Make the Musical Connection

First, a big “Thank You” goes out to my 85-year-young dad. Yes, it’s Father’s Day, and I love him; but today’s thanks is for the love of music generated throughout my life by both him and my mother. Not a day went by without music in their home.
That love of music is a legacy I will enjoy until I’m at least 85, I hope! Although not presently singing in any public setting, I have been discovering a wealth of local singers/songwriters in the last few weeks. It’s mind-boggling how much fantastic talent is available in this area alone!
We’ve been touched for several years by the beautiful singing and strumming of a father (guitar) and son (violin) on the streets and stages of Ukiah – Brad and Julian McClanahan. This father definitely has encouraged a love of music not only in his son and family, but all of us co-workers and fellow citizens as well.
Now formally joined by Michael Charnes and known as The Julian Trio, their lilting and lovely Celtic-influenced tunes, plus other folk-style music is impressive, especially knowing that their songs are original compositions. This father-son music cooperative is very enjoyable to see and hear!
Their recent release, Lighthouse on a Cliff, contains wonderful instrumentals – lovely waltzes are my favorite, and nice vocal arrangements invoking a timeless connection to nature and harmony with those we love. Some songs openly honor family members: Annalise’s Waltz and Momma’s Mandolin, for example.
In fact, Julian’s first composition was at age four (“I Love Mama”) and by age seven was performing original songs in public with Dad. Now, at age ten, Julian will be traveling with his family to live in Mexico while Brad takes a sabbatical from teaching at Ukiah High School. Our love and best wishes go with them!
Of course, there are many other performers – too numerous to feature in this article, who bring wonderful music to our theaters, restaurants, parks and churches - for those willing to go and listen. Making it out to Ukiah Brewing Company’s open mic lately reaped connections for me to some excellent singers and musicians.
Former Ukiah mayor Sheridan Malone sang his “swan songs” last month before moving back East (for only two years, he says), and I was fortunate to hear some of his very creative pieces; especially entertaining was “Retread.” You can just imagine using such a metaphor for a love gone bad. Written by an auto-parts-kind of guy, of course. I was in stitches.
These Wednesday evenings hosted by Jim Tuhtan (of Jitterbox Music) feature lots of good musicians, another of which was Patrick Nagel. Patrick entertains Ukiahans at many local events. Pictured here, he serenades passersby at the recent Pastels on the Plaza in Ukiah's Alex Thomas Plaza.
Patrick’s presence online is extensive – check it out at http://www.nagelations.com/home.html. His music has been honored several times by web audiences through www.garageband.com. Cdbaby.com also features his work. Haunting, romantic lines like this strike a chord in my heart, along with many other listeners, I’m sure: “…if I could sit beside you, we’d heal your broken heart with love.”
Through these contacts, I also discovered several intimate venues that give opportunities to professional, established musicians traveling through this area – house concerts. At one large, older home in downtown Ukiah, I enjoyed an evening listening to Dana Lyons, a favorite of many local music enthusiasts.
His compositions are terrifically witty, often absurd, but entirely refreshing! Many songs are also serious and caution listeners to put first important things like family, good communication and harmony with nature. But…then there is a worldwide favorite like “Cows With Guns.”
This extreme misadventure of a “cow guru” who has had enough from humans, is filled with wit, humor, and laughingly bad puns. It was purloined by online video artists, but through Dana’s insistence, now credits his songwriting in their world wide web hit production and a YouTube favorite!
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a big, robust summer of music. And, you don’t have to leave Ukiah to find it. Our music fix can be satisfied every week, in fact. New this summer and alternating with our bi-weekly Sunday Concerts in the Park is Spencer Brewer’s Acoustic Café every other Saturday evening in the Ukiah Music Center’s back courtyard.
A free, cabaret-style setting, these concerts feature many local performers Kitty Rose, The Bootniks, Alex de Grassi, Top Shelf, Rootstock, Bejazzled, Will Siegel & friends, Paula Samonte, and, of course, Spencer and his fellow pianists!
Music is one of the finest ways to bring people together. Eat, drink, and sing along this summer! And, thanks again, Dad, for making that musical connection.