Blues Bash Will be Big Event at Local Winery
by Ruth Lepper

The Buick Wilson Band

A friendly family atmosphere under oak and apple trees is the setting for the annual Blues Bash on July 17 at Menghini Winery.

Produced by Robb Bower Presents and sponsored by Julian Merchants Association, there will be six bands featured throughout the day.

"Anytime we bring people up to this area, they’re going to go through the town of Julian," said Danny Manley, president of Julian Merchants Association. "The town benefits just from the foot traffic buying something from the stores."

Blues Bash 6 Dreams & Blues gets under way at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 7 p.m. although promoter Robb Bower said, "We may run a little longer."

Bower and Manley said they expect between 2,000 and 3,000 people to attend the Blues Bash. Last year’s attendance was down, they said, but rain had been predicted for that day.

"It’s just getting better and better every year," Manley said. "This year, we hope to have a better turnout than ever before."

Bower originally started the Blues Bash six years ago in Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach, running shuttle buses between two clubs to hear 19 bands playing. When it got too big to handle at separate locations, Bower was contacted by Julian businessmen and asked to bring his venue to the mountains. This is the third year for the Blues Bash in Julian.

"We didn’t have enough room any more (at the beach) for all those people," Bower said. "We were invited to come up to Julian and it was perfect."

Bower said it has been a challenge to keep the Blues Bash going and to keep it a grassroots effort. He has limited the number of bands to six, allowing each band about an hour to perform.

"I select the bands from a field of 100 or more," he said. "They send me their CDs and I listen to every single one of them. I weed it down to the top 10, then I choose six."

The bands he selected this year are The Buick Wilson Band, The Gemtones, Johnny V, The Modern Rhythm Band, Lordan/Serrato and Blue Dice.

The Buick Wilson Band has a tie-in to Julian; lead vocalist Larry Luers is a local resident. The band often plays at Bailey’s in Julian and will be back at the restaurant here on New Year’s Eve.

The band also plays frequently at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach and at clubs in the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego. Luers said the band has a following and fans are expected to turn out for the Blues Bash in Julian.

The Buick Wilson Band has two CDs out, including its most recent with all original music.

"We have a very creative style of our own," said Richard Rachel, the band’s keyboard player. "It’s kind of a gospel blues kind of thing that’s very special for us."

Rachel said the band enjoys playing out-of-doors in the natural amphitheater setting at Menghini Winery, giving it "a whole different kind of feeling" from playing in clubs. It’s less confining and affords an opportunity to be more in touch with the people.

"The nice thing about it, the people can bring their children and their families. It’s a nice kind of family day," he said, adding that his granddaughter Sydney, 4, will be with him and, no doubt, dancing while the band is playing.

Other musicians with The Buick Wilson Band are Neil "Buick" Wilson on guitar, Dave Stegner on harmonica and vocals, Kevin Skillman on bass guitar and Gary Binkley on drums and percussion.

A new band for the Blues Bash is The Gemtones from Capistrano Beach, featuring Dave Sanders on bass guitar playing backup for his sons, Ian, 15, and Trevor, 13. Ian plays guitars and Trevor is on drums and percussion, with both boys doing vocals.

The Gemtones headlines may shows in Southern California, playing original songs as well as popular blues standards, ’60s rock ‘n’ roll and surf music.

Lordan/Serrato is the duo of drummer Bill Lordan and guitarist Greg Serrato. They play everything from classic rock to traditional blues, and everything in-between.

The high-energy Modern Rhythm Band is another San Diego-based band, playing blues, swing and rock music. The musicians are John Gunderson, Jack Pinney, Don Story, Jim McInnes, Dave Stanger and Andy Vereen. They have been performing since 1982 and appear regularly at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge as well as at music festivals throughout the county.

Johnny V features guitarist Johnny Vernazza. He has been performing since 1963 and has been with several bands over the years. Bower, who also plays guitar, will be performing with Vernazza at the Blues Bash.

Rounding out the performances will be Blue Dice, a five-piece band with guitars, keyboard, reed instruments, drums, percussion and harmonica. The musicians are Victor Paul, Michael Butler, Johnny Savant, Zoot McVout and Chad Marks.

Money raised from a silent auction at the Blues Bash will benefit the San Diego Firestorm Community Recovery Team. Teresa Manley is organizing the effort, called "Week of Giving," which takes place from July 18 to 25 with churches and agencies throughout the county participating in fund-raising efforts. All monies raised during this time will be used to purchase building materials for fire victims who lost their homes last year.

Some of the items to be auctioned at the Blues Bash will be guitars, including a Fender guitar autographed by Ike Turner, and items donated by local merchants. For more information about the auction, call Manley at (760) 765-1216.

Venders will be selling food and a variety of arts and crafts along with music-related merchandise. The bands will be playing from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Gates will open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and free for children under 12. The winery is located at 1150 Orchards Drive. For more information, call Bower at (619) 335-3264 or check his Website at www.robb-bowerspresents.com.