Mary Beth and Ben James started The Canyoneers in Los Angeles in 2012 to meld shared passions for outlaw country and desert rock. We play Americana/bluesy folk-rock with plenty of vocal harmonies, slide guitar and boot-stomping beats. 

Mary Beth has a background in folk, bluegrass and spiritual music, and has played in a variety of projects from Washington State to California including the Porchsteps, Oakland, CA.  Ben has a background in rock, jazz and blues and has also played in numerous bands up and down the West Coast.

Our first album, "Sneak Attack," draws influences from a broad musical landscape, from the bittersweet ballads of Gillian Welch and Waylon Jennings to the hard-driving riffs of Clutch and Kyuss. We strive for a stripped-down analogue sound, like the bygone rock and country albums we love. 

In Early 2015 we recorded our second independent album with Dan Piscina, available on Soundcloud. For the next two years, the Canyoneers played shows in the Los Angeles and Anaheim area and began to develop a completely acoustic set.

After the Creek Fire in 2017, the Canyoneers weighed anchor, left our charred canyon and moved to Oregon.   Here we joined forces with Heath Whitney.  Heath was born and raised in Rockbridge County Virginia, moved to Boulder CO, before finding his way to Lane County.  He plays fretless bass with his hands and drums with his feet.  Rhythm in the bones!