60s Icon Brings Down The House
By Jim Clevenger
Photos by Stan Rubin

The Patio Playhouse fund-raiser featuring singer Barry McGuire was a rousing success on all levels. Mr. McGuire, best known for his 1965 hit, “Eve of Destruction,” agreed to perform at Patio after being contacted by advisory board member Linda Collins, who has known him for a few years. We staged concerts at Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15, featuring Mr. McGuire and several Patio people who agreed to perform 1960s-era songs, complete with period costumes and wigs.

With Linda and Steve Rich ably running the show as co-MC’s, Mary Bright and Kevin Jones led things off with the Sonny and Cher standard I Got You, Babe. Kelli Harless was up next, belting out Janis Joplin’s Me and Bobby McGee. Jim Clevenger, David Farlow, and Peggy Jacobs followed with Leavin’ on a Jet Plane, the Peter, Paul and Mary hit. Richard Brousil then sang John Sebastian's What a Day for a Daydream accompanied by CJ Conard and David Farlow. Next up was Nico Cabrera, who sang That’s Amore in the crooning style of Dean Martin. The first act closed with Mary Bright, Richard Brousil, Kevin Jones, and Kelli Harless, who sounded great as the Mamas and the Papas on Creeque Alley.

After a brief intermission, Mr. McGuire introduced his son Brennan, who played several of his original piano pieces. Then Mr. McGuire took the stage. Accompanying himself on guitar, he alternately talked and sang of his personal

journey, beginning with his days with the New Christy Minstrels and moving across 40 years of his life. Performing a mix of well-known standards and his own Christian-oriented music, Mr. McGuire captivated the audience on both evenings with his powerful singing and lyrics.

As a result of the hard work and dedication of numerous people, the Patio Playhouse made close to one thousand dollars on this event. We give sincere thanks to Barry, Mari (his wife), and Brennan McGuire, to all of the Patio folks who helped as performers and staffers, and to those who attended.