The band was loud, with ripping electric guitar, driving bass, and smashing drums. The long shotgun hall of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Santa Maria was filled with sound and people, all there to enjoy the work of more than 30 musicians who performed in bands and impromptu ensembles and jam sessions.
The performance was part of a special Musician Appreciation Day event, which brought together beloved local bands and musicians to raise funds for the Teddy Bear Foundation. Eagles President Ray Richardson said the event was the brainchild of one member, Michelle Kelly, and took the usual Saturday’s live music at the lodge to another level.
“We usually go until midnight or one in the morning, and you know, people come here, and it’s not just for the cheap drinks, but for the people,” Richardson said. “The club is helping people. We do a lot for the community, do a lot of benefits, so people know if they spend their money here, it will go to a good cause.”
Kelly said that she just “woke up one morning” and wanted to “share the passion of music that heals the soul in everyone.” She brought the idea to Richardson and other members, who did all they could to help make it happen.
The Eagles hosts live music on the regular, but this event brought together several local musicians and bands that are usually gigging across the Central Coast on any given night, she said.
“A lot of people cannot drive to all these events, so I wanted to have it in one house so everybody has a band reunion and shares the music with us folks,” Kelly said. “We’re having a really good day. They play a lot of a different volume of music and it brings people out, just makes you want to dance and put everything behind you.”
Groups and musicians that performed included Hard Habitz, Sarah Jackson of Steppin’ Out, Three 4 All, Terry Lawless, and many others. There were also several impromptu bands, collections of musicians who just felt like playing a few numbers, with others joining the jam session.
Ernie Rodriguez performed with two of his groups, both KlassX and Legends, which have performed regularly at the Eagles and other notable Central Coast live music haunts like Harry’s Night Club & Beach Bar in Pismo Beach. For Rodriguez, rocking out at the Eagles was just like any other day, but he got to see a lot more of his friends than usual.
“I’m a member here also, so if I go out, this is where I’m at,” Rodriguez said. “It’s safe here; we’re all family here, so there’s no trouble here because we’re all friends.”
The Musician Appreciation Day at the Eagles wasn’t just a chance for bands and musicians to come together and enjoy each other’s company though, he said, but also a chance to unite over a good cause.
“I’ve done it all my life, especially any cancer benefit,” Rodriguez said. “I’m the kind of person where, I don’t play music for the money, I do it because I love it, and if I can share that love with others, I’m there.”
Managing Editor Joe Payne also plays music because he loves it. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 24-31, 2017.
