Folk musician John McCutcheon returns to Sonoma

Postponed Sebastiani gig rescheduled to June 6.|

The Sebastiani Theatre continues to book some pretty impressive talent to play before the music lovers of the Valley of the Tunes.

The rescheduled show by the very talented John McCutcheon is slated to be held on June 6. This show deserves special mention because McCutcheon has made a habit of visiting our area for a Monday show for almost 20 years. The shows always sell out.

Before the rescheduling of his show, which was originally slated for January, McCutcheon was reached by cell phone. McCutcheon spoke candidly and enthusiastically about his life as a traveling minstrel. He said, “I’m in my home studio in Georgia. But I’m especially looking forward to getting back to Sonoma. Because the Sebastiani is dark on Monday nights, it’s a real treat to have a Monday night gig. Most musicians are sitting in a hotel room on Monday nights, waiting for Tuesday.”

In addition to being a master of many stringed instruments, McCutcheon is considered to be one of the finest hammered dulcimer players in the world. The unusual instrument has 15 strings but is considered a percussion instrument because it is played by hitting the strings with a “hammer.” Not a ball peen or claw, but a spoon-shaped mallet-like wooden device, light and responsive to the touch.

McCutcheon also spoke at length about his new album, titled “Bucket List.” His last album was a solo effort, but these recording sessions included a band of longtime musical partners. McCutcheon adds his considerable skills playing guitar, banjo and piano. It has an intimate feel to it, not unlike his live shows. Those shows are remarkable because of McCutcheon’s unique storytelling ability and his jaw-dropping musical talent.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are available at veezi.com. If you miss this one, he will be back next year. But a year can be a long time to wait for something this good.

Also slated to appear at the Sebastiani is Santa Barbara songbird Kimberly Ford. She will be bringing in her band and performing a show they call “Dreamland, a Tribute to Joni Mitchell.” Ford’s previous two appearance in the Valley were at The Reel and Brand and were both very impressive. Her band was stellar, Ford’s vocals were superb, and the songs…well, they’re Joni Mitchell songs. What else do you need to know?

Again, tickets to the Joni show, soon to be known at the Kimberly show, are available at Veezi.com. Get out your cane, put on some silver, and head on out to hear some not-so-scratchy rock and roll at the Sebastiani.

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