What better way to enjoy your favorite local band than to hire them to play just for you? Yep, I did. I decided to celebrate my 39th in style. YES, my 39th, for real. After months of planning, last Saturday night marked the beginning of the last year of my thirties…I’m pretty sure everyone in attendance will remember this party for a long time. It was epic. For starters, I came up with a theme. Now I know not everyone likes to dress up, especially the guys. So we kept it simple for them…guys came as greasers. Girls, on the other hand, went all out – pin up style girls were roaming around the party in all sorts of pin up – spin offs. There was Bettie Page, there were cigarrette girls, Marilyn Monroe look alikes, you name it, they were there!

When a few friends said their husbands were complaining about getting “dressed up” for a party, I reminded them to take another perspective. When else could the guys put on jeans and tshirts while they got to look at pretty girls dolled up for the night, listen to good music, and have a few drinks to celebrate a friend’s milestone? They got it, and boy did they enjoy it!

On to the entertainment. Big River, from Ventura, is a Johnny Cash tribute band. Wait…they are THE Johnny Cash tribute band. These guys are amazing musicians and entertainers.  Led by singer/guitarist Bobby Dickson, the band consists of four members, Joe Baugh, an incredibly talented guitarist, Tony Cicero on a mean set of drums, and bassist extraordinaire, Eric Monteith. The guys have been performing together for three years, and are experts at helping you have a good time. Check them out at their my space page Big River

The band usually can be found playing atBombay’s Bar and Grill or Rookies in Ventura throughout the year, but can also be hired for special events by contacting them on their site.

After dancing to many of my favorite Cash tunes, we were on to the surprise! You can’t have a pin up era party without synchronized swimmers! Early in the party planning, I decided that my sister and I and any really good friends would make this fun party even more fabulous with a surprise. After working with the band on a song that would work for the routine, and played “Cash style” we came up with ZZtops “She’s Got Legs”.

The crowd loved it, unfortunately, the cops didn’t, and after a polite but persistant request, we turned down the volume, and brought the party (and the band) inside. A great night was had by all. I wonder what we should do for the big 4-0?

I like to think of myself as cool and I like to think it’s possible to be cool even if you’re pushing 40 and have three kids. But this weekend I even surprised myself: I got to go backstage with one of my fave local bands,  Rey Fresco  (and, yes, they really truly are cool)

We’re talking about interviewing the band back stage before their biggest concert to date. 10,000 plus peeps in various forms of beach attire jam

The West Beach Festival to hear great acts all day and evening.

We’re talking about watching one of the most energetic shows I’ve seen in a long time. The band was obviously as excited as the audience to be there playing the Sunset Set Saturday night.

I sat down with the band members Roger Keiaho -vocals, guitar; Andrew “Jenkins” Jones -drums; Xocoyotzin Moraza (aka Xoco and pronounced sho-ko) – harp, requinto, guitar; and Shawn Echevarria – bass, to talk. They are talented musicians (I would call their style eclectic hip hop, they probably would call it something cooler, though).

But they are also down-to-earth locals from Ventura who are true to their roots. Their newest album, “The People”, set to be released on October 27,  is titled based on their ties to their community. “The album is a tribute to friends, family and the community who provided for us. That alone is just amazing,” says Echevarria. The album is all original tracks, except for the cover “Chan Chan,” which Moraza sings in Spanish. Originally produced   by   Ry Cooder for the album and subsequent documentary   Buena Vista Social Club this track is a personal favorite of the band members.

On the original tracks they produced, Moraza says “it is definitely a collaboration.” Sometimes he and Echevarria will lay down the rif, Jenkins will come in with a beat that works, and Keiaho will add lyrics. Other times, the song starts with one of Keiaho’s poems as the inspiration, and they go from there. Regardless of how it starts, the finished product is a magical fresh feel that seems to cross all demographics. From club performances in Ventura and LA Counties, to playing at Echevarria’s daughter’s school, the people like what they hear.

While Rey Fresco consists of four core members, their on stage sound comes from a group of talented local “sidemen” as well. Todd Hannigan (baritone guitar); Jesse Siebenberg (percussion, lapsteel, electric guitar); Kevin Simmonet (keyboards), and Joe Baugh (electric guitars), were all at West Beach lending their talents.

I’m looking forward to Rey Fresco’s album release in October and watching these VC guys rise, which, of course, is the epitome of cool.

Click here for pics of Saturday’s performance.

Click here to sign up for a free MP3 copy of their new single “Precious Time”