Summer is the season of the concert series, and one local winery is in the seasonal spirit. Koehler Winery has two concerts left in its very first summer concert series, which showcases acoustic singer-songwriters on the winery’s peaceful lawn.
Perched atop a hill in Los Olivos, right off of the Foxen Canyon wine trail, Koehler Winery’s tasting room features an ample outdoor area complete with shady oaks, sprawling lawn, outdoor bar for wine pouring, and tables and chairs overlooking the vineyard.
“You’re sitting at the picnic tables underneath the oak trees; it’s very nice,” Koehler events manager Nicole Sands said. “It hasn’t been too warm so it is a great time for music, lunch, and wine.”
The concert series has included some local favorites, including country singer Sean Wiggins. Slated to perform next is Melanie Devaney, an acoustic singer who writes many of her own songs.
“Melanie Devaney is a singer-songwriter from the L.A. area,” Sands said. “She writes her own stuff and is not super loud, pretty low key.”
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Devaney was listed as one of the “Top 100 Live and Unsigned Acts to look for in 2012” by Music Connection Magazine and has won several awards for her songwriting. Exhibiting a tasteful style on the guitar, Devaney doesn’t rely on flash or gimmick to get across emotion, just her clear and easy-to-listen-to voice.
“We pride ourselves in having a small, intimate setting for gathering,” Sands said. “Usually these concerts don’t bring more than 100 people, and because it is four hours people can come and go as they please.”
Koehler Winery is hoping to garner bigger crowds at the last two concerts, as the winery’s lawn is more than capable of accommodating a good amount of people.
“We have plenty of room, so if people want to bring their lawn chairs and blankets and spread out, that is more than encouraged,” Sands said. “We are dog friendly, children friendly, and all-ages friendly.”
The winery has invited a local restaurant or food truck to cook up lunch for the events. The upcoming concerts will feature food by Georgia’s Smokehouse food truck. The concert on Sept. 21 will feature food by Cecco Ristorante and music by Adam Phillips.
“Adam Phillips will be performing with his whole band,” Sands said. “He does more covers, as well as his own stuff and some alternative and soft rock.”
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Phillips’ band is a self-described “Americana String Band,” featuring backup vocalist Meghan Joyce, guitarist Ray Pannell, multi-instrumentalist Dennis Russell, violist Jacob Adams, and fiddler Andrew Weigel. Anyone who is familiar with Ray Pannell from the guitar-god group Calmenco will know his virtuosity alone is worth the trip to Koehler on Sept. 21.
Koehler welcomes any and all to come enjoy the concert series along with their fine wines, made from grapes harvested from 30-year-old vines.
“It’s a nice, laid-back place in a picturesque setting,” Sands said. “It’s away from it all: the road, the noise, and the crowds.”
Park it
Concerts in the Park is a free concert series presented by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, PLAY Inc., and Santa Maria Rotary clubs featuring The Kicks performing on Sept. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, College Avenue, Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
Weekend music
The Radisson Hotel presents live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. including Calo performing on Sept. 6 and 7 at 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Live at the Chumash
The Chumash Casino and Resort presents country stars Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan performing live on Sept. 6. The Rising Star Tri County Singing Competition is Sept. 7. Boz Scaggs performs Sept. 12. Shows are at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More info: 585-3737 or chumashcasino.com.
Open mic night
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic event, featuring wine, poetry, and live music on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the tasting room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.
Food, wine, and music
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro present “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro, located at 400 E. Clark Ave., Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Jamming like a Maverick
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including live country by Von Cotton on Sept. 6 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring Brant Vogel is Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. Von Cotton performs on Sept. 7 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 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@santa mariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 5-12, 2013.