By John Neiuber | Special to the Courier

On Saturday, July 27, Claremont Heritage and local nonprofit Claremont Music Scene produced and staged The Treasury of Claremont Music Concert at the Garner House to introduce the 2024 honorees Justin Andres, Roy Durnal, the Folk Music Center, David Lindley, and Courier Editor Mick Rhodes.

Launched a month before the COVID-19 shutdown in February 2020, The Treasury fell victim to the pandemic and the recovery period that all businesses, profit and nonprofit alike, experienced. We talk about the return to normalcy, however, there really has not been a return to normalcy. I think most would agree it is a new normal.

The Treasury’s launch and initial concert took place on February 15, 2020. It honored and featured Alan Medak, Falcon Eddy (Amy Maloof), Sugar Mountain Mama Serenade, Hai Muradian, Michael Ryan, and Ken Soderlund. Four years later, with the assistance of the Claremont Music Scene, Claremont Heritage was finally able to reinstate what will be an annual concert to honor and showcase those who have contributed greatly to the music scene in and around Claremont, and to educate the community about the impact local artists have had locally, nationally and internationally as well.

The Treasury was the brainchild of former Claremont resident Tom Skelly, artist, musician, and radio persona at KSPC. Tom was moving out of state, and he enlisted Claremont Heritage to take his research and documentation and create The Treasury of Claremont Music website. It was Skelly’s intention to archive “the city’s rich and varied musical culture so that much of the past, present and future musical accomplishments will not be forgotten.” By putting the vast array of genres in one easily accessible website that highlights people and their achievements, the visitor can share in these accomplishments for personal and educational enjoyment.

Roy Durnal, a rhythm section mainstay in Claremont for over five decades, addresses the crowd after being inducted into the Treasury of Claremont Music at the Garner House on July 27. Photo/by Heather Peralta

The Treasury is not meant to be an exhaustive and definitive chronicle of Claremont music. It is intended as a primer for people who wish to dig deeper into or elaborate on a subject. It is designed to accept new information as it becomes available. It is also not intended to be Claremont specific. The musicians may live in Claremont or surrounding communities. It is the nature of musicians to work with, collaborate with, form musical alliances with, and to explore different genres with other musicians. The musicians included have demonstrated long-term vision, commitment, creativity, and skill toward the practice and dissemination of their music.

The well-attended concert on July 27 received overwhelmingly positive reviews from those in attendance. The honorees were introduced with a short bio and received certificates presented to them by Mayor Pro Tem Corey Calaycay on behalf of the City of Claremont, and executive director David Shearer, on behalf of Claremont Heritage. Mick Rhodes and his band, the Hard Eight, kicked off the evening with a set. Roy Durnal performed next, followed by the renowned Ellen Harper, representing the Folk Music Center. Past honorees Marguerite Millard, Jerry O’Sullivan, and David Millard also performed. David Lindley was honored in memoriam. The 2024 honorees are:

Justin Andres — Accomplished session musician, bassist, guitarist, music director and tour manager, Justin Andres is currently bassist and tour manager for Australian guitar virtuoso Orianthi, bassist, bandleader, and music director for Eric Burdon, and was formerly with Billy Ray Cyrus. Unfortunately, Justin was on tour and could not attend the concert.

Roy Durnal — Durnal has been a Claremont rhythm section mainstay for more than five decades, performing with roots, blues, and folk musicians such as Chris Darrow, John Harrelson, Dave Millard, and Cindy Edwards. He is currently the drummer for Squeakin’ Wheels and bassist for Claremont Voodoo Society.

Courier Editor Mick Rhodes (right) listens as Claremont Heritage Executive Director David Shearer inducts him into the Treasury of Claremont Music at the Garner House on July 27. Photo/by Heather Peralta

The Folk Music Center — Founded in 1958 by Charles and Dorothy Chase, the Folk Music Center is the heartbeat of folk music in Southern California. Today, the Chase’s daughter, Ellen Harper — musician, songwriter, and author — manages the store that was purchased by her son, Ben Harper, from his grandparents to keep it in the family and alive for future generations.

David Lindley — Multi-instrumentalist and unparalleled master of the lap steel guitar, Lindley founded the rock band, El Rayo-X, and worked with Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, Leonard Cohen, and Warren Zevon, to name but a few. Lindley and Chris Darrow founded the influential band Kaleidoscope in the mid-1960s. He was also a music director for several touring artists and scored and composed music for film.

Mick Rhodes — Singer-songwriter and guitarist Rhodes has been woven into the Southern California and Claremont music scenes since forming Human Therapy in 1980. He has released seven acclaimed records and currently records, performs, and tours with Mick Rhodes and the Hard Eight, and as a solo artist. He’s also the editor of the Claremont Courier.

The Treasury of Claremont’s website, treasuryofclaremontmusic.com, includes a long list of musicians yet to be documented and included. Your suggestions and input are welcomed.