By BEN OLSON/for The Herald — Entertainment editor’s note: To pad my column a bit, I’m going to interview myself. This is intended to be a serious attempt to get the answers that Highway 58 Herald readers want to know.
A (self) interview with Olson
H58H: Why is it that you write the entertainment column for this paper?
Ben: I think we’ve already established in an earlier interview that no one else seems to want to do it.
H58H: That’s your reason?
Ben: That, and I don’t think that George would print my other column about nothing, week after week, if I didn’t contribute something similar to news, as well.
H58H: Are you aware that anyone reads your entertainment column?
Ben: There have been anecdotal reports of readers.
H58H: If you could, give your readers one reason why they should avidly read your column every week.
Ben: If you were to get in your car every afternoon to drive to each music venue in the Highway 58 corridor to see if, by chance, there was live music that evening, you would put on over 125 miles a day, almost 900 miles a week, close to 50,000 miles a year. This is a huge waste of money that could be spent on beer on the nights when there’s actually live music. My column gives you all the updated information you need to make informed decisions.
H58H: Seriously? You’re doing this to save the environment?
Ben: No, it’s really my allegiance to the bar owners. I’m hoping they’ll be able to put an extra $100 in their pockets because a few more paying customers came in after they read my entertainment column. Maybe they’ll buy me a beer when that happens.
H58H: You have been most gracious to take the time from your busy schedule to answer our questions. Thank you.
Onto the weekly music scene
They’ll be rockin’ again this Saturday night at the Corner Bar in Oakridge. Always a popular act in this part of the world, The Cramer Boys will be laying out a rhythm to make you shake a tail feather. Is it rock? Is it country? Yes, on both counts. The show starts at 8 p.m. and runs until the midnight hour.
The Corner Bar serves beer, wine and mixed drinks and will be serving food from their regular menu. Sadly, the robburritos are only available on Thursday nights. The Corner Bar is located on 1st Street in the Uptown district of Oakridge. There is no cover charge for the live music.
A block further east on 1st Street is the 3 Legged Crane, where I will be hosting the open mic this Thursday, February 16th. As always, I’m hoping to see some pickers and singers stop by to show us what they’ve got. It makes my night figuring out the bass line or chord progression for an old tune that someone wants accompaniment on. Everything gets started at 6:30. The Crane has a nice selection of hand crafted beers and ales, and a diverse menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches and dinners. There is no cover charge for the live music.
LMB and Broken Horn: rock steady
Down on Highway 58 in Oakridge, Broken Horn will be playing this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17, 18 and 19 at the Lion Mountain Bakery. He plays an eclectic list of tunes from the classic era of country, pop and rock music. He will be accompanying himself on a vintage Epiphone 335 guitar. The music runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. each day. The Lion Mountain serves breakfast and lunch in a spacious, relaxed atmosphere. There is no cover charge for the live music.
A big Presidents Day weekend is on tap for skiers and boarders at Willamette Pass Resort at milepost 62 on Highway 58. Conditions have been very good, and a dumping of fresh snow is expected on Monday and Tuesday. I’ll be playing tunes in the bar from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, February 18, 19 and 20. It’s a great place to relax with a beverage and watch the skiers and boarders carving turns down the hill right in front of the lodge. Willamette Pass Resort has a full bar and numerous food options. There is no cover charge for the live music.
Olson at the DLC
At the west end of our coverage area, The Dexter Lake Club, just off Highway 58 by milepost 12, will be featuring yours truly this Friday evening, February 17. Last week my gig there was canceled due to my bout with covid, but I’m much better now. I’ll be playing the upright bass, as well as guitar and include a tribute to Burt Bacharach in the show. The music runs from 6 until 8 p.m.
On Sunday evening, Brian Chevalier and friends will be hosting the regular open mic and jam session. It’s a great opportunity to get up and sing a song or two with a live band filling out the sound. The jam is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar, and the adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. There is no cover charge for the live music. For more details, call 541 581 3000.
Karaoke fans remember! There’s karaoke at the Loggers Den in Oakridge on Wednesdays and at the Dexter Lake Club on Thursdays. The Moose Lodge in Oakridge on Saturdays and the Corner Bar in Oakridge on weekends also is your place for karaoke. I think that’s all the information that I can provide for you this week. Seize the day!
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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