Arts Council director Brian Hurlbut reflects on a strong start and exciting concerts to come
By Jack Reaney ASSOCIATE EDITOR
On Thursday night, Big Sky resumed its 15-year tradition of free summer concerts, as the Jeff Crosby Band headlined the Music in the Mountains series opener.
The concert took place on the summer solstice, and the warm sun lingered past 9 p.m. on the western horizon. It was “the perfect night,” according to Brian Hurlbut, executive director of the Arts Council of Big Sky, which hosts Music in the Mountains.
“What a night, as far as the weather and the first day of summer,” Hurlbut told EBS on the phone Friday morning. “I don’t think we could have asked for a better start to the summer than a night like that.”
Especially after a snowy, wet spring—including a few inches of snow on June 18—Thursday’s bluebird sky helped draw a crowd; Hurlbut estimated roughly 3,000 attendees.
“It was a huge crowd, the music was fantastic, and there was just a lot of great energy in the air,” Hurlbut said.
The Jeff Crosby Band took the stage around 8 p.m. and got the crowd on their feet and dancing.
‘This is way cooler than opening for the Stones’
After a few songs, frontman Jeff Crosby introduced a song off the band’s new album. He said Dave Schools, bass player for Widespread Panic, helped produce the album.
“They’re opening for the Rolling Stones tonight, no big deal” Crosby told the crowd between songs, referring to Widespread Panic.
“This is way cooler than opening for the Stones,” he added.
Hurlbut said Crosby is a real veteran, and a great fit to start the Music in the Mountains series. The Idaho-native is well-known in the Pacific Northwest, and Hurlbut said Crosby and the band were “over the moon” with Big Sky’s crowd.
“He was super excited to play music in the mountains, he’s always wanted to do it, but it just never worked out,” Hurlbut said. Crosby wanted to make it happen this year, and made special plans to divert quickly from his solo tour and visit Big Sky.
“The band was just so energized,” he added.
Before the Jeff Crosby Band, Kalispell-based Mike Murray opened on the sunny stage.
“Mike Murray is personally, one of my favorite artists in Montana,” Hurlbut said. “… He is just a great Montana singer-songwriter.”
Murray has played in Big Sky a few times, usually as a duo, but Hurlbut urged him to bring the full band. It was “phenomenal,” he said.
After a strong start, Hurlbut is thrilled about what’s next. On June 27, Cool Cool Cool is coming to town.
“Well, I think we’re gonna take it up a notch next week, with Cool Cool Cool. They’re just one of the hottest bands touring around right now,” Hurlbut said.
He said the band tours with Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads.
“They’re, like, the real deal,” Hurlbut said.
Beyond next week, he said this summer is arguably the biggest lineup that Music in the Mountains has ever hosted, with big names like The Wood Brothers on July 18, and a few “sleepers” that will surprise attendees.
Hurlbut added his gratitude for sponsors, especially Resort Tax, who continue to support Music in the Mountains as costs rise for enhanced security and event staff.
In general, he thanked the community for supporting free music and keeping it free.
“It truly is a community event. It’s put on by the community, it’s for the community, and I’m just happy we can do it again this summer.”
