Resources
The Portland, Oregon region is rich with performers, teachers and opportunities to participate. Know of something we should add? Email bubbavillepdx@gmail.com.
BANDS
THE HORSENECKS
The Horsenecks play hard-hitting and heartfelt, traditional and original roots music. Their sound is centered around the pairing of the signature rhythmic Appalachian fiddle style of Oregonian Gabrielle Macrae and the inspired guitar and driving yet subtle banjo playing of Liverpudlian Barry Southern. Harmony singing and thoughtful song writing bring The Horsenecks to the stage with a compelling take on the music that moves them; foot-stomping dance tunes, innovative fiddle-banjo compositions and traditional and original heartfelt and inspired lyrics and harmony singing. Whether performing as a duo or as a four piece, The Horsenecks continue to set a new standard in today’s traditional music scene with years of touring under their belts, appearances at major festivals in the USA and the UK and three critically acclaimed studio albums. Available for concerts, dances, weddings, parties, etc.
- gabriellemacrae@gmail.com
- basouthern@hotmail.com
- The Horsenecks / The Horsenecks Facebook Page / Watch: The Road to Malvern
THE CAROLINA ROSE
Caroline Oakley and Rose Minkler play old time fiddle tunes and sing country/honky tonk ballads and duets.
Caroline Oakley / banjoleone@gmail.com / 503-282-8091 / https://www.facebook.com/rose.minklerbrooks
THE CULLY CUTTUPS
Hard driving Old time fiddle music with a classic NW tone. It’s happy and lighthearted, but rooted firmly in the Appalachian traditional Stringband style. Fiddle, guitar, banjo and upright bass.
Caleb Klauder / calebklauder@gmail.com / 971.242.9140
RATS GONE TO REST
Rats Gone to Rest is a local Portland string band playing traditional Appalachian fiddle tunes. The foursome consists of Joel Brown on fiddle, Julay Brooks on guitar, Devin Forest Hines on banjo and Baron Collins-Hills on bass.
gabriellemacrae@gmail.com / 503-896-4128
EUGENE CITY BARNSTORMERS
Old time music with an altitude. For over a decade the Eugene City Barnstormers have rolled out of Eugene Oregon exploring the corners, edges and middles of a broad social fabric that weaves together family, friends, places, in a community of interest with threads of tunes, songs and stories. The band revels in playing for energetic dancers and joyful random episodes of live music in ordinary places.
Shawn Lockery / shawn@uoregon.edu / 541-844-9275
BEX & THE BEES
Do si do and swing like thunder, Bex & the Bees are a rip-roaring string band that’s comin’ in hot! Never danced before? No partner? No problem! Always beginner-friendly, all the moves will be taught by the caller. Duck for the oyster, dig for the clam, dive for the hole in the old tin can!
Bex Bee / bexleyjanebee@gmail.com / bexbee.life/music-dance
OLD BARN PRESERVATION SOCIETY
We’re a Portland-based old time string band that’s been together since 2014. We’re open to a wide variety gigs — dances, weddings, farmers markets, parties, baby showers, meteor showers, vision quests, etc. We like to hoot but love to holler.
Dan Leif / dcleif@gmail.com / oldbarn.bandcamp.com/releases / Facebook Page
CALEB KLAUDER AND REEB WILLMS COUNTRY BAND
Original and classic honky tonk country music with fiddle, steel guitar, mandolin, drums, bass and acoustic guitar. Vocal harmonies and a dance beat.
Caleb Klauder / calebklauder@gmail.com / 971.242.9140 / calebklauder.com
THE WAYSIDERS
Classic and Original country music from Portland, Oregon, featuring the songwriting of Gabrielle Macrae. Sisters Joanna and Gabrielle Macrae front the band with sibling-tight harmonies while the band brings a distinctively vintage sound to the new and old music they play. Drawing on the traditions of Swing, Rock and Roll, Old Time and Rhythm and Blues, the Waysiders deliver a new brand of classic country all their own. Gabrielle Macrae- acoustic guitar, vocals. Joanna Macrae- vocals. Barry Southern- electric guitar. Patrick Lind- Bass. Don Lawry- drums with guest fiddlers such as Luke Price and Annie Stanninec. Available for shows, parties, weddings, private events.
Gabrielle Macrae / gabriellemacrae@gmail.com / Watch: Will I ever Get Through
THE TOO LOOSE CAJUN/ ZYDECO BAND
Eight piece electric band – fiddles, guitar, accordion, rubboard, keyboard, rhythm section, and vocalists. We play authentic Louisiana-style dance music including cajun, zydeco, and a little New Orleans R&B and piano. You just can’t keep from dancin’!
Robert Lee / smoothbow@robertleeviolin.com / 503 230-0685 / Facebook Page
http://www.tooloosecajunzydeco.com
HOW LONG JUG BAND
The How Long Jug Band plays vintage blues, ragtime and string band music on standard and homemade instruments.
Arlo Leach / arlo@arlotone.com / 503-929-5015 / http://www.howlongjugband.com / Facebook Page
STEVE CHESEBOROUGH
Steve Cheseborough re-creates the blues, ragtime and hokum of the 1920s-30s, interspersing the songs with stories, history and humor. He has the uncanny ability to turn any setting into a 1925 Mississippi jook joint.
Steve Cheseborough / chezztone@gmail.com / 843.817.6065 / stevecheseborough.com / Facebook Page
LAUREN SHEEHAN
Songster best describes this “ … one-woman Americana jukebox”. Lauren Sheehan works as a soloist and with delightful side men and women, performing music influenced by traditional country blues, jug band, early jazz, country and folk artists, from the 1850’s to modern times. She is an acclaimed fingerpicker and known for her entertaining and informative concerts, soirees, workshops, house shows and parties where oral tradition reigns.
Lauren Sheehan / lauren@laurensheehanmusic.com / 503-329-7561 / Laurensheehanmusic.com / Facebook Page
TEACHERS
Leela Grace
N.E. Portland
573-823-5650
leelagracemusic@gmail.com
Barry Southern
503-741-5917
basouthern@gmail.com
Leela Grace
N.E. Portland
573-823-5650
leelagracemusic@gmail.com
N.E. Portland and Skype
503-896-4128
gabriellemacrae@gmail.com
http://www.horsenecks.net/
www.facebook.com/thehorsenecks
Paul Savignac
Aloha
503 544 5535
jackpot4949@gmail.com
Martha Stone
NW Portland and Cascade Locks, OR.
509-699-0842
clawhammerrules@gmail.com
Tim Dawdy
Ridgefield, Washington
360 904-0347
timdawdydobro@gmail.com
Gabrielle Macrae
503.896.4128
gabriellemacrae@gmail.com
horsenecks.net
facebook.com/thehorsenecks
I am a traditional bluegrass fiddle player, and teach at all levels. I emphasize learning by ear, and working on skills that you can quickly apply to a variety of songs and tunes in order to improve your sound and have more fun in jamming or performance settings. I also teach old-time, Cajun, Traditional Irish and other styles, as well as working on fundamental techniques that can be applied to all styles. I have been performing and teaching fiddle professionally for 15 years, both privately and at workshops around the country.
1920s-30s-style blues, working from the original recordings, by the aural method. There is a group Beer & Blues Class as well as individual lessons available. Fingerstyle and slide, various keys and tunings are covered, as well as blues history. The goal is to get you singing the blues and accompanying yourself with a complex guitar arrangement, a one-person orchestra! Prerequisites: familiarity with basic chords, ability to keep a beat, interest in the blues, willingness to practice. Adults only, although bright teenagers will be considered. We have a lot of fun as we work hard at this marvelous music.
Northeast Portland
843.817.6065
chezztone@gmail.com
http://www.stevecheseborough.com
facebook/steve-cheseborough
Barry Southern
503-741-5917
basouthern@hotmail.com
Mary Flower
North East Portland
503-679-1977
mary@maryflower.com
N.E. Portland and Skype
503-896-4128
gabriellemacrae@gmail.com
http://www.horsenecks.net/
www.facebook.com/thehorsenecks
Northeast Portland
843.817.6065
chezztone@gmail.com
http://www.stevecheseborough.com
facebook/steve-cheseborough
Leela Grace
N.E. Portland
573-823-5650
leelagracemusic@gmail.com
Southeast Portland and Lake Oswego
503.807.9477
lleavittmusic@icloud.com
http://www.mountainhoneyportland.com
https://www.facebook.com/mountainhoneymusic
Inner Southeast Portland and teaching on Zoom
503.679.0391
pua@pdxuke.com
http://www.pdxuke.com
To add your name to our list of teachers, fill out our form here.
JAMS, SINGING & CLASSES
NEIGHBORLY MUSIC STRING BAND CLASS
This class is a real anchor (in a positive way!) of the old time music instruction scene in Portland. For fiddle, banjo, and guitar players who have basic proficiency on their instruments and are ready to begin meeting and playing old time music with others, this class offers the perfect opportunity. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings in 8 week sessions 3 times a year (fall, winter, and spring) at the Pacific Crest Community School in NE Portland in non-pandemic times. On zoom during the pandemic. Check their website for details. Contact: Maggie Lind
HOSTEL CAFE WEEKLY OLD TIME JAM
Scott Killops will be your host for a weekly Thursday night Old Time Music Jam at the Hostel Cafe, 1810 NW Glisan, 7-10pm! No purchase is required, but the café has a reputation for great food at good prices. They also have 8 local beers, 2 ciders, wine and Kombucha on tap. Street parking is free at 7pm.
Café hours are 7am to midnight. Come early and stay late!
OLD TIME SLOW JAM
Beginner-friendly old-time style jam. Acoustic instruments and traditional music played. First, third and fifth Sundays from 2:30 – 5:00 pm.
First Sundays at Community Room at the Kennedy School (5736 NE Killingsworth St. in Portland).
Third and fifth Sundays at Genesis Project (6725 SE Kelly St. in Portland).
See the jam website for additional details.
EASTSIDE MUSIC CLUB OLD TIME/FOLK JAM SESSION
Learner-friendly jam focused on old time, folk, and acoustic blues. Held in members’ homes, all instruments welcome. Come enjoy music for neighbors by neighbors. Meets the second and last Wednesdays of each month with a break for summer. Contact: Steve Bleiler for more information and to be added to that mailing list.
KEIZER OLD TIME JAM (formerly the Waldo Hills jam)
Second Sundays with a break for summer, 1:00 until the last dog bites (5pm or so).
Newcomers welcome. Acoustic old time music and vocals. Slower as well as up to speed tunes. Folks encouraged to share new (old) tunes. John Knox Presbyterian Church, 452 Cummings Ln N, Keizer, OR 97303.
Contacts: Roger soyopo@comcast.net or John adamsjw@comcast.net.
WASHINGTON OLD TIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION DISTRICT 10 JAM:
Bring your fiddle, Bring your guitar, Bring a dish. Come to – PLAY-LISTEN-EAT-SOCIALIZE! Open to all abilities with WOTFA membership requested. Snack-luck or community shared snacks
WHEN – The 4th Sunday every month
4:00 WOTFA board meeting.
5:00 Potluck/Jam – play – listen – eat! No designated ending time!
WHERE : The Covington House Historical site.
4201 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98663
Keep tabs on the District 10 Facebook page.
JUG BAND JAM
The Portland Jug Band Jam takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Oakshire Beer Hall at 5013 NE 42nd Ave. from 7:00-9:00. Outside in the tent (it’s heated!). Featured artists will bring some different songs and arrangements to the jam. Oakshire is now open till 10 pm and serves pizza, salads and snacks. Outside food is still welcome. There’s also a food cart on site and a couple more nearby. Keep up to date on the jam by going to the Facebook link above to join the group and get on the email list to get all the info on the jams. Acoustic instruments only.
Contact: Arlo Leach or Ray Horton
facebook.com/groups/portlandjugjam/
OPEN BLUEGRASS JAM AT TOAST
Weekly Bluegrass jam every Thursday, 6:30-8:30 pm on the covered patio. Organized/hosted by Josh Cole. Traditional Bluegrass instruments only. Looks like a full bar and dinner menu. 5222 SE 52nd Ave.
PDX QUEBEC JAM SESSION: (On hold for now)
Meanshile, here’s the info. An inclusive, learner-friendly place to share and learn the energizing and joyful dance music of Quebec. Organized on the model of a house party, this jam takes place at the homes of hosting members of the e-mail list, on a rotating basis. If you’d like to receive invitations for this event, contact Therese Vogel. You can also visit Lisa Ornstein’s website (lisaornstein.com) and look for details. Her website also contains (at the Resources drop- down Menu) some free downloadable Quebecois tunes (with sheet music and mp3s) as well as a master list of tunes played at previous jams, with links to media sources, AND (cymbal crash!), a page of recipes of dishes from Quebec .
When: currently on hold
Contact: Therese Vogel (to get on the invite list)
Where: in and around Portland at the homes of various hosts
For Whom: folks who already play their instrument and would like to learn or share dance music from Quebec (all acoustic melody instruments, piano, guitar, bouzouki, flute- also stepdancers are welcome)
PDX CAJUN JAM SESSION
An inclusive, learner-friendly place to share and learn Cajun dance music. Organized on the model of a house party, this jam takes place at the homes of hosting members of the e-mail list.
When: second Sundays, 1-3:30pm
Where: in and around Portland at homes of various hosts
For Whom: folks who already play their instrument and would like to learn or share dance music from Cajun Louisiana (fiddle, guitar, accordion, singers, dancers). On hold till the pandemic is over or we can jam outside.
Contact: lluvia.cmcho@gmail.com (to get on the invite list)
EVERY SUNDAY IRISH JAM at the Hostel Cafe
Join in this open session for an afternoon of traditional Irish music of jigs, reels, and hornpipes! 12 local beers, ciders, and Kombucha on tap at the Hostel Café. 1:30-4:30 pm. 1810 NW 18th Ave. Outside in the Courtyard around the fire. 503-417-8143.
OPEN BLUEGRASS JAM with Rich Landar
(ON HOLD FOR NOW) Come join us outside on our patio for a weekly bluegrass jam, hosted by Rich Landar of The Hillwilliams. We’ll be playing in a picker’s circle where everyone can play as much as they’d like. Bluegrass instrumentation preferred but any acoustic instruments are welcome. All levels of pickers and singers can join in at this friendly, no pressure jam session. Every Thursday 4 p.m. ’til 6 p.m. At the White Eagle, 836 N. Russell St. All ages, Free. 4-6pm.
Portland Sacred Harp Shape Note Singers
Schedule is as follows: First and Third Sundays at Waverly United Church of Christ; 3300 SE Woodward St. 4-6 pm. Second and Fourth Sundays: From the Denson book, 4-6 PM at McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave. Singing is in the Community Room at the SE corner of the main building. 5th Sundays – TBA. 3rd Thursdays, 7-9 PM at There Be Monsters, 1308 SE Morrison: Shenandoah Harmony. Go to their Facebook page or the website above for all the info and to get on their email list. Vaccinations required, masks optional.
Eugene Sacred Harp Shape Note Singers – Eugene Shape
Note singers will be singing on the 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7 pm down by the river for the summer, at the end of N. Adams St. They will switch back to inside singing after Labor Day. Hopefully they will be back in the wonderful classical city building, McNail-Riley (13th and Jefferson), where they have been able to sing this past year. A great space with plenty of room and good acoustics.
SQUARE DANCE
THE PORTLAND SQUARE DANCE
3rd Sundays, September through May, 7-10PM
(This dance is currently on hold)
The Village Ballroom,
700 NE Dekum St, 503-283-1100
All ages welcome – No dancing experience needed
Admission is on a sliding scale from $7 to $15.
Two bands and two callers for each dance, with the first set running from 7 to 8:30, the second from 8:30 to 10. On most months, one band and one caller will be from out of town. This is a party, folks! For more details about the individual dances please see our Facebook page. The Portland Square Dance is on hiatus until further notice due to the pandemic.
CALLERS IN PORTLAND
Amy Hofer
Caroline Oakley
Maggie Lind
Marta King
Jane Palmieri (Montana Jane)
Ned Leager
Stephanie Noll
Bex Bee
CALLERS FARTHER OUT
Truman Price (Monmouth)
John Luna (Corvallis)
A Look At Southern Squares ~ Bill Martin’s collection of Southern square dance figures.
West Virginia Square Dances ~ An online version of Bob Dalsemer’s great out-of-print collection of dances, histories, stories, including live recordings of square dances in West Virginia.
Hugh Stewart’s Running Sets ~ Briton Hugh Stewart’s fine collection of the old “running set” dance figures.
Old Time Seattle ~ Old-time music and square dancing in Seattle.
Country Dance & Song Society’s collection of square dance video and audio.
To add your name to our list as a caller, fill out our form here.
BUBBA KIDS
other resources
MusicPortland is a member-based 501(c)6 trade association and advocacy group that focuses on the economic viability and development of our local music industry. Their mission is to make Portland a better place to be a music professional. They do this by uniting, defending, and amplifying the voices of the people who make up Portland’s independent music industry.
Old Time Dance Party is a CD and instruction booklet for square dance callers. It was compiled by Paul Silveria, an old time musician, square dance caller and teacher now residing in Vancouver B.C.
The Old-Time Tiki Parlour is the musical headquarters of Tiki Parlour Recordings, founded by David Bragger and Rick Hocutt. The site houses a wealth of old-time resources, including videos and albums.
Portland Folk Music Society has been active since 1976, preserving, presenting and promoting folk music and arts in the greater Portland, Oregon region.
Quarantine Happy Hour is over, but the Quarantine Happy Hour Archive offers an incredible resource, putting all the performances in one place, chronologically. It was all built by Josh Larios from Seattle. Thank you, Josh!
Race and Racism in Old Time Music was a virtual discussion that took place at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering in 2021. Led by Jake Blount, Tatiana Hargreaves and Lois Leveen, the conversation explored how Black and Indigenous musicians have often been erased from the history of old time and what we can do now to understand and address racial realities in traditional music.
Slow Jam Fizz is over but you can see all the jams archived on the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention YouTube page. There are 42 sessions starting in February 2021. This is a great resource to go back and learn so many tunes from so many great players.
Tater Joe’s is a website of old time banjo tabs, fiddle transcriptions and recordings from Workshops, Lessons, and Personal Efforts. It’s put together by Portlander Ken Torke and California fiddler Mark Wardenburg.
radio
WED Pastures of Plenty. Traditional and Contemporary folk music. Every Wednesday from 5:30 am to 7:00 am on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland.
THU Rise when the Rooster Crows. Folk and traditional music from a variety of sources including early country recordings from the ’20s and ’30s. Every Thursday from 5:30 am to 7:00 am on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland.
FRI Cascadia Coffeehouse. Featuring a variety of traditional and contemporary folk and roots music, with a focus on new releases and vintage favorites. KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland.
SAT Swing ‘n’ Country. A whole lot of country & western swing! Every Saturday from 6:00 am to 9:00 am on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland.
SAT Music From the True Vine. The best of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, with some old time music peppered in Every Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland.
SAT Acoustic Junction. Featuring the finest in traditional and contemporary acoustic music with a focus on old favorites and emerging artists. Saturdays from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on KRVM Radio 91.9 in Eugene.
MON Folk Espresso. Early morning folk music to get your week started. Mondays from 5:30 am to 7:00 am on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland.
TUE Early Morning Gumbo. A spicy mix of folk and acoustic music, much of which is connected to the American south. Tuesdays from 5:30 am to 7:00 am on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland.
