At this Saturday‘s concert (June 22, 5-7 pm, Anaheim Unitarian Church at 511 S. Harbor) Vern is joined by an ALL-STAR CAST as he finally premieres his ten “Songs of the OC Homeless,” along with other music that’s been requested (Clair de Lune, Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantasy, a bunch of BEATLES songs to sing along with, and Vern’s scintillating new arrangement of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”)
- The radiant Annemarie Randle-Trejo will be singing “Queen of the Boulevard,” “Demon Meth,” “One Pink Slip Away,” “The Cold Song” and more.
- Vern’s son Gabriel Nelson will be coming up from San Diego to contribute his Freddie-Mercury high notes to “Cumbia for Vincent Valenzuela.”
- Local Broadway celebrity Joel-Steven Hammond will bring his vocal and theatrical talents to “Marine and Dog (Semper Fido)” and some of the characters in “Cop in the Hat.”
- Award-winning choir director Brian Dehn will break your hearts with his rendition of the poignant “Outside the Office Park.”
- And percussion will be waled on by Luis Zuniga and Tony Bushala.
So, we hope you can all make it. Admission is suggested $10 (more if you can afford it, less if you can’t.) ALSO, BRING SOCKS.
Here is the Facebook event link.
And here’s the finale, “The Ghost of Kelly Thomas” – of course this is with just Vern singing; on Saturday it’ll be EVERYBODY:
Vern – thanks again for letting me sit in with you and your group of extremely talented musicians last night! And the audience gave off such a cool vibe that encouraged me to play straight from my soul. Hands down it was the funnest time I’ve had playing percussion’s since the 80’s and 90’s when playing regularly with Theatro Cometa, a bilingual theater group, unfortunately that no longer exists.
Well it was important for you to be there, with the Kelly Thomas song being a centerpiece. Most people wouldn’t have heard about that case of it weren’t for your work and your blog.
Another great concert by Vern Nelson with Annemarie Randle-Trejo, Gabriel Nelson (Vern’s multi-talented son), Joel-Steven Hammond, Brian Dehn, Luis Zuniga and Tony Bushala. First off the entire concert was wonderful. Vern’s Songs of the OC homeless brings back a lot of memories as most of the ten songs go back to the riverbed days.
My Friend Annemarie just did a fabulous job singing Vern’s Brilliant songs. Queen of the Boulevard was Brilliantly sung by AnnMarie painting a picture of a bold woman trapped by her own life. Annemarie singing of Demon Meth musically painted an almost whimsical picture of a terrible life. One Pink Slip Away was brilliantly sung with incredible piano accompaniment by Vern tells how for most of us the fall is not far from a “successful” life into the Lap of homelessness. The Cold Song, sung by Annemarie with Vern’s Accompaniment made you feel like you were experiencing the bite of a cold night living outside.
This was my first time seeing or meeting Vern’s handsome and Talented Son(there is no doubt where he got his Talent from) Gabriel Nelson. He did a tremendous Job singing “Cumbia for Vincent Valenzuela” the song that recalls a pointless Death of a young homeless man at hands of a trainee Anaheim policeman while being instructed by his training officer. Gabriel Nelson did a tremendous Job with the Vocals of this song while his talented father slammed the accompaniment , Again this is a brilliantly written piece was written by Vern
Joel-Steven Hammond also did a fantastic job singing my two favorite songs in “Vern’s songs of the OC homeless “Semper Fido” recalls a marine (not a active marine but there is no such as a ex marine) whose name is M.J. And his dog was named Osiris (now deceased) trying desperately to get housing for him and his Dog. The other favorite song it the Cop in the Hat, a almost whimsical look at how all Police seemingly lurk to harass or worse our homeless population. great job Mr Hammond and Mr Nelson
Mr Brian Dehn did a great job with outside the office Park. Vern’s description was right the song is heartbreaking. Vern and Mr Dehn did a Great take on this song.
Vern did a fabulous job on the Ghost of Kelly Thomas a Brilliant song about the Brutal Death of Kelly Thomas who Died at hands of the Fullerton police department.
After a short intermission Vern did a tremendous medley of Bach, I Can’t Take My Eyes off of you, Clair De Lune, two Beatles singalongs, and Chopin’s Polonaise Fantasy. Then Joel did a fantastic job singing Don McLean’s Orphans of Wealth and Phil Collins’ Another Day in Paradise. Then Another Beatles singalong – Let it Be, and then it was all wrapped up by The Bumblebee Boogie By Jack Fina from Rimsky Korsakov
It was just a fabulous way to spend a Summer Evening. All in All My wife and I had a wonderful time. I am really looking forward to hear a next concert in September Vern and Crew are tremendously talented a Vern covers a wide spectrum of music. See you all at the next one. Be there or be square.
“NEVER FORGET!” Kelly Thomas (4/5/1974 – 7/10/2011). Kelly was a homeless man diagnosed with schizophrenia and lived on streets of Fullerton, California like so many do today…. He died 5 days after he was severely beaten by 6 members of the Fullerton Police Department whom he encountered on 7/5/2011 by so many in what was described as “one of the worst police beatings in our history.” My good friend and a wonderful advocate Vern Nelson, creator of OC OrangeJuiceBlog had an important role in getting Justice for the Killing of Kelly Thomas.
Last night I attended the first release of a series of songs by Vern written with the words of various people in OC that are Homeless and suffered from similar abusive behavior of almost all the cities in the OC. Some of the songs were Queen of the Boulevard, U Hear Voices, Demon Meth, Semper Fido, One Pink Slip Away and The Ghost of Kelly Thomas( see video below). I plan to add more songs from last night. Thanks for watching and thanks to Vern and all the others including Annemarie Randle-Trejo, Joel Steven Hammond, Brian Dehn, Gabriel Nelson (Vern’s son) plus Luis Zuniga and Tony Bushala.
As an advocate I too have witnessed the abusive acts by our City Police and Fireman, Our Mayor, Our Board of Supervisors over the past 8 years. A Big thank you for Vern Nelson for all he has done to date but we have so far to go. Like someone whispered to me last night…Dave, It amazes me how we can send people up to Moon! Yet we have totally lost any ability to take care of those that are living on Streets.
THANKS OrangeJuiceBlog for keeping all of us aware of what our leaders are NOT doing in the OC. David Freeman
photo & video: https://www.facebook.com/dcfree22/posts/pfbid0HDTf7ZNRZBWdbCJTBUNxUCg4soDbfRRUDKETWmAJXVpk9QRGwXCtRqM5tXzRAFN9l
A bunch of unemployed assholes playing music with little to no air conditioning thinking they matter Eat a giant dick…
Who’s unemployed? Probably just the troll who spends all day, every day, writing comments like this (99% of which we trash.)
Back into the trash folder with you, unemployed Troll!
Many talented bands and solo acts have come out of Anaheim and Orange County, with No Doubt being one of the best well known. Sometimes, there are artists who are not known, but are just as talented as those who have made it big.
Last Saturday evening, I was invited to a concert by Vern Nelson. Vern, a solo artist with some accompaniment, writes his own songs, as well as playing classical music, Broadway show tunes and contemporary music.
An excellent artist, one of Vern’s specialties is writing social commentaries that touch on issues people are experiencing.
This concert highlighted ten original pieces by Vern, which told of the plight of the O.C. Homeless. Vern on the piano, accompanied by various singers and percussionist, draws the listener in, by the words and music of each heartfelt song. After hearing the songs, one felt they were part of the struggle each homeless person goes through.
After a brief intermission, Vern played a combination of classical and contemporary songs. Watching him flow effortlessly from one genre to another without sheet music, is a sight to behold. He finished the concert with a delightful sing-a-long of Let It Be and a rousing edition of Bumblebee Boogie by Jack Fina from Rimsky-Korsakov.
Vern is definitely a hidden talent here in Anaheim. I would invite all ages to treat yourself to one of his concerts for the affordable price of $10.
His next concert is scheduled for September.