A singer and songwriter in his mid-50s, Oregon native Dan Kaufman takes the stage with a Western rock and blues style that he describes as “rock-oriented music that’s got a little bit of that country side.”
“There was somebody that described country music as indoor music, you know, like being in a bar or having your heart broken,” Kaufman said last week as he prepared to perform Dec. 9 in Philomath. “And Western music is outdoor music, like you’re on horseback and that kind of thing. And then blues, of course, it all goes back to blues, right?”
Kaufman will play his original music along with selected covers during an appearance from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Vinwood Taphouse.
Kaufman’s originals come with a message — an important component of the style of music he prefers. Johnny Cash is among the musical heroes that he covers.
“So many of my songs definitely are along those lines — songs with a story in them,” Kaufman said. “Of all the songs I play the most is Johnny Cash, probably because not only do I like him a lot but also my voice is a lot like his.”
From his catalog of original songs, “Ride On, Stride On” has garnered the most attention.
“Not only is it my favorite, but it’s been a favorite of people who like my music in terms of the originals,” Kaufman said. “As far as favorite covers go, I like ‘Rusty Cage’ — the Johnny Cash version or in the style of the Johnny Cash version of the Soundgarden song.”
Kaufman produced a concept album called “Requiem for the Rogue,” which he calls a “modern Western opera,” and has also recorded four singles.
In his younger years, Kaufman, now 56, worked as a professional bass player from about age 17 into his 30s.
“When I stopped playing bass professionally, I needed a musical outlet still, so that’s really when I learned how to play guitar and started songwriting,” Kaufman said. “That was when I was in my 30s and 40s.”
Kaufman’s concept for the band, which includes his middle son, Aidan Kaufman on bass, came along in 2019. The pandemic slowed Kaufman’s momentum for a few years, although he did use the time to work on the “Requiem” album.
“Now it’s kind of going again, you know, playing around the state a lot,” he said.
Based out of Portland, Kaufman has played this immediate area a few times, including Old World Deli in Corvallis and Tallman Brewing in Lebanon.
