“Bluegrass Unplugged”

“Bluegrass Unplugged” concert coming to EOU’s Pierce Library

News contact: Laura Hancock, Communications Coordinator
Source contact: John McKinnon, Professor of Music

LA GRANDE, Ore. October 14, 2016 – A unique concert of bluegrass favorites will be performed with minimal amplification Thursday, Oct. 27 at Pierce Library on the campus of Eastern Oregon University.

Guest artist and fiddler Jon Newton will be joined by Sharon Porter on bass, Mike Snider on banjo and Jon St. Hilliare on guitar for a chamber music concert starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5 at the door and proceeds support the EOU music department’s visiting artist program, which connects students with professionals in the music field.

“The Reading Room at the library is a great place to experience music,” said John McKinnon, EOU professor of music. “With its high ceilings and tall windows, it provides a natural setting to hear performers play their instruments.”

Newton, who will be on campus October 27-28, teaches music at Portland State University. He has toured as a bluegrass fiddler, operated a Portland recording studio, conducted musical theater projects, and arranged rock and country music revues.

In 1994, Newton joined the staff at Will Vinton Studios, an internationally recognized film animation company, first as music director for films and commercials, then as concept development director for animation projects. During his tenure, Vinton Studios produced the network TV series “The PJ’s” starring Eddie Murphy, along with numerous national television commercials and specials. Leaving Vinton Studios in 2001, Newton earned a master of arts in teaching degree from Pacific University in 2003.

Newton then joined the faculty at PSU, where he helped create the music technology lab and the music technology curriculum. He currently teaches live and online courses in music production, music history and film music. He continues to produce albums, feature film scores, commercials, corporate video and musical theater projects.