Rub your hands together and gather round ye olde Bret Harte Opera Hall, for there’s a fledgling musical festival that is ready to bake your heart, tickle your ears and move your toes. Nascent promoter Andrew Meyers, in conjunction with Roaring Camp Railroad, and the behind-the-scenes expertise of Tyler Armstrong, present the Winter Warmer Festival, which arrives Feb. 15.
Meyers may be new to the promoter game, but he’s slung merch for some of the most supersonic talented bands in the Bay Area, like Wolf Jett, the Coffis Brothers and Midnight North, for years. “I’ve planned every aspect of this festival, which I want to do every year, as a music fan. Everyone is in for a treat,” Meyers says.
One of the biggest names performing is Greg Loiacono and his band Stingray. Loiacono is beloved in the Bay Area for his work with California’s greatest underground band, The Mother Hips. But Loiacono’s waters run deep, with projects over the years with new aggregations like the Sensations, established rock icon Chris Robinson and a slew of solo albums.
While Loiacono’s counterpart in The Mother Hips, Tim Bluhm, has solo work that often follows the dusty trails of cowboys and railroad tracks, Loiacono reaches into the dizzying sky. With pristine falsettos that reminisce of the Bee Gees, and often sound like the soundtrack to the best cocktail party in the world, Loiacono is a craftsman in his trade.
From his home in Marin, Loiacono is upbeat and has nothing but great things to say about his latest band, Stingray. “I’ve done a variety of solo projects over the last 20 years, but Stingray is one of the most collaborative.” The inception came during Loiacono’s 2022 solo album, Giving it All Away. “Michael Urbano (Smashmouth) was playing drums, Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) was playing bass, and Danny Eisenberg (Counting Crows) was on keyboard. I really connected with Michael during that session and we wanted to start playing live. We both knew Vicki Randle (Jay Leno’s Tonight Show band), who had done some remote tracks for the album.Urbano, Vicki and I became the core three,” says Loiacono.
Loiacono guides the band through his catalog of songs, with several co-penned by Urbano and Randle, and a sprinkle of covers, like a seasoned conductor urging forth the best notes of each musician. The 21st century has brought out the Renaissance man in Loiacono. From using his unique ear for sound (he has produced albums for Assembly of Dust, Reid Genauer and Kareeta) to co-leading musical rafting trips down the Colorado River, Loiacono shines at a high intensity. Even mishaps are inspirational to him.
“I got stung by a stingray. It hurt a lot and my foot was swollen. At rehearsal I had to wear flip-flops and I couldn’t get my foot in a shoe. It ended up being a funny story. On a group chat, I told everyone I was changing the name of the band to Stingray, you know, for comedy. Vicki asked me if I was serious, and I just went with it,” Loiacono says. But Stingray is no joke, nor just another band. They are an all-star cast, supporting, mostly, the songs of Loiacono. In a world where content hits you in the face 24/7, it takes true artists to transport you. Stingray can get you there. Just don’t step on them.
The Winter Warmer Festival is also bringing other artists, like the Rory Lynch Band and Forrest Day. Benjamin Andrews, of Con Brio, can’t wait to come to Santa Cruz. “I’m thrilled to be playing the first Winter Warmer. It’s always been a blast playing with Con Brio at Roaring Camp, and it’ll be exciting to come back and share my new music with what is always a very supportive and enthusiastic community. All blessings, no stressings!” Andrews exclaims.
With food and drink by Shanty Shack Brewing, Shockwave Food and Cruise Coffee, this is going to be a needed, uplifting event. The air is crisp, but the Winter Warmer Festival will toast your buns.
Winter Warmer Festival takes place 3–9:30pm on Feb. 15 at the Bret Harte Opera Hall, Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton. Tickets: $21.20–$42.40. RoaringCamp.com.
