Glenn Brackett of Butte Montana helped bring Winston Rods to the pinnacle of fly rod making, then started Sweetgrass Rods in Twin Bridges. Visitors from around the world arrive un-announced at his door, hands joined in prayerful respect, to speak with the Master Rod Builder. I spoke with Glenn in his workshop, and had to turn my back away  from the beautiful bamboo rods waiting to be finished on the rack behind me in order to focus on his thoughtful answers. To introduce Glenn, I can do no better than this quote from the Sweetgrass Rods (www.sweetgrassrods.com) website:

Karen Kitchel is that rare bird, a full time artist.   Join us for an audio version of a painter’s odyssey.

“Kitchel proposes a new way of seeing both the land and landscape painting.  She strives to document reality as she finds it, to combine overlooked elements of mundane, non-spectacular surroundings with the grandiosity and romantic allure of historical landscape painting.”

— Katherine Plake Hough, Chief Curator, Palm Springs Art Museum

Take a look at Karen’s work as you listen: www.karenkitchel.com

Listen now: Karen Kitchel

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“Grown locally, manufactured locally, consumed locally” is the slogan of the Earl Fisher Biofuel company, the first and only biofuel plant in Montana. Logan Fisher and Brett Earl are fourth generation farmers on Montana’s High Line. They convert locally grown crops into clean burning biofuels for industry, ag, home and garden use. Philip spoke with Brett at our recording studio The Bin, in Chester.

Listen now: Brett Earl

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Philip spoke with Mel at our recording studio The Bin, in Chester

Listen now: Mel Lehman

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Director, teacher and actor Greg Johnson has led the Montana Repertory Theatre as artistic director since 1990.  Based at the University of Montana in Missoula, this national touring company has a reputation for consistently excellent productions.   Greg and Phil met in Missoula to talk about the state of theatre in the Rocky Mountain west.

Listen now: Greg Johnson

Download: Greg Johnson  

visit MRT at www.montanarep.org

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When Philip was reading Dee McNamer’s fourth novel “Red Rover”, he would glance up every so often and say something like “This is an incredible story”.  ”Her writing is like poetry…”.   When I replied, or attempted to have the briefest conversation, he’d look at me as though I was REALLY interrupting him – couldn’t I see he was very engrossed and not in a mood to chat?   So get this book, turn off the phone and shut the door.

Deirdre McNamer teaches writing at the University of Montana.

Listen now: Deirdre McNamer

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Michael Millard has been crafting guitars for over 4o years.   He has also made an annual trek to Montana for decades, bringing generations of his beloved golden retrievers to recharge, hunt and keep his connection to the high plains.  He and Phil visited during his last Montana sojourn, about guitar making, music, fishing, and their common love of the land.

www.froggybottomguitars.com

Listen now:  Michael Millard

Download: Michael Millard

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Cowboy poet, Crow Indian, Montana’s Poet Laureate – in 2010, Henry Real Bird rode 415 miles on horseback through western North Dakota and northern Montana, handing out books of poetry and connecting with people along the way.

Listen now: Henry Real Bird

Download: Henry Real Bird

photo courtesy of Western Folklife Center – additional interviews with Henry Real Bird available at http://westernfolklifecenter.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/ride-across-montana-with-henry-real-bird/

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