Published in the April 13-26, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mark Fenichel
Mark Fenichel
Kaye Bohler will play at The District in Gilroy April 15. She has recently started the South County Collective, a group that aims to promote music and musicians in South County.
Photo courtesy
www.sbblues.org
The music scene in the South County is vibrant and continues to get better and better. It seems apparent that performance opportunities for local musicians are growing and those who frequently play at the open mics are continually improving. The music gets better as the quality of our local musicians continues to grow.
The South County Collective is a group of musicians, music lovers and live music venues based in the South County areas of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, San Juan Bautista and Hollister whose focus is to build a cohesive support network for live music in the South County so the great musicians of this community get heard. It is their mission to help local live music venues survive, provide local music lovers quality entertainment without having to travel out of the immediate area, and provide support for touring musicians so they have profitable venues to perform at here locally.
The South County Collective is the brain child of recent Gilroy transplant and international performing artist Kaye Bohler. She said the combined communities have a large population and collectively we can support live music if we pull a cohesive plan together.
Kaye wants to do her part to build the arts including one of her goals which is to build awareness of the many live music venues including The District in downtown Gilroy, which Kaye believes is one of the best live music venues in the entire Bay Area.
Kaye has been a consummate performer for the past 30 years and not only is she a wonderful performer but she is a great promoter, an excellent marketer and a “booking machine.”
She will be taking over The District April 15 with a tax day show featuring some of her South County musical friends including the Blue Sky Band, with Scott Jensen and Russ Cox both from Gilroy, followed by the rock styles of The Mike Osborn Band.
Also on the bill is blues guitar great from Gilroy, John Garcia. John is one of the most well know local guitarists and music teachers in the South County. Rounding out the show will be The Kaye Bohler Band. She will be ending her set with a collaboration of musicians returning to the stage for a final number.
Kaye told me that her next step is to have the South County Collective begin a fundraising effort to help pay for the creation of a website where local music venues and musicians can post their events. Her vision is to further create a dedicated Facebook page and email list as well.
For the show at The District, the ticket price is low to attract a broader audience — just $10 for all four acts offering a most affordable evening of entertainment. Doors open at 7 p.m. And the show begins at 8 p.m. The District is located at 7430 Monterey St., in downtown Gilroy.
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On another note, local musicians will be taking to the streets from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 30 for the Morgan Hill Downtown Association’s annual Wine Stroll. There will be music in four locations from First Street to Fifth Street and wine tastings from many of the local wineries from Morgan Hill and Gilroy.
And, if you want to hear some gospel and bluegrass music while helping those in need, check out the group Bluer Than Blue, who will perform at 7 p.m. April 16 at the Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Ave. The show is a fundraiser for Reach Out/Food Pantry at St. Catherine’s Church. Bring a few cans of non-perishable food or a cash donation to support St Catherine’s Reach Out Food Pantry.
Finally, “Smile,” a satirical musical about at an American beauty pageant, will be performed by The Ann Sobrato High School Theater Society. Performances are at 7 p.m. April 29, 30, May 6 and 7 with a 2 p.m. matinee the 29th. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and children and are available at the Ann Sobrato Performing Arts Center box office before the show.
Got a music tip? Email Mark “Fenny” Fenichel at [email protected]
