Yachats welcomes guitar veteran
A musician whose career has taken him from Oregon coast clubs to international stages alongside some of music's biggest names is landing for one-night-only at the Yachats Community Presbyterian Church this Friday, Aug. 7.
A veteran guitarist and recording artist, Craig Caffall has been performing professionally for decades, beginning as a young drummer in Mexico before making a name for himself as a guitarist and songwriter. During the 1980s, he lived near Philomath and became a familiar face on the Central Oregon Coast while headlining the Iron Kettle in Waldport with the Curley Waffles Band.
Throughout the years, Caffall has shared stages and recording sessions with artists including Bo Diddley, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, David Clayton-Thomas, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Steve Earle, Bob Weir, Dan Hicks and the Neville brothers. For the past 20 years, he has toured internationally as lead guitarist for Grammy-nominated singer Maria Muldaur, performing throughout North America, Europe and Japan.
Coast audiences might remember Caffall from Muldaur's 2016 appearance at the Yachats Commons, where his guitar work earned enthusiastic praise. In addition to performing with Muldaur, he tours with Shana Morrison, daughter of Van Morrison; his own band CCB; and Banda Super Mercado.
Caffall has also built an impressive recording career. His album "That's When You Got It Made" featured the Latin rock song "Quemado," which was selected by Billboard magazine as one of the Top 500 Latin Songs of 2012. More recent releases include "Turns to the Blues," "Chasing the Moon to Reno" and the focus of his current tour, "Serious Look."
Beyond his own recordings, Caffall has produced albums for other artists, including folk singer Buffy Ford Stewart, whose recordings featured guest appearances by Davy Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Peter Tork, Rosanne Cash and Dan Hicks.
Friday’s concert begins at 7 pm at the Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, located at 360 W 7th Street. Tickets, $15, available at the door. For more information, go to craigcaffall.com or call 541-968-6089.