tag:freerangepickin.net,2005:/blogs/latest-newsLatest News2024-01-15T15:30:42-08:00Free Rangefalsetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/73343532024-01-15T15:30:42-08:002024-03-16T03:04:48-07:00Making music and community<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/139761/194c76cefe31ef3d93c2c2aac10f15a315ae6229/original/joesanchez-1sm.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="text-big" style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);"><strong>Joe Sanchez, Easyfolk and community</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><i><strong>One of the very best things about playing music in Portland is the opportunity to meet amazing people. Joe Sanchez is amazing in many ways, and we feel very happy to have met him.</strong></i></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Joe Sanchez learned about music and community at his childhood church.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">The choir and other church activities were a big part of his young life, and it was there he began to value the sense of community churches foster. It’s where he identified the elements that contribute to his sense of well-being: people, places, purpose and rhythm.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Through his business, Easyfolk Media, and the nonprofit he is starting, Joe uses those four principles to build a creative community among local musicians.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);"><strong>Joe’s musical roots</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Joe grew up singing and playing the piano. By the time he picked up the guitar as a teen he said, “I went toward rock and punk music.” But soon he got turned onto the world of Americana and singer-songwriters.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Hearing</span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAV0VmuRQHY"><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Josh Ritter</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> talk about his influences, Joe learned about Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt. That started his quest for great acoustic music.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">“It was always the songwriting for me – the narratives, the murder ballads, the honesty in the lyrics.” The drive to tell moving stories has inspired Joe’s songwriting ever since.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);"><strong>Joe’s community roots</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">As he got older, Joe always found himself longing for the structures that a religious setting provided. They provide purpose (‘why are we here?’), and even rhythms (‘we’re going to do this every week’).” – which for him defined “community”. And when he and his wife settled in Vancouver, WA, he was determined to apply those principles to supporting a musical community.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);"><strong>Easyfolk Media</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Joe moved to the Northwest toward the beginning of the pandemic – a perfect time to develop a new skill. In Joe’s case, the art of video making. As a way to connect with the music community and develop his craft, he reached out to local musicians and offered to produce free videos for them. (Cold emails included a preface: “Hey, I’m a real person! This is not a scam – I really am trying to build my own business this way!)</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Once he had a few takers who saw what he could do, he asked their help in connecting with others. And within a short time, he had a network of music connections – and a video business.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.easyfolkmedia.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Easyfolk Media</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> was the first step in bringing people together.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">The next steps furthered his goal of connecting people, while establishing the foundational rhythms and places of community.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">A friend suggested he start an <strong>Open Mic</strong> at</span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.haymakerportland.com/"><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>The Haymaker</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, a wonderful music-friendly venue (with exceptional food and an awesome bartender). Within a short time, Thursday evenings at the Haymaker became the place for talented singer-songwriters to gather, to listen and to perform. (Rhythm: every week. Place: The Haymaker.)</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">As a gift to performers and a great marketing tool, Joe combines footage from two wall-mounted cameras to create short, high-quality videos that he sends to each performer.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Joe’s new <strong>Featured Artist </strong>program is a super-innovative way to build community – while helping singer-songwriters break down the barriers solo artists often encounter. He has brought together six talented musicians/bands who have committed to a year-long program of collaboration, the sharing of ideas and resources, the opportunity to attend a song-writing retreat, and even a featured spot at </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.easyfolkmedia.com/easyfolk-fest"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Easyfolk Fest in Augus</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">t. (Rhythm: an annual event. Place:</span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://portlandplayhouse.org/"><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>The Portland Playhouse</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">.)</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Joe is in the process of creating a non-profit to help expand the opportunities offered by the Featured Artist program.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:hsl(30,75%,60%);"><strong>Purpose</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Purpose is the motivation behind all of Joe’s work and the other three principles of community. Joe is dedicated to good music – his own (he has a stunning voice and writes beautifully) and that of others. He is committed to helping people find each other, find encouragement, and find support, knowing that songwriting can be an isolating profession with few guides and many dead ends.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Joe hasn’t tried to take on the world, the city or the whole music world. He has applied his own intentions and desires to focus, step by step, on what he can influence in and around Portland in the most positive way.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">In the few short years he’s been in the area, he has made huge strides and affected many people.</span><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/72701042023-09-07T17:14:51-07:002024-01-15T15:29:33-08:00Love at the Donkey Sanctuary<p> </p><p>What happens when you combine two people who love kids, donkeys, dogs, their family, their friends – and each other? An amazing wedding at the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.oregondonkeys.org/" data-link-type="url">Donkey Sanctuary</a>, set up to make sure the kids have as much fun as possible.<br><br>Rachel and Cole invited us to play music during and after their sweet ceremony. Rachel is a Montessori teacher, and she had invited her kids to the wedding. So she invited Free Range to make sure there was some dance music that the little ones would enjoy.<br><br>I think the kids had a great time – and we had a terrific time, too.</p><p>Thanks to <a class="no-pjax" href="https://crystalgenes.net/" data-link-type="url">Crystal Genes Photography</a> for sharing her fabulous photography with us! Pictures in this case are worth a gazillion words.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/139761/4641f78a01f2c7309385bff0b6e1b1d46ea4a42e/original/wedding-donkey.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br><br><br><br> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/139761/e7306808a0e6f8f044fe9523cad5b9b9919b657f/original/wedding-dance.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/139761/ce68c2d0ea4f6cfaa1b1d7d20fb29f02754d26f7/original/wedding-best-man.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/139761/9804fb5bfdf378184cb09e5b1a73d730e90a6ddd/original/wedding-bridge-groom-and-kids.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/139761/ce9cd7f441e25615ba7f5196aff38989e3fe8705/original/wedding-fr-with-cute-child.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/72440012023-07-18T20:19:58-07:002023-09-07T16:39:14-07:00Berry Season<p>Some time ago, Matt wrote a song about stopping at a fruit stand on the way home from the coast. The song, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoZhCO4wQDw" data-link-type="url">Roadside Stand, </a>has been a favorite whenever he plays it, and it was recorded by the amazing <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/steve-spurgin-mn0000042494/discography" data-link-type="url">Steve Spurgin </a>(whose wife says it's her favorite song on that CD.) </p><p><i>Roadside Stand </i>describes a little girl – and we've all met someone like her – who likes to greet the folks stopping by her family's farm stand and to chat about whatever comes into her head. It's also a great summary of what we like about summers in Oregon – the stuff that's grown locally and that you can buy directly from the farmer. And the stuff that always tastes better than anything you'll ever get anywhere else.</p><p>Once again, we're in the height of berry season and fully indulging in Oregon's bounty. We're also glorying in how much fun it is to play once again during a full summer of markets and festivals – it fees like the first whole summer we've really experienced since 2020.</p><p>The food is still terrific, the tiny dancers are still adorable, and people seem happier than ever to listen to live music. I think we don't appreciate how much people have missed it until we see people snapping photos and taking videos of the performers.<br><br>Maybe we all need more live music in our lives?<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/139761/3696650007aca1d40f6ad2fe89359def767defe1/original/free-range-at-northwest-portland-farmers-market.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/70923092022-10-31T10:47:25-07:002023-07-12T23:36:32-07:00Dinosaurs and dragons and the end of a wonderful season<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/3acdf8aa975846322858041bdabc51da81638181/original/holloween-at-the-market-cropped.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em><span class="font_small">Photo Courtesy of Sarah Ells Fish</span></em><br><br>I hope that we are always able to play at a farmers market the weekend before Halloween.<br><br>Playing for dancing dragons and dinosaurs and Alice in Wonderland and a tiny Elvis is an awful lot of fun.Thanks to the <a contents="Woodstock Farmers Market" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://woodstockmarketpdx.com/">Woodstock Farmers Market</a> for allowing us to join in the celebration, as well as to the other markets we had the great pleasure to play at: <a contents="Oregon City," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://orcityfarmersmarket.com/">Oregon City,</a> <a contents="Hollywood" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/">Hollywood</a>, <a contents="Kenton" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/kenton/">Kenton</a> and <a contents="Woodlawn." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.woodlawnfarmersmarket.org/">Woodlawn. </a><br><br>We met an awful lot of great people and, of course, ate very well all summer.<br><br>Sunday's market was also especially fun because we were joined by Sarah Ells Fish and Dan Fish, of the <a contents="Sunfish Duo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/fishandells/">Sunfish Duo</a>. For the day, we were Free Range Sunfish. Those two bring a sparkle and new joy to the old time tunes they love, and it was a delight to play with them.<br><br>As we move inside for the rainy season, we'll be conscious of how lucky we are to live in a climate that produces amazing food and a culture that builds community around local agriculture. We'll do our best to keep that spirit alive until the sun shines again.</p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/69882802022-06-06T22:38:05-07:002022-10-31T10:20:43-07:00Comfort and Joy at the farmers markets<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/a887c67ea2a22f41c3e2c93d7b6ffe36dd94b080/original/matt-with-dobro-winterfolk-2022.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />After two crazy and tumultuous years, I am looking forward to the sense of community and reassurance I find at farmers markets.</p>
<p>Just thinking about the act of planting and growing food; the care that craftspeople take in designing and producing hand-crafted soap, cutting boards and pottery; what it takes to nurture gorgeous dahlias and lilies and daisies, has a calming effect on me. Being among the beauty of the produce, the aromas of fresh food being prepared and the smiles on everyone's faces is an incomparable experience.</p>
<p>We love playing for people who are just happy to be where they are -- surrounded by people of good will and the bounty of the Pacific Northwest.<br><br>We hope to see some of you at markets this summer. We also hope to visit more markets around the region, to get a better sense of the new cultures and communities developing around Portland.<br><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/68823702022-01-28T12:45:21-08:002023-12-10T09:43:40-08:00Optimistic, uncertain -- and Jeremy Wilson's Foundation<p><span class="font_small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/1844ad9ebc2a39eeff298810c061b727093e5070/original/jeremy-wilson-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span>We see that our last post was written during that little window we had last year in which we breathed freely, thinking that the availability of vaccines would bring life back to normal -- and bring music back everywhere. <br><br>Well, sheesh. That worked for about a month.Once again, we are facing a summer of uncertainty. </p>
<p>The good news at this point is that farmers markets seem to be thriving -- and many are scheduling music again. We hope as the summer progresses we'll be able to feel even more confident that outdoor venues are pretty safe places to gather -- and that all of us will feel more comfortable meeting at locations like these.<br><br>But this is a good time to remind music lovers that life for full-time musicians in this area is still a struggle. From week to week, they don't know if their gigs, festivals, workshops and camps will go as scheduled or be cancelled suddenly. While we have the luxury of playing for fun, there are so many in our community who have dedicated their lives to becoming exceptional musicians and entertainers. <br><br>At the best of times, many professional musicians live on the financial edge. That's why we support <a contents="The Jeremy Wilson Foundation" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thejwf.org/">The Jeremy Wilson Foundation</a>. So if you're feeling optimistic about your future, grateful to musicians, and recognize that sometimes they need help, please visit the website and make a one-time or ongoing contribution.<br><br>And -- we hope to see you at the markets!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(Photo of Jeremy Wilson courtesy of Norm Eder)</p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/66805882021-07-06T16:56:20-07:002024-03-16T03:04:48-07:00The Day the Music Lived<p>So much has been written about the last 16 months that it would be hard to find anything to add. We do want to post a grateful hooray for everything that has brought our communities back to life -- and brought the music back into our communities.</p>
<p>There are so many thanks to be given -- to front-line workers and first responders and medical providers and scientists and public health administrators -- and all the public officials who had to make decisions with ever-changing information, hoping that their policies would save lives while knowing that whatever they chose was going to anger many.</p>
<p>Thanks to all these and others, our world is pretty much back to the way it was in February of 2020. We just got word that the markets are bringing music back -- a wonderful announcement.</p>
<p>We hope today finds everyone health and well -- and that any needed healing has already started. We hope to hear you and see you and sing with you very soon.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/7757f4baa0799f9f168d474b7890be48865fc4a3/original/rockaway-sunset.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/62522852020-03-17T09:07:32-07:002023-12-10T08:50:59-08:00Libba Cotten<p>I have been lucky enough to do some writing for an on-line bluegrass publication called Bluegrass Solutions. I was honored to be asked to write about Elizabeth Cotten. We all know her song Freight Train, but fewer know the amazing story of her life and her remarkable success after the age of 60.<br><br>Here's to <a contents="Libba" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thebluegrasssituation.com/read/elizabeth-cotten-the-domestic-who-wrote-a-folk-classic/">Libba</a> -- and the wonderful women musicians in this, National Women's Month.<br><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/56861132019-03-19T17:09:30-07:002024-02-15T00:58:45-08:00Community in the campground<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/93876c5e8baa4f63cb4c0476ad9831014249747f/original/desertflowerrock.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Free Range went to the desert.</p>
<p>We were extremely lucky to have timed our trip to Arizona and California in time to see the beginning of the super bloom -- yellow and pink and purple and white flowers covering the desert floor.</p>
<p>Aside from the spectacular beautify of the southwest -- not just the flowers and cactus, but the amazing rock formations and glorious skies -- one event stands out in my mind. <br><br>One night, we pulled our instruments into our outdoor shelter and were singing and playing around our propane fire pit (well, it doesn't smell as good as a real fire, but we never get ashes in our eyes, either).<br><br>Two men stopped by to listen, and eventually they asked if they could join us. One fellow is a very good blues guitar player, and his uncle who he was traveling with recently retired after 35 years as a professional bass player. They joined us on guitar and a handheld acoustic bass, and we played for a couple hours -- everything from bluegrass duets and fiddle tunes to Last Date and Sleep Walk.<br><br>The next morning, our neighbor in the next campsite told us how much he enjoyed the music. He had recently gotten into bluegrass and was (and this doesn't happen very often!) delighted to be camped next to a banjo player. <br><br>And here's what he said that will remain one of the favorite things anyone has ever said to me.<br><br>"I stayed out here to listen as long as I could. I'll remember that for the rest of my life."</p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/56012092019-01-17T21:57:41-08:002024-03-02T03:05:08-08:00On Sondheim and simple music<p>"If I cannot fly, let me sing." Stephen Sondheim</p>
<p>Singing is the best antidote for overthinking that I've encountered. Now I think that instead of checking my news feed compulsively throughout the day, I should take myself off to sing somewhere instead.</p>
<p>I feel free just imagining this.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/71b32471bd33ee22dd1b2f9a060ac420e9a8ef31/original/your-child-is-likely-to-enjoy-singing-with-others.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/47724012017-07-08T22:13:02-07:002023-12-10T10:45:40-08:00Columbia travels<p style="text-align: justify;">We've set ourselves a goal of traveling the Columbia River from its headwaters to its mouth over a number of years. Last month, we started the journey. We drove to the town of Canal Flats in British Columbia and wandered through a residential neighborhood to reach a tiny park and a short trail around a marsh.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">After a few minutes, we reached a foot bridge. On one side was the marsh. On the other side, the water formed a small moving stream. That would become the great river that flows a few miles from our home.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Before it gets to us, the little stream will become Columbia Lake, then a free-flowing river surrounded by miles of wetlands, then a series of dammed-up reservoirs and the massive Columbia that flows, albeit much tamer, into the Pacific. We don't know how long it would take the molecules of water that froze Matt's toes (yes, he stood in it) to get to Astoria, or if any of those molecules would make it this far, but it's been fascinating to think about the journey and its implications for our part of the world.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Coming back to Portland, we took Highway 14 along the north side of the Columbia Gorge. We loved remembering the tiny stream and thinking about the massive flooding that created the gorge -- and how it's all interconnected.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As we start our annual farmers market indulgence, we're excited to have more context about the water flowing into our region. That trip helped us feel connected to our own geography. So do farmers markets -- as what could tie us to our region more profoundly than small-scale agriculture?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We came home to fresh local raspberries. Already we know it's going to be a great summer. Enjoy yours -- and your local market. We hope to see you at one, soon.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/94175abae47ed9c7925cc8a456384b4a5b3f1535/original/columbia-head.jpg?1499577454" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Columbia Lake</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/45775802017-02-05T15:15:59-08:002022-05-24T16:01:31-07:00Love happens every dayI just read this great quote:<p>"February days are a marketing gimmick; love happens every day."<br><br>It was written by an Indian film star named Randeep Hooda. Now I have to watch Monsoon Wedding and everything else he's been in, as this is my new favorite quote.<br><br>It's February. It's pouring rain. Neither the Steelers nor the Packers made it into the Superbowl. Valentine's Day is one bloated marketing event.<br><br>And the world is full of uncertainty.<br><br>But love, like music, happens every day. <br><br>Thanks, Randeep.<br><br><br> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/43151492016-08-08T12:50:56-07:002022-05-23T10:52:09-07:00A la Carts<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/cf07529736a8cd912aff7693fc691ff5d5a23ff8/original/20909389661-18ee0adb55-h.jpg?1470686027" class="size_l justify_center border_" />One member of Free Range has a confession. She has long wanted to play music at a food cart pod.<br><br>And she got to fulfill her desire yesterday at the great <a contents="Rose City Food Park " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.foodcartsportland.com/category/location/northeast-portland/ne-52nd-and-sandy/">Rose City Food Park </a>at 52nd and Sandy.<br><br>In our continuing search to play around as much food as possible, we performed in a lovely sheltered area surrounded by a mini-United Nations of gustatory delights. (OK, I've always wanted to write the phrase "gustatory delights," too.) <br><br>It's also a great place to interact with people. We got to watch (as always) small people looking quizzically at the dobro and toddling toward the tip jar; listened to conversations in unknown-to-us languages, and asked people if they would prefer we did or didn't play Wagon Wheel. (We had already packed up by that time, so it was an academic question).<br><br>We get to play there again on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and this time I will be sure to be hungrier than I was yesterday.<br><br>Continuing our Summer of Food, we're playing once again at <a contents="Blast Burger" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://blastburgers.com/">Blast Burger</a> in Lake Oswego this Friday, the 12th; and at <a contents="Fire &amp; Stone" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://fireandstonepdx.com/">Fire & Stone</a> on Sunday, the 14th. In between, those talented gentlemen of <a contents="Slipshod" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.slipshodmusic.net/">Slipshod</a> will be performing at Horseradish in Carlton on Saturday night.<br><br>Follow the food! <br> Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/42939042016-07-25T12:08:34-07:002023-12-10T10:35:22-08:00There's no place like home<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/47bb7bdea00add940b5520e4ce23eb2c7a6b3c4e/medium/sunflowers.jpg?1469473886" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />OK, we're Portland-centric, but it seems to me that there's no place better to be during the summer than Oregon.<br><br>And if you happen to be in the city, the best place to be is at a farmers market. And for us, it's our neighborhood market in Hollywood.<p>https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodFarmersMarketPDX<br><br>We love this market for many reasons: First, we're liable to see many of our friends and neighbors there. Second, the stage is positioned among all the luscious prepared food, and folks can sit at one of the many tables and watch and listen while they eat pastries and berries and drink great coffee.<br><br>Third, well, that would be a tie between the berries, the veggies, the salmon, the lamb and the beeswax candles.<br><br>As always, we are delighted to be performing at the Holllywood Farmers Market this Saturday from 9 to 12:30. We hope to see many of you there.<br><br>Claire & Matt</p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/42438502016-06-22T17:38:03-07:002023-04-04T12:21:23-07:00Little girls in pink tutusThe first time we played at Fire & Stone was on Easter Sunday. Just a few families were there at 6, when we started playing.<br><br>One of the listeners was a little girl in a pink tutu, who wasted no time in dancing after we started playing. In a little while, we got a request for "Ring Around the Rosy," something we had never played but were able to dispatch with great enthusiasm, if little finesse. Three little girls danced and squealed and ended up in giggling piles on the floor -- about seven times.<br><br>So when it came time to celebrate her dad's birthday, the tutu'd one somehow remembered us, and suggested that her mom invite us to play at the birthday party. It was lovely to think that a three-year-old would think of us that way, and we had a great time at the party.<br><br>This is all a preamble to say that we're playing again at Fire & Stone on Sunday, June 26, and we hope that it is accompanied by much dancing in the aisles.<br><br>The following week we'll be at our first Blastburger adventure on July 1. How appropriate to be playing at a place called Blastburger on July 4th weekend. And that Sunday we'll be at the Vancouver Farmers Market.<br><br>We are so happy to be spending this season surrounded by wonderful food, friendly adults -- and little girls in tutus.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/eff325addad8d3400dd1919eb2256b2580380683/small/tutugirl.jpg?1466642121" class="size_s justify_center border_" /> <br><br> Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/41836932016-05-16T17:24:12-07:002022-05-23T10:53:31-07:00The End of the Oregon Trail<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/9169fa019a1d5aba272e66bf8a410ec70479213a/original/oregontrail-1907.jpg?1463444588" class="size_l justify_center border_" />In about a 20-year period in the mid-1800s, half a million people crossed plains and mountains to reach the Oregon Territory. Many came over the Barlow Road in what's now Clackamas County, roping up their oxen to keep them from crashing and tumbling downhill -- taking their wagons and all their possessions with them. The lucky and hardiest arrived in what is now Oregon City.<br><br>In 2016, two intrepid travelers will head south on I-205 to visit the same location. Today, it has a lot more people and a lot more pavement. But it remains the market center for some of the best farmland in the world.<br><br>And in good traffic, it shouldn't take us quite as long as it took the pioneers. <br><br>Yes, we're headed off to our first farmers market of the year, in Oregon City.<br><br>This will make our (I think) fourth year at the market, and it's always a highlight for us. We get lots of pickin' time in, and we get to meet lovely people. We usually find something we can't live without (sweet hazelnut butter was last year's find), and I always browse the used book collection.<br><br>It's always an honor to play at any farmer's market. It's important to control the volume, not interfere with the commerce -- and above all, not annoy people. So we feel happy about being invited back.<br><br>One of us is happy that it will be cool and rainy. The other is just happy to be playing and will dig up her hand warmers left over from the Tygh Valley festival last September.<br><br>We congratulate Oregon City on its exciting plans for the Willamette Falls area. It's a spectacular piece of scenery and Oregon history, and we are so glad the city and region are working together to remind us of this fabulous place.<br> <p>http://www.rediscoverthefalls.com/</p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/40999812016-03-22T12:03:39-07:002022-05-23T10:53:05-07:00We sprang ahead<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/139761/4928cd4ef3a23839be3683d128461dd121bdf6e3/medium/icefield-bus.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" />We have made it through another time change, which becomes a greater accomplishment each year.<br><br>This is a favorite time of year, when cloudy skies make the blooming plants seem even more vibrant than they appear when it's sunny. And it's time for the annual event -- melting Peeps in the microwave.<br><br>Thanks to the folks at Fire & Stone, 3707 NE Fremont, for providing acoustic musicians a friendly place to perform. We'll be playing there this Sunday evening, March 27, from 6 to 8. No pizza for us (curse the low-carb diet), but it looks fantastic. It would be great to see some friends there and get to introduce them to a lovely new Northeast Portland restaurant.<br><br>Free Range is scheduled to play some farmers markets this summer, and <a contents="Slipshod" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.slipshodmusic.net/">Slipshod</a>, with Matt and Steve Blanchard, will be performing at lots of venues throughout the Willamette Valley this summer.<br><br>In June, we're going to the Goldendale Pickers Festival (we hope many of you will join us there), and the Sacajawea Festival at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers. From there, we will take two weeks to explore the headwaters of the Columbia River. Our eventual goal is to drive and hike along and maybe kayak the whole river, at least the parts that are easily accessible. We'll post photos of banjos on the ice field tour bus.<br><br>Thanks for following us. We hope to see you sometime this spring or summer.<br> <p> </p>Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/40338502016-02-09T21:59:41-08:002022-05-28T03:26:11-07:00February contemplationsIt's February, and we're having one of those precious days that sometimes happens at this time of year when the air smells like spring and the camellia buds tantalize us with the promise of summer flowers.<br><br>We Free Rangers are feeling happy that this has been a much more normal winter than last year's. We just returned from the Klamath Falls area, where the snow remains piled next to the highway and there may actually be water in the rivers by the time summer comes.<br><br>But that doesn't keep us from thinking about summer time; fresh berries; vine-ripened tomatoes; drinking coffee under a sun umbrella; and playing at farmers markets.<br><br>So far, we're scheduled to play at the Oregon City Market and the market in Esther Short Park in Vancouver. <br><br>During our period of hibernation, we've been working on songs appropriate for weddings. . . always a tough one for those of us in bluegrass. (Murder ballads just don't cut it at most receptions.) But Doc Watson, Jim Croce, Lynn Morris and the Beatles have inspired us. New songs -- hurray!<br><br>It's supposed to get cloudier and cooler later this week -- as it should this time of year. It should be cold and rainy during this called WinterFolk and Wintergrass. Spring will happen soon enough.<br> Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/37696562015-07-07T22:21:28-07:002022-05-23T10:56:33-07:00Summer thoughtsMatt's quite busy playing with <a contents="Slipshod" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.slipshodmusic.net/">Slipshod</a> this summer, so Free Range has been, well, in the corral more than meandering about. But we're looking forward to some more performances this summer and fall and have some new tunes to pull out.<br><br>The great news for Matt is that <a contents="Steve Spurgin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.spurginmusic.com/">Steve Spurgin</a>, one of the nation's best-known songwriters, heard one of Matt's original songs last summer and recorded it on his own album. Steve added his trademark nostalgia to the song "Roadside Stand," and made it even better. We hope you get to hear it either from Matt or from Steve -- or both.<br><br>Meanwhile, we are joining the rest of the bluegrass community in morning the loss of Steve Waller -- one of the founders of the Oregon Bluegrass Association, founding member of the Sawtooth Mountain Boys, and the personification of bluegrass for much of the Pacific Northwest. Steve lived his life with vigor, joy and presence until his sudden death earlier this month. Steve, we're so happy to have known you.<br><br>Half of Free Range is enjoying the heat, while the other half spends a lot of time in the direct path of a revolving fan. Both of us are wondering when the rain will return and hoping that our farmers' market friends aren't struggling too much with the lack of precipitation.<br><br>We hope you're all out at the markets this summer enjoying the early dahlias and sunflowers as well as the magnificent fruits and veggies. We'll see you there.Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/36420112015-04-04T23:40:13-07:002022-05-23T10:56:11-07:00April in Portland<a contents="April in Paris" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv1-ytie&p=April%20in%20Paris&ei=UTF-8">April in Paris</a> may be one of the greatest songs ever written, but for sheer knock-your-socks off beauty, it's hard to beat April in Portland. With this early spring, we are overwhelmed by the amazing colors of tulips, irises, azaleas and the remaining camellias and daffodils.<br><br>(Only one of us suffers from hay fever. The other is thoroughly enjoying spring time.)<br><br>First stop on the 2015 farmers market circuit is the Oregon City market on Saturday, May 23. We're looking forward to playing more markets this summer and venturing into new locations. It's always great to meet the vendors, the customers -- and the kids. We don't consider it a successful gig unless at least five toddlers have danced to our tunes.<br><br>We're also looking forward to playing more weddings this year. We played our first one last year and loved all the love going on. Looking forward to more this summer.<br><br>Thanks for your interest in Free Range. See you among the veggies!<br> Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/35361372015-02-16T21:07:26-08:002022-05-28T03:57:29-07:00Back from BajaFree Range just came back from Baja, where we, once again, played for food. We performed at Nancy's, the best restaurant in Cabo Pulmo and maybe in all of southern Baja. The compensation was seafood enchiladas and amazing guacamole. We are happy.<br><br>It got us thinking about playing some more and how much we're looking forward to farmers market season. With one of us retiring and the other always up for a good picking session, we're starting to plan our summer playing sessions.<br><br>We look forward to seeing you all among the produce!Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/31517202014-08-23T08:39:31-07:002022-05-23T10:49:15-07:00Home grown tomatoes<strong>Only two things that money can't buy -- that's true love & homegrown tomatoes.</strong><br><br>But Guy Clark wrote that before the days of farmers markets and the renaissance of heirloom veggies. So during the Labor Day weekend, we will be stuffing ourselves on heirloom tomatoes from the Hollywood Farmers Market -- supplemented by the luscious cherry tomatoes from Anna's garden.<br><br>Half of Free Range is loving the hot days and warm nights. The other half is sweating and grumbling a little. But both halves are continuously awed by the abundance of fabulous produce and the amazing communities that form around fresh food. It seems impossible to live in Oregon and not feel grateful every day.<br><br>We hope you're enjoying the summer. It's a great one.<br><br><br><br> Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/30202922014-06-16T19:54:30-07:002022-05-10T15:17:38-07:00A rainy day in Portland town.OK, so we probably made a mistake by questioning why the sun was shining during Rose Festival.<br><br>We were paid back with buckets of rain during the Pride Parade, followed by intense hail the next day.<br><br>Well, we're doing sun dances in preparation for this weekend, when we'll be playing at the <a contents="Oregon City Farmers Market" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://orcityfarmersmarket.com/">Oregon City Farmers Market</a> and the <a contents="Vancouver Farmers Market." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://vancouverfarmersmarket.com/">Vancouver Farmers Market.</a><br><br>Please come out and see us. We'll have an extra vocal mic and an extra instrument mic in case you happen to show up and want to join us for a song or two. See you this weekend!<br> Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/30021022014-06-08T22:01:10-07:002022-04-20T22:38:13-07:00Is this June in Portland?OK, we're confused -- but not complaining.<br><br>If it's Rose Festival time, isn't is supposed to be raining?<br><br>But what an amazingly beautiful season here in Portland. And the strawberries . . .oh, my goodness.<br><br>Next weekend, Matt's off to the <a contents="Sacajawea Bluegrass Festiva" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacajawea-Bluegrass-Festival-Dutch-Oven-Rendezvous/314021320535">Sacajawea Bluegrass Festiva</a>l in Pasco, Washington, to perform with Third Street Bluegrass Band. His bandmates -- Lou, Patti and Brad -- are terrific musicians with a great selection of music, ranging from the traditional bluegrass standards to Buck Owens tunes to contemporary classics from people like Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick.<br><br>Of course, for us, it's all about food . . . so you'll notice the full name of the festival is the Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival and Dutch Oven Rendezvous. What could be better than a lot of proud dutch oven owners showing off their favorite recipes?<br><br>Back the next weekend for our first farmers markets of the year. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br> Free Rangetag:freerangepickin.net,2005:Post/29810352014-05-29T19:01:41-07:002014-05-29T19:01:41-07:00Will work around foodOregon has to be the best eating state in the union. And the food's always the best at farmers markets.<br><br>This year, Free Range intends to eat its way through the Willamette Valley and into Washington, too. Looking forward to playing at farmers markets in Oregon City, Northeast and Northwest Portland and the great combo market in Esther Short Park.<br><br>We're starting the countdown to our first gigs, the weekend of June 21 and June 22. <br><br>Send us the names of your favorite food songs. We'll try to learn them.Free Range