Photo by Scott Umstattd)
By Fredric Dannen
Many people can mark their lives as a series of milestones, and Bill Kavanagh, veteran of the Chicago rock scene, is no exception. In 1974, at the age of 21, he married his high school sweetheart, Maria, and their marriage has endured nearly half a century. Maria stuck with Bill throughout his bouts of depression and alcoholism, and when he turned 30 in 1983–another watershed year–he became clean and sober for good.
In 2002, he opened BobDog Studios in Oak Park, Illinois, where he produced, engineered, and recorded over 75 albums. A bass guitarist and vocalist who gigged with a lot of Chicago bands, Kavanagh started writing songs in 2014. In 2019, he moved to San Miguel, where he completed his first solo album of original songs, With a Buncha Help from a Buncha My Friends.
The following year was a milestone for just about everyone—the start of the worldwide pandemic. Among the countless projects the covid outbreak put on hold was Kavanagh’s plans for an album release concert in San Miguel, his new home.
The good news is that the long-delayed event is finally going to take place, at 5pm on Monday, December 12, at the San Miguel Playhouse, Avenida Independencia 82.
For the occasion, Kavanagh has assembled some of the best musicians within reach to back him up. His band will include Doug Robinson on keyboard, Rick Shlosser on drums, Euclid Moore on lead guitar, Javier Regalado on bass guitar, and Yala Torres on violin. Powerhouse singers Felecia Ford from Santa Fe and Carlo Michel, newly transplanted from Mexico City, will take on the backing vocals. Kavanagh plays 12-string rhythm guitar and sings songs from the album, along with select covers of songs by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Marty Stuart, and Neil Young. To top off the evening, Kavanagh has invited a favorite local band, The Hot Tamales, to open for him.
Kavanagh describes his album as a reflection of his taste in music: eclectic. He says, “It’s a mix of power pop, pop rock, folk rock, country rock, progressive rock, alternative rock, and gypsy jazz. The lyrics range from darkly autobiographic to whimsical, funny to sad, introspective to nonsensical.” Some of the Chicago recording artists who spent time in Kavanagh’s studio, unaware of his own songwriting ambitions, found his album greatly to their liking. “Brilliant arrangements, radio-ready hit songs,” says recording artist Jewel Tancy. “It’s one of the best music projects I’ve heard in years.”
Tickets for the album release concert are 500 pesos for the center section and 400 pesos for the sides. All seats are reserved and may be purchased online at boletocity.com, at the Boleto City ticket kiosk in Mercado Sano, Monday through Saturday, 11am-5pm, or at the door.
Music
Bill Kavanagh: Album Release Concert
“With a Buncha Help from a Buncha My Friends”
Featuring: Kavanagh, Doug Robinson, Rick Shlosser, Euclid Moore, Javier Regalado, Yala Torres, Felecia Ford, Carlo Michel, and The Hot Tamales
Mon., Dec. 12, 5pm
San Miguel Playhouse, Avenida Independencia 82
500/400 pesos available at Boleto City in Mercado Sano, at boletocity.com, or at the door
