MUSIC TO THEIR EARS: VALLEY MUSIC'S OPEN MIKE NIGHT OCT. 30

By Anne Spencer and Hub Thompson

October 21, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Valley Music Store hosts its next open mike nights  from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sasturday, October 30th. For many years now, the 58-year-old music store has had a reputation for drawing some of the best musical talent around at its open mike nights. These events are free and open to the public at the store’s new location at 1611 Magnolia Ave. in El Cajon.

“The event is going so well, we are considering hosting it every Saturday evening,” said co-owner Andrea Long, ” so people who may not be able to make it on one particular Saturday, have other chances to participate during the month.”
 

A wide variety of all kinds of musical groups and solo artists grace its stage, both locally and from as far away as Arizona! On one open mike night of recent memory, a big unusual bus suddenly pulled up in front of the music store and a band from Northern California by way of Tuscan piled off. The band is called Dum Spiro Spero, led by Bowie Johnson, the guitar player/singer, and also includes a fiddle player and a man who plays a common everyday ordinary wood saw with a bow. To get the sound, he bends it while running a violin bow across the edge of the saw, thus creating various pitches and tones. (And that’s nothing to squeal about!) Also, when asked how they acquired the bus, they replied it was willed to them by a former member of the band who had since passed on and wanted to make sure the band still had it to travel in. Bowie Johnson, Dum Spiro Spero tour bus

On another occasion, veteran San Diego musician Ron Bell showcased his original Tropical Island rock music (yes, that’s hulas, sea shells, and boats!). Ron is currently working on his third album of Trop Rock. Before releasing his albums, Ron once played with Michael McDonald of the Doobie Bros. About six months before Michael McDonald joined the Doobies, he and Ron played together at the Burger Hut in the Los Angeles area. Michael went on to perform numerous hits, and now Ron Bell is getting his place in the sun; receiving airplay on internet radio stations throughout the world. Ron also donates his time and musical talent to running the Parrothead annual fundraiser concert, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.

Other local musical talents have consisted of Tom Smerk, a community college teacher and long time working musician who plays guitar with the Right Side Christian band that performs in various churches, Steve Nichols, guitar virtuoso with a classical jazz guitar playing style, and the Peppertree band, who played Valley Music’s first ever open mic night at the current location, and is a rousing traditional bluegrass band with a pair of singing sisters who can really belt out an old-time country folk tune or two.

Other artists have even included veteran musicians who are old enough to have been peers with the store’s original owner, Cactus Soldi. Cactus played the fiddle with Tex Williams’ Western Swing band and founded the store in 1952 along with Smokey Rodgers who had top 40 country western hits, as well as a long running local TV show in San Diego.
 

Every open mic night brings a vast array of various and sundry musicians, including veterans of the music industry, bubbling under artists, armchair musicians, and shade tree balladeers. Not only do we nurture the talent of the musicians by giving them a place to hone their new material, but there is always a great appreciation for the audience, who never ceases to be entertained in one way or another. Whatever your musical genres are old school, new school, rap or even reciting poetry, there is something for everyone at the Valley Music Store open mic night. There’s also a 10% storewide discount (and sometimes a little more) for all participants and attendees.
 

Anyone is welcome to bring their instruments and perform. Whether it’s a guitar student or a seasoned professional, it’s a great way to get practice in front of a live audience or to keep yourself in tip-top performer shape. It’s also an opportunity to meet other musicians and hear some really good live local talent. The next open mic night is Oct. 30th, 2010 - starts at 6 pm. You can call 444-3161 for more information, or just stop by Valley Music next time!
 

Valley Music store is located at 1611 N. Magnolia St. Suite 310 in Magnolia Plaza. From I-8 take the 67 south and exit at Bradley, then a right on N. Magnolia St. and it’s in the shopping plaza by the In-n-Out burger restaurant.