Skip to Content
Claremont

Ben Harper, Akron/Family, and others @ McCabes Guitar Shop ~ Santa Monica

Ben Harper Live from McCabes Santa Monica 3/1/09

This is the 4th and last installment of my 4 concerts in 4 nights series.

I had known about this tribute concert for awhile now, unfortunately it has been soldout for longer than I've known about it.  But, after a lazy Sunday at the movies I decided to give it a shot and drive down Pico and see if anyone had an extra. I met the owner of McCabes Guitar Shop out front right before showtime and he said sure why not cruise on in. Score!

What me and about 80 others had in store was a GREAT night of music in an amazing venue! I had never seen a show here before, but to see a show in a barn like backroom with walls covered with great guitars in a historic guitar shop is not a bad way to spend a Sunday evening.

It was a tribute concert for country singer Chris Darrow, which was weird because the guy is still alive?!?!  Aren't tribute concerts suppose to be for dead people? There was about 7 different music groups that performed including Chris Darrow himself.

2 hours into the tribute concert marathon - after the first 5 acts (who were all pretty good) and the subsequent set changes, it was obvious who everyone was there to see.  Ben Harper then came out and played his first song solo with a slide on an acoustic guitar that resembled more like a big sushi boat than a guitar.  Then he was joined by Darrow on a duet of "Whipping Boy", which many people think is a Ben Harper song, but in actuality he just covered it from the guest of honor.  Darrow then told a great story about how he introduced Ben's parents in Claremont. So you can literally say if it wasn't for Chris Darrow there would be no Ben Harper. No wonder Ben took time out of his busy recording and touring schedule to perform this tribute for a bunch of Westsiders in a room the size of a 1 bedroom apartment.  Ben was then joined on stage by his new group the Relentless 7 and they did a number. Although the crowd was chanting for more, Ben stuck to the 2-3 song mini set all the prior performers did.

The lights then turned on and half the audience started to leave. What they didn't realize was Akron/Family were on next!  A great up and coming Bluegrass/Indie/Country/Rock trio out of Pennsylvania. Think the next My Morning Jacket. So it was a treat to see them in such a rare venue.

Catch them at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood when they have their 3 night stand there next week if you can...

http://www.steveallentheater.com/akron

So that concludes my 4 concerts in 4 nights.  All different types of music in all different types of venues that all make living in L.A. pretty cool. Hope you all enjoyed reading, now time to rest until the next one...

Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 Live from McCabes Santa Monica 3/1/09
Akron/Family Live from McCabes Santa Monica 3/1/09

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Maravilla Housing Project Residents Fearful After Receiving Notice That Their Citizen Status Could Be Shared With DHS

The notice emphasizes that "there is currently no new data-sharing policy between HUD and DHS in effect at this time,” and that the Memorandum of Understanding between the two federal agencies “does not specifically state how HUD and DHS will collaborate.”

Fans Protest at Dodger Stadium After Team’s ‘Too Little, Too Late’ Statement

“This is literally the majority of their fan base and they’re not responding," said Hector, an educator and lifelong Dodger fan.

June 23, 2025

Journalist Arrested While Documenting ICE Action Is Released Without Charges

Anthony Orendorff was arrested last week and being held under questionable conditions, leading to a weekend gathering of friends, family, colleagues, and supporters to demand his release. Today his charges were dropped.

June 23, 2025

A Ride-Along with Union Del Barrio, L.A.’s Leading Community Patrol Against ICE

Ron Gochez and Union del Barrio have eyes all over the city. Armed with only megaphones, social media, and an army of tireless and loyal volunteers, their grassroots organizing is outsmarting ICE and protecting L.A.’s streets against deportations.

June 23, 2025

$32 Million In Two Weeks: The Cost Of Responding To Anti-ICE Protests In The City of L.A.

“The federal government's violent ICE raids are tearing families apart, causing fear in our communities, and making the city of L.A. even more broke,” Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia wrote on Instagram.

June 20, 2025

Black Lives Matter Leader Reflects On L.A.’s Anti-ICE Protests, Five Years After George Floyd

Baba Akili sees no end to the anti-ICE protests that started two weeks ago.

June 20, 2025
See all posts