Magical. That was the word used by organizers and attendees to describe the experience as thousands of music fans descended on the Clackamas County Fairgrounds in Canby, along with an unforgettable edition of the revived Wild Hare Music Festival, led by Zach Bryan, Marcus King, Morgan Wade, Lucero. and many others.
A friend of the Harefest tribute band, who toured the same venues last weekend, the Wild Hare Music Fest is a collection full of country, American, blues, blues, top talent and rising stars. southern rock, folk as well as a bit of gospel and R&B.
Both festivals are organized and presented by the same local groups, including Joan Monen, founder of Canby and Oregon City’s Wild Hare Saloon, Jason Fellman of J-Fell Presents and Journey in honor of Stone in Love, and new CEO Kyle Lang.
“It was a magical weekend on so many levels,” Fellman told Current afterwards. “Inspired performances, lively crowds and a great new venue at Clackamas County Fairgrounds.”
The Music Fest was a huge success, Fellman said, gathering about 9,000 attendees for the two-day event.
“I’m not going to lie: it was pretty surreal when Zach Bryan announced that he was leading the festival for the first time,” he said. “We’re already talking about how we can improve the whole weekend experience for our attendees, and of course that acts to book for next year!”
Saturday’s incredibly strong lineup certainly didn’t disappoint, starting at 9am with local star Olivia Harms and ending about 15 hours later with a Grammy-nominated frantic style of crushing the Grammy-nominated guitarist – already 26 years old. as one of the leading music guitarists and blues artists.
But there’s no doubt that many of the moments fans will recount in the coming years came on Friday night, when Bryan, a serious singer-songwriter and military veteran, is in the midst of a meteoric rise in country music superstars. , Took the stage in Canby, Oregon.
“Thank you, Canby,” he said. “It’s a beautiful and beautiful town for everyone who lives here.”
Bryan and his team actually got the full experience of Canby, including cutting out the local Head Case Beauty and Barber Company salon and getting a shave.
Bryan, the debut album from the famous American Heartbreak album two months ago, is now at the top of the U.S. country, rock and folk charts, and told organizers it was his first time leading a music festival, but it certainly will be. don’t be his last.
“We don’t feel like we have to lead festivals, but we are,” Bryan told the crowd that sold out at Clackamas County Fairgrounds.
In fact, on the early morning of the Wild Hare Music Fest, Bryan released a new nine-song EP, Summertime Blues, and announced a huge tour of the country, stopping at some of the nation’s largest amphitheaters and music festivals, including Moon River. and Lollapalooza.
Despite taking the main stage from 10pm onwards, Bryan had no plans to return early, offering the longest set of the day with music over 90 minutes, including a band with musician Charles Wesley Godwin.
As if that weren’t enough, he returned to the tables that thrilled the crowd at the encore performance of “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and “Revival”.
In a tweet posted early Saturday morning, Bryan made it clear that the outing would not only be remembered by fans.
“Tonight has been one of my favorite sessions I’ve played in Canby, Oregon,” he said. “Thank you for being us and being kind. Faith in humanity is at the highest level. ”
For a band from southern Salem, the night was more than just music. Earlier this year, neighbor Grace Hawley Jefferson lost one of her best friends, Gary McDaniel, a Scio athlete who turned 19 on July 15th.
His favorite song was one of Bryan’s first hits, “Snow.” Hawley posted on Twitter asking if Bryan would consider offering the song to Gary on his birthday, and he readily accepted, “I’m sorry, and I can’t wait to play it. It’ll be for him!”
Hawley and Gary’s more than two dozen friends wore shirts made especially for the concert and were ready to celebrate the life and love of music of their fallen friend.
“Gary was one of the kindest and kindest people I’ve ever met and they loved him so much,” Hawley told Current. “Gary was the light of so many people’s lives, and we all miss him a lot. It was special that we had the opportunity to pay tribute to him on his birthday. ”
Even though the temperatures were in the 80s, “Snow” arrived early on Bryan’s set, and the team’s experience was almost indescribable.
“Very special,” he said. “Almost all of Gary’s close friends were together on his birthday, knowing that Zach Bryan would sing his favorite song. I really can’t put it into words.
“It felt like nothing else mattered; we were all there to celebrate one of the most special people we had the pleasure of meeting. I missed him, but he had the best seat in the house and I know he was definitely there for us. Zach is really amazing. I’d rather pay for it. ‘
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