Great Northern Planes was formed out of the ashes of former Portland band Pumpkin Ridge. The band was forced to split after too many people called at 6:00 a.m. on weekends to ask for a tee-time. However, the "Punk" attitude was kept, and a new sound was born of the ashes. The result has been a successful combination that has taken the band to new places. Whether you want traditional Bluegrass for your formal gatherings or a Bluegrass free-for-all that's guaranteed to get you arrested, The Great Northern Planes do it all. When the late Bill Monroe was asked to comment on these boys, he responded, "What?"
Musicians include:
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Rob Hakanson, a former "Punk" Fiddler, is now a mandolin manipulator. For the Planes, Rob has analyzed each and every combination of strings and frets and has concluded that there are twelve, yes twelve notes only, in the world of the mandolin. He can play them in order, backwards or forwards. If you can catch Rob warming up before a show, maybe you can hear one of those catchy tunes, da,da da da da da da de da da. Off stage Rob is a computer something or other. We know Rob is good at what he does because they let him work late at night and on the weekends too. |
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Jim Hancock, a "Punk" original, has come a long way from his "log cabin in New York City" birthplace. When it comes to clean and thoughtful banjo playing, I can tell you one thing, Jim is a nice guy. Ask Jim (wake him up first) about his ukuleles and zebras. |
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Steve Bond is the Planes' bass virtuoso. Steve came to the Northwest not too long ago from Wallyland. Rockabilly, klezmer, bluegrass -- it's all music to him. Steve was in the Northwest as a part of the Federal Witness Protection Program. During last year's federal government shutdown, they could no longer afford to keep him hidden, so they turned him loose and told everyone who he was. We're glad they did because we found him. |
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Doug Hancock, known as the "Pharoah of the Flat Pick," constantly plays all around the melody and on both sides of the beat. When he's not playing his guitar, he's testing different forms of asbestos-based hair polymers for Mary Kay. If you see Doug, feel his hair. Trust us. |
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Great Northern Planes calendar of events:
- July 18, 2002 7-9 PM
Shute Park Summer Concert Series, Hillsboro, Oregon
- July 20, 2002 1 PM
Estacada Arts Festival, Estacada, Oregon
- July 25-28, 2002The Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival, Stevenson, Washington
- August 9-11, 2002
Mount Saint Helen's Bluegrass Festival, Toledo High School, Toledo, Washington
- August 16, 2002
Mount Hood Bluegrass Festival, Hood River County Fairgrounds, Odell, Oregon
- August 17, 2002
Anderson Island Bluegrass Festival, Anderson Island (reached via the Steilicoom ferry), Washington
- August 23-25, 2002
Oregon State Bluegrass Festival, Winston, Oregon
- September 21-22, 2002
Moses Lake Heritage Festival, Moses Lake, Washington
- October 12, 2002
Heritage Farms Fall Festival, Scholls Ferry Road, Scholls, Oregon
- October 19, 2002 PEACESTRINGS
Benefit Concert for Laura's House of Peace, Salem, Oregon
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For more information on scheduled events or booking Great Northern Planes for your event,
Call: 503-246-1696 or drop by their website at www.greatnorthernplanes.com.
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