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Corn Mash is the Moscow, Idaho based project of singer/songwriter Bill LaVoie. Originally formed in Seattle in 2003, the band has undergone several makeovers over the years, with the current core of the lineup being Bill Lavoie on guitar/vocals, Joe Evavold (Hammond/Accordion/Clav), Ryan Gibler (bass), Cris Peterson (mando/tele/fiddle), Matt Evavold (sax), and Caleb Murdock (drums). They are occasionally joined by guitarist Simon Tucker of Lewiston, Idaho. The music of Corn Mash is a mix of original rock, swing, blues, country, punk, funk, and bluegrass. The subject matter is cynical, glorious, angry, sweet, dirty, and sometimes absurd. LaVoie says, "Life is kind and life is cruel so we shoot for both to let you work it out on the dance floor." Visit Corn Mash on the web.
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Since forming in 2008, Fruition has amassed a dedicated following due to their compelling songwriting, glowing three part harmonies and ripping string instrumentation. Shows have been described as "ecstatic revivals", where high energy dance music meets heart-melting soul numbers. From Portland, Oregon, Fruition is: Kellen Asebroek (vocals/guitar/mandolin), Jay Cobb (vocals/guitar/harmonica), Mimi Naja (vocals/mandolin/guitar/banjo), Keef Simon (upright bass, howl). They've recently shared stages with Hot Buttered Rum, Greensky Bluegrass, the Watertower Bucket Boys, Danny Barnes, the Absinth Quartet, the Quick & Easy Boys, Dead Winter Carpenters, and others. Visit Fruition on the web.
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The Kevin Jones Band plays original roots-electric/acoustic rock with a touch of world tone, always rhythmic and colorful. With Kevin Jones on guitar/bouzouki/slide/vocals, Doyle Wood mandolin/mandola, Steve Smith drums/percussion, and Kristi Smith guitar/vocals, The Kevin Jones Band delivers wonderfully crafted ballads, driving rhythm and blues, electric and acoustic stringed instruments from several countries, and great dancing music. They've been thrilling audiences around their Seattle based home for many years, with an attitude that Jones describes, "Bottom line...fun, not work!" Visit the Kevin Jones Band on the web.
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From La Grande, Oregon, Sons of Guns features Mike Surber (guitar, vocals), Gregory Rawlins (guitar, vocals), Jeff Grammer (drums), Wayne Callahan (bass) Our favorite description of Sons of Guns: “This music here man, ‘slike a hot Flying J shower after an all night haul, its gettin’ a spot of joe from a betty in a red blouse named Tammy, then lookin’ down in the mornin’ paper to find out you got credit for inventing the cone. These tunes right here man, ‘slike a big ‘ol stew of boyhowdy’s and purdy thangs…this is ’69 Mopar muscle! This, dude, is TRUCK STOP ROCK.” ~ Lucky Peterbuilt. Visit Sons of Guns on the web.
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James Dean Kindle and the Eastern Oregon Playboys (James Dean Kindle, Brian Baird, Matt VanSickle,Peter Walters) have enjoyed tremendous response from audiences of all ages while playing venues from dive-bars, coffee shops and house parties to rodeo arenas, water parks and even medium-security prisons for inmates on good-behavior. Two tracks from their new album have already been featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting. "Mind your tongue if you believe that Eastern Oregon is little more than methamphetamines and rodeo. James Dean Kindle and the Eastern Oregon Playboys roll through town like a tumbleweed, dispensing their haunting sound (think Nick Cave from high desert country)..." -Ezra Ace Caraeff, The Portland Mercury. Visit James Dean Kindle & the Eastern Oregon Playboys on the web.
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From Boise, Idaho, Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats dish out their unique brand of "Progressive PsychoBilly Folk Grass." What's that? It's a goat chewing on a can, it's a cat scratching at your door, its foot stomping music that makes you want to drink a beer and eat a biscuit. It's music that makes you jump up and down, and wake up humming in the morning. It's tunes that stick in your bones like peach cobbler. It's new timey, post retro, pre apocolyptic, south appalachian, gypsy folk rock. And, it features Jonathan Warren (vocals, guitar, upright bass), Dave Sather-Smith (cello, vocals), Ty Clayton (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Andrew Smith (percussion) Visit Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats on the web.
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Hailing from Pullman, Washington, Buffalo Death Beam is an eclectic mix of modern, folk-inspired melodies with eerily beautiful harmonies. The blend of acoustic riffs with violin, banjo, mandolin and piano create a striking back drop to their stunning vocals and inventive lyrics. Together since 2009 the band is made up of Curt Krause (vocals, guitar) and Chris Kiahtipes (percussion), Caitlin Dooley (fiddle/violin), Joe Oppegaard (bass), Mike Marshall (mandolin), Sean Knox (guitar/banjo/vocals/keys) and Tiffany Harms (vocals). After performing together for only three months, Spokane's The Inlander called them “The best kept secret in the Palouse.” Visit Buffalo Death Beam on the web.
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Carolyn Lochert of Lostine, Oregon, is a popular jazz performer in the area. Her career has led from her third grade debut role as Head Lettuce in Peter Rabbit to music studies with an emphasis in jazz composition, with Portland trumpeter and composer Rob Blakeslee. After teaching voice for four years, she sang in several jazz combos including the Tone Sharks. Lochert’s smooth vocals, colorful arrangements and no-nonsense lyrics are hallmarks of her original songs. Visit Carolyn on the web.
Lewiston, Idaho’s Simon Tucker first picked up a guitar at age 11, after hearing Cream’s version of ‘Crossroads’, and knew he wanted to play electric blues. At 13, Simon formed his first band, which blended traditional blues tunes and classic rock covers. Over the next seven years Simon developed his own songwriting and played in groups that ranged in genre from Reggae to psychedelic rock. Visit Simon on the web.
Take Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin, Rosanne Cash and Lucinda Williams and put 'em in a blender, add a dash of Bruce Cockburn and Kevin Welch, serve in a salted glass, no straw. This may best describe singer/songwriter/guitarist Janis Carper whose clear, powerful vocals and aggressive guitar playing skillfully convey the messages of her well crafted songs, in styles ranging from country and swing to folk, rock and blues. Visit Janis on the web.
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Juniper Jam 2011 will kick off with a Tunesmith set by our talented MC Al MacLeod, sculptor, artist, songwriter Rodd Ambroson, and Chase Nebel (a.k.a. "The Chase") with a round-robin set of all original songs.