Leon Smith and the Basics (1960-1966) Genre: Rockabilly Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Best known for the top 40’s hit song, “Little 40 Ford”. The song, written by Wayne Marshall, was recorded in early 1959 in a Eugene basement studio with an earlier version of the band, The Orbit Rockers. It was released on a local […]
Featured Bands & Musicians

Turkey Run
Genre: bluegrass/country-rock Base Location: Eugene, OR Members: Robert Adler – Drums, Standup Bass Tony Dal Molin – Guitar, Pedal Steel, Vocals Paul Friedlander – Bass, Banjo, Vocals Gary Robinson – Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals TURKEY RUN – started out as bluegrass/country-rock band initially. In fact, Robert played stand up bass and there was no drummer. Turkey Run, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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), […]

Sires
The Sires (1964-1969) Genre: Garage Rock Base Location: Eugene, OR The Sires were teenagers from Eugene and nearby Springfield, Oregon, forming at Sheldon High School in 1964 and breaking up in 1969. Members: Marty Berg – Vocals Mike Briggs – Rhythm Guitar, Bass Ron Craig – Lead Guitar (also played in The Tempters) Robert Grebb – Drums […]

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 […]

Blues Print
Blues Print was started in 1967, in Eugene, Oregon and dissolved in 1969. Genre: Blues and Rock Original Members from 1967-1968: (all 16-17 years old) Bruce Knutson – Drums (’67-’68) Allan Pearson – Lead Guitar Doug Moore – Guitar Dennis Haase – Bass Darrell Murray – Vocals, Trombone Members between 1968-1969: John Tabor – Drums Stan Beacraft – […]
