Ramona Musicians Band Together to Support the Local Scene

Ramona Music Alliance Mixer taken by Tim Connely

Monday January 16’th was a brisk and rainy evening.  Even so, forty local musicians gathered on the outdoor patio of Reds, Whites and Brews, a Ramona beer and wine bar, for the inaugural Ramona Music Alliance mixer. While much of the evening was filled with introductions and small group conversations, co-founders Ashley E. Norton and John Hasz took a few moments to speak about this new organization and some short term goals.

The main focus is continuing to foster a positive environment in an already vibrant small town music scene. Norton and Hasz hope to encourage musicians to support local bands, artists and venues, provide a forum for musicians to discuss and strategize on any challenges, and release a monthly gig calendar in the Ramona Home Journal. Further out, the Ramona Music Alliance hopes to be involved in future festivals, and even team up with nonprofits in the town.

“The Ramona music scene is super strong and just happening organically," Norton said during a phone interview, "so we think we can take it to the next level.

Ashley E. Norton taken by John Hancock

When asked why now if the scene is already healthy, she said, "only because nobody's done it yet. It's different gigging up here. You're playing a lot of wineries and you're probably playing a lot of country music. There seems to be a little bit of a spark right now with some of the newer musicians.”

Norton and Hasz are happy keeping things small for now, limiting the group to musicians living in or regularly gigging in Ramona. "We wanted to start small," explained Norton. "John said do you want to do a Ramona Music Alliance or a San Diego Music Alliance. I said let's see how it goes and, if it’s done well, we can do a San Diego chapter. We're hoping this inspires a San Diego Music Alliance, and maybe some other towns will get inspired.”

The Alliance is hoping to hold a mixer every two or three months to continue building relationships among everyone involved in the Ramona music scene. 

Ashley E. Norton is a singer, song writer, and guitarist, both as a solo act and in her high energy Americana band Lady Psychiatrist's Booth. John Hasz performs with his wife in the duo The Beard & The Bird.