The Searchin’ Soul blues band was a popular Eugene-based blues band between 1966 and 1972, and was fronted by guitarist/vocalist, Dave Acker. The band played Blues covers by B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Paul Butterfield, and Little Walter plus their own originals. They had a unique Northwest Blues sound that helped establish the Blues movement in Eugene, Oregon and […]
Featured Bands & Musicians
Caracas
Caracas was a popular Latin Jazz band based in Eugene, Oregon. Active Years: 1979-1984 Original Members Mario Bressanutti Tony Proveaux Randy Deutcher Nathan Waddell Members Mario Bressanutti Paul Schimming (trumpet) Dennis Caffey (Drums) Mark Schneider (bass) Juan Lara (congas) Curtis Kraft (congas) Sal Figueroa (percussion) Additional musicians who also shared presentations of “Caracas” include: Lynn Baker (sax), […]
Cole McElroy
Cole McElroy (1888 – 1947) J. Cole McElroy, also known as “Pop” McElroy was a popular Jazz musician and widely known dance hall manager from Oregon. “Born in Corvallis to E.B. McElroy, he moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon in the late 1800’s. He graduated from UO in 1900. In 1910, after nine years managing his father’s […]
Mithrandir
Mithrandir was a popular folk band based in Eugene Oregon. Active Years: 1970-1982 The three sisters Kathy Burleson, Janie Smith and Kriss Crowley moved to Eugene from L.A. in the ’70s. Burleson describes Mithrandir’s music as “island rock, a cross between Latin and soul.” The group officially disbanded in 1982. – Source, Eugene Weekly – […]
Jackdaw
Genre: Folk Active Years: Early 1970’s Home Base: Eugene, Oregon Members: Wayne Drury – lead guitar, vocals Rob Anderson – lead guitar, vocals Randall Crawford – bass, banjo, vocals Comments From the Band: We worked together in the Eugene area in coffeehouses and misc. venues; mostly playing the brilliant songs Wayne wrote (see Wayne Drury […]
Genetics
The Genetics (1965-1969) Genre: Music that Swings – Rock and Roll Base Location: Eugene, Oregon The Genetics were young…it’s reported that they were only 13 when they started in 1965. Group consisted of Vic Bearden (Guitar), Doug Gustafson (Guitar), and Phil Jessen (Drums). Members from 1967-1968 Vic Beardon – Guitar Jay Bonzer – Guitar Mike Chapman – Drums […]
Arroyo
Active Years: 1975 – 1977 Genre: Folk/Country Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Arroyo was founded by Don Ross after leaving the band “Wheatfield”. Arroyo had steady regular gigs at Murphy and Me in Eugene, the Reed Opera House and the Oregon Museum tavern in Salem, and Sacks Front Avenue and the Last Hurrah in Portland. They also […]
Soft
The Soft was a three piece band that played at many of the junior & high schools and parks and recreation dances, the Springfield Broiler Festival, Valley River Center, private parties, the Eugene Armory, and various clubs around Lane County. The three members were in junior high school with they started the band. Active Years: Early 1970’s Genre: Rock Base […]