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Hoodoo Johnson
By Michael P. Jones
To some, it seemed like an eternity; but it was actually only two
years. Finally, live music has returned to Mr. B’s and with it,
the high-energy of the band Hoodoo Johnson.
For years, Mr. B’s, in Troutdale, was known for its live music.
Opened initially as a truck stop, it began offering live music and
its popularity took off. When the stage closed to live music and Mr. B’s started offering
Karaoke, things for this truck stop changed; however, that’s
all changed again; and every Saturday and Sunday, many of the best
musicians have returned to provide some of the best good-time entertainment
around.
On the evening of Feb. 14, just in time to celebrate Valentine’s
Day, musicians once again took to the stage of Mr. B’s. When
the music filled the popular eating and drinking establishment, it
was like a familiar old friend had returned home. On Saturday nights,
the patrons of Mr. B’s can hear the music of some of the best
classic rock bands in the Portland area. From 9 p.m. to around closing
time, the entertainers reach back into the past for magical songs that’ll
evoke special memories, you can always find a full dance floor.
Just recently, one of the hottest groups, Hoodoo Johnson, performed.
With years and years of music behind them, some performing with the
best bands around for the past 30 years, Hoodoo Johnson is incredible!
This group performs the kind of songs that their audiences want to
hear. It makes no difference if it’s the tunes of The Beatles
or Merle Haggard, and everything in between, their repertoire is deep
and endless.
The songs of Hoodoo Johnson feature the classics made famous by such
accomplished artists as Bob Dylan, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Burnette, Muddy
Waters, Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffet, Bo Diddley, Toots Hibert, Helen Reddy
and Hank Williams, to name a few. Or, they could perform songs from
bands like The Doors, U2, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Link Wray and
The Monkees. Hoodoo Johnson is said to be able to perform tunes by
anyone and make it their own special stage brand. However, this band
doesn’t just copy the song, they add their own arrangement and
energy, generally creating a depth that the original did not possess.
The band’s rhythm section is said to “lock some of the
best grooves in the world.” With Hoodoo Johnson’s abundance
of guitars, coupled with a soul-searching harp for just a little texture,
it is said that “no toe remains untapped.”
Although considered a classic rock band, when the members of Hoodoo
Johnson take to the stage, they are, as one among their ranks recently
put it, “free of the shackles.” The guitarists of this
group will take off on some lead work, stretch it out and individualize
a vintage tune until it becomes almost fresh and seemingly brand new.
The band always comes across fresh, instead of old hat. One obvious
reason is their musical abilities, but their success also lies in their
vocals. Every member of the band sings and they clearly share the lead
singing, which seems to keep things always a little bit different.
Most of the members of Hoodoo Johnson live in the Willamette Valley,
the Portland area, Keizer and Corvallis. However, two in its ranks
come from Seattle, Wash., and make the long drive because they simply
love performing this special brand of classic rock with this collection
of absolutely great musicians.
When the group takes to the stage of Mr. B’s, it is usually as
a four-piece, although there are seven members that they will choose
from to comprise their ranks for a particular performance. In larger
venues, they will sometimes appear as a six-piece. Sometimes they will
even loan their members out to a number of other bands like The Wannabeatles
and The Bowling Stones.
The musicians featured in Hoodoo Johnson include the following: Scotty
Bickford (from Portland) on bass; Steve Peterson (from Seattle, Wash.)
on drums; Todd McPhearson (Keizer) on lead guitar; Dave Dixon (Portland)
on drums; Barry Curtis (from Seattle, Wash.) on lead guitar; Mike Mitchell
(from Portland) on lead guitar; and Jeff Hale (Corvallis) on harmonica.
Together as a band for five years, reportedly, they’ll stay together
as long as their music remains “unshackled” and allows
them to continue to have a great time.
Live music continues on Sundays. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Mr. B’s
features “Musician’s Appreciation Night.” People
come and take to the stage in a unique jam session featuring some outstanding
players that come out of the woodwork to share their musical talents.
Those performing get a special discount on food and drink.
Karaoke is featured at Mr. B’s from Tuesday through Friday. Carl
Wilson, a musician and performer in his own right, is the master of
ceremonies and disc jockey who keeps things moving.
Every Thursday night is ladies night at Mr. B’s. One can always
expect specials on drinks at this ever-popular truck stop, not to mention
prizes and raffles to sweeten the evening.
Monday nights at Mr. B’s are different, but draw a good crowd.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the feature entertainment is bingo, and it has
proven to be popular.
Mr. B’s is the premiere truckstop along Interstate 84. For food,
there’s the Buckhorn Restaurant, open 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. And, if you want to spend the night, the motel on the premises
is the Best Value Inn.
Mr. B’s is located off the Troutdale exit along Interstate 84.
See ad and Music on Tap for upcoming schedule.
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