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The spring festival, May 19-22, is heavy on the female energy this time around with the brassy, flamboyant, larger-then-life blues belter Candye Kane from San Diego in the Saturday night headliner slot.
Representing three generations of women in roots music are regional favorites Vicci Martinez, Leanne Trevalyan of Junkyard Jane, and veteran blues artist Alice Stuart. Playing with their own bands on Saturday, these three talented performers will also take the stage together on Sunday morning as part of a special songwriters showcase.
Opening the show and rounding out the feminine edge on Friday night will be the South Sound's trombone-fronted Randy Oxford Band featuring the vocals and acoustic guitar of Virginia Clemons, followed by the sizzling electric leads of "Guitar" Julie from Portland's roots rockin' Strange Tones.
Other Portland talent includes the boogie-woogie keyboards of the D.K. Stewart Quartet, Muddy award-winning guitarist Robbie Laws' Hoodoo Nation, and the raucous, country blues punk duo Hillstomp.
Adding some southern spice to the roster throughout the festival weekend is the smoking harmonica playing of Nashville's Jason Ricci and New Blood, New Orleans blues great Bryan Lee, and Dallas vocalist extraordinaire Malford Milligan.
Sewing up the diverse lineup are eastern Washington favorites The Howlers, who won the Inland Empire award for best band, and, from the other side of the mountains, the big, fat, bass-heavy groove of Bump Kitchen.
The festivities actually kick off on Thursday evening with an acoustic open mic at the lodge. The festival ends Sunday evening with the Sunbanks All Star Jam, featuring a core band of musicians and special guests who performed throughout the weekend.
