Revising the Revisionists with my Vision

"Jackstraw was born when rhythm guitarist Darrin Craig and lead player Jon Neufeld met mandolin picker David Pugh and bassist Jesse Withers in 1997 at Artichoke Music, a Portland guitar store and acoustic music institution. Not long after their formation, Jackstraw recorded their first album and hit the road"

(cut and pasted from the Jackstraw Myspace page)

___________

Actually, Jackstraw was "born" when Forest Bloodgood met Darrin and Jon playing open mic at the Laurelthirst in 1997. At the time, they performed as Good Earth. Soon thereafter, David Pugh, Vaughn Wilson, and Kevin Kerberg were performing at various pubs and venues, Portland's Saturday Market, and parties as Jackstraw. Kevin "bingo" Richey played the banjo when Vaughn was unavailable, and all these people recorded at Sound Impressions studio resulting in the album, Home Far Away.

Soon after the release of the CD, Forest and Bingo were booted from the band; Kevin Kerberg returned to college in Kansas; and Vaughn stuck with the band, until relocating in Colorado. Another Jesse played bass with Jackstraw as well.

As awkward as it may be to point this out, I speak the truth, and whoever wrote their Myspace blurb probably took mythology into their hands for the sake of "simplicity."

*** **** ****

Likewise, the Freak Mountain Rambler's have a much more complex and peopled "birth" than their Myspace page reports. Jimmy Boyer, David Reisch, and Kevin Richey were playing Sunday happy hours there in Feb. 1995 when I had my schoolbus-home parked at a house on Glisan where Jimmy and lots of other cats lived. Jimmy brought me in by invitation, and I became a regular player, showing up after the Portland Sat. Market, often with my daughter Surreal being attended to by Dale and Shirley or other kind regulars.

Many many players cycled thru; numerous drummers(Dead Moon's, also the tweaker who took cellphone calls while playing!), VIP guests sat in. Before Billy Kennedy offered up the name Freak Mountain Ramblers, many regulars just called it "church." When Roger North began playing drums for the Freaks, the band developed quickly from a one-show-a-week deal to a unit ready to gig anywhere and anytime. The self titled first album, Freak Mountain Ramblers, came out in 1999. I quit the band effectively in July 2000, as I had a new baby daughter, Isis. Turtle joined in when Kevin moved to California, and Paul Bisset, the wonderful washboard player of many years also quit playing Sundays.

This all goes to state: the band has deep roots, from the late 60s certainly, but also from 1995-2000, when the Sundays were an inclusive hootenanny, and anything could and did happen. Here's to music, memories, and added perspectives to history. And thanks to Jimmy, Dave, and Roger, for showing me the ropes.

*** *** ***

obviously, it isn't so much when a band is "born," but when it is rebranded, by its adoptive parents.

wah wah wah!

can't take off the tattoo, now.

r

The Freak Mountain Ramblers present a unique blend of Rock 'n Roll, Bluegrass, Alternative Country, and Country Blues. With a lineup including 3 members of the inimitable and notorious Holy Modal Rounders The Freak Mountain Ramblers present a unique blend of Rock 'n Roll, Bluegrass, Alternative Country, and Country Blues. With a lineup including 3 members of the inimitable and notorious Holy Modal Rounders/ Clamtones amalgamation of the '70s and '80s, FMR has its roots in the underbelly of the alternative music scene that existed at that time both in Portland and across the country. During the past 7 years the Freaks have accumulated a loyal following in the Portland area by dependably creating beauty and bedlam at their live shows / Clamtones amalgamation of the '70s and '80s, FMR has its roots in the underbelly of the alternative music scene that existed at that time both in Portland and across the country. During the past 7 years the Freaks have accumulated a loyal following in the Portland area by dependably creating beauty and

ing thring the past 7 years the Freaks have accumulated a loyal following in the Portland area by dependably creating beauty and bedlam at their live showe past 7 years the Freaks have accumulated a loyal following in the Portland area by dependably creating beauty and bedlam at their live sho