11 Tuesdays at Rancho Santiago

I have spent the past 11 Tuesdays at Rancho Santiago up the Cuale River in Paso Guayabo. It was there Tribute Tuesdays were reinstated by El Rio BBQ Bar owner Kurt Sinner. Chef Hollis Harris smoked loads of ribs and made batches of wonderful non-mayonnaise-laced potato salad, stocked the bar well, and they were off and running.

Rancho Santiago also provided a stage for the rock band Perros del Rio, that sprang up during the last couple of years at El Rio’s old location in Paso Ancho (currently La Huerta). A mix of expats and Mexican musicians, Perros, headed by lead singer Kurt Sinner, garnered quite a following over the years. They have one more show at 3 pm next Tuesday. More on that in a bit.

Canadian impresario Merv Buchanan not only imported the tribute talent from Canada and the US but also personally ran the lights and sound for all the tribute shows this season at Rancho Santiago, which started with Jimmy Buffet in the first week of January.

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of listening to most of the major hits sung by Neil Diamond. Will Chalmers has portrayed Diamond for 20 years and has perfected that sweet raspiness that sets his voice apart from all others. Will meandered through the crowd, singing to the ladies and making each one of them feel special. That energy feeds Will, his black sequined shirt reflecting purple spotlights onstage.

I remember that about 8 years ago, Will had gone to change clothes minutes before he began his second or third show ever at El Rio. Every chair was taken as hundreds of people were just finishing up dinner in anticipation of another blockbuster Neil Diamond tribute show. A truck hauling something tall dragged down the power lines right at the entrance to El Rio, and that was the end of that. I remember writing that there was nothing sadder in the world than seeing that black sequined shirt hanging alone on a hook in the dressing room, unworn and illuminated solely by candlelight. Kurt went to Home Depot the next day for a portable generator, and Will made up that show for all those ticket holders who returned to help sing “Sweet Caroline” later in the week.

There will be one more show at Rancho Santiago this season and it will be unforgettable! I saw Mario Osama and his huge band at The Palm Cabaret in early February and was so impressed with his guitar skills. Mario will be presenting his Santana tribute with a few bandmates shaved off due to the smaller stage at Rancho Santiago. Osama came out yesterday and played a few songs with Perros del Rio. There are very few Santana tributes – I am sure you have noticed! – because of the degree of difficulty Carlos Santana presents in his music. Mario Osama is that precise. Go and see this master at work, eat some ribs, go splash in the river, dance, and celebrate the last show of the 2025 season.

I will be seeing Burlesque at Coco Cabaret that Tuesday. Many thanks go to Merv Buchanan, Kurt Sinner, Hollis Harris, and staff for a fun and memorable tribute season outdoors on the banks of the Rio Cuale in Paso Guayabo.

I will bring you a full report on last night’s Open Mic shenanigans tomorrow morning. Bring extra coffee.