Summit Ridge presents The Locavores

SUMMIT RIDGE: As the next performers in the series of Highway 30 Eats’ dinner shows, Summit Ridge will play bluegrass, blues, folk and string-band music with a few originals and some hot instrumental music along the way. - Submitted photo

Whatever you want to call the events at Highway 30 Eats this Saturday evening, one thing nobody can say is, “Been there, done that.”

As the next performers in the series of Highway 30 Eats’ dinner shows, Summit Ridge will play bluegrass, blues, folk and stringband music with a few originals and some hot instrumental music along the way.

Anna Rogers of Highway 30 Eats asks the performers to choose a menu for the show, and that’s where the Locavores come in. The Locavores is an informal group of folks around town promoting the idea of buying locally — an idea that harmonizes with all the members of the band.

Why not have the dinner represent an entirely local menu? Rogers says she already endeavors to use local produce whenever possible, so the idea of going local fits right in.

With some kibitzing from the Locavores, and some help finding the local beef and lamb, local wine, local beans and greens and local bread made from local wheat, it is all coming together Saturday at Highway 30 Eats.

But wait a minute, that’s just how it started out — before Anna went crazy.

It is Crazy Days in La Grande, after all! 

You don’t have to wait until Summit Ridge performs to start enjoying the music. Beginning at 4 p.m. there will be live music on Elm Street featuring all local musicians. The best of La Grande’s garage bands, teen groups and local talent will be contributing to Crazy Days.

At 7 p.m. those who have purchased tickets to the dinner show will be seated for the Locavores Dinner and the Summit Ridge performance. Sign up now. All proceeds go to local producers, local businesses, local musicians and the Locavores to encourage buying locally.

To reserve your seat or for more information contact Highway 30 Eats at 541-975-9232 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; the Locavores receive e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; call Summit Ridge at 541-805-5133 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Summit Ridge is a bluegrass band, more or less. At least that was the original intent.

“Mike (Snider) and I have been playing and singing together for over 10 years,” says Sharon Porter, bass player and lead vocalist.

Having earned some college degrees studying music, Porter spent several years singing in jazz combos in her native Midwest.

After moving to La Grande she met bass player Snider and (along with several others) formed the popular folk band The Geritones.

Snider, the band’s bluegrass veteran and lead vocalist, soon gave up his bass to pursue the five-string banjo, and Porter was ready to get back to her roots in bluegrass music. With Porter now on bass and Snider playing a fiery five-string, and the two of them recreating those “high lonesome” harmonies, a band was in the works.

Thacher Carter has been playing guitar and singing his original songs as a solo act in the Grande Ronde Valley for several years, and recordings of his work are available in regional music stores. He has developed a unique twist on the Piedmont finger-picking guitar style, which complements his blues-flavored original numbers and covers.

With Summit Ridge, he is not only writer and lead vocalist, but he also gets to stretch out instrumentally — adding bluegrass flatpicking, with a touch of swing and jazz, to his repertory. His original numbers can take on a whole new character with the full band backup.

Dave Felley knows mandolins inside and out. With a background in both classical and blues guitar and a love of bluegrass, Felley set about learning to play the mandolin — building his own instrument along the way.

His bluegrass initiation into mandolin music eventually

led to a discovery of gypsy-jazz, swing, old-time and classical works.

Now — along with contributing both lead and harmony vocals he provides the signature instrument of a bluegrass band, showing exceptional skill in dancing along that fine line between strong traditional playing and improvisational creativity.

“Well, I auditioned for the part of lead vocalist,” says Matt Snook. “Afterward, everybody was speechless — so, I think they’re considering it ...”

Snook has been with the band for three years now.

“Meanwhile, I get to play dobro, which fits me really well since I’m an iconoclast. I always wanted to be an iconoclast, ever since I learned how to pronounce it. And I like playing dobro, because — well, people don’t even know what the thing is, so they just assume I know what I’m doing.

“That leaves me a lot of latitude in what I play, and that can come in handy.”

The dobro plays a big part in bluegrass, of course. Even though Bill Monroe (father of bluegrass music) wouldn’t allow one in his band, everybody knows they’re a vital part of any bluegrass band.

This unique combination of musical background and instrumentation yields a bluegrass band that strays indefinitely into blues, jazz, swing, folk and fun.