NW Band & Club Schedules Inside!

Crush exudes energy to standing-room-only crowdat World Famous M&M Lounge in downtown GreshamLeo CurryWhile many know Crush to beamongst the elitists in the coverband genre, there may be a smallfew that haven’t heard this accomplished band. With a standingroom only crowd and energy bursting at the seams of World FamousM&M in Gresham, Crush madetheir way to the stage in true rock‘n’ roll royalty fashion. The stageTroy PhippsDan BowersArticle by Chris Pain - Photos by Jim Dorothylights dimmed and the crowd wasfull of anticipation. After all, it hadbeen a six-month hiatus for Crush.It was abundantly evident thatCrush fans were ready for the return of this world-class band.Fast forward a bit to a very revealingconversation Positively Entertainmenthad with guitarist, singer and songwriter Clay Harn. It was very revealing thatHarn holds Crush close to his heart.When asked about his band philosophy, Harrn states, “It’s our commitmentto put 100% into our stage production.”After spending an incredibly fulfillingevening with Crush, this writer canattest to the truth in the Crush missionstatement. However, what seemed toreally resonate throughout the conversation was Harn’s admiration for hisfellow band mates.About Leo Curry, front man extraordinaire: “Leo is an incrediblytalented vocalist that has a knack forpulling at that youthful fiber we allhang on to. His vocals remind us ofevery influential singer we ever fell inlove with. There is absolutely something wonderfully pleasing in everynote of every song. For Curry, spanning through classic and modernmusic is a sweet walk through timegrabbing little hearts along the way.From Aerosmith to Muse, Journeyto Bruno Mars, Curry’s vocals comeacross as 100% believable.”About Harrn; exemplary guitarist: “Guitarists can easily be saidto be an over-populated species.Not so fast . Harn is a rare find inthe sense that, his tone, presenceand chops are so far above par. Hesimply brings the Crush factor tothe stage. Each song is deliberatelydelivered with a strong sense of tonalquality, giving respect to the mastersof six-string gymnastics. Harn’s stringent and disciplined approach addedso much authenticity to the songs weall grew up with. He simply sights hisinfluences as ‘too many to list.’” Thiswriter needs to weigh in on this. Harneffortlessly rips out leads/rhythmsfrom Neal Schon and the late greatRandy Rhodes. It was pleasant tohear the total sum of this guitaristand know you heard it quite right.Troy Phipps; brilliant bassist: “Imagine taking yourself to that one specialspot in this world that guarantees anear-to-ear smile on your face. SeeingPhipps play his beloved instrument,one would surmise that this powerhouse bass player arrived there. Witha brilliant smile and a low slung bass,Phipps adds yet another fiery illusionto the epic light show. His relentlessbottom-end instrument really powersCrush into the dimension of stardom.It’s pure and true to the core and thatis something fun and exciting to witness in a bass player.”Dan Bowers; go-go gadget drummer: “Mind-bending, mind-meltingand just overall precise in everybit of his delivery. As the drummerof Crush, Bowers has the uniqueand difficult roll of switching gearsover and over again. Polyrhythmicrhythms and a plethora of time signature drive the band in a specialfour hours of music. As an addedfeature, Bowers manages (more likemasters) a high quality of vocal ability to the flowing pitch-perfect harmonies that Crush demands. Bowersprovides excellence at percussion/vocals that is unrivaled in the localcover band scene. It’s a treat to seethese qualities in any drummer.”Mark McMurphy, engineer with anear: “It’s apparent that McMurphyhas adopted a can-do attitude withregards to giving Crush exactly whatthey need to sound epic. Throughoutthe evening, several patrons approached the Positively Entertainment table with comments to thelikes of “isn’t their sound incredible”and “wow, their soundman reallyknows his stuff.” Harrn and McMurphy have been in this togethersince they were in first grade. It’ssomething special to have that kindof commitment as friends. However,it is even more impressive to knowthat they have embarked on a lifelong quest to produce excellence inmusic to this degree.”There are so many aspects aboutCrush that make them a high caliberfavorite amongst music lovers. Notto be overlooked is their Full MontyLight Show. The investment theyhave in stage lighting could not beappreciated enough. The lightingembellishes an already spectaculardisplay of arena/modern rock. Motorized lights, lasers and custom lighting programs are something out ofthe ordinary. You get the impressionthat Crush is in the business of rocking you down the motorway and thatis exactly what they do!The members of Crush are aboutquality of music, quality of disbursement and quality of character. Hereis an opportunity to see possibly thebest cover band in The Pacific Northwest. That is how the legions of Crushfollowers feel every time they havethe chance to dance to this eclectic,formidable and fun band. You canfollow Crush schedule at their websitewww.crushlive.com or stay well-tunedto www.positivelyentertainment.com.Clay HarnEDITOR / PUBLISHER:Bonnie CarterCOVER PHOTO: Jim DorothyWRITERS: Kane Taylor, Patrice Raplee,Lauree Carlsen, Nico Wind, Daniel J. CurranDorothy Garrison, KR Laurent, TaskaBarlow, Kathy L Rankin, Linda Phillips, TimSimpson, Alistair Case, Brian Burdette, BradD. Morley, Ginger Caviness, Ed Jordan, TomHarmon, George Dant, Paul Kearney, JeffShivers, Kathleen Aker, Steve & DeborahJohnson, Chris Pain, Joey ScruggsTravel Excursion EDITOR: Patrice RapleePHOTOGRAPHERS: Bonnie Carter,Patrice Raplee, KT, Gerry Villani, Ken Bratz,Eric Tworivers, Paul Kearney, Alistair Case,Kathy L Rankin, Anton Long, Eddie Morgan,Jim Dorothy, Emma Browne, MerridawnDuckler, Abie Hardingsaturated phatsADVERTISING: Bonnie CarterPRODUCTION: Bonnie Carter, K.T.,Mary Ann Carter, Kelsie Daniels, MonaBean, Kane TaylorCROOKED ARROW eeditor@comcast.netDecember 2016Page 3

Claudette King, daughter of BB King, joins NWWomen R&B for 2 annual Christmas concertsSonny Hess brings ClaudetteKing “The Queen of the Bluz”to Portland, Ore!! She will bejoining the already incredibleline up of the Northwest WomenRhythm & Blues for their 18th Annual Christmas concerts, Dec 8and 11. These concerts are fundraising for the Candlelighters, forkids with cancer. The stellar castof award winning divas includeLisa Mann, LaRhonda Steele,Arietta Ward, Lady Kat-TrueBlue, Rae Gordon, Ellen Whyte,Claudette KingDanceInstructorSpecializing inChoreographyfor Bands& SingersCall503-676-4198Page 4Kimberly Hall, Vicki Stevens, ofcourse Sonny Hess, Kelly Pierceholding down the beat. Withthe recent addition of ClaudetteKing, it will be a show you surelywon’t want to miss.Claudette King, dubbed “TheBluz Queen” is the youngestdaughter of THE Ultimate BluesMaster, B.B. King and, if familialgenes count for anything, she is“on to something.” Claudette Kingcan be described as dynamic,amplified and downright sassy.She exudes a confidence thatperhaps was born of her struggleto prove who she is and at thesame time carve out her ownidentity. Inheriting her father’s giftfor music, Claudette sang in gleeclubs and the choir of ReverendBrown’s Baptist church growing up in the San Francisco BayArea. “My inspiration is my dad”,says Claudette, who was alsomindful of how her father wasconstantly on the internationalconcert circuit as the tireless“Ambassador of the Blues.” Listening to the radio and her mother’s collection of record albums,she soaked up the joyous singingof notables like Aretha Franklin,Chaka Khan, Michael Jacksonand Mahalia Jackson.Concerts are slated on Dec.8 at Trails End Saloon, 7 p.m.1320 Main St., Ore. City ; andDec. 11 at Carvlin Hall at St Phillip Neri Church, 6 p.m., 2408S.E. 16th & Division.Tickets are available at www.nwwomenblues.com. Formore details about tickets andsponsorship, please contactJamie 503-319-1333By Steve JohnsonThis is the season when you only need to look around you to feelthe heart of God beating in the city.Since childhood, Christmas hasheld a very special place in my heart. Not because of the presents,but because of the love. Although it shouldn’t be the only time, it is theone time of year that most of us celebrate family and friends with love.The bible tells us to imitate God as little children. Have you everseen a child try to adopt their father’s mannerisms, to look and actlike him? That is what we are to do, we’re to act like God.So the question is asked, how do we do that? How do we act like God?Answer: Love! Love with all your heart, live with a heart of love,love your enemies, love your neighbor as yourself. For God so lovedthe world that he gave his only begotten son so that all who believedon him would have everlasting life. (John 3:16)Not only “did” God love, but the Bible tells us that God “is” love. I believe that one of the things that we “see through a glass darkly” about atthis present time, and that we will see clearly about when we are face toface with him, is the depth of his love. There are people, and I do knowmany of them, that walk in love the other 11 months of the year also.Be one of those people, be willing to suffer a little wrong for someone else’ssake. If you have a problem with someone, go out of your way to resolve it.Even if you are not the one in the wrong, you be the one to apologize.If you haven’t said “I love you,” to someone who needs to hear it,don’t let the sun set without saying it. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, we are not even guaranteed our next breath. Regret can last alifetime, so avoid it at all costs.This Christmas season, anger slowly, praise swiftly and love deeply.God Bless you all and Merry Christmas!Here are some things you might enjoy during this Christmas Season around Portland:Christmas at the Pittock Mansion: Follow this link to the informationfor this Christmas season: n/?gclid CjwKEAiA9s BBRCL3ZKWsfblgS8SJACbST7DJP6JzTDEsh0rIxG7JnU lcOQPlNbOFeQvIkbMmPPjxoCqBTw wcBFollow this link to the events calendar for this Christmas ec. 3 - Lincoln Brewster (“There is Power”, “Made New”) and specialguests East Hill Worship ring in the Christmas season with an eveningof holiday classics, worship and original songs. Join us for The FishFamily Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 3 at East Hill Church in Gresham,Ore. See more at: thash.ZIV1YEb6.dpufDec. 10, 7 p.m. - Georgene Rice & Friends - Christmas by Candlelight, Calvary Chapel Portland -9100 S.W. Wilshire St, Portland,OR 97225. 93.9 KPDQ’s own Georgene Rice (The Georgene RiceShow, Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree), and special guests, will perform an evening of classic and original Christmas music. See more at:http://kpdq.com/eventsinfo/default.aspx?id 14335#sthash.FgUsUiah.dpufStephen A. Johnson, Master’s Peace Ministries, 214 S. 4th St.,Central Point, OR 97502. 503-871-0235 www.mpmin.orgDecember 2016

Michael Allen Harrison lifts spirits,shares music w/struggling familiesA partnership between local charities and benefactors will provide tickets for hundreds of families to attendMichael Allen Harrison’s Christmas atthe Old Church concerts Dec. 10-26.Over the years, businesses andfoundations have sponsored theseries to allow members of thecommunity to attend the performances – people who might nototherwise have the financial abilityto purchase tickets.In 2015, the concert series celebrated its 25th anniversary, breaking all attendance records, playingto thousands of concert-goers overits 25-show run at the Old Church,1422 S.W. 11th, Portland, Ore.,phone: 503-222-2031.This year, thanks to special donations by Sure ID and the HedingerFamily Foundation, there will be2,000 free tickets offered to familiesDecember 2016in need, twice the number of freetickets that were available to lastyear’s shows. Many of the familiesattending the holiday concerts willcome from Birch Community Services (BCS), a non-profit organization founded by Barry and SuzanneBirch. BCS, also celebrating its25-year anniversary, offers food,clothing and financial managementclasses to working-poor families.In a recent article in the GreshamOutlook, BCS Board Chair MarkChilds said that organization’s“strategy of partnership with working, struggling families, who fallbetween the cracks, has enabledBCS to foster a culture of dignityand accountability, giving the opportunity to instill hope and provideproduct from family to family.”This year will be the first yearworking with BCS and for Harrison,the relationship is personal. Whena close friend was going throughtough times many years ago working full-time as a single parent, shewas able to make ends meet withthe help of BCS. “There are manywonderful organizations out theremaking a difference and BCS is onethat really exemplifies partnershipand empowerment,” says Harrison.Harrison also reaches out to theSalvation Army, veterans’ groupsand others. Through the support ofcorporate and individual sponsors,Harrison says the performers “havethe ability to share the warmth ofholiday spirit with people from allwalks of life – it is a gift for all of us!”The 2016 shows (22) will includeperformances by regular castmembers, members of Harrison’sfamily, Julianne Johnson, Israel Annoh, Bill Lamb and Haley Johnsen,American Idol. New additions to theshow this year include We Three, afamily of multi-talented siblings fromMcMinnville and The Mallory Familyfrom Sherwood. There will also bea special appearance by ThomasEllis, son of guitarist Tim Ellis, a local music icon who passed away ofcancer earlier in 2016.To sponsor a family, email toMAH@teleport.com, or call (503) 5689134. For tickets, go to www.michaelallenharrison.com or BCS website http://www.birchcommunityservices.org.Page 5

Wayne Richards & Southern NightsNew CD harnesses feelings to create lyrics of sheer poetryBy Michael P JonesWhen Wayne Richards collects histhoughts and harnesses these written feelings together in lyrics that arelinked with music, it is sheer poetry.Add a few great musicians and a talented vocalist to help interpret what’screated and you have a great CD.This is an oversimplified descriptionof .Notes From A Journal, the latest release from Wayne Richards &Southern Nights, which may be oneof the band’s best releases to date.Listening to the songs of .NotesFrom A Journal is much like accidentally discovering someone’s journaland reading their personal thoughts;only in this particular case, it is listening to these words through songs thatare captured in a recording project byWayne Richards and Southern Nights.Wayne Richards and Southern Nightshave created another CD that is, liketheir others, remarkable. This recordingproject, however, seems to be morepersonal and revealing than the otherswhose songs were more funny or rowdythan this one. Again, listening to.NotesFrom A Journal is like actually discovering someone’s journal, which in thiscase belongs to songwriter Richards;and reading his personal thoughts thatwere intended for no one but him.There are 13 thought-provokingsongs corralled on .Notes From AJournal. Wayne Richards and Southern Nights may be at their very bestwith this recording project.The band is bursting at theseams with creativity. With 13tracks,, it is difficult to pick out thebest ones, which clearly meansthat this is an ideal recording forwhich every recording artist strives.Katrina is one of those perfectsongs that could only be written byRichards. The lyrics reveal a believable story about sailing for the sandsof Mexico on a Louisiana shrimp boatand meeting a beautiful woman whenyou reach the southern shores of yourdestination. There are two lines thatseep through the great music of thistrack that are so true in living one’slife: “.when you got no choice butyou got to choose.” or, ”I don’t havea plan, just doin’ the best I can.”The interweaving guitar work in thesong Lucky is so musically interestingand complimenting to the lyrics. TheMexican guitar is enhanced by thelead guitar work, a very beautiful tune.Cozumel is another beautiful songthat enriches this CD. Richards hasa special talent for telling a storythrough music. The songs are alwaysthought-provoking and magical.The song Sweeter is a brilliantcountry song sung by female vocalistK.J. Miller. Wow! can only describethis great tune that is an obviousstandout and a definite favorite that isfilled with great tracks. This is clearlya song that is a favorite, whether it’slive or captured on a CD.Listening is Richards at his absolute very best. The accompanyingharmonica reveals itself just at theright time and adds just the right ingredient amongst the other fabulousinstrumentation. This illustrates justhow perfect a song can be.Please Jesus is another one ofthose great country songs that features the voice of vocalist Miller. It’sone of those oh-my-God songs thatis so perfect in every way - the lyrics,the vocals, the music and how this allcomes together on this track. The line“.please Jesus come and get me.”is one that a lot of people will reflecton when it comes to their own life.The song Moving On is anotherthat is pure country from its beginning to ending note. Sung by Miller,it’s another tune that reveals thedepth of the band.If You Believe is still another finecountry song featured on .NotesFrom A Journal. It’s beautiful in everyway and sung by Miller.Richards’ reflective Just Another Dayis another favorite song. The hardships of a struggling working personare revealed in this musical journal.How many times has anyone said “.just another day coming to an end.”as they crawl into bed so tired only torealize that they’re going to get up thenext morning and start all over againon tasks that may not be very excitingor creatively rewarding, but have to bedone if you’re going to survive.The track Texas Underground isthe only song on the recording project that was not written by Richards.It was written by the late Dave Carter,an incredible singer-songwriter wholeft this world far too early. Richardsinterprets this tune in his own specialway that makes it his own.Folksinger is about a simple folksinger, if there are any such kind.The song is beautiful and reflective.Once again, it’s a story told in musicas only Richards can deliver.The title track, Notes From A Journal, is still another one of Richard’sspecial songs that he somehow keepscreating. There is a story that is unveiled on this track as it reveals theperfection of this songwriter’s words:“.fitting into the moonlight as it driftsacross the floor.” creates the imagerythat is so simple that it’s complicated,which is the mark of a great songwriter.The song Steve concludes thisrecording project. This appears to bea story about a friend who has goneaway and left a major void in the livesof those he affected. In reality, thiswas a friend of Richards’ who retiredas a pastor from his church. The music and lyrics of this track make onethink about those special people thathave influenced and touched lives.Listening to this thought-provokingtune is like finding a journal and reading someone’s personal thoughts.The kind of songs that are featuredon .Notes From A Journal are thosethat have made Richards so popular.This is a recording project that isprobably the best ever by WayneRichards & Southern Nights, andis definitely one that needs to beheard and reflected on. These are13 songs that need to be cherishedbecause they are that special.The creativity of .Notes From AJournal is a team effort by the members of Wayne Richards and SouthernNights. They are: Brent Rogers onbass and harmonies; K.J. Miller, recognized by Richards as an “extraordinary singer,” shares in the vocals; BobHirschman, with his incredible leadguitar work and perfection in makingmusical magic with his performances;and the musician behind the scenesthat keeps the beat going, percussionist Bob Pearson on drums. TheseED the HANDYMANfor Hire 503-847-5435Small truck service,hauling, moving, pressurewashing,spray painting,lawn service & more.outstanding musicians, along with thesongwriting abilities of Richards, havecreated an amazing CD.This album was also a joint engineering effort between a Portland,Ore. and a Garland, Texas, company. These were Brent Rogers atRex Recording in Portland and MikeMcClain at McClain’s Recording inGarland. Their combined talentshelped to enhance the best elements of.Notes From A Journaland make the final project what it is.This album is a masterpiece, from itslyrics and accompanying music, to itshigh production values and immensecreativity. Richards is at his creativebest as he interweaves his storiesthrough this musical maze. The lyricsof these 13 tracks are clever and tendto pull you into each tune as you anxiously listen for what happens next.David Currey: Guitarist/SingerSinger/SongwriterNow BookingParties,Weddings,Anniversaries,Reunions - Any Event!New “Long Black Veil” now on CD BabyNe

JESSIE RAE Dec 10 Salem Holiday Fair @ Or-egon State Fairgrounds, Salem, . Mary Ann Carter, Kelsie Daniels, Mona Bean, Kane Taylor Travel Excursion EDITOR: Patrice Raplee . While many know Crush to be amongst t