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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 3, 2019
EYE
STR E E T
THE LOWDOWN
Country guitar icon Moles comes home
M
usicians can In that span of time, it be found in the changed the course of mustrangest of places sical history. so it’s no surprise that “The Mosrite’s guitar country music guitar icon design and feature set it Eugene Moles checked in apart from other brands at from a special destination the time. Semie was very on Wednesday. innovative.” “I’m at the (Kern) County Since leaving Bakersfield clerk’s office getting a for Nashville, Moles has marriage license,” he said stayed active in all areas of during an interview. the industry, performing, Before he working on ties the knot guitars and on Friday, he’s making music got some other in the studio business to to finish up his which he will latest self-titled attend: a rerelease that he lease party for will be promothis self-titled ing and selling record today at this evening. MATT MUNOZ the Bakersfield Featuring a mix FOR THE CALIFORNIAN Music Hall of of instrumenFame. tals and vocal It doesn’t get any more tunes each with authentic country than that, son. Eugene Moles feel, the Whether you’re a classic release also includes an country music enthusiast, unreleased song by the student of guitar or music late Del Reeves that Moles historian, the name Eugene performed regularly during Moles should be an essenhis years on the Grand Ole tial part of your studies. The Opry stage. son of country music pio“There’s still a vital neer Denver Eugene “Gene” country music scene for Moles Sr., it’s impossible traditional country music. to find a starting point to In Nashville, there are many his illustrious career as places you find gals singing both revered guitar tech Bonnie Owens, Wynn Stewand musician. And despite art, some western swing, the weight that comes Merle Haggard, Buck. All with the territory, Moles is the old stuff performed by content with having one young artists.” of the revered resumes in Which makes it perfect music including (but not for artists such as Moles limited to) performing as to be onstage to remind both a Stranger with Merle Bakersfield of its musical Haggard and a Buckaroo heritage. It’s not every with Buck Owens. Let’s day locals get a chance not forget building guitars, to see royalty make a starting at age 15, for the homecoming. Mosrite Guitars factory un“I usually visit Bakersfield der the direction of founder when there’s an event I’m Semie Mosely in Bakersfield involved with, which is during the golden era of about once or twice a year.” The Bakersfield Sound. And Joining Moles onstage that’s just the beginning (try at the Bakersfield Music Google for a treasure trove Hall of Fame will be Justin of history). Branum on fiddle, Mark “I’m very proud of The Abbott on bass, guitarist Bakersfield Sound, and to Craig Smith and drummer have grown in the decades Alvis Barnett. As further it flourished, I feel very forincentive to not miss this tunate,” he said. killer lineup, guitar-pickin’ Like the other pioneering wizard Deke Dickerson — electric guitar manufacturwho coincidentally rolled ers of their time, Mosrite through town this same Guitars also has the distime last year opening for tinction of being part of the Marty Stuart— will also evolution of much more perform. than just country music. “Deke Dickerson is great. From California surf music I first knew him through kings The Ventures, New the articles he wrote in York punks the Ramones, Guitar Player Magazine. He to Seattle grunge with Nirhired me to play guitar at vana, the Mosrite Guitar the grand opening of the has been slung in places a Bakersfield Sound exhibit” few dared to be different. at the Country Music Hall
PHOTO COURTESY OF EUGENE MOLES
Country music guitar icon Eugene Moles will perform this evening at the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame for his record release party.
of Fame and Museum in Nashville. “I love his guitar playing as well as his taste in music.” If this hasn’t been enough to convince you, Moles has a final heartfelt plea. “I love you, Bakersfield. Please come out and see the show.” Welcome home. The show is 7 p.m. tonight at 2230 Q St. Tickets are $25 and $30 (plus ser-
vice fee) at the venue or Bakersfieldmusichallof fame.com. For more information, call 864-1701.
TAKING OVER TOKYO, LED ZEPPELIN STYLE The phrase “We’re big in Japan” has been thrown around jokingly among self-effacing musicians for as long as I can remember. But what if you had the opportunity to prove it? That’s exactly what hap-
pened to local singer August Young, who performed as a member of famed Led Zeppelin tribute act Mr. Jimmy in front of thousands of rabid classic rock fans at The Ex Theater Roppongi in Tokyo on Dec. 21. Stepping into the singing shoes of Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, Young seemed born to assume this role onstage after years fronting Bakersfield rock powerhouse The Aviators.
Recommended to Mr. Jimmy by the management of Hollywood’s famed Whisky A Go Go, where The Aviators has been making its mark the past few years, it was only a matter of time before a connection would be made. Guitarist Jimmy Sakurai formed Mr. Jimmy in Japan in 1994 performing Zeppelin hits before moving to the States and joining Please see LOWDOWN | 21