Coyote Ridge Music series brings great music home

WEST MILFORD — Music has been a very important part of Bernie Stapleton’s life for many years. He was a guitar player for most of it and is a volunteer for and was a board member of Music at the Mission, a music organization in town that brings high level performers each month to their venue as well as holding arguably the best open mic around each month. Stapleton started the Mission House Band with Loretta and Gary Hagen and Matt and Sara Gallmann. And for the past few years, Stapleton has hosted a series of house concerts at his West Milford home.

The Coyote Ridge Music series started six years ago when Stapleton decided to host a concert featuring the Hagens. He figured the mission didn’t have concerts or an open mic in the summer so he could fill the void. He had all of the sound equipment from the Mission in his basement and decided why not?

“It was a great success,” said Stapleton. “Everyone had a great time. And then we didn’t do it again for four years.”

That’s because he was involved with many other music events, including the West Milford Farmer’s Market and the Green Fest. At one time, Stapleton had given up music altogether after immersing himself in environmental issues in town. After being invited to the Mission early on, more than 10 years ago, he went to a show and was won over.

“I had an epiphany,” said Stapleton. “‘This is what I should be doing,’ I said to myself. I went to Matt and Sara ( Gallmann) and said I wanted to volunteer. It was completely selfish because I just loved it.”

Two years ago, he started the Coyote Ridge concerts up again and the response has been tremendous

“We usually gets between 20 and 25 people - sometimes even up to 30 - and about half of them come every month,” said Stapleton. There are always new guests and the atmosphere is comfortable.

But don’t think it’s like someone just playing at a friend’s house. There is a professional sound system, run by Gary Hagen, all performances are videoed by Tony Christopher, and the master of ceremonies for the night is Joltin’ Joe Pszonek, DJ for “Radio Nowhere” on Montclair State University’s underground radio. Coyote Ridge has a You Tube channel with a song from each of its performers and even has a “Coyote Ridge Scribe.” The scribe, David Schiff of Warwick, writes reviews of each of the shows on the Coyote Ridge Web site.

And the talent at the concerts is exceptional. Stapleton meets a lot of performers through his travels with the Hagens, through word of mouth and just from the people he has seen perform.

“There is such a long list and so many people the listeners want to hear again and again,” said Stapleton.

They are going to get the opportunity to hear Marianne Osiel this Saturday for the second time at the series. Stapleton first heard her at the Greenwood Lake Grind a long time ago in Greenwood Lake, N.Y. He decided to look her up and invited her to play. She was very well received and is now invited back. Stapleton has seen The Levins, who are also on the bill for Saturday, several times. “They’re great,” he said.

And that’s what he and the other Coyote Ridge listeners expect. The talent at the concerts has “got to be at a certain level. I’ve never been disappointed,” he said.

And apparently neither have the others. Each concert draws a packed house. It's a casual atmosphere; Stapleton and his wife, Celeste, serve light refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bottle of wine, if they'd like, and some bring a snack to share. It’s a listening crowd for sure. The room is intimate and the setting is spectacular. The room where the concerts are held leads out onto the Stapletons’s deck with a gorgeous view. Listeners can sit outside and enjoy the view while listening to the performers.

Stapleton books between four and six concerts each year. This year he is doing four, including one with Loretta Hagen next month.

Anyone wishing to attend any of the Coyote Ridge concerts should contact Stapleton via email at bern@coyoteridgemusic.com or through the Web site, www.CoyoteRidgeMusic.com. A donation of $12 per person is requested. All of the money goes to the musicians. The venue is located at 40 Plymouth Ave. in West Milford.