Taos music scene evolving
Familiar venues shuttered, music plays on
The music scene is changing in Taos. While some familiar venues have closed, and COVID-19 restrictions (and fears) linger, musicians adapt and play on.
“The world is changing, and we can change with it,” says Bone Orchard’s Carol Morgan-Eagle.
Daniel Pretends Eagles, Carol’s husband added, “We have found the blessings, not the challenges. Loss of venues has not meant the loss of our music.”
COVID is on the rise in Taos County — after a summer that began to feel normal. While we social distanced at the Big Barn Dance and Chris Arrellano’s fourth annual Nuevo Americana Music Festival in Costilla, some scheduled music was canceled, including Taos Plaza Live.
The Taos Center for the Arts, Sagebrush Inn and Cantina, Alley Cantina, The Taos Inn, Sabroso, Rolling Still, ACEQ and Gutters Bowling Alley continue to offer live music.
Chris Arrellano comes home
The pandemic brought Chris Arellano home to Costilla from Oregon. Chris and his brother Rodney have fans across Taos County, drawn by their “Nuevo Americana” sound.
“I had just started up a music shop coffee house, in Oregon, right when the pandemic hit. I was three months into the business and had to shut it town,” Chris Arrellano said.
Back in Costilla, Chris and Rodney found a new Friday night home at a local restaurant, Bar 101 in Garcia, CO (formerly the “Crazy Beaver”).
Chris explains, “We started a music thing to draw business for them (Bar 101). For me and Rodney it was a way to get back on our game ... It’s turned into a happening thing with many of the dancers from Taos.”
You can find Chris and Rodney on most Fridays from 6-8 p.m. at Bar 101 and at Sabroso on most Saturday evenings.
Shannon Barksdale reexamines
Shannon Barksdale has been performing in Taos for more than six years. After her father passed away unexpectedly in April 2020 and COVID halted live music,
“It gave me time to examine my life and see what’s coming next.”
She spent time on her sailboat in Mexico. When in town, her band Shannon and Southern Soul, plays at the Sagebrush on Friday nights.
Bone Orchard travels
Carol Morgan-Eagle and Daniel Pretends Eagle founded their band “Bone Orchard” in 1999. The band often includes Chipper Thompson, Mark Dudrow, Paul Reid and Michael Chavez.
“The thing that hit the hardest is not being able to play live. It’s the camaraderie
and friendship — that we miss at our gigs,” Carol said.
Their summer included time on the road and playing outdoor events.
Carol added, “We need to have faith in the creativity of Taos .... New venues and new opportunities will show up.”
Daniel explains, “We were always grateful that we live in the southwest with such beautiful drives, sometimes just for recreation, rather than just travel for a gig.”
“We sat on our porch all summer and inside in the winter, playing old songs and new songs. We always play with a band. It gave us the opportunity just for the two of us,” Carol said.
Mina Martinez misses singing
Mina Martinez, Post Mistress in Arroyo Seco, has been with The Damn Band for ten years. She stopped playing after the birth of her daughter, Niah (January 2020) and then COVID hit. She continues to record with The Damn Band.
“We were supposed to do Taos Plaza live this summer. We rehearsed about four or five times ... and then it was canceled. There are times when they [The Damn Band] asks me [to play] and I get excited. I enjoy singing and sharing.”
Ernie Marquez and Grupo Mezcal
Ernie Marquez explains that Grupo Mezcal is a band of four brothers and “one other.” They write and play their
own music. In the past two years, they have played in surrounding areas in the southwest — all while he continued ranching.
“We will play in the venues that are opened. We played in July at the Sage Brush Inn.”
Grupo Mezcal has recorded ten albums.
Jimmy Stadler works the hardest
Jimmy Stadler is often called the “hardest working” musician in Taos. He has performed and lived in Taos for 35 years. Today he is in his 11th year of teaching music at The Taos Academy Charter School.
The year 2021 included performances on both coasts, the south and the mountain west.
He also released a new CD. “The time away from gigging live I filled with making my new home page, writing, recording and finishing the album — right here two miles from my house.”
Jimmy explains that folks still enjoyed his music in smaller and masked up settings;
“During COVID I did a lot more house concert. Those moments were really wonderful too.”
Jimmy plays Wednesdays at Sabroso. The profiled musicians are committed to continue to play live; each dogged about safety and following protocol. Thank you for your music.