Music from the Arroyo Cafe stage

A review of performances from past holiday shows

Because I can’t sing worth a bucket of Gila Monster spit I got a thrill every time I hosted the Old Pueblo Holiday Radio Show and stood on the same stage near a gifted musician, mesmerized by their performance, their gift.

It started when the great Duncan Stitt, our original musical director, wrote and composed our theme song, “The Arroyo Cafe”. We open and close every show with it and here’s a clip of our theme song being sung at a 2019 rehearsal by Katherine Byrnes, Julie Anne and Crystal Stark of “Triple Threat”, with Sly Slipetsky on the piano. Enjoy.

Every show I’d feature a special musical guest, who’d thrill us with their performance, guests such as Mindy Ronstadt, Operatic virtuos Lindsey McHugh, the great political satirist, Mark Russell, Mariachi Azatlan, or Tucson’s internationally renowned troubador, Brian Lopez, here singing “Black Mountain Memory”.

No “Old Pueblo Holiday Radio Show” would be complete without sublime holiday music such as this beautiful rendition of “Ave Maria”, by Lindsey McHugh, with a mood setting monologue by yours truly.

Musical parodies were a mainstay of our shows. One year Elliot Glicksman performed “Brown Desert” on the ukelele, a charming ode to weathering our climate here in the Old Pueblo. Enjoy. We love it when audiences singalong.

I am delighted Mindy Ronstadt will be joining us for our final show. Here she is performing the holiday classic “Baby it’s cold outside”, accompanied by the One Bill Band.

No show would be complete without our “Grandsons of the Pioneers” performing a showstopper. This last year it was “Santa is stuck!”

I always wanted a House Band. Thanks to Mike Serres and his crew we got one! In this clip our house band “The Cadillacs” performed “Please come home for Christmas”. Here the amazing Joe Murphy brings home another Christmas classic.

This poignant tribute to the pandemic year, “Seasons of Love” was one of the most incredible numbers to ever close a show. To hear your words sung is unforgettable. Performed by Katherine Byrnes and Crystal Stark.

Start at 1:15:08 to hear “Carlos Presley” (Dave Membrila) bring down the house with his tribute to turning Arizona Blue, blue, blue for Christmas.

I will close out by sharing Brian Lopez’ “Old Pueblo Christmas” which he sang for us. Because that’s what it’s all about. Christmas in the town we love.

This coming "Old Pueblo Holiday Radio Show “, my last, will feature the range of wonderful music that has always been an important part of our Arroyo Cafe gatherings, from silly parodies to sentimental holiday favorites, including one original song written and performed by John Booth that was inspired by a tribute I wrote to Tucson’s lady with a parasol. Mindy Ronstadt’s sweet holiday numbers will make you swoon. Mike Serres’ songs will make you laugh out loud. And this year’s “Grandsons of the Pioneers” will bring you to your feet with their rousing patriotic number . It’s going to be a great way to close out our amazing run, and all for Doctors Without Borders. Celebrate the holidays with us on December 9th, Saturday,12 noon, at the Rialto. Doors open at 11:30am. Tickets are just $22.50 online at Ticketmaster: bit.ly/48ViSrt