Merch-endising has always been a part of advertising and promotion: posters, t‑shirts, promotional items — printed tchotchkes! On September 7th, a very hot Labor Day, the ‘kids that followed their favorite “rockers’ from the 1970s in high school in Marin County gathered for the Sold-Out event to see The Sons of Champlin at Rancho Nicasio.
But now, those fans were there in 2026! (“Sold-out” for this location, is six-hundred guests, sitting and standing.) Some with grey hair / grey beards. Bill Champlin, now, has red hair!
There were lots of fans, wearing the various versions of the “Sons” t‑shirts. I found my way to the “merch” table, which was beyond the stage.There, I found Joe Mathews who had come from Eugene, OR, with his promo pieces: flyers that detailed his book that he soon would have printed and available. (See contact info, below.) In addition, and perfect for this very hot day, was this fan!
I was invited to represent Richard Moore where, here again, his art was living again (after fifty-one years!) as this fan which was handed out by Joe as part of this occasion.
Dewey Reid’s reserved table was luckily in the shade.
Pictured (left to right) Ximena Bervejillo (Textile Artist, ‘entrelanas designs’), Cary Cedarblade (Music Director / Conductor of 45 voice Community Chorus.), Cindy Reid (Film: John Korty, Colossal Pictures, ILM), Dewey Reid ( Film/Animation at: Colossal Pictures, Microsoft/MSN, Yahoo„ executive creative director of CNN, LucasFilm and more), Kristen Anacker (Hollywood Costume Designer)
Dewey first met Bill Champlin in Santa Cruz (when Dewey was age 15)— and later in Forestville’s Pocket Canyon on the Russian River in Sonoma County.
In the ‘70s, when Dewey was president of his sophomore class and Cary Cedarblade was president of his junior class, they tried to arrange for the Sons of Champlin to play at their Terra Linda High School in San Rafael. The Sons already had a gig for the approved date, but the school presented, instead: ‘Clover’, later known as: ‘Huey Lewis and the News’!
On 9 – 7‑2026 the doors opened at 3:00pm (there was a long line, even at 2:00pm) the Sons started at 4:00pm. There were generous and various servings of food and drinks available.
Renewed memories and new friendships! GREAT!
Nearing the time of the final set, I mentioned that the trip back to the highway, would be packed!
With that, we gathered up everything and left. No one else was in the parking lot. Our timing was good, about 21 minutes as shown on this map. The long and twisty ride back, so beautiful and ahead of the 600!
Ann Thompson
P.S.
I didn’t get the chance to ask Joe at the time, but the next day I emailed Joe to ask who thought of creating the fans and he wrote and added the photos.
This from Joe Mathews:
Hey Annie–
What a nice write-up for a nice idea. The “fans for the fans” idea was from my wife, Donna, who wanted everyone to leave with a keepsake from the event. Once deciding on fans for the probable warm weather day, we thought that finding a round shape would accommodate Dick’s (Richard Moore’s) logo, and sure enough, she located a vendor who could do it. And there you have it. As you observed, everyone loved them and I have attached a cool photo that Lori Lind posted on the Sons fans Facebook site.
Otherwise, I have also attached a photo of Donna and me from the event.
Let me know when you get it finalized and otherwise thanks so much for composing this and especially for coming. I think Dick would have gotten a charge out of the whole thing. Until later amiga–
Salud,
Joe
Contacts for the book, “HOME GROWN IN MARIN”:
Joe Mathews ajmathews2@gmail.com or fatcity.press
And a 9−7−26 video of The Sons of Champlin here: