Taylor Guitars ~ Superb guitars, super company (right here in El Cajon), Mon-Fri tours, fantastic website, informative and entertaining - ya gotta see the videos!

Deering Banjos ~ Check it out! Right in Lemon Grove… they give tours as well. A very successful “mom and pop” biz!

Bose ~ I love the BOSE L1 system!  It is the easiest system to set up and use. The sound is so even and full.

Summer Songs ~ I attended two of their workshop camps in 2005 and wish I could attend every single year. I finished words to five songs while there. Songwriters of all levels - give yourself this gift to stay focused on your music for an entire 3-5 days.

Joan Baez ~ My first Joan Baez album (Joan Baez in Concert, 1962) was the first of many of her albums I’d treasure. When I finally got my own guitar in 1963, I learned every song on that album. You can imagine what it meant to me when in 1988 she happened to be in a club where I was singing and gave me the opportunity to sing a song with her (see my Bio for the story).

Bonnie Raitt ~ Back in 1973 I found her album, Bonnie Raitt, in the discount bin at a Tower Records in Walnut Creek, CA. I bought it and took it back to my apartment for a listen. After playing Love Has No Pride, I picked myself off the floor, and sat there knowing I'd be buying whatever albums she'd make and attending her concerts whenever I could. As both a vocalist and a great slide guitar player, she is truly inspirational.

Eva Cassidy ~ She passed away in 1996 at age 36, but her music continues to have an amazing impact.  The first song I heard her do was Somewhere Over the Rainbow on her Songbird album. I used to think there was no way anyone could do this great but over-done song and make it unique ..... but I was wrong. Like Bonnie Raitt, Eva's voice knocked me out and sent chills up my spine. If that happens to you, then get her CDs and carry the thread, telling others about her. Her cousin keeps her website going ... it's an incredible story.

Andy Robinson ~ Talent galore, and on electric dulcimer, no less! Each one of his albums has been a dynamic tribute to the scope of his creativity.

Nathan Welden ~ One of the many hardworking musicians around San Diego, and one of my favorite voices to listen to - and with a heart as comforting as his voice.

Mike Kenneally ~ Zowie! … wha the? How does he come up with such ideas? I’d like to take a ride via gondola in Mike’s mind sometime. To my little "folkie country pop tra-la-la” music self, that ride would be like goin to Zoidland for me (don’t ask, I have no idea what “zoidland” is ). He’s amazing, and another sweet and kind dude . . . with a 1000 kilowatt smile.

Doug Robinson ~ Beyond the beyond. A musician’s musician. Sheeesh, those Robinson boys certainly got the lions’ share of musical talent. No fair!

Wayne Johnson ~ YIKES… brilliant player! Sweet and kind and funny... all the good stuff!

Jane Lui ~ This young woman has pipes for days…for eons! But beyond that voice and flawless piano-playing is a perfectly nutsy gal. Horray! I love the way she writes. I can’t wait for her email newsletters. She cracks me up.

Wayne Rice and Lighthouse ~ Still making the best Bluegrass music out there and strong in their personal convictions. Wayne keeps Bluegrass going strong with his radio show every Sunday night.

Please support live music whenever you can. Promoters/café owners/house concert hosts ... all work very hard to bring a wide variety of great music to us. Go! Scamper! Get to at least one live music event this year.

My personal favorites are Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, Perfect Pitch Concerts at Bonita, and Acoustic Music Concerts San Diego. And for a great Open Mic night every Tuesday, check out Cosmos Coffee Cafe every Tuesday at 7:00 PM, hosted by Nathan Welden.

For additional venues that serve up live music, check out The Troubadour. Love this lil rag! Despite many challenges, it continues to grow. Liz Abbott’s tenacity amazes me.

Another one of my faves is Making Music, a magazine specifically created for the recreational musician.  Also worth checking out: City Beat and Music Matters.

A couple of great websites:  Site created for San Diego musicians by a super singer Cathryn Beeks:   http://www.listenlocalsd.com.  A site for indie artists run by Lonny Brooks:   http://www.theindieedge.com

Meeting Grace ~ San Diego

Dark-Thirty Productions ~ San Diego

Bodie House Concerts ~ This Agoura Hills venue showcases the talents of the likes of Crosby Loggins, Lowen & Navarro, Wendy Waldman and Berkeley Hart.

Heritage East ~ This is my house concert series.  To receive my e-newsletter about upcoming shows, send a note to:  soozmusic50@gmail.com.  You may also check out the bottom of my Calendar page.

The Smart Brothers, Marsha Claire, Cathryn Beeks, Christopher Dean, Tom Boyer, Jocelyn Celaya, Brian Baynes, Berkley Hart, Cici Porter, Eve Selis and her FAB! band, Mark de Cerbo, Carlos Olmeda, Joe Rathburn, Gregory Page, Victoria Robertson, Saba, David Beldock, Lisa Sanders, Deborah Liv Johnson, KEV, Little Big Men, Coleen DiMaggio, Peter and Marquita, Dan Connor, Ashley Matte, Scott Wilson, Isaac Cheong. Christiane Lucas, A.J. Croce  . . . . there will be more, please check back.

Wendy Waldman, Kenny Edwards, Caroline Aiken, Crosby Loggins, Dani Carroll, Judy Henski, Amy Speace, John Cowan, Pat Kirtley, Dan Crary, Doyle Dykes, Chris Proctor, Artie Traum, Beppe Gambetta, Alex de Grassi, Crosby Loggins, Richard Julian, Lindy Gravelle, Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves, Rosie Flores . . .