Book a Band Listing

In his extensive musical career, Danilo has played with extraordinary internationally known musicians such as Ray Barretto, Ruben Blades, Benny Velarde and his Super Combo, Andy Narell, Ray Obiedo, Dave Valentin, Dizzy Gillespie, and Cal Tjader. He demonstrates some of his best work on bongo and vocals on Ruben Blades' CD, "Ruben Blades and Son del Solar, Live!" In addition to having released three albums of his own original Salsa music, in recent years he has performed with Poncho Sanchez and Tito Puente, Jr.  From his experience of playing with such notable artists, Danilo chose only top-notch musicians when it came to putting together his own band, Orquesta Universal. Danilo y Orquesta Universal perform extensively at clubs and festivals, as well as for private parties, in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. His musicians have played with artists such as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Carlos Santana, and Pete Escovedo. Orquesta Universal plays a full spectrum of Latin music, including Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Cumbia, Reggaeton, Latin Jazz, as well as Swing, R&B, and Jazz Standards.

Danilo also has smaller groups available for smaller venues and settings.

This energetic country band has built a strong following, no doubt due to their infectious brand of country music and western swing, a rock-solid rhythm section and a set of dynamite soloists guaranteed to get things hopping. There's not a rookie in this band, which combines players from well-known local groups, legendary Marin County bands of the '60s and '70s, and even one superstar act. Featuring a playlist that includes not only traditional country music and western swing, but a roster of great original country tunes from good friend former Clover lead man and current Nashville songwriter Alex Call (best known for "867-5309/Jenny"), the band is gaining popularity with every gig. MEET THE BAND: DANNY MONTANA, lead vocals & rhythm guitar (Hereford Hartstringers, Little Big Band). Bandleader Danny Montana blames his affinity for country music on a Columbia Record Club error that sent him George Jones' Greatest Hits instead of the Kinks' Greatest Hits when he was 12 years old. In the late '60s, he joined the Hereford Hartstringers with Phil Richardson, Sean Hopper and Terry Hansen. The Hartstringers opened regularly for Clover and The Flying Circus at Brown's Hall, the Lion's Share, and other historic Marin and Sonoma clubs. With Clover members Alex Call, Johnny Ciambotti (Carlene Carter, Lucinda Williams) and John McFee (Doobie Bros.), Steve Bonucelli (Flying Circus), and others, including a then-unknown harmonica player named Huey Lewis (responsible for nicknaming Danny "Danny Montana"), they formed a 12-piece bluegrass band ('The Big Band') that played on the street at San Francisco's Ghirardelli Square and The Cannery. Danny was a regular at Huey's infamous "Monday Night Live" sessions at Uncle Charlie's in the 70's and later played with harmonica whiz Norton Buffalo. Despite a long hiatus from music, Danny was never able to forget his dream of having a country band. When the opportunity finally came, he drew on his association with the many excellent musicians he has known over the years to create Danny Montana and The Bar Association in 2005, building his 'dream team' with some of the finest players in the Bay Area. LARRY CRAGG, pedal steel (Neil Young, Nils Lofgren, Clarence Clemens Band, the Bulls). Larry grew up in a classical family, but his love of country music drew him to the pedal steel, and he began seeking out country bands to play with. An established guitar technician since 1969, and Neil Young's guitar tech since 1973, Larry has played banjo, pedal steel, 12-string guitar, keyboard, synth-drums, and hurdy-gurdy on tours with Neil, and he was the baritone sax player in Neil Young and the Bluenotes. In the early 90' he toured the US and Europe with Nils Lofgren, playing guitar and keyboard. During that same time, he played baritone sax in the Clarence Clemens band. In the 90's he played pedal steel in a local band, The Bulls, with Alex Call, Dave Jenkins and Lorin Rowan. Today, Larry's focus is the pedal steel, and when he's not on the road, he's playing with the Bar Association. PHIL RICHARDSON, fiddle (Hereford Hartstringers, Norton Buffalo, Hot House Swing Band, Ain't Misbehavin'); Raised in Mill Valley, California in a musical family, Phil started playing folk guitar at four, and had his first paying gig at age 12. After studying music at the Paris Conservatory, Phil returned to the Bay Area, performing, touring and recording on electric violin with Norton Buffalo. He has played with Bonnie Raitt, Kate Wolf and Kris Kristofferson and recorded with the legendary Link Wray. Phil's solid musical background serves him well when he's whipping out hot fiddle licks with the Bar Association. DANA OLSEN, lead guitar (Ralph Shine Blues Band, Steve Cook & Friends, Spark & Cinder, Area 51, The Blues Movers, and Primal). At 17, he lied about his age to get a union card in Local 47 to play gigs in Los Angeles. Since then, Dana has played a variety of styles, and started playing country music in earnest when Les McDaniels hired him to play guitar for the Western Lights band. Feeling that some of the best songwriting was happening in country music, he became hooked on the genre, and now he's tearing up the stage playing Telecaster for the Bar Association. TIM BUSH, bass (Chuck Day and the Burning Sensations, WTJ Trio, Rusty Evans, Pack of Wolves, Sweetie Pie & the Doughboys and many more). Experienced in blues, country and rock, the charming and dexterous Tim Bush has made his mark in a variety of styles, and today he is one of the most sought after bassists in the booming Fairfax, CA music scene. Introduced to country music by his ranch-raised Texan father, Tim spent his childhood listening to many of the same musical styles he's now playing with the Bar Association. BEAU FAW, drums (Lee Press-On and the Nails, Connie Champagne and Her Tiny Bubbles, John Belushi Memorial Orchestra, Acme Swing Company, The Oppressors, 6L6). At 12, Beau was already playing professionally -- with an all-girl band (they had to put a fake mustache on him so that he could play in nightclubs) -- and doing rim shots for Milton Berle. He even played for stripper Tempest Storm when she danced at age 80 at the Mitchell Brothers Theater. He blames his kids, bass players Jake (6L6) and Sam, for getting him into country music, and today, Beau provides a rock-solid foundation to the Bar Association's rhythm section. (Plus, he totally looks the part.)

CopperHill is a Southern CA, Antelope Valley based, rockin?, dance ?til you drop? good time cover band! We do it all!!! Our music spans from the 40?s till now. Anything from Patsy Cline to Shania Twain, The Eagles to Billy Idol, The Beatles to ZZ Top? We love to play and it shows!!! We are a 5-piece band featuring drums, keyboards, lead guitar, bass guitar and a female vocalist, that plays a broad variety of cover music for every occasion... CopperHill plays pop, rock, country, standards, and more!!! AND CopperHill can provide most styles of music at a moment?s notice to satisfy crowds of all ages at any engagement. Our primary focus is to attain your desired goal! Whether a high energy or a mellow atmosphere is needed, CopperHill makes it happen!!! CopperHill promises fun entertainment for every event, large or small? club dates, weddings, private parties, corporate events and mixers, fund-raisers, festivals and more!!! CopperHill plays the music that YOU want to hear... providing the BEST in variety live music entertainment!!! Band Members Al Villanueva?Lead Guitar, Vocals Al from LA is a seasoned guitar player who through the years has played with many Southern California bands. Al has toured throughout the US, Europe and Asia. He also participated in the short lived ?Jurassic Park The Musical.? David Robison?Keyboards, Harmonica, Vocals Dave has been playing piano and keyboards since the age of three. He is a ?Rocker? who loves all music. Dave has played all over Southern California, as well as Catalina, Hawaii, and Michigan. Dave has keyboard credits on many recorded projects and works on his original projects in his own home studio. Mark Kawana?Bass Guitar Mark has played bass guitar since his early teens and has been in various hard rock bands nearly as long. Originally from Toronto, Canada, he relocated to the Hollywood scene in the late 80?s. With musical tastes from disco to country to heavy metal and being influenced on the bass at a young age by such ?old school? greats as Geddy Lee and John Paul Jones, Mark comfortably holds down a solid and melodic foundation in the CopperHill Band. Randy Simer?Drummer Originally from San Diego, CA, Randy Simer is a drummer / singer who has also fronted bands.as a guitarist / songwriter. Since forming his first band at Bonita Vista High School, where he and drummer friend Matt Cameron (Soundgarden / Pearl Jam) attended in the same class, he has played in numerous outfits. He has performed in venues ranging from Sports Arenas to small clubs with act as diverse as Duran Duran, Ministry, A Flock of Seagulls, Nina Hagen, and many more. He has also played guitar in Grammy nominated recording artist / former Entertainment tonight host John Tesh?s band. He currently resides in Santa Clarita, CA. Donna Sweikow?Lead Vocals Singing since a young age, Donna is a dynamic vocalist who has performed with many Southern California bands and is a known National Anthem singer. Donna has also participated in all kinds of school, choir, master chorale, church and community theater functions. She?s studied with great coaches, has recording credits on several CD projects and simply loves entertaining? smooth and sassy? Donna Rocks!!!