Volume 30 • Number 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE! July • August The Circle of Fifths Unleased The Express Needs You Sound Advice 2010 Off Key Jammers Bluegrass Expresswww.oregonbluegrass.org

Look at the People “I did not know that the On being entertaining technical aspects are far by Larry Wilder outweighed by a show’s personal touches”

bluegrass genre. Listen to the Josh and Jake comedy and the relaxed interplay between all the Foggy Mountain Boys.

The evolution of an entertainer I was no natural. When I began playing banjo and guitar in the 60’s, I could not sing, talk, smile or look at the audience. I was pathetically nervous and embarrassed to be on stage. When I finally began to speak on stage, I thought I had to use contrived or cute elocution. That didn’t work. I did not know that the technical Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars aspects are far outweighed by a show’s personal touches. As my real persona arry Wilder is a singer, national yodel audience. Bill would also invite ladies began to come out, the audiences champion, multi-instrumentalist and master from the audience to dance with him L reacted positively. They began to tell of ceremonies. Whether he’s performing in a onstage. They lined up. me how comfortable they would feel. packed concert hall or to five shoppers at a farmer’s Acts such as Reno & Smiley and Flatt & This was a breakthrough for me: I market, Larry fully engages his listeners. The Scruggs took it further with their family- realized that my relaxed, yet focused Express asked Larry to talk about entertainment – approach worked. and how bluegrass bands can add the “E” factor oriented, novelty song approach. Don to their performances. Reno and Red Smiley went out of their There are others who do the same way to please with dress-up comedy skits thing all around us. When you attend a Don Reno said, “Your first job is to featuring themselves as Chicken and concert or see a band in a market setting, entertain, period.” Those are great Pansy Hot Rod. notice what they are doing show-wise. marching orders for any performer. Lester and Earl used novelty songs Notice how you “listen with your eyes” We would not have the modern galore: “Old Salty Dog Blues,” “Mama and that seeing and hearing are closely proliferation of bluegrass bands and Blues,” “Till the End of the World connected. How are folks dressed? events were it not for the persistence What is their onstage demeanor? Watch Rolls ‘Round,” and “Don’t Get Above and stubborn work of the early greats. and listen for what can you take away Your Raisin’” -- to name a few. They Bill Monroe’s shows were loaded with and shape into your presentation. catchy tunes and tricks to engage the became the most successful act of the continued on page 7

Table of Contents Proud Member of:

July / August 2010 • Volume 30 / Number 4 • Newsletter of the Oregon Bluegrass Association • www.oregonbluegrass.org

July - August TisIsueh s Features 2010 Vol.30 No.4 Cover Story: www.oregonbluegrass.org Look at the People - On being entertaining 1 Bluegrass Express by Larry Wilder Bluegrass Express is a bi-monthly newsletter dedicated to informing members of the

The Express needs you 12 Oregon Bluegrass Association about local, by Claire Levine regional and national bluegrass issues, events and opportunities. GTM issues first CD 14 by Claire Levine Bill Harlow plays banjo and sings at the Off-Key Jams. Bluegrass Express Staff Meet the Off-Key Jammers Creating a community in tune with bluegrass 20 ▪ ▪Advertising Christine Palmer | (503) 282-0877 by Claire Levine [email protected]

The Theory of Bluegrass ▪ ▪Calendar The Circle of Fifths Unleased 22 Chip Russell | (503) 239-6599 [email protected] by Matthew Snook

▪ ▪Contributing Editor Clumnso & Commentary Claire Levine [email protected] Membership & Ad Information 4 Everybody gets to play at the Off-Key Jam. ▪ ▪Copy Editor OBA President’s Letter 5 Kathy Boyd [email protected] Sound Advice 10

▪ ▪ Graphic Design + Layout Calendars, Lists & Info Jana Rocheleau | www.jmrartist.com Radio Time Listings 5 [email protected]

What’s Cookin’? Pull-Out Calendar 15 ▪ ▪ Publisher and Editors Colby Buswell | (503) 334-6806 Festival Calendar 17 [email protected] Scheduled Jams Around the Northwest 28 Christine Palmer | (503) 282-0877 [email protected] Supporting Performer Directory 30 Remy McVey is a long-standing regular at the Sunday ▪ ▪Webmaster & Web Content afternoon gatherings Tony McCormick | (503) 330-2239 [email protected]

The Oregon Bluegrass Association (OBA) PO Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1982. It’s pur- pose is to promote, encourage, foster and cultivate the preservation, appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, support and performance of bluegrass and other closely related music. The Bluegrass Express is printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper. The Infamous Stringdusters are just one of the many bands at the RiverCity Music Festival this year. Oregon Bluegrass Association Board

Membership Information Advertising The OBA Board of Directors invites Your Express advertising will directly The OBA Board you to join the OBA and to participate reach over 600 households of bluegrass Contact the OBA: 503 321-5077 in its many activities. Our member- enthusiasts while helping OBA to keep www.oregonbluegrass.org ship benefits include a subscription publishing this valuable resource. Tear to the bi •monthly Bluegrass Express, sheets or extra copies of the Express are Officers of the Board frequent mailings about events, and available. We appreciate your support ticket discounts to Northwest bluegrass of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. Chip Russell - President events. Annual membership dues are [email protected] $20 for a General Member, $50 for Submissions Colby Buswell - Vice President Supporting Performers and $100 for [email protected] Please contact Christine Palmer via a Contributing Business Sponsor (see e-mail at [email protected] for David Hausner - Treasurer page 7), as well as other options. To information about placing an ad for [email protected] join, complete the application on the your music related business in the Larry Wilder - Secretary back cover and mail with your check to: OBA Bluegrass Express. [email protected] Oregon Bluegrass Association, P.O. Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207. Matt Snook - Membership Payment [email protected] Web Site The OBA prefers to receive advertis- ing payment in advance. We would like Volunteer Coordinator Features include a calendar, excerpts one year contracts six months in ad- Randy Black from the current issue of the Express, vance, and we will bill for the next six [email protected] and links for local bands. Come visit us months. online! Visit the OBA web page today! Members at Large www.oregonbluegrass.org. Please make checks payable to: Fred Coates The Oregon Bluegrass Association, [email protected] Sponsored Jams mail to PO Box 1115, Cleve Friedman Portland, Oregon 97207. The OBA sponsors jam sessions in [email protected] Portland, Coburg, Roseburg, as well as Tony McCormick Pendleton. Check the Scheduled Jams [email protected] section of this issue for a complete list- Bluegrass Express Advertising Rates ing of these and other jams through- Liz Crain out Oregon. If you are interested in [email protected], (size) (dimension) (two + issues) organizing an OBA-sponsored jam, Patty Spencer contact any of the Board members or [email protected] Full Page 8x10” $110.00 $99.00 Express Staff at the phone numbers or Chuck Holloway e-mail addresses listed on this page and Half Page 8x5’’ $65.00 $58.00 [email protected] on page 3. Quarter Page 35/8x5’’ $45.00 $40.00 Ian Joel [email protected] 1/2 5/8’’ Articles & Editorial Deadlines Eighth Page 3 x2 $25.00 $20.00 Cathy Beach The OBA Board invites you to submit Business Card 31/2x2’’ $25.00 $20.00 [email protected] letters, stories, photos and articles to Add 3% for late payment. Ernie Connelly the Bluegrass Express. Published files [email protected] remain in our archives and art is re- turned upon request. Deadlines for all The OBA holds board elections each April as Ad Specs: art and copy: November 25th for the individual terms expire. The Board of Direc- January and February issue; January When submitting an advertisement tors invites you to join our monthly meetings. to be in the Bluegrass Express, please We welcome your visit and ideas, opinions and 25th, for the March and April issue; proposals. Or, just come to see what we’re do- March 25th for the May and June is- be sure the file is black and white, 300 dpi, and in either PDF, TIFF, or JPEG ing! We generally meet the second Tuesday of sue; May 25th for the July and August each month at 7:30 p.m. The location is subject issue; July 25th for the September and format. If you have questions about to change. Call us or email any board member October issue; and September 25th for your file, email Christine Palmer at for time, location and directions. the November and December issue. [email protected].

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 4 From the President What’s Playing on the Radio? Local Radio Bluegrass and Country Listings. Howdy All -KBOO, And so we all move into the summer festival season, my favorite time of the year. Albany/Corvallis Broadcast from Portland, can be heard I am saddened by the news that a couple of my favorite festivals are not happening at 100.7 FM. See under Portland, below. this year due to this economic downturn that is gripping us all. Sponsors have Astoria-KMUN, 91.9 FM. had to pull back, and that is leaving festival promoters, who often operate on a Some syndicated programming. shoestring, between a rock and a hard place. 503 325-0010. I would like to see the bluegrass community get out and support your local and “Café Vaquera,” Tuesdays 9-11pm, Bluegrass/Old Timey favorite festivals as much as you can this year. Your financial support through ticket Western/ Folk with Calamity Jane. purchases will always be appreciated. But maybe you can go an extra step and sign [email protected]. up to volunteer and help out the promoters in whatever way you can. “Shady Grove,” We need to do whatever is possible to keep the Pacific Northwest bluegrass festival Saturdays 7 - 9pm. Regular folk program. Monday thru Friday 10am - noon, with scene alive and vibrant. bluegrass included. And when you are attending your favorite festival this summer, be sure to look for Columbia Gorge-KBOO, the Oregon Bluegrass table. Then come by and say howdy. broadcast from Portland, can be heard at 92.7 FM. See under Portland, below. You will notice that we have wonderful new t-shirts for this season, and we are 503 231-8187. happy to announce that we will also have shirts specifically designed for women. In Corvallis-KOAC, 550 AM, addition, we have redesigned the OBA logo to properly reflect the importance of Syndicated public radio with some blue- the contributions of the female portion of the bluegrass population in the PNW by grass included in regular programming. adding female figures. I feel that this is long overdue, and I am sure that the new 541 737-4311. logo will be a big hit. Eugene-KLCC, 89.7 FM, Also, we are working on a hat design for the near future, and we’ll let you know Local broadcast. 541 726-2224. Mixed format, “Saturday Café”, when they are available. These new items will be available at festivals, and soon, on Saturdays 11am - Noon the OBA website. So keep your eyes and ears open. and “The Backporch”, Saturdays 9pm - 10pm. We will have more news soon concerning our annual Bluegrass and Old-time Eugene-KRVM, 91.9 FM, Picker’s Campout. This year, we will be holding this great event at Pendarvis Farm, “Routes & Branches” 3 - 5pm, in Boring, OR; site of the Pickathon. I believe that this new site will be a better fit “Acoustic Junction” 5 - 7pm, Saturdays, for our activities. We will even be allowed to use the Barn to hold band scrambles plays bluegrass along w/ other acoustic music. and other activities. Watch out for more details concerning this event on the “Miles of Bluegrass” is 7 - 9pm, Mondays. www.krvm.org 541 687-3370. OBA website. Pendleton-KWHT, 103.5 FM, I hope to see many of you this summer at various shows and festivals. Be sure to “Bushels of Bluegrass”, Sundays 9 - 11pm. come by and say howdy. contact Phil Hodgen 541 276-2476. Portland-KBOO, 90.7 FM, Uncle Chippy “Music from the True Vine,” OBA President Saturdays 9am - Noon. Other folk programs also include bluegrass. 503 231-8187. Stayton-KENC, AM 1620, 607 Washington St. “Into The Blue” Fridays 9:30am to 12:30 pm Oregon City, Or. 97045 Saturday noon till 3:00pm (503)656-5323 Phil Nusbaums “Bluegrass Review” Thursdays from noon to 1pm Saturday from 3 to 4pm... We broadcast 24/7 Store Hours : 9:30 to and have bluegrass and old country classics 5:30pm Mon - Fri except throughout our broadcast day and play lots of Thursdays, open til 7:00 NW bluegrass artists.www.kencradio.com • 503-769-KENC or [email protected] Sat 9:30 to 5pm

607 Washington St. OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 Oregon City, Or. 97045 (503)656-5323 5

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 Look at the People On being entertaining by Larry Wilder

My first bluegrass band was Pain in the My intent has always been to amaze, 6. Know what your closing two Grass with Stuart Duncan, who was nine delight and put audiences in a fun songs are. Be ready to go to them if years old and already a blazing fiddler place. I love their excitement. Maybe time is short. Wear a watch! There is and fine singer. Our mission was to the spectacular nature of tunes like NO excuse for running over. In fact, entertain. Stuart was always ready with “I’ve Been Everywhere,” “I Am My Own it is good show business to finish and a new joke at my expense. Dick Tyner, Grandpa” and the yodeling (which take your (choreographed) bow three Randy Hupp, Stuart and I all pitched anyone can do) are compensating minutes early. Get off the stage; do in; I even did “The Auctioneer” song. for my original inept embarrassment not milk an encore. That is the job of We would rehearse eight hours on on stage years ago. The drive to be the concert MC, who should NOT be Sundays; much of that time was spent different overcame the early challenges calling every act back for an encore. on transitions between songs, funny I had faced. That dilutes the elements that went bits, costumes, choreography, and into eliciting a real one. so forth. The work paid off when the Seven steps for a memorable show people responded. The concept of “entertainment” may 7. Know what your encore will be. seem intangible – but you can take Say thanks quickly and get into the specific steps to engage your audience encore tune within 15 seconds. If you Doyle Lawson stresses, throughout your show. hesitate, you lose the moment. “Look at the people!” 1. Be yourself. Find the person or Curtain time persons in your band who are authentic While people have said very nice things and can communicate on stage. Well- about my solo programs or our band’s After moving to Oregon in the calibrated MC work will propel you shows, I am by no means an authority 1980’s, Foxfire was formed. One of through a show and carry the audience on stage presentation. I strongly my responsibilities was writing the set with you encourage all folks to assess what you lists. I gleefully enlisted a different are looking at and hearing when you lead singer for the first five songs. We 2. Connect with the people. Relate are at a concert. Be a critic. wanted the audience on their toes, to them. Involve them singing [Bill so we would start with a fast bluegrass Monroe would do this], get them Of all the requests I have fielded over song; then do “Brown Eyed Girl” in calling out requests, laughing or the years, the one name that pops a quasi-reggae style; follow that with a talking about them. Plan some comedy up all the time is perhaps our most yodel; then an original ballad and back MC work to set them at ease. beloved Americana singer -- Johnny to a hard-driving bluegrass tune. The Cash. His shows were replete with good spotlight bounced quickly from man to 3. EVERY SECOND COUNTS!! humor, friendly banter with audience, Audiences drift away from acts that man. The audience was hooked. They great numbers from others in the cast fail to plan and execute a real show. rewarded us with a terrific run from and, of course, his stunning array of Avoid “dead time!” Keep a focused 1985-1998. original songs. momentum and make every moment Our current band, the Stumptown meaningful! No voice has ever been more dialed in Stars, follows the ideas set out in this to our feelings, hearts and experiences. article. We have five lead singers and 4. Design and pace your shows. Vary Yet he, too, clearly understood the do an even wider variety of roots and the songs by mood, keys, tempos and value of a good show. original music. The addition of Cliff lead singers. Use instrumental breaks Thank you for reading, but it’s curtain time! Ashmon with his stellar harmonica carefully; too many may cause the show Gotta run! work is another example of ignoring to flounder. Come out and critique our show. bluegrass tradition, broadening 5. Handle the serious, contemplative We’re trying to learn how to better horizons and capturing the audiences. songs with utmost care. They might fit please the folks, because, as Irving Doyle Lawson stresses, “Look at into the #4 and #7 slots. Set them up Berlin put it so well: “There’s no business the people!” thoughtfully and emerge from them like show . . . !” with crisp MC’ing and zippy tunes.

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 7 8 Produced by the Scott Valley Bluegrass Association Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival Etna, California July 17 & 18 G2 Bluegrass Band Donna Hughes Band Susie Glaze & The Hilonsome Band California Borderline Bound to Ride Shades of Blue Bill Bogan & Trusting Hart

Etna is located near the Oregon border 25 miles from Yreka, CA www.scottvalleybluegrass.com 530-467-4144

Oregon Bluegrass Association - Bluegrass Express Contributing Business Sponsors

Gwen Peterson, 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 - www.rivercitybluegrass.com Richard Siewert, GRI - Owner/Broker, Northwest Classic Properties 1-800-440-8301 - 2265 Country Club Rd. Woodburn, Oregon 97071 Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. 360-887- 9495 - PO Box 1022, Ridgefield WA 98642

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 part- ner - now you can, as a Contributing Business Sponsor. A non-music related business cannot advertise with the OBA, but a Contributing Business Sponsor can get the recognition and promotional benefits of underwriter-style sponsorship. For $100 annually, your OBA supporting business gets all the 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 Matt Snook: by email at [email protected]

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 9 SOUND ADVICE Hints and tips on sounding your best, by Mark Gensman, Ground Zero Sound

thought it might be interesting to US cars were equipped with eight track edit a mandolin break note by note, Igo back and see how they recorded stereo cartridge tape players, founded do multiple takes and cut and paste music in the good old days. In many by William Lear, the Learjet guy. the best of them together into one cases, it’s quite amazing that we have great lead, remove string noise, pick so many restored recordings from the The odds are that if you listen to any noise, foot taps, and any of the normal forties, fifties and sixties. old recording done in the late 50’s sounds of people playing their instru- or early 60’s, they were recorded to ments. We are getting to a point where Anyone who has seen “Oh Brother” either tape, or acetate masters were in many cases, the musicians can’t even knows that they recorded the Foggy cut in the studio. Most live recordings play the music they have recorded. Mountain Boys direct to disc at a radio would have been made by tape decks station using an acetate disc cutter. and transferred to vinyl at a later date. Back in the early days, the songs were That is how they did it in the early days All that should make us all realize just recorded from start to finish. The of recording. Acetate is a very brittle how far audio recording technology harmony singers had to sing their plastic and it is remarkable that so has come over the decades. Today, you parts along with the lead singer. If it many early recordings are still with us. can buy a stereo recorder that records wasn’t done right, they started from CD quality files for under $150 and it the beginning and did it all the way through until it was as good as it gets. Maybe that’s one reason why so many Back in the early days, the songs were recorded from new bluegrass tunes don’t seem to have the staying power of the old standards start to finish. The harmony singers had to sing their that were recorded in a much more raw parts along with the lead singer. and organic way. Maybe there is a charm in leaving the fits in the palm of your hand. You can warts and blemishes in the music? In 1948, the first tape recorders transfer your music to your computer, started showing up. The Bing Crosby If you have any questions about compress it and put a thousand songs anything involving recording, master- show used one of the first to record his on a CD or a thumb drive literally the show. They used 3M Scotch 111 gamma ing, audio software, duplicating, mics, size of your thumb. Just think of the speakers or sound reinforcement, ferric oxide coated acetate tape. But thousands upon thousands of hours cutting music direct to disc was still the please feel free to contact me at : GZ- of great old bluegrass music we could [email protected]. main way recordings were made. be listening to today if someone in the In 1949, Columbia introduced the audience at a Bill Monroe early concert first 12 inch 33-1/3 rpm LP with 23 had a Zoom H2 avail- minutes per side and also in 1949 RCA able. Victor introduced the 7 inch 45 rpm These days, bluegrass record. In 1951 the war of the speeds bands are recorded di- ended as RCA Victor sold LP’s and rect into the computer Columbia sold 45’s. Also in 1949 using multitrack audio a second head was added to a Mag- software. The ability to necord reel to reel, creating the first manipulate the music open reel stereo tape machine. The 4 is practically endless track Revox tape machine didn’t show with EQ, panning, up until 1960. volume, autotune, In 1963 Phillip’s demonstrated it’s etc. being just a mouse first compact audio cassette and in 1966 click away. You can

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 10 11 The Express Needs You! by Claire Levine

Join a nationally recognized team Updating information. Each Express wice in the last 10 years, the contains a list of radio programs, INSIDE THIS ISSUE! Oregon Notes From The Front jams, calendar events and band list- T 3 Just Folks - Louie White 30 • Number Double Stops on the Banjo - Bluegrass Volume Arkansas Traveler ings. Someone needs to keep these June May • Association’s up-to-date. 2010 www.oregonbluegrass.org newsletter, The Preparation for designer. One or Express, has won top more people must be responsible for be the only two people around that publication honors had even heard of this type of music. collecting all the copy, photos and They went to the Old-Time Fiddler’s Bluegrass ExpressContest in Weiser, ID every summer. from The Society for By Anna Snook advertising, determining which pages “We would go backstage and just wait back there, and fiddlers would grab the Preservation of S u r v i v i n g us to back ‘em up, and we’d go up on each item should go on and conveying stage, no practice or nothin’! And I Bluegrass Music. could remember some of ‘em would this information to the designer. say ‘Hey boy! Do you know how to play Billy in the Lowground? That’s all That’s saying a lot for right, you’ll get it. Come on – let’s go!’ Reviewing the Express before it goes We’d do that for days.” an organization that’s After college, Ron moved to California to work for a redwood to the printer. In addition to proof- lumber company. A couple of years as far away as you can later, Ron moved back up to Portland. reading, one or more people must look Within a few days, he was snapped up get from the home of by Ian Joel for the infamous—I mean, legendary—Muddy Bottom Boys band. at the Express to make sure all the con- “Those were wild times,” he says. bluegrass without leaving One of his craziest gigs, he says, tent is included and that the layout is happened with the Muddy Bottom the continental United Boys. “One day,” Ron chuckles, “we clear and readable. Publications lend had to play over at Sun River Resort first tune he ever learned was “Davey Ron’s has a quirky, eclectic taste in both hats and music. The Pith helmet is a festival favorite for this great big, fancy, corporate States. Crockett” when he was seven years party for Standard Oil, and they paid themselves to funny mistakes – like on Emmons: many people know old. He first got hooked into bluegrass us a bunch of money. When we got Rhim as the mandolin player for a number of years later through there, they took us outside to the river, leftover copy from a previous issue The current Express team the Muddy Bottom Boys. To some television. and said, ‘Here’s where we want you to of the younger crowd, he’s “Emily’s “I remember seeing,” he says, “either play.’ and put us on a raft. has been together for three Dad.” To his 30 years worth of grade Bill Monroe or Flatt and Scruggs. Even or a photo with the wrong caption. school students, he’s Mr. Emmons: as a little kid, I just thought that was the years. They’ve had a lot of the teacher with all those fancy neatest thing.” The more eyes that review the issue instruments. To others, he may be that ‘There’s too much Chris Thile, and not one dude at Stevenson who always wears enough Grandpa Jones!” before it’s printed, the better. fun – and a lot of good pizza. the Pith helmet. Maybe you yourself have always “So here we are, going down the wondered: just who is this guy, and Deschutes River on this raft, while all They work well together and continued on page 7 Mailing. It’s important that the how did he get here? He played bluegrass with Duane Boyer these executives are following along are proud of their publica- Ron started playing on a “garbage through his college days in Eastern membership list be kept up-to- can” mandolin he got from his dad; Oregon, even when they seemed to tion. But it’s time for new a resophonic he still owns and gets out occasionally. He recalls that the content is date in time for mailing the publica- blood and new inspiration – so appropriate for the tion. Then someone must print out the Express needs your help. Express. The issue also needs to be the labels and organize the mailing for It’s a good time to look at what the proofread again after it is laid out. the post office. tasks are that go into putting the pub- Ad sales. Advertising sales support Design work. Because design and lay lication together and see how best to the Express. Some ads come in on their out is such a time-intensive affair, and organize it. own, but the Express is most successful because it requires both technical skills and artistic talent, the OBA pays a pro- What does it take? when someone makes a point of con- tacting festival promoters and venues fessional designer to put the Express Creating the Express requires a va- to find new ads. together. It’s simply too big a job to ask riety of tasks. The more people who a volunteer to perform. volunteer to take them on, the less time-consuming each job can be. Here’s what goes into the Express: “Creating the Express requires a variety of tasks. The more people who Writing. Each Express usually carries volunteer to take them on, the less time-consuming each job can be.” a cover story of about 1200 words, one or two additional stories at about Invoicing, keeping track of payments Right now, a few people perform all 700 words, and columns, like Sound and commitments. It’s important that these tasks. The Express will benefit Advice, Flatt and Sharp, etc. an invoice be sent for every ad sold, from more expertise, volunteer time Editing/Proofreading. Before sto- and that someone keep track of pay- and support. ries go to the graphic designer, each ments received and how many issues an Interested in helping out? Contact article should be read to make sure each advertiser commits to. any of the board members. Or talk to sentence makes sense; the grammar, one of the current Express contribu- punctuation and spelling are correct; tors and editors to find out more about there aren’t extra words; and that the what goes into any of these tasks. OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 12 OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 13 GTM issues first CD by Claire Levine

nyone who’s ever attended the Greg said, “Tony and I had the same impeccably, as well as adding timing- ATygh Valley Bluegrass Festival guitar teacher – the late George Chuda- perfect guitar harmonies. will tell you that magic happens coff – and he’d been encouraging us to Watch for the GTM (the first initials there. That’s how it was in 2008 when get together. Plus, we knew a lot of the of the musicians) String Band at fes- the seeds of the GTM String Band same songs – the reels, ragtime, Celtic tivals this summer. You can purchase were sown. and other collection that George liked their CD through CD Baby (cdbaby. to teach.” com) or at GTM Stringband.com. Tony Rocci, Marty Henick and Greg Greg said George Stone were the three left standing after strongly influenced participants in a larger jam wandered the band’s first CD, away. Marty set down his banjo and which was released in picked up the bass. He and the two January. His foot- guitar players started singing two and print includes song three part harmonies. selection – like Bye, It wasn’t long before they found Bye Blues and Cin- themselves in “the zone,” that amaz- cinnati Rag – to the ing location where the harmonies flow arrangements. Tony without effort, songs seem to choose and Greg’s playing is themselves and the music just flows. so similar that they They felt a band was inevitable. can play in unison

7th Annual Bannock County Bluegrass Festival August 27-29 2010 Featuring regional bluegrass bands from Idaho and surrounding states Performing daily concerts.Music 9workshops for adults and children, beginners jam and Advanced jam, band scramble, open mic. There will be food And craft vendors on site. Camping with some electric hookups And showers available on site.

Tickets Tickets go on sale April 1st Advance Tickets before August 1st $30.00 per person After August 1st $35.00

Family Pass ( which consists of mother, father and three kids over 14) before August 1st $90.00 After August 1st $100.00

Day Tickets Friday $10.00 Saturday $15.00 Sunday $10.00

Camping Hookups $10.00 per night No hookups or tents $ 5.00 per night Children 14 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. BANNOCK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, POCATELLO, IDAHO FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.BANNOCKCOUNTYBLUEGRASSFESTIVAL.COM

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 14 What’s Cookin’ Calendar

Friday, July 2 Saturday, July 10 Wednesday, July 21 HomeGrown Old-Time Puddletown Ramblers Misty Mamas At Washington Federal in Amboy Parade - Amboy, WA - 11AM Lunch Box Concert Series, Monmouth - 1 – 3 p.m. www.myspace.com/puddletownramblers Oregon Square Courtyard NE 7th & 8th – Saturday, July 3 Saturday, July 10 b/w Holladay & Pacific, Portland, OR Back Porch Revival Roundhouse Noon-1PM www.mistymamas.com at Beaverton Farmers Market, Town Plaza At Salem Saturday Market - 10 AM-2PM Thursday, July 22 next to Beaverton Library - 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. www.salemsaturdaymarket.com www.backporchrevival.com Wayward Vessel Urban Monroes White Eagle McMenamins, HomeGrown Old-Time At the Portland Expo Center, Portland, OR - 8:30PM At the City of Monmouth 4th of July Antiques and Collectibles Show www.myspace.com/waywardvessel Celebration Monmouth City Park 503-754-7577 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. www.urbanmonroes.com Down the Road Duvall Farmers Market, Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars Saturday, July 10 Brown St, Duvall, WA Linnton Feed Store, Back Porch Revival b/w NE Ring St & NE Richardson St - 3PM 10920 NW St. Helens Rd, Portland Molalla Wild River BBQ Cookoff www.duvallfarmersmarket.org 4-6 PM larrywildermusic.com Clark Park, Molalla - 5-8pm downtheroadband.com www.backporchrevival.com Roundhouse Saturday, July 24 At the City of Monmouth 4th of July Sunday, July 11 Down the Road Celebration Monmouth City Park - 7-10 PM Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars Seattle Premium Outlets, www.roundhouse-band.com At the Portland Expo Center, 10600 Quil Ceda Blvd Tulalip, WA 98271 Antiques and Collectibles Show 2:30-4:30PM downtheroadband.com Sunday, July 4th NOON larrywildermusic.com Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars Puddletown Ramblers Edgefield McMenamins, 2126 SW Halsey Kate White Band Camas Parade Camas, WA, US - 11AM Troutdale 6-9 PM larrywildermusic.com at New Heights Church East, www.myspace.com/puddletownramblers 1902 NE 185th Ave, Vancouver, WA Puddletown Ramblers 9:30 a.m. www.katewhitemusic.com Misty Mamas Bainbridge Island Bluegrass Festival, Ridgefield Parade - Ridgefield, WA -11AM Wednesday, July 14 www.myspace.com/puddletownramblers Battle Point Prk. 11299 Arrow Point Dr NE, Lee Highway Bainbridge Island, WA - 4PM Monday, July 5 At the Concert in the Park series, www.mistymamas.com Lost Creek The Dalles City Park - 6:30 PM www.leehighway.net Whiskey Puppy w/ Mark Rubin of the Lucky Lab, 1945 NW Quimby in Portland Bad Livers and Silas Lowe - Fat Man and 6:30-9 PM www.lostcreekmusic.com Saturday, July 17 Little Boy: The Atomic Duo!!! Thursday, July 8 Puddletown Ramblers The White Eagle, Portland, OR - 9:30 PM www.whiskeypuppy.com Whiskey Puppy Battle Ground Parade - Battle Ground, Washington - 11AM Ten Depot, La Grande, OR www.myspace.com/puddletownramblers Sunday, July 25 7 PM www.whiskeypuppy.com Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising Kate White Band Friday, July 9 Newberg Old Fashion Festival Harvest Fest http://newbergoldfashionedfestival.com Whiskey Puppy 324 Marine Dr, Kalama, WA - 5PM www.phoenixrisingband.org Mutiny Brewing, Joseph, OR - 7 PM www.katewhitemusic.com www.whiskeypuppy.com Wednesday, July 28 HomeGrown Old-Time Misty Mamas Down the Road Ritner Creek Bridge , Brick dedication Noon Concerts at Esther Short Park 8PM, Yakima Folklife Festival, Kings Valley Hiway, Oregon , US - 2 PM 8th and Esther Street, Vancouver, WA North Town Coffeehouse 128 North 1st St www.myspace.com/homegrownoldtime Noon-1PM www.mistymamas.com (509) 895-7600 www.northtowncoffee and 10PM, The Depot Restaurant Monday, July 19 Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars 32 North Front Street, Yakima, WA Lost Creek McMenamins Sand Trap, www.depotrestaurantandlounge Lucky Lab, 1945 NW Quimby in Portland Gearhart, OR - 7 PM downtheroadband.com 6:30-9 PM www.lostcreekmusic.com larrywildermusic.com

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 15 What’s Cookin’ Calendar

Friday, July 30 Friday, August 13, 2010 Wednesday, August 25 Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising Roundhouse Myrtle Creek Summer Festival in the Millsite Summer Splash Concert Monmouth, OR Concert in the Parks Series Millenium Park Plaza Park band shell - 8-10PM FREE 3-day event 7 PM www.roundhouse-band.com www.myrtlecreekchamber.com/ Lake Oswego, OR musicinpark.html Noon-1:30PM Monday, August 30 www.phoenixrisingband.org www.phoenixrisingband.org HomeGrown Old-Time Saturday, July 31 Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising Oregon State Fair -Artisan Village Salem, Wayward Vessel Amphitheater concert in the park Oregon , US - 6:00 PM Independence, OR- 7:30PM www.myspace.com/homegrownoldtime The Jade Lounge, Portland, OR - 8:00PM www.phoenixrisingband.org www.myspace.com/waywardvessel Thursday, September 2 Thursday, August 19 Back Porch Revival Wednesday, August 4 Tin Shed Garden Café, 1438 NE Alberta St., Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars Portland - 7-10pm Beaverton Library Park Concert, 12375 SW Oregon City Concert, www.backporchrevival.com 5th St - 7 PM larrywildermusic.com Carnegie Park, 625 Center St, Oregon City - 7 PM Saturday, August 7 larrywildermusic.com Back Porch Revival Star Of Hope Bluegrass Bash Mingus Park, Coos Bay, Oregon Live Music, games, food, good cause! www.backporchrevival.com

Roundhouse Concert Series at Rapids Park Amphitheater, Keizer, OR. www.roundhouse-band.com Sunday, August 8 Larry Wilder & the Stumptown Stars July 3rd @6pm Waxwings Beaverton Library Indoor Show, 12375 SW 5th St - 2 PM July 8th @6pm Mo Phillips, Johnny Keener larrywildermusic.com July 9th @6pm Tugboat Country Rogue Bluegrass Band July 10th Mississippi Street Fair onstage at the North Plains Garlic Festival, Mississippi Pizza Pub North Plains, OR - 12-1:30PM @12pm Western Hummingbird with Lorna Miller, roguebluegrassband.tripod.com @1:30pm How Long Jug Band Tuesday, August 10 July 16th @6pm Stumptown Jug Thumpers Roundhouse Woodburn Library Concert Series. July 18th @6pm Wicky Pickers Woodburn, OR. - 7 PM July 24th @4pm Lorna Miller’s Little Kids’ Jamboree www.roundhouse-band.com July 30th @6pm The Barkers Thursday, August 12 August. 6th @6pm Bridge Creek Down the Road Lorna Miller’s Little Kids’ Jamboree Si View Metro Parks Summer Concert Series August. 14th @4pm North Bend Farmers Market August. 19th @6pm Uni & her Ukelele Si View Park, North Bend, WA 5:30-7PM downtheroadband.com August. 21st @3pm- midnight Portland Folk Festival August. 22nd @6pm Wicky Pickers Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising Oregon City Carnegie Center August. 28th @4pm Lorna Miller’s Little Kids’ Jamboree concert in the park series 606 John Adams St thanks! sunny in Oregon City - 6:30-8:30PM www.phoenixrisingband.org

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 www.mississippipizza.com16 3552 N Mississippi Avenue - 503 288-3231 2010 Festival Calendar

Friday, July 2-4 Saturday, July 24 Saturday. Aug 7 Wheeler County Bluegrass Festival The 5th Annual Bainbridge Bluegrass Star of Hope Bluegrass Bash Featuring: Dan Crary & Dale Adkins, Misty Festival & Family Fun Fair, Battle Point Park, Mingus Park, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420 River, Great Northern Planes, Fiddlegrass, 11299 Arrow Point Drive NE, Featuring: Hudson Ridge, The Young Bucs, Quincy Street, Hakanson Family Band, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Bill Coleman & the Gospel String Band, and Noon - 8:00pm. Featuring: Blackberry, Cinder Blue, Molly Adkins, Joe Schroder, Back Porch Revival. Star of Hope Bluegrass Student Loan, Urban Monroes, Stay Tuned Wheeler County Ramblers, Chick Rose & Bash fundraiser. Music all day, jam sessions, Misty Mamas, Nettle Honey, Voetberg Family Grand Young Opry. A FREE event! workshops. Vendors, Food, Family Fun. Band, and The Tallboys. Cost: $10 Wheeler County Courthouse Lawn, www.bainbridgebluegrassfestival.com bluegrassbash.info/2.html 701 Adams Street, Fossil, OR 97830. Friday. July 30-Aug 1 Monday, August 9-15 Info: Wheeler County: 541-763-2400 8th Annual Centralia Old-time Bluegrass in the Blues E-mail: [email protected], Music Campout Fort Union Grange Hall, just SE of La www.wheelercountybluegrass.org The Centralia Old-Time Music Campout Grande, Oregon. “Bluegrass in the Blues” is a jamming and camping get-together for Friday, July 9-11 is a very relaxed weekend of spontaneous musicians of all styles. It is held every year acoustical bluegrass and Old Time jamming Enumclaw Bluegrass Festival during the second FULL week in August surrounded by some of the scenic Blue Enumclaw Expo Center and Fieldhouse, on the banks of the Skookumchuck River in 1400 Roosevelt E, Enumclaw, WA 98022 Mountains of northeastern Oregon. This Centralia, Washington. Mark your calendar location (new in 2009) proved to be the best & bring a friend! Info: 360-802-0239, or visit of the four locations that this event has been www.enumclawsbluegrassfestival.com held. The building has four separate rooms Email Ray Leach for more info. centrali- with doors where we can jam indoors regard- [email protected] or Friday. July 16-18 less of any weather that may occur - day or call 360-807-8461. Darrington Bluegrass Festival night. A large yard has nice shade trees where www.centraliacampout.com we can camp and jam outside. There are great Featuring Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Friday, August 13-15 U.S. Navy Band, Country Current and Chris mountain views in all directions. Mt. St Helens Bluegrass Festival Jones & The Night Drivers, Go to http://mysite.verizon.net/res8aypu/ plus several regional bands. Toledo, WA. Bands TBA for details including photos of the 2006, www.washingtonbluegrassassociation.org To be held at the Darringotn Bluegrass 2007, 2008 and 2009 events. Music Park in Darringotn, WA. Friday, August 20- 21 Friday, July 30-31 For more info. go to the website at Bluegrass in Corvallis at Beavergrass 2010 Goose Creek Opry www.glacierview/bluegrass or call Beavergrass 2010 will bring 20 bluegrass acts Diana Morgan at 360-436-1179 Wilbur, WA. Featuring: Heartbreak Pass, to two stages for a Friday and Saturday full The Panhandle Polecats, The Turner Sisters, of concerts, workshops, contradance, and Friday. July 16-18 and The Grasstones. We’ll have a potluck and jams in Corvallis, OR (Central Park, 7th Northwest String Summit jamming and a Sunday morning gospel time. and Monroe). Advance tickets are $55 for the entire weekend and proceeds benefit the Horning’s Hideout North Plains, OR Hosted Contact [email protected] or visit Corvallis High School District Foundation. by Yonder Mountain String Band. Also www.goosecreekopry.org featuring: Danny Barnes & Friends, Republic Beavergrass will feature the Boston-based of Strings, Crunchy Western Boys and more Friday, August 6-8 string band Joy Kills Sorrow. TBA - www.stringsummit.com Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival Confirmed performers include: Medical Lake, Washington Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Laurie Lewis Friday. July 22-25 2010 Lineup TBA Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival and the Right Hands, Tony Furtado, Joy www.bluewatersbluegrass.org Kills Sorrow, Jackstraw, Alex Hargreaves and Skamania County Fair Grounds; Stevenson, Friday, August 6-8 Jake Joliff, True North Bluegrass, Brokentop WA. Featuring: Longview, Sierra Hull, Josh w/ Chris Kokesh, Foghorn Stringband, Williams Band, Bryan Bowers, The Freight Pickathon Conjugal Visitors, Gumbo, Urban Monroes, Hoppers, Prairie Flyer, Great Northern Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley, OR Green Mountain Bluegrass, Eight Dollar, Planes, The Buckles, Runaway Train, & more Mountain Band, Alice DiMicele, Round- Featuring: Foghord Stringband, Chatham TBA. house, Jim Page. County Line, Town Mountain, Water Tower Contact Events Mngr. at 509-427-3979 or Bucket Boys, Black Prairie and a whole bunch For more information, please contact festival www.columbiagorgebluegrass.net more! www.pickathon.com organizer Mike Meyer at [email protected].

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 17 2010 Festival Calendar

Friday August 20-22 We now also offer a full-time Fiddle Program Friday, Sep 24-26 High & Dry Bluegrass Festival and an optional Extra Day beginning on Tygh Valley Bluegrass Festival Thursday evening Sept. 9. Bend, OR. Bands TBA Wasco County Fairgrounds, Tygh Valley, Advance registration is required! You can www.highanddrybluegrassfestival.com Ore. Sequoia, Mud Springs Gospel Band, access artists’ bios, logistical information, Santiam Crossing, Hardshell Harmony and and registration form on our Saturday, August 28 Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising website: www.americanbanjocamp.com Whidbey Island Bluegrass Festival www.myspace.com/tvbluegrass Meerkerk Gardens, Greenbank, WA. Friday, Sep 13-19 Deb Holbrook at 1-541-489-3434 Featuring: Pearly Blue, Urban Monroes, 3rd Annual George WA Bluegrass Festival Friday, October 1-3 Campout and jam Deadwood Revival. All day jamming in the Silver Falls Musical Gathering 2010 gardens! Tickets: $12 for adults; children George City Park in George, WA; Silver Falls State Park, Sublimity, OR — under 16 free, beautiful seaside setting, and just off I-90 FREE admission and 20 miles east of Salem, Oregon. 53 acres of woodland. 9am to 5pm. FREE dry camping! Music and dance workshops, contradances, For more information visit online Special appearance by PRAIRIE FLYER, old-time fiddling, swing jams, song circles, www.meerkerkgardens.org and a guitar workshop conducted new youth activities, kids’ show and concert. or contact Kristi at [email protected] by Steve Blanchard of Prairie Flyer. It’s a spirited gathering of friends and family, 360-678-1912 celebrating traditional and emerging folk More bands/concerts TBA. music and dance. A participatory time for Friday, Sep 3-5 www.GeorgeBluegrassFestival.com singing, playing music and jamming, 23rd Annual Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival dancing, drumming, informal gatherings Friday, September 24 - 26, 2010 Chilliwack Heritage Park Hwy. and concerts and meeting new friends and One at Lickman Rd. - Exit #116 G-2, Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree old, at a wonderfully creative event in a mag- Wasco County Fairgrounds at Tygh nificent natural setting - with great food. Special Consensus, Valley, Oregon. Meals include Friday night dinner; John Reischman & The Jaybirds, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Midnight Flight, Josh Slone & Coaltown Bands: Sequoia, Mud Springs Gospel Band, and Sunday brunch. Santiam Crossing, Hardshell Harmony, www.chilliwackartscouncil.com/ Adults: $85 / Youth to 16 yrs & and More! Seniors 65+: $40. Friday, September 3 - 5, 2010 Emcee George McKnight. Primitive lodging, camping & camper vans/ Sound by Ground Zero Sound. small trucks. No RV’s. 23 Annual Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival Show Times & Bluegrass Music Event Info and Registration forms at http://cfs. Chilliwack Heritage Park - Hwy. One Admission: Friday - $10 per person, peak.org/silverfalls/. Registration deadline at Lickman Rd. - Exit #116. Showcase 6-8pm, ‘08 is Friday, Sept. 24. Registration & Info: Ray Bands: G2 - Sweden Winner 8-9pm, Cafe Show 9-10. Drapek, 541-754-7364 / [email protected]. edu. This is a CFS event. Special Consensus – Illinois, John Reis- Saturday - $20 per person, Free Morning Workshop & Band Scramble chman and the Jaybirds – BC, Midnight Friday, Jan 14-16, 2011…IT’S BACK! 9-12am, PM Afternoon Show 2 -5pm , Flight – Missouri, Josh Slone and Coal- RiverCity Music Festival Town- Kentucky, Story House – BC, The BBQ Dinner Break. $10 for Evening Show Larsgard Family – Alberta. Free Corn Roast 6:30-9:30 PM. Red Lion On The River Jantzen Beach - Every Night! Open Mic, Beginner Jams, Sunday - Free Gospel & Bluegrass Music Portland, OR. 9am Sunday Church Service, Corn Shukin’ 10am to 2pm. A better location with two huge stages! Contests & Workshops! Guy Clark , Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter SPECIAL: $25 WEEKEND BG MUSIC Rowan Band, Tim O’Brien & Bryan Sutton, More info at PASS - MUST BE PREPAID. Infamous Stringdusters, Quebe Sisters www.chilliwackartscouncil.com Children under 12 always free. Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, David C/O The Shaniko Preservation Guild - Grier & Mike Compton, John Reischman Friday, Sep 10-12 501(c)3, PO Box 123, Shaniko, Oregon & The Jaybirds John Jorgenson Quintet, 7th Annual American Banjo Camp 97057. 541-489-3434 Lou Reid & Carolina, The Time Jumpers Fort Flagler State Park, in Nordland, [email protected]. with Dennis Crouch, Larry Franklin, Paul Washington. Camping is a separate fee through the Franklin, Vince Gill, ‘Ranger Doug’ Green, The American Banjo Camp offers a weekend fairgrounds. For Camping rates & reserva- Andy Reiss, Dawn Sears, Kenny Sears, Joe of intense instruction with some of the best tions call Sid at 541-483-2288. Spivey, Jeff Taylor and Rick Vanaugh, old-time and bluegrass banjo players around, Dan Crary & Thunderation. plus demonstrations, concerts, and plenty Read more: Contact RiverCity Staff at of jamming opportunities. http://www.myspace.com/tvbluegrass 503-282-0877—www.rivercitybluegrass.com

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 18 Catch fire with us this summer!

July 3 ~ Private 1870’s style wedding in Battleground, Washington

July 10 ~ Private Birthday Party in Scotts Mills, Oregon

July 25 ~ Newberg Old Fashion Festival in Newberg, Oregon

July 30 ~ Myrtle Creek Summer Festival, Myrtle Creek, Oregon

August 12 ~ Oregon City Concerts in the Park, Oregon City, Oregon

August 13 ~ Millinium Park Noon Concerts in Lake Oswego, Oregon

August 13 ~ Concert in the Park in Independence, Oregon JANUARY 7-9 Limited number of reduced August 28 ~ Private Anniversary Party in Canby, Oregon price weekend passes now onsale WWW.RIVERCITYBLUEGRASS.COM Last week of August through Labor Day ~ 503.282.0877 Oregon State Fair in Salem, Oregon (exact date Peter Rowan BG Band TBA) Guy Clark Tim O’Brien and Bryan Sutton September 4 ~ Private Wedding in Silverton, Steep Canyon Rangers Oregon Rhonda Vincent & The Rage The Quebe Sisters September 15 - 18 ~ Pendleton Roundup in John Reischman & The Jaybirds Pendleton, Oregon John Jorgenson Quintet Infamous Stringdusters John Jorgenson Quintet More dates added weekly! Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women For updates and information check out Lou Reid & Carolina www.phoenixrisingband.org Dan Crary & Thunderation or call David Grier & Mike Compton The Time Jumpers with Dennis Crouch, 503-691-1177 Vince Gill, Paul Franklin, ‘Ranger Doug’ Green, Jeff Taylor, Rick Vanaugh, Kenny Sears, Kathy Boyd Andy Reiss, Dawn Sears, Joe Spivey & Larry Franklin & RED LION ON THE RIVER PORTLAND, OR

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 19 Meet the Off-Key Jammers - Creating a community in tune with bluegrass by Claire Levine

hen Randy Black was a Randy and his friends have created a Lompoc’s birthday party. “Though Wbeginning fiddler in 2002, he place that attracts new musicians – or we’d rehearsed, we still weren’t very went to an Irish music jam and had the those who have been “woodshedding,” good, but the opening act was a bag- experience of watching people move but have never had the opportunity to piper, and you can’t sound too bad away from him when he played. play with others in a comfortable set- following that.” That rather rude wake-up call got ting. The regulars at Holman’s look Randy said, “When it snowed so hard Randy motivated to start a beginners’ forward to being able to play – quietly in 2008, I went to Holman’s, figuring jam – one that continues to grow eight in a corner or boldly trying out instru- no one would show up. But Bruce Pe- years later and attract bluegrass musi- mental leads and songs. terson came from Beaverton, so we set cians of all skill levels. The Off-Key How does it work? up in the corner, and just the two of us Bluegrass Jam meets every Sunday from There’s no formal format to the picked for a jam-packed bar. My only 4 to 6 p.m. at Holman’s Bar and Grill, Off-Key jam. “Any teaching is regret is we didn’t set out a tip jar.” 15 SE 28th Ave. in Portland. either done by example or done im- promptu,” Randy said. Sometimes an accomplished musician will stop by to offer instructions, like the time Rachel Gold and Justin Auld offered a banjo workshop. “Tim Dawdy was a huge help in help- ing us learn how to function like a real jam. His ‘Jammandments’ is part of our songbook. He’s also one of several better players who have mentored some of us newer pickers.” The songbook he refers to was the

Tony McCormick is Robin to Randy Black’s Batman 2004 summer’s labor of love. It includes 40 songs, set up in a stan- Of his early attempts at jamming, dard format, and it helps new players Randy said, “Most people were friendly establish a body of songs that they can and encouraging, but even when they’re perform together. It also has a section nice to you, it’s easy to tell when you’re about the way the Off-Key Jam works Randy Black continues to lead the jam he started eight years ago overmatched. I figured there had to be as well as a chord conversion chart. other people like me who wanted to play with other others but didn’t feel Stories of growth and change The jam that keeps on giving they were good enough.” Randy, a storyteller in his own way, “We’ve developed lasting friendships, Randy, currently an Oregon Bluegrass remembers many highlights from eight and we’ve spread throughout the local Association board member, started years of jamming. There was the time bluegrass world. I can’t go to a festival, the jam when he worked at the New that Holly Wyman was learning to play. jam or bluegrass show without seeing Old Lompoc Brewpub in Northwest Holly, who later held down the rhythm some active members or alumni. It Portland (at the cool, not trendy, end for Chickweed, came to the jam with certainly brought me onto the scene of the street, he says). He eventually her borrowed bass and said, “Don’t and helped me become part of the moved the jam to its current location. look at me. Don’t talk to me. I just want community in ways that may not have While a cast of characters contributed to stand in the back and play.” happened otherwise. to the jam’s current success, his prima- Then there was the women’s group “And it gave me a place to play where ry co-conspirator is Tony McCormick, who called themselves, “Sixteen Bars I don’t have to worry about how good another OBA board member. of G,” because that’s what they played I am, which is why I love it and what best. There was the performance at keeps me going.”

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 20 A M E R I C A ’ S L A R G E S T AntiquesCollectibles & SHOW 1,400 Booths of fun vintage treasures inside & out!

July 10 & 11 Portland Expo Center

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And for the first time ever.... a taste of RiverCity Music Festival enjoy live Bluegrass Music outside Saturday: Urban Monroes 11-12 Rose City Bluegrass Band 12-1pm Sawtooth Mtn Boys - 1-2pm Sunday: Stumptown Stars - 12-1pm Northern Departure - 1-2pm Lee Hwy - 2-3pm

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OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 21 The Theory of Bluegrass: The Circle of Fifths Unleased by Matthew Snook

ot to belabor a point, but if D; if you’re singing in C and the tune Nyou’re avoiding music theory, moves to A, you know the next step is you’re doing things the hard way. Lazy D. And D always leads to G, and so on, people know that the key to mastering if you’re following the circle of fifths. difficult tasks is to learn a few tricks So, in a way, the only thing you need that will leave you more time for to know once a tune enters that circle having fun, and music theory is your is where to get off. If you play a song best bet for a bag of tricks… like “Five Foot Two” in the key of C, For instance, at a recent jam I tried to you jump into the circle at E and just introduce a tune saying something like keep riding until you arrive back at C. “…you jump into the circle of fifths If the next song on the set list is “Don’t at D…” hoping that would simplify Let Your Deal Go Down” in the key of things for the other jammers. Some G, you still jump in on the E chord, got it (and were immediately picking but you get off when you’re back home Figure 2. Banjo chord progression for “Don’t Let Your Deal at G. It’s just a shorter section of the Go Down.” The reference fret is in bold. Play these chords away), while others were asking “what anywhere on the fingerboard and sing along! key?...” or trying to memorize the en- circle. Now sing a tune like “Just Be- you can sing along without even know- tire string of chords the hard way – rote cause” in the key of C; the turnaround ing what key you’re in! Just for fun, memorization of FDGCDGCFBbGCF at the end takes you to the A chord, and move up a half a step (one fret) with –like I said, the hard way! I’d like to that’s all you need to know as you just each new verse, never knowing where show you two methods of doing this the follow the same ol’circle back around you are and doing just fine. lazy way. ☺ to the C. That’s shortcut number one: don’t memorize umpty-two strings of Don’t memorize umpty-two strings of chords song by song -- just know the circle of fifths, and you have all the songs covered.

chords song by song -- just know the That’s the circle of fifths unleashed: circle of fifths, and you have all the you’ll never be rooted to the first three songs covered. frets again. If you want to see the circle of fifths Matt teaches banjo & dobro in unleashed, let’s take it one step further. I said it doesn’t matter what the key is, Corvallis, Coos Bay and Portland,

Figure 1: The one and only circle of fifths. Tunes enter the circle and one way to prove that is to play Oregon. Send messages to matt@ and proceed counterclockwise, usually continuing until you reach the tonic chord. without even knowing where you are greenbeard.us. on the fingerboard. Figure two shows First, memorize the circle of fifths – a sequence of banjo chords – VI-II-V- once you do this, you ‘know’ every song I – (mandolin & guitar people should that uses the circle! There is only one consult their teachers) for “Don’t Let circle of fifths (see Figure 1), and in a Your Deal Go Down.” If we’re in the way it doesn’t matter what key the tune key of G then the reference fret (in is in! For example, if you play the A bold) is the fifth fret. But it doesn’t chord, or better yet the A7, it leads matter. Pick some random place on naturally into a D – no matter the the fingerboard for the VI chord, and key. If you’re playing in A, it leads to simply play the next shapes in order –

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 22 23 Stew Dodge Sound Reinforcement

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TM October BirdFest 9th & 10th and Bluegrass in Ridgefield, WA • 14 bands on Saturday at 2 venues • Gospel Sunday — Noon to 2:00. Current line-up: • Slow Jam Workshop — Sunday 2:00 to 4:00. • Chris Kokesh • Bring your instruments and join in the jamming sessions • Lincoln Crocket on both days at various venues throughout Ridgefield. Thanks to our generous sponsors: • Lauren Sheehan • Buy a $10 button for all music events on both days. • Molly Adkins & Martin Stevens All proceeds benefit Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. • Misty Mamas • Urban Monroes For more information visit: • Small Towne WWW.RidgefieldFriends.org

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OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 25

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 26 WILLAPA HILLS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL JULY 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2010

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HUGE FIREWORKS DISPLAY! REPAIR & RESTORATION OF FINE STRING INSTRUMENTS. Contact: WE SPEAK BLUEGRASS HERE! [email protected] or 360-520-7281 [email protected] [email protected]

PIONEER MUSIC CO. Pioneer Music, instruments for all "levels" of players.

6000 SE Stark Portland OR 503.224.4047 pioneermusicco.com

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 27 Oregon Jams: Listing Updated December 2008 - Always Call First!

Sundays Mondays 99W in the middle of Dundee. www.sierramexicanrestaurant. com Contact Jon Cooper for more details (503) 702-8978 Ashland: Strings On The Springs - 3rd Sunday Each Portland:: Rambling Bluegrass Jam every Monday night Oregon City: Third Thursday of the month, Oct.-June: Month, 3-6 pm or Until The Boss Calls You Home! all year. See www.ramblingbluegrass.org/ for information on Wally’s Music, 7:30 p.m., Greensprings Inn, In the Greensprings area of Ashland. location, time, contact, etc. 607 Washington Street, Oregon City. Hwy 66 .5 mile past mm 17. Bluegrass, Old Tyme, and Irish. La Grande: Slow jam, first Monday of the month, host- Call (503) 656-5323 for information. Beginners to Braggers. The Inn offers great food and taps. ed by Richard and Karen Rubicam, 207 Aquarius Way, La Plenty of kids to play with!Contact: Mark 541-890-2371 or Grande, OR 97850. 541-963-7193. [email protected] Go to http://mysite.verizon.net/res8aypu/jams for details. Fridays Eugene/Springfield Area Jam - 2nd Sunday of La Grande: Pickin’ Party, third Monday of the month, Dallas: Guthrie Park acoustic music jam, 7:00 p.m. Call each month (November 12th next) Willakenzie Grange, 3055 hosted by Richard and Karen Rubicam, 207 Aquarius Way, Sally Clark (503) 623-0874 Willakenzie Road Eugene, OR Take the Beltline Exit off of La Grande, OR 97850. 541-963-7193. I-5. Go West 1 mile to Coburg Road. Turn South for a 1/2 Go to http://mysite.verizon.net/res8aypu/jams for details. Scio: 4th Friday of every month, year ‘round at the ZCBJ mile and turn left onto Willakenzie. The grange is down 2 Hall in downtown Scio. Kids and listeners are encouraged blocks. For more info call Joe Cannaday at 541-344-3966 to attend this community sponsored event. Activities and Tuesdays beginners’ jam starts at 7pm, with more advanced jamming Portland: First Sunday of every month October- April: Established, open intermediate and advanced beginning at 8:30pm. All acoustic. All ages welcome! Bring Portland Area OBA jam, 12:30-4:30PM, Portland Audubon Portland: Bluegrass only jam at McMenamin’s Rock Creek Tavern on a munchie to share if you can, but not required. Donations Center, 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland. Info: Audubon Tuesday. Starts 7:00 PM and runs to 9. The jam is located accepted to help with the Hall rent and the cost of activities. 503 292-6855 or [email protected]. in Washington County off Germantown Road and Corne- Contact Starla Becker 503-394-3811 Portland: Offkey Easy Bluegrass Jam - Every Sunday of lius Pass Road. Google 10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Rd. every Month from 4pm to 6pm - Slower pace, music stands Hillsboro, OR 97124. Contact jam host Tim at crosspicker1@ OK, we have a 40 song book of standard tunes we can refer Yahoo.com for info or directions. Easy Access from Hwy 26 Saturdays to or bring your own to share. Hosted by Randy and Tony: or Hwy 30. We’re closer than you’d think. Snohomish, WA: First Saturday of the month: Maltby OBA Offkey Jam Holman’s Bar and Grill, 15 S.E. 28th, a Eugene: Bluegrass jam at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Bluegrass Jam, 2:00 p.m. to midnight at Maltby Community block south of E. Burnside. Hosted by Randy: offkeylompoc@ Blvd, Eugene. Every first and third Tuesday 9:00 pm - 1:00 Club, 206th St. S.E. & 87th Ave. S.E., Snohomish. Jam- yahoo.com and Tony: [email protected] am. Established in 1995, the venue of this year round jam ming, potluck dinner, stage show and more jamming. Call Oak Grove: 2nd Sunday of every month, all-year round offers good food and good micro brews. If you’re passing Jan (360) 568-3685, [email protected] through Eugene on a Tuesday evening, come on by and pick from 2:00 to 6:00pm. All-acoustic jam. The jam location is Winlock, WA: Second Saturday of the month: Slow Jam, some tunes. Hosted by Chuck Holloway & Gary Dunbar. Call at the Grange hall across the street from the church in Oak great for all levels and especially good for total beginners. Grove, OR. From Hwy 22 between Salem and Rickreall, Take 541-431-6603. Jams start at 1PM and are held at the Hope Grange in Win- Oak Grove Road, or From Hwy 99 W between Rickreall and Ashland: 2nd Tuesday, Siskiyou Micropub, 31 Water lock, Washington. Contact Marv Sobolesky at 360-785-4932 Amity Take Farmer Road. Farmer Road and Oak Grove meet Street, Ashland. 7-11 PM. Call 541 535 7001. justapick- October through May [email protected] at an intersection near 2000 Oak Grove Road. The Grange [email protected]. Strings On The Springs - 3rd Sunday Hall, Oak Grove Church, and Oak Grove School just a few Each Month, 3-6 pm or Until The Boss Calls You Home! Dallas, OR: Every third Saturday of the month: All gos- feet from this intersection. Greensprings Inn, In the Greensprings area of Ashland. pel, all acoustic jam, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Guthrie Park in P. O. Box 155, Rickreall, Or 97371-0155, Hwy 66 .5 mile past mm 17. Bluegrass, Old Tyme, and Irish. Dallas. Call (503) 623-0874 or e-mail dusterjim@hotmail. 503-623-2410, [email protected] Beginners to Braggers. The Inn offers great food and taps. com Plenty of kids to play with! Roseburg: 3rd Sunday, Oct.-May, 12 - 5 pm at Ev- Fourth Saturday, noon-5:30 pm jam, Contact: Mark 541-890-2371 or [email protected] Tacoma, WA: ergreen Grange, 5361 Grange, Rd. Take Exit 119 off I-5. Carpenters Hall, 1322 S. Fawcett. Just past the 2nd stop light, turn left on Grange Rd. Contact James Swanson (253) 472-3729 The Grange is down 1/2 mile on the left.Call 541-679-0553 Wednesdays or [email protected] . Beaverton, OR: Beaverton: First and third Wednesday Chehalis, WA: Chehalis Senior Center next to the of every Month - 6:30-9:30 p.m. Round Table Pizza, 10150 fairgrounds in Chehalis, Washington. First Saturday of each Stayton, OR: The last Sunday of each month at The SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Beaverton, OR (just east of month during the winter, 2 - 9:00 p.m. Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N. 3rd. Ave, Stayton, OR 97383, 217), [email protected] For information contact Frances Cramer (360) 736-1595 from 5 PM to 8 PM 503-769-2778 Ken Cartwright. Southern Willamette Valley: The jam is at the “Axe Brightwood, OR: First and Third Saturday of the Tillamook: first Sunday of every month. We have a great & Fiddle” (www.axeandfiddle.com) and is located at641 East month: Music at McLundy’s. We have an acoustic jam 3-5 classroom space with a view of the river. When the weather Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR. The jam is EVERY Wednes- pm. Everyone welcome. All kinds of music. After the jam is gets nice, we can take it out onto the deck. Lots of visitors day night from 7:30 10:30. It is an acoustic bluegrass jam open love to hear the music too. Hope you can add this to your list The 5 O’clock Showcase. Come prepared to perform 3 piec- to all levels of musicianship. It’s hosted by Chuck Holloway. es. Groups welcome. All FREE! Bring a chair. Email: Susan of goodies. Thanks much! Here is our little write-up about Contact [email protected] for more info. it: Bluegrass music is a way of celebrating the settlers who for Info. New Wednesday jam in Eugene at Cosmic Pizza 7 composed music about day to day life experiences. It reflected Eugene: Stayton, OR: The jams are back at Cartwright’s Music to 10 P.M. every Wed eve till further notice hosted by Ramblin life of those living in the hills or mountains. The Tillamook and Event Center.... The last Saturday of each month from Robert of KRVM. All ages welcome. Forest has had its share of settlers and homesteaders and we 5 PM to 8 PM . The jam sessions are all acoustic, bluegrass certainly have our share of mountains. Bring your mandolins, and open to all... The first hour, from 5 to 6 PM is a slow jam fiddles, guitars and banjos nd join in the fun. All ages and Thursdays dedicated to persons new to either playing or playing blue- abilities are welcome. For directions, check us out at the web- grass music.. this will give a good solid foundation in what site below. Click on “plan a visit”. Directions will be in the top Bend: 2nd and 4th Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at a jam session is and how a successful one is run... Listeners left corner. Kristin Babbs Education and Interpretation Pro- the Bend River Mall, Highway 97. are always welcome, the coffee is always on the usually we have gram Coordinator Tillamook Forest Center 503.815.6804 Becky Brown and Verda Hinkle 541-318-7341 lots of refreshments. No charge, but donations are accepted [email protected] www.tillamookforestcenter.org. [email protected]. to help offset the cost of the room and utilities... Cartwright’s Williams, OR: Second Sunday of the month. Pan- Dundee: Music and Event Center, 429 N. 3rd. Ave, Stayton OR 97383 1st and 3rd Tuesday night of each month, from 7:00 to 9:00 cakes & Jam. Pancake Breakfast: 8:30-11am, Bluegrass Jam: 503-769-2778 11 am- 1 pm. Williams Grange, 20100 Williams Hwy. A pm at La Sierra Mexican Grill - 1111 N Hwy 99W, Dundee, great family atmosphere, organic food & strong coffee! Oh OR 97115. Open to all levels and hoping to attract some of the If you have jam updates or additions, please contact the OBA at yeah, and some fine music, to boot! For more info, Call folks out in the area from McMinnville to Sherwood. On Hwy PO Box 1115, Portland, OR 97207, or contact the Webmaster Kim:(541)846-6345. Tony McCormick @ [email protected]

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 28 OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 29 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 Dewgrass this unforgettable band!Nolan Bronson-guitar; Jon These old friends have played bluegrass together for What started out as a family’s love for bluegrass, has Lindahl-bass; Andy Emert-fiddle; Cliff Ashmon- nearly 7 years, blending classic bluegrass music with now taken off into an all out passion. Dewgrass, made harp; Larry Wilder, 7 string banjo, guitar, Autoharp. some new surprises. up of siblings Jake, Luke, & Kaiti, with parents Erin Eight workshops available. Website: www.2licks2many.com. & Gary, play straight ahead bluegrass & gospel in a See our list of songs at: www.larrywildermusic.com Booking contact: Glenn Denison, 503-621-2927. manner that surprises many & delights most who have 503.407.8676 email:[email protected] had an opportunity to hear them. “If this is the next generation of bluegrass, we’re in good hands.”-TNT Back Porch Revival Contact: [email protected] Lee Highway Mike Stahlman (banjo), Mike Eisler (fiddle), John Bluegrass inspired acoustic folk. We always have a good Down The Road Averill (mandolin), Sue Averill (bass) and Rich Ho- time playing, so if you have a fun event that needs mu- glen (guitar). All members share vocals. sic, we’d love to hear about it. We can bring all of our A trio of bluegrass and American roots music musi- For bookings: call Mike Eisler 541 745-7122 own equipment, or use your house system. Press kits cians from the Seattle, Washington Area. Husband / [email protected],www.leehighway.net. and references are available on request. wife duo Cathi and Gary Davidson on guitars and vo- Contact: www.backporchrevival.com. cals and John Tubbs on mandolin and vocals. Old- Lost Creek Bluegrass Band booking inquiries: [email protected] time, country and traditional bluegrass, folk and contemporary bluegrass, with a focus on duet and trio Lost Creek delivers driving bluegrass and old time Back Up and Push harmony singing, www.downtheroadband.com. standards with outstanding vocal harmonies and taste- ful instrumentation. For years they’ve delighted audi- Members: Dan Kopecky, Mandolin, Vocals; Robert GTM Stringband ences at bluegrass festivals, pubs, parks, weddings, and Brownscombe, Bass; Susie Anderson, Fiddle, Vo- With two guitars and a bass fiddle, members Greg markets in both Oregon and Washington. cals; Tom Gall, Guitar, Vocals; Patrick McLaughlin, Stone, Tony Rocci and Marty Henick take the stage Contact: 503-442-2832 Banjo. We are a 5 piece bluegrass band from Welches, with a mix of bluegrass, ragtime, swing and blues. [email protected]. OR. We have been playing together for about 10 years. They deliver a nice balance of instrumentals and vocal We play a mix of traditional bluegrass, southern blues, numbers with three part harmonies. and a few cowboy tunes. We are available for festivals, Lucky Gap Contact: Greg at 971-207-3195 shows, parties, dances, barbecues or whatever! Good Old-time Traditional Americana and bluegrass or visit our website at gtmstringband.com. on the Oregon Coast. Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle, Mando- For recorded samples check out our website: backu- lin, Dobro, Bass. Weddings, Parties, Dances, Special pandpush.tripod.com (without www). Occasions.Contact: Chaz Malarkey at 541.265.2677, Home Grown Old-Time The Bluegrass Regulators [email protected], or Bob Llewellyn at Old-Time and Old-Grass music in that good old way. 541.444.2069, [email protected]. The Bluegrass Regulators - Fueled by a mutual pas- Bill Nix, banjo; Steve Smith, guitar; and Dave Morris, sion for good music and drawing from a variety of fiddle; everyone sings. influences such as The Lonesome River Band, Vince Contact: Dave Morris 541 929-3742 Misty Mamas Misty Mamas serve up powerful harmonies and taste- Gill, John Mayer, Hot Rize, and Buddy Miller, the www.myspace.com/homegrownoldtime Regulators deliver a unique blend of contemporary ful instrumentals combining the American genres bluegrass, complete with solid instrument and vocal Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising of bluegrass, gospel, folk and countrymusic. Carol Harley (vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin), Katherine work. Jake Dewhirst - Guitar, Vocals; Luke Dewhirst Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising Family friendly, out- - Banjo, Vocals; Martin Stevens - Fiddle, Vocals; Josh Nitsch (vocals & guitar), April Parker (vocals & man- standingly entertaining original roots bluegrass fea- dolin) and Eilee Rocci (vocals & upright bass). Adkins - Bass, Vocals. turing the talents of RMA Bluegrass Songwriter of the Contact: www.myspace.com/regulatorbluegrass, year Dennis Nelson along with the talents of Kathy Mollybloom then give us a yell: [email protected] Boyd, Tim Crosby and Tom Tower. This highly en- Original contemporary bluegrass quintet. Da- tertaining group is willing and able to travel and is a vid Dahl, guitar; Ron Relaford, mandolin; Clark Bluestone County sure fired winner for your next event or festival! Blanchard, bass; Bob Rindy, fiddle; and Rand White. Bluestone County - If you’ve spent any time at all Contact 503-691-1177, Contact: 503 399-1965 around the Northwest Bluegrass scene you’ve run into [email protected], www.mollybloombluegrass.com one or more of these musicians in one or more bands. www.phoenixrisingband.org or Anita Blanchard at [email protected] Formed in late 2008, Bluestone County features powerful vocalists and accomplished instrumentalists, Kate White Band New Old Friends all from the Mid-Willamette Valley. You’ll find that A compelling folk rock/ gospel/ celtic/ bluegrass New Old Friends is a “real deal” traditional bluegrass they are not afraid to wander the spectrum of blue- blend, the KWB’s original songs will resonate with band that gets its inspiration from the major blue- grass from traditional to contemporary. Chris Floyd- your own life and send your spirit soaring. Stunning grass bands from the 1940s through the 1960s, and rhythm/lead guitar/vocals- Jered Widman-rhythm vocals, an extensive instrumental repertoire and a performs its material (including some original tunes) guitar/vocals- Mark Thomas-Banjo- Rick Campbel- powerful yet fun-loving stage presence make the KWB in a way that keeps the essence of “classic” bluegrass mandolin/vocals- Sam Samuels-bass/vocals- Suzi a great choice for festivals, churches, concerts and intact.Though all play several different instruments, Samuels-vocals. private events. Kate White (vocals, violin), Glenn Far- in New Old Friends, they have settled on the follow- Contact: www.bluestonecounty.com ley (vocals, guitar), Scott Minter (mandolin, banjo, ing line-up: Rollie Champe – mandolin and vocals; [email protected] whistles), Robert Wayne (djembe, percussion). Chuck Davidshofer – acoustic bass and vocals - (503) Contact: (360) 904-4062 288-4191; Randy Oman – guitar and vocals; Peter Brian Oberlin [email protected] Schwimmer – banjo and vocals - (503) 282-0344, Brian is a singing, songwriting, multi-instrumental- www.katewhitemusic.com [email protected]. ist (guitar and tenor banjo). He teaches private les- www.myspace.com/katewhiteband sons, workshops, and mandolin camps, focusing on Prairie Flyer many types of musical genres, including swing and National Yodeling Champion Larry Prairie Flyer is Jim Faddis (guitar), Andre Vachon bluegrass. As a solo act, Brian lights up the stage with (mandolin/dobro), Jason Stewart, (banjo), Steve originals and covers that swing, stomp, waltz, and ease Wilder & the Stumptown Stars Blanchard (guitar) and Dave Hackwith (bass). Prai- into his personal style. He is also the mandolinist for bring engaging Americana entertainment to the stage: rie Flyer moves flawlesslyfrom songs by Steve Earle the band Ida Viper. bluegrass, blues, cowboy, Gospel, early country, 70’s to original compositions, from Townes Van Zandt and folk roots tunes from a repertoire of over 400 Contact: Phone: 503-686-8673. songs.All ages will be singing along and laughing with Email: [email protected] www.mandoberlin.com

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 30 Go To www.oregonbluegrass.org For More Info & Links Please contact Matt Snook,(OBA Database & Membership Manager) at [email protected] if you are interested in receiving a Supporting Performer Membership form. to Bill Monroe, from Jackson Browne to solid Shasta Ray you stir it all together combining their exciting knack traditonal bluegrass. Shasta Ray and the Downhome Band from Myrtle for arrangements, their three and four part vocal Contact: 541 466-7018 Creek Oregon. The band’s founder and leader is harmonies, original ballads and toe tapping fiddle www.prairieflyer.com. Shasta Ray, born in New England. His travels and tunes, well, you end up with Whistlin’ Rufus. The experiences are reflected in his song. writing. The 2009 release of the latest Whistlin’ Rufus CD, “It’s Pacific Rim Bluegrass Band music played is a real slice of Americana including About Time” has won rave reviews across the country, play bluegrass in the beautiful Willamette Valley re- bluegrass, folk, country, sing-a-long gospel, and old from the “Back Porch Music Program” at the WUNC gion of Oregon, just south of Portland. Pacific Rim time favorites. in Raleigh, to KBOO in Portland, OR. Whistlin’ Rufus is just perfect for your event or Festival. band members are Paul King on Guitar and vocals, Contact Shasta Ray at 541-537-1031. Gary Schottle on mandolin and vocals, Mary Cox on email: [email protected] Contact Pat Connell 971-207-5933 Bass and vocals & Debra King on banjo and vocals. [email protected] or go to Contact: Paul King at 503.363.9682 Sidekicks Bluegrass and Nostalgia Band www.whistlinrufus.com website for more email:[email protected] for inquiries Perfect for weddings/anniversaries, conventions, information, videos, and CD information. community events and cruises. Bluegrass, Country, Rogue Bluegrass Band Swing, and Ragtime. CD’s available. 2105 NW 12th Music the way music should be: Bluegrass style, Ed Street, Redmond, OR 97756. Hershberger, banjo technician; Don Tolan, professor Contact: 541 923-6946 or 503 580-5274 of mandolin; Ben Trump,fiddlin’; Paul Hirschman, www.leroynewportsband.com. flat pickin’; Deb Smith-Hirschman, bass thumpin’. Contact Ed 503 245-4158 Siskiyou Summit www.geocities.com/roguebluegrassband A special brand of bluegrass music with a growing fan or email: [email protected]. base in the Pacific Northwest. Six strong singers and instrumentalists, song writers and arrangers. Decades CmeAlo l Ye Pickers Rose City Bluegrass Band of individual musical performance experience. Pure entertainment for young and old! Bluegrass, Contact: 541 488-0178 Irish, Americana and more. Contact us for your wed- www.siskiyousummit.com. 2010 OBA Bluegrass and ding, picnic, party or club. Charlie Williamson 503 Old Time Pickers’ Festival, 248-1854 (days) or503 892-2641 (evenings). char- Urban Monroes [email protected] www.rosecitybluegrass.com. Fashioned from the heart of tradition and infused Sept. 17 - 19 with adrenaline, the Urban Monroes’ contemporary Roundhouse bluegrass style is an outgrowth of the combined skill of It will be mid-September. The festival Founded in 1994, members are Donn Whitten, Kim some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest talent. Possess- season will be winding down, but the Jones, Ron Leavitt and Joe Denhof. Roundhouse was ing band member credits ranging from “record of the formed with th e goal of providing a variety of musical year” and “CD of the Year” to state bluegrass instru- weather will still be terrific. And you genres to diverse audiences: something for everyone. ment champions, their musical experience circles the might feel you haven’t gotten enough Toward this end Roundhouse performs bluegrass, globe having taken them as far away as England and picking in, no matter how many southern rock, doo-wop, gospel, country, blazing in- Scotland and even to Siberia…the long way. Three of strumentals and original compositions. Roundhouse the Urban Monroes four members have been featured festivals you attended. instrumentation includes guitar, mandolin, banjo on the Emmy award winning television show “Oregon and bass. Art Beat” and collectively they have opened for and So you’ll certainly be ready for Contact: http://www.roundhouse-band.com shared the stage with the likes of Laurie Lewis, Ricky the annual OBA Bluegrass and Old [email protected] Skaggs, Iris Dement, Lee Ann Womack, Paul Delay and others. Time Pickers’ Festival, September Runs Real Good With Fran Kent- guitar and vocals, Matt Gray- 17 through 19. It’s at a great new Runs Real Good is Clayton Knight, Tom Marshall, banjo, Jason Mellow-bass and Jeff Shippy- fiddle, location – Pendarvis Farm, home of Kelli Plummer, and Bill Marshall. We Play not-too- The Urban Monroes are a new tradition in contem- traditional bluegrass, respectful of our roots, but will- porary bluegrass. the Pickathon. ing to roam a little now and then Contact: Clayton Knight, 503-358-0658 Wayward Vessel Spend your weekend singing, [email protected] www.waywardvessel.com playing, schmoozing, catching up. Members: Sawthooth Moutain Boys Ken Chapple (guitar and vocals) Julie Schmidt (violin Skip the worry of, “Do I jam or do I Picking traditional bluegrass music since the mid- and vocals) Chris Walther (bass) catch this show?” 1960s all over OR, the Pacific NW and the West Coast, booking contact:: Ken Chapple: and even Kentucky, Texas, several western states and [email protected] Check the OBA website for more the UK and Europe, we bring along plenty of fun and information and directions for this energy with our hard-driving sound. From pubs, to Whiskey Puppy wineries, to bluegrass festivals, private gatherings and great end-of-season event. And tell Dedicated to preserving americana roots music, while weddings, we’ve just about delivered our bluegrass to exploring early & contemporary bluegrass. all your friends that there’s no better every situation and venue type possible. Seasoned and well-known members of the SMB are Rollie Champe Contact: 503 227-0647, music in the world than home-made - guitar, Chuck Davidshofer - bass fiddle, John Van email:[email protected] music from Northwest pickers. Brocklin - 5-string, and Steve Waller - mandolin. We www.whiskeypuppy.com all sing Ya’all come. CONTACT: www.myspace.com/sawtoothmoun- Whistlin’ Rufus tainboys or www.facebook.com and search Sawtooth The Whistlin’ Rufus musicians bring a lot of experi- Mountain Boys or contact Steve at ence to the stage and have roots in Classical, Irish, [email protected] Folk, Bluegrass, Rock and Roll and Jazz music. When

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 31 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-Mail Address __ 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

OBA Bluegrass Express - July / August 2010 32