What’s Beaverstock all about? Well of course there’s food, wine, beer, and a bunch of other things to do while there but the two BIG things I love…music and community. This event revolves around music and community. And in my opinion, in a very short amount of time, they have been able to load this event up with amazing talent and of course, the community shows up.
One aspect that intrigues me is just how much local talent that Castoro Cellars (the folks that started the event) brings in. In fact, I respect the hell out of that. It’s such a great way to support local music while bringing in ‘outside the area’ musicians to round it out. You can check out this year’s lineup here.
I have reached out to several of the bands and here are a couple that have replied. If you’re a local in SLO County you may be familiar with them. The first is The Mother Corn Shuckers and the second is Chris Beland. Check out the Q&A’s below and I hope to see you gettin’ your boogie on at Beaverstock in September. There’s not another event like it on the Central Coast!
Q&A with The Mother Corn Shuckers:
Matt: How long have you been together as a band?
Che: We started 6-7 yrs ago around the middle of 2008 playing after the monthly Surfrider meeting at Slo Down Pub. In 2011 we came out with our first self titled CD “THE MOTHER CORN SHUCKERS”. Shawn Cannon and Myself (Che Miller) were each writing and singing half the songs on the first album. Then Shawn moved on to do other things in life. His current band is Fowler Brown. So we re-grouped and added Cody St James and recorded another album in 2013 titled “Beergrass”. The songs were written by
Cody St James, Alan Vogan & Myself. Well as it goes with 8 member bands, Cody & Allen both left the band to spend more time with family. Cody’s Band is St. James Infirmary and Alan Vogan’s Band is Just Gravy with my wife Colleen Gnos as his Bass Player. We decided to not add another singer instead added a mandolin player and a new bass player and a second drummer and I took on all the songwriting and singing. We just recorded a new CD titled “California Grown”. Our release date is this weekend Aug.29th at Sea Pines Barefoot concerts on the green in Los Osos.
We are now a 9 piece band
Che Miller- Lead Vocals, guitar,
Mark Hughes- Vocals, banjo,
Jeff Pienack- Vocals, harmonica, guitar
Greg Steers- Upright bass
Kurt Micheals- drums & washboard
Curt Miller- drums & washboard
Lillian Dennis- fiddle
Chris Dennis- slide
Mark Travis- Mandolin
Matt: How would you describe your band and the style of music you play?
Che: We are a fun get up stomp your feet and dance with the whole family type of band. Because we are one big family band up onstage. I think people can feel that and want to get up and have as much fun as we are playing up there. As for describing our music, we simply call it Beergrass. I have never been good at stereotyping what genre we are, so we made up our own. It’s a mix of bluegrass, country, folk, rock n roll, and songwriting. simply put BEERGRASS.
Matt: So you’ll be playing Beaverstock at Castoro Cellars this year, is this your first time?
Che: Yes
Matt: What are your thoughts on Beaverstock?
Che: I think Beaverstock is great, Music, Wine, Food and Fun. I have not been there before but have heard great things about it from some members of the band. We are very excited to be a part of this festival with one of our favorite bands Brothers Comatose and of course all the other great artists.
Matt: What’s the best way for people to get in touch with you to either follow along with what you’re doing (schedule and events) or to book you?
Che: You can link to us at:
Q&A with Chris Beland:
Matt: How long have you been together as a band (if solo, how long have you been playing for the public)?
Chris: I’ve been writing songs and playing music since I was 15 but playing out performing for about 10 years. Although now I have my daughter Harmony accompanying me on stage so I’m technically not “solo”. She’s been singing with me since she was four. Now she’s 10..she thinks she all grown up. Ha!
Matt: How would you describe the style of music you play?
Chris: I tend to fall in the folk category but that’s such a broad paintbrush. I get compared to Paul Simon and Bob Dylan a lot, which is always a great complement. I just try to be me and write songs that are authentic and hopefully people will pick up on that.
Matt: So you’ll be playing Beaverstock at Castoro Cellars this year? What are your thoughts on Beaverstock?
Chris: Yes, I’m looking forward to playing the Stompin Ground stage again. This will be my second year. Last year was a blast. The turn out was great and the vibes from everyone was nothin but love. Bands included. Funny story, I was sitting in the audience during Eric Bibb’s amazing performance and I spaced it that my set was about to start on the stage across the field. Luckily someone spotted me and snapped me out of my musical daze and gave me a golf cart lift. Barely made it! I’ll try not to do that this year.
Matt: What’s the best way for people to get in touch with you to either follow along with what you’re doing (schedule and events) or to book you?
Chris: The best way to get in touch with me or to see where I’m gigging is to go to my website www.chrisbeland.com or shoot me an email at chrisbelandmusic@gmail.com
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