Acoustic View By Aaron Rowan
Of Caged Birds And Ladybugs
My listening life changed the day I played Brett Detar’s solo debut three years ago. I’d been enjoying his music for a decade before that, when he was lead man of popular indie band The Juliana Theory. When I learned of this solo effort I jumped to have a listen. But after years of naught but classic rock, and indie rock, and hard rock, I was unprepared for the rich banjo and steel guitar sounds I was hearing. It took numerous listens for this rootsy sound to even become tolerable, let alone grow on me. Fortunately, I stuck with it until I was completely acclimated, and I’ve never been the same. There is a quality of beauty in the acoustic realm one just does not find elsewhere.
It’s always a special honor for me to get to work with Brett, and this month will be my third such honor. He’s got a phenomenal new record out and is touring the nation with songwriter Joseph West. They’ll be making a stop at Barkin’ Dog Grill on Wednesday 11/13. Local Americana rockers The Dustbowl Children perform as well. 7:30 PM, $10 cover for this evening of country tunes.
The deep love I developed for acoustic music leads me to many cool places and people, but one of my favorites to listen to and work with is our very own country-rock ambassador Patty Castillo Davis. You may have enjoyed her at any number of local shows over the past couple years, but she’s got a musical history going back decades.
Patty’s inspiration to sing was stirred the day she saw Nancy Sinatra perform ’These Boots Are Made For Walking’ on TV. She recorded her first single onto vinyl at the tender age of 4, a cover of ‘Leavin’ On A Jet Plane,’ harmonizing alongside her mother. She continued to pursue music in her early years, often singing with her church choir, before a break during high school. After graduation she began entering (and winning) competitions at different bars, singing with their house bands. Upon becoming a mother, though, it was time for another hiatus. During that time Patty carried the monopoly on local car dealership jingles and did voiceovers such as for an Emmy-winning news special on the 1992 pipeline explosions in Guadalajara.
She remained heavily involved in her church, where she has served as cantor since 1981. This eventually resulted in her traveling with her choir to Vatican City in early 2005, where she sang a solo for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica. The acoustics in the Vatican are pretty badass, according to Patty.
Closer to home, she has opened for national acts such as Jimmie Vaughn, Frank Hannon of Tesla, and the Ronstadt Generations trio. She was nominated for her first MAMA the first year she returned to performing after her most recent hiatus, and has garnered a total of 11 nominations including one win for her part in Americana band Marirose & The Gypsies.
And then, in early October of this year, Patty began on a path likely to lead her to new heights, with her journey to the Durango Songwriters’ Expo.
TO BE CONTINUED…
