Peeps To See, Prizes To Win: Former PDX-er Diane Birch on Letterman Wednesday; Columbia Looking For A Few Good Pioneers.

Thursday, 17 September 2009 20:03

BIRCH WOODIE: Diane Birch has ALWAYS been different. A good different. And know the whole country is going to find that out because she's performing Wednesday night on "The David Letterman Show." Yes, that David Letterman. I met her a loooong time ago, back when she moved to Portland to live with my friend Gwen. She was fresh from Zimbabwe where she had been living with her missionary folks. I kept her in touch with her through Gwen and would see the pretty young girl (see photo above) turn into a ravishing young woman. I remember once asking her to model for me when she was working at our local Saks Fifth Avenue. It was for a "Shop" column I was doing for The Oregonian. The result was this photo we shot in front of The Standard Building:

Well little did I know that the girl went off to Los Angeles, worked the bar circuit, and has turned herself into a modern version of all those bluesy girl singers of the 1960's. And others have noticed too. Look at this feature frm the likes of Bill Bradley at Vanity Fair. She's something.
And now, tomorrow night, she's doing Letterman. According to this story in Billboard her album "Bible Belt" (buy it, buy it, buy it!) has become a bit of a viral hit via "mom" blogs. Whatever. I always knew the girl was a star. Now the rest of the country, at least those that don't watch Conan, will too.

Here is her song "Fire Escape."FireEscape.mp3

Can't wait to see her do a duet with China and the boys of Pink Martini. Wouldn't that be cool?
For more on this cool chick check out her official site here.

ROLL CALL: Columbia Sportswear is looking for nominees for its Pioneers campaign. That is they're looking for people who do awesome, weird, funny, adventurous stuff outdoors...yes, the parameters are broad. Check out this link and upload a video of your nominee to enter a summer contest for a $500 gift card. Make us proud (or at least make us laugh).