Singer/Songwriter/Storyteller Michael Gaither

…and I will be this weekend. Playing at two fun shows with two good pals.

Every time I’ve been in Redding it’s either 45 degrees or 107 and smokey. Apparently there’s a two-day window in the spring when it’s perfect. So it’s spring. I’m headed back. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Redding’s a great music town, plus I have friends and family up that way. I haven’t played there in well over a year.

Tomorrow night (Friday) I’ll be drafting along to play with Jay Howlett and Rolfe Wyer at the Post Office Saloon. This semi-lengendary little music spot is located downtown at 1636 Market Street. (It really is the old post office. The men’s room even has a metal “Mail” sign on the door.) We’ll play from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm…or until when everyone’s simply had enough. No cover, and I completely expect a few local friends to drop by and join in, as well. (Hint, hint…Jim Dyar, are you reading this?)

On Saturday, Jay, Rolfe, and I take part in Damboree 2012, located in Clair Engle Park. A whole bunch of stuff takes place at this local festival. There’s a pancake breakfast starting at 6:00 am, a parade at 10:00 am, the festival itself – with free admission – beginning at 11:00 am. Jay and Rolfe kick off the music at 11:00 am. I play at 3:00 pm. More info is in the flier below:

Of course, even the casual visitor to this site knows that Redding always immediately brings to mind the late, great (and man, do we miss him) Chuck McCabe. Chuck was very fond of Redding, and chronicled some of that sentiment in the song “I’d Rather Be In Redding,”, which appeared on his final album, “Creatures of Habit”. Chuck also made the run up north many times with Jay and Rolfe. I’m hoping and expecting to hear some great Chuck stories on the way up and back this weekend.

Quick info: Dayan Kai Band at Kuumbwa / Saturday March 17th at 7:30 pm / tix link

Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dayan Kai was born in Maui, grew up in San Juan Bautista, and up until two years ago was raising his family in eastern Washington. These days he lives in Watsonville. For many reasons, though, you could call his show at Kuumbwa this Saturday a trip back home.
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Short version: It’s simply a night that could not have gone any better.

Longer version: My wife and I have been hosting a “house concert”-style series at the Corralitos Cultural Center for nearly two years. Sometimes I bring in a couple of other songwriters, and we share the night telling the stories behind our songs. Other times I’ll just host and “show off” an artist that I want other people to experience. Every show is different, and each one is special. But I think we outdid ourselves last Friday.
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It’s been a great year for music out at the Corralitos Cultural Center. We’ve had local songwriters, touring musicians, and more than a couple of fine bands in our midst. To wrap up 2011, acknowledge what a fine little musical resource we’ve discovered out in the burg of Corralitos, and to help raise a little money to help keep the lights on, we’re doing one last show for the year. Read the rest of this entry »

If you haven’t been out to one of our shows at the Corralitos Cultural Center lately, let’s say the place is looking pretty decent. We have the house PA working. (No more dragging a van full of my own gear). Comfy chairs are back. (Gone are the plastic wobbly ones.) And yesterday, I oh-so-slowly crawled up onto the roof of the place, CAREFULLY leaned over the peak of the roof, and replaced the outside lights. No more stumbling around in the dark. Unless wine is involved, but these are alcohol-free shows, so that should not be a concern.

This Sunday, December 4th, is our last show of the year at the Corralitos Cultural Center, and we’ve got something really special lined up: Houston Jones. Let me say that again: Houston Jones is playing in Corralitos! Read the rest of this entry »