Karla Bonoff Live at the Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center. Few artists have left a deeper mark on the American singer-songwriter tradition than Karla Bonoff. A founding voice of the California folk-rock movement, Bonoff emerged from the legendary Los Angeles music scene of the 1970s alongside artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and the Eagles. Her songs — heartfelt, melodic, and emotionally precise — became classics recorded by some of the most iconic voices in popular music. Bonoff wrote enduring hits including “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me,” “All My Life,” “If He’s Ever Near,” and “Tell Me Why,” which were famously recorded by Linda Ronstadt and others.
Her own albums — including Karla Bonoff, Restless Nights, and Wild Heart of the Young — established her as one of the era’s most respected songwriters and performers. Known for her warm voice, intimate storytelling, and deeply personal lyrics, Bonoff’s live performances create a rare connection between artist and audience. Whether performing solo or with her longtime collaborators, she brings decades of music history to the stage with humility, humor, and grace.
This special evening at the Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center offers audiences the opportunity to experience a true master songwriter — whose music has quietly shaped generations of artists and continues to resonate today.