Good Karma Blues promises good honest fun at BIMA fundraiser show
Published 7:30 am Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Nearly a collective century of musical experience will take the stage Sunday, June 4, dispersed among the members of Good Karma Blues, a Bainbridge-based blues/rock band, set to bring their sonic stylings to the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art auditorium in a special concert event to benefit Bainbridge Youth Services.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show, sponsored by Island Fitness, begins at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar. Tickets, $10 each, are on sale now and available at www.goodkarmablues.bpt.me.
Good Karma Blues is drummer Michael Almodovar, bass guitarist/singer Elray Konkel, lead singer Shannon Dowling, piano player/singer Jordan Petri, lead guitarist/singer Joe Van Dyke and harmonica player/singer Mike Lisagor, each of whom, according to Lisagor, boast more than 15 years of serious playing time.
“Most of us have a pretty eclectic background,” he said. “Elray was the island city finance director for several years, Shannon was the [Bainbridge Performing Arts] manager and is in many of their productions, Joe is an executive at an IT company, Jordan is the assistant manager at the country club, Michael A. works at Island Fitness, and I have been a Buddhist for 47 years and used to play piano in a soul group in the ‘60s.”
Disparate backgrounds have served the group well, Lisagor said, and helped them to create a uniquely blended approach to their blues, rock and soul tunes.
The BIMA show marks the group’s second public performance, Lisagor explained, as Good Karma Blues only just finalized their lineup about six months ago.
“We all really get along,” he said. “They’re all really talented musicians and there’s no ego, everyone’s just enjoying playing together. It’s low-key.”
The slated 20-song set list too is low key, easygoing jams. Good Karma Blues will perform covers of classics by the likes of Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Little Walter, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Reed, Paul Butterfield and Keb’ Mo’, among others.
Given the fundraising premise of the show, Lisagor said, the night promises to be two-fold fun.
“It’s really wonderful when musicians [are] playing the music out of enjoyment and to inspire others,” he said. “And I think, we hope, that’s our purpose in doing this concert. Our band wants to give people hope and inspiration, maybe feel a little lighter in spite of the news that we’re surrounded with.”
Lisagor — a frequent guest speaker at BHS via the youth services program — said the recipient of the money raised was also an easy decision.
“The initiative that BYS is engaged with, especially in the high school, is making such a difference in individual student’s lives, including having nine counselors available for students to talk to,” he said.
“Students nowadays are struggling a lot with anxiety, depression, finding a purpose in life. They can be discouraged just like the rest of us with what’s going on in the world.
“They’ll make some money and we get to have fun.”
Tickets are selling quickly, and, in the event of all seats being sold, those interested in attending should email Lisagor directly at mike@romancingthebuddha.com to inquire about cancellations.
