Meet the Bands

Precious Byrd is one of the most sought after bands in the Pacific Northwest. Voted #1 Party Band in Oregon multiple years running they have played for brands like Nike, Deschutes Brewery, Pendleton Whiskey, and more! Their fresh renditions of modern and classic hits, along with a number of high energy originals are sure to fill the dance floor and get people on their feet!

The band plays across the nation and features Grammy award winning bassist Lonnie Chapin and drummer extraordinaire Michael Summers, boasting one of the tightest rhythm sections around. Matched with the soulful high energy of frontman Corey Parnell and his brother Casey Parnell on electric, the crowd gets nothing but their all!

The band also features renowned saxophone player Andy Warr, know for his work on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Precious Byrd's presence at festivals adds a dynamic dimension to the event. Their ability to command the stage and engage the audience creates an electrifying atmosphere that resonates with festival-goers long after the event concludes. Precious Byrd's seamless fusion of covers and originals ensures a diverse and captivating performance that caters to the varied tastes of festival audiences.

In the corporate world, Precious Byrd's collaborations with brands like Nike, the Trailblazers, and Sony showcase their versatility and appeal across different industries. Whether it's a product launch, a corporate party, or a brand activation event, Precious Byrd brings a level of entertainment that transcends expectations. Their ability to connect with diverse audiences makes them an ideal choice for brands seeking to create a memorable and impactful experience.

They draw thousands to local street festivals and events in their local area and continue to spread love and music wherever they go! Resorts continue to brag about record sales at events these boys play at.

Ms Vee & a Badass Band is led by 2020 & 2022 International Blues Challenge Semifinalist, Best Female Vocalist Nominee, musician and singer, Ms Vee. Ms Vee is backed by accomplished Portland Oregon area musicians, Jake Koprowski (Music Director/Bass), Chance Hayden (lead guitar), Ron Solomon (Keyboard/Organ) and Terrell Reed (Drums). They are shaking up the Pacific Northwest with a reminder of Soul Blues/Southern Soul's sound and place in history. Under the direction of Jake Koprowski, they bring a focus to blues soul’s Mississippi Delta/Arkansas Blues sound, by marrying soul, funk, and rhythm & blues to create the Blues-Soul Sound of Original Badass Music. The band is available for booking Nationally/Internationally.

Hailing from Arkansas by way of Memphis Tennessee, the award-winning Ms Vee brings powerhouse vocals and a razor sharp wit to every show. In January 2023, Ms Vee launched a Pacific Northwest configuration of Ms Vee and a Badass Band. Backed by some of the most accomplished musicians in Portland, Ms Vee and her Badass Band has been rocking houses since their 2022 debut. They’ve quickly risen to the top of the PDX music scene having played the Waterfront Blues Festival and Cathedral Park Jazz Festival while making regular appearances at Ilani Casino, Jack London Revue and Clyde’s Prime Rib.

Ms Vee brings a focus to Southern Soul/Soul-Blues' Mississippi Delta/Arkansas Blues sound, by marrying soul, funk, and rhythm & blues to create the Blues-Soul Sound of Original Badass Music as well as covers of soul greats like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Rush, Bill Withers, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and more!

Ben Rice might be described as quiet and unassuming – until he picks up a guitar. That stealthy quality has earned him the moniker “blues ninja,” evidenced in his vocal chops and songcraft as well as his guitar playing. While Ben started in traditional blues, over the years he’s built upon that foundation with soul, R&B, folk and country to fashion a welcoming front porch where everybody wants to hang out into the wee hours. Since his large-stage debut at the International Blues Challenge in 2014, Ben has made the leap from Northwest act to national and international touring artist, featuring at festivals and stages far and wide.

Ben’s early influences were vinyl records – his dad’s Steely Dan, Bob Marley, and Marshall Tucker and his mom’s Al Green, Barry White, and George Benson. Once his dad bought him a guitar at age seven, Ben was hooked. Soon all his allowance money was going toward exploratory thrift store finds: blues compilations featuring Mississippi John Hurt, Bukka White, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and cassette tapes of more contemporary artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray, all played until they wore out.

That broad range of influences combined to yield a guitar style that’s been described as “fearless,” “inventive,” and “powerful.” Whether he’s sliding up and down on a steel resonator or reeling off stinging leads on his custom-crafted electric, Ben’s intensity and inventiveness never fail to turn heads. Audiences also respond to his heartfelt songwriting that carries a classic, strongly relatable vibe. “My goal is to reach people in a way that they need to be reached,“ Ben says, “to say things they may not get to say or hear things they may not normally get to hear.”

In 2023 Ben added horns, vocal harmonies, piano and organ to his lineup for a larger, more energetic band that he calls Ben Rice & The PDX Hustle.The response locally and on tour has been electric – the higher-intensity presentation of Ben’s music brings audiences to their feet and makes it clear Ben Rice is a formidable artist with more career triumphs still in his future.

Introducing Glitter & Gasoline, a powerhouse band renowned for their electrifying performances and multi-genre sound. Fronted by a powerful & dynamic female vocalist, the band brings emotional depth and distinctive style to every song. Covering artists from Blondie and Heart to Led Zeppelin and Journey, as well as modern favorites like Lake Street Dive, Adele, Grace Potter, Elle King, Bruno Mars, Hozier, and Weezer, they deliver an unforgettable live experience.

Glitter & Gasoline's shows are a seamless blend of rock, blues, funk, and Americana, captivating audiences with their powerful sound and infectious energy. Their dynamic shows take you on a musical journey through timeless classics and contemporary hits, each infused with the band's unique flair and undeniable charisma.

Known for their electrifying stage presence and versatile setlist, Glitter & Gasoline injects emotion, energy, and excitement into every performance. Whether you're a fan of classic rock anthems or modern pop hits, this band promises a thrilling and memorable show that will leave you wanting more.

Conjunto Alegre is a premier Latin Band playing in Oregon and Washington. What makes Conjunto Alegre different from other Latin bands in the NW is the variety of music styles they play, such as: Salsa from Puerto Rico and Cuba; Merengue and Bachata from the Dominican Republic; Cumbia from Colombia and El Salvador/Mexico; Chachacha and also many songs in English.

Selected to play for Cirque du Soleil in Portland and Seattle, Conjunto Alegre has shared the stage with many international acts such as Tito Puente, Do Gran Combo, Oscar de Leon, and many others.

Conjunto Alegre which means: Happy Band, was created by Aquiles Montas in September 1987 after breaking way from his previous Latin Band with his friend Pedro Beltran Ritmo Tropical in January 1984. Aquiles brought vocalist Manuela Figueroa, Rogerto Cruz and percussionist Amador Marcano.

Since then Alegre has been performing at festivals such as Rose Festival, Cinco Mayo, Salsa en la Calle, Mt Hood Jazz, Mayors Ball, Eugene Celebration, Salem Art Fest, Seattle Folklife, Victoria Brittish Columbia and many more plus most Universities in Oregon and Washington.

My name is Robert Henry, and I front Robert Henry & the Repeaters. I grew up listening to country music with my parents but didn’t start writing and singing songs until I was about 17. After playing heavy metal in high school, my voice finally came into its own, and I realized my range was much better suited for country than rock and roll. Anyone who knows me will say I’m a history nerd, and I was drawn to country music as a genre because it is steeped in tradition—a uniquely American music style that blends the raw emotion of African American blues with the folk storytelling tradition of the English & Scots-Irish. Combined with the brutal honesty and emotion in the lyrics, this had me hooked once I really sank my teeth in.

As an artist, my influences span a wide spectrum of genres, but as a country singer, nothing sounds better to my ear than the likes of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Johnny Paycheck. I think you'll hear those influences in my voice when you listen to the new album.

Our group originated with Jake (our drummer) and me in 2018. We had played music together in our metal band, "Bigger Trigger," back in high school, so we already knew each other musically and have always been locked in when it comes to speaking each other’s musical language. From there, we added Bob Littleton on pedal steel, and after cycling through a few different bass players and guitar players, we eventually got together with Justyn on guitar and Matt on bass. We had the same group together for a couple of years and eventually decided to name the backing band “the Repeaters” as a play on my name to reference the Henry repeating rifle that helped win the West. We’ve developed our unique sound, which has been a pleasure to cultivate as we have gigged together over the years.

The Portland country music scene has really exploded since COVID ended, and it’s been cool to see such a community form around this music we love so much. The support network is amazing. Go to the Landmark Saloon on a Wednesday to see the band, and 90% of the people in the crowd are artists or musicians in one form or another. My favorite example of this was when we played our single release show last winter at Mississippi Studios. It seemed like the entire scene was there to support us, and we were only a handful of tickets away from selling it out. It was a very validating moment for all of us.

The beautiful thing about country music is that you can find solace knowing that whatever you’re feeling, someone else has felt it too, and you can be damn sure there’s a song out there that makes you think the writer was reading your mind. I’m no genius songwriter, but if I can give one person a safe place to hide in one of my songs, I’ve done my job. That’s what I look for as a fan, so that’s what I try to do in my role as an artist. My favorite song to record on this album was “Demons & Dreams.” It’s right in my vocal wheelhouse, and it comes from a really raw place. I do my best work when I’m discontented, and it almost acts as a sequel to my very first single, “Storm the Gate.” I’m sure the listeners will find it easy to draw some thematic similarities.

Wildflowers & Whiskey is a high energy band blending classic rock, country and Americana. Northwest's newest musical sensation where melodies blossom and spirits soar.

Beaverton Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) organization