It was 15 degrees outside and the night before Valentine’s Day. I was running late and pretty sure I’d already missed band practice. When I opened the door, the members of Billy and the Box Kid were lounging around the living room. Whiskey-filled colored glasses and quarters were stacked in neat towers before them, ready […]
Music
‘Half a Hundred Years,’ and Then Some
“I never thought I’d last a half a hundred years,” bellows the smooth baritone of Ray Benson on Asleep at the Wheel’s “Half a Hundred Years” โ not a lot of folks have had this kind of longevity in the music industry. From behind a big white beard, Benson’s answer to his showbiz success is […]
Turning Up the Volume for Women
The past few months have been undeniably hard for many of us. Watching any amount of national news can be both disorienting and panic-inducing as the systems we’ve relied on for our entire lives are threatened by an overly empowered group of (mostly) super-rich, white men. Being from a marginalized community โ or at the […]
Central Oregonโs Bluegrass Scene Unites
Austin Quattlebaum plays what he calls “weird-grass. More accurately, it’s probably indie folk with a bluegrass edge,” he explains. He’s been performing in Bend for over a decade โ often with James Rossi on fiddle, Josiah Payne on mandolin and Mark Karwan on bass โ and always had the desire to create a local bluegrass […]
BendreTheGiant Wadesinto the Deep End
Take a quick glance at a photo of BendreTheGiant and itโs easy to see why Ben Estrada goes by this moniker. Heโs got a head full of tight brown curls framing his round face, reminiscent of the larger-than-life pro wrestler of yore. And the opening track, โMove,โ on his new four-song EP recounts how heโs […]
Rockabilly Road Warrior
When it comes to exploring the 1950s roots of rock ‘n’ roll, you can do a lot worse than to delve into the catalog of The Reverend Horton Heat. Singer and guitarist Jim “the Rev” Heath has been preaching the gospel of that era of music via a slew of albums of original material released […]
Rock for All Ages
No matter the decade you grew up in, we’ve all grabbed a broom and played it like a guitar, or sung at the top of our lungs into a comb in front of a steamy bathroom mirror, or shook our head violently while playing the air drums in the back of a car. The common […]
Swing Into Romance at Sunriver Resort’s Valentine’s Dinner and Dance
Love, music and fine dining come together for an unforgettable evening at Sunriver Resort’s Great Hall this Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re planning a romantic night out, celebrating with friends or making it a double date, the Valentine’s Dinner and Dance Concert offers a mix of elegance and entertainment. Hosted by Sunriver Music Festival, the annual […]
Building Community from Behind the Mic
On any given Tuesday evening, you can find Mason James hosting Open Mic at The Commons Cafe and Taproom, a gig he’s proudly managed for about two years. “It’s one of the most humbling and fulfilling experiences I’ve had in my career,” he says. That’s a bold statement for a guy who’s always up to […]
Spreading Love: A Q/A with The Motet
For 26 years, The Motet has been bringing funk and soul music to stages, shaking booties and spreading good vibes. Based out of Denver, today’s lineup features bandleader and drummer Dave Watts, Joey Porter on keys, Garrett Sayers on bass, Drew Sayers on keys and saxophone and Ryan Jalbert on guitar. With the release 2024’s […]

