The Final Countdown

A San Diego-area band snagged the top score Saturday at the Winery Music Awards, becoming the sixth group to qualify for the finals next month.

Holiday and The Pop Adventure Collective beat out three other acts from California at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel. Based in Encitas, the group plays a blend of country, rock, pop, R&B, experimental jazz and jam music on a variety of instruments.

The summer-long Winery Music Awards draw to a close Oct. 7, when all six finalists play at the River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa in Paso Robles.

They’ll compete for a record deal with RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, a custom instrument by Dave Mason’s RKS Guitars, cash and other prizes.

Musicians were graded on their originality, skill and marketability to wine drinkers — specifically, men and women age 21 to 54.

Threes and Nines, an acoustic rock trio from the Central Coast, won the grand prize in 2005.

The other five finalists for 2007 are:
Shannon Curtis: The lead vocalist for modern rock band Paradigm, this Los Angeles singer-songwriter invites comparisons to Fiona Apple and Sarah McLachlan.




Dominic Castillo & The Rock Savants: San Luis Obispo’s own indie rock band is fronted by jazz musician Dominic Castillo, twin brother of funkster Damon Castillo.




Amber Norgaard: A folk rock musician from Tucson, Ariz., Amber’s songs touch on the human experience. She was runner-up for “Up and Coming Artist of the Year” in the Tucson Area Music Awards.








Debra Arlyn: This piano-pop musician from Portland mixes classic songwriting and contemporary arrangements. She’s been compared to Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera.






Machine: Mike “Buzz” Buzzetti and Rolf Gehrung joined forces in 2004 to combine pop and modern rock sounds. The Templeton band also features drummer Trent Lockridge.





The finals take place Oct. 7 at River Oaks, 800 Clubhouse Drive in Paso Robles. Tickets are $50.
For more information, call 467-WINE (9463) or visit www.winerymusicawards.com.

Music for lunch and dinner

Kick your weekend off right today with a free concert by The Mudskippers.
The Dixieland jazz group performs at noon First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, 981 Marsh St. It’s part of the church’s monthly Brown Bag Concert series.
Doors open at 11:45 a.m. Don’t forget to bring your own lunch to munch.

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Want to warm up for mariachi singer Manuel Enrique’s performance at the California Mid-State Fair this weekend?
Fans of the traditional Mexican music can get their fill at the 12th Annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival, 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
The play list includes Mariachi Cobre, Omar Arreola, Mariachi Imperial, Mariachi Divas and Chula Vista Youth Mariachi. Concert-goers will also catch performances by Mercedes Castro and Amparo de la Jilguerillas
Tickets are $38.50 to $88.50, and can be purchased at the Santa Barbara Bowl box office, 1122 N. Milpas St. in Sant Barbara. For more information, call 962-7411 or visit their Web site.

On Sunday, watch Atascadero singer Manuel Enrique perform with Mariachi Mexicanismo at the fair’s Budweiser Fort Frontier Stage. The concerts, which are free with fair admission, take place at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The Paso Robles Event Center is located at 2198 Riverside Ave. in Paso Robles.
Call (805) 239-0655 or visit www.midstatefair.com for more information.

SLOCO locals rockin' Downtown Brew, fair

It’s a great day for local bands.
While San Luis Obispo’s own Rhodes is opening for rock icons Aerosmith, another band with Central Coast ties will take the stage before Canadian indie rockers Hot Hot Heat.
The Deadly Syndrome opens for Hot Hot Heat tonight at Downtown Brewing Co. in San Luis Obispo.
Two of the band members are UC Santa Barbara grads: Templeton native Jessie Hoy, who plays drums, accordion and keys, and guitarist Will Etling, who grew up in Santa Ynez.
Etling is the younger brother of Tribune staffer Leah Etling and the nephew of Bert Etling, editor of The Cambrian.
The Deadly Syndrome releases its debut album, “The Ortolan,” on Dim Mak Records in September. (The name refers to tiny birds that were captured alive, fattened and then roasted and eaten whole by French gourmands.)
Folks are already starting to take notice of the fledging Los Angeles-based band.
“Unbridled euphoria — and wry touches such as onstage cutouts of ghosts — helped the Deadly Syndrome go from zero to signed in a few short months,” wrote Los Angeles Time columnist Kevin Bronson. “Well, that, and explosive, unaffected songs right out of the Arcade Fire/Modest Mouse/Wolf Parade playbook.”
The concert is tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $16 at the door.
For more information, call 543-1843 or visit the Downtown Brew Web site.

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Still hungry for the sounds of the Central Coast?
You can catch these SLO County voices at the California Mid-State Fair. They’ll perform the national anthem before concerts on the Main Grandstand Arena throughout the 12-day event.

TONIGHT
Chief Lisa Solomon of the Paso Robles Police Department
Sings before: Aerosmith

THURSDAY
Amanda Brown of Paso Robles
Sings before: Stevie Nicks

FRIDAY
Tara Twisselman of Santa Margarita
Sings before: Bob Dylan

SATURDAY
Celestina Ripley of Greenfield
Sings before: Daughtry

SUNDAY
Marie Pyle of Santa Maria
Sings before: Godsmack
Also performing are: Kyla Norton of Atascadero (Monday), Callie Twisselman of Cholame (Tuesday), Julie Beaver of Paso Robles (Wednesday), Aimee DeGuzman of Nipomo (Aug. 2), Fascinatin’ Rhythm of San Luis Obispo (Aug. 3), Madison Stowell of Atascadero (Aug. 4), Alicia Eatherly of Atascadero (Aug. 5) and Jennifer Eckerman of Paso Robles (Aug. 5).

All concerts are at the Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Ave. in Paso Robles. Call 239-0655 or visit the Mid-State Fair Web site for more information.

-- Sarah L.

Ready to rock?

Your band could open for heavy metal favorite Godsmack at the California Mid-State Fair.
Fair officials are looking for local musicians interested in opening for Godsmack, which plays Sunday, July 29, at the main grandstand in Paso Robles.
The winning band will perform a 20-minute opening set. They’ll also meet the members of Godsmack and score ten tickets to the show.
First and second runners-up receive signed copies of Godsmack’s most recent album, “Godsmack IV.”
Nominated for three Grammy Awards, Godsmack soared to success in the late 1990s with hard-hitting songs like “Whatever,” “Keep Away,” “Voodoo” and “Bad Religion.
Three of their albums — their self-titled debut, “Awake” and “Faceless” — went platinum.
Godsmack’s 2006 album, “Godsmack IV” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 record sales chart.
Chances are, you’ve also heard the band on the silver screen. Godsmack appears on the soundtracks of "Any Given Sunday," "The Scorpion King," "Mission: Impossible II" and "Scream 3" as well as commercials for the U.S. Navy.

To enter your band for consideration, send a DVD or MPEG with two songs from a show performed in the last year to:
KURQ FM
Attn: Andy Winford
51 Zaca Lane, No. 100
San Luis Obispo, California, CA 93401

Call Andy Winford at 545-0101 for more information.

Ain't misbehaving?

Is Paso Robles getting a taste of Hollywood misbehavior?
Just as news of the visiting film production of “Farm House” spread, Paso Robles police received two reports of partying early Wednesday morning at the local Motel 6, police logs show.
On their second visit, a noise complaint at 3:48 a.m., officers advised the “management co. of film” that the loud guests could lose their rooms if police had to visit again, the log said.
No word on whether there’s any link between the partiers and “Farm House.”
-- Sarah L.

Bloody "Farm House" filming up north

Brian from “Wings,” a “Star Trek” Romulan commander and the psychic girl from “Heroes” on one Central Coast movie set? Who’da thunk it.
The cast of the psychological thriller “Farm House” is currently filming in the countryside west of Bradley, production spokesman Terrance Gillum said.
According to Gillum, “Farm House” follows a young married couple, Chad and Scarlet, as they head west to escape their tragic past.
When a horrific car crash leaves the duo stranded in the desolate Midwest, they come into the care of Samael and Arlene. But the country folks turn on their new guests.
According to Gillum, the Alliance Group Entertainment film takes some of its inspiration from Dante’s “Inferno.”
Steven Weber (“Wings,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”) and the lovely Kelly Hu (“X-Men: United,” “The Scorpion King”) lead the “Farmhouse” cast as the creepy country couple.
William Lee Scott (“Pearl Harbor”) and Jamie Brown (“The Notebook”) are the young lovers.
The rest of the cast ranges from Jack Donner, best known as Romulan Subcommander Tal in the original “Star Trek” series, to Adair Tishler, who plays the little girl Molly on NBC’s hit “Heroes.”
Filmmaker George Bessudo also directed “Lake Dead,” set to be released in theaters July 13. In the horror film, three sisters confront the demented family occupying their dead grandfather’s backwoods home, according to genre fansite Bloody-Digusting.com.
“Farm House” also stars Sam Sarpong of MTV’s “Yo Momma,” Drew Sidora of “Step Up” and relative newcomer Nick Heyman.
The film crew plans to stay in the Paso Robles area until July 4, Gillum said. Rumor has it the cast is staying at the Paso Robles Inn.
-- Sarah L.

Women, wine and song

Five West Coast women are heading to Paso Robles for a concert series showcasing wine, music and San Luis Obispo County.
The Winery Music Awards kick off Saturday, June 9, with a five-hour concert highlighting unsigned, independent musicians and the Paso Robles wine country.
Today, producer Kathy Kelly announced the artists set to perform at Maloy O’Neill Vineyards.
They are Kerri Dopart of San Diego, Rocky Gaines of Los Angeles, Debra Arlyn of Portland, Shannon Curtis of Sacramento and Kimberly Jean of Los Angeles.
According to Kelly, the all-female lineup features pop, rock, country and folk acts.
The women will compete to earn a slot at the final showdown on Oct. 7 — when they’ll join competitors selected at three other concerts in July, August and September. Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers.
Top acts will take home prizes including cash, studio time and a record contract with RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles.
Last year’s grand prize winner, Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines, plans to release its debut album, “A Different Light,” this summer.

Drink in the sounds and tastes of the Winery Music Awards on June 9 at Maloy O’Neill Vineyards, 5725 Union Rd. in Paso Robles. Tickets are $40.

Stars, stripes and song

You hear it everywhere — at baseball games, rock concerts and high school graduations. It’s familiar, yet moving. Sweet and surprisingly easy to mangle.
And chances are, you only know the first verse.
Officials at the California Mid-State Fair are searching for local singers to belt out "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of thousands of music fans this summer.
Performers will sing the national anthem a capella before Main Grandstand Arena shows.
That could mean a chance to meet some of the fair’s stars, including Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, Martina McBride and “American Idol” fan favorite Chris Daughtry.
Participants say performing the national anthem is a great way to gain experience and confidence about public singing.
“I could never get bored with the national anthem. I like it,” Paso Robles High School grad Briana McPartlan told The Tribune last year. She’s sung the national anthem at the fair three times.
Fair officials recommend that singers have experience singing for large groups, but auditions are open to all area residents. Past performers include an accountant, a personal trainer, a music teacher and a beauty salon owner.
The California Mid-State Fair runs July 25 through Aug. 5 at the Paso Robles Event Center. This year’s theme is “Country Days and Rockin’ Nights.”

Interested?
Send a VHS videotape or DVD showing your performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to: California Mid-State Fair, Attn: Nancy Paasch, P.O. Box 8, Paso Robles, CA 93447.
All entries must be received by Friday, June 22, at 5 p.m. Tapes will not be returned.
For more information, call the fair administration office at 239-0655.

-- Sarah L.

It's true: "Mr. Tambourine Man" coming to Paso Robles

The rumors are true: Bob Dylan is blowing through to the California Mid-State Fair.
Fair officials confirmed Monday — nearly a week after The Tribune initially broke the news — that the music legend will perform in Paso Robles on July 27.
Expect to shell out $26 to $52 to see him perform on the main grandstand stage.
Known for his gravelly voice, anti-establishment politics and mercurial music career, Dylan released his 44th album, "Modern Times," in 2006.
His numerous hits, which have garnered him Grammy Awards and an Oscar, include "Blowin' in the Wind," "The Times They Are A-Changin'", "Like a Rolling Stone" and "All Along the Watchtower." He’s also one of the most covered contemporary artists, with U2, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Guns ’n’ Roses doing versions of his songs.
As the Tribune’s April 24 article noted, Dylan is a familiar face in San Luis Obispo County. He played the fair’s grandstand in 2003 and in 1986 — the earlier show as part of a tour with fellow rock legend Tom Petty. Dylan also performed at Cal Poly in 1996 and 2000.
His son, Jakob Dylan, performed at the fair in 1998 and 2005 with his band, The Wallflowers.
Also announced as performing at this year’s California Mid-State Fair are “American Idol” favorite Chris Daughtry, jazz instrumentalist Chris Botti and Christian rock band Jars of Clay.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 18.

-- Sarah L.