Bruce Robinson has led an extraordinary life. As the younger brother of the lead singer for one of the most successful bands in the history of Montana, the Mission Mountain Wood Band, Bruce stepped in to perform in his brother’s place when the band reunited several years after some of the band members, including Bruce’s brother Terry, died in a plane crash in 1987. Bruce also served as the coordinator for the extras on the film Heaven’s Gate, which was shot near Bruce’s home town of Kalispell, Montana. And he also owned several branches of Budget Tapes and Records, one of the largest record chains during that period. 

Support the show

In 2018, Damon Falke, a poet, novelist, and playwright who grew up in America but has lived in Norway for about 13 years, came across a painting on Facebook that drew his attention. He started to notice more pieces by the same painter, a woman named Tabby Ivy, who lived in Montana, and realized there was something about her work that resonated with him, so they started a virtual conversation that would eventually grow into a mutual admiration and finally an decision to collaborate on a book called Between Artists: Life in Paintings and Prose. Unlike many books that pair paintings and writing, this collaboration is unique in that Damon's writings are not necessarily inspired by or direct references to Tabby's paintings. Instead, it is a collaboration of complimentary writings that explore the creative process, as well as the basic struggle to survive in today's world. Damon's writings and Tabby's paintings feed off each other to provide hope and beauty but to also acknowledge the darkness of everyday life. 

You can find Tabby's artwork at tabbyivy.com, and you can order Damon's books at damonfalke.com, and of course you can also order their book, Between Artists, at either of these websites. 

Support the show

Wally Kurth, who I have known since middle school, is the only actor who is currently appearing as a regular on two different soap operas, Days of our Lives, where he plays Justin Kiriakis, and General Hospital, where he has played two different characters. He’s been nominated for a daytime Emmy five times, so he’s trying to chase down Susan Lucci’s record. Wally also produced and narrated one of the most beloved documentaries ever made in Montana, Class C, which was about girl’s high school basketball in Montana, and which just celebrated its 20th Anniversary. 

Support the show

Walter Lamar was teaching shop at Browning High School when two FBI agents showed up to ask why he hadn’t completed the application he picked up from them a few months earlier. This visit changed the trajectory of Walter’s life in a big way as, over the next twenty years, he worked on such cases at the Green River Killer, The Zodiac Killer, and most importantly, the events in Waco and the Oklahoma City Bombing.  But surprisingly, that was not the moment he treasures most during his long and distinguished career. 

After retiring from the FBI, Lamar worked for the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and he currently serves on the board emeritus for Native Forward and the National Native American Hall of Fame. He is also an avid photographer. 

Support the show

James Grady has led a bit of a charmed life, selling his first novel, Six Days of the Condor, when he was only twenty-three, and having that book made into a film, directed by Sidney Pollack and starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. One of the things that is most appealing about Mr. Grady is that, fifty years later, he is still amazed at how a kid from a small town in Montana found himself in that situation. And it has led to a remarkable career. But five years ago, on a trip to his home town of Shelby, Grady had something of a spiritual experience that led to a strong inspiration to write about his childhood in Montana, and the result of that is a trilogy of novels, The Smoke in Our Eyes, Something’s Happening Here, and Tramps Like Us, the last two of which will be released in one volume called American Sky in July of 2025.

Support the show

Peter Riegert is known for his roles in some of the most iconic American films, such as Animal House, Crossing Delancey, The Mask, and Traffic. But my personal favorite is Local Hero, where Peter plays a young Texas oil executive who gets sent to Scotland to try and convince a small town to sell everything in order for the company to build a big industrial complex. Riegert gives a remarkable performance as he slowly falls in love with the region and the people in this tiny Scottish village. Local Hero is a film I watch again and again, and it never disappoints. Peter lives in New York with his wife, novelist Cornelia Read Riegert, and still appears frequently in films and television, most recently in an episode of the smash hit Succession. 

Support the show

Laurie Sargent and Billy Conway were independent rock artists who met in Boston and moved to Montana in 2009. Billy was the drummer for two successful bands, Treat Her Right and Morphine, and he had a presence that helped make everyone around him feel as if they mattered, and had something to offer. So when Billy passed away in 2021, Laurie wanted to create something that honored his memory but also provided other artists to benefit from Billy's generous spirit. So she created the Billy Conway Artists Fund, which provides funding but also mentorship and support for Native artists. The first recipient of this fund. a Hip Hop artist named Foreshadow, has just completed his first album, Perfect Timing, which has just been released. 

You can order Foreshadow's album here: https://www.foreshadow406.com/

And you can find out information about how to apply for the Billy Conway Artist's Fund here: https://www.billyconwayartistfund.org/

To order tickets to the launch party in Livingston on March 30th, go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bcaf-presents-foreshadow-record-release-celebration-tickets-1251391769469?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Support the show

 George Singleton is a Southern author who has written eight collections of short stories two novels, a collection of essays, and an instructional book on writing fiction.  Singleton graduated from Furman University with a degree in philosophy. He also holds an MFA degree from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. In 2009, Singleton was a Guggenheim fellow, and in 2013, Singleton accepted the John C. Cobb Endowed Chair in the Humanities at Wofford College, where he taught until 2020. Singleton was inducted into the Fellowship of Southern Writers in April 2015.

Support the show

On February 9, 2020, Steven Bognar stood on the stage with his longtime filmmaking and life partner Julia Reichert, accepting the Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary for their film, American Factory. Julia had already been going through cancer treatment for two years when that magical night arrived, and less than two years later, she was gone. Since then, Steve has been trying to gather himself, in part by working on a film about Julia, Julia’s Stepping Stones, which has just been released on Netflix.

Steven Bognar is an Ohio-based documentary filmmaker whose films include AMERICAN FACTORY 美国工厂, the first film produced by Higher Ground, the production company started by Barrack and Michelle Obama. Steve also directed A LION IN THE HOUSE; THE LAST TRUCK: CLOSING OF A GM PLANT and 9TO5 – THE STORY OF A MOVEMENT, all co-directed with his late partner Julia Reichert.  Bognar’s solo films include PERSONAL BELONGINGS, PICTURE DAY, FOUNDRY NIGHT SHIFT and LAST REEL.  Bognar has guest lectured at Harvard, Yale & Stanford Universities, and has taught filmmaking for over 25 years.  He is a two-time Peabody Award nominee, a two-time Primetime Emmy winner, an Academy Award winner and a member of the Motion Picture Academy.

Support the show

One fall day in 2018, Ellen Jovin set up a folding table on a Manhattan sidewalk with a homemade sign that said “Grammar Table.” Right away, passersby began excitedly asking questions, telling stories, and filing complaints. What happened next is the stuff of grammar legend. Ellen and her filmmaker husband, Brandt Johnson, took the table on the road, visiting all 50 states as Brandt shot the grammar action. Out of this journey was born both a book and a docu-comedy. But this story transcends grammar. It’s the story of an epic quest to bring us closer together in a divided time.

For information about how to order Ellen's book, or to find viewings for the film, or to schedule a viewing yourself, visit https://www.rebelwithaclause.com/

Support the show