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Craft Local is going country for April’s ArtWalk! Join us for an evening filled with country and western music that will keep the good vibes going all night!Stop by to explore the latest western-inspired artwork from some of the region’s top talents. The ArtWalk will officially commence at 5 PM, with Brian Zoller kicking off the musical festivities at 6 PM. Following him, Jerod Birchell will take the stage accompanied by special guest Samuel Romans on mandolin at 7 PM.
At 8 PM, we are thrilled to welcome back Denver Venoit and Jay Gavin to the Craft Local stage, joined by special guest Aaron Craig on upright bass.
Denver Venoit, affectionately known in the area as Ole Man Kidd, draws down heartfelt melodies from above that will stir your spirit and give you a refreshing jolt. Originally from the Yukon, Denver’s musical journey began as a touring drummer across North America, developing an insatiable desire for adventure. The day he lost his best friend in a tragic fire in Montreal ignited his passion for songwriting, leading him to don a cowboy hat and pen folk, country, and blues tunes ever since.
The emotional cry of the bottleneck slide from Denver’s steel guitar echoes a deep yearning, shaped by his journeys. He has performed his songs in the vast expanses of the Yukon tundra, the Mojave desert, and the Saskatchewan plains, where he worked for multiple seasons as a bison ranch hand. Ole Man Kidd’s music captures a nostalgic essence, reflecting the poignant truths of both personal and collective history.
For those who enjoy outlaw country and folk music, Jay Gavin’s charismatic, motorcycle-riding persona distinguishes him from the mainstream Americana crowd. His journey through North America in punk and metal bands, coupled with his upbringing in a small fishing village surrounded by musicians, has deeply influenced his artistry. With a background of labor-intensive jobs in fishing, tobacco, logging, and construction, Jay has poured his heart and soul into his music. Returning to his roots in country, folk, and bluegrass, he began crafting his own songs while wearing his influences—John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Paycheck, and Jerry Jeff Walker—proudly on his sleeve. Constantly on the road, often sleeping in his van (sometimes with his bike), Jay embraces the outlaw country lifestyle and cherishes every moment. His 2024 album, Road Ready, produced by Grammy-nominated Denny Knight (known for his work with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Conway Twitty), soared to #1 on the Alt-Country Specialty chart in May 2024. One of his singles, Kristofferson's "From The Bottle to The Bottom," was recorded in his hometown of Prince Edward Island during the summer of 2024.
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Event Venue
2501 Montana Ave., Billings, MT, United States
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Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
