In honor of Craig Fischer, the Ramona singer, songwriter and guitarist, a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 16, preceded by a Barn Dance the night before.
Fischer, who had lived in Ramona since 1994, died on March 20 from heart-related issues. He was best known for forming Farm Truck, an alt country band that played throughout California and Arizona.
The celebration event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Barn, 344 Main St.
“There will not be any bands playing during the event, but a mic will be set up for people to share their stories and sing acoustic songs if they want,” said Dakota Fischer, one of Craig’s two sons. Josh Fischer, 46, lives in Ramona, while Dakota Fischer, 36, lives in Arizona.
Dakota Fischer is organizing the event with the help of several of his father’s friends.
He grew up in Ramona from the age of 3, after the family moved there from Arizona. His father worked in construction and owned a tile store.
Dakota Fischer, the son of Craig Fischer, said some of his favorite memories are of playing baseball from the age of 6 to 9, with his father as the team coach. (Courtesy Dakota Fischer)
One of Fischer’s favorite memories is playing baseball from the age of 6 to 9, with his dad as the team coach.
“Baseball was one of the passions we shared,” he said. “It was how I fell in love with the Padres, and the two of us always made time for Padres games. Every conversation we had we mentioned the Padres.”
Craig Fischer poses with his son Dakota Fischer at a San Diego Padres baseball game. Baseball was a shared passion between the two. (Courtesy Dakota Fischer)
Another of Fischer’s lasting memories was the first time he watched his dad play live for an audience.
“It was at the Ramona Country Fair, around 2015. It was cool seeing the local crowd listening to his music and engage with him,” he said.
Josh Fischer said Craig Fischer was his step dad, and he remembers seeing him at the age of 4 or 5.
“Shortly after that he brought home a 50cc dirt bike and taught me how to ride,” Fischer said. “Motocross was what brought us to Ramona in 1993. My dad was racing the vet class and I was racing an 80cc bike at the time. We came to a race at Barona; I think it was less than six months later we moved to Ramona.”
Fischer said some of his favorite memories of his father were trips to the desert, and that he was impressed by his songwriting skills.
“I’m very happy he was literally living his best life and passed away doing what he loved the most, playing his guitar,” he said.
A celebration of Life for the late Craig Fischer, a Ramona singer, songwriter, guitarist and founder of the band Farm Truck, will be held held Saturday, May 16, preceded by a Barn Dance the night before. (John Hancock)
Craig Fischer was nominated by the San Diego Music Awards for Best Country or Americana Artist in 2025, and Farm Truck was nominated for Best Country or Americana Album in 2023 for their debut album “Sadie.”
Submissions are being accepted for a slideshow of photos of Fischer and Farm Truck, compiled by local photographer John Hancock, to be shown at the event. Photos can be emailed to: john@johnhancockphotos.com
Prior to the Celebration event, the annual Haybarn Dance will be held on Friday, May 15 at Reds, Whites and Brews, 629 Main St.
“The Farm Truck Barn Dance legacy started in 2022, at the MainStage, by Craig,” said Ashley E. Norton. “After that, he pulled me in as his partner, and we moved the event over to Reds, Whites and Brews. Craig even built the stage there that we still perform on.”
Norton said she and Fischer booked the bands and promoted the event, which turned into annual Haybarn Dances in the spring and Farm Truck Barn Dances in the fall. The events also introduced many artists from around San Diego to local residents.
Norton said she planned to continue the popular dance events.
“We literally sat down together and he said ‘the Farm Truck Barn Dance is a legacy I’d like to leave behind, and hopefully it will continue long after I’m gone,’ and I take great responsibility to make sure that happens,” Norton said.
This year’s event will feature Farm Truck performing in Fischer’s absence, along with Dolly’s Revenge, The Bastards, Sara Petite and Stacy Antonel on the main stage, while various artists will be performing many of Fischer’s songs on an acoustic stage between sets.
“Craig always got so much enjoyment from watching other people cover his songs; it’s really important to me to make sure his music lives on,” Norton said.
Doors open at 4 p.m., while the show begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. VIP tables for four include special souvenirs and can be purchased for $150. Visit: tinyurl.com/haybarndance for ticket information.
The next Barn Dance will be held Oct. 10.