Point San Luis Lighthouse Concerts - 2020

Hi, all. Here’s the recap of the 2020 concert committee meeting on 12/9 with Deb, Jack, Tarren & myself.

With 8 concerts for the season, we’ve identified 3 that for should have dates:

Zongo All-Stars, Mother Corn Shuckers, and Tipsy Gypsies

We’ve assembled some other bands to consider for the additional 5 dates. Below you’ll find a synopsis and video for each band, and then a form for you to give your input. Here you go:

41K

41K is a Central Coast super-group, combining the talents of veteran players for the sole purpose of a soul-jazz purpose. Think George Benson, Bob Reynolds, Brother Jack McDuff, David Sanborn, Grant Green, Eddie Harris, John Scofield and many more. The band features musician/songwriter/producer Damon Castillo on guitar and musician/arranger/producer Dave Becker on all woodwinds. “When Dave and I met up to talk about starting a new project together, we knew it had to include our love of improvisation, but it also had to be both funky and soulful,” says Damon. The band also includes heavyweight bassist Dylan Johnson (Inga Swearingen, Dylan Johnson Quartet, Zongo All-Stars), session player extraordinaire Kristian Ducharme (Damon Castillo Band) on keys, and Daryl Vandruff (Typsy Gypsies, Mark Adams) on drums. The magic of this new ensemble is on display with every tune, with every member a master improviser. “The band already feels like we’ve been playing together for years,” says Becker. You can feel it too.

Kenny Lee Lewis / Barflyz / Friendz

Kenny has been a regular touring member, producer and writer for The Steve Miller Band since 1982.

An accomplished studio guitarist and bassist for over 30 years, a few of Kenny's other credits include Bonnie Raitt, Eddie Money, Dave Mason, Billy Preston, Peter Frampton, Boz Scaggs, Brian Wilson, and Steve Stills. He has has a good local following, lots of friends, and has 2 bands: Barflyz and The FrenZ:

A caberet-style quintet putting a twist on popular songs from the Classic Pop Rock Era, recent hits, and original compositions. Barflyz unique arrangement “mash-ups” take music from the Golden Era of pop music (60s-80s) and turn them into entirely new musical adventures, leaning primarily on acoustic instruments. Flavors of Jazz, Reggae, Swing, Blues, Latin and Indian music are infused with the popular songs of our youth. Performed by world-class musicians whose credits include, the recently inducted Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Steve Miller Band for over 35 years, Temptations, Manhattan Transfer, Rod Stewart, the role of Lucy in the Sky in the motion picture Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Diane Shurr and Marvin Hamlish. Barflyz performs regularly to sold-out crowds around its home base of The Central Coast, Ca. and is now stretching out to include Performing Arts Centers nationwide.

The FrenZ: Kenny’s latest group, performing his original music and favorite covers from the Golden Age of Classic Rock with his musical friends Bobby Santa Cruz-bass and lead vocals, Cliff Brockett– keys and vocals, Wyatt Lund-drums and Marty Townsend-guitar and vocals.

Poor quality cell phone video:

Proxima Parada

PRÓXIMA PARADA BLENDS SOULFUL MELODY AND HARD-HITTING RHYTHM INTO A SOUND DISTINCTLY THEIR OWN, GROOVY AND UPLIFTING. THEIR MUSIC MAKES INTROSPECTION AND HUMAN CONNECTION SEXY AGAIN. AFTER SIGNING WITH ANTIFRAGILE IN 2019, PRÓXIMA PARADA IS RELEASING A NEW ALBUM, KIND REMINDER, ON SEPTEMBER 27TH AND WILL TOUR THE US THIS FALL.

Their single, Time In A Circle, currently has over 1,700,000 plays on Spotify alone.

Starting in 2012 as a group of college friends wanting to extend their dynamic to their community in San Luis Obispo, CA, they never dreamed that their passion would reach a global audience, that they'd perform at beautiful historic venues and music festivals, that their songs would earn awards, that their music would soothe and uplift people around the world.

The starting lineup for Próxima Parada is Nick Larson (vocals, keys, guitar), Kevin Middlekauff (bass), Josh Collins (guitar), and Aaron Kroeger (drums).

UPSIDE SKA

The Upside is an exciting new music project by some of the players who brought you Rock Steady Posse, The Cheeseballs, Zongo All-Stars, Mosaic, and many other popular acts to the Central Coast.

The band is a tribute to old school Jamaican ska masters from the Skatalites, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley, Lee Scratch Perry, and more. The repertoire has a mix of some classics and some original selections.

Leading The Upside is front man Eric Cotton, who has been thrilling audiences for 30+ years throughout the Western United States and beyond. He leads a strong cast of characters:
• Jacob Odell - Guitar (Zongo All-Stars)
• Dylan. Johnson - Bass (Zongo All-Stars)
• Paul Irving - Trumpet (Zongo All-Stars)
• Sean Sullivan - Drums (Zongo All-Stars)
• Brett Malta - Trombone (Brass Mash)
• Brian Conaway - Saxes (33RPM)
• Lucas Pearson - Keys (33RPM)

This band is coming with high energy dance music - sure to make waves on the dance floor. So get off your seat and move your feet to The Upside's ska beat!

B & the Hive

Led by the stunning vocals of Brianna Lee, B & The Hive create music straight from the heart, and serve it up with an intensity that is undeniable. Whether belting out a guitar driven anthem, or singing a hauntingly beautiful ballad, the sound remains the same - engaging.

Lead vocalist, Brianna Lee, displays mesmerizing depth in each heartfelt ballad and airy rock tune. - The Bay Bridged, San Francisco

Dreamy. Steamy. Sultry. - Show Bams, Los Angeles

Be prepared to get goosebumps! - KC Turner Presents, San Francisco

B & the Hive’s blend of quintessential rock n’ roll, pop and soul sounds comes together effortlessly, while still managing to defy simple classification and creating a wholly distinctive genre of their own. - SLO Life Magazine, San Luis Obsipo

Carbon City Lights

Carbon City Lights is a groovy alternative rock band based in San Luis Obispo. Their sound blends folk, pop and rock with some funk, and even a little country twang. The band’s live performances are fun and energetic, and feature extended jams with tight rhythm and dueling guitars. Carbon City Lights started as a solo project by singer-songwriter, Michael Venia, in 2010 in Toronto, and morphed into a full band in 2018 with Central Coast locals Bret Heenan (lead guitar), Dan Hernandez (bass), and Gerald Purify (drums). Listeners will appreciate the authenticity that comes from Venia’s lyrics and shines through in his powerful vocals. Their music rings with influences of Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, and Coldplay. 

Singer-songwriter, Michael, picked up the guitar while growing up in Saudi Arabia listening to Rick Dees Top 40 international radio hits. As a teen, he was interviewed by CNN's Chief International Correspondent, Christiane Amanpour for a piece on Western music in the Middle East. After leaving Saudi Arabia, Michael gained traction in the music scene in Toronto, Canada while going to recording arts school and performing original music. As an audio engineer, he's produced his music independently and is now sharing his sound with the full band on the Central Coast.

Jill Knight

Jill Knight's soulful sound is unmistakable. A native of Savannah Ga, her music delivers a southern texture blending americana, blues and weaving in a little R & B that will take the listener on an unforgettable journey. Voted Best Songwriter on the Central Coast of California, 2018 New Times Music Awards. Nominated for the LA music awards “best female vocalist”, finalist at the Telluride Troubadour competition, a finalist at the National Academy of Songwriters "songwriter of the year" competition, finalist in Billboard magazines, "best unsigned band" contest, a regional best seller in Album Network magazine for her cd Future Perfect, best DIY albums in Performing Songwriter Magazine, Honorable mention NSAI songwriting competition, Finalist in the Acoustic Live songwriter competition. Jill has toured and shared stages with... India Arie, Shawn Colvin, David Wilcox, John Prine, The Tubes, The Doobie Brothers, Roger McGuinn, Laura Nyro, Chris Isaak, Delbert Mclinton, Michael Hedges, Phoebe Snow, Richard Thompson, Little Feat, David Lindley, Los Lobos, Peter Rowan and many others.

Back Pages Band

The Back Pages Band is five accomplished musicians with decades of experience playing live music venues throughout the Midwest, Rockies, and West Coast. The band strives to keep audiences on the dance floor with a diverse mix of classic rock, blues, and country music. 

Duane Stephens is originally from Hilmar California. He came to Cal Poly in 1979 where he joined a band called Bad Reputation. He sang with many groups over the years including the Skeptics in Davis California and the Lost Boy Trio in San Luis Obispo. In addition to performing with Back Pages Band, Duane has developed a well known reputation as doctor of veterinary medicine and has been a business partner of the Coast Veterinary Clinic in Morro Bay since 1991. 

Ted Pagel hails from Akron. He began playing bass in high school and enjoyed playing professionally in the music-rich culture of the Cleveland in the '70s. He performed with The Brighter Syde, Chosen Few, and Mantisa. Two of the members in the latter were Steve Barbuto and Freddie Salem who continued on playing with Commander Cody and The Outlaws respectively. Ted moved to Boulder playing with Whisper before college brought him to California in 1987. He retired from the telecom industry and cofounded Back Pages Band with Dave Smith in 2015.

Hal Guio grew up in Southern California jamming rock and blues tunes. At 18 he began playing lead guitar for the Bo Vado Blues band. A few years later he joined Shiloh, a successful dance band that played venues from Salt Lake City to Sitka, Alaska. Then Hal formed The Music Box duo with a talented singer/songwriter and spent the next five years performing across the western United States. Hal moved to the Central Coast to pursue a technical career while playing lead guitar for the band Held for Ransom and an original music band called Wild Anderson.

Robert Weatherford grew up in West L.A. then went to Cal Poly. He was a partner in a successful legal firm in San Luis Obispo until he retired a few years ago. While in college Bob joined a local band called the Pacific Street Blues Band which did very well regionally, performing at venues from The Palladium to Mavericks. They opened for the Osmond’s at one point and recorded at MGM studios. Bob has been a familiar player in the local music community for years. He also performs with local favorite Robi Duganne.

Dave Smith began playing drums professionally during high school in 1970 with an eight piece horn group that eventually reformed as a five piece band called Tinear. Based out of Wichita Kansas, they toured regionally between Montana, Illinois and Oklahoma until 1974 when Dave went back to Wichita State University. While there, Dave was in another local group named Axis. After a year living in Missoula Montana. Dave eventually moved to California in 1977 e enjoying a 30 year career with the City of SLO. Dave's interest in music resurfaced in 2015 when he co-founded Back Pages Band with Ted Pagel.

DANTE MARSH

Just won the “Best Performance” at this year’s New Times Music Awards. I’ve worked with Dante quite a bit and his energy is electric. People love him and would be really fun.