Chi McClean

Ya know it's gonna be a good gig when you pull up and see this at the front gate of the venue...

On Sunday, January 22nd, I was invited to perform a featured showcase set at local promoter Steve Key’s “Songwriters at Play” event at Scultperra Winery in Paso Robles, CA. Steve Key has been a huge supporter of mine throughout the years and has become a good friend. He’s opened up a number of doors for me along the Central Coast of California with venues, radio stations, other songwriters, and more. As a result, if you purchase a copy of my newest release “A Thing Or Three”, you’ll see him listed in my very short “Thank You” section. Quite simply, he is the man.

Goofing around with Steve Key after the showcase at Sculpterra Winey in Paso Robles, CA.

Kicking off the event was the man himself, Steve Key, with a few of his self penned songs from the years. He also treated us to one of my new favorite covers from Peter Mayer about a pumpkin and a jack-o-lantern that I first heard the last time I played in San Luis Obispo, CA just before Halloween when Steve sat in for a few songs during my set. He’s got such an easy way about his voice and playing style that it’s hard not to get wrapped up in his songs.

Steve Key singing his hit "Record Time" to the barrel room crowd at Scultpterra Winery in Paso Robles, CA.

Afterwards, John Sandoval played some folky guitar and harmonica tunes from some recent writing sessions followed by a really nice set from local guitar virtuoso, Martin Paris. Martin can really play that guitar and is the pro I aspire to be in terms of his familiarity with a number of open tunings and the easy fashion with which he works his way around the fretboard. You should check out his music when ya get a sec if you like solo, acoustic, instrumental music. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Central Coast virtuoso Martin Paris owning the barrel room stage at Sculpterra Winery in Paso Robles, CA.

Afterwards, San Diego songwriter Gayle Skidmore graced the stage for a few tunes with her mysterious, haunting, melodic style. If you are not yet familiar with her, please check her music out online. Having had a chance at a label deal, she decided to go the other way, start her own, and manage herself. She’s done so very successfully over the last several years and has toured all over the place while expertly managing her career and her new, independent label. She’s a terrific pianist and a skilled guitar player and banjo player along with myriad other instruments including the dulcimer and more. I don’t think she played the same instrument twice during her entire set! Very cool to see and hear.

Gayle Skidmore from San Diego, CA working the crowd with another one of her delightful compositions.

After Gayle wrapped her set and we loaded her arsenal of instruments off the stage (how one person can lug around so much gear is amazing), I set up, did a quick sound check, and then proceeded to perform the featured showcase set in the barrel room at Sculpterra Winery. I ran through most of my new material including a new co-write I recently penned with Erica Sunshine Lee via Skype named “Going South For A While” and my new, favorite cover tune, “Heard It Through The Grapevine”… man, I do love that song! I had a great time performing for some new and old friends and fans, enjoying a few laughs during set, and sharing some of the stories behind the new recording. It was a great afternoon and I’ll remember it fondly.

BIG THANKS to Steve and Bonnie at “Songwriters at Play”, the entire crew at Sculpterra Winery, all of the songwriters who made the day possible, and to all of my fans and friends that made it so worthwhile. I couldn’t do it without you all. Thanks and see ya again real soon!

Next up on the tour schedule this January is a performance with Jamie Drake and Lee Koch at one of my favorite listening rooms anywhere, Zoey’s Café TONIGHT (Monday, January 23rd) in Ventura, CA. It’s going to be a fabulous night of original, acoustic music and I really can’t wait… Just $5.00 and all-ages, saddle up to a cozy table or booth, order up some tasty food, and make an evening out of it to kick off your week. Tickets and more information is available on the Zoey’s Café website. Hope to see you Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, and other surrounding area folks soon!