SIXTY YEARS AGO yesterday, the Nelson family from the flatland of Illinois came north on U.S. Highway 101 along Hood Canal.
It was bright and sunny when we noticed furniture, mattresses and all sorts of goods tied onto the tops and sides of cars and trucks heading south.
A vision straight out of The Grapes of Wrath, only the vehicles were newer.
Rounding the corner at Discovery Bay, the bright sun became an orange orb in a smoky sky. We found that people were fleeing the Great Forks Fire!
Such was our greeting to the Olympic Peninsula and Port Angeles.
Little did I know that 60 years later, I would be writing the first column of my 10th year for the Peninsula Daily News.
Enough of waxing nostalgic; here’s where to find live music this week on our beautiful Olympic Peninsula.
Port Angeles
■ Tonight at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, come on down for Jerry’s Country Jam from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If country’s your style, come and dance or play plugged or unplugged.
On Saturday, take a trip back to the music of the 1950s through 1970s with Chantilly Lace. It covers all the best of classic country and the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll. That doesn’t mean you won’t hear favorites from the ’80s and ’90s, though. They do those, too. Just ask! Get out your old blue suede shoes and dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ On Saturday at the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, get your blues infusion with BluMeadows and his band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. In one short year, BluMeadows has taken Peninsula blues fans by storm with his high-energy delivery. $5 cover.
On Sunday, Johnnie Mustang hosts the Sunday Junction Blues Jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. There have been some great jams and blues improvisations lately. Come and join in.
■ On Friday, Wine on the Waterfront at The Landing mall at 115 Railroad Ave. features Rachel Harrington, an Americana/country soul artist who has received four-star reviews from magazines such as Q and MOJO. Let her inspire you at 8 p.m. $3 cover.
On Saturday, blues guru Thom Davis returns for an evening of roots, blues, country blues and folk at 7 p.m. $3 cover.
■ On Friday, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country perform at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band play old-time music with guests Rachel and Barry adding Motown and classic rock for an eclectic mix from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ Every Tuesday evening at the Port Angeles Senior Center, Seventh and Peabody streets, the Port Angeles Senior Swingers present Wally and the Boys playing ballroom dance favorites for the dancing pleasure of all adults 45 years and older from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover, first-timers free.
■ On Wednesday at Dupuis Restaurant, 256861 U.S. Highway 101, Bob and Dave play blues with a brew and barbecue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sequim and Blyn
■ On Friday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., Fret Noir performs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, rock to Testify at 9 p.m. $3 cover
On Wednesday, Final Approach lands from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with music that baby boomers remember and love.
■ On Saturday at the Three Crabs Restaurant, 11 3 Crabs Road, Paul Sagan tickles the ivories with songs from the Great American Songbook from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ At The Buzz, 128 N. Sequim Ave., Kelly Thomas and Victor Reventlow host the very popular and rousing open mic Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
■ On Friday at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, Kelly and Barry perform country and classic rock from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
■ On Friday at Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, Awesome Bob performs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, The Move plays mainstream music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, the Stardust Big Band plays music you’ll remember from early TV’s “Your Hit Parade” and more from the Great American Songbook from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Monday, join Barry Burnett and world-class drummer Tom Svornich for We Be Jammin’, so bring your ax or tickled tonsils and join the fun from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ Tonight at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., it’s time to get schooled on steampunk and junkyard folk with Professor Gall at 8 p.m. $12 cover.
On Saturday, Too Slim and the Taildraggers bring 25 years of awards and accolades to The Upstage. Chart-topping Tim “Too Slim” Langford is backed by Polly O’Keary, a headliner in her own right, and Tommy Cook on drums. It’ll be a house-rockin’ night starting at 8 p.m. $12 cover.
On Saturday, singer/songwriter/composer/saxophonist and saw player Lesley Kernochan will delight you at 8 p.m. with a tasty dessert of cabaret and opera singing and saw and sax playing. $6 cover.
On Sunday, the Terry Evans Band performs at 7:30 p.m. Since the ’60s, Terry has toured with or done session work with John Fogerty, Joan Armatrading, Ry Cooder, Boz Scaggs, John Lee Hooker, Maria Muldaur, Pops Staples and others. $12 cover.
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
■ On Friday at the Port Townsend Brewing Co., 330 10th St., Chuck Easton and friends play jazz from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Gerald Braude plays guitar from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, Alex Weed performs blues from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 623 Water St., Port Angeles favorites Jason Mogi and Paul Stehr-Green play original and cover tunes blending flavors of old-time, jam band and good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, western swing band Lone Madrone from Portland, Ore., plays that plus rock/roots music at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Saturday at Castle Key, Seventh and Sheridan streets, the Kiko Freitas Brazilian Jazz Trio plays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $10 cover.
■ Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and every Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at the Undertown, 211 Taylor St., Pete Lack performs solo and acoustic at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Leafeater, Seacats, Bigger Than Mountains and Dante perform at 9 p.m. $3 cover.
High notes
■ The inaugural concert at the new performance hall in Maier Hall at Peninsula College is Friday at 7 p.m. and features the Peninsula College Jazz Ensemble and Classical Chamber Musicians.
■ On Saturday, Washington Old Time Fiddlers play live music at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimicum. All-players jam from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., performance from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Donations support scholarships. More information is at the group’s website, http://d15.wotfa.org.
■ On Saturday at the Quimper Grange, 1210 Corona St., Port Townsend, dance to the Louisiana Cajun/zydeco music of Whozyamama from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. There’s a pre-dance lesson at 7 p.m. All ages invited. $12 cover.
■ The third in a series of Art Blast! Outdoor concerts at the Sequim Library is Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and features Howly Slim and the Raindance Kid. Be sure to bring a blanket and/or chair.
■ On Saturday, Tim Fast performs at the Port Angeles Farmers Market at The Gateway center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in “KLMA — Keep Live Music Alive” on the North Olympic Peninsula. His column, Live Music, appears every Thursday.
Are you performing in or promoting a live music gig? Contact John by phoning 360-565-1139 or emailing [email protected] (subject line: John Nelson).
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.
