EVELYN ROPER BRINGS TRUE COUNTRY, ROOTS-ROCK & ROCKABILLY EVERY THURSDAY AT 9PM TO THE FLYING B!

Evelyn likes to “rock” it — but she’ll sing a ballad more often than not. In love with the folktale, she gravitated towards writing songs based on her early childhood zipcode of Southern Arizona. Having the freedom and space to dream amongst cacti and other creatures that sting, bite, scratch, poison or are just plain onery, gave Evelyn the opportunity to sidestep the prickly things and get right to the heart of the matter. She picked up the guitar at age 9, and sang, wrote and played to the thunderstorms and wildflowers. It only took another twenty years before she decided to share her music with human critters. Upon moving to the Colorado mountains and removing the sand from her vocal chords, she pulled together a style reflective of that rural upbringing and diversity. Western Swing may be paired with a border song, or a hint of “Ghost Riders in the Sky” echoes in her tribute to the outlaws’ spirit. She may growl out a Johnny Cash then lilt an EmmyLou or throw in a surf, blues or rock song just for spite and spontaneity. She writes of old-fashioned love and in your face truths , but also points to the positivity of looking to the sky AND keeping a foot on the ground. Her songs are in storied form but are rich with symbolism. Her lyrics have been described as “a painting, a poem and a song” all in one.
Influences include Waylon Jennings, Kathy Mattea, Linda Rondstadt, Fleetwood Mac, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tom Russell, Marshall Tucker Band, Metallica, R. W. Hampton, Bill Barwick, Dave Stamey.
Band members include Charles Smith on Vocals and Lead Guitar. John Levins on Vocals and Bass guitar. Forrest Dobson on Drums and vocals. Evelyn Roper on vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar. Evelyn also plays an acoustic show with Markus Stratman in smaller clubs like her Thursday night shows at the “Flying B.”
Evelyn Roper and Opal Moon have a fierce local following and can be heard in bars up and down the Western Slope, to see where they are playing visit their website www.opalmoonband.com or www.myspace.com/evelynroper.
The Flying B Bistro & Bar is located at 107 S. Main St., Downtown Gunnison, 641-5777, www.flyingburritosbar.com. Live weekly entertainment with no cover.