Editor’s note:

Bend-based artist Kevin Prather (aka Driftwood Insomnia) will realize a dream when he opens for one of his musical heroes, veteran Canadian alt-rapper Buck 65 on Thursday (see “If you go”). In celebration, GO! Magazine asked Prather — a poet, visual artist and former member of Person People — to write about his Buck 65 fandom, why he loves the guy’s music so much, and how stoked he is for Thursday’s show. Here’s his report.

— Ben Salmon

If you go

What: Buck 65, with Open Mike Eagle and Driftwood Insomnia

When: 9 p.m. Thursday, doors open 8 p.m.

Where: The Annex, 51 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend

Cost: $18 plus fees in advance, $23 at the door, ticket outlets listed at the website below

Contact: www.randompresents.com

“The older I get, the more life starts to make sense. And the less I care.” — Buck 65

Halifax, Nova Scotia, is about as far away from Bend, Oregon, as one could get in North America. The tiny Canadian province has three major exports: natural gas, fresh seafood and Buck 65.

Buck (aka Rich Terfry, aka Stinkin’ Rich, aka Johnny Rockwell, aka The Centaur and about a hundred other monikers) is the most underrated hip-hop/rap/folk performer touring today. He has released 20 albums and hundreds of songs, producing almost all his own beats with a uniqueness that cannot be imitated. His instrumentals draw not only from his rural roots and fondness for old-time country twang, but also a love of ’80s pop and classic hip-hop.

The resulting tracks are a canvas for some of the most vivid “picture painting” lyrics in rap.

Obviously, I am not writing objectively here.

When I was about 19 and first really delving into rap culture — including attempts at making my own songs — I came across a CD in the used section of a record store in Costa Mesa, Calif. It was a compilation of various artists called “Music for the Advancement of Hip Hop,” and the third song was called “Untitled” (or maybe it’s just untitled) by Buck 65. I bought it, got home, strapped on the headphones and traveled to a faraway land.

A land where Buck wanders the fields and listens for the sound of drums. The colder the land becomes, the closer he gets to home.

Damn.

I knew then how I wanted my music to be. It’s all about stories, baby. You’ll hear a million rappers say, “it ain’t s–t if your audience can’t relate to it or understand it.” Feeling heartbroken. Being flat broke. Going fishing. Listening to KISS. Playing baseball. Taking road trips. Fearing failure. Missing your mom. Missing your lover. Feeling selfish. Being depressed. Looking great. Loving food. These are all things that I, and I suspect all of us, can relate to and understand. And it’s the way these things are expressed. Think Junot Diaz. Think Hemingway. Think short and beautiful and colloquial; simple yet complex.

It’s not the rhymes you use, it’s the words you place between them. Someone said that. Might’ve been me.

My journey to be the greatest living rhyme poet began. Don’t get me wrong, I was and am influenced by dozens of other poets and artists but Buck has always been my Django Reinhardt. When we’d make new Person People songs, I’d always practice my verse in my “Buck voice,” something akin to Tom Waits meets Charles Bukowski. With the help of a few fellow Buckophiles, we acquired every stitch of sound he ever produced. I think.

I finally got the opportunity to witness Buck perform at The Grove around 2004. It was one of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a whole lotta shows. I saw him a few years later and again he did not disappoint. He takes requests. He talks to you. (Like, right to you.) He is hilarious and humble and not too rough on the eyes if we’re being honest.

His music has made me laugh my ass off. His music has made me weep. It’s made me quit writing and it’s made me restart with more vigor than ever.

Damn, he’s good.

When Buck 65 plays here in Bend on Thursday, Driftwood Insomnia (aka yours truly) will be performing as local support. It may not seem like a big deal to most — it’s a local, small gig and all — but to have your all-time favorite writer/poet/performer even be alive during your time on Earth? And he’s accessible? And then you get to open for him?!

It’s a huge deal.

So come watch this little boy’s dreams come true and experience some of the greatest rhythmic poetry available today. Not only from Buck and his super-talented tour mate Open Mike Eagle, but also from your old hometown favorite who rears his big mouth only on the most special of occasions.

This is the most specialist of the specials yet. For me, at least.

See you at the show.