SedonaEye.com contributing writer, Hollywood Jim, and fan

Ladies and Gentlemen! May I have your attention, please?

Sedona’s Desert Flour Bakery and Bistro, in the slammin’ it down Village of Oak Creek, was the place for a Thursday night live of awesome music performed by local Sedona favorite, Eric Williams, and formerly of Nashville now west coaster, Lindy Gravelle. The Desert Flour venue was the brain child of Sedona designer Robert Steven Witkoff (think AquaScooter and SuperVisor), and with mega-talent and star Eric Williams onboard (think magician on instruments), Bob called Lindy Gravelle (think legendary voices) and it was Sedona game on! 

Now here’s a Shout Out to Mr. Witkoff who told me, “It all started in Redmond, Oregon when I saw Lindy perform. I invited her to our ‘burb for a session with guitar hero Eric Williams who was more than happy to share his musical gifts.”  Bob, you did good!

During an interview, Ms. Gravelle is gracious with a charming smile and demeanor. As a performer, Lindy’s voice commands the stage and fills a room evoking legendary voices the likes of Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King and, let me tell ya, I even heard a Pasty Cline when Lindy belted out “Sweet Memories.” Gravelle also plays a fine keyboard and is an amazing songwriter-performer! 

Following Gravelle’s crowd-pleasing opening set, the Desert Flour quieted as local music idol, Eric Williams, joined Lindy onstage and tuned up for what was to become an evening that I, and many others, will not soon forget! With all that talent on stage, music afficionados who appreciate “a really good show” packed the Desert Flour Bakery and Bistro. Not disappointed that evening was the three hour standing-room-only and let’s-dance-in-front-of-the-doorway crowd or the standing ovation from the table-top crowd!

Mr. Williams for me is Nashville, son! Think Chicago tenor and bass! Think Orleans jazz and blues! The multi-talented Williams is incredibly humble during an interview, but hand him an instrument or microphone, and stand up! A master of the guitar, Eric also plays exceptional electric bass, piano, harmonica, drums and the coronet, but when he picks up the saxophone, it’s all bets off as the room gets down!

A Sedona friend seated at my Desert Flour table shared an Eric Williams story: Eric was vacationing in Utah for a few days and walked into a music store. He had always wanted but had never played a standing bass, so asked the store owner if one was available to loan for an evening. Incredibly, the owner knew a bass playing musician vacationing in Europe, called him there and Eric soon had permission to enter the man’s house and borrow his bass. Eric and the bass went to a nearby club. It so happened that the club band needed a bass player since their bass player was unable to perform, so Eric accepted an invitation to sit in on bass for the evening. Following the show, Eric was offered the bass player’s position with the band. He kindly declined and went about his vacation after returning the borrowed bass. Now that’s talent!

This is the perfect opportunity to mention that Eric Williams and Lindy Gravelle teamed up for the Desert Flour performance without meeting beforehand and without one rehearsal. Now that’s two amazing talents! Lindy and Eric both have CD’s available that no music collection should be without!

And that’s not all! Watch as Hollywood Jim interviews Eric Williams and Lindy Gravelle at Sedona’s Desert Flour!

I had the pleasure to meet Williams #1 fan and soulmate, Donna Solomon. When asked what I could expect to hear, Donna quipped, “Some blues, baby! Some rock-n-roll and a great time!” She wasn’t the only excited fan that I met and interviewed pre-performance, but Donna was the brightest and prettiest. Add Hollywood Jim to that long list of those who love ya, Ms. Solomon! 

There’s more than bread going on at Desert Flour, I’ll tell ya! Who knew?

Gary Wald, owner of Desert Flour Bakery and Bakery knew. Wald was approached by Witkoff and asked to host Williams and Gravelle, and even after Witkoff explained that the two performers had never met and would not have time for a rehearsal, Wald never hesitated to say yes. “We recently opened for dinners on Tuesday through Saturday, and after Andy Lightbourn (subject of the recent Sedona Times “Where’s Andy?” search) joined Desert Flour, live music was our next step for an authentic Sedona bistro, a perfect meld with Sedona’s best bakery. Knowing Eric Williams’ talent and Bob Witkoff’s reputation, I was excited to open Desert Flour doors for a Gravelle and Williams performance.” 

Did I mention that Desert Flour has an authentic log-burning brick pizza oven? And exquisite chocolate pyramid cakes? Talk about melding! Check out this interview Desert Flour Fans! 

Oh, baby, baby, baby! 

So heads up, Sedona! Here is your HOLLYWOOD JIM EXCLUSIVE!  People began to ask for a repeat performance before the first was over, and I am delighted to announce that WILLIAMS AND GRAVELLE WILL BE RETURNING TO DESERT FLOUR ON FEBRUARY 24, 2011!  

That’s right, peeps! Ya heard it from me first! Follow Hollywood Jim and SedonaEye.com and always be the first on the local scene! Now here is another Hollywood Jim exclusive…on February 24th, be early or be “scene” standing! 

Be Out and About Sedona on Wednesdays to REDS Restaurant in west Sedona for Eric’s Wednesday night sessions from 5:30-8:30 PM…I hear that dance teachers take advantage of Eric’s fantastic performances to “cut a rug”. Check it out and call REDS at 928-203-4111 to reserve a table. The last time that I was in, it was a packed house and the bartender pours a great wine. You can find Eric in Prescott every weekend where he’s booked for Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30-9:30 PM and Sunday Brunch from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Call the Pine Cone Inn at 928-445-2970 for reservations ’cause the house fills up fast!

It never ceases to amaze me what talent we have going on right here in Sedona. I see that talent again and again in venues all over town. I love me some hiking on the red dirt of Sedona during the day while still having a blast at night, so I’ll school ya where to go hiking and I’ll learn ya where to go chillin’ so you can support that local talent. Keep reading my Out and About Sedona and Arizona column and check out the SedonaEye.com Calendar of Events for daily updates! Give me a Shout Out about your favorite performers or upcoming venues at HollywoodJim@SedonaEye.com.