Upcoming events
HITMAKERS HEroes, & HORIZONS
SATURDAY, MAY 23RD 2026
doors open at 5 pm, SHOW STARTS at 6:15 PM
A 406 Hit Songwriter Showcase with Big Sky Troubadours
More than a concert - this is a songwriter showcase! Featuring Nashville hitmakers and Montana’s own acclaimed songwriters. Experience the stories behind the songs, intimate performances, and the powerful connection that only live music can create. From chart-topping hits to hometown favorites, this event celebrates the voices shaping music—right here in Montana. Every attendee is entered to win a beautiful Gibson L-00 Standard in Blueberry Burst—Handmade in the Gibson Acoustic Custom Shop, an exclusive guitar from Music Villa in Bozeman, Montana. And because it is Powell County High School Graduation Weekend- Every Powell County High School Graduate of the class of 2026, will be given a FREE VIP PASS to this show courtesy of one of our generous Patron of Songs!
The beneficiaries of this show are: Deer Lodge Athletic Association - Track & Football Complex, VFW Post 689 of Deer Lodge, and The Honor Guard!
MEET THE SONGWRITERS
MARK NESLER
Mark Nesler grew up in a music-loving family, where early exposure to songwriters and storytelling sparked a lifelong passion for writing songs. He began playing guitar and writing his own material as a teenager, setting the foundation for a career in country music.
In 1994, Mark signed a songwriting deal with MCA Publishing and soon joined Tracy Byrd’s touring band. Mark earned his first No. 1 hit in 1998 when Tim McGraw’s “Just to See You Smile” spent six weeks atop the Billboard Country charts. That same year, Mark released his debut album on Asylum Records.
His songwriting success continued with George Strait, who recorded “Go On” in 2000 and “Living and Living Well,” a No. 1 single, in 2002. In 2008, Mark co-wrote another chart-topper with Keith Urban’s “You Look Good in My Shirt,” followed by Josh Turner’s “Time Is Love,” Billboard’s most-played country song of 2012. Throughout his career, Mark has collaborated with many artists including Billy Currington, Aaron Tippin, and many others, establishing himself as one of Nashville’s most respected hitmakers.
CONNECT WITH MARK
Phillip White
Phillip White is an Academy of Country Music award-winning and Grammy-winning songwriter and producer who has spent the last 20-plus years writing songs for some of the biggest artists in the business. George Strait,Luke Bryan, Chris Ledoux, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Reba, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, and Jake Owen are some of the artists who have recorded Phillip's work. Among these include the 2003 ACM Song of the Year "I'm Movin' On", The Theme song for Reba's self-titled hit TV show "I'm A Survivor", and Blake Shelton's "Nobody But Me." Over the past couple of decades Phillip’s been published by some of music row's most respected publishers, including stops at Murrah Music, Disney, Universal, Sea Gayle, and Spirit Music. As a performer, White has played some of the most legendary venues in the nation, including the Ryman Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry House, The Station Inn, The Louisiana Hayride, The Bluebird Cafe, The Disney Theater, and The Florida Theater, just to name a few. White signed with legendary FAME Music, a dream come true for this North Alabama Native.
CONNECT WITH PHILLIP
a girl named jo
Jo Stevens—“a girl named jo”—is fully immersed in her life in the far northern hinterlands of Montana, but her heavy Southern accent quickly reveals, she’s “not from around there.” Indeed, Jo grew up on a farm in south Georgia, then spent fifteen years in Nashville, where she was a signed songwriter and artist at publishing houses and labels including Sony ATV, RCA, and SMACK. Highlights from her time in Nashville include being named to Rolling Stone’s 10 New Artists You Need to Know in 2017 and CMT’s Next Women of Country 2018, making her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2013, and becoming Highway Find on Sirius XM’s The Highway in 2017. Jo was the opening act on Blake Shelton’s All About Tonight Tour, Chris Young and Thomas Rhett’s Liquid Neon Tour, and Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley’s Locked and Reloaded Tour. While writing mostly for her own artist endeavors, Jo also achieved cuts on other artists’ (Billy Ray Cyrus, Pam Tillis/LorrieMorgan, Cody Johnson, and Taylor Hicks) projects as well.
After moving to Montana in 2020, Jo released her first independent project, " Wyoming”, featuring Vince Gill on the title track. “Wyoming” debuted on all major streaming platforms and was playlisted on Spotify’s popular New Boots, Wild Country, Next from Nashville, and Fresh Finds: Country. Apple Music featured Jo on Country Risers, New from Nashville, and she held the leading spot on the Speakin’ Easy playlist in March of 2021.
Jo continues to release new music from her home in Montana, and in 2024, she hosted a concert series called Jo + Friends. Featuring several of Jo’s close collaborators and friends from the music business, the show was an in-the-round style format where Jo and the featured artists sang original songs and shared the stories behind them. Her newest endeavor, Big Sky Troubadours, continues to bring songwriters out west to play intimate songwriter shows and host songwriting retreats.
CONNECT WITH JO
Booking: agirlnamedjo@icloud.com
BEN LARSON
Walking his own path between the traditions of western folk and cowboy poetry, Ben Larson’s original work tells the unvarnished stories of family and friends living in the modern rural west, tales from life on the road, and words of wisdom compiled from years living outdoors and working with his hands. From his home in Philipsburg, Montana, Ben has self-published four music albums, three non-fiction books, and two poetry compilations.
CONNECT WITH BEN
Lance Handyside
After growing up on traditional bluegrass, country, southern rock, and electric blues, Lance's style consists of a blend of all of the above. His original songs weave a tapestry of Love, loss, truth, wisdom, and comedy with a story behind every song. Mixing a unique style of hybrid guitar picking, trademark riffs, and intense live energy, one hundred percent is given every night, no matter the size of the crowd.
CONNECT WITH LANCE
amanda stewart
Amanda Stewart carries the heart of country soul with Montana Roots. Growing up on her grandparents’ cattle ranch, she was steeped in the rhythms of ranch life and the quiet, deliberate pace of rural living. It was there that Amanda first fell in love with country, Americana, and folk music genres, whose honest storytelling would become the foundation of her own sound. Over the years, she’s honored a style often described as “sad girl country,” blending personal reflection with melodies that leave a lasting impression.
Amanda burst into the music scene with her debut album Miss American Lie in 2022, followed by her second release, Venom, in 2023. She’s set to release a two-part EP this fall. Over the years, Amanda has shared the stage with notable artists including: Tyler Childers, Clint Black, and Jordan Davis.
CONNECT WITH AMANDA
GUITAR GIVEAWAY
You could own this beautiful Gibson L-00 Standard in Blueberry Burst—Handmade in the Gibson Acoustic Custom Shop, an exclusive guitar from Music Villa in Bozeman, Montana.
BEVERAGE OPTIONS
Everyone's favorite 5 Star Dive Bar
At your service in the theatre lobby.
“You’re not only attracting wonderful people to come experience our community, but also inspiring those of us who live here to get out and enjoy all that our town has to offer. Thank you for everything you’re doing. I can’t wait for the next show!”
– Aubrey B. - Victory Lanes