Performers in Oregon

Born into a musical family, Mark Alderson grew up hearing the sounds of classic western music. His mother, aunts, uncles and grandparents were all professional musicians, who performed across the country from Missouri to California, including several appearances with the Grand Ole Opry. Mark has followed in these footsteps, playing a variety of instruments and styles since the age of 16.

Since the 70's, Janet has focused her songwriting and performing skills on cowboy and western music. Her music reflects her farming heritage and love for the American West. Performing since the age of 12, Janet is known for her dynamic and versatile style. She gives voice to the western way of life from a woman's perspective. In 1998, Janet completed a tour of Europe where she took her "Songs of the American West" to seven countries in three months.

The Booher Brothers grew up with their five older siblings on a small farm in beautiful Scotts Valley near Yoncalla in Western Oregon. For six years, the boys performed regularly with the sister Meriwyn at their family owned and operated "Diamond B Chuckwagon", a cowboy supper and western show in Central Oregon. Blending traditional tunes with gospel, swing and cowboy, the Boohers have played before audiences as distinguished as the President of the US and on critically acclaimed radio programs.

Those who have seen Van perform have commented that: "Your voice is one of those voices that you just have to listen to." "You are so comfortable to listen to that I felt like I was in my front room listening to a cowboy share stories of his experiences on the ranch and on the range. "You had me bawling one minute and laughing hysterically in the next minute, Van is a performer who delivers more than the audiences expect.

In 2003, Harms was named Female Vocalist of the Year and accepted the award for Song of the Year from the Western Music Association. She is also a multiple winner of Academy of Western Artists Awards, including the top honor of Entertainer of the Year for 2002, and she continues building audiences through appearances on the famed Grand Ole Opry and a recent stint at New York City's Carnegie Hall.

The HighStrung Band, also known as the Reddington Family, plays old time fiddle, bluegrass and western music. The Band got started in the Spring of 2004 and has been performing throughout the West at Cowboy Gatherings, County Fairs, State Fairs, private parties and local events ever since. It’s an all acoustic bad with fiddles, guitars, mandolin and upright bass. The Family makes their home in Cove, a cattle ranching and agricultural community in northeast Oregon.

Raised in the ranching life of Eastern Oregon, A.K. spent her youth and ambition learning about horses and cattle. From starting colts and helping troubled horses, to roping, branding, calving heifers, to rodeos and trailing cattle in the high desert, it is a passion, earned not given. Making her home in Grant County Oregon with her husband Tracy, A.K. writes of the people around her that influence the western way of living.

Barbara had an earlier career playing guitar and singing in Alaska, Nevada and other states. This former rodeo queen is enjoying performing now at Hamley's in Pendleton, Spirit of the West in Ellensburg, Pendleton Round-Up events and other venues. She and her family have horses and live on a ranch outside Pendleton.