Don't forget the four free Summer Concerts co-sponsored by the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest and the National Park Service at the beautiful Peter Strauss Ranch on the second Sunday of June, July, August, and September of 2009! Enjoy bluegrass, old time and/or folk music sittin' around the outdoor amphitheater under the shade of the giant old oaks. Parking and admission are FREE! Come on out and enjoy an afternoon of great music from 3pm to 5pm for the huge cost of nuttin' honey!
Scott Gates will be bringing a bluegrass & folk roots-raised band hailing a fresh sound you've never quite heard before. Scott is California's young master of the mandolin, backed by scores of appearances, awards, festivals and CD’s. His chemistry on stage with Nathan McEuen is nothing short of magic. Nathan Mceuen was born and raised into the bluegrass and folk scene via his grammy-winning father John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame. Mentors such as Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe and a solid ability to write original songs and craft his vocals around tunes both old and new make Nathan unique. Chuck Hailes, amazing bass player, drives the band and together the three bring vocal, instrumental and visual dynamics you'll be telling your friends about. The future of acoustic music is very bright. Please visit Scott at his Web site http://www.scottgates.com/home.html
This Just In! is a four piece bluegrass band with emphasis on three and four piece vocal harmonies. This is a group that is growing in stature and reputation in the Southern California area. They do a mixture of traditional and contemporary styles. Members are Bob Fitch, guitar, Dave Richardson, banjo, Paula Lane, resophonic guitar and Pete Lorentz, upright bass. Please visit and listen to the band at their Web Site, http://www.myspace.com/wowthisjustin
The Brombies were formed by Jo Ellen & George Doering in the late 1980's. Traditional bluegrass is their music of choice. Add Bill Bryson (Laurel Canyon Ramblers) on bass & vocals, Patrick Sauber on banjo & vocals, Jo Ellen on guitar & vocals and George on mandolin & vocals and you have a magic combination for exciting, traditional bluegrass. Please visit The Brombies at their Web site, http://www.brombies.com/music/home.html
Second Wind Bluegrass! brings you traditional American acoustic music the bluegrass way, featuring driving rhythms, rich harmonies, hot instrumentals, and that high lonesome sound. While the band is steeped in traditional bluegrass, the guys love singing songs from the contemporary bluegrass scene as well, so their show has something to please all lovers of acoustic music. Please visit their Web site at http://www.myspace.com/secondwindbluegrass
Moira Smiley and Voco - Stompin’ rebel-harmony with cello & banjo: Original songs steeped in Appalachia & Eastern Europe. moira smiley & VOCO sing powerful, emotional music with lush harmony and the delicious vaudevillian combo of cello, accordion and banjo. Sprinkled throughout their songs are rompin', stompin' body percussion sets - always a show-stopping pleasure. Voted #1 a cappella band in the U.S., the four members of VOCO create post-folk, improvisation-built songs while digging into old Americana and Eastern European sounds. Original music and new fruits from the old songs... americana to Bartók, ethereal and gritty. http://www.moirasmiley.com/VOCO_main.html
Winners of the 2009 Topanga Banjo•Fiddle "Band Contest," the Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band is a Southern California-based band featuring Devitt Feeley, Lydia Veilleux, Craig Ferguson, and Andrew Paddock. Though recently formed in early 2009 the bands members have a long list of experience and credits including: Fox TV's "Next Great American Band," Stagecoach Music Festival, Strawberry Bluegrass Festival, Huck Finn Bluegrass Festival, as well as the Colorado River, Blythe, Parker, Logandale, and Yuma bluegrass festivals. http://www.rockyneckbluegrass.com
From either the greater Los Angeles area or the greater Ventura/Camarillo area, take the Ventura Freeway (101) to the Kanan Road exit. Go south on Kanan Road 2.8 miles to Troutdale Road. Turn left on Troutdale Road and go two blocks to Mulholland Highway. Turn left on Mulholland Highway then make an immediate right under the arch into the Peter Strauss Ranch parking lot. Walk back across the bridge on Mulholland Highway and enter the main gate into the ranch. Free Parking.