‘Good music, good food and good brews’

Local musicians who have been playing in the Valley for years, along with some new faces, will entertain audiences around the valley throughout the summer season.

Red LionThe Red Lion’s co-owner and long-time performer Phil Long has played at the restaurant for more than 20 years. This summer he will entertain audiences every Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. by performing classic bar music with his acoustic guitar and keyboard.Brendan McKinney, who also plays at Pepi’s Bar and Restaurant, will also play at the Red Lion on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 11 p.m. throughout July and August. “Phil just creates an environment in the restaurant that everyone comes back to,” said Justin Bell, the manager of the Red Lion. “With his style he brings the whole restaurant into his playing. No one’s left out.” Long said his favorite part is seeing the same people come back every year.”They become more than customers, they become great friends,” he said. “I try to be friendly, fun and learn new songs. I try to give them a little bit of old and new (music) night after night, so hopefully it’s never the same show.” Kelly LikenFamiliar face Tony G will play at Kelly Liken in Vail with the Tony Gulizia Trio, consisting of a different lineup throughout the summer, on Sundays at 8:30 p.m. starting June 26.”It’s a great time. There are so many things in the summer going on, it’s nice to be able to perform in different venues,” Gulizia said. “There are a lot of different music lovers in the valley, and I’m glad people like to come listen to me and listen to jazz music.” The ClubThe Club will host various artists this summer, but Wes Yoakam, who has played at the venue for years, will be playing each night from June 28 to July 9. “The Club itself has always had local and regional music,” said Patrick O’Neill, the owner of The Club. “It’s all about having fun, coming out and dancing and having a blast. The artists we have showcase that aspect.” Yoakam has a great local following, O’Neill said, and performs a nice mix of new and old rock and roll with high energy. “Everyone comes out and is very enthusiastic about music. It’s very interactive,” Yoakam said. “I get to play such a wide range of stuff there. I can play anything from Johnny Cash to Death Cab for Cutie in the same set and some of my original stuff, and they usually go for that as well.” Tavern on the SquarePeter Fontanese will return to the Tavern on the Square this summer, performing music ranging from rock and roll to blues to jazz. “He’s a very talented musician, and a great guy to work with,” said Paul Phillips, the restaurant manager. “He’s always interested in putting on a great show and wants to take care of guests. He gets the room hopping and feeling good. We’re committed to a live music scene in Vail.”Fontanese’s performance schedule has not been determined yet, but he will probably kick off the Tavern on the Square’s music scene in early July. “It’s a vital, wonderful room with lots of people,” he said. “The management is superb. It’s kind of like playing in my friend’s living room in a way.”Bearfish Bar and GrillGeorge Hilliard, the owner of the Bearfish Bar and Grill, will rock the stage of his restaurant with Roy Bloomfield throughout the summer. The duo will play every Friday and Saturday starting at 9:30 p.m. “It’s awesome, it has the best PA system the valley has ever seen,” Bloomfield said about the venue. “It sounds really good. George is just a great acoustic rhythm player. I really enjoy his songs.”Hilliard said audiences can expect real Colorado jam band music.”It’s the closest thing to sitting around a campfire as you’re going to get,” he said. Pepi’s Bar and RestaurantRod Powell has been playing at Pepi’s for about 30 years and will return on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings. Brendan McKinney will also provide entertainment Wednesday through Saturday from 6 to10 p.m. The two play together on occasion, but mostly play separately. “It always sounds great, and it’s just a good atmosphere and a good mix of people coming through,” McKinney said. “It’s just great being outside.” Kira Cameron, the manager of Pepi’s, said Powell and McKinney is kind of like Pepi’s itself. “They’ve been doing it for so long,” she said. “(The restaurant) has been here forever, and so have they.”

Grouse Mountain GrillJazz performer Tony Gulizia, also known as “Tony G,” will play at various venues around town through Labor Day, including Grouse Mountain Grill in Beaver Creek, where he’s performed for about 20 years. He will play the piano and sing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. starting June 23.”I love the people, and over that period of time, I’ve met so many people visiting that come back year after year,” Gulizia. “It’s just a pleasure to see all my friends that return to come see me play over the summer also.”The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor GulchThe Ritz-Carlton will host Brews & Bluegrass each Thursday this summer from 5 to 7 p.m. The entry fee, which includes complimentary valet parking, is $35 for adults, and kids are half price. The entry fee includes unlimited food from the Buffalo Bar and unlimited beer from Edwards’ Crazy Mountain Brewery. Attendees can enjoy live music by local singer/songwriter/guitarist Sean Healey and a rotating cast of his musician friends throughout the summer.”Being directly on Beaver Creek Mountain, we are able to offer guests and locals mountain views while listening to signature Colorado sound,” said Public Relations Coordinator Jackie Randell. “It’s the perfect combo of all of Colorado’s finest: Good views, good music, good food and good brews.”

Avondale in the Westin Riverfront Resort and SpaOn Sundays, Tony G will provide the musical entertainment for the Westin’s jazz brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with drummer Brian Loftus. The duo calls themselves BLT.We’ll be running this story about ongoing apres music events around town throughout the summer. If you have an event you’d like to see included in this round up, email Courtney Riley at criley@vaildaily.com.