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Newfield left Trick Pony, her gold-selling, Grammy-nominated band, in 2006 for a solo career. The band had released three records; "Trick Pony" in 2001, "On a Mission" in 2003 and "R.I.D.E. (Rebellious Individuals Delivering Entertainment)" in 2005. Newfield's vocals had helped power 2002's "On a Night Like This" to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Song charts. But in 2004 she married a sports agent and within two years went solo.
Coincidence?
Although her solo career hasn't yet yielded the success of Trick Pony, her debut album on Curb Records, "What Am I Waiting For," did yield the No. 11 hit "Johnny & June" in 2008 and "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun Shines)," originally recorded by Martina McBride, hit No. 29 earlier this year. In addition her debut album has earned her five - count 'em - Academy of Country Music Award nominations, so she's probably not crying about much these days.
For her return "Home for the Holidays" to Sonoma County (and her only local appearance), the diminutive blonde promises some holiday favorites, her hits with Trick
If you missed Johnny Mathis' Santa Rosa Christmas show, maybe a couple holiday drinks will cure what ails you. Think Hot Buttered Rum and Poor Man's Whiskey, twice; once on Dec. 11 and again on Dec. 12 at Petaluma's Mystic Theatre. Obviously, they are both bands. Both shows are at 9 p.m., both are 21 and older and both are $15, respectively. Also on Dec. 11, Fairfax's 19 Broadway lays down the English Beat featuring Dave Wakeling as the only original Beatser left. Ranking Rodger is fielding his own version of the Beat in the United Kingdom and guitarist David Steele and bassist Andy Cox left long ago for the Fine Young Cannibals. Still, the English Beat's high-energy ska is as danceable as ever, and you get some hits from Wakeling's stint with General Public to boot ($25 and $30, 9 p.m.). Meanwhile, Santa Rosa's Last Day Saloon presents Robben Ford in his cleverly named Ford Blues Band. Thankfully, his guitar playing is as tasteful and original as ever ($22, $25 at the door, 8:30 p.m.).
Dec. 11 winds up with the all female XM radio chart-topping (and fairly local) Blame Sally when they appear at 142 Throckmorton in Mill Valley. There will be no commercials during their 8 p.m. show, and no annoying DJs either ($25 to $35). I bet they will still play their song "If You Tell a Lie" (about George Bush) for those of us nostalgic about the days when we all had enough money that we needn't worry so much about getting involved in a war. The money (and Bush) might be gone, but we still have the war.
Things cool down a bit Dec. 12 when the lovely and talented Bonnie Hayes appears at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax ($20, 9:30 p.m.). You can usually catch Hayes at Cucina in San Anselmo on Thursday nights for free (6 p.m.) along with Kevin Hayes and Jeb Harrison, just in case money is an issue. Also on Dec. 12, 142 Throckmorton presents "A Seva Foundation Benefit" featuring the golden oldies of the David Nelson Band, Moonalice and the Rowan Brothers along with Wavy Gravy. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. and tax-deductible tickets are $50 to $100 (on a sliding scale) available only through the Seva Foundation (510-845-7382, ext. 332). Proceeds benefit Seva which provides humanitarian aid all around the world.
Things will be sh-sh-sh-sh-shaking Dec. 13 when '80s rocker Eddie Money dispenses with the full band thing, going acoustic, for a Toys for Tots fundraiser at the Mystic. He might not "Walk on Water" because "Two Tickets to Paradise" will put you back $30 each, but then again it does go to a good cause (8 p.m.). Which is quite a different arrangement then his many, many, many, county fair appearances.
For band listings, musical news, music-related gossip or related sightings, contact Doctor.rock@live.com.
