Ventura Music Photos – December 2016

Posted on December 11, 2016 by venturarocks

Squashed Grapes – December 22, 2017
Tilford Jackson Christmas Show

Grapes and Hops – December 21, 2017
The Swillys

Majestic Ventura Theater – December 18, 2016
Holiday Sing-Along

Ones To Watch Productions at Poinsettia Pavilion – December 17, 2016
The White Buffalo

The Wine Rack – December 17, 2017
Paul McCallum and Friends

Hong Kong Inn – December 9, 2016
Sugaray Rayford – photo credit: Candace Marshall

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 12/7 – 12/20

Posted on December 7, 2016 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Swing in the Season!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
There are plenty of music related holiday events to get you into the swing of the season. Let’s start with the Ones to Watch Productions hosting their first show at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Friday, December 16, with The Brambles and Bryan Titus Duo opening up for The White Buffalo. As you may know, Steve and Polly Hoganson (formerly of Zoey’s) continue to help artists featuring showcases such as this around the Gold Coast. This intimate holiday concert being called “I’m dreaming of a White Buffalo Christmas” features the incredibly talented Jake Smith whose songs have been featured in many films and television shows including “Sons of Anarchy.” Polly told me, “We’re excited to bring Jake The White Buffalo back to Ventura for another holiday concert and food drive to benefit Turning Point Foundation. It’s OTW Productions first time show at the lovely Poinsettia Pavilion and we hope to bring more concerts to this event center.” If you’ve caught one of Jake’s concert before, you won’t want to miss him up close and personal, Polly said, “The White Buffalo’s rare solo performances are special because you get an intimate insight into his songwriting and a connection that you don’t normally get at an arena show.”

Kelly’s Lot will be at Four Brix Winery on Saturday, December 10. The band recently released a new song, “Colours of December” in honor of members of the military and their families. There will be a silent auction and donations accepted for TAPS, an organization that provides assistance to families who have lost a family member in the military. Four Brix will be offering tri-tip dinners and pizzas, doors open at 5, Kelly’s Lot plays at 7.

Chopper Fest arrives at the Ventura Fairgrounds on Sunday, December 11 with live music from The Shari Puorto Band, Hard Six and One More From the Road, a Lynryd Skynyrd tribute band; there will be a pre party the night before at The Tavern with music from Revolution Mother and the Rubberneck Lions.

Big props to Tommy and Paddy Marsh who will open for The Robert Cray Band at the Rose in Pasadena on December 9.

The 14th annual Nardcore Xmas food drive will be at The Garage on Saturday, December 17 featuring music from Shattered Faith, Hymen Blasters, Mother of Dissension, COA and Side Effects. Along with accepting canned goods, the organizers are asking for new blankets and/or cash donations which will go to Food Share of Oxnard. Tax deductible receipts available.

You finally you should take a break from shopping and take the whole family out for a good old fashion holiday sing-along at the Ventura Theater. This event will be held on Sunday December 18 from 3-5 pm. Price of entry is one new unwrapped toy per family.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? 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 – 11/23 – 12/6

Posted on November 21, 2016 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Welcoming the Holidays!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I can safely say the holiday season is upon us and what better way to celebrate than with one of my favorite fundraisers, the 4 Kids 2 Kids Toy Drive. The event will be held at the Ventura Beach Club on Sunday, November 26 from 3 to 11 pm with honorary guest and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Nick St. Nicolas (Steppenwolf, World Classic Rockers). On the bill to perform will be Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers, Michael John & the Bottom Line, Tom & Milo, Preston Smith, Tommy Marsh, Sean Wiggins & IOne gOat, Kelly Zirbes, Joy Burnworth and more; plus, you won’t want to miss a special appearance by Santa (aka Gary Gordon Goff). The price of admission is only $15 and an unwrapped toy. You can learn more about this unique and important non-profit organization at 4K2Konline.org.

The following weekend, one of my favorite events hailed as “The social event of the year” will take over Main Street downtown on Saturday, December 3, for the Ventura Winter Wine Walk which also includes a holiday street fair. You’ll find all kinds of great gift ideas at the street fair which runs from Noon until 8 pm and is free to the public. There will be snow fall at 6:45 at the corner of California and Main with live music and of course the highlight itself, the Wine Walk between 4 and 7 pm, you can get ticket information at www.VenturaWinterWineWalk.com.

Don’t miss Smitty and Julia performing with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra at the band’s holiday dance at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Saturday, December 3. Tickets are $15 at the door. Then the next day, the Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association will be presenting their annual Christmas music show at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Sunday December 4 from 2-4 pm. All ages are welcome, there is no cover for this one.

Dirty Rice recently opened for Tribal Theory at the Ventura theater. The band has a new EP called “Heart of a Lion” and features songs about struggle, abandonment, surviving and overcoming, to fighting the battles that life spontaneously brings you, including bullying, childhood cancer and something as simple as love. You can get in on iTunes.

Aron Van Alstine, music teacher singer/songwriter in Ojai recently released a new single, a protest song, in honor of election day called “Both Sides of the Fence.” He’s working a new album for 2017 called “The Revenge of Rock’’Roll.”

And finally, you know I’m always interested in new projects and one that sounds pretty interesting is called Bromero Captain Q & Flashman featuring members of The Jelly (Brandon Romero and Jaymes Quirino) and Goodnight Kiss (Rene Ponce). Their first gig at Amigos will be Sunday, November 27 at 5 pm.

Ventura Music Photos: November 2016

Posted on November 19, 2016 by venturarocks

The Wine Rack – November 18, 2016
H04 featuring Hans Ottsen, Jacob Scesney, Tyler Hammond & Danny Connell – photo credit: Henning Ottsen

Grammy In My District

Posted on November 9, 2016 by venturarocks

Article in Ventura Breeze 11/9/16 – 11/22/16 issue
Written by Pam Baumgardner

Robert Fisher, Congresswoman Julia Brownley and John Baffa.

One of the highest musical accomplishments one can earn is the Grammy awarded by the Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. And though most people think of the Grammys as just an annual televised event featuring their favorite artists, the organization actually goes above and beyond with advocacy and helping to effect public policy. One of those advocacy groups is “Grammys in my District” launched in 2014 and is now held throughout the United States in order to bring music creators to the local offices of elected officials in their own districts. The purpose is to let lawmakers know that music creators are an important part of their voting constituency and to discuss the important issues in their industry.

On October 26, music professionals from our area including Bevan Manson, Toni Jannotta and Grammy winner John Baffa (TV Tray Recording Studio) met with Congresswoman Julia Brownley who represents the 26^th District of California at her office in Thousand Oaks.

The Fair Pay Fair Play Act (H.R. 1733) – The Fair Play Fair Pay Act is bipartisan legislation that will reform music licensing for sound recordings. The bill modernizes music licensing in a logical, comprehensive way. It will ensure that all music services play by the same rules, while protecting small broadcasters, so that music creators receive fair market value for their work.

The Allocation for Music Producers Act (H.R. 1457) – Music producers are an integral part of the creative process for a sound recording, yet they have never been mentioned in copyright law. The AMP Act would allow producers and engineers to get direct payment of their digital royalties through SoundExchange. This bipartisan bill has no opposition and is non-controversial.

And Reforming the Consent Decrees for Songwriters & the Songwriter Equity Act (H.R. 1283) —Songwriters are subjected to decades-old consent decrees that restrict how ASCAP and BMI, the two largest performing rights organizations, license their work. This summer, the DOJ issued a harmful decision making the consent decrees even worse. Congress should ensure that songwriters ultimately get the reforms they need to receive fair compensation. H.R. 1283 is step toward reform that modernizes the rate setting process for songwriters.

The meeting went extremely well. Baffa felt that the Congresswoman was very receptive to the concerns brought to the meeting. He said, “I feel like she is already a champion of the arts, but it was good to meet with her and to confirm that.”

As far as the bottom line goes, Baffa explained, “Ultimately, we need to ensure consistency and fair pay for musicians and music creators, especially in this digital age. These laws will better protect us and provide a more modern structure for the business of music.”

Baffa won his Grammy a couple of years ago for “Plectra and Percussion Dances,” by Partch in the Best Classical Compendium category. He said, “It’s an amazing alternative avant-garde classical album, performed on hand-built instruments constructed specifically for this music.”

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 11/9 – 11/22

Posted on November 7, 2016 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
You won’t want to miss Fortunate Youth when they open for Slightly Stoopid at the Ventura Theater, Friday, November 11. They’re the creators of one of the biggest and most successful reggae compilations in the world, with all proceeds donated to different charities that the band tries to support from Cancer Awareness to helping Children who have lost music programs due to under funding. Also at the theater will be the local favorites Dirty Rice opening for Tribal Theory on Saturday, November 12 and then the following week it’s Pennywise with Strung Out and Unwritten Law on Friday, November 18, and of course Suicidal Tendencies with Good Riddance on Saturday, November 19.

Congratulations to Rachel Flowers who was interviewed for the November issue of Keyboard Magazine (the one with Norah Jones on the cover). Her film “Hearing is Believing” by Lorenzo DeStefano was just featured at the 17th Annual Ojai Film Festival.

I’m all about good causes especially when good causes are in conjunction with great music, and so it goes with the fundraiser on Saturday, November 12, at the Ventura Beach Club for The Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) in Ventura. The event will run 6-10 pm and will feature Deb Ryder, Ray Jaurique & The Uptown Brothers and Kelly’s Lot. You can always count on Kelly Zirbes for going above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to taking care of abandoned cats and dogs. Admission is only $10 and all proceeds will go to C.A.R.L. As a side note, Kelly and husband Perry just opened for the iconic Don Mclean at the Rose in Pasadena.

I’ll be honest, I’m really looking forward to “The Pretty Things,” a David Bowie tribute band at O’Leary’s November 12. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “My teenage years would not have been the same without Bowie.”

The Barrelhouse Wailers will be hosting another Speakeasy swing dance night on November 19 at the Ventura Beach Club. The evening will start with lessons at 8 pm with Kim Clever and David Frutos, then live music from 9 to midnight. Of course, costumes are encouraged but not required.

Goodnight Kiss are currently in the studio recording their first EP; Medicine Hat will be going back into the studio soon; Hard Six just finished a video soundtrack recorded at Megasound Studios; the Rubberneck Lions just released new music via social media with their first single, “Head Case by Case”; Ashford Gordon’s CD release party has been postponed until after the New Year; Smitty and Julia’s new CD, “Made in Ojai” is now available on CD Baby; and congratulations to all of the Mayor’s Arts Awards recipients with a big shout out to local musician/teacher, Jodi Farrell. It’s well deserved my friend!

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/26 – 11/8

Posted on October 23, 2016 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Halloween and much more!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

With Halloween falling on a Monday night this year, most venues are offering up parties the weekend before:

On Friday night (the 28th), Bombay’s will host Hotel Clownafornia; The Garage has a Halloween Monster Bash with Radio Threat, Cursed Bastards and Inazuma; and there’s a Halloween party with American Hoss at the Golden China.

On Saturday night (the 29th) look for A Nightmare on Main Street at Amigos with DJ JScratch; there’s the 2nd annual Halloween Hoedown at Gigi’s with Jackass, Norco-Cryptkicker and The Kreeps; Discovery has Dawn of the Dreads with Arise Roots, Iya Terra and Ital Vibes; there’s a Zombie party at Saloon BBQ with Skin n Bones; the SPRP Halloween costume party will be at the Red Cove with Seven 40 Seven, The Kane Gang, The Airmen, The Rouse, The Lower Echelon; Café Fiore has Soul Infusion; the Sewer has DJs Darko, Pistolero and Spinobi; the Keynote has UnUsual Suspects; and it’s the Tony Ybarra trio at Squashed Grapes.

There’s a couple of worthy Blues shows coming up at the Hong Kong Inn that you won’t want to miss including Hi Hat Entertainment presenting the Shari Puorto Band on Friday, October 28, then that Sunday, October 30, Crooked Eye Enterprises presents The Forty Fours with a special show at 4 pm.

The Majestic Ventura Theater continues to bring great shows to town with Aaron Lewis (Staind) on Wednesday October 26; The Pixies on Friday, October 28; Dwight Yoakam on Thursday, November 3; and Nahko and Medicine for the People on Saturday November 5.

It’s been awhile since the Pretty Uglys have played in town so I’m looking forward to catching their punk rock/glam band show when they kick off their U.S. tour by playing at Sans Souci on Friday, November 4th. If you miss that show they’ll be on the back stage at Bombay’s on Saturday November 5.

Bad Sam Presents D.R.I. and The Dwarves at the Garage on Thursday, October 27.

Bobby West returns to Squashed Grapes on Friday, November 4 and the following day Kevin Winard will hold a drum clinic hosted by Pulse Drumming to be followed by a performance that evening with none other than saxophonist, Tom Scott.

If you’re in the Camarillo area, you won’t want to miss The Swing Shift, a big band featuring vocalist Jan Nelsen. Their next couple of gigs at the Sportsman in Camarillo will be held October 23 and then again on November 27 from 5-8 pm. They typically play the fourth Sunday of the month (except for December). And then the Starlight Supper Club will hold a fundraising event for Project Understanding on Saturday, November 5 at the Serra Event Center also in Camarillo featuring the Ventura Jazz Orchestra sextet featuring vocalist Donna Greene.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/12-10/25

Posted on October 9, 2016 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Ebbs and Flows of our Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Nobody likes change, especially when it involves the closing of another venue which offered live music. I’ll admit to my disappointment; especially when walking by Saturday night and not hearing upbeat live music from W20 at the Watermark. I wanted to berate Hartley for letting us down, but you know, he and Kathy sort of deserve less stress in their lives. It would have made the blow easier knowing the new tenants would carry on with live music, but alas, it doesn’t appear they will. I’m trusting the other venues in town to pick up the slack and help out the bands scrambling to find places to play. I always say there are ebbs and flows with Ventura’s music scene. Guess which one we’re in.

Doing his best to pick up the slack of course is Mike Toler just around the corner from W20 at Amigos. He’s got a nice line up of music scheduled including Mi6 on Sunday October 23d. He told me that he’s looking forward to the return of his friend Wes Nile and Mi6. He said, “The last time we had them at Amigos they really brought it with something I had not seen before. Imagine listening to a DJ but the DJ was being replaced by a band, and unless you were in front of the band, you wouldn’t know the difference!”

I’m glad I was able to witness the return of Cirith Ungol at the Ventura Theater during the Frost and Fire II fest. The City of Ventura was scheduled to recognize their reuniting after 25 years at the City Council meeting on Monday the 10th. I’ve heard European dates will be coming up for them in 2017.

SteampunkFest will be held at the Heritage Square in Oxnard on October 15th and 16th. The event is being touted as kid friendly with wacky events all day. Some of the bands scheduled include 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Abby and the Myth, Cirque Des Betes, and of course the Velveteen Band. For more information and ticket prices, check out www.OxnardSteamPunkFest.com.

I’m hearing good things about the band, Big Jesus, an alt-rock band out of Atlanta, GA, who will be coming to town this month. They’ve been getting a lot of good coverage for their latest release; Rolling Stone Magazine praised them for “reviving 90’s alternative” which happens to my favorite era of music. Actually the entire week at the Ventura Theater will be rockin’ with Yellowcard on the 19th, Garbage on the 20th, Ben Folds on the 21st, Common Kings on the 22nd and wrapping up the week will be Big Jesus opening for Good Charlotte on Sunday the 23rd.

And finally, happy anniversary to Sheldon and the staff of the Ventura Breeze. I would like to personally thank Sheldon for supporting Ventura’s music scene by devoting a full page to its coverage.