LEBANON
Taste the Craft
Cowarts offer artisan beers and food
By Angie Helvey, Active Media
Photos by MJ Media Productions, Active Media
Matt Cowart never thought he’d end up in the brewing industry, but after 14 years as a home brewer with awards under his belt and a growing local interest, it just made sense. Since 2015, Matt and his wife Rachelle have been the dream team behind Conversion Brewing. “I come up with the crazy plans, and she makes them happen,” he says. Their unique craft beers and scratch-made wood-fired food will have you “converted” in no time.
All beers and sodas at Conversion are concocted to perfection in the brewery at the back of the building, and guests can watch the magic happen through a large glass window just down the hall from the seating area. The wide range of styles with meticulously developed flavors will delight your palate, and all result directly from Matt’s selftaught prowess. The Mission Export Stout, at 7% ABV, is the
only beer on tap that’s been around since the beginning. Its velvety texture and richtasting notes of coffee and chocolate won a gold medal at the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards.
The Belfry is another house favorite, a straw-colored beer with 9.5% ABV that’s dry and super refreshing. “It’s made with Belgian yeast, so it’s kind of spicy and fruity,” Matt explains. With the abundance of fruit grown yearly in the Willamette Valley, seasonal fruit beers are also popular, with varieties like Strawberry Celebration and Blackberry Pale.
Brews and housemade sodas are available on tap for on-site indulgence and growler fills, and many varieties are sold in canned fourpacks that can even be delivered right to your doorstep with a hot meal. Local wine and ciders are also on the menu, as are imaginative rotating craft cocktails and premium whiskeys served neat or on the rocks.
The brewpub features exquisite culinary pairings for its beers, all wood-fired from the giant brick oven displayed in full view behind the counter. Pizza is their specialty, with plenty of fun flavor combinations they’ve developed over the years. Guest favorites include the Bacon & Dill Pickle — topped with housemade pickles — and the Spring Pig, featuring garlic oil, mozzarella, bacon, pear, and figs. They also make classic pies and a delicious selection of shareable appetizers, salads and entrees. “The meat for our burgers is raised right here in Lebanon, and they feed the cows
our spent grains. It’s a great partnership — we like to say, ‘Drink a beer, feed a cow,’” Matt says with a laugh. Dessert is cheesecake or the Dutch Apple Pizza, made with freshly baked apples and cinnamon and topped with a decadent Dutch crumble.
The pub is family-friendly and offers an outdoor patio in a rented section of the adjacent park. Table games are
available inside to inspire community and connection. The venue hosts live music and themed events like their St. Patrick’s Day “Irish Pub Night” with live music and an all-Irish food menu (March 17), and “When it Rains, We Pour,” a fun & educational beer sampling party (April 12).
Running a brewery downtown has been a wonderful experience for Matt. “I love that I can walk up front, see the beer being served directly to a customer and get their feedback,” he says. “If you’re looking for a really good fresh beer, our brewpub is the way to go.”
Conversion Brewing is located at 833 S. Main Street in Lebanon. Please give them a call at (541) 259-2337 or visit their website at www.conversionbrewing.com.
Passionate
PeopleCraftingCommunity
FAMILY FRIENDLY
NOON-8PM
(up to $11) buy any PIZZA PIZZA & enjoy an Appetizer Appetizer on us!
Legacy of Trust and Service
Your dedicated real estate partner in Linn County and beyond
By Kelly Romo, Active Media
Photos by MJ Media Productions, Active Media
Oregon Real Estate Professionals has established itself as a trusted name in real estate. Todd Branson founded the agency in 2019 and brought decades of dedication and experience in the real estate industry with him. Todd’s expertise and genuine love for the great outdoors have shaped how he helps clients carve out their own slice of heaven in this beautiful region. Whether guiding his team of real estate professionals or enjoying time hunting, fishing and camping, Todd remains committed to his community and the people he serves.
Each team member at Oregon Real Estate Professionals brings unique skills and a deep understanding of market trends, neighborhood dynamics and pricing strategies, enabling them to meet the specific needs of every client. The team’s focus on building lasting relationships and commitment to excellence set them apart as trusted advisors in the local real estate market.
For buyers, the process begins with a personalized consultation to understand their specific preferences, budget and goals. The team takes the time to learn about each client’s vision, whether it’s finding a cozy home, securing a
commercial property, or discovering the perfect recreational retreat. Oregon Real Estate Professionals also provides buyers with comprehensive access to the Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service, which offers an extensive range of listings across residential, commercial and recreational properties.
Sellers gain a competitive edge through Oregon Real Estate Professionals’ detailed approach to pricing and marketing properties. The team carefully evaluates market trends, the property’s standout features, and the client’s desired timeline to develop
a customized plan for each listing. For clients seeking a quick sale, they suggest strategies to generate immediate interest. At the same time, sellers who are open to making improvements will receive expert guidance to maximize their property’s value. Complimentary property evaluations are offered to provide an accurate assessment of the home’s market value so sellers can price competitively and appeal to the right buyers.
Oregon Real Estate Professionals is more than a business: it’s a community partner dedicated to delivering exceptional service. Their mission is to guide clients through every step of their real estate journey with professionalism and care. The team believes in building lasting relationships and treating every client as a valued member of their extended family.
Whether buying your dream home or selling your property, Oregon Real Estate Professionals will guide you every step of the way. Call (541) 258-6100, visit their website at www. oregonrealestateprofessionals.com, or stop by the office at 2345 S. Santiam Highway in Lebanon.
B-Ball Madness
Slam dunk for college basketball
ACROSS
1 The shot players take after being fouled. (2 words)
3 Nickname for the Oregon State University men’s and women’s basketball teams. The women’s program formally organized in 1899; the men’s in 1901.
6 One of the greatest basketball players ever to grace the college and NBA stage. His namesake Nike shoes are considered the top of the sneaker world. (2 words)
7 City of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four where one can find the Alamo and pro basketball teams called the Spurs and the Stars.
11 A move in basketball when a defensive player legally takes the ball away from their opponent.
12 Basketball inventor James Naismith fashioned the first basketball hoop from a basket meant for this stone fruit celebrated and grown in Georgia.
13 ________ are numbers that inidicate the placement of teams or players in tournament brackets. Plants also grow from these.
DOWN
2 The University of ________ won the first NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 1939. They were the Webfoots back then.
3 Portland Trail Blazers’ most decorated player who played for UCLA and was a proud supporter of the now shuttered PAC-12 Conference.
4 Florida city of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Final Four where one might see a Buccaneer at Busch Gardens.
5 The period of rest in the middle of a competitive basketball game. (2 words)
7 The sound a basetball makes when it goes through the hoop without hitting the rim or backboard.
8 Oregon’s homegrown athletic apparel company considered the top outfitter for the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
9 Oregon State University’s epic 1980–1981 men’s basketball team was referred to as the ________ Express and was led by legendary Coach Ralph Miller. The nickname pays homage to one of the school colors and the color of a basketball.
10 Often known as the playmaker, the point ________ is typically the shortest on the team but is great at handling and passing the ball. Also a name for one who keeps watch.
Robin’s Northside Bar & Grill promises fantastic food made with the best ingredients, excellent service, a great atmosphere, a loaded bar and comfortable seating inside and out. Appetizers include eclectic items such as firecracker shrimp and Korean BBQ cauliflower, along with classics such as fries, tots, wings and more. In the mood for a burger? We encourage you to build your own but it’s always served on a flaky croissant bun. Entrées span land and sea, with steak, grilled chicken and salmon dinners. And for those wanting an international flavor, we suggest our popular poke bowls filled with the freshest ingredients. Salads, a kid’s menu and dessert round out the food offerings. Come see us, and bring your appetite!
ACROSS: 1. Free Throw. 3. Beavers. 6. Michael Jordan. 7. San Antonio. 11. Steal. 12. Peach. 13. Seeds. DOWN: 2. Oregon. 3. Bill Walton. 4. Tampa. 5. Half Time. 7. Swish. 8. Nike. 9. Orange. 10. Guard.
Lakeside Libations
All ages taproom features craft brews and scratch kitchen
By Angie Helvey, Active Media
Photos by MJ Media Productions, Active Media
When Shannon Gabel was a little girl growing up in Lacomb and eating at The Cedar Shack, she never imagined she’d be running a taphouse decades later at the exact location. “My dad was a logger, and he’d bring the family in for dinner after work,” she says. “My childhood heart is tied to this place.” Shannon’s now the Lead Manager & Executive Chef at The Rusty Bucket Tap House, a family-friendly stop for rotating local brews, mouth-watering culinary pairings and rural Oregon nostalgia.
The tap list at The Rusty Bucket changes frequently depending on seasonal additions and customer requests, with various styles and flavors sure to delight your palate. Many of the brews and ciders are sourced from different areas of the Pacific Northwest, and the wine selection comes straight from vineyards in Sweet Home. Also a bartender by trade, Shannon dreams up all the specialty cocktails and fun seasonal creations, including a Pear Sidecar and a refreshing Paloma with fresh grapefruit for spring.
With over ten years of culinary prowess, Shannon designs the menu with homemade cuisine and fresh ingredients. One of their biggest sellers is the Genuine Broaster Chicken, prepared with a trademarked pressure fryer that makes for extra crispy skin on the outside and flavorful, juicy meat on the inside. Guests also love the giant burgers, each piled high with delicious combinations of fresh toppings. “All of our proteins are cooked on a pellet grill,” Shannon explains, “so they’re smoked, which gives them a unique added flavor.” Daily Specials like Wing Wednesday are also on the agenda, including a Friday night Tri-Tip dinner directly sourced from the Sweet Home Meat Market & Smokehouse. Desserts are made from scratch with whatever is fresh and in season. “We’re currently branching out and experimenting with homemade pies,” Shannon says. Recent customer favorites include the Coconut Cream pie and Peanut Butter Chocolate, but as the weather gets warmer, she plans to use fresh produce like strawberries, cherries and rhubarb.
When the former Cedar Shack property began its revival in March 2023, a new building was added, which became the official taphouse. It houses the bar and a cozy seating area with a pellet stove and mood lighting, while the original restaurant evolved into a laid-back dining room. The decor nods to Sweet Home’s roots in the logging industry, with old tree saws and black-and-white photos on display. Both venues are open to
all ages. “We want to create a safe and comfortable hangout for our younger generation,” Shannon explains.
Supporting youth in the community is a cornerstone of the business and includes heavy involvement in high school athletics and music programs.
The Rusty Bucket is just down the road from Foster Lake, so it’s the perfect landing for travelers, with a parking lot designed to accommodate boats, RVs and even side-by-sides for mud-bogging. Customers can pick up their meal at the drive-through for ultimate convenience and head straight to the water or over the mountain. The outdoor area is turfed, so the grass is always green, and in the warmer months, you’ll see guests playing yard games like giant Jenga and
Cornhole. The team plans to host fun gatherings like outdoor movie nights. Watch their website and social media for updates — exciting surprises are in store in the coming months!
The Rusty Bucket Tap House is located at 4102 Highway 20 in Sweet Home. Please give them a call (541) 401-6111 or visit their website at therustybuckettaphouse.com
Great Beer, burgers
International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, honors the achievements and contributions of women worldwide.
Barbie (2023)
“Because Barbie can be anything, women can be anything.”
Maybe the most impactful movie about women in the last decade, especially due to its metafiction and bluntness, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” unapologetically addresses women’s issues and has a blast doing it. Full of clever humor, emotional depth, and social commentary galore, Barbie has an existential crisis and embarks on an adventure of self-discovery while battling the patriarchy in the real world and back at home. Ken, meanwhile, reconciles his own identity and what it means to be a patriarchal man, diving deep into stereotypes and fur coats. It’s otherworldly and gorgeously designed, funny, tender, and an unflinching look at the issues women face today. Starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, and more. Rated PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language.
Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library or rental kiosk.
The Color Purple (2023)Little Women (2019)
“Until you do right by me, everything you think about is going to crumble.”
Directed by Blitz Bazawule, the 2023 musical adaptation of The Color Purple follows a group of Black women in the early 20th century South. The story follows Celie, who transcends her oppression through self-empowerment, highlighting the importance of sisterhood, resilience, and the transformative power of love. This movie deals with Black women’s struggle against systemic racism and sexism, especially the importance of reclaiming your voice and identity. The relationships between the women, like Celie, Shug Avery, and Sofia, show how strength can be found in solidarity and support. Starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, and more. Rated PG-13 for mature themes and violence — older teens and adults are recommended.
“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I’m so sick of it.”
The 2019 adaptation from Greta Gerwig offers a fresh take on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 19th century novel. The movie explores themes of female independence, artistic aspirations, and what society expected of women at the time, especially marriage and financial security. The story follows the ups and downs of the March sisters — Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy — especially the tension between their dreams and social norms. Jo pursues a writing career, resisting traditional gender roles for her own autonomy and self-expression — women were expected to be homemakers, not artists or careerwomen. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, and more. Rated PG for mature themes and brief smoking.
833 S. Main Street
OR 97355 (541) 259-2337 conversionbrewing.com
Passionate People Crafting Community. Located in downtown Lebanon, Conversion Brewing was established in 2014 by brewer Matt Cowart. On tap, the house-made beers include a wide range, such as Bourbon Barrel Stout, Scotch Strong Ale, Belgian Tripel, Porter, Wheat with Berries, Belgian Quad, Hazy IPA, West Coast IPA, Cream Ale and others — the taps are always changing, so check in frequently. Conversion Brewing boasts a wood-fired oven making mouthwatering pizzas. Diners must try the Bacon & Dill Pickle, Spring Pig (garlic oil, mozzarella, bacon, pear and figs) and Viking Potato (garlic oil, mozzarella, sliced potatoes, Parmesan, sausage and shitake mushrooms), among others. Other dishes, such as pub burgers, sandwiches, salads and appetizers, round out the menu, plus dessert options. Check the website for an active events calendar filled with music, trivia and more.
Stylish Solutions
Exceptional service for every budget
By Patti Jo Brooks, Active Media
For over three decades, Budget Blinds has been a trusted name in stylish and functional window coverings, combining outstanding customer service with an extensive selection of products. Heather Van Eyk, the owner of the Albany and Corvallis franchise, celebrates the company’s 33 years of success, built on a strong foundation of innovation and care. With access to the largest network of vendors nationwide, Budget Blinds is ready to transform any space — residential or commercial — into a haven of comfort and beauty.
The Perfect Balance of Style and Functionality
Windows bring light and life into our homes and businesses, but they can also impact energy efficiency. Heather and her team specialize in helping customers find window treatments that combine beauty, practicality, and ease of use. “We offer solutions for every situation and every budget, from classic options to cutting-edge technology,” Heather says.
Among their most popular products are honeycomb shades, valued for their exceptional energy efficiency. They can even qualify for government tax rebates, making them a smart investment for eco-conscious customers. Automation can also be added to almost all blinds, shades and drapes, which can be controlled via a smartphone, remote or wall switch for ultimate convenience.
Light Control and Improved Sleep
For those seeking better light control, Budget Blinds provides a variety of blackout shades and draperies. These are ideal for night-shift workers, migraine sufferers, or young children needing restful sleep during long summer days. “Blackout window coverings can dramatically improve sleep quality and comfort,” Heather explains.
Comprehensive Service and Sustainability
Budget Blinds is a start-to-finish operation, handling everything from precise measurements to professional installation. The company also offers the industry’s top warranty, ensuring peace of mind for customers. “We’re not just selling you blinds — we’re building a relationship for the life of your blinds,” Heather emphasizes. In keeping with their commitment to sustainability, the team also repairs blinds, sometimes extending their lifespan by 15 years or more. “If we can fix it and keep it out of the landfill, we will,” she adds.
The Heart of the Business: The Team
Heather credits much of the franchise’s success to her dedicated team. Kayla Green, a seasoned salesperson, has been with the company for six years, while Kerry Modin joined in 2024 to manage scheduling, logistics, and front desk operations. Rick White provides professional installation for all the shades, drape and blinds. Their exceptional customer service has earned the franchise a steady stream of referrals and repeat business.
A Passion for Design and Community
Heather’s journey to franchise ownership began locally. A South Albany High School graduate and Oregon State University alumna, she initially trained as a kitchen and bath designer. After starting her own interior design business, she joined Budget Blinds part-time. When the opportunity arose to take over the Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, and Philomath franchise, Heather seized it.
Innovating for the Future
Looking ahead, Heather is eager to expand the business into smart home technology, focusing on automated solutions that enhance convenience and safety, particularly for aging-inplace customers. Exterior shades for patios are also growing in popularity.
Installing solar screens allows patios to be enjoyed comfortably even in the heat of the summer.
Giving Back to the Community
Heather and her team are deeply committed to community involvement. They participate in an annual food and toy drive and partner with charitable organizations that focus on children and food insecurity. “Helping others in our community is a passion for me and my team,” Heather shares.
With a dedication to quality, innovation, and community, Budget Blinds of Albany and Corvallis continues to elevate spaces and serve customers with style and care. Call today to begin transforming your home or business!
Visit Budget Blinds showroom, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. M-F, located at 133 Broadalbin St. S.W. in Albany. Phone (541) 738-2806. For online information search: Budget Blinds Albany Corvallis.
Maple Magic
The sweet history of maple syrup season
By Robert Matsumura, Active Media
Each spring, as snow melts away and days grow longer, a time-honored tradition commences in the northeastern forests of North America. Maple syrup season, a period both laborious and sweet, is an enduring celebration of nature, history, and culinary delight.
The Roots of Maple Syrup
Long before colonists arrived in North America from Europe, the indigenous peoples, particularly the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe, were the first to tap sugar maple trees for their sap. Legend has it that a hunter’s wife accidentally discovered the process of boiling sap into syrup after using tree sap instead of water for cooking venison. The sweet aroma and taste were a revelation.
Over the years, indigenous communities developed various techniques for collecting and processing sap, including the use of hollowed-out logs and hot stones for boiling. The sap’s nutritional value was also recognized as a vital energy source after long winters.
Sap to Syrup: A Sticky Process
The transformation of sap into syrup is an art steeped in both tradition and science. As winter gives way to spring, sugar maple trees store starch in their roots. As the days warm and the nights cool, this starch converts to sugar, causing the sap to flow. February through April are typically the ideal months for the harvesting of sap.
Harvesting sap involves tapping the trees by drilling small holes. Next, spouts are inserted to direct the liquid into buckets or tubing systems. A single tree yields 10 to 20 gallons of sap, but it takes approximately 40 gallons to produce just one gallon of syrup. The sap is boiled down in a sugarhouse where the water evaporates, leaving behind that golden, sticky sweetness we love to slather on waffles and pancakes!
A Global Treasure with Local Roots
Although the majority of maple syrup production derives from Canada and the United States, this delicacy has won fans worldwide. Quebec alone accounts for roughly 70 percent of the world’s maple syrup, so it’s no surprise that the province treats it like liquid gold, even maintaining a “Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve” to stabilize prices and supplies.
Over the years, maple syrup has evolved from a beloved pancake topping to a versatile ingredient in gourmet cuisine, cocktails, and even skincare products. Not only is it a symbol of sustainability and seasonality, it is rooted in respect for the environment and the intricate relationship between people and the land.
Sweet Traditions
Maple syrup season is also a period of community celebration. Across maple-producing regions, sugar shacks (or “cabane à sucre” in French) welcome in the public, providing tours, tastings, and traditional meals featuring maple syrup-infused dishes. From syrup on snow to smoky maple bacon, these gatherings foster both camaraderie and an appreciation for culinary creations featuring maple syrup as the star.
A Taste of History
More more than just a harvest, maple syrup season is a living link to centuries of tradition. Every drop of syrup bears the essence of the forests, the ingenuity of indigenous peoples, and the labor of those who continue the craft today. So the next time you drizzle maple syrup over your pancakes, savor the story behind the sweetness. It’s a flavor that connects us to the past, celebrates the present, and promises a delicious future.
Shrimp with Polenta
Venetian-style dish a zesty, creamy delight
Polenta
8 cups water
2 cups stone-ground plain white or yellow cornmeal
11/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 fresh bay leaf
Shrimp
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
1/2 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup lower-sodium chicken stock
2 pounds raw large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
Directions
Polenta: Whisk water, cornmeal, salt and bay leaf in saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring bottom and sides often. Reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally until thickened, about 40 minutes. Remove and cover. Shrimp: Heat
oil, garlic and red pepper in deep skillet over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until softened, about 3 minutes. Add wine. Bring to a simmer over medium-high; stir occasionally until reduced by half. Add stock. Return to simmer. Simmer for 3 minutes.
Add shrimp, zest and salt. Cook until shrimp are slightly opaque, about 4 minutes. Stir in butter and half the parsley. Once butter melts, remove from heat. Cover and steam shrimp until just cooked, about 2 minutes. Divide polenta among bowls; top each with shrimp and sauce. Garnish with rest of parsley.
JOHNNIE RAY
The Prince of Wails
How Dallas, Oregon’s Johnnie Ray shaped rock & roll
By Robert Matsumura, Active Media
Far before the Beatles crossed the Atlantic or Elvis gyrated his hips on national television, a performer from a small town in Oregon was thrilling audiences with his unique voice and emotionally charged performances. Johnnie Ray, nicknamed the “Cry Guy,” the “Prince of Wails,” and “The Million Dollar Teardrop,” was already impacting the music of the early 1950s and blazing the trail for rock and roll. So influential was Ray on the emerging music scene of the time, that Tony Bennett famously noted: “Johnnie Ray was completely different than anything that went before him... I consider Johnnie Ray to be the father of rock and roll.”
A Star is Born in Dallas, Oregon
Born John Alvin Ray on January 10, 1927, in Dallas, Oregon, his path to stardom was anything but conventional. Raised on a farm, Johnnie is reported to have begun his musical training at the age of three, on the piano, and by 12 was singing in the local church choir. Later, during the war years, his family relocated to Portland where Ray attended Franklin High School.
Despite a hearing impairment caused by an accident at the age of 13, Ray’s determination to
pursue a career in music never wavered. In fact, his partial deafness (he was forced to wear hearing aids) seemed to heighten his ability to convey raw emotion — a hallmark of his signature style. Ironically, Ray credited his hearing impairment as a pivotal event in his development as an artist. “My need for sincerity traces back to when I was a child and lost my hearing,” Ray stated. “I became withdrawn. I had an emotional need to develop a relationship to other people.”
The Big Break
In the late 1940s, Ray moved to Detroit, where he began performing in nightclubs and honing his craft. It was during this time that his unique style began to emerge. Fusing elements of jazz, blues, and gospel with an intensity rarely seen in pop music, Ray’s performances were a revelation. His raw style saw him crying, sweating, and even kneeling on stage — sincere displays of emotion that resonated deeply with his audiences. Ray’s big break came in 1951 when he inked a deal with Okeh Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. He first struck it big with a double-sided hit single of “Cry” and “The Little White Cloud That Cried,” which sold over two million copies and skyrocketed
to number one on the Billboard charts. The song’s heart-wrenching lyrics and Ray’s soulful delivery struck a chord with listeners. Ray’s meteoric rise to fame drew legions of young fans, and he became a teen idol both in the U.S. and overseas. From 1951 to ’58 Ray scored more than twenty hits including “Please Mr. Sun,” “Here am I - Broken Hearted,” and “Walkin’ Baby Back Home.”
The Birth of Rock and Roll
While Ray is frequently associated with traditional pop and jazz, his influence on the birth of rock and roll cannot be overstated. His raw, expressive performances and willingness to push musical boundaries paved the way for future icons. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Elton John have all credited Ray as an influence on their musical styles. Ray’s manager also noted that Elvis Presley often attended Johnnie Ray’s concerts. Ringo Starr of the Beatles recalled that the three musicians the band listened to in their formative days were Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnnie Ray.
Critics have noted that Ray’s vocal style — a mix of crooning and wailing
— diverged from the polished, smooth sound of the post-war era. Instead, his unfiltered, emotionally-charged approach would become a calling card of rock and roll. Beyond the music itself, his stage presence — dramatic gestures and passionate energy – were a precursor to the showmanship that would later come to define the genre.
A Rollercoaster Career
Despite his early success, Ray’s career was marked by highs and lows. By the mid-1950s, his popularity in the United States began to fade as rock and roll’s new generation of stars took center stage. Ray remained, however, a popular musician in Europe and Australia, where his music continued to thrive. He also achieved success as an actor, appearing in films such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business” alongside Marilyn Monroe. He also appeared on the show “Toast of the Town” which showcased his talent to a national audience — a program that later became known as the “Ed Sullivan Show.” Known for his flamboyant personality and controversial relationships, Ray’s personal life was as complex as his career. Often the subject of tabloid gossip, his
struggles with alcohol and legal troubles further complicated his public image. Through it all, though, Ray remained committed to his craft, continuing to perform and record music until his health declined in the 1980s.
Legacy in Oregon and Beyond
For many Oregonians, Johnny Ray remains a source of local pride. His ascent from a small-town boy in Dallas to an international sensation is a testament to the power of perseverance and talent. Ray’s contributions to music — both as a performer and a pioneer — have earned him a place in the annals of rock and roll history. Without Ray’s style and influence, who knows how some of today’s famous rock and roll artists would have turned out.
While the world of rock and roll has changed dramatically since Ray’s time, his contributions remain foundational. And for Oregonians, it’s a point of pride to know that one of rock and roll’s earliest trailblazers hailed from their own backyard!
Johnnie Ray signing autographs for teenage fans
Johnnie Ray released many albums & singles over his career.
Johnnie Ray & Elvis Presley
Johnnie Ray with his parents Elmer & Hazel
