John Maher

John Maher’s career in music and marketing spans decades, from his meteoric rise in the musical instruments industry, to landing the director of communications role for the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) in 1995.

He gained endless wisdom from colleagues and musicians throughout his career, but one lesson that remains with him today came from Willie Nelson in 1985.

“My collaboration with Willie to help promote the first Farm Aid event taught me how making music can be much more than just a pleasant pastime,” Maher says.  “He used to say ‘Donations advance when you make ‘em dance.”

Maher, now 75, continues to make music to help businesses, organizations and nonprofits in Old Towne Orange under the persona “OC CAL.”  The name is a throwback to the 1960s-era Cal Worthington “Go See Cal” car commercials.

Maher began as a warehouse worker for St. Louis Music in 1975, working his way up in sales and then onto marketing for companies such as Peavey, Fender, Roland and Alesis.  As communications director for NAMM, he helped establish the NAMM Museum of Making Music, as well as “Playback Magazine,” before joining Brook Mays Music and Reunion Blues.

With his iconic white gloves, bowler hat and magnetic smile, Maher was previously known as Petaluma Pete, for his community activism in that community.  He helped save the town’s historic river trestle, which the city is working to transform into the centerpiece of a thriving community gathering space.

He also raised money for public school music programs, using his NAMM connections to raffle autographed guitars.  His work affected so many people that the mayor proclaimed September 15 “Petaluma Pete Day” and gave him a key to the city.

Elece Hempel, who is retired from the Petaluma People Services Center, met Maher when he helped build awareness about a fundraiser for older adults.

“He understood that many people struggle with isolation and need ways to connect with one another.  John also knew that sometimes being a little “quirky” gives people permission to do something they might never otherwise try,” Hempel says.

Maher also supported the homeless, the hungry and people experiencing mental health issues by getting the word out about the city’s Special Assistance for Everyone (SAFE) team and Meals on Wheels.

He moved to Orange in 2024 so he and his wife, Brenda, could be closer to their children.

Despite being retired, he continues to lend his marketing and street performances to boosting local business.  He takes his piano out into the community for honky-tonk performances that benefit a variety of organizations such as the Orange Police Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Orange Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge, HUB OC, Love Orange and the Old Towne Merchants Association.

Treavor Saunders, President of the building association for the Elks Lodge in Orange, appreciates the service Maher provides to the community so much that he stores Maher’s piano downtown so he doesn’t have to take it home.

“Anytime there’s music in the Orange Plaza, it elevates the mood for anyone who is listening,” he says.  “The piano that he plays and the style that he plays is uplifting and fun.”

And that’s exactly what Maher wants to bring to the places he performs.

“I love seeing people dancing, especially with their kids, even across the plaza, knowing my honky-tonk tunes are making their day,” he says.

What’s next for OC CAL?  He says he wants to work with the NAMM Foundation to motivate dormant musicians to follow his model of street performing to help their communities.

“I honestly feel qualified to show others how to use their gift of actively making music to help improve the mood in their communities,” he says.

Learn more about John Maher and check out his “OC Cal” videos online at https://linktr.ee/OCCal