Mary McCaslin's Roundup

July 28, 2007

PASSAGES: MUSIC COMMUNITY FACES SADNESS, HOPE AND HAPPINESS

Over the last two months, members of the Santa Cruz area music community have gathered to express sadness, hope and happiness. In late May, when KPIG's Laura Ellen Hopper died unexpectedly, her life and legacy were celebrated at a memorial and over the airwaves. Her contributions will be celebrated for many years to come. In June, the music community came together again, this time in a celebration of support for bass player Bill Laymon, who has suffered a string of serious illnesses. The "Laymon Aid" benefit concert at Don Quixote's in Felton raised a few thousand dollars to help with Bill's medical expenses, and along the way, raised hope for us all.

On Saturday, members of the music community helped to celebrate the marriage of two of its beloved members, Gail Korich and Charlie Wallace. After the ceremony, the Larry Hosford Band played a few sets of country music, the real kind that is seldom heard anymore. Larry threw in some of his original songs, which are in the country mold, but which also display depth and a sly sense of humor.

Charlie, who plays pedal steel and lap steel in the band, sat in for a tune here and there throughout the day. Hawaiian musician George Kahamoku played some lovely pieces on the ukulele, and Diana Donnelly treated us to some dazzling vocals. I had the honor of joining singers Ginny Mitchell, Sherry Austin and Sharon Allen, along with bass player Lisa Burns and members of the band for a few songs.

Jerry Bradley, the bass player in the Hosford Band, asked me to sing harmony on the great country song "Amanda" I first heard "Amanda" sung by country singer Don Williams in the mid-1970s and sang harmony on Jim Ringer's recording of it a year or so later. The line that was originally, "... now I'm crowdin' 30, but I'm still wearin' jeans" has been updated three times now by those of us who started performing the song way back then.

Speaking of Larry Hosford, he will be celebrating the release of a new CD in a couple of weeks. Actually, it's a recording he made around 20 years ago, which is just now coming out. A new Larry Hosford recording is always good news.

And, if you missed the "Laymon Aid" concert, but would still like to help out with a donation, it's not too late. Guitarist Jim Lewin, who is a longtime friend of Bill's, set up a bank account to collect donations for him. It will remain open until Aug. 31 of this year. Checks can be sent to Jim Lewin, P.O. Box 8121, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. On the "Pay to" line write, "Jim Lewin for Bill Laymon Health Fund"

This week, I asked Ginny Mitchell, who oversaw the silent auction at the benefit concert, if there were any items still available for bid. It turns out that there are a couple of goodies that didn't go that night. E-mail her at mitchellcollins@cruzio.com for details.

Contact Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com.