Hoodoo Johnson

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By Michael P. Jones

To some, it seemed like an eternity; but it was actually only two years. Finally, live music has returned to Mr. B's and with it, the high-energy of the band Hoodoo Johnson.

For years, Mr. B's, in Troutdale, was known for its live music. Opened initially as a truck stop, it began offering live music and its popularity took off.

When the stage closed to live music and Mr. B's started offering Karaoke, things for this truck stop changed; however, that's all changed again; and every Saturday and Sunday, many of the best musicians have returned to provide some of the best good-time entertainment around.

On the evening of Feb. 14, just in time to celebrate Valentine's Day, musicians once again took to the stage of Mr. B's. When the music filled the popular eating and drinking establishment, it was like a familiar old friend had returned home. On Saturday nights, the patrons of Mr. B's can hear the music of some of the best classic rock bands in the Portland area. From 9 p.m. to around closing time, the entertainers reach back into the past for magical songs that'll evoke special memories, you can always find a full dance floor.

Just recently, one of the hottest groups, Hoodoo Johnson, performed. With years and years of music behind them, some performing with the best bands around for the past 30 years, Hoodoo Johnson is incredible! This group performs the kind of songs that their audiences want to hear. It makes no difference if it's the tunes of The Beatles or Merle Haggard, and everything in between, their repertoire is deep and endless.

The songs of Hoodoo Johnson feature the classics made famous by such accomplished artists as Bob Dylan, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Burnette, Muddy Waters, Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffet, Bo Diddley, Toots Hibert, Helen Reddy and Hank Williams, to name a few. Or, they could perform songs from bands like The Doors, U2, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Link Wray and The Monkees. Hoodoo Johnson is said to be able to perform tunes by anyone and make it their own special stage brand. However, this band doesn't just copy the song, they add their own arrangement and energy, generally creating a depth that the original did not possess.

The band's rhythm section is said to "lock some of the best grooves in the world." With Hoodoo Johnson's abundance of guitars, coupled with a soul-searching harp for just a little texture, it is said that "no toe remains untapped."

Although considered a classic rock band, when the members of Hoodoo Johnson take to the stage, they are, as one among their ranks recently put it, "free of the shackles." The guitarists of this group will take off on some lead work, stretch it out and individualize a vintage tune until it becomes almost fresh and seemingly brand new. The band always comes across fresh, instead of old hat. One obvious reason is their musical abilities, but their success also lies in their vocals. Every member of the band sings and they clearly share the lead singing, which seems to keep things always a little bit different.

Most of the members of Hoodoo Johnson live in the Willamette Valley, the Portland area, Keizer and Corvallis. However, two in its ranks come from Seattle, Wash., and make the long drive because they simply love performing this special brand of classic rock with this collection of absolutely great musicians.

When the group takes to the stage of Mr. B's, it is usually as a four-piece, although there are seven members that they will choose from to comprise their ranks for a particular performance. In larger venues, they will sometimes appear as a six-piece. Sometimes they will even loan their members out to a number of other bands like The Wannabeatles and The Bowling Stones.

The musicians featured in Hoodoo Johnson include the following: Scotty Bickford (from Portland) on bass; Steve Peterson (from Seattle, Wash.) on drums; Todd McPherson (Keizer) on lead guitar; Dave Dixon (Portland) on drums; Barry Curtis (from Seattle, Wash.) on lead guitar; Mike Mitchell (from Portland) on lead guitar; and Jeff Hale (Corvallis) on harmonica.

Together as a band for five years, reportedly, they'll stay together as long as their music remains "unshackled" and allows them to continue to have a great time.