B.R. Cohn Charity Music Festival brings big names

For the last 27 years, philanthropist and winemaker Bruce Cohn has bought some of the biggest names in rock and roll to the intimate stage behind the winery, all in the name of raising money for charity, and this year is no different.

Over the years, the B.R. Cohn Charity Music Festival has raised more than $6 million for veterans groups and many others right here in Sonoma Valley, like the Sonoma Education Foundation, the Mentoring Alliance, the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley and many more.

This year’s line-up at the winery in Glen Ellen is just as amazing as prior years, with Saturday, Sept. 20, featuring the Curly Wolf, Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett and Kenny Gradney of Little Feat, John Waite, Los Lonely Boys, the Wallflowers featuring Bob Dylan’s son Jakob, and headlining the day is Melissa Etheridge performing solo. Etheridge has been getting rave reviews on the most recent solo tour. Sunday, Sept. 21, the show continues with the Curly Wolf, Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett and Kenny Gradney of Little Feat, John Waite, Los Lonely Boys, Huey Lewis and the News and Peter Frampton.

John Waite will also be performing at tonight’s auction fundraiser dinner in the olive grove on the property. There is also music between acts on the Lise Sonnen Memorial Stage in the olive grove with Never Fear, featuring locals Rich Little, Jeff Bundschu and Scott DeMartini on Saturday, Sept. 20, and Frobeck on Sunday, Sept. 21. Tickets are still available for both shows and for walk-ups, you would take the shuttle from the Sonoma Developmental Center and go to the main gate by the tasting room. No outside food or beverages of any type are allowed in the venue. The shows kick off both days at 11 a.m. with gates opening at 9:30 a.m. and seating starting at 10:30 a.m.

They’re calling it the “Fall Festival After Party” at Burgers and Vine this weekend as tonight, Sept. 19, the venue has Lara Johnston, who has performed many times at previous festivals and Saturday, Sept. 20, it’s the Curly Wolf, who are opening both days at the festival. Showtime is 9:30 p.m. and there is no cover.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards presents the final appearance of the year from BackTrax in the tasting room playing classic rock and roll tonight, Sept. 19. The act has added some dance numbers to the set as well. The show kicks off at 6 p.m. The venue is child- and dog-friendly, and there is no cover. No outside alcohol including beer is allowed, per ABC regulations.

Rossi’s 1906 in El Verano (the former Little Switzerland) continues with live music tonight, Sept. 19, with the Zydeco Flames playing Cajun and zydeco dance music for a 9:30 p.m. show.

The El Verano Inn presents The Bumbling Bones and the Gentlemen Soldiers on Saturday, Sept. 20. Showtime is 9 p.m. and there is no cover.

The Annex Wine Bar welcomes Winoceros tonight, Sept. 19, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 20, it’s Dawn Angelosante and Deirdre Egan, also for a 7:30 p.m. show. There is no cover but the venue is 21 and over only.

The Erik James Tasting Room has music tonight, Sept. 19, with the Local Honey Swing Band kicking off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, it’s T-Luke and the Tight Suits, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover either night, but there is a $10 minimum.

Palooza Gastropub in Kenwood presents live music tonight, Sept. 19, with a show from Tudo Bem, kicking off at 7 p.m. It’s “Sangria Sunday” on Sunday, Sept. 20, with the Rosetown Ramblers. The show kicks off at noon.

HopMonk Tavern Sonoma has singer-songwriter Jamie Clark playing original rock on the beer garden stage today, Sept. 19, for a 5 p.m. show. Later on the tavern stage, it’s Sean Carscadden laying down some Americana at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, the beer garden stage welcomes Wesley Woo playing “alt-pop” for a 1 p.m. show. Later that night, the tavern stage has The Aqua Velvets playing surf tunes, for an 8:30 p.m. show. Sunday, Sept. 21, it’s an afternoon show on the beer garden stage at 1 p.m. with Craig Corona playing Americana and folk, and maybe even some Bob Denver. There is no cover and the shows are family-friendly.

The Sonoma Valley Regional Library welcomes Michael L. Castle on Saturday, Sept. 20. Castle will play a repertoire of tunes from the blues and folk traditions, loosely defined as American roots music. In between songs, he will impart some of his vast knowledge of the history of American roots music with the audience. The show kicks off at 2 p.m. and there is no cover.

Viansa Winery and Marketplace presents California Roller Baby on Saturday, Sept. 20, kicking off at noon. The act is a dynamic folk duo with a dance flair. Caroline Joy plays ukulele and keys, and sings her heart out, while Sean rocks instruments from steel guitar to clarinet and jazz flute. There is no cover for the show, but no outside food or alcohol is allowed on the premises.

Naked Wines in Kenwood presents Acoustic Soul on Saturday, Sept. 20, kicking off at noon.

Murphy’s Irish Pub presents You Knew Me When tonight, Sept. 19, playing Nashville indie folk rock. Saturday, Sept. 20, it’s the Perfect Crime playing bluegrass for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Sept. 21, it’s the Sean Carscadden Trio, starting at 7 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows.

The Plaza Bistro presents the Jeff Massanari Trio tonight, Sept. 19, for a 7 p.m. show. Massanari has performed with many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier artists including vocalists Paula West, Brenda Boykin, Denise Perrier, Nicholas Beard, Kenny Washington and Pamela Rose. In addition to performing with his own groups, Massanari regularly plays with the Johnny Nocturne Band, the Murasaki Ensemble, Swing Fever and countless other musicians in the jazz, blues, and world music genres. There is no cover for the show.

The Moose Lodge presents Showcase the Band on Sunday, Sept. 21, playing dance music, kicking off at 4 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.

The Blue Moon Salon has karaoke on Saturday, Sept 20, starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, the saloon presents the continuation of the blues jam, starting at 9:30 p.m. There is no cover.

If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it. Hit me up at jmberry@sonomamusic.com.

J.M. Berry knows the local music scene. He also knows website services and social media marketing. Check out his other skills at jmberry.com.

Hot 45s

Chris Cain – Friday, Sept. 19; 19 Broadway – Fairfax; 415-459-0293

Highway Poets – Friday, Sept. 19; Peri’s – Fairfax; 415-459-9910

Chris Cain – Saturday, Sept. 20; Biscuits & Blues – San Francisco; 415-292-2583

Stompy Jones – Friday, Sept. 19; Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio; 415-662-2219

Wonderbread 5 – Friday, Sept. 19; HopMonk Tavern – Novato; 415-892-6200

Colbie Caillat Gypsy Heart Tour – Saturday, Sept. 20; Wells Fargo Center – Santa Rosa; 546-3600

Ramsey Lewis – Saturday, Sept. 20; Donald and Maureen Green Music Center – Rohnert Park; 866-955-6040

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.