Wild Honey Musicians Pay Tribute to Beach Boys; Show to Benefit Autism Charity

February 13 Event Takes Place at the Alex Theatre in Glendale

On Saturday, Micky Dolenz, Susan Cowsill and Al and Matt Jardine will join a bevy of guest performers for a Beach Boys Tribute put on by Wild Honey Orchestra with organizer Paul Rock.  Funds raised through ticket sales will benefit Autism Think Tank and Children’s Music Fund.

California Rocker: How did you come up with this event?

Paul Rock: Our first big benefit show in 1994 featured a rare solo performance by Brian Wilson and Alex Chilton of Big Star fame, our all-time heroes.  It inspired us to do more shows.

After three Beatles’ shows in three years from 2013 through 2015, we decided to go back our roots and do the ultimate Beach Boys’ show for fans, concentrating on their brilliant but relatively less known music from 1967 through 1977.  We wanted a change and a challenge.  We found it with this amazing event.

CR: What is your goal with the annual event?

PR: To raise money to sponsor kids for the Autism Think Tank and Children’s Music Fund, both organizations that have benefited my son.  Bring the music community together around these causes while celebrating the music that has shaped our lives and needs more recognition.

CR: How many years has this been going on?

PR: Our first show was in my living room in 1993 and featured the music of the Beach Boys. We met many of this year’s performers that night, including Wondermints (now core members of Brian Wilson’s Band).  At our 1994 show, Brian saw them perform for the first time and was knocked out.   They’ve been members of his band ever since.

CR: What is your professional background?

PR: I worked in music retail and indie record promotion from 1976 to 2000.  Since 1987, I’ve worked as a Hollywood script reader for various producers, agents, and indie companies.  Currently, I am a full-time autism dad for my non-verbal son Jake, who is 11 years old.

CR: How do you know the musicians?

PR: Through my years at Aron’s Records in Hollywood and 23 years of Wild Honey shows, our network has built organically by word of mouth within the musical community.  The Wild Honey Family tree grows larger every year.

CR: What satisfaction do you derive from putting on the charity events?

PR: It’s great to know that we are helping other kids receive aid  from the same organizations that helped my son.  I also love the musical and personal bonds that form as a result of our events, like Wondermints finding their home in the band of their hero Brian Wilson.

We are big fans of underdog music  and musicians and love seeing people respond with the same sense of passion we do. With my original Wild Honey co-conspirators David Jenkins, Andrew Sandoval, and Michael Ackerman we are trying to bring the community together around an important cause, especially autism, while keeping the music alive for the next generation.

For Tickets: Wild Honey Orchestra