OK — you rock! Your neighbors know it, the clubs and parties you play know of it, and so do your fans, friends and family. Now, how the heck do you reach the rest of the world? Well, if you are a Petaluma based musician or band, you start by sending your photo, with a bio, a link to your web site, and up to three MP3’s (or your … Read More »

Larry Potts will be playing a CD Release party, as part of Petaluma’s new “capture and release” program for local artists. The basic idea is to capture the award winners (Larry has won national awards for his songwriting) and to wring a performance out of them (Larry excels at this) before releasing them back into their wild native habitat — in this case the clubs and concert halls of … Read More »

I’m a typical musician – nothing inspires me more than something new, something I’ve never heard before. And that extends beyond the latest new riff to an area where all of us have seen the same old thing over and over – the benefit for a worthy cause. Well, here in Petaluma, the “benefit” has been changed. And we’re going to all have a chance to participate in raising … Read More »

Sparked by one of the North Bay Area’s favorite singer songwriter performers, Linda Ferro, a benefit show for Haiti has come together this Thursday night, January 21st, from 6:30 PM on – at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa – who are generously donating their venue. Ticket price is a $10+ donation to Red Cross for Haiti relief efforts. The KRSH also is supporting this show, and Gretchen of the … Read More »

What a remarkable outpouring of love and friendship at the two benefits that went off a week ago! The Michael Whitwell celebration at Grazianno’s, and the John Gaines benefit at the Tradewinds were both well attended, with generous contributions significantly helping the causes. So, thank you! Besides the contributions of the musicians — which is a great strength and “natural” resource in our community — a few individuals really stand out … Read More »

We’re not talking about a newly uncovered hit from the 60’s by the Thirteenth Floor Elevator… but, first, before I explain, and before you do another thing, put this in your date book as a “must attend” musical event: “A Celebration of Life” honoring the memory of Michael Whitwell, this Sunday, November 1, from 4pm until 10pm, upstairs at Graziano’s in downtown Petaluma. Musical guests will include Peter … Read More »

Why do people like loud music? Really, in evolutionary terms, isn’t it somewhat like people who like to swim in sub-zero Arctic waters? Why do we enjoy something that essentially hurts and is not good for us? Or, is swimming in icy waters the only way to get that super high harmony? Back on dry land, who cares about the harmony if the sub-woofers are kicking … Read More »

First, put this in your date book as a “must attend” musical event: A Celebration of Life honoring the memory of Michael Whitwell, Sunday November 1, from 4pm until 10pm upstairs at Graziano’s in Downtown Petaluma. Musical guests will include Peter Welker All-Star Band featuring vocalist Jeff Oster, Crossfire, Hillside Fire, D’Bunchovus, Chris Samson and Friends, and The Gary Vogensen Group. Michael touched the lives of so many people — in the … Read More »

I was playing guitar, in an old country bar, in Occidental… (sounds like the intro to the Stone’s “Honky Tonk Women” doesn’t it?!) But it’s true — I was the lead guitarist in a country rock band called “Big Wheels” that played weekends at the bar at Negri’s Italian Restaurant — it had a nice dance floor, and in that era, bars were hard livin’ hard lovin’ smoky dives. Oh yeah. But there … Read More »

There used to be a sign over the bandstand in a honky-tonk bar in New Orleans that said it all: “Requests:  $1.00 -  “Oh when the saints” $20.00″ Telling, because there is SO much more to the music of New Orleans than “oh when the saints go marching in.”  Like gumbo, the piano music of Louisiana is a rich stew, that has influenced how everyone from the Rolling Stones to Randy Newman … Read More »