Performer Page

James Dean Kindle is a singer, songwriter, and performer born and residing in Pendleton, OR – a town most often associated with wool blankets and one of the world’s top rodeos. His eclectic approach to music performance and composition blurs the boundaries between country, folk, jazz, latin genres, and experimental music, and occupies the liminal space between high art and popular music. As both a solo artist and with his backing rock band The Eastern Oregon Playboys and as a member of the Baker City noise-collective Swäwm Pass James has released several full length albums and singles and performed in venues and festivals across the Pacific Northwest (Treefort, Jackalope Jamboree, Electric Fences) and internationally (Japan and Germany). In 2022 James performed as one of many Johnny Cashs in the Elgin Opera House's production of “Ring of Fire” and performed minimalist composer Steve Reich's "Electric Counterpoint" with the Oregon East Symphony. In January 2023 his original instrumental compositions were featured in the KUOW / NWPB / NPR podcast series “Ghost Herd” by public broadcast journalist Anna King. His current backing band, dubbed “His Country Combo,” consists of pedal steel guitarist Roger Conley, acoustic bassist Aaron Engum, and percussionist Tim Mustoe. When James is not performing, recording or teaching private music lessons he serves as Executive Director of the Oregon East Symphony.