Reconnecting with Friends

Bob Wire and Amanda Cevallos

The stage was large; the crowd was small.

While thousands of Missoulians headed to the FREE folk festival in Butte, a small crowd of  fans went to Ryan Creek Meadows to see the Marshall Tucker Band on Saturday, July 10. They found a new, sturdy stage. Only the early arrivals knew a wind had taken down the fences and ripped off the stage roof not long before the gates were to open.

I was there on assignment for Amanda Cevallos, who re-visited Zootown briefly in order to perform on this ticket. I gave her a hard time as I do most who desert Missoula for some other place, but she found a home there and has steered her career very well. 

Why do I worry about being late? My timing seems to have improved in old age. For Example, of course, I was on time to catch Amanda going on stage. Good thing, too, because she put me on the guest list, and if I didn't get photos, she would have skinned me alive. It was great to reconnect with her, and to watch her strutting the strut on stage.

A full year had passed, since I had talked with Bob Wire other than a quick pass, while he was consumed with his book of Montana oddities. That book is available (unless sold out) at Shakespeare and Co., and Fact and Fiction. I'm ashamed I didn't make it to the release of the book, or his last CD, Buffaload. Bob and his band, which he sometimes calls the Magnificent Bastards, played material from all of their CDs and new songs, too. Bob, as always, was a kick in the pants.

39 years ago, Marshall Tucker Band came together and quickly jumped into the upper echelon of the southern music scene. If I understood correctly, these two are the only original members left. They are a stalwart crew of experienced musicians, who make their great sound look easy. They have class, too, as is evidenced by their ride.

Marshall Tucker has a set on the Flickr archive, while Bob and Amanda each have a Marshall Tucker Album. Go there to see more images from this event.

This Weekend

Marshall Tucker Band

and many others

Ryan Creek Meadows

Saturday July 10, 2010

Amanda Cevallos will return to Missoula to appear on the stage at Ryan Creek Meadows, this Saturday. Marshall Tucker is the headliner, with Bob Wire, Shane Clouse and Kira Means. This is my all time favorite image of Amanda. She on the other hand preferred the following shot, and put it on her business card. 

Previous posts on this blog, and sets on the Flickr archive, cover Amanda's history with Wolf Redboy and her own band, Bad Intentions. Just search for Amanda on my photostream.

Mando Mike Passes Through

Rocky Mountain School of Photography has started their free winter lecture series in the quarry at the school. I attended the first of the monthly events, and thus arrived for only the last hour of the weekly open mike session at Brooks and Browns. There was a duo named CaseyJo up when I arrived. Then they invited Mando Mike to join them.

I hadn't seen Mike all summer. Once upon a time he was one of the Bad Intentions, playing behind Amanda Cevallos. He turned up many places for music, including the Irish folk jam at Celtic Connection. He said he was working at Glacier and just passing through on his way to the organic family farm in Idaho. Later, he brought his guitar up for his own set.

Seth joined him with a harmonica, and Carla Greene contributed the bass.

Other musicians took their turns.

Mike Avery filled in for Louis, who was down with the crud. Teri Llovett MC'd, as usual. Many of the regulars were there, and most joined in for the group finale.

The open mike at Brooks and Browns occurs every Tuesday, 7-10, and is beginning to attract some original songwriters to join the talented regulars.

Brooks and Browns is the bar in the back of the Holiday Inn. In addition to open mike, it hosts other music on weekends. Baba ganoush played for hours there recently, as previously reported. Malarkey will bring their Irish sound there Friday, Oct. 30.

The flickr set which goes with this post is titled BBMike, October 20, 2009.

Best Bar Movie Packs Wilma

These people made a movie, and a lot of Missoula folks crammed into the historic Wilma Theater, on Friday, June 17, to see it.

The movie starred this motorcycle with sidecar, and, after the viewing, everyone had to photograph it or be photographed with it.

Jim Beyer, the motorcycle's owner, was proud and happy to help shoot the starstruck.

Andrea Harsell and Jim Beyer

Another star also garners some attention.

Wolf Redboy is on the soundtrack, and Amanda Cevallos has a steamy scene in the movie. Both may be seen in previous posts on this blog, and in the flickr archive. Amanda moved to Texas and was unavailable for a current photo. This one will have to do.

I cannot review the movie, which was seen in an early rough cut, because I have no idea, if it was good, bad or indifferent. I was delighted to see so many people and places I know, but there were far too many to name here. The full title is the Best Bar in America, and, if you love Missoula, beer, motorcycles, bars, or Montana, see it when you get a chance.

Secret Powers Starts the Party

His voice was still gravelly, but Shmed made it plain he was feeling better by belting out his best as part of a dynamic performance by Secret Powers, to open Amanda's party at the Badlander.




A rapt audience watched the scintillating performance.








This is the third and final installment of a busy Wednesday evening. It says right up there under profile I am slow. It took over 60 hours, three blog postings and more to cover March 4 and Amanda's parties. Part of the problem is I just try to capture too many images. I still have to learn to increase quality and decrease quantity. In the meantime, last night was First Friday and Olshittay was all over town. Did you see him? Coming soon: First Friday explorations and an updated photo of the old kitchenpoet himself.

In the meantime here's a person, who literally demanded to have his picture taken.

Amanda Kicks up Her Heels @Badlander

Wednesday, was Missoula's version of a "star-studded evening," as Amanda Cevallos had two CD release parties, and bid zootown farewell, before moving to Texas. One of the highlights was Shmed joining Amanda's band, Bad Intentions, playing the accordion.




Richie Reinholdt was also there.


Amanda was so hot, she set this guy's hair on fire!






As usual, there are many more photographs of Amanda, Bad Intentions, Richie Reinholdt and Shmed on the flickr archive. There is a set of this event, another for the previous one at Missoula Cellars, a set of Todd Snider w/amanda@the palace, and sets of many Missoula bands and performers. Find a group you like and start the slideshow.