Local radio forum continues to spotlight regional musicians
Roughly a year ago, resident musician Dirk Alan introduced Gallatin Valley dwellers to a fresh new way to experience local talent. Montana Homegrown Radio is an online independent musician showcase featuring a different area act with each session. Presented much like a live broadcast radio show, each hosted episode includes an interview component, discussion, and of course – live music! As it enters its second season, The Rolling Zone got together with the man himself to discuss what this specialty forum hopes to offer local, homegrown musicians and their listeners.
RZ: Let’s talk about Montana Homegrown Radio, an online platform for local talent to showcase their artistry. For those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to check it out, what can users expect when they log on and stream an episode?
DA: Well, they can expect to hear local talent that they may have not heard before. There are a lot of venues in the area and a lot of different local talent – but for those that don’t get out that much, it’s a nice platform to hear what you normally wouldn’t be able to hear [and] it’s always something new and fresh.
RZ: How did you come up with the idea to offer this resource?
DA: I worked for a talent agency in Portland and really enjoyed matching talent with venues. Then when I moved back here, where I was born and raised, I was still a talent scout for the agency. I’m always looking for new talent to develop, taking something new and fresh and helping artists build something. I wanted to do Montana Homegrown [so I could] go out and see what all the local talent was. But it’s spread out everywhere, and I thought if I brought them to me and had some intimate time with them to get into their head and really listen to what they have, that’s how I could find talent. So, it started as a talent-scouting project and morphed into what it is now. I’ve been able to get gigs for some of the acts that have been on the show – and I’ve gotten gigs from them as well.
RZ: Was there a particular instance that planted the seed?
DA: I taught a class in Washington called “Taking Your Band to the Next Level 101.” It was kind of a bridge between the music arts and the music business. There are a lot of artists out there that don’t understand the music business. I used this seminar to bridge the gap between the music arts and the music business, to educate them on how to develop and market their act better.
RZ: So, you’re an educator, the host of Montana Homegrown, and a longtime musician as well – commonly referred to as an interactive “one-man band.” How’d you end up with that nickname?
DA: I do a solo act on the side and still work with bands that need a bass or guitar player here and there. I enjoy my solo act because I record all the backing tracks in my studio – they’re all me! Then when I go out and play live, it sounds like a full band. I design it to the crowd or the venue, “interactive” meaning I take a box of rhythm instruments, tambourines and stuff, and get everybody playing and singing with me. Anybody that wants to come up and play can join right in. It’s a family thing and it works anywhere. And I have a very well-thought out song list pretty much designed for the baby boomers. It’s a lot of fun.
RZ: Who are a couple artists that inspire your musicianship?
DA: Let me just start out with saying Django, Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler, Billy Gibbons, and Albert Lee, to name a few – I’m an old school ‘70s, early ‘60s guy. Thank God for my parents listening to Chet Atkins’ stuff. It was really inspiring, and now he’s like a god. I guess my stylings would be coined from bits and pieces of all those players.
RZ: Shifting back to Homegrown Radio, these sessions include an anecdotal portion to give listeners a closer look at the artists it features. What’s that about?
DA: This is unscripted – I just want the artists to be their organic selves so the listener can really get the gist of what they’re about. More formal radio shows have to script some portions for time and all that, but I’m not restricted by any regulations, by time, so it’s more of a one-on-one “who are you?” Tell me your organic self. We build on that and I try to find humorous pieces too. I’ve never had a bad show and everybody leaves the studio feeling good.
RZ: Do you think this peek behind the curtain helps listeners get a better idea of who these musicians are?
DA: Oh yes, absolutely. I try to ask the most pertinent questions. Before they come to record, I send artists a guest prep sheet as part of my spiel. One of the things on there, I have them give me the questions to ask that are going to best promote their act in 30 minutes. That’s my whole bottom line. I want to promote their act the best I can in 30–45 minutes and make it entertaining at the same time.
RZ: Tell us a little about the kinds of musicians you have on, genre-wise.
DA: Of the shows we’ve had in the past, there’s been a lot of Americana, bluegrass, and a lot of singer/songwriters. We did have a metal band from Butte that was pretty surprising, had a great time with them. Kennedy Richards was just on, she has some very interesting stuff. Then Henry & Isla are coming up next. It’s not confirmed yet, but I’ve got this Latino band on the line. They do a little mariachi and Latin rhythms. How cool would that be? I’m hoping to get a really diverse group in the upcoming season.
RZ: How do folks listen to Montana Homegrown episodes?
DA: All the shows I’ve ever recorded are on the website. That way people can go on any time they want, download an mp3 and take it with them for the car, or they can listen to it right there. KGRT out of Helena also carries us every Sunday at 5pm. And I’m working with KGVM public radio to start carrying the show here. If we can grow that and get these people’s names out there, more people might want to come see them live if they have the chance to hear the artists in the comfort of their own homes first.
RZ: Montana Homegrown has entered its second season, if you will. Can you share some reflections about how your brainchild’s first year went overall?
DA: The first year was a learning experience. I learned about what we need to do to get more acts interested in coming on the show. I learned a lot more about the different venues and how I can help these players get into them. Now, I’m able to marry artists with venues way easier. That’s kind of my takeaway from the first season. I also gained a lot of knowledge of who’s playing where and what kind of music is popular.
RZ: Where do you take Homegrown Radio from here?
DA: I would like to get a couple more broadcast stations carrying our show in Montana. I’d like to be a full-fledged broadcast internet entity. Rather than just a podcast, I’d like people to tune in at a certain time of day and be able to hear the show live. And I’d like to be the place where venue owners tune in each week to hear what’s new that they could possibly book.
RZ: Final thoughts, Dirk?
DA: I’m really surprised more people aren’t doing this, as popular as live music is in Montana. I’ve been in Seattle, Portland – there’s a lot of great musicians because of the sheer population in those areas. But in Montana, I’m blown away by the amount of talent in this less populated area. I just want to be that bridge to help get them to the next level. This is my passion. I’m all about bringing joy to people and music does just that.
Hosted by Dirk Alan, Montana Homegrown Radio serves as a promotional space for local talent and their many art forms – and Dirk wants YOU! Any musician with a story to tell and a song to sing is encouraged to apply for a guest spot on the show.
Previous guest artists include Dos Mayos, Don Elliott, The Significant Figures, Jeff Peterson, The Wind and the Willows, Those Guys, The Dirt Farmers, Christopher Alexander, Quenby Iandiorio, Bridger Creek Boys, The Wind Drifters, Red Glow Buffalo, Left on Tenth, Rich Reiser and Dave Johnson, Kate & the AlleyKats, Edis Kittrell, Jed Ewert, Sound Beast, Walcrik, and Dave Brinker. Though these artists’ episodes have already “aired,” previous editions are always available for your listening pleasure 24/7.
Visit www.montanahomegrownradio.com to catch up with the fantastic Montana musicians who have been featured thus far, or to submit an application for a future edition. Be sure to keep an eye out for additional guests as they’re announced. •
