Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/29 – 4/11

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Local Music and More!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Scott Belsha, Joshua Moreau, Jon Bon Jovi, Natalie Gelman and Nathan McEuen taken February 28, 2017 at Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA. Photo credit: David Bergman.

There’s something to be said for when you open for Bon Jovi, and that something is “Holy Moly!!” Natalie Gelman and Nathan McEuen opened for Bon Jovi who is out promoting their latest album, “This House is Not for Sale.” Nathan also had the opportunity play one of his own songs, “Lately” to the sold-out crowd.

The Tossers, Britrock extravaganza, will be playing three nights in a row with two nights at the Vine in Ojai (March 31 and April 1) playing more of the soft underbelly side of the British music scene especially since they’ll have a piano available; then the following day they return for the first Sunday residency at Amigo’s in Ventura. Nigel Chisholm of the Vine and John Fincham bass player come from the same music scene in Birmingham, England.

A number of local bands have been invited to perform during the Skull & Roses Festival at the Ventura Fairgrounds including Shaky Feelin’, The Deal, Unkle Monkey, Rachel Sedacca’s Scarlet-Fire and 9 Mile Skid. Tickets and full music listings can be found at SkullAndRosesFestival.com. The three-day event runs April 7 through April 9.

LA based jazz singer/songwriter, Saundra Booker & Friends will be performing on Thursday, March 30 at Squashed Grapes. After battling kidney cancer, Booker founded the Jazz Musicians Against Cancer Fund and Foundation; all money raised this evening will go the JMAC fund. Also, coming up at the Grape: The Jay Smith Group on March 31; Brad Rabuchin (five years with Ray Charles) & Friends will be there on the 6th; and the Jimmy Calire Trio (Raven, America) on the 7th.

Quick notes: Brian Nicolet returned to Ventura after living abroad and performing with the Phly Boyz based out of Nice, France for the past three years; both Kings Revenge and Honey Owl are about to go back in the studio, Honey Owl’s next gig in Ventura will be at Bombay’s on April 1st; Four Brix has Fido playing 5:30 – 7:30 on Friday, March 31 for Teacher’s Appreciation Night; and Champagne on Main returns to Ventura with DJs and local artists like Joe Hamilton at the Visitor’s Center playing on Saturday, April 8.

And finally, on my radio show, “The Pam Baumgardner Mostly Local Music Hour” on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM, be sure to tune in April 3rd when I play a cut from the Gentlemen’s Blues Club. Mick Tover of Dive Bar Messiahs was producer and founding member of GBC and he sent me a cover of “Whipping Post” featuring Alan “BB” Chung King Mirikitani on guitar. He told me that Dickie Betts was so impressed by the GBC’s version that he had his road manager contact them trying to recruit members to play with the Dickie Betts Band.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Or would you like to submit your music for possible inclusion on my radio show? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/15-3/28

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Local Music and More!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com


The Wine Rack on California Street has been sold. Darcy is moving on creating a family and taking over is Kristen Shubert who will be rebranding the venue soon as Vintura. She’s cutting back the music to weekends but I don’t think it will be for long as she gets grooved in on Ventura’s music scene.

The Sandbox Coffeehouse is celebrating their five-year anniversary with live music every weekend, which come to think of it, they already do. Congratulations to Todd and the crew and thanks for giving a platform to artists to share their craft.

ARC of Ventura County is working on raising awareness about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They’ve put together a great event for Saturday, March 18th at Bombay’s which will run 5-8 pm called, “Let’s Go Out!” It coincides with March being the National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Come out and enjoy the music from Fishfry, Seth Pettersen, The Vonettes and Deejay Steph. There is no cover, so bring the entire family!

Grapes and Hops is hosting a special event on Sunday, March 19 to help raise funds for Food Share featuring music from Crooked Eye Tommy, Jade Hendrix and Mr. O. Tickets are $25; the affair runs 5-9 pm.

To what was once home to the legendary Beatles that influenced the world with their music, comes a new wave of musicians from the city of Liverpool. The Falling Doves, Barry Sutton, Cal Ruddy and Sam Rabette (all Liverpool natives) will perform music that inspired American rock n roll. There’ll be music from The Beatles, The La’s, as well as their own compositions. Catch them on their Liverpool Legends Tour at Oxnard’s Copper Blues March 24th.

The Cask Alehouse is offering up music for the East Enders here in Ventura. They’re located at 5952 Telegraph road. You’ll find live music on Thursday nights at 8 pm. They’ll have Soul 4 II on March 16th, Frank Barajas on the 23rd and Lee Koch on the 30th.

There will be a Nat King Cole birthday celebration at Squashed Grapes on Friday, March 17 with Tilford Jackson and Friends; the Doug Webb group featuring Danny Carey of TOOL returns Saturday March 18; and the Denny Seiwell Trio featuring founding member of Paul McCartney and Wings will be there on Saturday, March 25.

And finally, my radio show, “The Pam Baumgardner Mostly Local Music Hour” on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM is starting to generate interest. I’m spinning tunes Tuesdays 5-6 pm with songs from Lee Koch and the Grinders, Bruce Forman, Joaquin Peck, Shelby Figueroa, Jade Hendrix, New Liberty, the Galactic Polecats, Brent Franklin, Dona Oxford and more. The station has been rebroadcasting the show during the week, so be sure to check in often for our local talent.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Or would you like to submit your music for possible inclusion on my radio show? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos – March 2017

Squashed Grapes – March 25, 2017
Denny Seiwell (Founding member Paul McCartney & Wings)


The Patio at Player’s Casino – March 25, 2017
Natalie Gellman


Amigo’s – March 24, 2017
Bad Leaf (Photo: Louis Olachea)


Squashed Grapes – March 18, 2017
Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey (TOOL) playing Johnny Be Goode tribute to Chuck Berry who passed away earlier that day at age 90.

Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey (TOOL) with Jacob Scesney


Discovery – March 17, 2017
50 Sticks of Dynamite
50 Sticks of Dynamite


The Tavern – March 15, 2017
Witchstone (Photo: Louis Olachea) #MetalWednesday

The Tavern – March 15, 2017
Spell (Photo: Louis Olachea)  #MetalWednesday


St Patrick’s Day Parade – Downtown Ventura
Squashed Grapes Parade Band
RJ Root, Trey O’Toole (Pulse Drumming), Dirk Shumaker (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), Karen Parkhouse (Barrelhouse Wailers) Pam Baumgardner (VenturaRocks.com) Drue Drew & Andrew Conchelos (Barrelhouse Wailers).


St Patrick’s Day Parade – Downtown Ventura
Diana Boydstun5, RJ Root, Pam Baumgardner
Diana, RJ & Pam photo


Majestic Ventura Theater – March 7, 2017
Social Distortion