Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association

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Here’s a nice article about Mike and Tari Conroy, written by Will Moss at the Ravalli Republic circa spring 2009.  Visit the Ravalli Republic Online to read reader comments on the story. 

Home grown music returns
by WILL MOSS – Ravalli Republic
  

Mike & Tari Conroy

STEVENSVILLE – Home grown music at its finest is flat-picking its way into the Bitterroot this month, with the return of the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association Oldtime Bluegrass Festival.

The festival will be held Saturday, April 18 in the Stevensville High School multi-purpose room. The music starts at noon and continues until 10:30 p.m.

Organized by the local bluegrass duo Mike and Tari Conroy of Conner, this year’s get together marks the festival’s 10th anniversary.

We’ve been in bluegrass a long time,” said Mike. “About 10 years ago we thought it would be fun to get together some of our friends – and everybody was real excited about doing it – so 10 years now we’ve been doing it.

The musicians like it so much that, every year I put out an e-mail in the spring saying it’s time to sign up bands, and within 24-hours I’ve got 18 bands signed up …. To come and play for free, that’s phenomenal.

This year’s line-up features bands from as far away as Missoula, Great Falls, Idaho Falls, Grangeville and Salmon including the bands Pinegrass, Three Rivers Bluegrass, the Salmon Valley Stringband, the Black Mtn. Boys, Ramblin’ Rose, Spring Thaw, the Accousticals, Uncle Bacca Juice and many more. Organizers Mike and Tari Conroy will perform as well.

We run 18 bands in 10 hours, so each band does a half-hour set. The first couple years it was kind of rough, but now we’ve got this big clock that we set on the stage - said Mike
It’s just like clockwork.

The Conroys, who focus their repertoire on old, traditional tunes such as “I’ll Fly Away” and “Bury Me Beneath the Willow,” expect that folks will enjoy the range of bluegrass music on display at the festival.

We like the old-time bluegrass the best. To me, it’s really primal. It’s just got this old, primal mountain sound. I guess that’s what drew us into it - said Mike.

For older people, a lot of them hear songs that they haven’t heard since they were a kid, and it’s pretty cool to see that hit somebody’s face when they go ‘Oh! I remember that song,’ and see people singing with you,

Tari added - and at this festival you get [everything] from ours which is as old as we can play to some of the newer stuff and everything in between …. It’s good, clean, family kind of entertainment, so that’s nice.

The festival functions as the major annual fund raiser for the MRBA, which supports itself mainly through member dues.

Bluegrass is a real home grown music - said Mike.
It’s the kind of music that you’d sit around the house and play, which is what all these guys do. So, if you’re interested in, you know, banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and that kind of stuff, this would be the place to come and see what it’s all about.

Admission for the Oldtime Bluegrass Festival is $3 for MRBA members, $5 for non-members and free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult.

Later this summer, the Conroys will present a three-day festival at The Thomas Ranch south of Hamilton.

The HardTimes Bluegrass Festival will take place July 24-26 and will feature bands from Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Idaho. On-site camping will be available.

For more information on these upcoming events, contact Mike and Tari Conroy at (406) 821-3777 or visit www.mtbluegrass.com.

Reporter Will Moss can be reached at 363-3300 or wmoss@ravallirepublic.com.

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Jack will be at Wheat Montana on Tuesday 11/17 /09. We are working on a fund raiser for Jack and I will have information at the Dec. 5 meeting. Thanks to all who have volunteered to participate. Larry

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Dallas Olson, President

Fellow MRBA members,

On Dec. 5th we will hold our annual meeting at Ruby’s Inn in Missoula.  We encourage you to attend this important meeting as we will be electing officers for the year 2010.  We are in need of some people who are interested, to help as officers, board members, and some great volunteers in order to keep our club functioning and healthy. 

Please check out our website  www.mtbluegrass.com  and if you have any of the business cards Dallas had printed please give them to folks who are interested in our club.

Lois Malikie, Secretary Treasurer

A club is only as good as the members it serves.  It is necessary, in order to sustain a good club, to have dedicated officers and many volunteers to support them in their committees.  Everyone has to be willing to help out.  This is especially true at the time of our Spring Festival in April.  That is the time for many to aid as volunteers in attending the gate, merchandise and helping in the kitchen, so please be willing to pitch in for an hour or two. 

There will be a pizza supper and beverages provided by the club, at the meeting and for jamming afterward.  We hope to see many of you there from 2 PM until whenever the jamming is over.  Come join in the fun.  Let us know if you are coming so we will have plenty of pizza and drinks.  Either call or e-mail Lois at 549-2444 or postage_due@msn.com

Thanks,
Dallas Olson, Pres.
Lois Malikie, Sec/Treas

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Just wanted to update everyone. I will post an update as often as I can. They have Jack up and trying to walk. He still has limited use of his right arm, but they are using things to stimulate those muscles. He will probably be in the rehab center for 3-4 weeks. Thanks for all your love and support. Keep him in your prayers. Jack will have his first outing on 11/17/09 to Wheat montana in Missoula . Hope you all can be there. Larry
PS: Jacks daughter writes the updates and I pass them along. Thanks Nichole!!

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MRBA Board Member, Brian Herbel, in addition to being a passionate mandolin player, is also a gifted photographer.  If you happen to be in downtown Missoula in the next few days, stop into TacoDel Sol and check out the current show of Brian Herbel’s photography.  It’s truly amazing to see the world through Brian’s camera’s eye.  

Here’s a slideshow from of the Music set of photos on his Flickr site:

I’ve also heard rumor that Brian is now also singing as well as playing bluegrass and old-time music.

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Jack is at Providence Rehab Center. They have asked us to limit his visitors to evenings from 4-7 p.m. He wears out easily and will be in therapy all day. People have asked how they can help. We did set up a pay pals account through my mom’s email at piippod@blackfoot.net. Don’t feel like you have to donate, praye…rs are great! They don’t have insurance so we are trying to come up with some fundraising ideas.

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Pinegrass, a bluegrass band, in concert, Kalispell, MT on November 14, 2009.

Music starts at 7:30 pm.

Performance is at the KM Theater. See below for ticket information.

KM Theater (map)

Pinegrass in concert, KM Theatre in Kalispell, Sat Nov. 14

• Colter Coffee
  424 Main St
  Kalispell, MT 59901-4849
  (406) 755-7826 – www.coltercoffee.com

• Noice Studio & Gallery
  127 Main St
  Kalispell, MT 59901-4451
  (406) 755-5321 – www.noicegallery.com

• Red’s Roost Kalispell’s newest sports bar!
  30 2nd St
  Kalispell, MT 59901-4563
  (406) 755-9468

For more information, email band member, Chad Fadely.

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Jack was moved to the Providence Ctr on Sat & is doing well. He starts speech & physical therapy today. Visiting hours are after 4:00 p.m. & visitors are welcomed. Providence Ctr phone #543-7271 Larry

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Jack will be moved today sometime to the Providence Center 902 N. Orange St. Missoula 59802. Don’t know what time, but call the center later this afternoon to see if he has arrived. Ph.327-3300 Larry

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