Open Country Joy

Open Country Joy started many years ago in a cabin in the woods which is a testament to the type of music that they play, a genre OCJ created, Country Funk. The band that plays on stage today is made up of Brandon the founder of the band with Jeff, Seth, and most recently Matt. OCJ has made a name for themselves as the premier local band over the years in the Ellensburg, WA area. Local shows are always well attended.

With a long history of performing in the local area, they have played with some of the now more well known acts from the Pacific Northwest including, Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, Mark Pickerel, Flowmotion, Vicci Martinez, as well as Red Means Go and Handful of Luvin'. The members of OCJ are influenced by a wide array of musical styles; including music by artists ranging from Phish, Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Clapton, Talking Heads, and Paul Simon just to name a few.

OCJ has recently played locally at Raw Space in Ellensburg, WA; The Brick Tavern in Roslyn, WA; Marco's in Roslyn, WA; The Munchen Haus in Leavenworth, WA; and the Iron Horse Brewery in Elllensburg, WA. They will be playing this summer (2010) at the Lavender Festival (Purple Haze Lavender Farm) in Sequim, WA on July 17 & 18; Raw Space in Ellensburg, WA with Mighty High on July 23; Jazz in the Valley Jazz Festival in Ellensburg, WA on July 30; Der Hinterhoff in Leavenworth, WA on August 7; and at The Brick Tavern with Lucky Suns in Roslyn, WA on August 27.

OCJ has been playing music for fun and to better the souls of others for years knowing that there is nothing more personally gratifying than making a bunch of people shake their butts on the dance floor.