Published in the July 6 – 19, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

Lately wherever I go, someone comes up to me and says, “I read your column all the time and it’s so great to have a music column telling us where all the live music is happening.”

It’s good to know my column is being noticed, but then they ask me, “I know you play around but where are you playing these days and how come you don’t put that in your column?” Honestly, my mission is not to promote myself or be self-serving but to let everyone in on where to find live local music in our thriving music scene. Sometimes I even include a profile of a local musician or local band or an out-of-town band coming through. But I prefer not use my column to toot my own horn (harmonica)! I guess once in a rare while it can’t hurt to spread the word and let everyone know that I am actively out there performing.

Because I can play a wide range of genres and having the ability to sit in with many different musicians, I get busy performing. I’ve already had lots of summer activity, including two gigs at The Mushroom Mardi Gras in Morgan Hill, a Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series opener, a gig with local blues band Mojo Workin’ at Clos LaChance Winery, a solo show with some help from my musical friends at 88 Keys Piano Bar & Cafe, and a solo slot at Sunlit Oaks Winery in Gilroy and another solo spot at the Art Walk at the former Morgan Hill Art Gallery (now partners with GVA Cafe). In addition, I played mountain shows at The San Gregorio Store, Joe’s Bar in Boulder Creek, The Cats in Los Gatos, The Catalyst Club in Santa Cruz, Longstock Music Festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains, The La Honda Festival and Music Fair in downtown La Honda, a duo with Nancy Wendstrom at the Los Altos Country Club and then another with her the following week on the patio at Mama Mia’s in Morgan Hill. I also played a gig at The Poorhouse Bistro in San Jose with Joanne LeBlanc and her Fugitive Blues Band, followed the next night by a set with the Open Mic house band at The Poor House Bistro, a show at Savannah Channelle Winery in Saratoga, a duo showcase with Frank Dicker at the ribbon cutting and opening of the new downtown garage in Morgan Hill and a short set at four different Open Mics in town and in San Jose.

So this month’s upcoming shows include a July 8 Friday Night Music Series opener with Lambert Malloy and again July 22 as part of a trio with Dave Allender and Tom Yacoe. A holiday weekend camping jam at Pamplin meadows along the Northern coast, a week later a solo slot at a private backyard Alzheimers benefit in Gilroy, on July 15 a duo at The Milias in downtown Gilroy, the Santa Teresa Farmer’s Market with singer-songwriter Aprylle Gilbert, another appearance at Savannah Channelle Winery in Saratoga, the Menlo Park Summerfest July 16 and a show with One Country at The Los Gatos Lodge that evening, a huge car show in downtown Saratoga July 17 featuring Chubby’s Allstars, an evening on the patio at the Los Altos Country Club with Phil Johnston, and a very special private party duo with rock legend Greg Kihn.
August is just as busy including a duo show at The Milias, a dinner show at Fiesta Vallarta in Los Altos, a duo at Lion Ranch Winery in San Martin, a patio show at Mama Mia’s in Morgan Hill, two different events at Savannah Channelle Winery, the Wild Game Feed in Los Gatos, and other events are booked in the future. It’s a good thing I have a day job to keep my sanity. You can always go to www.markfenny.com for details.
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On another note, South Valley is hopping with music including the 5th Street Live Music Series every Friday in downtown Gilroy, the Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series through the end of August at the Downtown Amphitheater, the 15th Annual Garlic City Car Show, Vines & Vibes Concert series at Guglielmo Winery, and Clos La Chance Winery Music series.

If you are a musician and have a live music tip, please let me know and maybe I can highlight it. Email [email protected].