I Shot Rock...

I'll be exhibiting three images in an upcoming, group photo show of live music photography this month. Myself and about ten other photographers will be displaying work along with a live performance by local punk band, Crying 4 Kafka, at Jensen's Main Stage here in SB. If you are reading this and in the area during the opening, go check it out. That way you can tell me how cool it was since I will be traveling at the time and won't be able to make it.

There will be quite a variety of musical genres in the show, ranging from Nine Inch Nails to the Grateful Dead. Details below...And if you can't make it... here's my three images that will be in the show, just imagine them big...

Remembering Kenny...

Two posts today... I couldn't go without mentioning my buddy, Kenny Catlin, who cashed his chips in way too early... five years ago today. Kenny died in a motorcycle crash while riding fire roads in the Los Padres National forest, on the backside of the mountains here in Santa Barbara.We met while shooting live music. We actually stood next to each other and shot one show at the SB Bowl before we ever met, I even took a shot of him at that time. (posted below) It was during New Found Glory's performance at the venue in 2003. It was the first show of the season and my first show as house photographer (again) after leaving in 2000 to live in SF. I remember thinking... aahh, this guy is blocking my chance of getting a shot, as the lead singer came to the edge of the stage. Then I thought... heck, I'll just include him as part of the scene and hope for the best. I didn't give it much thought after that.Probably two or three days later, I went to the local club, Velvet Jones, to shoot the band, Blazing Haley. I got there way too early to be sure I could get a good spot next to the stage. I go through the front door of the joint and there's Kenny, leaning against the bar, the only other guy in the place... with his camera too! I told him about the picture I had taken of him, which I think raised an eyebrow, but he knew we were both live music photo geeks and we bonded right away.

I'm fortunate to have been able to shoot elbow to elbow with him for many more shows at the SB Bowl in the next year and a half that he was alive... sharing in something that we were both passionate about.

You are missed Kenny...

More Happy Endings...

Ok, that's it for real this time. My official shooting season ended tonight with the Monsters of Folk show. Originally scheduled to take place at the Santa Barbara Bowl, tonight's show was moved to the newly remodeled Granada Theater in downtown SB.

And... like my last post of happy endings, another person is moving on. The publicist, Anna Suarez, for Nederlander Concerts (the company that promotes the SB Bowl shows), is climbing up the music industry's corporate ladder. Anna will be moving on to do promotions and marketing for Goldenvoice at Club Nokia in LA. Congratulations Anna, you will be missed! The good news is... she is being replaced by another Anna and, it's one I already know. I met the new Anna at club SOhO here in town, where she was doing the show bookings at one time. Welcome Anna, I look forward to working with you next season!

Speaking of SOhO, I do plan to starting hanging out there more. Now that the season is over at the SB Bowl I will be taking advantage of the fact that one can see live music there 7 nights a week. Muddy Waters Cafe and the Velvet Jones here in SB will also be on my radar as places to see and shoot shows during the winter.

Ok, here's a couple pics from the real final show of the season...

More from the Joshua Tree Music Fest...

Shots I like, that didn't make it onto JamBase.com

Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival pics...

A selection of my photos from the Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival are posted on JamBase.com, click HERE to check them out.

Check back in to see some of my favorites from the event, which I'll post here soon.