The pop music industry is a meat grinder, leaving many a talented artist jumping through hoop after hoop before being thrown to the side as yesterday’s news. Thankfully, true songwriters concern themselves not with chart numbers or revenue, but with the quality of their work. These kinds of artists aren’t jostled by the waves of pop frenzy, but rather stand the test of time through dedication to their craft.
Tales from the Tavern is a local concert series that has called the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez home for many years, and it’s dedicated to bringing high-caliber artists into the valley for intimate performances of their work, whether they’re alone with an acoustic instrument or with a full band. The series is welcoming a double bill of two prolific songwriters who embody what the mission of Tales from the Tavern is all about. Steve Forbert and Steve Polk will bring their guitars, their songs, and their stories to the Maverick for a show on March 5.
And both have plenty of stories to tell: Forbert it best known for his hit, “Romeo’s Tune,” from his 1979 album Jackrabbit Slim, which climbed the charts and has been covered by country artists ever since. Considering the tune his “in” to the industry, Forbert has been a font of music ever since, releasing more than a dozen studio albums since Jackrabbit Slim, including a Jimmie Rodgers tribute album that earned him a Grammy nomination in 2004.
Steve Poltz is a Canadian-born singer-songwriter who was the founding half of the band The Rugburns, a well-known indie group from San Diego. One of his most-heard songs is “You Were Meant for Me,” which he co-wrote with Jewel, the singer who took the unavoidable ’90s classic to No. 2 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when it was released in 1996. Poltz and Tales from the Tavern are no strangers; a recording of his performance at the concert series was released in 1998, and features many songs and the banter that makes Tales from the Tavern shows so intimate.
Both artists’ early successes were signs of what was yet to come. In an industry plagued by one-hit wonders, a songwriter with a cache of originals can stand alone. Both artists have been touring for years, sharing old and new songs with eager fans all over the country. There’s no telling where a new song might become popular.
Forbert, for instance, provided an anthem picked up by many in the Occupy Wall Street movement. Definitely in the “protest song” vein, the song is a harsh indictment on those in the banking industry and beyond, with lyrics like: “You maximize your machinations/Till certain laws are all but tame/You erode the regulations/And then you’re free to game the game.” The song, “Set the World Ablaze,” rings out with the chorus “You’ve set the world ablaze/So give yourself a raise!” Having long ago brushed off any comparison to Bob Dylan, Forbert’s lyrics ring true to many as a blue-collar musician.
Poltz has been busy keeping up with his touring schedule between the U.S. and Canada. He has also found time act in the Web series called “Up the Creek” about a vineyard in Illinois, where he hilariously portrayed the singer-songwriter Peeve Stoltz, and performed a parody version of himself with silly songs to boot. He frequently gets requests for the song “Everything About You,” which appeared in the Julia Roberts movie Notting Hill.
Talents who work long nights and weeks on end are given a cozy home by Tales from the Tavern. Putting up two artists as seasoned as Forbert and Poltz in one night is impressive to say the least, not even considering what the two artists might have planned if they play together at the Maverick. Tales from the Tavern sells season subscription tickets, but also has tickets available at the door, while they last.
Ready to rock
The AJM Band holds a CD release party for its third album, “Boys Will Be Boys,” on March 1 at 9 p.m. at Shaws Steakhouse, 714 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: ajmband.com or ajm102@comcast.net.
Live at the casino
The Chumash Casino Resort presents pop legend Burt Bacharach performing live in the Salama Showroom on March 6 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 2400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $25, $35, and $45. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Live at the Radisson
The Radisson Hotel offers live music Fridays and Saturdays, including Calo performing Feb. 28 and March 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
D’Vine music
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features Country Heart live on March 1, “Audition Night” on March 4, Dan Mally live on March 5 with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Karaoke nights are Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356 or facebook.com.
Get in the flow
Creative Juices Lounge presents live music, including the Swing Shift Band performing live on March 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the lounge, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More info: 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Pairing wine and music
Ca’ Del Grevino Café and Wine Bar features live music in the tasting room and café on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., including Manny Mestas on March 5 at Ca’ Del GreVino Café and Wine Bar is located at 400 E. Clark Ave., Suite A, Orcutt. More info: 937-6400, dcp@grevino.com, or grevino.com.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including the Callie Bobsin Band live on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m “Concert on the Deck” featuring Callie is March 1 at 3 p.m. The Callie Bobsin Band performs on March 1 at 8 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 Feb 27 – Mar 6, 2014.