Before we tread too far into an uncertain new year, let us spotlight some of last year’s local releases that may have flown under the radar. All of these are available on streaming sites like Spotify unless otherwise noted.
As we all turn the corner and say goodbye to 2020 (and start with the “2020 won” jokes) looking back at the year that was brings to mind the well-worn phrase “the show must go on.”
In a holiday gift to the community, Guitar Masters concert series founder Rick Kreiser has brought “Christmas with the Cranktones” back to Kern County this week.
Keeping the Streets Warm, a free event scheduled 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at MLK Park in east Bakersfield will feature music, food giveaways and collect donations of blankets and other warming winter items for those in need.
Professional musicians Dieter Wulfhorst and wife Susan Doering lost almost everything they owned when the Creek Fire ravaged homes in and near Shaver Lake in September. They did manage to save several instruments, some sheet music and Charlie, their feral cat. Their mountain home in Auberry …
As if fronting not one but three bands wasn’t enough for local musician Dylan Geurtsen, the maniac decided to start his own local record label, Killer Kern Records.
editor's pick
Bakersfield landed in the headlines for a good reason this week thanks to Jim Ranger, who made it to the final five on NBC's "The Voice."
Again drawing on the strength of family, Jim Ranger delivered a powerful performance on "The Voice" this week, securing him a spot in the top five.
Nine is fine for Bakersfield musician Jim Ranger, who made it into the top nine Tuesday night on NBC's "The Voice."
If all good things must come to an end, then it's quite the sendoff for the Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series. The 15th concert, taking place Friday, will feature Niner Niner and Matt Salkeld.
Our local music scene has reached the end of a certain era without really knowing it. The Phantom Stranger is leaving town.
Bakersfield College’s Choirs will brighten your post-holiday week with "Becoming Us," a virtual concert going up Monday on YouTube.
Mento Buru has an early Christmas gift for listeners with the release of its “East Bakersfield Christmas,” available for free download thanks to The Hub of Bakersfield.
No matter the size of your Thanksgiving gathering, you might be in need of some mood music. Enjoy the talents of Cal State Bakersfield’s Music and Theatre Department with an online fall concert featuring Chamber Music Duo and Opera Spotlight.
Jim Ranger is ready to go live. The Bakersfield pastor triumphed in the knockout round of "The Voice" on Monday, advancing in the competition.
The theme of Austyn Williams’ debut EP, “Disillusion,” is perfectly encapsulated by the album’s cover art: a scrapbook-like collage of the 25-year-old musician through the years. It’s all her.
Before we head into Thanksgiving week, take some time to celebrate with a concert of Americana music with the Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series. Local performers Orphan Jon and The Abandoned along with Charlie Zanne Band will perform on Friday.
Local pastor and musician Jim Ranger tapped into his love of family to win the latest round of "The Voice" on Tuesday.
Music lovers missing that Bakersfield Sound are in luck this week with the latest show in Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series. Friday's performance will feature Johnny Owens and the Buck Fever Band and Joe Peters.
The Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series returns this week with Kait Ellis and Word of Mouth.
The Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series returns this week with Luci.
After years of playing music on stages across town with his band Soulajar or as a campus pastor at New Life Church, local musician Jim Ranger caused quite a stir Monday on the season premiere of NBC’s singing competition “The Voice."
Miguel Sanchez and Mike and Shila Fowler have parlayed their passion for the dark side into enterprising ventures. Sanchez with his restaurant Rock & Wings, who just opened up their second location on Niles Street and the Fowlers with their new restaurant Heresy Rock and Roll Grill direc…
The Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series returns this week with a jam-packed lineup of local rap and hip-hop performers.
If you've got to postpone a concert celebrating a classic rock album, it doesn't hurt to move the date to its 50th anniversary.
The Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series is just past the halfway mark but is still going strong. This week The Jay Smith Group and Marlon Mackey will perform.
Americana fans have plenty of reasons to tune in on Friday for the latest show in Fox Theater's "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series. This week Caleb Henry and The Customs will perform as well as Sammy Kay.
With the rise of the internet, it’s never been easier for artists to distribute their music. Those not looking for the “big time” but just wanting to be heard can do so on every major platform to be listened to anywhere in the world with a click of a button.
Seven weeks in, the Fox Theater keeps rocking with its "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure" livestream concert series. Performances continue Friday with Crimson Skye and J2 and The Bizzness.
Craving country? The Fox Theater has the “Cure” with the latest in its streaming concert series, this time featuring Michael Monroe Goodman with Vince Galindo.
There’s an unabashed optimism to the self-titled debut by ALL YOURS, the “musical passion project” by songwriter Jason Ford Turner and producer Nick Rucker. There’s also an inescapable familiarity to it as well.
Tanya Tucker isn't slowing down.
The Fox Theater continues its streaming concert series this week with a show that will have you ready to dance.
While most show announcements lately are about rescheduling, some are for new performances.
The Fox Theater continues its streaming concert series this week with a show featuring two headliners.
During the beginning of his interview with actor, comedian, producer and director Brian Hooks, Zylo Hefferan, the host of the “Contrast Uncut” podcast, quotes Denzel Washington: “You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That’s a part of it,” then asks Hooks to explain what that qu…
Leave it to local creatives to find a way to make things happen even during a pandemic. The Panorama Creative Music Summit has moved online for virtual performances running into December.
The Fox Theater continues its streaming concert series this week with another show packed with local talent.
Usually as summer draws to a close, the Bakersfield Museum of Art takes visitors to its sculpture garden for a musical evening as part of its Art After Dark program. With the pandemic forcing everyone to revise their plans, organizers decided to keep the focus on music for a roundtable discu…
One of the most rewarding aspects of covering local music isn’t just in discovering the sheer variety of it, but in the various ways that it’s distributed. Four bands have new releases out now or coming soon.
Along with an engaging marquee program promoting businesses and community efforts, the Fox Theater is also entertaining us with a streaming concert series.
editor's pick
Although you still can't attend a live concert in town, the music will flow at the Fox Theater through its upcoming series, "Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure."
The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop might not be meeting in person at the moment, but that doesn’t mean the organization's been inactive.
“It’s very easy to run through a million in this country,” writes Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in his newly published self-help book, “Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter.”
Last week was a tough one for the local music community with the loss of four people each of whom left their mark on the Bakersfield scene. The news sent shock waves of surprise and remorse reverberating throughout the community.
Sorting through music podcasts can be a daunting task. With more time at home, consider streaming this quintet, all hosted by actual musicians, guaranteed to keep your household happy.
Fifty years ago, Neil Young and his bandmates recorded “Ohio,” a haunting response to the Kent State shootings where Ohio National Guardsmen fired 67 rounds of ammunition into a crowd of anti-war demonstrators, taking four lives in the process.
What does a band do when a pandemic gets in the way of releasing its latest album?
Someone — I don’t remember who — once said a quote that’s stuck with me: Happy music doesn’t make sad people happy. Sad music makes sad people happy. I’ve found that to be true more often than not.
Like most of us here in Bakersfield, I’m most familiar with Scott Cox’s voice. Sure, he’s also known for his random lively cowbell playing, but if you’ve been in earshot of a radio over the past 20 years, chances are you’ve heard Cox’s voice coming from it — usually on his morning radio prog…
