Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "98rock"

Free Concert showcases local bands

2011-07-21T23:07:15Z

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, coming of age in the late 70s. Although I was closer to San Jose than San Francisco, the musical energy many associate with the area and the time saturated both. It was a time of super groups, huge venues, big hair and… transition. But one never knew if our friends’ club band would become the next ‘overnight’ sensation. Alas, none of my friends enjoyed that sort of success, though many do enjoy making a living from their passion still to this day. Since moving to the Sacramento area eight years ago, I cannot count all the people I have met who knew or grew up with one or more members of Tesla, one band of more than a handful that did make it big. But the music business is not the same as it was 25 or 30 years ago, and perhaps that is a good thing as the focus of the music seems to have returned to what it should be about, the music.

My concert attendance is nothing like it used to be in my youth. When I once could be found at one performance or another virtually every week, I now catch only a few each year. If not for some friendships forged with the members of two local bands, it would be even less frequent. One band, Stepchild, is well established in the area and after many years of hard work, they appear to be on the verge of ‘overnight’ success. The other band is a new power trio formed just more than two years ago. Both bands will be playing a free show at Shenanigan’s, 705 J Street, tomorrow night. The Absolutes will open for headliner, Stepchild, preceded by two other local bands (Mudface and Blownload) at 8 p.m. in KRXQ 98 Rock's showcase, Local Licks. According to 98 Rock’s Mark Gilmore, host of Local Licks, The Absolutes were chosen to open for Stepchild because they had the highest ticket sales of all other bands competing for the spot.

The Absolutes wrote songs and rehearsed for more than a year before their first gig on July 1st, 2010 at the Boardwalk in Orangevale. This is not a cover band and if I had not known it was their first gig, I would have though this was a well-seasoned band. Even though every song was heard for the first time by most the audience, the music exhibited an engaging element that is difficult to describe. According to Johnny Love, lead guitarist and vocalist, “a lot of people might find our music strange, but for us it’s more of a personal thing.” Love says that each band member brings with him a wide variety of musical tastes and the dynamic formed by the group drives its creative energy.

The band formed through the diverse network of Sacramento area musicians. Bassist Larry Mcallef knew drummer Christian Harlan from playing together briefly about 12 years ago. Love and Mcallef have been playing together on and off for the past 16 years. And if that is not enough, Love also played in a band with Stepchild drummer Brian Kelly years ago as well. As Love tells it, “Larry and I were just plunking around in the garage working on two songs. It had been a while since either of us were in a band so we decided to start a new project.” Harlin explains that was when he received a call from Mcallef and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

But this is a history with a future. Although the road is long and the chances of superstardom might be dim, this is a band with a difference. As Love explains, “I’d be happy just to do what I do now. It would be nice to make some money, but even if we don’t, I like to play.” Harlin adds, “If we could get a CD together and be considered as an alternative opener for promoters billing for bigger bands when they come to the area, that would be cool.” Perhaps Harlin is already realizing his aspirations as Love captures what tomorrow night’s opening for Stepchild means to him, “It’s a great honor, they’re a great local success. Their music has a definite following and it exposes our music to more people.”

But in the end, it comes down to the creative process for these three musicians. “We seemed to have a good feel for each other and right away we had a great personal dynamic,” Love said, “It really fuels the dynamics of the band.” With influences from such bands as Primus, Faith No More and Frank Zappa, just to name a few, this band is difficult to pin down into a particular genre. On the band’s page at Reverb Nation, their bio reads in part, “Part of the joy of The Absolutes is that we defy classification. High energy, clever wit, and our own style is what we are about, we don't sound like this band or that band, we sound like us.”

And that is the sound that music is and always should be about.

2011 JAMMIES Contemporary Awards

2011-05-16T23:12:22Z

The 2011 Jammies, Night of Contemporary Music, completion took place at the Crest Theatre on Friday the 13th. Danny Secretion hosted the Sacramento News and Review event and Jerry Perry was the director/producer of the Contemporary show.

Finalists at the 9th annual Jammies for the evening were; Smack Jupiter, Jaxx, Into the Open, The Hungry, Southpaw Kings, Zach MacLachlan, Exhale, Conquest and Uncle Tony. A special performance by last year’s winner One Eyed Rhyno was also scheduled that evening.

As guests entered the Crest Theatre they were given ballots with all the nominees on it and they were asked to vote for 3 bands. The show was scheduled to start at 8 and when I got to the theatre a little after 7:30 most seats were already filled in both the lower level and the balcony.

Jerry Perry came to the microphone before the show officially started to let guests know that they had to vote for three bands as some of the ballots already submitted only had one band selected.

As Danny Secretion announced the bands scheduled to perform audience members cheered for their favorites. He also went on and announced the prizes scheduled to be given to the winners. The 3rd place band would receive a gift card to Sk ip’s Music for every member of the band, a gift card to Dimple Records, 3 packages of Sony recording software and the most exciting award, as told by Danny Secretion was a gift of $20 to Vic’s Ice Cream. As the audience cheered Danny said “that is nothing compared to the applause garnered by the bands when they heard that that was one of the prizes. Ice cream still matters.”

Second place would receive all of the same prizes as the 3rd place band plus 10 hours of recording time at Pus Cavern. Danny then said, “And here’s the kicker, $30 to Vic’s Ice Cream.” Danny continued, “First place gets all of that but they get 30 hours of recording time at Pus Cavern, they get a showcase show at Ace of Spades. The kicker, are you ready for this? Drum roll please, they will also receive $50 to Vic’s Ice Cream!” He re-emphasized “$50 of ice cream! Can you imagine the irritable bowel syndrome from that?”

Danny again went over the voting rules and indicated that after the last band played all ballots should be turned in. However just before One Eyed Rhyno, last year’s Jammies winner starts their set no more ballots can be turned in.

Smack Jupiter kicked of the evening’s performances. The band is made up by Brady Corcoran, guitar/vocals, Theo Farnum, bass/vocals, Cole Morse, guitar/vocals and Tyler Ramos playing drums. Their set was energetic and made for a great start to the show.

Each band played a 2 or 3 song set and after each set Danny asked one member of the band some questions as they cleared off their equipment for the next band. Danny was a great selection to be the host for the event as he kept everything light hearted for the most part but also made it a point to ask some meaningful questions. His presence on stage was delightful and often humorous making band members as well as the audience feel comfortable.

Judges for the evening were former lead singer of Romeo Void Deborah Iyall and host of 98 Rock Local Licks Mark Gilmore. Danny later introduced the other judges, KCRA Music Director Josh Krage, Skip’s Music Stairway to Stardom director Larisa Bryski and Sacramento News and Review Music Writer Rachel Leibrock.

Jaxx was the second band to take the stage, Nikkos Savas and Alan Petterle played guitar, Kyle Maxwell was on bass and Jack Petterle played the drums. A raw and energetic performance was given by the group. Danny brought out the one member from the group that everyone else said should not be allowed to speak. As Danny brought Jack back on stage he asked why he had been selected not to speak. It turned out to be a good interview and a fun interchange as Danny asked him about the band and scheduled venues for the near future.

Interwest Insurance Services was another organization that was thanked as well as the Sacramento News and Review. Each time Danny went on stage he had a list of sponsors that he mentioned after interviewing band members or introducing a band to perform.

Into the Open is made up of Sheridan Reed on guitars and vocals, Dane Arnold on guitar, Derek Rambo on drums and Keith Barreras playing bass. Danny asked Keith Barreras about their best and worst shows they’ve played. Keith mentioned that their worst show was when they played at the Capitol and said nobody showed up. Danny quickly commented saying, “You’re the only ones doing any work at the Capitol quite honestly.”

As Parie Wood was about to start her performance some members from the audience wearing tie-dye t-shirts came up to the front of the stage. Other fans soon followed. Danny then encouraged fans to come up and asked guests to move to the front of the stage to encourage their favorites. Parie was one of two solo performers of the evening. She came on stage with her guitar to play two or three songs. The 15 year old said she’s been writing songs since the age of 11. She cited Ani DiFranco and Bob Dylan as being a couple of her influences. Parie said, “Music is my therapy and is something I love to do.” Her passion was apparent during her set.

The Hungry is made up Bailey Zindel on guitar and vocals, Hadyn Johnson on bass, Drew Thomsen on drums and Joey Eccles playing guitar. Their fans came up to the front of the stage to cheer for them. By this time members of One Eyed Rhyno enjoyed some music at the front of the stage. The Hungry has already been through some line-up changes. That’s one of the things about the Jammies is that since these kids are so young they have to leave a band when parents have to move because of jobs and other circumstances. As they get older they have to move on to college. I thought of this as I saw James and Elaine Hunter and their new bass player. It was a bit odd not seeing their former bassist Andrew Daniels with them. Andrew is currently attending college in Utah.

Access Sacramento was filming the event and had a signup sheet for those who wanted to buy a video of the evening’s performance. Danny thanked them and also thanked promoter extraordinaire Jerry Perry.

Jesee Lang plays guitar, Matt Brennan does guitar and lead vocals, Brady Thomas plays drums and Alex Neifer provides bass and backup vocals for the Southpaw Kings. They used most of the stage when they performed and provided another energetic set delighting their fans. Danny talked to Matt on stage about their setup on stage. Matt went on to say that they don’t use the amps we see on most stages. They just plug their vox into an Xbox and take it from there. Danny clarified the process by saying, “What you’re saying is rather than load up these huge heavy amplifiers into a beat up old Dodge Van that gets 8 miles to the gallon and driving 8 hours to play for the bartender and the door man you guys have these little things that you can basically fit in your backpack?” Matt nodded his head and said that’s basically it. They may be the band that’s been together the longest. They’ve been together 3 to 4 years.

Zach MacLachlan was the only other solo act of the night. He cited Buddy Holly as an influence when he selected his musical instrument of choice. As he spoke with Danny Secretion on stage they spoke about grunge music. Of course the topic of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain playing at the Crest came up and how his shoe prints can still be seen backstage.

Exhale followed Zack and was the first band to break the mold of 4 members in the band. Joseph Mansfield plays guitar, Orrey Severet plays drums and does vocals while Emma Simpson plays the bass and does vocals for Exhale. I enjoyed their punkish sound and their energy as they played.

At this point I had to run out to my car to get a fresh battery for my camera. I usually come prepared with a couple of batteries but this time I forgot my back up. Unfortunately I missed Conquest and Uncle Tony’s performances.

Guitarists Peter Amato and Elliot Minner, bassist Eric, Maddy Kilpatrick does vocals and Dakota Pattinson plays drums for the band Conquest. Their name seems to have come from a song by that name done by the White Stripes.

Uncle Tony who I last saw at Andrew Daniel’s farewell show at Harlow’s with One Eyed Rhyno was the last band to take the stage. Uncle Tony is made up by Carson Bernard on drums, Jason Harris on guitar, Spenser Snow on bass and Jack Davis does vocals.

One Eyed Rhyno had already taken the stage when I returned to the Crest Theatre and watched them perform “Satisfied”. Their new bassist Matt Swartzendruber seemed to fit right in. After “Sweet Spot” they closed the musical entertainment performing “Blood's Thicker Than Wine”. One Eyed Rhyno put an exclamation mark on the musical performances Friday night.

Danny Secretion came back on stage to announce the winners. Third place went to Parie Wood; second place was taken by Southpaw Kings. The 2011 Jammies winner was Jaxx. The judge’s award went to Parie Wood. Those were the official awards. Other awards were also given to the other participants in different categories.

Danny ended the show saying, “Thank you so much for coming out and supporting local music. Thank you! Everyone drive safely or ride safely.” A grand ending to a grand show, Sacramento’s got talent. I look forward to following the careers of these young people as they explode into the Sacramento scene. There was a lot of potential exhibited at the show and it’s great to see past winners come back and perform.

Sacramento Autorama

2011-02-15T07:34:12Z

Nothing like a beautiful sunny day in Sacramento and nothing like the Sacramento Autorama to make use of such a wonderful day. The Annual Sacramento Autorama turned 61 this year and the show continues to enjoy great popularity.

The title sponsor for the event was O’Reilly Auto Parts. Co-sponsors were Les Schwab Tires and Vintage Ford. Other sponsors were Meguiar’s, ARC Audio, Car Kulture Deluxe Magazine, Ol’ Skool Rodz, Hot Rod Hotline, Traditional Rod and Kulture, radio stations 98 Rock,96.9 Eagle and ESPN 1320. These sponsored helped the Sacramento Autorama hold another successful Autorama show.

This year’s theme for the show was Route 66, the route is also known as the “Mother Road” or the “Main Street of America”. Autorama had exhibits not only for autos but also for bicycles, motorcycles and boats at the Cal Expo event. This was an event for people of all ages and had something for everybody.

The Sacramento Autorama boasts being home to the longest running indoor car show in the world. The show began this Friday February 11 and ended on Sunday February 13. I attended the final show on Sunday.

Actors from American Graffiti were also on hand to sign autographs and talk to fans. Bo Hopkins, Candy Clarke and Paul LeMat were available to meet with visitors. Other entertainment during the weekend was provided by Lee Reherman “Hawk” from the American Gladiators, Deejay Carlos, the Sterling Silver Band, The Royal Deuces, Lil’ Mo and the Dynaflos, The Mighty Mojo Prophets and the Booze Bombs.

Many awards are given out in various categories. The best pinstripers from around the country worked on an assortment of projects brought to them from customers. Demos by well known artists including Mike Clines, Real Ralph, T-Bonez and TJ Pagano were conducted. Much of their work was done for donations that went towards a charity auction. Many art pieces that were auctioned off went to benefit the UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

There were over 450 vehicles on display that competed for awards. The 2011 Builder of the year, Robbie Azevedo, of Pacific Coast Customs had an area that showcased his work.

On Saturday another 400 vehicles participated in the 5th Annual Autorama Drive-In. Radical custom and exotic car showcased vehicles were scattered in many of the Cal Expo buildings. Chopped, channeled, sectioned and chromed cars along with hot rods, pickups, motorcycles, street machines and muscle cars drew fans to this event from around California and the U.S.

Thousands of auto enthusiasts show up to this event every year and the show continues to expand. The event has been held at its current location since 1970. Cash prizes and magnificent trophies are up for grabs and were handed out in various automobile classifications. The show has been instrumental and giving Sacramento the title of the “Custom Capital of the World”. Today car customizing is a multibillion-dollar industry in the United States. The event has also been described as the Super Bowl of customizing.

Many of the vendors and customizing shops are located in Sacramento. Two building areas had audio and video customization vendors on hand to show off their gear. Some of the vehicles were equipped with audio gear that can rival small clubs in the area.

Food, drink and merchandize members you see during the State Fair were also on hand to give the event the State Fair feel. Most of the buildings at Cal Expo were used to showcase these beautiful machines.

The Sacramento Autorama continues to draw bigger audiences and recognition needs to go to the people that put the show together. A lot of work is needed to put this event together and make it as successful as it has become. Kudos to the Sacramento Autorama Show Staff that kept things moving smoothly throughout the weekend.

Downtown bar to host local music Thursday nights

2010-12-01T01:20:00Z

A new downtown bar and grill is catering to a lunch and dinner crowd while still providing a venue to showcase local music and sports talent.

Shenanigans – located at 705 J St. in the building that used to house Image – opened Oct. 28, and local band Tesla was there for the grand opening, according to co-owner Max Archuleta.

Shenanigans is the first joint venture by Sacramento natives Archuleta and Eric Schaefer.

“Our concept is a sports bar and live music venue, but we kind of want to celebrate what Sacramento has to offer those areas of entertainment,” Archuleta said.

The name is intended to make the concept somewhat vague.

“We sat down and thought, hey, you know, we want to do something fun and have something that has some ambiguity to it,” Archuleta said.

That “something fun” is to provide a comfortable venue for local musicians.

Archuleta said they plan to work with new talent and provide a performance venue for live music with the bar’s stage.

To do that, Archuleta said he is working with radio station 98 Rock to host local talent on Thursday nights, including Breva, Green Audio and A Single Second. For a list of upcoming performers, see the bottom of this article.

Both Schaefer and Archuleta have backgrounds in the bar and night club business, with Archuleta managing bar/night clubs in San Francisco and Schaefer managing Bobby McGee’s, which was at 5623 Sunrise Blvd. in Citrus Heights.

In order to appeal to the lunch and happy-hour crowds, Archuleta said they will provide good-quality food a notch above traditional sports bar fare, but stick with the traditional favorites.

“We’ve got a really good burger,” Archuleta said. “Everyone likes a good burger, so we had to have one.”

Chef Sean MacDonald said he is looking forward to the revised menu’s rollout on Monday.

“We want to tap into the local lunch business downtown,” MacDonald said. “We’ll have signature burgers, sandwiches and salads.”

The menu includes a selection of salads, hot wings, burgers and sandwiches as well as appetizers in an update to the current menu.

Happy hour – 4 - 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays – is designed to pull in the professional and state worker crowds for after-work beers, well drinks and appetizers, all being served for $3.

The venue is split-level, with a downstairs basement area reminiscent of a lounge or night club, but Archuleta said he isn’t focusing on that at the moment, preferring to get the top portion going first. But he did say the lower level can be rented to private parties.

The eight TVs in the establishment will show sporting events. Archuleta said the Sacramento Kings will take priority, along with football games on Sundays, but he also wants to show a sizable amount of boxing and mixed martial arts matches he said typically aren’t shown as much in the area.

In opening downtown at the corner of Seventh and J streets, Archuleta said he is working to help revitalize downtown and propel it in a positive direction.

Lisa Martinez, director of marketing and outreach for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said having a business like Shenanigans open downtown is a positive move.

“I think everyone’s excited about having a new business in the district,” Martinez said. “We’re excited to see new entrepreneurs looking downtown for new business.”

She added that bringing more retail and dining to the mix is “always a good thing.”

Needles, Calif., resident Jeff Ritchley stopped by the bar Monday afternoon while in town for a meeting.

“It’s a quaint place like you’d find in cities all over,” he said. “It would draw me in (if I lived here). I like local talent.”

No local talent was playing Monday afternoon when Ritchley was in the bar, but he said it reminded him of an Irish pub, which drew him in.

Shenanigans is open from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. Sundays.

Local musicians playing on Thursday nights are listed below. The shows begin at 9 p.m., and the cover charge is $5.

Dec. 9:
Breva
Green Audio
A Single Second
+ Hot Pot Presents – Fusion Bellydance

Dec. 23:
Terra Ferno
Prevail
Prylosis

Dec. 30:
Early States
Aliciya Angel
1 TBA

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Sacramento Fourth of July roundup

2010-06-30T03:23:02Z

Looking for an explosive way to spend your Fourth of July? Well, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Fourth of July events in the Sacramento area.

Sacramento

Cal Expo will once again host an Independence Day Celebration sponsored by Coca-Cola and Miller Lite at the Miller Lite Grandstand near the East Gate entrance. The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a performance from Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers. State Fair mascot Poppy will also be there to entertain the crowds. Cal Expo’s media partner, radio station 107.9 The End, will provide music to the spectacular fireworks show, starting at 9:30 p.m. Parking for the event is $10, and general admission to the show is free. You can also buy reserved seating for $10 at tickets.com, or at the East Gate box office beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday. Cal Expo is located on 1600 Exposition Blvd.

The Sacramento River Cats will be having their own celebration at Raley Field on Friday and Saturday as they host the Fresno Grizzlies. On Friday, the team will honor Sacramento firefighters with a firefighters' night. Fire engine displays will be set up, and firefighters in attendance will be recognized on the field. Stick around after the game for the fireworks, a kick-off to their weekend celebrations. And as the Cats close out their three-game series with the Grizzlies on Saturday, the U.S. Army will present the Sutter Health Fireworks Extravaganza and start the Fourth of July with a bang. Tickets to the games can be purchased online at rivercats.com, or at the Raley Field box office. Raley Field is located at 400 Ballpark Drive in West Sacramento.

If you want to watch the Raley Field fireworks in a classier setting, you can climb aboard the Hornblower yacht in Old Sacramento. Departing from Front Street, the cruise will begin at 7 p.m. and will include the fireworks show, dinner, and dancing. Tickets for the Hornblower are $109 and can be reserved at the Hornblower website.

Old Sacramento’s newest street theater program, “Time Travel Weekends," will put an Independence Day twist on its historical re-enactments for the Fourth of July weekend. Guests can take part in square dancing, croquet, pie-eating contests and picnics while enjoying military parades and cannon firings. The weekend will also feature a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The Grange Restaurant and Bar on 926 J Street will host its inaugural All American barbecue. The three-course menu will include all the barbecue fixings you love on the Fourth of July. The meal starts with a salad with ranch dressing. The second course provides a slow-cooked Riverdog Farm hog with Carolina barbecue sauce, corn on the cob and potato salad. For dessert, the restaurant offers a berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. The all-American meal is $35 per person.

The Sacramento Firecracker 5K/10K will be held at McKinley Park at 8 a.m. Saturday. Participants will be given a free short-sleeve T-shirt at the event. Adults and children can take part in a 5K or a 10K run or walk. Registration is $35 until Wednesday for adults, and $40 on race day. Children 15 and under can participate for $20. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a group that aims to help injured men and women in the service.

If you prefer to run for free, the Buffalo Chips Running Club will host its 35th annual Fourth of July five mile run, starting at Glen Hall Park on the corner of Sandburg and Carlson Drives in River Park at 8 a.m. Arrive by 7:45 a.m. to sign in. The kid’s half-mile race begins at 7:45 for ages 10 and younger, and the five mile race begins at 8 a.m.

On Saturday, the Sacramento Pocket area will host its annual Spirit of the Pocket Parade. The parade, featuring about 60 floats, will start at 10 a.m. at Lisbon Elementary School, located at 7775 S. Land Park Drive, and will end at Garcia Bend Park on 7654 Pocket Road. The Grand Marshall of this year’s parade will be Bandit, the German shepherd police dog that was recently shot in the line of duty. Other notables at the parade will be Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg and Councilman Robbie Waters. At the end of the parade, a community fair will be held at Garcia Bend Park, where different area businesses will show off some of their wares.

Carmichael

Enjoy a pancake breakfast on the Fourth of July at the Carmichael Park Elks Club Lodge, located at 5631 Cypress Ave. After breakfast, the Carmichael Elks will hold their 52nd annual Fourth of July parade, beginning at 11 a.m. on Marconi and Fair Oaks and ending at the Elks Club Lodge. A celebration will follow at the La Sierra Community Center on 5325 Engle Rd., which will include an outdoor barbecue, live music and dancing, free swimming and games for the kids. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. at the La Sierra Community Center.

Citrus Heights

In Citrus Heights, Sunrise Mall, located at 6196 Sunrise Mall, will host a free celebration from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through July 6. The festivities will include live music beginning at 7:30 p.m., a kid’s carnival and a 3D fireworks show. On Independence Day, the mall will present a fireworks show in the parking lot at 9:30 p.m. Special 3D glasses will be distributed for the show, and radio station 98 Rock will provide synchronized music for the festivities.

Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova will begin its two-day celebration of Independence Day at 10 a.m. Saturday with a parade on Coloma Road and Cordova Lane. Activities for the children will be provided from 1-6 p.m. at Hagan Park, located on 2197 Chase Drive, including a carnival, water show, tae kwon do, train rides, petting zoo, pony rides and pedal boats. A beer garden will be open from noon until 11 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., former Bad Company singer Brian Howe will perform live. A fireworks show will begin at 9:45 p.m., and on July 4th, Carmichael will provide more food, music and fun. Along with the kids' zone and beer garden, party band Busta-Groove will perform at 8:30 p.m., followed by the grand finale fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Parking is $10 at the park.

Folsom

Presented by the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, the Folsom Pro Rodeo is offering a new laser light show for fans along with nightly fireworks displays. The rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with a Bullipede, where brightly-dressed teams of five runners gallop in a western-style race. Also at 6:30 is the cattle drive. Cowboys will parade steers down Sutter Street in the true fashion of the Old West. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the rodeo gates will open at 6 p.m., with roping events starting at 7 p.m. and riding events at 8:15 p.m. After dusk, enjoy the laser and fireworks show while enjoying live music from the Dave Russell Band and a drink in Mike's Golden Spike Saloon. The rodeo is held at the Dan Russell arena, located at 401 Stafford St. in Folsom. Reserved tickets are $22.50 in advance. General admission is $19 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under, and $15 for seniors. Visitors can park at the nearby Wal-Mart on 1018 Riley St. and ride a free shuttle to the arena.

When motorcycles and snowmobiles fly

2010-02-23T07:14:53Z

Some of the world’s top motocross stars took to the air Friday and Saturday in an acrobatic display that kept people on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The occasion was the Gravity Slashers tour at Arco Arena. Ten riders from around the United States perform tricks that most riders only dream of doing.

The floor of Arco Arena was equiped with four ramps and two landing pads. At one end of the arena was three ramps side-by-side, the middle ramp was wider to accomodate a snowmobile; with an elevated landing pad across from the ramps. A single ramp and landing pad were at the other side of the arena.

The star studded list of riders included:

Both nights began with individual competition. Riders had 60 seconds to execute as many jumps as they could and were judged on the tricks they did while airborne. The riders accelerated rapidly on a short runway and hit the ramp, launching the bike and themselves into the air.

They did midair handstands, flew through the air inverted, and did kick-outs and every trick the mind could conceive.

After the individual runs, the 10 riders rode out and appeared and hit the air in mind boggling back-to-back acrobatic stunts.

As if seeing airborne motorcycle acrobatics weren't enough, there was snowmobile flying upside down through the air and landing on the adjacent ramp. Heath Frisby, better known as “Friz,” was creative, audacious, and never afraid to go huge. He won a bronze medal in the X Games in 2007 at the inaugural Winter X freestyle snowmobile event, and followed that with a bronze in 2008 and 2009.

Friz and flanked by Nick Dunne and Keith Sayers (Evil Knievel's God son), took to the air side by side, with Friz’s snowmobile in the center. The three hit the ramps and flipped through the air inches apart, then hit the landing pad together.

Before Saturday's event, we caught up with Sacramento 98 Rock’s John Boyle on the performance floor with their contest winners. The grand prize winners received a family eight-pack of tickets for the event, a Gravity Slashers motocross jersey and a pre-event meet and greet with a couple of the star riders. The winners spent some quality time with Greg Hartman and Brody Wilson. Boyle stated that the radio station provides “lifestyle promotions,” opportunities that winners never would experience had they not won the contest. He added that Field Motorsports, producer of the Gravity Slashers tour, was great to work with.

The grand finale had motorcycles flying all over the place off all the ramps. When the event ended, the stars hit the concourse to meet the fans and give autographs.

Gravity Slashers' next stop is Moline, Ill., Feb. 26. Feld Motor Sports brings “Monster Jam” to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Feb. 27.

Maverick Photography had four photographers on site for this event. A full photo essay will be coming in the near future, so keep an eye out for it. PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ed Fogle, Fred Jennings, George Murray and Jeremy Pollard

For local action news alerts, follow us on Twitter @SacMav. Watch for the "LIVE NOW" alert to be advised when we are broadcasting to our live web channel from local action news events. SacMav Rapid Media

98Rock Morning Show Apologizes For Transgender, Child Abuse Comments

2009-06-11T17:59:22Z

Following nearly a week's worth of silence and with over a dozen advertisers lost, a Sacramento-based radio program returned to the airwaves with an apology in response to some off-color comments that drew national attention and criticism.

Rob Williams and Arnie States, two-thirds of KRXQ's "Rob, Arnie & Dawn Show," apologized Thursday morning for comments they made two weeks ago in which they referred to members of the transgender community as "freaks," "fruits" and as experiencing "mental defects" meant to "draw attention to themselves."

The comments made during the May 28th broadcast angered child advocacy and transgender groups, the effect of which was the withdrawing or cancellation of agreement to financially support KRXQ by Chipotle, Snapple, Sonic, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless, Carl's Jr., Nissan North America, AT&T, McDonald's, Sleep Train and Guitar World.

However, Rob Williams say it was the show's fans who made the presenters realize they had pushed the line too far.

"We are here today to make things right with the people who give us our free speech -- our audience," Williams said at the beginning of today's program. "Our audience made it clear that our initial comments were over the line, that they expected us to make things right."

"My ignorance prevented me from understanding how hard a transgender's life is day to day...and I am very sorry for that," States said today during KRXQ's two-and-a-half-hour, commercial-free broadcast. "I ignorantly thought that name-calling was just that. Due to my ignorance, I was wrong."

Thursday's show aired following Williams and States' initial response to their May 28th comments on June 3rd in which Williams and States defended their comments and refused to apologize.

"I think it's ridiculous to think that I'm advocating violence against kids," States responded on the program June 3rd. "I know a lot of people don't understand this, that's a joke. Maybe you find that to be a tasteless joke, but I have never advocated for parents to beat their children."

States also pointed out that the show has held 29-hour broadcasts benefitting the U.C. Davis Children's Hospital Network annually since 2007. In a letter to station management on June 8th, Dr. Claire Pomeroy announced U.C. Davis Children's Hospital Network was severing their ties with KRXQ over the controversial comments.

"The events of May 28th and the station's lack of a publicly articulated response to those events are inconsistent with UC Davis' values and mission," the letter read. "We are, first and foremost, an institution of learning and teaching, committed to advancing health and well-being for all. We affirm the right of freedom of expression, within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect. The statements made by [Williams and States] were outside those bounds."

U.C. Davis Children's Network said they will re-evaluate their relationship with the station at the end of 2009.

Thursday morning's program solicited phone calls from the community and featured transgender advocates Autumn Sandeen and Kim Pearson. The show was heavily promoted by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) organization, which encouraged supporters to listen and call in to this morning's program. The organization had previously encouraged supporters to write to the station's advertisers.

A statement by GLAAD regarding this morning's program on KRXQ was not available as of 11AM Thursday.

The Rob, Arnie and Dawn Show, which is owned and produced by Williams, continues to air weekday mornings on KRXQ 98.5 FM, known on-air as "98Rock" in Sacramento, and in syndication on KDOT 104.5 FM in Reno.

98Rock's Rob Williams To Fans: "We Have Failed You"

2009-06-07T22:10:28Z

Amid a sleugh of advertiser withdrawals and facing heat from the GLBT community, Rob Williams, one-third of KRXQ's "Rob, Arnie & Dawn" morning show, posted a statement on the show's website that can be summed up in four words: "We have failed you."

"We presented our opinions on a very sensitive subject in a hateful, childish and crude fashion," Williams wrote on his website, RobArnieAndDawn.com in a letter to listeners, "and then, given the chance to retract those remarks, we defended them."

The response comes nearly two weeks following an on-air segment in which Williams and co-host Arnie States called members of the transgendered community "freaks," "fruits" and describing them as having a "mental disorder" in which transgenders "bring attention to themselves."

"God forbid if my son put on a pair of high heels, I would probably hit him with one of my shoes," States quipped during the May 28th segment.

Since then, nine advertisers -- Chipotle, Snapple, Sonic, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless, Carl's Jr., Nissan North America, AT&T and McDonald's -- announced through the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) that they were withdrawing support from KRXQ. A tenth advertiser, Wells Fargo Bank, issued a statement saying they were not advertisers of KRXQ's breakfast program and had no intention of advertising with the station in the future.

On June 3rd, Williams and States, along with co-host Dawn Rossi, addressed the May 28th segment following an outcry of opposition from listeners throughout the United States and as far away as the United Kingdom. Williams and States appeared to defend their right to an opinion on the show and clarified that they, in no way, advocated violence toward children.

"They never meant to advocate any form of abuse," station manager Jim Fox told The Sacramento Bee's 21Q blog.

Williams went on to say in his statement posted on June 7th that no new "Rob, Arnie & Dawn" shows will air on KRXQ until Thursday, June 11th, at which time the breakfast show presenters will "say what needs to be said."

"Apologizing in a written, posted statement is a form of cowardice," Williams wrote.

The Rob, Arnie and Dawn Show, which is owned and produced by Williams, airs weekday mornings on KRXQ 98.5 FM in Sacramento, known on-air as "98Rock," and in syndication on KDOT 104.5 FM in Reno. The 12-year radio program has been no stranger to controversy in the past; in 2004, the show was fined $55,000 by the Federal Communications Counsel for "on-air indecency" following a complaint filed by James Peak.

98Rocked: Ten Advertisers Withdraw Over Transgender Comments

2009-06-07T01:13:55Z

In the wake of controversial comments made by morning show presenters Rob Williams and Arnie States on KRXQ 98.5 FM, nine companies have responded by either discontinuing or agreeing not to renew advertisement support on Sacramento's rock station.

The nine companies -- Chipotle, Snapple, Sonic, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless, Carl's Jr., Nissan North America, AT&T and McDonald's -- all announced through the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) that they were withdrawing support from KRXQ, known on-air as "98Rock," which is the flagship station for the popular "Rob, Arnie & Dawn Show."

"McDonald's has a proud legacy of diversity and inclusion," read a statement prepared by McDonald's USA LLC. "The views expressed by (Williams and States) are not consistent with our core values. As such, we are in the process of withdrawing advertising from KRXQ until further notice."

Wells Fargo Bank, whose logo was removed from the KRXQ website shortly after May 28th, issued a statement saying it was not an advertiser of the May 28th broadcast and had not advertised on the station for more than a year.

The withdrawal of support comes nearly two weeks after Williams and States made controversial comments regarding transgender children, referring to them as "freaks," "fruits" and claimed that transgendered people suffered from "medical conditions" in which they felt the need to "bring attention to themselves."

"God forbid if my son put on a pair of high heels, I would probably hit him with one of my shoes," States quipped.

Williams and States addressed, but did not apologize for, their comments in a follow-up segment on June 3rd. They also expressed disinterest in commenting to the media on the current controversy.

So far, the withdrawal of advertisement does not appear to affect station KDOT 104.5 FM in Reno, which syndicates the "Rob, Arnie & Dawn Show" along with KRXQ 98.5 FM in Sacramento.

Local Radio Show Takes Heat, Loses Advertisers Over Transgender Comments

2009-06-05T07:12:30Z

Three companies have decided to pull their advertisement support from KRXQ 98.5, better known on-air as "98Rock," following a controversial discussion about transgendered children on the station's breakfast show "Rob, Arnie & Dawn."

During the May 28th discussion, show presenters Rob Williams and Arnie States read from a news article describing a male child in another state as being permitted to enroll in school as a female.

"God forbid if my son put on a pair of high heels, I would probably hit him with one of my shoes," States quipped.

Williams and States then took turns receiving listener phone calls, during which they called transgendered people "freaks," "fruits" and claimed that transgendered people suffered from "medical conditions" in which they felt the need to "bring attention to themselves." The shows third presenter, Dawn Rossi, appeared distressed during the segment.

"Those that really have this, it is a struggle for them! It is heart-wrenching for them! They have always felt like a different sex! And they've never felt like themselves."

In response to the May 28th discussion, the organization GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) issued a statement on its blog, saying it was working with the organization Trans Youth Family Allies to bring attention to the segment and solicit a response and apology from station management.

"GLAAD has reached out to KRXQ management to communicate our serious concerns and demand an apology. We are waiting for their reply," the blog read on June 1st.

"They never meant to advocate any form of abuse," station manager Jim Fox told The Sacramento Bee's 21Q blog.

States also pointed out that the show has held 29-hour broadcasts benefitting the U.C. Davis Children's Hospital network annually since 2007.

The presenters went on to defend their controversial dialogue, stating that opinions should be freely expressed regardless of how they're interpreted.

"That's what makes this country great," Rossi said in defense of Willams and States. "The minute we start telling Arnie he can't say that, then somebody's going to tell me I can't defend transgender people."

"You guys imply that all you have to do is...whack my non-existant child with a shoe if he goes clopping around the house in high heels," commented a listener who identified herself as a male-to-female transgender who previously had served in the US armed forces for 22 years. "Don't you think that all the abuse that I took in school would have changed that basic nature in me?"

"Thank you for your service, but let me just say this right now," quipped an angered States. "You fought (in the armed forces) for nothing! With the opinions that you have right there, you fought for absolutely nothing!"

Anyone who expected an apology from two-parts of the breakfast show trio were left with only points of clarification for the controversial dialogue, and that didn't sit well with gay and lesbian organizations.

"While it was heartening for us to hear that Rob Williams and Arnie States did not advocate for violence against children," GLAAD reported on their blog, "they also did not hold themselves accountable for their dehumanizing and defamatory words used to describe transgender children in last week’s show."

That didn't sit well with advertisers either. Shortly after Wednesday's show aired, the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group wrote an e-mail to GLAAD announcing they were pulling their advertisement-based support for KRXQ.

"We found the segment to be offensive," a statement released by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group read, "and as a result, we are pulling our Snapple advertising from the station."

Chipotle Mexican Grill and Sonic Corporation also announced that day they, too, were pulling advertisement support for the station in response to the offensive comments.

"SONIC in no way condones violence toward children and does not wish to be associated with media content that condones or promotes such activity in any way"

The Rob, Arnie and Dawn Show, which is owned and produced by Williams, continues to air weekday mornings on KRXQ 98.5 FM in Sacramento and in syndication on KDOT 104.5 FM in Reno. The 12-year radio program has been no stranger to controversy in the past; in 2004, the show was fined $55,000 by the Federal Communications Counsel for "on-air indecency" following a complaint filed by James Peak.

Link: Listen to the original May 28th conversation

Link: Rob, Arnie & Dawn's response on June 3rd (part 1) (part 2)

Link: Local Radio Morning Program Upset Some Over Transgender Comments (FOX40, June 2nd)