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And this year's community festival is more local than ever. All musicians have Lafayette origins and connections.
Lafayette singer Kiki Stack, whose brainchild this concert was back in 2011, says that unlike the past few years when the concert featured five or six acts doing half-hour sets, this year there will be just two bands.
"The Big Jangle Band, a popular local Tom Petty tribute band, will be playing the hits with a little twist perhaps, and B-sides for the deeper Tom Petty fan, combining acoustic and electric favorites," says Stack. " I add a female angle on Tom Petty songs and of course cover Stevie Nicks duets with Paul Cotruvo, the band's leader."
Cotruvo, well known locally, is Lafayette-born and raised. "He will be playing with the second band, too," Stack says, explaining that the other band is an "All Star" band made up of Lafayette native sons.
The idea behind this band comes from guitar player/producer Jeff Tamelier, best known for playing with Tower of Power. Tamelier tells of growing up in Lafayette looking up to older kids playing music at the local schools.
One such kid was Mark Stanley, another local musician who will be playing at the festival.
"Mark Stanley was the reason I got into music," remembers Tamelier.
"For me it all started at Burton School, as it was back then, in fourth grade in 1968. I was allowed to hang out, watch and listen to Del Valle High School students' band, Rock Island," says Tamelier, adding that back then he wasn't allowed to join in. "I was too young."
Stack describes Stanley as a talented songwriter with a buttery-smooth voice. He has played at previous LCMFs.
Dave Martin will be playing. Stack explains Martin has played with local favorites, The Buzztones, with whom Stanley also played early on, and Lloyds, an original new wave band in the '80s. Martin now has his own band, Dave Martin's House Party, a successful Bay Area dance band.
"They plan on playing duets, trios, and all jamming together on some '60s favorites, somewhat chronologically, I believe," says Stack. "Jeff's invited me to join them for a couple of songs. A highlight of the evening should be a reunion of Lafayette's own '70s rock band, Rock Island."
The evening, while masterminded by Kiki Stack, comes to fruition also because of THT board of directors Vice President Tom Stack, who produces the event and will be the Emcee for the evening, keeping things flowing smoothly.
He says it is his favorite musical event of the year. "People come back every year for this event. Once they come, they're hooked," says Tom Stack. "This is not a cover band experience," he says. "The evening has a beautiful musical flow - very cohesive, full of surprises and spontaneity. It is a chance to play to an appreciative and receptive audience."
All proceeds from the evening support THT. The event takes place April 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. There will be a full bar and drinks may be taken into the theater to enjoy with the show.
Info: Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Visit the THT website to purchase tickets: https://www.townhalltheatre.com/music-comedy.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA