Salty Suites  

Scott Gates and Chuck Hailes are of like minds.  They live in the world of live acoustic music, sharing a passion for roots and bluegrass, as well as traditional mountain music. Scott Gates is as close to a musical prodigy on the mandolin as you will ever meet and now plays guitar with the same fire and brilliance. Scott has been a mainstay at festivals for many years and holds a special place in his heart for people he sees year after year. Having performed all over the country and with artists as varied as John McEuen, Nathan McEuen, Steve Martin, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Loggins and a virtual Who's-Who of bluegrass players, Scott has started writing music of his own and will be bringing many of these tunes to you this year.  Scott appeared last year on the Ellen Show with Steve Martin, recorded with Kenny Loggins on his soon-to-be-released family album, which was picked up by Disney, and toured the US with band mate Nathan McEuen. Partner in this new venture, Chuck Hailes, is one of the top bass players in the country, schooled in classical and jazz bass playing and techniques. Chuck writes his own music and has teamed with Scott to create many new musical gems. With his  background in bluegrass music, and degree in the Upright Bass, Chuck sings and plays in a way that is uniquely his own. 

Coffee Gallery Backstage:  Scott's Annual Birthday Bash playing Sittin' on Top of the World. 

Often joining Scott and Chuck in The Salty Suites is fiddler Paul Cartwright and singer/songwriter Chelsea Williams. 

Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Paul Cartwright grew up in a musical family. His parents, both musicians, owned a music store where Paul spent his childhood days. He began studying classical violin at the age of 7. Paul studied jazz and classical violin performance at CSU Bakersfield and CSU Northridge. Paul has since led a diverse career, performing and recording with a spectrum of artists, including John McEuen, Kenny Loggins, Rissi Palmer, Everlast, Ozomatli, Dr. Dre, members of Oingo Boingo, Black Eyed Peas, Los Lobos and War. Paul's playing can also be heard on numerous tv, film and video soundtracks, including Battlestar Galactica, Big Love, Trauma, and Mad Men. Paul currently resides in Los Angeles, and is a member of several local progressive string groups, including the Los Angeles String Collective, the Quartetto Fantastico, Elevation Orchestra, and DaKah Hip Hop Orchestra.

Also a special guest for this festival: Chelsea Williams.  Chelsea has been writing and performing her own music since she was 13 years old. After a couple of years in two different working bands, Chelsea took the stage on her own by the age of 17, performing at clubs and coffee shops. While some of her early songs are still hits with her fans, she has continued to develop as a writer penning nearly 100 original songs to date. Chelsea currently makes her living by playing on the street for tips and selling a home-made demo, having sold thousands of CDs in recent months, one-by-one, simply on her own on the street. Her magnetic presence draws them in and her songs set the hook. This you gotta see! 

The future of the music we love so much is very bright indeed.

The Gates-Hailes Collaborative presented their debut performance at the 6th Annual (18th) Birthday Bash held at the Coffee Gallery: Backstage in Altadena, CA  on Tuesday, July 27th.  Scott Gates and Chuck Hailes have been working out quite the show with new and newly refurbished tunes throughout, and collaborating with the best emerging artists in California.  This show brought Scott opening for his own party with Bonny Jean (www.bonnyjean.net), singing "Oh, Mandolin".  Gates and Hailes, collaborating with hot-and-sought-after fiddler Paul Cartwright, and with amazing singer/songwriter Chelsea Williams, presented a double set of material written and rendered over the last few months.  Nathan McEuen, usually seen as the front man/singer/songwriter/guitarist with Scott Gates as the supporting musician, is currently touring his solo performance.   

Scott's plans are to re-enter the world of bluegrass with this new band, The Collaborative, and has already booked several events, soon to be posted on the Calendar page.  

Video from this year's Birthday Bash can be seen at the link  below:  http://www.youtube.com/agates11#p/a/u/0/adA1OtVIMA4

The Gates Family was pleased to have Scott's first fans in attendance at Huck Finn: KAT and Crazy John from Disneyland, USA & first International Fans: Kimmie and Sunny Kobayashi all the way from Osaka, Japan. Special mention to Karen and Jim Przywara for going the distance and for being able to pronounce their last name! Newest fans: George "Einstein" and Cathy Margolin -- thanks for stopping by.

The Nathan McEuen Band featuring Scott Gates on mandolin and Chuck Hailes on bass are opening for 

THE GRASCALS at the Hanford Fox Theater in Hanford, CA on Saturday, January 30, 2010!  

John McEuen, Matt Cartsonis, Nathan McEuen and Scott Gates played tonight in Norman, Oklahoma.  We talked to Scott after the show, and he was out to dinner with the guys.  A pleased concert-goer left the following message in Scott's guest book:

New Guest Book Entry - Sun, 27 Sep 2009 7:45:46pm PDT

Name: Gordon Baker

Comment:
Just saw your show in Norman, OK tonight. Glad to see some young guns to carry on
what John and the Dirt Band started,and also good to see the great originals you are
crafting.

THANK YOU MR. BAKER for letting us know how things are going out there on the road.

Photos below: Scott's room at the Montford Inn -- Norman, OK

Scott and Nathan's Fall Tour has taken them out of California, through Arizona and into Texas now. We've been asking for photos, and as soon as they are able to upload, we'll post a few. In the meantime, here is a clip from Dizzy's (San Diego Wine and Culinary Center) in San Diego, in the Harbor Club Building at 2nd and J. Streets in Gaslamp. Next time you go, park in the lot there, walk around the Harbor Club building toward the train tracks, and around to the back that looks like the front to the Wine and Culinary Center -- San Diego's best kept secret is the Dizzy's venue! Limited but excellent menu -- and get the creme brulee!