The 1960s rock ’n’ roll scene was incredibly turbulent, with band after band releasing albums that morphed the popular style into many genres we still hear the echoes of today. Within this crowd of young, voracious musicians were those who wanted to turn rock ’n’ roll inward, toward the roots of blues and country that invented the music genre’s style and purpose. Bands like The Byrds, The Grateful Dead, and Buffalo Springfield are all examples of groups inspired by American folk song and roots music.
Completely unaware at the time of the influence he would wield in this movement, Jim Messina found himself working as a recording engineer on Buffalo Springfield’s second album, Buffalo Springfield Again, in 1967. Barely 20 years old at the time, the young musician was learning everything he could about recording and music—so much so, that he earned the confidence of Buffalo Springfield’s members, which included Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Dewey Martin, and Bruce Palmer. After auditioning successfully with the group as a bass player, Messina was asked to produce the group’s last album, Last Time Around.
“Their manager told me that they didn’t really trust anybody to do it but me,” Messina said. “Thank goodness I had experience producing a record, but I said I would do it, having no idea what would happen, with the band breaking up and going their separate ways. But I got the album done.”
Since then, Messina has enjoyed quite the career of evolving music. He will be performing a benefit concert at the Solvang Festival Theater on Oct. 12, and will perform works from across his career. Selections from the post-Buffalo Springfield group Poco will be performed, with a special guest artist from the group, Rusty Young.
“Rusty just retired a couple of months ago,” Messina said. “But he still plays special projects, so we are bringing Rusty.”
Young will perform on various songs, including a few solo selections, Messina explained. The show will begin with an acoustic set showcasing some of Messina’s songwriting from when he was part of Loggins and Messina, the duo that set off Kenny Loggins’ solo career.
The second half of the concert will include a full electric band, including music from Messina’s solo albums and Poco. Messina said he would be relying on some acoustic Taylor guitars for the first half of the concert and two Fender Stratocasters for the electric set in the second half, explaining how important it is for him to choose the right instrument for his music.
“When you find the right instrument, it will sing to you,” he said. “When you put your fingers on the right frets, and when you play a chord, there is a connection with that sound that comes out and who you are emotionally, and it will cause you to create the music that is in that timbre.”
Messina lives in the Santa Ynez Valley, and wants to do more for the Solvang Festival Theater than just raise some funds. Also a painter and supporter of various arts, Messina hopes that when the location isn’t being used by PCPA, the theater can supplement entertainment in the Santa Ynez Valley with many kinds of performing arts.
“I see it as a really wonderful opportunity for the community to see some great plays and hear some great music,” he said. “I think, by supporting this theater, it will allow the valley to have a greater experience.”
Messina hopes to bring a unique experience to the Solvang Festival Theater’s outdoor amphitheatre. The location seats more than 700 people and is perfect for an intimate acoustic song or an electrified ballad, all of which will be provided by Messina and company.
“With all the musicians working together, you get a synergy,” he said. “I call it a realm, and the energy that is going on in that moment, for that moment, will never happen again, and all those musicians are together and in sync, and that is the best thing in the world for me.”
Shows in the Samala
The Chumash Casino Resort offers a live concert featuring Neil Sedaka, performing live Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. Latin group Voz de Mando performs live Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More information is available at 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Live at D’Vine
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro includes regular live entertainment, including Jerry Stickle on Oct. 9. Cellar Roots performs Oct. 11. Dan Mally performs Oct. 15. Shows happen from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More information is available at 430-8356 or dvinewinebarandbistro.com.
Get flowing
The Creative Juices Lounge features regular live music on the weekends. The Spaces Between performs on Oct. 11 from 8 to 11 p.m. at Creative Juices, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More information is available at 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Ready to rip
A Big Band Autumn Dance by the Riptide Big Band happens Oct. 12 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 E. Park, Santa Maria. Cost is $10. More information is available at 922-4806, judybluenote@gmail.com, or riptidebb.com.
Life at Vintners Bar and Grill
The Radisson Hotel presents live music Fridays and Saturdays with Juan Marquez performing Oct. 10 and 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Telling tales
Tales from the Tavern features singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey in concert on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More information is available at talesfromthetavern.com or 688-0383.
Keeping the mic open
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic event for musicians and poets on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Lucia’s Wine Co. Tasting Room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More information is available at 332-3080 or lucias-wine-co.com.
Always a party
Shaw’s Steakhouse hosts live music on Saturdays with DJs on Thursday and Friday evenings at the steakhouse, 714 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. More information is available at 925-5862.
Come around Rooney’s
Rooney’s Irish Pub offers This Bangs! with DJs Mr. Butter, DJ Flashback, DJ Sol, and Hurricane Worldwide on Fridays at 10 p.m. DJs and bands perform on Saturday nights. Karaoke night is Thursdays at Rooney’s Irish Pub, 241 S. Broadway, Orcutt. More information is available at 934-3777 or rooneysirishpub.net.
Get down at GreVino
Ca’ Del GreVino Café and Wine Bar presents live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. at the café and wine bar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Santa Maria. More info: 937-6400, dcp@grevino.com, and grevino.com.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend including a performance by Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. Concert on the Deck with Blues Bob and the Loopy Blues Band is Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. The Teddy Spanke Band performs live on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 9-16, 2014.
