The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Three local musicians have teamed up to record and perform an eclectic mix of music featuring voice, ukulele, cello and violin under the band name of Blind Luck Combo.

They are Skamokawa valley residents Sunrise Fletcher and Andrew Emlen, and not technically local but seemingly so because of his long association with Emlen and the lower Columbia region, Jeffrey Reynolds.

Bandleader and frontman Fletcher executes the vocals and plays melodies and harmonies on a ukulele. Emlen provides the foundation with his cello, and Reynolds's masterful violin adds its melodies and fills.

The combo has recorded an 11-song CD and will release it at two performances this month. The first is September 20 at the Oasis Tavern in Skamokawa, and the second will be a concert September 28, 7 p.m., at the Pioneer Performing Arts Center (formerly the Pioneer Church) in Cathlamet.

Fletcher, who is visually impaired because of retinitis pigmentosa, picked out a wide variety of songs for the CD, and the selection reflects the wry humor of a mature, seasoned performer. They include songs he and Emlen have recorded with the group Willapa Hills, a Malvina Reynolds folk song, an Argentine tango, and songs ranging in style from Vaudeville to rock anthems that Fletcher has written.

The group pulled in bassist Krist Novoselic to play accordion accompaniment on two of the songs.

Fletcher is a 50-year veteran of the music industry. Here he has traded his guitar for a ukulele from which he brings a variety of sounds, including a sublime tremelo on the tango. Reynolds and Emlen, both classically trained, have performed both classical and traditional folk music together and add wonderful sounds with their instruments.

CDs and downloads are available at cdbaby.com or by contacting Fletcher at the Inn at Lucky Mud.