Uncategorized
Pine Creek Lodge and authentic dedication to music
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/outlaw-partners-46x46.jpg)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/outlaw-partners-46x46.jpg)
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw Partners![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1284.jpg)
By Michael Somerby EBS STAFF
LIVINGSTON – There was a time when music, at least that of the mainstream, meant more than appealing to the consumer and mighty dollar.
Albeit, perhaps the very term “mainstream” and the business of music are, by nature, never mutually exclusive, but I can’t say for certain as I was never alive for that purist era, and few generations living today can claim that they were.
Even artists as far back as 1969’s Woodstock, like folk and rock ‘n’ roll legend Neil Young, protested the presence of cameras, even refusing to be captured on one at the groundbreaking musical event. His performance was for those in the audience, no one else—you were there or you weren’t, it was that simple for Young.
But even then, in the nascent stages of live, standing-room-only-performance as we know them today, the business of music invaded that sanctity.
Fortunately, enclaves exist where that intimate relationship between audience and artist is still respected. In places like Livingston’s Pine Creek Lodge, an ethos, that of Young and his contemporaries, lives on. This was particularly evident on Sept. 6, when Bozeman’s Kitchen Dwellers played an entirely acoustic set to the light of headlamps and smartphone flashlights.
Pine Creek Lodge, best-case scenario, is a charming Montana hospice that doubles as a one-of-a-kind venue, with a village-of-sorts layout: wooden footbridges weave over a babbling brook between various food and drink stands, restaurants, a humble wooden stage and refurbished shipping containers that serve as chic hotel rooms, all under a webbing of string lights—the hallmark sign of good times to be had outdoors.
But, on Sept. 6, it was worst-case scenario—the power was completely knocked out—which paradoxically revealed the sturdy constitution of every player present, from the caliber of musician to the type of audience Pine Creek Lodge attracts.
Minutes before the band took the stage, the lights flickered momentarily, which many took as a signal the show was soon to begin. Only, they never turned back on; Pine Creek Lodge was suddenly and without warning devoid of its signature, pink and green marquee directing foot traffic to the entrance and the string lights that connect the venue’s various enclaves and offerings.
At the outdoor bar, pasted over with posters from past acts like Trout Steak Revival, Blitzen Trapper and Big Sky favorite Pinky and The Floyd, patrons used lighters, lit-cigarettes and headlamps to help aid the bartender in keeping the kegs flowing.
Other concertgoers, drenched from sporadic rainfall, stomped through the growing layer of mud in the darkness, with those in flip-flops and Chacos humorously lamenting their plight.
“It’s funny, we probably had 500 people there that night, and we had one person ask for a refund,” said Chip Hurt, owner of the lodge. “At one point I was talking to somebody, and they said, ‘This is amazing, nobody here even cares that the lights aren’t turning back on.’”
Hurt was originally concerned, but then reminded himself of what he’s helped to build over four years of booking music for the venue.
“I was stressed for a second and that’s not really the vibe of Pine Creek Lodge. Let’s roll with the punches. This is like hanging out at your friend’s yard, let’s continue to show people that.”
And without a hitch, the four-man psychedelic bluegrass fusion group, consisting of a banjo, guitar, standup bass and mandolin, began to play an acoustic set for a crowd that was virtually unfazed, jigging and two-stepping to the music all the same.
Is Pine Creek Lodge’s band shell equipped for such a performance? No, the acoustics were not ideal, but the crowd managed to stifle conversations and noise, save for some appropriately timed hooting and hollering after a deserving solo or riff, to allow the artists to thrive in their unexpectedly unfavorable conditions.
And whether part of a predetermined set list or cleverly chosen on the spot to match the events of the evening, the band launched into a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie,” with a fitting chorus of “One way or another, this darkness got to give.”
The crowd sang along with every word.
At one point, frontman, vocalist and banjo player Torrin Daniels announced, “If you’re here tonight, you clearly give a [expletive] about us, and I really appreciate that.”
If there was ever a statement that aligns with the original intent of music, it was that, and the bond between artist and audience secured. There was no sea of filming smartphones to crane necks around, no hollow, viral and choreographed dance moves to know, and not a bad attitude in sight despite the setback.
There was only music, and Pine Creek Lodge was the venue—you just had to be there.
Visit pinecreeklodgemontana.com to view upcoming events.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm