Use the extra hour to come for a soak at Norris Hot Springs!
headwaters
Spring is just around the corner in Southwest Montana, and if you can believe it, flowers and green grass will soon(ish) take the place of all the snow and ice. The historic wooden pool at Norris Hot Springs is the perfect vantage point to enjoy the shifting season. And if your visit happens to correspond with a weekend, you can also enjoy the finest in regional acoustic live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.
Mathias is next up on Friday, March 15th. The Bozeman-based singer/songwriter has been playing music under the big sky for nearly two decades. With powerful vocals and a percussive guitar style, he’s known for his dynamic live performances full of acoustic folk, rock, and funk tunes. Mathias recorded his debut album, Walk Alone, with the help of Emmy Award-winning producer Jeremiah Slovarp.
Heather Lingle is back on Saturday, March 16th. She’s a Montana-based singer/songwriter. A truly American roots writer, her music encompasses heartache and conquest that reflect the rugged independence of the West through good times and bad. Triumph always. She’s a soulful, rebellious, genuine Americana artist. Her latest album, Wild Blue, is available now.
Enjoy the talents of Headwaters on Sunday, March 17th. The duo plays acoustic blues in the manner of Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt and other blues legends. Art Butler drives the music on the resonator. Phil Cohea plays rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals for that genuine juke joint sound. No leprechauns in sight, but this should be a fun St. Patrick’s Day show.
On Friday, March 22nd, Joseph Running Crane performs. “At twenty-six years old, and representing a completely new generation of Americana musicians, Joseph Running Crane is already a seasoned veteran of the Missoula music scene, having played in some of the state’s most-respected hardcore bands,” wrote Aaron Parrett, author of Montana Americana Music: Boot Stomping in the Big Sky. “Running Crane made a name for himself playing guitar and bass in what might be the best-named band ever to come out of Montana: Goddammitboyhowdy. Lately, however, he has softened his delivery into a distinctive Americana country sound. Joseph was weaned on punk rock and hard-core, a huge fan of The Minutemen and The Dead Kennedys since practically grade school. He grew up in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfeet Reservation, and his early influences were loud, heavy, and hard rock. Still, his recent songs have taken on a more wistful tone and use an acoustic sound far removed from the angsty and frenetic electric punk sound.”
Roots rock duo Acoustic Roll follows on Saturday, March 23rd. Comprised of Rod Morrison and Mike Voeller, they’ll bring their guitar and percussion based acoustic music to the poolside stage. Expect to hear mellow sounds from the 60s and 70s (Stones, Beatles, Clapton, James Taylor, The Who, Dylan, Young) mixed with tasty jams and original tunes.
Travis Yost, a Norris favorite, returns on Sunday, March 24th. Also known around town as Love is a Dog from Nebraska, Travis is a musician, engineer, and producer from Missoula. He’s performed all over the West as a solo artist, and with other performers including Tom Catmull, Stellarondo, and NextDoorPrisonHotel. Travis has guested on Eric Funk’s 11th & Grant and performed at Red Ants Pants. He’s shared the stage with James McMurtry, Alejandro Escovedo, The Decemberists, The Lumineers, Jason Spooner, Martin Sexton, Wartime Blues, Sallie Ford, Jason Isbell, Dale Watson, and Brandi Carlile – to name just a few. He performs thoughtful sad stories with happy endings, on top of guitar and looper acrobatics.
Paul Lee Kupfer is set for Friday, March 29th. Originally from the Mountains of West Virginia, Kupfer has travelled as a solo performer and band leader since 2008 while living in Philadelphia, California, Tennessee, Montana, and towns in between. He has a distinctive approach and his arrangements are inventive and fun. Restless touring and writing has allowed him to share the bill with some of his heroes and bring his music to many different kinds of people across the United States. Kupfer is a member of local trio the Bus Driver Tour alongside Danny Freund and Ian Thomas.
The Lucky Valentines take the stage Saturday, March 30th. 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 independent release Lion in the Garden is a collection of songs that explore betrayal, loss, and joy.
Closing out the month are the Tone Benders on Sunday, March 31st. The group focuses on roots-oriented folk/rock and country/blues originals sprinkled with tasty cover renditions spanning a musical variety – from Western swing, New Orleans barrel-house, Muscle Shoals R&B, Tin Pan Alley songcraft, Celtic murder reels, and Sammy Cahn/Johnny Mercer torch ballads.
Further information about the natural minerals in the springs, the full winter menu, operating hours, and more can be found at www.norrishotsprings.com. Norris is located 34 miles west of Bozeman near the intersection of Highway 287 and Route 84. •
