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John Reilly & Friends Benefit Theatricum at Mountain Mermaid
PHOTOS BY IAN FLANDERS, 2012© Actor and musician John Reilly (left) and his delightfully musical friends (left to
right) Heather McIntosh on stand-up bass; Becky Stark, vocals; and Dan Bern on
guitar and harmonica packed the Mountain Mermaid in a benefit for Theatricum
Botanicum. Also featured were Tom Brosseau and Nate Wolcott on trumpet. John Reilly played to a packed house and said, “Anytime you come to make music in Topanga, you’re walking in some pretty big footsteps.”
The Mountain Mermaid was host once again on March 18 to actor and musician John Reilly and Friends in Concert who performed, as a benefit for Theatricum Botanicum, songs from his recently released Third Man Records’ singles, as well as selections from a variety of musical influences rooted in folk and country classics.
The hall was packed with about 150 people who came to support their beloved theater and enjoy the equally loved down-home country music that Reilly and friends provided.
“We would have done a show anywhere to help the theater,” he said. “This is also how we keep the flame alive of all these songs,” said Reilly. “Sometimes I think I could write some, but then I think if I could write a better one, maybe I’ll start writing ‘em, but it hasn’t happened.”
The friends joining in with Reilly and his guitar were vocalist Becky Stark, Tom Brosseau on guitar and vocals, Willie Watson on rhythm guitar, Dan Bern on guitar and harmonica, Heather McIntosh on stand-up bass, and Nate Wolcott whose trumpet made the Blues sound like something you wanted. Outstanding.
After the show, Reilly stopped to talk with everyone, signing autographs and chatting in his easy style. “Anytime you come to make music in Topanga, you’re walking in some pretty big footsteps,” he said. “
One young man brought a resin sculpture, a bust of Reilly that he made, for the actor to sign.
Reilly obliged saying, “A lot of the younger kids haven’t heard this music. I help keep the music alive, keep the ghosts happy. Any chance I get to come to Topanga is a chance to escape LA.”
Bon Melange Catering enhanced the occasion with a tasty lunch of gourmet sandwiches, salad and dessert and wine and beer to wash it all down.
