WHAT’S PLAYING AROUND
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
9
SOUND CHECK
AUG. 24�31, 2022
Juniper Jam returns to Enterprise
The festival on Sept. 3 is
the fi rst since 2019
By Katy Nesbitt
Go! Magazine
ENTERPRISE — Music lovers from around Northeast
Oregon will gather for Juniper Jam 2022 on Sept. 3 at
the Wallowa County Fairgrounds.
Dubbed “The sweetest little music festival in Eastern
Oregon,” Juniper Jam showcases original songwriting of
all genres from folk to rock to bluegrass.
“As far as I know it’s the only all-original music fest in
Oregon,” said Janis Carper, festival organizer.
Coming this year is “Never Come Down” a bluegrass/
Americana band from Portland. In a 2021 interview with
banjo player Brian Alley he said he’d been playing blue-
grass “his whole life,” but fi xed microscopes for a living
before deciding to chuck the career, cash in his 401k,
and try his hand as a professional musician.
Alley said guitarist Joe Suskind brought the now fi ve-
piece group together. In 2018, along with mandolinist
Kaden Hurst, Ben Ticknor on bass and Crystal Lariza on
vocals and guitar, “Never Come Down” released its fi rst
album. The band toured extensively for two years until the
COVID-19 pandemic stopped live music performances.
“The pandemic made things interesting,” Alley said. “I
moved out to Hood River to teach snowboarding and we
all taught music lessons.”
Now that venues are reopened, the band is back on
the road. After performing in Eastern Oregon, “Never
Come Down” heads to the midwest and the East Coast,
including an appearance with “Old Crow Medicine Show”
in New London, Connecticut.
“Never Come Down,” along with most of the 2022
lineup, were scheduled to play Juniper Jam in 2020 and
2021. The festival was canceled very late last year due
to the spread of the Delta strain. With the Small Busi-
ness Administration’s Shuttered Venue grant, Carper
said she was able to compensate bands and the sound
crew. While some of the bands were in town anyway, she
arranged a mini showcase at Terminal Gravity.
“It will be great to be back at the Fairgrounds,” Carper
said. “Most bands are coming back, with a few additions.”
Some of those returning are “Sweet ‘n’ Juicy,” “Wan-
derlodge,” “Rut Nut,” Bart Budwig and Ashleigh Flynn.
“Since we fi rst booked ‘Sweet ‘n’ Juicy’ they started
playing in the county a lot,” Carper said. “I think they are
one of the most unique bands — very talented funk mu-
sicians in fruit suits. I am always blown away at how tight
they are and how they can ad lib a whole song and make
up songs on the spot.”
Some of the new bands Carper said she is excited to
host are “Siren Songs,” ”Ezra Rose” and “Daisy Maker.”
Tracy Spring, a collaborator and former band member
of Carper’s, will teach a songwriting workshop Saturday
morning before the festival begins.
Juniper Jam is a fundraiser for the Wallowa Valley
Music Alliance, which has provided Wallowa County with
music performances and music education since 2004.
For a full lineup, tickets, volunteer and sponsorship
opportunities, and information on the songwriting work-
shop, visit www.juniperjam.com.
Contributed Photo
“Never Come Down” — a self-described “fresh
grass” fi ve-piece band from Portland — performs at
Juniper Jam in Enterprise on Sept. 3.
JUNIPER JAM
Tickets are $25 at the gate or $20 in advance at
Joseph Hardware, The Bookloft, and M. Crow, or
online at www.juniperjam.com.
Admission is free for ages 12 and younger with a
ticketed adult.
Gates open at 11 a.m. at the Wallowa County
Fairgrounds, 668 NW First St., Enterprise.
Camping is available for $10 per night at the
fairgrounds with a festival ticket.
For complete festival information visit www.
juniperjam.com.
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