Perhaps it’s the message of his music that brought the majority of 2025 Readers’ Choice votes to Colton Elwood Haney.

Known as Elwood, the Union-based artist was chosen as Best Musician in the Go! Readers’ Choice awards.

Now 15 years into his career, Haney describes his style as a combination of folk and soul genres.

“Music for the folks, from the soul,” he said.

In his bio, Elwood labels his music as a “heartfelt blend of rich, acoustic melodies and stirring vocals that resonate deep within.”

His inspiration springs from the rugged beauty of his surroundings and the timeless storytelling of folk traditions, leading to an authenticity that speaks to listeners.

“People connect with my messages,” he said, noting his songs have a deep undercurrent of spirituality that is threaded through nature and land.

In particular, it’s the Blue Mountains that are strongly attached to Haney’s heart and featured in several of his songs, such as “Snow on the Mountain,” his most popular piece, the artist said.

Elwood performs at gigs around the Pacific Northwest but has also toured much of the country, he said, including spending time in Nashville.

Music has always been important in his family. From sixth grade on, he was in Union’s school bands and part of his family’s jam sessions.

After graduating from Union High School in 2007, Elwood attended the Musicians Institute at the College of Contemporary Music in Hollywood.

The school’s emphasis is helping musicians launch their careers. In Haney’s case, he soon came to see his love for Eastern Oregon would keep him rooted in the area around his hometown.

“I’d rather live here and travel out,” he said.

Elwood’s sound could be seen as a tribute to folk music legends — Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, John Denver and Cat Stevens, to name a few.

He is clearly uncomfortable with such a classification. But he does acknowledge his songs, in the long tradition of folk music, are a call for people to care for the land through good stewardship.

“It’s definitely something I am passionate about,” he said.

Elwood is not afraid to shake his music up, however, and when he plays with his occasional band members, he dives into the raw energy of bluegrass.

And danceable moments are not out of the question at concerts.

“I always play all over the board,” he said.

He can’t know for sure why folks voted his music No. 1 this year, the artist said with a self-effacing chuckle, but he suspects people appreciate his allegiance to the land he comes from and the time he’s invested in singing about it.

“I will probably stay in the Blue Mountains the rest of my life. Anytime I’ve lived elsewhere, I have to get back to here.”

More information

Listen to the music of Elwood at www.instagram.com/elwoodmusicc or  Spotify. His next appearance is April 5 at Balboa Winery, 4169 Peppers Bridge Road in Walla Walla, starting at 5:30 p.m.