Well Rancho Music Lovers -

It's been a while since I've checked in. Last Sunday, a stellar afternoon with the subdudes, with a jam packed lawn, began the second half of our BBQ series. Angela and I have had a great time visiting with many of you long time supporters, and after 18 years there are, fortunately, quite a few.
Good for all of us!

Every show has been top rate, with many full houses. In fact, I wanted to let you know that next Sunday's ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL show is Sold Out.
But there are 6 more BBQs after that, 5 of which celebrate both the rich musical talent and history we have here in the Bay Area.

PETTY THEFT (8/20) may be the most popular of the many "tribute" bands in Northern California, and for good reason. They execute one of the great songbooks of American music flawlessly and deserve their loyal following.

PABLO CRUISE, the band that I began my musical odyssey with in 1974, still play original, timeless music with the same energy that captured my imagination all those years ago. Amazing to me. (8/27)

Check out this new short documentary
"THE STORY OF PABLO".

Labor Day Weekend brings two iconic performing songwriters and one truly historic band. On Sunday, September 3 CHUCK PROPHET and the MISSION EXPRESS will rock the house with Chuck's unique crafted songs. MAURICE TANI, a true artist and gifted songwriter, is on board to open this show including material from his excellent new CD. You can check out a track here. This is a classy afternoon! 

On Labor Day Monday, THE SONS OF CHAMPLIN
return for what has become a great reunion of Marin
County's "old guard!". My longtime friend Bill was so ahead of his time that all these years later, his music is absolutely relevant.

WILLIE K WEEKEND

The one out of towner is from way out of town, like Maui. But WILLIE K actually lived in Marin for a number of years and Rancho Nicasio has become a comfortable landing spot for WILLIE and his band. So on Saturday night, September 9th we will have An Intimate Evening with Willie and a nice Hawaiian Dinner in the Rancho Room.
        Then we'll move outdoors on Sunday the 10th for another of  Willie's incredible BBQ appearances. All you WILLIE K fans know why I consider him the most talented all around musician I've ever come across. If you haven't experienced Willie before, be there if you can.

The last BBQ of 2017 will feature two eclectic Marin groups. We are calling it World Music Day. SOUL SKA, introduced to me by keyboardist extraordinaire Jonathan Korty includes members of other prominent Marin groups, Vinyl, Monophonics, Radio Fantastique and more. They are part of a SKA revival, infectious music that I was a big fan of 35 years ago. It is an offbeat, rhythmic and energetic precursor of reggae and also began in Jamaica. Great stuff.
BESO NEGRO has been around a bit longer. These are excellent musicians presenting a mixture of gypsy and Latin music. Both groups have very much helped continue the musical diversity that Marin County has been known for since the 1960's.

So there you have it. ALMOST.    

For those of you have seen our new gospel heroes THE SONS OF THE SOUL REVIVERS, especially if you were present for those Sunday nights this past March when we recorded a live record, the CD is now available. And I have to tell you, I have never been more proud to be associated with a project. Best live recording I've ever heard. So here's a link if you want to buy one. We will soon have some for sale at our General Store as well.

Hope I didn't wear you out, I don't have an editor.

See ya'll soon,