Country Deluxe offers special Dukes concert
The Bakersfield Sound “is staging a subtle comeback in the person of Vince Galindo and Country Deluxe,” according to journalist and author Robert Price, whose 2018 “Bakersfield Sound” book chronicles the history and development of the music that has turned Bakersfield into a haven for fans of the genre.
This Country Deluxe band, which plays regularly downtown at Rooster’s Honky Tonk on Wednesdays, will offer a concert on Sunday as part of the Dukes Concert Series hosted by First Congregational Church.
Galindo, lead vocalist for Country Deluxe, has been with the four-man band for about 10 years, following in the footsteps of the bestknown Bakersfield Sound musicians like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.
“I feel lucky to play with these guys,” he said. “They are some of the best musicians in town.”
Through the music of George Jones, Galindo became interested in country music. One of his favorite pieces is “Bartender’s Blues,” written by James Taylor for Jones. His favorite pieces are “slow, sad songs with deep emotion and heartbreak.” Galindo was raised in McFarland and now lives in Bakersfield. He has also been a pharmacy tech for over 20 years.
Guitarist Kyle Appleton grew up on classic rock but eventually gravitated to country music “as soon as I was old enough to play in bars.” Appleton has played with major artists such as Glen Campbell, Josh Turner Dwight Yoakam and Willie Nelson. He has also recorded with many of Owens’ and Haggard’s band mates and even played solo alongside his biggest inspiration, Brent Mason.
Currently a recording engineer, Appleton also plays multiple instruments.
Bakersfield-based drummer, writer and educator Cesareo Garasa is proficient in diverse musical styles. He’s performed with such notable bands as Mento Buru, Jay Smith, Devyn Brinsfield and Angels Roost. Growing up in Lamont, Garasa started serious drumming at age 14 when he landed his first drum set. Originally he was a fan of rock bands such as Van Halen, but learned more about country later on. He is also a freelance writer for The Californian. He teaches drums locally at Bakersfield Music Lessons and Bakersfield Sound Co.
Bassist Ray Sadolsky grew up in New York City but spent most of his life in Boston before moving to Bakersfield about 20 years ago.
“Being from the East Coast, he said, “I never heard of country music and learning about country music.”
Over the years he has played bass with many bands, including Monty Byrom and Foster Campbell & Friends. He also has toured extensively with groups like Orphan Jon & The Abandoned across the Midwest.
“Country Deluxe is steeped in the old country music tradition,” Sadolsky said, citing Owens and Haggard as mainstays in the Country Deluxe canon. Currently retired from Amtrak, he is devoted full time to music.
The Dukes Concert Series offers several concerts annually in the sanctuary of First Congregational Church. The series has been funded since 2006 from an endowment left to the church by educators Fred and Beverly Dukes. Door donations help compensate musicians. Valley Public Radio (KVPR/KPRX 89.1 FM) is a media sponsor of the Dukes Series.
The concert will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 5 Real Road. Donations are accepted at the door to support the musicians.
In addition to this concert, the band will play at The Marketplace on May 4.