The Six String Society: Beyond the Crossroads

Kenneth Rexrode. Photo by Mimi Franco.

At the heart of the Six String Society lies Kenneth Rexrode, a visionary and storyteller with a message that music speaks to our deepest human experiences. Echoes from the first performance in June 2014 featuring Buzz Campbell, Peter Sprague, and Leonard Patton can still be heard as the iconic Gregory Page, Robert Parker, Robin Henkel, along with the many talented and award-winning performing members, bring life to each part concert, which is part theatrical performance. Every note and lyric serve to remind us why we do what we do —it’s about the feeling of connection that we are left with after every show.

Over the past 10 years, Kenneth has poured his heart into evolving each production by adding new performers who share their individual style. The Celestial Sirens has brought the melodies of songstresses like Alice Wallace (Americana and country), Chelsea Williams (indie-folk and pop), Taryn Donath (soulful jazz and blues), Rebecca Jade (R&B and soul), and Whitney Shay (blues and jazz). The notable 27 Club, which pays tribute to artists taken from us too soon, got its start with hopes for where it is today selling out shows, and we escape the ordinary with Pianotastic that includes Brockett Parsons.

Poster for the Six String Society’s upcoming show featuring Kimmi Bitter.

Which leads us to 2024, an exciting year for the Six String Society with the launch of two new shows. “Something Wonderful,” a celebration of the music of Stevie Wonder performed by Kogee Soul Reprise featuring Kori Gillis, which has captivated audiences several times this year, and the rock ‘n’ roll show “Like a Rolling Stone,” which raised the roof at the Brooks Theater with the sounds and history of the Rolling Stones featuring Custard Pie and the Brian Jones Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival. Not only did the Six String Society shine the spotlight this year on local talent they also welcomed back Ukulele sensation Taimane from Hawaii to the California Center of Performing Arts in Escondido and young showstopper, Muireann Bradley, making her debut U.S. performance all the way from Ireland at the Teri Campus of Life. No two shows are ever the same!

It’s with the passion to bring us live music entertainment that the Six String Society presses on to bring new shows and venues. Coming up this month, you can catch country star Kimmi Bitter with modern Americana Artist Jesse Ray Smith at the Belly Up on November 7; later this month, the 27 Club performs at the California Center of Performing Arts in Escondido, and at Bellamy’s Restaurant local rockabilly/blues band the Sea Monks, starting off with Robert Rauch playing a set of your favorite pop/rock tunes.

What’s next? The 2025 lineup promises more of something wonderful! Music has the power to bring people together, and the Six String Society does just that! For more on these shows check out thesixstringsociety.com