It's smooth sailing with Mustache Harbor.

By Derek Moore  |  Photo courtesy of Mustache Harbor

For two days each summer, Tahoe Donner’s driving range is transformed into a music amphitheater featuring live performances by today’s biggest stars…well, not the actual stars, but the same songs we all know and love. Today’s tribute bands have fine-tuned the art of nostalgia rock, combining high-energy shows with perfected covers backed by legitimate musical talent. These bands do more than walk the walk. They sing the songs, strut the stuff and transport the audience to a far-off cosmic place of sing-alongs, eclectic dance moves and good vibes.

One group has set a unique course by playing music with the steady force of a hurricane gale. “AM Gold” is alive and well when Mustache Harbor comes to town. Don’t let the mustaches fool you, this band of dapper gents has a history of entertaining audiences with the rocking smooth party grooves recently coined “yacht rock” in par with the likes of Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, The Doobie Brothers and Little River Band.

I recently caught up with the band, who were marooned on a sandy resort beach. The boys admittedly were on day seven of a strict saltwater diet. Accuracy is entirely unimportant, I was assured. It’s all about the music.

YOUR MUSIC HAS BEEN NICKNAMED “YACHT ROCK.” EXPLAIN THIS STYLE.
The songs take you back to those carefree days sipping umbrella drinks in a pair of your favorite velour slippers with a warm breeze blowing through your hair.

TELL US THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BAND NAME.
It stems from our shared love of vintage soft rock, karate and sweet stashes. Not to mention yacht parties in far-off exotic harbors.

THE BAND HAS BUILT A DEDICATED FOLLOWING. WHAT’S THE HOOK?
The great songs of the 70s and 80s you didn’t know you loved, and if you did, you felt a little wrong about it. Guilty pleasures.

WHO ARE THE FANS OF MUSTACHE HARBOR?
Why not start a list of who’s not a fan? It would be way shorter.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SHOW AND WHY?
That would have to be playing Outside Lands in 2013. San Francisco is our home port. We were surrounded by family, friends, fans and non-fans. The energy level was off the charts.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT AT THE JULY 7 SHOW IN TAHOE DONNER
The nexus between heaven and hell, dreams and reality, yin and yang (more yang probably). Overall, great songs played greatly equals a great time. Some will laugh, some will cry, but almost everyone will sing, dance and enjoy the party.

Mustache Harbor will take the stage Saturday, July 7 at 8PM in Tahoe Donner. For complete event information and to purchase tickets, visit tahoedonner.com/summerconcert and mustacheharbor.com.