30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Michael Gaither is a fan of both fact and fiction. As a regular music columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel he gets to hear all kinds of stories from artists, some of whom he considers his heroes. He loves telling them. But he admits that journalism is a pretty structured and sometimes mundane format. Where he breaks out of that is in his own music writing. “Anything I can wrap a story around in three minutes is always fun,” says Gaither, speaking to the typical length of a song. The secret to Gaither’s talent lies in his ear, but not just musically. “I like to eavesdrop,” he says. When putting pen to paper—journalistically or musically—he riffs off what he hears in his daily life around Monterey Bay. That usually starts with a turn of phrase he hears that he can transform into a fun song title. His lyrics then take on a tongue-in-cheek account of what he hears and experiences in everyday happenings. His single “Highway 17” does exactly that, illustrating driving habits on the winding redwood-lined route that connects Santa Cruz to Silicon Valley: “You can drive like an idiot but I don’t care, they’ll still have work whenever I get there.” Gaither is proud of his lifestyle now, which he says is stitched together with multiple part-time jobs. Between music and journalism, he also hosts trivia nights on a regular basis and DJs for Freedom-based radio station KPIG. After working in corporate communications for most of his life, that kind of free agency is welcomed. “It’s kind of a blessing; I get to do everything at once,” he says. One of his recent works comments on the rise of smartphone artificial intelligence in a track titled, “Siri and Alexa.” The song is actually a clever plan for him to sneak up and get the best of the two voices that he claims are talking to each other behind his back within the microchips. Gaither’s original songs come with two decades of experience, but his guitar work is double that. As an entertainer he reads the crowds to fit the vibe. He’s also played in bands, but says that duos and solo gigs are easier because he doesn’t have to stick to a set list. “I kind of wait for something to really inspire me before diving in,” he says. Michael Gaither performs 3-5pm Sunday, July 5. De Tierra Vineyards, Mission between 5th and 6th, Carmel. $19. (831) 622-9704, detierra.com. JON “BEAN” HASTINGS Original Effort Michael Gaither splits storytelling between music journalism and his own music. By Sloan Campi Eavesdropping is one way Michael Gaither finds inspiration for his original songs. But he also sings from experience. The Peninsula’s Downtown Shops, restaurants, hotels and businesses Spend some time with us Downtown… oldmonterey.org 11:30am-close, 10am Sat & Sun 484 Washington Street Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 www.melvilletav.com WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS & SANDWICHES INDOOR, PATIO DINING & TAKEOUT HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS DAILY 4-6PM WEEKEND BRUNCH Family-Owned. Locally Loved. Since 1980. Open Daily from 8am 1992– 2025 VOTED BEST Comfort Food Family Restaurant Desserts Now Open in Sand City! 434 Alvarado St. Monterey 831.375.1400 rosinesmonterey.com 2160 California Ave., Sand City 831.291.5182 caffebyrosines.com 447 Alvarado St • Monterey • 375-5332 www.gaspersjewelers.com Voted Monterey’s Best Jewelry Store 20% OFF all Tungsten Bands World’s 1st Permanently Polished™ Band EXP. 7/31/26 19 years ’25 Celebrating 12 years in Downtown! Sunday–Thursday 11:30am-10pm Friday–Saturday 11:30am-11pm 426 Alvarado St. Monterery 831-655-BEER asb.beer Monterey County’s Best Local Beer/Brewery Best Bar for Gen X Best Server-Chelsea Dalhamer Best Place to Eavesdrop Best Podcast - KRML’s ‘Pub Talk” “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
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