Four years ago, Doug Blumer and his wife, Nancy Irish, who perform together in the band Bohemian Highway, found themselves wondering about a musical blind spot on the calendar.
Most musicians, they noted, play on New Year’s Eve. But what about the day after?
The question led to the creation of “Hair of the Dog,” an annual New Year’s Day show that has since become a local tradition.
“We wanted to do a gig, but we didn’t want to do New Year’s Eve,” said Blumer, 71. “We were getting older, and our fan base was getting older.”
Instead of a midnight countdown, Blumer suggested a midafternoon performance on Jan. 1, an idea that appealed to musicians and audiences alike. Drawing on the familiar phrase for easing a hangover – “hair of the dog that bit you” – he and Irish named the event accordingly.
“We drew a picture of a dog, and it’s been on our posters ever since,” Blumer said.
The Bohemian Highway band features, from left, Dan Ransford, Jane Fossgreen, Kent Fossgreen, Nancy Irish, Doug Blumer and Robert Butler (Wendy Weller)
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The Bohemian Highway band features, from left, Dan Ransford, Jane Fossgreen, Kent Fossgreen, Nancy Irish, Doug Blumer and Robert Butler (Wendy Weller)
Blumer pitched the idea to Bill DeCarli, director of HopMonk Presents, which oversees the HopMonk Taverns in Sebastopol, Novato and Sonoma. DeCarli quickly signed on.
“It has become an annual New Year’s Day event,” he said. “I thought that it would be a great way to kick off the new year – a free show with one of our favorite local bands.”
The show returns Jan. 1 to the Abbey concert space at the HopMonk Tavern in Sebastopol for its fourth year. The free event begins at 3 p.m., with the six-piece band playing two sets.
A local tradition takes root
From the beginning, the “Hair of the Dog” show resonated with locals.
“We were pleasantly surprised when the place filled up the next day after New Year’s Eve,” Blumer said. “We do all original material, and we’ve been doing it long enough that the crowd sings along. Our songs are mostly positive. We focus on love.”
Fans have told him they often leave feeling better than when they arrived. For those easing into the new year, HopMonk offers a range of options.
“If you’re looking to soften your recovery, come down for a fresh craft beer or a spicy Bloody Mary,” DeCarli said. If it’s your first day of Dry January, he added, there will be mocktails, including a virgin Bloody Mary.”
A six-piece band
Founded in 2010, Bohemian Highway features Blumer on lead vocals and acoustic lead guitar, Irish on harmony vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar, Robert Butler on electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, flute and harmony vocals, Jane Fossgreen on saxophone and harmony vocals, Kent Fossgreen on bass and Dan Ransford on drums.
The band has recorded two albums and its songs have been featured on Sonoma County radio stations KRSH and KRCB.
“After doing songs by other bands, we have been doing our own original material for several years now,” Blumer said.
Singer-songwriter Michael McNevin of Niles, in the East Bay Hills, will open the show.
“A healthy shot of free live music will be the perfect way to step into 2026,” DeCarli said.
IF YOU GO
What: “Hair Of The Dog” featuring the Bohemian Highway band.
When: 3-6 p.m. Jan. 1.
Where: The HopMonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.
Admission: Free.
Information: 707-829-7300, hopmonk.com/sebastopol
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.pressdemocrat.com ’
