Sunset Highway is a modern string band performing old-school Country, R&R, R&B, Motown tunes, and traditional Bluegrass tunes. They feature three-part harmonies done by well equipped, more-than-competent musicians. They combine the results of many years of playing experiences in varying genres, and various musicans.

Michael LaVarnway:

Guitar/vocals: I was raised in Irving Texas (outside of Dallas) and relocated to the Portland area back in 2002. I started playing guitar when I was about 10 years old and spent many Saturday nights with my eyes glued to our Philco tv set watching "The Big D Jamboree" and "The Cowtown Jamboree". These were shows in the format of "The Grand Ole Opry" and it was instrumental on how I learned to make chords on the guitar. After that, my thoughts were always, "just let me play music", anytime and anywhere and any kind. I always loved bluegrass music with the incredible harmonies, as well as the melody notes of the mandolin, banjo, and dobro. I've been blessed with the opportunity to play with great musicians and friends in the Portland area over the years.

I have so many influences in music, it's hard to list them all. Willie Nelson, Chuck berry, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Doc Watson, David Grisman, Tony Rice, Charley Pride, Elvis Presley, Rhonda Vincent, Union Station, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Deep Purple, Three Dog Night, and so many more.

I am very excited about this new collaboration with Larry and Stevan in "The Sunset Highway Band", and look forward in seeing you at one of our future gigs

Lawrence Ullman:

Having misspent my youth performing Renaissance and Baroque music on period brass and woodwind instruments, I fell in love with traditional string band music 20+ years ago after my brother jokingly gave me the "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack CD. I've been playing old-time and Bluegrass music on banjo and upright bass ever since, performing at jams, festivals, and dances up and down the West coast.

Stevan Rogers:

My musical journey started at an early age. I received my first guitar at age 6 and my first mandolin as a teenager. I've traveled through several musical genres over the years, starting with what is described as "Normal 60's/70's fare -- Beatles, Stones, Bee Gees, Moody Blues -- pop radio stuff," followed by stints in various rock, blues, and R&B combos with stops for jam sessions at all kinds of venues along the way. A chance hearing of Blackberry Blossom played on mandolin became an epiphany that prompted an immediate change of direction toward Bluegrass and a more acoustic approach that continues today. Previous projects as a mandolinist included The Pie-Eyed Bluegrass Boys, Coyote Moon, SwitchGrass, and Half Grass'd. I also play mandolin in The Wheel Monkeys band and consider myself primarily a mandolinist. I kept my Stratocaster and tube amp, acoustic Martin, Taylor mini-bass and my recently acquired a 1955-1956 Rickenbacker lap steel handy, because one never really knows where music will take you!