WALLOWA, JOSEPH — Gary Eller, a musical archeologist, returns to Wallowa County this month to continue his search for old songs about people and events of the early years of Wallowa County and the Hells Canyon region.

He is seeking the songs of the early residents for the Hells Canyon Songs Project. Eller has been collecting and preserving old songs of the west for the past 18 years. He has produced 22 CDs and booklets as well as a book. Now he has turned his focus to songs of the Hells Canyon region.

This past July, Eller introduced The Hells Canyon Songs Project at the Wallowa County History Center where he issued a call for local historical songs, and poems or stories that could be made into songs. This November his work here will continue.

Saving ‘lost’ songs

Unlike the pre-radio music of the southeast, the Appalachians and even the songs of the Dust Bowl era, the early songs of this isolated area were not recorded by preservationists such as Alan Lomax or songwriters such as Woody Guthrie. As Eller explained, it was difficult for these folks to travel to this area, especially with their recording equipment, so they did not. A few generations later, Eller seeks to change that.

He is returning to Wallowa County to continue his research and is most interested in connecting with local musicians, songwriters and community members who have knowledge of or interest in the old songs.

Music jams are a great way to connect, and Eller will facilitate these connections by leading two jam sessions and song swaps.

Events

The jam sessions/song swaps are opportunities to share the old songs. The open jam is for musicians of all levels and all song styles are welcome. Everyone is invited to listen in.

The first is Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6:30-9 p.m. at the Wallowa History Center, 602 W. First St. in Wallowa.

The second is Thursday, Nov. 7, 2-4 p.m. at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St. in Joseph.

For more information, contact Eller via email at olslim47@gmail.com.