Has local country music gone missing in Bakersfield? - By N.L. Belardes
What do you know about Bakersfield rock, country, alt rock, rockabilly and how it all ties together here in the Southern San Joaquin? Well read on and you might get educated, and in turn, educate me on any discrepancies you find in this article, as it is meant to scare a few bands out of the shadows to reveal themselves.
With that said, country music didn’t have a hard time getting grounded here in Bakersfield, California years ago. There are entire books on the subject defining how it all began, so there’s no need to go into great detail, unless you haven’t done your homework. Locals have written about such roots from novelist Gerald Haslam to local historian, Katherine Burke and more. Katherine interviewed Buck and got all kinds of great info just a few years ago on the Okie migration, church roots, field working days and old Honky Tonks... I read the original manuscript before publication. It is top rate research. We even celebrated afterwards at the Palace...
Read up and you will find that local country music has all but disappeared from Bakersfield. Oh you can find imported acts beamed into the leading Bakersfield venue on any given night. Anymore, the nexus for country music in Bakersfield is the world renowned Crystal Palace. The heyday for the Bakersfield Sound may be over, but such music is still around. You can listen to Buck Owens, and still hear the influences of Billy Mize, Red Simpson, and that old Blackboard Honky Tonk. There, big bands jammed in an era where country music was even more important than the local football cultural heydays in the mid-20th Century. You've heard of the Junior Rose Bowl, right? As for the rest of Bakersfield? The old Bakersfield Sound has not disappeared completely but certainly has stepped into the shadows where now all that dwells within are alt country and rockabilly sounds that still have a flavor of Bakersfield’s country roots. But who are they? Matt Munoz wrote me a revealing letter that tells all. And I think there’s even more to it once we hear from the country/rockabilly community. But you have to ask yourself, is Los Angeles now the Country Capital of California, or shall I suggest a more fitting name, the New Nashville West?
Many of you know I have a dream to get the agri-roots of Bakersfield rock and alt country into the Crystal Palace. Seems I was schooled by Matt Munoz of Mento Buru as they’ve already played the Palace, count them, SIX times! Incredible! But maybe not if you think how strong the Latino community really is with its local sensation Victor Sanz. And moreso, rockabilly bands like Fatt Katt and the Von Zippers and Dusk Devils who recently played Club Fred in Fresno have tore it up at the Palace as well.
What’s next? A concert celebrating the roots of Bakersfield’s grass roots sounds? Some bluegrass, some alt country, rockabilly, country and a splash of rural rock punk? Could such a historic performance take place?
Take a look at some of Matt’s comments… then think about it. And then let's go explore the Honky Tonks. I've done it before with Katherine Burke herself and listened to old Red Simpson sing his Osama song right at Trouts on pot luck night. And then the dancing begun, and the old timers moved as if they'd never missed a beat. At the time I think Katherine was 85.
N.L. ,
I was just reading some of your old entries about the Bakersfield Country scene. I dig country music and make it to the Crystal Palace whenever I can to see some of my faves like Junior Brown, BR5-49, Asleep at The Wheel & of course, Buck.
I don't understand what happened to the country music scene here. There used to be a few bands, besides Smokin' Armadillos that used to gig pretty regularly. The Dooley Brothers used to play at Rockabilly's, now known as Aldo's on Union Ave. Remember The Funny Farm? It was located there too before it "mysteriously" burnt down. Old school country stylee.
Alt country in Bako is alive for the most part: The Dusk Devils, Fat Katt & The Von Zippers seem to pop-up for a show every once in awhile. I haven't seen Norfolk, but your reviews have me curious. Some bands may refer to their music as "roots music" and not alt-country, but since I hate too many labels, I'll refer to them as alt-country for now. Yes, it's a silly label, but this is my mail and I can say what I want.
Here's an article from a while back about country music in LA & Bakersfield. It's pretty amusing and sad at the same time if you know your Bako country roots. The search for country music brought the reporter here, and guess what happened?
Oh yeah, we can officially be named the first local non-country act to play the Crystal Palace. We've played there about 6 times, four times after Mr. Owens himself. I saw it as a good sign of more things like that to come, but it didn't last. Very few local bands get booked. Not even local country bands can find a home there. It's sad, because it is the nicest live joint in the city. The sound system there is awesome, and the whole operation is first rate.
I have a funny story about when country / tejano star Emilio played the Palace, but I'll tell you later. Picture a house full of rowdy Mexicans and the beer running out. Orale'.....
Peace ese',
Matt
With that said, country music didn’t have a hard time getting grounded here in Bakersfield, California years ago. There are entire books on the subject defining how it all began, so there’s no need to go into great detail, unless you haven’t done your homework. Locals have written about such roots from novelist Gerald Haslam to local historian, Katherine Burke and more. Katherine interviewed Buck and got all kinds of great info just a few years ago on the Okie migration, church roots, field working days and old Honky Tonks... I read the original manuscript before publication. It is top rate research. We even celebrated afterwards at the Palace...
Read up and you will find that local country music has all but disappeared from Bakersfield. Oh you can find imported acts beamed into the leading Bakersfield venue on any given night. Anymore, the nexus for country music in Bakersfield is the world renowned Crystal Palace. The heyday for the Bakersfield Sound may be over, but such music is still around. You can listen to Buck Owens, and still hear the influences of Billy Mize, Red Simpson, and that old Blackboard Honky Tonk. There, big bands jammed in an era where country music was even more important than the local football cultural heydays in the mid-20th Century. You've heard of the Junior Rose Bowl, right? As for the rest of Bakersfield? The old Bakersfield Sound has not disappeared completely but certainly has stepped into the shadows where now all that dwells within are alt country and rockabilly sounds that still have a flavor of Bakersfield’s country roots. But who are they? Matt Munoz wrote me a revealing letter that tells all. And I think there’s even more to it once we hear from the country/rockabilly community. But you have to ask yourself, is Los Angeles now the Country Capital of California, or shall I suggest a more fitting name, the New Nashville West?
Many of you know I have a dream to get the agri-roots of Bakersfield rock and alt country into the Crystal Palace. Seems I was schooled by Matt Munoz of Mento Buru as they’ve already played the Palace, count them, SIX times! Incredible! But maybe not if you think how strong the Latino community really is with its local sensation Victor Sanz. And moreso, rockabilly bands like Fatt Katt and the Von Zippers and Dusk Devils who recently played Club Fred in Fresno have tore it up at the Palace as well.
What’s next? A concert celebrating the roots of Bakersfield’s grass roots sounds? Some bluegrass, some alt country, rockabilly, country and a splash of rural rock punk? Could such a historic performance take place?
Take a look at some of Matt’s comments… then think about it. And then let's go explore the Honky Tonks. I've done it before with Katherine Burke herself and listened to old Red Simpson sing his Osama song right at Trouts on pot luck night. And then the dancing begun, and the old timers moved as if they'd never missed a beat. At the time I think Katherine was 85.
N.L. ,
I was just reading some of your old entries about the Bakersfield Country scene. I dig country music and make it to the Crystal Palace whenever I can to see some of my faves like Junior Brown, BR5-49, Asleep at The Wheel & of course, Buck.
I don't understand what happened to the country music scene here. There used to be a few bands, besides Smokin' Armadillos that used to gig pretty regularly. The Dooley Brothers used to play at Rockabilly's, now known as Aldo's on Union Ave. Remember The Funny Farm? It was located there too before it "mysteriously" burnt down. Old school country stylee.
Alt country in Bako is alive for the most part: The Dusk Devils, Fat Katt & The Von Zippers seem to pop-up for a show every once in awhile. I haven't seen Norfolk, but your reviews have me curious. Some bands may refer to their music as "roots music" and not alt-country, but since I hate too many labels, I'll refer to them as alt-country for now. Yes, it's a silly label, but this is my mail and I can say what I want.
Here's an article from a while back about country music in LA & Bakersfield. It's pretty amusing and sad at the same time if you know your Bako country roots. The search for country music brought the reporter here, and guess what happened?
Oh yeah, we can officially be named the first local non-country act to play the Crystal Palace. We've played there about 6 times, four times after Mr. Owens himself. I saw it as a good sign of more things like that to come, but it didn't last. Very few local bands get booked. Not even local country bands can find a home there. It's sad, because it is the nicest live joint in the city. The sound system there is awesome, and the whole operation is first rate.
I have a funny story about when country / tejano star Emilio played the Palace, but I'll tell you later. Picture a house full of rowdy Mexicans and the beer running out. Orale'.....
Peace ese',
Matt
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Sunday, May 22, 2005.
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