers and many other acts in the ‘70s. Appearing on the second stage at this years festival on Saturday, Sept 24, will be Lara Johnston and Will Champlin, the Zen Road Pilots (formerly Billy Satellite) and Eddie Bush. Sunday, Sept. 25, performers are the Rich Little Band, Black Market Blues and Frobeck. That’s only the second stage. On the main stage on Saturday, Sept. 24, will be the Doobie Brothers with Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani, Leon Russell, Jim Messina, Greg Kihn, Jeff Watson – The Lone Ranger and Carlos Reyes. The Sunday, Sept. 25, show has Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Doobie Brothers with Jim Messina, Little Feat, Leon Russell, Lara Johnston and Carlos Reyes. The Doobies have been touring with Skynyrd a good part of the summer and will be fun to see them both back on stage at the end of the tour. There are some tickets still available, but these shows will sell out. Tickets are available in the tasting room at B. R. Cohn winery or online at www.brcohn.com.

The Sunflower Caffe has its monthly artists reception tonight, Sept. 2, this month featuring Jennifer Cabaud and there will also be music from JoyRide. The music kicks off at 7 p.m.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards has the Americana sounds of Adam Traum and the Traumatics tonight, Sept. 2, in the tasting room at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover and food will be available from Community Cafe.

Plan Be will be at Little Switzerland on Saturday, Sept. 3, for an 8 p.m. show. The band is sure to get you dancing with their versions of popular blues, jazz and rock songs.

The Katmandu Corner has Dawn Angelosante and Tony Gibson tonight, Sept. 2, for a show that will be at the new time for all shows; 8 p.m. Deirdre Egan will be at the corner on Saturday, Sept. 3, also for an 8 p.m. show. There is no cover.

The Community Cafe is having a Labor Day party on Monday, Sept. 5, starting at 2 p.m., when they will kick off the new barbecue holiday menu. Joyride will be providing the music starting at 4 p.m.

Viansa Winery in Carneros will have music from SugarFoot on Saturday, Sept.3, from noon to 3 p.m. The band plays rock, funk and blues.

The Plaza Bistro welcomes back the Jeff Massanari Trio tonight, Sept. 2, for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 3, the bistro brings in local Andrew Emer on the stand up bass, playing a duo with guitarist Terence Brewer, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has its longest running act, the Sonoma Mountain Band tonight, Sept. 2, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 3, the pub welcomes Andrew Freeman, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Sept. 4, has the long-standing, traditional Celtic pub jam, starting at 3:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

The Blue Moon Saloon has Crazy Noisy Karaoke on Saturday, Sept. 3. You can get in on the antics as well, starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, has the weekly blues jam on Sunday, Sept. 4, kicking off at 10 p.m. Having popped in last Sunday, we can say the music is live on a late Sunday night. There is no cover either night.

Stephanie Ozer will be at the Osteria Divino in Sausalito on Saturday, Sept. 3, for a 7 p.m. show.

The Jon Popenoe Blues Band will be at Rickey’s Bar in Novato on Saturday, Sept. 3, for a 6:30 p.m. show. Sunday, Sept. 4, Popenoe will be with his duo at Beringer Winery in Napa for a show that kicks off at noon.

Classic rock rules at B. R. Cohn this weekend

If you ever wanted a snapshot of what rock music was like in the ‘70s and ‘80s, then you need look no further than the Fall Music Festival to be held at B. R. Cohn Winery this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday Oct. 10. Saturdays show features pop icons Cheap Trick, along with the band that, to many, was the background music of the ‘70s, the Doobie Brothers. Add to the bill War, Grand Funk Railroad and, sneaking in from the ‘60s, is the Turtles. Then throw in some talent from the new generation of rock in the form of Lara Johnston and Patrick Simmons Jr., children of members of the Doobie Brothers, where it’s clear the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. And that’s just Saturday. Sunday brings in an ‘80s revival with Eddie Money, Loverboy, Night Ranger, the Greg Kihn Band, the Turtles, who you just can’t keep off the stage at the festival, and the Eyewitness Blues Band. In addition, there is the new Norton Buffalo Memorial Stage, which will feature the Rowan Brothers and Frobeck, in-between sets on the main stage. Tickets for Saturday are basically sold out, but the Sunday show, at press time, is offering two-for-one tickets for special side area seating. The music festival is just part of the over-all fundraising weekend, which kicks off Friday, Oct. 8, with an auction dinner that features rock-star chef Bradley Ogden, and wraps up on Monday, Oct. 11, with the annual Celebrity Golf Classic to be held at the Sonoma Golf Club. Cohn’s weekend charity events have raised over $5 million over the course of the 24 years the festival has been in existence, helping many Sonoma Valley Non-Profits. This year the beneficiaries are American Legion Post # 489, Little Kids Rock, the Salvation Army, Sonoma Jazz Plus, the Sonoma Mentoring Alliance and more. Tickets for all events, if still available, can be found by pointing your browser to www.brcohn.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The Glen Ellen Street Fair is this weekend as well, Sunday, Oct. 10, in downtown Glen Ellen. They actually re-route traffic off Arnold drive to give the street fair its appropriate props. Grand Marshall Johnn Murphy from EZ Kewl will be waving to the crowd when he’s not playing. In addition to EZ Kewl, the Sol Cats, Tudo Bem and the Michael Hinton band will be providing the grooves for the free event. Hinton has lined up some big names for the show, like Banana from the Youngbloods, Nate Ginsberg from Herbie Hancock, Bill Vitt from the Jerry Garcia Band and Tony Saunders, son of Merl Saunders. Most were also members of Norton Buffalo’s bands over the years. It certainly seems like fall is the time of year to remember the Buffalo, Norton, that is. Hinton and his band take the stage at 3:30 p.m.

A new recording studio is opening in Sonoma Valley, with Juan Blair at the helm. Blair, who goes by the moniker of Uglyfingers, has worked with numerous platinum recording artists and is currently keyboard player with the band Club Nouveau. Blair has re-located his studio to Sonoma Valley from Oakland. Uglyfingers Recording House and Production Studio offers a full production studio, with Blair skilled from concept to mastering, all the way to any part of the recording process, including lyric and songwriting. The studio will be having an open house on Sunday, Oct. 10, at the facility at 19700 8th St. E., at 3 p.m. There will be raffle prizes and an open jam, where musicians are invited to “bring their axe.” For more information, call 510-703-7770.

A local musician, who’s been in town about a year now, Tim Eschliman, is finally gigging in his home town with a show at Little Switzerland on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. Rhythmtown-Jive will hit the stage with lots of New Orleans Rhythm and blues, swing, stroll, zydeco and roots rock. Eschliman, who has played with names like Commander Cody and Etta James, brings with him a number of seasoned music veterans. Dance instruction at 8 p.m. Show starts at 8:30 p.m.

John Burdick will be at Olive & Vine tonight, Oct. 8, with a blues revue that will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Burdick plays a mean slide guitar and will have with him Dave McKee on drums, yours truly, James Marshall Berry on bass, and Armin Winter on saxophone. Winter is an amazing player and singer, having fronted the Jerry Garcia Band after Garcias passing. There is no cover for the show.

The Plaza Bistro will have Jonathan Poretz in the back room tonight, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. Poretz is somewhat of a crooner, coping the styles of Sinatra, Torme, Bennett and Darin. Poretz will have with him Lee Bloom on piano and Jeff Neighbor on bass. There is no cover for the 7 p.m. show.

Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza tonight, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have Tom Duarte tonight, Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

The Lodge at Sonoma has John Groves in the piano lounge both Friday and Saturday, Oct. 8 – 9, for 7 p.m. shows. There is no cover either night.

Murphy’s Irish Pub will have Blue and Lonesome tonight, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. playing some of the finest in traditional bluegrass. Saturday, Oct. 9, has the female vocal act, Sweet Burgundy, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Oct. 10, has Sean Carscadden and local favorite Marty O’Reilly, back in the Valley from Santa Cruz for the weekend. That show kicks off at 6 p.m.

The Schellville Grill will have EZ Kewl for a dinner set tonight, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.

The El Verano Inn brings in Izzy and the Kesstronics tonight, Oct. 8, for a 9 p.m. show.

Imagery Estate Winery will have the sounds of Jon Popenoe on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, the Cork Pullers take over the patio, also for a 1 p.m. show. There is no cover either day.

Mondo American Beer Garden will have Tom Martin playing solo acoustic on Saturday, Oct. 9, for a 7 p.m. show.

The Moose Lodge has Motown Night tonight, Oct. 8, with dinner and dancing to DJ music from Superior Sounds. The night kicks off at 5 p.m. and there is a $15 dollar cover.

Bouverie Wildlife Preserve will be hosting their second science salon titled “Soundscapes: The Nature of Music and The Music of Nature,” on Saturday, Oct. 9, starting up at 2:30 p.m. After the show, there will be cocktails and jazz provided by Maiden Voyages. For more info, call 415-868-9244.

A’Roma Roasters in Santa Rosa has EZ Kewl for an 8 p.m. show on Saturday, Oct. 9.

The Big 3 Diner in Boyes Hot Springs will have Jon Popenoe for a solo dinner performance on Monday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. There is no cover.