By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor — Stop by the 3 Legged Crane most any Thursday evening and you’ll more than likely see Ben Olson entertaining a rapt crowd. These include his regular followers, which he has many. Followers, that earlier in the week, can be found reading the pages of The Herald’s Entertainment Report written by Ben. They’re looking to see who’s performing where along the highway 58 corridor. Ben answers that call, as well.
He does both exceptionally well
Ben wears many hats and has had a life of travel, music, and many, many adventures. Ben and his wife Holly hail from, most recently, Florida. They followed their adult children who pulled up stakes and headed to the Pacific Northwest and settled in Eugene. Evidently, Oakridge was more to Ben and Holly’s liking. Lucky us! He has performed as a musician in many states around the country.
Doing the entertainment report is no simple task either. Most times he has to call around to the various venues to “get the scoop” on who’s performing where. He then compiles the information and presents it in a way that you, the reader, will be both entertained and informed.
No matter what he’s playing, It’s the music we love
Back to the music. Ben has a way of attracting both a crowd of listeners as well as other musicians anxious to sit in with him. Whether he’s doing a solo gig, has assembled a 4-5-piece band, or is joined by a host of local performers during Thursday open mic, he orchestrates the evening with a professional flair. He’s comfortable and makes the people who listen to him equally so. It’s obvious that he enjoys what he does.
You name it, he can play it
Likewise, he seems to have a repertoire that is never ending. Whether it be Irish ballads on Saint Patty’s day, a salute to the Beatles, or a tribute to an obscure singer-songwriter, Ben’s got you covered. You name it, he probably can play it. I don’t think he’ll answer your challenge to play rap, but you never know.
Ben performs on a variety of instruments, depending on his mood and the program he plans to play at an upcoming venue. I’d like to list all of the instruments that he plays, but I’m not sure that I actually know that. Maybe I’ll get a list from him sometime.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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