Join the Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Art & Music Cultural Foundation (NCAM) as we LAUNCH a new non-profit in Tillamook County focused on supporting all forms of art – writing, photography, painting, music, theater, all forms of creative expression. Serving the Neah-Kah-Nie Coast, and creating scholarships for high school students pursuing art as a career, NCAM serves to educate, inform, and entertain through the creation and appreciation of art and music.
NCAM Launch ~ “FUN” RAISER ~ Join us on September 21 at the Wayside in Rockaway Beach to celebrate the launch of NCAM! The musical lineup includes several local favorites, some special out-of-town guests and much more. Enjoy delicious food and beverages, and artist booths of all kinds, many featuring interactive exhibits.
Local businesses and residents have donated amazing items for our raffle gift baskets! The event is free to attend, you’ll want to save your dough for a chance at winning some great packages that could include excursions, lodging, experiences, and lots of great art and locally made products. Help us raise money to create events, support student scholarships, and keep our community engaged all year long.
The event is open to all, it’s family-friendly, it’s totally free to attend, however this is a fundraiser so we will offer VIP packages to sponsors and individuals helping to deliver this event.
The Launch Music Festival and Art Event is solely organized by NCAM, and supported by these organizations – the City of Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Beach Fire & Rescue and Rockaway Beach Business Association and does not support or endorse any political causes or candidates. NCAM is a nonprofit, community based organization to benefit local high school students and music, art and cultural events.
Live Music – Saturday September 21st – Noon to 10 pm
Ellen Whyte
Our headliner this year likely needs no introduction, but for the kids, here’s some info.
Ellen has hit some very high notes in her music career, literally and figuratively! She has been nominated for a Grammy® as a singer/songwriter…twice! She has been inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and the Cascade Blues Muddy Awards Hall of Fame.
She will be creating a special show with her long-time collaborator, Garry Meziere, an accomplished guitarist who has worked with a litany of veteran musicians.
We couldn’t be happier about our headliner as Ellen shares our desire to deliver music education and opportunities to students. She created a program called “Blues in the School” in Idaho which was very well received.
Visit her site to hear some great music and learn more!
Wes Youssi & the County Champs
Wes is bringing a trio to deliver his authentic sound that is influenced by old soul Golden Age roots country/folk/rock. With a knack for story telling, a tele with killer twang, and a voice to match, Wes is the real deal and we are excited he is coming back again to play the coast.
Wes received an NCAM grant to record a song, and it is nearly finished. To learn more about Wes and his County Champs, visit his website.
N.E. Daynow & Friends
N.E. Daynow is a local Rockaway Beach band we’re sure many of you already know. Featuring Doral Vance on keyboards, Rodney Dahl on guitar, and Tim Croman on bass, Doral’s contralto vocals provide a unique spin on a wide variety of well-known and loved popular music. Rodney’s guitar stylings and vocals add additional flavor, and Tim’s solid bass playing and rock vocals give this trio some extra sauce for their covers of classic rock, pop, blues, jazz, and a smidgeon of country.
For this show, they are bringing friends! Local guitar hero Perry Lee Witt will be joining them, along with John Blarjeske (whom you might know from Mojo Holler) for a 5-piece full band show.
NCAM provided recording grants to both Rodney and Doral. Rodney wanted to explore his own songwriting approach, where Doral wanted to capture some music she created 20 years ago with her close friend Mike Hackett. All are in progress, and we are looking forward to the results! Visit N.E. Daynow Website
Sunkicks
Born from the pizza/pub jam scene of Hillsboro, Oregon, the band Sunkicks draws on experience and stylings from bluegrass to pop rock. Combining lilting lead vocals, moving instrumental riffs and understated, but playful bass lines, this multi-generational indie-folk group tells stories that everyone can relate to. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll dance a little!
NCAM has offered a grant to record a Sunkicks original song which will begin as soon as we’re ready.
That is the last grant we can offer unless we raise more money. A lot of artists and supporters are coming together to put on a great show and we hope our community and visitors will continue to support local music. We are grateful for your support!
Mercury Coast
Another local band that is well-known, Mercury Coast is a four piece who have been playing all over the coast for the last couple of years. Led by singer/songwriter Eric Sappington powerful songwriting and pitch perfect vocals, the band adds three part harmony and a full sound while remaining a totally acoustic band.
Mercury Coast was the first artist to record courtesy of NCAM. They were also the first to record in this studio, so we took our time and tracked 16 songs as we dialed in sounds and tested the limits of the space. They just released a full-length CD of ten of these songs, and there will be more on the way.
Eric has also been a big supporter of the Rockaway Writers Rendezvous, and one of his poems is featured as a winning entry in the 2024 RWR Anthology published by NCAM earlier this year.
To learn more, check out their site!
Spindriff
Our local jazz group is expanding to a 6-piece to entertain us at this event! Led by Bob Brook, these seasoned performers are delivering a full sound creating an amazing instrumental backdrop. Drums, bass, keys, two guitars, and saxophone allow for a wide range of sounds with some tasty solos.
Bob Brook on Guitar
Joe Cioppne on Guitar
Will Irace on Bass
Thomas Delano on Saxophone
Jay Woika on Drums
Jeff Bauman on Keys
OUR MISSION: The Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Art and Music Cultural Foundation (NCAM) believes that everyone, including youth, deserves access to cultural expression in an engaged community through writing, music, arts, and cultural programs that reflect — and inspire — our rural community’s creativity, diversity, and connections with one another.
