Music is mushrooming in Morgan Hill at this year’s Mardi Gras
Published in the April 16 – 29, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mark Fenichel
Mark Fenichel
In addition to the occasional aroma of mushroom fertilizer wafting through the air, there is mushroom music coming to Morgan Hill May 24 and 25 at the 2014 Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras. I managed to get an advanced preview of the main stage acts so I thought I would pass it on.
Saturday May 24 opens 10 to 11 a.m. with The Cocktail Monkeys. Well worth waking up early for this band has won the KFOX Last Band Standing contest and been riding the wave ever since – and rightfully so. They are an extremely talented lot with the lovely Renee up front, rhythm section Bobby Asea a true showman on bass and Renee’s husband Will Diamond on drums, plus Mark St. John holding down the lead, rhythm guitar and backing vocals. With a name like that, how can you not get up to see them?
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. its Wild West Show, a very strong country band, then from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Extra Large, a high energy Santa Cruz based band that is tight and solid and very fun to watch, takes the stage. Their music covers an extra large spectrum from funk to R&B to fun happy reggae. You are going to want to be at the stage when they play.
Following them from 3:30 to 5 p.m. is Aja Vu, a band that won the KFOX Last Band Standing contest a couple of times in the tribute category. Their Steely Dan and Chicago covers are the most dead on, almost scary how much they sound like the actual band. Then the Twilight Concert from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with Bay Area favorites Entourage. Sunday the stage kicks off at 10 a.m. in a harder rock mode with Tsunami Band.
From noon to 1:30 p.m. it’s The Jesse Charles Band, one of the most experienced local bands I know. They have preformed everywhere from the Top Of The Mark to corporate events at many of the largest companies in Silicon Valley. An impressive mix of classic rock, soul, R&B, country, blues and more. Jesse Charles is the bandleader on guitar and vocals.
An extremely competent musician with the ability to whip his bandmates into producing the extremely tight quality sound they are known for. Vocalist (and Jesse’s wife) Lindsay Barrow steals the show every time with her smooth vocals. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., it’s Sugadady from Oakland. A high energy highly experienced rock cover band playing favorites from many generations.
When the clock strikes 4, local favorite Shane Dwight takes over with his blend of country and blues. You won’t have to go far to hear some of the best music the Bay Area has to offer if your plans are The Mushroom Mardi Gras 2014 May 24 & 25.
On another note, as of this writing there are still tickets available for one of the most fun parties of the year: Morgan’s Cove Goes Western May 17. Tickets and more details at The Morgan Hill Chamber Of Commerce, www.morganhill.org, or call (408) 779-9444.
