July 15, 2005

Local EVC student entertains Evergreen Village concertgoers

Evergreen resident Mark Rodriguez performs at 7:30 p.m. most Thursdays at “Music in the Plaza” concerts held at Evergreen Village.

Shy in person, 18-year-old Mark Rodriguez straps on his guitar and jams at the Evergreen Village “Music in the Plaza” Thursday night concerts throughout the summer.

The Evergreen Valley High School graduate thought he’d take a chance and asked Jane Reid, marketing consultant of Evergreen Village, if he could try his hand at the guitar during intermission while the concert bands take a break.

“I asked him if he had his guitar with him, and he ran home to get it,” says Reid with a laugh. “He played a few songs for me, and I thought, why not give him the microphone and stage for a few minutes. The audience loved him and now he’s our halftime entertainment for most of the remainder of the music series!”

Rodriguez began playing the acoustic guitar three years ago at age 15. “Some of my friends were playing and I thought I’d try it out,” says Rodriguez, whose mom had always told him that he had a good voice. The aspiring musician describes his style of play as a cross between the blues and jazz.

He says he’s been influenced by the likes of John Mayer, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Los Lonely Boys. He would like to try and make it as a musician, but his parents, Thomas and Barbara, would prefer he keep his playing as a side hobby.

The popular Road Dogs, playing classic rock ‘n’ roll from the ’60s to today, will entertain audiences again on July 28 and Aug. 25.

“I won first place at the Evergreen Valley High School talent show, but my parents say education is my number one priority,” notes Rodriguez, who will be attending Evergreen Valley College in the fall to study nursing.

Rodriguez grew up in the area, attending Evergreen Elementary School and Chaboya Middle School before graduating from Evergreen Valley High School. When he completes the nursing program at Evergreen Valley College, he hopes to continue his studies at a university in Southern California and play his music on the side.

“If I get lucky, I may get noticed,” he adds.

Evergreen Village, which is owned by Shapell Industries of Northern California, is located on Ruby Avenue, south of Aborn Road, by Lunardi’s Market. The weekly concerts, held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., are free. A full schedule of the upcoming bands appears adjacent to this article.