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Lane County Music History Project

Explore Our Rich Music History

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Featured Bands & Musicians

Vern Minkler

Vern Minkler (1916-1984)

Vern Minkler was an baseball player, musician and music venue owner in Lane County. Background: 1916 – Born in Oklahoma 1932 – Name in RG Vaughn News Notes – attending a social 1937 – Worked at the Vaughn Store 1939 – Lived in Oakridge, Oregon 1938 – Baseball player for the Public Market (center fielder for local team) […]

burton sisters

Burton Sisters

Burton Co-Ed Harmonizers were a popular family musical group who performed with a non-traditional mix of instruments and comedic costumes. The Harmonizers comprised of five sisters and performed in 1926-1929. Nov 5, 1928 – The McDonald has selected Johnny Robinson’s “Varsity Vagabonds” and the Burton Sisters’ “Co-Ed Harmonizers” Orchestra. The Burton Sisters are to appear in […]

In Crowd

In Crowd

Active Years: 1965 Genre: Garage Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Members: Marve Floyd Clark Lynch – drums Lloyde Barnhurst   Clark Lynch of the In Crowd at Bimbos

Notary Sojac

Notary Sojac

Though originally from Tigard, Notary Sojac had strong ties to Eugene and settled here and Springfield in the mid 70’s.  – Doug Wilson Genre:  From driving rock to jazzy instrumental improv and interplay, to blues and country. Members: Mario Bolivar – Drums Justin Bonner – Drums, Vocals Will Herold – Keyboards Bobb Koski -Rhythm Guitar, Flute, Coronet, Vocals Steve Koski […]

Party Kings

Bill Rhoades and The Party Kings

Active Years: 1975 – 1985 in Eugene, Oregon Genre: Blues The band was originally formed in the mid-70’s in Eugene, Oregon as Bill Rhoades Blues Band then later became the Party Kings. Bill moved to Portland in the mid-80’s and continued the band in a different configuration. The Party Kings played a mixture of Blues music styles […]

Arroyo

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 […]

Western Valley Boys at the Melody Ranch

Leon Smith

Location: West Eugene, Oregon With roots in the early rock ‘n roll scene, now known as Rockabilly music, Leon Smith can be found in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Leon Smith’s 1959 hit single, Little 40 Ford, quickly rose to the top of the charts on the West Coast and allowed him to make his mark […]

Wheatfield

Wheatfield

Wheatfield (1971-2006) Genre: Americana/Folk/Bluegrass/Country/Rock Base Location: Eugene, OR Wheatfield formed in October, 1971, as a folk duo by Pete Wolfe and Will Hobbs, who met in the Odyssey Coffee House in Eugene, Oregon. Their first impromptu rendition of “Helplessly Hoping” met with immediate applause, and the two decided they had something special and worth pursuing. Within […]

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