30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Bonnie Raitt has long been recognized as a blues-rock icon for her stellar songwriting, silky smooth voice, punchy rhythms, and for her virtuosic electric guitar blues slide technique. The late great B.B. King called her “the best damn slide player working today.” “It was an incredible gift for me to grow up with all of the great blues legends,” Raitt says. “Not only were we players, we were all friends. So in addition to the music I learned how they lived, ran their marriages and how they talked to their kids.” But it wasn’t all an easy road. Raitt, like so many other music stars, succumbed to addiction on her way up. She credits the late Stevie Ray Vaughn with helping her to get sober. “I thought I had to live that latenight partying lifestyle to be an authentic blues player,” Raitt recalls. “But if you keep it up too long, all you are going to be is sloppy or dead. One day I heard that Stevie was a much better player sober.” What followed has been a multi-decade foray into the very heart of modern political activism, dating back to the early 1970s supporting causes like No Nukes. Raitt has been active in Farm Aid, music education outreach for kids and many other programs. Her appearance locally on Sept. 23 will benefit four prominent nonprofits dedicated to investigative journalism and protecting a free press: the Center for Media and Democracy; Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR); the Fund for Investigative Journalism; and ProPublica. “There’s never been a time like this that made me look around and say, ‘wow—nobody saw this coming,’” she says. “All of a sudden everything shifted, and with our democracy at a crossroads, never has protecting a free press been more essential to holding the powerful to account and keeping the public informed and engaged.” Turning to her current music, Raitt waxes circumspect. “My fans will always cheer for ‘Angel From Montgomery’ or ‘Something To Talk About,’” she points out. “But lately I feel that there’s something else there, and that we’ve built a whole new audience with a younger Americana generation. What’s going on with roots music now is the harvest of what we did in the ’60s and ’70s. I feel like I’m part of a continuum.” Bonnie Raitt 7pm Monday, Sept. 23. $100-$350; sold out. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. 6202040, sunsetcenter.org. SUSAN WEIAND Raitt On After decades of hit music and activism, Bonnie Raitt still has a lot more to give. By Paul Fried Bonnie Raitt is devoting her Sunset Center appearance to supporting journalism. “Never has protecting a free press been more essential,” she says. From our Farm To Your FamilY Fresh, locally grown, certified organic produce. Join our CSA now, and get your customized share of the harvest delivered each week. We deliver every Thursday to: Carmel/Carmel Valley: Hidden Valley Nursery Pacific Grove: Happy Girl Kitchen South Salinas, North Monterey, Watsonville: At the farm! Watsonville LiveEarthFarm.net Domenico’s on the Wharf features Cioppino-a house specialty, Boat to Table Wild Alaskan Salmon, Oysters Rockefeller are a sample of the many great menu choices. Also enjoy Fine Wines and Cocktails, Desserts and Great Service. A local favorite celebrating 43 yeARS on Old Fisherman’s Wharf. 50 Old FiSheRmAn’S WhARF mOnTeRey • 831-372-3655 www.domenicosmonterey.com Open Daily 11:30am to close Fresh Seafood, Italian Classics, Prime Steaks , with Beautiful Harbor Views. carmel plaza carmel-by-the-sea (831)625-8106 suiting knitwear shirting sport coats trousers made in italy trunk show friday, saturday, and sunday
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