Volume 28 • Number 6 INSIDE THIS ISSUE! November • December Music Theory & Matt Snook, The Mighty Chickweed, 2008 Macaroons & Yodelin’! Bluegrass Expresswww.oregonbluegrass.org

By Matt Snook Duane Boyer: Part One of Two An Interview With Eastern Oregon’s Professor Of Bluegrass

Duane Boyer has spent his life working the family ranch and playing bluegrass music. I guess it’s not a bad life, because he doesn’t seem to be looking for a change anytime soon. Born to a rancher and a schoolteacher in the house he still calls home, Duane learned music from the local radio stations and from his mother, a well-known fiddler at local dances. He began playing guitar and his favorite, the banjo, performing with bands through his high school and college years.

After graduation from Eastern Oregon Above: Duane playing bass as a Clinch Mountain Boy. Left to right: Curly Ray Cline, Duane Boyer, Ralph Stanley College he took a part-time job there as and Larry Sparks. a music instructor, and has been active of-July celebration in Haines Oregon, Matt Snook for the Bluegrass First things first - since in playing, teaching and promoting a small town in Baker County near Express: this is for an official Bluegrass bluegrass music in Eastern Oregon the Boyer Ranch at Muddy Creek. He magazine - did you ever meet Bill ever since. Over the years he has and his daughter Holly and son Jason Monroe? shown hundreds of students how to Brandt won the talent show and treated make bluegrass a way of life, inspired the audience to some bluegrass music. Duane Boyer: Yes. We shook- and worked to promote music festivals A few days later they came up to La and-howdy’d several times; when and workshops, brought bluegrass and Grande and we helped them celebrate they played in Pendleton, and then traditional music to the curriculum of Holly’s birthday. Over a dinner of another time down in Portland. barbequed chicken, beans and salad, a regional college, and generally made BE: What year was that? sure that his part of the world knew about with strawberries and homemade DB: The first time was in the the five-string banjo. shortcake for desert, I interviewed Duane to learn his view of bluegrass seventies when he was in Pendleton, Recently Duane played at the Fourth- from the Elkhorn Mountains. and then, oh that was probably

continued on page 6 5th Annual Presented by Two Stages Grammy Winning National Bands Your Favorite A Benefit for Regional Bands Ethos Music Center Workshops Jamming Everywhere January 9, 10 & 11, 2009 Oregon Convention Center, Portland www.rivercitybluegrass.com Dailey & Vincent

Dailey & Vincent Sierra Hull Ralph Stanley Plus: The Jim Kweskin Jug Band featuring Bill Keith and the Barbeque Orchestra, The Kruger Brothers, J.D. Crowe & The New South, The Whites featuring Jerry Douglas, The Dan Tyminski Band, The Fairfield Four, Longview, Cadillac Sky, Hot Club of Cowtown, Psychograss with Tony Trischka & Darol Anger, Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Tony Furtado Band and more For Ticketing information: (503)282-0877 or order at www.rivercitybluegrass.com For continuing lineup information please visit the website

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 Table of Contents Proud Member of: 5th Annual Presented by November / December 2008 • Volume 28 / Number 6 • Newsletter of the Oregon Bluegrass Association • www.oregonbluegrass.org Two Stages Nov. - Dec. 2008 Vol.28 No. 6 Grammy Winning This Issues Features www.oregonbluegrass.org National Bands Duane Boyer: An Intimate Interview 1 by Matt Snook Bluegrass Express Your Favorite A Benefit for Being Colby Buswell 9 Bluegrass Express is a bi-monthly Regional Bands by Claire Levine Ethos Music Center newsletter dedicated to informing Workshops Modal Minor Mess-up 18 members of the Oregon Bluegrass by Matt Snook Jamming Association about local, regional Yodelin’- The Other High Lonesome Sound 21 Everywhere by Larry B. Wilder and national bluegrass issues, events and opportunities. The Cover: Chickweed; not just a medicinal Columns & Commentary plant. Story on page 12. photo Aaron Hewitt Membership & Ad Information 4 Bluegrass Express Staff OBA President’s Letter 5 Publisher and Editors A Recipe From the Cookie Lady 11 Colby Buswell January 9, 10 & 11, 2009 by Fern Anderson (503) 334-6806 | [email protected] Oregon Convention Center, Portland Chickweed: A New Tradtion 12 Christine Palmer by Claire Levine (503) 282-0877 | [email protected] RiverCity Gets Set For Year Five 20 Contributing Editor www.rivercitybluegrass.com by Chris Palmer Claire Levine Sound Advice 22 The Cookie Lady: Fern Anderson let’s us in [email protected] on a festival favorite. Recipe on page 11. Dailey & by Mark Gensman Copy Editor Sharp or Flatt? 24 Kathy Boyd Vincent by Chick Rose [email protected] Calendars, Lists & Info Webmaster & Web Content Tony McCormick Radio Time Listings 5 (503) 330-2239 | [email protected] What’s Cooking? Pull-Out Calendar 14 Advertising Dailey & Vincent Colby Buswell Scheduled Jams Around the Northwest 16 (503) 334-6806 | [email protected] Supporting Performer Listings 26 Sierra Hull Meet Colby Buswell. Interview on page 9. Calendar Ralph Stanley Chip Russell (503) 239-6599 | [email protected] Plus: The Jim Kweskin Jug Band featuring Bill Keith and the Barbeque Orchestra, Contact the OBA Regarding membership The Kruger Brothers, J.D. Crowe & The New South, The Whites featuring Jerry Douglas, at [email protected] The Dan Tyminski Band, The Fairfield Four, Longview, Cadillac Sky, Hot Club of Cowtown, The Oregon Bluegrass Association (OBA) Psychograss with Tony Trischka & Darol Anger, Robin & Linda Williams and PO Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207 is a 503(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1982. It’s pur- Their Fine Group, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Tony Furtado Band and more pose is to promote, encourage, foster and cultivate the preservation, appreciation, understanding, For Ticketing information: (503)282-0877 or order at www.rivercitybluegrass.com Get some more lessons with Matt Snook as he takes you through the Modal Minor Mess Up. Starts on page 18. enjoyment, support and performance of bluegrass and other closely related music. For continuing lineup information please visit the website The Bluegrass Express is printed on 30% post-consumer Visit www.oregonbluegrass.org today for tons of bluegrass information. recycled paper.

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008  Oregon Bluegrass Association Board

Membership Information Advertising The OBA Board of Directors invites Your Express advertising will di- you to join the OBA and to participate rectly reach over 600 households of The OBA Board in its many activities. Our member- bluegrass enthusiasts while helping Contact the OBA: 503 321-5077 ship benefits include a subscription OBA to keep publishing this valuable to the bi •monthly Bluegrass Express, resource. Tear sheets or extra copies of www.oregonbluegrass.org frequent mailings about events, and the Express are available. We appreci- ticket discounts to Northwest blue- ate your support of the Oregon Blue- Chip Russell - President grass events. Annual membership dues grass Association. [email protected] are $20 for a General Member, $50 for Supporting Performers and $100 for Submissions Colby Buswell - Vice President a Contributing Business Sponsor (see [email protected] Please contact Colby Buswell via page 7), as well as other options. To e-mail at [email protected] join, complete the application on the David Hausner - Treasurer for information about placing an ad [email protected] back cover and mail with your check for your music related business in the to: Oregon Bluegrass Association, OBA Bluegrass Express. Larry Wilder - Secretary P.O. Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207. [email protected] Payment Web Site Lisa Remmer - Membership The OBA prefers to receive adver- [email protected] Features include a calendar, excerpts tising payment in advance. We would from the current issue of the Express, like one year contracts six months in and links for local bands. Come visit Volunteer Coordinators advance, and we will bill for the next us online! Visit the OBA web page to- six months. Chris Standridge day! www.oregonbluegrass.org. Please make checks payable to: [email protected] The Oregon Bluegrass Association, Sponsored Jams Holly Wyman mail to PO Box 1115, [email protected] The OBA sponsors jam sessions in Portland, Oregon 97207. Portland, Coburg, Roseburg, as well as Pendleton. Check the Scheduled Members at Large Bluegrass Express Advertising Rates Jams section of this issue for a com- Fred Coates plete listing of these and other jams [email protected] throughout Oregon. If you are inter- (size) (dimension) (two + issues) ested in organizing an OBA-spon- Matt Snook sored jam, contact any of the Board [email protected] members or Express Staff at the phone Full Page 8x10” $110.00 $99.00 Cleve Friedman numbers or e-mail addresses listed on Half Page 8x5’’ $65.00 $58.00 [email protected] this page and on page 3. Quarter Page 5/8x5’’ $45.00 $40.00 Tony McCormick [email protected] Articles & Editorial Deadlines Eighth Page 1/2x2 5/8’’ $25.00 $20.00

The OBA Board invites you to submit Business Card 1/2x2’’ $25.00 $20.00 letters, stories, photos and articles to the Bluegrass Express. Published files Add 3% for late payment. remain in our archives and art is re- The OBA holds board elections each April as turned upon request. Deadlines for individual terms expire. The Board of Direc- all art and copy: December 1st for the Ad Specs: tors invites you to join our monthly meetings. January and February issue; Febru- When submitting an advertisement We welcome your visit and ideas, opinions and st proposals. Or, just come to see what we’re do- ary 1 , for the March and April issue; to be in the Bluegrass Express, please st ing! We generally meet the second Tuesday of April 1 for the May and June issue; be sure the file is black and white, 300 st each month at 7:30 p.m. The location is subject June 1 for the July and August is- dpi, and in either PDF, TIFF, or JPEG st to change. Call us or email any board member sue; August 1 for the September and format. If you have questions about st for time, location and directions. October issue; and October 1 for the your file, email: Colby Buswell at November and December issue. [email protected]

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008  From the President What’s Playing on the Radio? Local Radio Bluegrass and Country Listings. Howdy All, Albany/Corvallis-KBOO, This issue of the Express fnds us all moving into the “liquid sunshine” part of our Broadcast from Portland, can be heard year. Do you have all of the summer festival gear packed away, waiting anxiously for at 100.7 FM. See under Portland, below. next year? I sure hope that you all had fun and were able to get out to some of the great Astoria-KMUN, 91.9 FM. local festivals. But don’t forget that the music that we love doesn’t stop for the winter. Some syndicated programming. In fact, we’ve got two great OBA fundraising shows lined up before the holidays. On 503 325-0010. November 20th, at the Bagdad Theater in Portland, we’ve a dual beneft show – the “Café Vaquera,” Willamette Riverkeepers and the OBA present an evening with Mary Flower, Misty Tuesdays 9-11pm, Bluegrass/Old Timey Mamas, and Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars. Proceeds beneft the environment Western/ Folk with Calamity Jane. via the Willamette Riverkeepers and the OBA – two great causes in one night (see the [email protected]. “Shady Grove,” ad on p.15). On December 20th, at the Alberta Street Pub in Portland, we’ll be doing a Saturdays 7 - 9pm. Regular folk program. pre-holiday OBA fundraising show, as well (watch our website for more details www. Monday thru Friday 10am - noon, with oregonbluegrass.org). Not to mention, we are blessed with one of the great West Coast bluegrass included. bluegrass festivals right here in Oregon; The River City Bluegrass Festival. The second Columbia Gorge-KBOO, weekend of January will fnd Dr. Ralph Stanley, J.D. Crowe and the New South, and broadcast from Portland, can be heard many, many others coming to the Oregon Convention Center. You can fnd more info at 92.7 FM. See under Portland, below. right here in this issue. 503 231-8187. And, if you are more into old-time stringband music, don’t forget the Portland Old- Corvallis-KOAC, 550 AM, Syndicated public radio with some blue- Time Music Gathering the 3rd weekend in January. Our home has become known all grass included in regular programming. over the country for the diversity of the acoustic music scene, and Bill Martin, Caroline 541 737-4311. Oakley, and the whole old-time community are a big reason why. Check out this festi- Eugene-KLCC, 89.7 FM, val at www.bubbaguitar.com/festival. Local broadcast. 541 726-2224. And certainly don’t forget the Annual Sonny Hammond Memorial Gospel Show will Mixed format, “Saturday Café”, be held in January again in 2009 (see our ad on p. 8). This year’s lineup will include Saturdays 11am - Noon and “The Backporch”, Corral Creek Connection, Dewgrass, and Small Town. The venerable Bill Jolliff will Saturdays 9pm - 10pm. be there to emcee, and keep the rest of us out of trouble. You won’t want to miss this show! More details are on page 8 of this issue. Eugene-KRVM, 91.9 FM, “Routes & Branches” 3 - 5pm, Here’s wishing you all a happy holiday season. And, please, get out and support your “Acoustic Junction” 5 - 7pm, Saturdays, local bluegrass musicians this winter when they will be moving back into the local plays bluegrass along w/ other acoustic music. clubs to keep out of the rain. “Miles of Bluegrass” is 7 - 9pm, Mondays. www.krvm.org 541 687-3370. Pendleton-KWHT, 103.5 FM, Uncle Chippy “Bushels of Bluegrass”, Sundays 9 - 11pm. contact Phil Hodgen 541 276-2476. Portland-KBOO, 90.7 FM, “Music from the True Vine,” Saturdays 9am - Noon. Other folk programs also include bluegrass. 607 Washington St. 503 231-8187. Oregon City, Or. 97045 (503)656-5323 Stayton-KENC, AM 1620, “Into The Blue” Fridays 9:30am to 12:30 pm Saturday noon till 3:00pm Store Hours : 9:30 to Phil Nusbaums “Bluegrass Review” 5:30pm Mon - Fri except Thursdays from noon to 1pm Thursdays, open til 7:00 • Saturday from 3 to 4pm... We broadcast 24/7 Sat 9:30 to 5pm and have bluegrass and old country classics throughout our broadcast day and play lots of NW bluegrass artists.www.kencradio.com 503-769-KENC or [email protected]

607 Washington St. Oregon City, Or. 97045 (503)656-5323 OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008  Store Hours : 9:30 to 5:30pm Mon - Fri except Thursdays, open til 7:00 • Sat 9:30 to 5pm Cover Story continued from page 1 Duane Boyer: An Interview With Eastern Oregon’s Professor Of Bluegrass the early eighties when he was in tune repertoire. So I heard a lot of that Quality” board and neck, and Joe Portland. He was at Wintergrass the as I was growing up. Not her brothers, Spence finished putting it all together. last time I saw him. I actually thought because the brother who played banjo That was in 2006. So it has the same he was better then than he had been had moved away by the time I was inlay pattern and everything as it did at the show in Portland in the eighties old enough to really remember or then. because he had finally relented and appreciate that. So I didn’t really ever BE: Did you ever sell an instrument they had lowered the keys… hear him. and wish you hadn’t? BE: So that he could reach the notes? BE: So who was the first banjo player DB: Actually you wouldn’t have to DB: Mm-hmm. They had lowered you did see play? add the last part of that - I’ve never them to Bb and A… DB: Live? Oh, I’d seen two or three sold one (laughs)! BE: But that wasn’t until the seventies. local or regional people… There was HB: I thought you did and you got it So obviously it wasn’t seeing him that a fellow from Idaho, they came over back! got you started in bluegrass. and played in Baker one time, and he was the first person I’d heard live. But DB: I sold my first guitar, and later DB: No. Actually the local radio station I had seen the Dillards on the Andy traded for it and got it back. I did sell – KBKR which is now part of the Griffith show, and then I saw Flatt & a cheap mandolin one time – well, I KBKR/KLBM – they used to play the Scruggs in Portland – so he (Scruggs) traded it in on a guitar. So (laughs) I’ve original recording with Arthur Smith would have been the first person I not sold one and regretted it (laughs)! and Don Reno, I think they called it saw that anybody had actually heard BE: So you saw the Dillards and folks “Feudin’ Banjos.” They really played of. That would have been in the mid- like that on the TV, Flatt & Scruggs it fairly regularly for years. sixties. They did a concert with Homer live. How did you learn Scruggs style? BE: That was back in the sixties? & Jethro. Homer & Jethro were That’s hard to get just watching a TV! DB: No, that was back in the fifties incredibly good and Flatt & Scruggs BE: By slowing the albums down to when it first came out or not too long looked incredibly bored… It was not 16 2/3, over and over and over again. after. That was on regular airplay or too long before they broke up. That They were 33’s so they were slowed regular rotation, and then there was was ’66 when I saw them, and I think down to half, and then I even taped a plectrum banjo player that played they broke up the next year. some of them onto a reel-to-reel and Silver Bells that they played regularly. BE: What banjo are you playing then I’d slow them down again. They And I liked the sound of the banjo, so today? were getting pretty growly, but I could I was always listening for that. Holly Boyer: A 1934 Gibson Flathead sort out some things, and once you’ve BE: That’s the Silver Bells… PB-3 converted… sorted out some licks then you start recognizing “aha, he’s doing this.” DB: The old traditional fiddle tune, DB: It was originally a PB-3. BE: But there were no books, since not the (singing) “Silver Bells, Silver BE: Who made the neck on it? Bells, it’s Christmas time”. And it was the Scruggs book didn’t come out done on banjo – I heard that a lot and I HB: Joe Spence. until ‘68… really liked that. BE: When was that? DB: No. BE: Your folks didn’t play bluegrass, DB: I had made a neck for it that had BE: How about the Pete Seeger book, but they played? ‘Hearts and Flowers’ and an ebony when was that? DB: My Mom played old-time. She board - sort of a pseudo-upgrade. But DB: It was earlier… I had a copy of it, played fiddle. She and her brothers I decided here about three or four but I actually never learned anything had a band – fiddle, banjo and guitar years ago that I’d convert it back to out of it. I looked at two or three of – and they used to play for dances the way it had been only with a fifth the things, and I think I even had the around Union County when they were string – same inlays with a Brazilian record, but I didn’t like the songs. teenagers. She just did a standard fiddle Rosewood board. It was a “First They weren’t songs that I wanted to

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008  Duane Boyer: Continued learn, so I didn’t bother (laughs). BE: So was he part of your first play for various events: school talent BE: So do you have a slow-downer or band? shows, entertainment for luncheons anything on your PC that you like to DB: Well, more or less. He and I did and things like that. use? a duo for a year, and then that next BE: So you were in the BMCWB DB: Yeah, actually not too long ago… year we added a bass player and did and at the same time part of the There was a Sonny Osborne lick that some as a trio. We ended up with a Ambassadors? he used back in the mid-sixties on a five-piece band eventually. It was DB: Yeah. Actually most everybody song or two, and we did those songs Lynn and Terry Prohaska; she played who was in the bluegrass band was in that group that the college used to bass, Terry played guitar and then Bob also in the Ambassadors. We did high sponsor - the Ambassadors - anyway Peacock was going to school up there. school assemblies basically, and when we did a couple of Osborne Brothers He was playing violin and had done we did a show we would do probably tunes and there was this one lick that some fiddling so he played fiddle, and 12-15 minutes of bluegrass. Ron was playing mandolin. he did that I always thought was really BE: And the Ambassadors was an neat. So here not long ago I thought BE: What was that band called? official ensemble of the college? ‘gee I ought to learn that,’ so I used the DB: That was the Blue Mountain DB: Yeah. It was sponsored by the slow-downer – (laughs) forty years Crested Wheatgrass Boys (laughs). later! – and “ah, that’s what he did!” college foundation and its goal was to Ron’s dad came up with that name. His recruit students. BE: How long was it before you began dad worked with the timber industry playing ‘out of the back room?’ and they would go in and reseed after BE: So your entire band was part of they had logged - with grass seed - and the Ambassadors, how big was that DB: Oh, probably like a year and ensemble? a half or so, I had figured out a few the Blue Mountain Crested Wheatgrass tunes. Well I got to watch the Dillards was one of the grasses they used a lot DB: There were usually 10-12 people, play some of those songs, and I taped of so… (laughs). and we just did more or less a musical them on audio tape and I learned those BE: Were you in school at that time? variety show. We would do tunes like songs – those were some of the first Killing Me Softly and Proud Mary. I DB: Yeah. I had played with Rick played guitar, played electric bass on songs I learned. They wanted me to Winter prior to that. He played banjo come down and play for a freshman some things, played the flute on a tune and I played guitar and then Tony or two. orientation picnic here at the college. Marks played bass. We did a few We were out at Riverside Park, and things here, I don’t know, for a couple BE: Didn’t the pedal steel come in there was this kid sitting across from of terms; then he went into the Navy. around then? me and he asked what I was doing DB: No, that was later because the there. I told him and he said “Oh man, BE: So it was mostly after you had started college? country band we formed also had I really like that stuff!” I said “Well, I a bunch of people who had been don’t have anybody to play guitar for DB: Yeah. I had folk groups in high Ambassadors at some point. It was me.” He said he played guitar, and I school. I just played guitar and we did (Jimmy) Lloyd Rea and a guy named asked if he wanted to play guitar for Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary Jerry Bannon and I and Stan Pynch who me. Well that was Ron (Emmons). songs. It was usually just a guitar or had drummed with the Ambassadors So we went back behind the building two and a bass. The orchestra director and he drummed with us. After he and worked out the three or so songs there at school was very encouraging left another kid who had drummed I was going to play, then we went out of anybody wanting to do any kind of with the Ambassadors, Andy Gilbert, and played them – that was the fall of music, so he’d let us use the bass. I played drums. We had two or three ’66. So we started playing all the time. had figured out how to play bass, so I guitar players, but it ended up Hugh He lived in La Grande, and I’d come taught two or three people how to play McClellan played guitar, and he had down to his house and we’d sit and bass there in high school. We would been in the Ambassadors. figure out tunes. continued on page 25

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008  Oregon Bluegrass Association - Bluegrass Express Contributing Business Sponsors

Gwen Petersen, GRI, CRB - Prudential Real Estate Professionals (503) 769-3448 - 1151 First St. Stayton, Oregon 97383 Joe Corder Drywall, Inc. (503) 738-8192 - P.O. Box 862, Seaside, Oregon, 97138, CCB#46802 Palmer Wirfs & Associates (503) 282-0877 - http://www.palmerwirfs.com

Richard Siewert, GRI - Owner/Broker, Northwest Classic Properties 1-800-440-8301 - 2265 Country Club Rd. Woodburn, Oregon 97071

Add your business name to this list: If you are a bluegrass-friendly non-music related business and would like to actively promote your business by being an OBA supporting partner - now you can, as a Contributing Business Sponsor. A non-music related business cannot advertise with the OBA, but a Contrib- uting Business Sponsor can get the recognition and promotional benefits of underwriter-style sponsorship. For $100 annually, your OBA supporting business gets all member benefits - plus a year of promotional print and announcement recognition at OBA-sponsored shows and promotions, as well as a prominent listing in the Bluegrass Express. For more information please contact Lisa Remmer by email at [email protected]

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008  Being Colby Buswell By Claire Levine

Colby Buswell is the Vice President of All the while, my stepfather was listening KBOO promoting its Pickathon weekend. the Oregon Bluegrass Association and to country, which I at frst detested, but I was thrilled that something like this a Managing Editor of the Express. He when Jim Croce, Johnny Cash, Bob was happening locally and literally drove spends countless hours staffing OBA Dylan and Harry Chapin crept into the right to the festival, spent the day/night - booths at events and festivals to promote mix it instantly expanded my horizons much to the dismay of my dog’s bladder - the organization. Read Colby’s eloquent and appreciation. I became an avid fan of absorbing a bunch of bands, many of them words about his dedication to the cause more acoustic bands, albeit plugged in. local and some of them bluegrass, too. Tell us a little about yourself. Mainstream bands that chose to From there it progressed to seeking out incorporate classic acoustic instruments the local bluegrass shows at venues like Most of my youth was spent in Herndon, drew me in. Early Dave Matthews Band Alberta Street Pub, Laurelthurst and VA, part of the Northern Virginia suburbs started the heavy leanings toward where more. Catching bands like the Josh Cole of Washington DC. I went to James my tastes lie today. David Gray led me Band, Flat Mountain Girls, Cross-Eyed Madison University and graduated with toward a deeper delve into Dylan, leading Rosie and Chickweed became part of my an English degree with a Creative Writing me to Woody Guthrie, then Smithsonian monthly routine. concentration and a Psychology minor. Folkways recordings. In the fall of 2007, I found myself at My summers were spent with both sets There was also the Grateful Dead, Garcia/ the White Eagle for an Oregon Bluegrass of grandparents here in Oregon. They had Grisman, Old and in the Way influence. Association fundraiser featuring farms, raised sheep, and large plentiful Somewhere in there, I started pursuing Chickweed and the Josh Cole Band. I just gardens. The time spent exploring their Alt Country bands and Americana went up to the front table and told them I acreage surrounded by trees, enjoying the fnding Wilco and more importantly its was interested in volunteering. Chip and dry (sans humidity, not sans rain) air, and predecessor Uncle Tupelo who covered Holly said the frst opportunity would be just literally greener landscape seemed to tunes by the Carter Family, Leadbelly, and RiverCity in January. So, I bought a ticket cinch Oregon as my eventual home. many traditionals. In fact, Uncle Tupelo’s and put my name in the hat to help at the I am a strong proponent of following ‘March 16-20, 1992’ pretty much did it for OBA booth. From there I was invited one’s heart, and Oregon captured mine at me. to attend the next board meeting with a an early age. It took me thirty years to get We all have a yearning, have explored strong nudge from Chip. here by way of Florida and California, but some sense of the ‘depths’, and in some Josh Cole and all the folks involved were Portland, OR is where I landed. way seek out the redemption (whatever great people. I had spent a year going to My paid living comes from managing your defnition) that weaves its way local bluegrass shows, witnessing the a large corporate retail bookstore in throughout most of bluegrass. From there, community and people that were involved, Vancouver, WA. The books and the people bluegrass became inevitable. and the obvious camaraderie therein and I work with are the saving grace. My path speaks strongly toward the thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I What drew you to bluegrass? merit of contemporary bands and what wanted to give back and help grow the bluegrass community. Growing up in Virginia, you couldn’t they can do for bluegrass even if they are help but know a little about bluegrass. electric, but might have a mandolin, violin What motivates you to volunteer so That is not to say that I grew up listening, player, or even pull out a banjo for a few much time with the organization? learning, and only enjoying bluegrass. My songs or tracks. It bends the ear, sparks the I see the OBA as a community and enjoy music appreciation has always been vast attraction, and causes folks to chase more how welcome it has made me and makes and encompasses a truly wide range of songs involving those classic bluegrass others feel. The pickin’ and jammin’ artists. instruments and leads them toward their mentality of “come on in and play a few roots and eventually bluegrass itself. My emphasis and love has always been songs” says a great deal about those lyrics and trying to interpret what the artist How/why did you get involved in the involved. It is the instruments, the sharing has to say. I listened to the typical rock and OBA? of songs, and the teaching of tradition that roll bands growing up, fnding classic rock I stumbled into the Portland bluegrass I enjoy most and that is such a strong part (Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac were scene, quite literally, in 2006. While of the bluegrass culture. strong favorites in that day) to be the frst turning channels on the radio, I stopped What I see is tremendous potential. I see niche of choice. I had little interest in the on some live bluegrass. Turns out it was the OBA becoming an even larger channel pop music scene. continued on page 10

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008  Being Colby Buswell Continued

Making that happen: A non-proft more board members with the same drive, lives only through its volunteer base, then instill that into our membership and membership and donations. We have no drum up some volunteering that will make shortage of ideas provided by members, concepts a reality, we’ll have a tremendous let alone board members, but without organization on our hands that’s as member involvement they can only be influential and interactive as the California taken so far. So, if we could take the strong Bluegrass Association and more. energy of the current board, bring on a few

Colby Buswell at one of the many bluegrass events he attends. Here in Telluride, Colorado. for local bluegrass, kind of a promoting reverse funnel, pushing bands and events forward while broadening the bluegrass community through the involvement and beneft of the local communities. What would you like to see the organization do, and what do you think you and other members can do to make that happen? Bigger events that involve local communities, beneft local communities, but also happen to be bluegrass laden and help foster and grow bluegrass throughout Oregon while bringing us all together. The events would move to different areas of the state, highlight local bands from those areas and maybe have a national band, too. We would partner with the local community in that area of the state and the event would beneft them as much as the OBA, if not raise funds for a community chosen cause – even several. Our times are leaning toward more local community involvement and local choices which I think plays hand in hand with the bluegrass process and the “come on out and jam” mentality.

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 10 Recipes from the Cookie Lady WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Macaroons by Fern Anderson 5 C. flaked coconut 1 ⁄4 t. salt This cookie is just about the most favorite at bluegrass festivals. 2 ⁄3 C. flour 1 can sweetened condensed milk Of all the cookies I make, it is also about the most expensive per cookie (I always use Eagle Brand) to manufacture, so be aware of that. 2 t. vanilla (I use Watkins white vanilla) 1 C. chocolate mini-morsels Line cookie sheets with foil; spray generously with Pam. Assemble ingredients (optional) in the order given. The amount of vanilla needed will vary some with the dryness of the coconut. Drop by teaspoonfuls on Pam’d foil cookie sheets; no need to leave space between cookies - they don’t expand. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes; bake 12 minutes if mini-morsels are added. Let cookies cool completely (about 1/2 hour) before removing from pan. Makes about 3 dozen, depending on how big the teaspoonfuls are. Chip Russel swoops in on The Cookie Lady, Fern Anderson, at this years Stevenson Festival.

22nd Annual BLYTHE BLUEGRASS FESTI VAL

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OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 11 Chickweed: A New Tradition by Claire Levine

Chickweed: A low, inconspicuous, European annual 3 to 8 inches tall. Tiny white flowers 1/8 inch across, with 5 petals so deeply cleft they look like 10, distinguish chickweed from other plants If the medicinal herb Chickweed is inconspicuous, it’s possible that the Chickweed band might have named itself after the wrong plant. There’s nothing inconspicuous about them. And they’re not your typical bluegrass band, either. First, there are no guys in it. Second, they’ve got attitude. But -- they are passionate about bluegrass Not your typical bluegrass band: Chickweed is Finn Fox, Holly Wyman, & Abby Downs. photo: Aaron Hewitt and about music. And they proudly announce that Bill Monroe is their primary getting hooked on bluegrass. 2006, they were jamming at Wintergrass influence. The next step was a visit to Georgia, and met Holly Wyman playing the bass. Chickweed is Abby Downs, Finn Fox and where she fell in love with a friend’s Something clicked. Holly Wyman (who’s also an OBA board mandolin. When she returned to Portland, Returning to Portland, they started member and volunteer coordinator). she was obsessed. playing together, and within six months, Abby is the lead vocalist who writes a Once she acquired her own instrument, they were performing as Chickweed. lot of the band’s music and, until recently, she was hooked. She took lessons for While they love the traditional stuff, they was known for her red guitar. (Has she sold about six months from Portland monster are able to add original and contemporary out? She now has a traditional Martin.) musician Lex Browning, who, she said, music to their repertoire. In college, Holly provides the solid bass rhythm, and “taught me how to make music.” Then – Abby had been in an eclectic musical Finn plays mandolin and sings tenor. now doesn’t this sound like the bluegrass ensemble and had written her own music. way – Finn built a cabin in the rainforest She now applies her songwriting talent to This group of young women is making its specifcally to dedicate herself to practice. bluegrass. mark across the Northwest, and they may “I would sit down for hours and hours be one of the busiest bands around. They “Putting a concept to a bluegrass melody listening to and rewinding Bill Monroe hit the festival circuit this summer and really helps defne a song,” Abby said. In tapes.” fall, closing out the season with Birdfest a way, the formal structure makes it easier in Ridgefeld, Wash. on Oct. 11. They’re Abby had moved to Oregon from Ohio, than writing in a more freewheeling style booked throughout the end of 2008 in and she got interested in bluegrass by of music. Portland area venues ranging from the listening to local bands. “That’s what The Chickweed clan has boundless Rock Creek Tavern to the White Eagle and turned me on to it, and then I got educated enthusiasm, not only when it comes to Mississippi Pizza. about the originals.” Finn introduced her music, but about the bluegrass community, to Bill Monroe, and Abby also credits Del How did this happen? as well. “Everyone’s so welcoming, McCoury and Old & In the Way for her humorous, adventurous. I’ve learned so Blame it on Finn. Her grandfather called inspiration. much just in the last two years. I can’t square dances. Her dad played guitar and It happened one night – at Wintergrass wait to see how much more I’ll know in her brother played fddle. And like many another 10.” who grow up in a family with a particular Finn and Abby knew each other from calling, she tried to ignore it. But when Portland. (We started meeting up at the You can learn more about Chickweed by she moved to Portland from Buffalo, Happy Hour at the Laurelthurst when visiting their MySpace page (myspace. N.Y. KBOO’s Music from the True Vine Jackstraw was playing, and we’d end up com/chickweedmusic) and contact the sent her subliminal messages. She started jamming all night.) Then, in February of band at [email protected].

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OBA Bluegrass Express - September / October 2008 13 What’s Cooking? Pull-Out Calendar Upcoming Bluegrass Concerts & Festivals

Saturday, Nov. 8th Whiskey Puppy Cannon Beach History Center November Ida Viper Cannon Beach, OR, 7:30 PM Rock Creek Tavern Bluegrass Music www.whiskeypuppy.com 10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR 9:00 PM, FREE www.idaviper.com Conjugal Visitors Saturday, Nov. 1st www.mcmenamins.com/ Café Mundo Whiskey Puppy 711 NW 2nd Court, Newport, OR, 8:00 PM Coney Island Cartel Sunday, Nov. 9th www.myspace.com/conjugalvisitors Alberta Street Public House Ida Viper 1036 NE Alberta St. Portland, OR, 9 PM Friday, Nov. 21st Green Dragon Bistro www.whiskeypuppy.com 909 SE Yamhill St, Portland, OR, 3 PM Green Mountain Bluegrass www.myspace.com/albertastreetpub www.idaviper.com Drain Performing Arts Center,Drain OR, 7:30 PM Chickweed www.pdxgreenbistro.com www.greenmountainbluegrassband.com Kay’s Bar 6903 SE Milwaukie Blvd Saturday, Nov. 15th Saturday, Nov. 22nd Portland, OR 97202 Misty Mamas Misty Mamas www.myspace.com/chickweedmusic Gresham Little Theater St. John’s Christian Church 30639 SE Bluff Road, Gresham, OR, 8044 N. Richmond Avenue, Portland, OR, Tuesday, Nov. 4th 7:00 PM, $6 7:00 PM, Free. Lost Creek www.mistymamas.com www.mistymamas.com Lucky Lab Pub www.greshamlittletheater.org 1945 NW Quimby, Portland, OR, 6-9 PM Free Sunday, Nov. 23rd Whiskey Puppy www.lostcreekmusic.com Chickweed Lee Highway www.luckylab.com Mississippi Pizza Pub Sam Bond’s Garage - 3552 N. Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR, 407 Blair Blvd, Eugene, OR, 8:30 PM Wednesday, Nov. 5th 9:00 PM, $5 www.leehighway.net Emmons Sisters www.whiskeypuppy.com www.sambonds.com Canyonville Christian Academy Conjugal Visitors Wednesday, Nov. 26th Canyonville, OR, 10:20 AM Alberta Street Public House www.theemmonssisters.com 1036 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR, 9:00 PM Jackstraw www.myspace.com/conjugalvisitors Goodfoot Lounge - Friday, Nov. 7th www.myspace.com/albertastreetpub 2845 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR, 9:30 PM, $5 Green Mountain Bluegrass www.jackstraw.net Harlequin Beads & Jewelry Sunday, Nov. 16th www.thegoodfoot.com 1027 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR, 5:00 PM Chickweed Friday, Nov. 28th www.greenmountainbluegrassband.com Green Dragon Brewpub Fiddlegrass 928 SE 9th, Portland, Oregon Kathleen & Joe Ross Hood River Hotel www.myspace.com/chickweedmusic Henry Estate Winery Hood River, OR, 5:30 PM Hubbard Creek Road, Umpqua, OR, 12-5 PM www.fddlegrass.net Thursday, Nov. 20th For more info, email: [email protected] www.hoodriverhotel.com Misty Mamas Conjugal Visitors Conjugal Visitors Mary Flowers Axe & Fiddle Larry Wilder & The Stumptown Stars John Henry’s 657 East Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR, 8:00 PM And more... Willamette River Keepers 77 W. Broadway, Eugene, OR, 9:00 PM, $5 www.myspace.com/conjugalvisitors and OBA Beneft at The Bagdad Theater www.myspace.com/conjugalvisitors www.axeandfddle.com 3702 SE Hawthorne, Portland, OR, 6:00 PM www.johnhenrysclub.com $20 at door. www.mcmenamins.com/

OBA Bluegrass Express - September / October 2008 14 What’s Cooking? Pull-Out Calendar What’s Cooking? Pull-Out Calendar Upcoming Bluegrass Concerts & Festivals Upcoming Bluegrass Concerts & Festivals

Saturday, Nov. 29th Clampitt Family Saturday, January 31st White Eagle Saloon Pagan Jug Band OBA Gospel Show Benefit 836 N. Russell Street, Portland, OR 9:30 PM Skyway Bar and Grill Central Bible Church www.myspace.com/clampittfamily 71545 E Hwy 26, Zigzag, OR, 9:00 PM, $5 8825 SE Glisan St., Portland, OR 97220, 7 PM www.paganjugband.com Saturday, Dec. 13th Featuring Corral Creek Connection, Dewgrass, www.skywaybarandgrill.com Small Town. Members $12, Non-Members $15 Jackstraw Pre-order online at www.oregonbluegrass.org Clampitt Family Skyway Bar and Grill Mississippi Pizza Pub 71545 E Hwy 26, Zigzag, OR, 8 PM February 19th - 22nd, 2009 3552 N. Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 9:00 PM, $5 www.jackstraw.net www.myspace.com/clampittfamily Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival www.skywaybarandgrill.com Hotel Murano, Tacoma, WA Conjugal Visitors Whiskey Puppy Mike Marshall & Big Trio, Laurie Lewis and the Chickweed Alberta Street Pub Right Hands, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, White Eagle Saloon 1036 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 9:30PM, $5 The SteelDrivers, Alison Brown & Joe Craven, Tony 836 N. Russell Street, Portland, OR 9:00 PM www.whiskeypuppy.com Trischka Territory, Adrienne Young, Blue Highway, www.myspace.com/conjugalvisitors Missy Raines, 3 Ring Circle, The McCoury Boys, www.myspace.com/chickweedmusic Conjugal Visitors Hot Buttered Rum, Scythian, The Isaacs, Bearfoot White Eagle Saloon Bluegrass, Monroe Crossing, New Old Stock, Choro 836 N. Russell Street, Portland, OR 9:00 PM Famoso. www.acousticsound.org (253) 428-8056 December www.myspace.com/conjugalvisitors

Bluegrass Music Saturday, Dec. 20TH

Friday, Dec. 5th OBA Fundraiser presenting... Clampitt Family, Chickweed, and more! Green Mountain Bluegrass Alberta Street Pub Harlequin Beads & Jewelry 1036 NE Alberta St. Portland, OR 1027 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR, 5:00 PM www.oregonbluegrass.org www.greenmountainbluegrassband.com www.myspace.com/clampittfamily www.myspace.com/chickweedmusic ATTENTION BLUEGRASS Emmons Sisters www.myspace.com/albertastreetpub RELATED BUSINESSES First Friday Art Night Evangel Book Store, Grants Pass, OR, 6:00 PM www.theemmonssisters.com ADVERTISE WITH US! Jackstraw Upcoming Talk about a target audience, w/ rates far Bombs Away Cafe Bluegrass Music lower than most publications: 2527 NW Monroe Avenue, Corvallis, OR Full Page 8 x 10” $110.00 $99.00 10:00 PM January 9th – 11th, 2009 www.jackstraw.net Half Page 8 x 5’’ $65.00 $58.00

RiverCity Bluegrass Festival 5 Chickweed Quarter Page 3 ⁄8 x 5’’ $45.00 $40.00

Oregon Convention Center 1 5 Rock Creek Tavern Eighth Page 3 ⁄2 x 2 ⁄8’’ $25.00 $20.00 Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mtn. Boys, Sierra 10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR 1 Hull & Hwy. 111, Dailey & Vincent, Fairfeld Four, Business Card 3 ⁄2 x 2’’ $25.00 $20.00 9:00 PM, FREE (see page 4) Darol Anger, Tony Furtado, The Dan Tyminski www.myspace.com/chickweedmusic Band, Linda & Robin Williams, The Whites Become a Contributing Business Sponsor featuring Jerry Douglas, J.D. Crowe & The New For $100 annually, your OBA supporting business Friday, Dec. 12th gets all member benefits - plus a year of promo- South, Longview, Jim Kweskin featuring Bill Keith tional print and announcement recognition at Ida Viper and The Barbeque Orchestra, The Kruger Brothers, OBA-sponsored shows and promotions, as well Chickweed Psychograss with Tony Trishka plus regional acts, as a prominent listing in the Bluegrass Express. Mississippi Pizza Pub jamming, workshops, and more. (see page 8) 3552 N. Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 9:00 PM www.rivercitybluegrass.com (503)282-0877 www.idaviper.com

OBA Bluegrass Express - September / October 2008 15 Oregon Jams: Jam Listing Updated October 2008 - Always Call First!

Sundays Mondays Fridays

EUGENE AREA (Coburg): PORTLAND: Rambling Bluegrass Jam every Mon- DALLAS: Guthrie Park acoustic music jam, 7:00 p.m. day night all year. See www.ramblingbluegrass.org/ for in- Call Sally Clark (503) 623-0874 - 2nd Sunday of each Coburg Bluegrass Jam formation on location, time, contact, etc. month (November 12th next) Willakenzie Grange, 3055 SCIO: 4th Friday of every month, year ‘round at the Willakenzie Road Eugene, OR Take the Beltline Exit off of LA GRANDE: Slow jam, frst Monday of the month, ZCBJ Hall in downtown Scio. Kids and listeners are encour- I-5. Go West 1 mile to Coburg Road. Turn South for a 1/2 hosted by Richard and Karen Rubicam, 207 Aquarius Way, aged to attend this community sponsored event. Activities mile and turn left onto Willakenzie. The grange is down 2 La Grande, OR 97850. 541-963-7193. and beginners’ jam starts at 7pm, with more advanced jam- blocks. For more info call Joe Cannaday at 541-344-3966 Go to http://mysite.verizon.net/res8aypu/jams for details. ming beginning at 8:30pm. All acoustic. All ages welcome! Bring a munchie to share if you can, but not required. Do- First Sunday of every month Octo- PORTLAND: LA GRANDE: Pickin’ Party, third Monday of the nations accepted to help with the Hall rent and the cost of ber- April: Portland Area OBA jam, 12:30-4:30PM, Portland month, hosted by Richard and Karen Rubicam, 207 Aquari- activities. Contact Starla Becker 503-394-3811 Audubon Center, 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland. Info: us Way, La Grande, OR 97850. 541-963-7193. Audubon 503 292-6855 or [email protected]. Go to http://mysite.verizon.net/res8aypu/jams for details. LEBANON, OR: A new, acoustic jam session, em- phasizing Folk, Bluegrass, and Gospel music will be held on Every Monday at 7pm. Fire On The PORTLAND: the second Friday of the month from 7 to 10 pm, beginning Mountain Bluegrass Jam. 1708 E. Burnside Ave. Contact: Tuesdays May 11th, at the Lebanon Senior Center. Everyone is invited. [email protected]. PORTLAND: Established, open intermediate and Bring your instruments, music, and stands, or just come to advanced Bluegrass only jam at McMenamin’s Rock Creek listen to the music. Bring the whole family and some snacks PORTLAND: Every Sunday Year Round - 2pm - to share. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to ex- 5pm at Nine Muses Acoustic Pub 2715 S.E. Belmont Ave, Tavern on Tuesday. Starts 7:00 PM and runs to 9. The jam is located in Washington County off Germantown Road perts. The Senior Center is the large, red brick building at N. Portland, OR 97214 503/ 236.3848 Portland. All Acoustic, Second and Morton St. (now Tangent St.) near where Hwy All levels, plenty of room for multiple jams! and Cornelius Pass Road. Google 10000 N.W. Old Corne- lius Pass Rd. Hillsboro, OR 97124. Contact jam host Tim 20 and 34 meet. Call 541.451.5716 for information or email [email protected]. PORTLAND: Offkey Easy Bluegrass Jam - Second at [email protected] for info or directions. Easy and Fourth Sunday of every Month - 2 p.m. at Nine Muses Access from Hwy 26 or Hwy 30. We’re closer than you’d Acoustic Pub 2715 S.E. Belmont Ave, Portland, OR 97214 think. Saturdays 503/ 236.3848 Portland. Held in conjunction with the regu- lar jam at 9Muses, Slower pace, music stands OK, we have a EUGENE: Bluegrass jam at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 SNOHOMISH, WA: First Saturday of the month: 40 song book of standard tunes we can refer to! Blair Blvd, Eugene. Every frst and third Tuesday 9:00 pm Maltby Bluegrass Jam, 2:00 p.m. to midnight at Maltby Hosted by Randy: [email protected] and Tony: - 1:00 am. Established in 1995, the venue of this year round Community Club, 206th St. S.E. & 87th Ave. S.E., Snohom- [email protected] jam offers good food and good micro brews. If you’re pass- ish. Jamming, potluck dinner, stage show and more jam- ing through Eugene on a Tuesday evening, come on by and ming. Call Jan (360) 568-3685, [email protected] OAK GROVE: 2nd Sunday of every month, all- pick some tunes. Hosted by Chuck Holloway & Gary Dun- year round from 2:00 to 6:00pm. All-acoustic jam. The bar. Call 541-431-6603. STAYTON, OR: Second Saturday of the month: jam location is at the Grange hall across the street from the Cartwright’s Music and Repair Shop, 429 N. 3rd. Ave. Stay- church in Oak Grove, OR. From Hwy 22 between Salem ASHLAND: 2nd Tuesday, Siskiyou Micropub, 31 ton, OR 97383 503-769-2778 October through May mando- and Rickreall, Take Oak Grove Road, or From Hwy 99 W Water Street, Ashland. 7-11 PM. Call 541 535 7001. ju- [email protected] between Rickreall and Amity Take Farmer Road. Farmer [email protected] Road and Oak Grove meet at an intersection near 2000 Oak WINLOCK, WA: Second Saturday of the month: Grove Road. The Grange Hall, Oak Grove Church, and Oak Wednesdays Slow Jam, great for all levels and especially good for to- Grove School just a few feet from this intersection. tal beginners. Jams start at 1PM and are held at the Hope P. O. Box 155, Rickreall, Or 97371-0155, BEAVERTON, OR: Beaverton: First and third Grange in Winlock, Washington. Contact Marv Sobolesky 503-623-2410, [email protected] Wednesday of every Month - 6:30-9:30 p.m. Round Table at 360-785-4932 October through May marv@marvsmusic. Pizza, 10150 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Beaverton, OR com ROSEBURG: 3rd Sunday, Oct.-May, 12 - 5 pm at (just east of 217), [email protected] Evergreen Grange, 5361 Grange, Rd. Take Exit 119 off I-5. DALLAS: Every third Saturday of the month: All gos- Just past the 2nd stop light, turn left on Grange Rd. SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE VALLEY: pel, all acoustic jam, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Guthrie Park in Dal- The Grange is down 1/2 mile on the left. The jam is at the “Axe & Fiddle” (www.axeandfddle.com) las. Call (503) 623-0874 or e-mail [email protected] Call 541-679-0553 or [email protected] . and is located at641 East Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR. The jam is EVERY Wednesday night from 7:30 10:30. It is TACOMA, WA: Fourth Saturday, noon-5:30 pm TILLAMOOK: frst Sunday of every month. We an acoustic bluegrass jam open to all levels of musicianship. jam, Carpenters Hall, 1322 S. Fawcett. have a great classroom space with a view of the river. When It’s hosted by Chuck Holloway. Contact James Swanson (253) 472-3729 the weather gets nice, we can take it out onto the deck. Lots Contact [email protected] for more info. of visitors love to hear the music too. Hope you can add this CHEHALIS, WA: Chehalis Senior Center next to to your list of goodies. Thanks much! Here is our little write- EUGENE: New Wednesday jam in Eugene at Cosmic the fairgrounds in Chehalis, Washington. First Saturday of up about it: Bluegrass music is a way of celebrating the set- Pizza 7 to 10 P.M. every Wed eve till further notice hosted by each month during the winter, 2 - 9:00 p.m. tlers who composed music about day to day life experiences. Ramblin Robert of KRVM. All ages welcome. For information contact Frances Cramer (360) 736-1595 It reflected life of those living in the hills or mountains. The Tillamook Forest has had its share of settlers and homestead- Thursdays If you have jam updates or additions, please ers and we certainly have our share of mountains. Bring your contact the OBA at PO Box 1115, Portland, OR mandolins, fddles, guitars and banjos nd join in the fun. All BEND: 2nd and 4th Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 97207, or contact Webmaster below ages and abilities are welcome. For directions, check us out the Bend River Mall, Highway 97. Webmaster @ Oregon Bluegrass Association at the website below. Click on “plan a visit”. Directions will Becky Brown and Verda Hinkle 541-318-7341 be in the top left corner. [email protected]. Kristin Babbs Education and Interpretation Program Coordi- nator Tillamook Forest Center 503.815.6804 OREGON CITY: Third Thursday of the month, [email protected] Oct.-June: Wally’s Music, 7:30 p.m., www.tillamookforestcenter.org. 607 Washington Street, Oregon City. Call (503) 656-5323 for information.

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 16 Wintergrass 2009 February 19-22, 2009

The SteeldrivSteeldriversers • Darrell Scott Laurie LLewisewis and the Right Hands

Michael CleClevelandveland and FlamekFlamekeepereeper MikMikee Marshall & Big TTriorio AleAlexx HarHargreavesgreaves & PPaulaul KKowertowert

Alison BroBrownwn QuarQuartettet w/Joe CrCravenaven Missy Raines & the NeNeww Hip Three Ring Circle • The Isaacs The McCMcCouryoury BoBoysys • Choro FFamosoamoso The PPaperboysaperboys BearBearfootfoot • NewNew Old Stock

ScyScythianthian • Monroe Crossing CCodyody BryantBryant Riders of the PPurpleurple SaSagege WidoWidoww MakMakerer • DeDewgrasswgrass • UUrbanrban MMonroesonroes Belle Monroe and Her BreBrewglasswglass BoysBoys Molly & TTenbrooksenbrooks • The TTallboysallboys MarMartintin SteStevensvens & Molly AAdkinsdkins Wintergrass Academy D’Addario/Wintergrass Feb. 18-19, 2009 Youth Academy w/ Ronnie McCoury Feb. 19-20, 2009 Robbie McCoury • Jason Carter w/ Joe Craven, Beth Fortune & more Rob Ickes • Tim Stafford 253-428-8056 www.wintergrass.com OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 17 The Theory of Bluegrass: Modal Minor Messup by Matt Snook

Some time ago, I was watching I was intrigued, because minor keys Not long after that, I was rewriting the band Donner Mountain rip are often assumed to be difficult to my own version of David Grisman’s through a lickety-split version of manage on a banjo. Many players Opus 57 in Gm. I had worked out Lonesome Fiddle Blues as only retune so that they don’t have that a nice break but had used an open a group of teenagers can. It was pesky major 3rd on an open string minor tuning with the B string up tempo, driving, and a definite where a mistake blares out for all tuned down to Bb. It worked well show stopper - the way bluegrass is to hear. Well, Frankie’s playing in providing a smooth melodic line, supposed to be! position doesn’t offer the open but absolutely messed me up for Frankie Nagle did a fine job of minor 3rd like retuning would, but any kind of improvisation. Because turning this fiddle tune into a bona- it does remove the open major 3rd, of the retuning, I couldn’t break fide banjo showpiece, but what and it offers a useful position for away from my well rehearsed and caught my eye as well as my ear playing minor key melodies. Here now rather tired-sounding solo. was her use of a particular fingering is one way to use Frankie’s idea on It was very frustrating, and banjo position on the fretboard. Instead of Lonesome Fiddle Blues. is supposed to be fun. In order to retuning to D minor, or even playing in a standard minor chord position, she had barred at the seventh fret and was using her middle finger to raise the second string up to G. ‘Well, that’s a different approach,’ I thought. She was playing what we banjo players call the ‘modal’ tuning, with the open 3rd raised to the 4th note in the scale.

Figure 1. Frankie Nagle’s base position. The black dots indi- cate a barred seventh fret with the 2nd string fretted on the 8th. The open dots indicate the loca- tions of the other melody notes. regain my improvisation skills, I worked out a way to play it without retuning, and guess what! I ended 1st up using the same base position 2nd Frankie had used with Dm on her tune, only for Gm it is ‘barred’ at 3rd the nut and I used my index finger 4th to fret the 2nd string at the 1st fret. Shown on next page in Figure 2. 5th With this fingering position,

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 18 The Theory of Bluegrass: Continued the tune lays out easily with a Figure 2. The modal fingering position located at the nut. The black combination of melodic and dot indicates permanent fretting of the 2nd string at the first fret. The Scrugg’s style rolls. (You can find open dots indicate the same melodic locations as in the Dm position. one way to do part A of Opus 57 N and Jerusalem Ridge, below, online 1st at oregonbluegrass.org.) 2nd After that I started looking at ways to use this handy fingering position 3rd for other tunes in minor keys. Here 4th is one example, part A of Jerusalem Ridge. Just capo at the 2nd fret and 5th use the Gm fingering position. Since you haven’t retuned, the sections of the tune played over major use it before lunch break is over. tunes, but you can find them on chords are no longer a frustrating Go ahead and try it, you’ll thank the OBA website. Happy picking, mystery! It is very handy, lends me later. and next time I’ll get back to some itself to improvisation, and I’ll bet There isn’t room in this column theory of bluegrass that the non- you can find several other ways to to publish a complete tab for these banjo folks can appreciate as well. -- Matthew Snook

ATTENTION BLUEGRASS FANS & FAMILY!!!

Know a friend, musician or ex- tended family member who’d be interesting in joining the OBA or become a Supporting performer? If so, give him/her/them the ap-

Tickets are $20. Buy online at www.ticketmaster.com plication on the back of your or at McMenamins’ Crystal Ballroom (503) 225-0047. 1332 W. Burnside or at McMenamins’ Bagdad Theater (503) 236-9234. 3702 SE. Hawthorne Blvd. Portland express.Have the NEW member THIS IS AN ALL AGES SHOW write referred by ___ on the ap-

All proceeds benefit the Oregon Bluegrass Association & plication and you’ll get $5.00 off Willamette Riverkeeper’s advocacy, education, and restoration programs that protect the of your upcoming renewal fee! Willamette River

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 19 RiverCity Festival Gets Set For Year Number Five By Chris Palmer

It’s hard to believe that the Festival surprisingly, given her young age, had a chance to hear them, you’re in is turning fve this year. It seems like she’s a gifted writer. for a real treat at RiverCity. not that long ago that Chuck and I were A quick side note about IBMA: I frst This is in addition to Ralph Stanley working many all nighters to give birth met Sierra in the elevator at the hotel in & The Clinch Mountain Boys, to our frst one, not having a clue as to Nashville. She saw my RiverCity shirt Psychograss, which includes Tony what we’d gotten ourselves into. Flash and said ‘Oh, I’m playing in Portland Trischka, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, forward to 2008 as we get ready for next year’. To which I replied ‘Are Todd Phillips & David Grier, The New the 2009 event and we’re still working you Sierra Hull?’ Jim Kweskin Jug Band featuring Bill those hours, but it’s not quite as painful That’s a typical IBMA experience. Keith, Geoff Muldaur and the Barbeque as the frst. This year RiverCity was Everybody immediately looks down Orchestra, Robin & Linda Williams one of three festivals nominated for at your name tag, then explodes into and Their Fine Group (which I also the IBMA’s prestigious Bluegrass conversation; ‘You’re from RiverCity? had the pleasure of hearing at IBMA), Event of the Year award. Despite not I’ve sent you promo packs or I’ve The Fairfeld Four, J.D. Crowe & The taking home the prize, we were quite heard you’re doing good things out New South, Longview, The Whites stunned to even be considered; given there or I’m from Bainbridge Island featuring Jerry Douglas, Cadillac our competition was the esteemed and have come to the festival for the Sky, Hot Club of Cowtown and Bill Grey Fox Festival in New York, last four years’. The IBMA experience Evans. Plus 12 additional bands from which, thanks to A Bluegrass Journey, is truly bonding if you love bluegrass the west coast, which at press time was our model all those years ago. The music. The only minor negative is not had yet to be named. If you’d like to winner, which was the Thomas Point getting enough sleep for a solid week. be informed as those bands are being Beach Festival in Brunswick, Maine, booked, please send an email to info@ The Dan Tyminski Band also was well deserved, this being their rivercitybluegrass.com and we’ll add showcased at IBMA. This band has 30th and fnal, year. you to our e-list. done nothing but improve since last Because of our nomination, we had January, if that’s possible. Dan’s voice Ticketing information can be found the opportunity to attend IBMA at the has that unique quality that has settled at www.rivercitybluegrass.com. end of September, which if you’re into into his own identifable brand. Since bluegrass, is not only a very valuable Union Station will be going back to way to connect with artists, agents, work for Alison next spring, this may managers and other producers, but be one of the last tours that Dan’s unbelievably fun experience. We were band, which includes Adam Steffey, able to hear some of the bands that Justin Moses, Barry Bales and Ron are on the bill at RiverCity in a live Stewart, will make. environment, always a good gauge of audience satisfaction. Young Sierra The group that really swept the Hull as an example, who recently board at IBMA was Dailey & Vincent An Essential Musician’s Tool who took home six awards including recorded her frst album after years Find Chords And Keys - Find Modulations of working with the likes of Alison Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group Makes Jamming Easier - Fits In Your Case Krauss, offered a showcase late one of the Year, Album of the Year and Full color, eight inch wheel with circle of fifths, keys, major/minor chords and scales. night that was a great preview of the Emerging Artist of the Year. All of Easy to use. set she’s bringing to Portland. This which made us really glad that we Complete tutorial on the reverse side! 16 year old prodigy can make that jumped on the Dailey & Vincent www.themusicwheel.com bandwagon a year ago. If you haven’t Or send $5.95 (plus $2 postage) to: mandolin absolutely smoke. And 1215 E. 4th St., Newberg, OR 97132

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 20 Yodeling - The Other High Lonesome Sound By Larry B. Wilder

When asked to write about yodeling, Christian Zehnder, Erika Stuky and his high school newspaper in Arizona. I was pleased to offer a few exploratory Noldi Alder are riveting artists whose In the Original Pioneer Trio, Bob’s thoughts on an art form that has been yodeling can be nature driven, rather buddy Len had the idea of yodeling in so rewarding for me. I do not intend serious and often contemplative. three part harmony on this song. The this piece to be exhaustive nor in any Yodeling has been done nearly impact was immediate on Los Angeles way the final word on yodeling. It is everywhere. While we most commonly radio and live shows. in the spirit of beginning dialogues associate yodeling with Switzerland, “Way Out There” can be found about yodeling and will hopefully Germany, Austria and in various genres on many recordings including our spark new interests in the strange, of music Americana - most notably own “Americana Music--Heart of wonderful sound. cowboy songs - yodeling has been the People.” This famous yodel goes Let’s take a look at the first three of an indigenous art all over the world: something like this: six questions in this two part article: from Africa to Asia, from Hawaii to Scandanavia and beyond. If you have “wee—ooo—wee-dul-dee-dee- 1-What in the world is yodeling and not experienced the wonderful sound OH-ooo-WAY—dee-dee-dee where is it done? of Polynesian falsetto singing, for Yodeling can be accomplished by example, you are in for a treat. Weee-ooooo-wee--dul—dee-- simply breaking the voice from the OH---ooo--WAY--dee--dee--dee” regular chest voice to the “head” 2-Why would anyone attempt it? voice, or falsetto. Roy Rogers told We cannot know the motivations [The ALL-CAPS syllables denote Johnny Carson that one just needs to of our brothers and sisters around the the full chest voice; the rest are think of Tarzan’s yell to get the idea. world, but here in America, we feel falsetto.] I happened to be tuning in that night the challenge to pass on the tradition In our recording, I yodel the lead part as Roy yodeled with the Sons of the as we add our own twists and “licks” in the middle and the lower baritone Pioneers, a band he had co-founded to falsetto fun. I began to yodel in part. Nolan Bronson handles the high forty years before. the late 1970’s after I sat transfxed in or tenor yodel. The parts are simple to The word yodel is derived from the the front row at Knott’s Berry Farm notate and teach. German “jo” which is an expression of as Roy Rogers and the Pioneers did Take a listen to Eddy Arnold’s delight. In Switzerland, yodeling can “Texas Plains.” As with my frst “Cattle Call.” His solo yodel is easy to augur up a broader range of emotion encounter with Earl Scruggs’s banjo, I follow. Remember to get the song in and meaning. When the Swiss hear knew I HAD to do it. I would strongly your key, and don’t be afraid to break a person yodel or a group yodel in encourage anyone to take up whatever your voice like Tarzan! harmony, they might become quiet or musical challenge captivates her or There are online yodeling courses, reverent. We in America are delighted him. teachers, clubs, Swiss yodeling at the acrobatics and seeming goofness conventions and a host of opportunities of yodeling; to people of the majestic 3-How does one learn to yodel? to become familiar with the musical Alps Mountain Range, yodeling might I began by listening to simpler primal scream. I practice in the car mean communication in the old days country-western and cowboy yodels. and at my home. My early yodeling or a reverence to nature. “Way Out There” is an interesting attempts were spurred on by a misstep I have been high in the Alps. They tune. Bob Nolan, one of the three over an electric fence working on gave me a feeling like no other place. founding Sons of the Pioneers along a cattle ranch. I reckon a yodeling The flm “Heimatlange” depicts three with Tim Spencer and Len Slye (Roy cowboy has to be lucky. yodelers who run “against type.” Rogers), wrote this beautiful poem for

continued on page 25

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 21 Sound Advice: Hints and tips on sounding your best, with Mark Gensman, Ground Zero Sound

Howdy everyone, I hope your summer requirements listed and mic positions One of the best stage plots I have was flled with bluegrass and great music shown. Knowing ahead of time that the seen shows each mic position and each and here’s hoping you get the opportunity bass needs a mic or has a pickup or uses instrument position and then lists the to attend our two great northwest bluegrass an amp can save a lot of time when setting microphone needs under the graphic of festivals, RiverCity and Wintergrass. Both up the band. the stage. Calling for specifc types of world class bluegrass events. I have worked with acoustic bands that microphones the band prefers is helpful. As I write this, I am packing for the Tygh have fve members but need multiple Also if the band carries their own mics or Valley Bluegrass Festival and looking microphones, instrument DI boxes and DI boxes, that information is important. forward to a great end of summer event up to ffteen instrument and vocal inputs. After all, the main goal is to make the in the pristine environs of Eastern Oregon. I have also had bands show up without band sound their best. The very little effort This little festival is always lots of fun and power cords for their amps, and even it takes to contact the sound contractor and “So the best advice I can offer is for someone in the band to be responsible for creating a stage plot...” a great way to end the year. forget to bring instrument cords if their make sure he has an accurate stage plot and I have said this in the past but it deserves guitar or bass uses a pickup. That means I instrument list can save precious time at repeating for all the band members who better have enough equipment to take care the event. In the meantime I will continue may be reading this. It is extremely of their needs at the last minute. to bring massive amounts of equipment, important to contact the sound contractor Stage plots can be as simple as hand cords, microphones, etc. because some prior to appearing at an event to discuss drawn or created in a graphics program bands can’t make the extra effort and I your sound reinforcement requirements. showing where microphones are to be need to be ready for anything. Showing up for the gig and fnding out placed, what instruments and vocalists If you have any questions about anything that your sound needs cannot be met can are involved and how to set the band up. involving recording, mastering, audio be a disaster waiting to happen. These are very helpful to have before the software, duplicating, mics, speakers or There have been festivals where the only band takes the stage so I can be ready in sound reinforcement, please feel free to available equipment is a large diaphragm the short time allowed between bands. contact me at : [email protected]. condenser mic and all the bands are expected to use it. This can be quite a shock to groups who use multiple microphones, a monitor system, etc. and don’t have a clue how to use a single mic. So, it is always best to check in ahead of time. From the viewpoint of a sound guy, it is really helpful to know ahead of time what each band will need. In the case of Tygh Valley, I already know and have worked with some of the groups, but there are a couple that I am not familiar with and they have not taken the time to contact me with their needs. All I can do is take lots of gear, plenty of mics and stands and hope for the best. That can be frustrating. So the best advice I can offer is for someone in the band to be responsible for creating a stage plot with sound

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 22 The members of Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising wish to thank the bluegrass community for their continued support and encouragement of our efforts. stories never told We look forward to entertaining you in 2009!

Have a blessed holiday season ow Kathy, Tim, Tom and Dennis les n e-sa Pr able! avail

Kathy Boyd &

503-691-1177 [email protected] www.phoenixrisingband.org

Hot Bluegrass, Cowboy & Folk Entertainment

Contact Larry: (503) 407-8676 [email protected]

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 23 Sharp or Flatt? with Chick Rose

When the early settlers of this country It was late and there was a break in “And that’s why I will never go to your began socializing with their neighbors, the jamming at Boss Tilly’s campsite. In jam. A jam in a public place ought to be they often shared music as well as anticipation of the months that lay between open to everyone.” John countered. conversation. These get-togethers were tonight and the next festival season, the Eugene lectured, “I just want the people the frst American jam sessions, though discussion turned to the various jams that listenin’ to hear real bluegrass, so they they did not get named until the early were held during the year back in our local know what it is supposed to sound like. twentieth century. These early jams grew areas. I don’t let no amateurs or jazz-grassers or in size as communities grew. Soon these Uncle Roy said, “Most of the jams folkies play - invitation only!” social musicians began playing for the around where I live are held in people’s John answered, “Why don’t you just get entertainment of larger and larger rural homes.” put together a band and do a show? A jam and urban crowds until monetary rewards, “I run a jam in a local pub twice a month. is supposed to be an open social gathering. sheet music, recording techniques I call a few good pickers and we play for Being together and enjoying the music is and radio combined to create modern 2-3 hours,” added Eugene Potter. the point. If you want to show everyone “Commercial music has continued to grow with new technology and the recording and performing opportunities for musicians of all levels has increased exponentially. However, through it all, the need to socialize and play music with friends has never been extinguished.” commercial music. Commercial music has I jumped in, “We have a lot of jams in what bluegrass is, why don’t you write a continued to grow with new technology the Portland/Vancouver area, and classes book or make a CD?” and the recording and performing on how to jam, too!” I could see that it was going to be opportunities for musicians of all levels Natchie Dobbs drawled, “They gotta another one of John and Eugene’s famous has increased exponentially. However, jam over at this bar outside of Tucson that arguments, so I jumped in again, “Hey, through it all, the need to socialize and starts with a lesson for beginners. It lasts I’ve got one more tune in me before I go to play music with friends has never been durn near an hour before the real jammin’ bed, are you boys all talk or are you gutsy extinguished. Where once community starts.” enough to try Jerusalem Ridge this late at and family jam sessions were the primary John Murphy asked, “Can anyone join night?” way people in remote areas learned to play in that jam, Natchie?” “I can play it in my sleep, it’s Eugene music, we now have e-lists, websites and “Sure. Ain’t none of us that good; we’re that gets all confused and forgets the D “myspaces” dedicated to spreading the always glad to have new folks” Natchie minor part,” John stated. word about jam sessions, workshops and answered. Before Eugene could respond, Cody classes. Local venues in cities and small “Not me, I only let the invited musicians Pike kicked the tune off with his fddle. I towns open their doors to jam groups. The join my jam.” Eugene exclaimed. silently mouthed “Thank You!” and Cody number of jam sessions at a festival often gave a big wide grin. determines the success and reputation of a festival - sometimes to a greater extent than the paid acts. Jam size, type, location, Stew Dodge and frequency are all topics of discussion Sound Reinforcement and even disagreement. There is even P.A. Systems • Lighting • Staging • Canopies something called “jam etiquette”! But one Production Services thing has never changed; when the talking stops, the music starts and when the music 2343 N. Portland Blvd. Portland, OR 97217 (503) 286-1085 Fax (503) 286-4146 Email [email protected] stops the talking starts all over again.

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 24 Cover Story continued from page 7 Story continued from page 21 Duane Boyer By Matt Snook Yodeling By Larry B. Wilder

BE: Did you continue with them after you school for that first festival - that was in Folks will sometimes differentiate were out of school, or was that over…? March. We had close to fourteen hundred between blue yodels, cowboy yodels DB: No, I played with them after I was people in two shows for that first festival. Alpine and other yodels. As with And we played on the fact that Weiser out of school, and then I worked with musical genres, the lines are not and the National Old Time Fiddle Contest them kind of overseeing operations, I always clear and fusions occur. We was close enough to this area that enough guess, after I was out. Then I started have heard bluegrass “defned.” Pete people knew about it. Both Sam and teaching at the college four years later, but Seeger about went bonkers when I had helped with the Ambassadors in the Vivian were Weiser champions and we self-styled experts would impart meantime, working with them as musical had Loyd Wanzer who had won the Open what a real folk song was. As you advisor in that capacity for a while. Championship and he came over and played. Then we had several local players, become yodeling-immersed, maybe BE: How long did the Ambassadors last? and then of course we played. you’ll develop your sensibilities into They lasted into the early 80’s. They DB: DB:It was such a success that another yodeling genre-polemics. had a group similar to that back in the service club thought “Oh, wow, that’s Time to hit the yodeling trail, pals. 50’s, so the Foundation approached some cool, let’s cash in on that,” so about two Lo-ooo-lay—ee-doo! of the powers that be at the college about months later we had Ralph Stanley and Thanks for your kind attention. starting it up again. The Dean of Women the Clinch Mountain Boys. That’s when I Write me your ideas in a Pony Express talked to several students about it and was a Clinch Mountain Boy. I had to play letter. put the first one together. It was all hand bass, because their bass player had health Next time we’ll look at: selected at first, then they started having problems just before they left so they came auditions later on. But it went on for 15 or as a trio. It was just Curly Ray Cline, Larry 4-Some great yodelers. so years, and then basically MTV and that Sparks, and Ralph. Wherever they played sort of thing made it less of a good thing, they would just use a local bass player. simply because when we were doing it 5-Connection to bluegrass. live entertainment was pretty rare, and BE: So what was it like being a Clinch by the time they were done kids could sit Mountain Boy? 6-The most heard American yodeler there and watch all these choreographed DB: I really don’t remember, other than and the story of his famous tune things with smoke and all that, so live just being up there playing! They did an that has become our most beloved music was having to compete with that in awful lot of things I didn’t know, but most yodeling song. the theater of television. I think it died at of them were pretty easy to follow. Meanwhile, back at the ranch library, an appropriate time. some good reading is Yodel-ay-ee- DB: During that time was when we had Part 2 will appear in the January/ oo: The Secret History of Yodeling the first festival here, actually the festival, February edition of the Bluegrass Around the World. during the time of BMCWB and the Express Involved in acoustic music as a band Ambassadors. In ’69, one of the campus member and solo artist since 1971, service clubs sponsored it, and we had Larry Wilder has worked in Pain in the Poor Richard’s Almanac, with Sam (Bush) Grass, Gold Rush, Foxfre, Deja Blue, and Alan (Munde) and Wayne Stewart and Columbia Cutups and currently the they drove out from Kentucky and then Stumptown Stars bluegrass band and Phil and Vivian Williams came down and the Americana Trio. met them and Phil played bass and Vivian played fiddle, so they were a five piece Larry may be contacted at: band. Vivian and Sam did a few twin fiddle things, but mostly he played mandolin. www.larrywildermusic.com and We actually had two shows up at the high www.stumptownstars.com.

OBA Bluegrass Express - November / December 2008 25 OBA Supporting Performer Directory OBA Supporting Memberships are $50 per year. This includes a 35-word band listing in the Supporting Performers Directory and on the OBA Website. 2 Licks 2 Many Bluegrass Band Down The Road The Kindreds These old friends have played bluegrass together for A trio of bluegrass and American roots music musi- Rooted in Americana music, acoustic country nearly 7 years, blending classic bluegrass music with cians from the Seattle, Washington Area. Husband flavored folk with a dash of bluegrass and mixed- some new surprises. Website: www.2licks2many. /wife duo Cathi and Gary Davidson on guitars and with original compositions and rich three part vo- com. Booking contact: Peyton Starr, 503-747-3066 vocals and John Tubbs on mandolin and vocals. Old- cals. Email: [email protected] or visit www. E-mail: [email protected] time, country and traditional bluegrass, folk and con- the-kindreds.com, 541 929-7021. temporary bluegrass, with a focus on duet and trio Larry Wilder and the Stumptown Stars Back Porch Revival harmony singing, www.downtheroadband.com. Bluegrass inspired acoustic folk. We always have a Hot, solid bluegrass, a guaranteed success for your good time playing, so if you have a fun event that Girls Can Jam Bluegrass Band private, corporate, wedding or concert occasion! needs music, we’d love to hear about it. We can bring Lively all women band known for their traditional Top-notch picking, bluegrass, cowboy, gospel, folk, all of our own equipment, or use your house system. bluegrass music and original heart warming songs. hundreds of Americana tunes & amazing yodel- Press kits and references are available on request. Marnie Allbritten, guitar; Liz Crain, fiddle/banjo; ing, Members: Garrett Maass, mandolin; Gretchen wwww.backporchrevival.com. please send all book- Sandy Hails, bass; Stef Neyhart on mandolin. Amann, bass; Andy Emert, fddle; Nolan Bronson ing inquiries to: [email protected] 541 863-3969 or email: [email protected]. – Guitar and Larry Wilder – banjo/ guitar Nolan The Hakanson Family Bronson-guitar; Larry Wilder-banjo-guitar. 503 407- Back Up and Push 8676 [email protected]. Members: Dan Kopecky, Mandolin, Vocals; Robert Hot fiddling and close family harmony.Featuring Brownscombe, Bass; Susie Anderson, Fiddle, Vo- mom, dad, 3 young kids, and guest on the banjo. To- Lee Highway cals; Tom Gall, Guitar, Vocals; Patrick McLaughlin, gether four years, play festivals all over the Pacific Mike Stahlman (banjo), Mike Eisler (fiddle), John Banjo. We are a 5 piece bluegrass band from Welch- Northwest. Contact Rob Hakanson at 503 452-1469 Averill (mandolin), Sue Averill (bass) and Rich Ho- es, OR. We have been playing together for about 10 or [email protected]. glen (guitar). All members share vocals. years. We play a mix of traditional bluegrass, south- Ida Viper For bookings: call Mike Eisler 541 745-7122 [email protected],www.leehighway.net. ern blues, and a few cowboy tunes. We are available Drawing on the roots of American music from blue- for festivals, shows, parties, dances, barbecues or grass and swing to jazz tunes from the 20’s and 30’s. The Loafers whatever! For recorded samples check out our web- 503 359-7674, An acoustic quartet specializing in bluegrass, jazz site: backupandpush.tripod.com (without www). [email protected], and old time instrumentals, with a few good classic Brian Oberlin visit www.idaviper.com. vocals thrown in for good measure. Mike Stahlman: Brian is a singing, songwriting, multi-instrumentalist Joe Ross and the Roots of Bluegrass Show banjo, Dave Elliot: mandolin, Aaron Stocek: guitar, Holly Johnson: bass 503 663-3548. (guitar and tenor banjo). He teaches private lessons, Joe Ross “Edu-taining” Roots of Bluegrass solo- workshops, and mandolin camps, focusing on many show. Also Zephyr Duo, Celtic Tradition, Swingco- Lost Creek Bluegrass Band types of musical genres, including swing and blue- pators, HotQua String Band (Gypsy jazz quintet) & Lost Creek delivers driving bluegrass and old time grass. As a solo act, Brian lights up the stage with storytelling.541 673-9759 or 541 464-3248, standards with outstanding vocal harmonies and originals and covers that swing, stomp, waltz, and [email protected], tasteful instrumentation. For years they’ve delighted ease into his personal style. He is also the mando- www.talentondisplay.com/joerosshome audiences at bluegrass festivals, pubs, parks, wed- linist for the band Ida Viper. Phone: 503-686-8673. Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising dings, and markets in both Oregon and Washington. Email: [email protected] Email:[email protected] 503-442-2832. www.mandoberlin.com Performing original songs of hard driving bluegrass/ Americana music while providing quality enter- Lucky Gap Chickweed tainment featuring the talents of Kathy Boyd, Tim Good Old-time Traditional Americana and bluegrass Chickweed delivers choice traditional bluegrass Crosby, Tom Tower and Dennis Nelson. This group on the Oregon Coast. Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle, Mando- tunes with new “old” originals. The humorous and is family oriented, willing and able to travel, and a lin, Dobro, Bass. Weddings, Parties, Dances, Special entertaining nature of their personalities is conta- sure fred winner for your next event or festival! Occasions.Contact: Chaz Malarkey at 541.265.2677, gious. Abby Downs: strong lead vocals that puts Contact 503-691-1177, [email protected], or Bob Llewellyn at the blues in bluegrass. Finn Fox: gets the crowd go- [email protected]. 541.444.2069, [email protected]. ing with her lightning fast mandolin playing. Holly Check KBPR out at www.phoenixrisingband.org or Matt Gray and Jeff Shippy Wyman: keeps up the low end with a rock-solid bass www.myspace.com/kathyboydphoenixrising. Matt, a past Oregon State bluegrass banjochamp, line.Email:[email protected] or Purchase your very own copy of “Burning Down the and Jeff, a past Oregon State bluegrass fiddle champ, visit www.myspace.com/chickweedmusic. House” at www.cdbaby.com/cd/kbpr! have played together for years as members of the Coyote Moon Kate White Band bands True North and Mollybloom. “Cowboy” Bluegrass, traditional & contemporary A compelling folk rock/ gospel/ celtic/ bluegrass Contact Phone number: 503-659-6274, with intricate three and four part harmonies. Tom blend, the KWB’s original songs will resonate with Mailing Address: 3912 SE Olsen, Milwaukie, OR, O’Connor (Guitar), Steve Rogers (Mandolin), Norm your own life and send your spirit soaring. Stunning 97222, email:[email protected], Ault (Banjo), Larry Huntley (Bass). vocals, an extensive instrumental repertoire and a Website:www.banjomatt.com/. 503 805-4413 Portland. powerful yet fun-loving stage presence make the Misty Mamas KWB a great choice for festivals, churches, con- Dewgrass Misty Mamas serve up powerful harmonies and taste- certs and private events. Kate White (vocals, violin), What started out as a family’s love for bluegrass, ful instrumentals combining the American genres Glenn Farley (vocals, guitar), Scott Minter (mando- has now taken off into an all out passion. Dewgrass, of bluegrass, gospel, folk and countrymusic. Carol lin, banjo, whistles), Robert Wayne (djembe, percus- made up of siblings Jake, Luke, & Kaiti, with par- Harley (vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin), Katherine sion).Contact: (360) 904-4062 ents Erin & Gary, play straight ahead bluegrass & Nitsch (vocals & guitar), April Parker (vocals & [email protected] gospel in a manner that surprises many & delights mandolin) and Eilee Rocci (vocals & upright bass). most who have had an opportunity to hear them. “If www.katewhitemusic.com this is the next generation of bluegrass, we’re in good www.myspace.com/katewhiteband hands.”-TNT

26 Go To www.oregonbluegrass.org For More Info & Links Please contact Lisa Remmer,(OBA Database & Membership Manager) at [email protected] if you are interested in receiving a Supporting Performer Membership form. Mollybloom Runs Real Good Siskiyou Summit Original contemporary bluegrass quintet. David Dahl, Runs Real Good is Clayton Knight, Tom Marshall, A special brand of bluegrass music with a growing guitar; Ron Relaford, mandolin; Clark Blanchard, Kelli Plummer, and Bill Marshall. We Play not-too- fan base in the Pacifc Northwest. Six strong singers bass; Bob Rindy, fiddle; and Rand White. traditional bluegrass, respectful of our roots, but and instrumentalists, song writers and arrangers. De- Contact: www.mollybloombluegrass.com willing to roam a little now and then cades of individual musical performance experience. or Anita Blanchard at [email protected] Contact Clayton Knight, 503-358-0658 541 488-0178, 503 399-1965. or [email protected] www.siskiyousummit.com. Mud Springs Gospel Band Sidekicks Bluegrass and Nostalgia Band Whiskey Puppy Gospel Bluegrass/Country band plays originals and Perfect for weddings/anniversaries, conventions, Dedicated to preserving americana roots music, classics. George Klos: banjo, guitar, whistle, har- community events and cruises. Bluegrass, Country, while exploring early & contemporary bluegrass. monica; Don Mobley: bass; Darrell Glaspie: man- Swing, and Ragtime. CD’s available. 2105 NW 12th 503 227-0647, dolin, guitar; Alan Smoke: fiddle. 541 475-6483 or Street, Redmond, OR 97756. email:[email protected] [email protected], 541 923-6946 or 503 580-5274, www.whiskeypuppy.com www.mudspringsgospel.com. www.leroynewportsband.com. New Old Friends New Old Friends is a “real deal” traditional blue- grass band that gets its inspiration from the major bluegrass bands from the 1940s through the 1960s, and performs its material (including some original tunes) in a way that keeps the essence of “classic” bluegrass intact.Though all play several different 3552 N Mississippi Avenue - 503 288-3231 instruments, in New Old Friends, they have settled on the following line-up: Rollie Champe – mandolin and vocals; Chuck Davidshofer – acoustic bass and vocals - (503) 288-4191; Randy Oman – guitar and vocals; Peter Schwimmer – banjo and vocals - (503) 282-0344, [email protected]. Prairie Flyer Prairie Flyer is Jim Faddis (guitar), Andre Vachon (mandolin/dobro), Jason Stewart, (banjo), Steve Blanchard (guitar) and Dave Hackwith (bass). Prai- rie Flyer moves flawlesslyfrom songs by Steve Earle • Saturday, November 1st to original compositions, from Townes Van Zandt to Caroline and Maggie’s Old-Time Play Party 4:00pm Bill Monroe, from Jackson Browne to solid traditon- • Wednesday, November 12th al bluegrass. 541 466-7018 www.prairieflyer.com. Blair St. Mugwumps 9:00pm Rogue Bluegrass Band Music the way music should be: Bluegrass style, Ed • Friday, November 14th Hershberger, banjo technician; Don Tolan, professor Ebenezer 6:00pm of mandolin; Ben Trump,fiddlin’; Paul Hirschman, flat pickin’; Deb Smith-Hirschman, bass thumpin’. • Saturday, November 15th Contact Ed 503 245-4158 Professor Banjo's Old-Time Play Party 4:00pm www.geocities.com/roguebluegrassband Chickweed 9:00pm or email: [email protected]. • Tuesday, November 18th 6:00pm Rose City Bluegrass Band Pure entertainment for young and old! Bluegrass, Nann Alleman (from e Flat Mountain Girls) and friends Irish, Americana and more. Contact us for your wed- • Saturday, November 29th ding, picnic, party or club. Charlie Williamson 503 248-1854 (days) or503 892-2641 (evenings). char- Paul Silveria's Fireside Lounge 9:00pm [email protected] www.rosecitybluegrass.com. • Saturday, December 6th Roundhouse Professor Banjo's Old-Time Play Party 4:00pm Founded in 1994, members are Donn Whitten, Kim • Friday, December 12th Jones, Ron Leavitt and Joe Denhof. Roundhouse was formed with th e goal of providing a variety of Chickweed 9:00pm musical genres to diverse audiences: something for • Saturday, December 13th everyone. Toward this end Roundhouse performs bluegrass, southern rock, doo-wop, gospel, country, Paul Silveria's Fireside Lounge 9:00pm blazing instrumentals and original compositions. • Friday, December 19th Roundhouse instrumentation includes guitar, man- Ebenezer 6:00pm dolin, banjo and bass. Website: http://www.round- house-band.com/ , Email: roundhouseband@qwest- www.mississippipizza.com offce.net

27 Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid P.O. Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207 Portland OR Address Service Requested Permit No. 2956

A subscribing member of the OBA according to expiration date.

Cut along dotted line for a handy OBA Membership ID card.

Oregon Bluegrass Association Post Office Box 1115 Portland, Oregon 97207 www.oregonbluegrass.org

Oregon Bluegrass Association Membership Membership Check all that apply The Board of Directors of the Oregon Bluegrass Association cordially invites you to join the organization. Benefits include a subscription to the Bluegrass Express and discounts to OBA ____ New Member ____ Renewal sanctioned events. The Oregon Bluegrass Association is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation founded in 1982. __ General Member ...... $20 (1yr.) / $57 (3 yrs.)

______Supporting Performer ...... $50 (1 yr.) Name ______Angel Sponsor ...... $60 (1 yr.) Address __ Golden Sponsor ...... $100 (1 yr.) ______City State Zip Code __ Contributing Business Sponsor ....$100 (1 yr.) / ______$275 (3 yrs.) Home Phone Work Phone ______Volunteering E-MailAddress __ Yes! I am interested in helping as a volunteer at Please send this form with your check to: OBA-sanctioned events. Please add me to your list Oregon Bluegrass Association Check out our website at: of volunteers. P. O. Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207 www.oregonbluegrass.org