Bands familiar on the bill include The Truckaderos, California Stars and Herald Sessions Trio with their unique brand of country blues as well as Moonlit Mustangs and headliner Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash.
Sacramento staple Geoffrey Miller will kick off the day. Miller’s honky tonk and rockabilly music tells a life’s story in the tone of country music. Shaped by years of playing in honky tonk bars, his band purveys the discovery of a lost musical heritage and the true life world of heartaches, wine and neon and the incarnation of personal truth rooted in the living lore of Americana country music.
“The Bastard Sons never were, and never will be, a Johnny Cash tribute band,” Stuart said. “It’s always been about honoring the musical ideals of our heroes and paying respect to the originality, integrity and independence that made those artists who they are. Our goal was always to find our own road, and to continue to keep the sounds and traditions of American roots music alive.”
Feist’s inspiration is the legacy of history. An October 1852 newspaper article described Drytown: “It was a common thing to see large trains of wagons, together with droves of cattle coming into town. Of course, this has a beneficial affect on the business of the town, which we are happy to say, is in a most prosperous and flourishing condition.”
Country music is about sin and salvation and in this tiny western town the hope of gold miners still permeates the air. This is the intended spirit of CA-49.