News – Page 8

NOW I’M 64 (No longer “When”)

Posted onNovember 16, 2016

NOW I’M 64 (No longer “When”)
Check out my new video of an old song
(Happy birthday to me)
{CLICK HERE}

Well, it’s birthday time again. I had an old friend tell me the other day, “You know, you really shouldn’t be so open about how old you are.” To which I replied, “Hey, if I have anything that sets me apart, it’s that I own – I mean totally own – the age I am, I even write songs about it.”

So this song is, of course, the ultimate baby-boomer song about how really far away “64” felt from our consciousness back then. The idea was that we would all be sitting on our front porches, knitting sweaters, scrimping and saving.

Well, that last part may be still true for many of us, but ain’t too many of us rocking in chairs, though most of us are still rockin.’

This week we lost two giants of the music world, Leonard Cohen, and Leon Russell. Although most of the public know Leonard from “Hallelujah” (a song that is now messed up forever due to the hilarious parody version done by Eric Schwartz), but his songs and impact is so much greater than just that crowd-pleaser.

Same with Leon. I cut my teeth learning the piano parts from Leon’s tunes, and his Oklahoma drawl was, perhaps, second only to Dr. John’s N’awlins crawfish-boil of a voice. So go here and watch me doing this Beatles classic, and totally outing myself as the age everyone already knows me to be. Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide.

THIS SUNDAY, at 7:00pm (doors at 6:30pm), I get to do Bill Berry’s long-running Songwriter’s Square show, with two other fine songwriters, Cynthia Brando, and my good friend Skip Heller. Skip is a fixture of Los Angeles blues/swing music with his great band The Hollywood Blues Destroyers. I did the first Songwriter’s Square a few years ago, with Tracy Newman and Richard Goldman. Bill’s show is always a great one, and I look forward to being a part of it again.

It’s at the Lyric Hyperion Theater, 2106 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, 90027. There’s food and drink, and lots of good folk.

Tickets are $15, $12 with a discount code. Go to Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2713753

Looking forward to being needed and fed throughout my 64th year. I hope the same for all of you.

I hear there was a Presidential election recently…more on that later.

Gary Stockdale opening for Venice (the band)

Posted onSeptember 10, 2016

Opening for VENICE

and

Egging on the On-Eggers

I’ve been busily working on a new collection of songs, which will emerge as a CD very soon. I’ve been recording some of LA’s finest musicians, in cahoots with my great producer, Greg Prestopino. Besides having co-written the hit song “Break My Stride” with Matthew Wilder, he’s worked with artists like Natalie Cole, Maria Muldaur, Andrew Gold, and he just recently produced Dan Bern’s latest album. But more on that soon. Here are the gigs:

This Saturday, September 17 I’m opening for one of the best bands ever to come out of Southern CA, Venice! The venue is a house concert-on-steroids at the home of Kevin Wachs, who was the driving force behind the two big rock concerts I was a part of last December, and last June at the El Rey Theater. I’m a part of a Tribe of musicians led by Kevin, and which includes Marky Lennon from Venice. Venice is one of the favorite bands of both Jackson Browne, and David Crosby. Come enjoy the Lennons under the stars in beautiful Box Canyon, and you’ll hear some of my tunes to start things off, backed up by the always virtuosic Grant Geissman.

It’s in Box Canyon CA (10 minutes northwest of Chatsworth, .in the hills, near Calabasas). Donation is $20.  Doors open at 6pm, music starts (me) at 7pm. RSVP for the address: kevinwachs1@gmail.com. Outdoor show, so dress warmly.

ALSO! Thursday night, Sept. 15, at 8pm I am appearing with 4 of my favorite songwriters at Bob Stane’s famous Coffee Gallery Backstage. A few months ago we started a songwriting group withBill Burnett, Eric Schwartz, Brian Woodbury, and Paul F. Perry. My purpose in joining was so that some of their considerable talents might rub off on me.

We called ourselves the “On-Eggers,” because…well…we egg each other on. And occasionally throw some metaphorical eggs in each others’ directions. But this will be a chance for you to see and hear some pretty fine songwritin’, and all to help Bob Stane, who I’ve written about many times on this blog. He is an institution in Southern CA music, and The Coffee Gallery Backstage is one of the premier venues for singer-songwriters, Americana music, and just about anyone who likes to play a good room with a great audience. Tickets are $20, show starts at 8pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/637904386384602/

Hope to see you there!

Berkley Hart and Me in Camarillo, Saturday, Aug. 20th

Posted onAugust 14, 2016

Berkley Hart and Me in Camarillo, Saturday, Aug. 20th

There’s a great concert series called Camarillo Café Concerts in the CA town of the same name. It’s around an hour and change north of Los Angeles. I’ve appeared there as a headliner when Gary and Kathy Lynch were running the concert. Now it’s been taken over by my dear friends Peter Krantz and Becky Glenn. Besides being two of the most vigorous supporters of songwriters and musicians I’ve ever known, they have totally revitalized this concert series.

This time I’m opening for Berkley Hart, the acclaimed duo from San Diego, featuring Jeff Berkley and Calman Hart. Both Berkley and Hart emerged from the Southern California coffeehouse circuit, each building sizeable followings of their own before joining forces. As a duo for more than ten years now, they have become fixtures on the folk circuit, making appearances at the Kerrville Folk Festival, as well as playing some of folk’s most prestigious venues including The Birchmere and The Bluebird Café.

I’ve known these guys for some time, but this is the first time I’ve appeared with them. If you’ve heard them before, you know how great they are. If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. Take a leisurely drive up the 101 and come join us for this cool concert.

Here’s the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/581569875350547/permalink/609562089217992/

It’s on Saturday, August 20 Doors 7:30 PM, music starts at 8. No advance ticket sales. Arrive early for preferred seating. $20 Donation requested at the door. Potluck dessert buffet at intermission.

Hope to see you there!

Kiki Ebsen, Grant Geissman, Horses, and Me

Posted onJuly 24, 2016

A Show with Kiki Ebsen, Grant Geissman, Horses, and Me!

This Saturday, July 30th, at 7pm I’m doing a concert with Kiki Ebsen! She IS the daughter of Buddy Ebsen. Along with many years of touring as a keyboardist with everyone from Christopher Cross and Al Jarreau, to Michael McDonald and Tracy Chapman, she has also been recording acclaimed albums, and performing her own music in her solo shows, as well as a popular tribute show to her late father. No surprise that, as the daughter of a beloved entertainer, she did not fall far from the tree.

Also sharing the bill with us is the great Grant Geissman. Besides being one of the greatest guitar players on the planet (having played the iconic solo inChuck Mangione’s “Feels So Good”) , he was also the composer for the hit series “Two-and-a-Half Men” with the infamous Charlie Sheen (Winning!!) He’s also a great friend and musical partner with whom I’ve been lucky enough to play music for over 25 years.

The concert is at Kiki’s Healing Equine Ranch in the gorgeous Santa Monica mountains. Besides being a working ranch, HER is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, empower and enlighten people through natural interaction with horses. They teach natural horsemanship principles with an emphasis on human growth and awareness to promote healing.

Doors open at 6:30, and the concert starts at 7pm.
Tickets are $21. Reservations are required:
http://kikiebsen.com/event/1630894/288756267/kiki-ebsen-gary-stockdale-and-grant-geissman-peace-harmony-concert-series-the-healing-equine-ranch

If you’d like to come a little earlier, at 5:30 Kiki will do a short equestrian demo of what she does at the ranch, and you’ll see the horses being fed and feast on the pastoral beauty of the scene.

I can’t tell you how great Kiki is, you’ll just have to make it out to the ranch and see for yourself. AND we’ll be singing a couple of duets!

Bring some wine and snacks. We’ll have some there for you as well.

TWO GREAT CONCERTS THIS MONTH! (Even greater if you are there)

Posted onJuly 8, 2016

TWO GREAT CONCERTS THIS MONTH!

(Even greater if you are there)

A few years ago, I found out there was a great house concert series in my ‘hood, Seth and Tony’s House Concerts “All Folked Up.” (The name alone was enough for me to want to perform there). They were pretty booked up, but they had enjoyed seeing me perform at a few places (including McCabe’s with the great Christine Lavin), so we looked to find an open date for me to appear there. Well, that date is coming right up:

Saturday, July 16th at Seth and Tony’s. There is a gourmet pre-show dinner that starts at 6:30, and the concert starts at 8pm. It’s only $30 for the dinner AND show (the food alone is worth that!).

PLEASE RSVP at
http://www.sethandtonyshouseconcerts.com/rsvp.html?r=20160512173245

It’s a lovely house up in the Highland Park hills, with a stunning view overlooking Eagle Rock and Glendale (and it’s literally a mile from my house). I’ll be appearing with my brilliant musician pals, Grant Geissman and Steve Deutsch.

AAAANNND… on Saturday, July 30th, at 7pm I’m doing a concert with Kiki Ebsen! OK, yes, she IS the daughter of Buddy Ebsen. Along with many years of touring as a keyboardist with everyone from Christopher Cross and Al Jarreau, to Michael McDonald and Tracy Chapman, she has also been recording acclaimed albums, and performing her own music in her solo shows, as well as a popular tribute show to her late father. No surprise that, as the daughter of a beloved entertainer, she did not fall far from the tree.

Also sharing the bill with us is the great Grant Geissman. Besides being one of the greatest guitar players on the planet (having played the iconic solo in Chuck Mangione’s “Feels So Good”), he was also the composer for the hit series“Two-and-a-Half Men” with the infamous Charlie Sheen.

Doors open at 6:30, and the concert starts at 7pm. Tickets are $21.
Reservations are required:
http://kikiebsen.com/event/1630894/288756267/kiki-ebsen-gary-stockdale-and-grant-geissman-peace-harmony-concert-series-the-healing-equine-ranch

Bring some wine and snacks. We’ll have some there for you as well.

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN JULY!

Love,

Gary