The Ghost Notes return next week in concert

Idyllwild’s free outdoor Idyllwild Summer Concert Series (ISCS) in the Butterfield Amphitheater continues Thursday, Aug. 3, with The Ghost Notes, a Grateful Dead tribute band, and openers Sandii and Friends. Music begins at 6:05 p.m., with the headliners taking the stage at 7 p.m.

The Ghost Notes are ISCS veterans; this will be their third appearance. While the band is a “Grateful Dead tribute band,” lead guitarist Damian Lautiero describes them more broadly as an “improvisational rock n roll band specializing in the music of the Grateful Dead.” That leaves some room for the individuality and chemistry of five well-rounded musicians to create something new every night.

Lautiero pointed out the broad influences that shaped the Dead and the Ghost Notes: “The music of the Grateful Dead celebrates so many purely American genres of music ranging from Folk Americana, Bluegrass, Jazz, Blues, Country, and Rock and Roll … All genres of music we love and are inspired by.”

In addition to founder Mike Hammons on bass and vocals and Lautiero on guitar and vocals, the band includes Tim Jones on keyboards, Robert Peterson on drums and Bert Vela on percussion. The two percussionists allow the kit drums that familiar freedom deadheads will recognize, with a rolling swing as they reinforce and counter each other.

On their wide-ranging influences and spirit of improv, Lautiero wrote, “As musicians, we love the ability to explore and expand instrumentally, and this music naturally lends [itself] to wide-open jams and improvisations. The band members each have extensive and eclectic musical backgrounds that are very diverse. When mixed together, it creates something sonically interesting and unique. We really enjoy each other’s company as people first and foremost, which then really lends to us being able to explore arrangements and push each other musically.”

Sandii Castleberry also is an ISCS regular, and she said the group she is bringing “really is a band because of all the musical friendships I’ve forged over the years.” These friends have appeared in many combinations and under many names, including “Hot Flash,” “The Girlz” and “Castleberry Creek.”

This year, Castleberry teams up with longtime friends (and local musical heavy-weights) Barnaby Finch on keyboard and Bill Saitta on bass. “I’m excited to play with Bill Saitta … and revisit some of the songs from our Creek House days. And Barnaby, well, he is always a delight to play music with, and is so much fun …

“My first summer concert was in 2004. I played with Kevin Hamby and Orange County fiddler Paul McIntire. I have been a concert opener for just about every summer since. It’s been such a joy to play the openers because I get to choose who to play with from such a variety of talent here on the Hill, that I also consider as friends. I would vary the set lists year to year based on who I [was] going to play with.”

The concerts are all free, but donations are gratefully accepted. The funding is met through contributions from the community, and the series always starts on a wing and a prayer from series mastermind Ken Dahleen. The budget this year is $36,900. Contributions, checks payable to “Idyllwild Summer Concert Org,” may be sent to P.O. Box 1542, Idyllwild, CA 92549-1542 or call 760-413-4638.

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