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Loggins, Doobies and more at B.R. Cohn

It wouldn’t feel like fall without the melodic sounds and rocking rhythms of “Listen to the Music” from the Doobie Brothers floating out of the Olive Grove at B.R. Cohn Winery. The band has become synonymous with the B.R. Cohn Charity Events Fall Music Festival, taking place this weekend for the 26th time.

It all begins with the Charity Auction Dinner tonight, Friday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the winery. Dinner will be prepared by some of Sonoma Valley’s top chefs including Jeffrey Lloyd of Cafe LaHaye, Peter J. Smith of the Lodge at Sonoma, Ari Weiswasser of the Glen Ellen Star, Sondra Bernstein and John Toulze of the Girl and the Fig, Carlo Cavallo of Sonoma Meritage and Scott Howard of Scott Howard Events. The night also includes a live auction of lots including vacations, signed guitars and private dinners. There are still some tickets remaining for the dinner for $200.

“If you’re reading the Friday morning Index-Tribune, you’ll probably want to make a decision about attending the dinner by noon,” said Michael Coats, publicist for the popular weekend of events.

Saturday, the music starts off at 11 a.m. (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) for the day-long concert. The line-up includes the Doobie Brothers, who have sold more than 40-million records worldwide. On Saturday only, the band will perform with Michael McDonald, a seminal singer-songwriter with the Doobies off-and-on since 1976.

Blues guitarist Buddy Guy, ranked 30 on Rolling Stone’s all-time top 100 guitar players, will also take the stage. Known for songs like “Why Can’t We Be Friends” and “Low Rider,” War can be heard on Saturday as well. Rounding out the line-up is “Happy Together” hitmakers the Turtles; winner of the 2012 Unsigned Only Music Competition, Lara Johnston; and English indie rockers Scar on the 45.

General admission tickets are still available Saturday for $85; or $150 for both days. Saturday VIP tickets are sold out; but a handful of the Special VIP tickets, which include seating on the stage, a meet-and-greet backstage, catering and parking, are available for $1,000.

Sunday will see a return of the Doobie Brothers along with a performance by Grammy winner Kenny Loggins. Dave Mason, the British rocker behind “Feelin’ Alright” can be heard along with a repeat performance by the Turtles. Sunday’s line-up also includes the bluesadelic Zen Road Pilots; singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells; and Pat Simmons Jr., son of Doobie Brother Patrick Simmons. The music runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and parking is offsite at the Sonoma Developmental Center, with shuttles to take concert-goers to the winery.

General admission tickets with lawn seating are available Sunday; as are VIP tickets for $350 which include reserved seating, a Wine Country buffet lunch by Brick & Bottle and parking.

“Sunday is closing in but it’s not quite sold out,” Coats said, “But act quickly.”

This year’s concert is dedicated to Mike Hossack, longtime drummer for the Doobie Brothers, who died March 12, after a long battle with cancer.

The weekend wraps up Monday, Oct. 8, with the Celebrity Golf Classic at the Sonoma Golf Course. The greens fee is $300 and includes a ticket to Friday’s gourmet dinner, a B.R. Cohn logo golf shirt and a box lunch the day of the event.

Proceeds from the weekend of charitable events will benefit the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, the Guardsmen, American Legion Post #489 and Operation Homefront.

In its 26 years, the weekend of events has raised more than $6 million for local nonprofits.

For last-minute tickets and more information, go to brcohn.com/events/concert.