Boogie Chillen: Blues Monsters dust off Bluesdays

The thrill is not gone. It just went away for 23 months.

Bluesdays, the weekly summertime music tradition at Squaw Valley, opens on Tuesday with the Blues Monsters and special guests.

“Just about every single person I talk to is drooling to go hear some live music,” said Blues Monsters guitarist Chuck Dunn.

There will be eight Bluesdays this year in The Village at Squaw Valley. The free shows are from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This season, it will be BYOC – Bring your own chair.

The first show always opens with The Blues Monsters, which is celebrating its 30^th year.

“It’s a great honor because again we are the only local band on the bill,” Dunn said. “Bands just don’t stay together for whatever the reason. But all of us just get along. We’re all in the same frame of mine, what we want to do. And we’ve grown up together, it seems. We’re just good friends. It’s wonderful.”

Steve Kershiznic is the new keyboard player, replacing the beloved “Secret Weapon,” Terry Ogg, who died in 2020.

Guest singers will be Kandy Xander, Matt Reardon and Kendal Naughton. The Blues Monsters horn section also will be on the bandstand.

Dunn is the anti-Johnny Cash, dressing all in white. Renowned Southern California artist Johnny Martinez has pinstriped Dunn’s Telecaster pick guards to match Dunn’s white leather loafer boots.

“We all enjoy to dressing up for the gigs,” Dunn said.

Pipe Down, a new Tahoe-based California reggae band, will play the after-party in the Auld Dubliner.

Grab & Go Food Offerings this year will include tacos, Bao buns, pizza, pulled pork sandwiches and Bratwursts.

“We are thrilled to offer this free and amazing blues series once again and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the Village this summer,” Caroline Ross of the Squaw Valley Neighborhood Company said. “We have a robust calendar of weekly and signature events, with something for everyone.”

• Bluesdays
  The Village at Squaw Valley
  Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m.
  July 13: The Blues Monsters
  July 20: Mark Hummel & the Blues Survivors featuring. Rusty Zinn 
  July 27: Chris Cain
  Aug. 3: Alastair Greene
  Aug. 10: J.C. Smith Band
  Aug. 17: Terry Hanck
  Aug. 24: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
  Aug. 31: Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings
• More events:
  Aug. 14-15: Brews Jazz & Funk Fest
  Sept. 3: Guitar Strings vs. Chicken Wings
  Sept. 18-19: Oktoberfest
  Oct. 9-10: Made in Tahoe