My friends Michael Culhane and Melissa Gordon will join me on March 14! (Facebook RSVP)
Both artists are singer-songwriters with lovely melodic gifts.
I met Michael through the annual Harry Nilsson Singalongs, and Melissa at The Beatle Jam at Hotel Cafe. So, obviously, we all share a deep love for inventive pop that goes beyond Laurel Canyon (not to say that individual Beatles and Harry didn’t do some time in my old neighborhood!). Melissa joined us for the sampler show back in January for a couple songs, so I’m excited to hear her expanded set. And I’ll be accompanying Michael, so I’m just getting to know his music and excited for what we’ll do.
Here are their bios:
Melissa Gordon is a songwriter, performer, guitarist, and lover of the stage from New York now residing in Los Angeles. A seasoned performer with a background in comedy and musical improv, Melissa enjoys connecting with audiences through her recording catalogue as well as performing live.
Michael Culhane is a singer, ASCAP songwriter, producer, performer, band leader of Circus Guy and award-winning writer based in Los Angeles.
Circus Guy regularly performed in New York and on post-9/11 goodwill tours, free for the public, sponsored by the State Department, that took them to Syria, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Kuwait, Morocco and more. Their album The Lovely Luna traveled well, and its songs continue to feature in Michael’s live sets.
As Stereophile Magazine noted in its review of Circus Guy The Lovely Luna: “After sold-out gigs at Mercury Lounge in NYC, Culhane and company put together this album of extraordinarily well-crafted, power-pop–tinged confections in the Bill Lloyd and Aimee Mann traditions (yes, it’s that good.) Culhane writes songs that are simultaneously smart and ridiculously catchy.” – David Sokol
Michael has performed in Los Angeles at UCLA with the Arab Music Ensemble, at annual Harry Nilsson tribute concerts, and also at the San Diego Beatles Faire — and at the IPO (International Pop Overthrow) Festival in both Los Angeles and San Diego.
I’ll be joined by Jeanne Newhall and Robbie McDonald for this special Second Saturday! Both are brilliant singer/songwriters and Jeanne is a master interpreter of future standards outside of the Great American Songbook.
As usual, doors open at 7:30, music starts at 8 and music goes until about 10:30 with just short breaks to enjoy the homemade cookies and some bevvies. Pay what you can to support the musicians and this wonderful community event. Suggested donation is $25.
This is a night for friends, couples, singles and any combination or iteration! Ha! We never don’t need love in this world. But today it seems we need more and more. Agape, romance, whatever!
Prior to the show, starting on the Martin Luther King Holiday, Monday, January 19, 2026, donated artwork will be available for bids** in the Benefit’s online Silent Art Auction—which will close on show day, February 20, 2026. Co-curated by Spicer, the Benefit is being produced gratis by MoSamp Productions, with select segments directed by Phylliss Bailey Brooks. For further benefit details or questions, please go totillartistscollective.org.
Because the October 11 benefit sold-out, get your tickets now to support Highways with any of the three tax-deductible levels at EARLY BIRD RATES through Sunday, February 8, 2026: General Admission Benefit tickets @ $30**; Student/SeniorBenefit tickets @ $20** (incl. post-show dessert reception); and limited-quantity VIPBenefit tickets @ $55** (incl. the post-show dessert reception, and the exclusive pre-show reception/art showing, with a listing in the Souvenir Program). For benefit sponsorship options, please click here. Highways is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its Tax ID is 95-4231812. For individual donations only, please click here.
Current sponsors for “From Emmett Till to SNCC & Beyond: Words + Music + Art” include: The Weingart Foundation; The William & Ellen Craft Foundation, The Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation (JCWWP) and Now & Zen Productions.
In addition, from now through Saturday, October 11, there is donated artwork available for bids** in the Benefit’s online Silent Art Auction—click here to bid. Co-curated by Spicer, the Benefit is being produced gratis by MoSamp Productions, with select segments directed by Phylliss Bailey Brooks. For further benefit details or questions, please go totillartistscollective.org.
Get your Early Bird discountsnow to support Highways with General AdmissionandStudent/SeniorBenefit tickets** (incl. post-show reception), as well as limited-quantity VIPBenefit tickets** (incl. the post-show reception, and the pre-show reception/art showing, with a listing in the Souvenir Program). By request Early Bird discounts have been extendedthrough this Sunday, October 5, withregular rates resuming on Monday, October 6. For benefit sponsorship options, please click here. Highways is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its Tax ID is 95-4231812. For individual donations only, please click here.
Current sponsors for “From Emmett Till to SNCC & Beyond: Words + Music + Art” include: The William & Ellen Craft Foundation, The Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation (JCWWP) and Now & Zen Productions.
* (special multimedia performances)
** (silent art auction winning bids and benefit tickets are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law)
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in Ventura County and even longer to Ojai! Very excited to share the evening with Zoe. I’ll be accompanying her and doing my own music, too. Tell your friends and don’t miss it yourself! Happy that Zoe arranged this with Bernie Larsen!
DETAILS:
Artist:JASON LUCKETT
Jason Luckett Pasadena Residency: Second Saturdays Jazz Night+
Award-winning Bay Area journalist turned singer-songwriter Zoe FitzGerald Carter returns with her rich, honey-toned voice and vivid, literary songwriting. Touring her acclaimed album Before the Machine—inspired by memories of a pre-smartphone world—Zoe blends Americana, jazz, blues, and folk into songs that feel both intimate and timeless. The title track won first place in the Corpus Christi Songwriters Contest, with critics praising her voice for its “authority, experience, and character.”
She’s joined by acclaimed musician and writer Jason Luckett, whose soulful sound draws from classic singer-songwriters, jazz, soul, and samba. With seven albums released and performances around the world—including SXSW and Glastonbury—Jason brings depth, warmth, and thoughtful storytelling to every stage.
Zoe and Jason first met during an Aretha Franklin/Smokey Robinson tribute and have since shared stages across California and beyond, including an official FAR-West showcase. At Ojai Underground, each will perform a set of original songs, with Jason joining Zoe on harmonies and lead guitar.
Expect a cozy, intimate evening of deeply human music—designed to slow time, open hearts, and offer a little refuge from the noise of the world.
Expect a cozy, intimate evening of deeply human music—designed to slow time, open hearts, and offer a little refuge from the noise of the world.
Expect a cozy, intimate evening of deeply human music—designed to slow time, open hearts, and offer a little refuge from the noise of the world.
Excited to start the year with friends from back in the day at UCLA all the way to new friends from Lineage Performing Arts Center. Early January is a funny time to organize sets, so I’ve invited a bunch of artists I love to create a sort of open stage. Most all are new to our stage and will be doing a song or two so I can introduce them to you. Guests are subject to change, but as of now I think it’s Robbie McDonald, Stefanie Naifeh, Sophia Kaminski, Patricia Bahia, David Crittendon, and Melissa Gordon.
