What would summer in Los Alamos be without Gordon Concerts? Children chasing each other and tossing snacks to ducks in Ashley Pond; friends pilng onto picnic blankets with wine and beer; and the smell of local food trucks in the air while everyone taps their feet to music.

 

There is no better representation of Los Alamos than what Russ Gordon spent 28 years of his life giving to this community, summer after summer. And now, it’s our turn to thank Russ.

 

Local bands, Trainwreck Blue Band and State Road 4, will headline a benefit concert at Unquarked Wine Room at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. One part benefit, one part holiday concert, and two parts thanksgiving, the event will offer plenty of blues-y music, bites from Sirphey, and drinks to go ‘round.

 

State Road 4 was founded by Guy Raper with Bill Waganaar, Kent Scarborough, Neal Thomas, and Mike Farber. With some original material and plenty of the classics from the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, & Jimi Hendrix, State Road 4 puts their own uniquely southwestern and blues-y spin on rock and roll and country music.

 

Trainwreck Blues Band was founded by Mike Farber with Ron Stryker, Bob Mohr, & Rusty “blindboy” Cheatwood. An old classic at bars and clubs in Los Alamos & Jemez Springs, Trainwreck promises gravelly, stormy blues and old country coming at you from the Jemez Mountains of Northern New Mexico with heaps of guilty trouble in mind, featuring the most virtuouso electric blues guitarist these mountains ever done seen.

 

And to benefit the year to come, Unquarked will set up donation boxes as well as donating $1 from every drink purchased what Russ poured his heart into – the Gordon Summer Concert Series.

 

If we can recreate even a tiny fraction of the amazing atmosphere Russ has given this community while raising money for a good cause, we can hang our heads high. We’re looking forward to an amazing night for an amazing cause.