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.

Drink in some talent

This weekend is your last chance to catch some of music's most innovative new voices before they head to the Winery Music Awards finals in October.

On Saturday, five genre-bending groups face off at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel. Performing at Saturday’s five-hour concert are:

- Fair Trade: This group won Sacramento’s "Battle of the Bands" in 2004, later opening for Melissa Etheridge, Live and Train. They describe their sound as a blend of rock, pop, blues and jazz.

- Vanessa Van Spall: A singer-songwriter based in San Francisco, Vanessa captures “multiple moods and styles” with everything from acoustic songs to synthesized ‘80s-influenced numbers.

- Paper Tiger: The San Francisco band draws musical inspiration from rock’s Built to Spill, Minus the Bear and Smashing Pumpkins.

- Jane Bolduc: Hailing from Los Angeles, Jane is a singer-songwriter in the tradition of Shawn Colvin, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow. Her songs span the generes of pop, rock, folk and country.

- Holiday and The Adventure Pop Collective: Two crazed front men from Encinitas churn out country, rock, pop, R&B, experimental jazz and jam music on a variety of instruments.

This month’s winner will compete Oct. 7 against five other musicians – three finalists and two “wild card” winners – for a record deal, cash, a custom guitar and other prizes.

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

Justin Hopkins, leader of the Los Angeles-based band The Guilt, won the third preliminary round in August. Judges praised the rocker's "refreshingly honest and soulful vocals and guitar playing."

Winners in June and July were Shannon Curtis, a singer-songwriter from L.A., and San Luis Obispo’s own Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants.

The concert starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at Silver Horse Winery, 2995 Pleasant Rd. in San Miguel. Tickets are $40.

For more information, call 467-WINE (9463) or visit www.winerymusicawards.com.

Catch a local band this weekend

Local musicians are making waves this weekend.

Jade Jackson, a 15-year-old girl from Santa Margarita, squares off Saturday against some of California’s finest singer-songwriters.
Judges with the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once a month at Linnaea’s Café in San Luis Obispo, selected Jackson to compete against other musicians in Berkeley.
She won Best Song in June with “It's All Right, Girl,” her song about a girl struggling with strict parents and other travails of teenage life. Earlier this month, Jackson beat out other Central Coast musicians for the chance to go to the finals.
Saturday’s concert will showcase top contenders from across the Bay area, Sacramento and Southern California, playing their original songs for a panel of celebrity judges.
The Song Showcase Finals start at 8 p.m. at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $18.50 at the door.

Learn more about the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, organized by Pismo Beach musician Steve Key, at the group's MySpace profile.

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Two Central Coast bands play Sunday as The Cliffs Resort wraps up its “Live on the Rocks” summer concert series in Shell Beach.
Threes and Nines, an acoustic rock trio from Arroyo Grande, will perform from 1:30 to 3: 30 p.m. on the resort’s oceanfront lawn.
They’re followed by Louie Ortega, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Latin guitarist shared a 1990 Grammy Award with the Texas Tornados for his song, “Soy de San Luis.”
Past bands in the concert series, which began July 22, include the Damon Castillo Band, Incendio and Resination.
A full bar and barbecue is available Sunday at The Cliffs Resort, 2757 Shell Beach Rd. in Shell Beach. Call 773-5000 or visit www.cliffsresort.com for more information.

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Also on Sunday, Los Osos musician Matthias Clark releases his latest album, “California Soul” at the Frog & Peach Pub.
Matthias recently brought his blend of free-styling pop and folk rock to the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once every month at Linnaea’s Café in San Luis Obispo, and to the Winery Music Awards in San Miguel.
The concert starts at 10 p.m. Sunday at the Frog & Peach, 728 Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo.

-- Sarah L.

Rocking the Winery Music Awards

A soulful rocker from Los Angeles is heading to the Winery Music Awards finals after winning the music competition’s third preliminary round this weekend.
Justin Hopkins, leader of the band The Guilt, sang and played guitar as a solo artist Saturday at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel.
Judges from the music and entertainment industries praised his talent, awarding him an average score of 78.30 out of a possible 100 points.
“Justin has refreshingly honest and soulful vocals and guitar playing,” said judge Roy Braverman, who owns a multimedia firm in Los Angeles. Judge Diane Steinberg-Lewis, an actress, singer and composer, described his music as “clearly commercial and still poetic.”
Also performing at Saturday’s four-hour concert were: Los Osos musician Matthias, Assaf Spector of Brooklyn, and The Laurie Morvan Band and Sarah Hethcoat, both from the Los Angeles area.
Hopkins advances to the final competition in October, where he’ll vie with five other musicians for a record deal, cash, a custom guitar and other prizes.
Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers — specifically, men and women age 21 to 54.
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Shannon Curtis won the June competition. July’s winner was a San Luis Obispo band, Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants.

The Winery Music Awards continue Sept. 15 at Silver Horse Winery, 2995 Pleasant Rd. in San Miguel. Tickets are $40.
For more information, call 467-WINE (9463) or visit www.winerymusicawards.com.

-- Sarah L.

Thirsty for some music?

Los Osos jazz-funk musician Matthias heads the competition this weekend at the Winery Music Awards.
Saturday’s concert will feature four hours of music, wine and sunny North County scenery in San Miguel, hosted by TV “Bachelor” Andrew Firestone and judged by an industry panel.
Also competing on Saturday are:Brooklyn-based Assaf Spector, who merges funk, blues, hip hop and rock with his band Birthday On Mercury, plus soulful rockers Justin Hopkins and the Guilt, pop-rock singer Sarah Hethcoat, and blues combo The Laurie Morvan Band, all from the Los Angeles area.
The Winery Music Awards officially kicked off June 9, when Sacramento pianist Shannon Curtis beat out an all-female line-up from as far away as Portland.
Damon Castillo and the Rock Savants, based in San Luis Obispo, walked away with the most points in July.
As the contest continues, musicians will compete in September to earn a slot at the final showdown on Oct. 7. Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers — specifically, men and women age 21 to 54.
Top acts will take home prizes including cash, studio time and a record contract with RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles. Competitors could also walk away with a custom electric guitar by Dave Mason’s RKS Guitars.
Last year’s grand prize winner, Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines, plans to release its debut album later this year.

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Producer Kathy Kelly created the Winery Music Awards, which highlights independent, unsigned bands and musicians, in 2005.
The concert starts at 4 p.m. Saturday at Silver Horse Winery, 2995 Pleasant Rd. in San Miguel. Tickets are $40.
For more information, call 467-WINE (9463) or visit www.winerymusicawards.com.

Rock Savants win at Winery Music Awards

Central Coast favorites Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants seized first place Saturday at the Winery Music Awards.
The San Luis Obispo rock band edged out Arizona singer-songwriter Amber Norgaard as the top-place winner. The quartet advances to the final competition on Oct. 7, where they’ll compete for cash, studio time and other prizes.
Tom Cartwright, president of RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, praised the band.
"Dominic has great stage presence and the whole band has professional poise," said Cartwright, one of eight judges at Saturday's concert.
Hosted by former "Bachelor" star Andrew Firestone, the five-hour event at Paso Robles’ Stacked Stone Cellars also featured Templeton’s Machine and Los Angeles acts Delaney Gibson and Hard Rain.
Producer Kathy Kelly created the Winery Music Awards in 2005 to highlight independent musicians and the North County wine country.
Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers. Top prizes include a record contract with RNB Entertainment.
Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines won the grand prize in 2005. They plan to release their debut album later this year.

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The Winery Music Awards continue with an Aug. 11 concert at Silver Horse Winery in San Miguel.
For more information, check out The Tribune’s special Winery Music Awards site.

-- Sarah L.

Now hear this!

Looking for more information about the Winery Music Awards?

Check out The Tribune's own Web site for an explanation of the awards, created by Kathy Kelly in 2005. You can also see photos of this month's competitors and hear audio tracks of their songs.

Feeling the (musical) heat in Paso Robles

Head for the North County hills this weekend for wine, music and fun.
The Winery Music Awards returns on Saturday, July 14, for a five-hour concert hosted by “Bachelor” heartthrob Andrew Firestone.
Two Central Coast bands — Templeton’s Machine and San Luis Obispo indie rockers Dominic Castillo and the Rock Savants — will compete against artists from California and Arizona.
Also competing in July’s elimination round are: Amber Norgaard of Tuscon, Ariz.; Delaney Gibson of Los Angeles; and Andy Hill, Renee Safier and Hard Rain from Los Angeles.
The Winery Music Awards officially kicked off June 9. Sacramento pianist Shannon Curtis beat out an all-female line-up from as far away as Portland.
As the contest continues, musicians will compete in August and September to earn a slot at the final showdown on Oct. 7. 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.
Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trio Threes and Nines won the grand prize in 2005.
The group, which plans to release its debut album later this year, performs this Sunday at Downtown Brewing Co. in San Luis Obispo.

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Producer Kathy Kelly created the Winery Music Awards, which highlights independent, unsigned bands and musicians, in 2005.
Saturday’s concert starts at 4 p.m. at Stacked Stone Cellars, 1525 Peachy Canyon Rd. in Paso Robles. Tickets are $40.
For more information, visit the Winery Music Awards Web site.

-- 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.

Trading beer and bars for wine and awards

With the Winery Music Awards just a month away, musicians throughout the county are tuning up for a summer of fun.
The Winery Music Awards, which run June 6 through Oct. 7, showcase local independent bands in the midst of the Paso Robles wine country. Musicians are graded on their originality, skill and marketability to the ever-expanding demographic of wine drinkers.
As producer Kathy Kelly told The Tribune in April, “It’s music with wine as a very big backdrop.”
The top bands will take home prizes including cash, studio time and a record contract with RNB Entertainment Group of Los Angeles.
You can catch last year’s grand prize winner, Arroyo Grande acoustic rock trioThrees and Nines, this week.
The band plays a free set at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Mongo’s Saloon & Coffee Bar, 359 W. Grand Ave., in Grover Beach.
Threes and Nines plans to release its self-titled debut album later this year. The band’s members are lead singer and guitarist Jake Brebes, drummer Max Triplett and stand-up bass player Tasha Brittain.