Vol. 34 No. 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE! Apr May June Hakanson Family, Velo Cult, Pretty Good for a 2014 Girl, and More.... Oregon Bluegrass Association www.oregonbluegrass.org Bluegrass Express ll in the Fami A The Hakanson siblings move into the world ly by Claire Levine Now, ages 24, 20 and 16, they benefit Ellie started playing at age six, and from the training and confidence they two-year-old Amy insisted on partici- gained in the family band. And they pating, too. (“She refused to not,” is the all are charting their own courses in way Ellie puts it.) the musical and non-musical world. Because the Suzuki method requires parents to play along with their children, Ellie’s mom Kathy would work with Ellie on her lessons every day. Amy would sit and listen, and she started playing before the official Suzuki-sanctioned age of three.

They all have been part of a family band. One of them was one-third of the Giggle Sisters and has a rich history of straight-ahead bluegrass. Another is known as much for her dramatic Shakespeare readings and theater accompaniments as for her fiddle playing. The third identifies himself by how much trouble he got into at bluegrass festivals. Just a few old memories

They are Ellie, Amy and Henry Ellie Hakanson remembers her first Hakanson, offspring of Rob Hakanson performances. They were recitals of and Kathy Fetty. They’ve all played Suzuki violin students, “rows and rows in various configurations of the of kids,” standing up and playing the Hakanson Family Band at some time same songs in unison. “As soon as you and are well known to Northwest got to a song you didn’t know, you’d sit Continued on Page 6 bluegrass audiences. down.” OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 2 Table of Contents Apr / May / Jun 2014 Volume 34 / Number 2 Newsletter of the Oregon Bluegrass Association www.oregonbluegrass.org

This Issue Features Cover Story Vol. 34 No. 2 All in the Family...... 1 Oregon Bluegrass Association by Claire Levine www.oregonbluegrass.org Features Bluegrass Express Southern Oregon Report ...... 10 Bluegrass Express is a quarterly newsletter by Joe Ross dedicated to informing members of the Oregon Bluegrass Association about local, regional Book Review: Velo cult: Bikes, Brews and Bluegrass and national bluegrass issues, events and Pretty Good for a Girl...... 13 opportunities. by Claire Levine Bluegrass Express Staff Get Yourself Ready for Festival Season ...... 17 EDITORS by John McCoy John Prunty Velo Cult...... 29 [email protected] by Claire Levine (503) 383-8100

Columns & Commentary Christine Weinmeister [email protected] President’s Message...... 5 The Theory of Bluegrass...... 24 COPY EDITOR by Matt Snook Betsy Yochelson at Eagleview Nancy Christie Bluegrass Festival 2013 Sound Advice ...... 27 [email protected] by Mark Gensman GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT Calendars, Lists & Info John Prunty OBA Membership and Ad Christine Weinmeister Information ...... 4 What’s Playing on the Radio...... 5 Scheduled Jams...... 35 ADVERTISING

OBA Supporting Performer Pat Connell Directory...... 37 [email protected] (971) 207-5933 Max Hancock and Henry Hakanson bring bluegrass to Hogwarts. WEBMASTER & WEB CONTENT Tony McCormick (503) 330-2239 [email protected]

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 3 OBA Membership & Ad Information The OBA Board www.oregonbluegrass.org Membership Information Website Officers of the Board The OBA Board of Directors invites you Features include an interactive calendar that to join the OBA and to participate in its allows you to post your own events, excerpts Colby Buswell - President many activities. Our membership benefits from past issues of the Bluegrass Express, and [email protected] links for local bands. Come visit us online! include a subscription to the quarterly Patty Spencer - Vice President Bluegrass Express, frequent mailings Visit the OBA web page today! [email protected] about events, and ticket discounts to www.oregonbluegrass.org Ron Preston - Secretary Northwest bluegrass events. Annual [email protected] Article and Editorial Submissions membership dues are $25 for a General The OBA Board invites you to submit letters, Dave Hausner - Treasurer Member, $50 for Supporting Performers, [email protected] stories, photos and articles to The Bluegrass and $125 for Contributing Business Express. Published files remain in our archives Liz Crain - Sponsors, as well as other options. To and art is returned upon request. OBA Roseburg Chapter President join, complete the application on the back [email protected] Please send submissions to: cover and mail with your check to: Ken Cartwright - John Prunty Oregon Bluegrass Association OBA Mid-Valley Chapter President [email protected] [email protected] P.O. Box 1115 Christine Weinmeister Portland, OR 97207 [email protected] Tony McCormick - Webmaster [email protected]

Chuck Palmer - Membership [email protected]

Chris Palmer - Publicity [email protected]

Michelle Traver - Development [email protected]

Volunteer Coordinators: Marlene Smith [email protected]

Linda Leavitt [email protected]

Members at Large: Charles M. Holloway [email protected]

Chip Russell [email protected]

Christine Weinmeister [email protected]

Cleve Friedman [email protected]

Fred Coates [email protected]

Ian Joel [email protected]

John Prunty [email protected]

MaryJo Turner [email protected]

Pat Connell [email protected] The OBA holds board elections each April as individual terms expire. The Board of Directors invites you to join our monthly meetings. We welcome your visit and ideas, opinions and proposals. Or, just come to see what we’re doing! We generally meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The location is subject to change. Call us or email any board member for time, location and directions. President’s Message What’s Playing on the Radio? Local Radio Bluegrass and Country Listings Well, folks…this is it - my last message as a president of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. Recently, the board of directors was asked a series of questions by a non-profit consultant. I Albany/Corvallis - KBOO thought I’d share one of my answers with all of you… Broadcast from Portland, can be heard at Why am I part of the OBA Board? It started as just being a fan of the music. Way back 100.7 FM. See under Portland, below in 2006, I stumbled onto a KBOO radio announcement for a Portland music festival called Pickathon. KBOO was broadcasting live and mentioned all of these acoustic and Astoria - KMUZ 91.9 FM local bluegrass bands. It sounded perfect, so I drove straight to the festival and didn’t Some syndicated programming look back. That year, unlike now, there were a multitude 503-325-0010 of local bluegrass bands on the side stage: Josh Cole Band, Flat Mountain Girls and Cross-Eyed Rosie to name a small “Cafe Vaquera” few. I began following those local acts around town, and one Tuesdays 9-11pm, Bluegrass/Old Timey of the Josh Cole Band shows happened to be a fall fundraiser Western/Folk with Calamity Jane for the OBA. They asked for volunteers and I signed up to [email protected] help at the RiverCity Bluegrass Festival that coming January. I met Josh Cole, OBA President at the time, and Chip Russell “Shady Grove” Saturdays 7-9pm (eventual President and pro bono sound guy extraordinaire for nearly every local bluegrass show in Portland). At the Regular folk program RiverCity Bluegrass Festival, I volunteered and saw a ton of Monday thru Friday 10am - noon phenomenal bluegrass. I met Chris and Chuck Palmer, the with bluegrass included producers of the fest, and must have made an impact with the board of directors at the time: Josh Cole, President and Columbia Gorge - KBOO Jon Ostrom, Vice President. They invited me to a board meeting at the Black Lab on Hawthorne (A meeting at a broadcast from Portland. Can be heard at Pub? Yes, count me in!) and so it began. I went quickly 92.7 FM. See under Portland below from being responsible for the newsletter, being on the Express Committee (that became Chris Palmer and I) to Corvallis - KOAC 550 AM Vice President and then to President for two terms... Syndicated public radio with some

I remember I wrote a long (too dang long...I think I was the bluegrass included in regular butt of a joke or two) article about that RiverCity festival. programming It was the result of being enamored with the community 541-737-4311 as much as the music. Everyone I met welcomed me into the scene and I could see how connected they were with Eugene - KLCC 89.7 FM one another. I saw the chuckling and joking amongst the band members if they screwed up on stage. I saw the artists Local broadcast 541-726-2224 walking amongst the crowds all festival long - approachable, Mixed format “Saturday Cafe” smiling, saying ‘hi’ and all knowing each other. National Saturdays 11am - noon artists just hanging out with the fans is something to see. I “The Backporch” just felt that this was how things should be... 9 - 10pm Saturdays

Anyway, I got involved because I wanted to be a part of the community most of all and second, I loved the music - Eugene - KRVM 91.9 FM acoustic, complicated and high lonesome. I couldn’t play “Routes & Branches” 3 - 5pm Saturdays anything, but I could help the OBA continue to serve this “Acoustic Junction” 5 - 7pm Saturdays awesome community. “Miles of Bluegrass” 7 - 9pm Mondays www.krvm.org 541-687-3370 Your community, your kindness, your passion for the music and desire to share it with others - to share it with me - was what roped me into Oregon bluegrass and for that I am forever grateful. I feel like we’ve continued to build a strong and enduring organization and Pendleton - KWHT 104.5 FM now have the funds to take things a step further. I’m excited to see where the energy of the “Bushels of Bluegrass” 9 - 11pm Sundays new board takes the OBA in the coming years. I’ll be watching fondly from Michigan and contact Phil Hodgen 541-276-2476 will always find my way to Portland once or twice a year! If you’re ever in Michigan and need a place to stay, check out Sunset Cove Bed & Breakfast in Pinckney. Better yet, time Portland - KBOO 90.7 FM your stay with one of our house concerts and allow me to give back to you. “Music from the True Vine” Colby Buswell 9am - noon Saturdays Former President Now just an Innkeeper ;) Salem - KMUZ 88.5 FM www.sunsetcovebedandbreakfast.com “Ken ‘til 10” 7-10am Wed/Thur OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 503-990-6101 & on Facebook 5 All in the Family by Claire Levine

Continued from page 1 hilarious, for an adolescent like So by the time she ended up in one 11-year-old like Ellie, there could of the “rows and rows” of children, be few things more embarrassing she knew all the songs by ear and than standing on stage about refused to sit down for the whole a toilet facility. “I hated it, I hated concert. the music, I hated everything at that point.” As for her first bluegrass perfor- mance, Amy remembers kicking off For most of the family band days, “Bile Them Cabbage Down” on the Henry was too young to perform at fiddle, on stage at the Aladdin The- that stage, so he’d hide behind his ater during an OBA Gospel Show. mother’s bass on stage. “Or I’d find a The band, assembled by Chick Rose, lap to sit on in the audience. Mark included Ellie, Martin Stevens, Alex Gensman used to take care of me Truax and Buddy Elliott. “It seemed while he was doing sound.” like there were thousands of people Then there was the family’s perfor- in the audience.” mance at the Prospect Bluegrass Henry remembers playing “Old Joe Festival when Ellie was singing the Clark” at an Oregon Old Time Fid- tear-jerking Stephen Foster ballad dlers’ session in Molalla. (“I messed Ellie practicing at home while Amy looks on. “Hard Times.” “I was holding myself together OK at first as I saw Henry it up the second time through.”) He It was an eye-opener. also remembers playing the drums on around the back of the audience.” From Tupperware containers while his family The family band and the extended fam- the direction he was headed and the was trying to practice their band reper- ily urgency in his run, she knew what was toire. going on, but kept herself from laughing. For Ellie and Amy, being in the family “But when Dad yelled out from the stage, A defining moment for Ellie is her first band was as much a part of their child- ‘Hold it Henry, you can make it to the memory of playing bluegrass with musi- hood as going to school. In fact, it may potty,’ I lost it.” cians other than family members. It was have had more of an impact. It was a lot at Steeplegrass, the jam class taught by of fun, gave them a lot of strength -- and Henry also remembers quite proudly the Chick Rose that launched not only some sometimes stretched their comfort zones time he watched someone at a festival great bands of adults, but the musical to the breaking point. light a cigarette, in what might have been careers of many children and teens. “I his first encounter with a smoker. “I remember going into the back room at Like the time they played at a benefit asked him why he was lighting his mouth a Steeplegrass session and playing with concert for a much-loved member of the on fire.” other kids around my age … and they bluegrass community. It was only the Being on stage was exhilarating for the were really good.” second performance for the family band, which was Rob on young sisters. “It’s a unique experience,” mandolin, Kathy on Amy said, “It was awesome. I remember bass, Jered Widman playing at Wintergrass -- it was maybe on , Jeff Wold our fourth gig. It was so exciting, even on banjo and Ellie and though we were just a Podunk local Amy on fiddle. b an d .”

The sisters were And the discipline of performance was asked to sing back- excellent training, she said. “You learn up harmonies for a how to take direction, and you know gentleman who sang when to step up into a leadership posi- some original music. tion.” And one of them was But, she says, it could also be hard. about a porta-potty. “There’s an element of being on stage While 7-year-old from the moment you arrive at a festival. Amy thought it was So even if you’re normally a bratty little Amy and Rob Hakanson

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 6 All in the Family by Claire Levine kid, you have to remember that you’re a meal of ribs representing the family.” and potatoes cooked just for And Amy described how normal fam- him by a kind- ily dynamics could get exaggerated hearted woman by spending a weekend performing, who learned he jamming, staying up late -- and being a hadn’t eaten any child. “Getting back into the car to go dinner. home when everyone’s grumpy … .” Henry and his On the other hand, Ellie said how im- best friend Max, portant that experience was in strength- Doug Hancock’s ening relationships, as well. “It was re- son, managed ally good for me and my dad. I feel I got to find trouble a lot of respect from him as a .” wherever they were. Henry And because everyone knew the Hakan- said, “Every rule son kids, they got to experience the they ever made sense of extended family even more than at the High and The Hakanson Family Band other kids who grow up in the bluegrass Dry Festival was “You just assume that people are there to community. because of something Max and I did.” hear you and enjoy you.”

Ellie remembers that, “people would About the music But both sisters admit to getting nervous take care of us and feed us.” The girls during auditions. Ellie acknowledged often camped with Nikki and Clyde Ellie paved the way, from her early days that jamming with excellent Clevenger, who conferred the name the as a Suzuki student, in the Metropoli- can create more anxiety than performing Giggle Sisters on Ellie, Anna Snook and tan Youth Symphony, and as the fiddler even to large audiences. Athena Patterson. Henry remembers and singer in the family band. And Amy started playing after listen- Bringing it up to date ing to her sister’s lessons. “I was inspired to play because of her.” Clearly, the Hakansons have a lot going for them. Sibling rivalry? It showed up Ellie graduated with a degree in En- during festival time, where, Amy gineering in 2013 and works with an said, there was “ferocious band environmental consulting firm in the scramble competition between occupational health and safety area. the sisters.” Amy, who paints and acts, as well as By the time Henry was old playing every bluegrass instrument very enough to start playing, his musi- well, works in an after-school day care cianship was already assumed. “I program and often plays in the orches- just accepted that taking up the tras that accompany local drama groups. violin was something you do, like tying your shoes. For a long time, Henry, a sophomore at Wilson High it was a lot less special to me than School, expects to go into engineering. to my sisters.” He also is an actor.

He said, “It’s taken me a long time And musically? to realize how much I appreciate music.” Ellie still hits the straight-ahead blue- grass as one of the Loafers, a traditional The years in the family band have bluegrass band with some of the Port- served them all well. None of land area’s most experienced bluegrass the three experiences stage fright musicians. She’s also in a duo with during performances. Ellie said, well-known Portland musician Jack Henry clowns around while waiting his turn on stage Dwyer, performing bluegrass, Old Time

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 7 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 8 All in the Family by Claire Levine and primarily Old Country Music. They Henry performs in the Met- are sometimes joined by Sam Weiss, ropolitan Youth Symphony and they can be heard monthly at Biddy and plays bass in his school’s McGraw’s. jazz band. He also plays banjo and fiddle in Wild Rose Amy’s musical tastes are all over the Trail, a group of teenagers board. When she picked up the banjo, that includes Sophie Harnew- she wanted to play just like Earl, yet Spradley and Max and Grace she adores the music of Noam Pikelny, Hancock. When Henry wants who plays with Chris Thile in the Punch to practice his latest instru- Brothers. She plays in the traditional ment -- guitar -- he moves to band Old Circle and, like Ellie, is a the van in the family garage. regular substitute with Green Mountain That’s because his dad is often (anchored by Chuck Holloway and Den- practicing in the bathroom, the nis Berck). place with the best acoustics, and from where his mandolin And she’s currently playing in two can be heard anywhere in the ensembles that lean toward the folk and house. singer- genres. What do the parents have to But what has captured her heart is say about it? Scandinavian folk music. After a visit to Iceland in 2013, she was captivated “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever Max Hancock (L) and Henry Hakanson (R) by all things Scandinavian. She is in the done in my life in any capacity.” process of applying to the Eric Sahlström That’s Rob Hakanson’s memory see how her children are growing and Institute in Sweden to study the nyckel- of performing with his family. “Some- evolving, with the music community still harpa. times I’d look back at Kathy on stage and central to all their lives. think, ‘We really did this? Who gets to do something “It took me a while to feel comfortable this great?’” on stage,” she said. But after a couple years, she made an observation that re- That was the playing on stage framed how she felt about performing. part. “I realized that everyone listening to us Then there were the hours of was there to support us, to encourage packing the minivan and the our kids. They were all on our side. And two travel pods on top of the I was part of that movement to support van and getting to the festival and encourage. And I wasn’t nervous to spend hours handing out any m ore .” clothes, camping equipment, instruments and kid para- She said, “Last summer at Toledo (The phernalia to whoever hap- Mount Saint Helens Bluegrass Festival), pened to be gathered around was the best event ever for me. All my to help. And doing it all in kids were there playing and having a reverse on Sunday morning. great time -- they were on their own, and perfectly at home.” The family motto, according to Rob, is “We work hard for “All I ever wanted was for them to enjoy our fun.” the music and grow into it on their own. They all have a real sense of community Packing and unpacking not- based on music. They can go anywhere withstanding, Kathy enjoyed now, pull out an instrument and have the years of the family band. friends, have family. This music opens But she is more delighted to so many doors.”

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 9 Southern Oregon Report By Joe Ross

The Antonucci Collective: New Acoustic “Uke-Grass” from Southern Oregon!

It’s said that families that play together, stay together. So I’d like to introduce y’all to a fine Southern Oregon group called The Antonucci Collective. They were a hit at the Eagleview Bluegrass Festival last year, and I hope to see them there again on August 29-31, 2014.

Once upon a time, long ago, Mama and Papa ‘Nooch dreamed of a little cabin home on a hill and a passel of talented friends to musically share the front porch. They just wanted to pick and sing while nurturing a new vocals with lead singing generally by such songs (by Coleman) as Hope, style of acoustic music. They moved Gary and Coleman, rounded out with Pain Management, Trains, Uke-A- north, then raised up their boys with beautiful family harmonies. Their Bye, and You’re the One. His father an abundance of music and family. instruments include standup bass, wrote “Cross the Singing Bridge” and For years, Gary and his brother Rich mandolin, banjo, guitar, fiddle and “Field of Corn.” YouTube also has performed in a band called Finger two ukuleles. Yes, that right! The several videos of their performance Pickin’ Good. Now, Gary Antonucci, addition of ukuleles adds a new and at Eagleview Bluegrass Festival last his wife Debbie, and brother Rich fresh sound. summer. Coleman is also quite the have formed The Antonucci Collective frontman, diplomat and politician of with Uncle Greg Clark, Uncle Their new CD highlighting that the family band. According to him, “I Warren Whistler and their young ‘un new sound, called Acoustic Vortex, don’t have particular views. I usually Coleman. was released in September 2013. go with whoever makes more sense.” Engineered by Bob Pagano The band includes a fine banjo player, of Mountain Rich Antonucci, who got his musical View Studios start years ago playing rock guitar in Wilderville, near Palmdale, Ca. When I cross the album paths with Rich, I always ask him to emphasizes play a pickin’ favorite, “Peaches and the joy they’ve Cream.” Bassist Greg Clark is solid found in on the low end, and he’s often seen making music plunking his doghouse with other fine together. southern Oregon groups like Rainy and the Rattlesnakes. Coleman is a talented Another key member of the Collective songwriter, is guitarist/fiddler Warren Whistler. Members hail from Southern Oregon, and the band enjoys backing up his Now retired from teaching elementary Grants Pass, Merlin, Hugo and novel acoustic uke-grass. Coleman school music, Warren’s got the time Sunny Valley, and they play many states, “The originals are played and “freedom to follow my own of Coleman’s and Gary’s original the way we’ve played over many motivation as opposed to motivating songs, as well as traditional bluegrass years.” SoundCloud offers over others.” Warren says The Antonucci favorites. All members share in the thirty minutes of their originals with Collective embodies “amazing

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 10 Southern Oregon Report By Joe Ross bluegrass artists” who share the same one’s self because there are influences their long-term relationships, they “Three Musketeers” mentality, “All for and paths that lead to nowhere. also enjoy being part of an innovative one and one for all.” However, “lucidity and clarity and musical team in a very spiritual kind continuity are signs of truth. If you of way. After hearing a demo of their need a dictionary to figure originals, Warren felt “an instant out what you’re saying, or emotional connection” to the music. ask directions where to go, At the time, singer-songwriter it just doesn’t ring true.” Coleman was only in his mid-20s and was writing “everyman songs about Warren has found truth yearning, searching for love, doing with The Antonucci the best one can … all very uplifting,” Collective. He has offers Warren. described the recording project as “a return to The family’s “heartfelt singing and the joyousness of making beautiful harmonies” were also music on a real and pure touching, and the band came together level. It’s just magic. A gift. quickly in an organic, magical way. A kind of validation.” Warren has listened to these songs many times and still gets a tear in his It appears that the future eye as they “get beyond analytical and holds even more magic more into the heart.” for The Antonucci Collective as they do more Warren calls the experience “the performing and recording. highlight of my career.” He says that There’s no doubt that music it takes a long time to know how you help gives them a sense feel about things and to be true to of family identity. Despite

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 11

TWO OF THE NORTHWEST’S MOST ENTERTAINING ACOUSTIC BANDS ONE WILD NIGHT OF MUSIC AND FUN

5441 SE Belmont Street ~ Portland Saturday May 3 ~ 7:00 p.m.

Fadin’ By 9

Masters of the bluegrass folk rock fusion sound

Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising

Award winning original roots music entertainment

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for jamming with host Mason Smith of Eastside Bluegrass

Tickets are $12 in advance at ~ hp://www.jambaseckets.com/events/kbpr9

$15 at the door

Children 10 and under will be admitted with a drawing of “what music means to me” and a promise of good behavior during the show

For information call 503-691-1177

www.phoenixrisingband.org www.fadinby9.com

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 12 Book Review: Pretty Good for a Girl By Claire Levine

But as she does in so many But the book’s not just a critique of a ways, Murphy Hicks Henry society that makes it harder for women breaks the mold. to succeed. It’s also a look at how these individual women made choices; what Her book, “Pretty Good for tradeoffs they were willing or not will- a Girl: Women in Bluegrass,” ing to accept; how being female could gets to the heart and soul of the make, as well as cut off, opportunities. musicians who made the music. And these musicians happen to And it’s just full of little gems like this: be female. “Beck Gentry wanted to be a nurse. She started early by practicing on her dolls, The book’s first goal is to break amputating arms and legs and cutting the myth that early bluegrass off hair to perform brain surgery.” In the was exclusively a man’s world. same chapter we learn that Beck ended Her second goal was to explore up playing mandolin in a band to fill the additional complexities in a vacancy left by her husband, who, women faced in pursuing blue- “through an unfortunate set of circum- grass careers. Murphy also suc- stances … found himself barred from ceeds in painting rich, engaging the RoundTable” where the band had a portraits of female musicians weekly gig. past and present. Alison Brown’s parents discouraged her One of the most notable things from pursuing music as a career. Alison, about Murphy is her complete who holds degrees from Harvard and lack of pretense. One way this UCLA, said, “My parents created a pic- shows up in her book is when ture of how I would end up if I did music she owns up to being “blind to for a living: a sagging forty-year-old the presence and accomplish- playing ‘Rocky Top’ at a pizza palace to a Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in ments of women in bluegrass,” early in 10-person crowd that wanted to hear the Bluegrass her career. As a young banjo player in jukebox.” the 1970s, she admits she was “culturally By Murphy Hicks Henry conditioned to dismiss women and their Murphy covers the founding mothers accomplishments as unworthy … I failed of bluegrass from the 1940s: Sally Ann Murphy Henry, a hard-driving Scruggs- to even see, much less give credit to, the Forrester, who played with Bill Mon- style banjo player, is best known as many women I worked shows with … .” roe; Wilma Lee Cooper, who with her the founder of the Murphy Method, a husband Stoney crossed the bridge from tab-free, all-by-ear learning method. For She not only reveals her own and other country to bluegrass; powerhouse singer many years, she has written the General women’s complete buy-in to the idea that Rose Maddox; and Ola Belle Campbell Store column in Bluegrass Unlimited and bluegrass is a male genre. She also cops Reed -- who helped bring bluegrass into a column in Banjo Newsletter. She also to the fact that denying the presence of the folk revival. started producing the Women in Blue- other talented women in bluegrass al- grass Newsletter before it was common to lowed her and other female performers Each decade adds numbers to the see female headliners at bluegrass events. to feel “special.” Competition is clearly prominent female musicians, until the The University of Illinois Press recently not exclusive to men. chapter about the 1990s and beyond is published Murphy’s first book, a history of titled, “Too many to count.” Her his- women in bluegrass. Murphy’s narrative describes the chal- tory includes many women well known lenges of many women in many careers. to Northwest listeners and some we’ve OK, history books can be lethally boring. Her musicians had to work hard for never heard of. They all have stories That can be especially true of bluegrass what they got. They faced down social well worth telling. histories. and family pressures; male disapproval -- or the wrong kind of approval; jug- Murphy writes like she talks. While They are filled with lists of record- gling child care, non-musical work and she’s plenty smart, she doesn’t write like ing names and labels; dry accounts of band-related responsibilities; and all the an academic. So, in the chapters about festivals; and names of interchangeable stresses and pressures that any touring contemporary women who told her their musicians in interchangeable bands. musician faces. own stories, you can feel as if you’re (Continued on Page 15) OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 13 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 14 Book Review: Pretty Good for a Girl By Claire Levine

(Continued from Page 13) heard too often when she was listening to a conversation at someone’s starting out. But questions kitchen table over a cup of good coffee. remain. Why are there so few She’s definitely more entertaining when female side-people in today’s she’s had the chance to talk in person to bands? Is it because there the subject, rather than basing her work simply aren’t enough women on written documents. musicians or are there reasons they aren’t getting hired? But even the early chapters are intrigu- ing. The book is full of speculation as And if it’s just a matter of to why the stories played out as they did numbers, why aren’t there more -- in particular, what kept these women female bluegrass pickers? And from being more successful? Why is will this change in a generation Roni Stoneman better known for her or two, just as today’s medical gap-toothed Hee-Haw character than school classes have as many for being such a fine banjo player? Why female graduates as males? couldn’t Lynn Morris -- the first person to win the National Banjo Champion- Murphy doesn’t try to provide ship at Winfield twice -- get hired in a a lot of answers. What she does band? -- beautifully -- is show off the grace and grit of women Times have changed. Nobody tells Kris- who worked hard for what tin Scott Benson that she plays “pretty they got, but too often went good for a girl” -- the line that Murphy unrecognized.

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 15 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 16 Get Yourself Ready For Festival Season By John McCoy

“Most people have a tendency to play do us a favor. Finding it was things they already know instead of the hardest part. The next working on what challenges them.” part will be easier. Take a – David Grier few moments and browse through the stuff. If it’s Wintergrass has come and gone, which a DVD or CD, pop it in means the 2014 festival season is just the nearest player. All around the corner. Are you ready for you’re trying to do at it? Or has your fiddle, banjo, mando- this point is just take a lin, guitar, or bass spent most of the few minutes to recon- past few months sitting longingly in its nect with the things case? that first interested you most. If your instrument has been sitting around with nothing to do, no wor- Maybe you found ries. We can fix that. Right now, I’m a lick or song you going to ask you to do me a favor. This really wanted to favor will help both of us, I promise. learn. Or maybe Somewhere at home, you have some you found some- musical instructional “stuff” that you thing else that tucked away with the best intentions interests you of picking it up again soon, but never more, such as did. It could be a DVD, CD, tablature, a different technique song book whatever. So here’s the you’ve wanted to try. Whatever it is, favor: right now, please go find it. Yes, grab a pen and paper and write down I’ll wait … take your time … yes, I’m a few brief notes describing what first Next, put your notes and DVD/CD/ still here, patiently waiting (and I’m grabbed your interest. No, I’m not try- tablature/etc. someplace where you’ll not leaving until you return with your ing to manipulate you with Jedi mind see it several times each day musical stuff). tricks – just recommending you define what you want to explore in very (I put my musical stuff near my com- Great! Thanks for taking the time to simple terms. puter). Then, simply plan to set aside some time every day to mess with it. Pick a time of day that works best for you, such as right after dinner before watching TV. It can be 5 minutes, 10 minutes, however long you like, but set aside some time each day. Even if there is only a small window of time avail- able, some is better than none.

With the festival season almost upon us, now is the perfect time to start working on the new stuff you want to learn. It will help you improve your musical ability, which means you’ll have more fun. And just to help you remain on track, I’ll plan on staying right here for a few weeks to remind you to work on your musical stuff. What’s for dinner?

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 17 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 18 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 19 2013 FESTIVAL CALENDAR

May 16-18 June 20-22 July 24-27 Bluegrass From The Forest Susanville Bluegrass Festival Gorge Bluegrass Shelton, WA Lassen County Fairgrounds Festival Featuring Junior Sisk, The Meyer Blue- Susanville, CA Skamania County Fairgrounds grass Band, North Country, Runaway Three-day music camp starts June 17 Stevenson, WA Train, Blueberry Hill, and True North Featuring Kati Penn and Newtown, for more information please visit: www.bluegrassfromtheforest.com Bluegrass Etc. and North Country. Bring www.columbiagorgebluegrass.net your quilting project. Lassen County May 23-26 fairgrounds. July 31 - August 2 NW Folklife www.susanvillebluegrass.com Five Suns Bluegrass Festival , WA nd McCosh Park 43 year of the largest FREE arts festival June 27 - 28 Moses Lake, WA in the United States. Valley Bluegrass Festival Free admission, free dry camping and www.nwfolklifefestival.org “Discovery at the Confluence” workshops! Nez Perce County Fairgrounds www.fivesunsbluegrass.com May 27-June 1 Lewiston, ID The Goldendale Fiddlin’ Under the Bands, workshops, camping, jamming. July 26 Stars Bluegrass Festival Scott Lombard (509) 780-3730 Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival Open jamming, pickin and grinnin. Fea- www.lewisclarkbluegrass.org Battlepoint Park turing Wayward Vessel, North Country, Bainbridge Island, WA Whistlin’ Rufus, and The Oly Mountain July 4-6 All-day music, food, crafts, and chil- Boys. May 29th “taste of bluegrass BBQ” Wheeler County Bluegrass Festival dren’s activities. Fun for the whole free with canned food donation! Wheeler County Courthouse family! For more information contact Earlene Fossil, OR http://BainbridgeBluegrass.com Sullivan 509-773-3400 (541) 763-2400 email [email protected] August 1-3 June 13-15 www.wheelercountybluegrass.org Clatskanie Bluegrass Festival Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival and Clatskanie, OR Dutch Oven Rendezvous July 11-13 Three days of great bluegrass music 14th Annual Winlock Picker’s Fest in Oregon’s Coastal Range, near the Pasco, WA Winolequa Park Columbia River. www.sacajaweabluegrass.org Winlock, WA Contact Mac Wilcox via the website: (509) 492-1555 Marv Sobolesky clatskaniebluegrassfestival.wordpress [email protected] .com/ June 20-22 www.winlockpickersfest.com Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival August 1-3 Chelan County Expo Center (Fair- July 17-20 Pickathon grounds) Cashmere, WA Northwest String Summit. Happy Valley, Oregon Marie Vecchio (509) 548-1230 Join us at gorgeous Horning’s Hideout, lineup and ticket info at: Chuck Egner (509) 548-8663 North Plains, OR for our 13th year! www.pickathon.com www.wenatcheeriverbluegrass.com More detail at: www.stringsummit.com. August 8-10 June 16 - 21 July 18-20 Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival Weiser, ID Darrington Bluegrass Festival Medical Lake, WA National Old-Time Fiddle Contest Darrington, WA www.bluewatersbluegrass.org www.fiddlecontest.com Diana Morgan (360) 436-1179 Weiser Friends of the Fiddle www.darringtonbluegrass.com June 13-22 www.stickerville.org

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 20 2013 FESTIVAL CALENDAR

August 8-10 August 29-31 Onsite camping included with weekend Mt. St Helens Bluegrass Festival Eagleview Bluegrass and Folk Festival pass! Toledo, WA Eagleview Campground (on the Main [email protected] Mark Phillips & IIIrd Generation, and Umpqua River) [email protected] some of your favorite PNW bands! Sutherlin, OR www.pvbluegrass.com Workshops, band scramble, free Sunday Gate opens 2pm Friday bluegrass gospel concert. Evening shows, potluck, campfire jam. September 12 - 14 General (360) 785-3478 On the beautiful Umpqua River. Fishing Oregon Bluegrass Associations 7h [email protected] and hiking, plenty of camping. Annual Bluegrass and Old Time washingtonbluegrassassociation.org Joe Ross (541) 673-9759 Picker’s Festival [email protected] Band showcases, square dancing, and August 10-17 three days of non-stop jamming with The Centralia Campout August 29-31 your OBA friends! Centralia, WA Tumbleweed Music Festival www.oregonbluegrass.org An Old Time Campout with square Howard Amon Park dances in the evening, meteor showers Richland, WA September 26-28 and lots of Jamming. No stage shows, 17th annual festival Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree performers, or scrambles. Lots of Three Rivers Folklife Society Tygh Valley, OR friends, stories, tunes and songs. Pot- Music, dance, workshops, open mic, Held annually on the grounds of the lucks and river picking. Directions and storytelling. Wasco County Fairgrounds more info at www.centraliacampout.com (509) 528-2215 Information: Contact Debra Holbrook [email protected] 541-489-3434 August 15 - 17 www.3rfs.org/tmf Tons of camping...Only need a reserva- High and Dry Bluegrass Festival tion for hook-ups. Bend, OR September 5-7 Contact Sid Moss about camping at 541- highanddrybluegrassfestival.com Sisters Folk Festival 483-3388 Sisters, OR August 22-24 Three day celebration of American Roots September 27-28 Bannock County Bluegrass Festival music – from blues to Bluegrass. Music in the Mountains at the Prospect Pocatello, ID www.sistersfolkfestival.com Hotel for more information visit: Two days of Bluegrass, Country, Folk bannockcountybluegrassfestival.com September 5-7 and Americana Music in Prospect Annual American Banjo Camp Oregon. Prospect Hotel 541-560-3664 August 24-31 Fort Flagler State Park www.prospecthotel.com/bluegrass.html Strings and Threads Nordland, WA Yreka, California. A Weekend of intense instruction with Featuring; Larry Gillis some of the best old-time and bluegrass Band, North Country, Green Mountain, banjo players around (not to mention and Siskiyou Summit. Siskiyou Golden some great fiddle and guitar players.) Fairgrounds, contact: Plus demonstrations, concerts and www.siskiyoustringsandthreads.com plenty of jamming. www.americanbanjocamp.com August 29-30 Idaho Sawtooth Bluegrass Association September 5-7 Fall Festival Newport Music Festival Cascade, ID Newport City Park www.idahosawtoothbluegrass.org Newport, WA Bill Estes (208) 615-1074 Open mic stage, youth band competi- tion, band scramble

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 21 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 22 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 23 The Theory of Bluegrass: Marooned by Matt Snook

When the S.S. Minnow ended its So when the singer chooses an me to invent some new moves. You one way trip to Gilligan’s Island, the unfamiliar key, we treat it like the rank never know what you can build from seven castaways were marooned stranger that it is. We capo up (fiddles coconuts and bamboo until you try. on a desert island, left to their own and mandos eat your heart out) and devices, and trying to survive their recover all of our old familiar licks. In Figure 1 you’ll see a tab of the predicament and each other. I’ve outcome, and if you’d like to hear it, always been amazed that Gilligan was The one drawback is that then our log onto the OBA website and look never lynched, since he was constantly playing sounds just that way – old and for goin_home.mp3. You Scruggs- scuttling their plans of escape. It’s a familiar; plus you lose those precious style banjo players will find that it good thing he didn’t have a banjo. few lower notes of your instrument. is not completely foreign. The intro A banjo is pretty limited to begin lick is just a version of a common Meanwhile, as I said, they were with, having not quite three complete banjo introduction, and the first two marooned: “…no phone, no lights, no octaves available. Even with the dobro measures are recognizable as the motor car!” Their only possessions I hate to lose those low, growling “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” lick, were what you might expect them sounds when I want them. Now, I only done over the “F” chord instead to bring along for their “three hour know that in the past I’ve championed of “G.” There are lots of pulloffs and tour.” But they say that necessity is the use of the capo, and I still insist hammerons and other banjoistic the mother of invention, and that that you use all the tools available to devices. There are alternating thumb was a major theme on the island. make the best music possible. But and reverse rolls…you bluegrass police Ginger might show up in a ball gown perhaps there is a time for trying want forward rolls? The tab is lousy which looked suspiciously like canvas, something different, and being with forward rolls! Starting in measure and with “S.S. Minnow” stenciled marooned in an unfamiliar key might three they are scattered here and there, prominently to leave no doubt. They be just the incentive you need. then one continuous forward roll used bicycles and barrels for washing starting in measure nine and going machines, and coconuts and bamboo Far From Home through measure 14! I didn’t do that for just about everything else. on purpose, but it might be of some A friend of mine inspired me with his consolation that even though you’re The ‘Professor’ was the resident genius rendition of Russell Johnson’s “Goin’ forced to learn some new moves, and chief inventor, using these few Home.” In the key of “G” he gets that playing in a different key doesn’t ingredients to create everything from high lonesome edge to his singing that mean you have to abandon all of your batteries to Geiger counters. Even is perfect for singing about returning favorite banjo sounds. though he was never able to fix the home with a body “as cold as the poor Minnow, the Professor showed stone.” But I can’t quite get there. For Give it a try, and next time you’re us that sometimes we are most creative my voice, “F” is the limit. “F”. confronted with a strange song in a when all of our familiar crutches are stranger key, see what you can make removed. Need a lie-detector? No In a jam situation, I’d immediately of it in open tuning before putting on problem. Now where is that stash of squeeze my capo onto the third that capo. bamboo? fret and play out of a “D” position, thereby making available all of my old Stranger in a Strange Key familiar licks. Because otherwise I’d be marooned in “F.’” Marooned. As musicians, we sometimes fall prey PS: All “Theory of Bluegrass” articles But this song makes big news of that to the familiar, applying the same old will be available on the OBA website. relative minor chord, visiting the “Dm” licks to every song we learn. And who Your mileage may vary, and the author three times in each verse and twice could blame us? It takes untold hours is not responsible for injury or damages during the chorus. It would be a shame of practice to hone our skills into the incurred while playing out of “F.” No to miss that lowest D note entirely. smooth and expressive sounds we banjos were harmed in the making of So I thought, why not just play out of prefer. To reach out for something new this article. Matt teaches banjo & dobro “F” over an open “G” (with the fifth usually entails a giant step backward, in Coos Bay, Corvallis and Portland, string capoed to “A”) this one time, making us feel clumsy and awkward Oregon. Send messages to matt@ rescuing that low D note, but forcing like the beginner we thought we’d left greenbeard.us behind. OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 24 The Theory of Bluegrass: Marooned by Matt Snook

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 25 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 26 Sound advice: Hints and tips on sounding your best with Mark Gensman, Ground Zero Sound Are we ready for another great outdoor festival it insults the sound guy; you should trust him to make season? I am looking forward to a fun summer filled it right. with live bluegrass and getting to visit and even perhaps jam with old and new friends. Keep in mind that the sound guy wants to make you sound as good as you want to sound. Your band may Since I will have the responsibility of getting the best never play that festival again, but the sound guy, if he sound possible to the listening audience, I thought it does a good job, may very well be asked back year after might be an appropriate time to write about the care year. Remember that when you are on stage, he is an and feeding of the sound man. Some of the suggestions important part of your band. may sound familiar but you would be surprised at how often many basic rules get ignored by musicians. There are always sound guys who think they have all the answers. They carry a giant chip on their shoulders You spend a lot of time and money perfecting your after spending years working with musicians who sound. All the money you spent on new strings, think they are rock stars and make his life miserable. fancy pickups, hot new direct inputs (DI), and all that The sound guy may be an older failed musician who practice won’t mean a thing if the sound is botched. actually resents the fact you are on stage and not him. The sound person is in reality a member of your band The best way to treat this particular sound guy is to be for the time you are on stage. “He” (for the sake of this respectful and hope he makes the effort to do a good article) can ruin a great-sounding band. But remember job mixing your set. Sometimes the best way to deal that he also can’t make a bad band sound good. So, with a know-it-all sound guy is to simply do your best here are some tips to make the process work better. and again, hope they care enough about their job to work with you. Get his name. Meet him. Shake his hand. You may need to remember his name during your performance. All in all, your performance should be fun, it should Normally, treating the sound guy with respect means sound great for the audience, you should be able to you get treated with respect in return. Don’t be afraid hear yourselves, and when you have finished, a positive to tell him what you need and any special instructions reaction from the audience tells you that your band that may help your sound, such as “Keep all vocals at and the sound man have accomplished their missions. the same level.” “turn down (insert name here) voice in Have a great summer festival season! the monitors,” etc. Remember, he may not be familiar with your band but wants to make you sound your best. Don’t be afraid to use musical terms. He should If you have any questions about anything involving recording, understand exactly what you want. mastering, audio software, duplicating, mics, speakers or sound reinforcement, please feel free to contact me at: Don’t start playing on stage until directed to do so by the sound guy. Get to where you will be standing and [email protected]. be ready with your instrument so he can set up the microphone stands and make sure the monitors are placed properly. Don’t stand around and visit with each other when he is ready for a sound check. Pay attention. Make sure the sound guy has an input list. Try to be specific and accurate. Too many times I have bands tell me they have four instrument microphones and three vocal microphones and never mention the bass needs a “stuff” microphone or a DI. I always appreciate a specific list of what microphones are needed from left to right when facing the stage. And get the stage plot to the sound guy well before your performance. If you forgot the sound guy’s name, ask him again. After doing your sound check, don’t ask the audience how it sounded. That is pretty much meaningless, plus

OBA Bluegrass Express -WInter 2014 27

Catch Fire With Us in 2014!!

Friday, April 18 ~ Bay City Arts Center ~ Bay City, OR

Saturday, April 19 ~ Performing Arts Center ~ Lincoln City, OR

Sunday, April 27 ~ RCPUMC Concert Series ~ Portland, OR

Saturday, May 3 ~ TaborSpace with Fadin’ By 9 ~ Portland, OR

June 20—22 ~ Susanville Bluegrass Festival ~ Susanville, CA

Friday, July 4 ~ Oaks Park 4th of July Celebration ~ Portland, OR

August 15—16 ~ High & Dry Bluegrass Festival ~ Bend, OR

August 19—31 ~ Strings & Threads Bluegrass Festival ~ Yreka, CA

Sept 26—28 ~ Tygh Valley Bluegrass Festival ~ Tygh Valley, OR

Please check our website frequently for additional appearances!

Now Booking for 2014 & Beyond! www.phoenixrisingband.org ~ 503-691-1177

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 28 Velo Cult: Bikes, Brews and Bluegrass By Claire Levine Velo Cult is part vision, part accident. The result, says its owner, is “the only bike shop like this in the world.”

Sky Boyer operated a bicycle store and repair shop in San Diego. He saw his place as part of the broader commu- nity, and he frequently supported local nonprofits in a variety of ways. It was part of his values, as a resident and a business owner.

Just one problem -- he was constantly laying out cash without any returns.

So he moved to Portland with the idea of finding more space, where he could combine his passion for bikes and community outreach. He wanted to be able to offer nonprofits free space for fundraising, sell refreshments, create community -- and maintain a success- ful business.

Sky shut down his California business on accordion to Holly’s Wood and her wide selection of commuter and tour- and moved to Portland -- followed by Unknown Blues Band, and you can ing bikes. The professional mechanics every one of his employees and their dance to Brazilian carnival music or work in an open area on the shop floor, partners. After a year of searching, he swing your partner in a square dance. encouraging customers to observe, finally found the building at 1969 NE discuss and ask questions. 42nd. But it had more than twice as Fundraisers are a constant at Velo Cult. much space as he needed. For example, two of the March events Velo Cult also offers a superb selection supported the Leukemia & Lymphoma of microbrews -- with more taps sched- So the extra space launched a whole Society and the arts programs at Bev- uled to be installed soon. new set of ideas -- and opportunities to erly Cleary School. bring in the community. And among Sky Boyer supports communities, the first to take advantage of it was the OBA’s annual meeting, held April 6, including the bluegrass community. bluegrass community, always looking featured jams throughout the build- So consider supporting Velo Cult in for a place to jam and to perform. ing, including the throwback cocktail return. Stop by for a beer or a cup of lounge in the basement. The basement coffee, a movie or a show, or attend one There’s music seven nights a week, in- also holds a small movie theater. of the nonprofit fundraisers hosted at cluding bluegrass and gypsy jazz jams. the store. Check Velocult.com for the Performances range from Uncle Yascha For the bike crowd, Velo Cult offers a monthly schedule of events.

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 29 DUTCH OVEN RENDEZVOUS June 14-15, 2014 John Reischman and the Jaybirds Sacajawea State ParkpPasco WA www.mctama.org (509) 492-1555  Unlimited Jamming  Music and Dutch Oven Activities For more information and to order tickets go to www.mctama.org Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts and Music Association North Country Bluegrass Band “More bands to come” Thanks to our sponsors: Chief’s RV – The Top Family – Artmil Design – Pacific Steel Randy & Janet Schuler – State Parks – the Legends of Country with Ed Dailey on KORD 102.7 FM

ClaTskanie Bluegrass Festival August 1-2-3 2014 Great Northern Planehhs Thursday Misty Mamas Corn Bread and Chili The Loafers Corn on the Cob Hardshell Harmony Fri, Sat, and Sun Slipshod Pancake Breakfast 3rd Street Bluegrass Band Friday shows at 5,6,7,8 Saturday shows at 12,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 30 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 31 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 32 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 33 Eagleview Bluegrass Gathering, August 29-31, 2014

At Eagleview Group Campground - The gate opens at 2 PM on Friday, 11 miles west of Sutherlin, Oregon. on and closes at Noon on Sunday. Hwy 138, cross Umpqua River on Bull- Early arrivals can camp a mile ock Road, 1 mile to Eagleview Group away at Tyee Campground until Campground. 2 PM Friday through 1 the Eagleview Group Campground PM Sunday. opens for this event. $20 per person suggested donation covers Eagleview is a pickers’ gathering, two nights of camping, potluck, and this year several Oregon bands workshops and everything else. will also perform throughout the weekend. Most bands are from southern Oregon, but a few are from further away ... Umpqua Valley Bluegrass Band (host band), Long Mountain Revival, Red Diesel, mandolinist Brian Oberlin, Corral Creek Bluegrass, Back Porch Soiree, and more. Fun right on the main Umpqua River in a beautiful group campground ... mandolin workshop, Saturday night potluck, campfire, tons of acoustic jamming, Sunday morning gospel show, hiking, fishing, camping, swimming. Sorry, no reservations. Scheduled Jams: Though we try to stay up to date, times and locations change - always call first! Sunday

KLAMATH FALLS: Bluegrass Jam - Sunday after DUNDEE: Bluegrass Jam Please note this is a slow jam, with the belief that the first Friday of the month from 1 - 5 pm 1st and 3rd Tuesday Each Month, 7-9 pm bluegrass is a non-competitive participation sport. Mia’s and Pia’s Pizzeria and Brewhouse, 3545 Sum- Held upstairs at La Sierra Mexican Grill right on All talent levels are invited to participate. No ampli- mers Lane, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Hwy 99W in the middle of Dundee. For Informa- fied instruments. Listeners welcome. No charge, but For Information: Ben Coker 541-783-3478 tion: Jon Cooper (503) 702-8978 cooperweld@ there is a donation jar for those who would like to [email protected] gmail.com support the Grange for allowing use of their facility. For information: Chuck Rudkin PORTLAND: OBA Jam - First Sunday of every EUGENE: Bluegrass Jam [email protected] month October- April: 12:30-4:30PM Every Tuesday 9:00 pm - 1:00 am. Portland Audubon Center, 5151 NW Cornell Road, Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd, Eugene Friday Portland. Established in 1995, the venue of this year ‘round Intermediate and advanced, small donation re- jam offers good food and micro brews. DALLAS: ALL GOSPEL, ALL ACOUSTIC JAM quested to cover room rental. For Information: Chuck Holloway & Sean Shanahan. Every third Saturday of the month 7-10 pm For Information: Audubon Call 541-431-6603. Guthrie Park in Dallas. [email protected] For Information: Sally Clark (503) 623-0874 HILLSBORO: Rock Creek Bluegrass Jam PORTLAND: Off Key Easy Bluegrass - Every Every Tuesday 7-9pm WINLOCK, WA: SLOW JAM - Second Saturday of Sunday 2pm to 5pm McMenamin’s Rock Creek Tavern the month. 1 pm, October through May. Held at the Biddy McGraw’s Irish Pub, 6000 N.E. Glisan St. 10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Rd. Hillsboro, OR Hope Grange in Winlock, Washington. Great for all Beginner and intermediate jam. “Nobody’s too 97124. levels and especially good for total beginners. crummy too play with us!” Established, open intermediate and advanced Blue- For Information: Marv Sobolesky at 360-785-4932 For Information: Randy Black or Tony McCormick grass only jam. email: [email protected] [email protected] Information: [email protected] Saturday ROSEBURG: OBA Roseburg Jam - 3rd Sunday Year Wednesday Round BATTLEGROUND, WA: Bluegrass Jam - Every Evergreen Grange, 5361 Grange, Rd. Take Exit BEAVERTON: Bluegrass Jam - First and third second and fourth Saturday evening 119 off I-5. Just past the 2nd stop light, turn left on Wednesday of every Month - 6:30-9:30 p.m. Round The Grange Hall, on the corner of N.E. 72nd Avenue Grange Rd. The Grange is down 1/2 mile on the left. Table Pizza, 10150 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy at 179th Street Battle Ground Washington (17901 NE Bluegrass Jam - all levels encouraged. Beaverton, OR (just east of 217) Newcomer Friendly! 72nd Ave, Battle Ground, WA) For Information: 541-679-0553 For Information: [email protected] Hosted by the Columbia River Oldtime Strings. Any- [email protected] one can join in the fun; listeners as well as musicians EUGENE: Each Wednesday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 are welcome. SALEM: Salem Chapter OBA Jam pm, Music Masters Studios in South Eugene located For most up to date listing, check the OBA Jam 3rd Sunday 2pm-5pm October to May at the shopping center at 40th & Donald Calendar at: www.oregonbluegrass.org Clockworks Coffee House, 241 Commercial St. NE, All skill levels are encouraged. Good players stop in Salem OR 97301. Bluegrass instruments and music frequently and sit right in with newbies. No charge. BEND: Blue Grass Jam - 4th Saturday of each Month only, please. Listeners are invited. Some old time and old country tunes filter in with 4:30 to 8:30pm For more information call Ken at 503-507-2941 the bluegrass. Alfalfa Community Hall or email at [email protected] For Information: Sean McGowan 541-510-1241 All levels welcomed. A time to share your music, play http://www.musicmastersstudio.com/ along and meet other musicians. TUALATIN: Jam - 3rd Sunday of the month. 3-6 pm For Information: (541) 408-2085 Winona Grange, 8340 SW Seneca Street, Tualatin. Thursday [email protected] Bluegrass, Old Time, Old Country music jam. $1 donation requested. BEND: Bluegrass Jam - 2nd and 4th Thursdays from DALLAS: All gospel, all acoustic jam - Every third see: http://www.winonagrange271.org 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Saturday of the month 7-10pm For Information: [email protected] Held in the board room of the Bend - LaPine School Guthrie Park in Dallas District, downtown Bend, between Wall and Bond For Information: Call (503) 623-0874 WILLIAMS: Pancakes & Jam - 2nd Sunday of the Streets, across from the Public Library. For Informa- [email protected] month. Pancake Breakfast: 8:30-11am, Bluegrass tion: Becky Brown and Verda Hinkle 541-318-7341 Jam: 11 am- 1 pm. [email protected] PORTLAND: Taborgrass Bluegrass Class & Jam - Williams Grange, 20100 Williams Hwy. Every Saturday Thru May 17th, 10-1 for the beginning For Information: Steve Radcliffe 541-479-3487 GRANTS PASS: bluegrass-folkgrass-gospelgrass- class and jam; 1-4 for the intermediate [email protected] mountain-musicgrass - 3rd Thursday 6pm-9pm St. David of Wales Episcopal Church 2800 SE Har- Wild River Pub meeting room rison Street Portland, OR 97214 Monday Acoustic-bluegrass, folk, western, Americana roots For all instruments. No registration required. & more! Drop-ins welcome. PORTLAND: Rambling Bluegrass Jam - Every Mon- For Information: 541-471-2206 - Brinkerhoff and Cost is $10 per session. Knowledge of basic chords and day night all year. Friendly! Antonucci the ability to execute the chord changes is required. See Our Website for information on location, time, [email protected] For Information: www.taborgrass.com contact, etc. www.ramblingbluegrass.org VANCOUVER: Bluegrass Slow Jam If you have jam updates or additions, please contact Tuesday Every Thursday from 6:30-9:30 the OBA at PO Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207, Barberton Grange, 9400 NE 72nd Ave, Vancouver or contact the Webmaster Tony McCormick at ASHLAND: Bluegrass Jam - 2nd Tuesday - 7-11pm WA 98665 [email protected]. Caldera Taproom, 31 Water Street, Ashland. For Information: Call GLen Freese 541-482-8984 [email protected] OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 35

607 Washington St. Oregon City, Or. 97045 (503)656-5323

Store Hours : 9:30 to 5:30pm Mon - Fri except Thursdays, open til 7:00 • Sat 9:30 to 5pm

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 36 OBA Supporting Performer Directory OBA supporting memeberships are $50 per year. This includes a listing and link on the OBA website and a brief (approx 35 word) band listing in the supporting performers directory

A Sudden Tradition His musical style includes bluegrass, cowboy/ this band a truly unique sound. A Sudden Tradition is a five-member western, folk, and Americana. www.hudsonridgeband.com Portland-area Americana band, performing No matter what the style or venue, you’re sure Mary Luther bluegrass, folk, old time, country, standards, to feel Steve’s love and passion for his music. [email protected] contemporary, and original songs. Our mission 541-404-9281 is to bring musical joy to your gathering. www.SteveBlanchardMusic.com Upbeat and family friendly-- light-hearted 503-730-0005 Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising and just plain fun-- that’s what you get with A [email protected] Sudden Tradition! Phoenix Rising appears fresh and new as the www.ASuddenTradition.com Eight Dollar Mountain result of its members performing together in Dennis Zelmer 503-893-4569 Darrin Campbell, Stuart Green, Phil Johnson, various combinations over the past 30 years. This particular combination has now gathered Suzanne Chimenti 503-957-6161 Peter Koelsch, Mark Lackey. together in full force, bringing together the best [email protected] Eight Dollar Mountain rises from the Cascade- of bluegrass, cowboy, folk, country, Americana Siskiyou Mountain region of Southern Oregon and some incredibly talented songwriting to Back Porch Revival and brings you fine string music from the long bring you a sound that is clean, hard driving Gene Greer – guitar/harmonica, Tony standing traditions of excellent bluegrass. and uniquely their own. McCormick – banjo, Dan Anolik – mandolin/ www.eightdollarmountain.net harmonica, Aron Racho – guitar and more, www.phoenixrisingband.org/ Mark Lackey Bruce Peterson – bass and guitar. [email protected] 503-691-1177 Blues inspired folk, country, blues, honky-tonk Fadin’ By 9 and original songs. Back porch music that hits What happens when you bring together a The Loafers the ball out of the park! bass-playing attorney, guitar-strumming Mike Stahlman, Dave Elliot, Aaron Stocek, www.backporchrevival.com bilingual reading specialist, fire-on-the-fiddle Holly Johnson Gene Greer volcanologist, and a banjo-picking elementary [email protected] school principal? Correct if you circled “c) 503-641-4946 Fadin’ by 9” . With hot pickin’, tight harmonies, The Loafers are an acoustic quartet, based and a mix of “bluegrassified” rock, folk, and in the Portland-Metro area, specializing in Back Up and Push bluegrass covers & originals, Fadin’ by 9 creates bluegrass, jazz, and old time instrumentals, with a few good classic vocals thrown in for Dan Kopecky --mandolin/vocals, Robert a unique, uplifting, high-energy sound. good measure. We are a new group with some Brownscombe –bass, Susie Anderson – fiddle/ www.fadinby9.com old names, and a couple new faces. vocals, Tom Gall -- guitar/vocals, Patrick Dave Irwin McLaughlin – banjo. [email protected] Dave Elliot 5 piece bluegrass band from Welches, OR. We 360-903-0131 503-663-3548 play a mix of traditional bluegrass, southern blues and a few cowboy tunes. Available for Home Grown Long Mountain Revival festivals, shows, parties, dances, barbecues or Steve Smith, guitar; Bill Nix, banjo; and Dave Long Mountain Revival’s main emphasis in whatever! Morris, fiddle. Everyone sings. the group is sharing the Gospel through song. backupandpush.tripod.com HomeGrown has presented their music in Long Mountain Revival is available for church Patrick McLaughlin a variety of settings ranging from Bluegrass functions, outreaches, community events, and [email protected] festivals to concert halls. Their music ranges any other venue where Gospel Bluegrass music from intense Jug Band dance tunes to foot is desired. Bethel Mountain Band tapping porch tunes to sweet melodic waltzes. www.myspace.com/lmrevival Gene Stutzman, Jerry Stutzman, Larry Knox, www.homegrownoldtime.com/in Jon Clement Tyce Pedersen (Front) - Jerry Schrock, Will Bill Nix [email protected] Barnhart, Craig Ulrich [email protected] 541-292-6907 Hello bluegrass lovers of the Willamette Valley! Please visit our website to learn more about Hudson Ridge Lost Creek us, our music, our schedule, and the annual Mary Luther- lead vocal and bass, Jerene From Portland, Oregon, Lost Creek delivers “Bluegrass in the Orchard Grass” event. Shaffar-vocal, mandolin and bass, Shelley a driving blend of bluegrass and old time Freeman- bass and vocal, Kevin Freeman, lead standards with terrific vocal harmonies and bethelmountainband.com tasteful instrumentation. For years they’ve Jerry Stutzman guitar and vocal, Bob Shaffar-fiddle and dobro, Fred Grove- rhythm guitar. delighted audiences at festivals, pubs, parks, [email protected] dances, markets, and weddings throughout Hudson Ridge has a sound all its own. Love Oregon and Washington. Have a listen and see Steve Blanchard of harmony and the desire and ability to what’s new ... thanks for stopping by. Steve Blanchard is well known as an acoustic “Ridgetize” their own blend of Americana, flatpicker guitarist, singer and songwriter Bluegrass, and traditional Country music gives For Information: with a career spanning over four decades. www.lostcreekmusic.com

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 [email protected] 37 OBA Supporting Performer Directory OBA supporting memeberships are $50 per year. This includes a listing and link on the OBA website and a brief (approx 35 word) band listing in the supporting performers directory

Lucky Gap String Band Mud Springs Gospel Band compositions. Roundhouse instrumentation Chas Malarkey, Bob Llewellyn, Jerry Robbins, George Klos includes guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass. Mike Harrington, Linda Sickler 541-475-6377 www.roundhouse-band.com Good Old-Time Traditional Americana Kim Jones Puddletown Ramblers and Bluegrass on the Oregon Coast. High [email protected] Puddletown Ramblers is a regional bluegrass Energy, Tight Harmonies, and Fun-Loving 503-838-2838 Personalities compliment any Party, Dance, band that performs original songs, good Wedding or Special Occasion. old time traditional bluegrass, acoustic, old country and Americana music. We are based Shasta Ray Band in Portland, Oregon and perform all over the The band’s founder and leader is Shasta Chaz Malarkey Northwest. Our blend of harmonious voices Ray, born in New . His travels and [email protected] will shake that tender chord in your heart and experiences are reflected in his song writing. 541-265-2677 leave you wanting to hear more. About 30% of what the band plays are Shasta Dave Peterson, Tom Martin, Joe Ray originals. The band is referred to as a Mischief Martin,Walter Jacobson, Fred Schultz. truly “Community Band”....a “Bring a town Based in the Pacific Northwest, Mischief together Band.” The music played is a real is father/daughter duo Matt and Anna Dave Peterson slice of Americana including bluegrass, folk, Snook with Jim Brockill. We’ve 70+ years of puddletownramblers.com country, sing-a-long gospel, and old time experience playing bluegrass and acoustic [email protected] favorites. music. Be amazed: trio harmonies and Liz Crain instrumentals with banjo, Dobro, guitar, mandolin and octave Mando, and fiddle. The Rainbow Sign [email protected] Curt Alsobrook, Rachel Bock, and Josh 541-537-1031 ColeOld-timey goodness with strong [email protected] harmonies and knee slapping tunes! Taking Slipshod 541.805.5133 turns leading vocally and switching up Slipshod formed in 2012. These musicians instruments, The Rainbow Sign delivers a enjoy entertaining audiences with both their Misty Mamas high energy performance strengthened by a humor and musical skills. Matt Snook (dobro common love of mountain music. Carol Harley, April Parker, Katherine Nitsch, and banjo) and Steve Blanchard (guitar and Eileen Rocci www.facebook.com/TheRainbowSign mandolin) offer listeners a broad and diverse This band – together since 2005 – has made a www.joshcolebluegrass.com range of music, including originals, familiar real name for itself in the Vancouver/Portland melodies and dynamic instrumentals. Their acoustic music scene. Collectively these Rose City Bluegrass Band harmonies and unique vocal interpretations women have decades of experience playing Gretchen Amann, Charlie Williamson, Peter add to their precise instrumental talents. and singing in harmony. MISTY MAMAS Schwimmer, Spud Siegel If you’re looking for a fun, energetic band for serve up Home-Style bluegrass filled with your next event, party or festival, consider The Rose City Bluegrass Band performs an powerful harmonies, traditional and original Slipshod. Check out this dynamic duo on eclectic blend of Bluegrass and Americana. songs as well as tasty instrumentals combining their web site, Facebook and YouTube. Who doesn’t love great banjo, fiddle, guitar, the American genres of bluegrass, old time, mandolin and bass backing up 3 part gospel, folk and country music. Family Steve Blanchard, 503-730-0005 harmonies? We excel at playing and delighting friendly, the band can include interactive [email protected] folks at corporate and civic events, weddings, songs that engage the younger set. family gatherings, private parties, restaurants Matt Snook, 541-805-5133 Carol Harley and taverns. [email protected] [email protected] www.rosecitybluegrass.com/ind www.mistymamas.com Sleepy Eyed Johns Charlie Williamson Ian Joel - banjo; Mark Klassen- guitar; John [email protected] Money Creek Mining Co. Melnichuk - fiddle; Chuck Davidshofer - bass; 503-206-4911 Billy Wyatt - mandolin. LuAnn Price, Michael Johnson, Steve Leming, Dave Toler and Steve Bickle Sleepy Eyed Johns – Stump-pulling bluegrass, Roundhouse from the roots. Donn Whitten, Kim Jones, Ron Leavitt and Money Creek plays stirring mountain ballads Joe Denhof Ian Joel and burning banjo tunes. Known for their [email protected] precise harmonies, rarely do you find a group Roundhouse was formed with the goal of 503-281-7666 of singers with their unique blend. Join providing a variety of musical genres to Money Creek on a musical American journey diverse audiences: something for everyone. Steer Crazy of triumph, sorrow and just plain fun. Toward this end Roundhouse performs Rick King -- Guitar, Glenn Denison -- www.moneycreekbluegrass.com bluegrass, southern rock, doo-wop, gospel, Mandolin, Tim Dawdy -- Steel-Guitar & LuAnn Price country, blazing instrumentals and original Dobro [email protected]

425-346-6136 OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 38 Go To www.oregonbluegrass.org For more info & links Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in receiving a Supporting Performer Membership form.

A New Brand of Western & American Music. Whiskey Puppy contagious fun are part of the Rufusarian Musical fun and close harmonies that require Rachel Gold (guitar), Justin Auld (banjo and bluegrass experience. A Whistlin’ Rufus show no complicated explanation. Nice guys singing fiddle) and Gabe Adoff (Bass) guarantees a varied and wonderful mix of and playing great music. blazing bluegrass, original homemade tunes and an Irish fiddle tune or two. http://www.facebook.com/Steercrazyband Whiskey Puppy plays boot-stomping, mule- Tim Dawdy slapping traditional bluegrass and old time www.whistlinrufus.com [email protected] music. The Portland, OR trio brings energy, Pat Connell 360-904-0347 humor, and skillful musicianship to little- [email protected] known songs and tunes searched out from the 971-207-5933 Wayward Vessel repertoires of the early Southern string bands. Ken Chapple (guitar), Julie Schmidt (fiddle), Betsy and Theron Yochelson http://www.whiskeypuppy.com/ Josiah Payne (mandolin) and Belinda Rachel Gold Stand-up bass / mandolin -- Lead / harmony Underwood (bass). vocals. We head up two bluegrass / acoustic- [email protected] country “all-event” bands in the mid- 503-227-0647 Wayward Vessel is an adventurous alternative Willamette Valley. acoustic ensemble exploring the boundaries of bluegrass and folk music. With superb 541-409-8248 Whistlin’ Rufus musicianship and lush, natural vocal [email protected] harmonies, the band creates a unique Pat Connell, Ritchie Wernick, Nat O’Neal, Red Diesel: palette to portray their rich library of original Patrick Connell, Zach Banks, John Meek. www.facebook.com/reddieseloregon and traditional music. Prairie Dog Backfire: Whistlin’ Rufus has delighted family www.reverbnation.com/prairiedogbackfire http://www.waywardvessel.com audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest Ken Chappel for several years. Three and four part vocal [email protected] harmonies, exciting instrumentation and

OBA Bluegrass Express - Spring 2014 39 Oregon Bluegrass Association Non-Profit US Postage P.O. Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207 Paid Address Service Requested Portland OR Permit No. 2956 Oregon Bluegrass Association

A subscribing member of the OBA according to expiration date. Cut along dotted line for a handy OBA Membership ID card.

Oregon Bluegrass Association P.O. Box 1115 Portland, Oregon 97207 www.oregonbluegrass.org

Oregon Bluegrass Association Membership Membership The Board of Directors of the Oregon Bluegrass Association cordially invites you to join the organiza- Check all that apply tion. Benefits include a subscription to the Bluegrass Express and discounts to OBA sanctioned events. The Oregon Bluegrass Association is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation founded in1982. ___ New Member ___ General Member ...... $25 (1yr.)/$65 (3yrs.) ___ Supporting Performer .....$50 (1yr.) Name ___ Angel Sponsor ...... $60 (1yr.) Address ___ Golden Sponsor ...... $100 (yr.) ___ Contributing Business Sponsor....$125 (1 yr.)/$350 City State Zip Code (3 yrs.) Volunteering Home Phone Work Phone ___ Yes! I am interested in helping as a volunteer at E-Mail Address OBA sanctioned events. Please add me to your list of volunteers.