Musician Joe Rathburn is taking his act on the road. Across the street, actually. L Street in the Gaslamp Quarter, to be specific.
For 20 years, the singing guitarist has provided pre-game entertainment before San Diego Padres games at a restaurant just outside Petco Park. For 19 years, the indoor-outdoor eatery was called Tin Fish. In 2022, a new owner converted the restaurant to a Baja Rick’s Cantina.
Rathburn played Baja Rick’s for a year. After he was recently told his musical services were no longer required, he reached out to management at the Hard Rock Hotel. Yes, they were interested in acquiring a game-day crooner.
On March 28, hours before the Padres 2024 home opener, Rathburn will perform inside 207 Bar on the ground floor of the Hard Rock.
The entrances to 207 Bar and Baja Rick’s are literally right across the street from each other. Both have opposite-facing outdoor patio seating on L Street.
“There are no hard feelings,” Rathburn says. “It was their prerogative to let me go. My beef is that they waited until January to tell me.”
Cantina Rick’s owner Rick DiRienzo could not be reached for comment.
When Rathburn called on the Hard Rock, he found staffers who were well aware of the guy from across the street.
“After playing for locals and travelers before each Padres home game for 20 years, Joe Rathburn has become one of San Diego’s live music legends,” director of marketing for Hard Rock Hotel San Diego Diana Robbins says. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him to 207 Bar as we celebrate the opening of baseball season.”
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of Petco Park. Rathburn has been part of the surrounding scene from the beginning. He estimates he’s done more than 1,500 pregame gigs over the last two decades.
The 68-year-old, originally from Flint, Michigan, generally performs a three-hour set that draws from a diverse, 450-song repertoire. He tells stories and jokes. And plays an upbeat version of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game,” as well as titles by Jimmy Buffet, Jimmy Cliff, The Ramones and more.
The San Diego Sun featured Rathburn in 2022. In that piece, he talks about the friends he’s made in the Gaslamp Quarter and how some of his early fans had begun bringing their children to hear him play in recent years.
At the moment, Rathburn is signed on for a trial run at 207 Bar. Current dates are March 28 and 31, and April 3, 10, 21 and 28.
Rathburn says he doesn’t want to create a battle of the bands atmosphere on L Street.
Nonetheless, he hopes a strong showing on Opening Day will help lead to a longer gig at the Hard Rock.
“I really do want my fans to know that I’m still in the area and they have a choice to come over and see me,” he says. SDSun
