There is something about sibling bands. A perfect example is the Everly Brothers, a band and brothers that show off the power of two voices that have spent a lifetime singing together. Lompoc is about to be graced by not two, but four sibling musicians who blend their vocal and instrumental harmonies into a tapestry of Americana roots and contemporary folk rock music.
Redhead Express includes all four of the Walker sisters: bassist Meghan, fiddler Alisa, banjo player Larae, and guitarist/singer-songwriter Kendra. The sisters often perform with their parents and younger brothers, known as Redhead Express and the Walker Family, but the four can hold down any show by themselves on their instruments and with their voices.
The Lompoc Concert Association and Live On Stage Inc. collaborated to bring the quartet to Lompoc’s First United Methodist Church. The show will feature traditional Southern folk, patriotic, and spiritual music, as well as plenty of Redhead Express’s original music as well. The four are all fabulous instrumentalists, but it’s their clear, ringing vocal harmonies that solidify their music as true Americana in the bluegrass tradition.
The style of vocal harmony found in American bluegrass music comes from a tradition steeped in Southern gospel music, which is embraced wholly by Redhead Express. The group’s website features the slogan: “Remember Your Roots: God, Family, Country, Music,” a moniker which is well understood after listening to an album or sampling some live video performances online.
An example is Redhead Express’s performance of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which can be found in many places on the Internet including YouTube, sung completely a cappella by the four sisters. The clear tone, control, and emotive power the siblings possess give heart to tunes sung across so many generations.
And whenever these sisters aren’t singing, they’re jamming; the four can dazzle on instruments alone. Each plays something representing the staples of the old-time string band—that’s guitar, banjo, violin/mandolin, and bass. Violinist, oh wait, that’s fiddler Alisa can saw like a Southern pro, and can even get that high, lonesome sound that folk fiddlers strive a lifetime to achieve.
Just as comfortable belting out a four-part ballad, or twangin’ through a solo break, Redhead Express offers a contemporary twist on old-time music. Those who want to learn more can check out the group’s web series or blog on their website redheadexpress.com. For those who would rather hear the group live, meet them, and buy an album in person, learn more about the show at lompocconcert.org.
Voices of patriots
Coastal Voices is presenting a concert titled Patriot Dream, featuring the choir performing favorite patriotic tunes on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at the St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3945 S. Bradley Road, Orcutt. More information is available at 937-3416 or coastalvoices.info.
Get down at D’Vine
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features regular live music, including Jerry Stickle on Nov. 6, Cellar Roots on Nov. 8, and Dan Mally on Nov. 11. Shows start at 7:30 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.
Smooth on the guitar
The Radisson Hotel presents live music Fridays and Saturdays, including Juan Marquez performing Nov. 7 and 8 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More information is available at 928-8000.
Music and verse
The Bookworm presents an open mic event with featured poet David Ochs on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. at The Bookworm, 230 E. Betteravia Road, Suite K, Santa Maria. More information is available at 922-4282, quest@thebookwormcali.com, and facebook.com/thebookwormcali.
Live at the pub
O’Sullivan’s Pub features live music on the weekends. Bastard Suns opens for Klockwyze on Nov. 6. Flash Hits opens for The Caverdeans Nov. 8. Shows happen at 9 p.m. at O’Sullivan’s Pub, 633 E. Main St., Santa Maria. More information is available at 925-0658 or osullivanspub.net.
He’s hot right now
Tales from the Tavern presents a concert by Michael on Fire on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More information is available at talesfromthetavern.com.
What time is it?
The Chumash Casino Resort offers a live concert featuring M.C. Hammer in concert on Nov. 13 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.
Open every week
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.
Get down at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend including Dusty Jugz performing on Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. Concert on the Deck with The Bellmores is Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. Dusty Jugz performs live again on Nov. 8 at 8:30 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More information is available at 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 6-13, 2014.