Jemison to Promote New Series of Free Concerts in Anaheim

Linda Jemison, who nurtured hundreds of Southern California roots-rock, alternative and punk bands during her decade running Linda’s Doll Hut in Anaheim, is resurrecting her role as a champion of local music with a new series of free concerts starting Sunday at the Grove of Anaheim.

Jemison sold the Doll Hut last year to start a new career as a talent manager, but says she decided to resume “doing what I do best” after discussions with Grove officials.

The series, to be called Linda’s Stargazer Lounge, is an experiment designed to give rising bands exposure, give fans of all ages free shows and expand the Grove’s audience.

Jemison will book bands to play on the Grove’s patio, usually before or after a performance by the 1,200-seat theater’s headliner.

The first concert is Sunday featuring pop-rock groups Wonderlove (which Jemison manages) and Days Away, ska band Suburban Legends and roots-rocker Jimmy Camp.

On Wednesday, members of the local roots-rock community including X guitarist Billy Zoom, singer Big Sandy, guitarist Deke Dickerson and singer-songwriter Chris Gaffney will play a benefit--tickets are $15--for Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Jemison, who will continue to manage acts, says she’s aiming to book five or six shows per month.

“We’ve been looking for some partnerships that would make sense for us,” says Grove general manager Steven Lazar. “Quite a few shows come in now through [Southland concert promoter] Goldenvoice, and Linda’s was another of those names that came across to us as a great person to create a strategic alliance with.”