NW Mini-tour Postcard: Bend, Redmond & Ashland or Bust

Portland is cooler than ever: Here I'm waiting for the free piano seat on Alberta St. to open after enjoying the best gluten-free cinnamon roll from Back to Eden bakery and a fine coffee from Caffe Vita

I'm truly hooked on the open road, big skies, and opportunities to play songs for new people, which is why I set out on hours-long drives even when plans go awry, tech goes wonky and the temperature averages 95 degrees. Some snaps from the latest trip North and back

Big Sky on the way to Bend, Oregon. Bend is beautiful and boasts another good stage in Volcanic Theater Pub

The amazing Horse Tail Falls along the Columbia River. I didn't take a dip but wished I had later.

The dear Sue Quigley who shared the bill with us at the awesome listening room that is SoulFood Coffeehouse in Redmond, Washington

My trusty Desio Guitar awaiting its orders for the day

Quick Change: Northwest Shows & Staying Loose

"A flexible spine equals a flexible mind" is an oft-repeated phrase in yoga circles. I believe it. And during weeks likes this, I'm especially glad I've a regular yoga practice. A run of dates in the Northwest have been on the calendar for months, but in the space of a couple of days, my musical accompaniment for part of the trip changed, a show that was the impetus for the tour was postponed, the tour was rerouted through Portland, I added a new date in a town in which I didn't think I'd be playing, and I'm leaving a day early.   Here's to applying to your day-to-day what practice teaches — breathe, focus ...and get out there and rock it! If you're in Oregon and Washington the next few days, come on out to a show.

 

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

Volcanic Theatre Pub- 8:30pm

70 SW Century Dr Bend OR 97702 USA

With Johnny Nash!

 

Friday, July 11th, 2014

Soulfood Books and Music - 8pm

Redmond WA 98052 US
Heading back to Redmond as part of a summer NW tour. We had a great time paying here in January. Come on down for acoustic music in a great listening room. With Sue Quigley.

 

Saturday, July 12th, 2014

The Playwright Public House

8pm-10pm 258 A Street Ashland OR 97520
Our first time playing this pub in one of our favorite NW towns.

Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

Volcanic Theatre Pub

8:30pm

70 SW Century Dr Bend OR 97702 USA

Friday, July 11th, 2014

Soulfood Books and Music

Acoustic in Redmond - 8pm

Redmond WA 98052 US

Heading back to Redmond as part of a summer NW tour. We had a great time paying here in January. Come on down for acoustic music in a great listening room.

Saturday, July 12th, 2014

The Playwright Public House

8pm-10pm

258 A Street Ashland OR 97520

- See more at: http://www.deborahcrooks.com/shows/#sthash.wFD1QFL6.dpuf

Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

Volcanic Theatre Pub

8:30pm

70 SW Century Dr Bend OR 97702 USA

Friday, July 11th, 2014

Soulfood Books and Music

Acoustic in Redmond - 8pm

Redmond WA 98052 US

Heading back to Redmond as part of a summer NW tour. We had a great time paying here in January. Come on down for acoustic music in a great listening room.

Saturday, July 12th, 2014

The Playwright Public House

8pm-10pm

258 A Street Ashland OR 97520

- See more at: http://www.deborahcrooks.com/shows/#sthash.wFD1QFL6.dpuf

Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

Volcanic Theatre Pub

8:30pm

70 SW Century Dr Bend OR 97702 USA

Friday, July 11th, 2014

Soulfood Books and Music

Acoustic in Redmond - 8pm

Redmond WA 98052 US

Heading back to Redmond as part of a summer NW tour. We had a great time paying here in January. Come on down for acoustic music in a great listening room.

Saturday, July 12th, 2014

The Playwright Public House

8pm-10pm

258 A Street Ashland OR 97520

- See more at: http://www.deborahcrooks.com/shows/#sthash.wFD1QFL6.dpuf

Fall Colors, Far-West in Eugene

We took a drive up Highway 5 late last week to attend the Far-West Folk Alliance Conferencee in Eugene, Oregon. It was the first time I'd attended the conference, which has to qualify as the friendliest and more practical of music conferences I've attended. With panels about presenting music to DJs, official shows featuring some of the best of the conferences' acoustic musicians, guerrilla showcases giving everyone an opportunity to demonstrate their chops and awards ceremonies honoring true masters of craft, I came away thoughtful, inspired and buoyed that the musical landscape remains diverse, passionate, viable and willing to support its own. I heard more fiddle music than I have all year, including being completely floored by the mastery of 'Best of the West' winners Laurie Lewis and Vivian and Phil Williams. Their awards concert was a big highlight.
While the Conference kept attendees busy from morning to well past midnight each day, I did have a chance to check out the local color, literally and figuratively. Eugene was rivaling the East Coast for its riot of Fall Colors while we were there and I had a moment to check out the thriving Saturday Market of Farmer's Market produce and local crafts. Likewise, we were hosted by some of my favorite people, Mieko & Christopher, who are also musicians if not conference attendees, and the living room typically had some acoustic instrument humming. Good times.
Radio also got into the mix. At the conference I chatted on-air with Neil during his Recovery Coast to Coast radio show, who was spinning recovery-related music from Far-West artists ("It's All Up to You" was the track selected from this songwriter), and met Portland DJ Diane Hunt of KBOO who featured 'Sunday Best' on her Folk Espresso morning show.