The only thing plain about it is the name with Plain Cellars music lineup in August

PLAIN — Out in Plain, no matter what direction you’ve come from, you’ve been on a beautiful drive. Whether it’s up Tumwater Canyon and then past Lake Wenatchee, or even if you got off in Peshastin and grabbed the North Road all the way up the valley into Leavenworth and took the Chumstick Highway, you’re already in a good mood by the time you get to Plain.

And the name of the town lends itself to a charming name for just everything that’s out there: Plain Hardware, Just Plain Grocery, and the winery that draws hundreds of visitors daily, Plain Cellars.

Plain Cellars has become a destination that can surprise people with its popularity. Driving into the tiny town, one could be forgiven for thinking you won’t find much of anything at all out there. But just past the hardware store, on Alpine Acres Road, there’s a giant venue with food, drink, and an impressive stage and seating area that hosts concerts nearly as big as the ones you find out at Icicle Creek Center on the lawn.

A visit on July 25 caught the appearance of the Kevin Jones Band, comprised of the eponymous lead singer and guitarist Kevin Jones, Doyle Wood on the mandolin, Mike Gamble on the bass, and Doug Williams on drums and also the occasional vocals. Kevin has been making music on both sides of the mountains for decades, and the players in his band are legendary among both their peers and fans.

But there’s live music out there every Friday, and there are five Fridays in August, which means shows from 6–8 p.m. from:

• Flowers for Wolves, Aug. 2 — Deluxe harmonies from this male/female duo are held up by solid guitar and protected from hangovers by those sunglasses you buy at the airport.
• Ian Jones, Aug. 9 — A solo act that proves not all good country music comes from the South. Check out his hit song “Evergreens” for a taste of PNW country and western.
• Diego Romero Band, Aug. 16 — For a young guy, Diego sounds like an old soul. Blues northwest style.
• Saltwater Sky, Aug. 23 — Today’s country from a Seattle band that tours the entire state and even opened for Sawyer Brown.
• Massy Ferguson, Aug. 30 — Indie rock from the westside, but the cool part: Their first gig was at the Mukilteo Farmer’s Market two decades ago. Big drums, big bass, twangy guitar.

But why stop there? August has one more weekend day in it, so Plain Cellars is throwing in a Saturday show with Chris Ward, our own local country legend, on the very last day of the month.

If you live nearby, you’re in luck. It’s music all month for you, and there’s no cover and it’s kid-friendly. If you live a little further away, just take a beautiful drive and get yourself out to Plain Cellars for some of their August lineup. It’s looking like a good month for music in a magical (but Plain) little town. 

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media