Forget about Lake Wobegon. This transmission is coming from Los Alamos. You can also forget about hearing from Dusty and Lefty; Captain Bucky is here. And your beloved Guy Noir has been replaced with the wine-centric gumshoe Peno Noir.
Bedford Winery is raring up for its 11th annual “W.I.N.O. Radio Dinner Show.” The annual event—a favorite among wine lovers—hearkens back to the old-time radio shows of Grandma and Grandpa’s time. The annual event is, of course, based off of the famous A Prairie Home Companion, but with an exception: This show is all about the wine.
“This respects the Central Coast and the wine region and maybe pokes some fun at some of the characters around here,” said Stephan Bedford, owner of Bedford Winery, “and, well, it pokes fun at me, too!”
The show includes some of Bedford’s friends, who are professional actors, musicians, or both. In the case of the host, Fred “Garrison” Sanders, he’s a professional actor who also plays upright bass.
“Fred Sanders is a really phenomenal actor who does a lot of work in producing and directing as well,” Bedford said.
Sanders won’t be alone; he plays bass with the rest of Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome band, which will make up the old-time bluegrass style house band for the show. The band includes Rob Carlson, Susie Glaze, Mark Indictor, Steve Rankin, and Fred Sanders. The group is a varied bunch, with backgrounds ranging from acting to astrophysics.
“The bluegrass music is sort of like the modern-day classical quartet, and they take it just as seriously,” Bedford said. “How the music is performed—the balance between guitar, fiddle, violin, banjo, and vocals—it’s all very important to them.”
The bluegrass and old-timey style is part of what lends A Prairie Home Companion its spirit. The simple acoustic soul of the show helps lend an almost fireside feeling to the narrative.
“I think that the American roots music, it goes back to the days of stories and makes people relax a little bit,” Bedford said. “I think there is a sort of sense of belonging and reminiscence when you hear stories of your childhood or many of your parents’ or grandparents’.”
The band isn’t alone in its efforts, nor is the show made up entirely of music. The radio show theme goes full-bore with appearances by voice actors and even a special guest, Eddie King, a foley artist. King will be in charge of making the sound effects that go with the radio stories, such as the detective Peno Noir.
“Peno Noir is a detective who is trying to solve a mystery throughout the show,” Bedford said. “He comes back as the story kind of unfolds.”
Other accoutrements that complete the radio show experience are “applaud” and “shush” signs, as well as a satellite dish that completes the “live satellite link.”
“We like the suspension of disbelief,” Bedford said. “We make it as easy as possible to sit back and enjoy yourself as part of the radio audience.”
Among the skits, there will even be some audience participation. A “smart phone challenge” is a recurring attraction from years past. In the end, the show is about getting together and enjoying good food, wine, drama, and music, Bedford said.
“You know, wine, when you taste it, develops and changes as you are sitting there enjoying it,” he said. “That is part of the real interesting thing about it. Music accents that period of fine wine, so you can appreciate the process of its development and its unfolding.”
Reap the awards!
Come to the fifth annual New Times Music Awards from 7 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 29 at SLO Brew in downtown San Luis Obispo! Hear performances by Taktical, Fialta, Vincent Bernardy, Travis T. Warren, and The Monroe. While you’re at it, enter to win an Ernie Ball Musicman Reflex Game Changer guitar; raffle tickets are $5 each, or three for $10. See who took top honors, cast your vote for the best live performance, grab an album, and more. For more info, call 546-8208 or visit newtimesslo.com.
Live at the 510
Lezlie’s Showcase of Talent is a benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project and will feature live music, dancing, and stand-up comedy on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at the 510 Event Center, 510 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $15, $30 with dinner. More info: 268-5403.
Crooning for a cause
The Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos presents a benefit concert featuring cowboy crooner Dave Stamey performing his folk and country music live on Aug. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the Dana Adobe, 671 S. Oakglen, Nipomo. Cost is $45, including a barbecue dinner. More info: 929-5679, dana@danaadobe.org, or danaadobe.org.
Park it
Concerts in the Park is a free concert series presented by the city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, PLAY Inc., and Santa Maria Rotary Clubs featuring Burning James and the Funky Flames performing on Aug. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park on College in Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
Smooth silver
The Radisson Hotel presents live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m., including Silverback performing on Aug. 23 and 24 at 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Wednesday is wine time
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 400 E. Clark Ave., Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Maverick jams
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including live country by the Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols on Aug. 23 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring Owen Johnston is Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols perform on Aug. 24 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@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 22-29, 2013.