ON the Beat | Unplugging, Unplugged but Still in Sync

This edition of ON the Beat was originally emailed to subscribers on June 15, 2023. To receive Josef Woodard’s music newsletter in your inbox each Thursday, sign up at independent.com/newsletters.

Acoustic Adieu, For Now

Since 2016, many a fine acoustic guitar picker has graced our town with intimate concertizing thanks to the stubborn vision of one Kevin Gillies and his aptly-named SBAcoustic. Gillies, a luthier, guitarist, and acoustic guitar/instrument champion who wended south to Santa Barbara from NorCal, blew into town with some big ideas and energy. He created a short-lived but impressive guitar convention at Earl Warren Showgrounds and then launched his concert/gig series in spaces including the loveable Alhecama Theater and the last few years on Sunday nights at SOhO.

That particular party is now officially over, or at least as indefatigably maintained by its founding party, Gillies. Two Sundays back, the series came to its rather emotional finale at SOhO, with the musical honors going to Carl Verheyen and his trio. To open the valedictory lap of the show, several fans and helpers gave tribute speeches, including SOhO’s intrepid co-owner/music booker Gail Hansen. “I’m sad because he has not only brought great music here,” she told the hefty crowd, “but he has become a friend. I’m so appreciative for Kevin’s great work and everything he’s done for our musical community.” (SOhO will continue to book acoustic guitar shows, as it has in the past).