Uncategorized
Lil Smokies Q & A
![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
7 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw Partners![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lil_Smokies.jpg)
Lil Smokies’ dobroist Andy Dunnigan on life on the road—and not being a bluegrass band
By Sarah Gianelli EBS Associate Editor
BIG SKY – The Missoula-based Lil Smokies kick off Big Sky’s widely-anticipated Music in the Mountains summer concert series on Thursday, June 22. In recent years, recognition from the International Bluegrass Music Association and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival has catapulted the quintet to the next level of professional musicianship.
EBS caught up with dobroist and founding band member Andy Dunnigan mid-tour “somewhere in northern Illinois” on May 31. The Whitefish, Montana, native, whose chosen instrument is an acoustic cousin of the pedal steel guitar, talked about the reality of being on tour, trying not to be a bluegrass band, and how good it feels to come back home.
Explore Big Sky: Any stand-out moments from the tour thus far?
Andy Dunnegan: We played a gigantic festival in Illinois called Summer Camp, alongside a lot of our musical heroes. We rolled in moments after it was announced that Greg Allman had passed away and proceeded to watch multiple sets paying tribute to him, including the Infamous Stringdusters and Gov’t Mule.
It was definitely a heavy day, but the silver lining was seeing some incredibly passionate and emotionally-driven performances.
EBS: Last year you played something like 176 shows, spending nearly 200 days of the year on the road. How are you adjusting to touring life?
AD: I think we’re all starting to realize how wholly-consuming the touring life is—it’s a gigantic sacrifice. I think it really sank in the last couple months for us collectively. That said, we couldn’t be happier and more grateful for this opportunity.
EBS: Why the dobro?
AD: I had an emotional connection with the dobro—it was such an expressive instrument. Much more than all the other instruments I was playing earlier on. It sounded like somebody crying at times. Men aren’t supposed to cry in public so perhaps it was my way around the rule.
EBS: Are you looking forward to getting back to Montana?
AD: Definitely—even more so now than ever. We’ve been hitting the road so hard this year; I think we’re a lot more appreciative of our time home, especially in the summer—we all know how magical Montana is in the summer. We’re really looking forward to playing these stages, and seeing our friends and family…and our own beds.
EBS: How would you describe The Lil Smokies’ sound?
AD: That’s always slightly hard to answer. Broadly speaking, It’s progressive acoustic … I tend to stay away from “bluegrass” because there is such a stigma behind traditional bluegrass music. We’re trying to put a new twist on an old genre. We all play traditional bluegrass instruments, but if you dissect [our music] melodically, lyrically, there’s a lot more going on. We’re trying our damnedest to not be a bluegrass band, but simultaneously pay homage to the roots of the tradition that got us here. We’re searching for sonic genre transcendence.
EBS: Where do you see The Lil Smokies going from here?
AD: Oh, the mystery. We’re in this for the long haul, literally and metaphorically. Touring has been such an incredible experience; I think we’re all getting thoroughly addicted to the unknown and the adventure that comes along with this lifestyle.
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