Meet Our 2026 Grand Marshals
Countryfied!
The Countryfied Band is a long-standing country music group rooted in Prineville, Oregon, and Sherman County, known for its rich history, evolving lineup, and deep commitment to authentic country sound and live performance. Spanning four decades, the band has built a lasting legacy through original music, countless performances, and strong family and community ties.
The Beginning
The story of The Countryfied Band began in 1986 when Mark Mobley, Ron Mobley, and Charlie Walker joined forces to create a band dedicated to entertaining audiences with great country music and strong vocal harmonies.
Mark served as the band's lead singer, guitarist, and trumpet player. Known for his remarkable versatility—or as friends describe it, being “tridexterous”—he would eventually become the band's primary songwriter and one of its driving creative forces.
Ron Mobley established himself as the heartbeat of the band behind the drums. His powerful vocal abilities and steady musicianship made him an indispensable member, and many who have heard the group over the years believe he is the finest drummer and vocalist Countryfied has ever had.
Completing the original trio was Charlie Walker, a superior singer whose voice helped define the band's early sound and win over audiences from the very beginning.
The band's first paid performance was at the Prineville Elks Lodge.From that moment the band took off like a fast horse out of the gate, playing music all over the place.
Building the Band
In 1987, Countryfied welcomed bassist Dave Pshigoda. Dave quickly became one of the band's most dependable members. He seemed to know the words to virtually every song ever written and was a rock-solid bassist whose reliability and musical knowledge strengthened every performance.
The next major addition came in 1989 with pianist John Hite. Coming from a rock-and-roll background, John brought a new musical dimension to the band. His expressive piano playing and soaring high harmonies blended beautifully with Countryfied's traditional country roots. His influence would become especially important as the band began creating original music.
Original Music and Recording Success
During the early 1990s, Mark began writing songs that reflected the band's values, experiences, and love of country music. With the encouragement and creative input of the entire group, those songs evolved into Countryfied's first recording project.
The band's debut album, Simple Pleasures, featured ten original songs written by Mark, arranged collectively by the band, and recorded at Falcon Studios. John Hite played a significant role in helping bring the project to life. The album was also released as a video project, making it a landmark achievement for the group.
The success of Simple Pleasures inspired the band to continue recording. Over the years, Countryfied released four full-length albums:
- Simple Pleasures
- The Old Homestead
- Never Stop
- Time For Fun
These recordings showcased the band's growth as musicians and songwriters while helping expand their audience through regional radio airplay.
Changes Through the Years
As with many long-running bands, the Countryfied lineup evolved over time.
During the 1990s, Charlie Walker and Dave Pshigoda departed the group. Their contributions remained an important part of the band's history, and both left a lasting mark on the Countryfied sound.
Stepping into the bass role was Lonnie Chapin, who performed with the band for several years. Lonnie's musicianship was outstanding, and his time with the group is remembered fondly by both band members and fans.
When Lonnie left in 1996, Yancey Fall of Prineville became Countryfied's third bass player. Yancey combined solid bass playing with a great sense of humor, adding both musical strength and personality to the band.
A New Level
In the early 2000s, Countryfied gained another key member when Tim Fenderson joined as lead guitarist.
For nearly two decades, Mark had handled lead guitar duties himself. Tim's arrival allowed the band's sound to expand even further. His incredible guitar licks, strong musicianship, and fun-loving attitude elevated Countryfied's live performances and added fresh excitement to every show.
Hundreds of Performances
Throughout its history, The Countryfied Band has performed hundreds and hundreds of concerts, dances, fairs, festivals, and community events. Their schedule and popularity made it nearly impossible to keep track of every appearance. Wherever they played, audiences came to expect great harmonies, solid musicianship, and an evening of fun.
Their music has also enjoyed substantial radio airplay, helping spread the band's original songs and traditional country sound beyond the stage.
A New Generation
In 2020, the band welcomed Karissa Gorham as a full-time vocalist.
Karissa, Ron's daughter and Mark's niece, brought a new generation of talent to Countryfied. Her strong vocals, energetic personality, and natural stage presence added a fresh facet to the band's already diverse sound. Fans quickly embraced her, and she became an important part of the Countryfied family.(And..She writes beautiful songs)
Forty Years Strong
In 2026, The Countryfied Band celebrates its 40th anniversary. Four decades after its formation, the band continues to perform, entertain, and enjoy making music together.
One of the highlights of this milestone year is the honor of serving as Grand Marshals of the Sherman County Fair, a fitting recognition of the band's contributions to the region's musical heritage.
Legacy
The legacy of The Countryfied Band is one of friendship, family, dedication, and a genuine love for country music. Through lineup changes, original recordings, hundreds of performances, and four successful albums, the band has remained true to its roots while continuing to grow and evolve.
Today, Countryfied still introduces new songs while keeping the crowd-pleasing classics that audiences have loved for decades. After forty years, the band remains what it has always been: a group of talented musicians having fun, making music, and sharing it with the people who have supported them every step of the way.