Skip to main contentThis week, the Oregon Music Hall of Fame inducts seven more musicians (along with industry folks and such) into its hallowed halls. But those without a keen eye on local music history might stare cockeyed at the list of inductees—if they even knew Oregon had a Music Hall of Fame—and scratch their heads. The Sleazy Pieces and Cool'r might not be household names in 2009, but they have, according to the OMHOF, made contributions to the local music scene and had "an impact on music around the world." So we thought we'd break it on down for you and drop a little music knowledge—Oregon style.
Dan Balmer
A soulful Portland-based jazz guitarist who wears a beret.
Playing with jazz icons both local and national: Jim Pepper, Tom Grant, Red Mitchell and Bud Shank, among others.
Playing three nights a week at Jimmy Mak's as a bandleader and with fellow inductee Mel Brown.
Bruce Carter
A funky Portland drummer.
The funky backbeat in Portland funk band Pleasure's hit, "Glide," and playing behind Kenny G.
Unfortunately, Carter passed away in 2006. Kenny G gave the eulogy at his funeral in Vancouver, Wash.
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
Eugene-based purveyors of oft-filthy funk, soul, rock, swing, etc.
"Zoot Suit Riot," perhaps the most popular song of the late-'90s swing revival.
Still alive, if a bit under the radar. This year sees release of the band's greatest "skankin' hits."
Cool’r
Totally fly Portland purveyors of dance-funk from the '80s.
Almost making it! The Rick James-esque song "Freak Girl" wowed Portland, but the band never went big.
Good question! Cool'r will play the OMHOF induction ceremony, so let's ask them then.
Terry Robb
A skilled local blues guitarist.
Playing with Ramblin' Rex and fellow OMHOF inductee Curtis Salgado. He's also played with Buddy Guy and Steve Miller.
Gigging at local bars and restaurants.
Sleazy Pieces
A defining folk-turned-rock outfit that ruled Portland in the '70s.
Ruling Portland in the '70s.
Lead singer Earl Benson passed away in 2007, but the surviving band members are getting together to celebrate the induction.
Bobby Torres
Local bandleader and latin-jazz percussionist.
Playing Woodstock with Joe Cocker. Yeah, that pretty much cemented the ol' reputation.
The Bobby Torres Quartet plays the Heathman Hotel Tea Court about once a month, and Torres gigs around town with both local and touring artists.
GO: The Oregon Music Hall of Fame's induction ceremony is Saturday, Oct. 17, and features performances from Cool'r, Crazy 8s, Jeff Lorber, Sleazy Pieces and other special guests. Roseland Theater. 6:30 pm (silent auction); 7:30 pm (ceremony and show). $25. 21+.
Headout Picks
WEDNESDAY OCT. 14
[MUSIC]
There are drug bands, and then there's the Butthole Surfers, a Texas outfit so awesome/crazy it named its second album
THURSDAY OCT. 15
[MUSIC]
Two of the weirdest—and smartest—underground acts team up for a double bill of spoken-word rap, clever lyrics and black metal.
FRIDAY OCT. 16
[DANCE]
Sarah Slipper's excellent young contemporary company burns through a quartet of world premieres from Andrea Miller, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Edgar Zendejas and Slipper herself.
SATURDAY OCT. 17
[CLASSICAL]
The city's top-tier chorus opens its season with the year's most attractive choral program.
SUNDAY OCT. 18
[SCREEN]
Bring those old film reels to the White Stag building, where the archivists of PDX's funkiest home videos will be showing four projections of 8 and 16 mm amateur films simultaneously. That's a lot of waving grandmas.
TUESDAY OCT. 20
[STAGE]
Tracy Letts' Pulitzer-, Tony- and everything else-winning black comedy rolls through town. Absolutely do not miss the show.
[MUSIC] YO LA TENGO
Do you remember when The Onion wrote about 37 record store clerks dying at a Yo La Tengo show? This will be like that, only without a collapsing roof and with every person you've ever seen at a show in the past 10 years. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. 9 pm. $17 advance, $18 day of show. All ages.
WWeek 2015