Vol. 34 No. 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE! July Aug Sept Meet the new OBA President, Fiddler Sawyer Olsen, 2014 Pickers’ Fest, and More.... Oregon Bluegrass Association www.oregonbluegrass.org Bluegrass Express Madame President Meet Chris Palmer by Claire Levine What’s the role of an organization’s In Chris Palmer, the Oregon Bluegrass In the mid-60s, Chris and her president? Association has found a terrific leader neighborhood pals caught the music to follow Colby Buswell and Patty bug. They loved the Beatles (who at It’s often to set direction and Spencer. that age didn’t?), but they also loved priorities. But in Ian & Sylvia; The a small volunteer Brothers Four and organization, it’s Peter, Paul & Mary. also doing a lot of the hands-on work, Immediately after as well as providing leaving Grant High leadership. every day, Chris and her friends Chris Palmer’s ready would pull out to do all the above. their guitars and meet at someone’s As a successful house -- until business owner for someone’s parents many years, she made them come knows how to get home. They sang things done, both and accompanied directing others and themselves, and they working long hours even competed in on the tasks that some contests run by she does best. As a local radio stations professional event (“There’s a trophy manager, she knows around somewhere,” how to coordinate and promote. As a NE Portland’s Folk Revival Chris said). board member on several nonprofits, she understands about setting policy Chris grew up in Northeast Portland, But life interferes and goals. in “a neighborhood with lots of kids.” It was just after the Beatles set the But it’s been since the late 60s that And as someone who plunged in world on fire, and when, at the same Chris performed with her guitar headfirst to organize a big bluegrass time, folk music had moved out of -- until 2013 (you’ll hear about that festival, she gave herself an immersion New York onto FM radio stations later). course in the business of bluegrass. across the country. Continued on Page 6 columbia gorge Bluegrass 2014Festival stevenson, washington July 24—27 at the Skamania County Fairgrounds a full weekend experience — Evening dances and more to come. 45 minutes from portland. LoCATED IN THE Scenic Columbia Gorge. Food Vendors. camping with Hot Showers. The James King Band John Reischman & the Jaybirds Bryan Bowers * Dan Crary&Thunderation the Great Northern Planes Sam Hill*the barn door slammers The Green Mountain BlueGRass Band chick’s Kids*Song Writers Showcase Jammers Jamboree*Multi Instrument contest Ticket Information: 509.427.3980OBA Bluegrass Express * - Summer columbiagorgeBluegrass.net 2014 2 Table of Contents July / Aug / Sept 2014 Volume 34 / Number 3 Newsletter of the Oregon Bluegrass Association www.oregonbluegrass.org This Issue Features Cover Story Vol. 34 No. 3 Madame President...........................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 Sawyer Olsen....................................12 Bluegrass Association about local, regional by Claire Levine and national bluegrass issues, events and Chris Palmer: The New Oregon opportunities. Pickers’ Fest Finds New Home......15 Bluegrass Association President. by Claire Levine Bluegrass Express Staff The OBA Board Takes A Retreat...26 by Patty Spencer EDITORS Christine Weinmeister Review [email protected] Laurie and Kathy Sing the Songs of John Prunty Vern and Ray .................................. 16 [email protected] by Claire Levine Columns & Commentary COPY EDITOR Nancy Christie President’s Message...........................5 Catching up with Fiddler Sawyer Olsen [email protected] The Theory of Bluegrass.................22 by Matt Snook GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT Sound Advice ..................................25 John Prunty by Mark Gensman Christine Weinmeister [email protected] Calendars, Lists & Info OBA Membership and Ad ADVERTISING Information ......................................4 Pat Connell What’s Playing on the Radio...........5 [email protected] (971) 207-5933 Scheduled Jams...............................31 OBA Supporting Performer WEBMASTER & WEB CONTENT Join us at the 7th Annual Oregon Directory..........................................33 Bluegrass Association Pickers’ Fest Tony McCormick September 12-14 at ZigZag Mountain John Hart Farm on Mt Hood! [email protected] JAMS & ONLINE CALENDAR Jim Miernyk Clayton Knight [email protected] OBA Bluegrass Express - Summer 2014 3 OBA Membership & Ad Information The OBA Board Membership Information Website The OBA Board of Directors invites you Features include an interactive calendar that www.oregonbluegrass.org to join the OBA and to participate in its allows you to post your own events, excerpts many activities. Our membership benefits from past issues of the Bluegrass Express, and Officers of the Board include a subscription to the quarterly links for local bands. Come visit us online! Bluegrass Express, frequent mailings Visit the OBA web page today! about events, and ticket discounts to www.oregonbluegrass.org Chris Palmer - President 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, Member, $50 for Supporting Performers, stories, photos and articles to The Bluegrass Tony McCormick- Vice President and $125 for Contributing Business Express. Published files remain in our archives [email protected] Sponsors, as well as other options. To and art is returned upon request. join, complete the application on the back Ron Preston - Secretary cover and mail with your check to: Please send submissions to: John Prunty [email protected] Oregon Bluegrass Association [email protected] P.O. Box 1115 Christine Weinmeister Portland, OR 97207 [email protected] John McCoy - Treasurer [email protected] Advertise in the Express! Liz Crain - Your Express advertising will reach over 500 households of bluegrass enthusiasts, while OBA Roseburg Chapter President helping the OBA to continue publishing this valuable resource. We appreciate your [email protected] support of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. For information about placing an ad for your music-related business please contact Pat Connell via email at: [email protected] or (971) 207-5933. John Hart - Webmaster [email protected] AD RATES AND DIMENSIONS Published quarterly: Chuck Palmer - Membership Winter (January, February, March) [email protected] Mailed on January 2 Reserve by Dec. 1, Copy deadline Dec. 15 Michelle Traver - Development Spring (April, May, June) [email protected] Mailed on April 1 Reserve by March1, Copy deadline March 15 Linda Leavitt Summer (July, August, September) Mailed on July 1 Volunteer Coordinator Reserve by June 1, Copy deadline June 15 [email protected] Fall (October, November, December) Mailed October 1 Christine Weinmeister Reserve by September 1, Copy deadline September 15 John Prunty - OBA Express [email protected] SIZE DIMENSION COST TWO OR MORE ISSUES Full Page 7.5 x 9.5” $150.00 $130.00 Half page horizontal 7.5 X 4.75” $90.00 $80.00 Pat Connell - Ad Sales Half Page vertical 3.75 x 9.5” $90.00 $80.00 [email protected] Quarter page 3.75 x 4.50” $60.00 $50.00 Eighth page 3.75 x 2.25 (2 1/4)” $40.00 $30.00 The OBA prefers to receive advertising payment in advance. For one year contracts, we The OBA holds board elections each April request payment six months in advance and we will bill for the next six months. Payment as individual terms expire. The Board of may be made online via PayPal at www.oregonbluegrass.org/bgexpress.php or you may Directors invites you to join our monthly send a check payable to The Oregon Bluegrass Association and mail to PO Box 1115, meetings. We welcome your visit and ideas, opinions and proposals. Or, just come to Portland, OR 97207. see what we’re doing! We generally meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. When submitting an advertisement to the OBA, please be sure the file is black and white, The location is subject to change. Call us or 300 dpi and in either PDF, TIFF, or JPEG. If you have questions about your file please email any board member for time, location email Christine Weinmeister at [email protected]. and directions. President’s Message What’s Playing on the Radio? Local Radio Bluegrass and Country Listings Following in Colby’s and Patty’s footsteps is going to be a tall order and--I’ll freely admit--a little intimidating. Their achievements include the launch of the Pickers’ Albany/Corvallis - KBOO Fest, which will celebrate its 7th year in September in a new location; a great new Broadcast from Portland, can be heard at website; a positive bank balance; and a real surge in membership. My hope for the 100.7 FM. See under Portland, below future of the OBA is to continue what has begun, and add more OBA-sponsored events. A concert series and an even better gospel show are both on the table. Astoria - KMUZ 91.9 FM Some syndicated programming The current board is 503-325-0010 up for the challenges. “Cafe Vaquera” You may have met Tuesdays 9-11pm, Bluegrass/Old Timey some of them at the Western/Folk with Calamity Jane annual meeting in [email protected] April. The able and unforgettable Tony “Shady Grove” Saturdays 7-9pm McCormick is our Regular folk program new Vice President; Monday thru Friday 10am - noon Secretary Ron with bluegrass included Preston; John McCoy, our ace Treasurer; Columbia Gorge - KBOO Development Director broadcast from Portland. Can be heard at Michelle Traver; 92.7 FM. See under Portland below Linda Leavitt, our Volunteer Director; and Chuck Palmer, Corvallis - KOAC 550 AM our Membership Director. Plus key volunteers Cleve Friedman, Marlene Smith and Syndicated public radio with some Ian Joel.