Big night of special names at benefit concert in Sonoma

Reading through the list of nominees for this year’s Grammy Awards, I was amused by the Lil’ nicknames and stage names of the performers. But I remembered that there have always been colorful nicknames in the music business. “Jellyroll” Morton (birth name Ferdinand) was a legendary jazz pianist from New Orleans. “Blind” Lemon Jefferson (yes, Lemon was his birth name) was known as “Father of the Texas Blues.” Elvin “Pigboy Crabshaw” Bishop is a blues guitar player and now a Marin County gentleman farmer. There’s the appropriately named “Weird” Al Yankovic, so dubbed during his sophomore year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he was an architecture major.

“Cool Papa,” “Dimebag,” “Slowhand,” “Cleanhead,” the list goes on. It’s nothing new, there is just a tad more phonetic license now.

Speaking of the music business, Howard “Lil’ Bo” Sapper and his Extraordinaire Productions team have put together a benefit concert happening tonight at the Sonoma Community Center’s Andrews Hall. Sapper invited the bands, secured the venue, crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s. The event begins at 6 p.m. and features five local bands, bringing that local love in support of one of their own.

The story starts back in November, when a fire consumed the Eighth Street East warehouse of Larry “Lightnin’” Ginese, owner of Illusions Lighting Design. He lost all of his equipment in the blaze. Also losing most of his gear – and his livelihood – was Nat “Ears” Aslaksen, an experienced and well-loved local sound engineer.

The musical community will gather together and present a fine show featuring live music and visual treats. Every musician on the stage is working for free, because they all know the true value of a good sound man. And good lighting can make a good show even better.

Jon “Ponyboy” Williams will act as emcee for the night. The funds raised will all go toward the two whose names are on the event: “An Evening of Love for Nat and Larry”.

T-Luke Domingue (birth name Lucas; “T” being a term of endearment given to a young or small child in his family’s Cajun heritage) and the Tight Suits headline the night. They will rock the hall Cajun style and will deliver the dance tunes the crowd loves to hear. The Tight Suits will be Jeff Patterson plucking the bass, Louis Rodriguez beating the traps, and Bruce Gordon tickling the ivories.

Sean “Nas” Carscadden takes the stage with his trio, tonight featuring Dave “Slick” Aguilar as special guest. Supporting the tasty guitar work of Carscadden and Aguilar will be Mikey Lee “Smiles” Cannon on drums and Cliff “Tone” Hugo on bass.

Live Band Karaoke will move its production from Starling Bar to Andrews for the night to showcase some fine local vocalists. John “RyeBoy” Arntz masterminds this event. Tonight’s show will feature no less than nine singers who have brought down the house in the past.

Before they back up the karaoke portion of the night, Sonoma Sound Syndicate will play their stuff. “RyeBoy” and the SSS band – Bob “Fingers” McBain, Mike “Slim” Israel, “Diamond Davo” Farrell and front person Sharon “Scissors” Paquette – are a groove-based band sure to please.

Opening the show is Long Story Short: Tom “Wigflip” Wolf, Curtis “Harpy” Duff, Steve “Chef” Cohen, Tim (you can’t give yourself a nickname) Curley, and Kerry “Special K” Daly. Long Story Short will present an hour of catchy rock songs.

Filling out the bill is Tobias of the Traveling Spectacular, who will dazzle the crowd with his jaw-dropping antics.

Food, beer and wine, and soft beverages will be offered. The omnipresent Mary Catherine “Hammer” Cutliffe has been working on presenting some attractive auction items. The sound will be engineered by Gavin “Slider” Jones, who is donating his time and equipment as a measure of brotherly love for Nat.

It will be a great night filled with a slew of local talent. $20 or more, tickets available at the door. 276 First St. E.