Lisa Campbell gave stunning free San Diego Airport concert

Lisa Campbell performed a riveting and hypnotic crowd pleasing two hour continuous set at San Diego International Airport on Friday evening, March 26, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Calling her music "folk rock" or "acoustic folk", it was the first airport concert for the San Diego native.

Playing a Larrivée flame maple jumbo 6 string acoustic guitar made in Vancouver, British Columbia, the singer songwriter was up tempo, playful, and in the groove. She was dynamically accompanied  by Kirk Cumming on a Timberline guitar and backup vocals, and Dave Churchville, on hauntingly beautiful and muted HohnerSpecial Twenties and Lee Oskar harmonicas.

The concert was part of the Airport's Performing Arts Programs which are held twice monthly in the Terminal 2 baggage pavilion on the second and fourth Fridays, with additional music, dance and live theater offerings as special events, all listed on the Airport's online website.

CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) Lisa Campbell at San Diego International Airport (Photo by Joel Siegfried); (BELOW RIGHT) Lisa Campbell (Photo courtesy Lisa Campbell); (BELOW LEFT) Kirk Cumming on a Timberline guitar (Photo by Joel Siegfried); (BELOW RIGHT LOWER) Dave Churchville on harmonica (Photo by Joel Siegfried);

A slide show follows this article showing performance photos and audience reaction.

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Shows are produced by Loren Smith Productions, and funded by the San Diego Airport Authority's general operating revenues, "to offer travelers and airport visitors a showcase for local talent, and a way for making a positive first impression to those arriving in San Diego," according to the Airport's Arts Program Manager, Constance Y. White, assisted by deputy manager, Susanna Peredo.

If it was just about making a good impression, Ms. Campbell did that with flying colors. But she also did much more. As one passenger remarked, "This is almost too great for an airport show. People don't realize just how good are these performers."

The foot stomping, toe tapping crowds, including lyric loving children, and even a Chihuahua named Milla after actress, model, and singer Milla Jovovich, seemed to be grooving on the range of offerings. These included songs by Tracy Chapman (Talkin' Bout a Revolution), The Eagles (Hotel California), Bob Dylan, popularized by Eric Clapton (Knocking on Haven's Door), John Denver's audience request for Leaving on a Jet Plane, Joan Osbourne (One of Us), and songs by The Black Crowes, Allison Krause, Stevie Nicks, Jason Mraz, and many others, along with original compositions by Ms. Campbell from her 2003The Winds of Change CD, which is available from iTunes and CDBaby, including "Take Me Away" and "Straight Down the Middle"., which is a new song not yet recorded. It will be included on a new album that is in production and planned for release later this year.

Asked for her reaction to performing at the airport, Ms. Campbell replied enthusiastically, "I loved it. The vibrations and audience responses were great." The love fest was certainly mutual, judging by the applause.

Lisa Campbell also teaches guitar, performs throughout San Diego and beyond, and is active in an annual event for homeless children, called Fruit of the Soul, to be held this year on October 9.  She was most influenced by Jewel, Joni Mitchell, Patty Griffin, and Mrs. Koontz, her third grade music teacher, who is now ninety years old and a big fan.

The Airport's next free live concert will be on Friday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Terminal 2 baggage hall, by premiere jazz performer David Patrone.

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