Blue Moonshine closes in on decade of classic rock, blues – Fairfield Daily Republic

December 20, 2019

FAIRFIELD — Blue Moonshine started as a power trio with a background vocalist.

They return to Kesler’s Lounge this weekend as a quartet with a lead singer, guitarist, bassist and drummer.

The band’s 10th anniversary is around the corner.

Guitarist Jeff Gruwell said the group, and its name, were born on New Year’s Eve as the new millennium neared the end of its first decade. The moniker came into being at the same time there was a blue moon going into 2010.

“We are a pretty tight group now,” Gruwell said. “We play off each other. We play well together.”

Blue Moonshine focuses on classic rock and blues.

“We go way back to the roots,” Gruwell said.

An example: The band may play Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?” then transition into Ronnie Montrose’s “Bad Motor Scooter.” Gruwell starts out on slide guitar and wraps it up on standard guitars.

The group has played at Kesler’s about three years. A gig at Vacaville’s Stars would be great, Gruwell said.

Since its inception, Blue Moonshine has utilized portable stage lights as part of its show. They are sound activated and change to the beat of the music.

“People like to take pictures of themselves in the light,” Gruwell said.

They also use a low intensity laser.

The band’s most requested song is Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away.”

“We like the audience to sing with us,” Gruwell said, adding that tunes with choruses the audience can join in on are important to the show. “Audience participation is highly encouraged.”

Gruwell started playing guitar as a young boy, focusing on 1980s hard rock tunes. He was in a band.

“My grandparents and father said, ‘You need to get a career,’ ” Gruwell said.

He joined the Navy at 21 and became an aviation electrician. From there he went to work for McDonnell Douglas. For the past 30 years, he’s worked for Shell Oil.

When the opportunity to work during the day came up, Gruwell went to that shift, which opened his evenings to make music a major focus again.

Trips to the Red House in Walnut Creek and open mic introduced him to fellow musicians.

The current lineup is Gruwell on guitar, Mike Di Francesco on drums, David Cline, lead vocals, and Ronald Flowers, bassist.

Blue Moonshine is booked to play New Year’s Eve at Tailgaters Sports and Bar in Antioch. They will return to Iron Steed Harley-Davidson in Vacaville next year for Hot Rods and Harleys.

The band also has a name for its female followers: Moonbeams.

“They’re my wife’s friends,” Gruwell said.

Blue Moonshine

Amy Maginnis-Honey joined the staff of the Daily Republic in 1980. She’ll tell you she was only 3 at the time. Over the past three decades she’s done a variety of jobs in the newsroom. Today, she covers arts and entertainment and writes for the Living and news pages. She also covers Suisun City and general assignment. Reach her at 427-6957 or amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amaginnisdr.

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