Old Settlers set years in making

by Nathan Arneal
Published 6/17/25

The name Saul Contreras is essentially unknown on the local music scene.

Saul Contreras wants to change that.

North Bend resident Saul Contreras has been aiming for a spot on the Old Settlers live music lineup for several years. He will get his shot Saturday.

The 21-year-old North Bend resident will be taking the Old Settlers beer garden stage for his second-ever public performance this Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

His path to the stage has been a winding one.

“I’ve just always wanted to play, and I’ve always wanted to perform,” Contreras said. “I just think you got to take chances.”

He’s no stranger to taking chances.

During the 2023 Old Settlers, Contreras brought his guitar to the beer garden, and strummed along off to the side as Duff and the Descendents rocked the stage.

Stephanie Beckman serves as the Director of Bands for the Old Settlers Planning Committee, in charge of signing up bands to play in the beer garden. She didn’t know what to make of this kid going through the motions on his unplugged guitar as the band on stage played.

“It was kind of like, ‘Who is this guy?’” Beckman said. “This group is performing and this kid is walking around with his guitar. I remember going up to (the band) and apologizing, and they were like, ‘No, no, he’s fine.’”

A few weeks later, Contreras stopped in to the North Bend Eagle office to leave his name and phone number for Old Settlers chairman Nathan Arneal, volunteering to play at the next Old Settlers. The Old Settlers Planning Committee appreciated the enthusiasm, but it did not take him up on his offer.

“We kind of put it to the side because we didn’t know much about him, or anything actually,” Beckman said. “Nothing at all. It was just ‘This kid wants to play.’”

Occasionally during the summer of ‘23, if you heard the guitar lick of

“Sweet Child of Mine” echoing downtown, it was probably Contreras sitting on a Main Street bench working on his craft.

A year later, Contreras was back at Old Settlers, this time without his guitar.

The Fishheads were playing Saturday night, and during a break, Contreras asked to see the set list. He spotted a song he knew well, and asked if he could sing it with the band.

Sure he could, he was told. Just wait until a little later when we get to that song.

The Fishheads kept their word, and Contreras joined them on stage and belted out Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”

“I had fun, and I just sang the song,” Contreras said. “I’ve been practicing for a long time. Ever since I was like 13 I was like, ‘I’m going to be a rock star.’ People really liked it, and that was really nice to hear.”

To put in technical terms, he nailed it.

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