Local Musician Spotlight – Jeff Falconer
Jeff Falconer could be referred to as a “Thinking man’s musician” with catchy, upbeat tunes that typically have a message, sometimes social statements, cloaked into his lyrics, and sometimes not so cloaked. He has mastered his finger-picking style and has a truly unique sound that is all his own.
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?
JF> I was fortunate enough to catch and bi intimate with a lot of the bands from San Francisco in the late ‘60s, before the “Summer of Love” and when the scene had not yet exploded; Acts like the Charlatons, Moby Grape, the Sons of Champlin and of course the Dead. They all had a free-wheeling spirit and sound and by that point I was pretty much hooked.
2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
JF> Actually, my first instrument was a chrome Ludwig snare drum that I got when I was eight years old. I don’t think at that point in my life I had loved anything more. I soon got a used kick drum and some cymbals and became a drummer. Through my teens I played trombone, harmonica and sang in my first acts. It wasn’t until I was 17 that I got my first guitar, and no, unfortunately I have none of that gear any longer.
3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?
JF> I would say the most influential aspects of my playing are old blues finger pickers, cats like Mississippi John Hurt, Reverend Gary Davis, Robert Johnson. Learning all that was a real challenge but I knew I needed to, for myself.
4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?
JF> It’s not a new disc, but I’ve been wearing out the Derek Trucks album “Songlines.” Something about the way Trucks merges his southern styles with world music and other genres is really doing it for me these days.
5) Tell us about your current acts.
JF> Just myself, Jeff Falconer solo and the Jaydub and Dino act with Dennis Cordellos. Dennis and I go way back, starting to play together at Sonoma Valley High, lets just say a while back. We parted our music ways for about 30 years and then just started jamming again. We’re working on our third CD now. (JMB-You can catch the act this Saturday, June 20, at Schug Winery in Carneros at 1 p.m.)
6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
JF> Wow, could be hundreds. I’ll just pull one out of the air. Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones, because it really caught the spirit of that age and time.
Set List – the Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364
Tonight, June 19, Left Coast Syncopaters – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, John Allair and Julia Harrell Rodriguez – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. June 22, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, June 19, Mad and Eddie Duran – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, Vitamin Girl – 7:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
122 W Napa St. Sonoma – 935-7960
Tonight, June 19, Lo Watters – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, the Borderline Boys – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, Loralee Christiansen – 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, June 19, Gypsy Jazz Caravan – 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, Perfect Crime– 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, Bonanza Kings – 7:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, June 19, the Rolling Blackouts – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, June 19, Chris Amberger and his Hot Dogs – 7 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, June 19, DJ Hi-Isak – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, Freeworks – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, Tri -Tip Trio – 3 p.m
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, June 19, Dave Hamilton – 5 p.m. – Hand Me Down – 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, Jimbo Scott – 1 p.m. Maverick – 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, Matt Bolton – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, June 19, Gay Wine Weekend Party with DJ Midnight and pop-up video bar – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, DJ Hi – C – 9:30 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, June 21, Falcon Christopher Duo – 2 p.m.
Schug Winery
602 Bonneau Road, Carneros – 939-9363
Saturday, June 20, Jaydub and Dino – 1 p.m.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, June 19, Funky Friday’s with BackTrax – 6:30 p.m.
Schelville Grill
22900 Broadway, Sonoma – 996-5151
Saturday, June 20, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Moose Lodge
20580 Broadway Sonoma – 996-3877
Sunday, June 21, Showcase the Band – 4 p.m.
Sonoma Plaza
1 Broadway, Sonoma
Saturday, June 20, Hit the Road Jack – Hula Mai – 5 p.m.
Steiners Tavern
465 First St. W. Sonoma – 996-3812
Tonight, June 19, Tsunami – 7 p.m.
Naked Wines
8450 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood – 408-0011
Sunday, June 21, Acoustic Soul – 12 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, June 21, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, June 20, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 21, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.