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On a Scouting Trip to the Pacific Northwest |
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Hi, this is Jeff Newell and I am in Eugene, Oregon, right now, checking out the music scene and finding out about venues to play and festivals to look into. I have been here since Monday, and I have found some pretty amazing things: the music scene is thriving here as well as Corvallis (45 miles to the north). The University of Oregon is here, in Eugene and Corvalis has Oregon State. Wherever there is a college, there seems to be a lot of stuff happening. The folk scene is alive and well here, as well as country, rock, classic rock, hip hop and rap. I ran into an old friend who had just put on a concert with Tracy Byrd and Doug Kershaw (the Ragin' Cajun) here in Eugene the night before. People here seem to be more amiable to different kinds of entertainment. Coffee houses are frequented by people who are specifically going out to hear new music (all styles) instead of talking amongst themselves and chatting on cell phones. Big-time concerts can be found frequently at the Hult Center, a medium size (In LA terms) convention center. Concerts by big names, both current and classic, can be attended here pretty much year-'round. For a state that has less than four million people, Oregon is JUMPIN'. Portland is the largest city in Oregon (little over 1.5 million people) and I will be there tomorrow, checking out the music action. A couple people I know from SoCal have moved to the Portland area and give me reports that it is a real haven for the musically inclined. There are more music festivals, by far, here than there are in Southern California. Many musicians have come here to live, just because the mucic scene is more active and less prejudiced thatn the major centers like LA, Nashville, and Austin. More to come, soon. |
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House Concert at Casita Enguita Went Great! |
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We has a great time at the Casita Enguita House Concert on Saturday Night. The pavillion out in the back yard is a perfect place to see performers up close. I have to say, Joan and Al Enguita are the perfect hosts. They made us feel wecome and at home in their space. They had a wonderful spread of food for everyone, too. The night started off with Joan Enguita performing some of her original tunes for us. She had just finished writing one of them while on tour to the San Juan Islands between Washington and Canada. I really liked that one, although, she was reluctant to perform such a new tune until it was practiced a little more. She did great with it, though. The audience appreciated her vulnerability to expose her new song, with all the feeling it evoked. Next up was Ashley Maher, a cool songwriter that Joan met at the Far West folk gathering last year. Ashley has a unique style that combines Jazz with World and Folk and Dance and even Storytelling. I really like the way she put her very original material together. She is a fine songwriter. Mr. Mello (his real last name) accompanied her on a classical-style nylon-string guitar. You sure can tell he has some training! He played difficult pieces with style and aplomb while keeping the rhythm going for Ashley. Man, that guy could play! Then came One Foot In. By that time is was fully dark and the crowd had settled in nicely. All of us—Michael, Russ, Kevin and myself (Jeff)—were mondo tired from getting up early to be on the radio in the morning. I think the tiredness, in combination with the comfort we felt, worked for us and allowed us to be ourselves and play without the usual nervousnes. It was a really good set. It left me with a feeling that we shoud do more of these "house concerts". I mentioned the radio, above. We all send our thanks to Larry Wines, host of Tied to the Tracks on KCSN radio for having us on and allowing us to play a few tunes, live to his audience. We can't thank him enough. Five or six people that were at the house concert came because they heard us on the radio that morning. Wow, the power of radio. Cool! |
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Pictures are Up from This Morning's Radio Show! |
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Jeff just finished posting the pictures he took this morining while we were in the KCSN Studios. We played live, on the radio this morning on "Tied to the Tracks" hosted by Larry Wines. He was a most gracious host and did a great job wedging us all into place in that tiny studio. His assistant for today, Brian, was agreat help to us, getting us situated and happy and all. Take a look here. |
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