Ben Rice with the Ex Nashville Cats-7pm

$15 at the door, proof of vaccination required...Event will be livestreamed on the Artichoke Fb page and the Artichoke YouTube channel

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Ex Nashville Cats (John Bunzow and Denny Bixby) Americana Singer Songwriters

Americana & Roots

Oregon Music Hall of Famer Denny Bixby is known in his hometown of Portland, Oregon and far beyond as a creative, intuitive, and highly respected bassist and singer. His work with multiple Grammy and other award-winning, world-renowned artists (Rodney Crowell, Nanci Griffith, Buddy Miller, Suzy Bogguss, Chet Atkins, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea) and with Portland's own stellar musical community (Quarterflash, Curtis Salgado, Jon Koonce, Lloyd Jones, John Bunzow, Jack McMahon, Thad Beckman, Gary Ogan and many others) is well-documented.

Upon returning to Portland in 2005 after 18 years in the Nashville, Tennessee area, Denny continued his evolution as a musician by concentrating on songwriting and playing guitar.

Denny has two solo albums to his credit. 2003's Fish Out of Water, recorded in Nashville, showcases his love of contemporary jazz and fusion with 10 original songs, and features his arrangements and production.

His latest collection of songs, released in 2017, is entitled Joyride. The music falls into the Americana category and features roots, rock, folk, and country-influenced original material.

John Bunzow
Portland Oregon native John Bunzow’s mix of eclectic musical influences – melding blues, country, rock and even jazz – have helped establish him as an original artist of heartfelt depth, substance and style.

He’s as likely to draw on his love of the music of country legend Merle Haggard or scuffling barroom bard Tom Waits, as he is the smooth R&B and soul of Marvin Gaye, the iconic folk wisdom of Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Ry Cooder or the blues of Albert King.

After beginning his musical career in the Northwest scene playing in popular all-original bands the Cowboy Angels, X-Angels and more for over two decades, John set his sights on songwriter heaven – Nashville – scoring a songwriting contract with EMI Nashville/Famous Music and a recording contract with Liberty/Capitol Records. He quickly found his services in big demand with Nashville recording artists and had the opportunity to write for and perform with some of country and rock music’s biggest names.

Bunzow commutes regularly to Nashville from his home base in Portland, Oregon, as he continues to hone his sizable talents. His is deep roots music that touches the heart of anybody who’s ever raised a little hell on a Saturday night, or felt the pangs of a love gone bad.

John's newest release (2020) Concrete Paradise recorded in Nashville with legendary Producer Brad Jones (Hayes Carll) is available at his website or in Portland at Music Millennium

https://www.johnbunzow.com/

Ben Rice
Ben Rice's music is deeply rooted in traditional blues, yet at the same time fiercely original. His guitar playing earns labels like "fearless," "inventive" and "powerful," and he routinely brings audiences to their feet with his stunning and emotionally honest vocal delivery. Ben is as much at home fronting his electric band as he is captivating a crowd solo with nothing but his voice and his acoustic resonator guitar.

Ben Rice
www.BenRiceLive.com

• 2019 Recipient of Blues Blast Magazine's "Sean Costello Rising Star Award."
• Nomination for Acoustic Artist Award
• 2019 Three Blues Music Award Nominations by The National Blues Foundation
• Acoustic Artist
• Album by an Emerging Artist
• Acoustic Album
• 2019 Four Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards
• Contemporary Blues Act? of the Year - Ben Rice Band
• Traditional Blues Act of the Year - Ben Rice Trio
• Male Vocalist of the Year
• Electric Guitar Player of the Year
• 2018 Two Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards
• Male Vocalist of the Year
• Contemporary Blues Act of the Year
• 2017 Cascade Blues Association Award and Hall of Fame Inductee
• Traditional Act of the Year
• 2016 Two Independent Blues Nominations for Best Live Recording & Best Contemporary Blues Artist
• 2016 Muddy Award recipient for Traditional & Contemporary Act of The Year - Cascade Blues Association
• 2015 St. Blues Guitarist Award - International Blues Challenge
• 2014 & 2015 Traditional Act of the Year - Cascade Blues Association
• 2014 & 2015 International Blues Challenge Finalist -The Blues Foundation
2013 & 2014 Male Vocalist of the Year - Cascade Blues Association