Duo Puts Its Own Magic into Has Beans –CSUC ORION

Maritza Rodrigez
Staff Writer
August 31, 2005

It soon became standing room only as people entered Has Beans on Friday for a night filled with music and magic. Well, maybe not magic but definitely illusion.

Two local performers partnered up for a wonderful performance. Musician Josh Funk and street magician Wayne Houchin paired up to put on a very different type of show.

"It's different to see magic and music together. Two magicians would be weird and two musicians would be a little too much and it would get boring," Funk said.

The night started with Funk, 23, a Butte College student performing all of his old and new material. His friend, fellow guitar player, and back up singer Jay Darten accompanied Funk on stage. Through out their performance Funk and Darten kept the audiences attention by teasing each other. At one point Funk made a confession about a song he was about to perform, "I always forget the second verse, so if I stop you guys know I forgot the words," Funk said.

Funk added to his acoustic performance with the accompaniment of vocalist and long time friend Amanda Wort. Funk and Wort attended high school together and have performed together many times.

"Josh is really good. We have been doing this since 1999 when we got to sing one night a week at the Daily Grind," said Wort as she sat in the audience singing along to all of Funk's songs.

Funk's music was soothing, mellow, and meaningful until an audience member made a request towards the end of the show. "Play the Bob Saget song," an audience member shouted from the back.

Most of you can recall Bob Saget played the famous TV father Danny Tanner on "Full House."

"For those of you who don't know. I used to be obsessed with Bob Saget and I wrote a song about him a really long time ago," said a slightly embarrassed but willing to perform Funk as he looked up from his guitar.

The crowd laughed and cheered as Funk sang about Bob Saget. The show ended with Funk doing the only cover of the night, "Stray Cat Strut" by the Stray Cats. Funk ended his performance to applause.