FunkyTim

Perhaps the most important letter in the "MAMA" acronym is the "A" for "area."

"We've always used the term for anyone who lives within about 45 minutes from town," said Chris Murphy, co-founder of Modesto Area Music Association. "For example, Megan Slankard (of Tracy) has been one of our biggest all-time winners she used to play here all the time."

"If they never play in town, then they don't get nominated, but they don't necessarily have to live in 95350," he added. "Every year we try and make it more inclusive."

EVENT PREVIEW
Modesto Area Music Association Awards

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: State Theatre, 1307 J St.

Information: (209) 527-4697; www.modestoview.com.
Murphy and the rest of the Modesto Area Music Association are ready to blow the roof off the 2008 MAMA Awards, the ninth installment of the awards show that honors artists from Modesto, Stockton, and throughout the region. The event returns to the State Theatre tonight, after being held last year at the Gallo Center for the Arts as part of the facility's opening gala.

"(The State) is the historic building with the dynamite acoustics; that building just rips," Murphy said. "Plus you can drink a beer at the same time while you watch the show - mission critical for rock and roll."

While the State (the usual home for the MAMAs) seems like the natural fit, some performers were big fans of the Gallo Center.

"I liked the Gallo Center a lot. It was a beautiful place," said Manteca singer Travis Vick. "When I heard I got to perform at the awards (this year) I was looking forward to playing there, but the State is super cool too."

Travis Vick joins a lineup of performers that includes local faces such as Alyssa Poppin, Not 4 Nothin', Grains of Sand, Aquanet, Nick Shattell (of Not an Airplane) and more. There will also be music videos shown from Solar Powered People, Rachel Renae and others, music from DJ Liquid, a presentation from mayor Jim Ridenour, a lifetime achievement award to Marie Gallo, and more.

"There's nothing worse than a long, boring awards show; we've crammed it all into three hours and 10 minutes," Murphy said. The show is also being webcast live on modestoview.com.

Some local nominees include Vick and Ripon's French Cassettes for best alternative/indie, Jonathan "Mackalot" Davis for best urban, We're Not Friends Anymore for best hard rock, and Stockton staples Minor Dischord for best funk/rock.

"It definitely helps us to get a little more publicity and promotion (in Modesto); they have quite a little brotherhood going on down there," said Tim Helbling, a.k.a. "Funky Tim" of Minor Dischord, who are nominated for the second time. "We're all winners down there."

As Helbling, Vick and Murphy all agree, even though awards will be dished out in several categories throughout the night, the MAMAs are much less about winning and losing as they are about allowing the faces of the area's music scene to hang out together for the night.

"It's the one moment where everyone sees each other, and only a couple guys have to work," Murphy said. "It's pretty exciting.

Contact Aaron Davis at features@recordnet.com.

- Stockton Record

By Dennis Wyatt
Managing Editor
dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
209-249-3532
POSTED Sept. 30, 2010 2:55 a.m.

Home grown entertainment is part of the offering Saturday and Sunday during the 26th annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair in downtown.

The community stage offers everything from up and coming singers and dancers to youth groups performing martial arts and gymnastics. The Main Stage features regional bands that have met with success including a few locals.

There is no charge for any entertainment or access to the street fair itself.

Among the Main Stage acts of the 209 All Stars band that was voted Best of Manteca this year.

The 209 All Stars bill themselves as “the region’s most diverse variety band” that can perform dancing music from over a dozen genres.

They will perform a mix of modern and classic when they perform on the Main Stage at Manteca and Sycamore avenues near Wilson Park on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.

The 209 All Stars was formed in 2008 by Tim Helbling who is also known among his fans as Funky Tim.

Helbling is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. The band also includes guitarist Justin Jones, bassist Brandon Michael, sax player Rudy Edcajeda, and drummer Jim Ayala.

For more information about the 209 All Stars, or to hear a sample of some of their music, visit Helbling’s website at www.myspace.com/funkytim.

Saturday’s Main Stage entertainment includes the Lelan Cain Band from 11:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Threshold offering funk as well as R&B from 4 to 6 p.m.

Then on Sunday the beat changes with Mario Flores providing Latin jazz from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. followed by 209 All-Stars from 3 to 5 p.m. - Manteca Bulletin

By Dennis Wyatt
Managing Editor
dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
209-249-3532
POSTED Sept. 30, 2010 2:55 a.m.

Home grown entertainment is part of the offering Saturday and Sunday during the 26th annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair in downtown.

The community stage offers everything from up and coming singers and dancers to youth groups performing martial arts and gymnastics. The Main Stage features regional bands that have met with success including a few locals.

There is no charge for any entertainment or access to the street fair itself.

Among the Main Stage acts of the 209 All Stars band that was voted Best of Manteca this year.

The 209 All Stars bill themselves as “the region’s most diverse variety band” that can perform dancing music from over a dozen genres.

They will perform a mix of modern and classic when they perform on the Main Stage at Manteca and Sycamore avenues near Wilson Park on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.

The 209 All Stars was formed in 2008 by Tim Helbling who is also known among his fans as Funky Tim.

Helbling is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. The band also includes guitarist Justin Jones, bassist Brandon Michael, sax player Rudy Edcajeda, and drummer Jim Ayala.

For more information about the 209 All Stars, or to hear a sample of some of their music, visit Helbling’s website at www.myspace.com/funkytim.

Saturday’s Main Stage entertainment includes the Lelan Cain Band from 11:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Threshold offering funk as well as R&B from 4 to 6 p.m.

Then on Sunday the beat changes with Mario Flores providing Latin jazz from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. followed by 209 All-Stars from 3 to 5 p.m. - Manteca Bulletin

LATHROP – Tim Helbling just wants to entertain every time he gets up on stage.

The lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the 209 All Stars – a local rock, reggae, and a jam band that includes guitarist Justin Jones, bassist Brandon Michael, sax player Rudy Edcajeda, and drummer Jim Ayala – spends his week lining up as many live shows as possible for the group, from regular performances at restaurants to private parties and weddings.

And with a catalog that includes everything from 90s alternative groups like Blind Melon, 311, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to traditional jam bands like the Grateful Dead and even Johnny Cash, it isn’t uncommon to find those in attendance singing along.

“We try to play a little bit of everything, but stay away from the typical bar band songs – you’re not going to hear us playing Mustang Sally or Play That Funky Music,” Helbling said. “And I don’t really think of myself as the band leader or anything like that. We all bring out unique style to the table, and that really comes out when we play. If we can look out and see people singing along, then we know that we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing.”

On Friday, Helbling and company will once again be playing Tommy’s Beach Bar and Grill – providing ambient music for both the dining and the bar crowd – which has become a somewhat regular stop for them on their extended performance schedule.

And in two weeks, the 209 All Stars will be featured on the side stage on the opening night of the San Joaquin County Fair – giving them all a chance to share their unique blend of music with a whole new audience they wouldn’t likely get playing Central Valley clubs like the Blackwater Café or Windmill Cove.

But while he gives the rest of the band credit for bringing their own respective flavor to the band – including occasional guests like guitarist Chris Heanes (Group W) and bassist Alan Mehlhaff (Blues a Fuse) – he admits that his love for music dominates just about every day of his life.

“This is pretty much my only job and what I do to pay the bills, so if I hear a bass line somewhere or a horn section that I like, I tuck that away and see if it’s something that we can incorporate,” he said. “Getting to entertain people is one of the best jobs that you can possibly have, and I’m just glad that I’m able to do it.”

For more information about the 209 All Stars, or to hear a sample of some of their music, visit Helbling’s website at www.myspace.com/funkytim.
- Manteca Bulletin - Jason Campbell

FunkyTim just wants to give back

By Ian Hill
209Vibe.com
April 11, 2008

Tim Helbling booked his first show six months ago at the Blackwater Cafe just so he'd have a place to play.

Today, he's giving other aspiring musicians the same opportunity. The Minor Dischord guitarist has turned his monthly FunkyTim concert series into a showcase for performers who appreciate the chance to be onstage in front of a mic.

"I've always wanted to just be a part of something and help other bands out," said Helbling, 35. "We just want to get them out and get them heard."

The next FunkyTim show is set for 6:30 p.m. today at the Blackwater, 912 N. Yosemite St. Cover is $5, and musicians on the bill include Stockton rockers James Blonde Band as well as singer-songwriters Lisa Gallego, Tara Tinsley and Helbling.

Gallego also will be performing at a FunkyTim show at 8:30 p.m. April 19 at Bradley's, 116 N. Hunter St. Admission to that show is free, but it is open only to those 21 and older.

"It's all about exposure for everybody - exposure to new music and exposure to new crowds," Helbling said. "You stir them in the mix and let everybody get heard."

Opportunities to be heard can be rare for musicians in Stockton, which has comparatively few promoters and venues for a city with a population nearing 300,000. About six months ago, Helbling decided to create his own opportunity, booking an acoustic open-mic show for himself and some friends at the Blackwater.

Helbling said he tries to keep the lineup for the shows diverse, mixing acoustic and electric performers from different genres. He's sought a variety of acts through Craigslist and MySpace, and he's asked musicians to take part in FunkyTim shows after seeing them at other concerts. It's resulted in shows that have featured the smoothness of jazz as well as rock jams.

And Helbling is hoping his shows will continue to grow. He'd like to bring them outdoors into downtown Stockton, where local musicians can reach more potential fans and hopefully build a big enough following to warrant an outdoor music festival.

Ian Hill is the editor of 209Vibe, a local music and entertainment Web site and newspaper. Contact him at (209) 943-8571 or ihill@209Vibe.com.

- Stockton Record

FunkyTim just wants to give back

By Ian Hill
209Vibe.com
April 11, 2008

Tim Helbling booked his first show six months ago at the Blackwater Cafe just so he'd have a place to play.

Today, he's giving other aspiring musicians the same opportunity. The Minor Dischord guitarist has turned his monthly FunkyTim concert series into a showcase for performers who appreciate the chance to be onstage in front of a mic.

"I've always wanted to just be a part of something and help other bands out," said Helbling, 35. "We just want to get them out and get them heard."

The next FunkyTim show is set for 6:30 p.m. today at the Blackwater, 912 N. Yosemite St. Cover is $5, and musicians on the bill include Stockton rockers James Blonde Band as well as singer-songwriters Lisa Gallego, Tara Tinsley and Helbling.

Gallego also will be performing at a FunkyTim show at 8:30 p.m. April 19 at Bradley's, 116 N. Hunter St. Admission to that show is free, but it is open only to those 21 and older.

"It's all about exposure for everybody - exposure to new music and exposure to new crowds," Helbling said. "You stir them in the mix and let everybody get heard."

Opportunities to be heard can be rare for musicians in Stockton, which has comparatively few promoters and venues for a city with a population nearing 300,000. About six months ago, Helbling decided to create his own opportunity, booking an acoustic open-mic show for himself and some friends at the Blackwater.

Helbling said he tries to keep the lineup for the shows diverse, mixing acoustic and electric performers from different genres. He's sought a variety of acts through Craigslist and MySpace, and he's asked musicians to take part in FunkyTim shows after seeing them at other concerts. It's resulted in shows that have featured the smoothness of jazz as well as rock jams.

And Helbling is hoping his shows will continue to grow. He'd like to bring them outdoors into downtown Stockton, where local musicians can reach more potential fans and hopefully build a big enough following to warrant an outdoor music festival.

Ian Hill is the editor of 209Vibe, a local music and entertainment Web site and newspaper. Contact him at (209) 943-8571 or ihill@209Vibe.com.

- Stockton Record

By Tony Sauro
Record Staff Writer
February 25, 2010 12:00 AM

The word "cover" used to have a negative musical connotation in the rock-and-roll era.

Now, it's being turned into a big plus with more-sonorous synonyms: "Variety." "Tribute."

"Cover" bands play familiar music - from the 1940s to Ozzie Osbourne, Motown and Britney Spears - that sounds appealing in a party atmosphere.

That's what Stockton's six-member 209 All-Stars do, though Tim Helbling, its singer and 12-string acoustic guitarist, terms their approach "variety" because they mix in original songs.

"Basically, we just wanted to make sure people know we do a variety of stuff," said Helbling, 37, aka Funky Tim and a member of Stockton's Minor Dischord. "We do tributes to anything that's popular that sounds cool."

Think Alice in Chains and the Black Crowes. Bob Marley and Johnny Cash.

They're also putting together an ode to the Grateful Dead for an April 16 show at Stockton's Valley Brewing Co. and Helbling played acoustic Beatles tunes during a December tribute at Modesto's Fat Cat club. - Stockton Record - Tony Sauro