Stephen Bruton
his father opened a record store specializing
in jazz, blues and country, which Bruton’s fam-
ily still owns and operates.
For more on what this accomplished musi-
cian has done, visit www.stephenbruton.com
Stephen Bruton plays Saturday, July 2 at
Tommy’s Peacock in Corvallis. $10 adv., $13
dos.
— Vanessa Salvia
Riding Into the Sunset
‘80s Explosion
Sabim Brabb and his band M80 are mak-
ing the most of the latest obsession with the
‘80s. “I grew up with MTV,” he said, explain-
ing his love of the era. “But the weird thing is
that all these college kids are so into it.
That’s what’s interesting to me, all these
people who are way, way younger.”
Regardless of your age, if you love danc-
ing ‘til the wee hours to synths and funky
electronic explorations, or whatever it is
exactly that defines ‘80s music, you’ll love
this show. Decked out in full ‘80s regalia,
the band members employ quite a few props
to keep things hopping including the classic
Devo hats during their rendition of “Whip
It.” “We encourage people to dress appro-
priately,” Brabb said. So wear your leg
warmers (they’re even back in fashion) and
tease your hair.
With a focus on new wave, expect to hear
covers of the Cure and Devo along with clas-
sics like “Jessie’s Girl,” and “My Sharona.”
M80 plays John Henry’s July 1.
— Melissa Bearns
Bruton Bruises the
Jazz/Blues Competition
If lengthy resumés working with other
famous musicians impress you, then
Stephen Bruton’s resumé will send you into
paroxysms of pleasure. Case in point: Bruton
has “worked with” or “appeared on” the
albums of Kris Kristofferson, Barbara
Streisand, Rita Coolidge, Delbert McClinton,
Bonnie Raitt, Booker T. Jones, Don Was, T-
Bone Burnett, B.W. Stephenson, Carly Simon,
Lowell George and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
Bruton is also an accomplished songwriter
with songs for Marcia Ball, Alejandro
Escovedo, Patty Loveless, and the
Highwaymen (Kristofferson, Willie Nelson,
Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash) under
his belt. He also wrote “Getting Over You,” a
1993 hit for Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson.
The Fort Worth, Texas, native goes on to say
that he could claim having worked with Bob
Dylan had he received proper credit for
Dylan’s Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid sound-
track. Bruton toured for more than a decade
with Kristofferson and spent time in the tour
buses of many of the those other artists.
Bruton has also released three solo
albums, debuting as a solo artist six years
ago. The most recent, Nothing But the Truth,
is a fitting title for a musician who has built a
30-year career. He finally
gets to enjoy the fruits of
center stage and bring all
of his life and touring
experience with him into
the spotlight. Nothing But
the Truth, however, isn’t
just the essence of his
blues rock career. He
bravely approaches the
album through a jazz
lens, with the inclusion
of two bassists, Yoggie
Mussgrove and Chris
Maresh, and two drum-
mers, Brannen Temple
and Tom Fillman. Jazz is
not a new theme for
Brunton, it’s just not one
he’s explored in his pro-
fessional career. In 1957,
The Fourth of July is on its way, and we all
know what that means. It’s time to bust out
your American flags, eat freedom fries and
blow things up. And while you’re at it, you
might as well listen to some country music,
because honestly, what could be more
American than that?
Two-time Grammy winners Riders in the
Sky are coming to Springfield to celebrate
our independence with us. The group is
headlining Springfield’s Light of Liberty cel-
ebration, an annual event in Island Park,
which also features fireworks — actually, “the
best fireworks display in the region,” accord-
ing to the press release. Proceeds from the
event go towards funding Project Share, a
program that provides financial assistance
to low-income Springfield Utility Board cus-
tomers during the winter.
The band won two Best Musical Album
for Children Grammys in 1999 and 2001 for
accompanying albums to the Toy Story 2
and Monster’s Inc. soundtracks. The old-
school cowboy music of Riders in the Sky
brings to mind images of a West not yet
won. Entertainment for the Light of Liberty
celebration begins in Island Park at 5 pm
July 4.
— Ursula Evans-Heritage
Riders in the Sky
JUNE 30, 2005 27