KHAY’s New Band Gets Its Act Together : Seven musicians are selected from open-call auditions. You can catch them at the California Beach Party in Ventura.

According to Alan Jackson’s recent chart-topper, “Everybody’s Gone Country,” and that includes seven young musicians who’ve signed on as the new KHAY Country Band.

They come from such diverse musical backgrounds as acoustic-folk, jazz, blues, rock-a-billy, rock and R&B.; The band members, who live in Ventura, Camarillo, Northridge and Van Nuys, were selected from over 100 applicants from all over the Los Angeles area who responded to open-call auditions.

The lineup includes three lead singers: Hank Townsend (rhythm guitar), Janet Cartwright (percussion) and Patricia Patts. Dave Snow (lead guitar), Louie Nilsen (drums), Jim Hancock (keyboards) and Bill Sanchez (bass) round out the group.

The group, designed as a show band, will play at KHAY promotions. The plan is for 90% of the material to be current hits but Townsend said they won’t be calling any dances.

The musicians were faced with the task of learning Top-40 material in a short time. One month, four rehearsals and 30 songs later, the band played a sneak preview set at the Crazy Bull on March 22 and a few days later outside a Thousand Oaks supermarket. They’ll be at the California Beach Party April 29 and 30 in Ventura.

Still in its formative stage, the band has some rough edges to iron out; initial reaction to the two performances was mixed.

What remains to be seen is if seven strangers can generate the necessary chemistry and charisma to build a fan base similar to that of established popular local country bands.

Details

* WHO: KHAY Country Band.

* WHAT: California Beach Party.

* WHEN: 1 p.m., April 29-30.

* WHERE: Ventura Promenade.

* HOW MUCH: $5.50 adults, $3.50 seniors, free for children 12 and under.

* CALL: 654-7830.