If you did not attend one of this bluegrass woman's concerts in Montana you missed a chance to hear some great music. The Billings concert was opened by local group Songdog Serenade who accounted for themselves very well and did the Yellowstone Bluegrass Association proud. They don't perform pure bluegrass as evidenced by a rock tune from Bob Dylan as well as Hannah King's singing and playing of a Bob Will's western swing tune, "Home in San Antone." Nevertheless, her fiddle playing is fitting of a MT fiddle champion and national contender for sure and adds a super dimension to the Songdogs. Western swing has been kept alive by Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel and includes many standards, "San Antonio Rose," "New Spanish Two Step," "Take Me Back To Tulsa," and "Faded Love" among others. The YBA's Trent Indreland provided the sound for this event and did his usual efficient job. I have known Trent for many years and he loves this "techie" stuff. He attended MSU in the film and TV department and was always a good high fidelity stereo guy and has continued in ham radio and similar electronics endeavors. Now being retired from refinery work definitely helps. He picks a pretty good mandolin, too. Bonnie Zieske was another YBA member assisting in this show. Thanks for your ticket taking help, Bonnie.
The concert was part of the Ruby Jewell Jamboree series promoted by Phyllis Erck. Phyllis is president of the MRBA centered in Missoula and her family owns a series of large motel operations including Ruby's Inn and also the Billings Hampton Inn. For more info on Phyllis go back to my earlier MRBA post and click on she and her band. This was the first time Billings was included in this series and I think she liked the turnout. At any rate she promised to bring another great bluegrass band back to Billings next year. We will hold you to that promise Phyllis and thanks for the Kathy Kallick show.
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