La Vida Roadhouse Sets Stage for Growth

The La Vida Roadhouse is hoping to undergo a metamorphosis from a dusty pool hall and restaurant to a mainstream concert venue.

To achieve this, the 550-capacity Roadhouse wants to attract quality bands. The first step toward that goal takes place tonight, with an inaugural pairing of country-rocker Branscombe Richmond and the Renegade Posse and opening act Ian Lindon & Runaway Train.

“Sure, we get a crowd of bikers here on Sundays, but we’re not just a biker bar,” said Lindon, who, besides fronting his Southern rock band, is the Roadhouse’s entertainment director. “Ultimately, we’d like to graduate sometime into a resort.”

But change will come slowly. Because winter is near and the Roadhouse’s stage is outdoors, only one other national act is confirmed. Country veteran Johnny Lee will perform Dec. 2. After that, the plan is to wait until spring to find more big acts.

“It gets darn cold out here in the [Carbon] Canyon,” Lindon said. “So we plan to resume the concerts sometime in March or April.”

In kicking things off tonight, Richmond and his 10-piece, 3-year-old “rock as country music” band will emphasize showmanship and audience participation. Richmond is also an actor and plays Bobby Six-Killer in the syndicated TV action-adventure series “Renegade.”

Richmond sings, plays guitar and keyboards and tells jokes during sets.

“I have fun, and I spice things up with sax and fiddle embellishments,” Richmond said. “It’s a blast.”

* Branscombe Richmond and the Renegade Posse with Ian Lindon & Runaway Train play tonight at La Vida Roadhouse, 6105 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea. 8 p.m. $15. (714) 996-0720.