The “Hippie Mountain Music” sounds of Wildflower Weed will take over Mondo American Beer Garden on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 6:30 p.m. The band is a rotating group of musicians around former Black Point String Band members Mary Bennett and Lane Means, with tonights show bringing in Chris Kelly from Hobo Jungle on bass and Gary Ruiz, from Phil’s Harmonic Orchestra, among other local acts, on guitar. There will be solo sets from Means and Bennett and the Trees as well. The band has a folk-country-Americana sound, similar to Kate Wolf and Gillian Welch. There is no cover for the show.
The Plaza Bistro has the John Dodgshon Jazz Group in the back room tonight, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. for an evening New Orleans blues and dixieland syncopation. The group features John Dodgson on trumpet, Si Perkoff on electric piano, Don Bennett on bass, and Richard Hadlock on sax. There is no cover for show, which is presented by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society.
Olive & Vine has the Plan Be Band back for an evening of funky jazz and blues tonight, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has live music all weekend, starting tonight, Jan. 7, with locals the Sonoma Mountain Band, for a 7 p.m. show. The band is one of the longest running acts at the pub, with good reason, as they always lay down a nice mix of bluegrass, country and folk. Showtime is 8 p.m. Saturday brings in the bluegrass sounds of Dr. Elmo and Wild Blue, also for an 8 p.m. show. The good doctor insists the band plays all the bluegrass songs other bands refuse to play. We’ll have to take his word for it. Sunday, Jan. 9, has the local duo of Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly for an early show kicking off at 6 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards has Eric Cabalo in the tasting room on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Imagery Estate Winery will showcase the Cork Pullers on Saturday, Jan. 8, for a 1 p.m. show. The band takes you through a musical journey of folk songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s, while adding their own twist to the pieces.
The Hellhounds are on the road tonight, Jan. 7 to Napa at Uva Trattoria for an 8:30 p.m. show.
EZ Kewl is winding down its schedule with King Daddy Murr with a show at A’Roma Roasters in Santa Rosa tonight, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. We’ve heard the band will play on after the popular drummer has left for New Orleans. Stay Tuned.
Local jazz legends Mad and Eddie Duran will be in San Francisco on Saturday, Jan. 8, for a show at Cafe Claude at 8 p.m.
Local musician Chris Hanlin has released a solo album, titled “Hand to Mouth”, with a CD release party recently in Lake Forrest at the Gypsy Lounge in Southern California. Although billed as a solo, the singer-songwriter has the backing of a four-piece string quartet on many of the songs. Hanlins story is an interesting one. Originally from Portland Indiana, the young musician made his way to Long Beach, near Los Angeles, after a failed romance in 1989. “I just threw my guitars and clothes in the car and drove to Southern California” said Hanlin. While there, he did what musicians in L.A. do; played bars and clubs and paid music “dues,” regularly performing with the edgy blues outfit Bourbon Jones, and his own musical outlet, the Dibs. While there, some of the folks he met were of Native American descent, Lakota Sioux to be exact, and soon Hanlin found himself at a reservation in South Dakota. It was there that he was told by the medicine man of the tribe that he was to write music and play; music that would ease specific feelings in people; anger, loneliness.
The vibe was so strong that Hanlin knew what he needed to do. With his newlywed wife Kelly, he packed up the car one more time and moved to Sonoma Mountain. Like many that arrive in Sonoma Valley, he came for a visit and knew this was where he needed to live. The album has been a years long, but deliberate project, with trips back and forth to Long Beach, where he had musicians and studio connections with film folks as well. The making of the album and its progress were recorded and there is a DVD to accompany the album. The video for the single, “Come Back Baby,” was shot in the redwoods on Sonoma Mountain. The CD release party was also filmed. Even though the songs on the album were written to be able to be performed as a solo act, Hanlin wanted to recreate the process that took him years to accomplish as close to the recordings at least one time. Future plans include taking his solo performance on the road regionally, more with the house concert and listening group circuits. Hanlin will be enlisting a promoter friend out of Seattle to help with the logistics. “I’m a writer and performer” said Hanlin. “The business aspect of the music world has always been a mystery to me. I just want to play and bring music to the people.” To keep up with Hanlin and what he’s doing, point your browser to www.chrishanlin.com
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Mithc Woods and his Rocket 88s – Saturday, Jan. 8.
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219
Tainted Love – Friday, Jan. 7.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343
Daniel Castro/Ron Thompson – Saturday, Jan. 8.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343
Petty Theft – Friday, Jan. 7.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Johnny Downer Tribute – Saturday, Jan. 8.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Los Lobos – Saturday, Jan. 8.
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000
Willie Nelson – Sunday, Jan. 9- Wednesday, Jan. 12 – four shows.
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000
George Winston – Friday, Jan. 7.
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372