Gordon’s Music ready for another in-store concert series

FAIRFIELD — Gordon’s Music and Sound kicks off its second round of in-store concerts March 3 with four acts on the bill.

Dustin Dinsmore, 24, is one of them. The singer, songwriter and guitarist also plays keyboards and the mandolin. He was born in Fairfield and spent some years in Vacaville before moving to Fremont when he was 14.

“I spent my formative years there,” he said of Fremont.

He returned to the area a little more than two years ago and strives to stay involved in the local music scene. He attended some of the previous concerts, which wrapped up just before Christmas.

While he cites Jimmy Page as a big influence on his music, Dinsmore was quick to note that a lot of rock music has its roots in the classical offerings from artists such as Vivaldi, Wagner and Bach. Heavy-metal music especially needs to give these men their due.

“If you ignore the classical, you ignore the roots of music,” he said.

Dinsmore said the vast majority of his music is based in the blues.

“Artists have a lot of pain in their lives,” he said. “The blues are an example of that expression of pain.”

He picked up the guitar at 17 after watching friends and his stepfather play the instrument. When he started, Dinsmore said he focused on lead guitar work. Now, the majority of his musical efforts are spent on singing and songwriting. The last song was penned for girlfriend Rachel Ford.

Open mikes have provided him with a chance to showcase his work. The shows at Gordon’s are a perfect fit.

“It’s a very personal and intimate setting for music. It’s a warm environment. There’s not five feet between the stage and audience,” he said.

Right now he’s happy being a solo artist. However, he doesn’t expect that will last forever.

Dinsmore is working on a CD he hopes to pass out at shows.

“I’d like to get more opportunities to play music in front of, and for, people,” he said.

He wants his music to make a difference. “Some songs help us to see things that need to be brought to our attention, things that are beyond us,” he said.

Attending Neil Young’s Bridge School benefit is a Dinsmore favorite.

“It’s an emotional experience,” he said about watching the therapeutic effects the music has on the children.

“It’s a poignant moment,” he said. “It’s powerful stuff.”

The Bridge School serves children with severe speech and physical impairments.

Reach Amy Maginnis-Honey at 427-6957 or amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amaginnisdr.

Amy Maginnis-Honey

Amy Maginnis-Honey joined the staff of the Daily Republic in 1980. She’ll tell you she was only 3 at the time. Over the past three decades she’s done a variety of jobs in the newsroom. Today, she covers arts and entertainment and writes for the Living and news pages.

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