Corvallis or

[danoNC]

I am fairly new to the Corvallis area (from NC, as my username would suggest) and I was wondering if anyone knew of any local picking sessions or if anyone would like to get togther and play some music.
Thanks,
Dan J

[danoNC]

Thought I would send this one to the top of the list for one more go in case anyone missed it. Thanks,
Dan J

[elvisNoir]

Sorry that I don't have the URL, etc. but if you do a Googlesearch for Bluegrass Northwest (or the reverse), you might find a forum for a variety of PNW (seems like mostly Oregon) activities/people. Sorry for being vague.

[lovethemf5s]

The Oregon Bluegrass Association website at oregonbluegrass.org would be a good place to start.

[mrauch]

Might check with the folks at "The Fingerboard Extension" (music shop) in downtown Corvallis about local stuff. Stop by or contact Cartwright's Music Repair in Stayton (about 40 mi. from Corvallis)when you get a chance. Ken Cartwright is Mr. Bluegrass in the area and has a nice shop, hosts jams, etc. The OBA website is somewhat out of date on its jam listings, so if you go by that I suggest you double check the info. Welcome to the area.

[seththedude]

I'm not sure about Corvallis jams but welcome to OR. I live in Roseburg and there is a great music scene throughout the state. The Oregon Bluegrass Association website would be a good place to start. It is out of date but you could probably find some info.

Keep your eyes and ears open and you will find something soon.

[wholt]

Sam Bonds Garage in Eugene has weekly jams for folks of all skill levels. More information could be found on their website. Hope this helps.
Scott http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Paul Kotapish]

Hey Dan,

I lived in Corvallis back in the '70s when it was a little hotbed of traditional music--old-time, bluegrass, Irish, etc. It's a great town. I passed through there a few weeks ago to look at the old haunts, and it made me nostalgic for the pleasures of small-town life.

Check out the Corvallis Folklore Society--a little group a few of us put together in '75 to foster interest in trad music. I understand that it is still going strong. The sponsor all manner of concerts, dances, workshops, etc.

http://cfs.peak.org/

Looks like you just missed their annual fall campout/picking party, but they have other gatherings as well. There are links on their home page to some of the ongoing events where you will meet other players--the contra dance, the Best Cellar Coffeehouse, song circles, etc.

The Sawtooth Mountain Boys were the mainstay of the bluegrass scene there, and they are still active. I don't know if any of them are still living right in Corvallis anymore, but they are in the area and will certainly know about any bluegrass events and sessions in the area.

http://sawtoothmountainboys.com/index.html

You should look up Ted Tom, purveyor of acoustic instruments, too. I don't have contact info for him, but ask around and someone will know how to get in touch with him. He has a wealth of knowledge about old-time and bluegrass music and instruments.

Stop in at the Grass Roots bookstore, too. I was in there a few weeks ago, and they still have a little local-music CD section and the folks there should have a few ideas about how to make connections.

Good luck.

PK