Now - Accepting ......
Nominations for Awards
Sponsors for support
Volunteers for staffing
Instruments for Kids
Please contact Richard@Varrasso.com
or call 209-881-7676

Richard Varrasso of Copperopolis is passionate about music and the arts, bringing his decades of experience to create CAMS, the Calaveras Arts and Music Show, to celebrate and honor artists of the Mother Lode.

Richard has worn many hats during his lifetime including musician, chef, recording company producer, broadcaster, marketing director, digital business leader, associate at Beserkley Records Corp., associate for the Tina Turner Tour and manager of the Greg Kihn Band. He also trained as a real estate appraiser and owned The Sonora Grille. He is current executive director of the Copperopolis Area Business Association.

Richard was born and raised in Fremont. “I grew up in a ‘Leave it to Beaver’ neighborhood,” he recalled. “My aunt gave me a guitar when I was about seven years old, which I painted iridescent and added hippie peace signs. It was so cool!”

Right out of high school he took over live gigs at the mansion of Weibel Winery, organizing big music festivals with such greats at Quicksilver and Elvin Bishop. At Beserkley Records he wrangled bands together and scheduled entertainment at Bill Graham clubs. He continues to perform in his own band, The Famous Hits Band.

“Richard is a creative, high energy marketing rock star in the world of sales and promotion no matter what product or concept he is involved with,” said Deborah Barron, a lawyer for Sacramento Entertainment Law who worked with Richard. “A great team leader, whether it’s managing a sales team or a production crew for major events, Richard’s varied experience in business project management will make it all happen.”

Richard moved to Copperopolis to raise his son in retirement. But, as he said, “I couldn’t retire because of my music addiction, and I’d been coming to Lake Tulloch since I was 14.” In 2015 he started the nonprofit – Creative Copperopolis, which produces events, concerts and the annual CAMS awards.

Set your calendars for Saturday, January 20, 2024 for the next award ceremony, this year changing the venue to Murphys Creek Theatre. Formerly known as the “Cammies,” CAMS celebrates the artists and actors with recognition awards for their outstanding service in performing, rehearsing, recording, promoting, producing and entertaining within local communities in the past year. The awards will include accomplishments in music, dance and theater. There will be a star performance from each category backed up by house band leader, Rod Harris. Calaveras Community Television will produce a TV show for local public broadcast stations. Audio will be broadcast live on Richard’s internet radio station, Copperopolis.rocks. Tickets will be offered through Eventbrite once released.

Sponsors are being sought through business associations, neighboring businesses and by community artists themselves. Several local establishments will be hosting after-party concerts, including a special star-studded exclusive performance at the Murphys Irish Pub at midnight.

An important part of this event is the inclusion of the annual Kids Looking for Unwanted Instruments campaign where neighbors donate their unused instruments to the Murphy School of Music. Those valued instruments will be endowed during the show by the school to deserving students interested in pursuing their own future in music. “Everybody Get Together” by The Youngbloods will be performed by an onstage assembly of award winners during the finale.

Also new this year, the 49th award will be named “The Long Way Around,” honoring a musician who has experienced a disability but has risen to the occasion.

“We are currently compiling nominations for the 49 Award winners,” Richard said. “We are also looking for a few good volunteers to offer up their great ideas and are seeking members of the public who are like-minded in our endeavor, willing to donate to keep our mission alive.”

“I want us all to come and work together,” he added. “We need to prophesize this for the benefit of all to show recognition to these artists. We’ve got so much good stuff happening here, amid what’s happening in the world.”

For more information, visit creativecopperopolis.com Jan Hovey lives near Vallecito and can be reached at the CALAVERAS ENTERPRISE