Entertainment report: Much of the usual, but always good music

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  With steady work for the winter, playing Saturday afternoons at Willamette Pass Resort, I’ve got a great opportunity to get out and hear other musical acts on Saturday nights. Last night, I got to see Kelly Thibodeaux and his band Etouffee put on a free show at the Lion Mountain Bakery. Kelly was backed up by my old friend Scott Hitchings on keyboard. Jimmie James Reese plays guitar, as well as second fiddle on a number of tunes. (It’s not often that I can use the term “second fiddle” in its proper place)

Not only does Kelly get the whole place jumping with his infectious Cajun rhythms on the fiddle, he’s quite a harmonica player, as well. Jacqui, proprietor of the Lion Mountain, served up Gumbo and pralines before the show. 

Catch music early with breakfast at the LMB

If you’ve ever thought that you’d like to hear a little live music while you eat a leisurely late breakfast, the Lion Mountain Bakery is the place to be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Local singer Broken Horn, accompanying himself on the Epiphone guitar, will be playing classic country and pop tunes from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. each day. There is no cover charge for the music. The Lion Mountain serves breakfast and lunch in a relaxed, spacious atmosphere. It can be found on Highway 58 in Oakridge.

I’ll be in charge of the open mic at the 3 Legged Crane this Thursday, January 12th. I’ll be joined by my erstwhile partner, Gary Battles, playing lead guitar. This is a great chance for wannabe singers and pickers to have a chance to show their stuff. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. The 3 Legged Crane has a wide selection of hand-crafted beers and ales, as well as a menu including appetizers, sandwiches and dinners. The Crane is to be found on 1st Street in uptown Oakridge. There is no cover charge for live music events.

Someone new at the DLC

Down by milepost 12 on Highway 58, the Dexter Lake Club will be filled with music this weekend. On Friday evening, January 13, Eli Pierzina will be taking the stage. I don’t have any info on his type of music, so I’m going to stop in this Friday to give a listen, then I can be more descriptive next time he plays there. He is scheduled to play from 6 until 8pm. On Sunday evening, Brian Chevalier and friends will be hosting the regular open mic and jam session. The show begins at 6 p.m. There is no cover charge for these shows. Dexter Lake Club has a full bar. The adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. For more information call 541 581 3000. 

Willamette Pass: spend a day with skiing, drinks and live music

At the other end of our readership area, Willamette Pass Resort is open for skiing and snowboarding Wednesday through Sunday, and this week, Monday, as well, due to the MLK Jr. Holiday. The resort is located at milepost 62 on Highway 58. I’ll be playing my guitar and stand-up bass, though not simultaneously, from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 14 and Monday, January 16. Willamette Pass Resort has a full bar. The bar has a great view of the skiers charging down the hill to the base of the chairlift. There are a number of food options there. You don’t have to be a skier or snowboarder to enjoy the ambiance, either. Of course there is no cover charge for the live entertainment.

 

Karaoke fans: it happens at the Loggers Den on Highway 58 in the west end of Oakridge on Wednesday evenings; at the Dexter Lake Club on Thursdays; the Oakridge Moose Lodge on Saturdays and the Corner Bar on 1st Street in Oakridge on weekends and whenever else the customers can convince Robburrito to crank up the karaoke machine.

Celebrity sighting at the LMB?

At the Kelly Thibodeaux show the other night, just before things got started, a couple sitting in front of me were peeking back. I heard the lady say, “I think that’s him”. Had they seen my picture at the post office? They recognized me from my Highway 58 Herald photo. They  offered up thanks for providing information about where the music was happening. They said that they were from Lowell and that they would have never heard about the show had it not been for my column. It gives me reason to keep doing this. As always, if you know of a live entertainment event in our area, please drop me a line so that I may include it in my column. Please support live music and the musicians who make it.