Greg’s Happenings
I conquered two of my biggest fears last week: fear of poison oak, and fear of singing in front of people! Shortly after my family moved from Oahu to Sacramento, I started hiking in Northern California. I made the mistake of venturing too far into the very rugged Yuba River area, outside Nevada City, and came back with the nastiest case of poison oak you could ever imagine! And I was in utter misery for the next two weeks. That was back in the summer of ’83; and ever since, I’ve had a severe poison oak phobia. Then, on September 27, 2008 I attended Columbia’s Poison Oak Festival. I had a whole lotta fun! (See photo essay in this issue!) And now, I have a newfound respect for poison oak – while my phobia has all but disappeared!
The second fear I overcame was public singing/performing. But I have conquered this fear, as the Beatles and Joe Cocker say, “with a little help from my friends!” A few Thursdays ago, I was sitting in at Twain Harte’s Courtside Bar and Grill’s karaoke night. The staff there is familiar with me, the hippy-dippy “ Man on the Street”/distribution driver/paparazzi, and they wanted me to get up there before everybody and make a fool of myself. Deep down, I’d always wanted to take the mike and sing karaoke; but I was afraid. So, week after week, I would tell them, “Next week I’ll do it.” They got a little tired of hearing that, though. So, last Thursday, I tried changing my stalling tactics: I told them I’d sing “after midnight!” They thought I meant “After Midnight”, the song. I meant. Literally, after midnight; after mostly everyone probably would have left. Then, J.P., the D.J. approaches me. He says “Come on, Greg, time for you to sing!” To which I replied, “J.P.I said after midnight – and it’s only 9:00 pm.” So, he returned to his control center and introduced a female singer, who proceeded to bring down the house with her rendition of “Hollerback Girl” I thought I was off the hook; and then here comes J.P. towards me again. “O.K., Greg, its time! I look up and he’s got the intro to “After Midnight” up on the overhead monitor – and he thrusts the mike at me! “Shoot man, O.K.” I say. As I started to sing, I felt this incredible adrenaline rush! I got through the song – and even received some applause! I want to thank Beth and Sally, the bartender/waitresses, and Dan, the manager, for helping me get out of my “comfort zone”! – And J.P., the D.J., for making me a singing star – even if it was only for one night. Now it’s on to American Idol! No, I forgot. I’m too old to be on that show. But there is that other show, America’s Got Talent! Hey! The Mother Lode’s got talent!!
Speaking of Courtside Bar and Grill: they’re serving another new beer, Black Diamond’s India Pale Ale! “British inspired – American made” is the brewer’s motto. The company describes it as “a straw-colored ale that is highly hopped and has a full flavor of hops.” Manager Dan is excited about this beer: I’m really stoked over serving Black Diamond because it’s brewed in my hometown of Concord, and we’re the only place serving it! This reporter sampled Black Diamond, and I must say, it’s pretty good, indeed!
BREAKING NEWS! The legendary Nugget Bar in Murphys has re-opened! The establishment had closed its doors in May of ’07, and a lot of people mourned the loss of their favorite little dive bar. But, during all that time, the Nugget was going through an incredible metamorphosis! Carpenters were busy at work during those 16 months giving the place a major makeover! This reporter took a tour of the place a few days ago, and was blown away! Owner Dennis Sanfilippo has transformed the Nugget into a major GROOVY Place! There are now two pool tables, two gigantic flat-screen plasma TV’s, stunning abstract art portraits of Janis Joplin, Frank Sinatra, John Lee Hooker and Miles Davis. Cool, man, cool! And the place is now furnished with, among other things, several comfy couches with groovy patterns on their fabric. And owner Dennis is a cool dude, too! Says he might start up karaoke in Murphys real soon; probably be on a Wednesday, he reveals. So as I’m sipping my beer and munching out on the free pretzels, Dennis tells me he enjoys chatting with his customers: music, current events, etc. He wants to welcome all the old patrons back, and invite those who had never stopped into the Nugget before. “Come on over to the NEW/old Nugget!!!”
Another “in” spot in Murphys is the “Growler” Crafter Brewery! Their “Live Music on The Patio” music series continues! Fiddles, Etc. will perform bluegrass and country music Friday night, October 3rd – with special guest guitar pickers, brothers Shane and Stephen Strong, collectively known as Still Life. There should be a whole lotta pickin’ goin’ on! Then, on the 10th, the incredible Bobby (Billeci) plays sax, as the incomparable Natalia (Susoeff) sings and plays her keyboard. They call themselves the Diamond Duo, and they perform an infectious and delightful blend of pop, jazz, folk and bossa nova. You’ll enjoy them, totally!
Are you ready for the finale? Ironstone brings their Summer Concert Series to an exciting climax, Saturday night, October 4th with the legendary Bonnie Raitt! She will headline; the Blind Boys of Alabama will open! I love Bonnie Raitt! She is one of the most enchanting and captivating female blues-rock guitarists around; and one of the few who can play bottleneck, too! She’s also a fascinating person! Born in Burbank, CA, she is the daughter of Broadway singer John Raitt (star of the Pajama Game and Carousel). Bonnie began playing guitar at age 12. She quickly adopted blues as her predominant style; but she still incorporates a little pop, rock and folk into her repertoire. She’s a superstar now, but fame didn’t come easily. She released nine albums before she hit the big time: Bonnie Raitt (1971), Give It Up (1972), Takin’ My Time (1973), Street Lights (1974), Home Plate (1975), Sweet Forgiveness (1977), The Glow (1979), Green Light (1982) and Nine Lives (1986). And then, her “breakthrough” album Nick of Time (1989) “smoothed out her rough bluesy edges, yet avoided crass commercialism,” states Rolling Stone. Selling 4 million copies, this LP topped the charts and won a Grammy for “Album of the Year” at the 1990 ceremonies. Bonnie also earned a Grammy for “Best Traditional Blues Recording” for “In the Mood”, a duet with John Lee Hooker on his “The Healer” album. Bonnie’s 1991 LP, Luck of the Draw (hitting #2 on the charts) produced the hits “Something to Talk About” (#5), and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (#18). The album sold over 4 million copies and garnered three more Grammies: album of the year, best female rock vocal and best pop vocal performance! 1994 saw Bonnie’s LP, “Longing in Their Hearts” go platinum, sell over 2 million copies and yield the hit, “Love Sneakin’ Up on You (#19).
Bonnie became the first woman guitarist to have a guitar named after her! And, royalties from the sale of The Fender Bonnie Raitt Signature Series Stratocaster go towards programs to teach inner-city girls to pay guitar! Hear that Modesto, Stockton, Fresno, Sacramento? You guys need to come up to Ironstone, now, and support Bonnie! By the way, Bonnie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000! DON’T MISS HER!!! For info and tickets, call 209-551-TIXS, or, log on: www.ticketmaster.com.
Peace, Love and – blues singin’, bottleneckin’, female guitar players!
