ARCHIVES – GORGE DAYS 2023
Some seating will be available, but mainly grass seating – blankets and small chairs are allowed.
No outside alcohol or glass beverage containers.
Keegan Smith with Wil Kinky and Jermaine
Keegan Smith is a Portland, Oregon native who has been a staple of the Pacific Northwest music scene for the last 18 years. He has won many accolades, including landslide victories for Male Artist of the Year and Best Live Performance at the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Portland Music Awards. Due largely to an eclectic style ranging from Funk, Blues, and Reggae to Pop and Hip-Hop, the band plays all over the country and has an amazing and diverse fan base. Wil Kinky is a Portland based singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. With vocals like Joe Cocker, and a guitar style reminiscent of Jimmy Hendrix; he blends blues, rock, soul, and other genres into an unexpected flavor of sound all his own. Jermaine is a Portland based singer/songwriter and guitar player who loves to put down the grooves with a loop pedal. Hailing from gospel choirs in the Midwest, he’s now the lead singer for the Kinky Brothers.
Idle Poets
The Voice – Craig Marquardo Our fearless leader started out as a pop singer, working with the likes of Sting, Peter Gabriel, Bono and others. He then got introduced to jazz and the love affair was on. He has toured around the world and played in tiny bistros to giant sports arenas. The ‘Poets’ is a perfect blend of all of those styles and experiences. The Hands – Dave Fleschner Dave is one of the most talented and well-respected players on the west coast. He has played with legends like BB King, Steve Miller and The Pointer Sisters, while having toured with Curtis Salgado and played with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. His guidance as musical director will raise the Poets game to a new level. The Texture – Lance Vallis Lance went to the Berklee College of Music, and has a Masters of Music degree in jazz studies from Portland State. So the guy is a little smart. When not performing around the world on international cruises, he slums it with us and gives us our fun edgy sound. The Rhythm – Richard Armida Richard is a transplant from SoCal and brought his unique sound to the PNW recently. He is a veteran stage performer having worked with The Temptations, The O-Jays, The Spinners, The Grass Roots and Johnny Mathis. Man he is old. His roots are in Rhythm and Blues which makes him a great Poet. The Tempo – Tom Andes Tom has been in the music scene his entire life, playing for all varieties of bands. He trained in symphonic and jazz styles, but has played everything from blues to metal. His sure sense of timing and just enough sense of flair makes him a perfect Poet.
Big River Blues Band
In 2016, Columbia Gorge residents Don McCaskell (guitar, vocals), Rolf Diek (bass), Dan Boller (keyboards, vocals), and Jose Maya (drums) formed the Big River Blues Band. Each member had a long history of performing, their love and passion for the Blues bringing them together. The band’s objective is to walk in the footsteps of the blues giants they admire, but they also play
original songs, written by Don McCaskell and Dan Boller. With their own unique voice and a wide diversity of backgrounds, each member of the band delivers a sound that truly reaches the audience. The Big River Blues Band, the band from the heart of the Gorge.
Double D’s
Formed in 2013, this local Gorge band brings an exhilarating brand of progressive Rock & Roll for captivating high-energy performances . The band members, Dan Guldenzopf (lead guitar and vocals), Jeff Vandermoss (Bass), Dennis Morgan (lead guitar and vocals), and Rolf Diek (drums and backup vocals), blend musicianship, creativity and tradition that transport audiences back in time.
Westbound City Train
Westbound City Train is a trio of friends who have enjoyed Portland’s music together over the last two decades and eventually formed a band of our own! We play an eclectic mix of music with a range of influences infused within our sound spanning the likes of old time, folk, blues, and more. With Charlie Watters on the banjo, Cary Watters on the fiddle, and John Storie on the guitar, we all sing at various times, and love sharing our music with the world!
Apathetic Rubbish
Mangling guitar riffs since like the middle of last week, the members of Apathetic Rubbish display a profound lack of talent rivaled only by their terrible fashion sense and stage presence.
