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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 21, 2011
Eye Street
Index Third Thursday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Winescapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Arts Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 History Lecture Series: Edwards AFB . . . . . . . . . .23 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Bluegrass service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Composers concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26-31
Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
Family’s sidewalk serenade 24th Street Cafe singers beloved by customers BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com
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es, they have some competition for the ears of their audience: deafening Harleys, buses, trucks and delivery vans roar by, not 10 feet from the sidewalk where the Patterson family entertains customers waiting for tables during the weekend rush at 24th Street Cafe — and this being the 24th Street Cafe, there’s always a rush. But thunderous as they are, no souped-up engine or enormous exhaust pipe is loud enough to drown out the angelic harmonies and acoustic guitars of Deryl Patterson and his teenage daughters, Latti and Breeia. Add to the experience the girls’ undeniable cowboyboot-wearing charm and Deryl’s affable banter, and it’s not a bad way to pass the time as your stomach rumbles for steak and eggs. On this particular Sunday, the only concession to the noise is occasioned by an especially shrill and insistent siren that pierces the pleasant morning, forcing Deryl to wait it out before picking up his jazzy rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” where he left off. “One of the reasons busking on the street is so good for any performer is that it gets rid of the intimidation and shyness. The only thing that distracts me is the tuning,” says Deryl, as he takes a minute to get the upper hand on his fussy Martin guitar, before counting off “Streets of Bakersfield.” “We play everything — Charlie and Hank to Sammy and Frank.” True to his word, the trio drifts from pop standards to gospel to Motown to the Beatles, always doubling back to their true love: country and bluegrass. They play four hours straight (not counting bathroom breaks — these are teenage girls) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., no matter the weather. “As long as it’s not raining or blistering hot,” Deryl says, to which Latti fires back: “We do it when it’s blistering hot!” Breeia has the battle scars to back up her sister: “I got a heat rash last year.” Cafe owner Mark Huggs rewards the trio with a wellearned breakfast when they’re finished. “They’ve been here like three
HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN
Lee Kirkorian taps out a beat while the Patterson family — from left, Breeia, Latti and Deryl — entertain customers outside the 24th Street Cafe. Busking on the street, as trucks and cars fly by, has taught the family to project. “We had small voices when we started,” Deryl says.
years now,” Huggs says. “No, this is our second year,” Deryl responds, “it just seems longer.” Whatever the timeframe, Huggs’ customers “love them, their personalities and voices.” And no regular proves that point with more gusto than Lee Krikorian, who slaps out a beat on his thighs to “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby.” “I play the knees better than the drums,” chuckles Krikorian, dining with friend and neighbor Carole Cadle.
‘Breeia makes people cry all the time’ Just a few chairs down, firsttime 24th Street diner Karen Brewer has a different reaction to the singing, as tears stream down her cheeks. “I lost my mom seven years ago and she played guitar,” says Brewer, seated with her husband, Jay, and their daughter Haley. “I
On the Web Listen to the Patterson family perform and check out more photos at Bakersfield.com/multimedia
haven’t heard guitar played like this since — this was her style, folk — and this hits home with me. You’re put in different places for different reasons and I guess that’s why I’m here today. Mom’s here today.” An emotional moment to be sure, but the family seems to bring that out in people. “That’s a weekly occurrence,” says Deryl, 55. “Breeia makes people cry all the time. They think she sounds like an angel, her singing and their harmonies.” At 15, Breeia’s voice — an instrument strong and true — was made for the country songs she prefers. A perfect counter-
Deryl Patterson’s motto: If you don’t win the crowd, get off the stage.
point is the more ethereal quality her older sister conveys. Dad seems to rely a little more on the guitar-playing of Latti, 18, who strums out a rhythm, backing up
Deryl’s guitar and expressive vocals. But when the girls blend their voices — a soaring, pure harmony that can be achieved Please see PAGE 19