One of the most gratifying things about this job is recommending something that you believe in, then seeing readers take your advice - and tell you afterward that they're glad they did.
It happened two weeks ago when I wrote about singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb, the man who penned hits such as 'MacArthur Park' and 'Up, Up and Away.'
Advance sales to Webb's concert at the Riverside Hotel's Sapphire Room weren't so hot. And I wasn't convinced I could help much by hyping the event only 24 hours before it occurred. But Webb's story fascinated me, and it made for a good Sunday yarn.
Hours after the Statesman hit doorsteps, ticket sales took off. The show sold out. Fans at the concert thanked me for writing the column. All I could say was thank you very much right back.
So in that spirit, let's talk July. It's packed with worthy, high-profile entertainment, but I'd like to try to coax you to some lesser-known, lower-cost gems. All take place at least partly during the day. All are low-key and outdoors.
* IF YOU LOVE CLASSIC ROCK: Grab a slice of pizza and check out PizzalStock V - 4 to 10 p.m. July 11, 4 to 10 p.m. July 12, 3 to 8:45 p.m. July 13, PizzalChik, 7330 W. State St., Boise. $7 food voucher good toward purchases at the show.
If you've ever scarfed a pie at PizzalChik, you know that owner Brad Breakell drums in the house band when he isn't serving brick-oven pizzas with his kids.
Each year, Breakell organizes an outdoor music festival called PizzalStock. And each year, he threatens never to do it again.
'It's just so much fricking work,' he explains.
But it's good for business. About 500 people went through the doors over three days last year.
So here we go again ... PizzalStock V: Still Alive.
'It's going to be a fun weekend,' Breakell admits.
Classic-rock cover songs and tie-dye rule PizzalStock, which showcases about half a dozen bands per day ranging from familiar faces such as Scott Wallenberg of the Blues Addicts to newcomers such as The Suns. You'll find a schedule on PizzalChik's Facebook page, but here are a few highlights:
- The Dark Side Revisited, 9 to 10 p.m. July 12: Breakell assembled this band with musicians including veteran guitarist Russ Martin and saxophonist Kent Persons. They did a two-night staging of Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' in March. It was a blast. (If you miss this group at PizzalStock, it also will perform Aug. 9 at The Linen Building.)
- The Fav, 7 to 7:45 p.m. July 12: Guitar Center store manager Matt Fabbi's groove-centric alt-rock band can flat-out play. You were warned.
- The PizzalChicklets, 9 to 9:45 p.m. July 11, 2 to 2:45 p.m. July 13: I know nothing about this group - except that it's Breakell's daughters' band. 'Nuff said. This is PizzalStock. No pressure. Just family, food and fun.
'It's just a laid-back hippie thing,' Breakell says. 'There'll be beer specials, and we'll be spinning the prize wheel and things of that nature, which always makes for a good time.'
* IF YOU LOVE INDIE-ROCK: Grab a blanket and suntan lotion for the Summer Lawn Bash - 1 to 10 p.m. July 19, Crooked Flats, 3705 Idaho 16, Eagle. $10. Kids 7 and younger free. www.theduckclub.com.
Duck Club Presents - the team behind the annual Treefort Music Fest - is teaming up with Crooked Fence Brewing for this outdoor music festival at Crooked Flats, which is on 5 acres at the former site of The Winery at Eagle Knoll.
It's a gorgeous setting for a broadly appealing lineup of local bands including Edmond Dantes, Virgil, Hollow Wood and Desert Noises, as well as visceral Florida outfit Roadkill Ghost Choir.
Hollow Wood appears on the verge of something bigger. The group is working with Red Light Management, home to acts ranging from Tim McGraw to Alabama Shakes. The young group is on tour in July playing events such as the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, Calif. New music from the band has breakout potential. (Listen to my 'Other Studio' radio show at 9 p.m. today on 94.9 FM for a fresh Hollow Wood song, 'Oh My God.')
Headliner Roadkill Ghost Choir - my favorite 'discovery' at this year's Treefort - is a big-time must-see. Its sound is sort of like My Morning Jacket meets Kurt Cobain.
There will be food and Crooked Fence beer, of course - and also a wake skating competition.
How do you wake skate at a lawn bash? Good question. That part of the event is being left up to Crooked Fence organizers, Duck Club co-owner Eric Gilbert says: 'Some sort of wench and some sort of canal thing. I don't know exactly. I'm fascinated.'
* IF YOU LOVE FUNKY BLUES-ROCK: Grab a blanket and hang out at Sunday Blues - noon to 6 p.m. July 20, Julia Davis Park near the tennis courts, Boise. Entry: three cans of food for the Idaho Foodbank.
Because this amounts to a nearly-free festival, you can't go wrong at the Boise Blues Society's 21st annual event. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, including beer and wine. And there's plenty of room for dancing on the grass to local performers (in this order) Mississippi Marshall Hopper, Boise Blues Society Band, Zack Quintana Band, and JT and Smooth Avenue.
But the headliner makes this a can't-miss show: The ferociously entertaining Hamilton Loomis Band.
I'd never heard of the Texas singer-guitarist before he visited Boise in January. Quoting my Scene column, here was the scenario: 'It's 7:20 on Monday night, and Jo's Sunshine Lounge is partying like there's no tomorrow - or at least like everyone will be home by 9:30. Texas soul-rocker Hamilton Loomis flashes a cocky smile, uncorks a thick, bluesy guitar lick, then struts across the stage like a banty rooster. Directly below him, Boise Blues Society president Ken Harris waves a beer pitcher stuffed with cash, enticing fans to kick in a few bucks for the band. A tray-balancing waitress dashes between tables like a running back avoiding tackles.'
It was packed. It was madness. The Hamilton Loomis Band pretty much floored every person there. The group is stylish (choreographed moves!), meticulously rehearsed and flat-out wicked if you dig soul and blues-rock guitar.
Loomis will perform for 90 minutes, so don't forget to bring the Dr. Scholl's for your boogie shoes.
IN SCENE JULY 4
* Fireworks: A guide to the Fourth.
* A look at summer music festivals in Idaho's mountain towns.
* A cast of all ages will make 'Les Miz' happen at Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
Michael Deeds' column runs Fridays in Scene and Sundays in Life. He co-hosts 'The Other Studio' at 9 p.m. Sundays on 94.9 FM The River and appears Thursdays on Channel 6 News. Twitter: @IDS_Deeds
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