Railroad Earth is a seven-piece new-grass band known for its song-crafting abilities, impeccable bluegrass production quality and infectiously electric energy during live shows. For over two decades, these New Jersey musicians have been providing lovers of the bluegrass genre a wealth of music. I spoke with Carey Harmon, the drummer for the band, before a […]
Sound Stories & Interviews
Deck the Halls with These Holiday Jams
Back in the late 1980s, when the compact disc format was just blowing up, I started collecting Christmas CDs. I now have close to 70, along with a handful of vinyl albums. So, I consider myself somewhat qualified to recommend some of my favorites, in no particular order. These musical offerings are also good for […]
The Rosin and the Bow
When I was in seventh grade, my pop tried to convince me to take up the saxophone. I sat through two lessons before I started hiding the reeds to avoid practicing at home. In eighth grade, my mom took a crack at it and signed me up for piano lessons. After a couple weeks the […]
A Guide to Holiday Albums
As the temperatures begin to drop, that’s when holiday albums start landing, and 2023 has brought its share of these releases. Here are some choices from this year’s arrivals. Cher: “Christmas” Cher’s first-ever holiday album, not surprisingly, touches plenty of stylistic bases. There’s modern dance-pop (“Angels in The Snow”); Motown/soul/pop on “Christmas, Baby Please Come […]
Source Material: Sunshine In My Pocket
With the clouds looming over Bend, I’ve found that my appreciation for moments of sunshine has increased exponentially since my arrival here. It can be a little too easy to feel disheartened or overwhelmed by the early sunsets; I promise you, you’re not alone. However, even with the colder weather and darker evenings, I still […]
The Last Frontier
Don’t get me started,” old-time strings musician Hubby Jenkins warned with a laugh. The question: Captain Kirk or Captain Jean-Luc Picard? “There’s room for both, me specifically though, in that captain role I prefer the cool, calm and collected Picard compared to Kirk. My favorite captain is Captain Sisko though โ Black Captain,” said Jenkins. […]
Call it Chemistry
These are my sisters, my best friends.” Kourtni Diva, Not Your Ex Lover‘s lead singer and lyricist, said of the band. “They know what’s going on in my life in my songs. That’s why I write them,” she joked. “I’m never nervous to show them things. It’s always about what could work for the band.” […]
Becoming Your Own Muse
Almost every night in Bend, at any taproom, bar, open mic or even street corner, there’s a guarantee you’ll run into aspiring musicians. Among this fresh wave of artists, Bella Cooper, singer/songwriter and founder of band Chiggi Momo, has emerged as a captivating and promising indie recording artist making waves in the music scene. Cooper […]
Hitting the Reset Button with Macy Gray
Trying to define singer/songwriter Macy Gray in the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary music is no simple feat. With her unique raspy vocals and unapologetic lyrics, the enigmatic artist stands as a testament to the enduring power of authenticity in an industry dominated by definitions and labels. Macy Gray’s journey to stardom was marked by a […]
Raise Your Voice
The Redmond Community Choir, a harmonious assembly of voices, has been enchanting audiences and fostering a sense of togetherness since its inception in 2019. With its spring performance this past May, this choir established itself as a choral group that delivers crowd-pleasing arrangements. The group began like many songs do: with one person’s idea. Founder […]

