Wheatfield is a five member band from Portland, Oregon, whose music combines a variety of instruments with strong vocal harmonies into an individual blend of rock, country, folk and bluegrass that is sometimes termed “Americana.”
Formed in October, 1971, in Eugene, Oregon, Wheatfield quickly became one of the most popular bands in the Northwest, consistently drawing large crowds over an area ranging from Anchorage, Alaska to Ashland, Oregon, and from Vancouver, British Columbia to Missoula, Montana.
Wheatfield released an album in 1980, featuring the variety for which Wheatfield is known, containing a number of original tunes. It received airplay in Alaska, Canada, Washington, Oregon, California and areas of the Midwest. In addition, the band was featured in an hour-long prime time TV special performance aired all over Oregon on CBS-affiliate on KOIN TV.
In 1982, the band members took a long breather to raise their families, occasionally reuniting for special occasions. One of those occasions, in 2002, was to help former drummer, Kenny Sawyer, raise money to pay for his medical bills resulting from his successful battle with cancer. Inspired by the response and by the joy of music, Wheatfield re-formed and is now entertaining audiences again with a new energy and even more accomplished sound. A new CD is in the works.
Wheatfield has always been equally at home in dance and concert situations, and has performed with many well-known recording artists including Bo Diddley, David LaFlamme, Doc Watson, Norton Buffalo (who produced their first album), Maria Muldaur, Seals and Crofts, John Fahey, Quarterflash, Asleep at the Wheel, Vassar Clements, Michael Dinner, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, David Bromberg and others.
Members include Steve Aubrey on drums and voice; Kerry Canfield on keyboards, lap steel, accordion and voice; Paul Douglas on guitars, fiddle, keyboards, harmonica, clarinet and voice; Will Hobbs on guitars, mandolin, flute and voice; and Pete Wolfe on bass guitar, banjo and voice.
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