It was sooooo good to hear live music again! Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brought their dance-inducing swing revival sound to Ventura's hometown audience for three nights, August 17-19th. The shows were part of the Rubicon Goes Retro drive-in concert series. The summer concerts, which continue through September, feature the latest fad in live music, concerts in your car.

Russia and China are interfering with our election. The GOP campaign is engaging in frivolous lawsuits to stifle negative ads and there is now proof they are responsible for rallying support around a deranged, (as if the current one wasn’t damaged enough) third-party candidate. I’m enraged by all this revolting behavior. Yet, what makes me the most irate is the mucking about in the mechanism needed for us to vote safely since the pandemic is out of freaking, control. (I whole-heartily acknowledge The United States Post Office isn’t a sexy nor exciting topic.

Corey Harper is more than just a pretty face. His music is endearing, authentic and touches on difficult but far too familiar emotions. At just 25 I’m impressed with his depth. (I am also saddened he has already had to endure so much heartache. Although, ultimately it makes him a great artist.) Harper’s album, “Overcast” has an ethereal feel not just in sound but also in look which complements its overall intensity.

In honor of Jerry Garcia’s birthday (8/1/42), Poolside released their cover of “Shakedown Street.”  The song’s meaning has been notoriously vague, stumping Deadheads. Some speculate the famed, 1978 tune is about Club Front, the Grateful Dead’s, San Rafael recording studio and all the drama that ensued there. Others attribute the lyrics, as perhaps, focusing on the decay of inner-cities. Of course, as any fan knows, the title came to refer to the parking lot scene before and after shows. Poolside’s accompanying music video spotlights the setting well, sparking fond memories.

The Drive-In style set up at the ranch was in the same fashion as going to the movies, except this movie theatre had a real PA system. Cars were parked in rows and the social distance tailgating was highly successful. There were limited VIP tables set up in front of the stage for a bit more intimate viewing. Robert Randolph started the show with some of the members and introduced Devon and Duane a few songs in. At that point, the musicians on stage were from five different bands.

Do you dance when you stream a show? I can’t do it. But I’ll admit, as the stage lights came up, replacing Billy Strings’ concert poster, I could feel the gooseflesh on my arms perking up. What is a full concert experience right now? Interactive? Maybe. Original? Definitely. Happening now; unfolding with, or in spite, of me. The energy on stage must be manifested in a different way. So, what is the place of the viewer? We no longer are wrapped up in the vibe we are helping to create.

Al Stewart has been a notable singer/songwriter for more than fifty years. On his first four albums, which were not originally released in the United States, he was accompanied by such notable musicians as Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Richard Thompson, and Rick Wakeman.

It is easy to understand that musicians whose lifeblood is not only playing for a crowd but feeding off their audience’s liveliness would feel an unfillable void during these unusual times. From a fan’s perspective, they couldn’t think of anywhere better to be than with their favorite band, with that crowd, in that sacred space of connectivity. It’s hard to imagine the artists wouldn’t have that similar longing as playing for a packed music hall isn’t safe for the foreseeable future.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020, is Election Day. You should know this unless you’ve buried your head in the sand which is somewhat understandable considering this crazy climate. (By the way, it’s a myth ostriches do this. From a distance, it may look like it has buried its very small head in the sand.

“Oh my god, ok, it’s happening.” – Michael Scott

With a Billy Strings show upcoming (I almost thought I’d never say that again), is it weird that the only thing on my mind is what to wear for my first concert in four months?