Entertainment report for week ending 1/21: Skiing may be in your near future, but good music is available if you don’t want to dare the mountain

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  The pendulum swings. Weeks of un-snowiness, lasting well into January was a bummer for winter sports enthusiasts. Then so much snow descends from the skies that it’s hard to make your way up Highway 58 to where you can play in it. Too much snow kept me from playing guitar at Willamette Pass Resort this weekend. Icy roads in the valley caused the cancellation of the Hipbillys and Bekkah McAlvage at the 3 Legged Crane, as well. 

Best to stay out of the valley unless absolutely necessary

On Monday, my wife and I thought that we’d run a few errands in Eugene. Leaving Oakridge under sunny skies and 40-degree temperatures just before noon, we encountered the fog bank by the cardlock station. At milepost 15, about a mile before the Lookout Flowage Dam we saw the first ice on the road. Just beyond the Lowell exit, branches were broken in the yards along Highway 58 and there was a thick coating of ice on everything, including the road.  Pleasant Hill appeared to be a disaster area, and the outside temperature was down to 25 degrees. When we reached the I-5 on- ramp and saw traffic on the interstate at a standstill, we turned around and headed back to Oakridge. We’ll try this another day. We’d have stopped for a bite of lunch in Pleasant Hill, but the power was out and nothing was open.

The Dexter Lake Club will be featuring singer-songwriter Molly Martinka this Friday evening, January 19. I found a clip or two on YouTube, and Molly, indeed, sings like an angel. I’m speculating that she will be accompanying herself on keyboards, guitar, or both. The music begins at 6 pm and runs until 8. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar. The adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They’re located just off Highway 58 by milepost 12.

Best morning music along all of 58 at the LMB

The Lion Mountain Bakery on Highway 58 in Oakridge will be welcoming singer-songwriter Broken Horn this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 19, 20 and 21. This is the earliest secular music to be found anywhere in Lane County, beginning at 11 am. Broken Horn cut his teeth on the rock and pop music of the 60’s, and has a wide selection of songs that were top 40 in that era. The Lion Mountain serves breakfast and lunch in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.

Eric Leadbetter at the Crane this Friday

The 3 Legged Crane will be having Eric Leadbetter back on stage this Friday, January 19. Eric hails from Bend and has played the Crane a number of times in the past. An accomplished guitarist, he works magic with the looper and delivers powerful vocals. Check out a preview at ericleadbettermusic.com. The 3 Legged Crane serves appetizers, sandwiches and dinners, and brews much of the beer and ale you’ll drink right there in the back room. They can be found on 1st Street in uptown Oakridge.

Willamette Pass Resort finally opened for skiing last Wednesday. Heavy snows made traveling to the hill on Saturday virtually impossible, and the ice storm in the valley on Sunday kept them from opening on Sunday. I’m still waiting for word on the entertainment lineup for next weekend. If you’re in it for the skiing, you’ll be there, regardless of who’s playing guitar in the Summit Bar. Willamette Pass Resort has a full bar and a number of food options available. They can be found at milepost 62 along Highway 58, a mere 25 east of Oakridge.

That’s all I have to report this week. Please support live music and the musicians who make it.