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COVER STORY 'Something to Talk About' Portland-based all-stars pay tribute to Bonnie Raitt at the Craterian Theater By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 4, 2015 @ 9:00 am Updated at 11:59 AM By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 4, 2015 @ 9:00 am Updated at 11:59 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> An all-star lineup of Portland musicians — all influenced largely by singer, songwriter and slide guitar player Bonnie Raitt — comes together as "Something to Talk About" to pay tribute to the "queen of bottleneck blues." Raitt's music continues to inspire generations of performers and songwriters — just as her own music is influenced by such artists as John Prine, Randy Newman, Del Shannon and John Hiatt, to name a few. Her music ranges from blues and R&B to folk, pop and country rock. "She showed women that they could rock just as hard as any man and proved that female players should be taken seriously," says singer Bre Gregg. "She changed the face of music." Gregg grew up with a musical family in Montana and can remember singing music by Raitt, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Patsy Cline and "tons of other amazing musicians" whenever her parents and friends got together. "It would be like a full-scale concert," she says. "My dad is a wonderful guitar player and songwriter and my mother and sister are singers. Raitt's music resonates with me the most. I've always been impacted by her interpretations of other songwriters' music. I was singing 'Angel From Montgomery' before I was old enough to understand what it meant. I had this little hairbrush I'd hold and pretend it was a microphone." Gregg earned a degree in vocal performance from Montana State University in Bozeman, then moved to New York City to sing opera and classical music. A Portland transplant the past 11 years, Gregg and a group of singers and musicians created and performed "Something to Talk About" as a one-time project last year at the Alberta Rose Theatre. The performance was so popular that it's back this year with a five-show tour and a live album. "The live recording of the first show was pretty good, so we decided to create a CD of its best songs," Gregg says. "The CDs will be available at the Craterian shows." "Something to Talk About" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. Tickets are $24 and are available at the box office, 16 S. Bartlett St., online at craterian.org or by calling 541-779-3000. Gregg will be joined by singer and bass player Lisa Mann — a 2014 winner of a Blues Music Award for the category of instrumental bass — along with blues singer Anne Weiss, sultry singer and songwriter Shelly Rudolph and powerhouse vocalist Ara Lee. "Anne and I have done some shows together, and it was her idea to create this Bonnie Raitt tribute," Gregg says. "Raitt is the main reason that Anne sings. The cool thing about this show is that every singer has such a different vocal style, yet we're all paying tribute to the same artist. Ara's vocals are soul-infused, and she's got a big gospel style. It's raw and powerful. Shelly has a rich caramel-like voice." Gregg has a little trouble describing her own vocal style. "It's hardest to describe yourself, isn't it? I would say I've got a bluesy thing going on, but because of my classical background I also have more of a trained sound," she says. "Out of the five of us, my voice probably sounds most like Bonnie Raitt." Gregg shot for the moon when selecting singers and musicians for "Something to Talk About." "I'm a big fan of asking and hoping that people will say yes," she says. "If the answer is no, you can always move on. So why not start at the top? Now I'm able to pack the stage with musicians I not only look up to, but share the same appreciation I have for Bonnie Raitt." Slide guitar player David Jacobs Strain, electric guitarist Mark Bowden, keyboard player Rich Landar and drummer Dan Stueber fill out the group. "We do 'Guilty,' 'Love Me Like a Man,' 'Women Be Wise,' an amazing tune by Sippy Wallace. Lisa Mann and I do 'Women Be Wise' as a duo," Gregg says. "The coolest part about the show is the individual elements of singers coming together to create a band experience. Typically, tribute shows showcase each individual singer, so it's rare when you see a large group like this come together and put in all of the rehearsal time to create a band. "When Lisa is doing her piece, there are four singers backing her along with a rocking rhythm and guitar section. Then there are quieter moments." Strain and Mann play and sing together on a duet, and the show will also include an a cappella trio singing three-part harmonies. "From start to end, there's something for everyone," Gregg says. "It's also impressive that the band is fronted by five women who are kicking ass from start to finish." By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 4, 2015 @ 9:00 am Updated at 11:59 AM » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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