This time, Jason King won’t be surprised to be in Tahoe onstage.
Reno’s Jason King Band performs from 5-9 p.m. Friday in the Heavenly Village at South Lake Tahoe. It is part of a Friday night series that will run through July.
King was in the audience at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe when headliner Tommy Castro walked through the South Shore Room jamming a solo on his wireless electric guitar. King was startled when Castro slide into King’s aisle, handed him his guitar and said, “It’s in ‘A.’ ” King took the guitar and continued the solo Castro had started and marched onstage to a standing ovation.
Afterward, the veteran bluesman reminded King, “You have to always be ready.”
King is well known in his hometown of Reno. He’s a regular at the Third Street blues bar and the annual Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival. He’s also played some shows at North Shore but is new to South Lake Tahoe.
“I know Trey Stone and about McP’s,” King said. “There is a rich musical culture up there. I am really looking forward to it.”
King represented the Reno Blues Society in the 2011 and 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and his album, “Blue Skies and Black Shoes” was a reader’s choice feature in Blues Revue magazine.
The Friday series showcases myriad musical styles. It drew 400 people last week.
“We did a little bit of everything for everybody,” said promoter Dreu “With a ‘U’ ” Murin, a KTHO-radio personaliy. “We have, jazz, blues whiskey barrel rock and reggae. We will have Glam Cobra out of Bakersfield and Rock of Ages out of Las Vegas and they are fantastic.”
On June 28 the winner of the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe’s defending Battle of the Band’s champion Island of Black and White will perform.
The Jason King Band includes drummer Dale Pease, bassist Willie Banks, keyboardist Brian Callahan and lap steel master Tommy Stiles lap slide guitar. OK, for those of you who made it to the end of the story, here is your scoop: A guest artist is expected to join King onstage. He is in town to play another show on Saturday night at Stateline.
Heavenly Village free concerts
June 14: Jason King Band
June 21: Glam Cobra
June 28: Island of Black and White (Hard Rock Lake Tahoe battle of the bands winner)
July 5: Conner Bros and Groovebox
July 12: Street Urchinz
July 19-20: Jon Bovi – Rok of Ages
July 26: Jesse Kalin
