As the rockets’ red glare over Mission Santa Inés dies down on July 4 another celebration will begin not far down Highway 246 at the historic Maverick Saloon, only this celebration won’t be filled with colorful explosives, but will boom with crashing cymbals, pounding bass, and screaming guitars.
The Maverick Saloon is celebrating with live music by California Country. The Ventura-based band that rips through current country music hits will fill the barn-wood hall with some Americana twang. It will be the group’s second performance at the historic venue, and its rustic charm won over bandleader and drummer John Platero.
“I love that place man; it’s like a real country bar,” he said. “And I like that they have the outdoor patio in the front, that whole outdoor area is super cool, and the girls there are cute, too.”
Even the most erstwhile country music fans are open to the sounds of a banjo around Independence Day, and a spot like the Maverick is the perfect place for a down-home celebration.
For performers like Platero, the saloon’s charm is elevated by the excited and receptive audience.
“What I like is the people don’t hesitate to dance; they don’t waste any time man,” he said. “As soon as you start playing, they start dancing.”
California Country will also perform for Concert on the Deck, an outdoor concert that happens at 3 p.m. on the patio on Saturdays. The group will perform unplugged, Platero explained, and jam a variety of country hits.
But performing billboard country is a different game than it used to be, Platero said, based on a number of changes to the style over the years.
“Country is no longer country western, it’s now basically rock with a banjo and a twang,” he said. “It’s still mostly real people playing, some of it is getting a little hip-hoppy with a lot of samples, but it’s still pretty much people playing.”
Country music seems to embody the feelings of nostalgia and patriotism that Independence Day stokes in people. Many of the songs croon to simpler times or cherished memories of backyard barbecues and summer fun.
The attraction may go beyond just the subject matter, Platero explained. The simplicity of the music makes it relatable, he said, and so it appeals to a wide variety of people.
“There’s something about it, where it’s American, and all ages seem to like the new country,” he said. “I see young kids and elderly who like it.
“It’s not too punchy, like metal, no one’s screaming,” he added. “I think everybody just kind of relates to it.”
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at [email protected].
