Hello and Goodbye
Homegrown Takes a Final Bow
By Chris Murphy
The soothing sounds of Homegrown have been part of Modesto since the early 70s. My connection to Home Grown goes back to my fifth grade. As a young student in the early GATE(MGM) program at Rose Avenue School back in 1970 and 1971, Patrick Durr, aka Mr. Durr was the assistant for this program at Modesto High School with English teacher Pete Cislo, who at the time looked like John Lennon. Patrick Durr, after playing in the Ratz, would soon join his friends, Michael Lingg and Bruce Johnston to create Homegrown. And today to me, he remains Mr. Durr.
To say that Homegrown was the soundtrack for many Modesto decades is an understatement and the respect that I, and many other Modesto musicians, have huge respect for this trio of talented musicians.
When Chris Ricci and I started the MAMA Awards back in 2000, the choice for our first Lifetime Awards and their tuxedo-clad performance reminded us why they made such a mark and are such a Modesto treasure. In particular, I always loved how they played Beatle songs.
In July of 1973, Michael Lingg, Bruce Johnson, and Patrick Durr got together “to play a little music for the summer.” Fifty-three years later, that simple goal has become a remarkable musical journey spanning five decades.
Home Grown has remained focused on acoustic instruments, tight harmonies, and performing music from various decades and styles. Their original songs reflect the energy and positive spirit that transformed three friends into three musical brothers.
Most Modesto music fans will connect Home Grown with the Vintage restaurant on 11th, where they were probably as close to a house band as any back in the folk rock years.
Over the years, Home Grown has performed in intimate nightclubs, large outdoor concerts (Mountain Aire, 1976), and hundreds of local weddings. They were honored to represent Modesto twice in its sister city, Kurume, Japan. Their song “You Can Fly” became the soundtrack for the grand prize-winning City Video competition sponsored by the Arts & Entertainment Network. They were the first recipients of the Modesto Area Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and have proudly performed the National Anthem for both the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants.
Their most recent recording, Home Grown, Our Own, is a collection of original material from throughout their history, featuring revised releases, previously unreleased songs, and collaborations with talented musicians and friends. The album was co-produced by Home Grown and Don Setaro of IAC Records.
Additional recordings include:
• Even Better in Person (live performance showcase)
• Home Grown (remaster of the original 1976 vinyl release)
• A Home Grown Christmas (holiday favorites)
• Home Grown Remastered (updated cover songs)
Music is available on major digital platforms, and they recommend Spotify (search Home Grown You Can Fly) Along the way, Michael, Bruce, and Patrick have become parents and grandparents, celebrating not only a shared musical history but intertwined families.
Their Farewell Concert offers an opportunity to perform favorite songs, relive cherished memories, and raise funds for Modesto’s historic State Theatre.
The March 29th farewell concert offers the community a chance to celebrate their shared history, favorite songs, and lasting contribution to Modesto’s cultural life while supporting one of the city’s treasured venues. Let’s all show up and give this band the respect they deserve and lift them up to the place in Modesto music culture they deserve. If you have never seen Homegown, this will be Hello. Let’s celebrate as they say Goodbye.
Find Home Grown music at www.homegrowntrio.com<www.homegrowntrio.com/>
Home Grown Farewell Concert
March 29th. Doors 4 pm Concert 5 pm
State Theatre www.thestate.org
Tix $45, $35, $25
