Pipe band takes first

The Turlock Police and Fire Pipe Band won first place at the recently held Bakersfield Highland Games Band competition.

Swiss Echoes perform traditional folk music

The songs and sounds of the Alps will be ringing out loud and clear when the San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club stages their annual spring concert Saturday.

The many facets of Dubberly

Local musician James Dubberly is a very busy man. He can be found playing with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra at the Gallo Center for the Arts one night, teaching low brass at California State University, Stanislaus the next day and in his spare time working with his newly formed Latin jazz band Orquesta Dharma on their upcoming CD.

Area schools tune up for Orchestra Day

Pitman and Turlock high schools' orchestras will be joining four other Stanislaus County schools for Modesto Junior College's annual High School Orchestra Day.

Turlock Christian rocks out with new music program

Practicing at home is the key to playing an instrument well and is often included in a student's homework, but most students can fib about how often or how much they play.

Turlock concert, market to help women in Kenya

Monte Vista Chapel is bringing a little bit of Kenyan culture to Turlock with their "Tuseme: Let Us Speak Out" event.

Jimi Hendrix: Paying tribute

In his short yet meteoric career, the late Jimi Hendrix almost single-handedly redefined the role of the electric guitar in rock 'n' roll and rock 'n' roll itself. An aural innovator, cosmic bluesman, young soul rebel and musical and sexual shaman all rolled into one, this Seattle-born virtuoso created a hugely influential artistic legacy. Hendrix, who died in London on Sept. 18, 1970, achieved such an enduring impact ...

Local musicians Matty Comer and the Experience to play X-FEST

Local musicians Matty Comer and the Experience have played various shows over the years to help raise money for the community. Their philanthropic ways have not only made a difference in people's lives, it has also garnered the attention of the Valley's highest profile concert promoter Chris Ricci, the man behind X-FEST 2010. On Aug. 7, all of the band's culminated efforts will be recognized as they play with ...

Local singer hopes to entertain while giving back

Turlock musician Colt Taylor hopes to give back to a worthy cause with a benefit concert this Saturday.

‘Epic’ Christian concert comes to Turlock

An event of 'epic' proportions is coming to Turlock at the end of this month, bringing 17 Christian bands and two speakers to an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people.

Local musicians hit the road to promote new EP

Things are heating up for Evaline this summer as the local band tours across the United States promoting their new EP "Patterned."

Golden Gala commemorates anniversary with musical debuts

In celebration of California State University, Stanislaus' 50th anniversary, the university's music department is joining with the Turlock Concert Association for a Golden Gala Concert that will feature the premiere performance of two new musical compositions.

Local jazz musicians join together for unforgettable performance

For the first time ever the jazz bands at Turlock and Pitman high schools and Turlock Junior High School will join the jazz contingency from California State University, Stanislaus for a night of music and revelry at Turlock Community Theatre on Friday.

Turlock teen organizes concert for Haiti relief

Local high school musicians are reaching out to help Haitian earthquake victims by holding a Young Musicians for Haiti concert on March 18. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go to the American Red Cross for disaster relief in Haiti.

Music society rocks out for local boy battling leukemia

The music promises to be lively, the food delicious and the atmosphere an all out party at a benefit concert Saturday for a Turlock boy battling leukemia.

Gala concert highlights area talent

Some of California State University, Stanislaus' finest musical talent will take the stage Thursday in a Gala Concert event. The collaboration between the Turlock Concert Association and the university's music department will feature traditional and contemporary music performances by CSU Stanislaus faculty and students, including the choral, wind and jazz ensembles. "This concert truly serves as a showcase for the Department of Music in that it will feature all of our major ...

Elton John tribute concert to benefit air museum

Mix in one part of far-out frames, an over-the top wardrobe, a dash of sparkly platforms, with lots of vocal artistry and one talented tickler of the ivories and you would have the classic sights and sounds of Elton John. Those classic concerts of the Rocket Man's rise to stardom in the 1970s will be re-created when the tribute band Elton - The Early Years takes the stage at the Turlock Community Theatre. ...

Turlock native releases first Gospel album

For as long as Phil King can remember, faith and music have played an integral part in his life. Now, the 23-year-old Turlock native is combining his two passions as his first ever album hits the market this week. His self-titled album was released Tuesday and features 11 Christian and Gospel songs written and performed by King. "My music lyrically is all about Jesus," King said. "I'm totally unashamed of what I've ...

Renowned Central Valley performer honored by university

The California State University, Stanislaus, Music Department will be paying tribute to one of the area's premier arts benefactor and supporter at the 10th annual Donor Recognition concert on Friday. The department will recognize award-winning singer and actress Grace Lieberman for her Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. The annual concert recognizes the generosity of the many donors who provide vital support to music programs and students. This year, the Rising Stars of Stanislaus ...

Father, son find common ground in band

The generational gap between most fathers and sons usually translates into widely divergent musical tastes. But Carlos Yamzon, 57, and his son Marlon Yamzon, 28, have found a happy middle ground in the likes of The Beatles, Journey, Jimi Hendrix, and Fleetwood Mac and have turned that shared enthusiasm into the backbone of The MCW Band. The father and son formed the band seven years ago and have been growing their fan base ...

Turlock Concert Association brings renowned vocalists to town

Tenor Daniel Rodriguez, whose rise to musical stardom began in the shadow of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, will be performing with his wife Soprano Marla Kavanaugh for a special one night show sponsored by the Turlock Concert Association. The duo will be taking the stage at the Turlock Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Born into a musical family, Rodriguez started a serious course of study in music at age ...

From Christian rock to traditional hymns, local churches celebrate in song

For some the best part of the holidays is the music. Whether it's "Silent Night" or "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," celebrating Christmas just isn't the same without traditional hymns. At Monte Vista Chapel, however, the holidays mean rocking out to The Katinas. "It's an annual tradition for them to come play for us each Christmas," said Patti Allen, MVC communications and women's ministries coordinator. The Contemporary Christian music group The Katinas ...

Joni Morris: Voice lessons to national tours

The path of Joni Morris' success as a country singer and her rave reviews for her Patsy Cline tributes can all be charted back to her desire to "kill a little time." More than 15 years ago Morris was a busy mom shuttling her daughter to piano lessons. Morris could have sat waiting in the lobby with some of the other mothers during those lessons. But a door down the hallway - a ...

Musician donates proceeds to help vets

Native Alabama man and Vietnam veteran Richard Hall knows what it's like to be injured in the line of duty and left to fend for himself as a damaged civilian. Hall fudged his birth certificate and joined the military when he was 16 years old. As one of 10 children growing up on the farm, eight of whom joined the military and five who saw combat, he knew there was only one way ...

X Fest to feature 14 stages, 60 bands

The Valley's biggest party returns to downtown Modesto this Saturday for its 13th year and features some of the biggest touring acts in the country. X Fest, the largest annual cocktail party for the 21 and older crowd will feature 14 stages shared by a lineup of 60 bands and expects to draw a crowd of 20,000, according to the event's producer Chris Ricci. "We have some amazing entertainment lined up for X ...

Local guitar picks featured in ‘Rock of Ages’

The new film "Rock of Ages," has a star-studded cast. But right there alongside Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, and Catherine Zeta-Jones is a piece of Turlock – a little guitar pick with an alien face on it. Since Dec. 10, 1990 Turlocker David Khinoo has been producing those picks – The EBE Pik – to worldwide acclaim. The EBE Pik's roots lie in a joking conversation Khinoo, a UFO enthusiast and ...

Fair’s entertainment line-up runs the gamut from crooners to tumblers

The upcoming line-up of performers coming to the Stanislaus County Fair is looking to hit all the right notes with fairgoers by bringing in a bevy of entertainers. The Stanislaus County Fair opens July 13 and will run for 10 days with a different headlining act scheduled each night. All the shows are free with fair admission and will be on the Budweiser Variety Free Stage. "It's going to be a great ...

Hugh Laurie to make musical ‘House’ call in Turlock

Hugh Laurie, the popular and acclaimed star of television's "House" will readily admit he doesn't have the typical pedigree and background of most Blues musicians, but he's not about to let that get in his way. "I was not born in Alabama in the 1890s," Laurie states. "You may as well know this now. I've never eaten grits, cropped a share, or ridden a boxcar. No gypsy woman said anything to my mother ...

Bands set to battle in local concert event

Local woman leads social media workshop for bands at South by Southwest festival

Every March for the past eight years, Kyra Reed has made the trip to Austin, Texas for the unique convergence of music, film, media, and technology that is the South by Southwest festival. This year, the Turlock resident hosted a panel discussion during music week titled Social Media Band Camp. It was an opportunity for the social media guru to share her knowledge with up-and-coming bands in a question and answer format. <p ...