Americana band plays to full house

The Waybacks had toes tapping at Sisters High School on Saturday, January 11. Photo by Jim Cornelius

The Waybacks returned to Sisters on Saturday, January 11, bringing their eclectic mix of bluegrass, jazz and Celtic string band music to a packed house at Sisters High School auditorium.

The concert was a benefit for the Americana Project, which is affiliated with the Sisters Folk Festival.

Student musicians Ben Scharf, A.J. Tripp, Kerani Mitchell and Lauren Shultz and the band Not All Related opened the show with performances of original material.

The performances and the program that nurtures student creativity made an impression on James Nash, lead guitarist for The Waybacks.

"When I think of kids at my high school getting up in front of an audience like this and performing original songs... well, it wouldn't have happened,"he said.

The students clearly value the poise, confidence and creative outlet the Americana Project provides.

A.J. Tripp pronounced the class "the best class, ever, in the whole school."

The concert drew a mix of audience members, from young Bendites eager to dance to old folkies and bluegrass fans.

They got a high-energy, fun show from a band that refuses to be pinned down in one genre of music. Tuneful country songs stand next to extended jams that seamlessly roll from a breakdown to jazz improvisation and back.

The band made its Central Oregon debut in September at the Sisters Folk Festival.

"We just had a blast,"said vocalist and guitarist Stevie Coyle.