Country artist Darci Carlson was named the Outlaw Female of the Year in 2017. This summer, she’s including Eastern Oregon shows on her tour.

EASTERN OREGON — Country artist Darci Carlson is on the road this summer and planning six appearances across Eastern Oregon in the next month.

Here’s where you can listen to her music:

• July 11, 8 p.m., Range Rider, 107 NW First St., Enterprise.
• July 12, 8 p.m., Great Pacific, 403 S. Main St., Pendleton.
• July 13, 8 p.m., Waterhole Tavern, 51593 OR-332, Milton-Freewater.
• July 21, 6 p.m., Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St., Baker City. For tickets, visit churchillbaker.com.
• July 31, 7 p.m., Midway Bar & Grill, 1750 N. First St., Hermiston.
• Aug. 1, 7 p.m., AJ’s Corner Brick, 1840 Main St., Baker City.

About the artist

Carlson grew up in the Seattle area and started playing guitar at age 12.

“My dad always had a guitar lying around the house and I was fascinated,” she said.

But country wasn’t her first choice — she was the lead guitar player of an all-girl punk rock band called The Dolly Rottens.

“Even though I was raised on country music,” she said.

Her roots, however, never faded and she’s toured her country sound for a decade. In 2017, she was named the Outlaw Female of the Year.

“Country is definitely where my heart is and what I was made to do,” she said.

She describes “outlaw country” as “a little edgier than traditional honky tonk. With my Seattle background, I have that rock ‘n’ roll edge.”

She’s now based in Austin, Texas, and her goal is to play 200 shows a year.

“There’s no place I’d rather be than on the road,” she said.

She travels with a band about 50% of the time, and the rest of her shows are solo. This summer includes gigs around the Pacific Northwest.

“I love to come home,” she said. “It’ll always be part of who I am.”

She’ll play originals, as well as covers of songs that’ll be familiar to most audiences.

“You want to identify with the artist and sing along,” she said.

She’s released several albums and has a new one planned for 2025.

As for her upcoming shows?

“It’s gonna be a party,” she said.

“Country is definitely where my heart is and what I was made to do.”

— Darci Carlson, who has six shows scheduled in Eastern Oregon