Just over a year ago, at Santa Ynez’s Maverick Saloon, movie star/singer Jeff Bridged graced the stage with his band The Abiders and brought the house down. Bridges and the group performed songs from the soundtrack of the film Crazy Heart, which gained Bridges an Oscar for his portrayal of a down-and-out country singer, and introduced the actor himself as a bona fide country artist.
“He was outstanding, he has a really good voice,” said Mark Burnett, managing partner and owner of the Maverick Saloon. “He really belted ’em out, and people were screaming and cheering and dancing in the aisles.”
The Maverick Saloon first came to Bridges’ attention thanks to the artist Ryan Bingham—who actually wrote the song Crazy Heart for the film—after he performed at the Maverick Saloon as part of the Tales from the Tavern concert series. At the request of the Maverick’s owners, Bingham extended Bridges an invitation to perform at Santa Ynez’s historic saloon and he accepted.
Jeff Bridges and the Abiders are set to perform at the Maverick Saloon on Aug. 21 and this time they will be performing more than just songs from Crazy Heart, including selections from the album Jeff Bridges, released last year.
The Maverick Saloon is what Burnett describes as one of the “last great honky-tonk bars,” featuring regularly scheduled live country music.
“Country music now has such a wide range of crossover from easy listening [and] rock to pop,” Burnett said. “We include a wide range of country here, and the bands do a wide range as well.”
The Maverick Saloon also features classic rock groups as well as country groups. Performing Aug. 17 and 18 is The Hailers, a classic rock group from the United Kingdom. A DJ-hosted dance party in the Maverick’s renovated barn turned dance hall follows each evening concert.
Every Saturday there is a free outdoor “Concert on the Deck” which features acoustic music in a relaxed intimate setting.
“People like to come and have a beer outside, smoke a cigar, and have something to eat for ‘Concert on the Deck,’” Burnett said.
John Lyle will be the featured artist for “Concert on the Deck” on Aug. 18 at 3 p.m.
The Maverick Saloon calls on a group of talented bands to perform regularly for the evening entertainment on weekends. The Jimi Nelson Band performs country favorites at the saloon regularly including Aug. 24 and 25 when Jimi Nelson will also be the “Concerts on the Deck” artist. Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat will be performing country with a rock influence on the weekend of Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 with Owen Johnston performing for “Concert on the Deck.”
A regular concert series that pays homage to the troubadour style of country and folk singing called “Tales from the Tavern” has called the Maverick home for several years. The series features Mary Gauthier and Tania Elizabeth on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
Other groups that will rock the barn in the weeks to come include Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols, Von Cotton, and Randy Emmet and The Sideshow. Whether featuring classic country a la Merle Haggard, or southern rock more akin to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Maverick Saloon provides everything that twangs.
Hear Brazil
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The Lompoc Library District Foundation presents “Concerts on the Library Lawn,” featuring a concert by Choro de Ouro on Aug. 19. The event will also feature barbecue sandwiches from the Lompoc Host Lions Club. The event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lompoc Public Library, 501 E. North Ave., Lompoc. Free. More info: libraryfoundation@blackgold.org.
Live, local music
The 510 Event Center presents a live blues jam featuring local musicians led by Juan Marquez and Sangria Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. DJ Orlando entertains Thursday nights starting at 10 p.m. (dress code enforced). Juan Marquez and Sangria perform R&B, Latin, soul, blues, and rock music for happy hour Friday Aug. 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with the Smokin’ Guns performing at 9 p.m. Saturdays featuring an open mic from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday nights are Latin night featuring live norteño and banda music. Call for times. The 510 Event Center is located at 510 South Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-5510, 510eventcenter@gmail.com, facebook.com/510eventcenter, or 510eventcenter.com.
Enjoy the sound
The Historic Santa Maria Inn presents “A New Twist on an Old Favorite” in the Tap Room featuring performances by The Carlos Rodriguez Combo on Fridays, Blue Latitude performs the first Saturday of each month, the Sammy Labastida Jazz Band performs the second Saturday of each month, Louie Ortega performs the third Saturday of each month, and Lawless and Dean perform the fourth Saturday of each month. The shows take place in the Tap Room, Santa Maria Inn, 801 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-7777 or santamariainn.com.
Samala shows
The Chumash Casino and Resort presents Wilson Phillips performing live Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. The Chumash Casino and Resort is at 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 16-23, 2012.