The Friday, March 4, Column

Local Musician Spotlight –David Thom

David Thom has been a fixture on the west coast bluegrass scene since forming the David Thom Band in 1996, but if you live in Sonoma, where Thom is from, you likely have no idea. Thom spearheaded the revival of the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience and currently plays with Vintage Grass, Grateful Bluegrass Boys, the Mosey Boys, and most recently with Grammy-winner Don Rigsby, releasing a disc in December of last year. His 2012 release, “That Old Familiar,” produced and played on by Grammy-winner Laurie Lewis, receives national airplay and Thom has played at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse and the Great American Music Hall among others. Lets see where he’s coming from.

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?

DT> It was going with my dad and Uncle on hunting trips in Northern Michigan and watching them play guitars and sing. I wanted to be like them, to be the center of attention. Later, believe it or not, I was watching the “Joanie Loves Chachi” TV show and I thought the drummer in the band, named Bingo was the coolest guy alive.

2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?

DT> A Gibson SG electric guitar my parents bought me in 1979. No, I don’t have it any longer. That year I got a guitar and my brother got a drum set. He didn’t learn either of them and I taught myself how to play both. I was primarily a drummer the first six years of my music career.

3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?

DT> Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin and Ralph Stanley. Just like that.

4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?

DT> Ever since I played the North Carolina State Fair in 2014, I did a show with Don Rigsby and got totally immersed in Ralph Stanley. He is literally all I’ve listened to since.

5) Tell us about your current acts.

DT> I’ve got four acts going now, the David Thom Band, which has been going now for 20 years, Vintage Grass, which is a “Trio Version” of the big act, the Mosey Boys, and the newest act, the Grateful Bluegrass Boys. The motto is we play Classic Rock through a bluegrass lens. We do all sorts of Classic Rock covers, and of course lots of Jerry.

6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?

DT> Vincent by Don Mclean. To me, one voice and one guitar is the purest form of music. The song is produced but those two elements stand out to me. Combine that with the imagery the song creates, the tribute to the artist and the amazing melody… yea, that’s it.

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Set List – The Rundown

Annex Wine Bar, 865 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 938-7779
Tonight, March 4: the Bee Rays. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: Barry Bisson. 7:30 p.m.

Barking Dog Roasters, 18133 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, 939-1905
Today, March 1: Stewart Degner. 12 p.m.

Blue Moon Saloon, 19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, 996-3055
Saturday, March 5: Karaoke. 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 6: Blues Jam – all welcome. 10 p.m.

B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille, 400 First St. E. Sonoma, 938-7110
Tonight, March 4: DJ Hi – C. 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: DJ  Isak. 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 6: Stewart Degner. 3 p.m.

Friday Farmers Market, Depot Park, 270 First St W. Sonoma
Today, March 4: Stewart Degner. 9:30 a.m.

HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway Sonoma, 935-9100
Tonight, March 4: Dan Martin, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: Aaron Ford. 8 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub, 464 First St. E. Sonoma, 935-0660
Tonight, March 4: Kevin Russell and his so-called friends. 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: Sean Carscadden Trio. 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 6: Ten Foot Tone. 7 p.m.

Olde Sonoma Public House, 18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs, 938-7587
Sunday, March 6: Karaoke. 7:30 p.m.

Plaza Bistro, 420 First St E. Sonoma, 996-4466
Tonight, March 4: Le Hot Jazz Trio. 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: the Drifting Rich. 7 p.m.

Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall, 401 Grove St. El Verano, 343-0044
Tonight, March 4: Tri Tip Trio, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: Freeworks, 8:30 p.m.

Schellville Grill, 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, 996-5151
Saturday, Feb. 27: Butch Engle and Styx. 12:30 p.m.

Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall, 452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma, 996-1364
Tonight, March 4: the New Copasetics. 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: the Marks Brothers. 5 p.m. T-Luke and the Tight Suits. 8 p.m.

Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 996-5217
Saturday, March 5: Somebody’s Darling. 2 p.m.

Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First St. W. Sonoma, 938-4105
Sons of Italy Dance. Reservations Required. 938-1295
Saturday, March 5:Tommy Thomsen Band. 6 p.m.
If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it.