Pick of the Week – King Daddy Murr – All over the Valley
In case you missed him last night at the City Party, King Daddy Murr (Johnn Murphy) is back in town and will be playing with friends at a number of venues this weekend. Why is this important and who cares? Murr was an integral piece of the Sonoma Valley music scene as just about any one ever was, and in many ways, still is. His son, Zakk Murphy is still gigging in the Whiskey Thieves and his new act, Wingo Moon. After spending an entire career working at the Sonoma Developmental Center, Murr and his wife retired to the Big Easy where he has family and has been living the “Life of Reily,” playing as many places as he can and just flat out enjoying his retirement. Roll the clock back a couple decades. If you played music in Sonoma Valley, you likely played in one of his acts, or even in his garage, which then went on to become an actual band, Murphy’s Garage, with rotating members from the folks that used to jam in the garage. That act eventually turned into Highway 12 and then, when he got tired of carrying around a full set of drums, created the act “E. Z. Kewl” who played “jazzy” renditions of popular songs and he used a cocktail drum kit he could literally pick up with one hand and carry out of the show. We used to joke on the old radio show we did that Murr would play anywhere, even in the produce aisle of a grocery store. Then it happened. Yep, an actual regular gig at Whole Foods in, you guessed it, the produce aisle.
There is no show scheduled for tonight, July 31, as of this writing, but if we know Murr, something will come up. Saturday, Aug. 1 you can catch King Daddy Murr and Friends at Annex Wine Bar, kicking off early at 6:30 p.m., as a lot of players will be sitting in. Then Sunday, Aug. 2, it’s a double header for the King, with a show at B & V Whiskey Bar and Grille at 3 p.m. and then at the blues jam at the Blue Moon Saloon at 10 p.m.
Local Musician Spotlight – Manny Inocencio
If you’ve been at the Community Cafe recently and thought you saw Carlos Santana in an Oakland Raiders jersey, you’d be wrong. Whether or not Santana likes the Raiders or not is still up in the air, but you likely ran into “Raider Manny” as he is affectionately called on his radio show on community radio KSVY. Manny is relatively new to the music scene here in Sonoma, even after living here for years and playing music for even longer than that. His act, Tilted Halos, is on a summer jaunt throughout the Sonoma Valley. Let’s see what he’s all about and ask him the six standard questions. You can catch Manny and the band this Saturday, Aug. 1, at the El Verano Inn, kicking off at 9 p.m.
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?
MI> It was 1957. I was living in East Oakland and my older brother was taking me to a movie down at the Fox Theatre in town. I’m not sure what movie it was but it was an Elvis Presley movie and he played and sang “Love me Tender” and that did it. At that point I knew.
2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
MI> It was actually a ukulele. (Manny is actually an accomplished drummer and signer now). No, I don’t have it any longer. It was in my life for about three years when my Grandfather got a new one and handed that one down to me. My mom and aunt used to get a kick out of me playing it and acting like Elvis, shaking my hips and all.
3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?
MI> Well, clearly Elvis Presley, but also Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, the whole first British invasion really influenced me. Bands like the Who, Cream, the Stones. Music was blooming on all fronts; blues, rock, soul and I was fortunate enough to have been there.
4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?
MI> I’ve been listening to our latest original composition called “Road less Traveled” written by our guitar player Jeffro Hunter. Just checking things to see what might need to be changed or mixed up before we go in and do the final tracks.
5) Tell us about your current acts.
MI> My only act now is Tilted Halos. We focus on rock classics from the ‘60s and ‘70s and try to revive those songs from the British invasion era that need to be remembered and played. We also have some originals that we are really proud of. The act is all about having fun and doing justice to the songs, making them sound good.
6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
MI> <without hesitation> “Imagine” by John Lennon. I share the same views as the words; it’s as simple as that. Could you imagine? It says it all.
Set List – The Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364
Tonight, July 31, Willis, Cochran and Davis – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, Left Coast Syncopaters – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. Aug. 3, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 4, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, July 31, Calvin Ross – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, King Daddy Murr and Friends– 6:30 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, July 31, Andrew Freeman – 8 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, July 31, Magic – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, July 31, Bryan Girard Trio – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, Nancy Briggs – 6 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, July 31, DJ Isak – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, the Cork Pullers – 4 p.m. Soulstice – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, Tri-Tip Trio – 5 p.m.
El Verano Inn
705 Laurel Ave. El Verano – 935-0611
Saturday, Aug. 1, Tilted Halos – 9 p.m.
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, July 31, Vardo – 5 p.m. – Girls and Boys – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, Justin Purtill – 1 p.m. Dawn Angelosante and Tony Gibson – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, Chris Hanlin – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, July 31, DJ Hi- C – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, DJ Cal – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, King Daddy Murr and Friends – 3 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, Aug. 2, Jason Bodlovich – 2 p.m.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, July 31, Funky Friday’s with Sugarfoot– 6:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
122 W Napa St. Sonoma – 935-7960
Tonight, July 31, Shaun Cahoon and Jon Emery – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1, Luke Erickson and George Scheblich – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, Sally Haggard – 7:30 p.m.
Schelville Grill
22900 Broadway, Sonoma – 996-5151
Saturday, Aug. 1, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, Aug. 2 Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, Aug. 1, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.