Autumn arrives at Norris Hot Springs, along w/ plenty of live performers

Montana is home to some seriously special country, and the Madison River Valley is one of the most beautiful areas in the state – especially as autumn descends. Nestled between a few bends of the Madison is a natural hot springs and wetland that was developed a century or more ago to become Norris Hot Springs. As the seasons change and the weather cools off, there’s simply no better place to soak than Norris. For years, it’s been a popular spot to meet friends and enjoy the Water of the Gods. For a long while in the ‘70s and ‘80s Norris had a party reputation, “Nudie Night” was a thing at Norris Hot Springs – luckily, those days are over.
Once Norris had high solid wooden walls and razor wire around the pool, with no view of the hillsides. Once there were hand-lettered signs threatening rule-breakers with all manner of consequences. When Holly Heinzmann bought the place, the fences and signs came down, but they’re being stored for history. Over the last 14 years, this roadside stop has become a destination.
Norris is a destination for food, serving hot meals and fresh salads made with care and organic/sustainable ingredients – many from the garden on-site.
And a destination for drink – the wine and beer options are constantly being upgraded so there’s an option for every taste, from LaCroix sparkling waters to Dean’s Zesty Booch.
A new cooler is arriving soon, which will allow the fine staff at Norris to offer more on tap local brews beyond the current favorites (Cold Smoke, Salmon Fly Honey, Outlaw’s Horse Thief and Lockhorn Cider). Drop your vote in the ‘vote for beer ‘ box the next time you have a soak.
And speaking of soaking, Norris is primarily a destination for rejuvenation or stress reduction – a soak in the “Water of the Gods” brings the inherent goodness of natural minerals to your body.
For many years, Norris has also been a destination to enjoy the finest in local and touring acoustic music. Late October is full of great options on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 7pm.
Enjoy the sounds of Todd Green on Friday, October 19th. Originally from Michigan, Green has lived in the area for more than thirty years. He is known for his acoustic light rock musical style and passion for vinyl records. Expect to hear ‘60s–‘80s rock classics including favorites from America, The Eagles to David Bowie, Pink Floyd and everything in between.
Aaron Williams stops in on Saturday, October 20th. From rock/reggae band In Walks Bud, Aaron will be playing a variety of tunes including rock, folk, and reggae. He’s a real favorite at the hot springs.
The Lucky Valentines are back on Sunday, October 21st. Their music has been described by fans as “stirring” Americana, “straight from the heart.” Married in 2010, they have been playing music for the whole of their life together. Crafting songs rooted in honest, raw emotion and blending sounds from alt-country, rock n’ roll, indie, and folk, they span themes of joy and pain in the face of life’s trials. They borrow inspiration from their own experience, observation, and the beautiful, lonesome landscape and history of Northern Montana. Their 2016 independent release Lion in the Garden is a collection of songs that explore betrayal, loss, and joy.
The Road Agents follow on Friday, October 26th. The band, composed of Jeff Peterson and Justin Ringsak, play acoustic rock n’ roll. They’re a guitar and mandolin duo people can groove to! Jeff and Justin will bring danceable, original songs about firewood, larceny, and resolve. The Road Agents’ debut EP, Dreams of Stingrays, Roadrunners, and Hangovers is available now.
Billings singer/songwriter Mandie Castro makes her first trip out to Norris on Saturday, October 27th. She’ll perform selections from her spring 2018 EP Sunshine and some other crowd favorites. Castro has a very unique vocal style comparable to Jewel, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette. Enjoy her talents during your Saturday night soak!
J.W. Teller performs on Sunday, October 28th. The Asheville by way of Jackson, Mississippi singer/songwriter “has a low, breathy-sweet vocal quality that wraps around your consciousness like a warm wooly blanket, his guitar strumming through acoustic melodies that, on record, he pairs with the lightest of instrumental trimmings; the tube-pitched hum of harmonica, twangy dropping notes of slide guitar, occasional swells of keys, the found-sound creak of a porch door opening,” said Florida’s New World Brewery after a Teller performance.
The penultimate month of 2018 kicks off with the Restless Pines on Friday, November 2nd. The guitar and violin folk duo composed of Chad Ball and Sarah Crossman play original folk/roots and Americana music. The pair have played together in the Red Mountain Band for the last few years.
Neil Filo Beddow is next up on Saturday, November 3rd. He plays original folk rock for the soul, and describes his guitar style as the “West Dakota stutter.” His lyrically scrambled iambic pentameter can be politically bent, spiritually seeking, and tongue-in-cheek humorous with just a twist of serious.
Jacob Rountree closes out the weekend on Sunday, November 4th. The singer/songwriter has been playing guitar for a decade and released his debut album, The Common Hour, in March. If his audience isn’t captivated by his introspective lyrics and unique finger-picking, they are guaranteed to be mesmerized by his multi-dimensional performance. Inspired by artists such as Ben Howard, Jose Gonzales, and Nick Drake, Rountree uses his percussive technique, while looping and layering dynamic rhythms, to create a rare musical experience.
Norris Hot Springs is a unique and historic Montana wonder. For more history, information on the menu, winter hours, and much more, please visit www.norrishotsprings.com where you can even check out what’s in that magical water. The hot springs are located 34 miles west of Bozeman near the intersection of Highway 287 and Route 84.