Why I am a musician

(Editor’s note: Musician Frank Hayhurst will begin blogging for Petaluma360. com in a few weeks, but submitted this “advance blog” regarding a concert this weekend.)

Whenever money needs to be raised, the community calls on musicians to put on a show. When someone is ill, or an institution needs to raise funds to repair the roof, pay the rent, buy more books — whatever — musicians are called on to help make it happen.

And we musicians have performed benefits for hundreds and hundreds of causes. You’d think that we’d get tired of always being the ones to put out, for free.

Not a chance!

For example, consider the 4th annual Trolley, Track and Trestle Extravaganza at the Yellow Barn on Baylis Street, Saturday, June 20. It's a benefit for the Petaluma trestle and trolley project. And there are about two dozen local musicians donating their time and talent.

The Artifacts, D'Bunchovus and Terry Haggerty's TMT are the headliners, but check out the sheer number of contributing musicians:

Los Gu’achis, Andrea Stevick, Chris Rowan, Chris Samson & Friends, Scott Gerber and Cori Wood, Larry Potts, Bruce Kurnow, Steve Della Maggiora, Mike Patric and Tommy Styles.

Obviously the plan is to create such a musical extravaganza and spectacle that it is irresistible. All this for $15 — plus beer, wine and food? C’mon! You’ve GOT to be there!

This event is a testament to the overflowing vibrant talent here in Petaluma, and every single musicians story is one of generosity of spirit and compassion.

Here’s one: Tom Farnham — songwriter, guitarist, band leader – community builder — this guy has been playing guitar for 43 years, and yes, he’s gotten very good at it.

Remember the “Great Society” (with Doug Slick, Grace’s brother)? That was Tom’s wild misspent youth, with a legendary band — but along with the concert stages, Tom was playing retirement homes and care facilities with Bread & Roses, bringing music to bedridden and forgotten elders in the Bay Area.

You remember “Funksway”? that was Tom too, deep in the R&B trenches doing the club scene — where another one of our local legends, Keith Allen, would sit it and add his flame-throwing guitar playing to the mix — this was back in 1999.

When I asked Tom to give me his ratio of paying gigs to benefits, I got a very hearty laugh in reply.

Tom’s current adventure is with a le disco French gypsy funk inspired band D’Bunchovous. OK — kidding, YOU figure it out — the group includes songbird Pamela Joyce (also on guitar), John Lonacker (upright bass) and Gary Grubb (pedal steel) — and the whole band are multi-instrumentalists.

Yes they are working on a new CD, with two-thirds original material and a third greatest hits — at Helena’s studio in Petaluma. These guys are talented, amusing, totally pro players at the top of their game. And they’re playing for FREE — although your contribution of $15 helps the cause of restoration of what makes Petaluma a unique and enriching place to live. There IS a here here!

OK? That’s just ONE musician. You want more? Be sure to say hello to Tom and thank HIM for his contribution — oh yeah, that gig to benefit ratio mentioned earlier? Many more benefits than gigs, and Tom has gigged a WHOLE LOT in his 43 years of performing.

THAT’S why I am a musician!