Modest Mouse – Alternative Rock Band
Formed in the Pacific Northwest and led by songwriter Isaac Brock, Modest Mouse has spent more than three decades redefining alternative rock through adventurous songwriting, inventive musicianship, and emotionally resonant lyrics. From landmark albums including The Lonesome Crowded West, The Moon & Antarctica, and the multi-platinum Good News for People Who Love Bad News to their latest release, An Eraser and a Maze, the band has continually evolved while maintaining its fiercely independent artistic vision. Their influence on alternative music is immeasurable, earning Grammy nominations, platinum-selling records, and a devoted worldwide following.
Red Fang – Heavy Rock Band
Since forming in Portland in 2005, Red Fang has become one of Oregon’s most successful heavy rock exports. Featuring Aaron Beam, Bryan Giles, David Sullivan, and John Sherman, the band has earned international acclaim for its crushing riffs, unforgettable live performances, and humorous, award-winning music videos. Albums including Murder the Mountains, Whales and Leeches, Only Ghosts, and Arrows have cemented Red Fang as leaders in modern heavy music while proudly representing Portland on stages around the world.
Calobo – Acoustic Roots Band
Founded in Portland in 1990, Calobo became one of the defining independent bands of the Pacific Northwest during the 1990s. Blending folk, roots rock, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and improvisation into their signature “acoustic groove soup,” the band built an enormous grassroots following, selling more than 150,000 albums without major label support. Their recordings and legendary live performances at venues including Portland’s Crystal Ballroom helped establish Calobo as one of Oregon’s most beloved independent bands.
Sweaty Nipples – Alternative Metal Band
Formed in Portland in 1987, Sweaty Nipples forged a fearless sound that blended punk, funk metal, industrial, grunge, alternative rock, and thrash. Known for explosive live performances and irreverent creativity, the band became one of the Pacific Northwest’s most exciting underground acts, earning Portland Music Awards honors and national recognition through appearances on Lollapalooza and Nintendo’s “Play It Loud” campaign. Their influence continues to inspire adventurous rock bands today.
M. Ward – Singer-Songwriter, Guitarist & Producer
Portland’s M. Ward has earned international acclaim through his distinctive blend of folk, blues, rock, and Americana. Since his acclaimed debut Duet for Guitars #2, Ward has released a celebrated catalog of solo recordings while collaborating with artists including Zooey Deschanel as one-half of She & Him and as a member of Monsters of Folk. A gifted producer and guitarist, Ward remains one of Oregon’s most respected musical voices.
Steve Berlin – Musician, Producer & Arranger
Best known as the saxophonist and keyboardist for Grammy Award-winning band Los Lobos, Steve Berlin has spent more than four decades as one of America’s most respected musicians and producers. A longtime Oregon resident, Berlin has produced acclaimed recordings for artists including Scott Pemberton, Y La Bamba, and The Quick and Easy Boys while mentoring countless musicians. His contributions have helped strengthen Oregon’s music community while leaving an enduring mark on American music.
INDUSTRY INDUCTEES
McMenamins – Music & Cultural Institution
For more than four decades, McMenamins has transformed historic buildings throughout Oregon and Washington into vibrant destinations where live music is central to the experience. Founded by brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin, the company restored Portland’s historic Crystal Ballroom in 1997 and has since hosted generations of artists—from emerging local talent to internationally renowned performers. Through its dedication to preserving history and supporting live music, McMenamins has become one of Oregon’s most important cultural institutions.
Brandon Lieberman – Broadcaster, Music Journalist & Independent Music Advocate
Brandon Lieberman has dedicated more than forty years to Oregon’s independent music community as a broadcaster, music director, journalist, promoter, record buyer, and historian. From creating Oregon State University’s pioneering punk radio program Radio Hard Corvallis to hosting KBOO’s Drinking From Puddles for more than three decades, Lieberman has championed independent artists while interviewing hundreds of influential musicians and helping shape Portland’s underground music scene.
J. Michael Kearsey – Musician, Producer, Broadcaster & Educator
For over fifty years, J. Michael Kearsey has served Oregon’s music community as a bassist, producer, songwriter, educator, promoter, broadcaster, and writer. From founding the acclaimed jazz-rock group UPEPO to producing Grammy-nominated recordings and presenting more than 400 folk concerts, Kearsey has built an extraordinary legacy supporting artists, music education, and Oregon’s rich musical heritage.
Kelly Halliburton – Musician, Promoter & Independent Music Champion
A fixture in Portland’s underground music scene for more than three decades, Kelly Halliburton has performed with influential bands including Pierced Arrows, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S., Defiance, and Detestation. Beyond performing, Halliburton has operated independent record labels, organized tours and concerts, and remained a tireless advocate for DIY music culture throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Jack McMahon – Singer-Songwriter (Posthumous)
Jack McMahon was a beloved Portland singer-songwriter whose career spanned more than five decades. Renowned for his expressive vocals, exceptional fingerstyle guitar playing, and heartfelt songwriting, McMahon released six acclaimed albums while becoming a familiar presence throughout the Northwest music community. His years at Music Millennium and lifelong dedication to songwriting left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire Oregon musicians.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Decemberists
Formed in Portland in 2000, The Decemberists have become one of Oregon’s most celebrated bands through their literary songwriting, theatrical live performances, and adventurous blend of indie rock, folk, and orchestral pop. Led by Colin Meloy alongside Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen, the band has earned international acclaim through albums including The Crane Wife, The King Is Dead, The Hazards of Love, and 2024’s As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again. Their influence on Oregon’s music community continues to grow through both their artistry and longstanding commitment to Portland’s creative culture.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Glitterfox – decoder
Portland indie rock duo Glitterfox has emerged as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most exciting new bands with their acclaimed debut full-length album, decoder. Led by songwriters Solange Igoa and Andrea Walker, the record explores themes of identity, resilience, transformation, and connection while blending garage rock, Americana, new wave, and indie pop into a powerful and deeply personal collection of songs. Produced by Chris Funk of The Decemberists, decoder has earned recognition as the Oregon Music Hall of Fame’s 2026 Album of the Year.
Inductees
ARTIST INDUCTEES:
Portugal. The Man — Genre-Bending/Alt Pop Band Portugal. The Man formed in Wasilla, Alaska, in 2004. Known for their blend of pop, psychedelic, indie rock, and experimental sounds, the band consists of members John Gourley, Zach Carothers, Kyle O’Quin, Jason Sechrist, and Eric Howk. Their breakthrough came with the 2017 single “Feel It Still,” which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The song’s success propelled them into mainstream recognition, showcasing their knack for catchy hooks and inventive production. Portugal. The Man’s discography is characterized by a diverse range of influences, from classic rock to electronic elements, all infused with a unique artistic vision. Albums like Evil Friends and last year’s Chris Black Changed My Life further solidified their reputation as innovators in the modern rock scene. Beyond music, the band is known for their socially conscious lyrics and activism, advocating for causes like environmental conservation and human rights. With a dedicated fan base and a distinctive musical style, Portugal. The Man continues to evolve, touring the world and leaving a lasting impact on contemporary rock music.
YOB — Heavy Metal Doom Band YOB is an American doom metal band from Eugene, Oregon, composed of singer/guitarist Michael Scheidt, bassist Aaron Rieseberg and drummer Dave French. Since 1996, led by Scheidt, the band formed, broke up then reformed several times while recording 8 albums for a variety of labels including Metal Blade and Profound Lore and touring America and Europe. The album Atma was released in 2011. In February 2014, YOB signed with Neurot Recordings. The album, Clearing the Path to Ascend was released in September 2014 and attracted widespread acclaim, including metal record of the year in Rolling Stone magazine. In early 2017, Scheidt suffered a serious health scare, which inspired the next YOB album, Our Raw Heart, released by Relapse Records. YOB cites musical influences from Cathedral, Tool, Solstice and Led Zeppelin. Scheidt follows Hindu and Buddhist teachings—especially those of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj—and reminds us that ‘slow is fast,’ a philosophy reflected in the band’s tempos and the long-haul success of this Oregon metal trio.
The Helio Sequence — Synth-Infused Indie Rock Band The Helio Sequence is the Portland, OR based band/production duo of Brandon Summers (Guitar/vocals) and Benjamin Weikel (Drums/Keyboards). Summers and Weikel formed The Helio Sequence in 1996 in Beaverton, OR. They have been recording and performing professionally for over 25 years, self-releasing their debut EP Accelerated Slow-Motion Cinema, releasing two records with Portland label Cavity Search Records (Com Plex, Young Effectuals), and releasing four albums with legendary Seattle label Sub Pop (Love and Distance, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, Negotiations, The Helio Sequence). They have toured internationally as a headlining act, performed at festivals internationally, and supported bands including Modest Mouse, The Pixies, Blonde Redhead, and Keane. The Helio Sequence’s music has been featured in advertisements, movies and television (17 Again, Orange is the New Black, Grey’s Anatomy), and they have appeared on national television and radio (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, KEXP Seattle, MTV Subterranean, NPR World Café, KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic, KNRK FM, KINK FM). Summers and Weikel own and operate Helio Sound, a full-service studio working with both music industry and commercial clients.
Casey Neill — Singer/Songwriter/Band Leader Casey Neill is a Portland-based singer-songwriter known for his eclectic blend of punk, folk, Celtic, and Americana. Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1971, Neill was raised on the East Coast but found his creative home in the Pacific Northwest after moving to Olympia, Washington in 1989 to attend The Evergreen State College. While studying ethnomusicology, he immersed himself in grassroots activism and protest culture – themes that would become central to his songwriting. His early cassette releases and the 1995 CD, Rifraff, contained anthems of 1990s environmental movements. Appleseed Recordings put Casey Neill on a Pete Seeger tribute album, and released his self-titled 1998 debut, which resulted in a fruitful collaboration with legendary Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham, who produced Neill’s next two records, Skree (1999) and Portland West (2001), highlighting his Celtic influences. He put together a backing band, The Norway Rats that includes occasional members from the Decembrists and various Northwest players including Jesse Emerson (Amelia), and guitarist/producer Jeff “Chet” Lyster, Peter Buck (R.E.M), Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker and Scott McCaughey (Minus 5) among others. The group’s latest release, Sending Up Flares (Fluff & Gravy Records), is their most cohesive and ambitious to date. Written with Lyster and recorded amidst social and personal upheaval. Its title track speaks to themes of mental health, resilience, and collective empathy – motifs that have long underscored Neill’s work.
Larry Norman — Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Record Producer Larry Norman is widely recognized as the pioneer of Christian rock music. Blending elements of rock and roll with gospel-centered lyrics, he was a controversial yet influential figure who reshaped the landscape of contemporary Christian music (CCM) starting in the late 1960s. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and spent most of his professional life Oregon and California. Norman began his musical journey with the band People!, which scored a hit with the song “I Love You” in 1968. He left the band to pursue a solo career that combined his Christian faith with rock music—an unusual and often criticized fusion at the time. His groundbreaking 1969 solo album, Upon This Rock, is considered by many to be the first full-length Christian rock album. He followed that with seminal works such as Only Visiting This Planet, So Long Ago the Garden and In Another Land—all of which tackled social issues, theology, and critiques of religious hypocrisy with bold lyricism and rock arrangements. Norman’s music often pushed boundaries, both lyrically and musically, and he was known for addressing controversial topics such as war, racism, poverty, and institutionalized religion. Despite limited support from both secular and Christian music industries, Norman developed a devoted following. He also launched Solid Rock Records, a label that helped promote other artists and performers. Larry Norman’s influence on Christian and secular musicians alike is profound. Norman struggled with health issues later in life but continued recording and performing until his death in 2008 in Salem. He left behind a complex legacy—celebrated as a visionary by some, and criticized by others—but remains an undeniable icon in the history of Christian music.
Gary Hobbs — Drummer, Educator Gary Hobbs resides just outside Portland, OR, literally steps from the house he grew up in. His father and grandfather were both semi-pro drummers, but the drum bug didn’t bite Hobbs until his senior year in high school. He attended a Stan Kenton Jazz Camp where he studied with legendary jazz drummer and educator John Von Ohlen, who convinced him to pursue drumming professionally. After a stint in the army, Hobbs was invited to join the Kenton Band and toured with them almost non-stop for two and a half years. Since then, his hometown has been his home base from which he has commanded a successful career as a drummer and educator. In addition to playing all over the Pacific Northwest, Hobbs teaches at The University of Oregon. He has traveled the world as a sideman with jazz greats such as Randy Brecker, Anita O’Day, and Eddie Harris, and in his own right as an educator and clinician.
Mary-Sue Tobin — Saxophonist, composer and educator Mary-Sue Tobin was born in 1974 and grew up in Eugene, where she studied piano, oboe and saxophone as a child. She started her own jazz group (whose first gig was at the legendary WOW Hall with then locals Andre St. James, Don Latarski, Carl Woideck, and writer Ken Kesey) and soon moved to Portland to join world beat group Dub Squad. She has played with a wide variety of bands and musicians including: Glen Moore, Darrell Grant, Esperanza Spalding, Thara Memory, Carlton Jackson Big Band, Snow Bud and the Flower People, the Oblivion Seekers, Wayne Horvitz, Third World, and many others. Tobin received her Masters of Music in Saxophone Performance (Classical) in 2005 and a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies) from Portland State University in 2003, where she served as the graduate teaching assistant for the jazz studies department. She led two groups, Loud Sistah and MST and the A-List, playing both saxophone and keyboards in addition to fronting the groups and writing much of the material. She is now concentrating primarily on jazz and saxophone and leads two of her own groups: the MS Tobin Quintet and Paxselin Quartet, in addition to a variety of side jobs. She has studied saxophone and jazz with some of Portland’s finest including Warren Rand, Rob Davis, Alan Jones, Glen Moore, Scott Hall and Rob Scheps. She recently helped research and write excerpts for Darrell Grant’s book, New Real Standards and does freelance work for The Leroy Vinegar Jazz Institute. She lives in SE Portland, where she plays and teaches music all the time.
Todd Jensen — Bassist/Vocalist Todd Mark Jensen was born on October 27, 1957, and grew up in Beaverton, Oregon. He is a bassist and vocalist who has played for various national artists. Jensen began playing the bass guitar in his teenage years, honing his skills and performing with local bands. His early influences included legendary bassists like John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and John Entwistle of The Who. His recording career began here in Portland with pop/rock band Sequel in 1982 with an LP with the eponymous title Sequel. He left the band and moved to Los Angeles in 1992. Jensen joined the band Hardline, alongside Neil Schon, with whom he formed a close association. After that came a series of projects with various well-known artists, including Alice Cooper, Steve Perry, Ozzy Osbourne and reuniting with Sequel for special shows in Oregon.
He is now best known for being a member of the legendary multi-platinum rock band Journey (2021-present). As an independent touring bassist performing in over 30 countries, Jensen has also toured the world extensively with numerous artists including multiple world tours with Alice Cooper, Paul Rodgers, Neal Schon, Sam Kinison and many others.
INDUSTRY:
Jim Brunberg — Artist, Musician, Activist, Podcaster, Venue Co-Founder Jim Brunberg is an artist, a father, an activist, a small business owner and a continual agent of change. He is the co-founder of five music venues, including the nationally renowned Mississippi Studios and Revolution Hall. He’s half of Wonderly, the duo behind the themes for The New York Times’ The Daily and Cheryl Strayed’s Dear Sugar. He’s the dad behind the award-winning Roam Schooled podcast. Brunberg has released solo albums, scored films, and toured the world with his longtime band Box Set. Jim’s latest chapter, as a fierce advocate for live music, finds him serving as Vice President of the board of the National Independent Venue Association, NIVA, and frequently criss-crossing the country to fight for legislation and arts funding. Jim helped secure COVID relief funding for Portland’s venues and clubs, allowing many to stay in business.
Tucker Martine — Producer, Engineer, Musician Tucker Martine is a Grammy-winning producer, engineer, and musician whose creative touch has helped shape some of the most beloved and sonically rich records of the past two decades. Martine is known for his immersive production style and his deep commitment to serving each artist’s vision with nuance and originality. Martine was born in Nashville and moved west to Colorado then Seattle and finally Portland. At his Flora Recording & Playback Studios, he has collaborated with a diverse roster of acclaimed musicians from My Morning Jacket to Bill Frisell, Mavis Staples, kd lang, M Ward, and many others. His work spans genres but is united by a sense of depth, detail, and musical empathy. Martine is also a drummer and percussionist, often contributing performances to the records he produces. He has released two albums under the name Mount Analog, exploring the experimental intersections of ambient sound, rhythm, and melody. He has also issued several collections of field recordings, which reflect his lifelong fascination with the sonic textures of the natural and human-made world. A vital figure in Oregon’s creative community, Martine has helped make Portland a hub for world-class recording and collaboration. His studio is a cornerstone of the city’s independent music scene and a destination for artists around the globe. In 2021, his old pal Neil Schon came calling with an offer to join Journey. Jensen accepted and began the gig with Journey’s 2021 Las Vegas Residency. He has received 2 RIAA Gold Records in 1991 and 1994.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Decemberists — Indie Rock Band Formed in Portland in 2000, The Decemberists quickly carved out a distinct place in indie rock with their literate songwriting, theatrical performances, and love of historical narratives. Led by Colin Meloy and joined by Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen, the band drew on folk tradition and baroque pop to create albums like Castaways and Cutouts, Picaresque, and The Hazards of Love, The King Is Dead and their 2024 release As It Ever Was, So It Will Be, one of their best albums to date.
Deeply connected to Portland’s music and arts community, The Decemberists were honored with a city-wide “Decemberists Day” in 2015 and were inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2021. Known for their immersive live shows and richly imaginative songs, the band has become a defining voice in Oregon music over the past two decades—elevating storytelling in rock and building a legacy rooted in creativity, collaboration, and place. This past year they toured across the US, Canada and played the All Points East Festival in East London’s Victoria Park
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Blind Pilot – In the Shadow of the Mountain After an eight-year hiatus, Blind Pilot returned with In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain, an eleven-track collection of lush indie pop and folk-rock. Led by Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski, Blind Pilot crafted the record after a prolonged creative block that nearly ended their run. Challenging himself to write an entire album in one month, Nebeker embraced spontaneity and collaboration, inviting his bandmates into a more open and instinctive process. The result is In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain. Produced by Josh Kaufman (The Hold Steady, David Wax Museum) and recorded at Dreamland Studios in upstate New York, the album captures Blind Pilot at their most fluid and connected. Songs like “Jacaranda” and “Brave” marry radiant arrangements with Nebeker’s deeply personal lyricism, while the airy folk-pop of “Just a Bird” and the piano-led ballad “Coming Back” highlight the band’s range and emotional depth.
The album’s title stems from a shamanic journey Nebeker took in Norway to reconnect with his Sámi roots – underscoring the record’s recurring themes of ancestry, place, and transformation. Embracing imperfection and letting go of expectations, Blind Pilot discovered renewed joy in their craft, rekindling the chemistry that first brought them together in 2005. Touring as a quartet now, with Kati Claborn and Luke Ydstie, and longtime collaborators joining on the record, Blind Pilot’s In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain is both a creative rebirth and a testament to music’s power to connect – within the band and with their audience.
2025
2024
Inductees
Artist Inductees
Blitzen Trapper The band is Salem-born Eric Early’s main musical project for over twenty years. He began recording on a cassettes and four track machines in his folks’ garage and by 2000, he had put a band together around his songwriting, first known as Garmonbozia. With a name change inspired by Early’s seventh grade girlfriend’s Christmas binder, they released their first commercial album, also titled Blitzen Trapper, on their own label. In 2001, the band’s output exploded, as they self-recorded four albums with homemade artwork, which they distributed at concerts.
For most of their career the band consisted of vocalist Early,Erik Menteer (guitar, keyboard), Brian AdrianKoch (drums, vocals), Michael Van Pelt (bass) Marty Marquis (keyboard, vocals) but currently includes Michael Elson (bass & keyboard) and Nathan Vanderpool (guitar).
Often known as experimental folk & country rock band, they signed to Sub Pop Records in 2007. “Wild Mountain Nation” was #98 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. The release of Furr in 2008 was a high-water mark for the group as their eclectic new songs received a two-page feature in Rolling Stone. Blitzen Trapper’s discography consists of ten studio albums, three live albums, five extended plays, fourteen singles and eighteen music videos. The band currently is signed to the Yep Roc label: Holy Smokes FutureJokeswas released in 2020 and 100’s of 1000’s, Millions of Billions, released in 2024.
The Exploding Hearts Punkish Portland power pop quartet, the Exploding Hearts, had been playing together for over two years before their debut recording, Guitar Romantic, was released by Seattle-based indie Dirtnap Records in 2003. Taking influence from British bands like The Clash, the Undertones and the Only Ones, the group comprised bassist Matt ‘Lock’ Fitzgerald, drummer, Jeremy ‘ Kid Killer’ Gage, vocalist/guitarist Adam ‘Baby’ Cox and guitarist Terry Six. Initially the band also included keyboardist ‘King’ Louie Bankson and bassist Jim Evans who left prior to Guitar Romantic’s release. The album won the guys (all in their early twenties) a well-deserved buzz among music fans, scribes, and labels, and the band was in high demand on the West Coast touring circuit. Tragically, though, just as the group was gearing up for a nationwide tour and rumored to be signing with Lookout! Records, their van veered out of control while returning home on July 20, 2003, from a San Francisco concert, killing Gage, Cox and Fitzgerald. Six managed to escape with only minor injuries. Dirtnap released the LP, Shatteredin the fall of 2006, compiling singles from the band’s much-too-brief career, including alternative versions and mixes, as well as their unreleased final recordings; the album also featured five songs of live footage from (what became) the Exploding Hearts’ final show at San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill club.
Laura Veirs She wows listeners with her introspective lyrics and ethereal folk melodies. With a career spanning over two decades, Veirs has established herself as a prominent figure in the indie folk scene, known for her poetic songwriting and distinctive voice. Born and raised in Colorado, Veirs moved to Portland where she cultivated her unique blend of folk, country, and pop influences. Her albums, including the critically acclaimed Carbon Glacierin 2004 and her latest, her thirteenth studio album, Phone Orphans, showcase her evolution as an artist, exploring themes of nature, love, and the human experience with a delicate touch. Veirs’ music resonates with authenticity and depth, drawing inspiration from the natural world and personal introspection. Beyond her solo work, she has collaborated with various musicians and projects, including Neko Case and K.D. Lang in Case/Lang/Veirs. A dedicated performer, Veirs mesmerizes audiences with her intimate live shows, leaving an indelible mark on Portland’s vibrant music community and beyond. Laura Veirs remains a captivating and influential voice in contemporary folk music.
The Obituaries Seminal punk outfit The Obituaries formed in Portland, Oregon in 1986 with singer Monica Nelson, guitarist Rob Landoll, bassist Laura O’Donnell, and drummer Aaron MacMahon. After the addition of bassist John Allan Naylor and drummer Dan Cunneen, the group quickly gained a reputation in Portland and was soon headlining venues like Satyricon and Pine Street Theatre. Revered as a crucial link between The Wipers and Nirvana, their impact remains undeniable in Pacific Northwest music lore. Led by Nelson’s fiery vocals and unpredictable stage presence, coupled with Landoll’s blues-infused punk riffs, the band carved their niche with raw intensity. Nelson and Landoll, the band’s core songwriters, provided stability amid numerous lineup changes, anchoring their sonic identity. Their early releases, including a cassette and EP on Highgate Records, showcased their burgeoning influence. Touring extensively across the Western U.S., The Obituaries shared stages with luminaries such as Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Soundgarden. Their legacy endures through retrospectives like the 2007 self-titled compilation CD and 2010’s acoustic album Ghost, while Nelson’s subsequent projects continue to honor their pioneering spirit.
Robbie Laws He is a legendary blues guitarist and TrueFire Educator, who has won multiple awards, including 21 Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards (9 for best blues guitarist), the Washington Blues Society’s 2010 best blues act, and 2011’s Outstanding Achievement in Blues from the Portland Music Association. With electrifying guitar prowess and heartfelt performances, Laws infuses raw emotion and technical brilliance into his music. Whether belting out gritty vocals or letting his guitar sing the blues, each note tells a story of life’s trials and triumphs. With his career spanning multiple decades, Laws’ dedication to the blues is unmatched, showcased in critically acclaimed albums like 2003’s River City Blues and 2004’s Deep Ellum Blues, both of which reflect his evolution while honoring blues tradition. A fixture in Portland’s music scene, Laws captivates with his dynamic stage presence and mentors aspiring musicians, passing on his passion and knowledge. For fans of authentic, soul-stirring blues, Robbie Laws stands as a pillar of excellence, demonstrating the enduring power of music through thrilling riffs and soulful expertise.
Gary Fountaine He was born on September 15, 1957, in Kansas City, Missouri. His father was a well-known jazz bassist there. The family moved to Portland in 1959. Inspired by his older brother Eddie, he soon found his calling on the bass guitar, which became his signature instrument. Gary graduated from the Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC) in Northwest Portland in 1976. He played in a variety of bands: Body & Soul, 5 Guys Named Moe, Puzzle and Flyer, He also had the privilege of performing with artists such as Michael Allen Harrison, Salmon Dave, Herbie Hancock, and Robert Palmer. Gary’s most notable stint was with Nu Shooz, earning a Grammy nomination and gold record for the album Poolside in 1986. He earned a Muddy Award in 2006. Gary made national appearances on American Bandstand, Solid Gold, NBC Today Show, AM Northwest, Z100 Live Morning Zoo, the Portland Water Front Blues Festival plus countless other local performances. Joy emanated from his corner of the stage with every band he played with. He was so happy to be there. He loved his instrument, the music, and the audience. Everybody knows the real thing when they see it, and Gary Fountaine was the real thing.
Jenny Conlee She plays piano, accordion and organ, is best known as a founding member of indie rock band, The Decemberists. She is a Portland native with a long history of playing music in Oregon. After studying classical piano and receiving a degree in music from OSU, Conlee began playing with the folk jam-band Calobo in 1991 and toured the West for 10 years. Many musical collaborations came thereafter, such as: The Caleb Klauder Band, Lewi Longmire, Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons, Casey Neill and the Norway Rats, Ashleigh Flynn and the Riveters, The Minus 5, Black Prairie, Paper Bellows, Stephanie Schneider man, Little Sue, Margo Cliker and Glitterfox among others. Conlee also performs solo and in her own band, the Jenny Conlee Quartet. She has also composed music for film and podcasts and has 2 solo albums of accordion and piano.
Darcelle Born Walter Cole in Linnton in 1930, Darcelle lived a magical life. After serving military service, she bought a coffeehouse near PSU called Caffé Espresso and plunged into a bohemian world and nurtured the transition of the local music scene from folk troubadours to acid rock bands. She was later the owner and headliner of the famed Darcelle XV Showplace. For some 56 years, Darcelle performed six shows a week. As hostess of the longest continuously running drag cabaret in the country, Darcelle sewed all the production costumes, built sets, strung lights, and oversaw the daily operation of the club. As a community leader, Darcelle volunteered countless hours to promote outreach, awareness and the care for people living with HIV/AIDS with Cascade AIDS Project, Camp KC, Camp Starlight, Our House of Portland, Esther’s Pantry, Friends of People With AIDS, the HIV Day Center, and beyond. Darcelle had a 50-year committed relationship with partner Roxy LeRoy and close family ties with his son, daughter, wife, two granddaughters and one great granddaughter. Darcelle took his final bow on March 23, 2023, just one week after hosting the release party of Gigantic Brewery’s Darcelle Pale Ale. One of Darcelle’s proudest moments was in 2016 when she was named Guinness World Record’s “Oldest Working Drag Queen”. In 2008, Darcelle became the subject of the documentary film Queens of Heart: Community Therapists in Drag and in 2016, she received a regional Emmy Award for OPB’s Oregon Experience: Darcelle XV. In 2010, Darcelle penned her autobiography Just Call Me Darcelle, which she staged as a one man show, Walter Presents… Just Call Me Darcelle. In 2014, Darcelle was named honorarium of the Darcelle XV Oregon AIDs Memorial for her contributions to HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness.
Steve Reischman He moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1973 as a Vista Volunteer. He joined veteran Bluegrass band Good ‘n’ Country as guitar player and singer and also formed the duo Still Dreaming with fiddler Greg Roberts. He moved to Portland in 1981and was founding President of The Oregon Bluegrass Association in 1982. He formed Ranch Dressing, a 13 piece Western swing band and began a career of concert production with his Showman/Bear Concerts companies, booking the Your Zoo and all that Jazz, and Zoograss concert series while building Portland’s World Music culture with global talent and curating an intimate listening experience with the Aladdin Theater. He has served on the boards of Portland Center for the Performing Arts and the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Throughout his professional life, arts, community and culture have been intertwined. His Oregon Zoo Concerts became a national touring artists’ destination while earning prolific funds for wildlife preservation and public education. In 1995 Steve, along with the McMenamin brothers, and partnering with Monqui Presents, started the Edgefield Concerts. Steve remained at the helm of the Showman/Bear Concerts” enterprise for 35 years, and his legacy continues today through the True West/Aladdin Theater/Revolution Hall partnership, built on his pioneering development of local music culture in creative public/private collaborations throughout the region, such as The Portland Rose Garden Concert Series in Washington Park, Champoeg State Park Concerts, Rippling River Resort, Pioneer Courthouse Square, The Mt Hood Jazz Festival, Music on the Half Shell summer concerts in Roseburg, Sokol Blosser Winery concert series, Oaks Parks Concerts, and many more spanning four decades .
John Nilsen He was born in Seattle, Washington in 1956, moving to Portland, in 1960. He began studying classical piano at age six and playing guitar at ages fourteen. John graduated from Southern Oregon University in 1979. The institution honored him in 1995 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. An accomplished pianist, guitarist, composer, lyricist and vocalist, Nilsen was also selected to be a Yamaha Signature Piano Artist in November 2021. John recorded three successful solo piano records on LA’s, Eagle Records from 1983 to 1985 and created his own Magic Wing label in 1987, releasing 21 albums to date including Foreign Films, in 2019, a collection of Nilsen’s piano compositions with orchestral backing. Nilsen has performed in all fifty U.S. States and on four continents. For the past thirty years, John played two hundred and forty performances annually until Covid hit in 2020. Nilsen now splits his performances between touring internationally as an in demand pianist combining elements of classical, folk and jazz, and playing locally with his trio or band. The newest release is titled, Two Stories, is with Nilsen’s band, SWIMFISH. Nilsen has been a member of Ten Grands since its inception in 2001 and has given back to his community by teaching songwriting residencies and speaking to students in schools throughout the country, and locally including every school in the West Linn/Wilsonville School District over the past twenty-five years.
Bob Dietsche He was born in Ohio in 1937. His family moved west and he eventually attended Oregon State on a tennis scholarship and then University of Oregon earning a degree in education. He taught at a variety of Portland area high schools but Jazz was his passion. At the University of Oregon, he was the drummer in the Pete Mortensen Trio and an avid record collector. In 1973, he and his friend Don Anderson opened the first used record store in Portland, Django Records, which developed into an important and popular venue for both jazz collectors and indie rock fans. Bob taught jazz history classes at most of the colleges in the metro area and was also a jazz DJ at KMHD, KBOO, and OBP where he hosted his show Jazzville. Bob was the author of two books: Jumptown: The Golden Years of Portland Jazz, 1942-1957, which won the Bill McClendon Award for Excellence in Jazz, and Tatum’s Town: The Story of Jazz in Toledo, Ohio (1915-1985), which won an ARSC award for Best Historical Research in Recorded Jazz. Always a tennis fan, Bob won the Oregon State Senior Men’s Singles Title two years in a row and the Grand Prix (Northwest Senior Men’s) Singles Title. In 1986, he was a live tennis commentator for the Portland Panthers, a franchise of Team Tennis.
Tony Lash He is an Oregon native who rose to prominence in the Portland rock music scene of the late 1980s / early 1990s as a producer and engineer, as well as drummer for the bands Neros Rome, Heatmiser and Sunset Valley. Born in 1968, Tony was keenly interested in music and recording from an early age, and his teen years were spent absorbing diverse influences and testing the limits of four-track home recording (including an early collaboration with high school friend Elliott Smith). Tony began professional studio work after graduating high school in 1986, and quickly became noticed for his work with artists such as Neros Rome, Poison Idea, Dan Balmer, Heatmiser, Cardinal, and The Dandy Warhols. The growing visibility of Northwest music in the 1990s brought Tony’s work national and international notice, as he expanded stylistically beyond rock bands and into arrangement-rich work with singer-songwriters such as Kaitlyn ni Donovan, James Angell, and Nicole Campbell. After the birth of his son in 2006, Tony chose to spend less long days in recording studios and instead focus on mixing, where his comfort and instinct for a wide range of styles led to work on records by pop, ambient, hip-hop, electronic jazz, and chamber pop artists. Tony continued to work selectively as a producer, helming records by Stars of Track and Field, The High Violets, Tahiti 80, and Ages and Ages. Tony returned to school in 2014 to study psychology and counselor education. He retired from studio work in 2021 and now works as a therapist in private practice.
Artist of the Year: Portugal. The Man
Portugal. The Man is a band formed in Wasilla, Alaska, in 2004. Known for their eclectic blend of pop, psychedelic, indie rock, and experimental sounds, the band consists of members John Gourley, Zach Carothers, Kyle O’Quin, Jason Sechrist, and Eric Howk. Their breakthrough came with the 2017 single “Feel It Still,” which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The song’s success propelled them into mainstream recognition, showcasing their knack for catchy hooks and inventive production. Portugal. The Man’s discography is characterized by a diverse range of influences, from classic rock to electronic elements, all infused with a unique artistic vision. Albums like Evil Friends (2013) and Woodstock (2017) further solidified their reputation as innovators in the modern rock scene. Their recent most release, Chris Black Changed My Life, came out on Atlantic Records in 2023. Beyond music, the band is known for their socially conscious lyrics and activism, advocating for causes like environmental conservation and human rights. With a dedicated fan base and a distinctive musical style, Portugal. The Man continues to evolve, pushing boundaries and leaving a lasting impact on contemporary rock music.
Album of the Year: Eyelids – Colossal Waste of Light
Portland Oregon’s Eyelids existed long before the band came to be. The band is made up of friendships lasting over three decades, who long desired to finally get together to write songs. The band combines “sweet melodies “ paired with “bummer vibes “ which would fuse Big Star’s jangle with XTC’s melodicism, connecting the dots between the Dream pop sounds of the ‘80’s Paisley Underground and the homespun post-punk of the legendary Flying Nun label. With multiple releases over the past years, their latest album, Colossal Waste Of Light, was voted OMHOF album of the year.
Inductees
ARTISTS
Fred Chalenor Dave Kahl Gordon Lee The Miracle Workers Luther Russell The Shins Smegma Team Dresch
INDUSTRY
Cavity Search Tony Lash Thor Lindsay George Page
2023
2022
Inductees
Artist: Terrence Scott aka ’Cool Nutz’, Scott McCaughy, Stephen Malkmus, Storm Large, Mayther Brothers, Kevin Rankin, Satan’s Pilgrims, Lewi Longmire, PH Factor Jug Band and Art Abrams.
Industry: Clay Fuller, Mike Thrasher.
Artist of the Year: Esperanza Spalding.
Album of the Year: Portugal.The Man, Oregon City Sessions.
ARTISTS
Terrance Scott aka ’Cool Nutz’:
Terrance Scott, professionally known as Cool Nutz, is a Portland native and graduate of Grant High School. He made his name as a rapper in the 1990s with an eye on the business side of music by creating his own label, Jus Family Records in 1992 with Bosko Kante .In 1995, Scott co-founded the Portland Oregon Hip-Hop (POH-Hop) Festival. He also produced a Hip-Hop television show, The Ledge, and was heard for many years as the radio host of the Breakout Show on KXJM JAM’N 107.5 and The Family Hours on KBOO-FM. As he toured San Francisco and the West Coast, major record deals came and went for Cool Nutz, with Universal and Big Beat/Atlantic. Through it all he kept releasing records on his own label, eleven under his own name and many more with his collaborative projects like G-Ism, Kenny Mack and DBA and most recently Western Conference All-Starz, a compilation of Portland Rap and Hip Hop. He is respected as a producer and mentor to a new generation of Portland’s creative music scene.
Scott McCaughey:
Scott McCaughey is a singer, guitarist and songwriter best known for his groups in Seattle and Portland, Young Fresh Fellows and Minus 5. He was also an auxiliary player with REM from 1994 to 2011–touring and playing on many of their albums. He released his solo album, My Chartreuse Opinion, in 1989 and the first Minus 5 album, Old Liquidator in 1995. Known for his excellent songwriting and droll sense of humor, McCaughey, moved to Portland and has continued to write and perform with REM’s Peter Buck as well as Alejandro Escovedo. In 2017 Scott suffered a stroke while on tour in San Francisco. Though serious, he has made a great recovery with the financial help of several benefit concerts. Scott is making music again with a variety of bandmates. He just completed a European tour with The No Ones and Minus 5 is touring again this summer on the West Coast with friends NRBQ.
Stephen Malkmus:
Stephen Malkmus was born in Santa Monica in 1966 and put together the band, Pavement, in Stockton, California in 1989 with fellow guitarist Scott Kannberg. Their first album, Slanted & Enchanted, was released to critical acclaim. Pavement, and principal songwriter Malkmus, were cited as leading the underground indie movement of the 1990s. Touching the mainstream with their single, Cut Your Hair, in 1994 and appearing on Jay Leno’s show, Pavement released five studio albums, toured the world but disbanded in 1999. Malkmus began their last record at Jackpot Studios in Portland, where he soon settled. He moved ahead quickly: forming The Jicks in 2000, recording their first release in 2001 on Matador Records. Malkmus has released 7 albums and EPs under his own name and six with The Jicks. Pavement has announced a 2022 reunion to include a North American and European tour next fall.
Storm Large:
Storm Large has been singing since the age of five, growing up in suburban Boston. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, Large moved to San Francisco and later to Portland in 2002, where she formed the band Storm and The Balls and developed a cult-like following. Storm shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova. Her memoir, Crazy Enough, released by Simon and Schuster in 2012, was named Oprah’s Book of the Week, and awarded the 2013 Oregon Book Award for Creative Nonfiction. Storm made her debut with Pink Martini in April 2011, singing four sold-out concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra. She continues to perform with the band, when schedules agree and In fall 2014, Storm and her new band released the album Le Bonheur, a collection of love songs from the American Songbook that are beautiful, familiar, yet twisted. Recently, Large appeared on America’s Got Talent on June 14, 2021, performing Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” which received an enthusiastic response.
Mayther Brothers:
Born in Portland to an artistic and creative family, Chris and Craig Mayther partnered in many bands mostly known as the Mayther Brothers: Craig with his funky and ferocious guitar playing and Chris with his over-the-top soulful vocals. The band covered Soul and R&B songs with a memorable intensity. They also worked with Rhonda Kennedy’s band, Rhoda X as well as many solo projects. Craig Mayther was a co-founder/producer of the first (what is now called) Waterfront Blues Festival, and until 1993, the talent booker. He was executive producer for the recording of the inaugural festival. This album, on Po-Town Records, featured the Mayther Brothers version of Sam Cooke’s “We’re Having a Party,” on the Rose City Blues Festival LP, recorded live on July 25th, 1987 by Fritz Richmond. Along with a long string of Oregon club dates, The Mayther Brothers played festivals and the Mayor’s Ball for many years,
Kevin Rankin:
Moving from Montana to Portland in the 1994, drummer Kevin Rankin joined vocalist Lea Krueger and Greg Kirkelle to form the band On a Llama, releasing a self titled album in 1995 and “Riddle Canon” in 1997. He then spent the next several years recording and performing with a variety of noteworthy artists before joining 80’s band Animotion in 2002. Animotion was playing festivals and many co-bills with Flock of Seagulls, who lost their drummer and asked him to join that group in 2016 playing all over the world with the group best known for the song “I Ran (So Far Away).” He has played with a number of other national acts like including Missing Persons, Nu Shooz, Tommy Tutone and Jennifer Batten, along with Oregon rock power groups Western Aerial, Kleveland and more. During the pandemic, he took time to create the popular podcast, All Access Live with Kevin Rankin with hundreds of music interviews.
Satan’s Pilgrims:
Satan’s Pilgrims formed in 1992 during a series of house parties and were playing shows in their hometown of Portland by 1993, donning their now- familiar matching outfits complete with vampire capes. The Pilgrims are one of the most influential surf instrumental bands around, creating their own sub-genre of surf instrumental with three distinct guitarists and a relentless rhythm section, while maintaining their patented haunted sound. They have released 8 full-length albums, 2 double disc compilation albums, countless singles, and have 2 new albums in the works: Go Action!! coming in Sept of 2022 and Thomas Lauderdale Meets the Pilgrims, slated for release in spring of 2023. In March of 2021, original Pilgrim Dave (Busacker) passed away unexpectedly but was able to record on these two upcoming albums.
The rest of the world is still catching on to what some have known for over 30 years: if you want a surfy, spooky, garage-stompin’ good time, put on some Satan’s Pilgrims.
Lewi Longmire:
Lewi Longmire has been an integral part of the Portland music community since relocating from his native New Mexico in 1997. Longmire has worked steadily for over 20 years here, as a guitarist/bassist/multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, playing in a dozen local and regional artists including Casey Neill, Jimmy Boyer, Little Sue, Michael Hurley, Fernando, TK & the Holy Know Nothings and his own Left Coast Roasters. He’s also been a tireless contributor to innumerable charity benefit shows, and has been curating the music program at the Laurelthirst Pub for over 17 years, eventually becoming a partner in the ownership of the venue when the opportunity arose. Lewi has dedicated most of his time in Oregon championing live music and the people who create it as often as possible.
PH Factor Jug Band:
PH Factor Jug Band was formed in the mid -sixties by a gang of acoustic musicians who loved the old timey sounds of the 1920’s and 1930’s, leaning towards jug band, ragtime, jazz and hokum. The band was made up of Northwest musicians and based in Portland. In 1965 they found themselves in the middle of San Francisco’s psychedelic music scene often opening for Jefferson Airplane, the Doors and the Grateful Dead. They recorded a single, Barefoot John, and album, Merryjuana on Piccadilly Records in Seattle. Members included: Paul Bassett, John Browne, Davy Coffin, John Hendricks, Dennis Long, Steve Mork, Nick Ogilvie, Chris Robinson and Mike Rush. One of their biggest local gigs was at the Memorial Coliseum with the Airplane, Byrds and Magic Fern on May 28th, 1967. The band was a regular draw at the Crystal Ballroom and many continued on with their style in the band, Melodious Funk.
Art Abrams:
Art Abrams began his music career as a teenager in the midst of the big band era. He fell in love with the sound of the trumpet, especially the trumpet stylings of Harry James and later in his career, Chet Baker. After graduating from the Los Angeles City College he became a professional musician playing with the Charlie Barnet and Les Elgart big bands in the 50’s and early 60’s.After moving to Portland Art played, and led several small combos, including Latin, jazz, and casual combos. He formed his Swing Machine Big Band in 1986,the year after he started his Jazz Summit radio program, and now hosts Jukebox Saturday Night on KMHD. The Swing Machine Big Band plays jazz and blues all around the Portland area and has released three CDs: The First One, Children of the Night and Art Attack. . He is a musical perfectionist looking for that perfect chord, that excellence of sound that has become the signature of his band.
Clay Fuller:
Clay Fuller has been a most important concert producer for many years. His Fuller Promotions was founded in 1969 to organize and promote festivals and sporting events. Over the years he has been involved with The Bite, Rose Festival, Bite of Beaverton and many other outdoor events.
He became producer of the Waterfront Blues Festival in 1987 and has produced it for 35 years, working with the Oregon Food Bank as principal charity recipient. Fuller got the Cascade Blues Association and the city more heavily involved and wasn’t afraid to take chances and be creative. Fuller added more music to the event (the A&E Stage in 1999 and later the Crossroads Stage for workshops, in addition to the two main stages). He added the popular and more intimate Willamette River cruises in 2003, and after-hours club gigs around town. He also backed the somewhat controversial booking of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant in 2013 that many felt was too far afield for a blues festival but ultimately capped the biggest Waterfront Blues Festival weekend ever.
Mike Thrasher:
Mike Thrasher began his career booking shows at northeast Portland’s rock venue, EJ’s, in the 1990s. He founded Mike Thrasher Presents in 1994 and by 2005, became the owner of the Hawthorne Theatre, booking an unusual mix of up-and-coming national acts from all genres: rock punk, metal, ska, standup comedy, reggae and hip-hop and creating one of Oregon’s most prominent all-ages concert venues. Mike Thrasher Presents became one of the largest independent promoters in the country, covering Seattle and multiple states in the west. A former musician himself, Thrasher, booked early gigs for the White Stripes, Killers, Code Orange, Bowling For Soup, Paramore and Portugal. The Man (in 2008). Mike passed away in March of 2020, requesting donations be made to the Portland Rescue Mission on his behalf.
Inductees
Dandy Warhols
Lifesavas
Sweet Baby James Benton
Renato Caranto
2021
2019
Inductees
MUSICIANS
Mark Lindsay
As the front man, Mark Lindsay, born in Eugene, already has a spot in the Oregon Music Hall of Fame with Paul Revere and the Raiders. He was the vocalist, saxophonist, writer and producer. He also had a slew of single hits including “Arizona,” a million seller. After leaving the band, he became head of A&R for United Artists Records and played a role in developing the careers of Gerry Rafferty, Kenny Rogers and many others. He has composed music for everything from commercial jingles to movie sound tracks, hosted successful radio shows on both KISN and K-Hits and in 2007 opened “Mark Lindsay’s Rock and Roll Café.” in Portland. He continues to tour, often with the Turtles’ Happy Together show, and in 2013, Lindsay recorded an album of new material entitled, Life Out Loud. This month he joins Quentin Tarantino at the NARAS’ Grammy museum to discuss the sound track of the movie Once Upon a Time -in Hollywood, curated by Tarantino himself and featuring a batch of Raiders & Mark Lindsay songs.
3 Leg Torso
3 Leg Torso formed in 1996 as a violin, accordion and cello trio intent on creating original modern chamber music. Since that time, founding members Bela Balogh (on trumpet and violin) and accordionist Courtney Von Drehle have overseen a few different line-ups, now featuring the mallets/percussion of T.J. Arko and the acoustic bassist, Mike Murphy. The group has released three award winning instrumental albums. They have worked with filmmakers including Oscar nominated documentarian Morgan Spurlock. In 2003, Courtney was awarded a fellowship at the Sundance Film Composers Lab and in 2010, his work in the Oscar nominated documentary “The Final Inch” was nominated for an Emmy. 3 Leg Torso continues to perform on a national and local level with a variety of Symphonic groups and on their own.
Little Sue
Susannah Weaver, or Little Sue, as she has been affectionately known for the last two decades grew up in West Virginia and moved to Portland in the 1990s, with her band, The Crackpots.
She has been a fixture in the local folk and alt-country scene in Portland for over 25 years and a big part of the Laurelhurst scene. Her quirky lyrical style, solid guitar playing and bee-strung voice have won over music lovers of every age and stripe. Sue has released 8 CD’s including this year’s 20th anniversary re-release of crow and new CD title Gold, on Portland label Secret Sound. She has shared the stage with Neko Case, Roger McGuinn, Loudon Wainwright II and Bob Dylan among others.
Michael Allen Harrison
Michael Allen Harrison, a graduate of Parkrose High School, is a pianist, composer and one of Oregon’s most prodigious music creators. Since 1986 he has released over 50 CD’s of his own albums including collaborations with Julianne Johnson, Katie Harmon, Tim Ellis and Aaron Meyer. Finding a pianistic niche between Jazz and Classical music, he has performed for the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore and The 14th Dalai Lama. His Christmas shows at The Old Church have become one of Portland’s most popular holiday traditions. He has created the successful “Ten Grands” concert series and is the founder and president of “The Snowman Foundation,” a non-profit organization dedicated to providing instruments, instruction and inspiration to deserving children. Harrison has many film and theater compositional credits and every year contributes original music to the Portland Festival Symphony and was honored in 2008 by the Oregon Symphony with a two-hour presentation of his original music.
Michael Hurley
Pennsylvania native, Michael Hurley, grew up with Jesse Colin Young and made fast friends with the Holy Modal Rounders and is one of the last survivors of the Greenwich Village folk scene in the 1960’s. As with the Rounders, he put down roots in Oregon. He is best known for his ironic lyrics, mountain music styles on fiddle and guitar. He released his debut album on Folkways back in 1963, recorded on the same reel-to-reel tape recorder used to capture Lead Belly’s last sessions. Since then he has released 32 albums on a variety of labels: Raccoon/Warner, Rounder, Portland’s Mississippi Records and his own Bellemeade Phonics. He is credited with coining the term ‘lo-fi’ to describe under produced recordings. An accomplished artist, Hurley has created covers for most of his own albums and a cartoon series called “Boone & Jocko.” He currently lives in Astoria and released his newest CD in 2018, titled Living Ljubjljana on Feeding tube Records.
Pond
Pond formed as a rock trio in 1991 in Portland and their performances at the 1992 New Music Seminar got ecstatic reviews in the British press. Guitarist Charlie Campbell, drummer Dave Triebwasser and bass man Chris Brady released their debut single, “Young Splendor/Tree” on Portland’s Tim Kerr Records gained wide recognition, including ‘Single Of The Week’ in London’s Melody Maker magazine. Pond released two albums on Sub Pop and their last one, Rock Collection, (not to be confused with the song “Rock Collection,” off their second, and last, Sub Pop record, The Practice of Joy Before Death) was a full-length on Sony’s Work label, which spawned a single, “Spokes” before disbanding in 1998. Voodoo Doughnuts Records released a live CD in 2017, Live At The X-Ray Cafe; November 6th 1993.They performed one show to commemorate the closing of The Satyricon in 2010. Pond was one of the few bands to come out of the Northwest back in the 90’s that were able to rise above the “Grunge” trend.
Joanna Bolme
Joanna Bolme grew up in the Portland punk scene as a guitarist and bass player with Calamity Jane, an all female band and later with Quasi, The Minders and Jr. High and the Spinanes. She’s also a founding member of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. Bolme was a long-time friend of Elliott Smith and worked to mix his Either/Or and the posthumous album of his work, From a Basement on a Hill. Her studio engineering credits also include work with Fernando, Richmond Fontaine and the compilation To Elliott From Portland.
John Mazzocco
John Mazzocco has been a featured bass player in Oregon for many years. Graduating from Wilson High, he attended Mt. Hood Community College’s music program and after stints with Thara Memory’s Big Band, power pop band, the Results and Jazz/Funk group Lights Out, he got a call to tour with John Lee Hooker and backed him up him for three years in the early 1980’s– later convincing Hooker to headline the first Waterfront Blues Festival in 1988. Over the years he played with Michael Osborn, harpist Paul Delay, Terry Robb and Curtis Salgado, Richard Burdell among many others. In the last few years he can be heard with funksters, Soul Commanders and a jazzier unit, Heavy Sugar. He also has a thriving business, Blue Dot Communications that trains business leaders how to make presentations.
HERITAGE AWARDS
Dick Berk
Jazz drummer and bandleader, Dick Berk was born in San Francisco and studied at the Berklee College of Music. He was the drummer in Billie Holiday’s band at age 17and played a jazz drummer in Martin Scorsese’s film “New York New York.” In 1962, he moved to NYC, eventually playing drums for Charlie Mingus, Mose Allison, Cal Tjader and George Duke. In 1980 he founded “The Jazz Adoption Agency” a band he had for the next 20 years, releasing six CD’s. He came to Oregon at that point, though he toured on an international level and recorded extensively with the best. Dick performed right up to the end, where he could frequently be seen jamming at Coyotes in Hillsboro or Wilf’s. He passed away at the age of 74 in 2014, but those in the know will always be proud of the Jazz star we had in our midst.
Paul Knauls
Paul Knauls moved to Portland in 1963, purchasing a nightclub on North Vancouver Avenue called “The Cotton Club”. It was an instant success, hosting touring Jazz musicians and late night visits from Sammy Davis Jr., Joe Louis, the Kingston Trio and Mama Cass. He helped spawn musical careers like that of Mel Brown, Billy Larkin, Shirley Nanette and Ron Steen, who played his first gig for Paul. After urban renewal decimated the area and built the Memorial Coliseum, he opened up several new clubs like Geneva’s and Paul’s Cocktails. After his days in the restaurant business, Knauls concentrated on the betterment of the Northeast community: a charter member of the Albina Lion’s Club, work with the Junior Achievement Program at both Humboldt and Jefferson schools; tutoring in the HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) program at King School and serving for six years on the board of the Urban League.
From the “Good in the Hood” Parade to the erection of the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on MLK Boulevard, Paul Knauls continues to make his neighborhood a better place to live, and is lovingly known as “The Mayor of Northeast Portland.”
INDUSTRY
Don Macleod
On March 15, 1969 Don MacLeod, his wife Laureen and music stalwarts Dan and Patty Lissy opened the doors at Ides of March/Music Millennium. The quiet corner of Southeast 32nd and Burnside would change forever to become one of America’s most important indie record stores. MacLeod was a Tektronix engineer, who wanted something more. Portland’s music market was stodgy and MacLeod chose to rack most everything that could not be found elsewhere. By 1979, the store had expanded its floor plan, installed a stereo store, and added the Classical Millennium wing within the same building. He co-founded Burnside Records and the earlier Intergalactic Trading Company, the largest import vinyl mail order company in America and presented concerts by Velvet Underground, Captain Beefheart and Gabor Szabo. MacLeod wanted a personal change, however, and sold the business to start a fruit and nut orchard in Clark County, only to save his store from bankruptcy and assume a half million-dollar debt five years later. The store thrives today under the leadership of Terry Currier. Music Millennium founder, Don MacLeod, passed away in 1995, leaving a monument for Portland’s music community.
Gary Houston
Gary Houston is a graphic designer and illustrator with studios in North Portland and an international clientele. His posters promote music events including the Waterfront Blues festival and the Oregon Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. His artwork is created in a variety of ways: scratch board illustrations, some are hand cut films (Rubyliths) and some are inked. His illustration company, Voodoo Catbox, formed by Houston and partner Mike King in 1995, is proud that every poster is handmade using traditional methods. A Portlander for over 30 years, Houston has always been a notable artist of his craft, locally and nationally, doing visual works for such national acts as: Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, Moonalice, Steve Martin, Little Feat, Los Lobos, The Grateful Dead, Social Distortion, David Byrne, The Black Crowes, Wilco, and many others. His artwork has been seen on hundreds of local and national CD covers as well.
. Larry Crane
Recording engineer Larry Crane opened his Jackpot! Studio in 1997 to capture the exploding music scene in Portland. He was one of Elliot Smith’s closest friends, who partnered on the building the space to record his material. Crane was trusted to organize and release of Smith’s music posthumously. Crane’s clients include: Built to Spill, Quasi, Stephen Malkmus, Gossip, She & Him, M. Ward, Sleater-Kinney, Eddie Vedder, The Decemberists, R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Spoon and Summer Cannibals. He is the founder, co-owner (with publisher John Baccigaluppi), and Editor of Tape Op magazine, which began publishing in April 1996 and now has the largest circulation in the world of a magazine devoted to music recording. He offers a variety of teaching opportunities, on-line workshops and speaks at gatherings like SxSW, CMJ and NARAS events. He has been a guest lecturer at various colleges discussing the recording arts and music business.
Ural Thomas- Artist of the Year
Ural Thomas was born in Portland in 1939. In his teens Ural was performing with a doo-wop group, the Monterays, and in 1964 recorded his songs “Deep Within My Heart” and “Push ‘em Up” for the regional Sure Star label. By 1966, he signed with LA producer/writer Jerry Goldstein on the UNI label, recording “Can You Dig It?” with Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway and Mary Wilson backing him up. He’d established himself nationally, appearing at the famed “Apollo” club in Harlem, opening for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and The Rolling Stones. By the mid 70’s he’d moved back to Portland where he hosted jam sessions and played music with friends. In 2010 he was coaxed out of semi-retirement and back into the recording studio for the first time in 40 years. His current band Ural Thomas and The Pain spent the last few years forging their sound and last year released their latest album on the Tender Loving Empire label, the well-received and aptly titled The Right Time.
I’ll be Your Girl, The Decembrists- Album of the Year-
The Decembrists’ album, I’ll be Your Girl, follows a string of special musical collections by a band known for their lyrical depths, story-telling and clever musical simplicity, influenced by the British folk revival. This is their fifth release on Capitol, who signed the band in 2006. Band leader Colin Meloy describes the album’s content as political, stirring his emotions from our last presidential election: “It was about finding the balance between real rage and humor “ This record, produced by John Singleton, introduces synth sounds to the band’s folk/rock stylistic base. The result is an album that expands the boundaries of The Decembrists universe while maintaining the foundation that made us fall in love with them in the first place.
Inductees
Artist
Andy Stokes Inductee to the CBA Hall Of Fame and a multiple regional music award winner, Andy Stokes has been sharing his soulful voice and musical mastery with the Northwest music culture for more than three decades. As the lead vocalist with the legendary funk band Cool’R, worldwide tours, featured artist with The Stylistics, Michael Bolton, the Temptations and in 1986 sang and voiced parts on Will Vinton’s California Raisins Claymation video and ad campaign. Andy has earned the title “The Northwest’s King of Soul Music”. His debut album, Full Circle, received worldwide recognition as a brilliantly crafted soulful journey. His current CD, Now, was released in April of 2018, including the hit single ‘Best Day Ever.’ https://www.andystokesmusic.com/
Freak Mountain Ramblers With its roots in Country, Folk and Americana, the Freak Mountain Ramblers grew from the rhythm section of the Holy Modal Rounders, who landed in Portland in the 1970’s on a national tour with a broken down band bus. After the demise of the Rounders, Drummer Roger North, who opened Woodstock with his band Quill, and bass man Dave Reisch found a home at the Laurelthirst Tavern in 1997–playing every Sunday night for nearly 20 years. The original members were Jim Boyer, Bingo Richey, Paul Bassett, North and Reisch. Over the years other members joined and moved on: Turtle Van Demarr, Lex Browning, Dan Schauffler, and Forrest Bloodgood. The band continued to play those Sundays (“Church” to the fans) and began a long relationship with the McMenamins circuit, including the Great Northwest Music Tour. They have released 4 CD’s. http://www.freakmountain.com/
Monti Amundson Monti Amundson broke out of Eugene in the 1980s as a guitar slinger and leader of various bar bands: Generic Rock Band, Boys Club and, most notably, the Blubinos with bassist Debbie Smith and Drummer Cory Burden. The group became a major draw in Portland before disbanding in1992. The group released 7 CD’s, while Amundson, known as ‘Big Monti,’ toured Europe, settling in Amsterdam for a bit and recording for the Dutch label, Tramp Records. For the better part of three decades, he has split his time equally between living in Portland and Amsterdam, until the fall of 2016, when Big Monti moved to Nashville. He has released 15 CD’s and is often heard in the Northwest with the Sultans of Slide. http://bigmonti.com/
The Rats The Rats formed in 1980 and featured guitarist Fred Cole and his wife Toody Cole on bass, for a combination that fueled their later projects: Dead Moon and Pierced Arrows. For 4 years, with drummers Rod Hibbert, Sam Henry and Louis Samora, they carved out a Ramones-inspired blueprint, affecting Portland’s punk music boom. The Rats are important for a number of reasons: Fred and Toody ran two enigmatic music equipment stores (Captain Whizeagle’s and Tombstone Music), added a studio and a record label and released vinyl for over 30 different artists, while the Rats performed a West Coast circuit. Pearl Jam performs Cole’s song “It’s OK,” Cat Power has covered “Johnny’s Got a Gun,” and Black Lips do a version of “You Must Be a Witch.” But it all began in Portland with The Rats. The band released vinyl LPs and EPs through the decade including: The Rats, Desperate Red, 3, Intermittent Signals, Nightline and Range Rats and Portland’s Mississippi Records reissued a compilation in 2014.
Ural Thomas Ural Thomas was born in Louisiana in 1939, moving to Oregon a few years later, when he family settled in the Mississippi district. In his teens Ural was performing with a doo-wop group, the Monterays, and in 1964 recorded his songs “Deep Within My Heart” and “Push ‘em Up” for the regional Sure Star label. By 1966, he signed with LA producer/writer Jerry Goldstein on the UNI label, recording “Can You Dig It.,” with Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway and Mary Wilson backing him up. He established himself nationally, appearing at the famed Apollo club in Harlem and opening for Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and The Rolling Stones. But the label folded and Thomas moved back to Portland hosting jam sessions with younger friends who formed groups like The Gangsters and Pleasure. In 2010 he was coaxed back on stage for the first time in 40 years. His current band, Ural Thomas and The Pain, spent the next few years forging their sound and recording their first album. By 2014 they were named by Willamette Week ‘s Best New Band. At age 79 now, Ural and the band has signed to Tender Loving Empire. https://www.uralthomasandthepain.com/home/
Side Player
Don Eccles
Dan Eccles is one of those guitarists who seem to play just what the band needs to hear. From his days with Richmond Fontaine, Fernando, international tours with Willy Vlautin and King Black Acid, he adds the right touch to whatever genre. According to Richmond Fontaine’s Willy Vlautin, “Dan was always my favorite guitar player in Portland. He always plays twice as hard as any of us and he always shows up trying to deliver. He’s the soul.”
He has backed Lewi Longmire in the Left Coast Roasters and, most notably, was a member of Moxy Love Crux, with Andy Ricker and Chris McDermott. In 2014, the inaugural release on Voodoo Doughnut Recordings featured Dan’s first project as orchestrator and front man on the seven-inch single titled “It Ain’t No Cupcake Working at Voodoo Doughnut.” https://musicmillennium.com/Event/41361
Dover Weinberg Dover Weinberg grew up in East County and was just playing for himself and giving lessons when bassist Dave Kahl coaxed him onto the stage. After some time at Mt. Hood Community College, he hit the road with a number of Northwest bands. Dover came on board with the Eugene-based Robert Cray in the late 1970s. Though not always in the band, Dover’s corner of the Robert Cray groove goes back 40 years. In between he has played and recorded with many local and national Blues greats: Albert Collins, Charlie Musselwhite, Coco Montoya, Duffy Bishop, Paul Delay and Lloyd Jones. Dover has a wicked sense of humor, great Groucho Marx sendup and humbly jokes that his resume makes him “look like he can’t hold a job,” but Dover is the kind of player that makes anyone who shares a stage with him want to raise their game. He is currently performing and recording with the Robert Cray Band. https://www.facebook.com/dover.weinberg
Industry
Dennis Carter Dennis Carter started playing drums at the age of 11, continued in Big Bands and Blues. In 1981 he and Dave Lohr formed Falcon Recording Studios, which has since grown into 4-room facility, combining both new and old technology. Flacon’s client list is large and long and includes: Linda Hornbuckle, Terry Robb, Mel Brown, Lloyd Jones, Bernard Purdie, Obo Addy, Tom Grant, Robben Ford and many others. He most recently oversaw Curtis Salgado’s collaborative project with guitarist Alan Hager called “Rough Cut”–nearly 20 years since Portland’s harmonica great recorded his first album there, with his band, the Stilettos. Dennis Carter still finds time play drums with Terry Robb’s trio but his time at Falcon Studios has made Portland a great place for musicians to record. http://www.falconrecordingstudios.com/
Peter and Michael Mott In the 1980s, a vibrant array of downtown nightclubs featured live music. Michael and Peter Mott were the brothers with sister, Susan, who ran the Last Hurrah in sprawling basement at 6th and SW Alder. From 1975 to 1987, the club-hosted local bands seven nights a week with a policy that a certain percentage of the music had to be original. Promoting a wild variety of styles the club featured: Billy Rancher, Cruise Control, Burnside Bombers and a long run of Tuesdays with the Rasco Brothers. Michael was the executive producer for early albums by the Rascos, Johnny and the Distractions and Nu Shooz. Most nights were well promoted and filled to capacity. One night John Entwistle of the Who sat in on bass with Portland’s Dan Reed Network. After the club closed, Peter was known for his work on Bud Clark’s Mayor’s Ball and the Rose Festival. Michael Mott returned to his love of golf, at Nike’s golf division for 25 years and coaching three sports for a variety of Portland area schools. https://pamplinmedia.com/component/content/article?id=90478
Artist of the Year
Portugal, The Man The Oregon Music Hall of Fame is proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Artist of the Year and Album of the Year: Portugal. The Man wins in both categories with their 8th release, Woodstock, and with an exciting year on the road and on the radio. The band found success with recent singles, “Live in the Moment” and “Feel It Still.” “Feel It Still” became the band’s biggest hit single to date in the United States, reaching #1 on the Billboard Alternative Hot 100 Airplay, and Pop Songs charts and becoming a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. On January 28, 2018, “Feel It Still” Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards and would go on to win the Alternative Rock Song of the Year at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The band also received the ASCAP Vanguard Award at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards in April 2018. In December of 2013, Portugal. The Man performed a benefit for OMHOF in cooperation with KNRK and raised $5600 for the Hall’s scholarship fund. The band performed during the March for Our Lives on March 24, 2018 in Portland in support of the student led movement for better gun control in America, which began at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. As vocalist John Gourley explains “Portland is a city that doesn’t judge you for being you.” http://www.portugaltheman.com/woodstock
Album of the Year
“Woodstock” – Portugal, The Man
Heritage Award
KISN Food Guys Before the heyday of FM radio, there was a powerhouse Top 40 station in Portland that broadcast at 910 on the AM dial. From 1959 to 1976, when the FCC shut them down, KISN ruled the AM dial like no other station in Portland: at times capturing a whopping 86% of the listening audience. The station played Pop, R&B and, of course, Rock’n’Roll. The DJ’s collectively became known as’ The KISN Good Guys.’ The crew included larger than life personalities like the ‘Real’ Don Steele, Pat Pattee, ‘Tiger’ Tom Murphy, Dave ‘Records’ Stone, Roger Hart, Rod ‘Kangaroo’ Muir, Tom Michaels, Robert ‘Addie Bopkins’ Atkins, Ken Chase, Mike Phillips, Roger W. Morgan, Roger Adams and Buddy Scott. KISN was known for a trademark blend of high energy, tongue-in-cheek antics, like the famous sign that greeted everyone at PDX “Welcome Home…. We’ve been KISN your wife.”
Recently, Dave Stone good friend “Dirty Dave the Record Slave,” station historian Craig Adams, and technician Scott Young have brought the great station back to life as KISN FM 95.1. http://goodguyradio.com
Ed Dougherty Ed Dougherty was a math teacher at Waldo Middle School in Salem back in the mid 1960’s when he began to hear students complaining that there was” nothing to do in Salem at night and on the weekends.” He organized a dance at the local Knights of Columbus Hall. Admission was 25 cents and the hall was big enough for 250 people….and 500 teenagers showed up ready to rock and roll. That was Ed’s introduction to concert promoting. He was responsible for bringing big name acts like Sonny and Cher, The Yardbirds, Steppenwolf, The Doors and Pink Floyd to the area, putting Salem on the musical map in the 60’s and 70’s Over the years he and his companies, EJD Enterprises and his Concert Services Inc, booked the Oregon State Fair and fairs, conventions, corporate and special events up and down the West Coast. He served as president of the Salem Chamber of Commerce and Salem Convention and Visitors Bureau. Governor Tom McCall appointed Ed to the Oregon Film Commission, where he was instrumental in bringing filming of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to Oregon. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/oregon/2015/07/15/known-salem-concert-promoter-dies/30191495/
2018
2017
Inductees
ARTISTS
FLOATER
With eleven albums under their belt, Portland trio, Floater, has made an international mark with an original mix of alternative rock, psychedelia, reggae, pop and even a bit of jazz. Floater is made up of bassist Robert Wynia, drummer Peter Cornet and guitarist David Amador. They fill their albums and concerts with slashing electric and dreamy acoustic sets. In a 2010 review the Willamette Week noted: “Critics hate it, radio won’t play it, but thanks to its legion of rural and suburban fans, Floater lives on.” Breaking out of Eugene in 1993, the band has been on the road for 21 years with a following described as “a cavalcade of metal heads, hippies, and long-haired teens.” Their most recent CD is titled Wake.
JIMMY BOYER
The late Jimmy Boyer was usually on time for any Freak Mountain Rambler performance–probably playing the Laurelthirst Pub over a thousand times. He was the heart of the band according to Turtle VanDemarr of the group. Jimmy Boyer began a career in his native Cleveland, moving to New York to busk the East Village then to Flagstaff and in 1989 to Portland, whose quirky tastes were a perfect fit for his quirky songwriting. He played with Jeffery Fredericks’ Clamtones, his own Glowing Corn and eventually formed the Freak Mountain Ramblers with Kevin ‘Bingo’ Richey, bassist Dave Reisch and Paul Bassett. He recorded six CD’s with the Ramblers and two of his own: Trestle and Time Spent. He passed on January 21st, 2016 at age 47.
KING BLACK ACID
King Black Acid began as the musical pseudonym of Daniel Riddle while playing bass in Portland ‘industrial rock band,’ Hitting Birth in the 1980’s. Riddle switched to guitar and created a home studio for his musical adventures as King Black Acid. There have been many musicians pass through the group since the early 90’s with several studio releases. Riddle and the group have recorded music for several film and TV soundtracks that include: Buffy the Vampire Killer, CSI Miami and the Mothman Prophecies. This musical collective, now King Black Acid and the Crystal Unicorn just released Super Beautiful Magic, on Cavity Search Records, this year. Willamette Week notes the new music has “spacey touchstones of psych rock to paint in broad, dark strokes of curiosity and heartbreak.”
MICKEY NEWBURY
Mickey Newburywas born in Houston in 1940 but spent the last 30 years of his life in Springfield, Oregon. After a stint in the Air Force, he sang all over the South as a solo troubadour, landing in Nashville in 1959 with a writer’s contract with Acuff-Rose Publishing. His songs were recorded by many: Jerry Lee Lewis, Don Gibson, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Solomon Burke and Elvis Presley. Many remember his haunting song, “Just Dropped in to See What Condition My Condition Was In” by Kenny Rodgers and the First Edition. Mickey Newbury wrote more than 500 other songs, and with such colleagues as Kris Kristofferson and Tom T Hall brought a more literate and thoughtful dimension to country music in the 1960s. He recorded over 25 albums of his own and created a medley, “An American Trilogy,” (“Dixie,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “All My Sorrows,”) that became a showstopper at Elvis Presley’s concerts in the 1970’s. He became the youngest member of the Nashville’s Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980. He passed on September 29th, 2002.
QUASI
Quasi is the rare rock duo made up of drummer Janet Weiss and multi-instrumentalist Sam Coomes, head on guitar, keyboards, and bass. Formed in 1993, Quasi has released 9 full length albums over a twenty year period, often interrupted by other projects: Weiss drums with Sleater-Kinney & Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, and Coomes has been working with Pink Mountain and on his solo project, Blues Goblins. Quasi now records for the Kill Rock Stars label with their most recent release, Mole City in 2013. In 1998 and 1999 they toured the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan opening for and serving as the backup band for Elliot Smith, a fellow Heatmiser band mate from the early 1990’s. Earlier this year on Inauguration Day, Quasi brought Portland’s indie rock scene together to release a new protest album, Battle Hymns. Proceeds from the pay-what-you-want release will benefit Planned Parenthood, ACLU and 350.org.
SEAN CROGHAN
Sean Croghan is a musician and visual artist who burst onto Portland’s punk scene in the 1980’s with the Mustache, Hellcows, Crackerbash, and Jr. High. Often listed as pop-punk, Croghan’s music got the attention of Seattle’s Empty Records, releasing a full-length Crackerbash album in 1992 followed by TinToy 10” in 1993. The band broke up soon afterwards, but he continued to rock with a new group, Jr. High who released Killer of Friendships in 1998. His own solo CD came out in 2001, titled From Burnt Orange to Midnight Blue. He is also heard on the Elliot Smith tribute of 2006, covering the song “High Times” and appears on this year’s protest compilation Battle Hymns.
SIDE PLAYERS
LOUIS PAIN
Louis Pain is sometimes called King Louis for he is Portland’s King of the B-3 Hammond organ. With credits as a sideman for work on gigs & recordings with Paul deLay, Mel Brown, Linda Hornbuckle, Lloyd Jones, Curtis Salgado, Thara Memory and Soul Vaccination, he is an in-demand keyboardist. He currently co-leads the group, King Louie & LaRhonda Steele whose debut CD was honored as one of the “Best Albums of 2016” in Downbeat. He co-wrote some of Paul deLay’s most memorable songs, including “Why Can’t You Love Me” (PMA songwriting award winner in 1993), “Just This One,” “Maybe Our Luck Will Change,” and “What Went Wrong?” Louis Pain is a San Francisco native who journeyed to Portland in 1986 and has become a treasure to the Portland music scene.
INDUSTRY PEOPLE
CHRIS MONLUX
Chris Monlux is the ‘Mon’ of Monqui Productions, one of Portland’s longest surviving concert promotion companies. Mike Quinn is the other half of that company that debuted in 1984. A former policeman, Chris Monlux worked at Starry Night before taking on space then known as the Pine Street Theater to support the emerging punk, pop, new wave touring bands and a long list of Portland’s edgier but important bands: Sweaty Nipples, Dandy Warhols and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies among them. The club was renovated and became La Luna from 1992 to 1999 hosting national shows by Monqui including Los Lobos, Husker Du and Violent Femmes. Monqui expanded horizons to promote shows all over the West and is one of the biggest independent concert promoters in the country. Monlux later partnered to create the Wonder Ballroom, the former home of the Ancient Order of Hibernians on North Russell. It has become one of the city’s premiere concert halls with an eclectic schedule that reflects the eclectic tastes of Chris Monlux.
LISA LEPINE
Lisa Lepine represented all things positive about the Portland music business. She was fiercely independent, the first one to dance at any show, extremely supportive of her music friends and clients and joy to be with. Lisa Lepine moved to Oregon from Vermont in 1982 to be a mentor for musicians in the emerging scene here. She managed Ed and the Boats, booked their tours and named herself the ProMotion Queen, borrowing her motto from Glenda the Good Witch: “Do. Dream Dazzle.” She loved all types of music and mentored bands from World music to Americana to Rock ‘ n’ Roll. Lisa Lepine helped each client find their way in their own way. She managed the successful folk duo of Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer moving them on to international standing and helped create the LaurelThirst Pub’s musical territory as it is today. She passed away on July 5, 2016.
TRES SHANNON
Tres Shannon was in the music business before he started baking those Voodoo Doughnuts. This Portland icon spent 4 years at the X-Ray Café, an all-ages rock club, he ran with hi friend, Ben Ellis. Tres Shannon booked an extremely inclusive calendar of music, poetry, plays, weekly sewing circles and primal-scream therapy sessions, slumber parties, and Sunday brunches. Green Day, Team Dresch, Smegma, Big Daddy Meatstraw and Shannon’s own, Kurtz Project cut their musical teeth in this tiny room. This venue is also the subject of the Ben Ellis documentary titled X-Ray Visions. After the club closed Tres Shannon stayed in the neighborhood and booked music at Berbati’s Pan, formed a Rolling Stone tribute band, Miss U’s and created the Karaoke From Hell show. He also ran for mayor of Portland. Voodoo Doughnut Recordings is another of his side projects, which currently offers nearly a hundred artists including bands from the X-Ray days and John ‘Elvis Schroder, this year’s Rose Festival Grand Marshall.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
case/lang/veirs is a Portland trio formed three years before their initial album release when k.d. lang invited Neko Case and Laura Veirs to join her in “a real collaborative” project. lang and Veirs are Portlanders and Case lives in Vermont. The band’s sound is described as Folk/Rock and Alt/Country. They produced the self-titled album with Tucker Martine, at his Portland studio in November 2015. As Pitchfork notes: “case/lang/veirs isn’t a springboard or a resting place—it’s a tribute to connection, communion, and reflection on the things that bind us. And it feels particularly significant and sanctuary-like for the fractured times that we live in.”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lisa Mann delivers on her album Hard Times, Bad Decisions with well written and well-sung originals and grooves from swampy blues-rock to old school soul. Lisa Mann has been inducted into the Cascade Blues Association’s Hall of Fame. This album has won the CBA’s Northwest Recording of the Year. She was honored in Memphis in 2015 and 2016 she received the coveted Blues Music Award, for her skills on bass guitar! Mann’s voice runs between the sweet warmth of the South to Rock to Swing and American balladry with a version of Dinah Washington’s “I Don’t Hurt Anymore.” This is Lisa Mann’s fourth release.
Inductees
ARTISTS
BRIAN BERG
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian berg spent his formative years playing in bands in Salem and working in a record store. He became a mentor to many area musicians along the way, including OMHOF Inductee, the Dharma Bums. In the mid-90’s Brian fronted his band 44 Long, The band released “Collect Them All” in 1997 and “Inside The Horses Head” to critical acclaim, including press in Rolling Stone and Billboard Magazine. The band’s reputation live made them one of the top live acts around. After the band dissolved, Brian continued writing songs and playing solo but in 2006 released a new 44 Long album. In 2012, the songs intended to be the 3rd album was released digitally. Brian passed away in Fall of 2015.
Vocalist Duffy Bishop has been performing professionally since her teens. While building a reputation as one of the best rock and blues performers in the state of Washington, Duffy played Janis Joplin in a Seattle production and ended up touring with Big Brother & the Holding Company. She released 2 albums with the Rhythm Dogs before putting together the Duffy Bishop Band releasing 6 albums. In 1995, Duffy moved to Portland. She is in the Cascade Blues Association and Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame, and a recipient of both organizations’ Lifetime Achievement Award. The Cascade Blues association renamed the Female Vocalist Award the Duffy Bishop Award due to her winning the award so many years in a row,
Argentinian born Fernando got his major musical start in LA, fronting a hard rock band. In 1994 he moved to Portland and released “Season In Hell” in 1996 a county flavored rock record and built a reputation as a solid performer in the clubs of Portland. He followed this up with the harder edged “Widows” and 2 years late with a Spanish language album “Pacoima”, exploring Tex-Mex, border rock and Mexican R&B. 5 albums have followed including “”Old Man Motel” (1999) “Dreams Of The Sun and Sky” (2001), “Enter To Exit” (2006), “True Instigator” (2010) and “Leave The Radio On” in 2015. Magnet Magazine named Fernando one of the best new artists of 2006 and “Enter To Exit” received critical acclaim in Billboard, Paste, and No Depression among others.
Pete Krebs ended up in Portland in the 80’s and has been a music fixture ever since. There was HairBedPeace and Grind. Grind turned into Thillhammer, a regular at the Satyricon. Then came Hazel, who released 2 albums on Sub Pop and one for Caroline Records. Their live shows were legendary. Taking a left turn from the loud post-punk sound of Hazel, Pete has played numerous styles of music. He started the bluegrass based Golden Delicious, fronted the folk band Gossamer Wings, played Django Reinhardt inspired music with the Kung Pao Chickens and started the band The Stolen Sweets based on the music of the Boswell Sisters. He’s also slipped in a couple solo recordings and is now playing honky-town with his band the Earnest Lovers.
Originally formed in Olympia, WA in 1994, Sleater-Kinney members Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals) and Corin Tucker (guitar and vocals) moved to Portland and took on their 4th drummer Janet Weiss in time to have her play on “Dig Me Out”, their 3rd release following their self titled debut in 1995 and the follow up Call The Doctor in 1996. This solidified the band and they went on to release The Hot Rock (1999), All Hands on the Bad One (2000, One Beat (2002) and The Woods (2006). Their fan base grew around the world with each release. Rolling Stone Critic Greil Marcus named them best American Rock Band in 2001. In 2006, Sleater-Kinney took a 7-year hiatus before returning with “No Cities to Love in 2015. That year Stereogum’s Tom Breihan called them the greatest rock band of the past two decades.
Paul Brainard has been the go to guy for the past couple of decades if you needed a steel guitar player. He also had the talents on guitar, dobro and trumpet and was known for his instrumental arrangements of horns and strings and production skills. His recording and stage credits read like a who’s who including many Oregon artists like The Decemberists, Dandy Warhols, Fernando, Blitzen Trapper, and Richmond Fontaine to artists like Kim Ritchey, The Sadies and even Kenny Rogers. Most of the time he is a regular guest with many local artists as well as fronts multiple bands of his own including a jazz organ trio, the Hawaiian-influenced Pu Pu Platters and his Fun Machine Orchestra.
The music bug bit Tim Ellis early. By the age of 15, LA based Tim Ellis was giving guitar lessons and playing in bands. In the mid-80’s, he moved to Portland. He was an amazing guitarist and worked for 20 years as a teacher at the Portland Adventist Academy with both guitar and production classes. He also worked for a local recording studio, which inspired him to start one of his own, Kung Fu Bakery. It became one of the premiere places in the Northwest to record. Artists such as the Decemberists, Pink Martini, the Shins, Wayne Newton and Steve Martin recorded at the studio. And along the way, Tim played guitar on many recording sessions that happened there. Tim passed on due to cancer in March of this year.
INDUSTRY
DAVE CUTTER
Dave Cutter has been part of the local music landscape since 1962. He has touched millions of people’s ears though his sound company Sundown Sound that debuted in 1971 at a Fleetwood Mac/Jacob’s Ladder show at the Paramount Theater. Sundown did 12 show that year and by 1989 they doing sound for 300 shows a year from San Diego, California to Palmer, Alaska. Sundown put sound systems in many venues in Oregon as well as did sound for almost all the major promoters over the years. The Roseland Theater still has one of Dave Cutter’s sound system in place, a system the late Prince stated “He had never heard such a stereophonic system like it before.” Dave also donated his time and services to many musical events in this city.
BART DAY
One of Portland’s best entertainment lawyers, Bart Day has been an intricate part of the Oregon music community. He has extensive legal experience with music royalty matters and drafting, licensing for television and film, digital media, publishing and rights clearance issues. He has worked with hundreds of local artists in the Oregon music community. He served as a board member for the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of the Recording Arts from 2000 to 2004. He has served as a board member since 2010 for Painted Sky, a non-profit organization founded to provide music, dance training and find performance opportunities for Native American Youth. He also has volunteered his time to many musical causes and events in the Oregon music community.
2016
2015
Inductees
ARTISTS
HEATMISER
Heatmiser began in Portland in 1992 at a time when the Northwest was a hotbed for alternative rock. The band consisted of Elliott Smith, Neil Gust, Tony Lash and Sam Coomes. Over their short 4 years of existence, they recorded 3 albums, “Dead Air”, “Cop and Speeder” and “Mic City Sons”, all receiving good press and bringing them a growing fan base. Elliott and Neil were the principle songwriters, both having contrasting styles of writing with Elliott on the dark side and Neil on the pop side. Just as the band was about to signed by Virgin Records, the band disbanded. Each of the 4 members continued on to other musical projects, with Elliott Smith going on to a successful solo career and a Grammy award for his song in the movie “Goodwill Hunting.”
JERRY JOSEPH
Singer/songwriter, guitarist Jerry Joseph formed the band Little Women in 1982. The band was a cross between Burning Spear and the Grateful Dead with the band looking more like the New York Dolls. The band’s live shows were legendary and between that and several self-released albums, Little Women’s fan base grew across the country. Since then, Jerry has released 6 solo albums, 9 albums as Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormans, 3 with the Stockholm Syndrome which include members of Gov’t Mule and Widespread Panic as well as a number of other recordings and collaborations. Widespread Panic has covered 7 of his songs and even co-wrote a song with Woody Harrelson for the movie “The Earth Will Swallow You.”
NEO BOYS
The Neo-Boys are considered Portland’s first all female rock band. They were also at the forefront of the Portland Punk Movement during their 5-year span of 1978 to 1983. Their songs included politically charged and feminist lyrics. The original lineup consisted of Kim Kincaid (vocals), K.T. Kincaid (bass), Jennifer Lobianco (guitar) and Pat Baum (drums). Carol Steinel replaced Jennifer in 1979 and Meg Hentges replaced Carol in 1980. The band released 2 EPs, one self-titled in 1980 and “Crumbling Myths” in 1982. K Records released a 2 LP collection titled “Sooner or Later” in 2013, including both EPs, demos and live recordings. This was accompanied with a special Neo Boys curated concert at the Crystal Ballroom as a benefit for the Rock N Roll Camp For Girls.
BILL RHOADES
Bill Rhoades has been playing blues harmonica since high school in Eugene. Often regarded as the Godfather of the Oregon Blues scene, beginning playing blues in the Rhythm Kings, which turned into the Party Kings. After the Party Kings, Bill fronted Blues Deluxe and had a short stint in the Switchmasters before reviving the Party Kings. Bill released two albums as Bill Rhoades and the Party Kings. He also had a duo album with Alan Hager. Bill has received 20 Muddy awards from the Cascade Blues Association including their Lifetime Achievement Award. He also had blues radio shows for 35 years receiving an “Award For Excellence” for his work on radio. His “Blues Harmonica Summit” concerts just celebrated their 20th year of featuring some of the great harmonica players in the country
ELLEN WHYTE
Known as one of the premier blues vocalists in the Northwest, Ellen has the ability for singing soul, jazz, rock, funk and even the bluegrass. Ellen has fronted bands for over 30 years. She has received 8 Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association over the years including 3 for recordings; “Different Point Of Blue” (1996) “Standing At The Sunrise” (2002) and “Four Way Stop” (2009); 4 for Best Contemporary Blues Band (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) and 1 for Best Female Vocalist (2000). In 2002 the Cascade Blues Association inducted the Ellen Whyte Band into the Muddy Hall of Fame. Ellen is also active with her “Bring Blues To The School” program over the past few years and was involved in a series of concert series for those in assisted living.
SIDE PLAYERS
DAVE CAPTEIN
With over 35 years of working as a music professional, Dave Captein is one of the most in-demand bass players in Oregon, both for live performances and in the studio. Besides playing with many of Oregon’s local artist such as Nu Shooz, Mel Brown, Rebecca Kilgore and Tom Grant, Dave has appeared with many national jazz legends. These have included Mose Allison, Joey DeFrancesco, Tal Farlow, Jack Sheldon, Red Holloway, Steve Allen and so many more. He has numerous local recording and has appeared on national recordings by Tom Grant and three-time Grammy nominee Jessica Williams. Dave has probably played with more jazz musicians than any other player in town.
BRIAN FOXWORTH
Brian Foxworth has been playing music since he was 5 years old. Being known for his ability to step right in and bring the beat and feeling at a moments notice, Brian is known as a go to drummer in town. He is also a talented vocalist, songwriter and arranger. He’s played with many Oregon artists in many genres of music including rock, gospel, soul, jazz and blues. He is currently the drummer of award winning artist Curtis Salgado but can be seen playing drums and singing in the Roseland Hunters and What’s Your Pleasure, a tribute band to OMHOF Inductee, Pleasure, when he is off the road. At this year’s Waterfront Blues Festival, Brian was the most active musician at the festival, being called in to play with different local and national artists each day of the festival.
INDUSTRY PEOPLE
MARC BAKER
While attending Oregon State University, Marc transformed the campus radio station KBVR-FM into one of the most talked about college radio stations in the country, both as music director and station manager, and host of his show “London Calling.” He also started Alternative Productions, which promoted the first ever Quarterflash show. While at OSU he took the Crazy 8s under his wing as their manager. Marc’s love for music earned him an internship with Warner Brothers Records but as manager of the 8s, he created a market for the band all across the country and an appearance on Star Search. He hosted KBOO-FM radio show “Church of NW Music” for 13 years and featured recordings and live performances by many upcoming artists and future hall of famers including Everclear, Pink Martini, John Fahey, Kelly Joe Phelps, Chris Newman and Richmond Fontaine. He served on the Oregon Music Hall of Fame board from 2006 to 2015.
JOHN CHASSAING
There are very few musicians in the Portland area that at one time or another didn’t cross paths with John Chassaing. At age 12, John got the music bug and took up drums. At age 18 he became the delivery person for Day Music and later moved to sales and again to store manager. At 29, in 1978, he opened Showcase Music.
Beside musical instruments, Showcase was the first in town to specialize in pro-audio and recording equipment. They also started a rental division for instruments and sound. In 2014, John retired and sold the business after close to 50 years, 37 of those years as Showcase Music. During this time, John helped many up and coming musicians who have become household names in Portland, with some going on to national and international fame.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
STORM LARGE
The 2014 Artist of the Year award goes to Storm Large. Storm moved to Portland in 2002 and her popularity has grown with each of her musical adventures including being a contestant on “Rock Star” and in recent years becoming the co-lead singer of Pink Martini. In 2014 Storm was busy touring the country both solo and with Pink Martini. She was on Pink Martini’s “Dream A Little Dream” album, which was released in March and also released her latest solo album “Le Bonheur” which came out in on October.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
THE DELINES
The 2014 Album of the year goes to the Delines for their debut album “Colfax.” The Delines became a side project for Willy Vlautin of the OMHOF Inducted band Richmond Fontaine. He created the band around vocalist Amy Boone, who had been a back-up singer recently for Richmond Fontaine. The band also includes Richmond Fontaine drummer Sean Oldman, Jenny Conlee from the Decemberists on keyboards and Tucker Jackson on pedal steel. The bands sound lies somewhere in the Americana sound. Vlautin’s songwriting is very literary and captures the lives of working class people. The album received critics’ praise both locally, nationally as well as in Europe.
Inductees
ARTISTS
SIGNE ANDERSON
Vocalist Signe Anderson grew up in Portland where she sang both folk and jazz. After a trip to San Francisco, she joined the Jefferson Airplane. Their debut album “Takes Off” was both a critically acclaimed album with fans and critics. Shortly after she gave birth to her child, she returned to Portland. Signe sang with Carl Smith & the natural Gas Company for 9 years. Over the years she has been invited to guest on numerous live performances by the KBC Band and the Jefferson Starship.
DAVE CARTER
Singer/songwriter Dave Carter started writing songs at age 6 and never looked back, He hooked up with singer Tracy Grammer in 1998 and the duo put out their first release in 1999 titled “When I Go’. It was well received and they were signed to Signature Sounds Records and released “Tanglewood Tree” in 2000. Dirty Linen magazine stated ‘In a rational universe, Carter & Grammer would be spoken of in the same terms as Bob Dylan & John Lennon…their recording is that good. Dave passed away in 2002 at age 49 of a heart attack. His songs have been covered by The Kennedys, Lucy Kaplansky, Richard Shindell, Chris Smither, Mary-Chapin Carpenter and one of his biggest supporters, Joan Baez.
DANDY WARHOLS
The Dandy Warhols were formed in 1994 by singer/guitarists Courtney Taylor-Taylor and guitarist Peter Holstrom along with keyboardist Zia McCabe and drummer Eric Hedford (later replaced by Brent DeBoer). Their garage style alternative sound on their Tim Kerr Records debut “Dandy’s Rule OK” earned them fans and the attention of Capitol Records. Their first Capitol album “Dandy Warhols Come Down” had more of a Brit -rock feel and spawned 3 top 40 singles in the UK. They have since released 6 additional albums, had their music featured in numerous TV shows such as The O.C., Buffy The Vampire Slayer and others. The band was also the subject of “Dig”, a 2004 documentary that won the 2004 Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
PINK MARTINI
Thomas Lauderdale formed Pink Martini in 1995 and they have since performed concert stages and with symphony orchestras around the world. Soon after he enlisted vocalist China Forbes who became part of the signature, international flavor of the band. Their debut album “Sympathique” was released in 1997 on their own Heinz Record label and quickly became an international phenomenon. Their first 5 albums went gold in Canada, Greece, Turkey and France, where they also won “Song of the Year” and were named “Best New Artist.” They have collaborated and performed with numerous legends including Carol Channing, Jimmy Scott and most recently with the grand children of the Von Trapps of which the “Sound Of Music” was based on.
SAND
Sand showed up on the Portland music scene in the early 70’s with a sound that fit perfectly along side of Crosby, Stills & Nash, Poco and America. Jack Charles, Dan Ross, Dan Wilson, Rich Gooch and Steve Williams comprised the band on their debut self titled 1973 release on Barnaby Records, a label owned by Andy Williams. The label came up with an idea to release their single album on 2 pieces of vinyl to save the listener the time of having to flip it over. The idea backfired as the album came out at the time of a major oil shortage. They followed that up with “Head In The Sand” in 1976 adding Atillio and Ted Affolter, continuing with great songs and vocal harmonies. All members went on to be key players in the Portland music scene, with Jack Charles and Rich Gooch going on to be members in the original Quarterflash.
SIDE PLAYERS
BILLY HULTS
Billy, also known as Reverend Bill Hults, was a washboard player who played with about everyone in Portland in the 70s and 80s. He also had a band, Billy Foodstamp & the Welfare Rodeo, which boasted up to 22 members. His biggest contribution to the Oregon Music Scene came in 1984 when he helped organize the Mayor’s Ball, to pay off the campaign debts of his boss at the Goose Hollow Inn, who had just won the race for mayor against Frank Ivancie. The musical line-up stretched from Oregon Symphony conductor James DePriest to “Louie Louie” legends, the Kingsmen and was a grand success. Seven additional Mayor’s Balls were held at the memorial Coliseum, bringing national attention to the Oregon music scene with a feature in Billboard Magazine. Billy passed away in 2009 but his legacy lives on through the memories and a great Anthology of his music.
JAY “BIRD” KODER
Jay “Bird” Koder has been a fixture on the Oregon music scene over the past 4 decades. He has played guitar in about every genre of music in Oregon including the Oregon Symphony, Mel Brown, Obo Addy, Thara Memory, Jeff Lorber’s Fusion and Cool’r. Many internationally known artists including Herbie Hancock, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Miller, Gino Vanelli and Robert Cray have called upon his talents. Besides being the go to guitarist, both live and in the studio, he is also known as a great composer, arranger and producer. He currently fronts his own band the Soulmates.
INDUSTRY PEOPLE
DR. DEMENTO (BARRY HANSEN)
Dr. Demento was a Reed College student, who became station manager of the campus FM station before graduating as a music major. He then moved to LA where he did a stint as a roadie for both Spirit and Canned Heat before going to work for Specialty Records putting together R&B collections. In 1970, he officially became Dr. Demento, doing a weekly show on the radio in LA playing great novelty and oddity songs of the past. The show was syndicated in 1974 due to its high ratings and actually launched the career of Weird Al Yankovic. He has been commissioned to create compilations for several record labels, including OMHOF Inductee John Fahey as well as his own series of novelty compilations on Rhino Records.
BILLY TRIPLETT
Billy Triplett was a sound engineer, one of the best ever known. When he was working the boards locally, it was a joy and relief to every musician who knew him and enlightenment to those who did not know him, to have him on the boards that night. The list of bands he did sound for here in Portland goes on forever, from Billy Rancher to Nu Shooz. His talent was recognized all over the world. Over the years he worked with Prince, Pat Benetar, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Paul McCartney, ZZ Top and many others. He was able to make an artist sound the best they could possibly sound. Over the years he also took on the roles of producer, manager and tour manager. Billy passed away in 2013 but will be remembered for big talents and big heart.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
PORTUGAL. THE MAN
Portugal. The man takes this years Artist of the Year honors. Formerly of the state of Alaska, Portugal. The Man moved to Portland in 2004. In 2013 they released their 6th album “Evil Friends’, which was well received by critics and fans. It was produced by Danger Mouse. The band’s success led to playing shows and festivals all over the world.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
JANICE SCROGGINS: “Piano Love” was released in October and was just the 3rd release, which carried Janice’s name on the cover, though she was one of the most active musicians in the city. Michael Allen Harrison, a peer and admirer of Janice’s talents, produced the album. Janice was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
2014
2013
Inductees
ARTIST
CHRIS BOTTI
Trumpeter and composer Chris Botti was born in Portland and grew up in Corvallis. He picked up the trumpet at age nine. After playing in the clubs in Portland while still in high school, Chris ended up at Indiana University. He then went off to New York where he played with Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich before playing and recording with Paul Simon for 10 years. He has since played or performed with Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, and Sting among others. He has released 13 albums including 3 reaching the #1 spot on the Billboard Jazz charts. He has had five Grammy Award nominations and won one at this year’s awards.
HAZEL
Hazel came together in Portland in 1992. Pete Krebs, Jody Bleyle, Brady Smith along with dancer Fred Nemo made a big impact on the then alternative rock scene in Portland. They were signed to the Sub Pop label releasing two albums. Hazel’s music was unlike most of the then grunge sounding bands on Sub Pop, then again their music was unlike anything anyone was doing at that time. Their shows are legendary with Fred’s dancing presence enhancing the music of the band in a very unusual and exciting way. In 1997, they released an EP before officially calling it quits but have from time to time got together for a reunion show including last year at MFNW.
POISON IDEA
Poison Idea began in Portland in 1980 by vocalist Jerry A. They have had numerous band members over the years but will always be known for Jerry A. and Tom “Pig Champion” Roberts as the main constants most of those years. Their debut album came out in 1983 and the have since had over 30 releases between albums, EPs and singles. Their music was influenced by the hardcore music that was going on in California, however their music had an influence on numerous bands over the years including Machine Head, Zeke, Turbonegro, Pantera and Nirvana. Their live shows were energy packed and often included fire-breathing finales.
KELLY JOE PHELPS
Kelly Joe Phelps grew up on folk and country music but gravitated to jazz and playing bass. He began discovering the legends of acoustic blues and moved to playing blues and roots influenced music on guitar. He released his debut album Lead Me On, on Portland’s Burnside Records in 1995. He has since released an additional 10 albums moving into many different directions of roots music including his critically acclaimed 2012 release Brother Sinner & the Whale. He regularly tours around the world. His playing has been featured on countless albums by such artists as Townes Van Zandt, Tony Furtado, Greg Brown and Jay Farrar.
RICHMOND FONTAINE
20 years ago at Portland Meadows as vocalist /songwriter Willy Vlautin and bassist Dave Harding were picking the horses and talking music, they decided to form a band. Since then Richmond Fontaine has been churning out a very unique and exciting form of Americana music. Their first 3 releases came out on Portland’s own Cavity Search Records and they have released 10 albums in all. Their music really hit a nerve in Europe where they regularly tour and have received tremendous press including Uncut Magazine naming two of their albums, Post To Wire and The Fitzgerald, masterpieces.
SIDE PLAYERS
JANICE SCROGGINS
Janice Scroggins moved to Portland in 1978 and has been a permanent fixture on the music scene here. She was part of the band The Esquires who made three albums with Portland’s Flying Heart label, which also included OMHOF inductee Carlton Jackson. Her solo album Janice Plays Scott Joplin was well received and received a Grammy nomination. She’s one of the most in-demand pianists in town playing with the likes of Obo Addy, Norman Sylvester, Lloyd Jones, Thara Memory, Curtis Salgado and Linda Hornbuckle to name a few, both live and in the studio. She can play all genres of music but is most heard on the blues and gospel scene. Her second release came out in 2009, a duet album with OMHOF inductee, Linda Hornbuckle.
GREGG WILLIAMS
If you look up Gregg Williams, you will find over 250 credits of albums he has played drums on, produced or engineered. He has recorded with and/or toured with the likes of Quarterflash, Sheryl Crow, The Dandy Warhols, Blitzen Trapper, Nu Shooz, Jerry Joseph, Pete Droge and Emmylou Harris to name a few. He’s played in most all the clubs in Portland and has also played 15,000 seat rooms. He is the owner of Trench Studios in Portland, but he is often found traveling to work with artists at other studios around the country.
INDUSTRY PEOPLE
MAYOR BUD CLARK
In 1984, Bud Clark, the owner of the Goose Hollow Inn, ran for mayor of the City of Portland against Frank Ivancie. To help pay the campaign debts an event called the Mayor’s Ball was organized with many from the music community of Portland offering their services to play. Mayor Bud Clark then sanctioned a Mayor’s Ball each year for the next four years as an annual charity event. This event showcased up to 70 Oregon based artists during the night including many OMHOF Inductees. His contributions and support of the musical arts in Portland during his eight years in office was up and beyond anyone who has served as Mayor of Portland.
MARTY HUGHLEY
Marty Hughley started his music career at Music Millennium in the early 80s. In the mid 80s he started writing for the Willamette Week part time but soon took on the position of full time music editor. Marty’s support of the local music scene could be seen in his writing and you could see Marty out at live show most nights of the week. In 1990, he became a music critic at The Oregonian, a position he held for more than 16 years, until he made a change to theater and dance. He continued his support and coverage for both local musicians and local music events and to many a reader, and was one of the cities main information sources to find out what to be on the look out for and who to go see.
2012 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
CURTIS SALGADO
There were many incredible albums by Oregon artists in 2012 but the honors go to longtime Oregon artist Curtis Salgado. Soul Shot was his first solo album to come out on Alligator Records. It also proved to be the best album of his career. Curtis picked up a Muddy Award for “Best National Blues Album.” He also recently took home the Soul Blues Album of the Year Award along with Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year honors in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards.
2012 ARTIST OF THE YEAR
ESPERANZA SPALDING
Esperanza Spalding is the 2012 Artist of the Year, an honor she took once before in 2010. Her album, Radio Music Society, hit #10 on the Billboard Pop Charts, as well as #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. She was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists, which she shared with OMHOF Inductee Thara Memory. She also received Best Contemporary Jazz Album at the Soul Train Music Awards.
Inductees
ARTISTS
EVERCLEAR
Art Alexakis moved to Portland and started Everclear in 1992. With their first album “World of Noise” being released on Tim Kerr Records creating a buzz, the band signed to Capitol Records. The band released 5 albums on Capitol Records including 2 Platinum and 1 Double Platinum. They had numerous hit singles including the now classic “Father of Mine” and “I Will Buy You a New House.” The band was nominated for a Grammy and was named Billboard Magazine’s Modern Rock Band of the Year. The classic line-up of Art with Craig Montoya (bass) and Greg Eklund (drums) parted company in 2003, but Everclear continues to release albums and is currently on the Summerland Tour with Lit, Marcy Playground and Sugar Ray.
THE HUDSON BROTHERS
Brett, Bill and Mark Hudson started playing together in 1965. In 1967 they won a battle of the bands contest and were signed to a record label, calling themselves the New Yorkers. In 1970, they changed their name to Hudson and continued releasing music for various labels, including Playboy Records and Decca. In 1973 they changed their name to the Hudson Brothers after signing to Elton John’s Rocket Records. In 1974 they had their own TV variety show, The Hudson Brothers Show, followed the next year by the Hudson Brothers’ Razzle Dazzle Hour. They released albums on Arista, Casablanca and Elektra up to 1981 when they disbanded. Mark has continued in music producing and writing for Ringo Starr and Aerosmith, among others. Brett has continued in music as well as working in TV production. Bill also continues to work in music.
PATRICK LAMB
Patrick Lamb studied early with OMHOF inductee Thara Memory and won Best Soloist at the Lionel Hampton Jazz competition. Since then he has played with numerous musicians as a much in-demand sax player in all fields of music. He has won 3 Muddy Awards from the Cascade Blues Association and was awarded the Independent Spirit Award from the City of Portland. He plays with Grammy winner Diane Schuur as well with legendary artists Gino Vanelli and Bobby Caldwell. His project “A NW Tribute to Ray Charles” got great reviews and was featured with the Oregon Symphony.
CHRIS MILLER Guitarist Chris Miller played in one of Portland’s most popular bands in the late ’80s and early ’90s, The Rockin’ Razorbacks. The Razorbacks’ fan base grew and the band played regularly all over the NW. He then played in a blues band called the Terraplanes before moving to Texas. Playing with artists such as Junior Brown and Marcia Ball (which included a performance at the White House), Chris became popular with both fans and other musicians. The legendary Dave Alvin asked Chris to join his band and Chris became Dave’s right hand man, playing both steel and electric guitar.
CALVIN WALKER Calvin Walker was more than a drummer and the leader of the Calvin Walker Band. Calvin was a pivotal player in the Portland Music scene from the late ’70s as a producer, manager and promoter. He has produced music for many local artists including Michael Allen Harrison, Five Fingers of Funk and Sheila Wilcoxson, as well as many others. He was also an active member of the Portland Music Association and was always finding ways to help the local music community. In 2003 he became the Development Director of KMHD Radio, a position he held until OPB purchased the station. Calvin also owns Nacawana Projects Productions, a company that produces music recording and video.
U-KREW In 1984 a group emerged on the scene in Portland called the Untouchable Krew: Kevin Morse, Larry Bell, Lavell Alexander, J.Mack and Hakim. Their mixture of hip-hop and R&B built up a strong local following. They soon shortened their name to U-Krew. In 1989 they were signed to Enigma Records and released their self-titled album, “The U-Krew,” which hit #93 on the Billboard Top 200. There were two singles released as well; “If You Were Mine” reached #21 and “Let Me Be Your Lover” reached #68. U-Krew is credited with being the pioneers of the hip-hop scene in the state of Oregon.
DANNY SCHAUFFLER Danny Schauffler has been one of the busiest sax players in Oregon. Over the years he has played or recorded with Felicidades, Sky River, Paul Delay, Quarterflash, The Rockin’ Razorbacks, Dan Reed Network, Johnny Limbo, Tom Grant, The California Raisins and others. He was a member of Oregon Music Hall of Fame bands Nu Shooz and the Crazy 8’s. It was with the Crazy 8s that Danny became known not only for his playing but also his energetic stage presence. He is a high school music teacher and also books the music at the Lake Oswego Arts Fair.
D.K. STEWART D.K. is a go-to guy in the community when a keyboard player is needed. D.K. Stewart has been performing in Oregon since the 1970s when he was in the Nighthawks in Eugene. He’s had the opportunity to perform with some of the legends of the blues such Big Walter Horton, Hubert Sumlin, Sunnyland Slim, James Cotton, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Joe Louis Walker, Roomful of Blues, Albert Collins and others. He played in NW bands led by Lloyd Jones, Robert Cray, Jim Mesi and Paul Delay before starting his own band in the mid ’80s. He has won multiple Cascade Blues Association awards and is a member of the Muddy Hall of Fame.
TOM ROBINSON AND MARK STEN OF CONCERT SOUND The Portland punk movement of the late ’70s could not have existed without the presence of Tom Robinson & Mark Sten and their company, Concert Sound. Concert Sound was there doing sound for the Rats (Fred & Toody Cole), The Neo Boys, Poison Idea, The Wipers and many others. They did sound for Oregon Music Hall of Fame Bands like the Crazy 8’s and the Dan Reed Network. They cared about artists that played in this town and the music they loved, as well as caring about the sound the artist got. They also did sound for many nationally and internationally known artists who played in Portland.
IRIS HARRISON Iris Harrison started doing radio at KVAN-AM, a progressive rock station in the ’70s, before moving onto KGON-FM. To many, Iris is KGON and she has entertained radio listeners and turned them on to both new and classic rock for over 35 years. Iris has been a great champion of Oregon-based artists, including being the first in the country to play Johnny & The Distractions. You will see her at tons of live music shows, from legends like Tom Petty and Roger Waters to local favorites like the Crazy 8’s. Not surprisingly, you will also find her talking to her listeners at these events. She is genuinely a music fan and great supporter of causes in the community, from musician benefits to health issues.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2011
THE DECEMBERISTS
In January 2011, The Decemberists released possibly their best album to date, and one of the most critically acclaimed albums in the world: “The King Is Dead”. They also released a limited edition CD, “Live At Bull Moose”, for Record Store Day in April and another live release in November, titled “Long Live The King”. They appeared on both Late Night With David Letterman and The Jay Leno Show during the last year.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2011
THE DECEMBERISTS
2011 was a great year for releases by Oregon artists but the Decemberists’ “The King Is Dead” took this year’s honors. The album found the band taking a somewhat different approach to their music, with an amazing collection of well-crafted songs.
2012
2011
Inductees
ARTISTS
DHARMA BUMS
Jeremy Wilson (vocals, guitar), Eric Lovre (guitar, vocals), John Moen (drums, vocals) and Jimmy Talstra (bass) formed the Dharma Bums in their hometown of Silverton in 1986. They soon made their base in Portland and went on to release 3 albums and play over 200 dates a year during their 6 year run in the US and Europe. The band helped lead the way for the alternative rock explosion in Portland in the ‘90s. All 4 have continued playing music and in 2010 they did a reunion show to a full house at the Crystal Ballroom and released an album of unreleased material.
JEFFREY FREDERICK AND THE CLAMTONES
Jeffrey Frederick started the Clamtones in the late ‘60s in Vermont but soon morphed the band into Automatic Slim & the Fat Boys. In 1975, at the urging of Robin Remaily of the Holy Modal Rounders, Jeffrey moved to Portland and started a new version of the Clamtones. The Clamtones included Dave Reisch (vocals, bass), Robin Remaily (guitar and mandolin, Teddy Deane (horns & woodwinds), Richard Tyler (piano) and Roger North (drums). The band morphed into Les Clams and later included Turtle Vandermarr, Kevin “Bingo” Richey, Lex Browning and Jim Boyer. The band developed a reputation for being “one of the best bar bands in the country”. In 1997, Jeffrey passed on but left a legacy of music that is still being released.
SEQUEL
Sequel was one of the most popular bands in Oregon in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Sequel’s harder rock sound combined with great vocal harmony and songwriting led them to become one of the top-drawing bands in the state, playing back-to-back clubs every week. The band consisted of Greg Georgeson (guitar, vocals), Todd Jensen (bass, vocals), Dave Wall (guitar, vocals) and Grant Roholt (drums). Their 1982 debut album was a staple on KGON. In 1983 they recorded the follow-up. Elektra Records asked them to shelve the album, as they were interested in signing the band and releasing it. While waiting for all the Elektra decision makers to give the green light, the band ended up breaking up. In the last decade the band has reunited to do a few shows, including a packed house at the Roseland and opening for Loverboy.
NORMAN SYLVESTER
Norman Sylvester has been has been playing the blues a long time. His band has been together since 1985, delivering good-time original blues music around the NW at both clubs and festivals. Norman, known also as the Boogie Cat, has been featured on over a dozen records, including on his own Boogie Cat Productions label and the Rose City Blues Festival album. Norman has also been a great supporter of community projects and events, where he and his band help spread goodwill through their music. He’s also a winner of several Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards, including the Back What You Believe In award.
WHEATFIELD
Wheatfield began as a folk-duo in 1971 with Pete Wolfe and Will Hobbs. Within the year they added a bass player, lead guitarist and drummer and went on to be one of the most popular bands in the state, as well as playing the entire NW and British Columbia. Their style branched out to include influences of rock, folk, bluegrass, country, rock and even jazz. In 1980 they released their first full-length album, produced by longtime Steve Miller harmonica player Norton Buffalo. That year KOIN TV ran a prime time TV special on the band that was shown all over the state. In 1982, the band broke up, although they still kept doing occasional reunions. They are now back as an active band and released a new album in 2010.
SIDE PLAYERS
PHIL BAKER
Phil Baker has played with some of the best. He toured with Diana Ross for 9 years. He has played with Eddie Harris, Joe Henderson, Diane Schuur, Les McCann, Tom Scott, and Ernie Watts among others. He even took the stage with Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Linda Ronstadt years ago during the prestigious “Motown 25” special. For the last 6 years, he has been the bass player for Pink Martini. Over the years, Phil has taught hundreds of students and put on dozens of clinics. He also writes a monthly column for Bass Musician magazine.
SAM HENRY
Sam Henry has been drumming in bands in Portland for 4 decades. He has played in The Wipers, The Rats, Napalm Beach, Poison Idea, Snow Bud & The Flower People and Morgan Grace, among others. His bands were a staple at Portland’s legendary Satyricon. Though some may think of Sam as Portland’s quintessential punk drummer, he has also played funk with Shock, 1930s swing jazz with the Stolen Sweets and even country roots music with Michael Dean Damron, as well as most every other genre of music. Sam is also a music instructor giving drum lessons to many up-and-coming musicians.
INDUSTRY
BOB ANCHETA
After building his own radio station as a teen in the attic of his parents’ house, while still a senior in high school, Bob began his real radio career in 1970 on Portland’s legendary underground music station KVAN-AM. This was followed by a stint at KQIV-FM, Portland’s only ever quadraphonic radio station. In 1977 Bob joined KGON-FM, spending 18 years on air at his powerhouse station. One of his great attributes was knowledge of the music and artists he played. His on air talking was as exciting as the music he turned people on to. He went on to Earth 105. Today you still hear Bob every Sunday with his Blues show on KINK-FM. You may also hear his voice work on many stations from his company Internet Jock. Bob was also the stage manager for the Paramount Theater in the ‘70s and manager of the band Sequel.
GEORGE TOUHOULIOTIS
To quote George Touhouliotis, “I had an interest in the culture of music. Not the music, per se, but what the bands represented. That was the beauty of the punks: they were real.” George gave Portland a club called Satyricon. George opened up Satyricon to bands that, in many cases, could not get gigs in the other rooms in town because they were playing music out on the fringe. George and the Satyricon became the second home for both the musicians who played there as well as the fans. Portland bands like the Wipers, Dead Moon, The Dharma Bums, The Crazy 8s, The Jackals, Napalm Beach and Poison Idea played there. National acts like Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Flaming Lips also played gigs there.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
ESPERANZA SPALDING
Esperanza Spalding taught herself violin and within a year was good enough to earn a spot in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon. At age 15, she became concertmaster. After switching to bass and attending Darrell Grant’s music program at Portland State, she enrolled at Berklee College of Music. In 2005, at age 20, she became the youngest instructor in the school’s history. She has released 3 albums, with her second release, “Esperanza”, being on the jazz charts for 70 weeks. Her 2010 release, “Chamber Music Society” became a hit with both fans and critics and landed her an appearance on the Grammy Awards as well as a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Inductees
ARTISTS
Black ‘N Blue In the late 70’s, a glam metal band appeared in Portland called Movie Star. The band included guitarist Tommy Thayer, vocalist Jamie St. James, drummer Pete Holmes, bassist Patrick Young and guitarist Jeff Warner. That band became Black ‘N Blue, releasing their 1984 debut album on Geffen with the hit single “Hold On To 18”. The band recorded three more albums for Geffen, with two produced by Gene Simmons of KISS. The band broke up in 1989, reuniting in 1997 and again in 2007. The band is currently reunited without Tommy, who replaced Ace Frehley in KISS in 2002.
Kevin Burke Kevin Burke is regarded as the finest Irish fiddler in the world. His career has spanned 5 decades, starting with his first recordings in the 60’s with a band called Glenside. He has played with the Irish legend Christy Moore and spent a large portion of the 70’s in the Bothy Band, which is highly regarded as one of the finest traditional Celtic music bands ever. Kevin and one of his musical collaborators, Michael O’Domhnaill, ended up in Portland, Oregon and made several albums together. Kevin has since recorded eight releases with the band Patrick Street, three with Open House, three Celtic Fiddle Festival recordings as well as several new releases with Cal Scott.
Tim Hardin Tim Hardin was born in Eugene, Oregon in 1941 and began his musical career in Greenwich Village playing folk and blues music. In 1966 he recorded his first album for Verve Forecast. Over his short life, he recorded eight additional studio albums, a live album and an album of demos. Two of his songs have gone down in music history as classics; “Reason To Believe”, which was covered by Rod Stewart, and “If I Were A Carpenter”, a top 10 hit for Bobby Darrin that was covered by over 100 artists. Tim played at the legendary Woodstock festival with a band that included both Glen Moore and Ralph Towner (both would go on to form the band “Oregon”). In 1980, Tim Hardin died of a heroin overdose at the age of 39. He was buried at Twin Oaks Cemetery in Turner, Oregon.
Linda Hornbuckle Linda Hornbuckle began singing in her father’s church at age six. Her immersion in gospel later blossomed into other styles of music including soul, funk and blues. Her talents have led to her being invited to tour and record with the likes of Dan Reed , Quarterflash and Nu Shooz, among others. She was lead vocalist for Body + Soul and the No Delay Band, as well as launching her own solo career which produced two critically acclaimed solo albums. She recently released a duo album with Janice Scroggins. Linda has been a recipient of Muddy Awards for best female vocalist.
Rebecca Kilgore Rebecca Kilgore is a jazz vocalist extraordinaire with over 30 recordings to her credit, including multiple recordings with Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy winner David Frishberg. She’s been a frequent guest on NPR’s Fresh Air and has appeared on Prairie Home Companion. She has performed at almost all the major jazz clubs in the country. Rebecca is also a musicologist and has hosted a series on jazz on public radio. As Michael Feinstein stated, “Rebecca is simply one of the best interpreters of the great American songbook.”
SIDE PLAYERS
Denny Bixby Denny Bixby developed his chops in Portland and played with the Terry Robb Trio in the 80’s, also touring with jazz keyboardist Jeff Lorber. In the late 80’s, Denny moved to Nashville, performing with Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Gail Davies, Buddy Miller and the legendary Chet Atkins. He was also a member of Great Plains, who released several albums and had four singles hit the country charts. In recent years, Denny has been performing with Rodney Crowell as well as recording solo material. He has moved back to Portland and can be seen playing with many of his old friends from the 70’s and 80’s.
Peter Dammann Peter Dammann is a former Chicago native who came to visit Portland for a while and never left. His guitar skills and love of blues music landed him the job of lead guitarist in the Paul deLay Band. It also landed him the talent booking position for the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival. He’s a multi- Muddy Award winner, both with Paul deLay and in the best blues guitarist category. Peter was also the guitarist for the No Delay Band, has been a guest player with too many artists to mention, and is currently the guitarist for DK4.
INDUSTRY PEOPLE
Andy Gilbert Andy Gilbert graduated with degrees in music and business and took a job with Headwater, a talent agency. After six months, he decided to open his own agency, Pacific Talent. For the past 35 years he has helped Oregon artists get live gigs, with Pacific Talent becoming the largest talent-booking agency in the state. He has produced numerous festivals, conventions and corporate events in Oregon. He has worked with Nu Shooz, the Crazy 8s, Quarterflash, Tom Grant and Pink Martini, to name a few. He is always eager to find new, talented artists and help them get their careers going.
Mike Quinn Mike Quinn has been in the concert promotion business since his days of booking shows while in college at the University of Oregon. In 1983 he and business partner Chris Monlux formed Monqui Presents. They operated most of their shows out of the Pine Street Theater (later changed to La Luna), and made it a point to have local artists opening on all their bills. Today Monqui is one of the largest independent promoters in the country. Mike has managed a number of artists over the years, including the Dandy Warhols. In 2004 he opened the Doug Fir Lounge, one of Portland’s premier music venues, and continues to champion local musical talent.
Les Sarnoff Les Sarnoff moved to Portland in the early 70’s to be an actor. However, his love of music led him to become a DJ for KGON in 1974. In 1977 he moved over to KINK. Minus a couple of years in the 80’s, Les continued to work at KINK until he passed away due to cancer in 2009. To many, Les was KINK Radio, with his friendly voice being the beginning and bright point of their day. In person, Les was the same friendly person you heard on the air. Les was involved with many musical events in the community and did whatever he could to promote the musical arts.
2010 Artist Of The Year
OMHOF has added an additional award category this year. The category is Artist of the Year, and this year’s recipient is Pink Martini. Formed in 1994 by Thomas Lauderdale, Pink Martini has since gone on to international acclaim. They have toured around the world and released four albums and a DVD on their self-owned record label.
2026 OMHOF University Scholarship RecipientsAugust 21, 2026 - 11:15 am
