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Lane County Music History Project

Explore Our Rich Music History

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Willamette Records

Categories: 1950s, 1960s, Eugene, Recording Studio/Label

Located at 2272 Roosevelt Blvd in Eugene, Oregon, Orbit Sound Company (country acts), Willamette Records (1959-1960) and Myrtle Mountain Publishing Company were founded by Lloyd “Grandpappy” Smith, an upright bass player and bandleader of the Western Valley Boys, the Melody Ranch house band. Located at the same address Melody Ranch was a country western dance hall operated … [Read more...]

Orbit Sound

Categories: 1950s, 1960s, Country, Eugene, Recording Studio/Label

Located at 2272 Roosevelt Blvd in Eugene, Oregon, Orbit Sound Company (country acts), Willamette Records (1959-1960) and Myrtle Mountain Publishing Company were founded by Lloyd “Grandpappy” Smith, an upright bass player and bandleader of the Western Valley Boys, the Melody Ranch house band. Located at the same address Melody Ranch was a country western dance hall operated … [Read more...]

Rendezvous

Categories: 1960s, Eugene, Venue

Location: 99 N just over the overpass Active Years: 1959-? Building History Melody Ranch til 1959 Rendezvous Dancing every Saturday night! Music: Leon Bell and his Valley Ramblers (house band) … [Read more...]

Leon Smith

Categories: 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, Eugene, Featured, Musician, Rockabilly

Western Valley Boys at the Melody Ranch

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 in rock 'n roll history. Early in his career he shared the stage with numerous … [Read more...]

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