Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino have been performing their own distinct blend of acoustic and electric blues, folk, and original material since 1990. At their core, Plaehn and Hino explore the uncluttered powerful interplay of blues harmonica, National steel slide guitar, and vocals in the tradition of bluesmen like Robert Johnson, Slip Harpo and Elmore James.
A typical Plaehn and Hino set features traditional blues, originals and contemporary and creative interpretations of current artists like Taj Mahal, Sonny Landreth and John Mayall. But Dave and Jeff can just as easily surprise the audience with the high and lonesome sound of a country blues gospel song. It's a blues-based musical Cuisinart, with a enjoyable and varied blend in every performance.
Dave Plaehn, an Iowa boy, grew listening to Sarah Vaughn, Dvorak, and last but not least, Ricky Nelson. His early years in a high school rock band turned him onto Minneapolis folk trio Koerner, Ray and Glover, and early blues artists Robert Johnson and Leadbelly.
Devoting his spare time to songwriting and recording and plugging his songs, Plaehn released an LP, SMOKIN', in 1981 and, then, an EP, MOUTH FULL OF BLUES, in 1982, both on his own label, Pilot Records. SMOKIN' featured all original, mostly pop songs.
"Dave Plaehn has made a fine solo debut SMOKIN', showing a talented hand at a variety of arrangement approaches . . . Plaehn's vocal quality is most reminiscent of country rhumba king Jesse Winchester, while his phrasing often approximates Phoebe Snow's jazzy blues." --- R. Borgerson, Prairie Sun, Peoria, IL
"Plaehn sings in a rich, smoky tenor that needs no accompaniment. . . . The first side is very strong . . . ." --- M. Barron, Isthmus, Madison, WI
"An Iowan worth watching and listening to, Plaehn's nearly flawless six-song EP . . . Plaehn's able-bodied singing and soulful sense of hymnody and rural blues forms that give this rounder it's wings. . . . `Vigilante Man' will make you soar. . . . A-" --- City Pages, Minneapolis
In 1984 Dave left Iowa for Oregon, where he continued songwriting and performing with a number of local acts including the regional act, NEAL GLADSTONE & COMPANY.
Jeff Hino's early musical experiences included run-ins with piano and a cello, until he discovered the electric guitar. Early blues influences came from Michael Bloomfield, Clapton, and Dicky Betts.
Tucson Arizona's country rock crowds lured Hino out of rock and into the high and lonesome bluegrass sound.
In the mid-70's, Hino migrated to the Northwest, where he studied and experimented with country and city swing on dobro and lap steel. He appeared in a mouthful of Mid-Willamette Valley incarnations of bluegrass, country-western, cajun, and hillbilly jazz groups, including the Highwater String Band, Spontaneous Combustion, The Sophisticado Swing Band, Cow Patty & Pals, and Waterbound. It's not uncommon for Hino to have five instruments on stage at one time, including National steel guitar, dobro, acoustic guitar, lap steel, and 5-string banjo. Meeting Dave Plaehn in the late 80's, Dave and Jeff played their first duo performance together in 1990. Five years later, the duo recorded their first CD on Nontrivial Records;On Your Bond, a mix of rural and urban blues, along with a George Jones classic, Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away, and one of Plaehn's originals.
Jeff has become a well-known and respected blues slide guitarist in the Mid-Valley, playing lap steel---not a common instrument--- National steel guitar, and Dobro. But he also brings unique flavors to the bues with 5-string banjo and ukulele.
We are Back and Ready To Play!
With the dark ages of COVID-19 behind us, the band is fully activated! We've added a lot of new material, new instrumentation, and have a new lease on musical life!
We are available for performances as a duo, or danceable quartet. Please consider us for your next event, private party, or appearing at your venue!
Dave & Jeff release a new "old" recording!
One of the curators at the D&J Blues, Rock and Heavy Metal Museum was going through one of the vaults recently and came upon an old live recording of us. After listening to it, she contacted us immediately at the local blues retirement home. We put in our hearing aids and listened carefully over the phone. We both commented on how much "pep" we used to have!
With more listening, we decided "We've got to get this out into the world!" And so it came to be.
Our new CD is called
"Plaehn & Hino: Live at the 1997 NW Folklife Festival".
It should be available online now or soon and is already on a number of streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music.
Here is a link with various song snippets and streaming links:
https://daveplaehn.hearnow.com/plaehn-hino-live-at-the-1997-nw-folklife-festival
A Open Letter To Corvallis - The State of Live Music in Our Community
What is your opinion on the current state of live music in our area? This letter, written by Jeff with help from local musicians, adresses some of the concerns we have as hard-working artists facing diminishing returns from our efforts to keep live music a vital part of our community. Over 50 local musicians signed the letter, which was published in January in the local Corvallis alternative weekly, The Advocate. You can read the letter here on page 6. Your ideas are welcome as we move forward to build a conversation among musicians, club-owners, and the public on this important issue.
Buy Our Music!
Remember you can purchase the music of Dave Plaehn & Jeff Hino on CD Baby and iTunes! Just search for Plaehn...not many of them out there! You'll find our two CDs "On Your Bond" and "Can't Get My Rest" as well as recent solo releases by Dave. And remember, you can also listen to us on Spotify!
- Jan, 26 Big River Restaurant
- Feb, 09 Big River Restaurant
- Feb, 22 Best Cellar
- Jun, 08 Just Duet with Plaehn & Hino and Grainger & Wetzel
- Oct, 25 Magic Barrel
- Dec, 14 Non-President's Ball with Mottburger
- Jan, 18 Big River Restaurant
- Jan, 24 Best Cellar
- Feb, 15 Big River Restaurant
- Mar, 29 Big River Restaurant
- Dec, 13 Peacock Tavern (Upstairs)
- Jan, 31 Big River Restaurant
- May, 09 Big River Restaurant
- Mar, 19 Cloud & Kelly's - Corvallis
- Oct, 21 LBCC Benton Center
- Aug, 20 OSU Total Eclipse Festival - MU Quad
- Oct, 06 Chintimini Night Club
- Oct, 28 The Best Cellar
- Apr, 14 Oddfellows Hall, Corvallis
- Jan, 05 Redgate Vineyard Field House
- May, 10 Hayloft Concert Series
- May, 24 The Best Cellar
- May, 31 Demaggio's Pizza, 151 NW Monroe Ave #102 Corvallis
- Jun, 15 Emerson Vineyards, 11665 Airlie Rd, Monmouth OR
- Feb, 06 Cascades Blues Association monthly meeting
- Dec, 30 Methodist Church Sanctuary
- May, 26 Old World Deli - Corvallis
- Jul, 12 Lumos Wines
- Aug, 12 Lumos Wines
Big River Restaurant
Big River Restaurant
Best Cellar
Just Duet with Plaehn & Hino and Grainger & Wetzel
Troubadour Music Center
Magic Barrel
Whiteside Theater, Corvallis
Non-President's Ball with Mottburger
TBA
Big River Restaurant
Best Cellar
Jeff will be sharing an evening with the new Audrey Perkins Band, with Mike Gratin on bass and Tim Hardin on guitar. This will be a very special evening, as Audrey is moving her incredible voice into some new musical territory. The evening will also feature mini-sets by both Tim and yours truly, exploring our own music with the help of the band. Plus, incredible edible cookies as usual. Don't miss this one.
Big River Restaurant
Big River Restaurant
Gary Nolde will be joining us on drums and vocals. It will be a hoot-and-a-half!
Peacock Tavern (Upstairs)
A benefit performance for the Linn-Benton Food Share will feature the Plaehn-Hino Blues Band with special guest Creighton Lindsay on guitar. Bill Foss on bass and Gary Nolde on drums. Dress to the nines and be ready to dance!
Big River Restaurant
Big River Restaurant
Happy to be back at the the Big River after a short hiatus for Dave to recover form knee surgery. He will be able to finally do the splits again on stage!
Cloud & Kelly's - Corvallis
Dave and I are kicking off a new (possibly regular monthly) venue at Cloud & Kelly's. We'll be joined by drummer Gary Nolde, JG on bass, and special guest star Creighton Lindsay on guitar. It's a very music-friendly venue, with stage, lights, and a great P.A--not to mention great drinks and food!
LBCC Benton Center
The Dynamic Blues Duo Returns! Dave & Jeff will be playing in their original classic acoustic duo format at the LBCC Benton Center lounge on Friday, October 21st, from noon to one. Bring your lunch and love of blues!
OSU Total Eclipse Festival - MU Quad
Chintimini Night Club
Bring you dancin' shoes! Beverages and snacks availalbe. Chintimini Senior & Community Center • 2601 NW Tyler Ave Corvallis
The Best Cellar
Dave and Jeff bring their acoustic duo to perhaps Corvallis' most listenable venue, the Corvallis Folklore Society's Best Cellar. Come on down to First United Methodist Church 1166 NW Jackson Avenue,on the southwest corner of 11th and Jackson. We will perform in the community center room downstairs. Complete with great cookies. Marshall Adams opens, with Dave and Jeff starting at 8:30.
Oddfellows Hall, Corvallis
Friends of the Valve Turners and 350 Corvallis present an evening of music, entertainment, food and drink. Fundraiser to benefit the Climate heroes, The Valve Turners. Doors open, food and drink for sale, informative videos shown, starting 6:30. Music program begins 7:00 pm--featuring Gumbo, Plaehn-Hino Blues Band, and Bryson Skaar. Valve Turner Leonard Higgins will be speaking, along with Lauren Regean, his defense attorney and head of the CLDC.
Admission: Suggested donation $20.00. 21 and over.
Tickets and More Information
Redgate Vineyard Field House
8175 Buena Vista Rd
Independence, Oregon, 97351
Hayloft Concert Series
5304 Center Street NE, Salem
Dave & Jeff look forward to performing with special guest Bill Foss on bass at the Salem Hayloft is a Concert Series.Hosted by Sharon Moore in her hayloft on her beautiful farm just outside of Salem, Sharon does these concerts every summer from May through September on the second Friday of the month. Wonderful acoustics and a truly rural intimate setting will certainly bring out the best of any music.
Free customer parking is available on site as well as on the street. Overflow parking is available at the golf course down the street. The Hayloft is located at 5304 Center Street NE in Salem.
Although cash donations are what make the series run successfully, the event is free and open to the public, so please make sure to arrive early - it always fills up quickly.
The Best Cellar
Dave and Jeff bring their acoustic duo to perhaps Corvallis' most listenable venue, the Corvallis Folklore Society's Best Cellar. Come on down to First United Methodist Church 1166 NW Jackson Avenue,on the southwest corner of 11th and Jackson. We will perform in the community center room downstairs. Complete with great cookies. Marshall Adams opens, with Dave and Jeff starting at 8:30.
Demaggio's Pizza, 151 NW Monroe Ave #102 Corvallis
The full-tilt Plaehn & Hino Blues Band will be gracing the stage at one of Corvallis's newest and hippest music venues. Great sound, dance floor, and tasty pizza will abound. Music starts at 10pm and goes into the wee hours. Cover charge.
Emerson Vineyards, 11665 Airlie Rd, Monmouth OR
Dave & Jeff with the other boys in the band will be ringing in the Summer Solstice in the pastoral setting of Emerson Vineyards. They have a wonderful outdoor venue (weather permitting) and a great indoor space (weather not permitting.) The view, the wine and the setting are to die for. Gaze out over the Willamette Valley whilst sipping great wine and listening (and dancing!) to some good solid blues and R&B. We are looking forward to this gig. More details to follow.
Cascades Blues Association monthly meeting
Delighted to play for the CBA up in Portland. Great night for the old duo!
Methodist Church Sanctuary
1165 NW Monroe, Corvallis OR
Old World Deli - Corvallis
Lumos Wines
Lumos Wines
Wren, Oregon
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I Belong To the BandPlaehn & Hino Buyhttps://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/18195/I_Belong_To_The_Band_copy.mp3https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/18195/I_Belong_To_The_Band_copy.mp3I Belong To the Band
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Harp StompPlaehn & Hinohttps://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/147190/harp_stomp_1_alt_banjo_for_jeff.mp3https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/147190/harp_stomp_1_alt_banjo_for_jeff.mp3Harp Stomp
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Plaehn & Hino “Rocket In My Pocket”Live at Non-President’s Ball, Corvallis, Oregon -
Live SamplerOur quartet, along with guest guitar-slinger, Dennis Monroe rip it up! -
Plaehn & Hino - acoustic duo
The Plaehn and Hino sound is centered on the duo of blues harp and slide guitar. But for larger venues, and when dancing is desired, Dave and Jeff can perform as a trio (with electric bass), or appear as the Plaehn & Hino Blues Band quartet (bass & drums) and larger ensembles (with guest vocalists and/or guitarists) to match the mood of any event.
Plaehn & Hino
1019 NW Scenic Dr
Albany, OR 97321
Professional sound reinforcement can be arranged. Hard copy promo package available upon request.