Calico Ridge to return to REINS Hoedown

The award-winning band Calico Ridge will return to the REINS Hoedown fundraiser, which this year will be held October 14.

The festivities will constitute the tenth annual Hoedown to raise money for REINS (Riding Emphasizing Individual Strengths and Needs). “They’re a neat group of people,” said Charly Ott, the vocalist for Calico Ridge who also plays bass and keyboard.

Calico Ridge consists of Charly Ott, bass and banjo player Victor Ott, lead guitarist Bob Glance, and drummer Tim LeMieux. The band has won several Country Music Association awards over its existence which has spanned more than a decade.

In 2005 REINS contacted the Otts and asked for a press kit and a CD. The Calico Ridge information and music pleased REINS, and they were hired for the Hoedown and played to an estimated audience of more than 500 REINS supporters.

Following the 2005 REINS Hoedown, Calico Ridge was invited to return for the 2006 fundraiser. “They invited us last year to come back. That night they invited us to come back this year. Of course we were glad to do it,” Charly Ott said. “It’s a fun gig, but it’s such a neat thing that they’re doing over there.”

Charly Ott had visited the REINS facility prior to the performance to assess the site, which allowed her to learn about the therapeutic riding programs REINS offers. The 2005 performance was the first for Calico Ridge at REINS, although in the 1990s the band played at a benefit for TEACH, a therapeutic riding program in Lakeside. The 2005 REINS performance was the first for Calico Ridge in the Greater Fallbrook area since a 2002 booking at the Pala Casino.

The band has the same four members who performed at the 2005 Hoedown, but Charly Ott promises different songs. “We’re always adding to our song list,” she said. “We try not to keep things the same all the time, but certain songs people request over and over.”

Although Calico Ridge earned prominence as a country music band, they also perform rock, rhythm and blues, and disco songs when the audience warrants other types of music. “For a mixed crowd nobody wants to hear a whole night of one style,” Ott said.

“We’ve kind of diversified a lot,” Ott said of the band’s music. “We’ve added even more variety to our mix.”

Calico Ridge also performs original songs, which are country music melodies. “They’re kind of country, alternative country,” Ott said.

Calico Ridge returned to Greater Fallbrook on July 4 for Independence Day festivities at Camp Pendleton, where they performed before approximately 20,000 Marines. “That was a lot of fun,” Ott said.

During the REINS Hoedown the horse corral area is opened and the REINS participants perform horseback riding demonstrations.