make it, it’s simply because they are not a big
enough draw compared to what else is available.
The musical tastes of Eugene are so varied, it
would take five festivals to satisfies everyone’s
preferences. But because we believe quality is
universal, we seek out the best in every genre.”
Others support the notion that there is so
much talent hereabouts, it is not an easy job to
separate the better from the best. Bill Shreve’s
group, the Bill Willie Blues Band, has been play-
ing in Eugene for more than 15 years, but they
have never been rewarded with an EC gig. Still,
Shreve holds no bitterness. “It is not that big a
deal,” he says. “Our band plays dozens of shows
each year, so DEMI knows we’re here. We sub-
mitted a CD to Remington a while back and were
politely told ‘no.’ That’s life. You move on.”
No sour grapes? “I know the selection
process is imperfect,” Shreve added. “But I also
think Steve Remington has done a pretty good
job of bringing the best-attended music into the
EC. Last year there was great blues and I expect
the same again.”
That sentiment is echoed by Marty
Weissbarth, musical director and sax player for
the Deb Cleveland’s own band, a major force on
the local blues scene and a nearly constant pres-
ence at every Eugene Celebration during recent
years.
Weissbarth has been musically active in
Lane County for over 30 years. “When I came
here in ’72 the blues climate was vital and
strong,” he says, “and the blues scene became
a ‘school’ for many developing players. Most
of the ‘teachers’ from those days — Rooster
and the others — are gone now. Maybe blues
here isn’t what it once was. But Remington
works very hard to balance the resources he
has and still involve local and regional show
folks.”
Mike Henry also referred reverently to
Rooster (aka Gavin Fox), a radio personality
who did much to promote the Eugene blues
scene prior to his passing five years ago. Henry
commented, “Last year I produced a three-hour
blues jam called Rooster’s All Stars on the Fifth
Avenue Stage. The venue itself was renamed
Rooster’s Roost.”
While the three main stages are each capable
of handling 12 slots, nine more official stages
add another 70 openings to the total number of
acts. “Jon Silvermoon’s beef is more with the
economics of the club system than it is with the
EC,” Remington concludes.
As for those unregulated renegade stages,
don’t they simply add to the diversity? “Private
clubs can legally do whatever they want, pro-
vided they have the right noise permits,”
Remington says, “but unofficial outdoor stages
on private property and in parking lots can cause
problems. Take, for example, the situation one
recent year when a couple of outdoor club stages
on either side of the Hilton Hotel were blasting
away until the wee hours. The hotel patrons
complained, ‘Damn that Eugene Celebration for
keeping us awake all night!’ That wasn’t us, but
we were painted with the blame!”
Independent indoor venues, however, are an-
other matter. “They are the perfect solution,”
Remington declares. “They open up more slots
for music, more bands participate, and club
owners get involved.”
Local venues are encouraged to find their
own ways to participate. The officially sanc-
tioned show at Cozmic Pizza during this year’s
Big EC is a good example. On both Saturday
and Sunday from 12:30 pm, it includes a musical
kickoff event for the Rainy Days Blues Society
with two invitational jams and numerous slots
for local blues bands. Jon Silvermoon and The
Vipers are scheduled to appear at 1:45 pm
Sunday. Sometimes, everybody wins.
ew
Lane Transit District
The new tation
ield S
Springf iew Party
Prev mber 18
is Septe . to 2 p.m.
a.m
from 10 . Come all!
Come o
ne
E on
e is FRE
All servic tember 20
Sep
the
ration of
in celeb eld Station.
Springfi
New service begins September 19th.
Pick up your new
at these convenient locations:
Eugene Station, LTD Guest Services
On board all the buses
Bi-Mart Stores
Participating 7-Eleven Stores
UO locations: the Bookstore & EMU
LCC Downtown and Main Campus
and outlying areas:
Wal-Mart, Cottage Grove
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McKenzie Ranger District Office
Leaburg Store
Ray’s Food Place, Veneta
Lindeborg Place, Junction City
and many major employers
New Bus Service Information
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Details at www.ltd.org.
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LTD Guest Services: 687-5555
Spanish Rider’s Digests and alternative formats
are available! Please call LTD Guest Services.
El Manual Para Pasajeros (Rider’s Digest)
en español está disponible en El Centro
de Servicio o llame al 687-5555.
Online: www.ltd.org
TTY: 800-735-2900
SEPTEMBER 16, 2004 13