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Friends and guitar music fans:

I am happy to tell you that I have a new band ‹ Paul Johnson & Friends ‹ and that this new band is about to make its DEBUT PERFORMANCE this coming weekend at the COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE in ALTADENA.

I have hand-picked some of the top players from within the surf-instro genre to work with me at this endeavor of love. Accompanying me on the CGB stage for our first public performance will be:

• RON EGLIT (guitar and bass) ‹ bassist for Dick Dale for 20 years; then more recently, guitarist for the Surfaris (Wipe Out) for another decade.
• MATT QUILTER (guitar and bass) ‹ veteran guitarist for the past twenty years with the innovative instro band the Reventlos.
• DUFF PAULSON (drums) ‹ veteran drummer who played for many years with the classic traditional-style instro band the Torquays.

As Ron & Matt are both adept at playing both the guitar and the bass, the plan here is to have them trade off between the two instruments, thus lending greater variety to guitar sounds within the band. The group's repertoire will include all the usual surf and rock-instrumental classics, as well as my own catalog of original tunes. The goal for Paul Johnson & Friends is to move the genre forward with new ideas for the music, while remaining faithful to the original style that defines the surf-instrumental genre.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 7 PM
THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE
2029 LAKE STREET, ALTADENA (about 2 miles north of the 210 Fwy)

You should make reservations NOW ‹ shows here often sell out in advance; there are only 50 seats available in this intimate venue... but every seat is up close and personal and the sound is great too, making the CGB the IDEAL venue for what we do!

Tix: $18 - call 626/798-6236
More info at the CGB website.

Marty Klenz, known as Baja Marty to many of us, has been very ill. Several months ago, he went to the doctor with severe pain in his side. Doctors have discovered many complications, the most frightening of them, cancer. The news is overwhelming for Marty and his family; disheartening for the surf community. Marty is currently treating Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with chemotherapy. Because of his current condition, Marty cannot work. With utilities and other expenses, medical bills are an unwelcome, but necessary evil in the mix. In an effort to help Marty during these critical times, we have put together this event to raise funds for "Baja" Marty. For those who do not know Marty, he has been a long-time surf music fanatic. Given the name "Baja" Marty from his favorite tune recorded by the Astronauts (written by Lee Hazlewood), many people in the community know and love him. Please help!

A benefit show is planned on Saturday, October 8, 11:00am - 7:00pm at The Starting Gate, 5052 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA.

Here is the lineup: