Covenant Community Concert Benefit 2025 - A Concert and Dinner

Covenant Community Services Inc., in affiliation with Salty's BBQ< Surf Thru Car Wash, and Vintage LaNell Records, presents the Covenant Community Concert and Dinner to benefit the Current and Former Foster Youth of Kern County.

The benefit concert and dinner will feature Bakersfield-born National Touring Roots, Rock & Blues Artist Orphan Jon and The Abandoned, and Bakersfield's Beckie Aguilar and Lost Vinyl, Teddy Spanke, Glenda Robles, and special guest from local bands.

Concert and Dinner Details

● Salty's BBQ provides BBQ Dinner. Tri-tip, chicken, chili beans, salad, roll, BBQ sauce., and Cobbler Dessert.

● Doors open at 6:00 pm. The Food service begins at 6:15 pm. The show starts at 6:45 pm.

● Opening (6:45 to 7:30 pm) - Bakersfield's very own Beckie Aguilar and Lost Vinyl, Glenda Robles and special guest fom local bands.

● Intermission 7:30 pm to 7:45 pm

● Headliner (7:45 to 9:30 pm) - National Touring and Awards Nominated Roots, Rock & Blues Artist from Wichita, Kansas, Orphan Jon and The Abandoned.

● Closing (9:30 - 9:45 pm) - Social and Closing Comments

Tickets are $75.00 for a great BBQ Meal, two incredible bands, and a night of memories made while helping the Foster Youth of Kern County.

The seating capacity is 160 people. This show will sell out!

Sponsorship opportunities and VIP reserved seats with Special Gifts from the bands are available.

Accolades

Jon English; a Vintage LaNell Records recording artist known as Orphan Jon, originally based out of Bakersfield, California, now resides in the heartland of the Blues in the Midwest. He tours often with his band The Abandoned, which consists of top shelf professional musicians from Wichita, Kansas and Bakersfield, California. Together they help to form the energy and vibe that so many enjoy at every show.

Orphan Jon and The Abandoned, is a national touring Roots, Rock and Blues musical force. A multi-nominated artist currently receiving airplay throughout the world on many Blues and Roots stations for his 2022 release “Over The Pain” as well as his 2018 debut album “Abandoned No More”; on Rip Cat Records. Both albums have been well received by the Blues/Roots world and given high reviews by several top Blues critics, promoters and venue owners. OJATA performs eclectic originals; with a few covers mixed in, all with passion, high energy and a tight sound unlike any other."

All photos courtesy of Tom Joyce Pix

2018 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee - New Artist Debut Album 2018 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee - Sean Costello Rising Star Award 2018 Roots Music Report Top 200 Blues Rock Album 2019 Independent Blues Award Nominee – Best Modern Roots Album 2022 Grammy Ballot for Best Contemporary Blues Album 2022 Roots Music Report Top 200 Blues Album 2022 Roots Music Report Top 100 Blues Rock Album 2022 International Songwriters Nominee – Blood Moon

After Rip Cat Records decided to close up shop in late 2020, Jon and his wife Stella created their own music label, Vintage LaNell Records. In January of 2021, Orphan Jon, along with his band The Abandoned, went back into the studio in his hometown of Bakersfield, CA., to produce his second studio album, and first on the new label. "Over The Pain" was recorded at the legendary AUM Studio Productions and was produced and co-written by his close friend Whiskey Bayou Records; Tab Benoit owned the label, recording artist Alastair Greene. Released in the Summer of 2022, the album has received many accolades and airplay worldwide. Its opening track, "Tight Dress," stayed on the European genre Hit Tracks Top 100 for 22 weeks, topping out at #13, and "Livin' My Life" off the album is currently charting as well. One of the album's highlights was featured on Little Steven's Underground Garage on SXM radio Rock Station 21. The album finished the year strong, having made several "Best of" lists by reviewers for 2022.

Another milestone for Orphan Jon happened in February of 2022 when he was signed to the highly respected management firm The Galaxie Agency out of Nashville, Tennessee. He's been writing new material lately and will produce another live album released in 2024.

Since forming, OJATA has steadily grown in popularity due to the high energy and musical passion they display while performing. They're a grassroots band that loves connecting with audiences in any setting. Roots and Blues is their lifeblood, and it shows in their ever-popular eclectic originals and the few selectively interpreted covers they bring to every show. It is the band's goal to captivate the audience from the first note struck until the last chord is played while entertaining them both musically and visually.

Orphan Jon, simply put, is a unique artist; along with his touring band, The Abandoned, he has an energy and style that not only captures the traditional blues fans but also has them steadily gaining a younger audience.

One SoCal writer said, "When you see and hear OJATA, you're taken on a journey through the ups and downs, the twists and turns, peaks and valleys of the vibrancy of love and everyday living through their music. They are a rare breed full of spirit and charisma, and they put on a show that is both energetic and captivating with a tight sound like no other."

"Orphan" Jon English's vocals are a moving musical tapestry; they're emotional, heartfelt, intense, and at times very soulful and yearning; he has no inhibitions when it comes to leaving his heart and soul fully exposed to the listeners. That's just how he is. Full disclosure on life. His life; in song. A life that everyone in some form or fashion can connect and relate to.

Along with Orphan Jon's vocals is his special guest lead guitarist; at times a co-writer, but always a journeyman and an artist who will showcase a flowing, rhythmic, harmonious blend of string manipulations that invites your soul on a cosmic, colorful expedition to places you might've never been before. Then there's his stellar rhythm section with a steady, uplifting, driving, subtle, and powerful bassist that takes your heartbeat on a vast, rousing journey, accompanied by the drummer's energetic, captivating, influential dynamics, and you have The Abandoned.

Orphan Jon and The Abandoned, is a band that captures the essence of what American Music is all about; hard work, rough life, grinding days, moving souls, touching hearts and heartfelt love, day to day, and all the time.

Frontman Jon English can be moving, emotional, heartfelt, and intense at one point and then soothing, soulful, and uplifting at another point in both his body language and vocals. Add to Jon's performance the journeymen experiences of Eddie Marquardt; with his flowing, rhythmic, harmonious blend of guitar string manipulations that invites your soul on a cosmic, colorful expedition to places you might've never been before, the rhythm section of Ray Sadolsky; with his steady uplifting, driving, both subtle and powerful bass playing that takes your heartbeat on a vast rousing journey, and Jason Blakely; with his energetic, captivating, influential dynamics of the drums and you have The Abandoned.

Orphan Jon and The Abandoned is a band that captures the essence of Americana Music: hard work, rough life, grinding days, moving souls, touching hearts, and heartfelt love, day-to-day and all the time.

Orphan Jon Music Video -

Links:

orphanjon.com

vintagelanellrecords.com

thegalaxieagency.com

Beckie Aguilar and Lost Vinyl, Teddy Spanke, and other local musicians.

Additional Background about Covenant Community Services

Covenant Community Services, Inc. is a California nonprofit 501(c)3 serving foster youth and former foster youth to restore their lives and transform generations. Covenant operates transitional housing programs, mentoring, educational and vocational services, life skills classes, case management, and mental health and wellness services in Kern County.

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

The show is for all ages but every person needs a ticket. There will be a full bar at the venue.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

There is plenty of parking at the venue. Drive responsibly and use rideshare if needed.

What can I bring to the event?

No outside food or beverages are allowed in the event. No guns or weapons.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

[email protected]

What's the refund policy?

All sales are final. No refunds.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Salty's Banquet & Event Center, 6720 Schirra Court, Bakersfield, United States