KERNVILLE STEAKHOUSE GIGS/REVIEW Sun, Jun. 1 2008 Kernville Music Schedule: May ‘08…. Another Action-Packed Month of Tasty Musical Treats!!! KERNVILLE STEAKHOUSE: John Bingham www.kernvillesteakhouse.com Saturday, May 17: James & Julz… Dynamic Duo Debuts @ The Kernville… Rockin’ little combo been buggin’ me for years to play here! The time has come… Prepare for fun! Wear your boots! Friday, June 20: JAMES N’ JULZ KASNER… Well, sir, they did good last time around, so they’re back in the ring for another swing! You’ll love ‘em if you missed ‘em last time. They’re bringin’ their friend Joe Jordan along for the ride and he’ll torch it up with some nice guitar riffs… Story songs and Americana music. They’re bringin’ some free-wheelin’ fun in from Burnt Woods… don’t let ‘em loose with the matches!

WRITE UP ~ REVIEW Sun, Mar. 11 2007 OREGON TRUE GRIT “JAMES & JULZ” For those who checked in earlier to see a whole different venue for the evening (a Barney Fife Spoof), I confess...it has been changed. It was showtime last Saturday evening (March 3) when a CD was dropped off of James Kasner's original songs. After the last dish was washed, and the lights were turned off in the Front of the House, I finally could give his music my full and undivided attention. When listening to any artist's CD's, I replay them at least four or five times before coming to any conclusion about their musical gift and genre, and what Hogfather's can do to enhance their performance through a theme uniquely suited to their music. After listening to James Kasner's 'very late' and 'true' musical offering, I realized that the Barney Fife - Go to Jail - Theme was ALL WRONG for this artist. I felt Blessed and Cursed all at the same time. Blessed because it is extremely 'rare' to experience this level of lyrical quality...especially from an Artist who is not signed. Cursed, because Hogfather's primary focus is to 'showcase' our Musical Artist's Gifts in a way that 'adds' value to their music...and I knew I had to throw everything else away and start over. Press Releases, and Radio Advertising had to be recalled and reconstructed. The website had to be changed completely...and that takes time...and a lot of it. Still, it is worth it because anyone attending this musical venue is in for a very special and very 'honest' view of the hard times, good times, and 'reflective' times of someone who has experienced two of Oregon's most dangerous industries; Logging and Commercial Fishing. This performance is more about 'real life in Oregon' than it is about Honky Tonk...and more about the 'True Grit' of someone who has lived it. It is truly a pleasure to present... "JAMES AND JULZ" Self proclaimed “Country Boy” snger/songwriter James Kasner, embodies the musical qualities one might expect of a seasoned stage veteran; clear vocals and guitar pickin’ as good as any, but that is the least of Kasner’s musical ‘gifts’ to his audience. The real ‘diamonds’ are found in his authentic Oregonian ‘true grit’ experiences shared through what Kasner describes as “story telling.” That is a little like saying the Mona Lisa is a nice picture of a lady. He brings ‘alive’ his experiences of life, love, hope, loneliness, serenity, danger and disappointment as lived in the world of an Oregonian Commercial Fishermen during months long journeys through in the dangerous waters of Alaska’s Bearing Sea. A life where ‘everything’ is at risk and dependent on the ever elusive ‘catch’ of the season. Through his eyes, and his songs, one can feel the pain and confusion of witnessing a once thriving Oregon industry, now teetering on the brink of extinction. In one song, Kasner writes, “I’m just a Country boy, writing songs of Joy, love and tears through the years; the world is changing round me, sometimes I think it’s gonna drown me.” Here, he succinctly reveals, with gut wrenching honesty, how generational values of simple living are so increasingly challenged on every front, he fears loss of his own sense…of who he really is. It is rare when a songwriter can reach so deeply into his own psyche and pluck a thread of such emotional depth almost anyone can identify with it, but are unable to express it until his words clearly ‘reveal it’. It is ‘genius’ when dozens of common human experiences are noted, again and again, in new and original ways. Kasner reaches deep, and ‘gives’ humbly…song after song after song. Any ‘one’ of several original songs penned by Kasner, is worthy of national recognition, and would likely meet with genuine commercial interest, but it is apparent his own humility has prevented him from even fielding a CD for review. He is, after all, a genuine “Country Boy” who was raised punching cows in a musically talented family. He lived life as an Oregonian ‘”Logger”. Dreaming “Champagne Appetite” dreams, but never knowing how to achieve them. He grew up knowing “that a man that wouldn’t drink with him”, or shake his hand, was not a friend” and that “Women were his Weakness” and learned more about life, love and longing to be an ‘eagle flying free’ as he went along ever seeking ‘truth’. Julz Kasner, herself born to a musical family, only recently joined him on stage as a performer, although they have worked in concert as husband and wife, and as musical collaborators for the past twelve years. Now sharing the stage with Kasner, Julz is credited with bringing her own musical experience and expertise into the mix by honing and tightening Kasner’s lyrical genius through uniquely exciting musical arrangements, and the result is definitely ‘wow’. Linda Palmer, HOGFATHER'S ALMOST FAMOUS DINNER THEATER March 9, 2007 www.hogfatherspeaks.com

Add new news items to your news list Mon, Mar. 5 2007 For write-up's of their music, please check out: www.hogfatherspeaks.com and www.landmark-yachats.com