Classical guitarist Pat Colgan performs at Boulevard Music this weekend in celebration of the release of his Dance With the Boy album. The Carl Verheyen Band also plays, and Colgan told the News about what they have in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing, writing and performing, and when did it start to get serious?
I started playing and writing at age 12. My first song was a love song to my parents about their amazing relationship and love for each other. I had a folk group, Back Country, in high school and we performed in local events. I guess that is when I got serious about being a working musician. I fell in love with Bossa Nova music and taught myself how to play some of the standards. That led to my first paying gig at Caesar’s Palace in Los Vegas, on Cleopatra’s Barge in Victor Garcia’s Latin band.
Describe your sound…
I would define my sound as that of an accompanist to my story-songs. I play classical guitar-style mostly but have had lots of experience with jazz, folk and country music. I can pound out a reasonable rhythm on a steel string also.
What are your career highlights so far?
I played for Presidents Reagan and Ford in a benefit concert for Chapman College. The Secret Service made me very nervous – haha. I am very proud of so many recordings of Carl Verheyen, Chris Wall and Robert David Hall.
Do you have recorded music available?
I have my first CD, Dance With The Boy, at the ripe old age of 75. After over 50 years of music recording and producing, I have stepped out to the other side of the glass.
Have you performed at Boulevard before? Any memories?
I have performed many times at Boulevard Music with a really fun band. Robert David Hall, Ken Deifik, Judith Stearns Hall, Matt Cartsonis and myself were the usual players. Over the years, the band expanded and contracted many times with many of SoCal’s greatest musicians. One great memory is a performance for Culver City with Carl Verheyen and the CVB.
What can the audience expect from the set?
We will be performing all 10 songs from my CD on the second set. We are hoping to get Sophia Wackerman along with Carl V, Troy and Hollye Dexter joining me. Sophia and Hollye brought their amazing voices to the recordings and their vocal blend is out of this world.
What else do you have coming up?
I don’t have any other performances scheduled at this time. I have moved to Northwestern Washington and am busy updating my property and building a recording space. I am also creating a website. My domain name is patcolgan.com so far and I will hopefully see some progress on that front soon.
Pat Colgan’s CD release party for Dance the Boy, featuring the Carl Verheyen Band, takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 3 at Boulevard Music. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more information about the show and missyandersen.com for more about the artist.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
There’s a full program of music at the Cinema Bar this week, as usual. The Hot Club of Los Angeles plays every Monday, and Wednesdays are singer/songwriter and open mic night. Other artists performing this week include Greg Garvey, Doug Mug, Cavour with Jim Bowers, and more. Go to thecinemabar.com for more info.
