Jesse Ruggles: "Merideth-Hill Road" by The Renee Hill Band. Killer blues-rock straight from the gut. Renee's been heralded in the media as sounding like Dolly Parton meets Ann Wilson.

SM: Who is the most promising new act to debut in 2007?

JR: I believe I'd have to say J.R and T' Farm. Crunchy western music, AND they play some Black Sabbath!

SM: What was the most memorable music moment in 2007?

JR: I'm stumped. Hmm ... nothing really memorable to me local-bandwise. My own personal moment was going to see two of the existing New York Dolls in Portland.

SM: What album are you looking forward to in 2008?

JR: The Atomic Farmboy is coming out with a CD this year that's gonna turn heads so fast, you'll hear necks snappin'!

SM: What is your prediction for the local music scene in 2008?

JR: I think there will be a new upstart of roots-country bands. I think someone will open a big venue that will cater to those bands as well as other and all genres. I know a lot of younger people don't remember (or haven't heard of) the White Coaster or the Oregon Museum, but they were venues back in the early 80's where you could hear TWO DIFFERENT GENRES on one stage, in one night, and everyone loved it. There's not enough good-sized venues for original/indie performers.