On Sunday, July 8 from 4 to 7 p.m., singer, songwriter and guitarist from Mississippi, Johnny Rawls will be traveling to Lake County to share his smooth soul blues sound. This Lake County fire benefit will be held at the Soper Reese Theatre, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. Proceeds will be dedicated to Hope City to purchase supplies to rebuild homes lost in the fires throughout the county. Hope City is the local project of the disaster relief agency Hope Crisis Response Network (HCRN). More information is available at: www.hcrn.info
Rawls’ new cd “Waiting for the Train” is currently nominated for a Blues Blast Award. The CD is appropriately named, as Johnny is on the road year-round thrilling audiences throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. Over the years he has produced 17 records and performed with many bluesmen including B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Little Milton, O.V. Wright and Otis Clay. Elvin Bishop, Kenny Neal, Marcia Ball, Wee Willie Walker and Nancy Wright have teamed up with Rawls in recent years at music festivals and on the highly popular Blues Cruises.
Joining Rawls on July 8 are three top level blues musicians from Northern California. T. Moran has played drums with Daniel Castro, Starship and Lydia Pence and Cold Blood. Guitarist Matt Silva has a solid grasp of jazz, blues and rock and is a member of the Blues Defenders which hosts blues jams in Sonoma County. Bassist Donny Mederos is also a member of the Blues Defenders and the Caravan of Allstars, which backs many blues legends at California music festivals. Donny played the Valley Fire Tribute Concert at Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum in Kelseyville with Mighty Mike Schermer in September 2016.
Locally made wine has been donated by Don Angel Cellars, Kaz Winery and Mt. Konocti Wines. Patrons of age will also be able to imbibe a crisp, pale ale donated by O’Meara Brothers or Coors Light. soda, water and snacks will be available for purchase as well.
Bring your extra cash for the silent auction and raffle! Auction items have been donated by: One Earth Studio, Sudsy Lady, Butterflies, Tina’s Jewels, Kathie Balleria, Alice & Bill Vega, Mary & Jim Conn, Ann Briggs, Arti Cafe, Wholly Bowl, Don Angel Cellars, and Duckhorn Vineyards.
The raffle prize is four table seats, with wine & treats, to the next Lake County Fire Benefit at the Soper Reese Theatre on Saturday, September 15 with The Funky Godfather, a 10 piece band that plays James Brown hits. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the NCO Pawnee Fire Fund.
Sponsors include The Blue Wing Saloon/ Tallman Hotel, Brian Hines of North Coast Solar, Jonathan Smith of CANI Painting, Iris Angeleri with Pivniska Real Estate, Brad White Blues Productions and Karen Mantele, City Planner. The organizers would like to give special thanks to the Park Place restaurant and the Rodeway Inn/Skylark Shores Resort for vowing to take good care of the band. They said they also appreciate radio promotions being aired by Bicoastal Media KNTI 99.5 FM and KPFZ 88.1 FM.
Tickets cost: $30 for table seats, $20 for center loge, $15 for the side loge. All seats are reserved and dancing will be appreciated! To purchase tickets online: www.soperreesetheatre.com. In person Monday through Friday: The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main St., Lakeport. By phone: 707-263-3095.
This is the 11th fire benefit concert produced by Spotlight On Productions in partnership with The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County. Event updates are on Facebook: Lake County Fire Recovery Benefits. For questions, contact: 707-278-7126.
