Chris Smither has been performing blues and roots music for more than fifty years. Growing up in New Orleans, where he says the folk music scene of the fifties and sixties barely touched, he was drawn to and influenced by the acoustic sounds of musicians like Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin’ Hopkins. Smither is perhaps best known for his song “Love Me Like A Man” that other musicians have recorded numerous times. He is a proficient and well-respected songwriter and has even had an album of his songs recorded by a multitude of artists including the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Jorma Kaukonen and Dave Alvin. Smither’s own latest release is a double-disc anthology of his music titled Still On The Levee.

An engaging performer, Chris Smith returns to Portland for one night at the Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street on Thursday, November 12. The show begins at 7:30 pm and tickets can be purchased in advance at albertarosetheatre.com for $20.00 advance or at the box office day of show for $23.00. This event is open to all ages, minors permitted with a parent or legal guardian.

Onstage, Kansas City’s Danielle Nicole is a fiery, high-energy performer who clearly shows that she has spent most of her young life in front of audiences. As a member of her sibling band Trampled Under Foot, she won the International Blues Challenge in 2008 and the band’s album Badlands took home a 2014 Blues Music Award for best contemporary album. Danielle also received the BMA for 2014 bass player of the year. A commanding vocalist, Danielle formed her own solo project, released her first solo album, Wolf Den, in 2015. Making her first Northwest tour with the Danielle Nicole Band, she will be appearing twice in Oregon in mid-November.

On Friday, November 13, the Danielle Nicole Band will play a 7:00 pm show at The Birk, 11139 Hwy. 202, in Birkenfeld. Tickets can be purchased in advance through TicketTomato.com for $10.00, or $15.00 at the door day of show.

Then on Saturday, November 14, Danielle and band will be in Portland at The White Eagle Saloon, 836 N. Russell Street. Showtime is 9:00 pm and tickets are available through Etix.com for $10.00 advance, $12.00 day of show.

Every year blues fans gather at the Waterfront Blues Festival to help raise funds for the Oregon Food Bank to feed the hungry throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Unfortunately, the need goes far beyond what is raised during the summer. With that in mind, the Ken DeRouchie Band created a winter food drive last year that saw participation from eleven businesses putting food collection barrels at their locations. This brought in 1983 pounds of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

This year, the band will be holding the second annual Ken DeRouchie Band Food Drive with a goal of bringing in 5000 pounds of food, with 25 participating businesses from November 14 through December 12.

To get things started in a big way, the Ken DeRouchie Band, in association with Cherie’s Blues Highway, will be holding a kick-off concert at the Trails End Saloon, 1320 Main Street in Oregon City, on Sunday afternoon, November 15. Along with the Ken DeRouchie Band, the concert will feature some special guests, including the fabulous Rae Gordon. Running from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, admission is 10 cans or dried/boxed food items to donate to the Oregon Food Bank.

“Please come help us make this food drive a success,” Ken DeRouchie explains. “We, the music lovers of Portland, have the ability to change some lives for the better. Men, women and children right here in our communities. I want to make a difference, but I need your help to do it.”

Look for collection barrels for the Ken DeRouchie Band Food Drive at locations throughout the metro area, including Rogue Ales Public House locations, Portland Music Company, Banner Bank Tualatin branch, Vie de Boheme, The Blue Diamond, Tiny’s Coffee locations, and the Trails End Saloon, with other businesses awaiting confirmation.