Oregon Fairs Association - Member public profile

OFA Home
Member details

Back

Al Callan

Member profile details

Membership level

Service Members

First name

Last name

Callan

Organization

The Northwest Playboys

Phone

4253512129

Avatar

Website

https://www.northwestplayboys.com

Act/Service Description

The Northwest Playboys are five Honky Tonkin’ refugees from dozens of raucous country bands who got together after COVID to play the music they love and grew up with. Each are master musicians who have tours, records and decades of performances to their credit.

The Playboys pride themselves in giving back to the community, be it through their tips-for-charity program, giving free plushies (emotional support pals) at their shows, or just creating joy for their audiences by playing great music. They've become a regular favorite at the Clackamas County Fair & Rodeo, and the Columbia County Fair & Rodeo. They're looking forward to expanding their Fair and Rodeo circuit in 2027.

Lead guitarist Monty Moss has been playing Fenders since he was 5. He favors 1960s storytellers like Tom T. Hall, Hoyt Axton and Haggard, as well as the new country sound of Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Keith Whitley. He has a bright strumming and picking style that somehow is both crisp and comfortable, like a fresh-washed pair of old Levis.

Fiddler Al Callan picked up his first violin at the age of 6. After winning regional contests, he had his first paid fiddling gig on a Missouri river boat. His bow work is lightning fast, so don’t be surprised when he picks up the line dance pace. When he's not on the road with The NW Playboys, he can also be found on stage with The Kirkland Civic Orchestra, playing classical music!

Percussionist Bob Ferrante grew up in Portland in a musical family. He spent a year in his teens drumming in his older brother’s band in Hawaii, where he picked up his fast-paced style. Bob is a household name in the Northwest music scene, having played with greats like the Ventures, The Haggard Brothers, Countless Reggae, Blues groups and occasionally crosses the pond to join R&B/Soul legend Franke Pharoah on stage in London.

Bass Guitarist Robert Ellison has been laying down the groove as a bassist and vocalist, performing with country and blues artists across the country. Throughout his career, Robert and his bands have shared the stage with an impressive lineup of artists, serving as opening acts for legendary performers including George Jones, Delbert McClinton, Alabama, and Tim McGraw.

Rhythm Guitarist Aaron Judah Rhythm Guitarist Aaron Judah rounds out this country crew. He traces his country influence to a childhood summer his family spent camping and roving the long lonely roads of Texas. The car radio fed him a steady diet of George Strait, Merle Haggard and Lefty Frizzel. By the time he got home to The Dalles, he says, his brain was hard wired for neo-traditional country.

YouTube Channel with Performance Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@northwestplayboys