February 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

Page 10—February 2022
Civil War to Ives, Brad plays 9,000 songs
Big Bear Today
Rare indeed is the listener who can
stump Brad Riesau from Silver Moon with
a song request. That’s because he estimates
that he’s played over 9,000 tunes since
coming to Big Bear in 2006!
But even he was a little surprised when
a group from out of town came up to request
Burl Ives. From the depths of Brad’s
playlist came “Wayfaring Stranger” and
“Mr. Froggie Went A-Courtin.”
“Nailed it,” he said with a chuckle.
Rock, blues, country, standards,
reggae, even songs from the Civil War are
part of his playlist, gleaned from working
and playing in the music industry for decades
in a variety of capacities. With long-
Animal Sanctuary tours
Learn the stories of rescued critters
during one-hour tours of Grateful Heart
Animal Sanctuary in Big Bear City.
Horses, burros, chickens, ducks, roosters,
bunnies, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, even
a steer have found forever homes at the
nonprofit, volunteer-run facility. Enjoy upclose
personal interactions with goats and
pigs while touring the property and learning
the stories of how they ended up at
Grateful Heart Animal Sanctuary, a 100%
volunteer run facility.
Many of the farm animals have been
abused, abandoned, neglected, have special
needs or are otherwise at risk. Tours
are a fun and educational experience where
questions are always welcomed.
Tours are set for February 5 and 26
along with March 5, 12 and 26. Admission
is $10, $5 under 18, with proceeds
going to feed and care for the animals including
veterinary care, supplies and
equipment.
Tours take place regardless of weather
so dress appropriately. Ticket sales end two
days prior to each tour so book in advance
by calling (909) 979-9333, or visit
BigBear.com
time Big Bear bass player Hank Kalvin the
duo forms popular Silver Moon. Regularly
sitting in with Brad the last few years has
been Emmy nominated engineer Rusty
Smith and 8-string picker Randy Boswell.
Brad plays his wide variety of music
at Stillwells restaurant every Saturday from
6-9 p.m. He’s also at Big Bear Mountain
Brewery on Red Ant Hill across from Alpine
Slide from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 4 and 18 plus
5-8 p.m. on Feb. 8, 10, 13 and 24, so there’s
lots of opportunities to hear Brad this
month and see if you can stump him.
“People love to request their favorite
tunes and I love to play all kinds of music
and have a decent memory for melodies
and lyrics,” Riesau said. “Having an iPad
full of so many great songs, I can usually
get close to something they request.” Some
nights see him play 60-80% requests.
Fullfilled courtesy of Brad’s guitar,
harmonica and musical memory that’s
catalouged so many songs he’s come
across through the years. He’s worked in
concert and music promotion for people
like Willie Nelson, with whom he spent
four years, along with Derek Trucks,
Herbie Hancock, Bruce Hornsby, members
of the Rolling Stones, Dave Brubeck and
many others. He also owned a Delaware
music store in the 1980’s and 90’s.
Brad has written over 400 originals
and released 15 of his own group and solo
projects and produced, arranged, co-wrote
and/or coordinated albums/sessions for a
variety of artists. Plus recorded as sideman
on sessions for still more artists. Before Big
Bear he founded popular Delaware bands
Porch Chops and Love Minus Zero, and
Goldrush in San Diego.
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Man of 9,000 songs Brd Riesau, at Stillwells and Big Bear Mountain Brewery
Song notes course through Brad’s
veins and he’ll do anything the music businesses
offers. As a journalist he’s written
nationally for Jazziz, Relix, Dupree’s Diamond
News magazines and local for Big
Bear Today. For two years he served as
`Super’ weekend with Bear Bowl, party
Get psyched for a “Super” weekend
of football when Bear Mountain again
hosts its annual Bear Bowl VI on February
12, followed the next day by the resort’s
killer Big Game Party.
Awesome prizes are on the line for
teams of four that compete from 11 a.m.-1
p.m. in fun activities during Bear Bowl.
Events include a relay race, field goal kicking
and tire toss contest. Team that scores
the most overall points wins. The competition
is free to enter and open to the first
12 teams to sign up that morning so get
your bros together and try to capture the
coveted Bear Bowl trophy.
There’s serious prizes too, like four
free 2022-23 Bear+Summit Anytime season
passes, $1,000 in cash ($250 per person
for team of four), and VIP treatment at
next day’s Super Sunday Viewing Party on
musical director for Bear Valley Center for
Spiritual Enrichment.
Call Stillwells (909) 866-3121 or
Brewery (909) 878-0616
Feb. 13 in Methods Sports Bar.
Registration is from 9-10:30 a.m. followed
by players meeting and moment of
silence for the late, great NFL coach and
announcer John Madden.
All team members must have valid
season pass or lift ticket to compete.
There’s also music on the newly-expanded
deck and other giveaways making for a
great Bear bash.
Don’t miss the next day’s super party
at Methods when the Los Angeles Rams
and Cincinnati Bengals go at it to determine
pro football’s champion. There’s
drink and food specials plus giveaways and
action on big screen TVs with kickoff at
3:30 p.m. Don your favorite team’s jersey
and watch the big game after a few morning
laps on the mountain!
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