Tuney lineup announced

By KJERSTEN OLSGAARD

If for some reason you haven’t noticed already, this year’s Tuney Awards ballot it out circulating the town. And for those of you entirely behind the times, let me explain:

The Billings Outpost, along with the generous sponsorship of Pen and Paige, Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co. and Billings365.com, coordinates an annual musical awards showcase to recognize and celebrate hometown musicians and the local music scene.

Until Sept. 9, community members (yes, that means you) are casting their ballots, found on the previous page of this newspaper or at the Outpost’s website (www.billingsnews.com), for the best local music.

The categories range from best instrumentalists, bands, female/male vocalist to businesses affiliated with the local music scene.

These winners will then be announced at this year’s 10th annual Billings Outpost Tuney Awards, which takes place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at YVBC.

Brown and Green’s Soul Machine, Flowers From Her, Jaded Ladies, Known By Name (formerly known as Ryan Parker Beautification Project), Ron Schuster Exploration Orchestra, Soul Brat and Tiny Trio are slated to perform this year. In between performances by these hot neighborhood acts, my co-columnist Anna Paige and I will emcee the event. With indie rock, jazz, blues, folk and more, this loaded lineup features a diverse musical feast.

The cover charge for the show is $5, with all proceeds going to the creation of The Billings Outpost Musician Scholarship Fund. Additional donations will also be accepted at the door.

So now that you know the details and the idea behind this event, flip over the page and vote. Join us in showing your support for the people who make music here and make it thrive.

The Gourds

Last Saturday night’s concert at the Babcock Theater was hugely energetic and, unfortunately, roomy, as the slim crowd had no chance at filling the theater. Local bluegrass craze Anonymous String Association opened for The Gourds, an Austin-based alternative country group, in what was ASA’s second-to-last performance.

Since the band’s starting roughly a year and a half ago, these five members (on banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass, drums and mandolin) have gained attention and ears, earning them a voter-recognized Tuney Award for Best Bluegrass Act when new to the music scene last year, as well as the confidence to perform with an honest intensity and shameless passion. The right instrumental ingredients mixed with the band’s tight-knit timing made ASA’s show smooth and thrilling.

The band plans to take a hiatus after their last scheduled performance at The Garage this Saturday. In what is being dubbed “The Last Fling with the String,” ASA will bid farewell to their fans until, hopefully, a later date.

Kjersten Olsgaard has written for the Outpost since the summer of 2007. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

By ANNA PAIGE

The competition for an opening act for Coheed and Cambria’s Billings performance is heating up online. Local bands including Shakefist, ENDever, AssNynE, JM vs. JM, Like Gods Destroyer, Past Mars, S.M.I, A Midnight Drive and Aida have all expressed interest in opening for the prog rockers from New York. The group is using the competition to give back to local scenes they credit as being an integral part of touring.

Among the above-mentioned Billings bands, the top three most “liked” bands on Facebook will be considered as the opening act at Coheed’s Oct. 14 performance with Fang Island. Like Gods Destroyer is nearing 200 “likes” with Shakefist not far behind. Visit the concert announcement on Facebook to view the progress and vote for your favorite band.

Willie returns

Wrapping a summer of big-name talents to take the stage in Montana, Willie Nelson returns to perform in Big Sky at the Meadow Village Pavilion on Sept. 3. The Texan and country music icon last performed in the area at the Red Lodge Rodeo Grounds in 2009. Nelson is known for relentless touring and is out promoting his first solo album, “American Classic,” released in August 2009.

The tour, launched earlier this year, focused in the central and southern parts of the United States, then continued into the summer, and includes stops in Big Sky and Jackson, Wyo. In 2009 he took part on Bob Dylan’s ballpark tours with John Mellencamp.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, A Wilhelm Scream performs Sept. 7 at the Railyard. Creatively named after a stock movie sound effect, A Wilhelm Scream has been hailed as new heirs of the skate-punk scene. The Massachusetts band has been playing punk and melodic hardcore for more than a decade and recently came off a tour with Pennywise and Strike Anywhere. After a hiatus in 2008 the band hopped from Nitro Records to Paper + Plastic for a fifth release, a self-titled EP.

Openers include Missoula’s Strangle Valentino and Denver’s The Photo Atlas, who return to Billings for the first time since August 2009. The dance punk band return for two concerts, the first opening for A Wilhelm Scream and the second on Sept. 10 to perform with 1090 Club and Flowers From Her.

Anna Paige is a freelance writer based in Billings. She writes a music blog titled Magic City Kitsch. Contact her at www.penandpaige.com.