May 2012
If a packed house at O'connors on the last two of our monthly Tuesday night gigs there are any indication, then it's gonna be an exciting spring and summer for Freak Flag Fly. I'm waiting to confirm July dates for the band at The Blue Diamond and McMennamins, and have some solid solo acoustic bookings (see links above for dates and venues). I've also been in contact with Galeotti's in Battle Ground, WA, and Confluence Vineyards & Winery in Ridgefield, WA. The solo thing seems to be catching on.

Talking with Carlton & Denny after the 5/1 gig it came to light that everyone in the band is in the Oregon Music Hall of Fame (Carlton & Denny as individuals, and me as a founding member of Johnny & The Distractions). Not to get all puffed up, but I think that's pretty cool. Had I realized that, I might have called the band "Halll of Fame".

APRIL 2012
Bassist extraordinaire Denny Bixby took his rightful place with the trio for our April 10 gig at O'Connors. Also joining us was a near capacity crowd, for which I am grateful. We debuted a tune I wrote for Puzzle back in the early '80's (but never brought to the band) called "One Man's Poison", as well as our cover of "Long Time 'Till I Get Over You", a Craig Fuller song from Little Feat's Let It Roll CD. Looking forward to May 1st when we get to do it again.

Also, a new ReverbNation band page has been established (www.reverbnation.com/ronstephens) with select audio and video clips for your enjoyment. You can also reach it by clicking the "Band Profile" button on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ronsongs). Happy surfing.

MARCH 2012
One of the cool things about the interweb is that it affords the opportunity to expand beyond mere promotion, and get into the philosophy of a given musical endeavor. My new project, RON STEPHENS and Freak Flag Fly, is the first time in my 48 year musical career that I have put myself out front, rather than serve in a supporting role. That's not for lack of sideman opportunities, and it's not to appease an overinflated ego. It's just that the older I get the more I want to play the songs and the styles I enjoy most, and not expend whatever short and precious time I have remaining, doing otherwise.

I have always been a lover and proponent of the traditional 2:50 "don't bore us, get to the chorus" pop song format. But lately I've got the itch to stretch out improvisationally as a guitarist, and to surround myself with players of such a caliber that whatever happens will be alright. To start with the basic song form, then twist it, warp it, bring it down, raise it up, swing it, straighten it out, switch the groove up - half-time, double-time, samba, mambo, etc. - and let the arrangements develop over time, as opposed to pre-composing and rehearsing everything.

To that end, I am thrilled to have the support of Carlton Jackson and Denny Bixby, two truly world-class musicians, among the most respected and talented in the Portland, OR area. With their solid support I will have the opportunity to inflict my own peculiar "white boy got the woo woo", Texas blues via Bakersfield country, Telecaster driven power twang, rock & soul influence on classic, as well as original, songs.

UPDATE: After a stellar debut on March 18 at O'Connors Restaurant in SW Portland (with Corby Stephens ably covering the bass chair) the trio will return on April 10 to repeat the assault on your musical senses and sensibilities.

.

FEBRUARY 2012
My most recent musical endeavors revolve around 2 projects. News@11 (known in the late '80s and early '90's as Machaira) is in the final months of our reunion season. We released a 9-song CD in late 2011.

In March 2012 "Ron Stephens and Freak Flag Fly" will launch into the great unknown with our debut Tuesday, March 13 at O'Connor's Vault in Portland's Multnomah Village. I am thrilled to have Carlton Jackson (drums) and Denny Bixby (bass) on board to fly the freak flag with me as we explore the extended twists and turns of some of the blues-based rock and soul classics that have inspired me for the last 50+ years.

OCTOBER 2011
It was a genuine thrill to perform at, and be inducted into, the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in October, 2011, as a founding member of Johnny & The Distractions. As I stated at the induction ceremony, I wasn't with Jon for the entire ride, but I was on the very first record and the very first gigs, and on the very last ones too (various reunions notwithstanding). I remain grateful to Jon, Bill, LaRue, Kip, and all "D's" alumni for including me.