Singer-songwriter Sarah Rhodes was one of a dozen musical acts kicking off the Best of Kern Concert Tour at a private showcase Monday night.

By Terry Telford

Kern County has talent. Not only talent, but hard-working, professional-quality musicians in a myriad of genres who deserve to be heard, utilized and rewarded.

That’s the basis for the Arts Council of Kern’s Best of Kern Concert Tour, taking place this year in areas all around the county. The tour features up-and-coming local bands and solo artists who, through application and audition, have earned a spot in the project.  Award winners, announced late last year, will be participating in the musical journey which gives them a chance to gain exposure, promote their musicianship and get paid for their efforts.

Close to 30 musical acts were chosen for the program and several were on hand to perform at a private showcase which took place Monday evening at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center. Guests were given a chance to see and hear a sample of the diversity and outstanding level of skill demonstrated by musical artists including solo roots-rocker Joel Jacob, lilting storyteller David Nigel Lloyd, boogie-woogie blues singer Nat Dove, melodic bluegrass duo The Brothers Barton and sweet-voiced singer-songwriter Sarah Rhodes.

The Arts Council and the tour’s coordinator Josh Graham hope that Monday’s showcase will lead to more opportunities for grant participants to receive paying gigs.

Graham, formerly of country band Smokin’ Armadillos, says his goal is, “That by the end of the year we’ve got a culture change in Bakersfield where businesses are more aware of and put more value on the live music that’s here. And so next year, without the grant, there’s more [paid] live music going on.”

Bands looking for stage time have frequently played shows for nothing more than tips. But Graham would like to see that change.

“We’re just trying to get people to quit taking advantage of musicians,” Graham says. “Isn’t it worth more than that for you? Somebody pays you for what you do. You know — pay (the musicians) for making your business cool.”

Although Monday’s turnout was sparse, the event was warmly appreciated by those in attendance. Judging by the enthusiastic applause after each performance ended, the two-song sets only served to whet the audience’s appetite for more. Several dates have already been set for the near future. Among the audience were a music producer and a handful of venue bookers.

The official Kickoff Concert, featuring R&B performer Ron McOwen, indie-rockers Near Miss Mallet and jazz-funk band Soulajar, happens Thursday, April 15 at the Fox Theater and coincides with the first of this season’s downtown Street Faires. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 general and $5 for students, seniors, and Arts Council members. Tickets are available through Vallitix or at Arts Council of Kern, 2000 K St., Suite 110. Call 324-9000 for details.

For the artists, like Celt-rockers 1916, jazz keyboardist Ezekiel Jacob and soulful Christian duet The Boasting Weak, the chance to perform more often, expand their audience base and gain support of businesses and promoters is exciting.

Jill Egland, member of the Celtic all-female trio Banshee in the Kitchen and grant participant, says Kern County has historically been, “musically segregated.” She hopes that programs like the Best of Kern Concert Tour will help with “cross-pollination” of the local audience by providing “a forum for people to hear and appreciate more than one kind of music.”

The Best of Kern Concert Tour is made possible, in part, by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, which, according to its website, awarded the Arts Council of Kern $50,000, “To broaden, deepen and diversify the audiences and musicians of ‘Kern County Sound.’” As well, $15,000 was granted through the California Arts Council and Department of Justice Music Presenting Grants. Combined awards received by the Arts Council of Kern will allow free or discounted performances throughout the year.

For more information about the Best of Kern Concert Tour, visit www.kernconcerttour.org.