If the name William Royce Scaggs doesn’t sound familiar, you might know this soft rock legend better by a particular schoolyard nickname he acquired during the days of his youth. I probably shouldn’t have spoiled the reveal in the headline, but it did get your attention, right?
It was St. Mark’s School of Texas where a peer first bestowed the title of Boz upon Boz Scaggs, only 12 years old at the time. Part of me wonders if fellow classmate Steve Miller (yes, it’s the one you’re thinking of) got a nickname too but figured his birth name was cool enough. The two became close friends at St. Mark’s and later attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison together.
During college, the two would play in the same local blues rock bands as well—including the Ardells and the Fabulous Knight Trains. Oh, I should probably mention the Steve Miller Band too—that was a big one. Scaggs provided guitar and backing vocals for the group’s first two albums, Children of the Future and Sailor, before deciding to seek out a solo career.
Scaggs achieved moderate success with his first few solo albums—including Moments and My Time—but his seventh, Silk Degrees, skyrocketed his popularity in 1976. Earning a Grammy nomination for album of the year, Silk Degrees spawned four hit singles—“It’s Over,” “What Can I Say,” “Lido Shuffle,” and “Lowdown” (which sold more than 1 million copies in the U.S. alone and won the Grammy for best R&B song). “Come on back down, little son/ Dig the low, low, low, low, lowdown!”
Scaggs has released 13 albums since then and continues to record new material today. His latest album, Out of the Blues, came out last year and serves as the basis for his current tour, which makes its way to the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez on Friday, June 7. Lido might have missed the boat that day he left the shack, but he best not miss this concert, which starts at 8 p.m. The performance takes place in the resort’s Samala Showroom, located at 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Tickets range from $49 to $79. “He’s for the money, he’s for the show/ Lido’s waitin’ for the go, Lido/ Whoah oh oh oh oh oh!”
Double trouble
Legally speaking, it’s technically still spring. But that hasn’t stopped Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria from kicking off its Summer Concert Series a measly 20 days or so early with Americana band The Dustbowl Revival on Friday, May 31, and reggae artists Mykal Rose with Sly and Robbie on Saturday, June 1.
The first of the two acts is a Los Angeles-based eight-piece with five studio albums under their belt (or belts?). Lead singer Liz Beebe’s jazzy vocals command the ensemble, made up of horns, strings, and drums. Although usually labeled as an Americana act, many of the group’s songs encompass a variety of genres—including soul, funk, and rock. Some of their biggest influences include Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon, and Aretha Franklin. Doors open at 6 p.m. for their May 31 performance. Tickets range from $20 to $25.
Mykal Rose has been performing his militant brand of reggae since the mid ’70s, with several solo singles to his name—including “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “Clap the Barber,” and “Running Around.” Although he’s probably best known for his work with reggae group Black Uhuru, Rose has been recording and touring the U.S. and Europe as a solo artist since the early ’90s. Some of his biggest solo hits include “Monkey Business,” “Visit Them,” and “One a We Two a We”—each produced by musical duo Sly and Robbie, who will be accompanying Rose during his June 1 performance. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets range from $25 to $30.
More music
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents Ghost in the Machine, a tribute to The Police, on Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m. I usually check the saloon’s website for their live music calendar, but this time it was a message in a bottle that informed me. The S.O.S. note also indicated that the Jimi Nelson Band would be performing at the same venue on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2 (both performances start at 8 p.m.).
Surf rock band Tiki Luau Lounge performs at the Cold Spring Tavern on Friday, May 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. This local act is known for blending garage and classic surf rock to create a unique alternative surf sound of their own. The tavern also hosts blues/country group The Reserve (from 1 to 4 p.m.) and rock cover band Flight 805 (from 5 to 8 p.m.) on Saturday, June 1. Country/rock artist Sean Wiggins takes the stage on Sunday, June 2, from 1:15 to 4 p.m., followed by folk and roots group Kelly’s Lot, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Central Coast-based singer/songwriter John Alan Connerley will be performing at Blast 825 Brewery in Orcutt on Friday, May 31, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Connerley’s résumé spans a variety of genres, with songs ranging from romantic ballads to upbeat party numbers. In celebration of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, Connerley will be performing some of his country originals. Also in Orcutt, blues, soul, and rock group Shaky Groundz performs at Naughty Oak Brewing Company on Saturday, June 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission to the show is free, and food from AR Catering will be available for purchase.
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Local Notes. Contact him at cwiseblood@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in May 30 – Jun 6, 2019.