Wheatfield
Portland, Oregon
1971 ~ 1982
And Back Together Again

Members
 

*Steve Aubrey ~ Drums, Vocals
*Kerry Canfield ~ Piano, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Accordion, Trumpet
*Paul Douglas ~ Guitar, Piano, Fiddle, Harp, Vocals
"Snead" Friedman, ~ Bass, Vocals
*Will Hobbs ~ Guitar, Mandolin, Flute, Vocals
John Powell ~ Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Don Ross ~ Guitar, Vocals
Ken Sawyer ~ Drums, Vocals
     Susan Scholz ~ Vocals
Rex Stallion ~ Drums, Vocals
Kelly Stites ~ Bass, Vocals, Songwriter
*Pete Wolfe ~ Bass, Banjo, Vocals
 

* Current Members

WHEATFIELD - Inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, 8 October 2011

WHEATFIELD: Wheatfield began as a folk-duo in 1971 with Pete Wolfe and Will Hobbs. Within the year they added a bass player, lead guitarist and drummer and went on to be one of the most popular bands in the state, as well as playing the entire NW and British Columbia. Their style branched out to include influences of rock, folk, bluegrass, country, rock and even jazz. In 1980 they released their first full-length album, produced by longtime Steve Miller harmonica player Norton Buffalo. That year KOIN TV ran a prime time TV special on the band that was shown all over the state. In 1982, the band broke up, although they still kept doing occasional reunions. They are now back as an active band and released a new album in 2010.

Visit The Wheatfield Website

Wheatfield CD

Wheatfield formed in October, 1971, and finally disbanded in October, 1982.  They toured all over the Northwest, from British Columbia to Montana, Idaho, all over Washington and Oregon.  Their music covered quite a spectrum, including rock, folk, country rock, some jazz, both original music and adaptations of others' music.  They featured five or six vocalists (depending on their incarnation at the time) with most of them playing multiple instruments.

Wheatfield put out a 45 in 1972 that got some sporadic airplay in a few markets, and an album in 1980 with a bit more airplay.   They also did a prime time TV special on KOIN TV in Portland in 1980 or 81.

Wheatfield played clubs, colleges, standalone concerts, festivals, you name it.

Will Hobbs, September 2001

Photo Courtesy of Don Ross


Photo Courtesy of Don Ross

John Powell was the original keyboard player, replaced in 1977 by Kerry Canfield.  Rex Stallion, the original drummer, was replaced in about 1978 by Kenny Sawyer.

Pete Wolfe, although he plays again in the present incarnation of the band, was originally replaced in about 1980 by Kelly Stites on bass guitar and vocals and Susan Scholz on vocals (i.e., two for one!).  Although it was Will, Paul, Pete, Kenny, and Kerry on Wheatfield's LP (from which the photograph shown was taken), it was Will, Paul, Kenny, Kerry, Kelly, and Susan who performed until the band's breakup in 1982 and who reunited every now and then for the odd party gig.

Kerry Canfield, January 2004

Wheatfield, Holy Modal Rounders & Turkey Run
Eugene, Oregon - Memorial Day - 1975


Photo Courtesy of Don Ross

Don Ross joined Pete Wolfe & Will Hobbs as the original lead guitarist/vocalist in the fall of 1971.  Performing first as a trio they added Rex Stallion on drums in 1973 and John Powell on keyboards & guitar in 1974.  Wheatfield had a large following in their hometown of Eugene playing frequently at Murphy’s and the UO EMU Ballroom, as well as the Oregon Country Fair main stage 5 times in the 70’s.  Beginning in 1974 they began to play regularly in Portland at The Earth & Euphoria taverns among others, as well as college campuses in Oregon, building a strong fan base throughout the Northwest.

Don Ross left Wheatfield in June 1975 to form the band Arroyo and was replaced by Paul Douglas later that year. Don played in several groups in the late 70s & early 80s and started playing with John again when he joined The Cheeseburgers in 2004. In July 2011 a reunion of Wheatfield returned to the Oregon Country Fair playing the main stage for the first time in 35 years.

Don Ross, July 2011

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Last Update:  13 September 2014
Credits: Will Hobbs, Darryl Riffero, Karla Halliday, Kerry Canfield, Bob Adler, Linda Jiler, Don Ross