Top Oregon Bands Compete at Bluegrass Band Championship Debut in Shaniko
The sign on the café door says, “Nuthin ever happens in Shaniko!” Well, that was far from true on Memorial Day Weekend when the Oregon Bluegrass Association came to town for the first annual Bluegrass Band Championship presented by Shaniko Music Sanctuary. The city’s population of 37 more than tripled as folks from all over the state poured in to play and share in the joy of music.
By early Friday afternoon, circles of 75 musicians began trickling in, some checking into the Historic Shaniko Hotel while others filled about 40 nearby campsites—the town was humming and hopping before dusk! As the musicians settled into the quaint ghost town along Highway 97, they began filling the streets and fields with music and played well into the night. The sweet sound of bluegrass drifted through the grassy fields of the former wool capital of the world, breathing new life into this fascinating ghost town not far from Maupin.
Bootleg Jam, 2026 Oregon Bluegrass Band Championship Semi-Finalists Warming up for the Show
The musicians were at it again Saturday morning, building up to the 5pm main event at the Shaniko Schoolhouse. The Oregon Bluegrass Band Championship packed the old school house – standing room only – as locals and visitors were delighted to experience the top-notch talent in a historic and unique venue. Toes were tapping, heads were nodding, bodies were swaying, even the dogs’ were wagging their tails to the beat of crisp live tunes. The old schoolhouse filled to capacity with folks overflowing into the outside lawn.
The Championship featured groups from around the state playing their top 3 songs. Beyond the sheer joy of jamming, they were all in competition for $6000.00 in prize money and first listing on the event trophy. A panel of six musicians from throughout the region had the most difficult task of choosing the winner amongst this incredibly talented group of Bluegrass bands.
After much deliberation, the top three winners were announced: The Filthy Skillets (Portland, OR) are the 2026 Oregon Bluegrass Band Championship winners and took home $3000. Tuesday String Band (Monmouth, OR) claimed second place and $2000 prize money. Skillethead (Bend, OR) placed third with a $1000 award.
Congrats to the 2026 Oregon Bluegrass Band State Champions: The Filthy Skillets
Congrats to the 1st Runner Up of 2026 Oregon Bluegrass Band State Championship: Tuesday String Band
Congrats to the 2nd Runner Up of the 2026 Oregon Bluegrass Band State Championship: Skillethead
These bands all shared intent to invest their winnings in recording sessions — and look forward to playing again in Central Oregon. Fantastic performances were also given by Semi-Finalists: Bootleg Jam (McMinnville, OR), Sweet Fern (Portland, OR) and Belltower (Eugene, OR).
Sunday morning, the weekend was capped off with a Gospel Jam in the Shaniko Chapel. The pews were filled as various musicians played gospel songs. The jam circles came together again as the hoot continued through the long weekend.
"This bluegrass event brought together friends, old and new, to share in the bonding of music,” beamed Dufur resident, Josiah Dean. “It is wonderful to hear all the vibrant tunes breathe new vitality into the peaceful desert air."
The annual Hoot, Holler & Sing Bluegrass Campout, produced by Shaniko Music Sanctuary and held each Memorial Day Weekend, is the launch of a broader regional effort: To create a rural music and arts hub within Central and Eastern Oregon.
Judges in the front row from left to right: Chuck Holloway (Portland), Genevie Thomas (Hood River), Dave Gooding (Vacaville, CA), Gary Schuh (Portland), Wes Pettinger (Charlotte, MI), Joel Cofield (Portland)
In a visioning initiative backed by Ford Family Foundation and Oregon Community Foundation and facilitated by RDI (Rural Development Initiative), a steering committee of rural leaders is collaborating for the greater good. The team aims to improve livelihoods, build a stronger arts economy, and develop coordination across the region. The committee is in its third month of planning sessions and is composed of representatives from:
Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce, Spray Country Store, Condon Arts Council, South Morrow Arts Center, The Balch Hotel, Wheeler County Planning Department, Tiger Town Brewery and Shaniko Music Sanctuary.
Corral Creek Bluegrass Band travelled from Portland to Sisters in early May to facilitate 4 middle and high school fiddle classes and hosted a community jam after school. This is exactly the sort of supportive community the visioning committee aims to build upon.
The first residency wrapped up just before the Hoot Holler & Sing: Jimmy Fretwell of Ashland spent a week in Wasco County writing new music, recording an LP in the Shaniko Chapel, and visiting 4 South Wasco County School District music classes – and performing at 2 Maupin Community events.
Recently-seated Oregon Bluegrass Association President, Shaniko-based Pam Brown believes “if you build it, they will come.” The 200-person turnout at the Hoot, Holler & Sing Campout and the fully-engaged attendees at the Oregon Bluegrass Band Championship backs this belief with strong showing of community support for music.
Congrats to Belltower, 2026 Oregon Bluegrass Band Championship Semi-Finalists
Congrats to Sweet Fern, 2026 Oregon Bluegrass Band Championship Semi-Finalists
“What a great showcase of our thriving bluegrass scene in Oregon!” said Dennis Christensen, singer/guitarist of Sweet Fern and Oregon Bluegrass Association Member. “It’s already on my calendar for next year.” Performance judges shared Christensen’s sentiment: “Thanks to all those who volunteered to make this happen, and to the wonderful community members of Shaniko who all are so welcoming of musicians to town,” wrote Judge Gary Schuh (Portland). “Shaniko is truly a special and unique music destination because of the fine folks there.” Judge Genevie Thomas (Hood River) adds, “What’s better than a ghost town full of music! “
Bravo to Shaniko Music Sanctuary for donating funds for the championship awards, and to all the volunteers and visitors for their role in bringing new vitality and transforming Shaniko into a music hub!
Visit shanikomusicsanctuary.com for upcoming events and to learn more.
