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Recent Stories

1. Isaak to play Fox in April

   BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer

   Wednesday, Feb 22 2012 03:52 PM

   Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for an April 5 concert by guitarist/vocalist and actor Chris Isaak at Bakersfield's Fox Theater.

   Isaak's upcoming tour marks a return to his musical roots after releasing last year's "Beyond the Sun," an album paying tribute to the classic Sun Studios rock 'n' roll and country era.

   The release features covers of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," plus hits from Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and others.

   Originally from Stockton, Isaak has released 15 full-length albums and has appeared in more than 23 feature films and TV shows, including Showtime's "The Chris Isaak Show," which chronicled the life of a fictional musician of the same name. Known for his suave singing style, swooning vibrato, and for wearing brightly decorated rhinestone Nudie suits, Isaak has cultivated a devoted female fan base.

   Tickets range from $35 to $60. For more information visit Vallitix.com or call the Fox at 324-1369.

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2. SCOTT COX: The next big thing? I'll be the judge of that

   I got a call from a friend of mine who's a huge wheel in the entertainment biz. He wanted me, with my vast wealth of musical knowledge, to be a judge in a reality show. And I can't stand reality shows. I've never watched a single episode of "American Idol," and I never will. But, after my friend explained that there was a paycheck involved, I decided to lower my standards. Of course any "standards" I have are only theoretical anyway, and I need some extra cash to finance my next Texas trip, so I signed right up. I figured making fun of some hapless tone-deaf hack for a couple of hours would be a hoot. So, if they wanted a low-rent Simon Cowell, I was their huckleberry.

3. A beat that kids and parents can tap toes to

   They sing, shake and make households quake: It's The Fresh Beat Band, stars of a highly rated Nick Jr. TV show.

4. Gatlin voice still as good as 'Gold'

   With his handsome mug, radio-friendly hits and heavenly tenor voice -- made even more sublime by the harmonies of his two younger brothers -- Larry Gatlin was about the biggest thing in country music in the 1970s and '80s, the "countrypolitan" era that blurred the lines between country and pop and was perfectly suited for Gatlin crossovers like "Broken Lady," "I Don't Wanna Cry" and "Houston (Means That I'm One Day Closer to You)."

5. MATT MUNOZ: A world of musical freedom, just beyond The Gate

   Bakersfield all-ages music venue The Gate buzzes on weekends with the sounds of punk, emo, ska, indie and acoustic music while groups of young musicians and fans line the walls, wearing brightly-colored rock T's and trendy fashions. It's a welcoming scene, where area youth have found a place to socialize, dance and flex their independent spirit among peers.

6. MATT MUNOZ: You want the funk? Zapp to it

   Along with releasing a string of bumpin' weekend jams for cruising and getting your most righteous groove in the '80s like "Dance Floor," "More Bounce to the Ounce" and "So Ruff So Tuff," the group has a string of slow-jam hits: "Computer Love," "I Want To Be Your Man" and "Slow & Easy," to name a few.

7. Double the BSO donor base? That's the plan

   Catching the Bakersfield Symphony's new development director is a challenge, as she travels from meeting to meeting to garner support for the 80-year-old orchestra.

9. New composers excite singer

   For Sophie Wingland, there's been no thought to being anything but a singer.

10. KUZZ, the Palace earn country nominations

    Nominations for the 47th annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced last week with Bakersfield's Buck Owens' Productions garnering three nods in the radio and nightclub categories.

11. MATT MUNOZ: Going solo straight to Bakersfield

    Bako will be hosting two visiting acts from opposite sides of the spectrum this week: pop rocker Cassadee Pope and blues stompers 4onTheFloor.

12. University choir to perform at church

    The touring choir of Concordia University in Seward, Neb., will stop in Bakersfield to perform and say hello to former students. The 16-member University A Capella Choir is the traveling ensemble for Concordia, and will perform at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Director Kurt von Kampen said the program will include sacred and secular music representing several musical eras.

13. Opera presents proper challenge

    BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI

14. Flamenco class: Can we get an ole?

    Forget Esteban and those corny late night infomercials: Aspiring guitarists looking to add spice to their strum can now get it in seven steps with help from Bakersfield Flamenco guitarist John Gomez.