Blue Grass Music Entertainment Line Up

Fashioned from the heart of tradition and infused with adrenaline, the Urban Monroes’ contemporary bluegrass style is an outgrowth of the combined skill of some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest talent. Possessing band member credits ranging from “record of the year” and “CD of the year” to state bluegrass instrument champions, their musical experience circles the globe having taken them as far away as England and Scotland and even to Siberia…the long way. Three of the Urban Monroes’ members have been featured on the Emmy award winning television show “Oregon Art Beat.” With Fran Kent – guitar and vocals, Matt Grey – banjo, Jason Mellow – bass and Eddie Parente – fiddle, the Urban Monroes are the new tradition in contemporary bluegrass.

Kim, Jason, and Ches have an undeniable connection intertwining “old-time, bluegrass, folk, blues and even classic country flavors” into a timeless style of good ole down home, feel good music. Their original tunes are full of depth and emotions as well as lyrically beautiful. The traditional tunes are bass thumping, rhythmically solid and sometimes spin into moments of improvisation with the claw hammer banjo often taking the lead role.

What is Chickweed anyway? Portland’s HOT Bluegrass Band!

Chickweed is acoustic music that is: determined, high energy and engaging with fast, raw vocals, strong chops, steady bass line and melodic guitar featuring raucous original tunes, solid bluegrass and traditional roots.

Kathy Boyd and Phoenix Rising
Just as the mythical phoenix flew as high as it possibly could, burst into flame and then arose reborn from the ashes…the same phenomenon occurs with musicians and the bands they perform in. Phoenix rising has a sound that’s fresh and new as the result of its members performing together in various combinations over the past 30 years. This particular group of individuals has now gathered together in full force; bringing together the best of bluegrass, Americana, cowboy, folk, country and some incredibly talented songwriters to bring you a sound that is clean, hard driving, and uniquely their own.

Dennis Nelson
Singing that high tenor and bringing the “high lonesome” sound to the band, Dennis is the most recent addition to Phoenix Rising. With a background in blues and country rock, he adds his unique sound to the mix by playing lead and rhythm guitar. A member of several bands during his travels from Wisconsin to Alaska to Oregon, Dennis is our resident airplane pilot and mechanic. You might also catch him as one of the “instigators” of many of the jams throughout the Salem, Oregon area.
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Whiskey Puppy plays boot-stomping, mule-slapping traditional bluegrass and old time music. The Portland, Oregon trio brings energy, humor, and skillful musicianship to little-known songs and tunes searched out from the repertoires of the early Southern string bands. Known for sweet three-part harmonies and their collection of chew toys, Whiskey Puppy has been performing since 2001, including their infamous 2005 “Kiss the Puppy” cross-country tour. They have appeared at bars and festivals all over the West Coast, and in 2004 won the “Not quite bluegrass” band contest at the Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival.

Whiskey Puppy features Rachel Gold (of the band The Flat Mountain Girls) on guitar, Justin Auld (of the band Redwood Highway) and on banjo and fiddle, and Travis ‘Tater’ Harrison (of the bands Cocks in the Henhouse and Jackass Willie) on bass. Justin and Rachel are honored to be the first Saturday of the month hosts of KBOO’s (97.1 fm Portland) Music From The True Vine show.

They have received favorable reviews from some very reputable people including:
“Make no mistake about it…Whiskey Puppy has a raucous edge that straddles the line between old time and bluegrass.” - Bluegrass Unlimited 2003
“Whiskey Puppy…is on the cutting edge of incredible energy music…Whiskey Puppy has maintained the sound of the Skillet Lickers and have as much fun as the old timers did.” – The National Traditional Country Music Association Tradition Magazine 2005
“Punch-drunk with a high-powered sound.” – The Missoula Independent 2005
“You would have a hard time distinguishing between this group and any of the early 1920’s or ‘30’s string bands that were so incredibly popular. Do puppies really drink whiskey?” – The National Traditional Country Music Association Magazine 2006

In their own words:
We love the string bands of the 1920’s-1950’s because they had a raucous good time singing about prohibition, homesickness, and heartbreak. Whiskey Puppy continues this tradition, finding the richest songs from the old time string bands, medicine show performers, blues masters, and early bluegrass greats, and striving to have as much fun with them as our musical predecessors did. We are Whiskey Puppy – Unleashed!
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Puddletown Ramblers – The Myth, The Legend

This unstoppable force, believe me, people have tried to stop them, was hatched on a glorious Wednesday night in 1996 when three outstanding young men met for the first time at Chick Rose’s bluegrass class, Steeplegrass, in Vancouver, Washington. Upon striking that first out-of-tune chord, while playing completely different songs, they boys knew it was destiny. Well, time went by and their playing ability improved to beginner level. They decided it was predetermined that they form some sort of band to try and get paid for jamming together. This lead to the formation of the bluegrass supergroup Puddletown Ramblers. The heavens parted, the sun shone, and the legend was born.

Over the years they have earned at least a few really loyal fans in Yugoslavia. Their cd Black Highway is a big hit in the Eastern Block. They are currently searching for other songs to rip off for their upcoming newest release. The band has learned a lot performing, including, always zip up your pants before going onstage. Plus, they found out that chicken wire dices the tomatoes perfectly when thrown at the rate of at least sixty miles per hour. The Puddletown Ramblers are survivors and a great bluegrass legend.

Puddletown Ramblers – The Members and Lore

David Peterson Plays lead guitar, dobro and sings. He is known far and wide as “Fast-talkin’ Dave, the West Coast Promotions King”. The band believes he could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo. His day job involves computers, taking over the world, and drinking lattes. David’s passion is music and he loves his guitar. He sometimes cuddles it. We’ve seen him do it! He is a Portland, Oregon native and enjoys being able to read and write, groupies and performing with these old guys. David is the band’s manager and often gets them hired at some of the finest freeway off-ramps and greasy spoons. Yes ladies, he’s single.

From Vancouver, Washington comes Joe Martin, who plays rhythm guitar and sings. Joe was recently asked to say a few words about his musical career. He responded with “hmmm, a few words, lets see, cauliflower?, succotash?, horsefeathers?”. Although some things may on occasion get by him, he is certainly a nice guy and never misses a beat. He will generally be right on the timing of a song even when everyone else isn’t. Joe enjoys finding that “tasty harmony” and those “neat little licks” that add to the “wall of sound” that the Puddletown Ramblers have. Joe is a plumber by day and really gets into “tearin’ apart a toilet in less than ten minutes”. If you shake his hand, wash immediately.

Tom Martin, also from Vancouver, Washington, and Joe’s older brother, is the band’s legendary banjo player and he also sings. When you watch Tom play, the pain, sorrow and the chili he just ate is definitely on his face and you feel what he feels. Tom’s “unique”, “interesting”, and “controversial” banjo style was developed by the CIA in the sixties as a method to extract information from suspected spies. Born into a very large musical family filled with opinions and attitude, he brings the band a wealth of witty comebacks and submission holds. Never a practice goes by when all the problems of the world aren’t solved with one of Tom’s readily available opinions. Tom is an auto mechanic by day and an elite crime-fighting superhero by night. His banjo is his weapon.

Fred Schulz plays the fiddle, mandolin and sings in the band. Fred is determined to bring about a new form of civilization with his fiddle playing. When the new dawn comes, he will be “tilling his land” and “polishing his shotgun” while laughing at the rest of us. Fred is the yin to Tom’s yang and their discussions have been known to last for days. While they have never as of yet led to fisticuffs, we do have to send them to their rooms at times. Fred enjoys getting his hands dirty, jamming to the wee hours and free food. We recently learned that Fred has reached the twentieth century with the purchase of a ten year old microwave and a cell phone, both “instruments of the devil” as Fred puts it. Although without electricity, we aren’t sure how he’s going to use them.

Playing the bass and giving the band much needed class and distinction, is Walt Jacobson. An all-around great guy, he keeps us all in line with solid rhythm and runs. We’d like to thank Walt for lowering his standards and performing with us. We’d also like to thank Walt for smacking us when we needed it. Although Walt has a good voice, he refuses to sing with us. Everyone has their limits. Walt prefers to sing to pets and while in the shower. The band has affectionately, and out of fear, named him “Enforcer”. We also refer to him as “Walking Bass” because the boy can play! When we try to speed up a song, he gently and lovingly tells us to “get it right dummies!” Walt enjoys his family, motorcycles, a nicely ironed shirt and secretly laughing at us on the inside.
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