Tunesmith Night

The Wallowa Valley Music Alliance continues the 19th season of Tunesmith Night, a showcase of original music. The concert features three songwriters sharing their original work in a round-robin format, at the historic Enterprise Odd Fellows Hall. The unique listening space provides an up-close and intimate experience for both audience and performers.
The Saturday, January 11 concert features Sage Christie, Gregory Rawlins, and Ariana Samples. Doors open at 6:30pm with music starting at 7pm. Admission is $10. Beverage service available.
With a voice clear as a mountain stream, Sage Christie sings lush folk fairytales born of childlike wonder and candid introspection. Their knack for melody and effortlessly poignant lyrics have made them a Kerrville New Folk finalist twice, and often draw comparisons to the likes of Janis Ian, Joni Mitchell, and Alison Krauss. Listeners can expect to laugh, weep, and come away with hearts wide open.
Ariana Samples is a young local artist who has grown up in the music world of Wallowa County. She has been singing as long as she can remember, and her favorite music pastime is playing with her dad and her brother. She began writing songs with her best friend when she was nine years old. The songs at that time were mostly inspired by their little brothers and parents. She learned to play bass when she was twelve and it is her favorite instrument to progress on. Through her teenage years, Ariana began to write songs to sort through her emotions and try to understand herself better. Some of her songs are religious praises, and others are laments of emotions that she was unsure of how to express to others. Heartfelt and poetic lyrics are her go-to, and she enjoys instrumental composition.  
Gregory Rawlins was born in lush and rainy Port Orchard, Washington, and when he wasn't building forts or popping wheelies, he was marveling at the beauty of the natural world. Through a love for poetry and theatre, Rawlins began writing and performing his songs in the mid 2000s, and hasn't looked back since-- recording 15 full-length albums-- including "Pale Marble Movie" and "Ma"-- two drastically different albums, both released this past December 6th. From folk to hard rock to experimental, nothing is off the table for exploration. "I see so many parallels between going for a hike, and wandering through the studio-- searching for an untapped wilderness of expression," says the artist. "Both places replenish me, give me joy, and are (for the most part) good for my health." Rawlins also teaches Language Arts and Drama at North Powder Charter School.