The Central Coast, sitting almost exactly at the midway point between the major metropolises of San Francisco and Los Angeles, is unfortunately lacking when it comes to the scale of convention events enjoyed by the big cities. But one local has organized a convention modeled after larger events while preserving a local feel. Ed Miller, creator of Unfinished Business Productions, the organization putting on the event, is the chief organizer, promoter, and creator of an upcoming guitar show.
“I know there are a lot of guitarists on the Central Coast,” Miller said, “and I thought it would be great to do something for the people in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.”
The convention will feature new guitar dealers, vintage guitar dealers and traders, local guitar makers, equipment manufacturers, and an on-call repairman. The event is set for March 24 and 25 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, the halfway point between SLO and Santa Barbara.
“It’s basically a trade show for all things guitar,” Miller said. “It will include vintage, used, and new.”
Besides the instruments themselves, there will also be accessories and, of course, amplification. A Templeton-based company, Demeter Amplification, will be at the show, Miller explained, showcasing its high-end amp technology.
On the electric end of the spectrum will be Esoterik Guitars, which features the work of San Luis Obispo luthier Ryan Cook. Cook’s designs are known for their stunning, natural appearance and wood choice, something you don’t see a lot of in electric guitars. His company has only been around for two years, but it’s already generating talk in the electric guitar community. More information can be found at esoterikguitars.com.
Robinsong Guitar, which specializes in acoustic guitars, is another local company that will be displaying its wares. Jim Robinson, a Pismo Beach-based luthier, is the owner of Robinsong Guitar and will sell his works at the show. With more than 35 years of guitar-building experience, Robinson makes eight different models of acoustic guitars, from classical style to jumbo body.
“The Central Coast Guitar Show should be a top-notch event with plenty of new and vintage instruments for sale,” Robinson said. “I am looking forward to making a few good contacts and selling one or two of my hand-built, acoustic guitars.”
Conventions like the Central Coast Guitar Show, Miller explained, are a chance for members of the guitar community to get together and become more familiar with one another. He says that at shows like this, vendors will often trade among each other.
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Anyone who shows up with an amp or guitar to trade or sell will receive a dollar discount on the $10 ticket price. Local guitar repairman extraordinaire Jim Witt will be available all day for quick guitar repairs. There will also
be a concessions stand run by the Rotary Club of Nipomo for the group’s own benefit.
The event is also sponsored by many local companies and organizations, including the Sun and New Times, several radio stations—including The Fox, New Rock, Sunny Country, El Compa, and Cat Country—the Santa Maria Inn, and Community Volkswagen of Santa Maria. Community Volkswagen will have a car on display at the event that will showcase Fender Premium Audio Systems. Fender is a highly reputable American guitar company itself, and is also sponsoring the event.
Miller founded Unfinished Business Productions after he retired from the FBI with an aim to promote his band Unfinished Business. A guitar player himself, Miller sings and plays guitar in the group that plays ’60s rock’n’roll live up and down the Central Coast. He not only hopes to make the Central Coast Guitar Show a yearly event, but would like to expand each year to include more options, vendors, and attractions, including live music.
“My vision was originally to have this be a music festival with entertainment, but I figured I had to get the show going in the first years,” he said. “My real passion is for music, and I’ve always wanted to do a guitar show.”
Youthful talent
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society presents “Santa Maria’s Youth in Music Showcase,” featuring performances on piano, violin, flute, and cello by students of Philharmonic Orchestra musical teachers. The event is March 23 at 6:30 p.m., Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road, Orcutt. Cost is $15, $5 for students. More info: 925-0412, george@santamariaphilharmonic.org, or santamariaphilharmonic.org.
Viva music!
Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara presents the traditional folk group Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in free concerts March 23 at 7 p.m. at Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Goleta; March 25 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara Junior High, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara; and March 24 at 7:30 p.m., Guadalupe City Hall Auditorium, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. More info: 884-4087, Ext. 7, or myspace.com/vivaelartedesantabarbara.
Eat and support
The Coastal Voices, a local community choir, presents the fourth annual Coastal Voices Gourmet Spaghetti Dinner, featuring live entertainment and a silent auction, on March 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Andrew Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall, 3945 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $15. More info: 937-3416 or
sesmith9 @verizon.net.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 22-29, 2012.