Singer-songwriter James Dean Kindle was born and raised in Pendleton. He’s been making music for decades and says he likes to blur the boundaries between country, folk, jazz, and Latin genres. He may be best known for his work with the Eastern Oregon Playboys, but he’s about to release his first solo album, and his first in six years.  “Trailmix” was inspired by his time hiking in the Umatilla River Canyon.

He’s also immersed in music on an entirely different level as well, as the executive director for the Oregon East Symphony, a nearly 40-year-old institution that he’s helped grow over the last 10 years. Kindle joins us for an in-studio performance and interview. The official album release of “Trailmix” will be held in Pendleton on Saturday, April 6.