Local favorites to open Concert Under the Stars

Come out for an evening of diverse music while making a difference on July 9, when C.W. and Mr. Spoons and Notch8 open for iconic band WAR.

The bands will perform at the fifth annual Concert Under the Stars, a benefit for The Greenhouse Project at Café at Adele’s.

This year’s openers features ragtime western and Americana music by C.W. & Mr. Spoons, and freshly interpreted favorites from the 1950s through ’90s by Notch8.

C.W. and Mr. Spoons are Chris Bayer and Steve Suwe. Playing together several years, one of their more high-end gigs included performing for opening day of the Nevada State Assembly, which has set the bar much higher, Bayer said.

“We have reached a new standard for performance,” he said. “From now on, I’ll expect 500 people, nicely dressed, with an air of reverence. I want a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the words to ‘Home Means Nevada’ projected behind me on a reader board.”

While the extras can’t be guaranteed, most certainly there will be at least 500 folks, music lovers all, in attendance at Concert Under the Stars.

Bayer has played guitar more than 50 years, finally settling on a 1920s National Steel Body Guitar, a perfect complement to Suwe’s self-constructed contraption, a wonderment of percussive sound paired with spoons rattling on his knee.

“Mr. Spoons is great fun to play with,” Bayer said. “I have never had someone who has such an ear, who knows every harmonic change and how a tune works.”

The two perform at the area’s “finer saloons and restaurants,” including Comma Coffee every Monday at noon and in early June at the San Francisco Free Folk Festival.

“We’re available for all kinds of events, including wakes, foreclosures and divorces,” Bayer said. “And with our up tempo hot jazz and western jazz, we are perfectly suited to play a trendy crowd who are gathered to see a vintage band and support a great cause, which is raising awareness about local, natural food and sustainability, all of which The Greenhouse Project is a huge step in the right direction for.”

Notch 8 has grown a following with their uniquely interpreted covers of songs from and original tunes. Accomplished musicians all, the group formed in winter 2011 and brings an element of roots-rock, country and folks together.

Amplified acoustic instruments and an accordion give Notch 8 the ability to play venues large and small and with Drew List on accordion, one may wonder at the sound. Other band members include founders Jeff Moser, vocalist; James Wilsey, guitar and vocals; and drummer Bob Conrad.

“We have all been part of other line-ups through the years and this is one where we all work well together and are having a great time,” Moser said. “I don’t know that we ever planned this far in advance, but to be opening for WAR is a wonderful opportunity and to be a part of an event that supports The Greenhouse Project, such a worthy cause, is something we are happy to do.”

There are still corporate tents available, a new addition to this year’s event. The tents seat 10 and include a personal server, two bottles each of red and white wine, two six-packs of beer, water, a $75 food voucher and a banner can be purchased for $1,250.

All proceeds from Concert Under the Stars will offset operation costs and expand programs and services at The Greenhouse. The show takes place in part thanks to major sponsorship by NVEnergy and Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center and is produced by John Procaccini and Chili Bop Entertainment.

Doors open at 5 p.m. C.W. and Mr. Spoons take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Notch 8 at 7 p.m. WAR begins at 8 p.m.

Concert Under the Stars will feature both live and silent auctions, with proceeds from the latter going to support CHS’s FFA program. Creative Planters made by local notables will be available for bidding on. Gourmet food trucks, one of which is Mama Saki’s, will provide healthy offerings.

Veranda seating has already sold out, but premium tickets for $60 and general admission tickets for $40 are available. For tickets, visit carsoncitygreenhouse.org or Café at Adele’s at 775-882-3353. For more information about sponsorship, call Karen Abowd at 775-232-8626. Café at Adele’s is located at 1112 N. Carson St., Carson City.

For more information about C.W. and Mr. Spoons visit nevadamusic.com or goldrushsongs.com. The latter site also includes a variety of books authored by Beyer. For more information about Notch 8, visit them on Facebook.