the St.Regis community is planning it annual 4th of july celebration.This year we would like to sponsor a bluegrass jam in conjuntion with our other festivities at the St.Regis Park on july 4th.we have a bunch of great things going on this year ..pig roast,logging contests,mini carnival,chili cooking,just to mention a few.This year is our 20th anniversary of  our community park and we would like to make this years celebration special.We would like to hear from bluegrass folks with input on this deal.we will have a large event tent and we have $500 for added money for jam prizes.contact us at 649 4787 or 649 7206,,,camping,parade,old fashioned fun in the park!

Share on Facebook

A nice little jam at the Rayco table at Wintergrass 2009 with Rob Ickes and Greg Booth.

One of many awesome jams that were happening all weekend on Greg Boyd’s Fine Instruments

Mike Marshall & The Big Trio on stage

Share on Facebook

Here are my pictures from the Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival last weekend.

Share on Facebook

Jessica Kilroy

House Concert Featuring:

Jessica Kilroy

Thursday, March 12, 2009  7:30 PM

Bob & Molly’s House

409 Westview Drive

RSVP to (406) 543-1889 or btroutman@hotmail.com

$10 donation to the artist

Bring Your Own Liquid Refreshments

Bring instruments for to pick

Note from Bob: Every once in awhile one discovers an artist that is new to them that just blows you away with their music.  In 2007, for me it was Pete Kartsounes, who just recently headlined our first house concert.  In 2008, it was Jessica Kilroy.  Molly and I, along with 2,500 other folks, came to know Jessica’s music at the Northwest String Summit outside of Portland, OR.  Jessica not only won the band contest (with Jack Ausick and Missoulian Nate Beihl) but impressed the crowd with her engaging songwriting and amazing voice.   I find words hard to come by when describing how good she is so I’ll quote our good friend, John Lowell: “To invite comparison of Jessica Kilroy’s voice and music to another singer/songwriter would sell it short. Comparing it to someone familiar would not be enough, because her voice is her own. Clear, accurate and wonderfully soothing, her voice draws the listener in. Stop, then listen. You’ll be a fan too.”  You have the rare chance to see Jessica in an intimate setting at this upcoming house concert.  Don’t miss it.

Please RSVP for this show to the phone number or email address above, as space will be very limited.  Molly and I pride ourselves on attracting only top shelf riffraff and so, for all practical purposes, this includes you!  But in order to make this work, it is important to call ahead or email us to reserve your spot.  This event is also BYOB and a $10 donation to the artist would be most appreciated

Cheers,

Bob Troutman

Share on Facebook

Throw Down Your Heart, the documentary about Bela’s trip through Africa is showing at the Wilma on Sunday (22nd) at 6:15.

Share on Facebook

Wanted to let all know of a performance by Blue to the Bone this Saturday Feb. 21st at the Hidden Legend Winery located app. 5 miles south of Victor at the jct. of Hwy. 93 and Sheafman Creek Road.  We play from 5:30 until 7:30. Thanks, Mark

Share on Facebook

We are having our 3rd annual jam/campout at Zurich Park on May 1, 2, and 3 this year.  We’ve had an excellent turnout the first two years with folks coming from the Billings area, Livingston, Helena, Glasgow in addition to around the Chinook/Havre/Harlem area.  We have been blessed with nearly perfect weather the first two years, but there is a large pavillion we have rented at the park in case we have some bad weather.  It’s heated with a stove as well as a large fireplace.  Steve Hughs ramrods this event.  He can be reached at 406-353-2655.

Zurich Park is located approximately 32 miles east of Havre just off U.S. Highway 2 (approximatley 2 miles north of the highway) in the beautiful Milk River Valley of Northcentral Montana.  It’s a very nice park with plenty of places to camp.  There are motels in Chinook and Havre for those who do not wish to camp.

So, come on over and join us…  It’s not all that far…  Shoot, Missoula is only about 100 miles from Montana. 

Tim

Share on Facebook

Howdy all, i have been talking with Rob from the Top Hat and it sounds like the bar will be in kinda a day to day operation, but he did tell me that the Garr family is interested in keeping the bluegrass jam/Pinegrass night. They will reopen for the jam and Pinegrass not tonight (Tuesday) but next Tuesday (24th). Please come down an support this jam and show the Garr family that we care about keeping the valuable resource. I will be out of town next week sadly but if any of you could make it down…i think they start around 7:30ish these days. This jam has been going for at least 15 years and i know many people, myself included, who owe this jam a lot of credit for thier musical development.

Brian

Share on Facebook

I just wanted to thank everyone who came out for the jam at Ruby’s on Saturday.  It was so great to see all ya’ll who made it out and to share some memories of Jerry Swafford and pick and eat together again.  It sounds like Jerry’s Memorial was an awesome event.  Mike Conroy mentioned that they did “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and that there were hundreds of folks out to pay their respects.  Our heart is with Maryette and we hope to see her with her fiddle real soon.

It was great to see Chris Tambe, Arlene Wolf and Gary Moore all the way over from Salmon and Tim Whitney and his lovely wife Judy and daughter Kelsie from out Chinook way.  I was bummed that I went to bed to early to get to see our bluegrass kid, Elora.  Reports are that she is growing into a beautiful young woman (just like her Mama).

I was so distracted with bouncing around from jam to jam and all that forgot to take my camera out to snap any pictures.  Anyone that got some shots (Ben) or video, I hope you’ll share some with us here on the website.

Lost and Found:
Bruce Threlkeld left his Paige banjo capo behind.  If anyone found that, please let me know and I’ll pass your info on to Bruce.

If you haven’t yet, please register here on the website and join in the fun of sharing your bluegrass news and stories with all the MRBA members!

Share on Facebook

Debbie Kerns just sent me this cool link to a website that will show you the #1 song on the day of your birth.  It would be fun to see the MRBA members hits.

Number One Song on this Date in History

Curtis Rathburn – “Quarter to Three” by Gary U.S. Bonds

Phyllis Erck - “Poor People of Paris” by Les Baxter

Post yours here as a comment.  Thanks for this fun link Debbie.

Share on Facebook