Norris Hot Springs is a place to soak and relax, but it’s also a great live music venue with a rotating schedule of performers. April is no different!
With lyrical wit and medicine-show sensibility, Russ Chapman stomps and sings highly original music drawn from the deep well of Americana–with a blend of folk-blues, early swing and New Orleans “swamp music.” Hailed in Nashville as a “songwriter’s songwriter,” and now residing in tiny Paonia, Colorado, Russ has recorded and performed with multiple Grammy winners, including members of Ricky Skagg’s Kentucky Thunder, Jim Lauderdale’s band, and America’s favorite cowboys–Riders in the Sky. It was during a co-writing session with Earth, Wind and Fire’s founding member Ronnie Laws, that a giddy Laws proclaimed, “You’ve got a good thing there, man!” Indeed…from the melodically percussive guitar style and inspired wordsmithing, to an impressive ability to stomp and shuffle his feet, there is something positively fun and refreshing about Russ Chapman.
Tevin Apedaile returns to the stage on Friday, April 22nd. Apedaile is a Montana local and plays acoustic contemporary folk pop. He draws sounds from the likes of Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Johnny Cash, and Bon Iver. Bramble & Rye will perform on Saturday, April 23rd. They are a blues-infused folk duo based in Bozeman. The pair weave folk, country, rock, and blues into their tunes, tipping their hats to songwriting legends like Gillian Welch, Neil Young, and Bonnie Raitt while taking inspiration from new Americana artists like Jason Isbell and Ryan Bingham. Both songwriters, Jesscy Dean and Jeff Miesbauer met in the fall of 2014 and have been sharing and writing songs together ever since. They write from the parts of themselves that are used but not used up, and are inspired by things that are old and true, like rusty tools or tempered love. The Acousticals will entertain the crowd with a performance on Sunday, April 24th. The group features three of western Montana’s premier bluegrass musicians, playing original material in the “Acoustic Americana” vein.
Jacob Cummings will showcase his singer/songwriter abilities on Friday, April 29th. Cummings is a 24 year old guitar/singer/songwriter from Everett, WA. His music falls under the blues/pop genre with the easy listening feel, compared to John Mayer and Jack Johnson. Jacob is promoting his first EP Hopeless Love Songs, featuring jazz/blues guitar chord progressions and soft/soothing vocals. Kalyn Beasley will be welcomed back on Saturday, April 30th. Kalyn is a talented Wyoming-based singer/songwriter who recently returned from Austin to his Northern Rockies roots to pursue a solo career. He plays an acoustic show featuring Americana and Texas country, and also shares many of his original songs. Kalyn was previously with the Bozeman based Bad Intentions band as frontman and bass guitarist.
Norris Hot Springs is located outside of Norris, Montana off of route 84. Every performance starts at 7pm. Cover is $9 and includes a hot dip in the pool. •
