2
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon
FROM THE COVER
an inside look at northeast oregon’s
arts and entertainment scene
Montana-based Band of Drifters visits Northeast Oregon
■ Also features special guest Bart Budwig
By Lisa Britton
EO Media Group
NORTHEAST OREGON — Ian
Thomas’ Band of Drifters is an
ever-changing blend of musicians
he meets along the way.
“Last year I had 35 Drifters,”
he said. “I like incorporating local
players when I can. This was my
life already. I decided to roll with it
and embrace it.”
Band of Drifters’ style is de-
scribed as “modern American
roots music.” Thomas is based in
Montana, but this week he arrives
in Northeast Oregon for a trio of
concerts.
The band plays Thursday at the
Range Rider Saloon, 107 NW First
St., Enterprise, at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for Friday’s
concert at Baker City’s Churchill
Dance Hall, 3451 Broadway St.
(entrance is through the parking
lot off 16th Street). This show will
feature a guest Drifter, Wallowa
County’s Bart Budwig.
Tickets for the Churchill concert
are $8 in advance at Sweet Wife
Baking, MC Taco Bus and www.
churchillbaker.com/events. Admis-
sion at the door will be $10.
During the concert, food will be
available for purchase from MC
Taco Bus, and beverages will be
served by Copper Belt Winery and
Barley Brown’s.
On Saturday, hq hosts the band
for an 8 p.m. show at 112 Depot St.,
La Grande.
Thomas started out in Tennes-
see but has lived in Montana for
the last fi ve years. He names Hank
Williams and the early honky-tonk
style as inspiration for his music.
He favors “1930s to ’70s country
tradition. I love that stuff,” he said.
Thomas has played in Wallowa
County before, but this is his fi rst
visit to Baker City and La Grande.
“I decided I wanted to head back
(to Northeast Oregon),” he said.
“It’s right next door (to Montana).”
The number of musicians in
Band of Drifters changes all the
time, but he said these Northeast
Oregon shows will be “between a
duo and a four-piece.”
Having a rotating roster of musi-
cians has its good side, and a not so
good side.
“Musically, it’s pretty easy.
Logistically, it’s a total nightmare,”
he said.
But it means he gets to meet a
lot of musicians.
“It’s exciting — I want to meet
those players,” he said.
Thomas said his approach to
Submitted photo
Band of Drifters will play in Enterprise Thursday, Baker City Friday and La Grande Saturday.
performances often depends on
the audience. If people are prone to
dancing, the band will play classic
honky-honk. If those in attendance
are more of the listening type, his
playlist includes mostly originals.
The Band of Drifters usually
tours around the lower 48 states.
“Every season is different,”
Thomas said.
To learn more about the North-
east Oregon shows and hear
samples of the band’s music, visit
www.bandofdrifters.com.
Come See All Our Winter Deals
20% off all kids snow boots
30% off all Bear Paw apparel
And So
Much
More!
2700 Bearco Loop
La Grande
541-963-8898
PERFORM
ART
2020 Auburn Avenue
Baker City, OR 97814
541.523.5369
info@crossroads-arts.org
www.crossroads-arts.org