Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/28-3/13

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Our community’s heartfelt thanks go out to the Ventura Music Festival for the exceptional talent they brought for the Concert for Ventura on Sunday, February 25 at Mission Park. The free family-friendly concert featured Tom Scott and the LA Express, John Ferguson and friends as well as the VC Singers and VMF Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta. Both Scott and Ferguson call Ventura home so it was extra special having them perform. The special event was designed to help give thanks to first responders, to solace those who have lost and to celebrate our community through the healing power of music.

JD has announced the dates for this year’s Surf Rodeo and tickets are on sale now at www.SurfRodeo.org. The music line-up is yet to be announced, but know this, the earlier you purchase your tickets, the more you save. The music and surf festival will fall over the weekend of July 14th and 15th at Pierpont Beach at the end of Seaward. Sponsorships, and vendors are lining up as we speak, if you’re interested just go to their website.

I’m sorry to report that we have lost local icon, John Robert Mosby, who passed away on February 19th. Johnny, along with his wife, Jonie, performed as Mr. and Mrs. Country Music recording over a dozen albums, charting seventeen times on the country charts and won two Academy of Country Music awards in the sixties. He was also a life time member of this Academy and served a president for two years in the early 80’s. Though the two loved to tour they decided to buy a club to play in while at home which luckily for Ventura was the Ban-Dar which would continue to be our local Honky-Tonk where the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard or Johnny Cash would drop in for a spell. Johnny owned and operated the Ban-Dar for over 42 years. There will be a special celebration of his life at the Ventura Beach Club on March 11 with a jam for any musicians who would like to pay tribute.

Quick notes: Dylan Garcia has signed a management deal with Romulo Canizales and he’s gearing up to work with Grammy, Oscar nominated, multi-platinum, Diamond Certified Record Producer Ronnie King for his next single; Wrecking Crew member, Don Randi returns to Squashed Grapes for a CD release party on Saturday, March 3 and then he’ll be performing with Shari Puorto for a Hi Hat Entertainment show at the Hong Kong Inn on Friday, March 16; Tickets are on sale for shows at the Ventura Theater for Flogging Molly on March 19, Ministry on March 23 and the Descendants for May 3; Tickets are on sale for shows at Discovery for Donavon Frankenreiter on March 16 and Ozomatli on March 31; and finally, Winchesters Grill will start offering live music on the weekends starting March 2nd with Dan Grimm.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? 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 – 8/16 – 8/29

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I’d like to start off with sharing a couple of my favorite music highlights from the past few weeks. First there was Shinedown at the Ventura County Fair; Brent Smith’s vocals are just incredible! And then Squashed Grapes hosted Don Randi on Friday, August 11. Randi was one of the original members of the Wrecking Crew and opened The Baked Potato (famous jazz club in LA) in 1970. He not only played the keyboards like none other, but he shared so many anecdotes from the Wrecking Crew days. Stories about working with Glen Campbell, Neil Diamond, Nancy Sinatra and Brian Wilson, but learning that he actually played on Pet Sounds, and tunes like “Good Vibrations” and “Cracklin’ Rosie” well, it was an amazing evening. Kudos to Squashed Grapes for their continuous support of jazz and bringing artists like this to our town. Yeah, I confess I dusted off my copy of Pet Sounds; it really holds up as one of the top LPs of all time.

Attention Deadheads! The Museum of Ventura County will host a special concert on Saturday, August 26 with the Grateful Dead tribute band Cubensis as they recreate the era’s unique and eclectic styles of rock, psychedelia and experimental music. Doors open at 4 p.m. The concert runs from 5-8 p.m. Admission is $15/members, $20/non-members. A no-host bar will be available.

Spencer Makenzie’s End of Summer Block Party will be held the final weekend of August with free music. On Friday, August 26, you can catch Rey Fresco, then on Saturday, August 27, it will be Highway Starr followed by Mandex. During the day, it’s their annual cornhole tournament called “The Throw Down” pulling in contestants from all over the U.S. competing for over $32,000 in cash payouts. There will be 192 teams competing so get out and cheer them on!

PRIDE Festival returns to Promenade Park this year on Saturday, August 19. All proceeds raised will go to sustain the Community Resource Center serving the LGBTQ community here in Ventura County. Entertainment will include Sean Wolf G & the Country Bear Jamboree, DJ Joseph with Music Box and Michelle Rosenblum. Lady Bunny will be on hand as Pride’s emcee.

Music Under the Stars continues with its summer concert series. Coming up Saturday, August 19, it’s a tribute to Oingo Boingo with the band Dead Man’s Party; and then Saturday, August 26, it’s a night of Motown sound with the Blues Breeze Band which has already sold out. For ticket information on all remaining shows go to the City’s website (www.CityofVentura.ca.gov).

Quick Notes: Goodnight Kiss EP release party will be held at Bombay’s Saturday, August 19; Fallen Saints will be opening for Great White at the Canyon Club on Friday, August 25; Agent Orange takes over Discovery on Sunday, August 27;

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? 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 – August 2017

Beach House Tacos – August 27, 2017
Anchor & Bear (Photo credit: KC Staples)


Historic Olivas Adobe – Music Under the Stars – August 26, 2017
The Blues Breeze Band

Squashed Grapes – August 19, 2017
Paul Weitz Trio with Donna Deussen


Amigos – August 11, 2017
Los Dudes


Squashed Grapes – August 11, 2017
Don Randi (The Wrecking Crew)


Ventura County Fair – August 9, 2017
Shinedown