History, Pistol River Concert Association

In the Beginning

The Pistol River concert series began with a simple concept - bringing quality musical entertainment to this unique, rural, southwestern Oregon community. It all began on Saturday, July 17, 1982 with the performance of regionally renowned classical guitarist, Joseph Thompson.

With the help of a small but dedicated group of local supporters, co-founders Les and Mary Stansell set the precedent of quality that has since become the trademark of this small concert venue. It didn't take long for word to spread about the Pistol River Friendship Hall, with its' bright sound and warm audiences nestled along an incredible stretch of southern Oregon coastline.

Over the years, that core idea took root and has evolved into what is now The Pistol River Concert Association, a registered, non-profit, member based, Oregon corporation with an all volunteer, twelve member Board of Directors. Concerts are presented once a month throughout the year and with enthusiastic community support, the down-home flavor of the Pistol River Friendship Hall remains as strong as ever.

Our 25th Anniversary Concert was celebrated in July 2007 with a wine & guitar tasting once again featuring Joseph Thompson. Joseph, still an audience favorite, lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife Marcy where he currently teaches guitar privately and performs with The Dark Rose Trio.

Some Past Performances

Greg Brown - Bill Morrissey - Laura Love Band - James Keelaghan - Oscar Lopez - Oliver Shroer - Marley's Ghost - Chuck Pyle - Special Consensus - Paperboys - Robin and Linda Williams - Peter Ostroushko & Dean Magraw - Dan Crary & Beppe Gambetta - Fred Eaglesmith - Garnet Rogers

Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel - Scott Cossu - Cordelia's Dad - Mike Seeger - Kevin Burke's Open House - Erica Wheeler - Bryan Bowers - Martin Simpson's Band of Angels - Silk Road - The Nudes - Vance Gilbert - Kelly Joe Phelps - Ed Gerhard - Peggy Seeger - Dar Williams

Susan McKeown and the Chanting House - Norman & Nancy Blake - Peter Rowan & Tony Rice - Spencer Bohren - Kate Power & Steve Einhorn - Brooks Williams - Small Potatoes - William Coulter - Chris Proctor - Chris Smither Louise Taylor - Norton Buffalo & Friends - Perfect Strangers

Katy Moffatt - Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin - Jim Malcolm - Misty River - Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum - Gene Parsons & Meridian Green - Gordon Bok - Siskiyou Summit - Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer - Tony Trischka - David Francey - Ray Wylie Hubbard - Tom Prasada-Rao - Chaskinakuy

Mary Jane Lamond - The Burns Sisters - Stacy Phillips & Paul Howard - Michael Manring - Rosalie Sorrels - Cosy Sheridan - Claudia Schmidt - Utah Phillips - David Mallett - Pop Wagner - Ramblin' Jack Elliot - Slaid Cleaves - Maria Muldaur - David Friesen & Uwe Kropinski - Alex de Grassi

Mark Taylor - Mollie O'Brien & Rich Moore - Baba Ken Okulolo & The Nigerian Bothers - Tinh - Michael P. Smith - Harry Manx & Steve Mariner - Reedy Buzzards - Laura Cortege - Earl Brothers - Goh Kurosawa & Jaxson Williams - Nancy Curtin - Mary Flower - Lauren Sheehan

Ray Bonneville - Los Pinguos - Sol Flamenco - Tom Russell - Hanneke Cassel - True North - Primal Mates - David Jacobs-Strain & Walker T. Ryan - Adam del Monte - Eliza Jane - Gypsy Soul - 3 Leg Torso - Tony Furtado - Eric Taylor

The Unruly Mob that Makes It Happen

Linda Elfman	President & Governmental Liaison
John Cyparski	Vice President & Wave Length Modulator Extraordinaire
Mary Stansell	Co-founder, Secretary/Treasurer, & Housing Facilitator
Les Stansell	Co-founder, Grandfather Figure & Cajon Smacker
Mary Kearney	Board Member & Canine Haberdasher
John Kearney	Board Member, Booking Agent & Member Recruitment Ambassador
Philip Smith	Board Member, Byte Manager & Image Constructor
Hap Freiberg	Board Member, Shammes & Correspondence Coordinator
Carol Brown	Board Member & Culinary Director
Ken Craig	Board Member & Keeper of "The Bun"
Sue Dawson	Board Member & Tsunami Monitor
Dave Manzella	Board Member & Cuisine Safety Officer
Glenn Elfman	Consort to the President and Gravity Neutralizer