Search results for

Entertainment to experience … or to see!Whatever branch of service you might have served in, you may recall just how much they molded you into being a soldier, sailor, marine, etc ... but they didn't do a WHOLE lot to prepare you for being a civilian once again.Enter Mil-Tree, and their program, "Tapestries of Transformation." The purpose of which is connecting veterans back to their community and reducing chronic loneliness and isolation.The culmination of the program will be a theatrical performance in the spring, which comes together as the culmination of several workshops — drumming, writing and storytelling, acting, and movement. The workshops are coming up QUITE soon — running through February. AND — they're not JUST for veterans.More at mil-tree.org.

John Jorgenson grew up in Redlands (and while at University of Redlands, actually played clarinet with Benny Goodman conducting!!!), and at one point worked at Disneyland — playing in three different bands comprised of the same four guys. He was in The Desert Rose Band, along with Chris Hillman of the Byrds and Herb Pederson, who's played with more people than I can name in one breath. He was also in the award-winning Hellecasters, and was invited by Elton John to be part of an 18-month tour, which turned into a 6-year stay. John Jorgenson is also one of the forerunners in the world of Gypsy Jazz.I interviewed him just over a decade ago when he was getting ready to perform in Redlands, though this was before the creation of KVC-Arts. About time I included this one! John is still touring and performing in a number of configurations. More at johnjorgenson.com.

On this edition of KVC-Arts, David Fleming speaks with Albert Lopez, founder of the band Wayword in 2018. The band was formed when Albert reached out to friends to help him play his music live and in studio. Wayword has released 1 EP and 1 album and is actively working on a 2nd record. Wayword is a multi-genre band with influences in indie rock, alt rock, power pop and shoegaze. On Instagram @waywordca.

On this edition of KVC-Arts, we'll hear from Johnny A. Hickman about this region of California as well as bands from the area (Cracker's roots are indeed Redlands, San Bernardino, Highland, Riverside ... ), another phrase or three talking about the songwriting process for Cracker, several REALLY cool tunes from Hickman's early solo release, Palmhenge — as well as the origin of that name, and yes — Cracker's breakout hit — "Teen Angst."

Henry Franklin, "Skipper," got his start with Roy Ayers in a Latin jazz group while still in high school. He was recruited by Hugh Masekela for an album which produced "Grazing in the Grass," and took him to Woodstock as well as the Monterey Pop Festival. He's worked as a sideman with many, and has 28 (or so) albums under his own name.On the next KVC-Arts David Fleming speaks with Skipper about one of the most recent — one which earned him a NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz record — instrumental. SUCH a great disc! We'll also hear about one that was a bit of an avant-garde piece, yet still QUITE cool to listen to. We'll touch briefly as well on his time with Stevie Wonder.But it's mostly jazz; and jazz in this area! Skipper still lines up the musicians for Pierce Street Jazz, a free concert series at La Sierra University. A variety of types of jazz presented, with known players who are in the region (they're all OVER the place). AND more!

David Fleming speaks with Henry Franklin about his long history in the world of jazz, as well as major crossover success with Hugh Masekela (“Grazing in the Grass” et al.), which took him to Woodstock as well as The Monterey Pop Festival. We'll hear about his first release, his latest, and a lot in between.

For this edition of KVC-Arts, David Fleming interviews Evan J. Marshall. Beyond his time with Riders of the Purple Sage, Evan is known to many as Mr. Solo Mandolin, due to his ability to play both accompaniment and lead at the same time. For this reason he's also known to some as "The Lone Arranger," but also due largely to his take on the final movement from the "William Tell Overture" — better known in many circles as the theme for The Lone Ranger.

Growing up — in movies, books, TV ... Matt Gilbert never saw lead characters like himself — Native American. And he decided he wasn't going to wait for someone else to make it happen. We ended up with the Chandera Trilogy ... though books four and five are in the works. Frank Blanquet, Television Producer/Director for FNX | First Nations Experience, recently interviewed Gilbert, aka Wolf Golan, about some of his writing.From the website: "Book 1 begins with Maxwell Wilkes marooned on an uncharted planet with his girlfriend Alexandra Parks and the small Riven 5 Shuttle Crew. They find themselves in a medieval kingdom, where they are seen as 'Strangers from the Stars.' They soon find out the kingdom is at war with a dark lord in the east. Can they help the kingdom tip the scales to save this new world called Chandera?" With themes and motifs reminiscent of Star Wars, Tolkien, and other epics — it's an adventure ... and it continues.

David Fleming speaks with Michelle Dowd, author of "Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult: a Memoir." Each chapter begins with a plant you can find in the mountain wilderness, and the ways to use it for food. Each chapter then goes on to tell the story of Michelle Dowd, and the Angeles National Forest cult in which she was raised. The cult was started by her grandfather, known to all as the last prophet. He would not die, but rather live to be 500 and lead the organization through the impending apocalypse. The story is told from the perspective of Michelle — as a 7-year-old, growing into her teenage years — when she would eventually leave. More on the book at https://www.michelledowd.org. Michelle's on Instagram @MichelleDowdZ as well as MDowd.Substack.com. The books are available in hardback, paperback, Kindle and Audio anywhere books are sold, including Amazon.

David Fleming speaks with Raul Malo of The Mavericks. The Mavericks are performing with Dwight Yoakum in our region on September 26th and 27th. More at themavericksband.com/tour/.