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| VOLUME 7 | ISSUE 3
SDMA 2022 Showcases In addition to the main event there will be six showcase concerts featuring nominated artists. All performers and venues are donating their services, with funds raised going to the San Diego Music Foundation and Guitars for Schools Programs. These shows are a great way to take in a lot of great talent, and through your ticket purchase, also do a good deed. The dates and venues are: April 8: Navajo Live / Machine Politik, Jon Campos & The Incurables, Evening’s Empire, A Lens To The Sun, The Nathan Raney Band April 9: Pour House Oceanside /
San Diablo All Stars, Shane Hall, Nathan Hubbard Trio April 10: Humphreys Backstage Live / SDMA presents a live music tribute to our 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, soul music legend, Jesse Davis April 8: Navajo Live / Astra Kelly, Ron Houston & The Berry Pickers, Lauren Leigh, Jeff Berkley & The Banned April 13: The Casbah / Main Stage: Authentic Sellout, Signal for Pilot, Avenue Army. And in the Razzmatazz Room: Bloodstone, Crhymes
April 14: Humphreys Backstage Live / San Diego Blues Buffet Featuring Chickenbone Slim and The Biscuits, with appearances from Sue Palmer, Liz Ajuizie, Mercedes Moore, Whitney Shay April 15: The Holding Company / Suede Radio, Chunky Hustle Brass Band, Casey Hensley, Euphoria Brass Band, Imagery Machine April 16: 710 Beach Club / Lords of the Satellite, Dewey Defeats Truman, Nights Like Thieves, Subsurfer, King Whisker
Beatles Fair / Fab Four Fun! Chris Montez / Let’s Dance!
The 19th Annual San Diego Beatles Fair takes place at Queen Bee’s on March 26. A full day of fab four fun, attendees will be treated to music on indoor and outdoor stages, a pop culture shopping area with clothes, records and more, as well as an acoustic sing-a-long stage. With the recent excitement of over The Beatles Get Back Disney+ documentary series, the timing couldn’t be better. This year’s event will be headlined by iconic Mexican-American hitmaker, Chris Montez, best known for classic hits such as “Let’s Dance,” “Call Me” and “Some Kinda Fun,” the events performers are varied by design. “We try to give audiences a wide ranging musical experience,” said Beatles Fair organizer (and Queen Bee owner) Alma Rodriguez. “It’s a mix. We have an original rock legend in Chris Montez. He toured with the Beatles in 1963 and has wonderful stories to tell. Then for the people who like tribute artists, we have John Leo, who does a great solo era John Lennon and the Revolution Band, from Tijuana, who wear the suits. Something a little different might be The Young Lion’s Jazz Conservatory under the direction of award winning bassist Ron Thorsen. It’s super talented kids playing Beatles jazz, so you know it’s going to be amazing. And that’s just for starters, it really is a full day of music.” Other performers set to take part include Laurie Beebe Lewis (Mamas & Papas / The Buckinghams), The 63eatles, Falling Doves, True Stories,
Courtney McKenna and Funhouse, a new duo featuring ex Four Eyes rockers, Mark DeCerbo and John Chatfield. Why does Beatles music still resonate with music fans more than 50 years since the band split? “That’s a good question, there might be more than one answer to that,” said Leo good naturedly. “But ultimately, the answer is simple: It is very good music. Why do I say so? Just research what fellow musicians say about The Beatles, most bands list The Beatles as one of their influences, even other rock legends like David Gilmour, Brian May or Ozzy Osbourn have declared themselves Beatlefans.” McKenna also considers the key to the bands popularity to be the quality of the music. “The Beatles wrote such a variety of music. It feels like each record they put out was a new evolved version of themselves and personally I relate to that,” she said. “I think the music still resonates with people because it continues to be used today in modern culture.” Leo has plans for a special show for Beatles Fair “It’s always a great experience to play for fellow Beatles fans because we get to do songs that we normally don’t play,” he said. “When we play to a general audience, we have to focus on the “greatest hits”, but when we play for fans, we get to do other songs that weren’t as popular but are loved by us.” Rodriguez is looking forward to putting another memorable Fab Fest in the history books. “We’re doing our best to give San Diego a great day of music,” Rodriguez said. “The Beatles continue to be inspiring. There is such a range to the music they’ve made, but there is also their inspirational, positive message. If you are a fan of the Beatles you’ll have a lot of fun on March 19, but then any rock ‘n’ roll fan is going to enjoy themselves at Beatles Fair!” www.sandiegobeatlesfair.com
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It’s likely that few rock fans aren’t familiar with Chris Montez’s 1962 classic “Let’s Dance.” Alongside “Twist & Shout,” “Wipe Out” and a few others, the song perfectly encapsulates the era of it’s release, decades later still retaining both it’s cool and fun status. It’s likely the reason “Let’s Dance” has shown up in numerous places, ranging from period films, such as “Animal House,” to more recent TV productions such as “Riverdale.” But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for Montez, who headlines Beatles Fair on March 26. He scored a number of additional hits, including “Call Me,” “The More I See You” and “Some Kinda Fun,” appearing on TV programs from American Bandstand to Top of the Pops. Amongst the highlights of a career now in its sixth decade, is a 1963 tour of England with Tommy Roe, featuring opening act, The Beatles. “It’s been a wild ride,” Montez said good naturedly. “I was just a kid who really loved music. I’d come home and watch the Dick Clark show. I never thought I’d be a singer, but I made a demo for $25. It was the producer that sent it to the label. The next thing I know my mom says, you’ve had a phone call. Before I knew it I was on the Dick Clark show.” What’s @LocalUmbrellaMedia
his favorite place he’s heard his music? “The radio,” he says without hesitation. “There’s nothing like the first time you hear your song played.” Interestingly, despite being a Southern California resident, Montez’s appearance at Beatles Fair, is the first time San Diego audiences have a chance to catch a full set from the legendary artist. In 2019 he played a few songs before a pair of performances of the jukebox musical, 33 1/3 House of Dreams, but fans at Beatles Fair will get a terrific set that takes in all the hits and influences, plus a few newer favorites, plus a Q & A and autograph session. “I did a lot of tours with different performers on a bus, just part of a group” he said. “But I don’t think we ever made it to San Diego.” Montez has over a dozen albums to his credit, but unfortunately for fans, little from that era remains unreleased. “In those days you would use a tape once and then erase it, so there’s no alternate takes or things of that sort,” he said. However, there may yet be more music ahead from Montez. “I’ve got songs I’d like to record, but I haven’t been able to find the right studio,” he remarked. After all this time, for Montez, it’s still about the live performance. “It’s great to be able to play again after too long a break, but I’m keeping busy, with shows in Florida right before I head to San Diego.” Indeed, there is talk of a tour with other rock legends in the near future. In the meantime, he’s looking forward to Beatles Fair. “Live shows like this are when people can really see what you can do,” he said. “When they come to the shows, that’s my ‘thanks’, that’s what makes me happy. I’m really honored to perform at this year’s event.” www.chrismontez.com
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