Juniper Jam 2010 - Labor Day Weekend
The Wallowa Valley Music Alliance is gearing up for the second annual JUNIPER JAM - The sweetest little music festival in Eastern Oregon! The big event takes place on Saturday, September 4, 2010 (that’s Labor Day Weekend) at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds in Enterprise, Oregon. This fun-filled day of music starts at 11:00 AM and continues non-stop all day until about 10:00 PM. Festival-goers will enjoy many styles of music including folk, country, Americana and blues, as well as great food and drink, plus children’s activities. Tickets for the event are $10, kids six and under are free.
Musicians from around the Northwest will join our local and regional talent to provide a showcase of entertainment that will please a wide audience. A favorite at last year’s festival, The Wasteland Kings from La Grande return with their straightforward, no gimmicks, rock-solid approach to alt-country, fronted by Kris Mallory with his raspy, convincing twang.
Bringing a smooth urban-folk-soul flavor to JUNIPER JAM 2010 will be Reggie Garrett and the SnakeOil Peddlers from Seattle. Some Wallowa County folks may remember Reggie from his outstanding concert for Fishtrap’s Big Read program last winter. With the addition of Joel Litwin on percussion and Richard Middleton on guitar, the SnakeOil Peddlers will have you mesmerized with earthy grooves and haunting melodies.
From Moscow, Idaho comes Corn Mash -- a mix of original rock, swing, blues, country, punk, funk, and bluegrass. The subject matter is cynical, glorious, angry, sweet, dirty, and sometimes absurd. The band's lineup includes Bill LaVoie (guitar/vocals), Joe Evavold (Hammond/Accordion/Clav), Ryan Gibler (bass), and Bennett Barr (djembe).
We’re pleased to have one of Eastern Oregon’s favorites, The Alibis, on our stage this year. With Janis Carper and Jerry Smith on vocals and guitars, Tim Hines on vocals and bass, and Joey Carper on drums, this combination of solid rhythm, soulful singing, award winning songwriting and masterful guitar work adds up to a band that grooves, rocks, and makes you want to hear more.
Back by popular demand and carving the deepest of blues grooves will be the Simon Tucker Group from Lewiston, Idaho. Simon has made frequent visits to Wallowa County over the last few years and has developed a following of fans who adore his soulful performances as a solo artist. With his skilled sidemen, Simon packs an even more powerful punch.
Although the musical genres presented at JUNIPER JAM are varied, the common thread is original music – honoring the song and its writer. Not all of the performers will be playing exclusively original material, but that will be the emphasis for most of the artists.
Featured on the “Tunesmith” stage will be solo singer-songwriters performing in between the main stage acts. “Tunesmith Night has grown to be a very popular program for the Music Alliance,” says festival director Janis Carper. “We wanted to celebrate that by dedicating a special opportunity for some local songwriters to showcase their songs at this festival.” This year’s Tunesmith performers will include Al MacLeod, Brent Wydrinski, Chase Nebel, Auburn Isaak and others. Carper adds, “Next year we plan to expand JUNIPER JAM to include a songwriting contest, and possibly a workshop.”
Tickets for JUNIPER JAM are $10 (kids six and under free). Purchase your tickets online here or at the following Wallowa County merchants: Lear’s Main Street Pub & Grill and The Bookloft in Enterprise, Beecrowbee and Mt. Joseph Family Foods in Joseph, The Blonde Strawberry in Wallowa and The Lostine Tavern.
Click Here to read more about Juniper Jam 2010.