PHOTO COURTESY OF EARL CAVA

Earl Cava (left) and his band dressed for the occasion.

By Earl Cava
Special to the Times


Of all the different types of gigs I’ve worked, the nudist colony was a night to remember.

I got a call from Buzzy, who had a trio, asking me if I ever worked a nudist colony gig. I said, no, but it sounds interesting, so count me in.

I asked Buzzy, “Is there a dress code?”

He answered, “Wear your birthday suit.”

Not knowing for sure if he was kidding, I brought both my bass guitar and the upright bass. I could play the upright and hide behind it if necessary.

Buzzy gave me the directions to the Sequoia Nudist Colony in Castro Valley, which I never knew existed.

As I approached the main gate I was greeted by three women in their birthday suits. They gave me directions to the club and told me the dance started at 8 o’clock.

People always ask, did we play in our birthday suits? We dodged the answer as I am doing now.

We took our first break and talked to the club members. There were friendly and the nicest bunch of people.