Black Butte Ranch to host Americana Project fundraiser

Misty River will headline the third concert in the "Live at the Ranch" summer concert series at Black Butte Ranch on Sunday, August 8, at 4 p.m.

Opening the show will be Sisters resident Jena Rickards.

Emerging out of the burgeoning Portland acoustic music scene nearly 13 years ago, Misty River has gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the most entertaining groups in the Pacific Northwest. Misty River mixes a unique blend of folk, bluegrass, country, Celtic, and their own music into a sound that is distinctly Misty River.

The four-piece band consists of Carol Harley, Chris Kokesh, Laura Quigley and Dana Abel. All four members are known as excellent lead and harmony vocalists, giving the band tremendous vocal depth and complete flexibility when it comes to the vocal arrangements. Jeff Douglas, executive producer of Oregon Art Beat for Oregon Public Broadcasting commented, "When these four women weave their lovely harmonies, it is spine-tingling."

Since the release of their debut CD "Rising," in 2000, the band has also recorded "Live at the Backgate Stage," in 2002, "Willow," released in 2004, and "Midwinter Songs of Christmas," released in 2004. These recordings have received extensive airplay on folk and bluegrass stations in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in such countries as Australia, New Zealand, Spain and England, just to name a few.

The August 8 concert will benefit Sisters Folk Festival's educational outreach program, The Americana Project.

Executive assistant, and concert coordinator Katie Williams said, "Continuing the success of the first two concerts with Dan Balmer and John Nilsen, we are really excited to have Misty River and Jena Rickards here at our venue. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from this concert will benefit the local Americana Project."

"It's important for us to give something back to the community by doing these concerts, and helping the Americana Project in particular was our way of saying 'thanks' for supporting these concerts," said Scott Huntsman, CEO and general manager at Black Butte Ranch. "And by having Jena Rickards perform it really adds a community element that is important to us."

Rickards is an alum of the Americana Project. In 2007 Rickards' talent caught the attention of country music star Vince Gill at the Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series.

"There are a lot of great singers," Gill said, "however, a voice that is compelling and has character is rare."

Rickards is now studying music at Belmont University in Nashville.

Tickets for Misty River and Jena Rickards are available at the Black Butte Ranch Welcome Center or by calling 541-595-1510. Prices are $15 in advance and $17 the day of the show. For more information visit

http://www.blackbutteranch.com.