Gino Walker singing Aretha Franklin at next concert

Thursday night, Aug. 18, the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series will bring Aretha Franklin and Friends featuring Gino Walker to the Butterfield Amphitheater. The music starts at 6:15 p.m. with Idyllwild’s Miles Thomas and friends Jac Jacaruso and Eric Lindgreen. The concerts are free to all, a gift to the community funded by donations from the community.

Walker grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by music and influenced by blues, gospel and musical theater. She has performed in Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, Canada and Europe and has worked with Ray Charles, Ike Turner and Mary Wilson. She was a lead vocalist with the Agape International Choir, and is currently the musical director for Universal Spirit Center in San Diego.

In Los Angeles she worked her way through the famous venues: The Whiskey a Go-Go, The Roxy, The Troubadour, and B.B. King’s Blues Club. Moving on to Las Vegas, she did shows at The Flamingo, The Stardust, The Mirage and The Imperial Palace.

Returning to Los Angeles Walker created “Divas of Song,” a tribute show to Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Ella Fitzgerald. She took the Divas on tour throughout the United States and Europe with the USO. This was a magical time Walker will never forget. “Really one of the greatest moments of my life,” she said. “Really beautiful to be able to support the troops and feel all the appreciation.” At the Universal Spirit Center, she also facilitates the Wednesday night gathering A Wakening Wednesday and panel discussion program called Kitchen Conversations.

The Crier caught up with Walker this week. Having just finished a video shoot for her new project, she had plenty to talk about. She confirmed one thing series producer Ken Dahleen has told us: Musicians are more willing to do an outdoor gig that isn’t over 100 degrees.

TC: “Is it true that Ken gets a discount for our cooler climate?”

GW: “Absolutely right!”

TC: “Have you been up here before?”

GW: “I’ve been blessed to have been a traveling artist for well over 15 years. I did the Jazz in the Pines festival many years ago. Sheila E. was the headliner that year. We had a group then, the Chambers — chamber singing; a violinist supported that group. Very amazing, very different kind of music for me. That was my first exposure to the beauty of Idyllwild. A sweet community and a community that loves the arts. I love that.”

TC: “But this is your first time at the Summer Concert Series?”

GW: “First time. Ken and I worked together on a tour, that’s how we met. I think the name of it was ‘Classics of Rock and Soul.’ I did Aretha in that show. He invited me to be a part of the Thursday night summer [series.]”

TC: “Are you bringing up a band?”

GW: “Ken is providing the band. I came up and saw his orchestra [the Big Band Staff] which was really beautiful, the players were fantastic. I was talking to Ken about how great his band was and he suggested I work with them. So, I get the opportunity to work with some of his people.”

TC: “You have done a number of tribute acts. What is the show you’re going to do in Idyllwild? “

GW: “The show I’m doing is Aretha Franklin and Friends, a tribute to Aretha, and the friends are some of the great women who touched her life and she touched theirs. The first half is all Aretha, and then the second half of the show I bring in some songs from the other great singers, Tina Turner, Nancy Wilson, Eta James, Shirley Bassey —It’ll be a nice mixture.”

TC: “You are working on a new CD?”

GW: “I have three CDs. I am currently working on a fourth project. I will be doing at least a couple of songs with Ken in Idyllwild. I hope people will visit my go-fund-me page and be a part of that magical experience. Those who make donations may be invited to come into the studio while we are recording the songs. That will be one of the rewards available.”

TC: “What kind of a CD?”

GW: “The CD is about spreading more joy and inspiration. The language of music is one that opens all hearts and touches everyone, and when we can create something together it touches the world and changes who we are. There is a transformation occurs when music is flowing through you and it reaches another soul. That soul then gives it back.”

TC: “You are the musical director at Universal Spirit Center in San Diego?”

GW: “We stream live Sundays and Wednesdays.”

TC: “You also have a streaming thing called Kitchen Conversations?”

GW: “Kitchen Conversations is awakening us to how we can bring equality to our world. It’s about having uncomfortable conversations. It is recognizing the inequality, it’s recognizing our history, and it is our history, it’s something we must do together. Kitchen Conversations is about racial differences and how we can come together.”

TC: “Anything else?”

GW: I” really want to say a big thank you to Ken for introducing me to the Idyllwild community, and for being such a wonderful gift to music.”

Next week the Butterfield Amphitheater will host the USMC 1st Marine Division Band. They are a Summer Concert Series tradition, one we owe to Dahleen’s time in the Marine Corp Band. There will be no opening act and the USMC Band will begin at 7 p.m.

These free concerts, funded completely by donations from businesses and individuals, are among the high points of summer life here in Idyllwild. The “hat” is passed at the event, and those who can are invited to give to keep the tradition alive. Contributions also may be sent, checks payable to “Idyllwild Summer Concert Org,” to P.O. Box 1542, Idyllwild, CA 92549-1542. For more information, call Dahleen at (760) 413-4638.

This year’s major contributors include: Bob and Gisela Stearns, Stephanie Yost and Steve Olson, Donna McLain, Compass Realty, Idyllwild Brew Pub, Roland Gaebert, Will and Kathy Kleindienst, Phil Strong and Linda McCaughin, Mountain High Escrow, Doug and Pat Austin, Idyllwild Rotary Club, Town Crier, Nona Solowitz and Mike Cheley, Tim McTavish, Desert Sotheby’s Realty, Idyllwild Trailer Park residents and Idyllwild Pizza Company.

Remember that temperatures drop in the summer evening. Come prepared with an extra layer. Butterfield Amphitheater, 54201 Ridgeview Drive, with access through the Idyllwild Community Playground parking lot on Highway 243 just south of town.