Murphys Rocks! With R & B, Classic Rock and Karaoke!
“Plan B”, local boys whose classic rock ensemble is being considered, by a local paper, for an award recognizing them as Calaveras County’s “favorite band!” Belting out tunes like the Beatles’ “Come Together”, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”, Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Pride and Joy”, among others, is their guitar virtuoso, Keno Rojas. Backing him are his father, Vince Rojas on bass, and Jim Riley on drums.
Photos and story by Greg Kristapovich
After the Ironstone Summer Concert Series came to a spectacular finale with the Bonnie Raitt/Blind Boys of Alabama double bill on October 4th, 2008, many people wondered, “What now?” But Murphys continued to rock! The Growler Craft Brewery put on several shows which included the hard-drivin’ classic rock trio called Bar XX; then there was the captivating concert by Fiddles, Etc, which put on a tour-de-force performance worthy of the stage at the Grand Ole Opry! And there was a stunning show by David McCoy and the Real, playing “psychedelic jazz rock”! Soon, the music spread all throughout the town! Murphys Historic Hotel presented the ”Diamond Duo,” aka Bobby and Natalia,(he on saxophone; she on vocals) pleasing their audience with their unique blend of pop, bossa nova and smooth jazz. Recently, “The Hotel” has been booking a very popular classic rock power trio called “Plan B.” The Nugget Bar has, perhaps been at the forefront, in providing nightlife for Murphys. Featured below are performances over four different nights at the Nugget. This reporter has travelled from one end of Calaveras to the other, and has determined that no town, at least at this time, rocks like Murphys!
The Chambers Brothers, led by founding member, Lester Chambers, (right), and his son Dylan (left) appeared at the Nugget! And they performed some solid R & B, including their hits, “People Get Ready” and “Time Has Come Today!” Several media people from the Bay Area came to see the concert! The place was packed. Meanwhile, dozens of music fans waited outside, hoping to get in to see the legendary group!
The Bay Area All-Stars rocked the Nugget with their intense versions of classic rock! The band, led by former Jefferson Starship drummer, Donny Baldwin, nearly blew the roof off the place, and had everyone dancing so hard, you could almost feel the earth move…like a 7.9 on the Richter scale! Doing a dynamic job on guitar and vocals is the renowned Johnny Gunn!
Singing their hearts out on Wednesday’s Karaoke Night at the Nugget are from left to right: Bay Webster, Jolene Sherrow, Amanda Menezes and Nicole Somero, collectively known as the “Murphy-ites”!
