34 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 17-23, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CULTURE How does it sound? It’s the question that all musicians who get up on stage at the Golden State Theatre ask before a show. The answer to that question is complicated, but the one to answer it is C.B. Heerdt, better known in the music community as Cowboy Starr. The 20-year-old nickname is a misnomer. The man known as Cowboy has never ridden a horse. He hails from the Chicago suburbs. “It’s kind of the two identities, right?” Heerdt says. His musician persona is more outgoing, as indicated by the surname “Starr.” But as a sound technician, his existence is more behind-the-scenes. “You shouldn’t notice him,” he adds of his role at the theater. Given his initials, the nickname came readily. And Heerdt says he had no choice but to go into music—his parents were musicians. Over the years, he’s done it all, from performance to production. He has served as the lead sound tech at the Golden State Theatre for over a decade. But behind the scenes isn’t always where Heerdt wants to be. He also plays in a band called Hella Rad, which headlines a “pay-what-you want” 40th birthday bash for Cowboy at the Golden State Theatre on July 18, along with other local bands including the Adam Behan Band, Cement Ship, Sean Michael White and Kito Rayburn. It’s an homage to the work he’s done for the theater. “I feel like at the same time I chose Monterey, Monterey chose me,” Heerdt says. He landed a job as a stagehand at the Golden State Theatre after a serendipitous run-in with then-owner Eric Lochtefeld’s brother while working a stagehand gig in Redwood City. About six months later, he was hired full-time as lead stage manager. “It’s hard to get rid of me now,” Heerdt notes with a laugh. He handles every artist and production all the way down to the “green M&Ms request,” which he says comes across his desk. But the Golden State Theatre is his dream job. People sometimes ask if the theater is haunted. Heerdt responds with a definite possibility. “I think I am a ghost of this theater even now,” he says, adding that his dying wish would be to have his urn placed above the stage. Cowboy Starr’s Massive 40th Birthday 7pm Friday, July 18. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. Pay what you want. 649-1070, tinyurl.com/ massive40th. DANIEL DREIFUSS Volume Up The Golden State Theatre celebrates its lead stage manager, known as Cowboy. By Sloan Campi C.B. “Cowboy” Heerdt is the lead sound technician for shows at Golden State Theatre. He’s having a grand 40th birthday party on Friday, July 18. “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 DINE IN / TAKEOUT / DELIVERY 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE 831-899-1762 SEASIDE’S FINEST THIN CRUST PIZZA SOURDOUGH PIZZA OPEN DAILY DRAFT BEER
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