Folk Singer Tries Hand at Producing

Local singer Meghan Shannon has maintained a low-key approach to her performing career, but she could’ve fooled Congress.

In September of 1990, Shannon, who, as a child, had her cleft palate and cleft lip surgically repaired, was asked to testify on behalf of the International Cranial Facial Foundation. That’s the group for which entertainer Cher became a spokeswoman after her role in the film, “Mask.”

At the time of the foundation’s presentation, Congress was otherwise preoccupied. Its agenda included David Souter’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings and the U.S. troop buildup in the Persian Gulf region that culminated in Operation Desert Storm. Shannon was nonetheless determined to impress the assemblage with the urgency of providing funding to help children born with cranial or facial deformities.

Rather than testify, however, Shannon asked permission to sing in the august congressional chamber, where she brought down the House with a performance of Berkeley-based singer- songwriter Betsy Rose’s “Humble My Heart.” Afterward, Shannon wrote to inform Rose that she now had a song in the Congressional Record.

The two met for the first time not long afterward, and that meeting inspired Shannon to begin producing concerts featuring similarly talented but relatively low-profile singer-songwriters.

With Pat Walz, an executive at a local music production company, Shannon established the tongue-in-cheek named PMS (Pat and Meghan’S Productions), and last September she began producing small-scale shows in North County. On Friday, the series comes full circle when Shannon brings Betsy Rose herself to the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship auditorium in Vista. Shannon will open the concert.

“I wanted to start a folk-concert series that would offer an alternative to the San Diego Folk Heritage shows,” Shannon said earlier this week. “Not many people are presenting singer-songwriters, and the Folk Heritage people do more of the old-time music. I started picking up the slack and presenting people I like to hear perform, a number of whom are women.”

Among those Shannon has presented at the 130-capacity Vista auditorium are Fred Small and Rosalie Sorrel, Carol McComb, and Steve Gillette and Cindy Magness. The Small-Sorrel show drew the best crowd (70); McComb had the misfortune of performing on the weekend of the L.A. riots, and drew the lightest turnout (25). But, even if she isn’t posing a threat to the area’s major promoters, Shannon is determined to stick with it.

“The hall is an excellent venue, it just needs to become better known,” she said. “I haven’t figured out what Bill (Goldsmith) and Pearl (Wolf) did (at the Old Time Cafe) that was the magic ingredient, but I’m learning. The people at the Shade Tree in Mission Viejo have a situation similar to what the Old Time Cafe used to be, and they pass along some of the artists they think I’ll like.

“I listen to the voice and the lyrics,” she continued, “and, if it’s someone who isn’t well known, I’ll pair them with someone local--like Peggy Watson--who has a following. All along, my intention has been to get more local acts involved in the shows, but I’m having a real hard time filling the place and establishing it as a legitimate venue. I’m just getting by, but I believe in what I’m doing, and hopefully, people will continue to spread the word. Already, there are signs that the awareness is finally starting to grow.”

Shannon, who lives in Encinitas, believes her own struggles mirror the area’s slumping reputation for presenting live folk music.

“You know, among folk artists and promoters all over the country, San Diego is considered a place where it’s difficult to draw decent concert audiences,” she said. “A lot of performers don’t even count on making money here--they just add San Diego to the itinerary if they’re planning to play L.A. or Orange County, and hope to add a few more people to their following as they pass through. I think a lot of artists stopped coming to San Diego after the Old Time Cafe closed, and they lost a part of their local audience as a result.”

As one who hasn’t benefited from a great deal of publicity, Shannon is particularly sensitive to the plight of the unknown artist. Certainly, the majority of her own performances have been much more intimate than the Capitol Hill gig.

With Steve Gillette’s encouragement, Shannon began singing in public in the mid-’70s. Beginning in 1982, she was a regular at the Old Time Cafe in Encinitas, where she also was a waitress and helped with the concerts. When the popular folk haven closed in 1988, Shannon began performing at such North Coastal establishments as The French Gourmet and The Vegetarian Express; she still performs every year at the Del Mar Fair.

Outside San Diego, Shannon has opened a few concerts at the heavily attended Shade Tree. In both 1990 and 1991, she placed third in the “traditional singing” competition of the Topanga Canyon Banjo-Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, and she placed second in this year’s edition, held May 3.

Recently, Shannon took the written exam at San Diego State University for a master’s degree in marriage, family and child counseling. She hopes to take her oral exam in October, and, if that goes well, it will free her to begin work on her own CD, with Dan Beldock, of the band Bordertown, as producer. In the meantime, Shannon remains devoted to exposing San Diegans to artists--like Rose--whom they might not otherwise hear.

“Betsy is one of these really grounded people who sings everything from love songs to topical songs about Nicaragua, El Salvador and the environment,” Shannon said enthusiastically. “Plus, she really knows how to work an audience. She’s a great performer.”

The Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship auditorium is at 1600 Buena Vista Drive in Vista. (Take the Melrose exit south off California 78, about 2 miles later, turn left onto Buena Vista Drive. The auditorium is on the right). Tickets to the Betsy Rose concert are $8, and can be reserved by calling 941-4319, or 943-1141.

Local favorite A. J. Croce, who will perform on the KIFM Jazz stage at the upcoming San Diego Street Scene, is looking for a producer after signing a six-album recording contract with the Private Music label.

Original Tangerine Dream synthesist Peter Baumann founded the L.A.-based Private Music in New York City in 1984 to provide a supportive ground for new composers and somewhat avant bands. But, increasingly, the “boutique” label has been embracing idiosyncratic singer-songwriters and instrumentalists. On Monday, Kenny Weissberg, producer of the Humphrey’s “Concerts by the Bay” series, and Croce’s manager since January, confirmed the deal that puts the 20-year-old, boogie-woogie jazz vocalist and pianist in the company of the label’s current roster of well- known talent.

It wasn’t the fact that Private Music is home to Jennifer Warnes, Taj Mahal, Ringo Starr, Yanni and Leo Kottke, however, but the presence of two of his favorite artists--Leon Redbone and harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans--that influenced Croce to ink the deal. Croce and Weissberg are in the process of screening potential producers for the debut album, which Croce will begin recording next month.

GRACE NOTES: As this column went to press, there was no word from joint promoters Avalon Attractions and Bill Silva Presents as to a rescheduling of Friday’s Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and Faith No More show at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

On Monday, the promoters announced that the sold-out show was postponed because of an injury incurred by Metallica vocalist-guitarist James Hetfield. During a concert Saturday night in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, Hetfield suffered serious burns to his arm and hand when he ventured too close to an onstage pyrotechnic device. Hetfield will be sidelined for at least two weeks, making tonight’s show in Denver another scheduling victim.

The promoters have opened negotiations for a new date with the stadium, with the Padres, and, now, with the Chargers, whose early-season schedule most likely pushes the concert rescheduling into late September. The 43,000 tickets already sold will be honored on the new date. In the event that the concert ultimately is canceled, refunds will be available at the original point of purchase. Stay tuned. . . .

San Diego Street Scene ’92 got a boost Tuesday with the confirmation that the singing group Wilson Phillips will perform on the “Pop Stage” on Sept. 12. The big-selling, light-pop vocal trio, who performed an a cappella version of the National Anthem at the recent All-Star baseball game in San Diego, should attract a number of fans to the Street Scene who might not otherwise attend.

BOOKINGS: (Tickets for the following concerts will be sold at all TicketMaster outlets unless otherwise specified.) Neil Young is the latest major act to be booked into the Embarcadero Marina Park South as part of the San Diego Symphony’s SummerPops EXTRA! series. Young will perform a solo acoustic show Sept. 23. Tickets, priced at $36, $26, and $21, go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at all TicketMaster outlets and the Copley Symphony box office.

CRITIC’S CHOICE: ZEVON AT BELLY UP

Warren Zevon has had his ups and downs as a recording artist, but he’s not one to be casually dismissed.

Zevon is now on an extensive solo concert tour and is recording his shows on DAT for a future live album. His itinerary brings him to the Belly Up Tavern tonight for an 8:30 p.m. performance. Opening is local fave Candye Kane.

Tickets are $10, and can be purchased through TicketMaster (278-TIXS) or at the door.